Maria’s Mexican Kitchen
17028 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA, 92504
Maria’s Mexican Kitchen Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Riverside for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Riverside for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Riverside for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
17028 Van Buren Blvd
Riverside, CA, 92504 - Phone (951) 780-2034
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :10:30 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Adrian K.
A wonderful experience, friendly servers, good spices and hands down one of the best strawberry lemonades I have ever had. I well be back. Decor: 8/10 Atmosphere: 10/10 Speed of service: 8/10 Quality of food: 9/10 Quantity of food: 9/10 Price: $
(5)Anahit M.
The food is excellent. The atmosphere is a little dark for my taste. The salsa is great, but it is very spicy. I had to wave someone down for water after eating it. It would be nice if the person who brought the salsa asked what we wanted to drink. It's a family owned business, and I would definitely return.
(4)tara k.
Small little place at the back of the shopping center...but oh so good! They have some bomb salsa here, I get it to go for parties on occasion. Chicken fajitas are delish, lots of sides and tasty goodies. Enchiladas are good, gooey cheese, decent red sauce. The crispy tacos (we get ground beef) are soo good! Come on a separate little plate (almost a bowl) so it stays crunchy, lots of lettuce and cheese and meat, yum!
(5)Nece J.
By far, THE BEST Mexican restaurant I have ever been to. In fact, the best meal that Ive eatten this year. I had the Flautas Especiale and Tortilla soup. The flautas we ever so lightly fried & perfectly crispy. The chicken within was delicious too. It was topped w/ half an advacado, sliced. I've never had Tortilla Soup like this and was hesitatant to eat it. Errr ma gerrrd! I'm glad I did. I want more today! Check out my uploaded pic of the soppopias (sp?), flautas & soup...Delish! We will be back, time & time again
(5)Jodi M.
My sister and I had dinner at Maria's Mexican Kitchen last night. She and her husband are regulars and my boyfriend and I have eaten there a handful of times as well. I was very pleased that my favorite waitress Celia was our server! She was amazing as always and gave us excellent, friendly service! The food was very good, and as I am a creature of habit I ordered the Chile Rellano and Cheese Enchilada dinner again. I was not disappointed, and there was too much food to finish it all. The restaurant is cozy and intimate and a perfect place to dine and spend time with friends and family. Note to self: Eat here more often!
(5)Travis G.
This is one of the easiest 5 stars I will ever have the pleasure to give. Maria's is our new favorite mexican restaurant. If you love mexican food then you have to come here. The chile relleno and cheese enchilada combo was terrific. Also, you must try the sopapillas.
(5)Darla D.
Love this place! Been going there for years, yet to be unhappy with a single thing. Even when we get it to go and eat a half hour later, it's still delicious! We grew up here in so cal and love authentic Mexican flavors, and we always find that here. Celia is the greatest, and their 'special' sauce is to die for.
(5)Erikita E.
Great Service the staff is very friendly, Mexican food with more of a "Spanish" feel. I didn't get to meet Maria but if I ever do, I'll have to tell her not to heat up the plate so much because it dries out the food. Other than that pretty ordinary Mexican food. TRY THE GREEN HOT SAUCE, IT'S GOOD
(3)Aaron F.
Couldn't be more satisfied my simple expectations were met. Service and food was excellent. Super happy to have found this place. What ever they are doing here I hope they keep it up and keep us coming back in.
(4)Gary D.
We love this restaurant. Great food, wonderful servers, etc. plus, they serve menudo everyday!
(5)Alvina C.
This was our first and last time at this restaurant. Chips, salsa, and tortilla soup were great! We got the lunch special with soup and two ground beef tacos. Also ordered a shredded beef taco on the side. All three tacos were extremely under seasoned. The meat had very little taste surrounded with nothing else but lettuce and tomatoes. We asked for sour cream thinking that would give the tacos a little more taste. She came back with a small serving (3 tablespoons). Additionally the refried beans were overcooked and dry. When we got the check we were surprised to see a $1.25 charge and asked what that was for and she said the sour cream. We told her we were not aware of that charge and she replied that it was on the menu. This was upsetting because I did not see the charge on the menu when I was ordering because I wasn't considering a need to order sour cream and she didn't mention this charge when we asked for sour cream...
(2)Jenny J.
Yum, yum. Best Mexican food in town. The BEST chips and salsa. Service is great. Have been going here for over 15 years. They serve the best glass of chardonnay. Filled to the rim. All the food is delish. Pretty much always have chicken enchiladas or tacos....did I mention the chips and salsa?
(5)Alex M.
I grew up eating at this place with my parents when it was just the mexican kitchen. Since then they have opened a second location. The enchiladas are delicious.Service is also good.
(4)Carrie R.
I love the food. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in our neighborhood. I wish they would do a little customer service training for the waitresses. Great service goes a long way. The girls are always nice, but not enough attention is paid to the customer. Instead I see the girls in the corner on their phones and an empty cup or beer bottle ends up sitting on my table for too long.
(4)Christy R.
The mexican kitchen has awesome authentic mexican food, and amazing michelada's! There food is amazing, I'd highly recommend it
(5)Rebec M.
OK so about this restaurant where do i start. I decided to go there since i love Mexican food and the first time i went i tried the tortilla soup... let me just say it tasted NOTHING like tortilla soup. First off , the broth tasted like pure sink water. And the soup had absolutely no flavor what so ever. I took 3 sips out of the soup and i asked for the check. I thought it might of been just the soup so i gave the restaurant another try. Next time I went i ordered two "carna sada" tacos. When i tasted it, it was absolutely discussing. My Husband ordered the same thing and he was grossed out. The meat tasted like straight up PORK. No flavoring what so ever. It seemed like they didnt even wash the meat before cooking it. I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THAT RESTURANT. AND SERIOUSLY OVER PRICED!! STICK TO EL TORRITO
(1)Rose G.
Horrible just horrible. I came in to get albondigas soup it tasted OLD! AND even my daughter's grilled cheese tasted old. Never again.
(1)Alicia M.
This is our family go to spot for mexican food. The food is great, the staff is excellent and it's close to home. They have posole on the menu EVERYDAY! They even purée the tortilla soup for my special needs daughter.
(5)Deena B.
It there were 6 stars I would give them! I am 31 years old and been eating at the mexican kitchen since I was two! Enchiladas are to die for and their salsa is the best salsa I've ever had in my life! Shhh! We won't tell my mother in law, but it's better than hers :) I know all the servers that work there and they have seen me grow over the years. Thank you to the owners for doing such a great job, and sharing your cuisine! Muuuuaaahhh!
(5)Ricardo P.
I don't know why I came here not expecting much but surprise surprise the food was delicious. I walked in there the waitress was very nice and sat us down and bought us chips and salsa. I order the beef taco and enchilada plate which was delicious . Over all great service and great food!
(5)Diego C.
Posole is delicious, and the shrimp cocktail is great!!!!!.........good costumer service fast and clean, price is ok I will recommend this place
(4)Lilly S.
The decor in this establishment was lovely very bright & airy, and the service attentive. I had my fill of diet coke & chips ( however the chips taste like there from a bag) and salsa was unremarkable. The food was disappointing -nachos w/ burned cheese & the spicy quesadilla really lacking in any flavor. The tortilla soup was good.
(2)Lacey A.
I have been coming here to eat for over 17 years.....to this day I have nothing but great things to say about this restaurant. Love it. Good service, good food, reasonable prices. Just another great local place to grab a bite to eat!! Must try the Micheladas, Albondigas soup and of course their chips and salsa!!!
(5)Ricky D.
Very good chips and salsa. Great Pasole and try the taco especial. Been coming here for years. Always good and consistent. This is our local go to spot if we want a solid Mexican meal.
(4)Keith W.
Great food! But it took 35 minutes to get at food and it was just tacos what's really going on. If your not in a rush it's worth the stop
(3)Leo G.
I lived here in WoodCrest for 9 years now and this was my first visit to this restaurant. I must say this is truly not authentic Mexican food. The food had no taste and no spice to it. They got my order wrong twice. The food came back to me luke warm. The service there just sucks. Very high prices compared to other Mexican restaurants who are definitely 100% authentic . I definitely do not recommend Maria's Mexican kitchen! And I will not be coming back!!!!
(1)Lyssa M.
Very friendly service. Great authentic Mexican food! I love the chicken Flautas and tortilla soup are amazing!!
(4)Mrs M.
Err... who charges for house chips and salsa when you order food?? I'm a regular and was charged for salsa. SALSA! The usual server wasn't in today. Hate it when they dob't properly train the newbs....
(1)Kristin M.
My favorite restaurant. Best chips and salsa. Great service. We eat here at least twice a month and never have any complaints. The fiesta salad is my favorite :)
(5)Amber V.
I wanted to try a new place and I wasn't impressed! Margarita was not the greatest and we waited forever and a day for our food to be served and by then we were already full off the chips! But I still wanted to taste the food and I thought everything was salty. Our server was great though but $50 bucks after I decided I won't be returning :/
(2)Arlene R.
I give it a 2 star not because the food was not bad, it was soo delicious but I give it a 2 star because of the dead flies on the window sill and the one that plopped over dead on our table. Cleaning the window sills will give them better ratings. 8/9/2014. Also it is a Cash Only establishment!
(2)Patrick M.
After recently writing a review about a bad experience at another Mexican restaurant chain (Miguel's Jr) it feels good to write about an experience that was the complete opposite. Nice home/family atmosphere. You notice it right away when you walk into the restaurant. Some music was playing that you could also hear outside, but I don't remember what was playing. What I do remember is the chips and salsa! Just the right amount of salt for me (which might be too much for other people... I like salt... which is probably why I have to watch my blood pressure) the homemade salsa was delicious. Fine chopped tomato salsa. This is the type I prefer. I do not like the extra chunky large pieces of tomatoes in the salsa. Salsa Rant* This should be notated on all jars of Salsa at the grocery store. You would think that Restaurant style salsa would be the non chunky style, since every restaurant I go to serve non chunky salsa. But nope, restaurant style is a chunky mess. And you can't tell by looking at the salsa in the jar either. It all looks the same until you open it. I am going to buy a food processor and make my own salsa eventually. Speaking of salsa (or not actually I am completely changing the topic a bit) how can you mess up Mexican food in California?? When I lived in Indiana and I was getting fake guacamole I understood it because it isn't easily attainable. But if you live here or Texas you have no excuse (I'm looking at you Miguel's Jr!) Your food should be good, or go find someone that knows what they are doing. It is like living down south and completely destroying soul food. You have no business owning a restaurant if you can't get it right in the state that have the people that can chef it up for you! End kind of Salsa rant* Anyway, I ordered the Meatball soup. This was surprisingly good and I wasn't expecting it to be considering that a lot of the reviews talk about the meat having no taste. The soup here was good and I could see ordering a few bowls of this for lunch just because. For the dinner I ordered the Empanaditas De Camaron & Cheese Enchilada. (with a side of real sour cream and real guacamole... still looking at you Miguel's Jr!!!) This was so good. The only time I have had an Empanada of some kind was from a street vendor. I thought that was good but these (I got two) blew it out of the water! It was almost too juicy. With every bite liquid poured out of the empanadita. I got the sea food version (after typing that I looked up De Camaron and it says it means Rice and Shrimp so there you go!) the Cheese Enchilada was nothing special but good like you would expect it to be. I am glad this location is just right around the corner from my house. Will be heading back the next time I need Mexican food.
(5)Amanda L.
We went to Maria's Mexican Kitchen to have dinner for my moms bday. We have been here plenty of times and been happy with the food & service. Unfortunately on this specific event, we were waiting to be seated for 10 minutes even though there were plenty of open tables. The servers came to tables near the waiting area on several occasions & we were ignored multiple times. It was pretty disappointing being that we went there for a specific occasion.
(2)Shawna A.
We found this place using yelp. We are from the SF Bay Area. The reviews are correct. Best meal we have had since we have been here and the SERVICE WAS EXCELLENT! The red enchilada sauce was great. I'm hoping we can make it back before we leave.
(5)Kali R.
Nice little gem in the neighborhood. Their chips and salsa are the best that I've ever tasted! You'll have to come just for that. Food is decent and best of all is the location. It's away from the hustle and bustle and located in the heart of Woodcrest.
(4)Aly G.
I love the food here! It's delicious and Jennifer always takes takes care of me. I would highly recommend this restaurant. :)
(5)Rebecca N.
The restaurant was cute and small, with lots of mexican culture decoration everywhere. The staff are really nice here. I had trouble deciding what dishes to order, and she really helped me out. Service was really quick and prompt. The big taco I had was pretty good. The shredded beef though was just mildly bland for me. I love the big crunch from the the taco shell, I wished they diced up that wedge of tomato. It is awkward having a wedge sitting on the top of my taco. The enchilada rancheros was pretty good. The meat was a little on the bland and dry side for me despite it being slathered in sauce. The egg on the plate was a nice touch. Nothing too special with the taquitos made, the meat again was a little bland. I would probably come here if I was too lazy to drive down to Moreno Valley to Mama Chuy's. The food here is okay, but I feel like it could be better.
(3)Marcella A.
Not only is the food quite good but the service is friendly and top notch. They will gladly tailor a meal if asked and they have a small patio for outdoor dining which is our favorite. This is family-owned and operated. If you want great Mexican cuisine and a kick back atmosphere, this is for you.
(5)Jennifer C.
Been going here 25 years, absolutely love the food and the establishment is beautiful with a very lively environment. My only issue is the very new and very young staff needs to get their act together. I'll assume its because they are young and new but it needs to get better.
(5)Jeanette C.
We have eaten here food is always good, my complaint is really about the fried ice cream we received. I have had fried ice cream before, I know its a fired shell around the ice cream... what we got was a large ball of vanilla ice cream and im not kidding it was frosted flakes or some sweet cereal crumpled around the ice cream. It was still delicious but clearly not an authentic fried ice cream and more like a stoner treat.... FYI just because people are white doesn't mean that they don't know the difference...if you live in Cali you have been raised on good Mexican food and you know authentic or not.
(2)Mary O.
Where to start... well it's not authentic Mexican food... none of the waitresses spoke spanish... the food was very basic in terms of tatse... and the micheladas were gross... But the music was GREAT... Anyhow, those who haven't had REAL Mexican food will say this place is great... However, I am Hispanic, and I feel as if El Torito represents Mexican food much better, and I'm not that big on food-chain restaurants... I will say that the decore is nice and warm... it seems like I'm in a real Mexican restaurant in the inner parts of Mexico but looks are deceiving...
(2)Joel O.
I'd heard about this nice little restaurant a few weeks ago and finally got around to visiting today with a buddy of mine. He'll write his own review at some point. I was immediately impressed by the outward appearance of the restaurant, the ease of access, and the available parking. It is tucked away on the northwest corner of the strip mall and you have to actually look for it or you might miss it. The inside of the restaurant was as pleasant as the outside and the music was set at a reasonable level. We were served right away and had drinks, chips, and salsa on the table in about 90 seconds. Great service! We ordered from the lunch special menu and were very happy with the prices. I was surprised to see that each lunch special came with either a salad or a soup. I ordered the albondigas and my buddy had a salad. They were served immediately. This is where a little disappointment sets in. The albondigas (meatball soup) appeared to have been made with frozen meatballs more suited to Italian dishes than this soup. With a name like "Mexican Kitchen" I really hoped to get a traditional bowl or cup of real albondigas. Homemade albondigas typically are made with rice in the meatballs. It usually has a light spicy flavor and usually contains potatoes. It is also normally served with cilantro, diced onions, and lime for additional flavor. I tried to add some flavor by adding salsa, but the frozen meatball taste just couldn't be disguised. Then the main course came and I was very impressed with the speed, freshness, and portion size. I had two tacos that were some of the largest tacos I have ever had. The rice and beans tasted great and appeared to be traditionally made. The shredded beef appeared to be lean, but again, needed a healthy dose of salsa for flavor. We finished our meal, paid our very reasonable bill, and walked outside intending to take photos of the outside of the restaurant with our iPhones. As I was taking the photo, an unidentified woman rushed up from our left and asked us why we were taking photos of the business. She appeared to be very concerned...odd because I was in a shirt and tie and my buddy was in a work uniform. We definitely did not look like bad guys, but we sure felt like it at that point! I explained that we were taking photos for Yelp reviews and she looked at us with a somewhat blank expression. I asked her if she was the owner of the business and she said she was. I asked her if she was familiar with Yelp and again she said yes. She then asked, "Are you going to give a positive review?" I replied, "Potentially." We had a little more conversation and I decided to give her my assessment of the albondigas. I suggested she make homemade meatballs with rice, etc... rather than use frozen meatballs and she listened and continued to stare blankly without replying. It began to get really uncomfortable, so we excused ourselves and left. I intended to rate the restaurant at 4 stars, but the soup and our weird encounter with the alleged owner prompted me to drop it by one star. Overall, this is a nice place and the food is good. The best part of the experience was the service we received from our server. I'll be more stealthy with the next business photo I take so as not to arouse such suspicion!
(3)Zeek W.
A very uncomfortable encounter with the owner (at least she claimed to be) soured an otherwise good experience. My friend and I enjoyed very good service and a tasty lunch. I had a chili reyano burrito that was delicious. My friend enjoyed his lunch, except for the poor quality meatballs in the albondigas. On our way out, we stopped for a few seconds to snap a photo of the front of the restaurant for our Yelp review (as we always do). As my friend was snapping his photo, a frantic-looking middle-age woman stopped her white pick-up truck in the middle of a traffic aisle of the parking lot, jumped out, and hurriedly walk at us, yelling, "Is everything okay, why are we taking pictures?" My friend politely explained that we were taking photos for our Yelp review and asked if she was familiar with Yelp. She said that she was aware of Yelp and then demanded to know if our reviews would be positive. We asked who she was and the woman claimed to be the owner of the restaurant. My friend (who is much nicer and more patient than I am) took a minute to provide an honest critique of our dining experience (mostly positive). The woman offered no response whatsoever, but rather stood there, staring blankly at us. I can't remember the last time I felt so uncomfortable. We excused ourselves and left. This odd woman never acknowledged my friend's critique, never thanked him for all the nice things he said about the restaurant, and never thanked us for dining there nor welcomed us to return. Unfortunately, despite having a good meal, I will NEVER step foot in Mexican Kitchen again!
(3)Tiffany W.
We've been coming her for over 10 years, it's my favorite Mexican restaurant around! Let me just start with the salsa... it's so good and fresh, authentic and tasty! The food always comes out quick and hot! It should be a given but many times is not and it's my main complaint with Mexican food places but the cheese is always melted! !!!! I absolutely can't stand getting my food on a hot plate when the cheese is still in shredded form! The service is friendly and the atmosphere is pleasant... I especially like that they don't have a problem substituting flour tortillas in their enchiladas!
(5)Derek M.
love this place. we come here all the time and are never disappointed. salsa is the best in town. waitresses are always friendly and personable.
(5)Mark C.
Mexican Kitchen is a very cozy and relaxing place. The decor and atmosphere is just wonderful! it transports you out of the country for a moment. The wait staff is always helpful and very friendly. Food is authentic and always comes out rather fast for being so fresh. A great hidden place and one of the absolute best places in the Inland Empire for mexican food. Dinner with drink will cost about 12/person, Lunch just under 10/person
(4)Megan C.
I live in the orangecrest area and we decided to go here on a whim, the chips and salsa were good but the nasty plants and fountain out front made me Leary lol, our server was really nice and we were the only people in there that evening. I ordered a Carne Asada plate, when it came out it was laughable, it was the tiniest piece of meat I had ever been served at a restaurant in my life!! And for almost 18$?? After several minutes of trying to get someone's attention our server returned and agreed that it was an unusually small piece of steak (it was super tiny) she went to the back to get the manager but he/she would not come out, so she said that they could make me another piece if I'd like and I said yes, several minutes later she returned embarrassed with another exceptionally small piece of meat, I would compare it to the size of a chicken strip on top of the fact that carne Asada is also very thin.Totally not worth the price, and no manager in sight, besides the fact that it was EXTREMELY salty. My husband liked his burrito but we can get something equal or better somewhere else for a better price, I was so disappointed because my husband and I had gone there on our 2 Date many years ago and it just wasn't the same. Don't think we'll be going back.
(2)Lorna J.
My favorite Mexican food in Riverside County. I love the tostada grande. The chicken is always tender and the lettuce always crisp. The salsa is addicting, we try to tell them no on the second or third helping of chips, but you just can't. The staff is always friendly and welcoming always with a smile. And they know when you are in a hurry, and will speed things up if necessary. When they changed the menu a little while back they had this incredible burrito. Thankfully, anytime I ask for it, they delivery it the same as the first time, more than 7 years ago. Visit for yourself, you will not be disappointed.
(5)Karl H.
I have a soft spot for Mexican Kitchen. Well over a decade ago, I used to come here with my parents after an exhausting day at school. Once inside, the dim light and soft music lulled me into a mellow daydream of cheese and carne asada. Today, the experience is much the same. On a hot afternoon, you can duck inside for a chilled mug of Negra Modelo and a wet burrito. The interior is decorated with colorful pastel masks and ivy vines. Even when packed, the interior is pleasantly calming. The food, however, no longer meets my standards. Their burritos are brittle, filled with underseasoned meat and flavorless beans. The albondigas resembles balls of overcooked hamburger meat. Certainly not up to local standards. When I returned today, it was for the nostalgia. The next time I'm hungry for authentic Mexican cuisine, however, you won't find me in Woodcrest.
(3)Susanne M.
So if you are eating there I recommend the salad since it is always fresh and crunchy with iceberg lettuce. The enchilada's and sauce are amazing. The chili relleno was very greasy and not fresh tasting it had flavor with not very much sauce. As a chef it is worth mentioning not to make relleno ahead of time, you can stuff them with cheese but batter them for each order. I ordered the shrimp cocktail and it was very authentic. This is family owed restaurant so the menu is made up of family recipes. The music is out of line loud and they need to get something that everyone will like. The TV usually has a sporting event and is always nice for a family joint. Service is ok and they do go out of the way to make sure you are happy filling your chips and drinks when needed. Great place to go during the week, no lines, go comfortable and enjoy the spirit of Maria's families restaurant.
(4)Tom B.
i think most of the reviews are right on the money and can be trusted. The atmosphere is great. The service is terrific. The food is delivered promptly. The price is quite reasonable. I find the food bland, but that's not bad. One can always add their terrific salsa to spice things up. The soups on the other hand are terrific. Tip: If you like soup, order a large soup as a meal. You won't be disappointed. The albondigas soup is the best I have had since La Villa closed years ago.
(3)Nicknamed B.
Our family came here about a week ago. Food was very good and our waiter was on top of the drink refills. Great experience. My only issue is that the "booths" are kind of awkward and uncomfortable. The place looks like it could use a dusting and it was very dark since we were seated in the back of the restauraunt.
(4)Colleen M.
I really enjoyed coming here with my boss for the first time last week. I had the taco especial and it was good. Chips and salsa are excellent and so was the service. My only complaint was about the chicken in my taco: it wasn't very good, bland really. The other flavors were good and strong enough that I was still able to enjoy my meal. I've heard great things about the carne asada and pork, but because I only eat chicken I'm not able to tell you if those positive things are true or not. The chili relleno was pretty good (took a bite of my bosses). Anyway, with that being said I would still recommend a visit here. It is arguably one of the better Mexican restaurants in the riverside area- but that's not saying too much.
(3)Vivian M.
The food was meh. Not impressed at all!!
(2)Kristopher K.
We have came here a few times since moving in the area and we are happy it's there. It's a quaint place where the servers are friendly and the food is pretty darn good too. I've had a burrito and the enchiladas and both passed but what really stands out is the tortilla soup, unlike any soup i've had. Tasty.
(4)Lacey M.
I have been going to Maria's for as long as I can remember and my family and I absolutely LOVE this place! The service is excellent! The staff is very friendly, the chips and salsa are to die for, and the food is arguably some of the best Mexican food in Riverside. My family loves going on Wednesday nights for their ' buy one combo, get another combo for $1.50 '. My aunt, who lives out of state, requests that we eat here at least once while she is visiting everytime she visits!! They have also recently opened another location in Corona that I have yet to go to. I highly recommend this place to anybody I know!
(5)Kat K.
Hands down, this is the best privately owned, non-chain restaurant in the Inland Empire. Their chicken tacos are fantastic, enchiladas are cheesy-wonderful, and the chicken tortilla soup is THE BEST. I actually don't want to recommend this place because they ya'll will go there and I'll never get a table. They also do take out.
(5)Y V.
OK so I was raised down the street from this place and have only went a few times... Mostly cause My Mom said, "if you want Mexican Food, I am Mexican so all the food I make is Mexican Food!" So I told My hubby lets give it a try! The restaurant was nice and the staff very sweet! The Food really Taste Great! I had the Chicken Empanadas. I a very hard dish to make... Most people don't know how to make this dish properly. (the meat can come out dry and the dough dense from frying) The Empanadas were light and fluffy and the chicken taste like homemade fresh chicken. Like they got a whole chicken roasted it shredded it and seasoned it. Very Yummy! My Hubby ordered nachos for a starter and he had ground beef tacos. My hubby is picky and he LOVED his Dinner. He said the Nachos and Tacos reminded him of Gay and Larry's a old Riverside gem no longer around! He's been on a Indiana Jones type of quest to find Nachos Like Gay and Larry's! The portions I think could be a lil more hearty but I Left satisfied. So now I get to why I give just an OK rating.... The RESTROOMS!!! They are old and out dated and a bit on the eww factor! When the paint is wearing off your toilet seat its time to head to Home Depot just down the way of Washington! A lil sprucing and paint could do wonders! And the Hall way to the restrooms needs a washing and coat of paint.... There are finger prints on the wall I am hoping is just grease! Everything as far as food and service goes out the door when I see that on a wall where the OWNERS and STAFF, HAVE to Pass by on daily basis, multiple times and NO ONE has given a DARN to clean it! So its My hope they will see this post and have done some cleaning the next time I do go back I will see some changes... Your business and work place is a reflection of you!
(3)Rachelle A.
Mexican Kitchen is delicious and I could not decide what to order! The service is very fast and the resturant is very clean!
(5)Brent W.
I found this place about 2 months ago after living here for well over a year & I bow my head down everyday in shear disappointment with myself for not finding it sooner. The atmosphere is nice & there are 2 or 3 TVs hanging on opposite walls usually playing something random with the volume muted which is nice for an intimate meal. I asked Selena, one of the ladies who work there (nicest girl ever) if she could put on the Laker game and she gladly did with a smile on her face. Very good, friendly service! The food.... Ohhh the food. Wow. I grew up eating authentic Mexican food at least 3 nights out of the week, & still hold on to that tradition as much as I can.. & let me say, this place definitely brings my taste buds back. I've never been a shredded beef kind of guy, (especially when a menu is packed with Al Pastor, Pollo, Carnitas, etc.) and I am now a firm believer. Mexican Kitchen has renewed my faith in shredded beef people. It is so juicy and flavorful. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND getting the Shredded Beef Taco Especial combo plate. (I found out a few kitchen secrets on why its so juicy and good & it all makes sense now). Even the Carnitas was nice and crispy on the outside which made me think dry, hard-to-swallow meat, but the inside was moist and juicy and mind blowing! Everything I've had from this place, from the soups to the burritos or the service to the price, has been amazing. I love Mexican Kitchen.. & even though I hate Riverside with a passion, you'll find me always coming back here no matter how far the distance between us.. :')
(5)David S.
I just checked this little place out the other day. I was in the area and there arent too many restaurants to choose from. I was the only person there at two o'clock in the afternoon. Servers were quick to greet me as I walked in the door. My steak and shrimp fajita plate was served piping hot and my DoseXX was served ice cold. If you're looking for good home-cooked Mexican food in the area this is worth a visit. The booth seating was quite uncomfortable. Decor is a little utdated. Chips and salsa were delicious.
(4)M M.
I have been going to this place for over 20 years and have seen the menu expand over the years, the additions of breakfast on the weekends, and recent remodel. They have great specials such as a burrito special on Tuesday and entree special on Wednesday where if you buy 1 entree, you receive another for $1.49. The chips and salsa are downright addictive. The taco and enchilada combo is my favorite. The lunch menu includes soup or salad and the albondigas is pretty good, but does not compare to homemade. The fried ice cream is tasty with ice cream, covered in corn flakes, sprinkled with honey and topped with whipped cream. The waitresses are extremely friendly and remember repeat visitors. The service never disappoints.
(5)Mike C.
Really enjoyed Mexican Kitchen tonight. The service was ok, but my food was delish. I ordered the carnitas quesadillas with a few ice-cold Bohemias. This was a tasty dish. Simple but tasty. It was accompanied by beans and rice, the rice probably my least favorite part of the meal as it contained several withered peas and othe assorted "vegetables." I know that's one type of Mexican rice, but I'm not a fan. My wife ordered the shrimp cocktail which contained more than enough shrimp as well as avocado, etc. We were both happy with our food and our daughter enjoyed her kids plate. Overall, an enjoyable experience. We'll be back. And I better not forget the chips and salsa........big YUM factor!
(3)Steve L.
I heard about this place through a friend so thought I'd drive out to eat there. Service was ok (I was the only person there and it was rather slow). I had heard so much about this place, but I must be in the minority. I had the carne asada burrito and it was just okay. Certainly not worth making a special trip back for. As for the prices, I've seen several reviews here say how great the prices are which shocks me. Most of the plates are $12 - $16, which for a small Mexican restaurant around here is rather pricey. My bill came to just over $12 for a burrito and coke. I've had better for far less at other mom-and-pop places. Like usual, when I have just a mediocre experience, I'll go back once or twice more to make sure it wasn't one of "those days." I'll make sure I'm in the area, though!
(2)Nicole C.
Probably the best mexican food I have had in California. Chimichanga was awesome! Service was quick as well, there were onlypeople at 2 other tables though. You could easily miss this place with its location, but I would suggest it!
(4)Nicolette v.
Little gem of Woodcrest Riverside, you can't go wrong with great, yummy, heart warming mexican food from Mexican Kitchen! My boyfriend and I tried this place out a few months back and fell in love with it! We came a half hour before closing and our waitress got us our drinks, chips and salsa in record speed! The nicest people work here and they are so helpful with asking questions about the menus. I was craving menudo which is made fresh everyday with only the best ingredients, and Brent got the Taco special which comes in a yummy huge crunchy taco and the meat..... once you bite into it is full of juicy spices and makes your tastes buds beyond satisfied! Everything we had we finished and it was all amazing. We made it a sunday dinner ritual to go here and get served by our favorite waitress Selena. She always has a smile on and asks how we are doing and what's new. With her there it makes it feel homey and welcoming, the way a family owned place should feel like! Let's see covered the basics Hidden Selena is the best waitress ever Food is like Grandma's cooking Did I mention the prices were phenomenal? oh I didn't.... WELL THEY ARE! So go and save yourself the trip to Del Taco, Taco Bell or El Pollo Loco. Get yourself something to eat that will make your tummy beyond full and your wallet not empty!
(5)Lauren C.
My dad took me here many years ago and I have been hooked ever since (the deep fried ice cream finalized my obsession). I love everything about Mexican Kitchen. I usually get a house salad with beef taquitos. I have also gotten the enchiladas (chicken or cheese... both are amazing). The chips and dip are always FRESH and taste amazing. Don't forget to save room for the deep fried ice cream :) I promise it will be a new favorite!
(5)Richard M.
This is a real surprise to find a quality Mexican restaurant in a strip shopping center. I had the chorizo and eggs with flour tortilla and rice and beans. The g/f had a chile verde burrito, wet smothered in sauce topped with melted cheese. The salsa was spicy, chips fresh and warm, and the service excellent. Can't wait to try this place again, the menu was really extensive.
(4)I Love Reviews P.
The food is ok, but the help sucks! Slow to serve, drink refill are slow, chips and salsa suck.
(2)Sal P.
This is a good little mexican place. Good flavor and a good value. I've eaten here about 5 times and never had a bad experience.
(3)Joey B.
Great food!!! Excellent service!!! I recommend the enchalada and eggs.
(4)Matt B.
I just stopped in for a carnets burrito which ended up being very dry and costing ten bucks. I won't be going back.
(2)Frank L.
Best little Mexican food restaurant in Riverside! Full menu with all traditional Mexican dishes I love love this place!
(5)patty u.
Another favorite family owned Mexican restaurant in town. Its tucked away in a corner of a small shopping center but so worth the visit! Shredded beef tacos are a must, their rice and beans original as they get, quantity and quality for the price is right on target! Small menu and we've tried most of the items and were never disappointed with our choice...great 'especials' on Wed!
(4)bruce r.
Excellent food with the location kind of a secret. The place is packed by the locals and has been a secret of the Woodcrest community. Service is excellent by the tattoo clad waitresses who are extremely friendly. They always get 20% plus from me. Make sure you get the albondigas to go with your meal, it's home made and delicious. I've tried different dishes all the time and I have yet to find a bad dish, everything is delicious and the drinks are well portioned.
(4)Shawn E.
Now this place isn't bad, but its extremely bland. I came to this place expecting authentic mexican food, but it was more like I went to someone's white grandmother's house and had her cook Mexican food for me. The food had no spice to it, the beans were bland, and the rice was like no mexican rice I have had before. I had to drown my burrito in tapatio just to finish my meal. Unfortunately I will have to go elsewhere to fulfill my craving for Mexican food.
(2)Dave B.
Been eating here over 10 years! LOVE IT! My favorite mexican food!
(5)Val P.
The best Mexican restaurant in the state!!!!!!! You will not be disappointed with anything. Great price. Great service.
(5)Sonya N.
I love The Mexican Kitchen. I go there at least 2 times a week. It is cheap, fast, consistent, cheap, and addictive. I think other people find it addictive also. I often run into people I know. It is somewhat of a "hole in the wall" type restaurant but the people that work there are friendly & keep you coming back for more. That is why I give it a 5. I also love their Tortilla Soup. If you come in on Wednesdays, they have a special. Buy one entree, get the 2nd for less than $2. I think it's $1.49!!! Can't beat that! ** I wanted to add that they do take debit & credit cards now & they are remodeling!
(5)Chloebelle C.
What a great find! Great service and Carnitas Tacos were the best I have had anywhere. Highly recommend.
(5)Jennifer F.
Kind of out of the way (5 miles off the freeway) if you're not in the area, but good Mexican cuisine that is NOT made with lard! After a chile relleno, enchilada, beans and rice, I was not feeling grossly full. Mom & Pop feel, good service, good experience over all.
(3)Mark B.
After seraching for a place to replace Olivia's (which now sucks after going there for 12+ yrs), THIS PLACE IS IT!. Great chips, salsa and large portions. Tortilla soup is fantastic. And, unlike Olivia's the service is fast and polite and fast to keep your drinks re-filed, if that's important to you. Worth the drive.
(4)Leanne H.
Really good authentic Mexican food. Great friendly service. Very affordable.
(4)Heather V.
They now accept credit and have recently remodeled, expanding the dining room, so there is a lot more space and new chairs. I still love this place!
(5)Wayne A.
For 20 years we have been going to the Mexican Kitchen. Have seen a couple different owners over that time. My kids always enjoyed going there. Last night my wife and I went again - hadn't been there in some time. As always, the food was wonderful, the wait was short and service was friendly and quick. My wife probably makes better mexican food, but for a nice evening out with good food, the Mexican Kitchen is a great place to go. It's kind of like a hole in the wall place that you wouldn't know about unless someone told you.
(5)