Huge drinks, tasty salsa and cheese dip (if a little mild) and yummy chimichangas. This is your basic run of the mill American Mexican restaurant. They have all the things you would expect at Mexican restaurants in normal town USA. The drinks are enormous and fun for a laugh/selfie lol. Almost as big as your head. I had a good time here. The service was good. The food came out quickly enough. It was a Thursday night, and pretty slow, only two other tables besides mine. The chips were fresh and I enjoyed everything I ordered. I would visit again.
(4)
Eric C.
Quality of food and service 10x better than their old location. Major improvements! The space is a little small but it works well.
(5)
Jordan S.
Worst "Mexican" food ever. My nachos looked like someone puked on them and then threw a whole tomato slice on top. I asked for beef tacos about 5 times and still ended up with chicken tacos. I understand they have been there forever....but really? The service is poor. The prices are too high. And I will never return to this establishment.
(1)
Karen S.
It's hard for me to rate this place as I am not a Mexican eater. For what I got (basic meat taco) it seemed fine. Decor seemed kinda dingy, could be updated. A group of us went there for NYE and took waiter a while to take our orders, but once orders was placed, they came out quickly. I know they have happy hour specials (not sure what time), but you can get a big drink for what you pay for.
(3)
Paul B.
There is definitely better! This is an ordinary every day Mexican restaurant- The food is OK, not great. I ordered off of the lunch menu, a cheese steak burrito with side order of beans. This was OK, not great. it was delivered hot with lots of nacho cheese to the point of being gooey~ however, it was OK. The salsa was rather bland, mostly like tomato paste. I asked for a Corona beer - the waiter said they were warm?? but, they did have a nice cold Corona light! I've been told this is a place to go for a quick and affordable lunch?? The atmosphere is really not that great- Don't know if I would go back?? If you want good Mexican food search a little deeper!
(2)
Pete J.
Before I warrant these four stars, let me first preface this review by saying that I really had a poor concept of what Mexican food was all about before moving to San Francisco. Still, for what you're paying (translation: not a lot), you get a giant steaming hot plate of deliciosity at Monterrey's. It's the quintessential meal out with a big group of friends for your average poor college kid. It's been awhile, but by the same standard I recall them making a pretty nice margarita, & they've got a wide variety of Mexican beers available, so be sure to designate a driver.
(4)
Wen C.
My older bro decided on eating here for his grad lunch. Let's say the only good thing here was the unlimited chips, decanters of salsa, and huge beverage cups. I orders the enchilada lunch special with a chicken taco. After devouring a basket of chips and salsa you realize why its there...to hold you off until your food comes 30 mins later. I know it takes more time to cook for a party of 6 but seriously 30 minutes for basic Mexican food? My enchilada was basically a tortilla with ground beef and sauce. My taco was bland boiled chicken that appeared to be on a store bought hard taco shell...I was expecting a soft tortilla. My dad's quesidilla was pretty tasty though, but my mom's beef burrito did not look and taste appealing as well. To state it simply I have had way better.
(2)
Trish A.
I don't know which location we went to in Columbia, but I'll just add onto these reviews. NO. Eek, my first 1-star review. Chimichanga was miniscule and soggy, the sauces on top were really watery and flavorless, side of rice was overdone/mushy, and the chips/salsa you get in the beginning were nothing special. I must admit that my group was what you'd call a buncha campers, but it wasn't nice of our server to passive aggressively huff and puff as he passed by giving us the stinkeye. If this is the best Mexican-American food in Columbia, you're screwed.
(1)
Bob H.
I hear about Monterrey all the time. How it's apparently the best mexican restaurant out there. So...to give a test, I gave it a try. Here's my honest opinion. Their chips and salsa are like any other mexican restaurant I've been too. Their chips tend to be a bit too salty. Their food seems higher priced than other places, but the food is the same quality. So price wise, I give it a 3 out of 10. Quality wise I say it's the same as the others.
(2)
Neal T.
Here's the deal: it's pretty standard Mexican fare. If you're looking for run-of-the-mill food at somewhat decent prices, with zero atmosphere (the decor is laughable - in a bad way), then this is your spot. All that being said, though, I eat here regularly. It's the closest one to my apartment, so it has become the go-to place for Mexican food for us. The fajitas are usually pretty good, and the chips and salsa are great. If you're looking for fine Mexican dining, or Mexican with a twist, you've come to the wrong spot. Somewhat recommended.
(3)
Joy B.
Honestly, this place is not much of an "experience." About the only thing I enjoyed from this place were the cheaper prices. The food is mediocre and the service is really lacking. The place looks like they haven't had a good cleaning in awhile and I feel like the only reason USC students go there is because they don't usually get carded for alcohol. If you're into that go ahead. I am old enough to drink and don't actually look like I am, I have never been carded. That's probably the only reason they are still in business. The restrooms are really disgusting. Also the staff is really not considerate. They speak really loud in the kitchen and have no courtesy for their customers. If you can avoid it don't go. Instead, drive a little bit further and go to La Fiesta. It's a mile down the same road with way better food and even cheaper prices, and you won't consume chips from a giant trash can. (It's true, a giant trash can.) Bon a petit!
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
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.
Laela B.
Huge drinks, tasty salsa and cheese dip (if a little mild) and yummy chimichangas. This is your basic run of the mill American Mexican restaurant. They have all the things you would expect at Mexican restaurants in normal town USA. The drinks are enormous and fun for a laugh/selfie lol. Almost as big as your head. I had a good time here. The service was good. The food came out quickly enough. It was a Thursday night, and pretty slow, only two other tables besides mine. The chips were fresh and I enjoyed everything I ordered. I would visit again.
(4)Eric C.
Quality of food and service 10x better than their old location. Major improvements! The space is a little small but it works well.
(5)Jordan S.
Worst "Mexican" food ever. My nachos looked like someone puked on them and then threw a whole tomato slice on top. I asked for beef tacos about 5 times and still ended up with chicken tacos. I understand they have been there forever....but really? The service is poor. The prices are too high. And I will never return to this establishment.
(1)Karen S.
It's hard for me to rate this place as I am not a Mexican eater. For what I got (basic meat taco) it seemed fine. Decor seemed kinda dingy, could be updated. A group of us went there for NYE and took waiter a while to take our orders, but once orders was placed, they came out quickly. I know they have happy hour specials (not sure what time), but you can get a big drink for what you pay for.
(3)Paul B.
There is definitely better! This is an ordinary every day Mexican restaurant- The food is OK, not great. I ordered off of the lunch menu, a cheese steak burrito with side order of beans. This was OK, not great. it was delivered hot with lots of nacho cheese to the point of being gooey~ however, it was OK. The salsa was rather bland, mostly like tomato paste. I asked for a Corona beer - the waiter said they were warm?? but, they did have a nice cold Corona light! I've been told this is a place to go for a quick and affordable lunch?? The atmosphere is really not that great- Don't know if I would go back?? If you want good Mexican food search a little deeper!
(2)Pete J.
Before I warrant these four stars, let me first preface this review by saying that I really had a poor concept of what Mexican food was all about before moving to San Francisco. Still, for what you're paying (translation: not a lot), you get a giant steaming hot plate of deliciosity at Monterrey's. It's the quintessential meal out with a big group of friends for your average poor college kid. It's been awhile, but by the same standard I recall them making a pretty nice margarita, & they've got a wide variety of Mexican beers available, so be sure to designate a driver.
(4)Wen C.
My older bro decided on eating here for his grad lunch. Let's say the only good thing here was the unlimited chips, decanters of salsa, and huge beverage cups. I orders the enchilada lunch special with a chicken taco. After devouring a basket of chips and salsa you realize why its there...to hold you off until your food comes 30 mins later. I know it takes more time to cook for a party of 6 but seriously 30 minutes for basic Mexican food? My enchilada was basically a tortilla with ground beef and sauce. My taco was bland boiled chicken that appeared to be on a store bought hard taco shell...I was expecting a soft tortilla. My dad's quesidilla was pretty tasty though, but my mom's beef burrito did not look and taste appealing as well. To state it simply I have had way better.
(2)Trish A.
I don't know which location we went to in Columbia, but I'll just add onto these reviews. NO. Eek, my first 1-star review. Chimichanga was miniscule and soggy, the sauces on top were really watery and flavorless, side of rice was overdone/mushy, and the chips/salsa you get in the beginning were nothing special. I must admit that my group was what you'd call a buncha campers, but it wasn't nice of our server to passive aggressively huff and puff as he passed by giving us the stinkeye. If this is the best Mexican-American food in Columbia, you're screwed.
(1)Bob H.
I hear about Monterrey all the time. How it's apparently the best mexican restaurant out there. So...to give a test, I gave it a try. Here's my honest opinion. Their chips and salsa are like any other mexican restaurant I've been too. Their chips tend to be a bit too salty. Their food seems higher priced than other places, but the food is the same quality. So price wise, I give it a 3 out of 10. Quality wise I say it's the same as the others.
(2)Neal T.
Here's the deal: it's pretty standard Mexican fare. If you're looking for run-of-the-mill food at somewhat decent prices, with zero atmosphere (the decor is laughable - in a bad way), then this is your spot. All that being said, though, I eat here regularly. It's the closest one to my apartment, so it has become the go-to place for Mexican food for us. The fajitas are usually pretty good, and the chips and salsa are great. If you're looking for fine Mexican dining, or Mexican with a twist, you've come to the wrong spot. Somewhat recommended.
(3)Joy B.
Honestly, this place is not much of an "experience." About the only thing I enjoyed from this place were the cheaper prices. The food is mediocre and the service is really lacking. The place looks like they haven't had a good cleaning in awhile and I feel like the only reason USC students go there is because they don't usually get carded for alcohol. If you're into that go ahead. I am old enough to drink and don't actually look like I am, I have never been carded. That's probably the only reason they are still in business. The restrooms are really disgusting. Also the staff is really not considerate. They speak really loud in the kitchen and have no courtesy for their customers. If you can avoid it don't go. Instead, drive a little bit further and go to La Fiesta. It's a mile down the same road with way better food and even cheaper prices, and you won't consume chips from a giant trash can. (It's true, a giant trash can.) Bon a petit!
(2)