4. Restaurants

Taqueria La Venadita

730 NW Gilman Blvd,Ste C105, Issaquah, WA, 98027
  • (425) 391-6480
  • Store is closed

Taqueria La Venadita Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Visit below restaurant in Issaquah for healthy meals suggestion.

Burger King ( 1705 NW Gilman Blvd )

  • Nick G.

    So when it comes to Mexican food you always have your favorite. I think about some of the competitors around the Issaquah area: namely Chipotle (could fall into the fast food category as well), Acapulco Fresh, and some other hole in the wall Mexican joints. I'm a big fan of Tex-Mex so definitely have my standards of tasting the best of the best. After reading some of the other reviews on Yelp I tried out Taqueria La Venadita for myself. My kids' meals were around $3.50 a piece for either burritos or chicken quesidillas and they included beans and rice. GREAT deal. We bought 2 adult entrees, a drink, and 2 kids meals for under $30 and my Carne Asada tasted like it was delivered me freshly from a Mexican stork. Real talk. They must put something in the water because I will be back.

    (4)

  • Selena P.

    I spend loads of time in Bellevue hanging out with my bf and sometimes have a craving some good mexican food, but knowing that there really aren't many options. Until I found this place. Now I will make a special trip out there to get my taqueria fix. We went there the first time and I wanted tacos, that's my usual. So I got 5 tacos- 2 pork, 2 asada and 1 lengua (I wanted to finally try some). The pork ones were seasoned so well, the asada was tasty and crispy cooked, and the lengua had a good taste but a weird consistency. I was hooked on this place by my tacos alone. What made me fall in love was trying some of my bf's burrito with the milanese beef. OH. MY. LORD. The meat was tender and crispy all at the same time and the whole burrito was perfectly proportioned so that every bite had everything in it and it was so good. I nearly stole the plate from him and ran. The real surprise was the salsa they serve with the chips. It's freshly made there and it's flavorful and spicy and just amazing. We get the chips and salsa every time we go, and believe me we have been back. My next mission is to try the tamales, which I hear are awesome. So if you are on the eastside and want good taqueria, get to La Venadita, it's so worth it.

    (5)

  • Corene C.

    Flavor! Yummy! We have been twice - noticed last night they have expanded and the food is even better. Carne asada, arroz con pollo, tacos-all good. I know it's delish in part because theres lard up in there...but just don't think about it and grub! So happy to have authentic Mexican food in the Quah. Yum.

    (5)

  • Andrew S.

    The chips and salsa were good, though we had to pay extra for them. For dinner, I had chicken enchilada plate. The enchiladas were nicely cooked, but hardly seasoned at all. My wife had a taco salad with pork. She did not enjoy the pork, which she said had a strange flavor. I tasted it and I guess it sort of tasted like pork sausage, which isn't a bad thing in my opinion, but it was quite a bit of meat. On the bright side, the food was fresh, not overly greasy, and healthy tasting. Plus, it's definitely inexpensive. Sadly, I am still on the search for worthwhile Mexican food in the Seattle area.

    (2)

  • Krishna V.

    I can't believe I've never reviewed La Venadita, or as it's known in my office "Quaxican". Quax is the one lunch spot that everyone in my lunch crew likes. The staff is super friendly and the food is delicious. Best Mexican food I've had on the East side.

    (5)

  • Chika K.

    Went here on based on other yelp reviews and ratings. I'll have to agree that this place was surprisingly tasty. Had 2 enchiladas - 1 chicken, 1 carne asada. Both were quite tasty but I'd have to say that the carne asada was my favorite. The tortillas were really good too, granted it's all covered in sauce in cheese. But their texture was perfect and not spongy like other mexican-american places. Prices were really reasonable as well.

    (4)

  • Michael P.

    Great meal for under $5, if you're looking for a quick couple of tacos and chips and salsa. Salsa is spicy as hell and the food is fabulous.

    (5)

  • Lucie L.

    ADDICTING mexican restaurant. LOVE their salsa here. I can eat their chips&salsa for days. The owner guy makes the salsa from scratch every morning. I love the staff as well, always helpful and nice. I like their carne asada and their soups are pretty good too. OH DARN...now I'm craving their chips and salsa....:( oh and also super cheap here! :)

    (5)

  • Kathleen S.

    Fan-freakin-tastic REAL Mexican food, good prices, friendly cashier, mostly Mexican diners (good sign in my opinion). Can't say anything that has not already been said before! This place is awesome. Stopped in on way back to Coeur d Alene from Western Washington. Very close to I-90, gas station, and decent coffee for those travelers looking for a decent bite to eat. This is the kind of Mexican food I so dearly miss living in Coeur d Alene after living in Santa Barbara and the Bay Area.

    (5)

  • TigerAl S.

    This restaurant is one of my Issaquah favorites. The Camarones a la Diabla is a must try and the service is great!

    (5)

  • Claire S.

    Closest we've come to California Mexican food.. I grew up on authentic Mexican food in the central valley so I'm picky but this place was excellent.

    (4)

  • Manda S.

    This place is WONDERFUL. It's like the best taco truck you've ever eaten at on steroids. I have no idea of the authenticity of the food, but given that it tastes nothing like most other Mexican restaurants in the area (blech), I bet that it is! The salsa was extremely fresh and tasty, my pollo torta was tasty and hearty - a pretty big sandwich packed with perfectly seasoned chicken, onion, lettuce, avocado, tomato, and mayonnaise. My husband had three tacos - chorizo, pork, and steak. He loved all of them (especially once he added the green salsa). Prices were extremely reasonable, and service was great. This is definitely somewhere we will visit again - and soon!

    (5)

  • Nathan W.

    Best Mexican good in the area. I enjoy the Carne Asada Steak, but the Arroz con Pollo is good as well. Makes for a great little Mexican restaurant tucked away on Gilman

    (5)

  • Sarah C.

    A great little hole in the wall restaurant...perfect for lunch on those days when you feel like a lil beans and rice. My co-worker had the asada burrito and I had the taco combination. The portions were just right and so were the prices. We went right around lunch time (12-1pm) and it got a little crowded but it seemed like everyone was able to find a seat. We didn't see anyone waiting for a table. Issaquah definitely needs more places like this...quality authentic food for decent prices. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Sam P.

    My wife and I went here a few nights ago after a craving for good Mexican food and here's our impressions. Service is quick and super friendly. As for dishes, my wife had the camarones al diabla. She went to college in Eastern WA (home of excellent Mexican food) and would not stop raving about them and how great they were. I'd call that dish 5 stars. For starters, I got the chicken enchiladas. The enchiladas were great (the tortillas were just about perfect and the enchilada sauce was awesome, not to mention the excellence of the chicken). However, the portion was a bit small for $6.49. I'd give it four stars. After I finished the chicken enchiladas, I got a torta (Mexican sandwich) with chicken. The filling of the torta (chicken & vegetables with a bit of sour cream) tasted amazing. However, the chewy blandness of the white bread almost ruined what would be an excellent sandwich. I'd definitely go back there. Get the camarones al diabla for sure, but think twice about the tortas.

    (4)

  • Charlie S.

    Best authentic Mexican food around. Came here based on the other great reviews and they were right. My 7 year old looked at our fajitas and said "I don't even like those and they look good".

    (5)

  • Nestor P.

    Finally a good pozole place in the east side. La venadita has a very complete offer to match preferences and the right mix of dishes (beef, seafood, etc) at a very affordable price I tried 4 dishes, the pozole which was big and delicious; it had the right amount of pork and the hot sauce was tasty and really hot. I also ordered tacos "al pastor" and tacos with chorizo which were quite similar to the regio montano ones. Finally i had some guacamole with chips and salsa and this is the perfect "botana" to get ready for the other dishes.

    (4)

  • Cyndi C.

    What a nice little surprise this place was! Our favorite place was closed on New Year's Day and we thought it was probably a good time to try some other place near by. They said authentic Mexican food. Well, I was looking at the menu and realize that it must be authentic because it was all in Spanish. Great little food, tasty, and priced very well. They were also accomodating when I ask if they could make an enchilada for me with shrimp, which wasn't on the menu. They said they would and with a smile. Nice. You would definitely see me there again!

    (4)

  • Jessica R.

    Quick, fresh, tasty, CHEAP. It's the things my taco loving dreams are made of! The asada, chicken, pork, and chorizo tacos are amazing. I skipped the tongue but tried the beef head/cheek - not my style, but the dogs gobbled it up. Salsa is amazingly good as are the rice and beans. Haven't had anything bad yet!

    (5)

  • Stephanie H.

    We moved from Humboldt County, which has some pretty rad Mexican. So far, on the Eastside, this is the best I've found. While their burritos can be inconsistent, their guacamole is decent. Definitely our go-to place for Mexican in Issaquah, even though they don't serve alcohol. Pretty cheap, too!

    (4)

  • Aggie M.

    I don't know how they did it, but they smuggled my paternal grandmother into the country, because those are her refried beans. And I can get my favorite tamales on Saturdays...

    (5)

  • Lorena L.

    Delicious burritos and refreshing horchata!

    (5)

  • Michael C.

    Went back for seconds and figured that I would adopt the shotgun approach: one of everything... at least for tacos. All 6 were tasty with the adobada (red chile, vinegar, oregano marinated pork) and the carne asada (beef) as highlights. If there was anything to complain about, the chicken was a little on the dry side.. but what else can you expect from tiny bits of white meat. The very spicy grilled and seasoned jalapeno was a great garnish (squeeze lime on it). Taqueria La Venadita continues to impress. Yum.

    (5)

  • Lesley F.

    This place easily is the best Mexican food in town but if you are in a hurry during lunch, forget it... the place is packed. Get there early or eat late. Either way, if you like Mexican food, you will love this place

    (5)

  • Matthew A.

    I'm kind of snobby about two foods; BBQ and Mexican food. I enjoyed eating here. My Dad and I both ordered the carne asada tacos with a side of chips and salsa. The carne asada was good with a healthy portion on the tacos. I didn't think the wrapper was as fresh as I get at Taqueria El Rinconsito, but not bad. I felt the taco and the salsa (which I thought tasted quite fresh) were both slightly heavy handed with the cilantro. I really appreciated that when they brought the tacos to our table, as soon as my Dad saw his plate he said "darn, I forgot to tell you no cilantro." She didn't even hesitate with "no problem" pivoted and headed back to the kitchen. My Dad literally lifted from his seat to retrieve his dish not considering it a big enough deal to warrant a new set of tacos. She merrily waved him away and had 4 new tacos made. I like that kind of service, combined with some pretty darn good food I'll be back here for sure.

    (4)

  • Christina G.

    This is a little piece of Mexican heaven located in a strip mall on Gilman Blvd. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but it is bigger and better than their former location (2 doors down) and well worth sampling. The food is more on the authentic side than most Mexican restaurants, and is what my friends like to call a "price performer". It's always a good sign when cops flock to a place, and even better when a Mexican restaurant is frequented by Latinos. I've had lots of different items, but some of my favorites are: chorizo con huevos plate (yum), carne asada tacos (served with lime, cilantro & onions on corn tortillas), and sopes. Chips, salsa and guacamole can be purchased for a really reasonable price (like $2), but you may not have a ton of time to eat them before your food arrives - they are quick! No liquor license (at least not yet), but a girl can always dream!

    (4)

  • diane M.

    The closes thing to good taco stand food you'll find in Issaquah. They do skimp a little like one tortilla per taco where the stands always offer two. The food though is quite authentic. The restaurant is no frills, but clean and comfortable. We're usually the only non-hispanics in there which is always a good sign. Only offered three stars because as most Mexican restaurants in this area, they are cautious about serving anything too spicy or totally authentic for fear of locals Americanized taste buds. They really need to go all out and offer some specialty dishes like a chicken or turkey mole...a real mole. Sometimes i wonder if they have two menus, one for the hispanics and one for the gringos.

    (3)

  • Tomomi G.

    I'm not the best judge when it comes to Mexican food since I'm not that familiar with Mexican food and I have never been to Mexico. So I don't know what authentic Mexican food is like. (Thus the 4 stars) But if it's anything like what I had at this little restaurant, I must like it! My Mexican restaurant experience has been limited to family style and chain restaurants around here till now. I always felt they gave me too much food and everything tasted pretty much the same no matter what I ordered. I tried steak & pork tacos, steak & chicken enchilada with rice and bean, chips & salsa, and shrimp on a crispy tortilla (I can't remember the name of it). Each meat was prepared differently, so I didn't feel like I was eating the same food over and over again. (Unlike some restaurants where shredded beef, pork, chicken are all taste same except their texture.) They were simply accompanied with fresh chopped ingredients, no over the top toppings. The portion is smaller compare to what I'm use to get at other restaurants, which means it was just right. The price was great. The waitress was nice and friendly. It's a hall in a wall type of place, so don't expect anything beyond good food.

    (4)

  • robbie n.

    Today I was struck by the unquenchable craving for a delicious taco, and so I began wracking my brain for the perfect solution. Unquenchable? Said my brain. Not if you go to Taqueria La Venadita! (That's still my brain talking there). Sold! I said, and rushed outside to my car without even a jacket I was in such a hurry! As I hustled in to the little space they occupy off Gilman, I immediately knew that I had solved my first problem: Where to go to find the quench? I was now on problem two: What to quench with. You see, while TLV does not go all Cheesecake Factory with a menu containing more pages than a John Grisham novel, what their menu lacks in brute size, it makes up for in variety. Would my taco be hard or soft, corn or flour, beef, chicken or prawn?!? I momentarily lost my head! Then a voice spoke to me. Sir can I take your order? Inspiration struck. I'll have the camerones de la diabla! I nearly shouted at the polite mainstay and co-owner of the establishment. Oh, and one of those glass bottled Cokes, too, delicious. Sated and content, I took my leave, secure in the knowledge that I could not have made a tastier decision.

    (5)

  • Appi H.

    My friend has been raving about this place and so we decided to check it out on New Year's Eve. My kids had simple chicken & chorizo tacos and loved it! I took their marisco diablo (shrimp in a spicy red sauce), while my hubby had their chicken fajitas. Everything was superb! The chips and salsa that we had at the very start was awesome! Generous portions, very authentic (they have tripe and cabeza too!), great service and oh-so-reasonable! We are going to be frequent visitors here!

    (5)

  • Brooke S.

    I love walking into a Mexican restaurant and we are the only ones speaking English. It's always a good sign. I grew up in California so I'm fairly picky when it comes to Mexican food. I refuse to eat anything that remotely tastes like Rosarita or Taco Bell. I want flavor. I had pork and carne asada tacos. I'm not usually a big pork fan, but these were awesome, so flavorful. Their beans just melt in your mouth. My daughter inhaled her cheese enchillada and just about licked the plate afterwards. They have inexpensive kids menu with one item and plenty of beans and rice. This is definitely a place we will frequent.

    (5)

  • Muriel M.

    AMAZING AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD! The best arroz con pollo I've ever had, hands down. Nice and cheeeeeesy! Delicious tortas, too. No frills, just cheap yummy food and fast service.

    (5)

  • Leah L.

    Fantastic, authentic tacos! Don't go there thinkin' it's Taco Time or Taco Hell, because you will be disappointed. Love, love, love this place!

    (5)

  • Adam P.

    You might think it's closed with how low the lights are in the eating area, but this small restaurant tucked away in a strip mall behind Denny's is a shining beacon of great, authentic Mexican food in Issaquah. My immediate affection for it makes me nervous because of all the restaurant turnover in the area. I hope it's there for years to come. On the eastside, Mexican food is relegated mostly to the "family style" mexican restaurants. Most of these are chains, and there is nothing wrong with them. But if you want authentic mexican food prepared with care, and don't want to chase all around town trying to find a taco truck to get it, this is the place. We got three tacos each, carne asada and al pastor. Both versions were served quicky on the same plate at our table, with mustard and ketchup bottles containing both Green and Red salsa. The finely diced meat, onion, and cilantro were combined perfectly, and once drizzled with either salsa satisfied my craving for something fresh and spicy. The prices were more than reasonable as well, as both of us ate well and got drinks for around 10 dollars. There aren't many places in Issaquah where one could say that, and even fewer of this quality. In an area with about as many Las Margaritas and Azteca restaurants as it can handle, Taqueria la Venadita is a revelation. My scale: 5 of 5 Stars - Would make a special, even long-distance trip to go here, and evangelize its greatness to others 4 of 5 Stars - A go-to option, even if there were other more convenient or less expensive options available 3 of 5 Stars - Inclined to give it another shot, just to see 2 of 5 Stars - Would not go back, once was enough 1 of 5 Stars - Would actively avoid, would recommend against going to others, experience filled with great sadness and regret

    (4)

  • Manuel W.

    The portions are kindof small and the food is super greasy and heavy, even for Mexican. It must be authentic. I might stop here for a taco or small plate at lunch, but for a big meal after mountain biking I'd prefer something easier on the stomach and bigger on portion.

    (3)

  • Susan B.

    Wow! I don't know how I managed to miss this place for the last few years they've been open when I work so close by. If you want real Mexican food, this is the place to go. Their traditional tacos are a bargain at less than $1.50 each and are delicious. I've had both the asada and the carnitas which are both great, but I would say my favorite is the asada. I can get a plate of 4 tacos and a Mexican Coke (in the bottle and made with real sugar) for less than $8.

    (5)

  • Chris S.

    We love coming here. The people here are friendly and the food comes fast. Usually I'll get a mix of three tacos, maybe some chips and salsa, and tamales when they are available. The place seems a little more spacious since the remodel, and is a little more comfortable as well. I keep telling myself to order something else from the menu, but the tacos just keep calling, calling me to order them again.

    (4)

  • Marcin P.

    Great tacos and tasty horchata. Inexpensive and authentic. And they have chorizo burritos, FTW!

    (4)

  • G D.

    Spicy food...

    (4)

  • Decaux L.

    La Venadita es muy autentica! We recently move from So-Cal (yes, another california transplant) and we were jonesing for some good Mexican food... the kind we used to get back in Mexico's finest northern outpost, Los Angeles (born and raised - I can say that!). Taqueria La Venadita hit the spot. The tacos al pastor reminded me of the late-night taco runs in Zijuatanejo, and the home-made orchata was very refreshing. In a town of 'gringos' here in Sammamish/Issaquah, it's nice to know that you can get some authentic mexican home-cookin'. Next time, I'm going for the posole. Mucho Gusto!!!

    (4)

  • Jack K.

    Good Mexican food like I used to get in Mexicali. The staff is always friendly and the place is always clean. I usually eat there alone and would appreciate it if there were some newpaper vending machines nearby.

    (4)

  • Tom G.

    After spending a summer in Mexico City during college I can seriously say this food is awesome and really authentic. The menu is simple but very flavorfull and always made fresh. Basically- this food is made with love. Everything positive you read in the reviews is correct. Price are good. Just go try it and you won't be sorry!

    (5)

  • David C.

    Normally I wouldn't look behind Denny's for really good Mexican food, but that is where it is at in Issaquah. You order at the counter with the very nice lady who was the only person taking orders. She smiles the entire time and brings your food out to you in just a few minutes. The service here was great. I ordered the arroz con pollo. It was flavorful and a nice portion. I also ordered the chips and salsa. You need to order this separately, but it is worth it. The salsa is spicy but not so much you can't enjoy the great flavor. All of this with a soda for about 12 bucks. If you are looking for very good, reasonably priced Mexican food, this is your place.

    (5)

  • G S.

    Awesome. Low key, authentic, fast, delicious.

    (5)

  • ChefRD M.

    Happy surprise here! Had eggs and chorizo... Yum! And 1 of every taco. This was better than we expected! LOVE when that happens!

    (4)

  • Sean C.

    Pic is out of date. They moved 2 doors down. Pastor is good, salsa is really good. Burrito was good but more cheese than I care, and it was dry. Near hole-in-the-wall decor. Fries were great! (kids meal). Portions were fair for the price. Tacos are tiny! The horchata (rice drink) was ok, but had lots of undissolved bits. Didn't hold a candle to the horchata at Rinconcito, Gorditas, or Guaymas. The waitress was polite and kind.

    (3)

  • Mia M.

    They remodeled the place so it's a lot bigger and definitely a step up in regards to decor. Same great, fast, friendly service and deliciousness. I've had both the chimichanga and arroz con pollo... DEEELLLIIICCCIIIOUUUSSS!

    (4)

  • Terry P.

    This place is great! I can't believe there's actually quality Mexican eats in Issaquah. The staff is very friendly, and the food's reasonably priced.

    (5)

  • Kazuo O.

    I was going to go pass by Issaquah so I decided to yelp to see if they have any good places to eat and I found this place. I ordered the Carne Asada burrito and it was one of the best burritos I had. It was a pretty good size but of course for me it can always be bigger. The staff was cool too. My burrito was $7 with tax. I will be back very soon to try the Chorizo burrito.

    (3)

  • Bill B.

    The food is very good, the prices are great and during lunch you can watch some soccer on the TV. I really like the whole experience at La Venadita. The best part is that at this time/date it is still a bit of a secret and not frequented by those who prefer eating at franchise restaurants. No lines and service is fast. I always look forward my visits at La Venadita. Plus the employees are always very nice when I order in my best Spanglish.

    (5)

  • Alan K.

    This is my favorite place for Mexican food. It is authentic, best I ever ate. My favorite is Camerones Diabla. The place is quaint, clean as a whistle, and the staff is terrific. Always ready to make your visit one you will not soon forget. Price is excellent. Don't pass this one up. They also do takeout.

    (5)

  • Elisha M.

    I had to update my review, because we went back for another try. I had the pork tacos again, but added some green salsa that is in the mustard looking continer. Yummy! I crave these tacos now! LOL! My husband tried some polo encramada (I think that is it?); chicken in cream sauce. It was pretty good, but nothing like the tacos. Their service is great and food is consistently good! I just wish they had a broader menu and more of a restaurant feel. Price is very good too! You just can't go wrong here! ******************* My 4 star review: Satisfying! I ordered the kids pork tacos and a quesadilla to share, based on another review, but forgot to ask for no onions on the tacos, so they took one bite and wouldn't eat any more. I had the chorizo tacos which were fantastic. Hubby had the tomales, which were a little dry, but the corn casing was really good. As we were leaving we figured out the bottles that look like ketchup and mustard are actually 2 different kinds of hot sauce. The green one smelled really good and would have made the tomales perfect. Chips and salsa were yummy, as was the guac. You do order up front, then seat yourself and they bring the food to you. Very firendly staff and price was very fair! I would certainly eat there again!

    (5)

  • Suzi M.

    Delish, fast n cheap! Not for a night out but perfect for a quick AUTHENTIC mex dinner!

    (5)

  • Lacy L.

    Great food. We have eaten here 3 times this week. That says it all :)

    (5)

  • Michael-Leti M.

    I have now tried this place a total of 3x's. All in All, not bad. The woman working the counter on my recent visit was very friendly and engaged in small-talk while my order was cooking. Not something you come across everyday anymore. This go-round i had a couple of carne asada tacos and a Torta with carne asada. The torta was outstanding. the bread grilled perfectly. The Salsa Verde( the green stuff.) here is very good. This isn't my first choice of Taqueria but is the closet to our place. Not a bad placxe at all for authentic taqueria style Mexican grub! Give them a shot.

    (3)

  • Guga D.

    The place definitely doesn't look like much, but speaking of a hidden gem! They have great food, great prices, and a very cute staff. Worth a special trip to Issaquah if you're in the mood for a real good Mexican fare.

    (4)

  • James K.

    Doesn't look like much from the outside or the inside, but the food is something special, compared to all the other "mexican" places here in the NW that I've tried.

    (4)

  • Cory C.

    Went there for the first time last week after seeing the rave reviews on yelp. We were amazed on how great the food was for the price! I ordered the steak fajitas and they were awesome! I'm a huge fan of Mexican food and I'm tired of the same ol' Las Margaritas type restaurants in the area. This was much more authentic than your standard venue. Although the interior felt more like a cafe and could be more inviting, this is a good joint if you're looking for a quick no-frills taco craving.

    (4)

  • MICKO S.

    Just remodeled and moved next door. Homemade mexican food!

    (4)

  • Zoe M.

    This is authentic Mexican food. If a restaurant does great refried beans and chili rellenos, you know it's a great place to eat. Their chili rellenos were the best I've had in a long time and the refried beans and spanish rice were perfect. The red and green salsas, served in ketchup and mustard squeeze bottles, were really nice too. This place is not fancy but the food is wonderful and the prices are right, just over $10 per person. I will definitely go there again. Next time, I'll try one of their tortas, which looked and smelled amazing as they were brought to the table next to ours. If my chili rellenos hadn't been so good, I might have been jealous!

    (5)

  • Crysta L.

    We've been back several more times and each time it doesn't disappoint! We refer to it as the "taco truck" in the mall. I had the veggie taco salad last time we went and will definitely get it again next time I am there. The chips and salsa were also really good!

    (5)

  • Jonathan B.

    Fantastic, authentic, inexpensive Mexican food in Issaquah??!! I was as stunned as you are reading this, but it's true- this place is awesome. I religiously get the chorizo tacos and a steak enchilada with extra cheese and they are both very good on their own. However, once you pour their green salsa over these items, it becomes sublime. I can't say enough about how good the food is here! I'm not a huge fan of eating in their dinning room since they don't serve beer (having tacos and great salsa without beer is like eating a steak without having red wine with it- you can do it, but it's not the same). However, I know it's expensive to operate a restaurant and the liquor control board facists in our state aren't exactly tossing the liquor licenses around like confetti. That said, I usually order pick-up. Give this a try- everything is home-made, affordable and delicious! This place is a prime example of the types of restaurants that I love to support and hope you do to.

    (5)

  • Mw C.

    Came today for lunch. A very clean restaurant. The personnel was very professional and friendly. The service was fast. The amount of food was sufficient. We ate chicken tacos, enchiladas, rice and beans. The food tasted authentic. The food tasted as authentic as the food I ate in a Mexican restaurant in Colorado.

    (5)

  • Sandi C.

    I can't say enough good things about this place. They really have the best tacos and the prices are so reasonable. We have had the pastor and the carne asada -- LOVE THEM!! Also their salsa is so flavorful and authentic. They have raised their prices up a bit but they are still the best game in town.

    (4)

  • K O.

    Having lived in Guadalajara for a year, I have to say this Taqueria is by far the best I have ever found in the Seattle or eastside area! Amazing tacos de carne asada, delicious horchata (the rice drink), and cheap (cheap!!!). Lovely people running the place, too, and a very relaxed atmosphere.

    (5)

  • Mark B.

    I'll keep this short and to the point. Their burritos and tacos are great, but the carne asada plate is what I always come here for. Nice grilled flavor. Very delicious. Service is fast and super friendly. The staff really cares about quality. This is one of my regular lunch spots. Absolutely no hesitation recommending it.

    (4)

  • Ian C.

    Best mexican in greater Seattle area. Carne asada is my favorite - perfect thickness and flavor. Kids love the place, enchiladas and orange sodas.

    (5)

  • Sue H.

    Glad I found this place, I live in Bellevue so it's a little bit of a drive to Issaquah, especially during rush hours, but it's worth it for great Mexican food. Great tacos, quacamole, sauces, beans, rice.. it's all good. Cheap and worth it. However, this place is kind of a dive tucked away in a strip mall, cleanliness it could use, but I can deal with it!!!!

    (4)

  • Josh B.

    Awesome pork and chorrizo tacos, and you can't beat the $1.29 per taco. Las Mas and Azteca have nothing on this place. Best food I've had thus far in Issaquah...haven't been to Jaks yet. I can't wait to go back and try their burritos and everything else.

    (5)

  • Michael N.

    I used to think I knew what constituted a good taco - then I spent some time in Mexico City and all of that changed. Now, I look for a simple plate of tacos with soft corn tortillas, a variety of meats, a sprinkling of cheese, some fresh cilantro, and some red (or green, if you so choose) taco sauce. Taqueria La Venadita definitely brings back memories of Mexico City. I keep telling myself that I need to try some of their other foods, like tortas and enchiladas, but I always end up going back to the tacos. One of these days... Definitely worth a visit - best Mexican food on the eastside.

    (5)

  • Surf 7.

    Not that good, food was cold. Funny location so I think people think its going to be good, but its not. Average to poor Mexican food.

    (2)

  • patricia h.

    Three words... Arroz con Pollo. Its the food of the gods. If you are looking for authentic Mexican Food this is the place. The menudo is perfect, tender, spicey and the floating knuckle has all the oooey goodness you dare to extract. The tortas are fresh, crispy and flavorful. i haven't had everything on the menu, but its hard when every other time the Arroz con Pollo demands my faithfulness.

    (5)

  • Angie K.

    Amazingly enough, there's good Mexican food in the NW. No, Azteca doesn't count. We're talking fresh tacos with flavorful meat, topped with cilantro and onions and your favorite salsa. My boyfriend had the chorizo enchilada and the flavors melded well. Best of all, the enchilada wasn't smothered with processed cheese... it was simple and packed a punch. Isn't that what good food is supposed to be?

    (5)

  • T K.

    This is still my favorite place for tacos and enchiladas. Awesome Tamales!!!(Saturdays only). Great friendly staff and good prices. The only think that I dont like is that they cook the rice with pork. I would be great if they could make a rice without it.

    (5)

  • Brandon G.

    Best taqueria in town. Not as good as this bus I went to off rainier, but pretty good and close to work. Chorizo is the best, asada is terrible. No carrots, radishes. Still, the best in town (although I am getting slightly tired of it, since the guys at my work are relentless). Better than a lot of places in Seattle as well.

    (4)

  • Greg G.

    Awesome. I'm from Southern California, and so far this is the only Mexican place I've found that I would still eat at in Southern California. I've had the tacos and burritos, great rice and beans, and shrimp tostada. My wife loves their Tamarindo. Ambience isn't the greatest, but who cares. Great guacamole and order the chips and salsa for $1.25.

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    Saw no mention of Vegetarian food in the other reviews, so: There are no Vegetarian items on the menu, however, anything can be ordered without meat. The chile rellenos were "no longer available" but the burrito, enchilada, and guacamole were all quite good, and incredibly fresh.

    (5)

  • John M.

    This is a little restaurant in the Heritage Square strip mall (near Sleep Country). You place your order at the counter and it is brought to your table. We split an Arroz Con Pollo and an order of chips and salsa. The salsa was fresh and great, hot, but not too hot. The chips were warm and crisp (a good start). The Arroz was uniquely different than the big restaurants. That may be the spices or a hint of smoky taste, but a great change. I took their suggestion of Rice Water to drink. This sweet milky drink goes well with the spicy food. There is a good variety on their menu so we will be back to try more items in the future.

    (5)

  • N R.

    This place is the real deal, and I say that as a Calif. transplant starved for authentic Mexican food. The chiliquites with red or green sauce available on Sunday are to die for! Also, really like the tortas.

    (5)

  • Dave L.

    Great pollo a la crema!

    (5)

  • Tim G.

    I ate at Taqueria La Venadita last night for dinner, while in Issaquah for business. I got the chicken burrito and chips and salsa, all for under $10. The burrito came wet and had shredded chicken in it, which is more authentic than chopped chicken. It tastes better that way too. There was cheese and a bit of sauce on the top. The burrito was pretty big, although I still managed to eat it all. For $1.25, you get a pretty big bag of chips and salsa that actually has some bite to it. I'd definitely go back if I lived locally, or if I return to the area again.

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    I haven't tried other Mexican restaurants in Issaquah. After I read reviews and ate here I feel no need to look further. I'm hooked. This is our favorite place for Mexican. They have awesome food. We take our young kids there as they do have a ninos menu. The carne asada with peppers has so much flavor. Yummy warm tortillas. The burritos and enchiladas are also wonderful. The salsas and sauces are delicious. There is no ambience and it is not a romantic place. You order at this counter and they bring your food to your table. The service is fairly quick and friendly. I've peeked into the kitchen and it looks very clean. LOVE it here!

    (5)

  • Conrad H.

    I'm from Texas and have multiple Mexicans in my family. This is hands down the best authentic Mexican food that I've found in the Seattle area yet. Cheap, simple, delicious. I've never had anything that wasn't good, but the tacos and enchiladas stand out as particularly excellent. Service is usually friendly and always very fast. The chips and salsa are good, though sometimes the salsa is a bit heavy on the onions. If you get the tacos, try them with the green sauce that comes with. Awesome combination.

    (5)

  • Kathleen M.

    Love it. Total hole in the wall Mexican food. Carne Asada is delicious! Love the salsa and hot sauces they bring to the table. The soccer is blasting and all the Mexicans are in there. You know it is going to be good!

    (4)

  • Kaz R.

    Really good. Chicken burrito was flavorful and tasted like it should. Carne Asada Tacos awesome. Kids chicken enchilada big enough for 3 kids. Horchata was just right. I moved up here from AZ two years ago and this is the first place that I have found that replicates AZ taco shops. I will go again and again.

    (5)

  • Kristen W.

    We were looking for a spot for dinner after a hike up Tiger Mountain and we found this gem. The food was amazing, very fresh and great flavors. It was also very reasonably priced. Awesome spot!

    (4)

  • Christian B.

    Really good really cheap eats. Authentic. They even have Cavesa and Menudo and Lengua!

    (4)

  • Susan C.

    Went to this spot based on Yelp reviews and it was a big score. Yep, it's a hole-in-the-wall, but as good as they get. The food was delicious, fresh, inexpensive, and very pleasant service. Guacamole was great and the veggie enchilada had a surprisingly nice variety of fresh veggies. Woohoo - great Mexican on the Eastside!

    (5)

  • Ron S.

    A true hidden gem - great value for the money. This restaurant should be busier than it is - we ate there last night - a finicky family of five, with two foodie parents. Will be added to our top 10 restaurants, top 5 for our family. Authentic mexican food, nice range in menu, left already planning to return. No cerveza or margarita, but as we live fairly close, I can have my Dos Equis at home. $40 for a family of 5, and we're a couple that regularly spends $120 - $150 a meal for the wife and I on date night in Seattle.

    (5)

  • shawna g.

    had takeout from here a few months ago. had amazing tamales and carnitas tacos!! some of the best tamales i have ever had. the employees were very nice and it felt very homey inside with families gathered watching the soccer game. Great prices too. A definite must try in issaquah!

    (5)

  • Ethan S.

    The tacos here are great! Remind me of SoCal street tacos (that is a complement, btw). Cheap, quick friendly service, and a full menu of options and beer choices too. The kid options are a bit limited, and it's certainly not a fancy place in the least, but the food is quality. I find myself craving it on a weekly basis...

    (4)

  • Alisha W.

    So good to find such an awesome Mexican food on the eastside! Taqueria's cabeza (pork cheek) tacos are totally life-changing!! Probably the best meat in a taco that I've had (aside from fish taco = LOVE) Definitely a must order! They also have horchata! I will be bringing others to return here in the future

    (4)

  • C. S.

    Tried this place after a miserable experience 3-4 years ago. Same old slop on a plate with bits of bland/dried meat. How can you people rate this place so high? Go to a taco truck and get a better experience.

    (1)

  • Karl S.

    I'm a little conflicted about this review. We love Mexican food. I mean we search it out, wherever we are. We live in So Cal desert and Las Vegas and are not strangers to quality Mex food. This place had such great reviews we thought we were going to score. Not. First of all, the chips are out of a bag. Just average. Guacamole was bland, salsa was watery pico. I tried the Posole..was completely devoid of flavor, and very greasy. Just bad. Then I tried the Arroz con Pollo, here is the conflict, this was very good. Just awesome....it was nothing like any Arroz con Pollo I've ever had. I've had this dish Mexico many times, and all over the South West, this was not Arroz con Pollo. This was chopped chicken, rice, veggies, onions, mushrooms?? Smothered in cheese. Was good, but not Arroz. Wifey had the Crunchy Beef Tacos....store bought preformed shells....need I go on? I think not.

    (2)

  • Matt W.

    For all those who have never traveled out of the area to taste authentic Mexican food, this is as close as you are going to get. This place is a real gem, and no other place in Issaquah/Sammamish can even compete. Don't come here if you are expecting a chipotle-esque burrito because you aren't gonna find it. This place is the real deal.

    (5)

  • Jakie S.

    I had the carne asada today and it was delicious! The rice was dry, though. I'll back!

    (5)

  • Jill A.

    BEST MEXICAN FOOD IN ISSAQUAH! (: Staff is amazing and friendly, always very clean and usually bustling [but not overly crowded!]

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    Wow. This place blew me away. The 5 stars is for the FOOD ONLY. It is that good. I haven't had such authentic and tasty real Mexican food (NOT Tex-Mex, white-washed stuff) in a long time and I was so surprised to find it in Issaquah of all places! I lived in Mexico City for years and this place is spot on. The owners and cooks must be from Mexico because they're cooking dishes just like they do back there. The tacos a la carte brought me right back to TJ taco stands: just a couple of small corn tortillas, chopped onion and cilantro, a little lime and salt, and of course excellently cooked and seasoned meat. Perfect! Everything from their carne asada burrito to there kid's chicken quesadilla (with actual adobo pulled chicken breast) to their pollo con arroz (my fave!) is delicious and tasty and awesome. And of course their tacos are what they're best at. The reason the 5 stars is for the food only is because the place itself is not great. At all. Very dingy, with a thin layer of dust and grime covering most objects, and cheap $0.99 store decor. But if you don't like it, just call ahead and order pick-up, because the food is worth the mess of the place. Really. And I'm a clean freak.

    (5)

  • Krista W.

    I'm not sure why this place is receiving such great reviews..... My boyfriend and I went and when we received our enchiladas (which I thought was hard to mess up) the first thing we noticed was that they had just come out of the microwave. You could just tell. It grossed us out. We won't be coming back

    (1)

  • Kayce A.

    I just moved to this area and was looking for an amazing mexican restaurant, andddd I found one! The people here are seriously so sweet. They are fast, efficient, delightful people. I loved my experience there! also, their portions are immaculate!

    (4)

  • Igor M.

    This place is great!! The food is always fresh, their fast, and reasonably priced. U will not be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Peter A.

    Truly "Authentic" Mexican food.....This is the food your Mexican Abuelita (Grandmother) would cook for you....Que Bueno !!

    (5)

  • Emma A.

    I hate being disappointed when I eat out. Fortunately, there's yelp, which helps me make informed decisions on getting a good meal. Yelp, you failed me for the first time. I also believe Washingtonians don't know what good Mexican food is (full disclosure, I used to live in Arizona). My husband disagrees and believes this place was on par for Washington Mexican, in other words, nothing to write home about. In fact, got to Taco Bell. It is cheaper and just as good. I stuffed my face full of bland tacos with a plate of generic rice and refried beans that I could have made from a box at home only out of extreme hunger at 9pm. I sort of wish that I had chosen to just walk away, forfeit the $24 spent, and feed my body with something tasty and worthwhile.

    (1)

  • Jason C.

    My family and I have come here many times and it's always a great experience. It always feels like REAL Mexican food, not the greasy junk you get at the average chain restaurant. Everything we've had to eat here has been excellent and my entire family really likes it. It's not a fancy place - No white linens and hardcore table service and there's usually a soccer game on TV, but sometimes it's nice to go someplace casual where you can avoid the plateau pretentiousness. They aren't a challenge for Tom Douglas, but that's not what they are going for. If you want great, authentic and affordable Mexican food in Issaquah, this is the place for you!

    (5)

  • S C.

    Maybe we ordered the wrong things? I have wanting to try this place for awhile. With all the five star raving reviews, I was ready for some good eats. I was not impressed. Perhaps the steak tacos and burrito was not what I should have ordered. The steak was cut up in little tiny niblets, dried out with some pieces hard. The PICO was needed on everything and it was very HOT. The guacamole that was served with the burrito was great. I don't know what I was expecting. I can tell you it wasn't awesome. It doesn't compare to the California Mexican cuisine. I was so sad. Where do you find outstanding Mexican food on the east side? I'll probably try this place one more time because I want to like this place. I don't recommend the steak-anything. Horacha here if you want it. Bottles of Mexican coke and beers.

    (2)

  • Chris H.

    I had THE best customer experience I've ever had at La Venadita the other day. I was in a rush so I called ahead and asked them to have my food ready to go for eat-in. I walked through the door expecting to wait and they pointed me to a table already set with my food and drink and silverware. And my food was hot!!! What kind of restaurant does this? Sure they took a risk on the timing, food could have been cold, but it paid off and I am one very happy customer. Asada tacos and chips and guacamole as usual. Love this place.

    (5)

  • Merissa S.

    Amazing authentic cuisine. Excellent price for a good amount of food. The chorizo burrito is my favorite.

    (5)

  • Jim C.

    Revisited for the first time in a while and, well, the food wasn't as good as I remembered. Nice folks, though.

    (2)

  • Esther Y.

    We usually eat here about once a week because it's so delicious. My five-year-old calls it his "favorite restaurant" and when he got Christmas money from grandma and wanted to take mom out on a date this was his first choice. The staff is always friendly and the food is consistently good. They have vegetarian options and pasole!

    (5)

  • Zor S.

    Had the chicken tacos. They were bland so make sure to load up on hot sauce. Watery refried beans. Pretty pricey for less than mediocre counter-ordered Mexican.

    (2)

  • Nicole M.

    I go here every week it's become somewhat of an addiction. Their hot salsas in ketchup and mustard bottles are amazing and even when you get food Togo they give you a nice size cup of each in the bag. Their service is always pleasant. I've tried their asada burrito and quesadilla, cabeza tacos, shrimp tostada, asada tacos, and chicken tacos and everything is worth going back for! I can't wait to sample more of the menu. Even though the asada quesadilla wasnt on the menu (I dont believe) they said they could make it and it was delicious.

    (5)

  • Claire P.

    Best authentic Mexican food around. Go early or later. It's on the small side and the lunch rush is big. Either way it's well worth it.

    (5)

  • Mike S.

    I feel that this place is good. I wish that I could give it 3 and a half stars. I only did the tacos. Carnitas and asdada, they were good, however most places double their shells and these guys use only one. The taste is good, in fact the asada was not dry at all. I much prefer a place in Burien (149th and ambaum)but maybe this is as good as it gets for issaquah. if you live in issaquah you should check it out. I would rate it higher if I thought that they we're not useing the area to charge more and give less. but I'm from the south end, what do I know?

    (3)

  • Mike L.

    The prices here are great - 3 tacos comes under 5 dollars. Food quality has been good as well. I come here whenever I need to grab a quick lunch and don't feel like cooking myself.

    (5)

  • Michael W.

    Taqueria La Venadita is the real deal. No gringo Tex-Mex food here. In fact, most of the patrons dining there were Mexican, when we walked in at 12:30 PM for lunch. The menu board was located behind the order counter and the person taking our order was very helpful and friendly. the restaurant walls were painted muted shades of adobe, mustard and sage and decorated with some festive piñata and garland. This made for a happy and yet relaxing atmosphere. At our table, we had a steak burrito, steak enchilada, steak nacho, pork taco and beef taco. I didn't try each one, but was assured that they were all delicious. All plates were cleaned by voracious appetites. As for me, I had a Lengua taco and a Cabeza taco. Both were excellent. For my entree (lol), I had a bowl of Menudo. Besides tripe, it also had pig's trotters included. It was like a steaming bowl of heaven. The tripe was melt in your mouth and the trotters were fall off the bone. The broth was the perfect blend of herbs and spices and served with adequate condiments. If you're in the are, I sincerely recommend this place for authentic Mexican Cuisine.

    (4)

  • Tyson R.

    Great tacos, great price and the #5 with chicken and rice is fantastic. Will go back the next time I am in Issaquah. Quality Mexican food.

    (5)

  • Drew J.

    I had the chicken burrito and my wife had a torta, and we split the flan. Cheap, delicious, and fast.

    (4)

  • Paul H.

    My favorite small business to support in Issaquah. Friendly service, good quality for the price. Packed during lunch with a good mix of people. Don't come here expecting Chipotle or Azteca. This is legit Mexican food.

    (5)

  • Tyler P.

    My favorite Mexican place! I get the carnitas burrito or the steak torts, they are amazing! And very friendly service, quick in and out.

    (5)

  • Rachel R.

    Being from Phoenix, it's been hard to find good Mexican food on the East side. This place is as real as you can get. Yum!

    (5)

  • Greg R.

    Best Mex food in the Eastside. Carne Asada is fantastic, their food is really good. Great prices. Yummy Horchata too! Family favorite - every time! Young and old- this food doesn't disappoint! Try it!

    (5)

  • Resha P.

    I love their chicken tacos and their sauces. I really like that the food there is not greasy and covered with cheese like in some other Mexican restaurants.

    (5)

  • Sarah P.

    Authentic Mexican food but small dining space, kind of run down.

    (3)

  • Melanie O.

    Took the kids here earlier today for a quick lunch. We each had two tacos ranging from the Chicken, Pastor, and the Pork cheek. All were excellent. Best we have had outside of our favorite authentic Mexican place in Truckee, CA. Price for 8 tacos and one soda: ~ $15. Great deal! Would definitely come back when we return to the Sea-Tac area.

    (4)

  • Anuj K.

    Found this place on my way home from a cyclocross race in Sammammish (spelling?). I was cold, wet, and muddy. All I wanted was a huge burrito in my face. Instead I got more "authentic" mexican food that I was used to finding at friend's houses and things I would imagine mexican people are cooking at home to eat! Chorizo with eggs, chilaquiles, camarones, etc. I devoured a plate of chilaquiles with the green sauce (surprisingly spicy for a green salsa... I think the green trumps the red salsa for spicy here). Really enjoyed it, I didn't feel like I wanted anything more. Staff was really friendly, lot of hispanic people eating here. This place got really crowded around dinner time the second time I went after some mountain biking in the area.

    (4)

  • Ariel B.

    OMG, their steak burrito is spectacular!! This is amazing food. :) It's right next to a Mexican market/shop and you may walk into the wrong place by accident, so keep an eye out. ;)

    (5)

  • K F.

    This is our first time here and we really enjoyed the food. We had various types of tacos, quesadilla, and their chips with salsa. All we're very good and the price was quite low for the good food. The beef tongue taco was quite beefy while the beef cheeks taco was a little more mild. The best tacos were the pork and the cabeza. The quesadilla was also quite good and had a slightly different flavor than others we've had elsewhere. If you like Mexican food, stop by and try them out!

    (5)

  • Alison N.

    A delicious pork tamale, with the very welcome surprise of sliced jalapeño in the center, perfectly steamed, for $1.79? Oh, yes.

    (4)

  • Spencer E.

    I come here quite often and its always great. Fast delicious food with a very authentic vibe. Very affordable as well. I also love that it has a Hispanic market attached so its always a two part visit.

    (5)

  • Joe D.

    Burrito plate was authentic and great but the chips looked and tasted store bought. Therefore 3 star.

    (3)

  • Sarah F.

    I wasn't ravenous about the food, but it was a very good value and the service was excellent. Pros? -friendly service... I like to give my money to nice people -the locals were here, as well as many spanish speaking families, which is always a good sign of consistency -the food was fresh and flavorful -gotta love a value and a plate that is actually possible to complete eating Cons? -the meat was a little chewy and cut smaller than average

    (4)

  • Ruben H.

    This place is always awesome, always cheap and very fast. No complaints other than the parking situation blows....like most strip malls along Gilman. Its so obvious that Issaquah has outgrown its shoes....need to expand the parking and street options.

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    Favorite place in Issaquah to order Mexican food. I always order the pork tacos and carne asada. Also like the horchata (cinnamon rice drink). Service is decent. So far this place is the closest to eating real Mexican food. Been coming here for about 5 years.

    (4)

  • Ranjit P.

    Love this place. Authentic tasting food. Try the soft tacos - chorizo, adoboda, chicken. Also the chorizo enchilada was awesome. The salsa is spicy by default - which is awesome. But if you can't handle it, please ask them to provide you the mild salsa. The chips and salsa, followed by 5-6 tacos is a heavy meal.

    (5)

  • Shilps S.

    By far the best Mexican food we have found north of California! We ordered 2 taco combo plates both with an al pastor and asada taco. The taco meat had sooo much flavor. It came with a huge portion of rice and beans which were average. Oh but the taco meat - yummmm! I think next time I'll just order more tacos and skip the combo. The prices are really reasonable - the combo was $6.49 but each taco was I think around $1.69. Can't wait to try more items! Update: Been back many times and we now get their ginormous burrito - it's packed full of meat, beans, rice and cheese with a huge dollop of sour cream and guacamole on the side.

    (5)

  • Alicia C.

    After all the reviews I had high expectations coming from southern Cali- however, while it was pretty tasty, is didn't meet the high expectations of the past reviews. A few stated it was like SoCal Mexican, yet this place serves burritos "wet" covered in sauce like everywhere else we have found in Washington so far. You would never get this in SoCal. That said, the pollo Asada was very flavorful and tender as was the carne Asada. - while we will probably be back, I'm still on my search for the Mexican food from SoCal I have been craving since we've moved here 3 years ago.

    (3)

  • Stephen C.

    Food was average and portions small. Order at the cash and they bring your food to you. Have to admit that the service was very good and staff very friendly.

    (3)

  • Ken L.

    Solid Mexican food in Issaquah. I have never been disappointed with the delicious tacos and Menudo here. My usual order: Cabeza and Lengua tacos with a bowl of Menudo. The meat is cooked very tender and juicy, topped on one corn tortilla as opposed to most other places that use two. I would advise that you eat the tacos first before diving into the Menudo since the juices of the meat can permeate the tortilla and render it useless to hold the taco together. The Menudo is a generous bowl of tripe with a side of tortillas, onions, jalapenos and chilis, always so gooood. If you have room for dessert, order their $1.99 slice of perfect flan that is thick and not too sweet. Lastly, great service and a hard working crew that keeps the place nice and clean. Dependable in my book. Update January 2013. The last two or three times I visited was not so good. They have become very stingy on their taco meat and the food is not hot when brought out. A one star deduct.

    (4)

  • Patrick L.

    Found this place on Yelp after a challenging hike at Mailbox Peak. Basically chose it based on the strength of previous Yelp reviews, and it paid off. They were open late on a Sunday and we were starving! Great to see things on the menu like lengua, cabeza, chorizo and (not that I eat it) menudo. Tacos were good, not nearly as good as countless other taco trucks and taquerias I frequent, but still quite good. Sadly they only use 1 tortilla per taco, instead of 2 that I traditionally see. The arroz con pollo was really good though, not overly saucy like some other places, and smothered with cheese. We asked for some hotter sauce, so they brought us out 3 types. I have to report that none of them were any spicier than the tapatio/cholula that you're used to. Still, I can definitely see myself coming back here eventually.

    (3)

  • Tom B.

    This is exactly the kind of place that I hope to find when I use sites like Yelp--it's not famous, nor obvious to the passerby. It's a dining room tucked away in a strip mall in Issaquah, with a companion business next door. I didn't check out the companion business, a little market, but it feels like a good luck charm whenever I find a place that's so zeroed in on good ingredients that they have to open a market in conjunction with their restaurant (this place is like the Tagla of Mexican food in that sense). This place is two long rows of booths around a half-dozen sturdy little tables. There are flat screens here and there playing Mexican programming, and there's a menu on the wall over the counter where you order. You can see the cooks zooming around through a pass-through. You take your number tent back to your table with you. I opted for the arroz con pollo, which seemed kinda diner style. It came out on a heavy, hot crockery plate that had clearly been through the salamander with the food. There was a ton of yellow cheese shredded through the chicken and mushrooms, gooping it all together deliciously. Everything was juicy and seasoned wonderfully. You get a little plastic frisbee full of corn tortillas with that. I swept up every bite. This was cheap--$10.49, which makes it 50 cents shy of being the most-expensive thing on the menu. I'll be back over and over. Got a lot of menu to taste my way through.

    (5)

  • Stewart T.

    Some of the best tacos de pastor I've had in the NW reminds me of LA. Ya it's not traditional trompo style but it's packed with flavor. Also their red and green salsas are great. Other dishes and meats were passable.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    First time trying this place. I asked the cashier for a recommendation. He told me #5 . Rice with chicken translated. I was excited it was easy to say . The service was quick and the food was amazing. Yelp never disappoints.

    (5)

  • Ali O.

    I had high hopes after reading all the well written reviews on yelp! Maybe it was because I didn't order what others were saying was delicious (my bad, hence why I have 3 stars up rather than 1). The service was friendly, the guy working the cash register was super nice and the restaurant was clean! Maybe I'll go back and give some other dishes a shot, but for now, I'm fine with my occasional trip over to DT Seattle for some good Mexican food :)

    (3)

  • Kristin C.

    I am being generous. I think I just had too high of expectations. 4 1/2 stars average in Issaquah? It was too good to be true. The people here are really nice. But the food really left a lot to be desired. I got the chillaquilles. I wasn't asked how I wanted my egg cooked, so I assumed there was no egg.... wrong, there was an over-hard, overly disgusting egg that I had to pick out. The green salsa on it was fine though. It was served with a side of cheese, beans and rice and tortillas(?). The tortillas were good, the rice though was bland and hard. My boyfriend got the carne asada enchiladas with beans and rice and was also sorely disappointed. The Horchata was ok. I did like the salsa they put on the table. I put it with some beans and rice and tortillas(one of my favorite meals EVER), it made the beans and rice palatable, at least. I would go back to give them another chance, maybe just stick with tacos. Like I said, the tortillas were good, which is an important factor, and maybe we just got them on an off day with the rice and beans.

    (3)

  • Howard E.

    I have been looking for Mexican restaurant like this for a longtime. Who would have thought I'd find it in Issaquah? Thank you Yelpers for your reviews! I love chorizo! Every time I go to a Mexican restaurant I ask if they serve chorizo. If not, then I leave. Well I did not have to leave La Venadita. IMO the best chorizo burrito around. I think what makes it more flavorful to me Is La Venadita uses chunks of chorizo sausage rather than ground chorizo. Though they also put rice and beans in the burrito, the chorizo comes through loud and clear. The other item we had was what La Venadita calls Shrimp Cocktail (SC). This is not the SC you are thinking of where you get a cup of baby shrimp on lettuce with cocktail sauce. Nope La Venadita's SC is a soup with whole shelled shrimp and avocado chunks. Traditionally SC is served cold, but we prefer it served hot. The soup is savory sweet with onions and cilantro. My wife ordered the SC which she had tried once before. At first I was hesitant to try it because it just did not seem appetizing to me, not to mention I had never seen it at any other Mexican restaurant before. Well glad I tried it! It is now my #2 item to get at La Venadita!

    (5)

  • Blaine M.

    Stopped by on my way through town to Mt. Rainier and was pleasantly surprised. This place well deserves its high score on yelp. It's cheap, authentic, and tasty. The shop is clean with a mild ambience. Plus the guy working there was very friendly. The salsa was great if a bit watery, and the guacamole was good for as reasonable as it is.

    (5)

  • Ha L.

    The service was very friendly here. The guy taking my order recommended the tacos over the tortas, so I ordered the carne asada and chorizo tacos. The tacos are very simple and yummy.

    (4)

  • Glenn B.

    That's some seriously good authentic Mexican food! The food's awesome and it's quick from order to in front of you. A simple place and very, very good! Eat slowly, my friend. :)

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    I wasn't particularly impressed. I had the chicken chimichanga and a pork tamale. I love tamales, but this one was kind of dry and not super flavorful. The chimichanga was good, but I felt like it was missing something.

    (3)

  • Michael G.

    I haven't had a meal that made me "wow" like I did at Taqueria in awhile. Went today for lunch, the place was packed and the line never stopped. They still manage to serve pretty quickly, being walk up and a simple menu. I probably would have waited twice as long as good as the food was. Had the Carne Asada plate, my wife had the Asada burrito. It wasn't enough. I had to indulge in a pastor and chorizo taco as well. The best parts of the meal was the fresh made salsa, the refried beans and carne asada meat. The meat was tender and seasoned and included roasted green onion and jalapeno. Nice touch. Very refreshing to enjoy some quality food in Issaquah, even better that its some authentic Mexican. If every bite was as good as the best parts, it'd be an easy 5 star. Highly recommend!

    (4)

  • Amos Y.

    Had high expectations coming to here. The place is more of a fast food style place where you order up front then sit down and wait for the food. The menu is mostly in spanish, so we didn't know what a bunch of things were, but there are some pictures to help. Got the arroz con pollo, which was pretty tasty. Food was delivered fairly quickly, and the portion was large. There is a good amount of seating and lots of parking outside. Overall was good, but was not as amazing as some of the reviews might make it sound like.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth L.

    Love this place. Great service, food and price point. I generally have the tacos al pastor but have tried the chilaquiles , tamale, and arroz con pollo. All were great !

    (5)

  • Ryan G.

    This is the best authentic Mexican food in the Issaquah/Sammamish area. When I was in Mexico, we'd have street tacos; which were amazing. When I got back from Mexico, I was really burnt out on Mexican food, but about a month later I felt the deep Mexican food hunger return and knew I had to get back the real Mexican food. Now, after coming here for probably over a year, I can say that this place comes extremely close to authentic Mexican street food. You walk in, order and pay at the counter, then they give you a number. You seat yourself and await the glorious food. The food is reasonably priced, the staff is friendly, and they've got horchata and Jamaica. What's not to like? I haven't gone through the whole menu, but that's only because I can't eat gluten, dairy, or eggs. My favorites are: the pork and chicken tacos, and the pollo a la diabla. The tortas also look amazing and my friends tell me the burritos are insanely tasty. The only thing that is a drag is that you have to pay for chips and salsa. But one time my friend and I were waiting for our food and it was taking longer than usual. So they gave us some chips and salsa on the house to apologize for the wait. Their chips and salsa are awesome so there wasn't a problem with the wait. Overall, if you want Mexican food, and you're in Issaquah, this is where you should go.

    (5)

  • Carrie H.

    Awesome as always. Great for families and easy for those with disabilities to get around and seat in the restaurant.

    (5)

  • Whitney B.

    Eh, this place just didn't tickle my fancy. To this day, I'm still not sure why. Maybe it's due to the fact that the woman at the counter did not, in fact, acknowledge our existence and let us stand there in confusion while we decide what we wanted to order from the menu. Maybe it's due to us expecting the place to be a little more lively and a little less monotonous and lifeless. It might also be that in 7 years I have lived in Issaquah/Sammamish, the exterior of the restaurant is as invisible as they come. They would win at a game of hide-and-seek because I had no idea this place existed until I found out on Yelp. Perks of being a wallflower? Perhaps. I had a hard time finding it even with the address. Like, I know where NW Gilman Blvd is and its respective shopping centers. To have me blindly point out Taquiera La Venadita? Impossible. We went during an off time right before 5 PM, and there was only one customer in front of us. You are supposed to walk up to the counter to order because they won't take your order at the table. If we hadn't seen the other customers order, I don't think I would be able to wrap my head around what I wanted to eat. I am far from an expert when it comes to authentic Mexican cuisine, but I ordered three chicken tacos and felt excited that this place had soft, corn tortillas. I'm not sure whether the tortillas are made in house or not. When I bit into it, it did not have that flavor profile that I expected. It tasted almost as plain as the walls of the restaurant. I wasn't looking for spicy nor was I looking for cheesy. I just wanted more. I wanted one taco to leave me wanting to eat the second one or the third one. After the second one, I kind of wanted to get out of there. They do use fresh ingredients, which is why I leave them a 3-stars. For every order of tacos, you receive a helping of chopped cilantro, white onions, sauteed meat, with one slice of lime. The corn tortillas fell apart and split in my hands, and I am a meticulous eater. Then I had lime juice falling down my palms to my wrists, all the while eating this flavorless taco. For 4.5 stars, I expected a "wow" factor, but I saw no "wow" in my experience. I could replicate this in my kitchen because the flavors are so simple that at the same time does not beckon me to eat some more. When I go out to eat, I want it to be something I can't redo in my kitchen, so this place was not it for me.

    (3)

  • N V.

    Our visit was unplanned, purely based on the previous reviews and rating. Despite of a weekend and late evening, the place was quite empty. Ordered combination Enchiladas and Taco combo. Service was good, no queue and the order arrived pretty quick. Food was in very small quantity ( for the price) and sauces,bland. 1 star for the service and 1 for the good. Might not visit again.

    (2)

  • R M.

    Very good food here. Eat here a lot. Last visit my enchiladas were warm but not hot and tortilla did not get cooked enough and cheese didn't even melt. This is not par for the course... I hope.

    (4)

  • Deanna K.

    Best Mexican food in the area, hands down. The shrimp fajitas are amazing and have this smoky quality that I can't adequately describe, and delicious doesn't do them justice. Don't go expecting a sit-down service - it's an order at the counter joint. Service has been good every time I've been in. Just go and enjoy the food -- you won't be sorry.

    (5)

  • gary g.

    I'm guessing new owners. We ate there tonight and the tacos were, well, terrible. They did not grill or even microwave the tortillas for the tacos, so they were like cardboard. Even the meat was a bit sparse and dry. My son had the torta, and it looked pretty healthy. But the tacos were bad. And, quite frankly, the girl who took our order was not friendly. So f this place, pabst blue ribbon!

    (2)

  • Adam B.

    This place is great! Been back here a few times because the food is so delicious. This is more traditional and more authentic than what you will find at most Mexican restaurants: Tacos are small things, topped with cilantro and onions (not lettuce and tomato); you'll find chorizo and lengua on the menu (not common at many restaurants I've been too); and tortas! I usually only find tortas at taco trucks, but I had the Ahogada torta this last weekend, and it was absolutely great. I've yet to try their chilaquiles or their arroz con pollo, but I've heard good things about them. The only downside is that the restaurant itself is a little rundown ... I guess you could call it "sketchy", but I think that the way it looks keeps this place a secret from others and adds to the appeal of this hidden treasure!

    (4)

  • Sam R.

    Don't let the location or basic decor fool you. This is some amazing food! I think I'll be making this a regular weekly stop.

    (5)

  • Aaron S.

    Great local taco shop. The entire family loves it and we end up coming here more often than we should because the food is so good. The staff are great. We can feed the whole family for under $30. I recommend the tamales, carne asada burritos and the tacos.

    (5)

  • Kyle C.

    I'm not Mexican...but as far as i can tell...this is the BEST authentic Mexican restaurant in Issaquah! I love this place. Been here a few times with friends and family and no matter what you order...you get something good. My recommendation is to get a few street tacos the fist time, because they are awesome! Then make note of all the awesome looking stuff everyone else is eating and then get that the next time. Super friendly staff and really good authentic food. Love this place.

    (5)

  • Alan Y.

    This is the best Mexican food I've had between Southern California and Washington. Taqueria La Venadita is no joke. Carne Asada is delicious (get the full plate, not the taco). Anything with chorizo will satisfy your porky needs. If you're willing to dive into the truly delicious without always ordering the typical mexican fares I'd highly recommend their posole. I turned on to this magical soup after observing an elder latino fellow. He appears to be restoring his soul with the contents of that bowl. Now I know why. Taqueria La Venadita's posole is magical. Like unicorns. F*$&%ing Delicious unicorns.

    (5)

  • Jeremy C.

    What a disappointment! I've been here a few times since it's tough to find decent Mexican food in the area. This place is fairly run down, with a menu board that has been patched up to disguise pricing that's no longer valid, used napkins on the tables, and a high chair with no supporting straps for your child. The folks taking orders tonight couldn't get anything right when it came to our order. We had to ask the staff three times for an update on our food, and every time she replied that "it's coming soon." The truth is, she never even checked since forty minutes after ordering someone else had to come out to ask what we ordered. He admitted that they indeed lost our order, and at that point we decided to cut our loses and get a refund. After another five minute delay, I had enough and insisted for my money back immediately. They even lost my ticket, so I had to recalculate our order for them to determine our refund. I wish I could give them more than a star, but the failure to follow-up after repeat requests, the long delays, and the horrible way they dealt with this problem prevents me from doing so. The Jack in the Box in the same parking lot probably has less tasty taco's, but at least you'll get them cheaper and faster than Taqueria La Vanadita.

    (1)

  • Tyson G.

    Came in here about a month ago. I enjoy supporting small businesses especially when they have good products are family run and are friendly. La Venadita is all of these things. They keep it simple and use good ingredients. Best Mexican food in Issaquah (which has at least 8 establishments- chain and small) that I've had, with that said it's not the greatest I've ever had in my life. Taste and spice tends to accommodate the clientele nicely. The three of us ate for about $25 on a mid week lunch time. Be wary that it can get packed in here very quickly during lunch. Will definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Corliss P.

    Come to La Venadita for great food and great service. I work nearby and my coworkers (who are Mexican themselves) get takeout from here and since I was bored with all the usual lunch spots I decided to check this place out. I have had the Carne Asada tacos and the Carne Asada chimichanga. Both were delicious! Especially the chimichanga! Deep fried burrito goodness. Got the combo which comes with delicious rice and beans! It was only around 7 dollars for the chimichanga combo which is the same price as a chipotle burrito but this is a nice change from the usual Chipotle and very authentic.

    (5)

  • Chi S.

    I'm not in a position to comment on what is authentic Mexican food, but what they serve here *is* different from what I typically see in "Mexican" restaurants. Good food, fast service, friendly staff. One the the few places that I would stop by without a second thought.

    (5)

  • Jin K.

    First time eater here. After reading the reviews, I decided to carry out my meal. I ordered the camarones el diablo. I wanted to like the food, but this dish was not good. The shrimp was not fresh. The dish itself had no texture so it just turned out like goop. I ordered corn tortillas and got flour. The horchata was ok, too much sweetener and not enough cinnamon. I'm willing to come back and try a torta or burrito. But for this round, 2 stars is being generous.

    (2)

  • Jon L.

    Have been reading up on this Mexican spot in Issaquah. 4 1/2 stars is almost unheard of for Mexican. I was in the area and stopped by. It is a little hard to find. Look for the Denny's and Jack In The Box on Gilman and turn into the strip mall there. It is across from the Target complex if that helps you. Taqueria is your quintessential hole in the wall. The restaurant is smallish and not the cleanest looking, but the food that they serve here is great. Restaurant was pretty full when I came in to order takeout. Soccer was playing on the TV at the far end of the space. You order items at the counter where the menu is primarily in Spanish. Rather than chance it ordering an unfamiliar item, I got the asada steak burrito ($6.49). After waiting for a short time, I was handed a platter to go. Found that a little odd. Usually my burritos are wrapped to go. When I opened the platter, what I found inside was a ginormous burrito (see photo). Eating the burrito with fork in hand was kind of like eating a tamale. The asada was grilled well and the guacamole had good flavor. The green sauce has a little bit of a bite, but not too much. Simply put, this was a good big burrito. Now I understood why this place gets such high praise. Great food, large portions at a good price. Taqueria La Venadita is simply awesome.

    (4)

  • Alan S.

    Went here for lunch today with the family. Very much a local joint where you order at the counter and they bring the food out to you. The service was good and they are prompt. Food was very reasonably priced but the food is just ok. I got the arroz con pollo. Had mushrooms, onions, rice, chicken and topped with cheese. It was good but I've had a lot better arroz con pollo before. Also tried sone of the chorizo burrito. Again it was ok and the chorizo was a little dry. Good cheap food but 4 1/2 stars seems a little inflated to me.

    (3)

  • Shantanu L.

    This is a hidden gem! This is a truly authentic restaurant. We had the Chicken and Chorizo tacos and Arroz Con Pollo! It was just perfect! I am coming back again for more.

    (5)

  • Josh W.

    Holy mother of burritos. I had seen the amazing reviews here for quite some time, but never actually got around to eating at Taqueria La Venadita before today. I came in around noon and got myself a Chorizo burrito. I had never had Chorizo before, but let me tell you: This is hands down the best mexican food I have ever had, much less arguably the best food in all of Issaquah. In my first bite, the meat just absolutely exploded with flavor. There are a bunch of unknown (to me) seasonings and spices buy holy cow this is beyond good. Packed with loads of meat, rice, beans and cheese, and also topped with sour cream and guacamole, this burrito is a sure fire winner. It was only 7 bucks too. WHAT?! 7 dollars for a giant burrito packed with this much flavor? I must be dreaming, but alas I am not. This is just the way of the Venadita! If you're in the area, stop by and grab a meal and you'll be absolutely tickled with flavors!

    (5)

  • Thomas S.

    Great divey Mexican taqueria. Mexican coke and brains on the grill are good sign. Best on the eastside. Great value.

    (4)

  • Rob H.

    You can go ahead right now and put this place up against some of the best places to eat in the entire Seattle area. I frequent it often, with friends from work and the family as well. Delicious, authentic Mexican food that is very reasonable. Tacos, arroz con pollo, carne asada and the tortas are all winners here. Just because it is in a strip mall, don't let that deter you from eating here. It actually has moved down a couple of shops to the left from what is posted on the picture. The store that also is a door or two to the left of the restaurant sells a great little spice called Tajin. Go get it and sprinkle it on fruit or any meat, you can thank me later.

    (5)

  • Melville P.

    This was so unexpectedly good. The outside doesn't give a hint to the quality of the food. The food also came to the table within about five minutes. Portions were perfect and it was so cheap! The restaurant was full of very happy looking patrons. The staff was attentive and friendly. They also had agua fresca that made my wife thrilled. There is also a really neat market next door with authentic Mexican spices, pastries, and other foods. We picked up three kinds of dried chili peppers and two large bags of dried hibiscus flowers. We will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Kelly S.

    tacos are hard to beat. torta not so much but this place is solid. very solid.

    (4)

  • Lorena K.

    I love their refried beans and rice. They are excellent. The food is consistently good.

    (4)

  • Anastasia C.

    This is my favorite local Mexican joint. The owner is super nice and they really work their butts off! The tacos and burritos are great...I have much more to try. The best part is Mexican Coke, of course :-)

    (4)

  • David P.

    Simple but tasty and well done. Add a little salsa to spice to taste and voila, tasty Mexican food.

    (4)

  • John P.

    I ordered the pork burrito which was filled with filler as I like to call it. Rice, beans, and very little pork which was crumbled and a bit dry, the kind they use in their taco's. Price was high also, should have been $5 or less not $7. Won't be back there again.

    (2)

  • Natalie E.

    I don't think its possible to get good mexican food in the Seattle area! I was hopeful for this one after reading the reviews and seeing all Latinos here...but I was sadly disappointed. We had steak burritos, chicken burrito, and a quesadilla in our group. Maybe none us ordered the right thing, but It was all just bland! Not even the rice had much flavor. Another review said it was authentic Mexican but I have eaten in many Mexican households and restaurants and this is NOT authentic Mexican. I really wanted to like it but at this point i'd rather go to a chain like Chipotle or even Taco Bell over going back here :-/ The portions and price were good but not enough for me to go back...

    (2)

  • Hannah J.

    Best authentic Mexican in iss!! And good prices. Love the fried tacos.

    (5)

  • Rebecca S.

    Back when I lived and worked in Issaquah, this was one of my weekly spots. It's the only place in Issaquah with horchata and jamaica and also the only place to get actual authentic Mexican food. I went to La Venadita last night for a take out order of four chicken tacos. I love how they make the tacos here - small tortillas with flavorful chicken and topped with cilantro, onions and lime. I only had to wait about five minutes for my food, and I got to listen to cop gossip the whole time because apparently this is where the Issaquah police hang out. When I got back to the house and opened up my food, the tacos looked a bit skimpy. After finishing the four, my stomach was still growling. The tacos were really, really delicious, but next time, I'll probably have to order a couple more, or an order of chips and salsa, or something.

    (4)

  • Shanna D.

    This place if fantastic, everything on the menu is delicious! The staff is very friendly and the food is served quickly. I use to live in the area and frequented this place at least twice a week. I hope they open another location in Seattle.

    (5)

  • Wendy R.

    Good enough for Mexican food... Me and my husband were visiting from Ca. and we have a LOT of Mexican places to compare too... So, thought it was ok. Beans were good, rice ok. I got the chimichanga... it only had the meat inside. I like it when they put meat, rice and beans inside. My husband got the soft tacos... A bit small. With that said, Overall a decently place but I wouldn't say I loved it.

    (3)

  • Chris O.

    All these 5 stars really? I've been eating here for over three years as I work nearby, the place is decent, but not as good as everyone makes it out to be. Tacos are decent to good, lengua and chorizo being my favorite here. Burritos are okay, nothing special at all and a bit bland, which is why I dump some of their delicious hot sauce all over them. Tortas are seriously lacking, they're small, not very much meat, and the bread is so light they fall apart easily. Another hot sauce dump. Enchiladas are not good, 2 tiny toritllas rolled up with barely any type of sauce or flavor. Prices are bit high for some things and average for others. $1.29 per taco (okay price, no combo/discount meal for # of tacos), but $3.50 for a side of rice & beans, are you kidding me? Hell, Rinconsito is better than this place. But I guess when you're in the Izzy, not a lot of options.

    (3)

  • Ray T.

    I was looking forward to eating at this Mexican restaurant in Issaquah with such high ratings. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. I hate giving a bad rating to a family restaurant especially since the service was good but the food was very poor. Instead of getting nice cut up steak, the steak asada turned out to be tiny bits of meat that looked like leftover meat being reused. The carne Milanese was even worse. When I got my taco I was amazed by how bad it was. I could make better tacos & burritos at home. Also every horchata that I've ever had has been different since everyone has a different recipe but this one tasted like chalky sweet water. Not very interesting. I know that Issaquah and Seattle are not the center of Mexican cuisine but this restaurant would not have such high ratings anywhere else. Very disappointing.

    (1)

  • Audrey S.

    I love, love, love, LOVE this place. The food is OUTSTANDING and the price is SO low. Highly recommend the carne asada. Come hungry, because the portions are out of control.

    (5)

  • Jean-Jacques T.

    Absolutely the best cheap and authentic Mexican food in this area, and it stacks up very well to the stuff you could find anywhere else. No, if you're looking for your prissy little restaurant to show off to your rich friends, this isn't the place. Nice people, great food, cheap meal. What more can you ask for? My favorites are the tongue tacos and menudo!

    (5)

  • Helene L.

    Great authentic food, closest to what I can find in San Diego. Cabeza and lengua tacos are flavorful and tender, must tries. Service and ambiance as expected for relatively in expensive food.

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    4.5 stars. Authentic Mexican made by friendly people. If the decor was a little nicer, or, they served beer, I'd give it 5 stars. This place is never crowded, not because the food isn't good but I think because it isn't very obvious from Gilman that it is there and it isn't your American Mexican Chain Family Style restaurant like Las Margaritas. But when you have a craving for good Mexican, quick, and not a lot of money, this place REALLY hits the spot. They definitely take care of you here.

    (4)

  • Christine S.

    Holy Sh*&! Amazing... Being from S. California it is hard to find good authentic Mexican...I just did, in Issaquah?! ***Clapping***

    (5)

  • David P.

    Best Mexican Food in Issaquah. The food is a little more Authentic style. I've only been here a couple times now, but Mexican is my favorite, and this very well may be my favorite Mexican restaurant.

    (5)

  • Jessica P.

    I freakin' love this place! The best ever! Get the Carne Asada! Heck, get everything! You will not be disappointed!

    (5)

  • Sandra Y.

    I've worked on Gilman in Issaquah for the past two years and just recently hit up Taqueria La Venadita for lunch. It took me so long to try La Venadita because I usually have to be in the mood for Mexican but this place has turned my food loving heart around. I should have listened to my coworkers a lot earlier! First time in I ordered the Camarones a la Diabla for $9.99 (spicy shrimp - see photo). Jose, the owner of this joint, brought us delicious salsa and chips while we waited. When my dish came out I was surprised to see how juicy and plump the shrimps were. Second time around I ordered the two tacos combo for $5.99. I chose chicken for my meat - amazing! Be wary of the noon lunch rush, seating is limited so get there early or late.

    (5)

  • Tess B.

    Absolutely love this place. It looks like nothing from the outside, On the inside not only is the staff super friendly and lovely, but they remember our orders even though there is always a long line. Our whole family loves the food and it tastes great. Even better, we can afford to feed the whole family reasonably.

    (5)

  • Andy L.

    Have since tried the arroz con pollo, and the chile rojo... Both are excellent! The Mexican sodas and Coke are great, but damn I would love to have a south of the border beer with this food.

    (5)

  • Juli-ann W.

    Delighted to discover this treasure (thank you, Yelpers!). The arroz con pollo was delicious. They brought me extra tortillas. The homemade sauces were awesome. Service was friendly and fast. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Charles L.

    Had some really excellent burritos here on Wednesday. The meat was tender and the burritos are a very good size. Plus they are priced right for those on a budget.

    (4)

  • Mimi L.

    I had wanted to try this place for a while because of the good reviews on Yelp, but always passed on it because I'm not a huge fan of Mexican food. Well, even though Mexican food is not my favorite, I LOVE this place! Aside from actually going to Mexico for food, this place is a great authentic Mexican restaurant. I always get the pollo a la crema which is just a chicken in a creamy sauce that's very good and the chorizo and eggs. Their chorizo tacos are also pretty good. I've also tried their tortas once and they were pretty good considering I don't really like tortas that much. I haven't really tried too many things because I always get the same dishes, but they are just so good! I also love their horchata drink, it is soo yummy I get it every time. I get takeout from here all the time whenever I am too busy or too lazy to cook and I love that they are open til 10 pm, which is later than most places in Issaquah. I've taken a few people here and they all love it!

    (5)

  • Toby V.

    Real mexican food. Great service, if you are looking for authentic mexican then this is it. I love this place. The prices are cheap and the quality is always there.

    (5)

  • Stacy Y.

    Whoo hoo~~ A very good sign, at 1:30 full of people and half were Mexicans. I ordered Arroz Con Camarones, that came with large shrimp, fresh and perfectly cooked mixed with mushrooms, onions with two sides of beans & rice. I usually don't eat beans, so I asked for additional rice. Anyway, what can I say about this dish, the sauce is kind of sweet like ketchup but has good cajun spice mixed to it, and yes, butter!! Hm.... yum yum yum!! I think I hit the jackpot just for being here for the first time. Yes, I will come back, but I'm not sure about other dishes because my first one was my favorite already :)

    (5)

  • Andrea S.

    I love this place!! When I miss home cooking this is where I go! They make me feel like I am back in California eating some of the best Mexican food out there. I have never eaten anything there that was excellent. My husband even sneaks there for lunch and has there Carne Asada Burrito which he drowns in their amazing Green/Red Salsa. I love the Tostadas de Camaron very refreshing and great to eat on any Summer day!! My kids enjoy the environment as well very friendly and family oriented!! We have not had a bad experience yet!

    (5)

  • Lewie G.

    Absolutely love this place. The food is as authentic as Mexican gets in restaurants. I've been twice now. The first time I just wanted to try their Tacos Al Pastor (possibly the greatest food on earth). Not disappointed there. Went again last night and wanted to try something new so I got a torta (which I usually avoid b/c I feel like, "Hey, I'm in a Mexican place - go tortilla or go home"). HOLY. AMAZING. The bread was marvelously soft but strong enough to hold the Asada, lettuce, tomato, crema and jalapenos that made possibly one of the tastiest sandwiches I've EVER eaten (and I've eaten a lot of sandwiches). Highly recommend. Prices are very reasonable for Issaquah, too! And if you want to try some dulces or need some authentic dyed cowboy boots to join a banda group, you should run over to their store of the same name a couple doors down. PS - Good flan and homemade horchata, too. (If you haven't had homemade horchata, you gotsta recognize that it's made with smashed-up rice and can be a little grainy - so expect that)

    (5)

  • Deanna F.

    The best authentic Mexican food you can find in Issaquah. Eat in...or take out...delicious. This is not a restaurant where a waiter will come by every few to get you another margarita...this place is all about the food. (They do have bottled beer though.) My husband and I live just a couple of blocks behind Las Margaritas, but we will be driving to Taqueria La Venadita to fill our Mexican food cravings.

    (5)

  • Andrew K.

    Great restaurant with a great owner. He is super friendly and always gives me extra salsa or other items to my order. They open early too (10:00 AM) so I can put an order in when I leave the gym on the weekends to have an early lunch. I strongly recommend the Cabeza tacos, and Milanesa burrito. I also prefer the green sauce over the red. + They moved to a larger location and have more room + Open early for early lunch opportunity + Friendly staff that will always customize your order as well - Tacos only have one tortillas, used to getting two from other places Tip: If you order 5-tacos of the same meat, they sometimes skimp on the meat. I recommend getting a variety of meats to get your money's worth and try the variety they have.

    (5)

  • Craig J.

    I used to love this place and I have sent many people here but three times I have gotten sick right afterwards. The first time I figured it was just me. The second time I started to wonder but the last time did it for me. Certainly didn't happen every visit but once out of about four times. I won't describle the effects but sadly, I don't want to take another chance. EDIT: I love this place and left a bad review thinking and hoping that someone would pay attention and fix whatever erh problem was. Improper storage or temperatures? Something was wrong and hopefullyu they have fixed the problem. I have since returned twice without incident and maybe someone took the right steps to solving the problem.

    (4)

  • Keriche C.

    I love this place! I come here once a month or so with my friend from work and we both love it! The tortas are so delicious, the tacos are amazing, and I love their salsas and rice and beans. The people working are always super friendly and helpful . Come here for great Mexican food, kind employees and a comfortable place for lunch or dinner.

    (4)

  • Kurtis S.

    Went for lunch with work, based on Yelp reviews and the fact that someone in the group wanted Mexican. I'm not much for Mexican food, but I really enjoyed it here. I asked the man at the counter what he recommended, and got the "Camarones a la Diabla" - fantastic, the best Mexican food I've had to date. The others ordered a burrito, and 2x Carne Asada, and all meals were reviewed as excellent (and the price was excellent too!). The service was fantastic too - extremely fast, courteous, and always there to get us what we needed. Way above and beyond what I expected.

    (5)

  • Julia P.

    Best chicken tacos, awesome green salsa, try the arroz con pollo you will be pleased! This place is why Taco Tuesday exists.

    (5)

  • Patricia O.

    I didn't think this place was too delicious. The best part was the chips and salsa (with stale chips). I ordered the carne asada which was supposed to be well done. Somehow they translated well done into burnt. My steak was pretty crispy.... They give you four tortillas and 4 TINY pieces of steak. For $10 & some change.. you get what you pay for. I deducted two stars for the hair in my food, one star for burnt steak, and another for a disgusting bathroom.

    (1)

  • John M.

    Asada burrito is the way it should be. Sooooooo tasty. My choice over Chipotle any day.

    (4)

  • Robert L.

    Good place for Mexican food. Fast, good value, and authentic. Will definitely go back!

    (4)

  • Lesley D.

    I come to this place almost once a week for lunch. They are fast, friendly, and the food is really good! They have some pretty authentic selections on their menu if you are feeling adventurous. The decor leaves a little to be desired, but seems like the best Mexican places usually have the hole-in-the-wall vibe! Pros: The price is right! Big portions Very friendly staff Fast service Cons: Not a lot of options if you are vegetarian

    (4)

  • Ethan C.

    This is a great taco joint. It's nothing fancy--order at the counter, and they bring you the food. The menu is not extensive. But they do their tacos right, and the meals are just as tasty. A great low-key, inexpensive option. To top it off, the staff is very friendly.

    (5)

  • Holly W.

    Awesome Mexican food! I love the chicken tacos. Very authentic! Service Is quick. Prices are reasonable. We will be back!

    (4)

  • Cheryl C.

    Tacos are great and the salsa is hot, the family store next door carries FRESCA!!

    (5)

  • Jasmine M.

    When you first arrive at this restaurant, you have to place your order and pay at the counter. I ordered the infamous arroz con pollo while my husband got the enchilada. The food came out pretty fast. When my dish was served, I was pretty surprised that it is not the authentic dish that I am familiar with. The arroz con pollo that I am used to is served with big pieces of chicken and is cooked together with the rice. This was just the regular mexican rice that is served in any other dish with small pieces of chicken, mushrooms and onions added and then finished with a thick layer of cheese. When I started to dig in, I found it to be very flavorful and delicious though! My husband enjoyed his enchilada and finished the entire plate. In an old place like this with no ambiance, we found that the food is slightly overpriced for the amount that you get especially now that they have raised their prices. The portions aren't very big. We will come back if we are in the area but will not make a special trip here. Keep on eating, diners!

    (3)

  • John W.

    Very casual -walk up to the counter and order- eatery with reasonable prices and bottled glass sodas! I ordered a burrito asada which was stuffed full of chopped beef. I loved how it wasn't drowning in red sauce that every eastside Mexican restaurant seems to have a share in. P. S. There is a cinnamon rice drink that we found out about after the fact! I'll definitely try it next time. P. P. S. After I wrote the review, the waitress volunteeringly brought us a sample of the cinnamon rice drink. Definitely worth trying!

    (4)

  • David L.

    Pretty far north of the border to be called authentic by any stretch. I'd go back if I was stuck at the same hotel with no rental car again as there are few choices within walking distance, but I've definately had better in the greater Seattle area.

    (2)

  • Rex C.

    I eat here weekly. Some of the better Mexican food on the Eastside. It is like a food truck inside a restaurant.

    (4)

  • Anita K.

    Good tacos and carne asada and the prices are right! Friendly, fast service.

    (3)

  • Sofia D.

    The best Mexican food!!

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    I'm fairly obsessed with Mexican food right now and I decided to stop in here after doing a little shopping at Fred Meyer. The food prep was fast, the prices were really quite inexpensive, and the portions (at least for the burritos) were enormous. Everything was super delicious and it's definitely a nice change from choosing between taco bell/taco time and a sit down family style mexican restaurant. I definitely want to go back sometime to try all of the tacos they have to offer and maybe give another one of their massive burritos a go. Fast and easy meal that'll save you a buck or two.

    (4)

  • Brandon F.

    Excellent authentic tacos and pozole

    (4)

  • Kristen A.

    Wow, I was not excpecting to like this place as much as I did! I'm not too big on mexican food, and have been trying to watch my weight but my boyfriend was dying for some Mexican, and more specifically to try this place out. I got the Chicken Burrito and he got the Steak Fajitas, and we got Chips, Salsa and Guacamole to share. The portions were good, not too large - we ate all our food but didn't feel stuffed to the brim, just perfectly full. I also tried some white rice type drink - I don't know what it was called, but whatever it was it was delicious!!! The place is kind of a whole in the wall, it doesn't look super fancy or anything, but it is still nice and very clean. There were several other groups there - it was maybe about half full - but not too crowded and not loud. It was nice to sit and have dinner and not feel like my space was being invaded, or I was having to struggle to hold a conversation. My only real complaint is that they didn't have liquor. I would have really enjoyed to grab a margarita or another drink with my meal - but I did see some sort of post on their door from the liquor license so they maybe will be serving liquor in the near future ? I sure hope so! Best Mexican in town, hands down!!!

    (4)

  • Jason O.

    What's the best way to find good Mexican food? Go where the Mexicans go! I have visited the fine establishment of Taqueria La Venadita twice; on both occasions, I have been the only gringo in the place. I love that feeling. The TV is always tuned to a soccer match, narrated en español. Sometimes, despite not being a soccer fan, I can even get a little caught up in the excitement of the game. The tacos are your typical street tacos, topped generously with cilantro and chopped onion. Topping a taco de lengua with a squirt of salsa verde is really where it's at. The tamales are phenomenal; beautifully wrapped maza that actually has a good taste of its own. The owner of the place is super nice too. He has a very contagious, happy personality, or maybe I just think that because he gave me a free refill on my horchata when I was completely ready to shell out a couple more dollars for another. This place gets 4.5 stars from me. It's not quite incredible enough to be 5 stars, but it's really damn good Mexican food. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • Ben O.

    It is fairly inexpensive but the food felt like it sat in the kitchen for hours. The meat was hard and tasted the the bottom scraps of the skillet. The posole had little meat and had to be sent back. The best part of the meal was the Mexican Coke!

    (2)

  • Kacey C.

    I hate driving to the east side from Seattle, but I don't ever mind the drive as long as I have La Venadita waiting for me when I get there. This place is killer. It is family owned and extremely authentic. Great people, awesome service, authentic and FRESH daily, and great price. For 15$ my friend and I got five tacos, 1 shrimp tostada, a side of chips and salsa, and a side of rice and beans. Cant get much better than that. Their servings sizes are no joke either. Hands down, my favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Seattle and its outer city areas.

    (5)

  • Doug V.

    It was a huge adjustment when I moved to Washington from a place that had great taquerias on every corner to a place that...well doesn't... La Venedita is an amazing find and makes me not miss home at all. We eat here at least twice every week. The pork tacos are heavenly, so much so that my two young kids (who are very picky eaters) make me stop for them every time we pass by the restaurant. The chips and salsa are very tasty, and prices are reasonable. Try the daily specials and if you like tamales, ask if they have them...they are not always advertised but almost always have them. La Venadita is very family-friendly and the staff (who my kids refer to as the "taco-man" and the "taco-lady") is very accommodating.

    (5)

  • Mike P.

    ok...I was a pig, I ate 8 tacos and nothing else. I would compare it to a good food truck but more expensive which is why I gave only 3 stars. The food was good and the staff was pleasant. The only issue that kept it from 4 stars were the prices, they are on par with a good taco truck but more expensive. I will be back - finding a good taco truck in the area is next to impossible...what kept them from 5 stars is the lack of any bar item...to me dinning is an experience and leaving out the possibility of a great beer or wine automatically takes you out of the 5 star club.

    (3)

  • Travis E.

    We've never been disappointed by this place. The staff is great and the food is some of the best Mexican food I've had since I was a Californian. If you're in the area, hungry and love Mexican food, why aren't you there right now? And like others have already said, chorizo tacos are just about the most perfect food there is and they are done perfectly at Taqueria La Venadita.

    (5)

  • Steve A.

    This place is an incredible find in Issaquah for authentic Mexican food. It is a favorite of local Hispanic workers and the few lucky others who have stumbled on it. It is tucked away in a mini mall behind Denny's on Gilman Blvd., next door to Sleep Country USA. We always order the shrimp tostadas. After that it's either the camarones ala diabla, arroz con pollo, chimichanga, or our new favorite tacos dorados. Everything is great and there are even some interesting choices like cabeza [brain] and lengua [tongue], for the more adventurous. They serve 3 great salsa selections; hot, chunky pico de gallo for the chips, and a smoky red and a tangy verde to slather over your entre. Forget Chipotle, La Costa and Qdoba, this is the place to go in Issaquah for great Mexican food at super reasonable prices. They have beer now, but still try a tamarind Mexican soda.

    (5)

  • Yugg O.

    Here in the Valley of Diminished Expectations the lack of decent, non-corporate chain restaurants is glaring, so when you find a great place like this you want to shout it to the heavens (or Yelp). The food is simple and consistently good. The staff is friendly and service speedy. The only negative would be the location, but that's easy to overlook because the food is always excellent. The menudo is the best around, containing huge chunks of gelatinous pig knuckley things and lots of tripe. If, like me, you don't care about your health, give the burrito milaneza a try; it's full of deep fried steak and tastes even better than that sounds! I go to this place at least once a week so you might even get lucky and bump into me. Say hi and I'll buy you a Jarritos.

    (5)

  • Annalise B.

    Oh my my. Only good things to say about this place. Price: more than fair. Horchata: delicious. Tacos: best I've ever had. Tamales: perfection. Chips and salsa: out of this world. I'd eat there every day if I could.

    (5)

  • Kathy S.

    The tacos are the best in the greater Seattle area. I mean, where else can you get tongue tacos? I've tried many Mexican restaurants and taco trucks, and this is my fav. I've also had their burrito, enchalada, arroz con camerones, and carne asada. All were good, but nothing has surpassed those tacos. Also make sure to get a glass of horchata. Refills are cheap, and you'll be too addicted to pass it up. The employees are super nice as well.

    (5)

  • Alan B.

    I am from Southern California, had all the good mexican food there. Want some real Mexican Food in Issaquah? This is the place to go. The price is fair, and you gotta try their tacos and Torta (Sandwitch). The guy at the register is hella friendly, and fast too. Check this place out!

    (5)

  • Paul R.

    Great and authentic!

    (5)

  • Nancy C.

    Back on the search for the perfect tacky taco (now that my place sold out and the new one doesn't even compare). Have read great things about this place and was in Issaquah, so gave it a try. Did not love the chorizo tacos like everyone else (and yes, I like chorizo...). The asada and adobado tacos were good (would go with the asada). The rice was very flavorful but the beans (meh). Daughter #1 ordered the enchilada special and like it. Am definitely coming back to try the tamales (I know, Saturday only and the arroz con pollo) and they might get that 5th star!

    (4)

  • Maple C.

    The service is excellent; the people working are really nice, but I'm not as crazy about the actual food. It was okay. I tried three kinds of tacos: the asada, the lengua and the cabeza. Sadly, I didn't find any of it particularly tasty. I will admit that what they offered seemed pretty authentic, but then again I'm not Mexican food expert, so what do I know? =P

    (3)

  • Angela P.

    Went here last night because I was craving some GOOD Mexican food and the place I usually go in Bellevue wasn't going to cut it that night. First off, it's an order at the counter, then go sit down establishment...brought me back to my days down in Tucson, AZ and my favorite Mexican restaurant down there. There aren't very many tables but when the husband and I got there, there were only three other patrons. The decor is nothing fancy. The waitress was polite and kind. I had the Carne Asada with beans and rice. YUM! The meat was cooked perfectly and was so delicious. The Guacamole was very good as well as the beans! I will definitely come here again and maybe try something else...I don't know though since the carne asada really hit the spot. Dinner for both my husband and I was under $20 which was a nice change of pace to the usual amount we spend when we go out to eat!

    (4)

  • Harold H.

    I am no Mexican food expert but the food here is great. The resturant was quiet the two times I went, and only a TV in the background filled the room. I was expecting a formal sit down resturant but was surprised that it was more order your food at the counter and sit down, which is great as this keeps costs down. I have had both the beef and chicken burrito, both wrapped in a fresh tortilla , glob of guac and sour cream. The portions are generous but manageable to finish in one sitting. Be sure to try the hot sauce out of the yellow container which is their spicier one! Excited to try their other dishes in the future.

    (5)

  • Sarah T.

    I can't believe my Eastside enclave had never stumbled upon this place before! We have close friends who live in Mexico City and growing up I visited them almost every other summer, so I'm fairly familiar with authentic Mexican food (as opposed to the slop at some fast food restaurants that really qualifies as low-grade Tex-mex). The dishes here were definitely authentic. In fact, when we arrived the only folks in the joint were Hispanic, so you know La Venadita is serving up real Mexican food.The food was simple and very reasonably priced; the staff was friendly and fast; and a ridiculous telenovela was on TV, which always makes for great entertainment. I had enchiladas, which were divinely cheesy, and my companions raved about their arroz con pollo and burrito dishes. Next time I'm trying the tacos al pastor, which looked just like the ones served in Mexico City.

    (4)

  • Otis D.

    So as I was stepping up to the counter to order a Torta, a plate of Shrimp tostadas went out. They looked good and @ $1.49 each I ordered two. What I got was big fried tortilla rounds piled high with fresh tasting shrimp ceviche and a couple wedges of avocado. One bite and it was spring break in San Felipe all over again. Eating the ceviche from the beach cart that all my friends warned me would put me down with the tourista for the rest of the trip. I've had better ceviche, sure. But this was awesome fresh street food.

    (5)

  • Donna C.

    Coming from Chicago, I expected it to take a while before I found cheap, flavourful, authentic Mexican food that I could become a regular at. Judging by the reviews, this is one of the best in the area but I'd say La Venadita compares to an average place in Chicago (a good thing). I would go back but I'm looking for more. The pollo con arroz dish is kind of funny because it's like Mexican fried rice with cheese but I liked it. Carne Asada was flavourful but a little on the thinner side. Lengua tacos were tasty but would be better if the overall flavour was amped up. Service is friendly and I like that they have a little food store next door.

    (3)

  • Drach V.

    I come here for the tamales (take-out). They are fantastic! Not a place for a restaurant experience, rather you come here because you want specific, great, and authentic flavor, and don't mind that nobody speaks English except you and the guy behind the counter. :) Si puedes hablar un poco de español, tanto mejor. This is not like the chain Mexican places. You will have to experiment with a few things and ask for advice if you don't know your way around this kind of restaurant. Pretend like you are Anthony Bourdain and take a chance. Try it, señor.

    (4)

  • Linda L.

    Overall: An often missed hole in the wall, with cheap and delicious Mexican eats If you're looking for a place for fine dining with wait staff catering to your every whim - this is not the place. If, however, you're looking for good, authentic Mexican cuisine at a cheap price with little ambience, this IS the place ! Tucked away between Denny's and the UPS store on Gilman lies this hidden Mexican gem - Taqueria La Venadita! The menu items offered here isn't substantial, but that's good - they do a few dishes, and they do them very well! They offer varieties of tacos, burritos, soups, meats with rice and beans, sea food dishes, tortas, the usual sides and combo plates. The best part is most of their entrees are under $10.00 - that's right, UNDER $10.00! The most expensive item on their menu is $10.69 - now that has got to make you smile! You can also get a quite substantial side order of chips and salsa whilst your waiting for only $1.25. I'm unsure if they actually supply you with drinking water, but beverages are between $1.29-1.69. Don't expect to be seated on your arrival - just go to the counter, order, pay and seat yourself. Before you know it, the "waitress" brings over your dish. I opted for the Arroz con Pollo and J had the Beef Fajita - both were satisfyingly delicious and of substantial portions! Forget the usual chains of Mexican restaurants and head over here for your cheap and authentic Mexican eats, you won't regret it!

    (5)

  • Troy M.

    Great food at a great price!

    (5)

  • dave c.

    The food was great. I had some awesome pozole and chicken tacos. The people were very firefly and the service was great.

    (5)

  • Jacqueline O.

    People of Washington who are from Southern California, This is as close to LA mexican food as I can find, hence the 5 stars. I think it could be a bit spicier (or offer spicier salsa) but it's the first place i've gone that has given me a succulent, roasted whole jalapeno with my asada plate instead of heaping a mound of coleslaw on it (yuck). i wish they had the greasy, fried carnitas i miss (i can't find it anywhere in seattle..anyone?), but they do offer a leaner version of shredded pork if you ask the right guy working there to make it for you. so far i've had asada (plate and taco - both delicious), posole (delicious, with a TON of hominy and a good amount of tender pork), chicken a la diabla (i like mine spicier instead of sweeter, and made with dark meat - but then again, this dish was supposed to be made with shrimp instead of the chicken i substituted so it may be better with the shrimp) and cheese enchiladas. all the best i've found in washington. on saturday only they have tamales, so that's where i'll be this saturday!

    (5)

  • J J.

    I have to agree with the other reviews. Taqueria La Venadita is tasty. The service was so friendly and attentive too. I will be stopping in as I pass thru Issaquah again.

    (4)

  • Three Critic S.

    The best authentic Mexican in Issaquah (from someone who has lived in Mexico). We have never had bad food and we go frequently. Prices are very fair. Probably cheaper than Taco Bell and soooooo much better. You know it is authentic when lengua is on the menu (the snack that tastes you back). Very casual, but clean and friendly service. Decor could be improved, but has character.

    (5)

  • Bill Q.

    Okay. So great food with out a doubt, but I am also sad. When I first started going there the ratio of hispanic to gringo was 4 to 1. Just had 4 awesome carne asada tacos and it was 4 to 1 gringos to hispanics... I guess word got out. Good news is I don't think success will get to the owners head. BTW, get the Coke in the BOTTLE!!!

    (4)

  • Andrew C.

    Good, authentic, Mexican to be had here. My one gripe was that, aside from the chorizo, I was a little underwhelmed by the other meats, especially the carne asada. They just don't compare to Chipotle. They're not nearly as flavorful, tender, and juicy. I hate to say it, but if you're in the mood for steak, go to Chipotle. If you're in the mood for chorizo, come here.

    (4)

  • Kevin W.

    My favorite mexican food in the Seattle area so far. Great prices, nice and basic tacos, burritos, and tostadas and other traditional dishes. Skip all the chains like Qdoba, Alcapulco (yummy salsa bar though), and bloody-underwear inducing Chipotle and come straight to this joint. Cheap, filling and delicious, it can't get any better than La Venadita.

    (5)

  • Bon Vivan T.

    Summary: We've finally found decent Mexican food in the Pacific NorthWest. We're going on our fourteenth year here in the Pacific NorthWest and had all but given up on finding decent Mexican food. So many times, we've been told of a promising place, only to be disappointed by awfulness beyond description. I had used my 2x/yr trips to San Diego to scratch that itch...until now. The Taqueria La Venadita is good...real good. No, it definitely ain't fancy. It doesn't have Cadillac Margaritas, big screen TV's, exotic tequilas, roaming mariachis or any of that foo-foo crap. What they do have is a small menu of good food. My Carne Asada was delicious, the guacamole was fresh, and the refried beans were truly great (i.e. not "fresh from a can"). My wife had a bean, cheese and rice burrito that was really good also, as were the chips we ordered. Jessica the cashier was friendly, helpful, and recommended several items for us to try. Even though they aren't on the menu, she recommended checking back from time-to-time to see when they're cooking up their special Chile Relleno's - my absolute favorite. From what I'm told, the Taqueria La Venadita is owned by three guys (and the market of similar name next door), and is a one-of-a-kind. As in NOT part of some soul-less chain thing designed to suck the life out of your dining experience while maximizing profits. I like that. We will most definitely be coming back and bringing our neighbors. They've been looking for good Mexican food too, and will appreciate our find (thank you Yelp). I think we'll probably try Tamale Saturday and see how they stack up. Oh yeah - our dinner for two, along with bottled water, chips and two entrees came to about $20. A good value to boot!

    (5)

  • Gregg B.

    With out a doubt one of the best Mexican dishes I've had in a long while; food is fresh with great flavors!!

    (5)

  • Karen B.

    Great Mexican! Very fast, we love to do takeout from here

    (4)

  • Gopinath G.

    awesome Mexican food. This is a great mom and pop restaurant.

    (4)

  • Hannah J.

    Best authentic Mexican in iss!! And good prices. Love the fried tacos.

    (5)

  • Gopinath G.

    awesome Mexican food. This is a great mom and pop restaurant.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 10

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 : No
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : No
    Caters : No

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.

Taqueria La Venadita

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