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Mmm.. a chavelas would be great right about now; 5 stars for the chevelas itself.
I was actually really looking forward to getting a Super Chevelas, but this particular location doesn't serve it. I'm going to need to make a trip to one of their other locations to try it!
I wasn't really hungry that night, but in order to get a chevelas, you must order food. I tried to order a taco, but the waitress informed me that I need to spend over a certain dollar amount [ I think 5? ] so I ordered a Super carne asada taco. The taco was just about the worst taco I've ever had. I rather eat a taco from taco bell! The beef was soo flavorless and there wasn't enough onions and other things in the taco. Other than that, my table also ordered a chicken quesadilla and chili verde and those were said to be yummy.
Next time, I'm definitely going to try their beef chimichanga!
I specifically indicated that I didn't want beans or salsa on my tacos. I ordered the steak and chicken. The steak was OK but as I opened up my chicken taco, it was laying on a bed of salsa and beans! It was already late and I didn't feel like complaining so I just used a fork and ate what I could. Sigh...
First time at this location and I would rather go to their other one because they don't have super chavelas here!
I counted TEN signs with rules during our lunch here. TEN! One said 'Please be courteous to people who are waiting' or something to that effect. What does that mean? Hurry up and eat or don't give them googly eyes while eating the most delicous Mexican food ever?!
This location is very small. We didn't have to wait long, but I wouldn't even attempt to come here for dinner or during another busy time.
Overall I am a big fan of Tlaquepaque restaurants.
This location is a bit more geared for the "to-go" set.
The food, same as the other locations, very good.
Value very good but service here can be hit or miss like the others.
What?? No super chevelas? I wish I had driven a little further and gone to the other ones that do have it. The food is about the same as the other locations. The carne asada super burrito is pretty delicious and awesomely priced at $5.50. Plus, I love how the salsa is spicy and super tasty. They need to put the salsa in a bigger bowl, though.
PROS:
Good food, tons of parking, great salsa, food and the Chevelas are the best!!!!
CONS:
No Cons except that it is a tad bright. If you become tomato face when you drink, skip this one and head over to the Tlaquepaque on Willow St.
FINAL ANSWER: GO! and take the kids!!!
It was just after 1230 and I found myself VERY hungry after a long morning or leadership training at Church on the Hill. Needing some nourishment and not knowing the area was a NO NO. What to do? After checking out "What's Hot on Yelp" on the iphone, the name tlaquepaque stood out like a white guy at a korean bar (VIP for example). I ordered breakfast (that's right, BREAKFAST at 1230 on a weekday!) and a quesadilla (because there was a minimum $10 limit for using a CC).
Service
FAST. Efficient. I did not get a refill of salsa until I asked, but I'm not at Chez Jose either.
Chips N Salsa
Delicious chips - super crispy and well flavored. Didn't taste like your garden from-the-bag variety. The salsa was HOT! Me likey.. er Me gusto.
Quesadilla
This reminded me of childhood. Simple, classic, delicious. 1 flour totrilla, light layer of colby jack cheese, slightly buttered pan... perfecto. just like how mom used to make em.
Chorizo con papas
Mmmmm.. chorizo fried up with potatoes.... with 2 eggs any style. I asked for scrambled and they served them with a green tomatillo salsa on top. The plate also came with tortillas, I had flour. This was a great dish. The potatoes were cooked to perfection... awesome slices of strachy goodness. The chorizo was ground... salty, slighty spicy and full of ?cumin?. All were delicious especially when I filled up a tortilla and had a burrito (with the spicy salsa). I was just missing crema....
I want to go back but unfortunately this is not an area I would find myself in very often.. I think there's another one.. must seek and eat.
Low quality american-mexican food. Ok, greasy chips and salsa. been there but won't do that again.
Comfortable, welcoming, table service, excellent food and out of this world service. Check it out!
I had the garlic shrimp and I licked my plate clean. I'll be back!
Overall good food, nothing to make a trip for but good food.
The sign for this place is finally up. More like just a banner but at least it says Tlaquepaque #3. Similar table setting and decor with less seating area. Much friendlier servers who keep asking if you want more chips and salsa. It's right next to the Subway and Jack N the box on Curtner.
Alright, I get that this location is RIGHT OFF THE 87 exit and there's PARKING... BUT.....NO SUPER CHAVELAS? wth???? therefore, NOT WORTH THE TRIP. Go to #1 on lincoln!! I understand parking and waiting for a table is an issue, but it comes down to this.. BETTER FOOD AND SUPER CHAVELAS! They only have regular chevalas(no tequila in ur drink) at this location bc they do not have the proper alcohol license and they've been opened at this location for FOUR years! I asked and they said they hope they'll have the license soon.
Food was only OK. Not as good as the Lincoln one. It just seems less flavorful. I had the Carne asada and Carnitas Super taco. Everything seemed tastier at the Lincoln location. The carnitas had a pull pork texture with the fried grease of carnitas, but I needed that crispiness on the outside of the pork.
Bottom line, good customer service, but food was only OK. Don't be lazy, drive a couple streets down and hit up the Lincoln location!
The service here sucks big time! Really Zero stars. It is tiny, crowded and very basic - best to take out food because it is cheap. The saving grace is the Chevelas but then you have to eat there and suffer the poor service and ambiance.
I think I was expecting more than I should have. It was decent mexican food with some good chips and salsa (always a plus in my book). I don't really drink so I did not try the specialty drinks, plus I was eating lunch with my boss since we just so happened to be going to a training down the street.
Overall the food was pretty good for the price. I had the chicken salad (about 5 bucks, which is cheap!) and a taco. The taco was alright, but I probably should have been naughty (on my diet that is) and had the enchiladas which everyone else enjoyed.
Service was average. Not sure if I would come back though just because it is note close to where I live, and the food did not blow me away.
I've had two lunches here and attempted to have dinner once but the wait was too long. We had to wait for our entire party to be in attendance before being seated, so we went to a different restaurant. That was almost 2 years ago and that rule still applies.
I came here for lunch a couple week ago and was seated promptly (all our party members were on site! - WOO!). It was pretty busy during lunch on a Friday. Our water and delicious warm chips & fresh spicy salsa (the kind I like - no chunks) arrived promptly. The waitress took our order with a smile. After she took our food order she inquired if we wanted any drinks. A friend of mine ordered the famous light colored Chavela and my boyfriend ordered the dark Chavela. I tried both and have to say I am a fan of the dark Chavela. It was delcious and it was the size of a fishbowl!!! Both my boyfriend and I don't drink much any more so we shared his and it was perfect.
I had the chicken enchilada and the food arrived within 15 min. The plates were hot hot hot - even when we were finished eating the plates were still pretty warm. I have to say, I love the food - the cheese remained hot and cheesey. Not like a lot of places where your cheese is hard and rubbery. Not at Tlaquepaque! That's why I love that their plates remain hot during the entire meal. Cheesey oozy goodness!
During our meal they refilled our chips & salsa promptly as well as water.
I have to say, this was a great experience and plan on coming back again.
This is my favorite of the 3 Tlaquepaque restaurants - despite the small size, getting in and sitting down has always been far quicker. And the food... mmmm carnitas! mmmm enchiladas!! and OHHHH chavelas!
I don't know what's in them, but I'm pretty sure it comes straight from heaven - even people who say they don't like beer can taste one of these and understand the old Ben Franklin quote (Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy).
Tlaquepaque 3 makes me happy everytime.
I love how some people write reviews and feel the need to define the ratio of ethnicities dining at that establishment. I think that concept is a little out-of-date, but I'll be a hypocrite for this review... My friend and I were the only white folks eating lunch here, so I guess this means the food was authentic? :)
Seriously, the chips, salsa and chicken verde enchiladas were excellent. This is not a fine-dining experience, but it will fill you up for lunch and have you feeling guilty the rest of the day for eating too much.
They won't split a check with credit cards, and it seemed like they tacked on an extra fee when we paid the bill... so just be sure to watch it. :)
I don't think I will go back here, the location is not the best.
I'm so bummed - service at #3 is getting really bad. Seems like a new manager has come in - one who doesn't understand the "friendly factor," which this place used to have. Tables cannot be combined, every table now has a handwritten notice under the glass that reads "$1 for extra - everything" (couldn't they have written that on the menu?), and the walls are pasted with other handwritten signs with rules. Seems very anti-customer now. Like I said before, we were regulars for years, but that relationship seems gone - it's clearly only about the bottom line.
Too bad, because we love their food, but it is disappointing when we go now. We're moving on.
The best of the 3 Tlaquepaques for service, by far. The wait at #1 is always too long, and the… Read more »
In my opinion the food at all three locations is excellent. There are only minor differences in the quality. My favorites are the Machaca for breakfast, Super Burritos (carne asada or al pastor), Enchiladas, and tacos. The only thing I haven't liked was their chili colorado, it's watery and bland tasting. Other than that everything is very good.
Parking - probably the easiest of the 3 locations
Service - excellent
Food - excellent
Price - very affordable
Had the worst service tonight after all these years of dining at the Lincoln Ave location. My dad and his buddy came into town and had never eaten there. There was a group of 7 of us. We were the first group in, last to be seated after a 40 minute wait but understood we were a larger group. Finally, they call us. Took us over to two tables of 4. My mother in law pulled the tables together. Out of nowhere, the little manager guy comes out with attitude and says we can't do that. I told him we were a party of 7. He said, "if you don't like it...leave". I told him that we come there because we like the food but I thought he didn't need to have an attitude with us. He went off!! Totally uncalled for and made a complete jerk of himself. We were about to leave when he said that he was going to refuse us service. Very, very, very disappointed in their service and think that he should be fired for carrying on like he did and treating his customers that way!!
5 Stars for their red sauce!!! If you have never had this red tasty goodness, ladled over your tamale or enchilada, you are missing out!
Most people don't like red enchilada sauce because of the "metallic" taste, but this one oozes rich and tasty goodness. It tastes like its been simmered all day. Their blend of spices and flavors is unparalleled and I can't figure it out. But, every time I take a bite, I feel all giddy inside.
Their prices are decent for the fresh food and large portions. You get what you pay for and that is quality. They have a beer called a "chavela", I would pass on it and go for a margarita, but they don't have any here!
Genuine and authentic mexican food. A must go!
I stopped by Tlaquapaque for a late lunch after a word of recommendation from a friend. After initially meaning to have it to-go, I decided to grab a table after seeing how empty the place was (around 3:45p on Saturday). Besides a small table hidden in a quasi-hallway in front of what appeared to be a closet, there were no small tables, so I grabbed a table that seats four. The gentleman sweeping and cleaning the dining room was the only employee in sight, and he ended up taking my order and immediately brought out some chips and salsa. The chips were great, but the salsa was even better. I must say, however, that even though I love spicy food, I was left panting after just a few minutes, as the salsa contains a real kick. So besides my horchata (a humongous glass, but at a reasonable $3.00) I asked for a glass of water.
My enchiladas verdes (two enchiladas smothered in a green sauce and cheese, served with rice and beans), which I ordered with one chicken and one beef, were pretty good. The portion size isn't very big, but it isn't small either. The beans were a bit less thick than I prefer, but together with the very soft rice and the enchiladas, they made a great pairing (or tripling, I suppose). As for the enchiladas, the chicken lacked any real flavor, but the beef was splendid. Although it was ground beef, it simply knocked the chicken enchilada out of the park. That's what I recommend you go with.
The place started filling up shortly after I had arrived, and about two-thirds of the tables were taken by the end of my meal. The server was attentive and very friendly, but at the same time, left me to enjoy my meal, which was great.
A drawback was that even though they have flan on their menu (something I always order), the server told me they did not have it. Still, it was a good meal and a pleasant experience, and I will certainly be back.
Note: They do accepted credit cards, but there is a $10.00 minimum, which is clearly posted as you walk in.
Note 2: They do have a kids menu.
Beer served in frozen margerita glasses - what's not to like @ that!
Salsa IS hot, but quite good!
Carne asada burritos with enchilada sauce and cheese is 1-der-FULL!
Yeah, servers aren't the best - don't ever ask them to throw in some chips to go (sheesh!)
Tlaquepaque 3 is a decent spot for a quick, inexpensive, and informal lunch or dinner. It feels like a family joint and there aren't enough places like that. You'll find families with children of all ages, black berry carrying dorks like me, groups of guys that WORK for a living - they'll be dusty and dirty, and a suit or two that managed to escape from downtown SJ.
Step inside the little dining room and grab a table. If you are a small party then please don't take the bigger tables because some 4 tops and 5 tops will eventually come in and they'll notice that you are wasting space. The staff will never ask you to move though.
If there are no available spaces then take a seat on the bench and let the server know that you are there for a table, not for takeout.
Once you get seated someone will take your drink order - either the server or the nice young man who doles out the fresh chips and salsa. And that salsa is good stuff. It's a little spicy for whitey's like me but it is utterly addicting. It's all yummy tomatoes and onion and garlic and peppers. No tomato paste thank you very much. I hate ketchup salsa and Tlaquepaque 3 delivers what I like.
Don't have too many chips becuase you'll get complimentary refills after refills and then you won't have any room for your food.
Yeah, your entree remember? It doesn't take too long for it to arrive at the table but it takes a little while because your food is made to order. I think the small tacos are the best - simple meat fillings and some onion. Boyfriend likes the super tacos - they have rice and avocado and cheese in them. Coworkers like that grilled pork entree, Carne Adobada - it's essentially al pastor that hasn't been all chopped up. It's served with rice and beans and tortillas. The shrimp cocktail is really good, not something I'd normally order but I got menu envy one day when I saw another patron eating one. Boy was that ever tasty.
The tortas are another favorite. They are HUGE so I'd suggest sharing them. They have mayo, tomato, and avocado and are served on that nice soft grilled bread. Mmmm.
The sopes kind of suck. Avoid them. I haven't tried the tamales or really much of anything else on the menu. After I tried the sopes I decided it was best to stick to tacos and tortas.
They get an extra star for having chavelas. It's beer and maybe mezcal and some lime juice mixed together? Yum. And a tip: avoid the sangria, not that you'd order it at a taco joint but just avoid it anyway. If you want sweet get yourself a proper Coke - the kind with sugar rather than corn syrup.
Service is very friendly and personal.
I'd give this place 3.5 if I could but since that isn't possible I'll give it a 3 just becuase I get the feeling that I should stick with the few good things on the menu rather than to branch out - I might be disappointed the way I was with the sopes.
Nothing terrible or exciting to report. No refills on soda. The food was okay (Al Pastor Burrito). The price was spot on (2 people $16.52 incl. tax). The only thing that didn't make this 4 or 5 stars was the long period of time we had to wait to place our order. It really seems like this place is oriented towards making money on their alcohol, even though there are signs everywhere that read "You must purchase food if you plan to consume alcohol in this restaurant"
This wouldn't be my first choice for a Mexican restaurant in San Jose.
I like this #3 location more than #1. It's right off the freeway and in a lot with plenty of parking. More importantly, the soft carnita tacos are really, really, really good, and the restaurant does not have tinted windows.
Food - 4
Service - 3
Ambience - 2.5
How can you beat a $2.60 taco that is both satisfying in taste and portion? My coworker ordered one of the Steak combo plates, and practically licked his plate clean - it was THAT good. There's a decent size lunch crowd, but we were able to get a table right away. Service could be improved a bit (we had to ask for our bill 2 or 3 times), but overall, this is an inexpensive, yet tasty dining experience.
If #1 is flooded with customers, then #3 is the place to go. The wait time is shorter and the staff friendlier than #2 (where the staff could care less about the customers from my observation and experience). The food is the same and you get it much quicker as its a smaller venue.
On the other hand, don't come here folks....go to #1 and #2! :-)
Place is small. Though it was practically empty, four other guests there, they refused to let our group of eight sit together. THey said their policy does not allow them to move tables around. For crying out loud! The place was practically EMPTY! The waitress was rude, they made negative comments about us until I said something back to them in SPANISH! The waitress' face became red and she made no eye contact with us from that point on. I have not returned since but from what my cowrojers tell me, the service there has not changed.
My favorite spot!
I come from L.A., so sometimes there's a huge difference between what NorCal Mexican food tastes like and the food that's closer to the border, but this place shatters and shuts DOWN most L.A./ San Diego joints. Tamales are delicious as well as their tacos, flautas, etc.
However, they make the best chicken enchiladas ever. E-V-E-R! Since when do people like bell peppers in their enchiladas???
Since never.
Here, they use breast white meat and try not to over compensate with fillers like dreadful bell peppers. Yuck a duck. I was in search of the perfect chicken enchilada, but now that I've found it, you don't have to look any further, either.
Try this place. The waiting staff is attentive and the food comes promptly. Plus, you can't go wrong when the staple dishes are oh so right ;)
Tip: All the Tlaquepaque's are great, but at the other two you are apt to get a BAD experience (i.e. bad service due to the waiting time and waiting staff; bad food because it tastes not nearly as flavorful once it has chilled from hot to lukewarm to cold before you've even had your first mouthful. One time I tried to call either #1 or #2 and the phone just rang for 10 minutes straight, then they put me on hold for 40 minutes. Yep. Try them at your own risk...)
They need to change the sign and train the kitchen on the art of burrito wrapping. I couldn't find the place because the sign above the door says El Rey Taqueria. No where inside the restaurant indicates that it was no longer El Rey. I also wasn't expecting a fast food setup because #1 is a sit-down. The burritos were so loosely wrapped that they had to be eaten with two hands. The portion was okay, maybe a little smaller because the burrito was so loosely wrapped. The al pastor could have been spicier. The burritos were decent but nothing to write home about.
I've never been to the other Tlaquepaques so this one was my first one. Seating wise, it's small, around 11 tables. First thing I see when I open the door...$10 minimum credit or debit card transaction. Honestly, is there a point of putting that on the door as you go on? Do they want people to order at least $10 worth of food just for using a credit card? Come on! I had ordered the regular soft tacos and waited fo my order to arrive, I sat down at a plastic covered table. Immediately I look for the salsa bar...but nope, they don't have one...they give me three small containers of salsa with the five soft tacos I ordered in my to-go bag. Really? Only three? And no chips for to-go orders? Hopefully the chavelas make up for this and I saw their breakfast until 3pm menu which I will definitely come back to try. Will update my rating after having a breakfast burrito and chavela my next time around.
The person who wrote that it is always empty is crazy. I live across the street and no matter what time I go, it's packed. I also ate at one of their other locations. My husband and I are Mexican and think some of the dishes are better then mom's cooking. My plate is the Enchilada Souzas. Absolutely the best. Yea its a little place and yes they charge for "extra" but come on we are all having a hard time. Anyways, to each its own but I have nominated this place as my favorite and I look for any opportunity to go here. Drinks are yummy too.
Deliciously HOT salsa. Fresh food. Lightning fast service. This is one of my favorite mexican restaurants!
if i want sit-down service i goto tlaquepaque #1, but if i strictly want take-out then #3 is a much better option cuz it has more plentiful parking options. my favorite menu item is the steak tlaquepaque which is thin steaks of beef served with grilled green onions, bell peppers and onions. it's simple but oh so tasty. their rice and pot beans are also tremendously tasty and not your run of the mill sides.
p.s. they serve breakfast till 2pm if you should feel like chorizo & eggs for lunch.
I love this restaurant. Its smaller than the other 2 locations however it has more charm. I do have to say at the Willow and Lincoln locations the attitudes of most of the staff are anything but friendly. Here at the much smaller but friendlier location, food is out faster with the drinks and chips served right away. Do me a favor though don't come here to eat - go to the other locations! I want this one all to myself!
I went here for a first date once and I have been hooked since. All I have to say is SUPER CHABELA! True authentic Mexican food is what this place serves. I appreciate the friendly staff (customer service is a rarity now a days) as well as the feel of the place. I recommend the enchiladas as well as the flautas. They also serve breakfast which is great when you want to cure a hangover. This place gets packed so reservations or getting there early is recommended.
When we're craving mexican food, we come here. Good size portions. (The burritos are huge.) It's not as crowded as the other tlaquepaque restaurants in San Jose but the food is just as good.
Do NOT eat here unless you dont mind eating COCKROACHES in your meal. Last night me & my boyfren stopped by Tlaquepqque just to walk out discusted. I had ordered a shriMp coacktail and on my second dip i pulled out a shriMp with a cockroach sitting right on top!!! I couldnt believe what i was about to eat. Thank god it was on top and not underneath where i would'nt of seen it, just the thought of me eating that almost made me puke, it deff. killed our appetite!!! Worst experienced EVER, after my bf complained to one of the waiters he immediately took the shrimp/cockroach away. 5 min later a different guy walked up to our table to apologizeand offered us something else at their cost but of course we just got up and left...This was the one on Curtner..so Be AWARE!!!!
Of the three locations Tlaquepaque 3 is the only one worth going to. The food is the same quality and the service is faster and the staff is actually nice unlike Tlaqupaque #1 and #2.
i am truly a fan of this pace. the small tacos were great! the burrito were excellent. however, a bit dry. ask for salsa on the side for burrito dipping. prices are rather cheap for a sit down place. my bf and i spent 15 bucks and we walked out like heffers!!
San Jose, CA
Category: Mexican
San Jose, CA
Category: Mexican
San Jose, CA
Category: Mexican
San Jose, CA
Category: Food Stands
San Jose, CA
Category: Mexican
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