There have been many times that I have wanted to try 1960 Cocina over the last several months. They have great reviews and the parking lot is often full on the weekend. Usually they have been closed or I chose something closer to home. Tonight, my partner and I decided to try a few places around town, but to have a full meal at 1960 Cocina; as usual, the restaurant was very busy. The dishes being served looked great and the menu gave me high hopes. I ordered the birria and my partner ordered the enchiladas de pollo. The birria might as well have been a leather boot smothered in a concentrated chipotle/adobo liquid, and the enchiladas resembled chicken jerky in a very bitter tomatillo sauce. Beans were in an unseasoned liquid with a small amount of cotija cheese that provided the only moisture for the entire meal. I wanted this to be a regular place to visit. Instead, I left feeling grateful that I did not have any other friends or family with me to share the displeasure. We ate very little and left the rest. How do you overcook a tri tip? The thought of doing that to such a great piece of meat confounds me. There are so many other latin restaurants around town that offer many dishes that are juicy, savory and require that you visit again... this is not one of those places. 1960 Cocina has chosen to fill the modern and more expensive latin cuisine niche, and passed on the opportunity to provide authentic flavor and spice to their dishes. This place is truly the Denny's of latin cuisine. The lone bright spot was the tortillas. We paid our bill and left in search of a better meal on the way home. read more

YUM! My husband and I shared the carnitas entre with a side of beans and extra tortillas and it was enough for a filling meal. The sides came separate from the meat, which I liked. The fresh tortillas are AMAZING - they cook them once you arrive so they are really fresh. And the beans are some of the best I've eaten in Oregon. I highly recommend their curbside pick up. So easy and Covid safe. Please consider supporting this local gem. read more

This was without a doubt the best Mexican food I have EVER had anywhere. Cheese enchiladas are my go-to at any Mexican restaurant I haven't tried. They're so easy and so hard to do well. These were so exceptional that I wanted to lick my plate. The carne asada was tender and delicious. Veggie tamale was rad! The rice and beans were even incredible!!!! AND we got it as takeout and live 25 minutes away and it was all still warm when we got home - and every box has a smiley face on it. We will never go anywhere else! (And honestly may go back for dinner tomorrow, too!!!) read more

My eyes was bigger than my stomach! The food was fresh, perfect amount of spice in the pineapple salsa, everything was so delicious! So delicious that my husband's boss who lives in Florida makes an exception to come to Eugene to eat the local fresh food. Thank you 1960 Cocina for Sharing your history in food with us. I bet you mom was a bomb ass cook! read more

See all

This is a family run business and all hands are on deck! The food is authentic, fresh from the cocina. We always get the guacamole/chips and the Don't forget the pico as apps. We love the margueritas served in the Day of the Dead mugs! We also order carne Asada with fresh beans and tortillas. The tacos make it difficult. We can't make a decision on our favorite option! We suggest Adobada, Al Vapor, Asada for starters. Try these fresh homemade tacos and add the guacamole & pico and/or their yummy sauces. Oh yeah, Alejandro, our handsome server, is always an added treat! Cocina 1960 will bring your order directly to your car if you call it in. Taco Tuesday is a good time to get it started...!!!! read more

The worst enchilada I've ever had. (And I've had A LOT of enchiladas.) It was beyond dry and lacked flavor. There was no sauce. I asked for extra and explained my dilemma... and they gave me some strange sauce which tasted like a canned diced tomato mix. It wasn't even enchilada sauce. My fiancé didn't like his gorditas either. There was nothing to it, just meat. Seemed like the effort for a handheld menu item should be put into tacos. Not only is the food very subpar, but it's overpriced. Save your money and go somewhere else. The environment is awkward and stark. No ambiance, no music, bare bones. This place will be a letdown. read more

Was hoping this new restaurant would really blow me away, especially given its name referencing the famous cookbook that brought Latin American food into US kitchens in the 60s. It was good, but not exceptionally so. Atmosphere is very nice, good decor, no complaints about service. But the server said "spicy" about what I ordered, like a warning, yet I was underwhelmed with the outcome. It seems like another example of a restaurant catering to the pallet of Gringos, rather than serving up really authentic, spice loaded savory goodness. I found the food to be mild, bordering on flavorless. I think I'll stick with Mami's on West 11th for more authentic, flavorful fare that isn't served with a warning for delicate white people. read more

Cold and unwelcoming. The wait was long, and it was grossly understaffed. We were neglected and I never got my tortillas that come with the meal. Chicken was so dry. It is way too expensive for what is was. The food was tasty, but honestly you pay way too much for bad service. It lacks any luster. I'm not expecting the typical Mexican restaurant, but if I pay higher prices, I would expect much more. I'm not sorry to say this is a lifetime ban. read more

Fantastic food and great service. Took my Mom here and was impressed by the quality of the food. Can't wait to go back

Went in place looks nice, waiter was friendly but the food was just decent. Not the best not the worst but way too expensive!

A neighbor was telling me how much she enjoyed it so as I was driving by I decided to stop in for a small snack. I got the pork Gordita and it was the perfect size for my lack of appetite at the current moment. Their hot sauce is so good I swear I could drink it. 1960 Cocina will be seeing a lot more of me. read more

We had read, and heard good things about this restaurant, and my wife wanted to go out to a nice place for her birthday. Four of us went to dinner. Each of us ordered something different. All of us were very well pleased with our meals. The portions serves were large enough to fill you comfortably. The service was good, not overly attentive and intrusive like some places can be. The appetizers and the meals came out in a timely fashion even though there were quite a few other people enjoying their meals. Staff was personable and pleasant to interact with. They were observant to replenish water when needed without being asked. A very good time was had by all of us read more

Read the reviews before l went there. Because of covid l ordered take out. They get 1 star because of the stingy portion. Food looks good but it is a miserly portion. I cook gourmet and l am well aware of what good organic grass fed beef costs. I did not get organic grass fed beef but l paid the price for it. I would have been embarrassed to serve this to any member of the public. Shame on you! Times are indeed tough, but there is no way l will support this culinary piracy! Let this sinking ship sink! Avoid this place and heed my warning simply because my review is spot on! read more

This is a family owned and run business with very nice decor, great service and excellent food at a reasonable price! We went in about 8:20p and, even though it was near closing time, we were warmly welcomed and treated like special guests! Such a great place for a nice meal! Go check them out! read more

The chicken adobo was absolutely delicious, and the guacamole is chunky and delightful. Overall you can taste the authenticity of the ingredients. Chicken is local, and they have a variety of craft beers on tap. Outstanding service and great atmosphere; I would recommend this place for date night or a family gathering. A "Must Try" for Eugene restaurants! read more

Go now before the Eugene foodies discovers this gem. No rice&bean filler here. Just real authentic Mexican food from old family recipes. Home made corn tortillas. Decent fair prices. Friendly, fast service, good ambiance. These Yelp reviews don't lie. The only reason the place isn't packed is that it hasn't been discovered. That and the fact that the venue isn't the best. Traffic whizzes by the corner just beyond the parking area. Really a gas station should be on that lot. The building recently held a Mediterranean restaurant that was never full, and eventually failed. I've driven by a million times and remained skeptical until the moment perfect guacamole and freshly fried corn chips arrived at our table. Also, they don't have a website yet. So no wonder after 5 months 1960 Cocina hasn't been discovered. But it will be soon. The food is that good! We will be back. read more

It kind of felt like I was eating in someone's living room with very odd lighting. Everything had a pink/orange tint to it. Not a great look for food. As for the food, it was lacking in seasoning. A little salt would have made it so much better. We won't be back. read more

It was such a creative and delicious meal! We called in our order, then picked it up and headed to a park for a family birthday. Everyone enjoyed their various entrees. We topped it off with freshly made flan! We love Mexican food, but have grown so tired of the usual: Tortilla, beans and cheese. This is exactly what we've been looking for. The flavors and dishes were creative and unique. We will definitely be taking our business back! The staff was so friendly and helpful; both with getting our order together and bring it out to the truck when we drove up. read more

What a find. we will be return customers. Great food, polite service, clean classic environment. Every dish we ordered was great Gordita, tacos. read more

Love this little local place. One time it was late and nearly empty and the next time it was packed. Good carne asada!!!

Small, very clean, friendly, family run, authentic Mexican food. Sauces, tortillas, gorditas all made in shop. Wife had a steak taco and a gordita. She loved them both. The seasonings on the steak were so delicious. I had the 2 enchiladas de pollo. The chicken was seasoned and prepared perfectly and the servings were more generous than most restaurants. The original sauce was so, so good. This is the best Mexican restaurant I have experienced (never been to Mexico). read more

We were served by the son of the owner. He told us the food was what his mother prepared for her family at home as he was growing up. Hand made tortillas, wonderful sauces, a chile relleno as wonderful as other reviewers have said. We also had a great guacamole with house made chips, and several other wonderful dishes. Highly recommended! You will enjoy their locally made Mexican style beer and cider. Hard liquor license is applied for. read more

So I came out to Eugene this week to bring my 1 year old daughter and show her around. I graduated in 2017 from UofO and I'm super jealous this wasn't around during my 4 years of living here! As far as restaurants go this is the very authentic Mexican food at a generous price. I had the pinto frijol soup along with a Gordita, chicken tamale, with a side of rice. To top it off I had the jericalla (Mexican style custard dessert) A to Z everything was delicious including the homemade tortillas used on my Gordita. The servers were great. The atmosphere is perfect. I will come here every time I visit! read more

This place is clearly family run and you can tell they care about taste and quality. Most mexican places in eugene can be very bleh when your used to mexican food that your latino family makes. We had the Gorditas, spicy red salsa and a fish taco. 1960 cocina never disappoints. read more

Just tried them for the first time, will definitely be going back. Food was very fresh as well as delicious, staff was super friendly and fairly fast, pineapple margarita was great, horchata was great, birria was great, asada was great, the list goes on. You should definitely try it out! read more

We have eaten here at least five times and have never been disappointed . The food is fresh tasting and well prepared. My husband discouraged me to write this as he does not want the restaurant to become too popular. I was not able to restrain myself! The food is delicious! read more

Loved the food and had a wonderful margarita as well. Good Mexican food in Oregon- who would have thought it.

Tasty Mexican food, different and interesting compared to the "usual" Mexican food around town. Prompt friendly service, lovely and simple decor. Highly recommend! read more

Best sit down Mexican place in town. Locally owned and operated by an amazing staff. Great atmosphere with even better food and drink.

This only the second review I've ever been compelled to make. My family ate at 1960 Cocina for the first time last night and loved it. A warning though, they do not prepare your normal Mexican "cuisine" served elsewhere in Eugene. If you want big inexpensive plates of cheesy enchiladas, rice and beans then go elsewhere. However, if you prefer authentic homemade food made with quality ingredients that is more than worth the cost then give this place a try. Between the three of us we tried the chorizo queso fundido (w/ house made chorizo which was excellent), the gorditos (the nopales one was fantastic), enchiladas (with fries because that's the way they eat it at home), and the chiles rellenos (hands down best chiles rellenos I've had outside of central Mexico). They have a nice selection of beer including those from a Latin brewery in Salem. My son (who loves horchata) ordered the house made agua arroz (really good). For dessert we shared a portion of flan which as a general rule I don't like. This however was wonderful and something I'll have again. And finally the service. Very nice family run atmosphere. While the food took a while to arrive, the server and chef were circulating and attentive. All in all a great meal on a Friday night!!! read more

Might be the best Mexican food I've ever eaten. All made fresh. Highly recommend. Like nothing I've ever tried.

First time here and I have to say I will be back The guacamole and chips were great and I had the carne asada with hand made tortilla. The service was awesome very friendly staff if you want real authentic Mexican food you need to try this place out read more

1960 Cocina has prolly the best carne asada I have ever had! The carne is so juicy and nicely cut the portions are smaller but the quality is amazing! read more

This place has the best tasting Mexican food I have ever eaten! And I'm from CA. The flavors or well crafted and not just thrown together. If you like Mexican food, go here! read more

Best, most authentic Mexican food with handmade Gorditas & tortillas...Yumm! So so bummed they scaled their gorditas menu down to 3 items. Nopales were my favorite - my friends & I all miss them! Prices keep going up and up and up but not surprising with a line out the door all the time! Such good food and rare in Eugene. A+Nopales read more

We ordered take out here this week, and could not have been more impressed. Delicious meal (we had carne asada and chiles rellenos, chicken flautas, and a fresh Ceasar salad), great fixings (wonderful sauces and sides, fabulous guacamole and the dressing for the Ceasar was wonderfully garlicky and must have been made in house). Cocina 1960 also gets high marks for adapting their practices to the demands of the corona virus. They had everything safely and securely packaged, it was warm when we opened it at home, and they took our order and credit card over the phone. When we arrived for pick up, they popped our reusable plastic bag right in the back of our wagon. Wonderful to have this family restaurant in south Eugene! We will look forward to our next opportunity to eat here. read more

This place is amazing! Eugene has always needed in authentic Mexican restaurant in this is it. The mom is the cook the rest of the family is helping around the restaurant the menu is unique and awesome. They have great drinks wine and beer appetizers desserts tacos tamales it is such a delight to have them here. read more

Food is amazing ... excellent appetizers, homemade tortillas, and delicious tacos. Super happy that Yelp led me to this establishment.

My wife and I were visiting friends in Eugene who said that "1960 Cocina was the best Mexican restaurant in Eugene." I would add on to that by stating that it's better than any Mexican food we've recently had in Portland. The flavors were exceptional, the menu was inviting and varied (we wanted to try everything)! We ended up getting a number of small plates because we were so interested in trying a lot of different dishes. The food was beautifully presented, unique and flavorful. As far as the service, Alejandro and the rest of the staff were attentive but not pushy, knowledgeable and excited to make recommendations, and clearly thrilled to share their hospitality in what was a fantastic evening. We will be back and we will tell our friends about the service and the wonderful food at the 1960 Concina! Rob L. read more

We are here last week and it was so amazingly good. Nice and friendly staff, tons of good choices and very authentic! We had the chicken tacos, tamales and the Chile rellenos. We were just passing through town, but I would absolutely go back! read more