Trek to the isla (that's the Island in Spanish) and celebrate your flair for Mexican food at Acapulco in Alameda. Home to some traditional and familiar Mexican favorites, including oversized burritos, and of course the Acapulco enchiladas. Add some unique drink selections, like the Mexican coffee, the Michelada, or Mimosa; and play Madonna's song La Isla Bonita. Before you know it, you have your next spot to dine in Alameda. read more

The current owner/manager has a serious attitude problem. We didn't' get what we ordered, and instead of making things right, and addressing customer concerns professionally, Miguel got defensive and argumentative. I grew up in Alameda, this is not the same restaurant the Quintero family ran. When people pay you for a meal, the bare minimum is expectation is basic respect. read more

There are about 20 Mexican restaurants in Alameda. I have been to them all. They run the Gamut from great, to quality for the price. The one exception to all of these restaurants is Acapulco. In his book No Reservations Anthony Bourdain warns against restaurants where the majority clientele are old folks who only keep going back because they remember when the restaurant used to be good decades ago. That's Acapulco. I work at Kaiser and I can tell that all the food is the same exact slop we order from US Foods but at a lower quality point. Seriously, hospital food is better than this place. With all due respect, the only people who keep coming back here are in the age range where you start losing your sense of taste and smell. The rice is leftover and reheated, the margaritas use Nesquik strawberry syrup instead of frozen fruit, and the meat is fatty and slimy. read more

It has been a while since I've been to Acapulco, but in its earlier days, which I reflect upon the food was so good. My last experience was not good. The food was sub par. My enchilada barely had sauce. The refried beans even seemed like they were from a can . Not freshly made. The guacamole was not fresh, definitely out of a package. It was a sad experience won't be going back anytime soon. read more

First off they sat us in the back hidden area all by ourselves and it was really cold. They later moved us to the front because we complained how cold it was. They said they have a heater in the front but it washt even on but it was alittle less cold. This was in December. When we was in the back area we finished our chips and salsa and went walking to find someone to ask for more and couldn't find anyone. OK enough with the mediocre service. I would never go back Because the food was the same as the service, mediocre. You have to really try hard to do Mexican food bad. We are blessed in California with a plethora of good Mexican food options, I don't have any time or desire for just ok Mexican food. The decor is old and outdated and like there is no love in the place anymore. I wouldn't care about poor decor if the food was amazing. The birria tacos were ok but that's about it. They was very stingy on the chips and salsa and there was 3 of us. The churros Im guessing we're frozen and reheated, not good at all and I love churros. Ok enough, next. read more

See all

Came here Friday night with a large group. Music on the back patio! The ban was excellent! So fun this restaurant is doing live music! Food was good & staff working so very hard! Good job! read more

Absolutely no. Rice not cooked properly, pollo asada was gross, sent back immediately. How this place survives is beyond me! I knew from the looks of the plate and had a small bite quality of chicken was NASTY! read more

So let's just say I'm glad I gave this place another shot. In all truth we came here a few years ago and the food was just meh so we figured we would never come back. Today we got invited out and this is where the reservation was so we figured we would be a good sport and give it another try. The service was fantastic! Our waitress was kind and attentive. Plus with such a big party on her hands she moved about with a great finesse making sure all of us were tended to. The chips and salsa were flowing! I got the Acapulco taco with pollo asado that was so delicious I will definitely be back this time! We also had our own little section in the back of the restaurant that really made it feel like we had the whole restaurant to ourselves! We will be back soon! read more

See all

On a balmy Saturday afternoon, Jamie W. and I were stumbling out of the tiki delight that is Forbidden Island (review: https://yelp.to/ynRIJPN8gF) and just kept walking on Lincoln Avenue with no destination in mind. While in a semi-drunken state, we took notice of this low-key neighborhood Mexican restaurant and convinced ourselves to try it even though there was just one customer in the place. And he was at the bar. We actually entered the dining room and concluded we were more peckish than famished. We decided to share the $15 Fish Tacos, which were pretty good. They battered and deep-fried pieces of rock cod, added shredded cabbage slaw and tomatillo sauce, and placed them on fried corn tortillas (photo: https://yelp.to/ysvoODLKhp). Simple and it worked. Where things derailed a bit was the $12 Queso Fundido, a cast iron pan bubbling with three unspecified cheeses with chiles placed on top (photo: https://yelp.to/XcTuslmo1S). It was left in the broiler way too long because it was next to impossible to scoop out with the warmed flour tortillas and the cheesy taste was rather burnt. If we come back to Acapulco, we'll wait for the dinner hour. FOOD - 3 stars...decent fish tacos, burnt queso fundido, wait for dinner AMBIANCE - 4 stars...actually pretty atmospheric SERVICE - 3.5 stars...a bit absent TOTAL - 3 stars...suburban Mexican RELATED - Exploring Alameda? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2Ik8mky read more

See all

Never will return to this restaurant. First positive thing the waitress was pleasant. But, she was not very attentive once we were give our food. The food didn't taste very good or fresh, especially the rice, it was so dry and didn't taste good. read more

I really hate to begin in a negative vein, BUT...The haters on Yelp are usually douchey noobs trying to make an 'elite' cred, but yeah...whatever. Acapulco is old school; it's classic. Great Mexican food. It's not trendy; they're not trying to be, and that's fine by me because it makes getting a seat for my fat ass easier. Keep hating, you tiny dilettantes, and I'll keep laughing at you. read more

The hostess was wonderful. She was our server as well. Pretty quiet on a Saturday afternoon. Nice menu with good variety. Ten stars for the friendly service. 4 stars for the very retro interior that's held up for many years. Not so many stars for the just okay food. Add it all up. Divide by two. Take the cubed root. And it's a solid 2.8796529986632 stars. I'm going with three. read more

Food is great here. Ambience ate music and costumer chatter. Service okay could be more welcoming specialty when with your family.

Not the same as it was 20years ago. Food was good and the margaritas were also good. Will be going back if ever in the area. read more

See all

Seated, then waited ages just for water and menus. Chips tasted stale and the salsa was salty. My enchiladas arrived lukewarm with chewy tortillas and watery beans. Nothing here was fresh. The house margarita was mostly ice and strawberry syrup; little tequila, no bite. Staff were friendly but we had to flag someone down for basic refills and the check. For the price, the quality and pacing just didn't land. Interior is dated. Alameda has plenty of better Mexican options. read more

Mehhhhhh this was okay.... Nothing to write home about. Service was generally slow, but the food was fine. I got mixed fajitas and it tasted ok. The rice was a little dry. We got a pitcher of margaritas to share and they were just ok, too. I probably wouldn't go out of my way to return. read more

Acapulco - Margarita with tajin rim - Mexican Near Me - Alameda, California

I had heard about Acapulco and how it's been around in alameda for quite some time, so I was excited to try it out. Staff and service: - Our waitress was very kind and had a calming demeanor - Hand sanitizer is available in the front Food and drinks: - Taco plate: this was pretty mediocre. The meat wasn't seasoned and the taco shells were pretty stiff. - Burrito Famoso: I wanted to like this considering I love wet burritos, but the sauce tasted like a really cheap canned enchilada sauce and the tiny cubed chicken lacked flavor. - Jalapeño Margarita: this was tasty. Would have appreciated a little bit less seeds in my drink, but that's just a personal preference. - Strawberry Margarita: tasty and sweet - Nachos: forgot to take a picture of this, but the nachos were pretty good - House chips and salsa: our favorite part of the meal Miscellaneous: - Small private parking lot out front What started out as a strong meal with the very tasty house chips and salsa, followed by the drinks and nachos, turned a little south with the main dishes. We are hoping it was just those two dishes and we'll have a better experience with other dishes next time. read more

See all

celebrated my daughters birthday with a party of 10 people, we were seated right away and the waitress was very attentive. The food was delicious and the flan was amazing. Everyone had a great time. read more

It was my friend's birthday she picked the Acapulco. I warned it is NOT the Quintero FAMILY . She insisted, it was all bad! Salsa was weak. rice and beans were not seasoned. The Chile Relleno was covered in sauce that looked like gravy. Taco was no frills . The waitress was SUPER nice but the food was just not good. If any Quintero Family member resurrects Mama Rose's recipes any where in the Bay Area please let me know read more

Still a great dining experience, good food, friendly service and location in the Bay Area

The good at Acapulco was good Mexican fare. You will be pleased with anything that you have here. The service from Isabella was excellent, quick and friendly! The restaurant has been here for about 60 years. It is clean and neat... well cared for. You will have a great experience when yo come here. read more

Acapulco - Chicken tostada , chicken enchilada, and cheese enchilada - Mexican Near Me - Alameda, California

Great Salsa, flavorful fajitas, crunchy fish tacos with tasty sauce. Inexpensive drinks! If you were here years ago and found it bland - times have changed and it's worth a try again read more

Salsa, beans and rice were BLAND. The salsa had stringy hair like fibers and the rice was broken and old. The chili verde was ok. If you like cheese on your shrimp tacos, it had a decent cheese pull. The Servers were very nice but not attentive. My boyfriend's jeans stuck to the duct tape holding the booth together. read more

I have eaten at Acapulco many times but today I ordered DoorDash. I got the two item combo. I got two shredded beef enchiladas with green sauce and it did not disappoint. It came with beans and rice and they also included chips and salsa. If you decide to eat there, it's a very comfortable and friendly restaurant and they have a great bar there too! If you haven't tried it, give it a try! read more

Hhhhmm... what to say about Acapulco??? So we have been here quite a few times and really have been ay a loss for words how to review. So it's fine. The food is decent. The drinks are decent. But the is something lacking to take it beyond decent. What's nice is when we are feeling Mexican and margaritas and tequila they open at 3. Typically a strange crowd each time we are there which is weird. The last time here we just wanted to chill and eat and drink after a 7+ mile walk around the island and we were handed a bill early on. Did we just get cut off???? Again it's fine but not our first choice. read more

Acapulco - Fish tacos - Mexican Near Me - Alameda, California

See all

There was a rotten stem and leaves in me and my childs burrito, the burrito was also cold and not warm when I picked up on time. It tasted awful, worst burrito I have tasted In my entire life. which is a shame because it was my first meal from being sick & needed food to eat with medication, and now I feel sick again to my stomach. read more

Acapulco - Vegan burrito - Mexican Near Me - Alameda, California

On the inside the place is the same as it was 20 years ago. Our server was great! She was attentive and always smiling. The food was - meh. No spices or favor - very bland for Mexican food. They over heated my daughter's chicken in the microwave and it came out dry and rubbery. Most of the customers were older traditional community members in Alameda. Not a bad place and reasonable- just not for me. read more

Do not waste your money in this place. Had not been there in about 10 years and I can truly tell you I'm not coming back ever. Order a carne azada plate, got a fajitas type of meat that did not look like any carne azada I ever had. On top of that it was cold all around even though I was the only customer there. The service was good, but like I said I was the only one there. It's sad because it used to be real good. The drink was good I guess the bar is probably alright. read more

Good Mexican Food. Service was okay. Chips and salsa were fantastic and the ambiance was kool. Cons: the speaker was busted next to us and all that was played was cumbia. Can we get a wider variety of music?? Lol. Overall good experience and the Birria Tacos were off the hook!!! read more

See all

First timer, I'm sold! Love the ambience and my carnitas burrito was delicious! The service is amazing too! Such a friendly and welcoming atmosphere! Clean bathroom too! I parked on the street no problem but there is an about 10-car parking lot available also! Thanks so much!! It hit the spot!! read more

I went to this restaurant nine years ago and told myself I would never be back. My husband and I went for an early dinner. Let me start with the chips and salsa they give you before you order. The salsa tasted like it had been watered down. The chips had an after taste. I ordered two crispy shredded beef tacos with rice and beans. The beans tasted like it came from a can. The shredded beef was very dry and it had no flavor at all. I only took one bite and I was done. My hubby ordered the same plate as I but had shredded chicken. His shredded chicken was drier than my beef. He only ate his tacos because he was very hungry. We had ordered a salad to share but it also didn't have any flavor. Mexican food should have flavor. I know how Mexican food should taste like. The salsa should be made with good ingredients and good seasoning. You need top quality ingredients. Our waitress was so very nice. If I could give this restaurant zero stars I would. read more

Used to go here back in the 80s with my parents & had a chance to go recently and it did not disappoint. Good food, friendly staff, decor dated, portion sizes are good. read more

Please carefully read the order or call the customer if you do not have the item in question. I specifically ordered the vegetable soup because I am vegan and have developed a huge disliking for the taste of ANY food that comes from an animal. After waiting for my food after a long day, I received soup with chicken in it. This soup was not salvageable, and keep in mind that people who go years without animal products can get very sick if they unknowingly consume meat, dairy, and eggs. I received a refund through Grubhub but please be mindful of people's orders. read more

Acapulco - I asked for the Vegetable Soup, this is Chicken - Mexican Near Me - Alameda, California

This restaurant used to be a good Mexican restaurant many years ago, a family ran it is my understanding and we ate there many times but it is a shadow of its former self. I ordered with a phone call and when my husband picked it up half of the order was missing, when my husband complained they ordered him to leave saying aggressively "get out". Its shocking how people act right now. read more

Acapulco is a delightful little spot hidden off the main streets of Alameda. We were helped by Roberto at the bar. He's a gem. He has a wonderful sense of humor and a good knowledge of the menu. I also liked the way he pushed us to order off the happy hour menu. PRO-TIP: Go during happy hour for the best deals. Happy hour is 3-6pm Tuesday through Friday. You can choose from flautas (3 of them), street tacos (3 of them), nachos, or tacos de pescado - all for just $6 per entree. At happy hour you can order the house margarita or strawberry margarita for $5. Both are made to order and delicious. They can also make the strawberry margarita virgin, which tastes like a sweet dessert. PRO-TIP: If you show your ID, on your birthday you get a free margarita. I strongly recommend making this your goto casual birthday spot. Its a fun restaurant with quality food at a great price. read more

Acapulco - bar - Mexican Near Me - Alameda, California

See all

I don't typically write many reviews but this place has some really good and authentic food. The margaritas are to die for and the quesabirria is top notch. Not to mention the hand made tortillas... don't know anywhere else that does that! Our server was also great and very attentive. This may be my new go to spot. read more

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and this spot left a bad one. It was Cinco De Mayo, chance for big business right? It all started at the door where no one apparently in charge and people a mix of wanting to get seated, pick up food, or sit at bar. It didn't look that crowded. My gut is family business and not professional wait staff. Took 25 minutes to get our drinks. I saw one waitress giving a guy his food for free because he had waited for take-out for an hour. They brought the wrong tequila. Then a 20-minute wait for very ordinary guac, some tacos and a burrito. It was like they never wrote down our orders or something just very off. We have all had good Mexican food in the East Bay. Average food and bad service. They took 50% off our order but that just tells me they knew they were struggling. Slow down, get organized and take charge. I kind of feel badly because they are nice people. read more

I have NEVER had Mexican food as TERRIBLE as my dinner I had at Acapulco. I spent $42 on our dinner. The chicken enchilada tasted and looked like can chicken. The cheese in the other enchilada wasn't even melted. My tostada tasted like mole. I did leave a tip because the service was fine. read more

Acapulco use to be my " Go to " place when I was a teenager. I remember my family and I would wait 1 hour minimum to get in and the food was very good with huge portions back In the days. Fast forward to 6/202. I went to AC for the first time in over 30 years and boy did the quality and the quantity changed. We ended up with a $45 bill for a party of two.. We ordered the chicken burrito and carnitas with bean and rice dish . The meat with both orders were dry and the beans look like it was a day old . The only positive experience was the hostess was very friendly and we had chips with our dinner. Very sad experience and yelpers be forewarned read more

Craving Mexican food and celebrating a birthday! Service was excellent and staff was friendly. Food not the traditional Mex food I expected. Did get a birthday dessert - thank you. read more