Finally made the mission out to Cocina Del Carmen...which, by the way, requires patience, strategy, and maybe a prayer if you show up during rush hour. Getting into that plaza is a sport... getting out is an extreme sport!! You've been warned!! But once you survive rush hour Olympics, the reward hits. I tried the Tlayuda Oaxacana... basically a giant corn tortilla living its best life, piled with black beans, fresh queso Oaxaca, avocado, tomatoes, and a generous heap of flank steak. First time having it and wow... where has this been all my life? And the salsa? Oh, it doesn't play games. It showed up, chose violence, and left my lips buzzing and my ears ringing like I just left a concert. Painful? Yes.!!! Worth it? Absolutely!!!! Would definitely go back and willingly burn my mouth again and e joy this delicious treat!! read more

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I came here since I was craving chicken mole and saw that they had it on their menu. They specialize in Oaxacan food and they have a large menu selection. The wait time was not long for the chicken mole ($20). It arrived with chopped pieces of chicken with sides of beans and rice with soft flour tortilla. The mole was nicely balanced with a good amount of heat. The staff was nice and the place is clean. read more

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Wow. (I probably said that at least 5 times while eating it.) This place is incredible. It's been a LONG time I've tried somewhere new that blew me away. I've never seen a tortilla this big, crunchy and delicious. I got the Tlayuda Oaxaqueña which is a big tortilla from Oaxaca, Mexico, topped with blended black beans, quesillo (Oaxaca cheese), thinly sliced marinated grilled pork and beef, chopped cabbage, tomato, and avocado slices. It's not something I'd normally get, but I am so glad I took the server's advice. He's was incredibly kind and you could tell the family cooks with love. I can't wait to go back and try the torta and chilaquiles. read more

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$6 fish and shrimp tacos that were absolutely delicious ! Fish was battered to perfection and was super fresh! Shrimp was nice and grilled and adding a squeeze of lime made it all around my favorite. Will 100% be back!! read more

Cocina Del Carmen - Shrimp and fish taco - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

Great service, casual and tables with lots of space. Got the flautas and they were very filling and flavorful. read more

Cocina Del Carmen - FLAUTAS, ENCHILADAS PLATE - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

Authentic Must Try Mexican Oaxacan food! Oaxacan food specializes in Mole (complex sauce using chilies, and chocolate) along with other traditional dishes. I'll be back to try out more items!! What makes it special: -delicious food (authentic) -They even import ingredients straight from Oaxaca, Mexico! I had: -Mole Enchiladas. (Cheese, chicken and beef) 5/5 DELICIOUS. It comes with rice and beans (I chose all beans) Service: -Amazing, friendly & accommodating. The manager took some time to talk to us about where they source their ingredients and their history Ambiance -Nice little set up l, feels cozy Must Try, and one of the best if not the best Mexican restaurants in Tencula/Murrieta area. If you've never had Mole TRY THIS-PLACE OUT! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED read more

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Food was excellent, service was better than expected considering the size of the place. Nice little place. read more

Cocina Del Carmen - 3 chicken enchiladas with green sauce, black beans and rice on the side. - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

Not my New Nacho Joint! Opting to find a new option to satisfy my love for Nachos on Fridays I decided to give this local establishment that replaced another Mexican restaurant about a year ago. The reviews on Yelp were promising too. We were met by a friendly gentleman that was eager to assist us and even provided positive assurance that the nachos would meet our expectations. After what seemed like seconds he returned with a container in a bag and we were on our way. Once home we set the table, made a salad , got cold beers from the fridge, and queued up a series on Netflix to watch while dining. What a surprise Soggy thin, strips of tortillas, bland guacamole, tasteless carnitas! It was cold mess that resembled lasagna and a microwave could not revive it. Fished out the thin wet tortillas and replaced with crisp tortillas chips from the pantry added cheese and reheated. This improved the entree so we could move forward but it left a bad taste in my mouth. Very depressing . read more

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Fajitas at Cocina del Carmen were amaze-balls! So delicious and unique with the Oaxaca flavors! Even the black bean spread chips and salsa were so flavorful we ended up taking 8 oz. that was more like 4 oz. home with us. I'd say the service was personal and super responsive. Went to the restroom and was surprised to see food preparation tools in there. Like for decor but still, tortilla presses and molcajetes and stuff like that. So I made a joke to the server that I hoped my food wasn't preparado en el baño. She was caught off guard but laughed when she saw I was laughing. Funny, but in my opinion, no one wants to see that any more than they want to see plates and forks. It is just in poor taste especially when I think of the folks that have young ones that enjoy smearing their poop on the walls! Ugh. Gross. Keep that out of there. You'll thank me later. All in all the place was clean, the food was reasonably priced and the flavors unlike any other. read more

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Amazing Birria slow Cooked to perfection until it's fall apart tender. Best part is that there is no gristle or globs of fat (which can be such a gross thing to bite into when enjoying a burrito or tacos ). Everything on the menu is delicious. We have eaten in the restaurant which has a inviting family friendly vibe. We've also gottten take out on multiple occasions and everything is always so neatly packed and presented in eco friendly packaging. We LOVE the salsas and always get a tub to take home. Incredible Oaxacan cuisine 10/10 read more

Cocina Del Carmen - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

This was a very pleasant find. Authentic beats texmex all day long. Small and intimate with a great menu. You have to try the molotes...so good. We went with the mole chicken enchiladas and chili Verde. Both were very good! We enjoyed a very nice dinner here. Family run and very good service. What ever you want they will customize your order. read more

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One of the best spots for mole! The service was awesome - very friendly, fast, and knowledgeable. It was quiet inside with plenty of space too. Def coming back!! read more

Cocina Del Carmen - CHICKEN MOLE PLATE, FLAUTAS - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

I get my nails done right next to this restaurant I remember when they were doing construction on it. I recently dined at this Mexican restaurant and had such a satisfying experience, especially as someone who prefers pescatarian or vegetarian options. From the moment I walked in, the atmosphere felt warm and inviting, with vibrant décor and the comforting aroma of freshly prepared food. I ordered veggie enchiladas along with a side of rice and beans, and everything was seasoned perfectly. The enchiladas were packed with fresh sautéed vegetables, potatoes and cheese topped with a rich, savory red sauce, and finished with just the right amount of melted cheese and a drizzle of sour cream . Every bite was comforting and full of flavor. The service was good we ordered to go and it was made fresh but fast. I definitely plan to return to try the potato taquitos and their other veggie as well as seafood dishes. read more

Cocina Del Carmen - Veggie enchiladas with red sauce with a side of rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

Very sad circumstances how I pondered across this spot but nice to come to a place that was warm, welcoming friendly. I was actually out here attending a funeral and so old co-workers/friends of mind were looking for a place to grab some breakfast. This was less than a 10 min drive from the venue. Fairly close to the freeway and in a center. The only downfall about this place is it's located next to a nail shop which has a very strong odor of chemicals but once I got past that I enjoyed the ambience of being in that place. I give it a five star for it's kindness nature of the place and the food was good too. I really enjoyed my chilesquilas, almost finished my entire plate which I rarely do. If i'm ever out in that area, I would definitely come back to this place. Good coffee,good food good vibes. read more

Cocina Del Carmen - Chilaquiles Verde with Asada - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

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It all started with the greeting as soon as you walk in the door wonderful customer service warm welcome. Food is amazing and every plate is a must try. Everyone there is very helpful and attentive. The entire restaurant is well kept clean including restrooms. read more

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Best Mexican food in Temecula without a doubt. Temecula has plenty of Mexican food options, but they all seem to miss the mark. Cocina Del Carmen is the exception. Their menu includes the classics, but also offers a refreshing take on Oaxacan cuisine. Flavor speaks for itself. You can tell the difference in the quality of their ingredients, and taste the care they put into each dish by how well it's seasoned. Jose and his staff do an amazing job offering an exceptional dining service and experience. Dine-in or take-out, you feel welcomed from the moment you walk in. read more

The food was delicious!! Our family ordered the chicken flautas, carne asada tacos, and the kids chicken taco. The chicken in the taco was FULL of flavor! The beans and rice tasted homemade. The chips and salsa were set apart from other Mexican restaurants with a little bit of black beans drizzled on top which I LOVED! Totally would come again! read more

Cocina Del Carmen - All done! - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

By far the best Mexican food spot in southwest Riverside; their Oaxacan is amazing. Please support this amazing restaurant. read more

Cocina Del Carmen - TLAYUDA OAXAQUEA - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

Don't sleep on this fresh, delicious, and authentic food in Temecula. There is no better mole in the area. The service was stellar. Staff are helpful with the menu and friendly. The ambiance is nice with Oaxaca art work and cozy tables. They have big windows and it's nice to watch the busy world go by and be in a place with culture and care. I say care because you can tell when food is made with pride and this absolutely was thoughtfully prepared. The tortillas were clearly made fresh and the sauces had a depth of flavor that can only be cultivated with time. Again, get over there and try it. You will not be disappointed. read more

Food was good and so was the service. First time there, will definitely be coming back!

Fast and friendly. Food delicious with homemade enchilada sauce and quality meat. We got the molotes and the filling was fresh. The potato tacos are seasoned well. read more

Food was good. Plenty of chicken in my tacos. Husband and I ordered the three taco plate. Rice and beans were also good. Went there because we were in town because of a baseball game. Glad we stopped in. read more

We tried Cocina Del Carmen for the first time and I'm so glad we did! Came here for the mole but found so much more. Owner and staff are so friendly plus the quality food and service outstanding. My family can't wait to come back! Here are some pics of our meals. Everything was tasty! (chile relleno plate with tortillas, chicken enchiladas plate with mole sauce, molotes oaxaca, torta oaxaquena) read more

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What a gem! We tried the carne asada plate, chicken, pork, and carne asada tacos, plus the Oaxacan torta, every single bite was bursting with amazing flavor. Next time, we're definitely coming back for the mole. The staff is absolutely wonderful, and everyone made us feel so welcomed. Edith was a true gem, sharing beautiful stories about the origins of the dishes and the restaurant's history. The interior is also really cute and unique! The drinks were just as memorable, the horchata was creamy, perfectly spiced, and not overly sweet, while the jicama agua fresca was crisp, lightly sweet, and so refreshing, like sipping sunshine in a glass. We sat back, enjoyed every bite and sip, and left already planning our next visit. Cocina Del Carmen is a place that fills both your heart and your stomach! read more

Cocina Del Carmen - Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

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The food is really topnotch. This is our second time and already planning the third 4th and ........

If you enjoy Oaxacan cuisine, please visit Cocina Del Carmen. I of course overindulged, couldn't stop eating it was so good. I had a Tylayuda, ordered it with half beans, half mole... the very best!! Oh and service, our waitress was so sweet and friendly. We will return here for sure read more

Cocina Del Carmen - Tlayudas. Mole - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

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I tried this place last week I was really impressed by the food I had the fajitas and it was amazing. The service was great. The salsas were great and the atmosphere was very nice. They also have draft beers which is kind of interesting. But overall the food was the winner. read more

Conveniently located just off I-15 and 79 near a Starbucks, Cocina Del Carmen is a great new spot specializing in Oaxacan cuisine. The space is open and welcoming, with tasteful decor and a striking art piece that gives it a unique vibe. I had the Torta Oaxaqueña with marinated chicken, beef, black beans, Oaxacan cheese, avocado, and more--it was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced, especially with their two house salsas (one mild, one with a kick). Service was outstanding--genuinely friendly and attentive. Definitely worth a stop! read more

Cocina Del Carmen - TORTA OAXAQUENA - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

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The best California burrito I've ever had- and I'm not a California burrito person! My daughter ordered it, and it looked so good that I gave it a try. That will be what I order next time. Just the right amount of everything. The carne asada was very tender and flavorful- not grisly and chewy like most. The chili relleno was delicious and I l loved that they had a salsa bar with fresh homemade salsas. The guacamole was very fresh- I don't usually point out the negative reviews- there are only a few here- but one said that the guacamole was brown- maybe it was a bad day at the restaurant, but I will just say, the guac was one of the freshest I've ever ordered. Wish this restaurant wasn't all the way across town from me, but I will still be back often :) read more

Best Mexican food we've had in years. The restaurant is clean, fresh, and inviting. Jose, the owner was our server, he's such a great guy! Working hard and living out his dream of owning a restaurant with his mom. I loved the vegetarian enchiladas and my partner loved the quesa birria tacos. We don't drink, but heard the table next to us saying that the beer that is brewed by Cocina Del Carmen is the best they've ever had. We will be back for sure next time we are in town! Cocina Del Carmen is gem that more people should know about! read more

Best mole in town and a good michelada. I ordered the mole enchiladas with Oaxaca queso. read more

Cocina Del Carmen - MOLE ENCHILADAS PLATE - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

Cocina Del Carmen serves up some of the most authentic Oaxacan Mexican cuisine I've had! The flavors are rich and traditional, and you can tell the sauces are made from scratch with real care -- each one has its own depth and character. The service was just as impressive: warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Jose the owner was warm and welcoming! If you're craving authentic Oaxacan Mexican food with a homemade touch and excellent service, Cocina Del Carmen is a must-visit! Try the Tlayuda Oaxaquena! Green sauce chicken enchiladas were the bomb! read more

Cocina Del Carmen - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

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The quality of food is bar-none Fabulous flavors Their mole is delicious Chile verde delicious Memelitas delicious Carnitas are some of the best I've ever had Definitely definitely recommend Prompt service and friendly read more

Cocina Del Carmen - CHILE VERDE PLATE - Mexican Near Me - Temecula, California

Found this place through a TikTok where they were raving about their breakfast burritos. Since we went during dinner, we tried their Tlayuda Oaxaqueña and Quesa Birria Tacos instead. Holy cow was it so good. My husband thought it was an experience eating the Tlayuda Oaxaqueña and it was a good one for him. The owner, Jose, served us himself and we were able to chat with him. Such a nice and humble guy who absolutely loves what he's doing. We can feel the love and care he and his family have put into this restaurant and it makes us want to support it even more by going there. The place was clean and not too busy, but there were certainly people including families like us eating there on a Friday night. I'm sure that this place with be poppin' once more people learn about the authenticity of the food and how good it is. We'll definitely be back to try those breakfast burritos along with other items on their menu. If you're looking to have your fix of Mexican food, look not further. We highly recommend! read more

The food was very good and it came out extremely quickly so it is a good place if you are in a hurry. the service was great and kind. The vibes here were very comfortable. read more

I usually do not each much, except when I visit my mother or grandmother because the food you get at home is just not comparable. When I tell you that I feel like I'm back home, all etiquette goes out the window and I just eat everything in front of me. You have to start with their cafe de holla, brought out in a traditional cup made of clay. Their breakfast and birria is out of this world! Their hot sauces, specifically the matcha salsa is amazing in flavor and heat profile. Agua fracas are made in house and their beans and rice are superb! Finishing off strong with their tees leches cake that is light and refreshing after a hearty meal. Do yourself a favor and come enjoy! read more

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Amazing authentic food and great service !! Highly recommend :) such lovely staff and a great environment

The food was delicious! I had the three quesa birria tacos. The meat was as tender as it could possibly be and very flavorful. I'm looking forward to returning and trying more on their menu Service was very prompt and friendly It's a simple, eat-in restaurant. Very clean and absolutely worth a stop read more

I was excited to try this place but once again Temecula disappointed us. My husband took one bite of his food and spit it out. He said the beef tasted horrible. I tried mine and it was mehhh. Paying over $65 for 4 different dishes was a waste of money. The guacamole was brown which usually happens when it's been in fridge for a few days. The lettuce was wilted and had a lot of brown spots. If anyone is looking for some really good Mexican food. Go to Casa de Lucy off Jefferson. That place will not disappoint. read more

This was an unexpected and delicious surprise finding Cocina Del Carmen. Authentic dishes from Oaxaca that are truly prepared with love and careful consideration to the ingredients. Enjoyed it so much, we came back the next day. Clean and colorful art on the walls. Excellent service from Jose and Edith who shared wonderful stories about Oaxaca. Inspired to travel there and will definitely come back when we visit Temecula. again. read more