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    El Campanario Restaurant

    3.9 (194 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Bars, Seafood
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:30 pm

    El Campanario Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    EL CAMPANARIO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - El Campanario Restaurant

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    2 Sopes
    Priscilla D.

    We came in for lunch after our meeting at work. We don't come out to Indio much so someone recommended this restaurant and we wanted to try them out. Wow! It was pretty empty but the service was amazing and the food was delicious! The restaurant has plenty of seating. The menu is overwhelming and they have everything you can think of. We all loved our food. They serve fresh chips and their salsa is absolutely delicious! I am sad that I live so far away, but I will definitely be stopping by here the next time I'm in Indio. If you're in the area, I highly recommend this place.

    Plastic mocajete  served semi cold with your choice of tortillas
    Robert G.

    Super busy when we arrived in Father's Day 2025. We got sat right away thankfully a few crowds left right before us. Our party was only four so we got some booths before tables of 8+, they had a wait for the group tables to free up so makes sense to me. The food was good came out fast. I got to Mexico for Mexican food so definitely a noticeable difference yet hits all the same/similar notes. My only complaint was the plastic molcajete it was noticeable cold and odd to had I've never been severe a dish on one of those. Couldn't ask for it more got cause microplastics. I got the trio combo it was good for sure would order again. My family chose this spot and it worked out just fine especially with the huge groups of people waiting. Seems better for smaller groups but there is space for larger groups and the folks here were very helpful

    Huevos Mexicano
    Leonard F.

    My barber recommended El Campanario and I gave it a try as I am always looking for a good Mexican breakfast. I was impressed with the homemade corn tortillas which are very hard to find in the desert. My huevos Mexicana were very good and service was attentive.

    Entrance to El Campanario
    Melanie G.

    My friend suggested we meet here for lunch, and I was greeted warmly and given a table near the door so I could be on lookout for my friend. I enjoyed chatting with the wait staff who checked on me to make sure I had chips, salsa and a drink before my friend arrived. The ambiance was comfortable with cozy, large booths and assorted Mexican decor, including some weird little surprises such as miniature Disney characters randomly placed up on a high shelf. My friend told me that he chose this restaurant because it is one of the top 2 best Mexican restaurants in Indio (and there are a LOT), and because they don't play music so loud that you have to shout to have a conversation. I ordered the crunchy shredded beef taco plate and it was just how I like them. I highly recommend El Campanario!

    What a beautiful plate of birria!
    Hal S.

    On our cross country road trip we made it to Indio on day 1. We thought Mexican would be a safe bet for a late dinner since we're pretty close to the border! I was thrilled to see Birria on the menu, and it was authentic; no beef here, it was goat all the way! And it was super tasty! The consommé was a really nice touch! Even the tortillas maize were better than average. The girls ordered a fajita burrito, which was reported to be delicious; and tacos pescado, which I was told were really good! The service was great! The whole crew works together as a team to make sure everyone has what they need. And the place is super clean, nicely decorated, and well laid out. I won't hesitate to return next time I'm in town!

    Camarones Aguachile
    Marilyn A.

    This place hasn't changed one bit in 10 years. Looks like a rundown Dennys, food was okay. Molcajete was room temperature, almost cold. Molcajete is normally brought out scorching hot in a real Molcajete, not a plastic one. Aguachiles were good had the perfect level of spiciness. Will be back in another 10 years, possibly.

    Bruce H.

    I was really surprised to find such good Mexican restaurant in this building which looks like it once may have been a Bob's Big Boy or a Coco's. I know better to judge a book by it's cover but the brightly lit interior and generic booths threw me off. My daughter locked in El Capanario for a group of 30 during her lacrosse tournament at the Empire Polo Club. They accommodated us with no issues. All the food and drink were brought out quickly. As far as the food and drinks, the Margaritas were smooth and tasty. I had the combo with a beef taco dorado and chili relleno. All was incredible including the rice and beans. Ambience would put this place over the edge but you'd have a line out the door so in this case, simple is better.

    a plate of food
    Nando R.

    1st time here. We where seated right away. Service was excellent! I especially loved the fact that many staff stopped to check on us! Service is very important to us and they went above and beyond. Food was very delicious. We will definitely return soon!

    Chiles Gueritos Rotten Mayonnaise health hazard beware

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    4 months ago

    Best Mexican food east of San Diego's Old Town. Terrific service, particularly when Alexia's there.

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    1 year ago

    The food was outstanding! Super authentic! The service was great too. Host & server were warm and inviting. We will be back!

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    2 years ago

    Food was unbelievable. I really love this place.. I went here with my girlfriend and we had a good dinner

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    3 years ago

    Great food and friendly staff! I always get the Bistek Ranchero but need to ask the name they call it. Never fails!

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    4.2(421 reviews)
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    Just a hop skip and Mexican jumping bean away from "downtown" Indio is a hole in the wall cafe…read more The restrooms are located outside and were kept very clean. If their bathrooms are dirty imagine what the hidden kitchen looks like. A good rule is if the bathrooms are dirty, consider another restaurant. Comfortable outdoor seating was plentiful. Chips are crisp, fresh, and as a single diner they did not temp me in eating a large portion of corn chips. The fresh salsa is one of the best I have eaten. Just enough heat to make you a bit cautious, yet not enough for regrets. My regular is two crispy beef taco combination. If their beans and rice are marginal, rarely are the plated meals better. The beans were superb. My critique would be I wanted more. Beans were clean, meaning not to heavy with lard, bacon grease or whatever they use as a refrying agent. Rice was crisp, light and flavorful. The Taco's were on the small size, they used the standard street taco sized corn tortilla. But the flavor was great once I added a pinch of salt. Service was quick, staff was congenial. If you're looking for authentic Mexican food, I would definitely put this one on your list. I will be going back to try some of the other fare, but crispy tacos, rice and beans pretty much some up my choice at Mexican restaurants. Mixed crowd with many brothers from down below the border. Their food reminds me of family style meals. The ceviche looked delicious and I will be trying that the next time I visit.

    This is my 2nd time coming here, the first I ordered the chile rellenos plate, very tasty, this…read moretime we ordered the Mexicali Sampler & Chorizo w/Egg breakfast plate, so good & so much food; We sat outside & a gentleman was singing, very nice ambiance for a Sunday midday.. Service was great, our waiter was super nice & very efficient!

    Photos
    El Mexicali Cafe - Bar area.

    Bar area.

    El Mexicali Cafe - Chile guerito, seasoned with a squeeze of lemon, a light pour of soy sauce and a dab of mayonnaise (as suggested by our waitress).

    Chile guerito, seasoned with a squeeze of lemon, a light pour of soy sauce and a dab of mayonnaise (as suggested by our waitress).

    El Mexicali Cafe - Downtown Indio

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    Casa Mendoza - Fried ice cream

    Casa Mendoza

    4.0(931 reviews)
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    SHORT ANSWER: Just an update, but Casa Mendoza seems to be just getting better. Some new staff but…read morefood quality and people here are very welcoming. LOCATION: In Old Town La Quinta, OTLQ easy to find, tons of parking but at times it gets busy so you may have to walk a bit. FACILITY: very traditional inside and out, clean, and lots of space between tables. MENU: rather massive, we usually order the same things so all the other options makes my head hurt so we just go with what we know. FOOD PREP: excellent, always looks the same which is a good things. FOOD QUALITY: some of the best in the valley. LIBATIONS: lots of choices and not too expensive, wish they had a locals city of LQ discount like some of the other options in OTLQ.. WAITSTAFF: very nice, everyone. OVERALL VALUE: if you order the right things, it is a great value but you can go nuts and spend a lot, tourist dollars spend well, upselling happens for those who want it and deserve it! TIP: Sitting outside is great most all year, we don't go out when it is crazy hot, but have dined outside in 100+ temps, we prefer the front outdoor space.

    *Mi Casa es Su Casa*…read more My buddy had a small casual bday get-together with his family and invited me to join the celebration. I saw all the favorable reviews on Yelp and was looking forward to my first visit at Casa Mendoza. Very chill & lively family owned Mexican joint in Old Town LQ. The place was kinda busy @6:30pm on Hump Night ~~ always a great sign when I see this. Felt more like a Sunday Evening. It took an hour to receive our meals. Ordered @6:45 arrived @7:45pm. Good thing the Chimichanga & Gauc apps arrived pretty quickly. The Gauc was Excellente. All their food was very good. But all our meals arrived cold/lukewarm. Took forever to receive our food and we knew for a fact it's because all our plates sat a while until we were served. The actual plates weren't even warm and the sizzling fajitas had sizzled out and lost its dazzle. Because it was still 95 degrees when dinner was finally served, our lukewarm meals were doable on a hot night. Everyone did enjoy their meals tho. I was very pleased with my Mahi Mahi in Garlic Butter Sauce. The refried beans were outstanding. The rice very good...and I made tacos with the 3 corn tortillas. But would have enjoyed it even more had all the food been a little warmer. I stuck with H2O but all margarita drinkers said their drinks were good and hit the spot on a warm night. The service in general was also inconsistent for our small party of 8. The Birthday Boy was a little frustrated and got up a few times from his throne seeking assistance -- such as missing tortillas for meals, water refills, extra napkins. We even had to wait longer than anticipated for them to acknowledge the bday boy with a celebratory bday song & sombrero...and the fried ice cream, which didn't include a candle. Tho we all enjoyed ourselves and time together...a 2 hour dinner at a Mexican joint on a Wednesday night wasn't what we anticipated. Especially with one restless 7 year old ;-) But everyone working at Casa Mendoza is very friendly with great attitudes. Hostess team, waiters, servers & runners too. So that made up for the spotty service, just a little bit. Since I'm closer to the other Casa Mendoza in Palm Desert, I'd go there in the future with my wife, and order the exact same thing. But hope for much better service and warmer food.

    Photos
    Casa Mendoza - Bar Area

    Bar Area

    Casa Mendoza - Friday lunch, outside, single comb  $12.99

    Friday lunch, outside, single comb $12.99

    Casa Mendoza - Mango and a skinny cucumber margarita are strong and tasty and these are the small size!

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    Mango and a skinny cucumber margarita are strong and tasty and these are the small size!

    El Campanario Restaurant - mexican - Updated May 2026

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