This place is a hidden gem. Located at the Northridge mall in Salinas. We tried the street tacos, quesa birria tacos and the tacos de cansta. The street tacos are made with the hand made tortillas that are to die for. We tried asada, carnitas, and pastor. Let me just say all meats were delicious. Not dry at all and super flavorful.! But the pastor stole the show. The pineapple flavor shines through with the pork and it literally is the best pastor I've had.! The tacos de cansta were amazing.! Get there early to get the chicharrón filling. They sell out.! Add the cabbage mixture to the taco for a bright flavor. Also, get both red and green salsas. Mix them and be amazed. The red salsa has a hint of smokeyness but it's not over powering. The green is more like an avocado salsa. I told the owner that I fully enjoyed his food and he explained the process and I can appreciate the time and prep he takes to make this cuisine. Every bite was amazing and if you want a new favorite taco spot, here it is. Warning: it ain't cheap but neither is Louis Vuitton. read more

I try this place for the first time it was ok, o do t think I will go back , food was cold and I got quezabirrias .

0/10 stars, they cancelled my catering event 2 weeks before with no reason. I booked El Canaston for a 50 person party 2 months out. I had communication with the owner Luis throughout the 2 months with no issues. I scheduled time to come in and pay half the payment as requested and Luis tells me he will no longer be doing my event. No warning, no explanation other than "reasons". Absolutely horrible way to do business and left me scrambling to find a new cater, I do not recommend this business for your next party. read more

Make sure you get one of their menu items with the made to order tortillas. They make any of their dishes.

I love a good huarache and theirs is exceptional! The owner was so welcoming and even gave me some free Turkish sweets! I will definitely be back and can't wait to try more! And they're blue zone approved...even better! read more

El Canaston - Carne asada huarache - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Had been wanting to try tacos de canasta and they have 4 for 13.50 so decided to give them a try. Did not disappoint. I ordered 1 potato and 3 chicharron tacos but they also have bean option which I did not try. The potato taco was yummy but the chicharron tacos were the best. They came with either red or green salsa. I got the green and it was spicy but was tasty. They came with a slaw that is like the kind they give you with pupusas. Had nice flavor but I'm not a carrot fan and it had shredded carrots so I only tried a bit. I didn't order their horchata that day but I have tried it before. Horchata is not the powdered kind they make their own and it shows. Price is a bit steep but it's worth it. Overall flavor was on point and they have definitely made me a fan of tacos de canasta. Will definitely have to try their other menu items in the future. read more

Absolutely delicious food coming from this kitchen. Crazy this quality of food is in a mall. The owner is so kind and informative. I ordered one of each of the tacos de canasta and they are delicious. The beans are so flavorful, you can tell they were made with love. I took a bite of the quesadilla and OMG it's amazing. Not to mention the salsas! Both the red and green are good. It's in a mall so you get what you get as far as noise levels etc. But you can't get better food at any restaurant in town. This is a must try! read more

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Amazing tacos ! Went here based on Yelp reviews and it was great. Ordered street tacos and Birria tacos. The quality of the ingredients is top notch and everyone in group wanted more. Service was fast and polite. read more

I ordered 2 super burritos & 1 fountain Drink came out to $47.60 for the total. The receipt I got had no information of the prices & the Food was 6/10 if I'm being generous ,this place has a 5.0 Rating For no Reason Compared to other burritos in Salinas.. this is a big red flag when the burrito is not "super" sized Burrito could have been bigger given the size of tortilla they give with it and according to the price. Also it would be nice if the cashier was transparent about the total price I don't believe she told me how much it would be but I was not expecting that... the menu had no price for a super burrito.. read more

El Canaston - Super burrito asada y pastor - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

The food was delicious. My husband had the canaston tacos, and I had the nachos. The atmosphere was nice--the restaurant is located in a corner of the food court, which makes it feel a little more private. We're not sure if the gentleman who helped us was the owner, but his kindness and the great food made the experience even better. Because of him and the amazing meal, we will definitely be returning. read more

Awesome experience. The lady that helped out our group was incredibly sweet, helpful, and helped make great recommendations. Just a super positive experience. Great tacos de canasta. Give it a whirl. read more

I was tired of eating all the same take out so I found this cute little place in the mall. The tacos de canasta are really good I can't seen them in many restaurants. Service was friendly. read more

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Went to eat at this place for the first time and from the customer service, the wait time, the food itself, was amazing!! The guy helping me out was very friendly and informative and also let us try some food out before which was delicious! Finally, getting these tacos was something I've been craving and it definitely hit the spot and was so cheesy and yummy! Will definitely be going again! read more

El Canaston - Quesabirria tacos with consume - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Food was good and the tinga meat was delicious! Service was great and friendly. Backlava was yummy read more

El Canaston - Turkish coffee, potato tacos de canasta, street tacos with tinga and backlava - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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In town for business and was looking for some Mexican food for lunch. Came across these reviews on Yelp and figured I would give it a shot. It was difficult to find as it is located in the food court, but hidden in the corner. The ambiance is what you would normally expect to find in a food court setting. There was nobody in line, so my order was taken right away. I was served by Luis, who was very helpful in explaining what the food included and made some recommendations. I settled on the two Carne Asada Tacos with hand made tortillas, a Pambazo, and a Grapefruit Jarrito to wash it down. I got a chance to speak with Luis for a little and he told me their biggest struggle is they feel like they lose out on business because of their location and they are trying to figure out a way to improve business. I had ordered my food to go so it was about 5 minutes before I got to eat after I left. The tacos were very good and flavorful. The meat was tender. The Pambazo was also very good, but I should have grabbed more napkins when I left because the sauce on the bread was all over my hands and mouth. I definitely plan on visiting again and trying out some other menu items. I highly recommend seeking this place out and trying it for yourself! read more

El Canaston - Pambazo Taco de Canasta - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

I stopped by here because of the great reviews. Well worth the stop. I'm a vegetarian so I tried the huarche with mushrooms and green sauce. It was really delicious because of the homemade tortilla and the generous topping of mushrooms and sautéed onions. Highly recommended! read more

El Canaston - Huarche with mushrooms and green sauce - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Highly recommend!! First time here did no disappoint Food was delicious with hand made tortillas. The Service was outstanding the woman at the cash register was very kind and great she made me feel at home Will definitely be coming back to eat here again. Don't sleep on this location !!!! read more

First and last time I eat here! Over priced for quality of food, tinga chicken burrito was terrible...

This is my favorite food spot at the Northridge mall. I enjoy the Panbazo and the tacos de canasta. The service is always great, and I highly recommend it to everyone. read more

Service amazing. And the food. Wow. I had street tacos and tried the homemade steam ones. amazing amazing. I am visiting from out of town and come here often. This will be my new go to. Want to try more things. The little rose candy she gave me with the Turkish coffee another wow. and if you need a pick me up for lunch have a turkish coffee. so yummy. read more

El Canaston - street tacos and their signature tacos - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Food perfection. Had the Tacos/Pambazos/huarache EVERYTHING made with tons of flavor! Definitely recommend!

Tacos de Canasta was Awesome!!!! These we hands down the best tacos I've had in years!!!! And don't forget dessert!!! It's amazing read more

El Canaston - Turkish coffee with Turkish Delight - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

I went on February 26 to the Northridge mall with a big appetite and seen this restaurant in the corner I love trying to new places what caught my attention from afar were the desserts.. I seen it was a Mexican restaurant everything looked absolutely amazing I didn't know what to pick lol I ended up ordering the birria nachos and also a chicharron street taco my niece got a quesadilla with mushrooms and grilled onions .. this honestly is the BEST mexican food I've ever had tasted it felt like I was eating at my abuelas house all the tortillas are handmade the portion sizes are worth it the jaimaica was amazing I'm super picky about my jaimaica this one was perfect and refreshing.. I was speaking to the owner and he's such a super sweet humble person just by the conversation I can tell him and his wife make all their food with love .. it doesn't stop there the Turkish candies were absolutely amazing!! I've never had tried them till that day I ended up buying a few sample packs they have and also some amazing balkclava.. god bless these people and I pray their business grows ! I'm super excited to go back again and try more food thanks so much for the awesome service made my experience so enjoyable. read more

El Canaston - Birria nachos and chicharron Street Taco - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

I have been to a couple Mexican restaurants in Monterey county, and this one is my favorite. They flavor their meat well and it has a good amount of cheese. I recommend their quesadilla with asada and green salsa and sour cream. They sometimes have samples too. I can tell they take great pride in their food. Don't let the fact that they are in a mall fool you- the food is actually good! The service guy was friendly as well. read more

Great food. I like the quesadilla with the hand made tortillas. And the tacos are delicious too.

Fantastic Mexican food alternative. So many people are not familiar with this cuisine, and used to regular tacos and quesadillas. El Canaston got it right doing garnachas and antojitos. Reminds me of the food I had in downtown Tlaxcala. They make their own masa for the tortillas, the meats are properly marinated and the portions well provided. These are more than your "regular" tacos. Tacos de canasta are fantastic but also the quesadillas, mulitas and pretty much anything else. I had chicharrón, bean and papa tacos. You won't be disappointed. And don't forget an agua fresca (Jamaica was my favorite! read more

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This food is sooooo amazing! It tasted like I was eating at her house for a special occasion! Piping hot FRESH food. The beans are perfection. My husband and I drive 45 min to come here. And the rice is just like grandmas! Chefs kiss!!!!! read more

Excellent food and excellent services! Loved the taco de canastas! Followed by Turkish coffee and dessert! read more

El Canaston - Turkish coffee and dessert! - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Very colorful and festive bussines. I tried tacos de canasta and they were delicious! They have Turkish deli too. The owner was very friendly and the service was good and fast. read more

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Service excellent! Food absolutely scrumptious! Turkish delights, baklava and Turkish coffee!?! Are you kidding me?? All sooo delicious Go. Now! Run! read more

Their location is slightly hidden to the right side of the food court, it's definitely over looked. Anyone looking for an authentic Mexican food here's your place. Talk about eating at your Abuelita Kitchen! Everything looks Freshly Made. I was amazed how the sope & huarache were handmade. I enjoyed how detailed the meal is topped with a nopal. We definitely enjoyed our meals. We will be coming back again. This place should one day open up a restaurant location I could imagine how many people will continue to appreciate their home style cooking! read more

way over priced for a small canasta taco tasted stale. bad customer service , it's not worth it plus burritos were disgusting and mest tasted old, paid so much money for shitty burritos don't waste tour time or money here read more

I had their tinga burrito and it was delicious. Tasted very homemade-- and filling! I think it's great they also sell (I believe) Turkish treats. Their baklava was tasty. The owner even offered me a Turkish coffee on the house. Extremely pleased with the overall service. read more

My daughter came here the over day and she brought home some left over salsa. I tasted the salsa and it was delicious. I've always said that you can judge the food of a restaurant by how good the salsa tastes. So I came to eat here and I must say this is the best Mexican food in town. I met one of the owners, and she was very polite and professional. They're located at the end of the food court in the mall. Don't miss out. read more

The food is amazing!!!! I had came across to this delicious tacos from El Canaston when they where selling at the flea market outside the mall about a year ago or 2. I had bought for the first time tacos de canasta and I can say I was not disappointed, they where delicious. I was extremely happy to see them recently inside at Northridge mall and I couldn't hold back on having tacos de canasta and Mulitas. Food was delicious, tasty and service was great.!!. I highly recommend them. read more

Great costumer service. It is a little pricey but worth it!! I thought the sope was gonna be small but it was pretty big and filling. I will definitely come again. read more

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This place not worth the prices I got burrito n tacos for $30 I wanted to try it out n I regret it , burrito tasted like burritos from Taco Bell bean burrito tacos were alright just asada tho wouldn't recommend it read more

I Had a huarache with nopales and cheese. Superb! Delicious! And beautiful to behold too. I should have taken a photo.

I didn't have high hopes as this place is in a food court in the mall but OMG! I think this is the best Mexican food I've ever had. Homemade tortilla to perfectly seasoned chicken to yummiest tostada. A must try read more

Food is amazing! It's authentic and I like how friendly the workers are. Especially the owners are soo nice