Authentic Mexican Food Find in Riverside! We were looking for some authentic Mexican food and came across El Habanero in Riverside--and it definitely did not disappoint! This was our first time here, and we left very satisfied. My husband ordered the carne asada wet burrito, topped with both red and green sauce. He was very happy with his burrito and said it was exactly what he was craving! I ordered the all-meat al pastor burrito. It was really good! I forgot to add my usual onions, cilantro, and salsa inside, but the meat was flavorful enough that I still enjoyed it. I personally prefer my burritos without beans and rice, so having an all-meat burrito was perfect for me. The staff was friendly and welcoming, which made our first visit even better. The restaurant is on the smaller side, with limited seating, but that didn't take away from our experience. First visit = satisfied customers! Definitely a place we'd come back to when we're craving authentic Mexican food. read more

El Habanero - Wet Carne Asada Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

I visited this restaurant with friends after work and was very disappointed with the service. One member of our group needed to use the restroom, but we were told there wasn't one available for customers. Instead of offering any assistance, an employee suggested going to a business across the street, which was extremely inconvenient. For a restaurant to not provide reasonable restroom access or a better solution for paying customers is frustrating and reflects poorly on the overall experience. Combined with the lack of customer service we received, this visit left a very negative impression. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this restaurant based on my experience. read more

The wet, carne asada, green sauce burrito was tasty. I am very pleased with my wet burrito. It was very balanced. There was enough meat, nor the rice and beans overpowered the dish. The green sauce was good. The service was great. Very friendly staff. read more

El Habanero - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Yummy food!!!! Excellent quality of food! We had a little bit of difficulty finding the shop, as the Yelp map does not take you directly to the spot. Also note there is not a ton of seating. Besides that, the food was great! We started off with chips and salsa, we were a little skeptical because the salsa didn't look typical but it was SO GOOD! As well, we must have stopped by when there was a rush of online orders, as it took 40 minutes to receive our meal. We also got chilaquiles & burritos. All were excellent where they have the option to make burritos into breakfast burritos. Definitely a variety of food, especially for picky eaters! read more

El Habanero - Carne Asada Burrito added sour cream - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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This place is hidden in gym. We were just driving around when we found it. We had a Chilaquiles delicious you always know a good Mexican place by their beans if they don't have good beans, the rest of the food is probably horrible. This place had a great Customer Service, but they do need to invest in the air conditioner. It was a little bit hot in this restaurant. read more

Weird They don't have a bathroom.... Didn't stick around to buy food. Sorry guys it's weird. read more

I ordered a carne asada burrito and it was just ok. The meat lacked flavor and overall the burrito was sort of dry. The staff were friendly and the place was clean. read more

10/10 Food was amazing! The Pico was so fresh we ended up ordering one to take home. They also offered bottles of salsa with your meal and they were great! The chips were freshly fried and food was hot! Service, the young woman who helped us at the register was so kind and explained everything super well! She had great energy throughout our meal which was really nice on a tough day. Ambiance was fine, on par for a local taco shop. Only issue is that there was no bathroom we had to go to stater bros afterwards. But they had hand sanitizer which was good. Overall great quality food and service! read more

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Was around the area so decided to try it out. There's plenty of parking, good service and short wait time . Al pastor taco : spicy and delicious Carne asada wet burrito : it was well seasoned however, it was a great disappointment. The burrito was stuffed with mainly rice and u could barely see or taste the meat. Only plus thing about ordering a burrito is that it includes a drink. read more

El Habanero - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Great food! The burritos are amazing and the carne asada fries are fire. All the food is great read more

El Habanero - a hand holding a burrito - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

This is a 5 star must try!!! We have had the wet burrito, I personally love the green sauce and I also had it with both red and green, yum. The Cali burrito is excellent, asada fries, delicious. Tacos, yum, and my husband had the bacon and sausage breakfast burrito which he also liked. The service is fast and friendly. A little on the small side, inside for dining but well worth it read more

BOMB ASF!!!! Whole in the wall I've passed by so many times and I won't just pass by it again !

No Mames!!! La Pinche Tostada es La mejor del ToPu Mundo Mundial!!! Soy de la Ciudad de Mexico y he comido todo tipo de garnachas, tacos y grillos. Pero la tostada es Altamente recomendation!!! Los Tacos de Adobada y Cabeza no tienen Madre!!! Sin Olvidar sus Salsas pero en especial la de Habanero. Wow no Mametion!!! The Tostada it's the best in whole world. I'm from Mexico City and I've tasted all kinds of Tacos, Street Food and Crickets. But the Tostada it's highly recommended. The Adobada and Cabeza tacos are to die for!!! All their Salsas are good but specially their Habanero Salsa (it's Spicy as F!!!) read more

El Habanero - Taco de Adobada y Cabeza!!! - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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We've been wanting try this place for a while based on Yelp reviews and they did not disappoint. My husband got a breakfast burrito (which I forgot to take a picture of) and I got the #6 I believe. I chose Carne Asada for my meat and it was so good! Also, the girl that takes the orders was incredibly sweet and patient. We'll be back because of the excellent food and the great customer service. read more

El Habanero - I believe this was the #6 - 4 carne asada tacos and I asked for onions on the side. Delicious!! We'll definitely be back and soon. - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Oh ho ho!! Where to start?! Wifey and I were in the area, and we needed to pick up some glasses for my daughter across the way at Apple Of My Eye Optometry. Now, me saying that I was madder than a bagged up badger, is an understatement. I was HANGRY and we had better get some food, 30 minutes ago! As we were pulling out of the parking lot, I noticed this place out of the corner of my eye....El Habanero? Never heard of it before, looks kind dark, are they closed? Nope, they were open, I was starving, lets give it a go.. HOLY CRAP!! This place is small. My big a$$ isn't going to fit in those small booths...Oh look, some bar stools and a table in the corner, I'll take it!! Why yes young lady, I'll take the wet burrito in green sauce, with the shredded chicken and wifey wanted 2 sopes...I'lll take a fountain coke and a mexican coke, and wifey wanted a topo chico....Now, we wait....anger broiling...food is almost here, wait it out, you got this......DING!! Not even 10 minutes after ordering, we had our food. The presentation was beautiful, I almost didn't want to cut into it...But remember, I was starving, and no food is safe, when I'm Hangry!! Hence the picture with a quarter eaten burrito in it...One small thing to add. The chicken would have tasted even better if you added some chipotle to it. Estilo Tinga! Oh my god! The Flavors, it was an explosion of different flavors, all adding up to one delicious bite!! Wow!! I want more!! But alas, I'm full and there's no room for more...Till next time Habanero. I will see you again! Definitely worth the drive, and definitely worth going out of my way to come here again!! Oh yeah, and the young lady taking our order, was super nice!! If I could give this place 10 stars....It deserves them, and more! I'll be back!! read more

El Habanero - It was so good I couldn't wait!! - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Breakfast burritos are so delicious and big and their horchata is to die for. Ambience was ok it's very small but I didn't eat inside just ran in for a pick up. Service was good, and food was ready when they said it would be. Definitely recommend and will go back anytime I am back in town. read more

I'm going to be honest and say this was my first time here HOWEVER I have zero complaints. Staff were friendly (Viviana if I remember her name correctly, was great), place looks nice and food was GREAT! I ordered the Chorizo Breakfast Burrito (added sausage) and it was so good! Real authentic Mexican food. Prices are also great, especially for what you get. Taste, serving size, food cooked fresh, the service and vibes were great. I would highly recommend this place. I'm definitely going to recommend it to my family and friends at Harvest Church right across the street. This place 10/10. read more

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Used to be one of my favorite spots in town. Unfortunately, you can tell that the carne asada they are using has gone down in quality significantly. The past few times I have gone, the asada doesn't taste as good and in those cases I've had multiple bites that I've had to spit out because it's just a bunch of fat. Used to be so good but it seems like the quality has gone down and I won't be going back until if/when they fix it. read more

Breakfast burrito was very good. The spicy hot sauce was delicious. The green Serrano chili sauce was scared, but my favorite was the habanero sauce. The third spice was the best. I'll be back for more. read more

Was craving Mexican and this place popped up. I highly recommend! The food was incredible I ordered the shredded beef taco place and the beef was so tender and the tacos were bigger than I expected. My partner ordered a breakfast burrito with some substitutions and the staff was more than happy to help. The service was great and the restaurant was very nice. read more

The restaurant is VERY clean, fresh ac. The girl in front (black long hair in a bubble braid) was so kind, and quick. Food was HOT and fresh, delicious. 10/10 recommend as a Mexican who is picky with Mexican restaurants read more

El Habanero - Chorizo breakfast burrito Al pastor burrito 2 asada tacos - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

My very first review of this restaurant was very good because I was in love with the green sauce the green sauce that was fresh spicy and delicious keyword fresh so I rushed to get back for that fabulous flavor, and I explained to the young lady that I had given a wonderful review, but that the burrito that I had on this day the sauce was a sauce that came out of a jar or a can, and she looked at me, bewildered and puzzled as to how I could possibly say at oh I don't know I don't know what food taste like. It's really too bad. read more

The service was fast, staff was friendly and the restaurant was busy but clean. The food was amazing. We got California wet burrito with mix red/ green sauce.. will definitely come back to try more read more

I would give it 5 but unfortunately, they have no restroom so that's kind of a put off. Now, the reason I would have uta 5, the food is absolutely amazing. The seasoning on the rice and beans...just right. The Salsas!!! daaAAAAaaayuuummm!! The habanero and the Serrano both great!!! I have a shredded beef burrito... OMG!!! All meat bro! I mean they put some rice and beans but mostly meat!!! My wife's taquitoa were good but got soggy to fast. I think it was her fault because she was enjoying her rice and beans too much, my daughter got a quesadilla with carne asada and fries... Yes I'm a fatty and I have to taste it all and it was all absolutely good The place itself was okay I had a lot of traffic coming in and out people didn't stick around they took their food to go but not a place to really go and dine in for a long time read more

One of the best wet California burritos I've had in my life! Location is small with only a few tables for dine-in so be prepared but definitely worth a visit. read more

El Habanero - Wet California Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Nice people good food. El Habanero was suggested by a TikTok influencer and I thought I live pretty close I'll check it out. Loved it and now I take all my out of town friends there. read more

This restaurant came recommended by our TV mounter. I would say the food is decent for the price ($11.75 for an asada burrito)! My concern was that I noticed the cooks making the food were not wearing any gloves. The Restaurant itself is small, but the service is friendly (specifically the young woman cashier). We ordered 1 asada burrito, and some carne asada tacos with "guacamole". Based on the photos uploaded with everyone else's reviews, we figured the burritos were pretty huge and enough to share, WRONG idea. Idk why but our burrito was significantly smaller than every other one posted here lol. They also wouldn't put the beans in a side container because it "was a small amount" so I had to pay $4 for a side of beans since my partner doesn't eat them. Not sure why they couldn't just plop the spoon full into a cup but whatever. The carne asada meat itself was delicious and flavorful, rice was a little on the mushy side but I overall enjoyed my burrito -- Fiancè on the other-hand,did not & prefers Los Armando's for their fresh tortillas and portion size. What really gagged me was the "guacamole" I mentioned earlier. They should probably share that for $2, you don't get actual guacamole -- you get a guacamole salsa similar to that from el pollo loco avocado salsa. I kinda felt like I was gypped paying for guacamole that wasn't guacamole but it's okay. Feel free to reference the photos uploaded. read more

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I came here on my dinner break from work and I was not disappointed! The carne asada fries are AMAZING and their carnitas tacos were so delicious!! I also tried all 3 of their salsas and they were all flavorful. The workers are super kind and I will definitely be back here! read more

El Habanero - Carne asada fries - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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Yes and delicious to the food, friend service. Warm, bright and clean. The soups are comforting and are a most try. read more

The service was wonderful and the vibe that made me know that I was coming back. The Food oh my goodness, delicious. Great Food, Thanks for the hospitality and love that was shown. Great Experience read more

Stopped in here to grab a torta and overall had a good experience. It's a small little dive of a Mexican restaurant and their tortas were about $12...I'm a sucker for a good sandwich and torta's are my jam and El Habanero definitely delivered! The temperature/ambiance inside wasn't the best -- it was a little stuffy, but outside air temperature in Riverside was pushing past 100F that day, so I'm sure it wasn't easy to cool it down. I got the asada torta and it was 5-stars all around. I took a star away mainly for ambiance/price ratio, and they they didn't have lengua as a meat option for their torta. Overall though, if you're looking for some tasty food - El Habanero will have you covered. I'd come back here! read more

Went on cinco de mayo. Got too many tacos and finished them all. Sauces were all excellent. Food came out pretty fast as well.

Very authentic Mexican food! And the people are really nice. They play Mexican music and I love eating there.

I happen to be in the area and I searched online for a good quick place to eat and I saw El Habanero. I'm really glad I stopped by. It's a nice little cozy place and I like how the menu is up front and organized. The girl that took my order was very friendly and even brought me my burrito when it was ready. I ordered a Chicken Burrito and I loved it. It makes me want to try their other Burritos like a basic Bean and Cheese and I believe they also have one with fries I'd like to try. Definitely worth coming back. read more

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This place is a Riverside Gem! Food was absolutely delicious! Salsa's have great spice !

Love El Habanero! I work in the area and we eat here at least once a week--and not once have we had a moment of regret. The food is always fresh, flavorful, and consistent, and the staff treats you like family. It's one of those rare spots you can count on every single time. If you're nearby and haven't tried it yet, do yourself a favor and go. read more

The best tacos I have ever had in my entire life. Service is also great. Disclaimer: haven't tried anything other than their tacos but if you're looking for tacos, look no further. read more

Good food, great service, and friendly staff. Nice atmosphere and quick service. Will come back again!

First time trying here and will returning. The staff and food are the main combo bringing me back to eat at this restaurant. I ordered chilaquiles and they were so good! I ordered via phone and the staff was patient and professional when taking my order. Their burritos are super good as well! read more

The food authentic and delicious. The atmosphere both in the inside and outside was relaxing, and service was great. Ernesto the owner was there when we ate there on Thursday 12/4. Ernesto share some of the history of the restaurant since he's been the owner, and that made us feel like he made us part of the family. Additionally, we found out that he offers at home taco service and a hall next to the restaurant for any type of occasion. We will for sure eat there again and will use the taco service. read more