Authentic Flavor, Amazing Service & Our Favorite Mexican Restaurant! As someone of Mexican descent, I'll be honest--going out to eat at a Mexican restaurant isn't usually my first choice. I grew up eating authentic Mexican food made by an amazing Mexican cook of a mother, so I can be pretty particular about what I consider really good Mexican food. That's why it means so much that El Jardin in Oakdale has become one of my favorite places to eat! I've been to other El Jardin locations, including Manteca & Santa Cruz, & while their food is good, the Oakdale location is on another level when it comes to flavor. There's something about the seasoning, freshness, & overall taste that keeps us coming back. & it's not just the food! The atmosphere is welcoming, the service is always friendly & attentive, & one of my favorite things is that they actually remember my husband & me when we come in. That personal touch makes every visit feel special. My absolute favorite order is the La Compuesta Taco Salad with steak fajitas, & I always ask for Romaine lettuce instead of the shredded lettuce. Trust me--it's a chef's kiss! & TODAY... I asked one of the girls to surprise me with a blended margarita, & she absolutely knocked it out of the park! Just look at this beautiful drink! It tasted every bit as amazing as it looks--refreshing, flavorful, & with the perfect little kick. I think I just found my new favorite drink: the blended watermelon, strawberry, cucumber & jalapeño margarita! Now we just have to come up with a name for it. Do I dare suggest "The Karina Marg"? No? Okay, okay--we'll keep working on the name. If you're in Oakdale & looking for delicious Mexican food, great service, & a place that makes you feel like a regular even when you're just stopping in for a meal, I highly recommend El Jardin Oakdale! Great food. Amazing drinks. Wonderful service. & flavors that remind me of home. El Jardin Oakdale, you've definitely earned a loyal customer in me! read more

El Jardin Restaurant - My favorite dish: La Compuesta Taco Salad with steak fajitas & romaine lettuce instead of shredded lettuce. Yum! - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

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Amazing!!! We ordered a birthday dinner for 14 people and there was enough to feed 20! So delicious!! Mike and Maria were so helpful deciding what to order. We also eat there often and love the ambiance! Thank you so much!! read more

Huge portions and delicious. Pricing is a little high. Service was fantastic. The fried ice cream is premade and tasted stale unfortunately. Plus it was so frozen that we couldn't eat it due to being rock hard. Drinks were strong. read more

FYI, if you are looking for a good Mexican Restaurant stay clear of El Jardin in Oakdale. My wife and I along with our 9 year old grandson stopped by on Friday June 5th. My grandson ordered the Cheeseburger with frie's, my wife did the two item combo and I ordered the Supreme Burrito. When our order arrived I was busy answering a text, my wife took a bite off her plate and informed me I should start eating because her food was not hot. I took a bite of mine and my food was not even warm. I took some from the center of the plate and it was actually cold. I tried to eat some but decided, Why? When the waitress came by and asked how things were, we informed her that the food was cold. She informed us she would let someone in the back know. She never returned to let us know what was going on. When she did return, I asked for some to go boxes. I'll be damned if I was just going to walk away when my bill came to $67. She never asked if we wanted our food heated up, no we are sorry, or any other words. Like a fool I am I paid the bill and left her a $10 tip. Driving home I could have kicked myself in the butt for paying anything. If I were to give this El Jardin a rating, 1 to 10 with 10 being the best, they would get a 1! Stay away from this place. My grandson s hamburger was raw in the middle. We ended up tossing it the next day. read more

Great atmosphere and amazing food!! Everything was delicious and the staff were wonderful!! Big thanks to Maria for the hospitality. Will definitely be back!! read more

I stopped by to pick up dinner tonight. My grandma wanted pozole and I wanted chicken soup. I also ordered a chicken taquito. Chicken soup came with flour or corn tortillas. We were also given chips and salsa. Such a cute restaurant. The guy who owns it is very polite and keeps his business clean. My grandmother didn't like her pozole. For her the chunks of pork was too big and she found some fatty pieces. So I ended up making her something else. I tried a bite of the pozole and I thought flavor was good and the pork was very tender. But I did see a few fatty pieces. My chicken soup was horrible. I wish I ordered the chicken tortilla soup that I had last time because that was so good. The regular caldo de pollo had a few pieces of lime inside and right away I bit a big piece of lime. Soup was flavorless. Tasted like lime water with chicken in it . I did not eat it. Chicken taquito was good. I'm glad I ordered it so I didn't go hungry. Next time I'll order something else for sure . read more

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Had the bacon wrapped shrimp and they were delicious we were a party of 9 and waited close to 2.5hrs for a table. My fiancé ordered camarones a la diabla his favorite dish from here. read more

Food is delicious, service perfect and Ambiance nice. Dj17:40 RHYTHM NATION ENTERTAINMENT. read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

please don't get rid of crab enchiladas because I do really like and it tastes amazing and those three people have different taste buds but i recommend this place because they have good food read more

This place has bad vibes. I wanted everyone to know so I gave it five stars and had to use 85 words because Yelp said so. This place feels unwelcoming and uncomfortable, with an unsettling atmosphere that makes it hard to relax or feel at ease. Something about the energy here seems off, creating a sense of negativity or unease that's difficult to ignore. It's as though the environment carries a heaviness, leaving a lingering impression of tension or bad energy. Whether it's the people, the surroundings, or something intangible, this place doesn't exude warmth or positivity, making it an unpleasant space to be in. If you're a local, then you totally understand what I mean. read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

I live in and frequent the Manteca El Jardin. Often. Hahah Today I came to have lunch at the Oakdale location. The staff was very friendly. The food arrived hot and fresh. I'll be back! read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Crispy chicken taco, chili rellano with beans and rice. Yum! - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

Asada had so much pepper on it, food and service were not good at all. Bathroom had no soap and no changing table. Not sure if the restaurant has no AC the door was open and it was very hot inside. read more

Been coming here for 30 years and two wives later still here and still love it , congrats El Jardin u have a life long customer for life !!! read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Steak and shrimp - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

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Very fresh clean food. Tastey. The price is very fair for what you get and definitely will be back! read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Chicken enchiladas w/whole beans and salad - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

Everything about this restaurant is great! I went there for my birthday. The restaurant is beautiful, very much like being in Mexico! Seriously. Plants line the sidewalk as you approach the place. Tropical palms,gardenia bushes, and other flowering fauna. It's a flower garden theme Inside a beautiful, Spanish style floor, flower tiles and a rustic feel. The staff are exceptional! Even the bus boy provided excellent service. Filling your water when needed, chips and salsa always filled up. They have flour chips and the best salsa. The servers are sweet and polite. Super efficient and friendly. It's the best Mexican food I've ever had. I've worked in many Mexican restaurants in my life. I've managed the Sports bar at the Marriott of Monterey California. The owners know how to hire at El Jardine that's for sure! We had the Chili Colorado, Chili Rellonos and Enchiladas, Tacos and some fabulous beans and rice. The absolute best. After over 30 years living in the Bay area I feel safe in saying El Jardine is Oakdale's hidden gem. There has been no other mexican restaurant in this town that can compare. El Jardine is also the best priced restaurant in Oakdale! Believe me. The average price for dinner here is about $15.00! I am not kidding. Dinner for 2, without alcohol drinks was 38.00! Plus a big,well deserved tip. A must try, when craving Mexican food 15.00. read more

The food is fast and tasty, fair price for good amount of food. The food was fresh, tasty .service was fast and tasty. The cafe was okay and needs a little work! Very nice inside?!!!!! read more

It's now the best Mexican restaurant in Oakdale now we have lost my 2 favorite places in town. Always fresh great service and Cadillac Margaritas are the Bomb!!! read more

Amazing service server found me after leaving the establishment Forgot his name meant the world to me read more

The customer service is nice, the restaurant inside is lovely designed and good vibes. One thing is that the meat is sort of too cut up, like stringy texture and the prices are a bit up but I understand anyways good. read more

I'm a local who has not dined in yet, typically DoorDash. My go to is the green pork burrito, with their refrieds in it. Just the beans alone are great with any meal. Probably the best refried beans I've ever had. The sides of guac are great too. read more

Came here during the Chocolate Festival for some much needed drinks. First time here and loved the environment. We ended up having lunch here and enjoyed a Chile relleno and tacos supreme. Service was exceptional and drinks as well as food was authentic Mexican food. We will be back! read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Strawberry margarita with Tajin...delicious - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

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We took some good friends of ours out to dinner at El Jardín. The food was absolutely delicious! Maria, our server tended to us promptly and efficiently. We loved the decor, the food, the service. We highly recommend El Jardín for great food and great service. Loved the tostada supreme with chicken! The refried beans were outstanding! We will be back again! read more

We took a day trip and stopped in for lunch. It was very cute. I enjoyed my burrito and my husband had tostadas. The rice was so good.

I met a friend here to catch up. Great cozy Mexican restaurant. Alittle out of the way. Our waiter was there pretty quickly. Friendly and made a wonderful patron silver Margarita! With the traditional chips and salsa appetizer. We ordered green chile carne asada plate that was delicious. Service was wonderful. Our server was always there checking on us. read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Cozy welcoming latin decor! - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

When you hear this name, it's been known for great Mexican food. I order a chicken and steak burrito and wow they charged me but put two shrimp in the burrito. read more

Not very good, I was looking forward to eating a good Mexican meal, unfortunately this is not the place to get it. Not only was the food bad, but it was very expensive. And we had slow service when there was only another couple there. Now I know why. read more

Wasn't impressed with the food Super salty carnitas was full of fatty pcs will not come back read more

I've been to several locations and the food and service is always consistent. Staff is friendly and food is good . .

Awful. The owner was horrible, I heard him yelling to his employees. One thing I do not support is mistreatment of others. People, let's not support horrible behavior! No amount of money is worth the abuse and mistreatment. I hope they realize their worth and find a better job. The food was also bland and tasted like any other Mexican cuisine. I recommend the taco trucks. read more

We have been going to El Jardin regularly for the past 10 years, and love it. The food, cocktails, and service are consistently excellent.

We are seniors and really like the small footprint. The owner has been there every time we have gone. His margaritas are made fresh and yummy! the food is prepared beautifully and is fresh . Its a family business and he works really hard to give a good experience. read more

This place has good food but a little grossed out by how much dust and cobwebs on the walls read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Inside of restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

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This S#!t is the bomb, I recommend the fajitas and the chicken mole plate. Top it all off with a refreshing Michelada read more

El Jardin Restaurant - Chicken Mole Plate - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

Came here to try the chicken fajitas. My first take was definitely taste different than regular fajitas, ultimately as I started eating them my mouth melted from the beautiful delicious flavor of the fajita that made my intestines happy. The service was very courteous and professional. They did a great job for me and my family of three adults and five children. They have food for the entire family. Very authentic. As a Mexican-American that grew up with a first generation Mexican mother that made homemade real Mexican food cooking I must say that this place is truly Mexican food. read more

El Jardin Restaurant - That's my plate. At the end of my experience. - Mexican Near Me - Oakdale, California

If you say that you open at 11 AM then open at 11 AM... Even the "Open" signs were out on the sidewalk but guess what? We wondered to both doors and they were both closed. People inside didn't even bother to let us know it was closed. Someone else left a bad review on Yelp for them closing earlier than the stated hours. And I agree, it is just good business practice to be open when you say you will. At 11:45 am you should be open if you say you open at 11 AM. We did find this other amazing Mexican restaurant a few blocks away, Suzey Belen's... and it was amazing! Go there instead! read more

I was having a really rough day and decided to stop here for lunch. Outstanding service and food. Thank you El Jardin for making my day better. read more

I am totally impressed with how authentic the menu is. Most importantly to me is the serving sizes! They feed you well here and its affordable! If you are wanting a relaxing atmosphere and good mexican food...you will enjoy this one! Their tacos are so much bigger than others in town! read more

This is a little spot in Oakdale. I've wanted to try this for awhile. This appears to be a locally owned place even though there are different ones around the area. I went with a chicken chimichanga. The size was very big so I got my money's worth there. I wish there was a choice of green or red sauce. I think I'm more of a red sauce dude. Overall it was good. They were very nice. I forgot my doggie bag and they ran it out to us. read more

I have given this restaurant business in the past but I will never waste my time again. I phoned in a pick up order at 12:35pm and was told it would be ready in 15-20 min. I showed up after 20 minutes and was told they didn't even start it and would need the time again. I kindly let them know that I was on my lunch break and don't have time to wait again. They said that they need the time, so I told the girl to just cancel my order. She seemed happy and told me "bye" like they were relieved. The food is mediocre at best. I highly suggest going to Suzy Belen's or Cafe Bravo over this place, as they actually value their customers and their food is actually fresh. read more

Service was just right...food take too long to be served and was extremely salty...return burrito and tamale cannot be eat due the amount of salt. Like to support local businesses but this is out of our list. read more