Our go-to local Mexican restaurant! I really enjoy the a la carte fish tacos and shrimp tacos.

Best Mexican food in the Bay Area quality,portions etc are top tier the service is amazing as always.Highly recommended anyone to try it you'll see yourself here daily El Jarro is simply amazing. read more

This charming restaurant offers exceptional food and service at a very reasonable price. They readily accommodated dietary restrictions and the Chili Relleno was one of the best I have ever had. Highly recommended. read more

Last night my wife and I stopped here to avoid the traffic on 24 and get something to eat. We were both very pleasantly surprised at how good the food is. I had been here once or twice before Covid, and I remember that the food and service was good, but not this good! The chips and salsa were the best we've had in a Mexican restaurant in the bay area in years. I ordered the chicken fajitas with flour tortillas. Normally I would have asked for all rice and no beans, but forgot. The rice and beans were excellent. Best I've had in a long time. My wife ordered the chicken caesar salad and a soft taco. The salad was huge and delicious. She brought the taco home because of how big the salad was. I had a Negra Modello and she had a glass of wine. We thought the cost of the meal was very reasonable, considering how much everything has gone up with inflation. We'll definitely return to El Jarro. read more

Chicken fajitas were dry! Chille relliano was very small Portions of beans and rice were very small. Additional guacamole was also in a very small container. Price for take-out was over $45.00 Will not go again - not worth it!!Chile Relleno PlateChile Relleno PlateChile Relleno PlatelHousemate Chile Rellenos read more

The warm two-tone walls, clay art and a nice mural on one wall make this a very pleasant place to dine. The service was fine. On to the food: The chips were fantastic. They are prepared when you order them. They come to the table right out of the fryer and somehow are not greasy. The salsa is good, although it wasn't very spicy, I ate all of it. The chili relleno was middle-of-the- road, not really better than any others I've had and not worse than others I've had. I do think I would stop here again just for the warm toasty chips. They do charge for them and I don't find that a problem. I can't remember having any that were good as these were. read more

El Jarro - Chill Relleno - Mexican Near Me - Lafayette, California

El Jarro is a great little Mexican restaurant in the center of Lafayette. They have convenient parking in the back and a wide selection of the typical Mexican cuisine. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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I haven't been here in a long time especially to dine in, but have been here many times over the years-never disappoints! So good & fresh. I went today for lunch & had the veggie enchiladas & my friend had fish tacos-both delicious! Excellent service and so cute inside. Highly recommend. read more

There was only one table of customers eating. Ordered a simple bean cheese and rice burrito and some chips to go which requires no cooking at all. It took them almost THIRTY MINUTES To give me this order with no apologies whatsoever. And it was overpriced at that. Very disappointing. Not the place to go if you have anywhere to be whatsoever or if you want a good deal on Hispanic food which is plentiful in the bay. read more

I enjoy coming here! Their burritos are great as well as the taco salad. If I were to order the taco salad again, I would ask for rice and beans to be included. Other than that, El Jarro is a wonderful place to get a quick bite to eat! read more

Terrible food prep. High cooooost 18.00 for small plate food are you people high/ Never again ! read more

We tried out this neighborhood gem the other night and were not disappointed. I especially loved my enchiladas placeras. My husband enjoyed his torta. We look forward to another visit. read more

This is a small Mexican restaurant with seating in the front and back with outdoor seating also. Chips are not free but you do get free refills, great with guacamole. The carnitas are one of my favorites with the tortillas, beans rice and salsa. The Veracruz comes with Talapia and the shrimp tacos are amazing. I usually get their margaritas or a bottle of Modelo Negro. We finished the meal with a Mexican coffee. read more

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This is possibly the most delicious Mexican restaurant i had in a while. I had a steak chilaquiles, and the steak is the best thing on the plate. The service was excellent. The food was hot and quick the guy who helped us was so nice and taking in our order. I would definitely recommend anyone coming here. read more

We love this little place. Try the vegetable enchiladas. They have an amazing sauce, finely chopped veggies with god black beans. I miss refried pinto beans! The tasty ones that are smooth and made with good old lard. Please oh please offer those. The ppl thh hi ere are really nice. Lots of parking in the back. read more

Wow, really tasty Mexican. I'd never been to Lafayette before and was pleasantly surprised to find such diversity of food of good quality. The restaurant was empty at 12:30pm on a Saturday, but was completely filled by the time we were done an hour later - by then people had to wait to get a table. * Chips, salsa, & gauc - 4.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-jarro-lafayette?select=F1qgJiF9x7sy0Qt7jFI_ZA#F1qgJiF9x7sy0Qt7jFI_ZA The chips were made so fresh that they were still warm. Either that or they were recently heated up again. EIther way, I liked how it was served, and they had the perfect texture, nice and thick! The guac was AMAZING too, also perfect texture, though it could have used just a tiny bit more lime & onion to give it a tang and a kick. The salsa was good too, but could definitely have been more spicy! * Carnitas taco - 4 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-jarro-lafayette?select=F1qgJiF9x7sy0Qt7jFI_ZA#DAtqqsDNS5xTt7n5qQu5-Q The tortilla was great, the guac on top of course amazing, the carnitas crisped really well - not as much the tender and moist style of of carnitas - but it was almost too dry. Once I drizzled the accompanying salsa on the meat though, it was just about perfect. * Mexicana Torta - 3.5 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-jarro-lafayette?select=F1qgJiF9x7sy0Qt7jFI_ZA#iSjX9oS-Rt8KJbHK6mSahg (with beef, chorizo, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado) Nice. The bread was toasted to a good crisp, and the avocado as always a nice topping. The beef came in long strips and was a little hard to eat - you take a bite and have to chew through the beef quite a bit. * Enchilada - 3 stars pic: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/el-jarro-lafayette?select=F1qgJiF9x7sy0Qt7jFI_ZA#VyPLjm6ah9zCxEw_Kfdvpg (not sure what it was called - it had salsa verde with chicken) I think I'm just not the biggest enchilada fan - I found the green sauce to be a little to tart and much. But my friend really liked this. read more

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I have never actually sat down to eat here but imagine it would be a great experience. I do however order lunch for pick up from here OFTEN. Absolutely delicious with GREAT service no matter who greets you. read more

Way too expensive. $65 for a tiny side of beans and rice is highway robbery. Will make the drive to Oakland next time.

Delicious, well-prepared lunch items. My favorite right now is the chicken enchilada plate with green sauce and pinto beans. Take-out, or you can sit at sidewalk tables. One of my go-to lunch places in Lafayette during COVID-19. read more

Burrito was pretty good. My complaint is about how they wrap burrito. It's common to wrap in aluminum foil, but don't cut it after. I got three pieces of foil, one I saw that was larger and two very small pieces I did not see. if you haven't had the experience of biting down on foil it isn't fun. I expressed this to manager and he did the usual I apologize and took off cost of my ice tea but didn't think method should be changed. He said next time to let them know not to cut. My though is as a policy just don't cut it!! Anyway if anyone else has experienced this it's worth letting them know to maybe leave them whole as unwrapping doesn't cause little cut pieces to end up in food. read more

We hosted a birthday party at El Jarro last night for sixteen people and it was perfect! Laticia and her team helped us set everything up- they couldn't have been more helpful. The food was delicious- and the service was impeccable. It remains one of our favorite restaurants- great food, love the ambience in the back room and the staff is so friendly. Thank you for helping make our boys 18th birthday a success. Carnita lovers forever read more

Have been meaning to leave a review for a while (but always get distracted by my torta). This place is awesome and all the tortas are amazing. Special #2 is my favorite. Great to dine in or take out. Staff is always very friendly and food is always consistent. Great micheladas as well. read more

Still my fav Mexican food in Lamorinda! Never disappoints. Food always fresh and delicious and staff super friendly and efficient. Recently been hooked on the verde enchilada plate and the mahi mahi salad.. to die for! Great portions and always on time. No complaints, ever. P.s. The guac will always be my absolute favorite! read more

My 2017 goal (or NYE resolution made later in the year) is to try nearly all the Lafayette restaurants. I live and work in this quaint and picturesque town and I should support my local businesses. I'm fortunate to be in such close proximity to the downtown area so there are lots of eateries to choose from. My co-workers praised the food at El Jarro so I thought I would give it a try. Food: Two beef and nopales (cactus) tacos. The beef was very flavorful with a nice spice kick. The nopales and other accouterments (onions, tomatos and cotija cheese) added nice flavor and texture cradled in flour tortillas. My tacos came solo, no beans or rice, but they were a good size and I was full. What I loved was that my meal was delivered HOT. It totally bugs me when I get my meal only to be disappointed that it's been sitting and waiting to be served. Good job El Jarro! Service: The moment you sit down the server will ask "Chips and guacamole?" Sneaky. When I said no, she said "Chips & Salsa?" and I happen to open the menu to see that it wasn't free and cost $3.50. Perhaps another time when I'm dining with others where we can share. Otherwise, the service was attentive. Ambiance: I sat in the front but it appeared that there was also a back area of the restaurant. The kitchen sits mostly in the middle with a walkway from the front and back dining areas. My meal with a can of coke was just over $10. I would definitely go again. read more

El Jarro - Beef and nopales (cactus) tacos. Very good. - Mexican Near Me - Lafayette, California

How have I never been here? I've lived in this area for 40 years and was just introduced to this little gem! The food was great! Service was fast and friendly. Chips and salsa are not included, but I believe it's worth the extra charge. I had a chicken burrito and thought the flavors were great! Kinda strange to serve eat in in foil, but that's not even a complaint. Just an observation lol. I highly recommend trying this place if you're craving Mexican food!!! read more

El Jarro - Chicken burrito minus rice and lettuce - Mexican Near Me - Lafayette, California

We hosted a bridal shower and the bride requested "taco bar". We went to our local Mexican restaurant and explained what we needed and the lady made it so easy to order. We got everything we needed to construct chicken, pork and beef tacos! AND it was delicious and reasonable. Everyone was so nice! Parking in the back and many tables will make this place a regular on my rotation. read more

Food was great, chips are quality. Ambiance is like a taqueria but with table service. Unexpected treasure in Lafayette.

The tortas are the tits. I've had all three of them. Warm crunchy beach with premium ingredients in between.

Okay. How do you start a review anyways? I'll begin with: Feeling hungry. Not into burritos, because flour and rise inflates my guts. Yes for fish. Chicken fajitas was the final. Such an amazing portion, 4-6 ounces of chicken breast. 3 table spoons of guacalamole and the same dose of pickup the guyo. I guess that if it gets complicated to make your own dishes at home, this is the place to start your diet right, with the right price and the right portion. Thank you for reading. You came down too far, now go have a nice life and let El Jarro live theirs. haha! read more

We love this place! The staff is the nicest anywhere, the food is delicious, and we can generally get a table outside. All that and excellent chips, salsa and guacamole! My favorite dish is the enfrijoladas oaxaqueñas. It's the most satisfying brunch dish I can imagine! Not a fancy place but with food this good (and treasonably priced) who cares!? The best Mexican food in the area IMHO. read more

Someone please come over and take pictures that will do the back dining area of this restaurant justice. If you're fortunate enough to grab a table in the area, my recommendation is to ignore the television for a few moments and appreciate the restaurant's aesthetic choices. It works well with what the place is trying to represent, I think. My family and I have been here a few times for lunch. The Quesadilla and Chicken Enchiladas Verdes are sure picks. Warm chips and fresh guacamole and salsa, if I remember correctly, are around $3.50. The waiters, waitresses, and people in the kitchen are friendly. Please feel free to email me with questions or concerns. Thank you for your time and consideration. read more

Love this place - soft tacos, carnitas nachos, tortilla chicken soup, and the guacamole are all delicious!

I feel bad for this, but here it goes. The salsa tastes like canned tomatoes and they chopped up some onions, cilantro and some other ingredients then threw them in there. It's completely tasteless and so was the guacamole. The chips tasted fresh and good. Our margarita tasted alright. All in all we got what we paid for, kinda. Total bummer, I had high hopes for this place. read more

Best Mexican in the area. Authentic and high quality. Doesn't look like much from the front but pretty big inside. Easy take out. Lots of parking in the back. read more

Never have I been treated so badly by any restaurant. I and others will never go to this place again. As I was walking into the front door there was a Lady eating out front. I entered as I had done many times before. I asked if I could order some food to go. The person that was in charge told me that they're closed and will not be able to make anything for me. I asked what time do you close? He told me that they closed earlier than what they post. I said that I was disappointed and I may not want to come back. As I was walking away on the sidewalk, he ran out of the restaurant trying to threaten me with his fist and Flipping me off, telling me F...Y...I could not believe that he was doing this. When I went back a few minutes later to ask for the manager with another friend, we were both confronted by the owner. At which point we asked why are we being treated this way and he said that I was calling them names. That was not true and I asked the lady if I had said anything bad to them. She turned to the owner and said that I had not say anything wrong to them. The owner told us that these are good boys and one is his son. Now we know how they are getting bad manners from. As I was in shock the son was flipping me off with his middle finger, more surprising was, that the father was OK with it, and told us to go somewhere else. It didn't stop there because as were walking away the owner called us Pansy's. What else is there to say then never again. read more

I had the steak burrito with no lettuce and cilantro in its place. I also had all the condiments on the side (Pico, guacamole, and sour cream). I ended up only eating the guacamole.....thats all it needed! read more

Went again last night, and admittedly, I was coming off a lunch at Buco De Beppo in the city and therefore wasn't hungry at all. But, being the social, easy-going party-goer, Mr. Etiquette that I am, I decided I should order something since every else was. I had one carnitas taco and one carne asada taco - both very good, fresh and tasty. I still couldn't find a broken chip in the 4 baskets of chips our table inhaled. I swear, they have mad skilz when it comes to quality control. Ya feel me? read more

El jarro got some good reviews and it's true,. they have the best mex food in lafayette! decor is clay art. music is mex. seating is spread over 2 small rooms. sampling: -coffee(2.50) cinnamon spicy -chicken mole(home made 12) (monday special) nice tangy mole sauce over 2 pieces of dry chicken molds, a little more tenderness would have been nice. *scoop of spanish rice, some tomatos and spice: nice *salad consisting of avocado bits, black beans, tomatos, mex cheese, corn, red onions, lettuce, and special sauce: extraordinary flavors! -flan(4.50) dense texture, creamy would have been better. disappointing. shaved fruit in whipped cream and sauce on side was interesting. frijoles refritos: -chips (2?) and salsa(2.50) are extras, side orders -service: frantic : one waiter + one assistant, ok, needed to ask for coffee refill. -daily specials, price not listed. -food isn't usually fab, thus 4 stars. -ingredients used definitely fresh -menu is a variant on the usual mex fare. -return is definitely a possibility. read more

I have to be honest-this was not my first choice for dinner in Lafayette on a Friday night. After looking at long waits elsewhere and completely over it for the week, I Yelped this spot and it seemed it would do. For starters, if they offer you a table in the back, wait for something else to open-or walk away. I had the single most unpleasant dining experience in their back room. It was freezing cold and the small cramped space with cement walls allowed for the most jarring noise and echoes of the surrounding conversations. It was so loud back there (with only 4 other tables) I literally had to shout at the top of my lungs to speak to my boyfriend. One other couple got seated back there and then left after a few minutes. It's not the fault of the restaurant but the patrons back there were obnoxious and the space just exacerbated their noise. Even once the offending table left, it was still jarringly loud and cold back there. Now, to the food. The veggie burrito was flavorful and tasty-the grilled bell peppers were fresh along with greens and great quality. They use white rice and whole black beans. For some, the portions, may be too small, but I thought it was a great size and just enough food. My boyfriend got the chicken flautas and really enjoyed his dish. He didn't want beans so they offered him salad instead. Chips and salsa are extra but well worth it, especially if you tack on the homemade and fresh guacamole. As a starter, it was absolutely worth it! Good food, friendly service, not so great atmosphere-you decide! read more

El Jarro - Fun murals in the small back room - Mexican Near Me - Lafayette, California

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EL Jarro is always delicious! This is our family's go-to Mexican restaurant in Lamorinda. We love it! It has never disappointed! And the people who own it and work there are warm and kind. They remember our regular order. read more