I went to El Mexicano recently for my birthday celebration and April. I ordered the mole chicken and my mother and father in law went for the first time. They really enjoyed it. My mom and I went to this restaurant on a warm humid day. We got a beer and Gorditas and a taco combo plate and we're really satisfied with hearing the birds on the patio. The service is very personable. The owners Patty and her husband have been owning the restaurant for over 30 years. I love the view. I always look forward to coming back to dine at this restaurant and figuring out what seat I'll take next. I always enjoy the complementary chips and salsa. And that mole recipe is something I still think about. Whether you're dying here on a humid day, taking a break from the forest trails, or your visiting on a winter snowy forest night come in for a bite and warm up by the fire and talk meet the local to the community and have a sense of community. The local musician saying a birthday song and the restaurant owner gave me a complementary birthday cake. They know how to make you feel at home at this restaurant and the decor is lovely I can't get enough of it. I hope to be involved more Forest Falls community. read more

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This place is amazing !!! Love the service and the variety of plates , so much to choose from !! They have outdoors seating, and the inside is cozy and inviting read more

El Mexicano I - Mexican Near Me - Forest Falls, California

A nice community landmark, owned by the same family since it opened! Great food and friendly service!

Food is to spicy hot and expensive. We had ordered takeout the last time we tried this like 4 different times. It's was cold and was missing some of the order. We're the type that if we don't like it we just don't go back but since it's the only restaurant in forest falls, we keep trying. read more

Scroll through the pictures. This place is awesome. Don't think it's changed since I lived up here in the early 90's. I'm back for a nostalgia tour today! I usually do not like driving very far JUST to go to a restaurant but if I was living down the mountain, driving up to Forest Falls to walk around the park a mile further up the road and then enjoying a meal here would be my ideal day adventure. This is a beautiful place. Be sure to check out the store next door. When I lived here we ran a TAB at that market...like you probably only see in the movies now. (:-) It was a hoot! We ate here regularly back then and the food still seems great. My Rellano today was a good long anaheim chili and because I asked for extra sauce and cheese it was quite enough with chips to fill me up. My friend had the shredded beef enchiladas dinner and commented that the shredded beef was excellent. I could see by the height of them that the enchiladas were truly STUFFED with as much beef as they could get in...these are NOT flat enchiladas. read more

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Best guac around!! Im a local but this place beats any place in los angeles! the taco salad is my go to, and the margaritas are by far the best anywhere in southern ca, nestled in the forest resort town its a nice place to drive up for the day. read more

The folks here are so kind & hook it up with tons of great chips and salsa!! Honestly I'd come back on repeat for the carnitas -- totally different style (not the usually shredded pork you get at most places) but truly AMAZING. Fall apart tender, seasoned so well and all the fixings are just perfect Also had the pozole which was great and other friend got and loved the burrito but carnitas is the #1 for me personally!!! Live music Saturday night read more

El Mexicano I - Carnitas plate- the best I've ever had!!! - Mexican Near Me - Forest Falls, California

El Mex is the stuff of legends. This is the only restaurant in Forest Falls. And it's fantastic. Its walls are adorned with local history and oddities. It's where Tarantino would film his next movie. The food always delivers. The salsa is ever changing in degrees of spice. There is cold Pacifico on tap. The mole is fantastic. If you are lucky enough to be here on a winter night, the wood burning stove is, quite simply, as good as it gets. El Mex is a gem. read more

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Food was BOMB, service OUTSTANDING. Coming from Chula Vista, I was hesitant to get Mexican food up here in some random forest town but it could not have been better. The chips and salsa were perfect. The rice, chile relleno, enchilada, everything was so good! And everyone working there were the nicest people. read more

El Mexicano I - Decor - Mexican Near Me - Forest Falls, California

We went out on a little date and had remembered their food when they were in Oak Glenn. We were able to sit down on the patio with our dog and they were very friendly. It was a really nice day for a quick getaway and the service was great. read more

I really wanted to love this little place. Unfortunately like the last review the service was near invisible. The old timer chip guy was quiet and friendly but not super communicable. The lady was not warm or welcoming or even at the very least talkative. Please watch your checks because they definitely didn't bill me correctly. I looked and I thought it wasn't right but because she either didn't speak good English or she lacked any communication skills I didn't bring it up. The drinks portion was correct. We ordered all Ala cart- bean & cheese burrito, 1 cheese enchilada and side of rice. That's what we also received. My line items don't even resemble the menu prices and the $1.50 extra charges are bogus too. If this place had great food I would be more understanding. The cheese in the burrito wasn't even remotely melted. So service blew, food blew and billing blew. Overall it cost me about $6.25 in bogus charges and a more than deserved $7 tip for the guarantee I never have to eat here again. read more

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Family style and comfort. GOOD FOOD!! Friendly and familiar . Easy to get to from town

Taquitos were so good that i ate them quick and forgot to take a photo. 100/100, one of the best taquitos I've had and im 100% Mexican read more

El Mexicano I - Taquitos Dish - Mexican Near Me - Forest Falls, California

I've been eating here since I was all of 10 years old (?) and I live about an hour away. It's worth the drive!! I came here a few weeks ago on my way up to Big Bear, and there was live music and the fireplace was going. So cozy!! Their salsa is amazing...the kind that is so spicy and burns just enough that you can't stop going back for more. read more

El Mexicano I - Mexican Near Me - Forest Falls, California

Truly one of a kind restaurant, the atmosphere is friendly and the food is incredible, service is also on spot, super nice and welcoming the staffs nice and warm welcoming truly made my day, one of the best restaurants ever, love the service and hospitality, amazing workers and food! read more

This is the only restaurant in Forest Falls and it's super legit. Unlike many restaurants in tourist towns that don't need to try because of tourist traffic and no competition, these guys actually do try and do it really well. The window signs say "world's best burrito and taco salad". I've tried their burritos twice and both times it was the right size to make me full without a food coma. I had a la carte burritos with beef, beans, cheese, and rice. Seems like locals love this restaurant, and I'll be stopping by once I'm in the town. read more

Located next door to the general store, I imagine they get a lot of hungry hikers. The owner and his wife are are nice as could be, the restaurant has a warm & cozy feel, and the food is good. Like...unexpectedly really good for a small town. My husband said the rice and beans were good, so I ordered the taco and enchilada combo even though I wasn't super hungry. The hard shell taco was nicely fried and filled with shredded beef. (Seasoned well and perfectly cooked, I regret not getting the machaca.) The rice & beans were delicious and I ended up taking half home. The combos are huge!! My son's burrito was so big it unfolded; definitely could have split it with him. My other son had the chicken quesadilla which was brimming with filling but not very crunchy. To each their own...I like mine with a crackle to the bite. My husband got the Chile Coronado which was described as "tender chunks of beef in mole sauce" but was not the chocolate-spicy version I was expecting. The color was the same but it wasn't as sweet as I'm more familiar with; still delicious! Highly recommend if you're in the area. Come hungry or split. Or maybe don't eat 2 baskets of their delicious crunchy chips. It's any body's guess. read more

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They didn't have menudo on a weekend . Their menu said served only on weekends . Prices are higher.

Forest Falls, what a weird town. It's picturesque but...maybe too picturesque? Something feels a little...off. A little Don't-Worry-Darling-ish. Anyway, after going up San Gorgonio, I was looking for a place to eat. I was shocked to find there was a place less than 2 mile from the trailhead, and a Mexican place no less! This place is adorable for the outside and cozy like a mountain lodge on the inside. The service was great! The food, I found underwhelming. There's nothing at all wrong with it, it just was generic Tex-Mex. I would expect that in Alaska, where I live. It's shocking to find for a place that's averaging 4.5 stars, in a Mexican Mecca like California! I got the taco salad, based largely on a loud sign outside that said it was the world's best. It was fine. Definitely stop in here, but do it for the location, ambiance, and service....not for the mind-blowing Mexican food. read more

I thought this was a delightful place to enjoy lunch while visiting the quaint mountain town of Forest Falls. The food is pretty much your standard Mexican fare, but it was tasty, the prices were reasonable and I found the service to be attentive. The place is also very charming inside with lots of nick nacks and the like to set the mood. Be forewarned, this is virtually the only restaurant in Forest Falls, so you are not going to have much else to choose from. If you do enjoy Mexican food, however, you will not go wrong here. read more

El Mexicano I - Mexican Near Me - Forest Falls, California

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Best service ... best taco salad in Cali. Small town gem. Best Taco Salad in SoCal for sure. Service always friendly read more

El Mexicano I - Chicken Taco Salad - Mexican Near Me - Forest Falls, California

Service was terrible. Didn't see a server for 25 minutes. Food took just under an hour. Guy that brought us chips and water served our food. Waitress never checked on us. Used to be great, but terrible experience. Food was mediocre at best. When we went to ask for check, saw servers playing a board game in the dining room! Maybe the reason they never checked on us? read more

Excellent service and great food. Family owned business that knows how to treat customers

Best food. Best atmosphere. Service is fast and wonderful. Their Friday specials are my favourite meals. Super clean and literally the best Mexican food. read more

I drove past this place on the way to my favorite hiking spot. On the window, it said "best burritos in the world". Naturally, I smiled as that's an incredibly cliche thing for a restaurant to say, but nonetheless, I was hungry after hiking and never refuse the chance to eat Mexican food. Well, let me tell you, their chili Verde burrito (or just chili Verde in general), is honestly the BEST I've ever had! Hands down! And their Salsa is flavorful with the perfect level of spice that keeps you going back for more! Ever since I've eaten here I've been chasing that flavor at other spots with NO success. That's why I will happily drive 60 miles, one way, without thinking twice about it. Whenever I feel like having an adventure and some Mexican food, this is the place to be! If you're in the area, it's a must-try! If you're NOT in the area, it's a must-try. Bottom line- you must try this place! read more

Great food made and served by great people. They are like family on the mountain to the residents and Mario is an absolute delight. I can't say in the years I've been coming here that I've ever not seen him in a jovial mood. With all my allergies (tomatoes and cilantro) I've never had any issue or concern eating here with my family or friends. Sunday breakfast is always a treat! read more

Nothing to special about the best burritos in town. Just beans & carne asada. No rice surprisingly! I've never had a burrito that was only seasoned with salt & pepper. I'm a construction worker so a man has got to eat & this is where my job led me too. Service was was great but don't come with high expectations. read more

El Mexicano I - Carne asada burrito - Mexican Near Me - Forest Falls, California

We wanted to try a new place and based on reviews we gave this spot a try. SO glad we did. Looks are deceiving based on its location but the food was amazing! Staff was attentive and friendly - and the strong margs never hurt. We'll be back read more

We have been to this restaurant 8 times in the last year, so consider this a long term review. The chips and salsa are solid, the salsa brings the heat so get ready for the sizzle. The rice and beans are wonderful and cos sorbet every time we visit the restaurant. I've had the shredded beef hard shell tacos and cheese enchiladas with red sauce and they are perfect every time. The family that runs the restaurant is kind and thoughtful and always go out of their way to make us feel welcomed. We make a 20 mile drive to dine here and it's become our favorite Mexican restaurant. In the winter, the fire place is going and they have a man playing classic rock music on Friday nights, it's nice, I'm getting hungry rotting this review! 5 stars from me. read more

The food is good service is A-1 and the atmosphere is eclectic with woodburning stoves, Mexican, art and warm, friendly service. read more

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We took a Sunday drive up to Forest Falls and had lunch here. The gentleman who greeted us was friendly and very welcoming. However, that was the end of good service. The woman server was so rude to us from the very beginning. Our food took quite awhile to be served, she never check to see if we wanted another drink or refill our water. Once the food arrived she never checked to see if we needed anything. We had to go find someone to get our check after waiting a long time for her to return. She was absolutely awful and intentionally rude. We will never go back! read more

Delicious. Had the enchiladas. Rice and beans are as good as any. Service was solid. Great family business.

Been having Sunday brunch here for 32 years. The food, ambiance and especially the staff! From May thru September we fine elfresco on the patio with the birds, fresh air and sunshine. read more

My wife and I came up on Friday afternoon. The outdoor patio is pleasant with a view of the Oak Glen mountains. We were greeted and served delicious chips and salsa. My wife had a glass of Chablis and I had a Negra Modelo. Service was spot on and friendly. The food was superb. My wife had the chili Relleno and I had a shrimp taco(only served on Fridays) and a chicken taco. Everything was delicious. Fast, friendly service, great food and beautiful setting. We can't wait to come back. read more

Food is authentic Mexican, carnitas are five star... If you don't eat meat, try a cheese enchilada with some of the best mole ever! Also chili rellanos are just fabulous... if you don't like Mexican, try a double bacon cheeseburger, and some fries... Come have a cold beer and bring a smile. Everyone is treated like a friend.! read more

We found the food and atmosphere to be wonderful. It was early in the day on a cold and snowy Monday morning. Service was slow because the waitress was working in the kitchen. She was very nice and quite pleasant. read more

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Not only the best Mexican food in Redlands or nearby but the ambience can't be beat. Good service, generous portions, outside dining among the trees, salsa was spicy, and the cook brought water for my dog. read more

Food was great. The service was great and the ambulance was beautiful. I would definitely come back.

Beautiful location nestled in a little town in the mountains. If you want excellent food, fantastic service, and ice cold cervesas, this is the place. I recommend Glen's Nachos! read more

Love the food here just hate they don't open when they say they do! It is worth the wait, good service, beautiful places to sit.