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    El Tranvia Restaurant

    4.3 (201 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

    El Tranvia Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    EL TRANVIA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Tranvia Restaurant

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    Friday through Sunday
    Marilyn A.

    Dropped in at 11:45pm, they were kind enough to still serve us since they close at 12am. $1 tacos is unheard of ANYWHERE, so glad we found this little gem in the heart of Coachella. I had tacos de lengua and my wife had tacos de carne asada, both were amazing! Oscar is running a fabulous place that is very budget friendly with authentic Mexican food.

    Salsas
    Tyo J.

    I highly recommend this spot for tacos. The tortillas are hand made and they have a large variety of salsas. The servers are patient and friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming.

    Entrance
    Brigette G.

    The hubby and I have driven by this place many times and decided to have dinner. It's a big restaurant. You walk in and everyone greets you. It was pretty early, so there were plenty of places to sit. The waitress was super nice! I didn't get her name, but she was friendly, attentive and very informative about their specials. They have a salsa bar and complimentary chips. Great prices on the drinks and the chavelas were amazing! Cute decor inside very old school Mexico, I'm sure it gets Poppin after dark. They have a stage in there, I believe for karaoke or a band. We ordered the chilies güeritos as an appetizer and the mix fajitas. Wow talk about a lot of food! Great portions! The chilies 10/10! I believe they were seven on the plate. They garnish it with onions slices of oranges, cilantro it was so delicious! The fajitas are a huge shareable portion. Very flavorful! 10/10! The best part are the homemade flour tortillas! Bomb! perfectly made my husband loved them! I will definitely be back. Our waitress was so sweet and he even brought me and my husband a balloon each lol Great place in Coachella! Can't wait to come back and try other things

    Patio Carnitas michocana (I forgot the correct spelling)

    We stopped here for lunch after a hike in Mecca area. Best homemade tortillas we have ever had. Chile relleno, Carnitas michocana, guacamole all delicious. Even the sides of rice and beans were phenomenal. Highly recommend El Tranvia!

    Birra Tacos with consume
    Joshua B.

    Food was top notch as always. Service there is generally decent, but this night the particular waitress lacked knowledge on most of the food's ingredients or how they were prepared (basic waiter/host information) nor made any effort to find out. Also, and yes I realize it's in Coachella and it's a Mexican restaurant, but learning English at a more fluent level should be made, everyone in there with two exceptions were white folks who love the food, know your cliental and adapt, just a good service strategy. Place is fairly clean though the bathroom should be hit more, there's always "that guy or gal" that blow it up and leave it a mess. I've been here several times with the family and each time the food is on point. Tonight we had the Burria taco special, breaded shrimp tacos and the ceviche with avocado, again on point. On the weekends they have $1 street taco nights outside on the patio, choice of various meats and again great food. Does get busy from 8pm till 12am, night life folks, so come a little sooner from 6pm-8pm. This place should be a "must go" if you live hear or just visiting!

    Costillas con nopales
    Stacey O.

    Food was very good! Service was great! Ambiance was nice very cute spot. I will be going back really enjoyed it.

    Camarones Zarandeados

    Best authentic Mexican cuisine in all the Coachella Valley. The service is always great. There is plenty of room inside the restaurant and their outdoor patio is cozy. The camarones zarandeados are a must! You can order as an appetizer or as a full entree (which is the one ordered). This place is family owned and they always make you feel welcomed.

    Melisa Y.

    Wonderful flavor and spice profile. Chile relleno (Not on the menu, but they can make it by request) is the best tasting chile relleno I have ever had! (And it's what I order everywhere). The different salsas that you can serve yourself at the salsa buffet are full of flavor and each very different. And the quesobirria is so tasty, served warm with consume, and absolutely delicious. Someone in this kitchen has a very keen palette and is choosing the ingredients ratios very accurately. I'm so impressed. And nothing on the menu is in English, and the waiter didn't speak any English, but was super nice and we figured things out and I'm very happy to have found this gem! Yummy!

    Chicken Mole
    Sarah S.

    Grabbed lunch here based on the rave reviews of folks local to Coachella. It did not disappoint! I love chicken mole and thoroughly enjoyed this meal. It also came with homemade tortillas that were some of the best I have ever had. Service was incredible and the inside of the restaurant is vibrant and colorful. Looking forward to trying more of their menu the next time I'm in town!

    Dana K.

    Food was delicious and authentic! Reasons this place did not receive 5 Stars: dirty bathroom, SLOW service and they weren't busy (we had to ask for refills and our check) and only alcohol served is beer. So much potential if they fix those things.

    Chips

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    3 months ago

    The shrimp cocktail is delicious. I highly recommend it. I've tried different plates of food and it always tastes good.

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    Page 1 of 6

    El Tranvia Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Tranvia Restaurant

    Are the chips and salsa made fresh?

    Yes!!! SALSAS ARE THE BOMB!!!!

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    The Real Deal: Like Sunday at Tio's…read more If you're looking for a "fusion" taco with micro-greens and a side of existential dread, keep driving. But if you want a meal that feels like a warm hug from a relative who's slightly disappointed you haven't visited more often, welcome to Jalisco Restaurant in Coachella. The Atmosphere: Family Values & Smoke Walking into Jalisco isn't like entering a business; it's like walking into Tio JP's backyard. That nostalgic aroma of hard work and seasoned grills immediately greets you. It's a throwback to being a kid, watching your tios hover over the fire, treating every flip of the meat like a sacred ritual. There's no "new-age hype" here--just the perfected craft of a family that knows exactly what they're doing. The Heavy Hitters: Tripas & Cabeza Whether you're a "seasoned veteran" of Mexican street food or a nervous newbie, you have to commit to the Tripas and Cabeza. The Texture: The Tripas are cleaned and cooked to that elusive, crispy-yet-tender perfection. The Vessel: Whether you tuck them into a taco or go big with a burrito, it's a masterclass in traditional cooking. The GOAT (Literally): The Birria Let's get one thing straight: most places are out here serving "beef seasoned with birria spices" and calling it a day. Don't be fooled. This is the real deal. We're talking authentic goat meat, slow-cooked using the De La Torre family recipe straight from Jalisco. It's rich, it's tender, and it carries the weight of generations. It's the kind of flavor you can't replicate with a "modern twist." The Refreshment: Homemade Chavelas You're going to need something to wash down that Menudo or those wet burritos. Their homemade Chavela recipe is the MVP here. For the Modelo Negro fans: It adds a dark, savory depth. For the Michelob Ultra drinkers: It gives that crisp finish a spicy, citrus kick. The Verdict Jalisco Restaurant is one of the valley's originals for a reason. It's honest food for people who respect the process. In a world of trendy "reimagined" Mexican food, Jalisco reminds us that the original recipes never needed fixing in the first place. Go for the food, stay because you feel like family.

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    Photos
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    Jalisco Restaurant - Birria Grande

    Birria Grande

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    Casa Mendoza - Fried ice cream

    Casa Mendoza

    4.0(931 reviews)
    7.1 mi
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    SHORT ANSWER: Just an update, but Casa Mendoza seems to be just getting better. Some new staff but…read morefood quality and people here are very welcoming. LOCATION: In Old Town La Quinta, OTLQ easy to find, tons of parking but at times it gets busy so you may have to walk a bit. FACILITY: very traditional inside and out, clean, and lots of space between tables. MENU: rather massive, we usually order the same things so all the other options makes my head hurt so we just go with what we know. FOOD PREP: excellent, always looks the same which is a good things. FOOD QUALITY: some of the best in the valley. LIBATIONS: lots of choices and not too expensive, wish they had a locals city of LQ discount like some of the other options in OTLQ.. WAITSTAFF: very nice, everyone. OVERALL VALUE: if you order the right things, it is a great value but you can go nuts and spend a lot, tourist dollars spend well, upselling happens for those who want it and deserve it! TIP: Sitting outside is great most all year, we don't go out when it is crazy hot, but have dined outside in 100+ temps, we prefer the front outdoor space.

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    Bar Area

    Casa Mendoza - Friday lunch, outside, single comb  $12.99

    Friday lunch, outside, single comb $12.99

    Casa Mendoza - Mango and a skinny cucumber margarita are strong and tasty and these are the small size!

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    Mango and a skinny cucumber margarita are strong and tasty and these are the small size!

    El Tranvia Restaurant - mexican - Updated May 2026

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