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    El Trigo

    4.4 (613 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    El Trigo Photos

    Business Info

    EL TRIGO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - El Trigo

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    Pastor, pollo and chicharron tacos, bomb!
    Keri C.

    I am so sad that I have slept on this place for so long! I've lived in the area for 7+yrs but my go to has been Habaneros, (which I still highly recommend) but we finally decided to give El Trigo a try and holy crap was it delicious! Between my husband and I we got the pollo, chicharron, pastor,l and chorizo tacos. All were delicious but the chicharron was SO good we both ordered more to go A big plus as well was the price, eating out can really hurt the wallet these days but we got 10 tacos for $30, for as delicious as they were that made us very happy! Can't wait to go back, maybe to try breakfast next!

    Pepe C.

    Hole in the wall shop with delicious soup. I try to come here once a month now just for their soups. Order their corn tortillas not their flour tortillas as they make the corn tortillas in house!

    Menudo
    Brandt M.

    We went to Riverside for a night, woke up wanting menudo and we found this place. The menudo was next level idk how they make the broth but it was delicious, it was fn good.

    Shrimp and octopus cocktail and carnitas tacos.
    Cristina B.

    Today we celebrated my fathers 91st birthday. It was our first time visiting EL Trigo. We came because of the handmade tortillas that my father loves because they remind him of his childhood. The food was delicious and the staff were so kind. They even got my dad a birthday concha and played las mańanitas for him. We will definitely be re-visiting. The food and the staff were awesome.

    Alley entrance to El Trigo

    In Riverside for a short weekend trip. Woke up wanting menudo on a Sunday. This place has the best eating nearby the downtown area. We were not disappointed. We dined in and although the restaurant is fairly old, it was clean, and very welcoming. The person who took our order explained everything about the menudo. Self seating has enough room for my mom's walker. Waitress was very kind and checked on us often. There was a steady flow of customers in and out with to go orders. Menudo was excellent and portions were huge! Served with sides of cilantro, chiles de Arbol, onions and oregano. Beautiful mural on outside wall with remnants of an old pay phone for you nostalgic ones.

    Deliciousness buche, chicharrón, language tacos
    Tina G.

    IE hands down yall have a gem! Ms. Leticia thank you for the amazing hospitality & service - the food is what comes straight out from your abuelas cocina. Prices are very reasonable, better portions as well than what you would get from a non-traditional Mexican restaurant in Orange County. Mexican beers & Coke, television, small sitting area maybe 8 fourtops, clean, and do not underestimate the simplicity of El Trigo. Now on to the food; tacos de buche, lengua, and chicharrón, Chili Verde burrito, and pozole. Taco meats we clean and free from excessive oils. Chili Verde burrito was not spicy, BUT full of flavor and the pork was large portions y tender. Now the BEST was my pozole.......lips a little sticky and flavorful. Added a chili de arbor and it was epic. El Trigo is a must we will be back! Gracias Leticia & the recommendation to hit up Chelas Bakery - what a day. As soon as you walk into the panaderia it smells like heaven and the champurrado to die for.

    Full Menu
    Dr. Groovy O.

    Randomly picked this place for lunch. If you're Mexican and step into this place... you'll know it's going to taste good and authentic... and it was. I was a bit overwhelmed by the choices so I got pretty basic dishes. I order us some chicken enchiladas, asada plate, and a torta de milanesa. For drinks a Jamaica, and Horchata. Everything was really good. The service was great. I didn't wait too long for our to go order. The woman at the register was kind and patient with me. Prices were what you'd expect. I don't think I spent over $50 for 3 of us. We'll be back.

    Pambazo
    Rachel E.

    This restaurant is a 50/50 I would say. Tacos were very tasty, meat perfectly cooked and fresh corn tortillas, HOWEVER, they didn't have green sauce, imagine going to a Mexican restaurant with no Salsa Verde which should be a staple. Pambazo was decent, not the best I've had but it was good, could've been better with green sauce for sure... Gordita de chicharrón, definitely my least favorite item, chicharron (pork skin) got me sick, it was too dry and hard to chew, again, no salsa verde and just not tasty at all. Staff was very friendly and welcoming, easy parking and no waiting time.

    Carnitas torta

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    1 year ago

    El Trigo has the best Mexican food in Riverside, bar none. I've been going there for many years and have never had a bad meal. Lovely people

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Absolutely love this place. Always so good and everything fresh. They also have the food quick and ready !

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    3 years ago

    Love this place. Been going here for years! Will continue to go and support my local businesses

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    6 years ago

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    3 years ago

    I ordered the asada burrito and chicharron tacos and everything was absolutely delicious , thank you

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    2 years ago

    I love El Trigo. Been going here over 30 years. The staff is so nice and very accommodating to your requests.

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    El Trigo Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - El Trigo

    Are their beans vegetarian?

    Sorry, I am not sure. They were super yummy and creamy which leads me to believe they are refried/cooked with some lard. Despite there being no meat in them, it depends on how you feel about lard. I have vegetarian friends who will eat beans like… Read more

    Has this restaurant closed?

    It's still open and family owned and ran

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    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside - Chicharon

    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside

    4.7(338 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    I stopped by Morena's on the way out to Cherry Valley. Very cute spot!!!The chicken tacos were…read morephenomenal!!! The salsas and tortillas were all homemade and very fresh! my daughter tried the fish tacos and loved them... She said the fish was very tender and tasty! she also tried the octopus tacos which she thought were a little bit too spicy and on the chewy side. The service was amazing! I will definitely be back!

    We recently had lunch at Morena's Mexican Cuisine, and while it was a mixed experience, I think it…read morehas potential! The meal started off strong with their chips and salsa--super fresh and flavorful. For my entrée, I had the chicken fajitas. While they were cooked properly, I wish they had a bit more seasoning to really bring out the flavor. My wife had the enchiladas divorciadas, which were beautifully presented, but unfortunately, the filling was a bit cool. She probably should have sent it back, but since we were in a hurry, we didn't bother. On the positive side, my daughter had the carne asada burrito, and she said it was excellent. Service started off great with our younger male waiter being very attentive at first, but it slowed down significantly as our meal went on. By the end of our visit, I actually had to go up to the register to ask to pay. It was lunch time, and it wasn't that busy, so this felt a bit out of the ordinary. Despite the hiccups, I'm willing to give Morena's Mexican Cuisine another try, as it may have just been an off day. The chips and salsa, along with my daughter's burrito, showed that they definitely have what it takes to impress. I'll reserve final judgment after my next visit!

    Photos
    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside - Morenas Mexican Food Riverside

    Morenas Mexican Food Riverside

    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside - Chicharon appetizer (came with beans and green salsa) yummy!

    Chicharon appetizer (came with beans and green salsa) yummy!

    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside - Cucumber & chia (left) and horchata (right)

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    Cucumber & chia (left) and horchata (right)

    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar - Mesquite grilled plump skirt steak fajitas

    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar

    4.0(2k reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $$

    Ancho's is one of those places I honestly don't know if it's considered a hidden gem or not, but…read moreafter living in Riverside for the past 3-4 years, I can't believe I've never been here until now. I found out about it through my cousin, who's a UCR alum, and I'm really glad I finally got to try it. The staff were super nice and attentive, constantly coming by our table to check if we needed more water, tortillas, or anything else we might want. Even with how busy it was, they still made sure everyone was taken care of, which I really appreciated. The restaurant was packed, and it actually surprised me because I don't usually see that many people at restaurants in Riverside. The energy inside felt lively but still comfortable. One of my favorite parts was the fresh tortillas. They come out hot and fresh from the oven, and you can literally watch them being made right in front of you, which made it even better. And the best part is they're free. We ordered the carne fajitas and chile relleno. The fajitas were incredible, the meat was juicy, tender, and packed with flavor, with that perfect smoky sear that comes from being cooked fresh on a hot skillet. Everything came out sizzling and stayed flavorful with every bite. The chile relleno was also really good, with a nice balance of savory and slightly creamy filling that paired well with the sauce. It was actually my first time trying fajitas, and I can confidently say I'll be ordering them again the next time I come back. I definitely plan on returning while I'm still at UCR to make up for all the years I didn't know this place existed.

    If I could rate separately for service I would give it a 5…read more This place is not lacking any help in the waiter and waitress department. We have not been here since the 90's and I have to say, it was much better back then. All in all, there is just no flavor. The salsa tasted like watery tomatoes, our waitress gave us a little side of habanero salsa to incorporate with it but that heat is the extreme for me. We ordered the Mesquite chicken and steak fajitas which were less than average. Not sure if it was just a bad day, but the taste of the protein did not match up to the wonderful smell of BBQ outside the restaurant. The tortillas were just ok, first batch was not even warm. My Michelada was good though. Bummer visit after being away for so long. Looks like the interior could stand a makeover.

    Photos
    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar - Where's my beer ?!?!?

    Where's my beer ?!?!?

    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar - Carne Asada Uncut Skirt Steak

    Carne Asada Uncut Skirt Steak

    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar - Exterior

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    Exterior

    El Patrón Downtown Riverside - Chicken flautas

    El Patrón Downtown Riverside

    3.9(1k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    I wish I had pictures to show what my wife and I ordered for dinner and drinks. Meli, our waitress,…read morewas great. She was kind enough to change tables after we ordered our food. The sun was shining on my face. I don't know who came over to our table to recommend a tequila for our flight. Dame Mas was a very good choice. My wife is more of a tequila drinker than I am. I did hog up the Dame Mas to myself. The restaurant had a nice atmosphere for a relaxing dinner. I recommend ordering the bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with crab meat; it's the best. We loved the food and the drinks. I also recommend the Black Widow, a very good drink to end our dinner date.

    We celebrated my grandma's 80th bday here. My uncle rented out the outdoors patio & small room…read moreadjacent to it from 1pm-4:30pm for an affordable price with deposit paid in advance to reserve. The owner, Santiago, allowed us to come a half hour beforehand to decorate & we came in, not knowing what to expect. Upon our arrival, the birthday cake was promptly whisked away to the kitchen, we found Santiago PERSONALLY on his hands & knees fixing the electrical cords for us, our servers introduced themselves & graciously helped us rearrange the set-up to accommodate the band we brought in. Then helped us rearrange the layout yet again once we realized the band needed to be next to the electrical outlets. I was embarrassed to even ask so I started doing it myself but they jumped right in without being asked. If I'm being honest, usually I'm not a fan of buffet meals, so I wasn't expecting much. But everything served was SO delicious! The fajitas were my favorite dish, not only flavorful but also nice & moist. Not only that, but they refilled the food for us as it ran out. They brought out to-go boxes for the leftovers, & best believe my family took home every last bite! The lime margarita tower was SO yummy but also hella dangerous because it was strong!! Other restaurants will give you watered down drinks but El Patron doesn't play. We were only planning on one but it was so good, we couldn't resist getting another. From start to finish, the servers (Leslie and Cecilia) were on POINT. Their service went above & beyond expectations-- continuously checking on us, refilling drinks/food, taking photos, etc. Not only that, but also, when my young autistic nephew unfortunately got sick, they were so incredibly compassionate about it & helped clean up the mess right away. I was absolutely blown away by the attention to detail & quality of care. As my grandma is getting older, we are especially cherishing these final years with her. We spent thousands overall (venue, music, photographer, special mass, etc) but every last cent was worth seeing her happy with all of her loved ones. After many months of planning, I was super nervous about something going wrong but I can honestly say that core memories were made. Thank you to Santiago, Leslie & Cecilia for your hospitality, good food & work ethic-- it truly meant so much for our family unit.

    Photos
    El Patrón Downtown Riverside
    El Patrón Downtown Riverside - Enchiladas Plate

    Enchiladas Plate

    El Patrón Downtown Riverside - VDM sunset, rum based tropical signature cocktail

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    VDM sunset, rum based tropical signature cocktail

    Tio's Tacos - I'm not sure how to convey on how bad the food is.  This is Enchiladas !!!!!

    Tio's Tacos

    3.3(1.7k reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    I've read up on reviews saying some of the food is bad, etc SO I did my research on what multiple…read morereviews say tasted GREAT! Their Mojarra for one, is amazing with some corn tortillas, beans and rice, and lettuce. The lime garlicky sauce on that one, is what I've been dreaming of. It was THE star of the show. And we also got their wet supreme burrito mojado, with the mole sauce all over it Also tried their agua fresca, loved the cucumber and lime flavor! Great size for two to share, and we had a blast just eating and enjoying the sights laid out to see. Their pickled onions got a spicy kick to it! I loved the added crunch instead of just having the typical hot salsa. Service was great, with the waiters and waitresses checking in on us every now and then, and I liked that we pay first then eat, so we just leave after we're done! Excellent experience as the weather was perfect too, the outdoor seating has some mosquitoes but be sure to go when it's not molting hot outside! After food we got to go on a photo spree and it was wonderful.

    I got the vegan tacos with potatoes and even though there were only two it was loaded with toppings…read moreand salsa. Really good and a decent price. I do wish there was a vegan protein thrown in like black beans or soyrizo or something to make it more filling but I'm glad there was a vegan option on the menu. There is a salsa bar that can help add to your meal like spicy pickled carrots, cucumbers, salsa and pickled onions. My favorite part of this place is the art decor. They're all made from materials that were bound to go in the trash, most notably cans that they open for cooking. So you'll see lids and the other material from cans beautifully molded into these structures. It may seem random but I found lots of humor and play thrown into the craftsmanship of it all. Some pieces are like playing I Spy. It was funner to see than a lot of museums I've gone to actually. It's truly just packed with art. I even got to meet one of the artists as he was working on something. He was really friendly. There's a few of them who work on them together and I learned they've been doing this since the 90's! How cool. It's so nice to see all the things they've come up with to create. Go check it out! Definitely a date worthy spot too. My bf and I had a lot of fun walking around seeing what they created.

    Photos
    Tio's Tacos - Inside

    Inside

    Tio's Tacos - Alter of little chapel

    Alter of little chapel

    Tio's Tacos - Agra frescas for days! So many flavors !!

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    Agra frescas for days! So many flavors !!

    El Trigo - mexican - Updated May 2026

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