WHY WE WENT HERE: - lunch nearby the client site THE LOOK (FROM THE OUTSIDE): - located on E Alisal St in between N Pearl St and N Debbron Ave THE LOOK (FROM THE INSIDE): - older decor - a bit cramped, but two seating areas THE MENU: - breakfast/desayunos - a la carte/a la carta - lunch/almuerzo - soup/caldo - mariscos/seafood - burritos - antojitos/appetizers - bebidas/beverages - especialidades/specialties - platillo zacatecano - combinaciones/combinations WHAT I ORDERED: - 1st day - Tostadas de Pollo - 2nd day - Nopales Con Huevo THE TASTE: - filling, tasty, fresh - not bloating CUSTOMER SERVICE: - always greeted and spoken to in Spanish, thankfully I know enough to answer correctly (plus it was nice practice!) read more

El Zacatecano - Tostadas de pollo - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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They have the best caldo de rez. Original, delicious and busy. Caldo runs out, so if you miss out, there's so much good Mexican food on the menu. Like your abuelita used to make. read more

The restaurant is a little hole in the wall, but they have two seating areas The food was great, and everything was homemade. We ordered a carne asada burrito, menudo, and chile verde plates. They were completely out of caldo de res, and that's what I really wanted to taste. So, it seems like it's a popular dish. We will stop and have lunch on our way home, I'm sure they will not disappoint. We were so hungry we forgot to take pictures of the meal. This is a must try if your in the Salinas, Ca. read more

I love this place. It is a gem and a local favorite. The food is mouthwatering and everything is a hit. My favorite is the chili verde burritos plate. I've never had such amazing pork. The staff is kind and also bilingual. The parking is limited but it's worth a walk. read more

El Zacatecano - Chili verde burritos - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

I have been coming here since I was a child and it had always been consistent. The service is great! The ladies are so attentive and sweet. The food is so good and filling. My favorite Mexican restaurant in Salinas. Their Zacatecano plate is a must try! read more

El Zacatecano - Zacatecano plate - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Bought Menudo and Pozole. It certainly tasted great! Staff was friendly and efficient!

Amazing food! You must try this restaurant if you love Mexican food as much as I do then you need to try this restaurant. I am so glad I found it and it's the only Mexican restaurant I go to now! I have tried their chili relleno, 7 mares, carne asada burrito, enchiladas.... Everything was amazing! I haven't had a bad meal there ever! I have been going at least once or twice a week since we found this restaurant! Plus they will do "special orders". My husband loves shrimp quesadillas and it wasn't on the menu but they made it for me and my husband loved it. Plus, I like food super spicy and they will even fry up some Serrano peppers for you if you as them. I always ask for them and then I add them to my food. It's perfect bite of spice and flavor! You will not be disappointed.... You must try this restaurant! read more

As always...: El Zacatecano is spot on with their flavors, freshness and customer service. I've been coming here for years and hadn't visited in a while. My friend and I visited today and we were both very pleased with our food. I prefer the hotter salsa, it's delicious. read more

Five Stars. First off, location, it's in a very traditional Hispanic/Latino type of community. Coming in to the restaurant, it's a small place. Maybe fitting in 10 tables. So it can get full quick and it does. But that's how you know it's good. And it was, it was amazing! The waiters that attend to you are so attentive and real nice. They make sure they take care of you. The burrito....mannnn stop playin with em!!! BANGIN'!!!! The carnitas in the burrito were not really greasy which is great because you don't feel disgusting after. So if you're looking for really greasy hangover carnitas burrito this may not be the one for you. But it really should be for everyone. The beans taste like they used lard to refry them. But it also gives them a rich flavor and the cheese on top of it adds a great touch. The Spanish rice wasn't overly seasoned nor was it overly dry it was perfect. I washed it down with a agua fresca de Jamaica (hibiscus). Not too sweet nor sour not watered down. Perfect. It's no wonder they're so well reviewed here on Yelp. They know what they're doing here. The menu is a good size but I notice their variety of meat isn't huge like other Mexican food places. But it ensures quality and this place has a lot of that. A MUST if you're in the area or if you're craving a good delicious meal. (Side note the table next to us had ordered their Soups , the aroma was absolutely divine.) read more

El Zacatecano - Carnitas Burrito, with a side of rice and beans. - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

Nice location, clean and friendly. Pride of ownership. Looked like it was recently painted. The menu was awesome. I live here and was searching for the best Mexican food in Salinas. I did some google and yelp searches and decided to try this one first. I ordered Cheese Enchiladas and a Quesadilla. I can't remember what my sister ordered. In fact, we were so hungry and it looked so good, we forgot to take pictures to post. But we both paused after the first bite. Wow! This was different. This was REALLY good. I took a bite of the rice only first. And there was so much flavor there, maybe a hint of Cardamon? My sister and I looked at each other, closed our eyes and savored the flavor. Authentic Mexican food. Reallly some of the best I've ever had. Good job El Zacatecano!!! I'd give you 10 stars if I could. I can't wait to try the Chili Relleno's next. Thank you for your service and cleanliness too! read more

The food was very delicious here. I recommend the wet burritos. Both Chile Verde and Chile Colorado are equally yummy. Their rice and beans are also very yum! Chips and salsa were good. I wish the place was a little roomier, but the food was great! Would definitely come back again. read more

Loved loved the chille rellenos and everything else looks amazing too . Homemade corn tortillas too.

Driving back to Santa Rosa from Pismo Beach after a long weekend. We planned on stopping in San Jose for lunch, but that seemed too far. I suggested Salinas. My wife sadly suggested a chain restaurant she thought was located in town. In my head, I'm thinking if I'm going to Salinas, I want some good Mexican food. Sorry if that sounded bad. Then it dawned on my wife too without having to say anything. She suggested Mexican food. Duh! After a lengthy Yelp search, my said she found a place. Cool! This place wasn't far off 101. As someone else posted, it looked a little sketchy outside. But also outside were people waiting for seats and orders. That's a good sign in my book. Initially, there was nowhere to park out back. I parked down the street, eventually several spots opened and I moved my car back behind the restaurant. We, and another car full of people (8 total), waited about 20 minutes to get seated for lunch. I'd say the wait was for the size of the group. The place was busy. It's not big, by any standards so it was constantly full during our stay for lunch. Meals were coming out quick though, so it's a constant change over. Chips and salsa were good. Salsa was perfect, not hot...not mild. A happy medium that was flavorful. We weren't too original in our orders. My wife and daughter ordered an enchilada plate, while two of us ordered the carne asada plate (don't remember what our friends ordered). I loved my plate. Meat was excellent, plenty of items on the plate to fill my tortillas. The rice was outstanding...fluffy, flavorful. I ate my wife's too. Couldn't get enough. My wife and a friend raved about the beans. I'm not a bean guy, so I can't back up their claim. I'll go w/ the power of two. Two people said they were excellent, they were excellent. I loved my lunch. So happy my wife found this place. Service was great. We had to ask for extra chips and salsa to munch on, but not a big deal. You pay at the counter when done. Just get up and pay, don't wait for the bill. I've lived 50 years of my life, using Salinas as a drive by city so I'm not sure I'll ever be back. If I ever venture through the area again, I know one place to eat. Don't let the rough exterior sway you. Don't judge this book by the cover. Worth your effort to try this place. read more

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Small place but very good food. Fast and friendly service and very reasonably pricing. Recommend to anyone. read more

My favorite spot in all Salinas. Small restaurant with a big heart. The staff is very attentive and the prices aren't too bad. The food is always fresh and super bomb. 10/10 read more

How they don't have a full 5 stars is beyond me! The food is always amazing and consistent. The staff is always friendly and super helpful. Even when it is packed they are great. The place itself is small and sometimes there is a wait but it's so worth it. This place is a must if passing through Salinas. read more

Not very flavorful. Just meh. I wouldn't go back. The restaurant doesn't have much space inside, but it did seem clean.

Puro autentico! Great service. Excellent prices. Sensational flavors. 'Nuff said. Please visit El Zacatecano and enjoy their beautiful food while supporting a local business. read more

Always my go-to place when I'm craving authentic Mexican food, or when I'm entertaining out of town visitors. Always the freshest ingredients and wonderful flavors! read more

The best Caldo in town ! Quaint small restaurant but the food is big in taste ! I always order the House Combination Platter , so so good , very flavorful food , authentic Mexican food read more

Delicious food and chelada's. Tortillas are always nice and warm. The service is always nice. I love all their plates. The enchiladas are always nice and cheesy. The Chile Rellenos taste just like my moms food. I love going there when I miss my moms cooking. The restaurant also fits the ambiance of being at a Mexican restaurant. read more

Have been a fan of their food for many decades. Great home style Mexican food in a cozy spot. Service is friendly and welcoming. read more

The shrimp cocktail is good but small not very much shrimp in it. It's expensive for what you get

Food is delicious and friendly service. It's a small business, but you will love the authentic experience.

Camarones a la diabla are always really good! Definitely recommend, also very affordable with decent service.

Good food. They are a staple of the alisal community and a very popular restaurant in town.

Great traditional authentic Mexican food. Nothing beats this place. I've tried most Mexican restaurants in Monterey county and the quality of Zacatecano is like grandmas cooking. It will blow you're socks off literally. read more

El Zacatecano - Cheese enchilada plate. - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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Love this place!!!! Little hole in the wall--don't worry it's safe! You can park in the back--but tight but feasible! I always order the chili relleno or red enchilada! The beef soup is amazing and so is the shrimp soup!!!! Love the chips and salsa!!! Careful when you step out of the restaurant--there are two steps and they are steep! People have fallen horribly when exiting with to go orders. No handicap access read more

This has become my absolute favorite Mexican restaurant. I would eat here more often if I didn't live 4 1/2 hours away. Once I brought my husband here, I made him a believer in the Chili Verde burritos and Chile Rellenos. We are absolutely hooked! Whenever we're even an hour close by we head here for a meal! read more

This is the real deal! The food was delicious and made with love! Excellent and friendly service too. A favorite for locals and fun for travelers like me. read more

Wanted some food on the way back from SLO and yelp did not fail us. Had the chili verde which was very good but the birria de chivo was amazing. Great service too. Everything is indoors now. Was very clean and we felt not just safe. read more

El Zacatecano - Chili Verde - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California

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Well, you all seem to want your "hole in the wall" places, so I present the hole, and you'll find the wall in their back parking lot they share with some sketchy apartments. This is really good food though. The salsa they serve is awesome, and I've never had a bad meal. Everything comes out pretty quick, and the prices are reasonable. It is small though. It's very easy to walk in and find no seats. But a lot of places on East Alisal are like this. I mostly come for their enchiladas and their chile colorado. read more

4 stars for mexican food in Monterey County! We had been searching for tasty mexican food and was led to this humble spot! We ordered the asada and chicken burrito, chicken and asada quesidilla, refied beans and chicken enchilda, and they were all yummy! First time here, and the spot is quite interesting. We easily found street parking and very hard working and kind peps. Thanks for a yummy outing! read more

Authentic delicious Mexican food and at good prices. Servers are friendly and been working there years. Place is small and busy but worth the wait. read more

We were on a road trip and stayed in Salinas for a night. Found this via Yelp. It's a 4 minute drive from Hampton Inn. At first I didn't want to stop after seeing the front of this place with bars on the windows and doors but we got parking in front and went in. Wow, the best mexican food I've had in this area! I got menudo and hubby got a combo plate with chili rellano. The corn tortillas are homemade. The price is so reasonable. The dining room area was very comfortable with new furniture, very clean!!! Great attentive service from the staff. I definitely would come back again! And I'm very picky when it comes to food! read more

Great food & service! Stopped by on a Monday afternoon after the dentist. Ordered the lunch special of beef enchilada, beans and rice. Chips and salsa were fantastic. Highly recommend! read more

So grateful to Yelp community for guiding us to a charming hole-in-the-wall meal, in a place we're completely unfamiliar with. We're going "keto" tonight, so we had to turn down both the chips and salsa, as well as the crackers. The combination plates at the next table look very yummy, and clientele can be relied upon to know their Mexican food. We had shrimp cocktail (minus slurping the liquid!) and liver and onions - both tasty and satisfying. Tonight was Halloween- so it's pretty lively here, as the neighborhood kids get ready to collect desert on their way home... Be forewarned- service is not swift. Come when you're prepared to relax, and nosh on the carbs... read more

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If "old school" delicious Mexican food appeals to you, this is the best spot for it I have discovered in Salinas. No frills interior; the past few times I have eaten there I've spoken to folks who've been eating there for at least a few decades. The carnitas is crispy but tender, the carne asada is seasoned perfect, just as the shredded beef is. Refried beans are as good as I can remember having and the salsa is spicy and flavorful. I have eaten a lot of Mexican food over the years. This ranks near the top. read more

I love zacatecano! Best authentic Mexican restaurant in town!! My partner and I love Zacatecano for any time of the day! We always order their chilaquiles!! read more

Delicious food , friendly service and great price . The food came quickly and was very hot (how I prefer it ). The indoor seating is quite small , but I did not mind it . Definitely coming back ! read more

El Zacatecano - Taco dorado, sope, beans and rice . - Mexican Near Me - Salinas, California