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Lorena's Mexican Grill

4.6 (103 reviews)
Open • 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

Lorena's Mexican Grill Photos

Business Info

LORENA'S MEXICAN GRILL ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Lorena's Mexican Grill

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Barbacoa burrito
Charles F.

Lorena's is legit. A recent YouTube video of her recently caught my attention. A group of foodies were sitting in the patio trying to pronounce Arrachera and Birria. They failed miserably in the pronunciation but triumphed in demolishing their tacos. Lorena's has been a number of spots in Boise and the current residency is next to the Jack in the Box on Fairview. It's a taco stand with some tables and enclosed patio area. There are signs everywhere about what's on the menu and what are the specials. There are some very notable offerings like Huaraches that are not offered in many taco stands locally. If you are vegetarian or vegan, the beans are made with lard. This is very typical in Mexico and there are a verity of reasons why lard is used in lieu of vegetable oil. Suffice it to say for me, I was relegated to chips and salsa. NOTE: While I could have possible created a Torta minus meat and other items I didn't want to disrupt Lorena's business. My daughter ordered a Barbacoa burrito that was immense. My salsa was homemade and very good. The chips were pretty standard fare. If you hadn't had the chance to hear Lorena's story, check it out on YouTube Go Idaho Eats

Fish and carnitas tacos.  Yummy in da tummy!
Borgie D.

Most authentic mexican food in town! Try her Great tacos in a combo, fish and carnitas is just one of my favs! You will like it!

the name of the restaurant
Sergio A.

A resounding success locating such tacos made with a mother's love and care. Just like being in my Mexican home. Al pastor Birria Carnitas Barbacoa One taco was a bit salty, but it could have been the picante salsa. Two tortillas for each taco and they were a good size. A bit larger than street taco tortillas, but not full size corn tortillas. Way too many good things on the menu to stop with tacos. I am going back. Sweet lady.

Menu, prices have increased
Kathryn R.

Ratings are much deserved! Cashier was friendly and helpful. Prices have increased but still delicious!

Halfway through I stopped to see where is the carne asada?? Just a little steady stream of it. Through the whole burrito.
Stephanie H.

Not enough meat in the carne asada burrito. Okay flavor but didn't have that grilled taste, more like ground beef. If I had puchased 2 carne asada tacos, that would have been more meat than was in my burrito. Dissapointment.

Owner Lorena Jimenez serves up a carnitas gordita at the start of a Friday lunch rush.

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5 months ago

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27 days ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

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10 months ago

The tamale special plate was delicious. Lorena is always cheerful and has quick service. Outdoor seating has plenty of shade.

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1 year ago

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4 years ago

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10 months ago

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2 years ago

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5 years ago

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Sweet lady great food! What's better? Skip the Jack in the box go to the small unique business! I will be being my family here!

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Authentic and delicious food made by one of the sweetest ladies ever! I'm a big fan of lengua tacos and hers are made perfectly!

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7 years ago

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4 years ago

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12 years ago

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8 years ago

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3 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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12 years ago

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5 years ago

We love this place! Great food, great and friendly service! Truly authentic Mexican food. Great outdoor atmosphere!

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7 years ago

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Ask the Community - Lorena's Mexican Grill

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We went here for dinner and overall had a really good experience. The vibe is great. It's clean,…read moremodern, and feels like a higher-end taco spot. The food was honestly amazing and definitely the highlight. That said, as a first-time customer, it wasn't the most welcoming experience. There's very little signage, so we didn't know it was seat-yourself luckily I had called ahead. When we walked in, there wasn't much direction or greeting, which made it a bit confusing. The inside is also pretty crowded. Tables are packed really close together, so it can feel a little cramped. The menu is another thing. It's very "fancy" and not super straightforward, which made it harder to understand what you're actually ordering if you're new. Service-wise, it was a bit inconsistent. We noticed other tables automatically got ice water, but we didn't. When we ordered drinks, no one explained where or how to get them, which added to the confusion. All that said, the food and overall atmosphere are great. Once you figure out how everything works, it's a solid spot. I just think they could improve the experience for new customers with better signage, clearer communication, and a more welcoming first impression.

If you're looking for a spot that perfectly balances elevated flavors with a relaxed, approachable…read morevibe, Madre - Boutique Taqueria is a must-visit. We dropped in for Taco Tuesday and were thoroughly impressed by both the kitchen's creativity and the charming atmosphere. The Food The star of the night was undoubtedly the OG Crispy Tacos. At a fantastic $5 Tuesday special, these are a masterclass in nostalgia done right. They feature a unique "crispy soft shell" that provides a satisfying crunch without shattering, loaded with seasoned ground beef, fresh lettuce, cheese, pinto beans, and a hot sauce that packs just the right punch. It's the ultimate elevated comfort food. I also branched out to try the Korean Short Rib Taco ($8). This is where Madre's "boutique" identity really shines. The richness of the short rib was beautifully offset by the acidic crunch of kimchee and pickled relish, while the peanut sauce added a creamy, nutty depth that tied the fusion profile together perfectly. Drinks & Atmosphere To wash it all down, I opted for a classic Daiquiri, which was balanced and refreshing--clearly made by someone who understands craft cocktails. My fiancé enjoyed The Bruce, a crisp, local beer that paired effortlessly with the bold spices of the tacos. And before we left, we split a margarita. The atmosphere at Madre is "quaint" in the best way possible. We chose to sit on the patio, which offers a lovely outdoor escape. The setting is so integrated with the neighborhood charm that we even had a local squirrel zip right under our feet across the patio--a moment that added a touch of whimsical, nature-filled character to our meal. Service The service was top-notch; our server was genuinely friendly and attentive without being overbearing, ensuring our drinks stayed full and our Taco Tuesday experience was seamless. Final Verdict Madre - Boutique Taqueria manages to feel like a hidden gem while delivering world-class flavors. Whether you're there for the high-value OG specials or the more adventurous fusion offerings, you're in for a treat. We'll definitely be back for more patio time!

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Seating area

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Avocado taco and the carnitas taco

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Matador Boise - The bar

The bar

Matador Boise
Matador Boise - Tequila menu, Chips & Salsa

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Tequila menu, Chips & Salsa

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Garibaldis
Garibaldis - Birria Tacos

Birria Tacos

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Churro dipped in cajeta (special Mexican caramel).

Lorena's Mexican Grill - mexican - Updated May 2026

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