This is more like a hole in a wall family restaurant and we went in after checking out the reviews…read more What amazing authentic Mexican food! We ordered the Camarone À la diabla and it was savory and spicy, just the way we like it. The portions were also generous. Will definitely stop by on our way to Portland!

Based on the reviews, I saw on yelp I thought I'd give this place a try. To be honest, I sat…read moreoutside for about five maybe 10 minutes trying to decide if I really wanted to go inside because mine was the only car in the parking lot and the place didn't look that great from the outside. Thought I'd give him a try any way. The interior is rather odd in that the tables were positioned in such a way that I wasn't sure if I wanted to sit inside or out in the patio. The patio was actually cooler but there were these long tables and not really any place for just one or two people to sit by themselves. The torta with Carne Asada was bland and the El Pastor taco was flavorless. In fact, if it was a blind test, I would've told you that the meat from the beef and the meat from the pork were the same in terms of flavor and texture. The only difference was the color. The server was pleasant enough and there was really nothing negative I could say about that. But in the long run, I don't find myself wanting to come back so I gave it to two only because I've been to worst places but not better.

Had lunch here while visiting a relative at the Salem hospital. The food was delicious, and the…read moreservice couldn't have been more friendly. I stayed to eat my meal, watched some soccer and had a few beers. The quesabirria tacos were excellent. I'll admit, I don't know what the "perfect" quesobirria taco is supposed to be; I look for crunch, flavor and how the consome tastes. Additionally, I want onions and cilantro to add to the consome to meet my tastes - all were provided (along with rice and beans). Very nice people, good food. Would I recommend this place or eat here again...absolutely!

We had some time to wait before the donation center up the street opened so we decided to go get…read morebreakfast. Based on a recommendation we decided to try the taqueria that was just up the block. You definitely get the old diner vibe when you walk in...all booths and counter service. The place wasn't very busy, but it was a Monday morning. We were seated immediately in one of the booths. I ordered chilaquiles and my husband ordered huevos rancheros. The food was excellent...you could almost taste the love and care that went into preparing it. Before we left they let us know their holiday open schedule...I gotta say, we might just be starting a new Christmas tradition this year.

Our old favorite tamales place was pretty hit and miss hours so we tried this place that is more…read morereliably open. And yes indeed it's a good choice if you want a good tamale.

This is actually a one star review, but marking it as 5 stars to help this place make up for all…read moretheir advertising money yelp is flushing down the toilet (or stealing, as yelp does). Shows up as an ad in literally every search within ten miles for me, says it's open, and when I show up, it's closed. I didn't even find it through the ads, just searched mexican food. Pictures look nice. No food for me.

Tacos are excellent, really brings the street tacos feel! I would recommend going earlier in the…read moreevening during the weekend before all the people that have been partying show up.

Fresh made corn tortillas. I've never had a bad meal here! Love their tacos de tripa and asada!…read moreGreat salsa bar too!! Wish it was open everyday!

We've been here a ton of times and it's probably our favorite in salem. The short rib enchiladas…read morewill change your life.

As a Californian spoiled with great Mexican food, I was thoroughly impressed with the freshness and…read morestrong flavors of la Vida Catrina. The food was less oily than Cali-Mexican food, and the special seafood options stood out. The clear highlight dish was the shrimp and crab enchiladas, stuffed to the brim with juicy seafood and not too overlathered with sauce. Make sure to ask for hot sauce, because the food is not very spicy. Definitely worth a try if you're in the areas

This place is a decent staple for a Mexican restaurant. The handmade tortillas are wonderful. I…read morelove the tortilla soup. Grabbing takeout is easy. It's clean and the staff is very nice.

Two-Star Review for La Hacienda Real (A poetic saga of…read morechips, dips, and unmet dreams) I walked into La Hacienda Real, hungry and bold, But those chips were stale not warm, not gold. The bean dip tasted canned, the salsa was bland, Not a spark, not a kick, not a mariachi band. Chips and salsa should sing, make your taste buds feel alive But this batch barely whispered, "Hey... we tried." I ordered chicken enchiladas, beans joining the ride, Asked for salsa or hot sauce, hoping flavor would collide. They brought a tiny sampler cup, small but supreme That little shot of fire? Man, that stuff was the dream. Serve that as your house salsa big bowls, not petite Quit hiding the only thing that actually brings heat. Then came the bill cheap enough to shock, Like bargain-bin prices straight outta the clearance stock. So if you're a senior citizen, avoiding spicy thrills, Or you're rolling on a budget and just want full plates and refills, La Hacienda Real hits "cheap," but it misses the taste You'll get fed, sure, but man... it feels like a waste. I wanted to love it truly, with all my heart But those chips didn't crunch, and the salsa had no spark. I've had legendary dips, heroic salsas, chips steaming hot and great This was none of that... just a budget-friendly plate. So is it crappy, or just cheap? I'm honestly torn But next time I'll chase flavor somewhere better reborn.

Yum! This little stand on the side of the road has a little seating area and no menu, just a sign…read more Ask the chef what meats he has, and order some tacos/quesadillas etc and you will not be disappointed. He is very kind. It is obvious he puts care into having his meat ready to cook and marinated and seasoned greatly. They are seasoned so well that we just added some lime and didn't even get to try the salsa. The tripa is perfectly crunchy and soft and has great flavor. The chicharrón is soft and so delicious. Will be back and they're open until like 5am!!!

As one of the more noticeable taquerias in Salem, I'm genuinely surprised there aren't more reviews…read morefor El Padrino. (#1) For years when this taco cart operated along Portland Road (#2) it was low on the radar but known in the community. Fast forward a few years, it's not quite a brick & mortar, but a space for patrons to sit inside to enjoy their food while everything is cooked outside on a cart. The format isn't for everyone (#3), but it's right up my alley. Beyond the colorful murals along the interior and spacious seating, this is still very much a dive. The place is open typically at night and the cloud of grease that permeates the room from all the fatty meats being grilled up. The ventilation is questionable and the seating (fold up chairs and plastic tables) is hardly glamorous. I don't know if I'd have it any other way. For some folks, seeing certain taco meats sitting in a pool of lard / fat / questionable liquid might be an eyesore but once the grilling begins it's a new ballgame. I enjoy almost all the meats, whether it's their famous al pastor sitting on a tromp with a pineapple on top, or their variety of cecina, carnitas, cabeza (cheek, mainly), barbacoa, and asada. There's no guarantee of what they'll have on any given night, so I'm usually good with whatever they have available. The charred grill is also the same place for their tortillas, which are also fried in said lard, and give off this smokiness that might not be everyone's cup of tea. I think their barbacoa, which is chivo (#4) style, is really the best thing they have. The meat is incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. It completely encapsulates their namesake in "ricos tacos" as one of their signature items. As always, it is cash only and speaking Spanish is a must. I'm not saying it's the best taqueria in the city, but for late night eats, it's certainly one of ones to beat. __________ (#1) Aka "The Godfather" (#2) Twas another time: https://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-el-padrino-salem (#3) Real talk: Most folks in Salem will likely never go to a place like this. That's really too bad. (#4) Goat, my amigos.

Driven past Alberto's for years and finally decided to stop in. After seeing it so many times…read morewithout trying it, I went in more curious than expectant. I left pleasantly surprised. My first impression was positive. The establishment was clean, brightly colored, and filled with natural light. The dining area is relatively small, with a modest number of tables and chairs, but it felt comfortable rather than cramped. The atmosphere was casual and welcoming. The employees were friendly, and the service was notably fast without feeling rushed. I ordered the chicken burrito for $8.99, genuinely unsure what that price point would translate to in size or quality. The answer was immediate. This was a substantial burrito, roughly 10 inches long, and packed from end to end with filling. Not one of those burritos that gives the illusion of size but turns out to be mostly tortilla. Once opened, the cross-section told the story clearly: generous meat, a good mix of fresh ingredients, and a burrito that looked thoughtfully assembled rather than carelessly thrown together. The flavor matched the appearance. It was hearty, satisfying, and exactly what one hopes for in a burrito. The chicken was flavorful, the ingredients worked well together, and nothing about it felt skimpy. The tortilla had a light browning to it, which added both texture and visual appeal. Just as important, it was wrapped exceptionally well. For a burrito this full, that matters. It held together while eating, keeping the filling where it belonged rather than turning into a mess halfway through. Another detail worth mentioning was the sauce selection. Having multiple options from mild to hot allowed for some customization, and they were worth sampling. They added another layer to the meal rather than feeling like an afterthought. What stood out most was the overall value. Quality, quantity, speed, and price do not always align this well, but here they did. For $8.99, the portion was generous, the food was flavorful, and the service was efficient. Add in the fact that Alberto's is open 24 hours a day, and it becomes even more appealing. In the end, what impressed me most was not simply the size of the burrito, but the fact that the entire experience felt solid across the board: clean setting, friendly staff, fast service, fair pricing, and food that delivered. After driving past this place for years, I can say it was worth finally stopping in. I would return.

Stopped by here as a pit stop & a must by my friends as they road trip south on the 5 frequently!…read moreThe menu (so affordable too!) is such a delicious experience reading the menu options as well how you can have them prepared for you. We had the california and oregon burrito toasted, w the additional options to have the guac & sour cream within the burrito. It was so nicely prepared and dense! A huge portion - it looked like I barely made a dent in it, it was impressive! lol Service is great, the salsa bar was fun, especially a girl that likes things w spice. Restrooms are out back w a key. The vibe is vibrant and familiar which is always welcomed too :)

Listen, I need this place to get more hype. I visited after seeing a Facebook post on Salem Eats…read more My husband and I walked into the restaurant; literally the only guests. The owners jumped up to greet us. Obviously we were promptly seated. First the breakfast menu looks AMAZING. Otherwise the menu was small, and what I had seen on FB was not listed. I inquired about the pork belly and guacamole. The owner grabbed came over to my table and asked me where I seen that advertisement. I told them; they did not have any available. Soooo you know what they did, they went out and got it. I will dream of the food here. Amazing. I am assuming they are not getting as much business because, unfortunately they do not serve alcohol. I hope this will not deter you. I also, obviously, hope they get back to serving margaritas and beer soon. They are also a fresh bakery, the owner brought us a few samples on the house. PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT! You will not be disappointed. Plus it's super cute inside

From the owner: El Toro is unique in its own Mexican taste, everything is new and clean, friendly environments and…read moreenough seating for big groups. Food is delicious that will keep you coming back for more. Portions of food are enough to feel you up.