Lunch, $10-14 in 2026. Far above average food quality with generous servings. Dinner from $15-25. Nice atmosphere with a mix of locals and visitors. Salsa and chips complimentary, drink refills, I will be back. Yum read more

Maybe my favorite Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. Big drinks, fast service, and delicious food. Ask for the homemade hot sauce.

Amazing experience!! We stopped in after hiking and were sat immediately in the corner booth. Our waitress was Michel and she was awesome!! We ordered our food and it came out in good timing. The cheese dip is TO DIE FOR!! we got a container to go. The bathroom was clean but small- not handicap accessible. read more

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Love when a place starts off with warm chips and the salsa was good. We got here about 4:30pm on a Wednesday and it quickly filled up. Started off with some chicken flautas which were good and I was happy they used shredded chicken. We both got a specialty margarita as well - 1 pineapple cucumber which had chunks of real pineapple and one gummy bear which was more of a novelty but still had good taste. For mains I got the carne asada, which I regretted as the meat was more like roast beef slices than what I'm used to. The bf loved his dish though and our server was nice and attentive so all-in-all that out weighed my dislike for my meat. read more

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Always love the food, margaritas and service at Los Vaqueros! It's our go to dinner restaurant in Highlands.

The best, authentic Mexican food in the Highlands from two Dominicans visiting from Atlanta. Service was great! read more

Los Vaqueros - Enchiladas Rancheras and Milanesa Torta - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

Had a quick lunch here. Nice atmosphere and friendly service. Enjoyable experience and worth a stop if you want Mexican food. Overall food is decent Mexican food. Good chips and queso, and tasty do eques. Our group had a steak burrito, carnitas, enchiladas rancheros, and stead taco. Everyone was happy with their orders. read more

Los Vaqueros - Steak burrito - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

Our food was great! Burritos verdes were excellent. Chips and the salsa were so good. Many dishes around us looked great and we heard many saying how great their food was! Fast service as well read more

Absolutely the worst Mexican I've ever had in my life. Terrible service, literally asked us 5 times in the first 10 minutes if we were ready to order and had the worst attitude possible. The food was extremely tasteless and had no flavor whatsoever. I do not know how this place has such a high review, do not waste your time or money on such a terrible, terrible "Mexican" joint. Go anywhere else in Highlands and avoid this place at ALL COSTS!! read more

We ordered a chicken quesadilla to go. It was only $8 and they gave free chips and salsa. The service was quick and friendly. Quesadilla was okay- lots of chicke but not enough cheese. read more

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Guacamole is really good. We had the Pina Vaquero and the Pollo Fundido. Both were excellent. Highly recommend if you are in Highlands, NC read more

Los Vaqueros - Pina Vaqueros - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

Really great tex-mex. Not fussy, super tasty, and fairly priced in a town where everything is expensive. A staple for a causal, low-key night while visiting Highlands. read more

We are from Texas and we love their food! Reminds us of home! The service is always top notch.

The best place to eat in Highlands. We always eat here twice while in town. Service is the best. Food is amazing and always on point. Could not recommend more. read more

Worst steak chimichanga I've ever had. Deep fried to the point of being a solid block of wheat

Food was very good; chicken soup and carne azada suprema. Freshly made salsa. Service did not stack up with the food but wouldn't let that prevent anyone from trying. Will go back. read more

Los Vaqueros - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

This place doesn't look like much but a good spot to get a meal in the highlands. It's got an extensive menu with almost 50+ dishes. The place closes at 9. Pm but they seated us as late as 8.45. Food arrived quick and all of us were happy with it. I tried the Hawaiian fajita (chicken, chorizo and pineapple). It had minimal pineapple and maybe needed a touch more salt. It tasted better with limes and hot salsa The tacos (chicken)are big and so are the burritos. (Steak) check this place out. It's casual and can't go wrong with the choices. read more

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Going here was a last-minute decision; and I'm so glad we went. The food was delicious, and the service excellent, and the prices were super reasonable. Highlights: Ceviche, amazing. Very fresh, light and bright. House-made salsa, also outstanding. Fish tacos, huge and perfect. Sadness: my poor tummy ran out of room. No reports on the desserts this time, we simply couldn't. Hopefully next time though! read more

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Great food great price great service. One of the best Mexican restaurants I've been to.

I got the panchero special with shrimp and my husband got the steak and shrimp fajita quesadilla. The shrimp on mine were tender and juicy, really good flavor but I wish it came with something fresh like lettuce, sour cream or pico to cut through all the beans and rice. Still very good! My husband wasn't sure his quesadilla would be filling enough but we both were shocked by the size of this thing! It was literally as wide as him. Never seen a quesadilla that large. It was so rich and delicious and came with lettuce, small scoop of guac, sour cream and pico. If you sit on the deck all the way to the left (if you're facing the restaurant from the outside) you can get a view of the waterfall! read more

Los Vaqueros - Steak and shrimp fajita quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

Highly recommend. Everything we ate was fresh and flavorful. We will come back when we visit again

We just left and I have to say it was fantastic! Frozen margs were really good. Service with a smile and prompt and curtious. Hot chips and Smokey salsa was a very nice started. We had the Veggie Burrito and Carnitas! Both were amazing and we opted for the black beans instead of the refried. They were amazing and very similar to a charro bean. We will be back when we next visit! read more

We decided to try Los Vaqueros since our previous go to for Mexican, Chile Locos took a recent dive in ratings. I'm glad to say it was a good decision, since the restaurant was small but quaint, great service, and delicious food. We ordered the Vaqueros fajitas, with steak, shrimp, and chicken. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, the chicken and steak was tender, and all seasoned well, in addition to being a generous serving, enough for both of us, with an extra serving of flour tortillas. It's one of the best prepared we've had. If you like hot sauce, ask for some of their homemade, so good! We definitely will return. read more

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Excellent place. Great atmosphere, staff and food. Large portions, oversized soups, but the meats are fabulous. It's that kind of place that's worth to drive a few extra miles in order to have a great food and a great time read more

Delicious, fresh food with Casera style flavor. 4 out of 4 meals were rated 5 stars! Service was excellent, especially, while they were packed! Ambiance was quaint with heavy carved wood trims ala Mexicana. Recommended by our hotel desk clerk from Veracruz, MX. She is correctomundo! read more

I LOVE tacos and these have exceeded my expectations! Authentic, fresh, and just DELICIOUS! I got the carnitas and asada tacos. They were seasoned well and cooked to perfection. The rice was also delicious! The service was friendly and fast. Take out is ALWAYS a good idea. I can't wait to come back when I'm in the area again! read more

Service is always fast, food is always delicious and the portions are awesome! Very consistent, excellent pricing. Definitely, we will be back! read more

Our 4th time here! Absolutely excellent each and every time! Always busy and the owner and staff are so friendly and accommodating. The Margaritas are delicious . Can't wait to come back again ! Such a hard working restaurant-5 stars excellent ! guillermo is the best waiter ever - fast and efficient!!!! Excellent read more

Los Vaqueros - Beef burrito - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

Sometimes the best surprise is when you least expect it. Los Vaqueros is off the beaten path in Highlands but has some of the best Mexican food in NC. The three Mexican style tacos I had were carefully prepared and close to perfection. From the expertly grilled corn tortilla to the succulent Pastor and chicken fillings they were true stars. My spouse's Quesadilla with beans and rice also was beautifully made and delicious. And, don't leave without a side of their super guacamole! read more

Los Vaqueros - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

Service was very fast. Food very good. Would definitely go back. Just happened to see it listed online.

Let me start with my usual disclaimer. I don't rate ambience, service, location, or anything but the food. I may note some things about those other items, but this place has no issues with any of that anyway. As someone constantly on the prowl for epic food, it disappoints me when people give a food place two stars for a martini that didn't taste right - but to each their own. I have now eaten here twice and both times were a solid 5-stars. Their corn tortillas are so fresh and amazing. The portions are generous and the food is as authentic as northern Mexican cuisine can get. Fresh, tasty, authentic. That gets you five stars in my world. Don't miss this place if you are in Highlands! read more

We are glad to have Los Vaqueros here in Lake Toxaway. We've been several times and we always look forward to coming back. Good food, good service, big portions. read more

The best Mexican food my family and I have had in years. We got the chicken soup , so fresh and yummy. Cilantro, onion, avocado, rice, a ton of chicken .. I had the veggie enchiladas and my MIL the veggie quesadillas. Each served with rice and beans. The veggies were NOT an oily mess. They were sautéed and made fresh. My husband got the nachos and really enjoyed the chicken. We were mad at ourselves for not having visited this Highland staple sooner. A new family favorite.. read more

I can't say enough great things about this place! It's clean food. It's delicious. It's a kind of healthy take on Mexican food. They don't dump a bunch of butter and oil in their food.... It just naturally tastes good. Have Jasmine make you a patron margarita! I highly recommend the shrimp casadilla, the chicken soup, taco salad, I could drink their salsa, everything is always great!!! read more

Let's start off with saying I'm from california and also am a chef I've been in highlands for 2 months made the trip to cashiers to taco loco and this is the place to go for Quality quantity and price. It reminds me of California Mexi joints in more ways than one from the service to the ambience management and the wait staff know how to treat a guest I've been there three times and I'm looking forward towards the fourth which will be tonight unfortunately the TVs inside are not working as of yet but the one outside does so if you're looking to catch a football game and a taco or two this is still a great option in this little town of Highlands don't forget if you were sincerely happy with the food to tip the cooks in the back Directly. read more

Los Vaqueros - Modelo negro Molcajete and a good lookin happy man what more could you ask for salute y Bien Provecho !! - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

Outstanding! The previous day we'd seen a line to get in, so when we needed somewhere for lunch (linner?) at an odd hour we figured we'd follow the crowd, and the crowd was correct. Some of the best salsa I've had, tastes like the tomatoes are fire roasted first and that smoky flavor really carries, very fresh too and nice consistency. The chips were warm both times they brought a basket. Rest of the food was high quality as well, we all loved our meals. Service was prompt. Server made a recommendation for me and was really happy when I enjoyed it. I think I may have picked one of his personal favorites. We were in town on vacation but we try to come to this area often so hopefully we'll be back! read more

Los Vaqueros - Ceviche! It was terrific! - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

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Very good food and staff is great. Very helpful in placing pickup orders and taking orders from multiple people

Food was great and generous portions. Excellent chips and salsa as well. Walkable from Main Street. Would recommend. read more

Los Vaqueros - Piña Vaquera - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

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I have been coming to this exact place for abt 4 and a half years and it has been the go to spot for my family when we would want Mexican food. Usually the service is spot on and we would never have to worry about empty glasses but tonight I had to get the waiters attention numerous times for more chips and a refill on my drink. Second, the chimachanga was average at best. 90% of the plate was filled with mushed beans and there was lile bearly any steak. My buddy got the poncho special and it was just horrific. He said the flavor of it tasted like rubber and the texture of the chicken was rubbery and gross. Only bright spot was the taste of the iced tea and guacamole. Wish this restaurant the best in the future as its expectations. we're through the roof a few years ago read more

Delicioso! Great dinner spot while in Highlands. Our hostess/waitress/cashier (all in one) was super thoughtful and pleasant which made our dinner even better! Our meal experience started with very good (little heat but not too much) salsa and chips. We ordered a fajita and a veggie quesadillas. Both were extremely tasty! Very nice feel to restaurant decor too. Will visit again when in the area. read more

Los Vaqueros - Veggie Quesadilla with Yummy Black Beans - Mexican Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

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