Overall my experience here was great. There was a separate club like dance area with great music attached to the restaurant which made it so lively and fun. The food was good and not ridiculously expensive for downtown San Jose. My family and I enjoyed our time here. The only complaint I have is the bartender, he seemed very lazy. His name was Johnavan or Julian, I can't remember. We were there Sunday morning around lunch time. The Palomas we ordered didn't have a hint of grapefruit, it was even white in color. It wasn't terrible but it also wasn't a Paloma. We sat directly in front of the bar at a table, he would make the drinks and just stand there. Not cleaning, not doing anything just stand there and stare at the party. I see my drinks sitting there in front of him on a tray waiting for the server to come get them. I know my server was busy so I don't blame him but really, he couldn't just take 5 steps to bring our drinks to our table? instead we waited 10 min for them. I also asked the same bartender if I can speak to whoever was in charge of events because I was interested in hosting a party and no one ever came. When I asked him a second time he said it was because I "disappeared" aka I sat down at my table that sits directly in front of him. Anyways we finished eating, paid and we were ready to go, my 3 little kids were anxious to leave but we stayed waiting, no one came. After a while I finally just went to the hostess to ask for someone to help me with events and the manager came 2 min. later. He was very nice and provided me with all the information I needed. I enjoyed everything about this place except for the bartender. read more

We tried this restaurant a while ago and decided to go back since we couldn't remember what it was like. We didn't have reservations, so we were happy they got us a table for dinner. They were very accommodating. The server was polite and overall very good. We got the chips and salsa. The salsa was very watered down and had barely any flavor. We ordered dinner. I did chicken tacos since they were busy and seemed safe, and my husband ordered a quesadilla with chicken. The chicken in the tacos was overcooked, and it took all the saliva out of my mouth. I couldn't eat more than 2; it was not good, but I was very hungry. I ate what I could. Plus, there was no flavor to it; they were very bland. My husband's meal was ok. He did say there was no flavor or seasonings on his meal as well. This was unfortunately not a good meal for us, and not sure we will be returning. read more

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Went here with a large group for a work dinner. I loved their extensive list of mezcals and interesting menu options. You can tell this is a very local mom and pop shop making everything from scratch, as they struggled to keep up with the orders from our group of more than 20 people, which is completely understandable! I had the mole negro along with several appetizers ordered for the table (fresh Guac and calamari). I loved the mezcal mule. We ended our meal with the fried plantains and churros. Everything was delicious, fresh, and made to order. read more

Mezcal - Mole Negro - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

We recently tried Mezcal for a family dinner. I ordered the enchilada suiza with camarones and was really looking forward to it, especially since I was hungry, but it didn't quite hit the mark for me. The sauce leaned much sweeter than expected, which threw off the balance of the dish. My husband had the grilled pulpo salad and was ok with it. And to end on a good note, the churros and chocolate cake definitely made up for it, they were warm, satisfying, and a great way to finish the meal. Overall, a mixed experience, but I'd be open to trying other dishes next time. read more

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This is an Oaxacan style restaurant, meaning if you're used to Mexican food being taqueria style burritos, you won't find that here. My husband and I decided to share an order of their red mole chicken enchiladas. They also had a kids menu available, so we ordered the kids steak and cheese quesadilla with fries and a kids chicken taquitos with rice and beans. For the style of food this was, I think everything was up to par and had good flavors. The style is not really my preference though, so I don't think I'll be back. The enchiladas were simply plain corn tortillas with the red sauce poured on top with a couple pieces of chicken stacked on top, so you eat the chicken separately. The chicken was a bit on the dry side, luckily you have the mole sauce to dip it into which masks the dryness. Similarly, the chicken taquitos only had chicken on the inside - no cheese, no other sauce or anything, so they were also kind of dry to eat. The beans they give you are black beans but they're served at room temp and I think they would have been better hot. The steak quesadilla was the star of the meal - you get a pretty big portion size, relatively speaking, and there is a good ratio of meat and cheese inside. The staff was nice and the restaurant inside is beautifully decorated. Conveniently located a block away from downtown San Jose. read more

Mezcal - Chicken mole Enchiladas ( Red Mole) - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

We were excited to try this restaurant. Sadly our experience was underwhelming. Service was a miss. Our server was all over the place except for our table. Being that the restaurant is called mezcal, we ordered mezcal cocktails. They were water downed and barely had any mezcal. The guacamole was $13 and came in a huge molcajete. The amount of guacamole did not fill the bowl. I ordered their specialty mole negro which came with chicken. The portion was so small and not worth $26. The flavor of the mole was mild and light. Not what I expected a dark mole would be. Better value were the enchiladas con coloradito ($21 with added chicken) and la torta ($17). read more

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Two things here are great: 4.8/5: Tamal mole with chicken. You unwrap it and pour on the mole sauce. The mole has a complex smokey flavor profile. 4.7/5: Memelitas: These are super simple, but really tasty. It's all in the texture. I did not try the crickets. read more

Came by for dinner the other night and it was a lacklustre experience. Same-day reservations were available and our table was ready upon arrival. Dining is available inside the dining room or on their covered patio. There is a bar on-site with a full alcohol license. Our waiter was very attentive in suggesting and recommending beverages throughout the evening. Started off with the guacamole and it was freshly made and served in a gigantic bowl. It was decent. Opted for a carne asada quesadilla for my main and it was edible. The carne asada was rather bland and dry. The entire quesadilla was lacklustre. I noticed my dining companions being surprised with their dishes as it wasn't what they expected. Towards the end of the meal, I noticed many still had plenty of food left on their plate. read more

Mezcal - Carne Asada Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Amazing service. Brought a high chair for kid and even offered cartolas and paper for when the kid had a time settling in. Memelitas were our favorite. I liked their sauce and chips. Used that'd sauce in everything. I enjoyed my enchiladas con Coloradito sauce, it was a bit sweet for me but with the sauce it was great. The tlayuda was good but I did hear it was better before, possibly a change in sazón. Ambiance is always nice, clean, fresh. Well decorated and good music. Can still chat. read more

What a lovely surprise! Staying downtown San Jose, we felt like Mexican! After scrolling for a bit I found Mezcal! Around 2:30pm we arrived and at first glance, I was thinking is this place open? Yes it was! We walked in and we were greeted promptly and we were told we could sit anywhere. We sat in the main dining area under the beautiful tree - as the outside area was being set up for an event. After being sat they quickly served water and fresh house-made corn chips and salsa. We then order: Guacamole Margarita Tacos de asada Mole negros with chicken Loved everything we ate! Was Delicious! Will be back again! read more

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My friends and I came here on a Friday night. We had a reservation, so we were able to be seated immediately. I loved the interior because they had a pretty tree for the holidays! The restaurant seems pretty casual and chill. The ambience wasn't that loud, so it was perfect for casual conversations. We had chips and dip as the starter which was pretty good. I ordered the Tacos De Asada which came in around 20 minutes. I think that the tacos were pretty tasty and the carne asada was lightly flavored. I would have preferred slightly less onions, but it was still a pretty solid taco. My friend got the mole negro, and he was surprised by the fact that it was like a savory chocolate sauce. He enjoyed it regardless even though it seemed like the mole to chicken and rice was a bit disproportionate. The staff was friendly but was a bit slower due to it being a busy night. There are restrooms in the back that were pretty clean. This location is in downtown SJ, and there's quite a few paid parking garages that are within walking distance. read more

Favorite place to go ... food is always on point, my drinks the same and the best customer service, best bartender is by ISABEL read more

Mezcal - Mi mamma is the best super yummy - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Well, I tried to be optimistic, Mezcal was honestly pretty disappointing. the beef was thin and dry. But luckily, the server recommended that I try a combination of the meats, and the pork was pretty decent as, was the chorizo. I've never had Oaxacan food before, so I don't have anything to compare this to. But I would not go here again if given the choice. read more

Mezcal - Tlayuda - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Stopped here on a work trip. I had the Salmon. Great cook and portion size. Could have used a touch more salt but great flavors. The staff was very friendly. Nice interior with a handful of tables. I think there was an outside patio too. Full bar. Closer to 4.25 stars. Check it out. read more

Mezcal - Lemon Pepper Salmon - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

I love Mexican food and remember hearing about this restaurant from my parents who said it was decent and they are not wild about the cuisine in the same way as me. I saw that they were participating in San Jose Restaurant Week so I decided to visit. I got the tuna tostada, the sea bass, and the tres leches cakes. Overall, the food was pretty tasty. I would classify this place as more Mexican-American fusion as opposed to authentic Mexican as I didn't taste much authentic Mexican (or Oaxacan, no less) flavor in any of the dishes. However, the meal was still pretty good and the dishes were presented well. I live in Mountain View and don't know if I would come all the way to Downtown just for this restaurant. However, if I lived in the area and wanted some decent Mexican-American food in a nice atmosphere then I would consider coming here. read more

Oh man, I hope you like mole! the food here is great, the service is great, the people are great. And there really is no but. Oaxacan food to its core it is a well focused menu and a pretty solid bar program to match. The space is really well decorated, it reminds me of all the places we went to eat in Oaxaca and the art was all from artists from or still there. Adolfo himself is a true treasure. Hospitality is his true calling and he builds relationships and partnerships with in both the Mexican and the restaurant communities. Try the enchiladas and even if you do not like mole, they have one you will... read more

I'm rarely in San Jose but this is always a must, the inside is amazing, the decorations are fun and exciting. The food to match, I order a few things but for a first time the carne asada tacos are a good bet! We got in late this last time I was by and they still let us in and even order dessert, even though it was cutting it close. Got the oaxacan coffee for dessert and that was incredible read more

Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

My husband and I visited Mezcal over Valentine's Day and we really enjoyed our meals! The food, service, and atmosphere were great.

Came here for a birthday dinner and had a pretty standard meal. We ordered the salmon which had a lemon cream sauce and came with rice and veggies and we got the veggie enchiladas with a dark and smoky mole sauce. The salmon was cooked well and so were the veggies but the sauce they had was okay. The mole was delicious and the enchiladas weren't super heavy so anyone who's a fan of smoky flavors should order the dark mole and maybe an old fashioned made with their Mezcal! It was my friends birthday so the waiter brought out the dessert we ordered (the pecan ice cream wasn't great) but the brownie sundae was awesome. read more

Mezcal - Mole Negro - Veggie Enchiladas Salmon - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

This is such a cool aesthetically appealing restaurant. It is relatively large inside with additional seating in a covered patio type space. I came on a Tuesday night and this place was bustling. The service was quick, though our server wasn't particularly personable, he was attentive. I thoroughly enjoyed the food, especially the Mexican coffee. I never see that beverage out here and it was so tasty and strong (both in caffeine and alcohol). My friend got the torta, but he didn't care for it. I tried it and I liked it though it wasn't like any torta I've had before. It was more like a chicken salad sandwich but I liked it. read more

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The last time we dined here was a few years ago under pandemic restrictions. It was cold, and we sat outside in the heated patio. This time around, it was also a cold night, but we got to enjoy the indoor dining room. Everything was as great as we remembered. The pollo al horno is one of the best chicken dishes ever. The Argentinian Malbec was the perfect pairing. The chicken quesadilla is a wonderful appetizer. My husband also loves the shrimp appetizer. The chips and salsa are fresh and flavorful. The black beans with queso fresco are wonderful. The restaurant is gorgeous and the service is impeccable. read more

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This is my absolute FAVORITE place to meet up with friends or have a first/casual date in San Jose!! The food is so fresh and creative with quite generous portions, super flavorful, too. Full bar, but I just had soda, but my sister had a cocktail or two. Loved the vibe here, so upbeat and inviting. Everyone seemed like they were having a really good time, just a happy atmosphere. Service was top notch, our server was so attentive with a genuinely caring manner, funny too. LOVED my experience here at Mezcal and can't wait to return when I am back in the Bay Area. read more

I dined here before going to the Cinequest film festival. Mezcal hosted a pre movie event in the space. I had not been here before and probably would not have chosen this place. I ordered the cheese quesadilla and it was totally unexpected. Kinda mind blowingly good. It was a corn tortilla (house made) stuffed with possibly cotija cheese that was melty like mozzarella, fried (!), and then topped with a little bean puree and some green sauce. Also, crumbled cheese, and shredded lettuce. This thing was like an empanada made out of something like if Fritos and crispy polenta had a cheesy baby. LOVED IT. I want to go back and try more. Or just get that again. read more

The food is delicious. It's not your typical American Mexican flare. It's Oaxacan style, which is so tasty. I had the crispy corn tortillas stuffed with Mexican cheese and beans with a side of airplane chicken that was so tender flavorful. So darn good. My partner had the enchiladas which were so fresh and flavorful. They were not typical enchiladas served every else. It was open faced with a delicious tomatillo sauce And sautéed veges. And of course the complimentary tortilla chips and salsa were addictive. Warm and crispy with tangy and spicy salsa. Last but not least the hosts were super friendly and patient with explaining the different menu. Although big, It felt like a homey Mexican restaurant run. The staff were greeting regulars by name. I've visited a few times and know I will be going more often. read more

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Mexican food is my favorite food. Mezcal is an Oaxaca, Mexican restaurant, so it could be standard for them. It wasn't bad, but it was on the boring flavor side of Mexico. The salsa isn't a standard salsa, it is spicy, but not flavorful, I mixed pico de gallo in to give it flavor. It was absolutely packed because of a big conference, but the service was still good. I had the enchiladas, which much like the salsa, lacked flavor. My cocktail was good, but as you can see in the picture, had an old brownish lime. If I lived locally, this wouldn't be a restaurant I would revisit. read more

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Their unique Michelada flavor tasted great without the typical Clamato recipe. Had some spice to it and paired well with the chicken quesadillas. Chicken Quesadillas are delicious and packed with flavor. I was impressed with just a simple order. read more

Mezcal - Michelada - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

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I came here with a group of friends before an event, and was very excited to try their Mexican food. However I have to say that nothing really blew me away. I ordered their mole, which I was told was one of their specialties, and it was pretty good, with a unique flavor profile. I was surprised, however, that it was served with a side of plain white rice instead of the classic Mexican rice and beans. In addition, some of their other items had a unique twist that I don't know I would consider "authentic" Mexican food as they advertise. My friend ordered their enchilada, and received a chicken breast covered in sauce on top of three empty tortillas. That being said, the staff were very nice, and the inside of the restaurant was beautiful. If you are looking for authentic Mexican food, I'm afraid this isn't the place for you. It was a fun experience, and I wouldn't have a problem eating here again, but I'm not necessarily rushing back. read more

We went to the art museum and came right across the street for dinner here - love the convenience! Ambiance is quite nice, good amount of people and lively music and staff are all friendly and welcoming. They have two areas and we sat in the further area which is more of an open space and outdoor type of feel but is still inside. We weren't too hungry so we shared the vegetarian flautas, they were quite good and had nice side items like rice, beans, slaw, and guacamole. I would say the potato in the flauta itself could have had some more flavor/seasoning. We got the oaxacan pecan ice cream for dessert which was unlike anything I've ever had, it was interesting flavor almost like a cinnamon. Wouldn't get it again though as a lot of it was ice chunks and wasn't super enjoyable to eat. Service was pretty good but took a bit of time to get the check at the end. Overall pretty good and would come again to try more food and drinks next time! read more

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Okay Mexican food. Nice you get oaxacan flavors. Nice area with big space for happy hour. I got their pink lemonade but it was very watered down. For a place in dtsj it's decent. I like the atmosphere inside tho and you can rent out the hall like section read more

Mezcal - Chicken Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

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This review is only for the memelitas, which deserves one. The tortillas shell was crispy at the bottom and chewy on top. The pork crackling provides the flavor that's well balanced by the black bean puree and cheese, so it doesn't taste too gamey or greasy. Rich in both flavor and texture. I'd come back just for this. We also ordered cocktails and quesadillas, which I thought was just ok. read more

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The food, the ambience, the service and cocktails are all wonderful! I love eating here! They sometimes have live music in the patio that takes it to another level. J read more

As others have said, the guacamole is great and so is La Fresa, the strawberry margarita. After each getting one drink each, we ordered a pitcher because it was that delish! The strawberry purée was what sealed the deal for me. The guacamole was also very fresh and one gal I was with even said it was the best she has had. The chips were good too. For my main dish, I ordered the chicken flautas. They were good and came with mango slaw, rice, and more guacamole on the side. It didn't knock my socks off, but it was tasty. Service was friendly and efficient. The decor is beautiful and I love the tree in the middle of everything. The patio also looked perfect for the summer months. Parking is convenient in the 50 West garage that's just across the street from the restaurant. read more

Mezcal - Strawberry Margarita - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

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Mezcal deserves a higher rating. We tried it for the first time as part of Downtown San Jose's restaurant week. Of all the places we tried, Mezcal is the only restaurant we plan on coming back to. The service was wonderful - all of the staff were warm and attentive. We loved our drinks, the chips, guacamole, appetizer and main entrees. The item I would not order again was the tres leches cake, but even that was perfectly decent. Ambiance is lovely and I enjoyed the 2010s era Latin music played in the background. The one thing that could have improved the experience would have been cleaner bathrooms. However the food, service and atmosphere all make Mezcal a worthwhile visit. read more

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Came in for lunch and this place was busy which was nice to see as this is the first time I have been back in the pandemic. Got seated right away and order the guacamole which was fresh and homemade (sorry for no pictures of it), but it came in a mortar and pestle which was cute. I then ordered the shrimp tacos which were good, just with they had a better tasting salsa or something bit hotter. overall service was good and the ambiance is an authentic feel, however parking can be tough as there is no street parking, only paid parking lots. read more

Mezcal - Shrimp Tacos - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

We ordered enchiladas that were trying to be fajitas. The food was mediocre. The service was good. The chips were OK. It is close to Christmas in the Park, so convenience is the key to their success. read more

This place is always delicious, hospitable, and fun. The vegan enchiladas are phenomenal (I love the veggies, "cheese", and sauce), and the drinks are sweet and refreshing. Food: 9/10, Drinks: 10/10, Service: 10/10, Ambiance: 8/10, Vegan-friendly: 7/10 read more

Mezcal - Fresh Home made corn chips with guacamole and salsas - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

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Mezcal charge my credit card anyway after I caught the error in real-time. I thought it was strange that my 20% tip was so low for a $200+ meals. I looked closely, and saw right away that this was not my bill. I also thought is was strange that the waiter swiped my card handed it back to me, but left the hand machine on the table and walked away. It was during it absence I noticed the error. When he cam back, I notified him of the error and he thanked me. I paid for the correct meals. He assured me that the other bill would not be charged. BS, the next day, there processed the charge that was not mine! Called, several times, no one answers at Mezcal and had to leave them a message. IMHO, this is either a mistake by a untrained employee or a deliberate mistake. Either way, Mezcal is not for me! IMHO, there are too many other fine restaurants in the area to choose from that don't have credit card charging problems. read more

Service was terrible. I made reservations for a party of 5 who are co-workers. We went for lunch during GTC so we all had our own budget to expense. I asked the waiter if he can charge each of us separately and he flat out said no. I asked for his mgr (I know, I know) and his mgr first said no, not possible, then said ok, but that our order will take longer (wth) so I agreed since most other places were full. I did not expect our food to come 30mins later and I'm not exaggerating! I figured out later why. It's because they only had 1 waiter (who was also their only bartender) in the entire restaurant taking orders and charging the bills. Food was pretty good which is why I gave it 2 stars, but the service was just horrific. read more

Beautiful restaurant with a nice ambiance. I visited for an event but would definitely go back for a lunch or evening out. Very clean, the service was good and there is plenty of parking in the area. Cocktails were amazing. read more

Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - San Jose, California

Do not miss out on this gem of a restaurant! When a different restaurant left me hanging with 21 people ready to celebrate my birthday, I contacted Mezcal and within hours Adolfo came flying in like a super hero and provided accommodations within hours of contacting them. Mezcal looks small from the outside, but once you step in you'll see the "wow" factor. We were seating in an enclosed patio and it was perfect. That tree in the inside of the restaurant was pretty cool as well. The staff were so nice and very accommodating. They never missed a beat to keep all 21 of us content. The food! I wish I took pictures but believe me, everything we ordered was so good! I really did take a survey for this review and here is what we devoured- chicken quesadillas, corn tortilla with black beans and chicharron, guacamole and chips, steak, enchiladas negras and rojas, chicken flautas, salmon salad, carne asada tacos...Yummy! The drinks were refreshing and not too light or heavy on the alcohol. Tequila shots were served CHILLED. Just like they are supposed to be. Thank you again Adolfo and team! We had a blast and will be back soon! read more