First time here and the food and drinks were absolutely amazing but we were more pleased with the service! Artemiza was the best not only attentive but also funny, welcoming and very knowledgeable about the drinks and menu. We will definitely come back soon! read more

We came down for a counselor conference and knew we wanted to try something new and WOW, we came to Palenque and had the most delicious Mexican food in Riverside. Not only were the quesa birria tacos the best I've ever had, but the music was bumpin, the environment was welcoming and the service was fantastic. This is a guaranteed spot to go to when in Riverside! read more

Service was amazing. Artemiza did an amazing job and was very attentive at all times. I recommend this place for a good time and good food.

Aisha was our waiter last night and she was so sweet... She was quick to get our drinks and did such an amazing job juggling all her tables making sure we always had refills and food was delivered at our request and in a timely manner. Music always good here not too loud definitely can hold a conversation. We were bummed out to know the aguachiles had been removed from menu however that's not our waiters fault. Thanks Aisha for being such a great waiter and helping us end our night on a positive note.. read more

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Cute atmosphere. Expensive food. Weak drinks. I overall liked my experience, but I expected more for the price. I ordered a bowl. It was pretty good. The rice lacked a little flavor. The beans were slightly cold. My mezcal cocktail was not strong at all. Not sure if I will return, the price was just too much for what i received. I did eat all of it, however. Service was good. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Beef bowl - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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I honestly can't remember the last time I ate something this good. I ordered the Salmon Al Pastor after my waitress, Artemiza, recommended it, and she did not steer me wrong. It was absolutely delicious, flavorful, perfectly cooked, and one of those meals where you keep thinking about how good it is while you're still eating it. The drinks were amazing too! Vanessa was the bartender, and she definitely knows what she's doing because those drinks were delicious and did their job! What really made the experience stand out though, was the service. Artemiza was so kind, friendly, welcoming, and gave me a girls girl vibe. Her food and drink recommendations completely made my meal. Vanessa made fantastic drinks, and overall the staff made me feel genuinely welcome. I will continue coming here and inviting everyone that I can. Great food, great drinks, and genuinely great service. I came in on a whim and left SO happy that I did. read more

I don't do one stars very often, but this one is well earned. Long story short, ordered queso fondito, a very standard dish. Ordered it without onions...no problem, right? Until it came out with grilled onions mixed into the cheese. Sent it back before the waitress even left the table. Dish gets refired, this time it comes out without chorizo...so it is a huge blob of melted cheese and poblano peppers. I didn't send back the second dish, but did check the menu to make sure I wasn't missing something. My companions seemed to enjoy their meals but neither was charged up to return for another taste. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Queso Fondito...second attempt to serve the dish and there is no chorizo...huge fail! Cheese is always good though! - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

The chicken taquitos are really delicious and even enough as a regular plate if you are not that hungry. The papas bravas are good but a little spicy if you don't eat chile at all. The chicken enmoladas are awesome and enough to share. Artemiza was our waitress and she was really nice and recommended good options! read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Churros - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Pretty fast service, food and drinks were delicious! Our service, Artemiza, had the best vibes! She took care of us very well and always making sure everything was good :) read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Some missing but this is the margarita tree - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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Artemiza was our server. She was soooo adorable. Had amazing recommendations and kept our drinks full. We will definitely be back soon!

Came here on a Friday for lunch. It was not at all busy. I believe our waitress was Iris. She was super sweet and extremely helpful and attentive. The restaurant has a fun vibe and beautiful bright decor. I imagine it being pretty fun at night. The chips and salsa were excellent, the chips had a seasoning on them that was so good and everything was fresh. I got a fish taco and asada taco because I couldn't decide between the two. The fish lacked a little flavor and the asada was a little greasy but the rice and beans were good. My husband got the Huevos Rancheros with asada and he ate the whole thing up, I tried his food and the flavors were bomb! We also got the mimosa flight which was perfect Overall, I would come back and check it out again. read more

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Tried the margarita flight and taquitos at Palenque Kitchen The margarita flight was fun to try and the drinks were strong with great flavor variety. The taquitos were crispy, well-seasoned, and perfect for sharing. Great spot for a lively girls night in downtown Riverside -- would definitely come back. read more

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Artemiza was a great waitress that provided great customer service. She was friendly and attentive. The food was fresh, hot, and tasty. Awesome job!!! read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Chicken Taquitos - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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Had a blast spending my Halloween here. My amazing server was Artemiza. She brought a fun and welcoming vibe with great service! The Papas appetizer with carnitas was very good, I recommend for anyone who stops by. Also hit the club next door read more

The bartender victor made our delicious drink and the food was so good! Everything was beautifully presented, and the atmosphere was great. Our server Artemiza was also super sweet, attentive, and made sure we had a great experience. Amazing service all around! Definitely recommend this place for a nice night out. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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Decided to come in for 1 strawberry margarita and maybe a appetizer. Ramon was the bartender and talked up the additive free tequila even for the well. Pretty nice touch not having to have Cuervo, Sauza or a tequila written in crayons. I ended up having a watermelon and a Guava margarita. I would of took a picture of the queso fundido but it got crushed. I tried steak empanadas and Ramon brought out a chipotle sauce that was perfect for them. I'd come back for sure because of Ramon and everything else after in that order. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Fresh Strawberry Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

We were out there for Christmas lights and decided to get a quick dinner. Being holiday time, it was super busy and crowded. We had to wait to get a table. Service was quick and ambiance was cool. We order enchiladas with shrimp, carnitas plate, and queso. Everything was great and tasted good. Food came out a bit cold with was unusual. Probably because they were super busy? But still strange to not have served hot food if it's just coming out of the kitchen. Overall, a good place to check out.. might give it a shot again when it's not a holiday week. read more

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Food was delicious! We went on a rainy day so it was practically empty but the waitress was great and patient with us too! Would come here again! read more

Great environment, but a little pricey! Music vibing! Great Green Posole! Service was great as well. read more

It is comfortable seating inside. They also have seating outside in the front patio. We did not have a long wait for a table. The waitress was very friendly and the service was adequate. We ordered Baja fish tacos and pozole. Pozole was chicken soup. it was NOT Pozole. The fish tacos had lots of batter and very little fish for the first bite. The batter overwhelmed the fish taco. Tasting on the greasy side. The side of beans = meh Truthfully I can see how going to Baja /Rosarito& Ensenada area has made me more critical of places that claim to have Baja Fish Tacos. The best fish tacos are simple and delicious. Ummm it's not available North of the border. ‍ oh well - read more

Palenque by Mezcal - I added the cabbage, red onions, cilantro and lime juice... still chicken soup not pozole. sorry this is not a great picture. - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Best best place to eat and have a great time been coming here since they open and will be my number 1 spot to go to And the service is amazing SALLY and Artemiza is the best waitress I've ever met I always ask for her when I come here she's so fast and hospitality is the best 10/10 recommend read more

Reminds me of San Diego. Service is amazing. Chill location. Good food and drinks. :) I will definitely go back. read more

Artemisa was incredible and super sweet! The food, the service were all amazing, plus the recommendation for the churros was perfect :)

We had such a fantastic time at Palenque by Mezcal! We ordered the guacamole, ceviche, and the margarita tree, and everything was delicious. The margarita tree was especially fun and perfect for sharing! Artemiza was our waitress, and she was incredible! Super sweet, attentive, and she took great care of us all night. Great atmosphere, excellent drinks, and even better service. Definitely ask for Artemiza! read more

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Artemiza was the best!! Food was good, the service and the ambiance!!! Thank you for a great experience! Definitely will be coming back for the brunch menu!! read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Churros - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Stumbled upon this place post drinks from another nearby venue and immediately fell in love. I am from the OC and adore the palenque in Costa Mesa so I was glad to experience the IE restaurant! The restaurant aesthetically is beautiful and spacious. Perfect for a night out with friends or a date night. Sonia at the bar was so kind and immediately greeted us upon entry. My girlfriend and I were here for drinks and the margarita sampler($36) did not disappoint! It was flavorful and had a kick to it. Sonia also recommended dessert which was delicious. We did the tres leches and the churros. So good. This was a total win in my book and will recommend palenque riverside by all means! read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Tres leches - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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Such a fun spot for drinks and happy hour. The vibe was really nice, the drinks were good, and the whole place had a great energy. Service was friendly and fast, and it felt like a perfect place to catch up with friends or start the night. I would definitely come back for the drinks and atmosphere. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

The vibes here and food was good! Our server was nice and friendly her name is Artemiza. I really enjoyed the restaurant. Lots of fun!! read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Chilaquiles - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Made a reservation for 9 on a Sunday at 5:30 and fortunately, it wasn't just and we were seated right away. Important to note that reservations hold a card for cancellation. Our server was helpful and kind, especially for us being a bigger party. And the food came out quickly for the size of our party too. I got the Baja tacos which comes with rice and beans. The fish tacos are pretty standard and decently tasty but nothing standout. I don't know what kind of fish they use but it didn't seem like a meaty fish like cod or pollock. The beans were too salty and the rice was good but some was overcooked/dry. It is a good portion size (was able to save 1 taco) but it's on the pricier side. Maybe I should've tried something else but wouldn't plan on coming back or recommending it read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Baja tacos with rice and beans - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

This was a cool place to try out. Our server Jose was very attentive and friendly! Food presentation was beautiful and flavorful. Atmosphere was very modern and upbeat decor. Location is near Mission Inn on Main Street. Price is on the higher end so plan to pay an average of $30/person. The only thing that was a bummer for us was the loud music for lunch hour experience. The music was loud and made me think it would be best for a club atmosphere? Maybe it was just me but I felt anxiety eating because the music was so upbeat and loud. Music is a big part of the eating experience. I know some people may be fine with it. For example, we had breakfast at Tio's Taco and the music was spot on for the dining experience. read more

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My bestie and I had the best time at Palenque. The ceviche was delicious and our amazing server Artemiza recommended a delicious guava mocktail read more

Papas Bravas (2/5): The papas bravas were a bit disappointing as it lacked flavor. The appetizer came with crema and green onions on top but honestly it did not add to the taste. The dish was overall quite plain and just tasted like potatoes dipped in sour cream. We dipped the potatoes in the chicken enchilada sauce and it made them taste a little better. If you're looking for an appetizer I don't recommend this one. Carne Asada Fajitas (3/5): This dish was neither good nor bad. We were very excited when it was brought to our table but unfortunately it lacked flavor and was dry. Before we ordered, we asked if we could choose how the meat was cooked but was told it was only cooked one standard way. It comes with guac, beans, mexican rice, and pico de gallo which helped give the dish a bit of life. Chicken Enchiladas (5/5): Everything about these enchiladas was so delicious. The chicken was cooked just right, they added the perfect amount of cheese, and perfect amount of green salsa and crema. The plate was clean by the time I was done with the dish. I would absolutely order this dish again. The interior was nicely done and our waiter was great! Something you should know is if you reserve a big party you have to pay $20 per person to hold your place. If you don't show up it will be deducted from the card you put on file. read more

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Food was great but service with Artemiza was even better. She was awesome really spoke on the fabulous things to do around here and spoke really well on food and restaurant. The atmosphere was good. Definitely recommend if you have not tried. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Inside of restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

The service was phenomenal. Food is quality. Environment is chill, but fun around 10ish. Special thanx to Artemiza for being super sweet and an amazing server!!! Highly recommend this place. read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Chicken mole!! - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

Cool place, good food and drinks, and the server Artemiza was so nice! I recommend it... read more

We weren't sure if Palenque required a reservation, so I called ahead. The man who answered said it was a slow night and that we could walk in, which we did. My friend and I arrived, picked a table, and were greeted by our waiter, Hailey. At the very beginning, the service actually seemed fine--she was attentive and checked on us regularly. Things started to change once the rest of our group arrived. We initially told Hailey it would be four people, but two additional friends joined, making it a party of six. From that point on, the energy noticeably shifted. Hailey became far less attentive, and when we asked questions, her responses felt awkward and dismissive. She would laugh in a way that felt uncomfortable, like there was an inside joke we weren't a part of. I can't pinpoint exactly where everything went wrong, but overall the experience was very underwhelming. We did not feel welcomed in the space at all, and the change in service made the night uncomfortable rather than enjoyable. Unfortunately, this isn't a place I'd return to or recommend. read more

I came here with some friends for an R&B event and absolutely loved the vibe. People were singing along, drinking, and laughing it was such a fun atmosphere. I really enjoyed myself and the food. I had the shrimp tacos with chipotle sauce so good! And the margaritas were STRONG read more

Palenque by Mezcal - Shrimp Tacos Refried Beans Spanish Rice - Mexican Near Me - Riverside, California

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We had a great time at Palenque! Our server (Artemiza) was attentive and on top of everything! 00% we would recommend and make sure you ask for Artemiza read more

What a great place to celebrate my birthday our server was Christian he took our table and made us feel special. Loved the drinks and the ambiance. Christian is now our preferred server. read more

We decided to switch things up on Christmas evening with a walk through the Mission Inn's Festival of Lights. No agenda--just fresh air and a change of pace. That's when we noticed this spot was open... and surprisingly BUSY. On a whim, we went in. Best unplanned decision of the night. The patio felt intimate, the staff was awesome, and the vibe was just right. We shared a couple of drinks, ordered their delicious tres leches and a seriously crave-worthy brownie, and settled in to people-watch as the crowd walked by seeing the lights. One of those chillest nights that ended up being exactly what we needed to slow down in the middle of a busy night before getting back to everything. read more