Cannot believe it's been a year since we last visited! We requested the outdoor patio on this Cinco de Mayo to dine in and see the mariachi perform. We had a short wait before being seated. Our party of three ordered horchata, milk, orange juice, a half order of guacamole to complement the complimentary chips and salsa, French fries, and Quesa Birria Tacos with Rice and Beans. Not my favorite Birria, but I left full and happy. Only two-song performance outdoors, so I'm glad one of my littles needed the restroom which allowed me to catch the performances in the bar area. Will to return soon, hopefully also before next year's Cinco de Mayo. read more

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This place was just what the Doctor ordered. !!Happy Hour Alert!!! I absolutely recommend their happy hour, as the food I tried was delicious and their version of a michelada was killer. They have many great looking dishes, but I went for the Mexican pizza(destroyed Taco Bell). . The beans inside the dish really rounded out the flavor of the steak which tasted so great with their pico de gallo. Pleasant surprise how good this was. The ceviche tostada was pretty good too especially since I don't really like tilapia, but theirs was incredible citrusy. I hear the owner is a really cool guy, but I had not seen him working. The bartender however was super awesome and was attentive when needed, but honestly gave me space instead of asking "how is everything constantly" when not needed. I know this may seem like a strange comment, but I took that as him knowing he's doing a great job and having the know-with-all to insert himself when necessary. I spend a lot of time judging food and people, and this guy was good and I wanted to list this in case his manager ever reads these. Props!!! I got out of there for under $30= HUGE lunch + drinks + tax + tip!!!! I found a little oasis in this desert town, and will surely stop here again if I ever venture into Fresno again. You should definitely go there if you're a local. read more

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This is really hard to write because Papi's used to be one of our go-to spots. We used to eat here weekly and absolutely loved it. It's been a very long time since we've physically dined in (I honestly can't remember the last time we were inside), but recently we've ordered it maybe twice through DoorDash hoping to have a better experience due to long wait times when dining in. Unfortunately, it hasn't been what we remembered. The rice and beans have been coming in containers that are only about half full, and overall the portions feel much smaller and less generous than they used to be. It also feels disappointing to have to pay extra for additional salsa when the portions already seem limited. It's just a bummer because this place used to be so consistently good and one of our favorites. I truly hope they can get back to what made them so special in the first place. read more

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The outside patio was really nice. Chips and salsa was great! The salsa had good flavor and wasn't too spicy. Their guac is amazing! I had the carne asada burrito. I recommend adding salsa/ quac, but it was great. The strawberry margarita was very sweet and not too strong. read more

Papi's Mex Grill - Strawberry margarita, guacamole, chips, salsa - Mexican Near Me - Fresno, California

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I want to start by saying that the service was good and the ambiance was genuinely lovely. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the space felt warm and inviting, definitely a place you'd expect to enjoy a relaxed meal. The food itself was also fine. We ordered the veggie enchiladas, and they were actually pretty good, well-prepared and flavorful enough to satisfy. No complaints there. Unfortunately, what completely tanked the experience had nothing to do with the food or service. While we were actively eating, a bug crawled across our table, which immediately made us lose our appetite. It's hard to continue enjoying a meal when something like that happens, and it raised obvious concerns about cleanliness. It's disappointing because this could have been a solid dining experience overall. But when something that significant occurs mid-meal, it overshadows everything else. I understand it happens but as it stands, the food was fine, the service was good, the ambiance was lovely but the experience still lands at two stars. read more

Papi's Mex Grill - Veggie Enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Fresno, California

This is a true Mexican restaurant. The food selections were delicious and authentic. The service matched the wonderful flavours. I would highly recommend Papi's. read more

Finally came here with my friends after long waiting! Welcoming environment, the inside is darker than my liking so next time I'll sit outside for the extra vibe! I ordered the sampler which was under $20 and a great option for apps! The shredded beef was flavorful and there was a generous amount of guacamole and sour cream on top! My friends who had other options said the beans and rice lacked something--and the burrito was bland (toppings wise)! There are vegetarian options which can be easily turned vegan according to my vegan bestie as well! Parking is easy and the staff was nice! Food came fast and refills were kept up! However $4.50 for a fountain drink is a little steep in my opinion I can see myself coming back here for gatherings over margs w my friends! Otherwise, I have some other restaurants that cover my Mexican cravings a little better! read more

Papi's Mex Grill - Papi's Sampler - Mexican Near Me - Fresno, California

Everyone is amazing, especially Jamie, the bartender extraordinaire. Food is great, as are the drinks. Definitely recommend it!

First timer! I had the steak taco on the lunch menu yesterday. It was really good. Loaded with lots of tender steak. Chips and salsa were great. Service was a bit slow, but it got quite busy while we were there. Our server was very friendly. Nice ambiance. Quiet enough to easily carry on a conversation. The Tex Mex salsa and fresh tortillas reminded me of the old Chevy's. Yum! read more

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Tried this place after trying the location in Madera. Ordered the basic combination plate with two items. The mole and enchilada were spot on the crispy taco on the other hand was like a Chalupa from Taco Bell and the beans and rice well, it was good nothing to rave about. We also had albondega soup which was delicious and the hand made corn tortillas we fantastic. The complementary chips and salsa Were good as well. The service was very good waitress was friendly as well as the hostess. The vibe of the place was a place to hang out and enjoy friends and some adult libations and o yeah some good food. Now I would've gave the place a five star however when I visited the restroom, it needed a little attention as well as some plumbing issues because there was no hot water to wash your hands with. But all in all seem to be like a popular spot would I go back to try another Papi location? Stay tuned. read more

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The food was very good. I had a seafood/chicken burrito. The service was a little slow but it could have been an off day there. I will definitely go back. Their burritos are huge especially the fajita burrito so bring hour appetite. read more

One of the best Mexican restaurants in Fresno, they have multiple locations but i always go to the one on Champlain. One thing to note that this is a very busy parking lot, parking is very difficult to find at certain times so just be aware of that. You're able to make a reservation online if you like but i love the bar area. One of the best food and drink happy hours with great deals and amazing service. Never disappointed here! read more

We celebrated Cinco de Mayo there! The drink specials were great, and the guacamole was good.. service was a bit slow, but they were super crowded so I understand read more

I had the chicken fajita burrito, it was delicious! We'll definitely be back, the watermelon margaritas were really good.

This used to be my favorite place, but then they got rid of the stuffed jalapeños. I wish the salsa was a little spicier and thicker. The staff are always amazing and everything is clean. read more

I should've bought their salsa by the gallon! Spot on fresh and addicting. The server gave great advice for delicious vegetarian options and we were very pleased and stuffed. Our exuberant group loved the birthday candle choice - so fun and celebratory! We live over an hour away, but will stop in again when we're in the area. read more

Decided to have a relaxing Sunday lunch with the Hubs and we landed on this place; this is my second time and his first and everything went great! We were seated promptly, service was fast, our server was so friendly, and the food was delicious and we both left full! Definitely recommend checking this place out if you're out and about and need a nice and filling place to eat. read more

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Tried to reserve their private room for an event. Filled out their required form. They didn't respond. Called them. The staff said they would call me back. They never did. Called again, no one picked up the phone. Bad service. read more

A few friends and I had lunch today at Papi's. The food was great, but what made the experience really special was the service. From the host's wonderful welcoming demeanor, to our amazing waitress (Johana - who performed every aspect of her role tremendously), "everything" about the entire process from greeting to paying was exceptionally well done. Even if the food hadn't been great, I would go back. The service was that good. Thanks for a terrific experience. read more

I went here around noon with a friend and was pleasantly surprised by the response of staff, clean restaurant, and nice lunch specials. I ordered a fajita with both chicken and pork; both were overcooked and dry. This was really unfortunate for me. I really love the staff, and I really thought the salsa was absolutely excellent. My friend asked for a hotter version of their house salsa, and that was very yummy. I really wanted to like this place, but it's really hard to like a place that overcooks the food. Maybe they just had a bad day? I will say this, the salsa was incredible; definitely ask for the hotter one. The tortillas were just lovely and you can tell they were made house made. Beans and rice were what you expect from a Mexican restaurant, but the rice did lack a little bit of flavor. All in all, this is a nice place with a great staff. The food was OK, and maybe I'm just a little picky because I'm very familiar with Mexican food. Hopefully they don't typically overcook their proteins, and I just hit them on a bad day . read more

Papi's Mex Grill - Exterior - Mexican Near Me - Fresno, California

What a wonderful Mexican restaurant experience! Nestled in an inviting locale ... Greeted by the friendly warmth of a hostess (Rhianna?) who greeted us with a sincere "Welcome!" The menu choices are fantastic with homemade favorite eats. I highly recommend the enchiladas, guacamole, albondigas. More enticing favorites for us try at are definite next visit. Wait staff were attentive, well versed in menu options, and did I say relaxed and inviting like you are at a family table. PS the homemade corn tortillas were an added plus! The salsa is absolutely delicious read more

Best salsa in Fresno. Great food, great service. Our go-to spot when craving enchiladas or full entrees. Bar is a fun casual place for Happy Hour or casual lunch. Only downside is parking. Its in a center with odd parking and lots of busy places. read more

I generally like this place, good food with friendly service. Unfortunately, I don't like their green sauce which is unfortunate being everything else was good! The enchiladas (verdes) pork was really good & would order that anytime! All in all: Good food, friendly service & good atmosphere. read more

Papi's Mex Grill - Mexican Near Me - Fresno, California

Papi's is one of those places that's friendly and casual w a full bar service that anyone who likes Mexican food will find something to love at reasonable prices! They have a nice variety of cocktails and happy hour specials that don't disappoint! If you're not a tequila fan like me, their Moscow mules are delicious although I do wish they had a sugar free ginger beer option. The food gets high marks also although once I find a favorite, I usually stick to it. My favorite is a trio of tacos ala cart as even their beans and rice are tasty, It ends up as leftovers taken home. The taco trio gives you three ample tacos of choice and even though I'm an asada all the way, their mushroom and pastore are my favorites!! This is a perfect place to hang out w friends or relax after an afternoon of errands and work! Service is friendly and atmosphere is nice casual w comfy booths. read more

Papi's is a great local spot. They have tons of TVs to catch a game & all day happy hour Sunday & Monday. On the weekends, Papi's serves breakfast and my favorite item is the breakfast quesadilla. My typical lunch/dinner order the burrito bowl with the carnitas. If it's Happy Hour I'll order the Mexican pizza with steak, you can't beat the price! Service is a bit slow you are also not rushed with is nice! read more

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I've been to Papi's several times as most of our work meetings always get scheduled here. I decided to go with my husband for brunch on a Saturday and we were promptly seated. I was really craving chilaquiles and decided to try their stuffed chilaquiles. According to the menu they were stuffed with just cheese. When we got our order I realized that they also had meat (which I don't eat aside from seafood as a pescatarian). I asked our server and she confirmed it but I told her it was ok as I also ordered a shrimp taco. When we got our bill she took care of it and was so kind about it. Overall, Papi's has great food, but the top notch service will keep me coming back. read more

Papi's Mex Grill - Stuffed chilaquiles - Mexican Near Me - Fresno, California

Great food and great service, as always. They are very friendly, paying attention to a customer's needs. Their restaurant presents a very nice atmosphere for couples, as well as large group meetings. We always look forward to dining at Papi's. They are also very supportive of the community. Thank you!! read more

Absolutely terrible service today. Way way way way way understaffed. Had to practically beg to get service. Absolute failure.

Shrimp tacos and two Carne Asada tacos. It comes with deep regret that I must express my disappointment in this restaurant. The tortillas were hard and filling was cold. The chips and salsa were also disappointing for what I expected. Customer service was adequate, but that cannot make up for the lack of food quality. Maria Guzman Foodie4Life.com read more

Stopped by here with the wife on a Saturday afternoon and it the food and service were top notch even though there was a mistake on our order. We were sat quickly and the waitress we had was top notch, she was quick to refill and after we ordered food we realized one of our orders was wrong and they were very apologetic, we get it mistakes happen, but they completely took the meal off the bill. I got the surf and turf burrito and it was delicious, I was hungry so I took a bite before taking a picture. The chips and salsa were also equally delicious. All in despite getting an order wrong the service and food were so delicious that I would highly recommend checking Papis out! read more

Papi's Mex Grill - Mexican Near Me - Fresno, California

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I have to update my review. I'm sorry I have to lower my previously very high rating of this restaurant. I ordered the three combination plate for dinner on a Wednesday evening. It was very busy, we were seated in a timely fashion. Wait staff were very prompt and our order was taken promptly; service was very good as usual. On the combination plate, I ordered a crispy taco, enchilada, and tostada. I was very disappointed with the crispy taco. While the shredded beef filling was quite flavorful, I was not expecting in a family owned restaurant to be served a crispy taco with a taco shell that was similar to a fast food restaurant; a taco shell that seems to have come out of a package and was not cooked at the restaurant. It was thin, it was not fried; it was not hot. While it was crunchy, it was not fresh tasting. This was very, very disappointing for a restaurant that has such high-quality food in every other way. My recommendation: do not order crispy tacos at this restaurant. Stick with the main entrées or the specialty entrées. My friend ordered fish tacos, and while they were not typical in that she was expecting a solid piece of fish, they were strips of mahi-mahi in it. This was OK and she said that they were very flavorful and she enjoyed the taco body which was a homemade tortilla. I'm not sure why this restaurant made the choice to have a crispy taco shell of such a low quality but there you have it. read more

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Always delicious Great service The best salsa I have ever had. Highly recommend the Chile Relleno read more

I ordered 2 soups and asked for no onions. When I got to the restaurant the nice hostess told me that there were onions mixed with cilantro on the side. I said that was okay. When I brought them home the chicken soup was extremely salty and loaded with onions! I couldn't eat it. My mom loved her Albondigas soup and fresh corn tortillas. Not sure if I can take it back tomorrow to get my money back or if I should just throw it away. UPDATE: I called the restaurant and spoke with the nice hostess and she offered to have the cook make me a brand new one without onions and less salt. I exchange the old one with the new one and what a difference. My suggestion is to do the same thing when you're not happy with your order. Call the restaurant explain your concern and they will make it right. read more

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If a restaurant cannot get a DoorDash pickup order right, after you call them notifying them of missing items & when you walk in, wait 7 mins for help & are told 'calm down' after cordially asking for the server for help- you're at the wrong place. Food is good But be prepared for missing items. Customer service: negative ten. read more

Great food and service. The Tacos Al Carbon are amazing. Probably the best Mexican food we've had in Fresno.

gave me food poisoning so bad that I had to be hospitalized. steer clear. visited on july 20th 2025.

Great food, great ambience and great service! The drinks are top notch! The bar is big and has lot of drinks to choose from. The staff is super sweet & accommodating! read more

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We had not been to Papi's on Champlain in over a year primarily due to service and food was lacking a little something. Today was a completely different story starting with our server Johana. She was marvelous. She was efficient, courteous, knowledgeable in her menu and offering bits of information to allow me to make decisions in my selections. (She was spot on). Food was very tasty and will definitely be back sooner. Sunday happy hour specials should not be overlooked. Again- our experience was highlighted by our awesome server Johana. We look forward to going back. read more

This is one of my favorite Mexican places in town. The food is always delicious and the service is amazing. My go-to is usually the chicken enchiladas. The restaurant is nestled in the corner of a well established shopping complex. I would say the only hard thing is parking. Especially if you come on a Friday or Saturday night. But don't worry, the food is definitely worth it!! read more

The breakfast tacos with bacon were very good and even better with some of their salsa poured on it. This was an above average breakfast, but didn't rise to five stars for two reasons. The first was because the time from ordering to getting the food was fairly long, meaning 25-30 minutes. The second and unrelated to the food was the men's restroom. It was dirtier than most rest area restrooms that I had been in and the smell of urine was so strong that it made my eyes water. I couldn't get out of there fast enough and am glad that I didn't go in before eating as I might have left. Must have been a crazy Saturday night. Dirty restrooms always make me question how clean the kitchens are. read more

Papi's Mex Grill - Chorizo and eggs with beans and potatoes - Mexican Near Me - Fresno, California

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