I spent most of my birthday this year on a plane. We did eat a late dinner at Huck Finn in Oak Lawn, Illinois, but my parents wanted to celebrate my (and Marlene's) belated birthday(s) with, well, Tom and Marlene, so my parents asked me to pick a spot. I love finding good places that Tom and Marlene haven't been. At first, I thought this was the Mexican restaurant on the south side of McKinley Street, but that one is long gone. I believe it was was called Cancun--or was it Acapulco? In any case, we drove separately because Tom and Marlene had some of their typical do-gooding to do, and I was a little surprised at how late they were. Well, they had gone to a takeout version of Puerto Vallarta (the same business?) located near where that other old closed Mexican restaurant was, but on the north side of McKinley. In any case, Puerto Vallarta--the real one tucked way behind a secret strip mall with this weird fire lane between the first line of parking spots and the storefront curb itself--is a great place. The menu is pretty vast for a sit-down Mexican restaurant in South Bend, and it's not just different versions and combinations of the same items, although you can seemingly get anything as part of a combination plate. The service is excellent and attentive. It was very busy when we came, and we were seated right when a lot of other people were seated, so our food did take a long time, but it wasn't ridiculously long, and our server continually stopped by to let us know what was happening and to refill water and complimentary chips. There are two or three dining rooms total, and we were seated in the one to the right as you walk in the door. I'm glad we weren't seated in the main (?) central room, because that's where they had a speaker on one of the tables playing music very loudly. I thought this would annoy me, but when you're in one of the other rooms, the music is at a reasonable volume. I guess their method is cheaper than actually installing a sound system throughout the restaurant, but I don't know who actually sits in that main room, because it was empty when we entered and had only two parties dining when we left. There was basketball on the TV when we were here, but the volume was turned off, and they have what looks like an antenna service without an actual antenna, so the broadcast was constantly dropping out for long periods during the entirety of our dinner. I wasn't interested in watching, so I didn't care, but if you're coming here to watch a game, you will be torturing yourself. Our dining room was festive and fun. It was also reassuring to see so many Latino families eating here and to hear them speaking Mexican-accented Spanish. I grew up in Southern California and have lived in the Golden State most of my life; I never judge a Mexican restaurant by who's eating inside it at home, but in the Midwest? Yup, Mexican restaurants get the same treatment as Chinese restaurants everywhere: The more Chinese people you see eating at the restaurant, the better the restaurant. It's also nice to see how many more Latinos there are in Michiana than when I lived there. read more

Great service despite a rather busy restaurant on Sunday midafternoon. Food was authentic Mexican with plenty of meat. Chicken chimichanga was great and almost big enough meal to split. Carne asada burrito also good with plenty of steak and lime. Fresh salsa to start mild but good, fresh flavor. Ambiance fine with many families. Key was excellent price point for overall quality food, service and experience. read more

We love this place. They have the best authentic Mexican eats. Great service & plenty for the cost. Always leave happy. They sometimes have a gentleman playing a guitar. Very relaxed atmosphere also. read more

The service was excellent. The chips and salsa were good. I had the steak fajitas and was expecting something very flavorful but was disappointed. Also not much flavor in the refried beans. We also had chicken flautas and those were ok. read more

Loved the ambience and the margaritas alone are worth going back. Authentic Mexican fare is a very apt description, and the Molcajete Colotlan represents this very well read more

1st time here, so far the salsa is fire and chips from bag, lack of seasoning on the beans and fish...nice service fair prices...

Food was bad. Tasted like they had reheated old meat in the microwave, then burned some of it in a skillet to try to hide it.

The other reviews on here are not exaggerating! Delicious food, massive portions, extremely reasonable prices. The service was fast even at 12:30 on New Year's Eve. Definitely hit the spot for authentic Mexican food! read more

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Puerto Vallarta is a pretty standard Mexican restaurant. They have a seemingly infinite number of options that are different combinations of the same core ingredients. The food itself is good. If you're craving Mexican food, this will definitely hit the spot. Prices are low enough that you can feed 2 people for under $20 and still have leftovers. The biggest detriment here is the service. It is very slow. We sat with empty plates for 10 minutes before somebody came by and asked if we wanted the check. Maybe that's a ploy to let you get hungry enough for dessert or maybe that's just bad service; I don't know. Overall, it left a bad taste after a good meal. read more

Puerto Vallarta - Chicken, Steak and Chorizo Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

Some of the BEST Mexican food I've ever had in my life. I went once on a whim a few months ago, and I knew I had to get a picture for a review the next time I made it out. Drove an hour away just to get their amazing spinach and artichoke dip (you think you've had good dip, but nothing compares to this). I got this dish on a whim, because I knew I wanted steak. I was honestly not expecting the amazing flavor while I was inspecting my steak. It was phenomenal, as was everything else. 11/10 recommend. The campechano burrito is smothered in delicious cheese, and has steak and chorizo inside. Please give this place a try if you're in Mishawaka. read more

Puerto Vallarta - Carne Asada a la Tampiqueña - Mexican Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

Food - Excellent. Tables needed some attention but we're attended to when my party arrived. Service - Very attentive and helpful suggestions. I called as I could not locate the place but the gentleman on the phone assisted greatly. Ambiance - The walls had some decorations but the tables could use a Mexican touch. I will return one day since I am from out of town. read more

Food was great and authentic. The margarita was ok, since I don't think they have a bar, I wouldn't say it's their specialty. Customer service was excellent. I would definitely recommend this place! read more

Puerto Vallarta - Strawberry Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

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I have been coming to PV for going on two decades now. Not ONCE has it faltered in delivering the best experience a Mexican restaurant possibly could. Flavor- definitely, the best in the area Portions- you know they're big Service- always warm, always great What more do you want? I'd tell you the best dishes, but I wouldn't want them to run out before I get there. They're that good. read more

Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised, the service was good, the food was excellent & the prices were fair, doesn't get any better than that

The food here is great, a lot of options including some great vegetarian picks. The portion sizes are huge and reasonably priced. It is a smaller restaurant with ok service. The margaritas were a little too sweet for my taste but that's a personal opinion. A huge, "jumbo" margarita was $7. Ambiance was relaxed. read more

Puerto Vallarta - Chicken quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

Food was great...lunch portions were very generous. Our server was attentive and courteous. Ambiance...not the greatest but we were able to overlook that! read more

Carne asada! Really good! Draft Mexican beer $1.50 special! So good. Also, many Hispanic (I'm assuming Mexican) diners--always a good sign.

I have been eating there for over 10 years always delicious! Great service and always fairly priced

The food was so good I went twice in one day. The second time I had my wife with me and she also enjoyed it. We went on Wednesday when the tacos are $1.25 each and they were the biggest tacos I can remember ever seeing in any restaurant. They were at least double the size of the street tacos I'm used to from other places. read more

Overall a great Mexican restaurant. The atmosphere is welcoming and not too loud. The food is very fresh and tasty. Really great prices overall. read more

Puerto Vallarta - Chicken Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

The food was FANTASTIC! The seating was a little older and it was not as polished looking S places I've been, but the staff was very helpful and kind. read more

Huge menu, great service, delicious food at reasonable prices. Was traveling and passing through. Dined alone and sat at the bar. The bar area was filled with "regulars" who would not stop praising the restarting and staff. read more

The food was not only spectacular the service was as well. Our server had the most amazing memory and was so friendly! read more

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The service is fast and the food is good, generous portions. I'm especially a fan of the authentic refried beans, the light and subtlety spiced rice, and the tender steak fajitas. Don't over look the rice and beans just because everything else is so good! read more

Very good food, fair prices, and great service! Taco Wednesdays are a great deal, $1.25 per taco. I recommend the shredded beef or al pastor (Mexican style) Found my new Mexican go-to. read more

The perfect hole in the wall for Mexican food. Taco salads were tasty and great horchata. Large kids meal portions. Overall a great place to visit. read more

This place rocks. The salsa is, in my opinion, the best in the area....so far. The staff is friendly, the prices are right and taco Wednesday.. ..wow. it's kinda a hole in the wall...but believe me, a hidden treasure. I highly recommend. I have not been disappointed in all my visits. Do yourself a favor and give this place a try. read more

Just moved here from Phoenix, Az. And Mexican food is my favorite. Hands down best I've tried so far. I spend time every year in San Felipe, Los Algodones, Puerto Nuevo, Tijuana. The food here makes me feel abroad and hits that spot. I absolutely love this place. read more

First time here. Food was ok. Service was slow and it wasn't busy. Waitress was not attentive at all. Water tastes like chlorine. Will not return read more

Great service and amazing food!! Our new favorite The staff friendly and attentive. Does not look big from the outside but it is. read more

This place is amazing, I order chile rellanos at almost every Mexican place I try, and I have finally found a favorite. Amazing food, great price, friendly service read more

we were looking for Mexican and I wanted to try someplace new (It's the Yelper in me). Well we chose the right place on the right day, Taco Wednesday. We had 5 tacos and left only spending $13 leaving about a $6 tip. I had the chicken and the pork tacos.When we ordered we were asked if we want american style or authentic, we chose authentic. Now the tacos were good but they were not homemade authentic. With our meal we had free chips and salsa. The chips were not that good but the salsa was great. It had a good blend of spices and and was the perfect thickness for my personal taste. Although we enjoyed the meal the whole process as a newbie was confusing. We walked in and just waited at the front. After 2 or 3 minutes we were not sure if we were supposed to seat ourselves and then a server came and sat us in the side room. After the meal the server brought the bill in a bill folder and walked away and after about 10 minutes I had not seen her to come get the bill so I got up and found out I was supposed to take it to the back of the other room to pay. We were having a good conversation so time was not an issue but the confusion and lack of a host mentality by the staff caused lots of confusion. All that being said, my brother goes back every Wednesday now for $1.25 tacos., If he invites me I would go with him and eat alot of salsa... mmmm. read more

Puerto Vallarta - Mexican Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

I'm honestly torn about this. Food: Pretty decent. Delicious burrito (the Champicano one). The salsa was superb. We loved their taquitos. My daughter had a grilled cheese but they put wet lettuce and tomatoes on it. Why? It made the grilled cheese wet and gross. Service: not unfriendly but definitely didn't care to really take care of us. We went minutes upon minutes without service. They had no plastic/to-go silverware. The hostess and the waiter fought who would ring us up. They didn't want to. They fought in front of me. It was awkward. We may go back. That service though. Ugh. read more

Great food! We will definitely be going there again soon. Great and fast service as well

Always great! Food is awesome people are nice always able to get in. I would recommend the place on grape road we go there quit often. Happy!. read more

Came in on a whim because tacos. I carried out but the staff was so friendly that I had to give my two cents. The tacos were really good. I grabbed the carne asada with rice and beans and a kids meal. Everyone was happy. The food was flavorful and authentic. The salsa has got to be made in house because it's so good. The lady that took my order was sweet as pie. She made sure I had utensils and all of the extras. I will definitely be back! read more

This and especially the express version on hickory are the best local Mexican food. The portions are way more generous than chipotle or qdoba and it tastes better to boot read more

Walked in with my boyfriend on a Wednesday night which is their &1.25 taco night. Any who it took a second for them to wait on us because they were pretty understaffed. We were forgotten about, we had to go get our car at belle tire and I asked the manager in red to grab us a to go box and he literally kept walking ignored me and brought me 1 box. How rude I thought! Our waiter anbalo was cool, he atleast brought us two boxes. Decent food poor service read more

Puerto Vallarta - Fajitas - Mexican Near Me - Mishawaka, Indiana

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By far my favorite restaurant in the area and one of my favorites in general. I go here 6-7 times a month, sometimes more, and I've never had a less than amazing meal there. Great salsa, great chips (unlimited most days of the week) and affordable other appetizers. Excellent weekly specials and lunch specials and very affordable in general. Staff are polite, fast and accommodating; the restaurant is always clean. Everything I've gotten off the menu is delicious; burritos, fajitas, nachos, steaks, tacos, it's all great. Can't recommend it enough. read more

This restaurant used to be one our prime go-to places for Mexican food, that has changed. The last time my daughter and I went there, there were a couple of parties ahead of us (3 &2 respectively) so we expected a wait. What we didn't expect was to wait 30 minutes to even be acknowledged! Found out the people waiting had also not even been acknowledged. The owner/manager was there and finally looked at us and stated, from across the room, that it be another 40 minutes. The food is good, but worth over an hours wait when there are so many other good options. I will give them another try, someday, in the hopes they got their staffing/customer service act together. read more