El Mex is a hometown favorite for sure! Great Mexican food and friendly staff. Emilio likes to interact with his customers and be funny. I LOVE their nachos and and their CHIPS are ahhh-mazzzing! Great for families and parties read more

Food is good. And served quick. A little different than traditional Mexican food, but good!! Flautas are excellent.

El Mexicano is the BEST food in the world!! I grew up in Willits and would eat at El Mexicano every chance I could! The owners are the hardest working family I know. The salsa is to DIE for.... I now live in So Cal and my parents bring me chip and salsa just so I have a little piece of home!! Eating at El Mexicano is LIKE COMEING HOME! Don't miss out! read more

This place is one of my favorites. The food is delicious and the staff are always friendly and welcoming. I'm never disappointed when I eat here! read more

Worst fish tacos I've ever had, over fried small pieces of fish in store bought hard shells.

Amazing food, quick service, clean, great prices! The staff here is very welcomimg and the food tastes so fresh and flavorful. Truly a meal made with love every time. Highly recommend!!! read more

We were staying at a nearby RV park and decided to head out to eat. After looking at Yelp we decided to check out this place. There were 6 of us and were seated right away. Ordered quickly and food was not far behind! We all really enjoyed our choices. My friend had the tostada with chicken and grilled vegetables and she said it was the best she ever had! I will post a photo. read more

Restaurant El Mexicano - Tostada! - Mexican Near Me - Willits, California

They had pork tamales which are available only on Mondays & Fridays . I ordered them with cheese on top, rice & beans. The cheese & sauce they had on the tamales overpowered the tamal taste. Perhaps, I should've just had them plain. I didn't care much for their rice & beans. They refilled our water only once. It was when our food arrived. I didn't get any other drink so at the end of the meal, I felt a little thirsty. The restaurant wasn't busy. When we walked in, there was one other customer. On each table I could see a basket of tortilla chips. It made me think about how long had those chips been there. Positives: the salsa; they greet you when you come in & thank you when you leave; they smile; they offered to refill our chips & salsa. read more

Really awesome tortilla chips salsa was a bit spicy but pretty good our waiter was amazing, quick, friendly and super nice! They got out food out fast and were super attentive. The place seemed pretty busy so I was eager the food would be awesome. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing but I got a chili relleno and it was basically brought to me in a small boat thing it was swimming in red soup and I couldn't recognize what I was eating the taste was edible. Beans and rice were alright. Overall could've used a little bit better seasoning and presentation. read more

I ended up at this place cause the taqueria up the street taqueria bravo, screwed up my order and had this vegetarian bite into chicken thinking it was veggie. They mislabeled the burritos. So I went to eat at el Mexicano the next time I wanted Mexican and was so surprised and amazed at the yummy flavor of their grilled veggie burrito. This is definitely the best tasting Mexican restaurant in Willits. I'm actually kind of glad taqueria bravo screwed up. Cause they made pretty bad burritos but everyone always told me el Mexicano wasn't that great. What a lie that turned out to be. This place rocks and I highly recommend it if you roll through town. I gave it a 5 star cause it's the best place in town to get good Mexican food. And the staff, some of the sweetest, customer friend Y people you will come across. Very inviting and accommodating. I highly recommend this place. read more

Sangria was great. Really good soft steak tacos. Chili rellano a was great. Nachos good. Really the food was excellent. Service was good, but ordered pico on side for nachos and it came out correct, but the waiter said he told the kitchen to leave it off ?? No issue Prices ok but.... read more

This was my second visit. We stopped here in the way to Arcata 2 years ago and while here in Willits for 2 days for the train, we specifically chose this restaurant for dinner last night. Nice family restaurant, friendly wait staff and excellent salsa. I loved the beans and my corn flautas were perfect. My guy had the Friday night tamales and loved them. We'll make this our stop when passing through! read more

Always stop in Willits on our way to Eureka for burgers this time tried this place. It was seriously tasty...and waitress was super sweet... read more

Stopped in Willits in the way to Shelter Cove and grabbed a quick bite. Buster's didn't accept credit so we came here instead. Glad we did. Ordered beef fajitas and they came out real fast and were excellent. Chips were good and salsa was a good heat. read more

Sorry folks but this is not Mexican food. But with lack of options in the area, what choice do you have. We stopped here on the way to the redwoods and this was it. We were going to eat at the bar next door but that place took cash only. Really? Who does cash only nowadays. And they want to send you to a random ATM across the street which probably charges you fees up the butt. No thanks. So we settled for El Mexicano. Um, yeah, not Mexican food. Not even close. Taco Bell is authentic compared to this. Sorry folks. The people were nice though. I read on here that some people thought the Chili Relleno and Chili Colorado were perfect. I have no idea what planet they've eaten Chili Relleno and Chili Colorado on but that is the farthest thing from the truth. Please make a trip to LA and give it a try. Thanks. read more

I like them... they have the seating that other places in Willits doesn't.... great place to have lunch with friends.... the chips and salsa are really good. The burritos are good... I don't know what it is but I just don't like their burritos as much as the place across the street. And the last time I went there the meat in my burrito was soooo salty I couldn't eat it - to their credit they didn't charge us for both my burrito or my wife's tacos which she described as really good. I like going there with coworkers and friends to visit and get a good burrito. I'm sure the salty burrito was a one time thing and have to give them credit for not charging us... read more

Good service. Super nice. Good menu. Clean. I had 2 soft tacos which were big and pretty ok. Food isn't spectacular but decent. Kids menu is good. read more

A casual, family owned business serving up comforting TexMex. Great for a fast lunch, take out, or a relaxed dinner with friends and family. While I don't live in Willits, whenever I visit I often stop by El Mexicano with my local friends, enjoying wine, beer and plenty of tasty Mexican food. The enchiladas are great! read more

Gotta say... Yuck, Yuck, Yuck. I guess I'm a bit of a Mexican food snob, cause this was tasteless, boring and really hardly palatable for me. Service was very fast and very friendly, but that doesn't outweigh the nasty dishes delivered. Cheese not melted in burritos, chicken with absolutely NO flavor, and possibly the worst excuse for salsa our family has ever experienced. Would never go back read more

The staff is efficient and friendly, the portions abundant -- but the food is utterly flavorless. Not a hint of chile, no cumin, and I'm not sure there's even any onion. Chicken tends to be overcooked and dry. I suppose my sensitive gringuita tastebuds could stand their chile colorado -- but I doubt I can work up enough interest to go back. read more

Sorry folks but you guys are LIT! This place was a serious let down and is nowhere near a 4 star mexican joint. For starters the service was slowwww and it was not busy, maybe 6 tables tops. Chips...cold sitting out on all the tables, salsa was fair at best. Food was okay, I had a 2 chicken taco's which were bland, nothing fancy, my wife had a chicken enchilada which was fair, the sauce didn't have much flavor. rice and beans nothing special, did I mention the SLOW service, sorry we wont return, bad service with food that taste like nothing, and a basket of old chips that sit on the tables who knows how long, NOPE!! read more

Have a go at the fish and skrimp tacos. I mean, of course better tacos exist in Mexico; but you know what else is in Mexico? . . . gangsters who hack people up with machetes. And you have the privilege of eating these tacos right at the gateway to the gorgeous California redwoods. How 'bout them manzanas! read more

I love this place! Fast friendly service and food is awesome. Thank you El Mex..

Nice atmosphere, clean restroom, and good burritos! Good, fast and friendly service. A nice lady, probably a local, walking on the street with a rainbow umbrella recommending El Mexicano as the best Mexican restaurant in town and we're glad she did. read more

Very nice and relaxing ambience,prompt service and friendly staff.Have pretty decent food.

El Mexicano is the nicest sit down Mexican food in Willits. My favorite dishes are the nacho grande with shredded chicken and the super burrito with extra sour cream. The booths are the best seats in the house except for large parties. They have a back seating area that is great for parties over 10 that is much more personal and yet it doesn't fully close you off from the rest of the restaurant. Overall this is a great restaurant for any occasion. read more

I really like this place, especially when the matriarch of the family is waiting tables (she is the sweetest and always makes us feel like honored guests). The food can be a little inconsistent in quality but it's always good and often great. Best homemade chips and salsa we've found in Mendocino County! I am giving an extra star because of how graciously and generously they adapt to my child's food restrictions. The atmosphere is a nice, especially compared to most hole-in-the-wall Mexican restaurants. Comfy booths and Southwestern-inspired decor in an atrium setting feel like an outdoor patio. If you go in at lunch, you can enjoy the natural light streaming through leafy plants. I really like that they play traditional Mexican music rather than pop and have no TV. read more

El Mexicano has always had excellent and friendly service by a well-trained staff. They have a way of keeping a very 'local' and comfy attitude while remaining professional in their demeanor; it's a fantastic and diplomatic approach to service which I've always found refreshing! They are incredibly accommodating, even when a large party shows up during peak dining hours without a reservation. I have never had an issue with their food, and you can find varying degree's of spiciness to appeal to all types however it does tend to be on the milder side. This is not TexMex, but real authentic Mexican food made to order. The restaurant always appears very clean and the option of either table or booth seating is great for families of all sizes. And, of course, everyone loves the complimentary fresh tortilla chips and salsa that they serve before bringing your meal. read more

My husband and I stop here when we are traveling and I highly recommend you do the same! The staff is amazing and extremely kind. My water was never empty. The restaurant is clean and well kept. This time I had the Fajita burrito and it was amazing! Grilled veggies and steak in with melty cheesy beans and rice. I loved it! We will definitely be back! read more

I'm sorry to say that the food is average... The margaritas are weak but the salsa is delicious. The veggie taco salad was alright but the shell is a little oily... Wait staff is nice enough and they are great about making sure that you have enough chips and salsa but surprisingly enough they don't check water glasses enough. They have a back room for large party's and are accommodating. Quiet atmosphere which is nice, but all said and done, B- read more

This is a must stop and eat!! So you're passing through Willits, and you're wanting an Amazing Fish Taco... Well i have found your place!! Great food and great people make for a great dining experience, i live in San Francisco and this place will be a stop on all my trips north from here on. read more

After visiting two other restaurants (Busters & Al's Redwood Room) and encountering completely rude staff the kind waitresses here was a breath of fresh air. The staff here went out of their way to make our dining experience great and the food was delicious too. Everyone enjoyed their meals and we all loved ending dinner with the churros and ice cream. read more

Delicious food. Nothing surprising, but a perfect Chili Relleno and Chili Colorado. Friendly staff and lightning-fast kitchen. Incredibly affordable, too. We love it here! You can't go wrong stopping in La Mexicana. read more

I've loved this place since I was a child (back when it was in the old Country Mall). The Fireman's Salad with its crunchy iceberg lettuce, always tasty tomatoes, perfectly textured beans (WHOLE beans, not refried mush), yummy shredded chicken, just starting-to-melt shredded cheese, dollop of sour cream, and scoop of chunky super-fresh guacamole has been a staple since high school (I first learned to like raw tomato and avocado at this place). I've had guacamole at a few Mexican restaurants in Willits and Ukiah, and this is hands-down the best. The chicken super burrito is also lovely (when I want all but the lettuce of the salad). The tomatillo enchilada is a sinful, comfy favorite. The sauce has a great tang, the flour tortilla gets a lovely toasty flavor, they are generous with the jack cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. One is plenty for me, with a dinner salad. The dinner salad is extremely simple - iceberg lettuce and some tomato wedges. The iceberg lettuce is just SO GOOD! It sounds weird to praise such a humble (and sneered upon) ingredient, but it is always really crunchy and sweet and fresh. The complimentary chips and salsa are AWESOME. The chips are strips and are a bit thicker and toastier than normal tortilla chips. The salsa has enough kick to get the nose running a bit, but not so much kick that you don't feel like going back for more. The ambiance is calm (private booths, soothing colors, lots of plants, skylight, the work of local photographers on the wall), the service is quick and friendly, the food is DELICIOUS. I love El Mex! read more

I stop by this place everytime I make my commute up to humboldt. Starting with the complementary salsa, it is just the right kind of spicy and has substantial flavor. I got the fajita burrito this time, it was delicious! The chicken is always fresh and they didnt just give me some burrito filled with bell peppers, there were mushrooms and zucchini in the veggie mix as well. If you are in a rush, this is the place to stop by , they get the food out in like 5 minutes . read more

Great Service & Really Good Burritos!!! I highly recommend the El Mexicano Burrito, it was Delish!!! Next time we pass through Willits we will stop by again!!! read more

Best chile rellenos!! And homemade semi-mashed pinto beans. And Mexican Coke...in a bottle!!!

Stopped here for lunch en route from Crescent City to Southern California. Had a chili relleno and fish taco. The chili relleno was prepared different from what I'm accustomed to - served in a tomato sauce - and enjoyable. As long as my relleno is not oozing in cheese, I'm generally happy as was the case here. FIsh taco hit the spot. Combo plate was rounded put with a healthy portion of Spanish rice and nicely prepare beans (not the "out of a can" style). Very friendly staff. read more

After a long drive down the coast from Oregon, we were craving Mexican food for dinner. Because of the late hour, and some reviews, we decided on El Mexicano in Willits. Surprised by the friendly greeting, since we walked in 20 minutes before closing. Good chips & salsa to start. To the grande burrito with carnitas, super steak burrito, super wet burrito, or the fajita, it was all very tasty. Even have Negra Modelo on tap!! This is a funny, friendly, family run restaurant. Worth the side trip. read more

Local favorite - a Mexican Restaurant with comfortable booths and tables with natural lighting - great for groups and families or date night. Traditional Mexican food. My hubby loves the spicey port burrito. They have a fresh vegetables fajita and a guacamole tostada for the vegetarians. read more