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    San Jose's Original Mexican Restaurant

    3.8 (38 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    SAN JOSE'S ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Reed B.

    While the restaurant is clean and the service is good, the challenge with a place like this is there is a lot of competition in the area for Tex-Mex style food and while San Jose's is fine - it's really pretty average when compared to many of the other chain or independent options in the area. The fajitas and the combo plates will both get the job done but likely won't be memorable enough to get you to return.

    Annie K.

    What an amazing experience. Our server Joe provided amazing service and treated us like family. I ordered the enchilada dinner with chicken, black beans and rice. Everything tasted fresh and I like the Jalapeño that gave the food some spice. I ordered a regular mojito and it was perfect mint and alcohol mix. Loved it. I wish this place was closer to where I lived but will definitely check out their other locations when in the area. Definitely recommend for dine in or catering if you live in Winter Garden area.

    Joseph B.

    I wish there was an option for 0 stars. The it was so buns to the point that it tasted like a torta sat on my tacos. My food came out wrong twice and gave my sister chicken when she asked for damn birra. All of the food was in foil and tasted like lead. My bro ate all his food and now he's screaming on the toilet and can't watch the duke game.

    Mauricio B.

    Nice small Mexican restaurant, family owned. Comfortable dining area, nicely decorated for Valentine's Day. There is also a separate bar area with a large TV and full bar service. The staff were very helpful and friendly, but the food was just average, nothing special.

    Chimichanga
    Ali L.

    The restaurant is decorated super cute for Christmas. Service was awesome, our server was Isabel. The food was delicious! Had the chicken chimichanga which was so flavorful and had the perfect crunch. For desert tried the churro cheaseeake which was interesting, it was okay but wouldn't get that again. I can't wait to come back and try the fajitas! I love that this place is so close to the house.

    Cup of chicken tortilla soup (ordered without tortilla strips) - $6.90
    Tina F.

    I've been here a few times now since they opened last year. Service has been courteous and prompt every time. I have enjoyed several dishes. Note that parking is very limited at this location. There is a lot of indoor seating, with no outdoor seating. Booths on the left side of the restaurant, the bar in the middle with a wall separating the restaurant into 2 areas. The bar area offers bar seating, high top tables and booths. Last night, I ordered a cup of chicken tortilla soup without the tortilla strips. It had a generous amount of tender shredded chicken. The broth was seasoned well. It also included a decent amount of freshly diced avocado and a sprinkle of cheese. I would order this dish again.

    Exterior
    Steve A.

    I had given up on this place ever opening after it spent a year or so in construction and then... nothing. But it finally made it, and it is a good addition to the neighborhood. I've long thought that Lakeside Village was the perfect spot for a genuine sit-down Mexican restaurant. We were greeted graciously and service was excellent throughout. I really like the interior; it's nicer than the other San Joses. The food is pretty much the same. Good salsa with the chips. The cheese dip is a challenge; really runny. The top-shelf margarita was excellent. My wife enjoyed her quesadilla, which was nicely browned. My tacos pastor were pretty good, The pastor included the traditional pineapple bits, but was a bit on the dry side compared to others I've had. As others have noted, it's a bit pricey, but I guess every place is these days.

    Exterior
    Eric K.

    We visited this San Jose's location in Windermere right after they opened. It's a great addition to the area for a restaurant option. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. Our server was fantastic. He was very attentive and informative. I've ordered various entrees at other San Jose's locations around town, but opted for chicken fajitas this time around for something different. The chicken/onion/pepper cast iron platter came out sizzling, turning heads in the room. You could smell and hear it coming. It's very distinct. It was an excellent choice and tasted amazing. I ate three tortillas that I assembled with filling. And, with fajitas, there's usually so much food that I have to bring some home. My mom was in town with me and ordered the Miami Classic enchiladas. I tried a little bit of them, and will definitely order them on a future visit. They're shrimp-filled enchiladas with a delicious cheese sauce over them. Although the Stoneybrook location is about the same distance from our house as this new one in Windermere, it's nice to have options. And on the drive home, we got to see the fireworks from Magic Kingdom going off, so that was a great way to end the experience.

    Cati J.

    This restaurant has been my go-to spot for Mexican food ever since it opened. The only other Mexican restaurants near my house are an Agave Azul (formal) and a Tijuana Flats (casual), so I feel like San Jose's is the perfect in-between. The servers are super nice, last time I went there they happily accommodated my requests. I got the queso fundido without chorizo or tortillas, and a side of grilled chicken instead. The food came out quick, like always. They serve nice portions, so the prices are fair for the quantity and quality of the food. Their grilled chicken is super flavorful, and the sides are always fresh. The ambiance is nice as well, I like that they play Spanish music in the background. I haven't seen the place packed yet, probably because it's still kind of new, but there's usually a good amount of people. If you're on the fence about trying this new spot, I'd definitely give it a chance!

    Chicken fajitas
    Mike O.

    My wife and I have not been here before but we will be coming back! The service and food were excellent!! Ignore the low ratings because we did and had a great time! Omar behind the bar was very attentive and helpful o what to have for dinner! Definitely will be back!

    Large Margarita - $12
    Tom P.

    We are now regulars at this San Jose's location in Horizon's West. We began during the soft opening and continue to this day. The staff is superlative, professional and very friendly. The prices for lunch are very reasonable and the food is definitely authentic. Very good fajitas. And for a special treat, ask for a small sample of the habanero sauce, but be very careful, it is very spicy, use with care.

    Kids chicken fajitas double rice came with 3 flour tortillas
    Roberta K.

    They are finally in a soft opening. We have been counting the days. We love their other locations and couldn't wait for this one close to home to open. When we arrived we where treated immediately and sat at a table. Our server Victoria came right o er to take drink orders. She quickly brought them back and brought us chips and salsa. We had requested the spicy one as well and she brought us both. I have to add on the wall next to our booth we had two outlets and 2 USB outlets the booths along our wall all had them. Great little touch. We placed our orders and food came out piping hot with very little wait. What we ordered is described in the pictures. Everything was delicious just like the other locations. The one thing that stood out was that the portions seemed smaller for the rice and beans (not a problem at all actually a positive (I rather fill up on the meat) but with the prices seeming on the high side people may have a problem with it.) The place is super cute inside. I forgot to take pictures of the half that had the bar. There are even a few small tables outside. We can't wait to go back. I am sure it's going to be a very popular spot.

    Nachos with grilled chicken. Chips & Queso

    First time eating here (new to area) & LOVE IT! Food is always so fresh & good! Restaurant is clean & servers are polite. My go-to Mexican restaurant!! Love the nachos!!

    Top shelf margaritas

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    16 days ago

    raykond the resturaunt manager was the most welcoming, bartender Joe , hugo best drinks hospitable and kind!! food was amazing!!

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    2 years ago

    Great service, large portions and good food! Casual atmosphere in a shopping center. Perfect for children.

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    2 years ago

    Great Addition to this area, I loved the Chicago street tacos, I have also tried the Volcan special ( tacos)

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    2 years ago

    Service is definitely off here today it is very difficult to get any thing... it's not busy but still not good service

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    2 years ago

    My family of 4 had a great experience eating here while visiting Orlando. We all enjoyed our meals and the service was awesome!

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    3 years ago

    Great food and service all the staff are warm friendly. Great place to eat or just stop for a drink.

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    El Patron Restaurante Mexicano - Enchiladas

    El Patron Restaurante Mexicano

    4.2(2.7k reviews)
    5.4 miInternational Drive / I-Drive, Horizons West / West Orlando
    $$

    Disclaimer: this review is for the lunch buffet only…read more I went with my family to try the $18.49 all you can eat lunch buffet. This was my first time experiencing a buffet for hispanic food and for this price point in Orlando, this is an amazing value deal. The server regularly brought us out silverware, napkins, and refilled our water. The place is decorated very fun and plays latin music which was lovely Not only was there an unlimited assortment of lunch foods, but an entire bar of fresh toppings for tacos (or rice bowls) and made to order desserts which were included for free! Not everything on the buffet line was the best but given the amount of options, price, and how good the great items are this is still worth a five star rating. I unfortunately did not take pictures of the food before I began devouring everything in sight to the point of near-collapse, but I will do a quick rundown of the buffet highlights: The best meats were the fajita steak, chicken, and shrimp made fresh in cast iron skillets, as well as the chicken lengua which was super flavorful and tender. The mexican rice, beans, fajitas, plantains, and street corn were also excellent. Fresh quesadillas, chips, and corn tortillas on standby with homemade queso and salsas. The flan and mini churros were the best I've ever had. Super rich, decadent Carmel flan. Mini churros hot and crisp on the outside, filled with a gooey soft milk chocolate center. They were delicious. Items that were disappointing: the tamales, mini chicken flautas, and beef chimichangas were just okay, lacking the seasoning and flavor that other dishes had. The beef barbacoa was not as tender or flavorful as the shredded chicken surprisingly. The mixed seafood was itself a mixed bag with some shrimps / scallops overcooked to much while others were perfectly cooked. The chicken mole and beef tri tip were room temperature despite sitting on hot plates. The tri tip also varied widely in doneness throughout the slices and not super tender. The rice pudding was pretty standard, and the tres leches cake was weird as they crumbled the cake into pieces before soaking it.

    Food was terrible ! Carnitas has pork taint . Not only that my taco was dripping this putrid fat !…read moreI nearly threw up after one bite , but was on a date so kept it on the down low . ASADA- almost as bad . Dry no juice at all chunks is grizzle . Prime rib tacos ... are you JOKING ? Some cheap cut of beef not cut on the bias and stringy . Sangria ? Go ahead , drink five pitchers and you'll be fine to drive( other than puking ) no alcohol at all in the sangria . Only ok things were the guac and refried beans ... that's it . I am writing this review sitting on the toilet for the fourth time tonight

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    El Patron Restaurante Mexicano - Indoor seating

    Indoor seating

    El Patron Restaurante Mexicano - 2 Tacos - Mix & Match

    2 Tacos - Mix & Match

    El Patron Restaurante Mexicano - Nonalcoholic Menu available for my sober curious/ dry Jan fam!

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    Tacos & Tequila - Ceviche

    Tacos & Tequila

    4.3(86 reviews)
    5.9 miHorizons West / West Orlando
    $$

    We swung in on a Tuesday night around 7:30 pm- half the dining room is empty and you could tell…read morethat they were clearly trying to keep that section closed off because they didn't have the staffing. The manager was going back-and-forth between being in the kitchen as well as seating people at the hosting stand which led me to believe that there must've been call-ins or scheduling has just been not great. We ended up being seated, but had to wait for them to clear off a booth because they didn't wanna seat in the other section. They clearly had closed off. We ordered our food, but our server seemed really disengaged like she was just going through the motions. Food came out super quickly. I did order a sparkling sangria that was nonalcoholic and it basically just tasted like Pepsi so not exactly sure what it was supposed to taste like but it definitely didn't have any sangria flavoring. My husband got a glass of water, but sadly you could tell that they must've either just got it out of the sink or just hand wash it because you could literally taste the soap. I got an order of the tamales, which were good. They definitely are a little spicy so be aware of that if you are opposed to spice, but the serving was large and I ended up taking it home to have for lunch the next day. My husband got the Carnitas and I will say the Carnitas seem like they were more shredded then they were previously. Overall, it was an OK experience. It feels like perhaps as if management has changed because it's definitely not as friendly nor as organized as it used to be..

    Ordered from Uber Eats and nothing was as described. The Pozole was only pork and hominy served…read morewith a small baggie of cabbage and really could have used the radishes and lime (as listed on the menu.) Definitely not worth over $20, maybe worth $12. The Chicken Soup was the greasiest chicken soup I have ever seen and also overpriced at over $19. (The picture is after having poured one layer of grease off the top.) The flour tortillas were horrible, sweet, doughy and obviously store bought. The container of salsa in the chips and salsa was only half full. Not worth Uber Eats prices and definitely won't be back.

    Photos
    Tacos & Tequila - Cool artwork

    Cool artwork

    Tacos & Tequila - La Flaca salad with grilled chicken - $14

    La Flaca salad with grilled chicken - $14

    Tacos & Tequila - Skinny salad

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    Skinny salad

    Azteca D'Oro Mexican Restaurant Winter Garden - Fresh guacamole

    Azteca D'Oro Mexican Restaurant Winter Garden

    4.2(208 reviews)
    5.4 miHorizons West / West Orlando
    $$

    Love Azteca! My go to is always the Tacos Gringos with the chips & salsa…read more We've always received great service at this location. Not always so at the one on Colonial. They had news menus today. They were iPads! I have never seen that, but it made it very easy to find what you're looking for. We will definitely be back. I do need to add one negative - we also pick up food from here or have it delivered from this location. My one complaint is that you cannot add chips and Salsa with DoorDash or Uber Eats. I don't mind paying for it...just please add it as an appetizer option! Please please!!!

    This is a return visit review because Azteca D'Oro continues to impress every time we come…read more The atmosphere feels like a classic, traditional Mexican restaurant--colorful, lively, and welcoming. Every visit we've had here has been consistently good. Service is usually attentive, the food comes out quickly, and most importantly the quality is always excellent and reliable. This time around we tried something new: the Azteca chicken soup, and it absolutely blew me away. It was rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Best chicken tortilla soup I've had. For our entrees, my husband ordered the al pastor tacos with sides of rice and beans, and I stuck with my usual: the Grande Combination with a chicken enchilada in mole sauce, a chile relleno, black beans, and plantains. The mole sauce is fantastic, and the chile relleno is one of the best I've ever had. We always leave here happy and full. Quick question for the chefs at Azteca D'Oro--do you have any seasonal specials coming up? Would love to try something new next time! Pro tip: Don't skip the Azteca chicken soup--it might just ruin other tortilla soups for you.

    Photos
    Azteca D'Oro Mexican Restaurant Winter Garden - Seater area

    Seater area

    Azteca D'Oro Mexican Restaurant Winter Garden - Chips and Salsa

    Chips and Salsa

    Azteca D'Oro Mexican Restaurant Winter Garden - Long Island

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    Long Island

    Taco Norteño - Sope plate

    Taco Norteño

    4.3(349 reviews)
    7.1 miHorizons West / West Orlando
    $

    As two former Californians constantly chasing that SoCal Mexican food fix, my husband and I were…read moreexcited to try Tacos Norteño for takeout--and it absolutely delivered. From the outside, the restaurant is pretty unassuming, but if you've spent time eating at authentic Mexican spots, you know that's usually a good sign. Inside, it's small and quaint and honestly feels like you've stepped into someone's home kitchen in the best way. We ordered plain bean and cheese burritos to-go (a true test for any Mexican spot) along with a small order of chips. While waiting about 10 minutes for our food, we loaded up at the salsa bar. We tried four salsas: roasted tomato, enchilada, habanero, and tomatillo, and every single one tasted incredibly fresh and flavorful. Serious salsa bar goals. If I had to rank them, the roasted tomato and tomatillo were my favorites, but honestly you can't go wrong with any of them. Then came the burritos. One bite immediately took us right back to the LA food trucks we grew up with--simple, comforting, and exactly what a good bean and cheese burrito should be. Finally, a bean and cheese burrito that tastes like California. I wish I had taken photos, but honestly... I was too excited and dug right in. Safe to say we'll be back soon. This has officially become our new go-to spot for Mexican takeout. Pro tip: Don't skip the salsa bar--grab a few different ones and experiment.

    Thoroughly enjoyed this authentic Mexican restaurant!…read more Came here on a Sunday during lunch hour, was quite busy but was able to pump out orders consistently for the steady flow of customers coming through the doors. Food: - Mexico City tacos: including 2 steak, 2 al pastor and 1 carnita. A great taco sampler. Was a big fan of the amazing, fresh, hearty and well seasoned meat. 5 tacos, if you can't decide this is a great sampler! - beef nachos: LOADED! Ground beef topping, was ample, refried beans, cheese sauce, and topped with fresh tomatoes, it was super flavourful and yummy. Filling to say the least, recommend to share for 2-3 as a side or even a main! - Fish tacos: grilled tilapia, decided to opt with no rice and beans. Fresh, flavourful and simple. generous portions of fish. Service - friendly, fast and was able to provide us ample time to decide what to eat. Didn't feel rushed, rather inviting. ** there is a fresh self serve salsa station that includes sour cream, guacamole, salsas, hot sauces, onions, cilantro, pico de gallo, and so many other goodies!! Loved how it was self Serve so you can customize your own items the way you want. I like how you can pack away the toppings in to-go containers as well if you're taking food out. **complimentary nachos if you're dining in, a plus! Ambiance - family style, home-y, and very authentic. There are tables for groups if you'd like, tables for smaller groups as well. A decent seating area in the back. Overall, would recommend this spot for authentic Mexican food and would definitely satisfy any cravings! It is definitely authentic and packed with flavour. I'm sure you'll be leaving full!

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    Taco Norteño - Order counter

    Order counter

    Taco Norteño
    Taco Norteño - Horchata

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    Horchata

    Servando's - Bistek con Queso Gratinado

    Servando's

    4.3(315 reviews)
    7.4 miHorizons West / West Orlando
    $$

    Definitely and highly recommended!! This is amazing home cooked Mexican made with love!! A go to…read moreregular on mine and my girlfriend's list of all around excellent Mexican. The Queso Fundido con Chorizo appetizer is AMAZING!! THE best queso fundido appetizer of any Mexican restaurant in central Florida, period!!!! The food comes out hot and fresh, and the staff are amazing and attentive with a smile!! Have a cold Michelada with Modelo while you're there!! Lastly, say "hola" to the owner as he is a super great guy and always there to ensure all goes well! We love this restaurant!!

    My husband and I stopped into Servando's Mexican Food on a Tuesday night with mid-level…read moreexpectations, especially since they describe themselves as western-style Mexican--we were hoping for something reminiscent of California flavors. The Vibe: Located in a strip mall with shared parking, the restaurant itself is actually quite cute inside, with tablecloths on each table and a full-service bar near the entrance. That said, when we first walked in, there was an unpleasant, slightly mildew-like odor, which made us question the overall cleanliness. The restaurant was about ¼ full, which felt like a decent sign for a weekday evening. Service: Service was excellent from start to finish. We were seated quickly, given chips and salsa right away, and our server was attentive and efficient throughout the meal. What We Ordered: * Enchiladas Combination (cheese, beef, and chicken with red sauce, you can choose red or green) * Puntas de Filete in Salsa Verde * Sprite & Coke First Impressions: The food came out extremely fast--under 5 minutes, which made it feel more reheated than freshly prepared. Food Quality: Unfortunately, the food lacked flavor across the board. The chips and salsa were underwhelming--the salsa was very watery with little to no spice. The enchiladas were quite dry, lacking sauce, and topped with an overwhelming amount of cheese. My husband ordered the Puntas de Filete in Salsa Verde, hoping for something similar to chile verde, but it didn't come close. The dish lacked depth of flavor and mostly tasted like beef and raw onions. He also requested medium rare, but it came out closer to well-done. Even the refried beans had an unusual, overly garlicky taste that felt a bit off. Overall: While the service was great, the food unfortunately didn't meet expectations--especially for a place positioning itself as western-style Mexican. Average food, standout service. We were hoping to find a go-to spot reminiscent of California Mexican food, but this one missed the mark for us.

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    Servando's
    Servando's - Chips and Salsa

    Chips and Salsa

    Servando's

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    San Jose's Original Mexican Restaurant - mexican - Updated May 2026

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