We have a ton of Mexican places in Murrieta and Temecula to choose from and many are very good but I had a real delightful surprise yesterday at The Mexico Cafe. From the moment you walked in the place was totally decked out for the America 250 theme. They really went all out and it was awesome. This place is huge by the way. Many rooms with soooo much seating but wr sat in the bar to see the US take on Paraguay in the World Cup match. Lots of TV's to see from any seat. Our server was delightful, so attentive and just really good at her job. I wish I would have gotten her name. She was wearing a Mexico FIFA jersey though. The food was dynamite! Everything on my combo plate was fire. The taco, enchilada and the especially the chill rellenoes! The batter was so thick and moist it was awesome. My mango chili margarita was great too. Awesome place, go have some great food and service at the Mexico Cafe! read more

The Mexico Cafe - Dressed for America 250 - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

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Came in for date night before heading to the casino, super impressed with the size of this restaurant. I really enjoyed the festive, patriotic decor and all the lights, albeit the mannequins were a little creepy. We got in early and beat the crowd, luckily for us as it seemed there was only one server covering all the tables in the dining room. The bus boy had a really bad attitude, not friendly or welcoming at all which was a turn off. Kind of just slamming stuff around and wouldn't even respond when we told him thank you each time he stopped by to pick something up off our table. The margarita flight was just ok, we only really enjoyed 2 out of 4, the carnitas was very dry, as was the carne asada. My husband's burrito was 75% refried beans, the rice tasted funky, my albondigas was 90% celery but still had a good flavor. The highlight of the meal was actually the homemade corn tortillas, sadly. Not a great first experience even though we were in before it got busy. Our service was decent, he only became really friendly after I left a big tip which I found a little insulting. All in all, a very average and underwhelming experience, probably wouldn't be back, nothing made it stand out or special for us and it was our 20 year anniversary. read more

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Hi Sandy - it was pretty good. I ordered the three item combo plus albondigas soup (only $3.50 extra). The soup was good and hot - the way I like it. Service was super fast... almost too fast? For a graduation day I was surprised the place wasn't packed. I just get the soup it seems and the entree was already there! So the beans and rice got a little cold. The tacos were not that large but heck there was a lot of food after some nice chips and salsa. The chili relleno was the star. I took half of it home with the rice and beans (and salsa) and it made just the best left over burrito. The margaritas were super cheap and tasty - only $8.00 or so. My son lives just down the road near Pechanga so it's really close by. My question always is would I come back again? You bet. Great atmosphere, attentive service, good food and drink at a decent price. read more

The Mexico Cafe - Combo plate. - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

The prices were high and it wasn't as authentic as I wished for but I will say the bathrooms were clean and well maintained, the margaritas were amazing and the vibe was great. We chose to sit on the patio and it was relaxing being outside. Our server seemed annoyed with us but it could have been because it was a busy hour for the restaurant. read more

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Thursday, 2-05-2026: We met up with friends today for lunch. There was no wait and we were seated right away since our friends arrived before us. As usual the cafe elaborately was dressed up for Valentine's Day. Kudos to their decorators! This is a spacious restaurant that is very clean and it's beautifully designed & decorated. Their Halloween & Christmas decorations are off the charts and a sight to behold! We enjoyed great customer service, our friends' company, and fantastic food! I only ordered their flavorsome albondigas soup and everybody else got combo plates. This continues to be a favorite eatery. read more

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We've been here a few times and love it. First off, they are always decorated to the nines for what every holiday it is and we love that. Second the service is always fantastic. We've had Isaiah C as a server a couple times and he is absolutely amazing. So courteous and attentive. We love him. The food is also great and the portions are more than I can eat so I get two meals for one. Lastly their margaritas are fantastic My wife loves the watermelon margarita and would go here just for that. read more

The Mexico Cafe - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

Since my original three star review we have returned several times. I branched out and tried different menu items. So with all fairness in mind, I am updating my review. I liked their chile verde. The pork was tender and flavorful in a spicy green verde sauce, served with fresh corn tortillas. And the albondigas soup is a new favorite of mine. The restaurant is huge, and we have never had worry about being able to get seated right away. read more

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It's hard to believe there's Mexican cooks in the kitchen here. First of all, this is the most American Mexican restaurant I've ever been to. Red white and blue everywhere! Flags lights, country music playing. When I walked in, I knew what it was. The food is flavorless and the guac is either store bought or they just don't know how to make it. If you're Caucasian, you're gonna love this place. It's right up your alley. 0/10 don't recommend if you're authentic. read more

The Mexico Cafe - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

Food was not delicious too oily and ceezy.service was ok.place was overly decorated. They not expensive though. But the quality of food is not good read more

Hands down, best taco in Temecula for taco Tuesday. They taste homemade! Many salsas to pick from. YOU WILL BE HAPPY! They also have the best Decor and the best Buffet in Temecula! Food is Great! Friendly service! They decorate exquisitely for all the Holidays! Great place to take for out of town guests too. Nicest Restaurant in all of Temecula, also the BEST BUFFET! Every Sunday they really put out a spread. Pechanga used to have the best buffet but once Covid came they did away with their buffet, and there aren't a lot of buffets worth writing about in temecula, but this one is GREAT! Crepe bar, taco bar, desert bar, and a HUGE selection. They also have senior specials and military discounts. Because of how humongus and nicely decorated this place is, it is the perfect spot to host dinner parties or out of town guests. read more

10/30/25 Dinner 5:30-8:30 My Grandson is born on Halloween. He decided to have our family gathering here. 20% automatic gratuity for our group of about 24. We were seated in the family room and waited on by a very efficient waiter. He deserved that 20%. From the looks of it, everyone ordered and was satisfied with their meal. Me? I had a salad. I chose bleu cheese dressing. I already know to have ranch dressing as a back up plan, because most places have horrible bleu cheese. Well, my only complaint: BOTH BLEU CHEESE AND RANCH were horrible!!! I had to take my salad to go, so I could use my own dressing at home. Otherwise, such a nice hidden gem in Temecula. I say hidden because we've lived in Murrieta for 30 years and NEVER heard of this place. It was decorated so nicely for Halloween We should have been charged an entry fee, LOL! I hear they go all out for Christmas, too..... so I'm sure we will revisit. All in all, 5 well deserved stars for The Mexico Cafe read more

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Love this place! Always a good time. The drinks are amazing, great food, and fun decor! I love coming back here! The staff is friendly and I appreciate everyone here! read more

The Mexico Cafe - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

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I recently visited The Mexico Cafe in Temecula with a group of 8 friends to celebrate a birthday. The restaurant itself is very large, with several dining rooms, a bar area, outdoor seating, and a spacious lobby. It was quite busy the evening we went. The décor definitely adds to the experience. The ceilings are high, and there are different themed areas throughout the restaurant. There was a festive display near the fireplace with colorful lights and seasonal decorations, and the walls featured framed family photos that give the place a long-standing, family-owned feel. It has character and feels lively when full. We all ordered different items -- burritos, tacos, taquitos, enchiladas -- and I ordered the chicken fajitas, which came with rice, beans, and a side salad. The fajitas had plenty of onions and bell peppers, and the rice and beans were actually very good. However, the salad lettuce was slightly wilted and the tomatoes were mushy. Overall, my meal was just okay. Something about the seasoning didn't quite sit right with me, so I only ate part of it and took the rest home. One friend ordered taquitos as an appetizer and added rice and beans, but the rice and beans were never brought out. Some of the others really enjoyed their meals, especially the burritos and enchiladas. Drinks were a mixed experience. One friend ordered a Cadillac Margarita and felt it was overpriced at $23 -- more than her meal. I ordered an Arnold Palmer, which tasted good, but the cups were small so I needed a few refills. Service was attentive in terms of bringing food and checking on us, but there was an uncomfortable moment when a drink was set down rather abruptly at the table, which caught everyone's attention. One thing to note: if you have 10 or more people, there is an automatic 20% gratuity. We only had 8 people, but because we requested separate checks, a 20% tip was added to each individual bill. That's something you may want to clarify in advance if you prefer to decide your own gratuity. On a positive note, they did sing happy birthday and brought ice cream for the birthday guest, which was a nice touch. Overall, the atmosphere was lively and spacious, some dishes were enjoyed more than others, and the experience was average with a few service and policy concerns. read more

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This place was decorated so good for Halloween!! Loved all the decorations. This was my first time trying this place, the drinks were really good and the bar area was nice with tvs to watch the games. Then they have a dining area option which was a little more quiet and nice for a girls night. Our waiter Ramon was very funny and nice! He was great. The blackberry margarita was really good. read more

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This place is delicious and the service is fantastic. Can wait to be in that area again to enjoy their menudo and flautas again. read more

The Mexico Cafe - Shredded Beef Flautas - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

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Service was super fast and friendly. Although we were there on Taco Tuesday everything came out quickly and tasted great! read more

The Mexico Cafe - There Chicken Soft Tacos - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

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We love this place! Chad is one of the reasons why! He's an amazing bartender -friendly, attentive, and always making us feel welcome. Great service every time. Thanks, Chad, for making every visit a great one. We'll definitely be back! read more

Chips and salsa good come for good batch margaritas the ambiance was great my family comes here really good food and atmosphere I recommend read more

The Mexico Cafe - Mango habanero batch margarita and jalapeño batch margarita - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

great service! sat at the bar and was served by Chad. He was fun, the food was fantastic. check out their happy hour! read more

The Mexico Cafe - Lots of tequila choices - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

I took my Thai MOM here for a BELATED MOTHER DAY BRUNCH per her request. She wanted to avoid the crowd on Mother's Day and today seems to be the perfect non-crowded day to come and enjoy brunch with her and my tag along hubby... BTW, BRUNCH is only on SUNDAY! $34.99 or upgrade to $44.99 for unlimited mimosas!! FROM THE MOMENT you walk in: It feels like you have just entered a MANSION!! It's always BEAUTIFULLY decorative in all holidays. They have 3 banquet size rooms for service and 2 BARS! CHEERS!! SONG OF THE DAY to play along to this YELP REVIEW: SMOOTH by SANTANA... "Give me your plate, make it FULL or else forgot about it!" HIGHLY RECOMMEND: The POZOLE and the sweet corn with chile verde mini TAMALES! I went back TWICE for those! Also, don't forget to try all the salsas!! TACO STATION: Had 2 very hardworking & nice ladies there :) CAUTION: The TACOS are HUGE! VERY FILLING!! I wish they had carne asada, al pastor, cabeza and lingua! OMELETTE STATION: Had 2 hardworking guys there. They must be tired. Thank you and keep up the great work guys! BRUNCH: There was also an American breakfast which featured waffles, sausages, bacon, etc. My other favorite is the street corn. BIRTHDAYS: There were 3 birthdays happening within 2 hours that we were there. A lot of JUNE 1st BABIES on sight today! Feliz cumpleanos!!!! You get serenaded with a birthday song and provided a Mexican cultural sombrero!! HOW FUN!! WHAT a great place to CELEBRATE a SPECIAL OCCASION!!!!!! SERVICE: A++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Thank you to all the staff for being so welcoming and has smiles on their faces. GRACIAS!!! PARKING: MUCHO!! PLENTY!!!! We will be back because YOU'RE SO SMOOTH ;) ROCK ON THE MEXICO CAFE!!!! read more

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The Mexico Cafe was recommended to us by our friends while we were in the Temecula Wine Country. It exceeded every expectation. The menu is varied enough to satiate every possible meal you'll be craving. The portions were VERY generous. We needed multiple boxes to take home our leftovers. They do eventually charge for tortilla chip and salsa "refills" so be aware. The ambiance and decor here is very "interesting" since it's called the Mexico Cafe but it is fully decked out in the Red White and Blue. Toby Keith would have been proud to eat here. Overall, we enjoyed our experience and plan on returning after our next visit to Wine Country. read more

The Mexico Cafe - Carne asada quesadilla - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

We stopped in shortly after 7 on a Saturday night. I was anticipating a wait but they seated us immediately. A man quickly brought Chips and salsa to our table. A woman brought us water in short order. Our server stopped by for our drink order and came back shortly for our dinner order. I was shocked at how quickly our food came out. I want to say we were out the door about 30 minutes after we arrived. The older gentleman who was bussing tables and serving the chips and salsa and refilling waters was such a hard and efficient worker. It was impressive. I had the choke relleno plate and it was fine. My husband said his enchilada suizas were good. Fast service. Employees were polite. Decent food. read more

The Mexico Cafe - Chile relleno plate - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

Loved my visit! Lots of brunch options. Omelette bar & waffle bar my favorite. Big spacious restaurant was perfect to host my large family! read more

The Mexico Cafe - Omelette bar - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

I always enjoy coming to this restaurant, they decor is always festive and the food is good. The Deluxe Meat Tostada is SO big, definitely enough to share. I enjoy it with the ground beef. The chips and salsa here are tasty, too. Our server was very attentive as well. I will for sure continue to dine here. read more

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Title: Grand Prize Winner - Worst Burrito in the World On 12 17 25, I confidently ordered the Burrito de Pescado. The description sounded delightful. Fresh. Promising. Hopeful. What arrived was not food. It was a crime scene wrapped in a tortilla. Imagine a tortilla the size of a throw blanket, generously stuffed with rice and sad, dried out chunks of fish that looked like they had lived a full life and were ready to retire. It was so bad it crossed the line from disappointing to impressive. Almost funny. Almost. Unfortunately, I was very hungry. Thankfully, my wonderful wife shared her mediocre but technically edible plate, saving me from starvation. Other diners reported similar experiences, describing their meals as "fair" at best, which in restaurant language means "I regret my choices." Service was also on a scenic tour: * Long wait to be seated, despite many open tables * Long wait for the waiter * Long wait for drinks * Long wait to order * Long wait for food It was less dinner and more endurance event. To be fair, the holiday decorations were festive and charming. Unfortunately, festive lights do not justify $240 for five people, each with one drink and one entrée. At that price, I expect at least one dish to be memorable for the right reasons. With so many excellent Mexican restaurants in the Temecula Valley, this one earns a polite but firm farewell. Adios, Mexico Café. read more

The Mexico Cafe - What I thought I was getting - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

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This was our first time coming here. Honestly, I came just for the experience/decorations which did not disappoint! But the food was actually pretty good! I was pleasantly surprised. Service was good too. Beto was our server. We went in a Sunday. Got there before 11am which was before the rush. I enjoyed the buffet and taco bar. The Christmas decor is amazing!! I LOVE Christmas and it felt so festive eating there. The four stars is because they opened a door right by us for the bus boys to go in and out of and we were freezing which was uncomfortable. I asked if they could pls close it a little and they did. Such a fun experience! read more

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I drove with my wife and my cousin from the San Diego area to this place in Temecula for a recurring gathering of cousins. The location was selected because it's a reasonable compromise for about a dozen of us who live rather spread out, and it seems to be the only reasonably priced place in the area that could accommodate a group the size of ours. I found the staff to be very friendly and helpful. Service was polite and prompt. The place is generally clean, and was decorated cheerfully for the upcoming Independence Day holiday. I know that our group put a strain on the staff because there were so many of us and we arrived spread out over a very long period of time, largely caused by unpredictable traffic encountered by people coming from a wide range of locales. My particular sub-party of three arrived about 45 minutes early because we got lucky with traffic, and the bartender in the large lounge area cheerfully accommodated us with water, and hot tea for my wife. When the bulk of our party ordered lunch, the food came promptly. We had been provided with chips and red salsa, which were mediocre but better than nothing. We got a bowl of guacamole to share, and that was OK - Freshly made but not spectacular. I thought it would be nice to get some seafood for myself, so I ordered the Burrito de Camarones (shrimp burrito) from the printed menu. Supposedly the filling included shredded cabbage and Pico de Gallo. If either were present they were almost undetectable. The filling consisted mostly of the same fried rice that was served on the side, and a pittance of small bay shrimp. There was nothing to give it what I would regard as true Mexican character, such as onions, chile peppers, etc., just a barely detectable amount of their "spicy chipotle" sauce. The flour tortilla was not even browned as I would expect. All of the food that I ate, including the tortilla chips, had an undertone of slightly rancid fry oil. It left an aftertaste that I can still detect hours later. There were none of the usual niceties that I have come to expect from a restaurant that claims to be Mexican - No selection of spicy sauces, pickled carrots, Jalapeño peppers; just the little bowls of mediocre red salsa plus small shakers of salt and black pepper. Maybe some of these deficiencies were a result of our large and inconvenient party. Our tab was split several ways, and we were automatically billed a 20% gratuity for that, which I don't find unreasonable. I added additional tip for our server. There was a corporate event in one of the side rooms that had about 30 attendees. There are a couple of smaller rooms that I wish had been booked for our party. In the main dining area there was enough noise to make it hard for people to understand one another. I will likely return to this restaurant when my cousins decide to meet there again, but I will be much more careful about what food I order, and that will come with diminished expectations. I went there entirely for the company and not the food. But good food would have been a major plus. One final note - Both the online and printed menus have pronunciation guides for the listed items. For someone who has lived in Southern California for more than 60 years, and also eaten at Mexican restaurants in several other states, I found that hilarious. On the other hand it kind of goes hand in hand with the bland food. I am accustomed to much better fare. ETA I am amending this on 6/20/2026 just before noon 1. Nearly 24 hours after eating there I still have a lingering aftertaste of rancid oil in my mouth even after brushing my teeth multiple times. I hope the management takes notice and fixes the obvious problem. 2. The contents of a shrimp burrito should be at least 50% shrimp, and in my opinion rice has no place inside of any burrito. The burrito I was served was very large, but I would rather have a smaller one with more protein and less carbohydrate. read more

Great food and drinks. Loved the Al Pastor tacos with a cucumber jalapeño marg. The majority of the food is your standard family style Mexican restaurant but a step above. What really separates this place is the service and atmosphere. It feels like a true family environment. From the hostess, waiter, busboys. Everyone was so kind and the inside is unique and so well decorated read more

Great service! Worse margaritas ever! When the menu says no returns on drinks = margaritas mix is awful!

Kaylee and Cesar and Laura were so sweet definitely must love their job because they are great at it. BEST SERVICE EVER AT THIS PLACE!! FOOD WAS GREAT TOO!!! read more

Love the albondigas Service great Love the decor 85 is too many characters Rrtrtttyyyyghhhhhhhhhhhhjggfdssghjiughgffggbhhjhbvvvghjhhbbhhjjjjjkkkkkmnnnnnnnnn read more

Loved the service today on the patio. Had a Father's Day Celebration today. Server was FABULOUS!! Food was FABULOUS. Outdoor patio chairs were LESS THAN DESIRABLE. Very uncomfortable. Tables not very clean. Love the restaurant. Inside very beautiful. Everyone working there is so accommodating and treats you like family. My only complaint is the patio furniture. My husband is sight impaired; he loves to go and sit outside at restaurants because most are too dark inside. We would love to see better accommodations on the patio!!! J Just a suggestion!!! Give a 4 out of 5 read more

We had a fantastic experience here! The chicken and steak fajitas were absolutely delicious, the marinade they used was packed with flavor and really made the dish stand out. The chips and salsa were fresh and perfectly seasoned, and the margaritas were not only delicious but also generously sized. Everything hit the spot, and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Definitely a place we'll be coming back! & the Halloween decorations were insane! Loved it read more

The Mexico Cafe - Fajitas and margarita - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

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Service was outstanding, portions were very large, decor was interesting and well done, food was not as good as everything else (3 stars), and prices were a little high. I will go back again and try another dish. We had enchiladas(sauce could have been better but good) and my wife had quesadillas(shrimp great but veggies could have been better). read more

The Mexico Cafe - Quesadilla - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

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My husband and I split the shrimp fajitas today for lunch and they were delicious! So many times when I have eaten fajitas, everything is so overcooked. The veggies were cooked to perfection and so was the shrimp. The fajitas came with soup or salad and my husband ordered the albondigas soup which came with three large meatballs. The soup was also delicious. Our waitress, Blanca was very friendly and attentive. Definitely try this restaurant!! read more

The Mexico Cafe - Shrimp fajitas with refried beans, rice, sour cream , salsa and guacamole. - Salad Near Me - Temecula, California

I've been to Mexico Cafe multiple times. The best takeaway is the unique decor. The team are friendly, however whenever we attend during busier hours, it's almost as if the restaurant is operating short staffed. You can barely get anyone's attention. Our server rushed each time he spoke with our party. We received an incorrect food order and had a drink spilled because of how quickly the server was trying to toss our plates on the table. The food is very mediocre. The only dishes I can recommend are the chicken fajitas and carne asada. Prices are affordable considering portions as well. Many other favorable options locally to enjoy. read more

Love this place! The food was so good and the chips and salsa delicious and the atmosphere was so nice how they had it all decorated for the Fourth of July. read more

Ok First time here.. sat at the bar. Bartender Rich very nice, knowledgeable and tasty drinks! We ordered fajitas (chicken) and they were great! Margaritas yum! The only odd thing I noticed was the dark hair backwards hat waiter who was smacking his gum while he was working and taking orders. I would expect that in a dive bar-maybe? I'm a previous bar owner and I would have never allowed that. Anyway I recommend stopping in! Food, drinks and service were on point. read more

Always good! Molcajete, carnitas, Chili relleno. Buffet is wonderful. Margaritas and bloody Mary's are the best. We've never been disappointed. read more

I love small business, unfortunately The Mexico Cafe fell short. My 2nd time here, 1st time was when they 1st opened. My wife and I had a date Night and decided to go bowling and she picked The Mexico Cafe in Temecula. Place is absolutely beautiful and all employees were extremely nice. However, our server Ramon was semi attentive, but was very arrogant and quick each visit. No personality, not very personable whatsoever. She ordered 2 beef tacos w rice n beans, I had steak fajitas. First off, their salsa that come w the chips honestly tastes store bought and is very bland, no joke! Wife's tacos had a lot of meat, just no flavor. Beans and rice were ok she said. My steak Fajitas came out sizzling full of tons of bell peppers, onions and tomatoes, very little steak. Maybe 6 oz total, if that. Steak was delicious, my veggie fajitas were underwhelming. However, the Albondigas soup was absolutely BOMB! Wasn't busy, food and service was a 3. The building and other employees were a 5+! Just an honest review, will go elsewhere next date Night. *I heard their other The Mexico Cafe is TERRIFIC! read more