4. Restaurants

Mexico Restaurant

1247 N School St, Honolulu, HI, 96817
  • (808) 845-9059
  • Store is closed

Mexico Restaurant Menu

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.

Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.

  • Kawai K.

    I live very near this place and have driven by it many time so i just had to finally give it a try. My friend and I went there this afternoon for some margaritas and tasty mexican food. I can definitely say we were both very satisfied. Good service and good ambiance. We will definitely make this one of our regular spots.

    (4)

  • Erin C.

    service was painfully slow, all of the food received was luke warm at best. sad flavor profile/freshness/ingredient quality standard. boo, mexico restaurant.

    (2)

  • Nathan N.

    I really enjoyed the li hing margaritas and my bean and cheese burrito! Good atmosphere and service!

    (5)

  • Steve C.

    Good food, pretty authentic.

    (4)

  • Jennifer S.

    I was pleasantly surprised! Living on the island, I was definitely missing some good Mexican food and this place was pretty good! I got the Mexico burrito and it was delicious! The service was friendly and fast too!

    (4)

  • John K.

    Went here last night for dinner. Got in at 8. We were immediately given a table but our server didn't give us menus or water for at least 15 minutes. After that it took her another 15 minutes to take our order. The place wasn't to crowed either. Once we placed our orders our food and drinks came pretty quick. I had the Lengua burrito and my girl had the mariachi burrito. Food was not the great. In fact the food was mediocore at best. Lengua was dry and blan. The mariachi burrito was better but full of refried beans and not chili verde. One positive the drinks are very reasonably priced. If I ever come back it'll be for the drinks.

    (2)

  • Lora H.

    Great garlic shrimp! Serious garlic action. And the shrimps were big. Had the taco salad too - was good, not bad, but not great. This restaurant is kind of just a random restaurant in a not-so-good part of town. But the restaurant is nice - probably one of the more cleaner, bigger Mexican places I've been to. Would I go again - yes. Parking is good, service was good, price was good.

    (4)

  • Jacqueline H.

    two words. CRAB ENCHILADA. :) parking right on the side n great entertainment on certain nights. i would recommend the DEEP FRIED ICE CREAM. but of course share it with somebody because its huge n will knock your socks off.

    (4)

  • Lexi H.

    I love this place. The chairs are really big...

    (5)

  • Christi L.

    Best Mexican food I've ever had in Hawaii! & that's saying something, since I was from SoCal. The Chile Verde was spicy, delicious, & the portion was huge. Planning to make this a weekly visit (so ill be ordering a to go box when the food is served, since it easily makes 2 meals).

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    First the parking sucks. Way narrow and hard to turn around. Service was good but first impression when we walked in was mixed because the tables were dirty. Standard chips and salsa. Tasty. Solid. I ordered the "Mexico Burrito" basically a carne asada burrito, wet with pico de gallo and guacamole. HUGE burrito. Taste was good but need to be augmented with Tapatio. Came with standard rice and refried beans and cheese. All in all, not bad but not something i would go out of my way for.

    (3)

  • Fofoga M.

    I just got back from having lunch at Mexico Restaurant and it was deeeeeelish!! My sister and I decided to try something different. We're always going for local bbq, Indian, Korean but today I chose Mexican. Yelp help me decide Mexico was the place to try and we both are glad we came. I had the chimichanga....and it was yummmmmmmmo! Portion was too much for me. Same for my sister. She had 3 tacos and she couldn't finish 2. Only down fall was we never got refills on our soft drinks and there was barely any ice in our water and so we ended up drinking water...not ice water. Food was great and we are definitely returning.

    (4)

  • Russ C.

    consistently decent, which is saying a lot for Mexican food in Honolulu

    (3)

  • Dre P.

    finally , as a californian, i have a huge void in my life and it is mexican food. all of the mexican food that ive had had in hawaii has been disheartening and downright depressing. this place has all my shts, from chelada's to the coctail de camaron, i love it, the ceviche has room for improvement(looks like fancy feast for cats, luckily doesnt taste) ..but hey wut u gonna do...the only wierd thing is the entire staff looked like their souls were in another dimension and their bodys were simply droning on and producong som good ass mexican food...maybe their souls are back in mexico, and that is the only way they can reproduce the authentica mexicana taste...although, i find it funny how the puerto rican embassy or watever is upstairs...strange,,,are these reeally puerto ricans posing as mexicans????hmmmm??? that would explain the eerie vibe i get from the staff.....all in all this place is a true gem hidden amongst the projects and pothole ridden streets of honolulus own ghetto "kalihi"..............tip: watch out for the parking lot troll, he is hyper aggressive and he hates you..seriously theres a crazy homeless dude who thinks he owns the parking lot and resembles Whitey Duvall from Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Night's

    (4)

  • Jen T.

    came here with my boy to entertain a friend. i've been here several times, and, although i like the place, it really doesn't stand out in my mind. other than the relative cleanliness of the place and the silly name of the establishment, the food is rather ordinary. but mexican food is hard to come by the 808, so if you're in the area and you're feeling like eating some rice and beans, you might as well stop by here.

    (3)

  • Mary T.

    THIS PLACE is the BOMB!!! I am so glad that I found this place coz, so far, this is the best Mexican restaurant I found on the Island. I am used to eating real Mexican food in Cali. Garlin Shrimp-delish, Carnitas-AWESOME (my favorite)... burritos-HUGE.... all excellent to feed two people with one order...!!! Fresh Chips and Salsa... that they don't charge you for...!!! I love this place. Two thumbs up for MEXICO restaurant.

    (5)

  • Austin N.

    Positives: -food is very good considering it's mexican food in Hawaii -delicious horchata -love the tortilla chips and salsa (free!) -large portions -nice ambience Negatives: -bad parking -pretty expensive for mexican food You just can't get good mexican food in Hawaii. Or at least, I haven't found a place yet that can compare to what you can get in the mainland. But this place comes as close as you can get. Freshly fried tortilla chips, huge portions of solid Mexican favorites, and that Mexican restaurant feeling when you get inside. Bottom line: Best place for Mexican food that I've found in Hawaii so far. Just make sure you're ready to pay for it.

    (3)

  • Gerry D.

    Came to this cute lil mexican restaurant tucked away in a local area of Kalihi. Its also across the street from the famous Helena's. The atmosphere is very inviting and cozy. When u come here, always ask for KELSEY. She gives the best service ever and very friendly. The food is also very authentic. COME HERE TO EAT!

    (4)

  • Joshua S.

    Not what I expected. Chips and salsa right away were lovely but I almost fainted when I saw the menu...$16 for a two taco plate!? And the ala carte was 6.50 for one taco...I saw what they looked like and realized what a ripoff it was. The margaritas were good, but not worth $11 either. If you are the kind of person who likes wasting money at Chilis, this might be the place for you.

    (2)

  • Lynn M.

    Been here several times and the food used to be much better. They have also raised their prices. Think it's pretty expensive for Mexican restaurant in Kalihi. The drinks were okay but at $14 I think they should be bigger. At least they had a parking attendant since the parking can be bad on the weekends. Not sure if I will go back anymore since the prices are higher and the food is not as good.

    (3)

  • Mark T.

    I love this place an order nachos a picture of margaritas and that's all you need here. The rest of the menu is fabulous though too you'll never go hungry here huge portions reasonable prices and great atmosphere. Don't forget the fried ice cream is fantastic here Jen's first experience and it looks like she'll probably be here every week had a great time

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    Definitely deserves 5 stars! It was delish!!! Had a great margarita and combo meal. My hubby had a grande burrito and it was enormous! My daughter had the fajita burrito and loved it. The steak in it was super tender. They even sent a dessert out for her birthday.

    (5)

  • Bill S.

    Great salsa! Rice and beans were okay. Chile relleno had great flavors but was not very warm. Same for the quesadilla and enchilada. They have free drink refills on sodas, but did not offer to refill the chips. The fried ice cream was great, but was not served hot. Parking is in a very tight lot that fills up at lunch and dinner time. Wait staff seemed understaffed.

    (3)

  • Lei P.

    Great mexican food. Affordable, service is fair. Most of the time the food is tasty, generous in portion size, filling and authentic. Once in a while you will get a miss but mostly you can expect hits here. Try the chimichanga, quesadillas, nachos and burritos.

    (4)

  • Jozlyn H.

    The reviews said that the wait was long and the service was bad. However, it must've been my lucky day because the first parking stall by the entrance was open. We were greeted and seated right away, and our server was top notch! We got here on Sunday evening around 530pm. Early dinner, and it wasn't busy at all. When we left around 630pm, the parking was full and there were some people waiting outside to be seated. TIP: come early! I ordered the Mexico burrito, friends had the chicken chimichanga and the fajita burrito. Everyone enjoyed their food. I asked for a takeout box in the beginning because the burrito was ginormous!!!!! Our server constantly filled our drinks and checked up on us throughout our meal. She even thanked us in the end. We left her a good tip because I left this place satisfied. As far as the Mexican food goes, it's about the same everywhere..... However you can tell if it's good by their rice and beans. I was definitely satisfied with their rice and beans. I would have given then 4 stars for their parking situation, but you can only do so much in Kalihi. This place is definitely worth a try. MEXICO!!!!

    (5)

  • Kyle M.

    Great place! Fresh food. Out of the way from the touristy places. You can really tell everything is fresh. Had the crispy tacos. The tacos were filled with beef! The horchata comes in a pitcher!! I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Krysten I.

    I'm not the hugest fan of Mexican food. However, my boyfriend woke me up singing about tacos and horchata. We decided to try Mexico restaurant because they had good reviews for the horchata. The restaurant is located diagonally from Helena's. They have a small parking lot that fills up quickly during lunch hour. Like many Mexican restaurants, they give you a basket of complimentary chips and salsa when you sit down. It'll cost you a dollar more if you want either more chips or more salsa. We ordered a side of guac to eat with the chips too. For $4, I don't think it's worth it; I'm not a fan of their guac. Because I don't really like Mexican food, I just ordered crispy tacos ala carte. The flavors were good, but the tacos came out soggy. My boyfriend loved his chimichanga and the complete meals are large enough to take home a second meal as left overs. He also loved his horchata. I had a few sips. It was def one of the better horchatas I've had. The waitress service was good. I don't really like the tables here. It seems kinda weird, but the tables are large, so it's kinda hard to have a conversation.

    (3)

  • Robert S.

    From Texas Been here 3 years and have not found anything close to TexMex until now!! Wow. I had the chicken enchiladas Super and plate was big!! Chips ok...But I have been eating at Chillis so...This is the place to eat!!

    (4)

  • Domain H.

    My wife and I went to this place last weekend and we were impressed with the food. It was the best Mexican food we've had on the island thus far. Its cozy and the seats are pretty close together because of the space constraints but it wasn't anything I couldn't get pass. The service here was mediocre. Our waitress seemed more concerned about conversation in the back rather then asking us how we were. On one occasion she asked us in passing if we needed anything and kept walking before we had a chance to answer. SMH Unfortunately, because of its location and limited parking area on the side it was hard to find parking. I was greeted by a mid age gentleman that I was unsure worked there but was policing parking. There were no available spots in the parking area so he directed me to park in the back on the right. As I rode down this slim alley way, the parking area he instructed me to go to looked "shotty" to say the least. There were about 6 young guys, (4 of which had no shirt on) waving me to come park there. Needless to say my six sense alerted me, so I backed out and found parking in front of the restaurant. While enjoying my meal I noticed there were 2 police officers combing the area, and yelling at (what I thought to be) the individuals that previously waved me to park in the area. My advice to people wanting to dine here, if there are no parking spots available next to the restaurant prepare to do some searching.

    (4)

  • Bobby L.

    Consistently good food. Parking is a little awkward due to the lot layout, but what can you do? I have been here a dozen times, always good quality and tasty. The first 8 times I never got a napkin until the food was delivered. Chips, yes. Water, yes. Utensils, sometimes. But no napkin. I thought it as a conspiracy. But the last few times they all came at once, food was ready in 10-15 minutes. Great lunch spot, but don't plan on going back to work! These heavy eats will put your lights on dim for sure.

    (5)

  • Leah M.

    The food was not so good ( I'm being nice ). My husbands carnitas were more burnt than fried. I Had the kalua pork chimichanga and started to eat it when the waitress realized she gave me the wrong plate and literally pulled it out from under me mid bite. The staff was not personable at all. I would not go back and wouldn't recommend to anyone. Taco Bell is cheaper, and better than this place.

    (1)

  • Wayne T.

    So yesterday my girlfriend was craving Mexican food, and she decided maybe we should check out Mexico for dinner. Since it was near the house and I had to run a errand down the road before dinner. As soon as I get there parking was just horrible. Then some worker from inside comes out and says im not allowed to park in the lot because its too full. So I waited 10 mins before a car pulled out. Then the same guy comes out again and says just park by the dumpster. At this point I was hungry and didn't care. Appetizers were ok, but simple. Horchata wasn't that bad either. Just the main meal was something I wasn't expecting. I ordered the mexico burrito because the picture had a lot of steak on top. As soon as I got it I already knew something was wrong. Opened it up and it only had a few bits of steak in it. It was crappy if you ask me for the price of $14-$15. And my girlfriend ordered the adobada burrito, and the meat was Room temp/slightly warm. When you serve pork, at least cook it hot enough! The plate was hotter than anything we received that whole night, especially the $1.00 tortilla chips! I'd give this restaurant a 1 star, but wouldn't seem fair that not everything was decent the whole experience there. But yeah I don't think I'll be eating here anymore.

    (2)

  • Codi V.

    I only have ordered take-out because I have kids and Id rather pass that experience and just enjoy the food at home. I love their guacamole it's delicious and their shrimp tacos combo with rice and beans It's tasty and I keep coming back for it. Great food and the restaurant seems very nice on the inside. One day I'll dine-in, but I'll stick to take-out in the meantime.

    (5)

  • Sarah N.

    First time here! I had the carne asada taco and a strawberry jarrito! The food was pretty delicious. The carne asada had lots of flavor but what stood out to me most was the service. Our waiter was extremely nice and tentative--always refilling our drinks, clearing our table, and striking up a conversation!

    (4)

  • Lillie M.

    This was the second time here and the first time we had a great experience, but this time it wasn't very good. The chips and salsa are always really good. Our food on the other hand... Well, the pork tasted really funny so we ended up not eating much of it, the mushroom skillet was good, but really oily, and the ceviche was good but needed a little more flavor. I may give this place another try before I leave the island, but if you're looking for good Mexican food, Serg's in Manoa will never let you down!

    (2)

  • Alice K.

    Went during the "dead time" (2:00-2:30) for lunch with the husband. Somehow we had to wait to be seated even though there were only 4 groups in the restaurant. I didn't really mind that TOO MUCH since I've hosted before and know that sometimes you have to double check with the server to make sure they're ready. Then I got irritated when I found out that the man who told us to wait was also our server...when there were 2 other employees just hanging around polishing silverware... I ordered the Mexico burrito which didn't specify what kind of meat was inside, so I asked. Our older gentleman waiter told me "steak", little did I know you can choose what kind of meat to put in.. (the steak here sucks btw. Sliced thin as hair, no flavor, dry, stringy).. The salsa was very watery, and the chips tasted old and stale. The food was mediocre which is a shame because it use to be on point. My burrito came out room temperature (..even taco bell makes a HOT burrito). Our server NEVER came to check on us throughout our entire meal! My husband had to flag him down to get a refill on his soda. I NEVER got a refill on my water, the man never asked. The only time he came to our table was when we were done eating to give us the check and ask if I was finished with my meal. I had enough, it tasted like grease and broken dreams. My husband ordered the enchiladas which weren't too bad. But honestly, being the LAST customers in the restaurant you would think that they would be a tad bit more attentive. I felt like I was a bother being there! Maybe I would have been a bother if I was just loitering but I was a PAYING customer. Needless to say I shall NEVER return here again. You would think for a restaurant bold enough to put MEXICO as their name..their Mexican food would be legit... Scary parking near a cracky looking park, horrible service, terrible food. I'm still dying of thirst....

    (1)

  • Amy M.

    Well I was hoping that the food here would be decent. They ran out of takeout menus so I ended up looking at the one that was given at the restaurant. I ordered the chicken tostada ranchero salad and a chicken chalupa for my honey. I waited about 15 minutes till I received my order. Not bad considering the place was empty so it gave comfort that he/she was making the food fresh. Once we took it back to the car I opened up my container. The fried tortilla shell was massive. Presentation wise everything "looked" great. The guacamole and sour cream was in a separate container as well as the ranch dressing. The quantity of chicken was surprising there was an abundance of it over lettuce. I thought for 15 bucks the amount given I was pleased. But, then I took a bite and it tasted rubbery and hard. I pulled it out of my mouth and realized that piece was not thoroughly cooked. I thought this was terrible. I threw that piece out and tried another one that was somewhat ok. I didn't want to throw out everything just yet. It would be such a waste. The seasonings on the chicken was ok, it seemed like adobo was used. The refried beans in conjunction with lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, chicken, and tortilla was the most flavorless meal I had ever eaten. How is that even possible? Flavors are suppose to be flying all over the place. Besides the chicken everything was just bland and the guacamole had an after taste of raw garlic. The tortilla shell was a bit burnt and it tasted like pure oil left in the deep fryer too long. I was disappointed. My honey also felt Taco Bell was better at executing a decent chalupa. Although the quantity of food was given food here the quality lacked. It was more as just substance to fill you up and no more.

    (1)

  • Regina T.

    I lived in San Antonio for 5.5 yrs and I've had some amazing Mexican food. Mexico ranks right up there. I had the flauta with a side of beans and rice and it was amazing! My husband had the Mexico Burrito... He really liked it as well! Parking is not optimal if they have a lot of people there. However, i consider that a good sign! Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Daflowa A.

    I really like this place. I used to go to their sister restaurant, Mexico Lindo in Kailua all the time so it's nice that this place is closer to home. The food is authentic (I think) and best of all yummy! They have a ton of seafood options on their menu which is nice and the prices are moderate.

    (4)

  • Kimo U.

    Just needed a quick picker-upper for dinner. This place is a short drive down to School Street. Noticed that they had small tacos, perfect for a small dinner. Ordered the lengua and tripitas tacos. They certainly looked and smelled like the tacos I get in San Jose, CA. The tongue was tender and went well with the green sauce. The sauce, which I poured over the taco, could have been a tad spicier, but was a good complement. The tripe, though, was not quite what I expected; its to-the-bite texture seemed almost too tender. After reading the other reviews, I'll have to return for their other choices. Very inviting ambience.

    (4)

  • M B.

    Best on island. Beef flauta and asada burrito are amazing. Huge portions

    (5)

  • Andrea G.

    Garlic mushroom's were garlicky and cheesy. Loved the salsa, spicy with the right amount of heat. Side order of the Adobo taco was deliciously pricey, $6.50 for just one taco. The Spanish rice was very pretty looking, but was just blah. I felt like my chicharones/carnita make your own taco dish overall just needed an extra kick and flavor. I did like the limes on the side because it definitely helped. The waiter was doing the best he could, while the others "looked" busy.

    (3)

  • Lance T.

    Mexico is primarily the reason that took me to this neighborhood. Slow down when you're near the vicinity so you don't miss it. I have been to this place about 5 times now and it never disappoints. Ironically, i don't see too many customers that i would think are from the nearby area. At lunch time during the work week i see lots of regular working people and nearby Fort Shafter military personnel. I was there twice on a Saturday and i was surprised to see the crowd of mixed weekenders, some locals, and again - military personnel. So its a well balanced crowd of diners. I've tried the burritos, tacos and carne asada. All are very good. Reasonably priced, great atmosphere, and great service. If you like guacamole - make sure you ask how much it costs if you plan to order extra because its so good it can ramp up your bill. haha. :))

    (4)

  • Angel H.

    I met up with a few co-workers for dinner. The last time I was here was about 4 years ago. We had a total of 12 people, 9 adults and 3 kids. We arrived at 5pm for dinner and the place was packed. I didn't expect them to be so busy. That's probably the reason why they don't take reservations. My friend ordered the lychee margarita, which was awesome and huge for $12. I got the virgin watermelon margarita, which wasn't as good for $11. The lychee drink was on the sweeter side where the watermelon drink was tart. For my entree I got the crab taco salad, not bad. I've never had crab in my taco salad before and thought I'd try it out. I had asked the server if it was real or imitation crab before I ordered it. I was happy to hear that it was real crab. For some reason the guacamole tasted a bit off. It was a little bitter and a little sour. Maybe too much lemon or lime juice? I also ordered the fried ice cream for dessert. That was awesome! The shell was fried crispy sprinkled with cinnamon. The vanilla ice cream on the inside was still solid and not melted. This item also came with whip cream, chocolate and caramel drizzle. Woohoo!

    (3)

  • John A.

    Sorry, but.......we have tried this place multiple times (5) in our desperate attempt to find decent Mexican food in HNL. Went there tonight again, in spite of my spouses objections, and it was really really really bad. The food came out cold so they took it back to the kitchen to heat it up, (they should have started over) and it came back it drenched in their obviously package sauces. Not sure but I don't think anything there is made from scratch. Including their enchiladas, chile rellenos, tamales .......everything....all very tasteless and kind of insulting. This was our last attempt. For all you want to be a restauranteurs out there.....open a good Mexican restaurant and your fortunes will follow......just don't use anything, or as minimal as possible, pre packaged entrees and sauces. Adios Mexico .....the restaurant.....not the country.

    (1)

  • Craig M.

    On the way to a late coffee shop breakfast one day, we passed by the Mexico Restaurant and on the spur of the moment, decided we wouldn't mind having lunch instead of breakfast, and that Mexican food sounded good. It was then that I had a thought - I could combine Mexican food and breakfast by having huevos rancheros. The last time we were there, I'd seen it on the menu but was in the mood for fajitas, so I passed it up. Not this time. I asked our waitress, Leilani (only in Hawaii can you have a young woman with a Hawaiian name take your order in a Mexican restaurant), for her opinion, and she was very effusive in recommending the dish. The wife wanted something a little less fiery, so she had the fish tacos. They looked so beautiful on the plate that I asked her for a bite. That creamy avocado guacamole just soothed the inside of my mouth, with just a little bit of heat. Veddy good tacos! She thought so too, but could only eat one. So she brought the other home, and my brother-in-law just inhaled it, devouring it in a second. But I digress ... my Huevos Rancheros was everything I expected it to be. You couldn't see the eggs for all the cheese that covered them, but that's not a bad thing. When I poked through the cheese layer, the egg yolk came oozing forth like a golden volcano releasing its goodness into the world. I though their refried beans needed a little zing, so I spooned on some hot sauce that came with the taco-chip appetizer that Leilani brought us. Oh yeah, that did it. The pico di gallo mixed nicely with the cheesy huevos and the Spanish rice. In all, it was a very satisfying and top-of-head warming meal. Now I've got the urge to go Mexican again.

    (4)

  • Charisma F.

    Thanks to a coworker's recommendation, I came here for lunch. I've passed by this place so many times, but never realized that it was a Mexican restaurant. The decor, music, ambience makes you feel like you've been transported to Mexico or old town San Diego. Free chips and salsa are served once your seated. I went with the shredded chicken enchilada lunch special. It came with rice, chopped lettuce and tomatoes, and beans with cheese. All for $8.75 and well worth it. The enchilada was tasty and rice was delicious. The refried beans tasted like any other place that serves refried beans, nothing extraordinary. Definitely would come back for dinner or on a weekend to try their larger plates and wide assortment of margaritas.

    (4)

  • Roan P.

    I had been craving Mexican food so I decided to come here again. Forgot how good this place is! I ordered the Chile Relleno! Absolutely perfect! All the cheese made it spectacular. I'd have given this place 5 stars but the menu is SUPER EXPENSIVE!

    (4)

  • Josh A.

    This place is great! We went here by default. I didn't bring cash for Helena's, so we walked across the street to here. I mean, who really wants Mexican food when visiting Hawaii? Our waiter was friendly and fast. I got the pig tacos. They were great. The chips and salsa were good too. if you're looking for Mexican food, come here.

    (4)

  • Traci R.

    Want Mexican? Well, you'd think a place named Mexico Restaurant might just serve Mexican food, no? Located on a fairly busy street, it's easy to not notice this restaurant. I used to hang out a lot in the area as a kid and never noticed it. I had heard about this place only a few years ago from a co-worker and someone I happened to be sitting next to on a plane. Well, this stranger from California was complaining about how Hawaii doesn't have authentic Mexican food. I had to agree. But, he did say out of all the places he has been to after living on Oahu for several years, the best was Mexico Restaurant! Today, I went back again for my (I lost track of the number of visits) time. They just recently changed their menu too! We were seated immediately as it wasn't very crowded at 4pm on a Friday. They gave us complimentary chips and salsa while deciding what to order. We waited nearly 10-15 minutes for a waitress to take our order. There were at least four waitresses that noticed we wanted to take our order but they kept talking story amongst themselves. Finally, Kaitlin noticed we were waiting and asked if she could help (and she wasn't our original server!). She was very apologetic and ended up giving us another chips and salsa on the house. The service from Kaitlin was five stars! But the rest of the waitress team was a measly one star. I ordered the Catrina Taco Salad with shredded beef. Delicious! But the only let down was that they used packaged iceberg lettuce?! I could tell because they had the red cabbage and carrot bits and the lettuce wasn't shredded. How odd though because extra shredded lettuce and tomatoes were on the side, outside of the shell. Aside from that, this taco salad was bomb! The beef was tasty, guacamole excellent, shell oh so crispy, and the ranch sauce was a nice addition! Tip: save some salsa from the chips and add it to your salad! You won't be disappointed! All that for $12.95 plus tax and tip. YES! But, a pointer...a taco salad isn't a very great dish to order if you're on a date or meeting with someone you aren't comfortable being messy around! Hahahaha I must admit I was pretty messy! But my tummy was happy! Definitely coming back again! I want to try other dishes! :) :P Hopefully they don't use packaged tossed salad again. This was the first time they had done that! Maybe they just ran out.

    (4)

  • Greg Y.

    Good start with the huge horchata and chips and salsa that kept on coming. The live music was getting the applause of the crowd. My appetite was building. But then my Mexico Burrito arrived...after everyone else's dishes...and cold. Buzz kill. The dish was reheated but I was done. The horchata was good. Update: we got the wrong check...

    (3)

  • Jenny T.

    It was actually my first time trying this place and I got to try the garlic mushroom,shrimp cocktail, side order of Spanish rice, and the steak taco. The reason why I rated 2 star is because the service was okay. I mean our waitress took awhile to take our order and when I got my food it was cold and I didn't enjoy it at all. On the bright side the deep fried ice cream was delicious and that was fast. I personally would rather have taco bell.

    (2)

  • Kuuipo D.

    Again! Another place in Kalihi that I never ate at until I move out of the hood! Why? Me & the hubby's anniversary weekend comes up and being the awesome man he is suggests we go to Mexico. I tell him that we need dogsitters, and he clarifies the restaurant, not the country. I do my happy dance because I LOVE Mexican food! I have been hearing such good things about this place that I cannot wait to get there! We get there about 9 pm on a Saturday night. The place had one huge party and maybe a few other tables, so we were able to sit right down. The hostess/watergirl/busperson was super attentive. She sat us down and quickly gave us our water and menus and chips. This made me very happy! Our server came over and asked if we had any questions. She was very friendly and frequently checked on us until it was time to order. I got the veggie burrito plate and hubby got the taco salad. The decor is typical Mexican stuff, but it wasn't unpleasant. I liked the fact that the place was clean. Our water was always refilled and the server came over to see if we needed our chips refilled as well. The food came out fast and we dug in. My burrito consisted of mushrooms, sour cream, and cheese, and was all kinds of tasty goodness! My plate also came with rice and black beans and that was all good, too. Needless to say, every part of my plate disappeared quickly and I was actually debating wether or not someone would catch me licking my plate. Hubby's taco salad was HUGE and he took longer than I did to finish. He enjoyed it - a lot. The server asked if we were interested in dessert & that was a no brainer! Bring on the fried ice cream. Holy heaven! It was so good that I almost asked for another. What the heck was I thinking to share one with the hubby? Next time, I get my own. The food was great. There service we got was excellent. AND there was parking! Can't get better than this! Five stars for you Mexico! I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Mike And Leslie B.

    Been coming here for several years and this place has changed some good some not so good. First off, the chips they serve complementary are always a bit stale... always. Please go to any good Mexican restaurant on the mainland abd you'll see the chips are warm and crispy. To me, that's a HUGE deal. Second, they've raised the prices on everything! Four of us went and the damage was over $120...a bit high for Mexican food, especially with stale chips. Just saying. The food was good, and the drinks were good, just pricey. $14 for a margarita, and that's not in one of the super huge glasses, just normal size. We'll come back, but it's unfortunate they've jacked the prices. Btw....service was decent.

    (3)

  • Summer D.

    This restaurant is understaffed for Monday lunch. I ordered the Mayan Special Soup and asked if it was spicy because it is for my grandma. The waitress said no. It was too spicy for her and they didn't even bring my rice. I had to take it back to the kitchen and re-order it on the fly as mild; better. For myself, I ordered the Menudo Soup. It always tastes different. Last time it was too salty. No water refills and we were neglected the rest of the time. I used to love this place because of the menudo and enchiladas. But now, I think I will try something else instead.

    (2)

  • Kyla N.

    Went here last night for my birthday and it was very easy to find a table for all 9 of us. The food was amazing, live music was great, and the decor of the restaurant made me feel as if I was really in Mexico! I had the Beef Enchiladas and they were amazing. Everyone was satisfied with their meals, whether they ordered tacos, quesadillas, or nachos. If you aren't too full at the end of your meal, order their fried ice cream. It isn't just fried, it's inside of a churro. I got a free one for my birthday and they are big enough to easily share with a friend. Not only this, but the man singing as the entertainment came and serenaded me with a traditional Mexican birthday song. It was beautiful. Parking was very tricky as we had to go to a back lot to park and there weird guys who cat called us as we were walking to the resraurant.

    (4)

  • Kris B.

    Now my favorite place for Mexican food. Great service, and the food is delicious. Nice atmosphere. Chile verde, always. The horchata comes in a little pitcher, and it's amazing. Food comes in large portions - well worth your money. Downside is parking - if you aren't there early or just come on the wrong day, there is no parking. In addition, if you have a larger vehicle, you will not appreciate their little lot. Sparse street parking is available.

    (5)

  • Travelmeister T.

    Had dinner here last night for the first time. It's now our favorite Mexican place on the island. Service was okay but the food was really good. Chips and salsa were pretty good too. Wifey had the combo burrito (chicken and beef) that was absolutely huge. It was served with guac and sour cream on top and rice and beans to accompany. Honestly, it's a meal for at least two -- half the burrito came home with us. I had two shredded beef enchiladas; one with green and one with red sauce also with beans. Fantastic. The classic lime margarita was okay, nothing special. I think this is our fifth try for Mexican on Oahu. We've found some other good ones but this is the best so far.

    (5)

  • Moala P.

    I luv there LenguaTacos and there Fish Ceviche.I always order it whenever I go there.I know there's more good stuffs on the menu but I'm hooked on these two and you can even ask them to make u Lengua Burritos if u don't want it in tacos.One of my favorite Mexican restaurant in Hawaii.I really like there service.Waiters are always on top of it with our orders even if it's a full house.

    (4)

  • Desiree R.

    I always love coming here. The staff is efficient, the ambiance is great and the cooks/chefs are fantastic. This is classic mainland Mexican restaurant food. Very enjoyable. Can't wait until next time.

    (5)

  • Brandon H.

    Delicious, authentic Mexican food. Very few places in the islands actually serve menudo, and theirs is absolutely delicious! Everything I've ordered on the menu thus far, from the garlic shrimp platter to the burritos and tacos, have been superb! The one and only drawback about the restaurant, which seems to be everybody's comment here on Yelp, is the lack of parking spaces. Highly recommended!!!

    (5)

  • Brigitte S.

    This place totally threw me for a loop! A long time ago someone told me that this place had some of the better Mexican food here in Hawaii. I never got a chance to go but I remember passing the sign. Fast forward 5 years and were pulling the parking lot. I am immediately thrown that the sign looked new and that a man helped us with our parking. Totally thought this was a hole in the wall! We went in and our friends were already waiting at a table - we called ahead, they take reservations. The menu was bigger than expected. Our friends ordered a solid array but we only tried a few items to see how they do the basics. Drinks are the start to any Mexican meal so Patron margarita on the rocks for me & Li hing mui blended for him. They were HUGE! We also got a horchata to share which came one the most adorable mini pitcher. They had some great salsa (had kick but not over powering) and chips so I ordered guacamole. This was my only bummer of the night. I found it very bland and in fresh tasting. We mixed it in stuff but we were let down. My boyfriend and I both ordered combo plates. I tried a shredded chicken taco and a shredded beef enchilada that came with rice & beans. The meat was all well seasoned and juicy. I tend to say if the rice and beans are decent than the food is probably alright. This joint has a pretty good rice & beans sooooo... I enjoyed the food a lot. Those margaritas definitely went to our heads and were worth every penny. I love that this restaurant is decently affordable, chill atmosphere [loud, bulls on the walls, paper towel napkin rolls, etc] and delicious. Our waitress was mostly friendly and I found we were well taken care of. I'll definitely be back, ole!

    (4)

  • Daniel H.

    Firstly the service here was outstanding. Shortly after sitting down we had iced water and corn chips with house salsa. Big tick in the box for that one! The waits was friendly and efficient, filling water and replacing corn chips with nary a word. The meal was delicious with an Hawaiian slant on traditional Mexican cuisine (completely optional though) and more than enough on the plate. I was stuffed at the end of it. It's not the easiest place to find and a little off the beaten track, but it's all worth the hunt.

    (5)

  • Norm G.

    In a word, delicious! I have been here twice, and both times I was very pleased with the quality of the food. The first time I believe I had enchiladas, and this weekend I had crispy tacos. They don't take reservations, but we didn't have to wait too long for a table for eight of us. The servers are friendly. There are only two things that bug me, and the biggest is the parking situation. The lot is very small and tight, so you either have to park somewhere farther down School Street or on Aupuni Street. Just don't park in anyone's yard; that is inconsiderate. If you try to park in the small park located in back (which is probably not legal) be careful! If you have passed through the restaurant's parking lot and try to pull into the little alley that goes to the park, you are going to scrape the bottom of your car, if you are driving a sedan and not a behemoth of an SUV, such as a Humvee or Suburban. The other thing that bothered me was the noise level once the music started. The guy playing guitar and singing was good at his craft, but my voice was hoarse after shouting a conversation to my family. I'm a bit old-fashioned in that I really enjoy hearing the person that is talking to me while enjoying a meal.

    (4)

  • Jordana F.

    Everyone I've ever encountered who knows about Mexico restaurant loves it. I love their horchata--it's huge and delicious! (32 ounces to be exact). Their crab chimichanga is amazing! There's a mango sauce they drizzle on top of the chimichanga that I could eat alone if it didn't taste so good with the chimichanga. I had a pork shoulder plate (I can't remember the name of it and it's not on the menu provided on yelp) but it was hands down the best pork dish I've had in a while. It almost tasted like lechon but was more tender and juicy and a little less vinegary. The dish comes with toritillas of your choice to make a burrito but you can definitely eat the dish as is if you want. Of course they have a wide selection of tequilas and margaritas--whatever you want they can most likely make. Parking is a bit weird though. They have a small lot, and if there's no room in the lot you can park right behind it near a public park but the roads there are so dilapidated, it's a pretty bumpy ride. But the food is good and it's a pretty easy place to find (right across the street from Helena's in the heart of Kalihi).

    (4)

  • Benjamin L.

    Hawaiian tacos.. that's a no go. Just don't get them, they literally taste like a room full of wet dog if you can imagine it. At least the beans and rice were good. I guess I brought it upon myself, considering everyone afterwards asked "Why in the world would you get Hawaiian food at a Mexican restaurant?!" I get it. Bad idea. But it could have at least tasted decent.

    (3)

  • Courtney Y.

    "Took my friends to an all expenses paid trip to Mexico. This wasn't exactly what they were imagining but the food was just as good and hey-- you can drink their water!" - Boyfriend who wants to Yelp it up for this review. Some notes about here, though. Been here about three times before and I have got some pointers for you. Go at an off time. We went here yesterday (Monday) at around 2ish for a really late lunch. The parking was really empty and I wasn't forced to park in their diagonal stalls, thank goodness. The best part was the food. Oh my deliciousness. Complimentary salsa and chips. Oh, and get this, per the suggestion of our friendly and helpful waitress, my friend got the frozen passion fruit margarita with a li hing mui rim. The heavens must have created that drink itself. I, on the other hand grabbed my usual li hing mui margarita. Wait a minute, I have yet to talk about their amazing and noteworthy chicken fajita burrito, which came with refried beans, lettuce and tomatoes and Spanish rice. It was so darn delicious that I put it away in record time and didn't feel as full as I should have been considering the burrito was packed with tasty chicken and grilled vegetables and cheeeeeseeeeeee!!!!! Even the waitress was impressed. My friends tried it and I definitely ordered one of the best things. But best is hard to say because the chimichanga was pretty delicious. It's like saying mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best compared to chocolate ice cream-- both pretty delicious. I will definitely be heading there again soon with more friends!

    (5)

  • Izz R.

    Hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants on Oahu. Food is full of authentic Mexican flavor from the beans to the rice to the meat. Salsa is on point also. Will be coming back regularly.

    (4)

  • Becky M.

    Let me first start off by saying that 1) I'm not Mexican/Hispanic and 2) I am not from, nor have I ever lived in California. I've been told by my Mexican friends on the island that it's slim pickins when it comes to finding "good" authentic Mexican food in Hawaii. And that's sad knowing that I find places like Mexico Restaurant to be rather sufficient in satisfying my taco tastebuds. If you're looking for a decent, hearty, Mexican-American meal, Mexico's is a good choice. The portions are well-sized and their Crab Enchiladas are HUGE, so come with a big appetite! This location always seems to be busy for dinner, that's why the servers always seem to be rushing all-over the place. But they do their best to make sure your meal gets in, water glasses are full, and extra complimentary chips and salsa are on your table. The restaurant is located on N.School Street right across from Helena's in Kalihi. It's been me and my bf go-to restaurant since we live nearby. Nice traditional western decor, and ample amount of seating is available including a bar area. Obviously the parking here sucks, so if you go a little later in the evening you can park on the street or wait for an opening in their small, narrow (shared) lot in the back. It may not be the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Hawaii, but Mexico isn't half bad. Give it a try!

    (3)

  • Brandon H.

    The best Mexican restaurant I've found on Oahu. Great Mama Mia burrito, chips and salsa, margaritas, and really good service.

    (5)

  • Paula H.

    PROS: -Great food! -Outstanding customer service. Wait staff was very accommodating and timely from the time we walked in until we left. -Fair prices. There were two of us and we split dessert. Our total was $34 before tip. -Great atmosphere! I loved the decor. Very cozy place. CONS: -Parking can be a challenge during peak hours. Overall an outstanding experience! Cannot wait to go back! 8/100 Yelp Challenge 2015

    (5)

  • Mark O.

    Mexico restaurant shows up every now and then on the best mexican food lists. It's strange that I've lived less than a minute from this place for years without ever getting around to trying it. Now that I've finally gotten the chance to see how it is I am glad that I avoided it all that time. I don't think Mexico was particularly bad in any specific way, it just wasn't that great in general. I ordered the flauta and the beef taquitos. The taquitos were not very good especially because the tortilla was kind of soggy. The same was true for the flauta but at least it had some cheesiness to it and didn't completely get ruined by the lack of crispiness. Overall, in the future if I get a craving for mexican food, I'll take the extra time to drive over to Serg's. As far as Mexico restaurant goes, "I've experienced better."

    (2)

  • Inthira M.

    Many of my friends rave about this place and it's been open since I can remember, but I haven't dined at it until recently. It is a little on the pricier side, but they do give you big portions and I've always needed a take out box (or a wheelchair because something came over me and I decided to stuff myself silly). I usually get the 2 choice combo. I've gotten the enchiladas (with green sauce... because the meat changes the sauce they top it with), tamale (just ok), chili relleno (soo good), and the quesadilla (can't go wrong). I've recently gotten the chalupa (yummers... deep fried anything is good) and on one of my occasions there I had the deep fried ice cream (a little too much breading for my taste, but still good). I really haven't had a bad meal here and the one thing I love is that they have margaritas by the pitcher! It's a great spot to stop by for both lunch and dinner, though for dinner there's usually a wait. Although the parking lot is small it's definitely bigger than some other restaurants I've been too so I'm not complaining and I've always found a spot. If you want good Mexican food I would definitely recommend coming to Mexico... or visiting their new restaurant at Ward!

    (3)

  • Ben J.

    Great spot for your Mexican cravings. There are many reasons why this place deserves my 5 stars, the first reason isn't their food, but it's their service and their parking attendant (sometimes there). Service is exceptional whenever I come here. Second is their HORCHATA, don't know what that is come here and try it out, it comes in individual pitchers and it's HUGE! This place beats the horchata in many so called Mexican restaurants. Third is the food! Big portions and just so good!! And lastly is the ambiance!! They have a great area and it makes it feel so homey! Sometimes they have live music (not sure when), when they do it makes dinner perfect!

    (5)

  • Shawn T.

    Best Mexican food & restaurant on Oahu BY FAR! I know others agree with me, as this restaurant gets more crowded & more crowded everytime I come to eat here. Their carne asada enchiladas is one of the best, if not THE best I've ever had, and I've had really good Mexican food in San Diego, Texas, and several cities in Mexico. I order my carne asada enchiladas w/ their made from scratch red sauce. AWESOME!!!

    (5)

  • Melinda D.

    I am always so sad when I eat here. It's not very good, and it's super expensive!!! For Mexican food, that is. I've tried it a few times, just to give it a fair chance but I've been disappointed every time. The only up side is the service is pretty good. The servers are friendly and nice. ***sigh*** I just want good Mexican food.

    (2)

  • Amina P.

    We just do not have good Mexican food in Hawaii. It doesn't exist. Its almost as if Mexicans come here and immediately are disowned by their people. This is as good as it gets here. Good food, environment could be cleaner since the food isn't the best. I kind of expect better food with this divey appearance. Order a big margarita to wash it all down.

    (3)

  • Maria R.

    Mhmm. The reason why I'm writing this review is because I have sudden cravings for Mexican food and the first thing that popped out was Mexico's Restaurant in Kalihi. "WAIT whaaat MEXICAN RESTAURANT? IN KALIHI?" ...Yes, that was my first reaction when I found out there was a mexican restaurant here because you can easily miss this place due to the location- lots of housing and car repair area. Not to mention that its located in Kalihi. Lets talk about Parking! Soooo parking is super tight -- its seriously a one way in and a slightly narrow alley where you can exit to the left. It would probably fit small cars and you might need extra skills if you're driving with big cars. I'd suggest you carpool prior to coming here or try to find street parking around the area. I would recommend calling in for a reservation if you have a party of 4 or more because it does get crowded in here. Ambiance You can definitely feel that Mexican feel just looking at the decorations and the music. The interior reminds me of a desert because there's cactuses, animal heads, and a terra cotta wallpaper/paint. The bathrooms are nicely decorated. It's very lively inside and sometimes there's a mariachi band playing on the stage. The only thing I don't like is how the place can get crowded and I'd feel like a squished sardine in a can of sardines (you know what i mean right?) The tables and chairs are so close to each other that you're bound to hit the person if you move your chair backwards to stand.. There's also a bar area for those who want to drink than eat. They give you complimentary nachos. :) Service I cant say much about the service because I haven't visited recently but according to my previous visits I'd say their service is good. I remember my server was very friendly and patient. Food Oh my gulay, THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS. PERIOD. Complimentary nachos, huge portions of Carne Asada, Vegetarian Quesadilla (sp?), Horchata served in a beer mug and not to mention their delicious margaritas!? In my opinion, Mexico has the best margaritas I've ever tasted. Seriously, no joke. One time I was waiting for my tires to get fixed at 76 (or 79, idk) gas station and I went here just to get a margarita because it was THAT good. Overall, id recommend this place to fullfill very hungry stomachs because you will get your money's worth in here. I would definitely come back for more margaritas if I'm ever feeling down lol.

    (5)

  • Nikolai E.

    Had their California Burrito and it was delicious!!! It was so good and filling that I couldn't finish my plate and had to ask for a doggy bag for later.

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    The food is great but service is lacking. Need more attentive and proactive. This was not the greatest experience for a Mexican restaurant. Step it up please.

    (2)

  • Lyn L.

    Had a long lunch with girlfriend the other week. People are very nice I found the food old K. The tortilla chips were hard and tasted stale. I thought the salsa was quite watery and tasteless. I had a burrito which was actually pretty good, nicely shredded beef but sour cream is not included. We had to order it as a side. All in all, it was ok...probably wouldn't bother going back unless I was craving Mexican and happened to be in the area

    (3)

  • Nani G.

    The parking is a nightmare. If you find a spot jump for joy cuz this place gets busy. It was pretty jovial during my visit or maybe it was where I was sitting. There was a loud group of ladies enjoying a night out and had already enjoyed a couple of rounds. Senior Daniel was singing his little heart out for the folks. His music was a little difficult to hear over the ladies, but it was nice Spanish music. I like the feel of the restaurant. It has that make believe rustic Mexico feel which is nice. There are not many tables in the place and there is always a steady flow of people. I had to wait 40 minutes for my food. I'm not sure if they were short staffed or just moving slowly. The food was okay. The chicken tamal had too much mass at the top and the chicken didn't have much of a special flavor that I'm used to eating. I ordered a ground beef taco and shredded beef chalupa, but they both came as shredded beef. The beef was salty. I like the fluffiness of the rice, but peas, carrots and corn do not belong in Spanish rice. The beans weren't anything special. I thought they were Rosarita beans for a minute. They could've been. I enjoy beans and these fell short. They definitely didn't make me click my heels. The waitress was friendly and apologetic for my long wait. She kept my water filled and brought me more chips and salsa. That was good.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    Well the best way to describe the fajita (or as I say fah-jai-tah) burrito is by the many names of David Ryder: youtu.be/RFHlJ2voJHY Point is, it's big. I would have been able to conquer this with ease even a couple months ago but sadly I only could stomach about half. Very generous portions and doesn't cost a ton of pesos. My friend had a margarita with the Cuervo Gold youtu.be/eAHQ-9Fniac I had a sip it was good and not too strong which might be a drawback for some. The service was great and friendly and it had fun decor and fiesta atmosphere. I parked down by the park area and while it appeared there was a thriving homeless population there, they were all friendly and vowed to keep an eye on my latest classic car project. I brought them some burritos as a reward and had a laugh about the chicken smelling like fish...I'm not sure what that was about but I laughed all the same. Bottomline, best Mexican I've had in awhile. Honestly, I haven't had much Mexican in Hawaii having been spoiled with unreal homecooked Mexican meals in colegio--but this is the best I've had in the 808.

    (4)

  • Joanne V.

    There was a point in time when Mexico was my favorite Mexican restaurant of all time! Parking was always chaotic, but the portions of very tasty food were humongous & prices could not be beat. I moved to LA for a bit, came home, and Mexico was not the same. Maybe I had changed or maybe Mexico had, but what I knew for sure was that Mexico was no longer my favorite. Portions are still pretty massive, don't get me wrong, but the quality isn't as amazing to me as it had been. Service is still great & food is good, but the chile relleno did not do it for me. I still like the chimichanga & enchiladas though!

    (3)

  • Jess J.

    The beef enchilada... It was yummy! Too bad it was served on a chip platter. New dishes, maybe?! Looooooooooove their Fried Ice Cream. Tastes like a churro! I almost didn't want to share. Parking is a nightmare! Leave behind your 4x4 vehicles and opt to take your smart-car:-)

    (4)

  • Lori L.

    Mexico Restaurant is one of our go-to's when we're craving Mexican. A great place for groups, though it can get very loud, especially on nights with live music. There is a full bar and I usually start with either a Negra Modelo or the traditional Margarita. If you're craving steak, the Carne Arriera or Steak Fajita are good options, both come with peppers, onions, tortilla, and fixings. For chicken fans, try the Pollo Azado a la Maria which has chunks of tender chicken with peppers and onions. Seafood lovers should try the Shrimp Diablo. The medium-large shrimp are cooked in their shell for maximum flavor, in a spicy, garlicky, tomatoey sauce. And my favorite dish, the Chili Verde, has chunks of tender pork simmered in verde sauce with tortillas and fixings. I would skip the Fish Ceviche which was marinated in lime juice for too long and changed the texture of the fish and only tasted of lime flavor. The Tamale also aren't memorable. Too big, with too much masa, and definitely not how any Abuelita I know makes them. Most entrees are going to run you $15-19 per person. The entrees are large enough that you won't need an appetizer or dessert unless you're really ready to throw down. Limited parking available, so carpool if you can and head on down!

    (3)

  • Rhea Cherie B.

    Food: C Price: B+ Location: B- Customer Service: C Atmosphere/Ambiance: A I dine at Mexico fairly often because it's in my neck of the woods but it's definitely not my first choice for Mexican food. Parking is an issue; the lot is small and full of potholes. If you dine during lunch, it may take a while for you to pull out of the parking lot as N School Street tends to get busy. What I do love about Mexico is the ambiance. They have tons of decorations like bull heads, bullhorns, paintings and pottery. They also have Mexican music playing in the restaurant. You are served comlimentary chips and salsa but their salsa tastes like the kind of salsa you buy bottled at the grocery store. It's watery and doesn't taste like it's made fresh like other Mexican restaurants. I could also live without sticky utensils because on several occasions, I've had to ask for new utensils because the "clean" ones they gave me were sticky. The customer service could use some improvement. The employees are nice and all but they aren't overly friendly and have never done anything to exceed my expectations. Most times, the service is slow, they take a while to check back on our table or I have to ask for my water to be refilled. The food is alright. They do give pretty large portions and the burritos are huge so you do get a lot of bang for your buck. This includes drinks as well because they serve Horchatas in a mini pitcher which I think is pretty awesome. However, when it comes to food quality, meh, it's ok. Their food is not by any means bad, but it's definitely not the best Mexican food I've had. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is but it might be the fact that some of their dishes are bland and I always have to load up on the Tapatio. Overall, Mexico is really convenient for me and I will continue to dine there but it's nowhere near the top of my "go-to" places to get some good grub. It sure is a good place to stop by if you need a drink though! They have a full bar on the far end of the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Allx M.

    I've been here a handful of time and I keep forgetting to write a review! ONE I am so impressed by the detail and atmosphere, that's why I keep coming back honestly. That sounds silly but when you see an establishment put the one and energy into making something really enjoyable, in every detail! I even took half of my pictures in the bathroom, and felt totally silly that i was admiring a bathroom! Haha but it really is pretty. It makes me think of Mexico , old mexico and the culture. I've always had great servers! and they have dr pepper? Not many places do! Haha. I have had the tacos and quesadillas and veggie plate, and always good! The bar is super cute. Just come check it out! Good for bigger parties or couples. So romantic and well made:)

    (5)

  • Melissa L.

    Ahh, the restaurant with the parking lot that makes no damn sense. N. School St. in general give me anxiety. Parking at Helena's, old Mitsuken, and Mitsuba is a experience in its own but this place... takes the cake. My friends recommended we eat here because its legit Mexican and whatnot. Luckily we went kinda late so I parked in the lot but if you are a horrible driver or suck at parking, then you will most likely bump into someone's car or just get stuck lol. Food was extremely tasty and portions are generous. We got the Chicken Burrito and friend got the Menudo. We didn't get a chance to try any drinks but im sure we will be back soon to give it a try.

    (4)

  • Roxy W.

    Location/Parking: Mexico Restaurant is located on busy School Street in Kalihi. The parking here sucks. The parking area is small and VERY tight! A big vehicle could easily side swipe a car going in to the parking area. Food: The complimentary chips and salsa was a disappointment. The chips were NOT fresh and the salsa tasted like store bought jar salsa. Yuck! Nobody in our group ate the salsa. I ordered the beef fajitas. The portions were huge. I got a generous portion of meat in the sizzling pan. It came with 3 flour tortilla, beans, sour cream, guacamole and diced tomatoes. The beef fajitas were good. Drinks: The margaritas are delicious! I've tried the Li Hing Mui and Lychee Margarita blended and they were awesome! Price: It is pricer than other Mexican restaurants but the portions are larger. Mexico Restaurant is one of the few Mexican restaurants that sell alcohol so I don't blame them for their high priced ($12) margaritas. Decor: I love the decor at this restaurant. It was very festive. The bathrooms are nicely decorated as well. Overall, I would be back for the margaritas and fajitas AND if I'm in the area and if I find a decent parking spot.

    (3)

  • Kaiwi Y.

    Food used to be good. The "home made" tamales tasted cold and meat was still frozen in the middle. Cold dish, cold service, warm beer. Yucks.

    (1)

  • Mairead G.

    This place is great! I love the decor. My fiance is from California and always complains about the lack of quality carne asada in Hawaii. Mexico fit the bill & satisfied his carne asada cravings. The steak fajita burrito is the way to go.

    (5)

  • Big D.

    Great food and drinks. Live band gives out good vibes. Staff is awesome. The food portions are huge can't go wrong with the Carne Asada. Food is real fresh not sitting around like some places cooking ahead and just reheating. I will keep coming back here.

    (5)

  • Chris A.

    This place is one of my favorite restaurants to get my Mexican food fix. It's been years since I last dined here & last night we were near the area so we decided to have dinner here. We were seated right away and immediately given water & our basket of chips and salsa (which I love because its kind of spicy). I always had ordered the traditional fajitas with steak before, but I wanted to try something different because they do have many entrees to choose from. However when our waitress came to take our order my automatic response was "traditional steak fajitas". The strips of tender sirloin with mushrooms, bell peppers, & onions comes out hot & sizzling. Served with sour cream, guacamole, and refried beans. The tortillas are hot covered in a foil pack of (3) and you can ask for more at no extra charge. You get all this for just under $20. It's so simple yet so yummy. Portions are very generous & I've never been able to finish this in one sitting. Their Li hing mui margarita (grande size) was the only thing that stopped me from getting dessert. But sometimes you need to sacrifice. This drink alone can be categorized as a meal in itself. It'a served in a fish bowl glass, & the flavor of this sweet & sour beverage is so delicious. I think on average an entree will cost around $14. The portions are huge. Count on having left overs. Our server was great, I always appreciate good customer service and she definitely made our visit here a good one. The women's restroom is clean and very pleasant. Almost like a little peaceful hideaway for a short moment, only thing is they have just (1) stall & this restroom is also used by employees. They even had live music... Did I understand the lyrics? No, but it was a nice touch to the already Mexico feel you get from dining here. Parking sucks! I'd like to think I'm a pretty good driver and pulling in here is okay, but trying to get out seems to be the impossible. Lots of reversing, driving forward, turning, & repeat the above to attempt to get out of this lot. I wouldn't recommend driving here with a truck or anything bigger than a mid size vehicle. This is the only downside of this place along with the location. Keep your doors locked and be prepared to get frustrated on your exit out of here. They are located right across from Helena's.

    (4)

  • Nick S.

    I've heard soo many good things about Mexico Restaurant for the last couple of years, I just never was in that part of town to give it a try. We got there at 12:20pm and it was pretty busy. We got our food 30 minutes later at 12:50pm. The chips and salsa were pretty good. I ordered the Mexico Burrito thinking it was a safe bet since apparently it was the signature dish. The beans were completely bland, I actually added salt to them and they still were not tasty. The rice was tasteless as well. The carnitas were very overcooked and almost crunchy. All in all the food was not that great. I was pretty disappointed after all the hype from my co-workers. I don't want to slam this place as hard as I could because I may have just been the unlucky customer of the day to get non-seasoned overcooked food.

    (2)

  • Jennifer P.

    Someone at our hotel told us this was the best Mexican food on the island... We didn't try any others but I believe him....the food was amazing and the decor was so great. We loved it!!!

    (5)

  • Nix M.

    I have been meaning to review Mexico but everytime I leave I am in a food coma. I would give them 4 stars for food & service. Salsa is pretty damn good & chips hot n fresh. They have a lot of the authentic dishes & drinks that you don't see everywhere. Everything I have had there is super good from Enchiladas, to fajitas, to steak ranchero. The deserts are always all out tho and limited by the time we get there, which probably means they are super good. My dad, who is my gauge of all mexican restaurants, would give it 5-6 stars tho. He grew up with SUPER authentic Mexican food in Cali and anytime he visits I take him to what I think is a "good" mexican place. He always shoots them down with something that isn't right. The beans or the rice or the sauce. And he usually makes it a point to share his opinion with the waitresses when they ask "how was everything". I told one waiter "just walk away dude, you don't want to know". He didnt listen and for that he had to listen to my dad breakdown the faults of the meal dish by dish. Poor guy! But my Dad LOVED Mexico! Yay! First time ever he has liked a Mexican place in Hawaii. The night we went they had live music & he said it reminded him of when he was a kid growing up. Real deal stuff he said. He raved about the restaurant even days after we had dinner. Out of nowhere he would just say "that dinner we had at that mexican restaurant was so good, I can't believe I was in hawaii & eating that". The Padre has spoke & I have finally gotten the seal of approval on a Mexican restaurant in Hawaii. :)

    (4)

  • Sasha Y.

    We came here for lunch today and tried to get lengua but were told that they were out of it, oh well, instead I had the carne arriera, and my husband had carne asada. The food was very good and plated nicely! I loved the taste of my dish, the portion size was good, a lot of beef and veggie mixed together, all cooked in a very delicious red salsa sauce; there was some tiny veggie chunks in the rice, which is different from others, but I liked it, I'm willing to try something different; other things like refried beans, a huge dollop of fresh guac, salsa fresca and fresh warm corn tortillas, all of them ended up in my stomach:-) my husband loved his dish too! The restaurant was very nice and clean, but the service wasn't very good, just as some other yelpers said; and it was a bit expensive than most other mexican restaurants. I would like to give a 5 star if the service can catch up with the quality of the food, and if they can lower the price a little bit!

    (4)

  • Jam A.

    We both were happy with our food!!! I defiantly will be coming back to try more dishes. Clean and friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Daniel H.

    Chips and salsa was good. Had the sizzling mushrooms - great start! Food in general was plenty and good. Not that I'm Mexican and could compare to a lot of Mexican restaurants but I definitely like this place. They had a band playing which was nice. Service was a little slow but it was packed. Food wasn't hot but warm - still good. I go again

    (4)

  • Ellen W.

    My friend was visiting from Hilo and we decided to try this place out since her brother and sister-in-law liked it. Well, parking was a challenge as the other reviewers have said but that did not stop us. We figured good mexican food closeby was a winnah. Well, she ordered the chicken tamale plate and it was filling but dry, too much masa and not enough chicken. I ordered the carnitas plate and it was really dry and looked like it had sat under the warmer too long. Some of the pieces were so dry they were inedible. The yellow rice was tasteless. Soooo disappointed as carnitas was $15.95. And waitress has to ask a 2nd time if I wanted flour or corn tortillas. And at the end of the meal, we got the wrong check.

    (2)

  • Jennifer S.

    My brother took us to lunch at Mexico and I have to say it was pretty much just like Mexican Restaurants back home. The food was decent, the prices were decent and they had nice ambiance. Couldn't get the toilet to flush, but otherwise we had a good time. For lunch, it wasn't crowded. Our server mostly kept our drinks filled and was pretty attentive to us. Food came out fairly quickly. Overall, the service was good. I give 'em three stars because it was good, not fantastic, and I'd both return and recommend.

    (3)

  • Max K.

    This was my 2nd visit to this restaurant and we had a decent meal. The portions are nice and the food is okay. I wouldn't rave about it but it was okay. Honestly, the best part of the meal were the chips and salsa as we sat down. I had ordered a combination plate of Shredded Beef Chalupa and a Ground Beef Burrito. It came with beans and rice and a small portion of lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. Again, it wasn't worth raving about but it satisfied my craving for Mexican food. I like the ambiance of the restaurant but even the service wasn't that great. We were done eating and had to wait for about 10 minutes before anyone even noticed we were done. All the while I could see the wait staff hiding out in their back room counting their tips. Parking is not the greatest here either and it may be unlikely that we'll be back.

    (3)

  • Marc K.

    Wow yes portions are huge (more than any one sane person should eat frankly unless you have dug ditches today!) but ow wow, this is my 3rd or 4th visit here, and the food tonight was WAY TOO SALTY! It's now 2 hours since I ate there and my mouth is still tasting the salt. It is like the cook threw the salt shaker in every dish. Worst was the guacamole which, as a result was barely edible. Pls lay off the salt if you want me back, ok??

    (2)

  • Jason B.

    Best Mexican food we've had on the island so far. The salsa was fresh and tasty and the chips were crispy. The frozen margarita was blended perfectly and the chile relleno tasted great. We took a star away for the poor parking arrangement but not the worst thing in the world. We almost got stuck because card were parked so poorly. Before we left a man and his guitar started playing. He sounded good and wasn't too loud. We will definitely try more of the menu the next time we get a date night. :-)

    (4)

  • Amy K.

    We stopped in here because of a recommendation from my boyfriends co-worker. The guy who recommended it says it's one of the best places for authentic Mexican food, even comparable to good places he had in Southern California. I've never been there so I can't say that's true, but this is one of the better Mexican restaurants I've had food at in Hawaii. We both came in, waited a minute since we weren't sure if we were supposed to seat ourselves or not. A waitress came by and sat us. We waited about 10-12 minutes before our waitress came to take just our drink order. We thought we were forgotten about. The place was only a third full, so pretty empty. They have a pretty good menu. We ordered chimichangas, one ground beef and one shredded. It's hard to say if it was better than some of the ones I've had in Kailua, but I think they just might be better by a smidge. The meal was hot, crispy and came with a side of refried beans, guacamole, diced tomatoes & onions and rice, all very good. The size of the drinks were HUGE. It came in one of those mini water pitchers. We would have finished the meal but ate too many of the complimentary tortilla chips with salsa. Parking is a private lot on the side. Prices vary from $9-$25 for a meal. Overall, I will be going back again. On a random and weird note, if you go into the female bathroom, check out the interiors....it has a very spanish feel, especially the sink.

    (4)

  • Celena F.

    Mariachi burrito and the grande li hing margarita are my staples here. My friends swear by the chimichanga and cerviche. The carnitas is super tender with a light crisp around the edges and packed with flavor. The food here is consistently delicious. Only downside here is the small parking lot. If you come on an off hour, no problem but prime time can get frustrating. Service is friendly and wait time is reasonable relative to the crowd. Very festive and.casual atmosphere. I feel like everytime i come here i notice something new on the wall or ceiling. They also have live entertainment some nights-cant understand what hes singing but it sounds good. Best part is the reasonable prices for the large portions.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    The service here is terrible. Do not expect a quick lunch. Do not expect your drinks to stay wet. Do not expect to have your order taken in a timely fashion. Do not expect to get your food within an hour of seating. But when your food comes, you will forget the bad service (well, you'll be able to excuse it). Best Mexican in town (run by Puerto Ricans). Their carnitas is still the best on the island. To get good Hawaii mexican food like this you will have to go to Pahoa on the Big Island. Just don't expect good and quick service. You have been warned. PS - the bathroom are dirty but look cool.

    (5)

  • Chad A.

    The food here REALLY sucks! The nachos taste like they have sat out all day (maybe even longer). The food I am near positive is out of a can, but the parking isn't as bad as people claim it to be. The service and atmosphere wasn't the worst which is why I am giving them a 2 . I was really happy there was a place closer than Aiea to me for Mexican food, what a disappointment. I think the only way this place is good is if you had waaay to many mixed drinks and it distorted your sense of taste. For good Mexican food go to El Charro's or El Mariachi.

    (2)

  • Terry K.

    Yelp Challenge 365 # 56/365 I have been craving for "authentic" mexican food and while I have several places bookmarked to try, I decided on Mexico Restaurant, mainly because it's close and in passing for me, on my way home... I will admit the taste and preparation of the food here is as authentic as can be. My version of authentic is based on :1 ) their salsa (homemade with special seasonings from Mexico perhaps?, 2) mexican cheese, rich and creamy, 3) rice? definitely with a touch cumin and other spices from Mexico. The tortillas? Okay, they get it mass produced so I can't comment on that one. If I understand correct, owner is from Quadalajara and has another place on the windward side. But for now, the Mexico Restaurant on School STreet. Parking AGAIN..... why do I pick places where parking is a B****? (Okay, call me the parking patrol, if you read my reviews, you'll see that is up there in criteria for places I visit and dine at) Well, I will hand it to the taste of the food in this case, such that parking is a secondary matter.. The service and price is as good as you can expect for a place like this. Average price of the mean is $15. They have a good selection of mexican beers too. (I'm not a beer drinker but am willing to try anything once) The ceviche? one of the better ones I've had. The fresh fish? grilled to near perfection with hispanic flavors. The chicken and beef? seasoned just right. You can tell it apart from other beef and chicken marinades. They do get crowded so be prepared to wait a bit; especially on Fridays. And I would look for street parking On a weekday, you can park on School Street after 5:30 and on the weekends, I'd park on the side streets.... Bottom line for this place? authentic by flavor, parking is a b****, service and price, coupled with the autnenticity of taste is worth the parking hassle

    (4)

  • Cassie P.

    Probably the best sit down Mexican restaurant around. Which are very few, so that gives a good boost. Huge delicious margaritas. We weren't really a fan of the fajitas, but everything else was awesome. Live music. Loud and busy. Fun family dinner excursion!

    (4)

  • Jeremy U.

    I like eating Mexican food. When Taco Bell or taco del mar isn't quite satisfying my cravings for Mexican food, I like to go here. Portions are large and the taste is awsome, but it's pretty pricy. Then again its worth the price for the amount and quality. If dining in, you'll have the feel of a Mexican vibe with live Mexican singer. If theres no parking, take out is just as good as dining in. Portions are still large, but larger dining in. Parking is bad though. Their parking lot can't park more than 10 or so cars, and there's a little more parking in the back, but it's dark and errie, and gives you the feeling of being mugged or murdered. Overall, cook place to eat

    (5)

  • Kalihi J.

    It was my first Friday night here, but I've been here three times in the past two months. My family was seated at the front right next to The Mexican entertainer... We had a bum waitress though but she was probably having a bad day. However, we didn't let it affect our experience with the food. Through trial and error from eating here the past two times, I knew exactly what I wanted to order. We ordered two of the fried cheese so that I could dip my burrito and taquitos into it. My wife had the chimichanga for the third time in a row... My kids had the fried ice cream for dessert and ate it in record time...

    (4)

  • Jonathan P.

    Normally, Mexican isn't one of my top picks when going out to eat. But I would have to say that Mexico is pretty darn good when it comes to Mexican food. Plus it's easy to remember! When you want to eat Mexican just go to Mexico! =P Okay, I have to be honest...the first time I went here I thought it was just an A-OK 3-star kind of place. I wasn't a fan of the small, gravelly, uneven parking lot, the atmosphere was way too loud with the live Mexican music, and my salsa that night was no bueno. But the second time I went to Mexico (not using my car) it was AMAZING! This time I mainly just came for drinks after work, and it really made quite a difference! The horchata was my favorite! Plus the live music didn't seem so loud and annoying. So far I have tried Mexico's Chicken Tacos yelp.com/user_local_phot… Chicken Enchilada yelp.com/user_local_phot… and Chicken and Pork Nachos yelp.com/user_local_phot… I think the chicken tacos are a personal favorite of mine. After Mexico, those skimpy Taco Tuesday Taco's just won't do! The chicken is so moist and packed full of flavor. My second favorite is definitely the horchata. The size of the horchata was just perfect after a stressful day and will help you enjoy the lively Mexican filled atmosphere that much more! Just make sure to go early, otherwise parking will be quite the hassle~

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    The best margaritas are at Mexico! The service and food are great- always satisfied with my dining experience here!

    (5)

  • Valaine V.

    Mexico, Mexico Mexico....are you aware that Mexican food is full of distinct flavors? I suggest you look into infusing traditional chiles, chapotle, cumin, and Mexican oregano and SALT into your foods to bring back the ole' in the menu options. I must applaud the presentation of menu items is great at Mexico....it always LOOKS good. Tonight, I sampled everything my table ordered and I must say it was missing the flavors that make Mexican food desirable to the palate. Queso con chorizo was one dimensional in taste and did not create any fiesta activity in my mouth. I ordered the tacos traditionales with grilled chicken as my main dish. These tacos are in a fresh corn tortilla & always come with fresh cilantro, white onions and lime wedge. Again, presentation great, quantity is great- flavor is lacking. My daughter's taco salad she'll was soaked with excess water from the lettuce and the guacamole was saturated with lime and carried too strong of a citrus flavor & we couldn't enjoy the avocado flavor. Enchiladas tasted as if the sauce came straight from an aluminum can. I grew up making homemade enchilada sauce and know great sauce requires an early morning start in the kitchen with fresh ingredients simmering all day long....try it some time and call me for dinner. A $100 for four people. One appetizer, one alcoholic drink and 4 meals. Taco Bell is still open.

    (3)

  • Tam O.

    We have been searching for an amazing Mexican restaurant on the island for years, but our search is over! My husband is from Texas and very picky about his Mexican food. Fortunately, Mexico Restaurant delivered on taste and then some. I ordered the crab enchilada that comes with rice and refried beans. The rice was the most flavorful I have EVER tasted, surprisingly, since spanish rice doesn't usually stand out much at other restaurants. The beans were to die for, and the crab was perfectly seasoned in flour tortillas in a verde sauce, which was a nice change from the usual corn tortillas in enchiladas. Now for my husband; he usually tests a restaurant by ordering the cheese enchiladas. If they aren't very good, he doesn't go back again. Well, he can't stop talking about what he will order the next time we go, which will be VERY soon! Thanks Mexico, for bringing a little bit of home to my man. :)

    (5)

  • Mark J.

    I eat here quiet allot? 2 times a month... Chilie verdi almost always. the food is good the service is always aight... they recently did a make over all the ptices went u a little, because of that I don't go as much as I used to... getting redy for some SNF... just placed a phone order. So guess what I ordered.. Hmmm.... sometimes get some guy playing authentic mexican music, he is kinda loud... If they serve authentic Mexican food.... I figured the serve some authentic mexican water.. to no surprise, they don't have.....

    (4)

  • Jeanette S.

    Came here for staff meeting during lunch. Needless to say it probably was a bad idea. It's so noisy it was hard to hear each other talk. Literally you had to lean over to talk to each other. The ambience-mainly the taxiderm animal heads takes some getting used to. Seems like is a go to spot for soldiers though, about half the restaurant were all soldiers. As far as the service, it's ok. During the entire time we were there they didn't fill our water, until the very end when I asked for some water. However there was a sign by the kitchen saying water available upon request. I found that a bit strange but ok if that's the policy, it's definitely something to take note of. Seem like there were only 4 servers in the restaurant, and they we running back and forth. I ordered the chicken enchilada and chicken chalupa. It was good. I've been to Mexico (the country), and can say the food is pretty authentic, but it's also kind of forgettable. Perhaps I was expecting more flavors and spices that Mexican cuisine are known for. I did like was the garlic mushrooms. Being a mushroom lover I'm kind of picky, but I must say it was yummy. I'd come back for the mushrooms. The horchata was pretty good. Ended up sharing it with one of my coworkers because it was a lot to drink on my own. The fried banana and ice cream was not what I expected. It came out and I saw it and I thought, "oh it's like a lumpia" but when I bit into it the banana was frozen. On top of that it was coated in chocolate it seemed to be overly sweet and I ended up just eating the wrapper with ice cream. Apparently my coworkers had a different experience, their banana was sour! We also had the fried ice cream. I ate the crust which looked to be made of wheat bread coated with cinnamon sugar. Not too sweet which was also a good thing. It's worth a try at least once. Would I come back, probably, if I'm in the area and hungry, and if Helena's were closed.

    (2)

  • Edge N.

    This restaurant seemed to be hear since I was a kid so a restaurant being around for so long must mean they are doing something right. I always passed by and wanted to try it. We came here around 5 so we did not experience the live music. The décor in the restaurant is made to look as how you would imagine a restaurant would look in Mexico I guess. I ordered the 3 enchilada plate for around $15.00 ( there are plates with less also). I got the shredded beef. The enchiladas were cooked perfectly soft but not too soft. the sauce on it was perfectly inbetween spicy and not too spicy. The shredded beef was tasty and soft. The plate also came with rice and beans and both of those were good too.. My friend ordered a lihing mui margarita which she let me try and even that was good. They also gave us salsa and chips and that was good too. The chips seemed to be homemade with some a bit more toasted than others. The salsa was good but seemed very uniform so we were wondering if it was actually made from scratch or bought but either way it was good. This place did everything right so yeah I am a fan and will definetly return.

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Waitress name is: Mariana We dined for lunch on 10-3-2013 12:00 Couple next to us were seated after came back from the restroom ordered and were served their food. 20 min sitting and still waiting on food. Got soda order wrong, husband asked for a diet they brought a regular. Different waitress delivered drinks. 12:36 What's with the waitress with purple hair and orange skin? Do they hire Oompa Loompas ? Still no food. 12:38 empty soda. Empty water. Waiting. 12:41 another large table served their food. Mind you this is all done by our waitress which there are three of them working the tony restaurant. Empty drinks. 12:44 was delivered a fajita burrito not fajita wrap. Son ordered a soft taco keiki he got a hard taco. My son is 4. 12:47 drinks still empty 12:53 done with food and I wish I could done n dash this hellhole. The veggies on my burrito were undercooked. My son got shredded beef instead of ground beef. I wouldn't come back here and oh and my water is still empty 12:54 12:58 got check and got the f*^% out of here

    (1)

  • Troubles L.

    food is pretty good.. service on the other hand. . sucks!!!! dont these mf know they in the hospitality industry??? i guess they expect a tip without working for it... silly mf's

    (3)

  • Claire F.

    Bottomless (homemade?) chips and salsa, delicious li hing margaritas, and hugeee portions of made-to-order fajitas? Yes please! Despite being located in Kalihi where convenient parking is not always readily available, Mexico is an awesome place for good Mexican food. The servers were very attentive (I think we got 3-4 refills of chips/salsa without even asking), the food came fairly fast, and there was live music (although it was almost too loud to hold a steady conversation). The food itself was also very good (though I don't know how hard it is to screw up Mexican food). The fajitas for one actually is PLENTY for two (I guess for $20 it should), and they gave us more tortilla wraps for free. I think if not for the location and the too-loud live music, this place would be a five-star rating. The prices are so reasonable for the amount of food you get, the servers are so attentive, and I still can't get over the bottomless chips and salsa! I'll definitely be back again!

    (4)

  • Lai T.

    Mexico is semi-decent Mexican restaurant, but in my books, it isn't quite a 3 star place but rather more of a 2.5. Here is my rationale: + The atmosphere is lively. + There was live music. + Our server was friendly. + The food is not spectacular...but better than Taco Bell. They have a fairly diverse menu. - My biggest beef with this place is the island pricing. Three of us came here for dinner one night and our bill was $96! We didn't order any thing too crazy and even split a pitcher of margarita instead of ordering individual drinks. Perhaps this is okay in Hawaii but having lived in San Diego...this is blasphemous! I would have never come here in the first place if it were not for my co-workers who told me that this place was legit. I wish I could take them on a field trip to San Diego/Mexico.

    (3)

  • Glenda R.

    Meh. Here are a few things I noticed on my last visit to Mexico... Overpriced: even for the island Salsa: delicioso Steak: cheap Atmosphere: cozy Parking: a pain Service: average

    (3)

  • Alanna M.

    Honestly I've went here once and it was good but tonight was a disappointment... My Chili Relleno was under cooked, the chili was tough and it was very soggy... When I let the bartender know he said well it is covered in egg whites? Um I've had my fair share of chili rellenos and this was just plain and simply undercooked. I was the only one at the bar and he seemed cold and more interested in his basketball game and phone, so when I said something about the food because I obviously didn't eat very much of it he seemed very bothered. I won't be back. One margarita and crappy food...$31 with tip down the drain. Sucks because I used to like this place and being in the industry it really doesn't hurt to be a little nicer or at least pretend you want to be there... Super disappointed

    (2)

  • Eunice F.

    Food here just didn't taste fresh and the service was splotchy... At first the waiter was good... But once he dropped the food back... He never came back to check up on us for water or anything... Pros: - private parking lot - live music on a random Monday night - homemade orchata was yummy - free salsa and chips - ground beef enchiladas were ok - rice and beans were at least edible.. Nothing special.. Cons: - shrimp platter tasted like reheated shrimp, hard and over cooked - shredded chicken taco had no flavor - flan texture was hard and the bottom tasted burnt - fried banana ice cream was terrible... Banana inside tasted frozen and the ice cream was freezer burned -

    (2)

  • Chip M.

    Food has been good so far. This is my second time here. I have tried their burritos and it has been good...I havent really tried,any of their other items,on the menu.. The service,on the other hand needs work...four servers and we did not once get checked on. (Water refill, how is how food etc.) As the restaurant got busier the service just went south or maybe just ewa bound...

    (3)

  • Sonny S.

    Two thumbs down. Service sucked so bad. I get better service at Taco Bell. I was there for 15 minutes and neither water or a menu was placed on my table. Left right after my free basket of chips. There's better Mexican food places on the island. Parking sucks too.

    (1)

  • Jill B.

    The first time I tried this place all I could think was "what is everyone raving about?!" I stopped in for lunch with a friend before enjoying an afternoon at The Bishop Museum. The food was OK but the service was HORRENDOUS and our food wasn't all that great. So, when my friends suggested we stop by there for dinner one night, I really wasn't looking forward to it. But, these friends swore it was going to be amazing so, I went along for the ride. Mostly because in Hawaii, let's be honest, bad Mexican is better than no Mexican (unless it's bad as in food poisoning then I'll definitely pass all together, lol). I was certainly surprised to find that the dinner staff was prompt and way more attentive than the lunch crew. The margaritas are great! And, for whatever reason, the dinner kitchen crew is even better than the lunch shift. This may not be mainland Mexican but it's the closest I've come to finding it here in Hawaii. Bottom line: * DON'T go here for lunch, it's definitely worth it to go for dinner. * DON'T be surprised if you can't find parking in the lot. It's probably the size of the actual restaurant (which isn't all that big) but there's street parking in the neighborhood * DO try the margaritas! Remember, they do offer margarita pitchers!!!

    (4)

  • Jessica G.

    It was ok. Decent Horchata but for SURE pass on the queso - which was basically shredded cheddar melted on a hot plate.

    (3)

  • Amy T.

    Went here with a group on ten from work on lunch break. Was able to make a reservation. Food was good, servers were good, cooks took forever. Almost one hour bf receiving our food. Next time will order in.

    (4)

  • Kelly A.

    Love this place!!! The margarita's ROCK! The meals are huge so you always have leftovers. :) You really must check it out! The only downfall is the parking stinks! There are only a few spots and it's hard to get in and out. It's worth the hassle! Enjoy and drink one for me :)

    (4)

  • Traci Y.

    Went to this place twice and love it. The food is really good but when you go make sure you to the blended li hing margarita!!!! It is sooooooo yummy! I could go there to just get that and the chips and salsa. Both times I went I ordered it and both times they were awesome! Can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Trista T.

    After coming back a 3rd time, I am still disappointed with Mexico Lindo. The food just isn't good. Enchiladas Quesedilla Burrito Flautas ALL of which were just 'okay'. Nothing special. Don't waste your time or money.

    (1)

  • Ashley P.

    I read the reviews hoping for greatness and it was far from it! The only good thing was the salsa. I ordered a mango margarita and there was a bug in it gross. Then my sons fruit punch had a bug floating on the top of it! Still we decided maybe we should eat, horrible idea!! Our food was gross too! No bugs but my chicken fajita burrito tasted rancid! We finally got a new pitcher of margaritas was frozen not on the rocks like we asked. 15 min later my son got another fruit punch an half way through it found another bug!! Plus our waiter was slow, unfriendly, and never checked us. We will never go back!! I feel sick! I did not pay for it either!!

    (1)

  • Shailanne A.

    my son, boyfriend, and I used to come here all the time as we live up the road but no matter how many times we came the service was bad. No greetings, bad attitudes, and the workers always seemed too busy (even if the restaurant was empty) to care to seat you right away. The only reason we kept coming was because we love Mexican food, even though this place is subpar to other Hawaii locations. The worst part was one day when we came here my boyfriend found fly in his food. NOT ON BUT INSIDE his fried chimmie. Sooooo so so gross!!! And when we told our server he didn't even seemed surprised. Like does that happen often or something?!?! WORST PART IS WE STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE MEAL, working in the restaurant business the least I would do is give the while meal for free. NASTY NASTY NASTY, WE NEVER WENT BACK AGAIN. IF THE FOOD HAS FLYS IN IT THEN THAT MAKES ME WORRIED ABOUT THE SANITATION OF THEIR DISHES. BLEH, I JUST CAN'T. We now travel, in traffic I might add, to Los Chapparros. Although it's further the service is always top notch and the food and drinks are better. So worth it.

    (1)

  • Dan F.

    I was craving Mexican food after a nice hike on Wai'anae Ka'ala trail and decided to try this place out due to the location being close to my home. Unfortunately, I should've went elsewhere. We weren't greeted when we first walked in. About a minute later, someone came by and greeted us. We were offered the complementary chips and salsa that most Mexican restaurants do. However, there was a problem with the salsa. It was mostly red, a little pasty and tangy. It looked very similar to jar salsa you can buy at the supermarket. Didn't taste fresh at all. For my entree, I ordered the Grande Burrito. It was about a foot long and 2 inches in diameter. Filled with shredded chicken, shredded beef, lettuce, and rice on top a Verde sauce. It also came with a side salad of lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and shredded cheddar. I was trying to figure out why this burrito didn't taste how it should but more like a burger. Do traditional burritos normally have lettuce in them? The beef and chicken tasted as if it was from a can and processed. The rice was just unnecessary filler giving the burrito its hefty size. The salad wasn't pleasant with the olives and the shredded cheese. The person who made this salad must have taken a jar of olives and just poured it on the salad including the olive juice. Must be the reason why my tomatoes and lettuce tasted like olives. I felt like I was eating a glorified high school lunch. I really think that that most of their ingredients are not fresh and store bought.

    (2)

  • Kehaulani B.

    Qué bueno! I ate there this morning with my friends, one in particular is from SoCal and is Hispanic! She enjoyed her meal immensely. We arrived just about 10 mins after they opened on a Saturday morning. We waited about 5 mins for someone to give us a menu and then an additional 15 mins before our order was taken. I ordered the Kalua pig burrito with verde sauce. My platter came With refried beans and rice with Pico de gallo. My meal was fulfilling and flavorful. My friends ate the Machaca, which was paired with eggs. This was a hit for them! Very authentic and flavorful and FILLING! Parking is tight, so bring a moped if you have one. (Ok maybe not a moped but be prepared for tight spots. ).

    (4)

  • Reggie S.

    Pros- Best Mexican Food on the island PERIOD!!! And the portions are enormous. Made the mistake of ordering pulled chicken nachos. What was I thinking. LoL the nachos could feed 3 people alone. I ordered the Mexican burrito and had to take over half home due to the nachos being so huge. The price is great for both entrees and beverages. The have a lot of options to choose from for both. Cons- They really could use a touch up in service department. I do believe it has something to do with the sheer volume of business they are doing. They were packed when we got there and seems to be packed all the times I've driven by, due to the great food they are serving up. But that doesn't mean that service should suffer. Overall I loved this place, will definitely be coming back again.

    (4)

  • Joan A.

    OMG... This place is by far the BEST Mexican restaurant on the island!!! I felt like I was in One of those authentic Mexican restaurants on Mission street in San Francisco! I love it! We were greeted immediately upon entry and walked to our table. Our waitress greeted us as we sat which was awesome... No time wasted! My fiancé and I wanted to order margaritas but they weren't serving alcohol it was BYOB and I didn't bother to ask why no alcohol though. We ordered their Diablo Wings which were to die for... Mannnn they have this sauce on the wings that's so Ono it's making my mouth water right now just thinking about it. My fiancé ordered the Mexico Burrito which he was happy with! I ordered the Ranchero Salad with carne asada which was out of this world good! I almost failed to mention that thei salsa was also amazing with just the right amount of spiciness to it! We also ordered their fried ice cream... Can't get any better than theirs! It was worth the drive from Kapolei!!! Found ourselves the best Mexican restaurant on the island! So worth every penny!

    (5)

  • Christina A.

    Food was very good! Service was not, hence the 4 and not a 5! Our food was delivered, checked on once Had to go find a server for a check whike our dishes sat piled up. Would had stayed for dessert, however, no one came to offer after we sat with piled up empty plates

    (4)

  • T T.

    Food is great, service sucks. Talk about waiting forever for your order to come out. The service is very slow and staff are very inattentive to customers. If you want to eat here, best bet is to take out.

    (3)

  • Crista C.

    Great food. The salsa is spicy. The beef tacos are greasy. The chili rellano is excellent. The portions are really generous. The service is not so great. They were really slow refilling water glasses. They brought out all of our meals but one and offered no explanation or expected wait time. No one came by the table for us to question about the missing meal until they finally brought it out several minutes later.

    (3)

  • Chris Z.

    If we were in texas or California I would probably give them 1-2 stars, but being in Hawaii and based on what is available I think three stars is fair. Service was good and helped boost the the review. Guacamole was ok....better tasting and larger than Mexico but not as good as L. Buenos. Carnitas were average and portions were decent. I think their combo prices are ridiculous.

    (3)

  • Kayla R.

    HANDS DOWN, best mexican restaurant on this island! I used to live in California for about 4 years, and ever since I moved back to Hawaii I missed all of the mexican food... Till I found this restaurant. Reminds me a lot of california mexican food. It is Legit! You must order the horchata for your drink, it's a sweet mexican drink that is HUGE, comes in a pitcher, just the amount I like the drink anyways. It's sooo addicting. You can't just take one sip. Or you can share with someone with you. There is more than enough! yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… Mahi Mahi Ceviche: So delish! I'm not a huge mahi mahi fan but it's a good change to the usual shrimp ceviches I've had in my life. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… Shrimp Plate, Chipotle style: You're able to choose the style of your shrimp, comes with rice beans and some salad, guacamole and loads of shrimp! I can never finish it all, and I end up taking it home. There is plenty of sauce, so it may get messy, but don't worry there are lots of napkins on the table. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… Grande Burrito: yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_…

    (5)

  • Pualena P.

    Me: "We're getting Mexican food tonight, wanna come?" Friend: "Yup! Where are you going?" Me: "Mexico." Friend: "Ha. Ha. ...really, where?" Me: "Mexico." Friend: "I hate you. Where are you going for dinner???" Me: "MEXICO! The restaurant is called 'Mexico'!!!!" Friend: "Oh...WE GO!" :) I have had this same conversation on more than one occasion. Once you clarify with your frustrated friends that you're taking them to a restaurant, not the country, prepare to be dazzled! I've tried so many things here, and I haven't ever been disappointed. I've had the tamales, steak fajitas, shrimp wraps, chicken fajita salad, sizzling mushrooms, quesadillas, etc. All the meals are served with beans and Spanish rice, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Even the salsa that comes with your complementary basket of chips is delicious! It's spicy and so fresh! Recently, I had the sizzling garlic scallops which were to DIE for! They were drenched in diced garlic and served on a sizzling hot plate. You can either get it as an appetizer or as a meal with beans and rice. They have a variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. One of my favorites is the Horchata. It's a cinnamon-y, non-alcoholic rice drink that tastes like you're drinking a churro. I've never tried the margaritas but I often see them at other tables...they're huge! For dessert, I highly recommend the fried bananas with ice cream. The bananas are fried in a cinnamon-doused wrap and it's served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauce. I'd like to mention a few "disclaimers"... (1) The parking is TERRIBLE. The lot is small and street parking is...well...you have to get creative. As long as you're mentally prepared for 2 minutes of parking frustration, it won't ruin your night. (2) Yes, we all know good Mexican food is almost impossible to find in Hawaii. So if you're from California or Texas or anywhere on the mainland where Mexican food is mind-blowing and plentiful, take this with a grain of salt: Mexico has, in my opinion, some of the best Mexican food on this island. If you're looking for a great meal with live entertainment and a lively atmosphere, you must travel to Mexico! (a.k.a. N. School St.)

    (5)

  • Nicole M.

    Hmm. Came around 2:30 and there was some kind of Micronesian ceremony going on in the space in the back of the parking lot, so all... what 10 parking spaces? were taken. I went to Longs, came back at 3:30 and it was empty! So I parked, got seated immediately. I wasn't a fan of the weird dusty plant I was sitting next to but the decor was interesting to say the least. Like the big cow head on the wall. Chips and Salsa were okay, the first round is complimentary (you have to pay if you ask for more). The Enchilada and Burrito combo... Note to self, Enchilada and burrito is almost the same thing T.T I got the enchilada with shredded beef and the burrito with ground, I enjoyed the shredded beef much more, there was much more flavor. I got a li hing margarita, but VIRGIN because they temporary cannot serve alcohol. The sign says you can go to the liquor store down the street and BYOB though. That's interesting. It did seem a little understaffed, but there were seriously only 4 groups in there, and things seemed orderly and timely. Other than things being a little dusty, and there being salsa all over the menu I was handed, it was ok, and I'd come back if parking was available.

    (3)

  • Nicole T.

    my bf and I had lunch here today and there were a few things that kinda annoyed me: 1) we waited at least 5 minutes at the door before anyone even greeted us. 2) wen we got seated it took maybe another 10 minutes just to get our order taken and wen it did, our waitress diana didn't bother to write any of our order down but asked me twice if I wanted shredded beef or ground beef. I had a feeling something was gonna go wrong. I asked for no guacamole and still received guacamole. 3) our food took another 15 minutes to get to our table 4) we ordered horchata and were given the drink in a disposable 32oz cup instead of a pitcher like usual. I had to ask for utensils wen we got our food, and wen we were leaving, I noticed other tables had their horchata served to them in pitchers...not disposable cups. but wat was surprising was wen we got ur check, Diana didn't include the horchata in the order. I'm not sure if she was comping the drink because we had to wait long, or if she forgot to add it in because she never wrote it down, but I wasn't gonna tell her anything (even tho I should have). I like this Mexican restaurant but I think during peak lunch/dinner rushes they need to have at least one more server on the floor. I felt like we were kinda forgotten about sitting in our little corner near the bathrooms.

    (3)

  • Jessica S.

    Food was great, but the service was horrible. The waitress copped an attitude when we asked her to divide the check for only 7 of us (most of us paired up). She made a big scene and insisted she could only divide it certain ways. Even though nowhere in the establishment or on the menus is it stated that the check can not be divided. Then she wrote in her own tips on each of our receipts! Definitely will not be returning to this establishment.

    (3)

  • Kalae P.

    Looking for a fiesta? Mexico Restaurant offers a huge variety of across-the-border cuisine that is sure to spice things up! I've been through these doors a couple of times over the past few years, but it looks like business has escalated. What once was an establishment easy to miss, is now a hot spot; displaying a large restaurant sign and decorative entrance that accompanies the cultural interior oh so well. (Maybe its been this way for a while now, but I just seemed to take it all in during my most recent visit.) The food is great! This spot has the usual enchiladas, burritos, nachos, and Mexican specialties, but furthermore, they allow you to substitute items! I am a sucker for the chimichangas, yet I decided to change it up a bit and order another favorite, the combination plate--packed with a mouthful of Mexican spice and textures to your liking. I substituted the chicken in my enchilada with chorizo, and that is probably the best decision I made all day! You can expect medium to large-sized portions, which is great if you're hoping for left overs or to share with the rest of your party. Mexico Restaurant is gaining increasingly popular, and with a somewhat of a central location, it's definitely worth stopping by and indulging in Mexican cuisine and drink!

    (5)

  • Kat R.

    Looking for good Mexican food in Hawaii is tough, but Mexico is a great place to start! Went there with some co-workers over lunch and had a tamale combination plate. It was tasty and fresh - would get again! They also have the traditional free chips/salsa which is expected these days. Wish the salsa had a bit more spice, but I think that is just my preference. Overall, the food and atmosphere was good and I would recommend to family and friends! That being said, they lose a star for the parking situation. I know in Town parking is minimal at best, but when you have a piece of land that works as your lot, it should be strictly used for customer. The lot is tiny and tight and if you have anything other then a compact, don't even try it. There is also a park behind the restaurant and patrons tend to use the lot for their events. I went back just recently for lunch, but had to leave because the lot was filled up with park visiters. Otherwise, it's delish!

    (4)

  • Laura R.

    Parking is a joke. Just tried going there and couldn't because there was no where to park.

    (1)

  • Todd T.

    I am a big fan of Mexican food. I have been on Island for over 8 years and the best place for Mexican food and atmosphere is Mexico restaurant. Two thumbs up.

    (5)

  • Liesl O.

    I eat here ALL the time. After a careful search, I think this is as good as Mexican food gets on the island. No there's no view, the neighborhood feels sketchy (just like Mexico! haha) and the parking lot can leave you trapped, but the people are friendly, the decor is cute, they have live music most of the nights I've been there, and their margaritas are strong. The food, well, like I said, it's the best on the island - which just doesn't compare to the mainland, but I enjoy their fish tacos and their chicken taco salad.

    (4)

  • Angelo A.

    My wife, her cousin and I thought we would give this place a try based on some rave reviews from some co-workers today. We arrived at about 530p or so and the lot was already packed, although the restaurant didn't seem crowded at all, maybe the employees park in the lot as well. I drive a Honda Pilot, and frankly parking that monster proved to be quite the ordeal. Once I passed my drivers test, we gathered up the girls and away we went. Once inside we were greeted immediately by a very pleasant young lady, and thankfully she didn't even flinch when we asked for two high chairs ( this is a huge deal for us ). It didn't take long at all for us to get served. We received the menu, chips and salsa, then made a "B" line for the keiki section. The twins ordered the quesadilla, just cheese please. They absolutely loved it. Jan ordered an enchilada, and her description was that it was very, very bland. She managed to spice it up by using the salsa that came with the chips, great idea wish I would have thought of it. My Grande Burrito, although very good, it too was exceptionally bland. although the meat had some excellent flavor . Cuz's fish taco was good, and since she's not big on spicy, she was OK with hers I'm not expert on Mexican cuisine, but I have experienced better, yet here in Hawaii, this was pretty damned good. I'm torn, the service and atmosphere get a 4 star, yet the bland, but very good food get a 3 star. They don't have a 3 1/2 rating here, so I had to settle on the 3. I would love to eat here again, and hopefully it was just a so so night for them.

    (3)

  • Jay P.

    I was craving a li hing mui margarita for quite some time now. I'm usually not a fan of Mexican food, but Mexico really did treat me right! There is a small parking lot to the left of Mexico's; I had no trouble parking and there were still many stalls available. Upon walking in, we were given a table and menus. I decided on (of course) a li hing mui margarita while my friend ordered herself a strawberry margarita. The margaritas can either be blended or on the rocks. There are also two sizes for the margaritas. I chose the grande size and it sure was big! Both the li hing mui and the strawberry margarita were flavorful and definitely not "watered down." I was very pleased with my drink. There is complementary chips and salsa before your meal, with the salsa being tangy and moderately spicy. I also ordered a burrito with beef, although you can choose different meats for your food. The quality and quantity of the food was amazing! I left with my stomach full and my mind fully satisfied. I will definitely be coming back for the food and the li hing mui margaritas. Thank you Mexico's for opening my mind toward Mexican food!

    (5)

  • Jordan R.

    Came in on a Saturday for lunch. Had the ceviche which was great. Parking was available and the service was great. Would come back again.

    (4)

  • Chamaigne R.

    So tonight we wanted to eat out. Called our previous favorite Mexican Restraunt, as of tonight. We have been coming here for years since they first opened and no liquor license. I called the restraunt and was asked to hold a few minutes by Christian the manager, well that turned into 19 minutes and 38 seconds as I showed him my phone when walking into the restraunt. Any fool would have hung up, but we are true fans if this place, I thought he would at least have given us the chips and salsa for free since I hung onto the call and still ordered to go. Not only did he charge me full price for everything, including the chips and salsa, he totally ignored the fact that I reminded him that his phone was still off the hook. Where did customer loyalty and service go? Certainly not this place. Wonder what the owners would say about his arrogant attitude? Well no more bringing our families here for birthdays. We've certainly given this restraunt too many $200+ worth of business without so much a lowsy free chips and salsa when kept on hold for 19 minutes. Now waiting for our last food from here, goodbye to a once humble and great restraunt.

    (1)

  • Natallia W.

    Parking sucks!!! Park on the street and walk. But the food is TOTALLY worth the parking hassle! Authentic food, huge portions, well mixed drinks and a friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Amber S.

    My father requested Mexican food for his birthday, and since we haven't found any Mexican restaurants that we like here, we decided to try something new. I did a quick internet search and found Mexico Restaurant. I wasn't impressed by the name, and was a little weary because of the location, but decided to try it out. I was surprised to see no available parking spaces on a Wednesday at 6:00pm. Luckily there were a few people leaving, and we were all able to park within 15 minutes of being there. Do note that the parking lot is fairly small so arrive well before your reservations so there's no stress when waiting for a space to open. The restaurant was clean and nicely decorated. I was mostly impressed with the extremely clean restroom. I tend to judge a restaurant's restroom because it is a quick way to judge a restaurant's attention to detail. Also, being able to use a clean restroom is always a SCORE! The food was pretty good. I wouldn't vote it the best Mexican food I've had in my life, but it was pretty darn good compared to the Mexican food we have here in Hawaii. The portions are large, and when I say large I mean everyone including the four men in our party had to ask for to-go containers. I'm not sure who the bartender was, but he/she made the best lihing margarita I've ever had. It was amazing, and HUGE. Our service was okay considering how busy the restaurant was. Will certainly come back!

    (4)

  • Mary O.

    The good. Atmosphere and retried beans and portion sizes. The bad, the salsa tasted like tomato sauce, the guacamole had no cilantro, a ton of lime juice that made it sour and overwhelmed everything they put it on. Had fish tacos but because of the guacamole it was all I could taste. The burrito had almost no discernible cheese in it. Might come back for a drink but not the food.

    (2)

  • Mikey H.

    "Do you think they serve Mexican food here?" I asked myself. Finding good Mexican food on the islands is like looking for a needle in a haystack. My aunty told me to check this place out, so feeling rather adventurous I thought, What the heck! The parking sucks. It's a small lot on the side of the building. The ambiance is okay. But I felt there were too many tables crammed into the space. It looked like a converted house, which is something I like. I ordered a fish taco and a carne asada taco. I felt this would be a good test. Oh, and of course a margarita. I didn't care for their salsa. It was too watery. I've eaten some of the best Mexican food in San Diego, and since we're close to the border, it's pretty authentic, so I'm spoiled. The fish was fresh and grilled. I really liked that. The carne asada was seasoned well, which was a plus. I had a little of that Asian glow, so the margarita did it's thing. Quite a few locals finishing their lunch. The service was attentive, but not overly friendly. Overall, it's decent. I can't say it's the best but for Hawaii, this place is worth checking out. A little kitschy knick-knacky on the inside. I wondered what it looked like at night.

    (3)

  • Donna O.

    I'm from Texas and always looking for good Mexican food. This is the best. My husband comes once a week and always gets carnitas. I like the fish tacos. The Cadillac margaritas are yummy. Yes parking is a challenge at times. I love the atmosphere and when there's live music, that's a special treat. The only thing I don't care for is the chips.

    (5)

  • Nicole U.

    First time here! & loved it!!! I love mexican food and have been wanting to try this place for a longggggg time! But the boyfriend doesn't care for mexican food. He finally caved in though and decided to go with me! PROS: -Seated quickly -Received tortilla chips and salsa as soon as seated -Drink order was taken and arrived quickly -Biggggg food portions -Pricing is good considering how much they give -Fried ice cream!!!! (didn't get to try it though because I was too full from the main entree itself. but I love me some fried ice cream!) CONS: -Takes a while to get a refill of water or soda -Seemed like there was only 1 server so just have to a little patient.

    (4)

  • Shannale K.

    Food is decent and good. Personally, the best Mexican place I've been to in Hawaii (I haven't been to tons). But this review is based on the service, which isn't that great...at all! We were sat next to the service food window, and we could hear everything. The wait staff grumbling to the cooking staff. We weren't checked up on until we were half way through with our meal. Trying to wave a staff down for a refill was a task on its own. I love chili relleno and previous visits, they were extremely stuffed with cheese. But our last visit there was barely any, and I'm not over exaggerating. The place looks like a true Mexican restaurant, kinda dirty and dusty. Once I find a more comfortable place to have Mexican food, this will have to make do.

    (2)

  • Rupert L.

    The atmosphere is like any mexican place. I really liked that there was a bulls head up on the wall. The portions are great for the price.

    (4)

  • Teresa G.

    I came here at the recommendation of my friends. I'm not mexican but have tried authentic mexican food and loved it. I was so excited to come here. I love the ambience of this place. Nice and cozy and very relaxing. We had a party of 12 and we were the first large table for our waitress ever and boy did it show! I ordered the carne asada plate. The beans and rice was good. The meat looked like a piece of steak that was slapped on the grill and placed on my plate. For a carne asada i was disappointed. i expected some kind of seasoning and for it to come out sliced. As a steak it was not too bad but lacking favor. The food portions are huge. Enough to bring leftovers home or to share. price is reasonable for the food portion. Service was slow and i think it was just because it was her first time handling a large group. We were there for almost 3 hours because of the slow service.

    (3)

  • Arturo G.

    Was looking for a place to eat for Cinco de Mayo and decided to go here. I have been here before and it was just ok so I wasn't expecting too this time around. To start with we ordered the ordered the Ceviche de Camaron. To my understanding the seafood in ceviche is supposed to be raw and cooked in the lime juice only. In this case instead of doing that they used fully cooked shrimp to make their ceviche and it cost $14.50. For that price I would only hope to have this prepared properly. And to top it off it didn't taste so great, tasted more like a salsa with shrimp inside. I ordered the Chicken Fajita Salad and my wife ordered the Tostade Ranchera. Our food came out really fast which as its pros and cons. The chicken on my plate was marinated decently but was watered down by iceberg lettuce and diced tomatos. The Tostade Ranchera look good but the shell quickly became soggy. The overall taste of these 2 dishes were nothing to that can't be recreated at home and for the price I would hope it would have been better but I guess it was quantity over quality. Also ordered the mango margarita frozen and asked to have the salt rim but when it came the salt rim was gone because they over poured the margarita can't really complain about that. All in all for 2 of us it came out to be around $53 dollars. That is kinda expensive. With as little choices for Mexican food here on the islands Mexico is just ok to me. Over all the staff was good, the atmosphere was good, but the food was ok. To me it more a 2.5 instead of 3

    (3)

  • jonah A.

    I pass by Mexico Restaurant all the time but kept thinking that it was just another Mexican restaurant that won't last long in this competitive market. However, I recently decided to try it since I have been seeing a packed parking lot a number of times when I pass by the restaurant. Parking: Yuck, it's the pits. Ambience: I like the inside of the restaurant. It feels cozy and comfortable. However, the tables are huge. It's hard to have a conversation with the person across from you. Service: Quick service, but no smile, not even a crack, from our server. However, the people who greeted us smiled genuinely and checked back with us to make sure that we had everything we needed. Enchilada Plate with Ground Beef: Way toooooo salty. Maybe it was a mistake, but it seemed like the salt, a whole lot, was poured in vs. a little sprinkled on the food. The chips were okay but they didn't taste as fresh as I had hoped. The salsa had a different funky taste to it. The salsa, I found, to be spicy and i like it that way.

    (3)

  • Casey D.

    I have been to this restaurant with my family on several occasions. Each time I have been here, the service had been subpar. The food, however, was decent, so we decided to give it another try since there are so few decent Mexican places on Oahu. The last visit was horrendous. The service was the worst I have ever had. I was a server in a VERY busy resteraunt for a few yeras, so I empathize sincerely with wait staff. In this instance, there is no excuse. Being "outright ignored" is an understatement. I was sitting close enough with my family to hear the bartender and my "waitress" discuss the math skills of other paying customers. For 17 minutes. With her back turned. From five feet away. While other "servers" walked by our mountain of empty cups and half eaten, lousy plates. Waited till the end of the review to discuss the food because that is how bad the service was. So, the food sucks too, but not as much. I will not be back.

    (1)

  • Anjelika J.

    If you can get past the wall of Micronesians loitering behind, in front and inside the building, the shady drug deals going around your family as you try to eat, the same loiterers walking in and out of the restaurant talking to the emotionless, old bar guy, then you MIGHT be able to overlook the rude servers (the guy was nice, tho) and actually enjoy your food. Nothing against Micronesians, but each time we go there, they're all over that place like cockroaches! They're not eating, they're loitering and doing their pretty obvious shady things with that bar guy. What a shame because the food is OK and the atmosphere is great minus everything I mentioned above. Smh.

    (2)

  • Paul N.

    We have gone to this mexican restaurant about 6 times for dinner and its been very good each time. The place is a little noisy and parking can be a problem but other then that its one of the best mexican restaurants on the island.

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    Food is really good.. Service is ok and you have live music which make u feel like a real Mexican place..

    (4)

  • Rissa M.

    YES. Finally, a place on Oahu that does Mexican food justice. I've eaten at Cholos (fail), I've eaten at Sergs (decent), I've eaten at Miquelz (Decent). The only place I can say that might put up some competition is Lui Buenos (but it's so far!) We got Li Hing Margaritas and they were on point. Poured generously, and not too sweet. Just the way I like it. The complimentary chips are not greasy, and unsalted giving you leeway to salt your chips just the way you like it. The salsa is chunky and mildly spiced, which to me is better and fair for all taste buds sitting at the table. The portions are generous and the plates are moderately priced. Wide selection of choices, varying from Taco Salads, Nachos, Enchiladas, Quesadilla, Wet Burritos-- they've got EVERYTHING. I even noticed a breakfast selection on the back of the menu. I got the Enchilada plate which came with Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, and the choice of 1 or 2 Enchiladas. I got two, inhaled the whole thing, and regretted it. But not really. It was SOOOOO GOOD. The meat was juicy, and tortilla was fresh, and the beans were perfectly seasoned. I am coming back, and soon!

    (4)

  • Jimmy F.

    Ate here twice during lunch and the food was good but nothing compared to places in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose. Crunchy tacos were alright. Pork tamale was a little dry but the chicken enchilada was pretty good. However all these items on the combo plates were not as flavorful as I am used to. I sampled their seafood plate that someone else in the group got which was good but my favorite spot is still Puerto Azul in San Jose (Mocajete de Mariscos). The salsa is spicy/tasty so the kids didn't get to try this. Rice was a little bland but the refried beans with cheese was good. Parking is horrible so carpool as much as possible. Ambiance is rustic and has a mish mash of things. It was busy and service was pretty slow. Not sure what happened that day but it was BYOB so no cerveza for us that day. Workers are really friendly so that made things better. Bottom line. We will go back again to try out other items and try to go during off hours to get better service and parking. But first our next stop will be to the taco truck in Kaimuki.

    (3)

  • Ken A.

    Used to be good, quality of food , and cleanliness was poor. Sad too see it going downhill. Hope they get it together.

    (2)

  • Katherine M.

    Pros: Great food!!!! I had chili verde and it was delicious and the beans were good too. However the rice was not tasty and did not taste like Spanish rice. I had the li hing mui margarita in the large size - very tasty however there large seemed on the small side. Our server was great... wonderful disposition and very attentive. Cons: Parking is awful!!!!!! Their home made chips were stale and cold. No flavor - I suggest them deep frying them instead of baking. The food presentation was poor as well. It looked like my food was just thrown on the plate. Their salsa that came with the chips was good however it did not look fresh. Overall experience was good.... loved the chili verde (I was craving this for a while). They need to work on their rice cooking (maybe I can show them how to make Spanish rice) and change their chips. I will be back to try something else on the menu to see if I really like this place.

    (3)

  • Dreena T.

    I have been to this place a few times and each time I've been, the service has been terrible! We have to wait to be seated when the place is almost empty, and when we are seated it takes what it seems 15 mins to get our order taken by someone who seems that they wish they didn't work there. The food also takes a long time to be made. The only reason I can forgive this is because the food is actually great. The last time we went in, we were told that they no longer serve alcohol. We normally come here to order their giant margaritas, however, this time we were a little disappointed. Despite the terrible service, I return to order the Pollo a la Maria (I am pretty sure this is what it's called) It is delicious. It includes rice and salad and has an amazing sauce packed with flavor. Compared to the other local Mexican restaurants, this place really takes the cake as far as flavor and authenticity. They always start you off with chips and salsa (after your 15 mins of waiting) and then come back to take your order. The place is nicely decorated and definitely matches it's Mexican theme. The bathroom is even pretty cool. A recommend if you don't mind waiting, just don't go there starving.

    (3)

  • Ha N.

    I've been here a couple of times and I seem to order the same thing everytime. The garlic shrimp here is pretty good -- they bring it out to you on a simmering plate so hot that the shrimp may be overcooked if not devoured quickly enough. I then wash it down with the li hing mui blended margarita. This appeases the beast in me enough to not want to order anything else. But then again, I am not really into burritos and beans and the like.

    (4)

  • K P.

    Overpriced, oversalty, and overly slow. Totally not worth $30 for two anemic fish tacos and a tostado salad. Don't waste your money.

    (1)

  • Ryan I.

    I've been here three times already. I've had the chile verde (freaking awesome!), the chicken fajita salad (freaking awesome!) and the chile relleno (freaking awesome, but holy smokes, way too rich!!). The servers are pretty nice and the food comes out kinda quick. The parking can be a problem if you arrive too late, so get there early.

    (4)

  • k l.

    I love Mexican food and living in California one gets very spoiled - even the bad Mexican food here is pretty darn good. This place was recommended and given mixed reviews from 'best on the island to it's OK'. I'm not sure what the folks who recommended the place ate or whether they had any in depth exposure to Mexican food. However, if this is the best that Oahu as to offer, save your money. The menu looked promising although very little information on the dishes was provided by our server, Fernando. When I asked what I wanted I made it very clear that I judge Mexican restaurants on a few dishes - chile relleno, carnitas and their mole (mole was not on the menu). I decided on a small combo - chile relleno and an adobada burrito. My companion ordered a pork tamal and a chicken enchilada (which turned out to be the better choice. Let's deal with the good part first. The chicken enchilada was flavourful and something that I might order if I ever went back to this place (not likely). The verde sauce covering it was bland and not what one would expect. The masa used for the tamal was some of the best I have ever had - light, fluffy, just perfect. That is where the goodness ends - the sauce that covered it was an unfortunate addition. As my dinner partner said - ' I make a better sauce, I'd order the tamal plain for take-away and add my own sauce.' Now, the really bad parts. Chile relleno is a classic - the chile is stuffed with cheese, coated in a light fluffy batter then fried to the [oint where the cheese melts and the chile is cooked until it is soft. This chile relleno was hard, had very little cheese, had a batter that was non-descript and was smothered in the same bland salsa verde as the chicken enchilada along with a large scoop of sour cream. Very disappointing especially after saying to the server this is one of the dishes I measure Mex restaurants by. The adobada burrito was worse. You could tell the pork was marinated in something but it certainly did not have the flavour one would expect from this type of dish. Even worse was the sauce the chef decided to smother this thing with. I can only assume, based on the flavour, that it was left over gravy from a Mexican version of moco-loco. Horrendous. And after mentioning to the person bussing the table that this was some of the worst Mexican food I'd ever had the misfortune of putting in my mouth, no one came by. That says a lot especially when a half eaten plate is sent away. On a positive note, they do have a broad selection of tequilas. I was tempted to order a double Centenario anejo to wash the taste out of my mouth but reason prevailed since I was driving. Bottom line for me - I won't go back unless someone else is paying. And even then I'd be hard pressed to order anything other than the nachos - they are pretty hard to mess up.

    (1)

  • Mason H.

    Good food. Free chips and salsa. Best Mexican restaurant on the island. Their beer selection could use some diversity and their guacamole was rather tasteless. But the entrees were huge and delicious. I had the California burrito which comes with refried beans and mexican rice. Our server was excellent, although it seemed like she was the only server working hard. Other diners with different servers may have a different opinion.

    (4)

  • Ryan P.

    Service here was horrible. We had to call a waitress over to get water after waiting about 10 mins. Then they got my girlfriend's order wrong so I refuse to eat while she watches. The waitress brings out the "correct" order which is still wrong so we cancel the order and request to be comped for my meal and the manager only comps the one wrong order because I had eaten half of mine by that time. The food quality was nothing special so needless to say, we won't be coming back.

    (1)

  • Naomi L.

    Finally!! A place that reminds me of one of the Mexican restaurants I ate at while living in San Diego for 5 yrs. The decor is definitely reminiscent of one of those places- with wooden chairs, terra cotta colored walls, random brick overlay, cowboy rope/unknown animal skull, and some cactus at the entrance. Awesome. In addition, they played mariachi music the whole time, which was great. Sounds kinda cheesy, but I swear it makes the food taste better! Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy eating at Los Chaparros and think the two are pretty similar. Los Chaparros' prices are better/cheaper and portions a bit smaller, in addition there are more options to make combinations if you want to sample different things and not break the bank. That being said, I loved how much food I got at Mexico Restaurant for the price! The burrito was HUGE. I couldn't even eat the whole thing. The beans and rice were cooked perfectly. I ate as much as I could handle and still had enough to bring home for another meal. Bf's tacos tradicionales were yummy! While he usually has a bottomless stomach, this plate filled him up perfectly. We also got a large guac with chips ($7.95), which really was large. It's not a super avocado-green color, so they probably mix it with sour cream. I know several people who do that, but I think it could be off-putting if you weren't expecting it. We couldn't finish the whole thing so I was packing it in with my leftovers and was sad to see that they packed the bottom of the dish with lettuce to take up room in the bowl. This place would get 5 stars alone for the horchata. This has to be one of the best horchatas I have ever tasted. I don't know the combo of ingredients, but holy deliciousness. If you've ever been disappointed by a horchata in the past, please come here and try - it'll change your mind towards the drink! The large comes in a small beer pitcher and only costs $3.50. Minus 1 star for the chips and salsa (salsa is ok, but nothing special) that come at the start of the meal. The chips were stale and seemed like all the little broken pieces at the bottom of a bag. This got me unexcited for the rest of the meal, which turned out to be great. I only say this because the chips that came for the guac were crispy, good, and large-sized. Overall, I will be coming back here next time I get a craving for Mexican food!

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    I don't care about authentic Mexican food because let's face it, we're far far away from Mexico. For what my taste buds know, the food at Mexico Restaurant is pretty yummy. Definite upgrade from Jose's. I ordered the chimichanga and boy ordered the beef tacos or something. Both dishes were huge and very flavorful. The horchata was humangous. I was scared I would become lactose intolerant after attempting to drink 3/4 of it. Ridiculous. If I'm coming here, I will not cringe at the thought of Mexican food. I'm ecstatic that Boy found a new Mexican restaurant so Jose's is finally off my food chain.

    (5)

  • Sammy B.

    Best Mexican food I can find on the island! The food is delicious and the servers on great! The drinks are delicious but my only complaint would be how long it takes me to receive my drinks, especially when I'm sitting at the bar. Other than that, Mexico's is the place to go for Mexican food

    (4)

  • Ericka B.

    Tonight was my first time here. The atmosphere makes you feel like your in Mexico! It's really cute. Even the bathroom was amazing. They had a really cool sink, go take a look ladies! DRINKS: I had their Li-Hing margarita... it was ok. I wouldn't order it again if I had the chance. I tried my friend's Horchata, MY GOODNESS! It was amazing!!! I was quite disappointed I didn't order that instead. FOOD: I decided to go with their Carne Asada Plate. Which came with Spanish rice, cheese and re-fried beans, guacamole, this onion, tomato, cilantro mixture, 2 huge slabs of carne asada topped with onions and bell peppers, and 3 hot tortilla rolls. The carne asada was AWESOME! So much flavor!!! This carne asada tasted different from my friend's burrito which she ordered with carne asada. It didn't have the marinade that mines had. I would definitely order this platter again! My ONLY gripe was their Spanish rice, I've had better. For dessert we opted for the Flan.... OH. MY. GOODNESS....... This has got to be the best flan I've ever tasted in my life!!!! It wasn't what I thought it would be. I imagined a custard-pie consistency. But this one... was almost like a cheesecake flan! IT WAS FREAKING AMAZING! Definitely need to try when you eat here! OOH and parking definitely sucks here =/ Really tiny and tight parking area, be careful!

    (4)

  • Mac J.

    I ordered the Pollo Asado a la Maria. It was dry. I had to cut up the chicken breast to let it soak up the sauce. Meanwhile, I continues to snack on my chips & salsa. My iced tea was cold but I couldn't taste the tea. After a few song from the live band, my Pollo Asado a la Maria tasted much better. Customer service was good. My server Gabriella was spot on.

    (3)

  • Maggie O.

    Atmosphere: Relaxed, live music, cool decor Service: slow but everyone was really nice Food: nice size portions and the queso is awesome! the tamale isn't that good, theres too much maze on it but chile reno is great

    (3)

  • Ellison U.

    Mexico Restaurant I absolutely LOVE this place! No Joke, I just wish I could dine there more often! Best Mexican Food I've ever had in Hawaii. My friends and I discovered this place a few years back when they opened. The plan was to go eat at Elena's Hawaiian Restaurant (located right across), but place was busy and a friend was craving for Mexican. Mexico's is located on the same street as my other all time favorite 3 restaurants; Helen's, Mitsuken, and Mitsuba in Kalihi. Now I'm adding Mexican cuisine to my list. Food is Ah-MAZING! Portion sizes are BIG! I usually get the Chicken Chimichanga, it is served with refried beans and dirty rice. Man their Chimichanga is HUGEE! Topped with sour cream and guacamole. Someone get me one, STAT! Friends usually order the Chicken Quesadilla, it includes the same sides and it is HUGE and is filled with chicken chunks and cheese... && Nomm.. Other meats they offer are; Steak, Lobster, and Kalua Pig. I've had the Kalua Pig Quesadilla was it was Nomm-O! as well. Service is a tad slow, but every time we go, we normally order margaritas... oh I forgot to mention they have a FULL BARRR! Yep, Mar-Gar-iiTas Yay! Drinking mid-day is best, Why... cause there's no road blocks! Haha no I KID... Please drink responsibly. Adios Muchachos

    (5)

  • Beth I.

    Beware: SO GOOD....Food-coma is inevitable! This place was especially good yesterday. Lunch seemed pretty busy (full house) but not overly crowded. I had the chile relleno and my bf had the kalua chimichanga. Both were delicious! The rice has changed from when I went a few weeks ago. It seemed more like saffron rice (the kind you get at an Indian restaurant) rather than the drier achote colored rice they had before. I was jonesing for some margaritas and we had original margaritas with li hing on the rim! I haven't had that before so I was especially impressed. The ice was very finely blended (the way i LOVE it) and not watery. Something about the tartness of the li hing with the lime really pushed it over the edge.... SOOO good!

    (4)

  • M F.

    I liked this place. The margaritas are good, the food was filling and tasty and I enjoyed the guacamole as well. Service was good and overall I can say that I enjoyed myself. Was a bit pricy for the type of food though (Around $60 ish for 2 baskets of chips and salsa, guacamole, 2 burrito entrees and 2 drinks). But, seeing as Hawaii lacks good Mexican food, I suppose the price is worth it. I would come back :)

    (4)

  • Amy S.

    After being touristy at the Bishop museum, we were looking for some grub--- so I turned to my trusty Yelp app! It recommended this place-- which had an interesting name to me--- but it was right near our bus stop. Inside was nice-- and not really crowded. Typical Mexican restaurant decor. Even though it was seat yourself, a worker came to help us after we walked around super clueless (not seeing the sign). We both got the fajita burritos. My friend got chicken, and I got the steak- which I requested with no onion. We feasted on the free chips and salsa-- that was spicy for my tastebuds! Then two gianormous burritos appeared before us--- so much food--- with rice and beans--- and the server warned me that there was onion with the tomato salsa!!! And my steak was soo juicy and well cooked. The tortilla tasted fresh and possibly homemade! We both could not finish our meals, and now have dinner for tonite! I would def come back--- esp if I could talk one of my driving friends into going!

    (5)

  • Misty P.

    I went here a while ago with some friends for lunch. The parking was ok, but if it got crowded, there aren't many stalls. The restaurant was sort of empty. We were greeted right away by the hostess. The place appeared clean, and the service was good. I got the crunchy tacos with rice and beans. The meals came with complimentary chips and salsa. Those were good and the salsa was ok with the appropriate spice level. My meal was fine, but the rice was a little too dry for my taste. My friends got the li hing mui margaritas. They seemed to enjoy it. I stuck with a simple Corona. The food was ok, the price is mediocre. The portions were ok. Not totally blown away to the point that I'd come back again.

    (3)

  • Shawn S.

    Food was ok, experience wasn't so great. Took trash out through main restaurant on a cart, even made my wife move her chair to get by with trash cart. Carne asada burrito was not delicious at all, left most of plate full of food. Waited for 15-20 minutes for "cashier" to make his way to the cash drawer so we could pay to leave. Only one waitress for a restaurant full of people. We won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Anson G.

    Bottom line: a great find! Awesome mexican food, in the middle of nowhere in Kalihi! Who would have thought to find a great restaurant in the middle of Kalihi? The food here is great, and they have some localized dishes, in addition to their mainly traditional fair. They have great margaritas, and their prices are reasonable. If you're looking for a good mexican place in Hawaii, you won't go wrong here at Mexico.

    (5)

  • Kelly G.

    Where else can you find deliciously cooked leguna?! Was able to get a chimichanga with leguna (not listed as one of the meats on the menu), served with guac, sour cream, rice and beans. It was delicious, except for the fact that there didn't seem to be a lot of meat. Service was alright. Then it became stellar when my friend's carnitas seemed burnt. The manager came over saw the situation and immediately changed out the ENTIRE plate without question. Extra star for great service. The second serving of carnitas seemed much more on par, but it was still lacking that something yummy. Free chips and salsa, had live music. Price is alright. Wouldn't mind coming back, but I don't think I'll be craving it anytime soon.

    (4)

  • Megan G.

    Where to eat before we went to the Night Sky presentation at the Bishop Museum.... Yelp to the rescue. Upon entering a Super cool interior was presented to us, which made me happy and excited for hopefully good grindz. I ordered a horchata and he got a beer. We split the Chicken/beef/Shrimp fajitas for two. Huge portions, and good flavor. We had a LOT of leftovers, and the whole meal was super inexpensive!! Next time I find myself in Kalihi, I know where to go!

    (4)

  • Jenn Y.

    Poor customer service. We were not greeted. We sat next the kitchen. It looks like a Micronesian was cooking and he did not seem to be concentrated on the food and the waitress was getting frustrated with him. I tried the shrimp chimichanga and does not taste good. It's was gross to me like doesn't match. Bf got kalua pork chimichanga and I did not like it too. Service seems slow. Maybe because they were busy. They were not attentive to customers and we wait a long time just for our check.

    (2)

  • H K.

    I've been to Mexicos twice...first time? AMAZING food, great service! Second time...good, but not as good as the first. I'll start off saying that I would definitely go back. Probably try something different on the menu. Both my husband and I had the Mexico burrito, and it wasn't that great. I ordered the chicken quesadilla for both my kids. They didn't eat it, but not because it wasn't good - my kids are just annoyingly picky. I took the leftovers home and the quesadillas were onolicious! Oh, we also ordered the nachos as an appetizer with shredded beef and it was good too. I like that they serve fresh salsa and chips for free when you sit down. However, when we first walked in, the place was packed. There isn't a hostess at the front and no sign telling you where to go. The reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because I don't appreciate looking like an idiot in these kinds of situations. I seriously looked all over the place for an employee who could help me, but anyone that looked like they worked there, didn't explain their seating procedures. I finally looked down and to the left - a small table had a clipboard with a sign-in sheet. Yeeeeeah...so I signed in. I wish there had been a noticeable sign that clearly tells you - either wait to be seated or Hey! Sign in on our sign in sheet...sheesh. Good food, service was okay at best. It seemed like our waitress was having a bad night because she didn't seem very happy to be at work. The bathroom toilet didn't flush (like someone else noted earlier. gross!) which is another no bueno. But oh well, next time I'll pee before going there and cross my fingers for a nicer server and a better menu choice. Oh - and look for the stupid sign in sheet to your left.

    (4)

  • Chelsey O.

    I've lived up the street from this restaurant for a couple years and would consider myself a regular. I keep coming back because I LOVE the food and the atmosphere. There's only one problem....the service consistently SUCKS. For example, when I came the other day, the host seated the party behind us first and never gave us a second look. I ended up seating myself and this wasn't the first time I've had to do so. The food is consistent and very authentic for a Mexican eatery in Hawaii (I'm originally from California.) I just wish the service was better, especially for how often I come here. Don't come to this place with a time limit, as it usually takes a solid twenty minutes just to get the check :-/ and sitting at the bar isn't much quicker...the bartender is less than attentive. Sorry Mexico, maybe one day I can give you a better review. Although, I can recommend the carnitas plate and your tamales because they are oh so ono! Maybe I should just order take-out?

    (2)

  • Masako U.

    Excellent food: just order takeout. The food here is very good, but the service is terrible. My husband didn't get his food until everyone else in our party of six pretty much finished eating. I saw his burrito on the counter; I almost went to get it myself if my friends hadn't stopped me. I haven't been there since but saw that their store sign changed...I hope their servers changed as well.

    (2)

  • Rhi M.

    BEST LIHING MUI MARGARITA I EVER HAD!!! :)) $9 for regular and $11 for the large. Never ordered or seen how the large looks like, but the regular one is pretty big. btw, there is not much parking.

    (4)

  • Lexoh D. M.

    Most authentic Mexican food I've had on the island. The only downsides are the price and the parking.

    (4)

  • R M.

    First time here tonight. Chili Rellano, Rice, Beans, and topped it off with a salad. All for $9.95! Extremely suprised with the portion I had for the price. A good deal. I was originally going to get an Ala carte side of just Chili Rellano and Spanish Rice, but the waitress said it was cheaper to get a plate. I'm very glad I got the plate instead of those items separately. Chili Rellano was good, loved the arroz y frijoles. Entertainment on a Tuesday night was a guy playing some Mexican music as well as some music on the Pan Flute. I had a good experience here for my first time.

    (5)

  • Alexandra B.

    Horrible experience at Mexico in Kalihi the other day. The food was barely warm and the beans were disgusting. While I was eating I was looking up at the pictures on the wall and saw a huge cockroach crawling up the wall. It instantly made me lose my appetite but I didn't say anything because my friends were still eating. When I looked up again it was crawling down towards the table so I got up and my friend got up too, sorry not a fan of cockroaches. Finally we sat down as it began crawling back up, our waitress walks by and rudely says "good old Hawaii". That really pissed me off, I get it there are roaches here but in a food establishment I don't want to see that. I should have been compensated especially considering I didn't even eat half of my food. I did not tip that rude waitress and quite honestly think I should notify the health inspector. Disgusting, never getting my business again!

    (1)

  • Britt A.

    It's been twice so far that I've dined here at Mexico Restaurant. First, on a weekend with my boyfriend and his family (party of 9), and second was on a weekday with my boyfriend, and another couple (party of 4). On my first visit, the wait was extremely long, which we assumed was due to it being a Saturday night, however as we waited outside, standing, because they do not offer any sort of seating/waiting area, we watched approximately 10-12 other guests, of smaller parties, be seated before us. I understand that our party was large, but when you wait for over half an hour, it starts to become frustrating. Only after we inquired about how long more our wait would be, did they actually attempt to seat us by suggesting we sit at two different tables right next to one another, rather than at one large table. Had that alternative been brought to our attention much earlier, we wouldn't have had to stand outside for over half an hour. This is my only complaint about Mexico Restaurant. My second visit, went a lot smoother. There was no wait, and the four of us were seated immediately. Likely because it was a weekday and it wasn't as crowded as it probably gets on weekends. Also, on this particular evening they had a live musician playing the guitar and singing, which I thought was a nice touch. The restaurant's decor is extremely fitting and you can't help but feel as though you're truly in Mexico. Even the restrooms are quite festive! You are given tortilla chips and salsa as a complimentary appetizer, and the entree portions are very large! Both times, I ordered the Mexico burrito, and both times did I end up bringing it home in a doggie-bag for the next day's lunch. I can't recall if they offer dessert, but that's because I've always been too full to ever care to look! My boyfriend's favorite drink from here is called Horchata, a drink which it's ingredients include rice water and cinnamon. Tastes a whole lot like drinking a churro! Overall, the atmosphere is fun, the food is tasty and filling, and this is a great place to have some drinks with friends (granted they can seat you in a timely manner). I'll definitely be back.

    (3)

  • Alexis K.

    I have been here a couple of times & had okay experiences. Recently my family and I went for dinner .We waited a long time to be seated . Service there just sucks. our food took a long time and our waiter seemed to tend more to the Mexican customers more then other customers. The management was the same way( rude). The food is mediocre . I tried to like this place ,but it's a FAIL.

    (1)

  • Brian W.

    This is one of the better Mexican restaurants on the island. The food is consistently good, and the service is always pretty good. I haven;t had the margaritas yet, but they look pre-made. I just wish it was a little cheaper, they are a little over priced (even for Hawaii)

    (4)

  • LeaDan Y.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant so far, which seems appropriately named. The portions match the price and quality. Parking is tricky in that area.

    (3)

  • Janice H.

    Growing up in California, and dating my half-Mexican boyfriend for the last 5 years (whose madre is from Mexico City), I DEFINITELY know what authentic Mexican food tastes like ... Pull my finger 'cuz I stay joking! Don't you hate it when people start off their reviews l'dat? Example: "I know what authentic (insert ethnic food group here) tastes like because .... my mother is from Japan, my boyfriend is from Mexico, I'm half-Korean, blah, blah, blah!" I could care less, honestly! As long as da joint has 'ono (delicious) food, den I'm down to try it. Bought da Living Social deal for Mexico Restaurant last fall ($15 for $30) and came here on a random weeknight. Parking sucked, as expected. A dude from El Salvador provided some great entertainment jamming it on his guitar. Found out da owner of dis place is from Mexico City, Mexico, so food has some authenticity credentials to it. Da guy manning da bar looked Filipino, but sported a Mexican or Spanish accent. Chile rellenos & their fried banana dessert ($5) = broke da mout! Fried banana dessert = banana lumpias with a huge scoop of ice cream (or was it whipped cream?) on it. REVIEW #151

    (4)

  • Shelly C.

    This is an update from my previous 5 stars. Had a fish wrap... eh, nothing to write home about! Kind of wet and soggy...also had sauted mushrooms... I know right? Who ever heard of garlic butter shrooms at a mexican place? They were different but we liked them! Warning: VERY garlic-y & oily! Husband loved his pork carnitas.

    (4)

  • Aidett S.

    I get that there isn't a great selection of Mexican food on the island but damn was this place horrible. Not only was the food far from authentic but what really killed me was the service. Nothing about this place was inviting. Definitely going elsewhere for subpar Mexican food with way better service.

    (1)

  • Sam A.

    The food is not worth the wait. In my opinion it is like the worst Mexican food on the mainland. I am from Southern California so I'm very particular. Good atmosphere and service.

    (2)

  • Earl N.

    One of the things I missed about Southern California was the Mexican food. When we moved to Oahu, my family and I had trouble finding a restaurant that served anything that could compare to what we were used to ... and then we finally ran into this place. Having eaten at Mexico Restaurant a few times already, I can honestly say that this establishment is definitely right up there when it comes to Mexican dishes (and food on the island in general). The atmosphere is great, the service is awesome and the food is excellent. The only downside is the parking which is small and set up a little funky. That's just a little issue though which hardly takes away from the overall score. Anyone who enjoys Mexican food should at least check it out once.

    (5)

  • Jenn G.

    Having lived in Southern California, there are few restaurants on the island that have decent enough Mexican food for me. This place is the one I enjoy going to. PROS:The meal portions are really large, a little pricey but worth it. Free chips and salsa, and great service! The atmosphere is super casual, and super loud! I love that! They're either blasting appropriate music with Spanish lyrics or they have an actual singer doing his live show for tips. The parking lot is a little shifty, free, but really way too tiny, but if you get there before the dinner rush, you should be fine! I highly recommend getting an Horchata, the cinnamon rice-milk drink! They come in personal pitchers that you will want to share with others at the table. _______ CONS: Don't go when the football fans are there watching a big game. They get way too loud and obnoxious even though they're in the bar section of the restaurant.

    (4)

  • S S.

    JUST A SMALL KINE WARNING EVERYONE!!! My coworkers decided they want to eat Mexican food. We've been to Mexico Restaurant MANY MANY times and we never complained! Their food and service is AWESOME~ BUT!!!!!! Last week we ordered CARNITAS and two of us that ate the exact same thing ended up PUKING and getting really sick! So... I'd watch out and DO NOT order carnitas!!!

    (1)

  • Dave F.

    First off, I should have listened to my friend Terry K about the parking!! She was right, it was a b****! And who should know better than her when it comes to parking! Well, the parking WAS a secondary matter. I couldn't turn down the offer from my friends to meet up for dinner one recent night. As usual, I had to order my customary Heineken and had the basket of Tortilla chips and salsa. Man, the salsa was hot! Hehe, maybe because my taste buds are so sensitive when it comes to hot stuff! After much consideration, I chose what I would like to eat and ended up with a combo of Beef Burrito and Beef Enchillada... Both were awesome and came served with the normal starches, Mexican rice and refried beans. The rice served here tasted a little different from what I'm usually used to having at other restaurants, but it was good nonetheless. It also is served with a small serving of pico de gallo. What impressed me most was our server. She made sure we had our orders in promptly and that our waters were always filled. She also remembered everyone's orders without even having to write them down!! Good job!! There was also entertainment that night and even if it was a bit loud where we were sitting, it was nice to have that while having our meal. It was a very enjoyable meal and I will be back again someday. Just remember, parking is a b****, but parking on the street and walking the distance is worth it. If you come after 5:30pm, you can park on School Street close to the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Michelle G.

    FTMFW!! This is the BEST Mexican restaurant on Oahu!! If you know anything about Mexican food I recommend the Menudo or Chicken Carnitas Plato. It truly tastes like homemade Mexican food from the motherland...the meat is so flavorful, smoky, and tender!! Can't beat good Mexican food, music plus some horchata.

    (5)

  • Maricor C.

    I give this place 3.5 stars. Overall, the food is pretty good (still not the best Mexican food I've had). It's good enough for Hawaii though, given we don't really have many decent Mexican joints out here in the islands. Now I've never been to Mexico (the actual country) to attest to the "real" deal, so don't get on my case for that. But I used to live in Colorado where there is a hefty Hispanic population and lots of little family-owned Mexican restaurants. I also have a lot of Hispanic friends in Colorado who were the ones who brought me to said restaurants and told me which places were "as good as home" or "too Americanized." So although I may not be the ideal reviewer, I feel I do have some understanding of what makes a good-tasting Mexican meal. I ordered a chicken burrito which was served with rice and beans. As expected, the serving was very generous for the price. Nonetheless, the taste didn't give that "Wow" I've had at dare I say, more "authentic" Mexican restaurants. Other points: 1) The ambiance is great! The live musician was really awesome. 2) As Blaine H. mentioned, parking is very awkward (and limited)! 3) My Li Hing Mui margarita was pretty good. (The fact that they have a Li Hing Mui margarita should signal that this restaurant isn't hardcore authentic). The drink serving was definitely more than enough. In short, good place to get your Mexican fix but not as good as it can get.

    (3)

  • Valerie S.

    Went with a friend visiting from the mainland and overall we were quite pleased. Portions were HUGE, and I couldn't believe how much pork was inside my chimichanga. The price was reasonable and food was above average. The place was really neat, and our service was friendly and competent, even though our server had 6 tables by the end of our meal. We did get there about 11:45, but the bathroom was very clean, and we loved the design/style of the restaurant. Our margaritas were tasty and not weak. So, I will definitely be going back to try some other things on the menu.

    (4)

  • Lori P.

    Love the margarita coco tequila and great fajitas!

    (4)

  • Lori W.

    First time here. The adult Mexican Farrell's decor weirded me out. Went here on Father's Day ~3pm. Figured the crowds would be gone, but stood at the "wait to be seated" sign for a good ten minutes before anyone greeted us, but to be fair it was after the lunch rush so maybe they weren't expecting more customers? DON'Ts: - Parking: It is in the same building "complex" as the old United Puerto Rican Association hall. The hall still gets rented out, mostly on weekends and all share the same small, badly paved lot. Lucked out eventually and didn't bottom out the car going over the old blacktop to get a space. Had a hard time getting out of lot later, though. Park on the street if you can. -Restaurant Layout: Hard to maneuver here if it's crowded because table layouts are too big for the space. Almost every table was a slab that could seat large parties. Not everyone is dining with a soccer team all the time... -Decor: Seems like they went for a ranch hacienda feel, but it didn't really pan out. Too many bull heads and placards about life philosophies. Think adult Mexican Farrell's, with alcohol. Not really our thing. -Only first basket of chips and salsa PER TABLE is free. Additional requests cost you. Doesn't matter how many in your party, apparently. -Tortillas are NOT handmade (yeah, we asked)! Awwwwww, man! The cheapest & easiest thing to make and you don't crank those out? So sad...would've made a big difference here. MAYBEs: *Uneven Value: Had the taquitos app. Choice is chicken or ground beef (what!) per the server, but it came with shredded beef (das right!). But for 10 bucks, we expected more than four small taquitos cut in half & three sauces. Carne arriera was huge portions. Mexico burrito was the same. Although for $16, quantity may be the only saving grace here. *Freshness: Chips were the hefty, thick type, although we suspect the salsa was out of a jar and jazzed up with some fresh cilantro. Salsa fresca on entree was good, if a little bland. Sour cream from a container. Other reviews have dinged the guac, but today the guac was good, though--had a chunky texture and decent seasoning, although a little more acid would've brightened it up nicely. Beans tasted out of a can. Rice was odd--lima beans and corn? Um, different... Beef was overcooked but seasoned well, and bell peppers were fresh with some bite left to them. Menu says items come with flour tortillas but you can ask for corn instead. *Service: Apps came at a good time, very hot temperature wise. Rest of the food for the table came all at once, except for mine, which took another awkward 15+ minutes to arrive, with everyone kind of staring at their food waiting to begin (although I told em go!). A few plates got to less than sizzling. Drink refills were ok (2x), if a little slow. Server was very sweet and did check on us 2x, but wasn't really speedy. *Cleanliness/Kid Friendly Bathroom: Bathrooms are quirky, with the outdoor-type sink and a lot of inspirational placards "conveniently" hung around and opposite the toilet bowl for you to read, ahem. One-stall deal. No changing tables. Wastebasket overflowing with used paper towels. DOs: +You may like the bar, though we're not really bar folk. Shows a lot of desportes in the native tongue, if you're craving some "goooooooooooooalllllllll!" and want to be around others for it. Would be really fun around World Cup time. Nothing else I can 100% recommend. The guac ain't enough to sustain a return visit. Sorry...maybe some takeaway would be ok. But if the public bathroom/front of the house can't even stay clean, how does the kitchen/back of the house look? No one got sick, but that don't mean I ain't scared for any future orders. Bottom line: no, good Mexican food ain't a strong suit in Hawaii. The quest continues. I don't think I'd go back for a sit-down meal, unless family/friends wanted to come here. I took good Mexican food for granted for sooooo many years. Dang. Overpriced for the quality ($16 for carne arriera, $10 for taquito apps, WAAAAY too much money for some basic horchata), but if you're after quantity then this may fit the bill, I guess.

    (3)

  • Keith L.

    Great food, good service. However, musician and chatter way too loud to enjoy the meal.

    (3)

  • Nathan G.

    Great affordable place to eat. I gave it 4 stars because the chips and salsa were only okay. The entree I got was very tasty!

    (4)

  • Christopher D.

    I've only been here once now but it was absolutely excellent. Large portions of good food, very friendly staff, and none of the annoying cheap things I've seen at other restaurants like charging extra for chips and salsa or for refills. We got horchata which came in large cups and was delicious. The menudo was spicy and full of flavor and my wife's quesadillas were massive. Our waitress kept our chips and salsa full during the short time we waited for our food. I can't wait to eat here again.

    (5)

  • Cyrus F.

    For Hawaii, this is almost as close to the real deal as you're likely to find. As a SoCal native its hard to find good Mexican food around here, but there are a few decent places around town, Mexico Restaurant being one of them. Their burritos are generous in size and come with authentic mexican rice and beans or else a salad. Good guacamole, and decent meats. I daresay the carne asade could use a little bit more flavoring but hey its pretty good and reminded me a little bit of Los Angeles (home of the best Mexican restaurants). The service was quick and proper, and they even brought me an entire new burrito after I was only 2 bites into my first one, telling me they had brought out the wrong burrito to being with (I didn't really have time to notice, but getting an extra burrito is always pretty sweet). The interior/exterior is appropriately and festively decorated, and yes, the restaurant is complete with full bar, margarita & Mexican beer selection at recent prices, as well as two TV sets for the football game. All-in-all I recommend it for those experienced eaters looking for some decent-to-good Mexican food in Hawaii; Los Chaparros in Moiliili might have the edge on them in a few places but I'd have to go back and try The Mexico again to confirm this suspicion.

    (4)

  • May L.

    Hmm. Meh. Expensive. Almost $20 for a fajita? And you put skirt steak for THAT?! I've had cheaper AND tastier steak on a sizzling plate for HALF THE PRICE! Service. SUCKS! We came on a Monday night 8pm. We weren't greeted till almost 8:30! Drinks took forever. We were seated right next to the bar, and the bartender was there the whole time pretending that he did not see us. At least come by and say someone would be here in a bit. That's the least you can do when you are slammed! Food. A okay. My friends loved their enchiladas. Fajita was below average. Margaritas. Tasted like regular margaritas. It's hard to screw up on that. Won't be back.

    (2)

  • Joanne H.

    One of the best on island....but thats not saying much as there is noooooo good mexican food here. Prices are good, food is ok, service is GREAT.

    (4)

  • Megan T.

    I was totally unsure about this place. I mean, I Mexican Restaurant in Hawaii? Really? The actual restaurant in very cute. They have a good sized menu and well as drinks. Oh and like every Mexican beer you can think of! I got enchiladas and my husband got the chimichanga. The food was good, not the best I've ever had but it was good. As far as the service goes, it was good as well. Again, not the best I've ever had, but good. I may go back if I'm really craving Mexican.

    (3)

  • Daniel D.

    This place has mixed reviews. Got a lot of friends that says that its good, for me I had better. Service was ok since the first 30-45 minutes they were open there was only one waiter/host. On a positive, the serving size was more than I can finsh.

    (2)

  • J.J. M.

    A good place to get your authentic Mexican food fix. The atmosphere is great. The service is good. The space can accommodate big groups. However, beware parking is limited in number and space. There's a small lot for the restaurant. I suggest you carpool and take a small car; otherwise, park on the street or around the neighborhood. Watching a large truck navigate through the itty bitty space looks absolutely ridiculous.

    (3)

  • Florence K.

    By far, the BEST Mexican food I have found in Hawaii. And yes I've tried quite a bit of establishments. I've been staring at this restaurant every time I drive past it, and always mention to my boyfriend that I want to try it. Luckily, we got to come here the other night for dinner and it was so good. I think the only thing that people may find bad about this place is the parking. There's definitely not that many stalls, and if the restaurant was crowded, customers may have to park on the street and walk. However, I easily found parking in the lot, so I'm not complaining. We were greeted immediately and had a choice to sit in the dining area or near the bar, but we didn't have a preference so she sat us on a tablenext to the bar. Immediately after we sat, the server/bartender placed a basket of chips and salsa on our table. We both ordered grande margaritas-me the strawberry, the boyfriend the mango, and boy were they definitely grande. I was definitely surprised at the size of the cup. I think I definitely started feeling the alcohol go through my bloodstream after a third of that cocktail. I decided to order the grande burrito, because it sounded good to me at the time, and my boyfriend got the Mamamia burrito, minus the shrimp (he's allergic). They were both huge portions. Again, that grande burrito, definitely was a big one. And they were both DELICIOUS. That was the best fish burrito I've ever tried. And that grande burrito was so yummy as well. I can't think of any place I've ever had better Mexican food. I left the restaurant full (and I only ate half my burrito) and buzzed. I'll definitely be making my way here many more times!

    (5)

  • Leah P.

    The food was so/so at best. For everyone who says its amazing I wonder if they have ever had real Mexican food. Because this just isn't it!!!

    (2)

  • Malea K.

    Great food, great service and amazing coconut margarita! I had the fajita burrito and the chicken was bomb and my boyfriend got the chipotle scallops and he loved them!

    (5)

  • Marissa J.

    Closest I've seen to mexican food since we came to Hawaii. The food is great! and the service is good as well! Sometimes getting a table can be difficult because this is a popular local place so go during off hours unless you don't mind waiting!

    (4)

  • David G.

    Really!!! Still bad... Even their simple dishes are poorly executed. From their jar like salsa to their terrible beans each dish seemed to gets worse. There are many reviews pertaining to their rude or lackluster service. It's kind of funny because that's the last area one should be concerned with. Start with the food! A knowledgeable child could prepare better Mexican food. To give an example: Chilaquiles are made with simple leftover ingredients to make a great breakfast dish.Their preparation or more specifically their interpretation was: dry eggs on dry crispy chips with no flavor, no cheese and almost no sauce. How can this place stay in business??? On a positive note: their decorations are nice along with the cleanliness of the restaurant. It is extremely clean; including the kitchen, which is a rarity among Hawaiian restaurants! Run while you can...

    (2)

  • Laura R.

    My gf and I first learned of this restaurant while driving through Kalihi one afternoon. It appeared to be a popular spot, so we decided to hit it up for a date night. Two words: big mistake. (Full disclosure: I even read the Yelp reviews before we went there, but my stubbornness won out!) The first sign that things were not going to go well is that they tried to seat us right by the front door, even though the majority of the restaurant was empty. We requested to be reseated and ended up in the bar (improvement!), but despite the fact that I could see cases of beer from our table...our waiter took 15 minutes to getting around to take our drink order (again, majority of the restaurant was empty - we were the only people seated in the bar). The beer selection was typical....and, in retrospect, I should have gone with a tequila drink since I don't have a taste for lagers. At any rate, if the service was bad, the food was worse. I had a carne asada taco salad...which was decidedly unexciting. If you can imagine a hospital deciding to make this as their evening meal, then you can probably imagine what this tasted like. No flavor! My girlfriend ordered a fajita wrap, which was not a whole lot different than what I ordered except it had bell peppers and was dripping (quite literally, dripping) with oil. If you're waiting with bated breath to find out how this meal ended, you are SOL. We asked for the check halfway through the meal. The well-appointedl restroom was the highlight of the experience. It had nice fixtures and was much more pleasant than most restaurant bathrooms I've experienced. In fact, the general decor of the restaurant was nice enough overall, although it seemed like the owners/decorators decided to put any wall hanging with words written on them up on the wall. I'll give this place 2 stars based on the fact that the food wasn't inedible and the ambience was pleasant enough. P.S. The prices they ask for this food is outrageous. Do yourself a favor: Skip Mexico Restaurant and go to Serg's for a great taco/fajita salad! They even let you bring your own beer!

    (2)

  • Karen T.

    Service is is good. Food comes out in 5-10 minutes, our water is always filled, chips and salsa are good. Food is good although I will admit that I haven't had too much Mexican Food to compare it to. I've had several dishes here and no complaints. My favorite is the Combo Fajita's. There's so much food I always take home half my plate. Drinks-They have a Li Hing Mui Margarita that I just love! If I'm in the mood for alcohol that's what I get. If no I get the horchata that comes in a mini pitcher. Overall, I would suggest eating in if you can-you get the chips and salsa! :)

    (4)

  • Mossberg S.

    Went there twice, and both times we had terrible service. The sad part, there was only 4 tables of patrons. Our server pretty much neglected us as if we were some Micronesian lepers. I dont want to babble, so in a nutshell... the big fat girl, and the creepy looking server dude that looks like he fondles cats are complete IDIOTS!! Never again at this over-hyped place.

    (1)

  • Chad Y.

    A mexican restaurant named Mexico? How original right? So when a friend wanted to check it out, I was a bit apprehensive. After much debate, I decided to go and let me just start of with this. It is damn good Mexican food considering this is Hawaii. Let's not attempt to compare this to food we can get in California or Texas, cause we got nothing on them. Yet, if you are in Honolulu and want mexican food in a comfortable environment with good service, Mexico Restaurant is the place to go! I certainly have gone on several occasions. Tucked off School Street, parking can be hard to come by, but go around the block or park on the street. The restaurant itself is tastefully appointed in a rustic surrounding that is nostalgic of a mexican marketplace. There is a mariachi band playing on many nights, although it gets very loud. So if you do go on those nights, ask for a table away from the door, or you won't be able to hear anything at the end of the night nor will you be able to have a conversation. The menu is diverse with your traditional staples like tacos, buritos, horchatas, chimichangas and everything else you can imagine. It is wide ranging and definitely pleases. The burritos were huge and full of flavor, I opted for the chicken on one occasion and it was delicious. On the second time I tried the steak which was even better!The margaritas are huge by the way. and the strawberry is heaven. Service is good and quick, although you may have to ask to get your water refilled on several occasions. Especially if you order the hot sauce... Definitely worth checking out and if I want Mexican food in Honolulu, Mexico is probably the first that comes to mind!

    (4)

  • J. Lewis E.

    Mexico Restaurant has decent food. But I don't recommend the establishment for the following reason: If you were to order the combo dish where you choose from the common dishes i.e. taco, enchilada, chile relleno, etc. And let's say you wanted 3 beef tacos, you would pay $18.50. Folks, this is a sort of rustic place. A cantina. No way 3 tacos (rice & beans included) should cost $18.50 at this type of place! The restaurant lacks value. They keep raising their prices when, if truth be told, they need to lower them. Also, if anyone has been in Mexico, salsa & chips are gratis, including refills. At this restaurant after the chips are gone, a refill will cost you a dollar.

    (2)

  • Jasmine M.

    I thought the ambiance of this place was great. Been here a few times but my recent visit has ensured I won't be back. The food was fantastic before. Delicious, no issues. Tasted like authentic Mexican food. Now I feel as if they're taking shortcuts. Food wasnt even tasty I feel like I would have been happier driving through Taco Bell I know that sounds bad, but I can't picture wasting my hard earned money on mediocre Mexican food. Service was okay, live music was way too loud, kept yelling to talk to my friends. Won't be back.

    (2)

  • Marty R.

    Mexico was recommended by people my wife works with so we stopped for dinner while in town last night, a Monday. The place is easy to find on School Street, but the parking is limited, on a steep incline, and treacherously tight. Even before getting to the door we could hear the sound of live music and thought it a nice touch. That is, until we got inside and seated. The restaurant is very small and the man playing guitar/singing was using an amplifier. The volume was way too loud!! Any conversation, even with the person sitting right next to you, had to wait until between songs or be shouted. The musician was quite talented and had he been playing acoustically it would of been a wonderful addition to the experience, not the annoyance it was. Our waiter took our drink order (soft drinks) and then our food order when he returned with those. We started the meal with a large order of Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms, They were awesome! Piping hot whole mushrooms prepared with fresh garlic, butter, and cheese, then finished in a broiler. The mushrooms were well cooked and not overdone/mushy, had just the right amount of garlic and the cheese was gooey and stringy and crisped around the edges. Yum! As is too often the case when eating out, our entrees arrived halfway through our appetizer course. I really dislike that! I had traditional tacos with lengua (beef tongue) which came with rice and beans. My wife ordered the Grande Burrito. They allowed her to substitute rice and beans for the salad that came with it. Nice touch! (My wife always tests the rice and beans at Mexican restaurants to gauge of how good the place is... kind of a baseline measurement.) My tacos were good, though I questioned the waiter whether the meat was actually lengua or just their regular beef. He assured me it was beef tongue... but I'm still a bit incredulous. Either way, they were okay. I don't think the tortillas are made fresh, but there was a decent amount of meat, onion and cilantro fillings topped with an avocado based sauce. It might of been described as guacamole on the menu, but was almost perfectly smooth and rather bland. My wife enjoyed her Grande Burrito, which has both chicken and beef fillings. She was able to finish a little over half of it before reaching her limit. I'll let her Yelp any other thoughts she has about it! Oh, the rice and beans? The rice was "okay", moist and fluffy, cooked in chicken stock I think with maybe a little tomato paste for color. No onions, peppers or other spices that I could detect. The beans were a disappointment. For me, they're not refried beans if they're not made with lard. You just don't get that creamy, luxurious feeling on the tongue without it. Overall, nothing was bad, but then again the only thing worth raving about was the garlic mushrooms. It was the only plate we finished! I won't discourage anyone from trying the place themselves, but maybe find out what days the guitar player has off and go then. Or maybe stuff his tip jar and ask him to play acoustically for you!

    (2)

  • David C.

    I think authentic Mexican cuisine is one of the great Cuisines of the World. Yucatan peninsula cuisine is amazingly fresh, flavorful and thoughtful. Just like French, Chinese, Italian, and Turkish cuisines. Beware: This is not authentic Mexican food. It is American-styled Mexican food from the 80s where large plates with mounds of food are covered with cheese and tossed into the oven or microwave for warmth and cheese melt. Out comes the plate, toss on cold wet greens and plops of sour cream and guacamole and serve. Yuck. Complimentary chips are too thick and salsa tasted like canned tomato paste with chopped onions in it. Carne asada was not good. Not sure if it was actually marinated and if it was the flavors weren't there. They have a nice one page explanation of the "Origins of Mexican Food" with a full paragraph on Oaxacan food and moles. They don't have any on their menu. Won't be back unless I'm in the mood for decent Mexican atmosphere, ok pitchers of margaritas, and average Mexican food. Pretty much never.

    (1)

  • Michelle M.

    Gosh...Why do I even think about trying new Mexican restaurants around here?? I cant seem to find anything that works...or even tastes halfway decent. So, since I am working in the Upper Kalihi area now, I have found that there are a few lunch options to choose from. This was just one of the many around my new digs and since the group from work wanted to eat there because it was "OOOHHH SOOOO GOOD", I reluctantly agreed. Grrrr...flavorless, way too many beans...canned refried beans at that! EWWWW... I had a chicken burrito with the Verde sauce. I almost mistook it for a piece of soggy cardboard with some green sauce on it because it tasted so bland. The rice was made nicely, but again, lacked any sazon. I guess I should premise this review by saying that I normally dont prefer Mexican food...but I have had decent Mexican, and this is certainly not it. Thank goodness it was a work lunch because then I would have been really sad. Not a winner in my book.

    (1)

  • Alex M.

    This place is hands down the best Mexican restaurant on the island. Not only is it cleaner than the (few) other Mexican restaurants on the island, but it is warm, cozy and welcoming. The decor of the restaurant reflects the Mexican culture and every time I've gone there has been some great Hispanic musicians playing the guitar and singing. Ambiance deserves a 5/5. The staff was very kind, executed every step of service smoothly, and dishes were prepared quickly. Service gets a 5/5. The food is amazing and the portions are big. I usually get their burritos and boy are they delicious. This is as close as you'll get to authentic Mexican food. Food gets a 5/5.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    To me, a great restaurant has to be clicking in sync on three things. First, the ambiance. Secondly, the service. And third, the food. A good restaurant can still have two of the three and be fine. An alright restaurant might have one of them or maybe a little in all three categories. Thankfully, Mexico has all three in spades. I've never been to a true 'authentic' Mexican restaurant before. The decor in this place is pretty cool. It almost feels as if it came out of the movie set from Desperado or something. They even have a guy posted by the door singing his renditions of Christmas songs in Spanish. I love it. The service here was great. Our server might have forgotten our drinks once or twice but the rest of the time she was splendid. She was always aware of who needed more glasses of water or glasses for margaritas even though our party and table size kept growing as the night proceeded. They could have used maybe one or two more servers that night since it seemed like our poor girl got overwhelmed at times, but all in all, it was great. The food was awesome. Everything from the simple chips and salsa to the garlic mushroom appetizer. Crab quesadilla was very well done. I had the kalua pig tacos and it almost melted in your mouth. I'd love to come back here again to try some of the items I was interested in. The only downside to this place is the parking lot. As many have said, it's small, cramped, and there's only one way in and out. This can cause confusion and traffic jams. The experience of Mexico is worth the trouble though.

    (4)

  • Gaelen L.

    I'm not normally a fan of mexican food, but this place was good! They are normally busy and have a very small parking lot but the food is better than most Mexican places I have eaten. I like the choose 2-3-4 plate where you can pick from burritos, tacos, enchiladas, etc. and make your own meal. Of course each can be changed from chicken to beef or shredded beef. They have very large margaritas and big bar too!

    (4)

  • Wayne S.

    The parking absolutely sucks!! the lot is small, turning around to leave is irritating, and if there isnt any parking then pray that you can find street parking. Having said that and getting the bad out of the way, once you walk in the weight of the stress you were feeling while just trying to get into the restaurant (parking) is gone with a quick sigh. As soon as you walk in you hear the music from the one man bad right at the door. I mean not the bestest but adds so much to the environment which makes it pretty darn good. Shortly after the busy buzzing waitresses come by and drop chips and salsa at your table. a few moments later they come by again and ask if you are ready to order.....well i was but still had some questions and she was very willing to take the time to answer my questions. Had the lobster something and my wife got the other something that i dont even remember but it was so good. You know the food was really good but the environment and the service really added to a great experience.

    (5)

  • KaimukiMan H.

    First of all this is Honolulu, not LA or San Diego, or Albuquerque, or even Houston. This is still one of Honolulu's best Mexican restaurants. I have only one major complaint. The tortilla chips. Bad, very very bad. They are stale, hard but not crisp, heavy with no air pockets, no lightness. and god alone knows how long they spend stacked up next to the kitchen service window. Absolutely hands down the worst tortilla chips I've ever had anywhere. The ones in a cello pack from the grocery store are better. They should be ashamed to even have these in the restaurant. I was with a friend who is undergoing chemo. She said, geeze these taste like cardboard. I said it isn't the chemo, they DO taste like cardboard.

    (3)

  • Papiloa J.

    Total Fan! Easily The Best Mex On Oahu! *Service: Friendly, Attentive, Quick *Ambience: Fun/Authentic Mex Vibe, Separate Bar Area, Live Music on occassion *Food: On Point & Delish! Complimentary Chips (as it should be!), Great Selection *Beverages: Good - not fab, Horchata Is Good, Margaritas Are Yummy Too *Price: Above Average (compared to what you would pay in San Diego for good Mex) *Parking: Limited to about 15 cars total and awkward to maneuver Good For: Themed Parties, Groups, Fun Date Night Out, Lunch or Dinner, Live Mex Music (check site as days for music vary) Recommendations: -Don't order any appetizers unless you are in a group or can control yourself from gobbling down all of the complimentary chips! -Go for dinner! While this spot is awesome anytime, their food is soooo heavy and served in such gracious portions (not a prob for me!) that I often feel like I need a decent nap afterward. Dinner is best, so you don't kill the rest of your day :) -If you are planning on having dessert after your meal, ask first if they still have any. Seems silly, but they run out quick and you don't want to be disappointed :( -Get their Mama Burrito. Can't remember exact name, but ask waitress/waiter he or she will know - UHMAAAZING!! I'm pretty sure I ate my left-over for breakfast the next day at 5am and I swear it was even better then! Papi Says: "The Mexico? Yeah Baby!"

    (4)

  • Ed L.

    I was in search of a good mexican place near my work place, so I ventured out to this place. After some reassurring Yelp reviews, I went here instead of my usual Subway and tried to venture something new. I'm surprised to say that this place was pretty decent. The ambiance was like a regular typical bar and restaurant. Small, but effective. The neighborhood it is in isn't that great, but you would not want to be there at night. You know, Kalihi, and all that. The food was average, I must admit. Not stellar quality that I thought. I ordered take out for lunch, so the dining area was not even crowded at all. I had the wet burrito. It was tasty, but it could have been better. The price was overwhelming, but I suppose it makes up for it in portion size.

    (3)

  • Darron A.

    I really wanted to like this restaurant. Really I did. It just didn't live up to the standard of, well many establishments I've dined at. Now granted, we went about an hour before closing, but we were surprised at how consistently poor our experience was. First of all, I loved the live music. The guitar player and singer was fabulous. He was the highlight of our evening. Which isn't saying much considering how the rest of the night went. We were served the complimentary chips and salsa before we even ordered our drinks, which was good. One basket was perfectly fine, the other had many chips that tasted burnt. I can power down just about anything, but he chips were a little tough. When it came to our meal, we ordered the Taco Salad, and a 3 entree Mexican combo with a Pork Tamal, a cheese enchilada, and a chicken taco. Our daughter does not generally like sauces so we ordered the enchilada sauce on the side. When it came out, it was smothered in it. I enjoyed the red sauce since it had a nice smokey flavor to it, but it was definitely too spicy for my daughter. This was somewhat trivial, and I would have overlooked it at the time. But my wife's taco salad was the kicker. The ground beef was absolutely pink. I'd say a hearty medium pink, which is too pink for anyone who prefers to not spend the rest of the week yacking up an intestine. We showed the server and she graciously removed it from the bill without us asking. (Incidentally I overheard the party at the table next to us send back a chicken dish as well. Must have been a real off night for the kitchen!) When I was handed the bill, I looked at the rundown of the receipt and saw there were 3 Dos XX Ambers on there. Come to find out it was someone else's tab, which is quite amusing since we were the second to last party in the restaurant! After I got the correct bill, I promptly put cash in the folder and left it on the corner of our table for our server to take. But it sat there for 5 minutes while the server was gabbing with the kitchen staff. It probably would have been longer if it wasn't for me getting up from my chair and asking if I was supposed to pay at the bar (I actually assumed I was supposed to since our server never came back). Instead of immediately making change and handing it back to me, our server handed it off for someone else to do and went back to the kitchen window to talk some more. By this time I was pretty impatient and it seemed like an eternity that I was standing there waiting for my change. It was definitely long enough to make me think she was taking my change for a 33% tip! All in all, it was definitely not a great first experience for us, and even though it's hailed by other yelpers as the best Mexican restaurant on the island we likely won't be going back. Plus one star for the live music. That guy is a great singer/guitarist!

    (2)

  • Allie L.

    A girlfriend of mine was super gung-ho to try this place. Like the true Yelp believer I am, I looked here to see what the deal is. And...I was left unsure to be honest. It's either, "BEST MEXICAN IN HAWAII!" or "OMG, WORST MEXICAN EVAAAAR!". I guess you could say my experience was...whelming. The decor is cute, the menu is extensive, we weren't treated so nicely by one server (though he wasn't OUR server, who was great.), and the live musica was bueno. The food took a while to come out, I got a Mexico combo with chile relleno (good!) and a beef enchilada (meh.). My drinks were the highlights. Michelada with Pacifico; next time I'll get it with Modelo, basically a Mexican Bloody Mary. And the horchata is worth getting, it's awesome. Too bad for my sweet tooth, they were out of ALL DESSERTS. Maybe that's why my subconscious knocked off a star...

    (3)

  • Nanea L.

    This a hole in the wall restaurant. The neighborhood makes it look ghetto. But once inside, the decor will completely change your mind! Lived next to this for a couple years, while it was being renovated & never got to experience it. But finally came here and I must say it was worth the drive since I don't live near it anymore. This restaurant is located in the heart of Kalihi or maybe a little off to the side. In the middle of Kamehameha Shopping Center and Lanakila Community Park. Or if your familiar with Elena's Hawaiian Food, almost directly across from there. Very authentic Mexican foood. I love the inside it's so cute. The signs are super funny along with the staff. I only gave it 4 stars because I had this old man that was serving my mom&I, and he was a bit irritating. But maybe because he was old? I wanted more patron in my margarita but it was whatever. LOL the margaritas are supeeeeeeeer good, along with the nacos&the beef tounge. haha The portions are very big and generous. Not to mention they have happy hour! From 2-5pm! GOOOOOOOOOOOO! :)

    (4)

  • Lima Z.

    Great food especially when they have a band playing in the background it just makes everything so authentic

    (5)

  • Spacechimp S.

    Been craving mexican food for a few weeks and kept driving by this aptly named, fairly new, restaurant across from Helena's Hawaiian Food on School Street. On a random thursday last week, we stopped by to check it out. When we arrived, parking was plentiful in the lot beside and behind the building, but found the area kind of shady considering it was dusk and there tends to be a bunch of men drinking in the oddly-placed park in the back. When we entered the restaurant, I found the interior design, though adorned with your standard Mexican decor, to feel slightly off. I think it was because there is a huge wooden bar on one side of the large room, but because of a lack of a liquor license, it was bare. Once seated, we started looking over the menu while a single Mariachi with guitar in hand played music and sang in the corner. Even though the large room had about 16 patrons and with the (microphone-less) musician standing 20 feet away, it was kind of hard to carry a conversation because he was so loud. Don't get me wrong, he had a great voice and was talented, I'd just prefer to enjoy a meal without the sensation of standing in front of an amplified speaker at a Los Lobos concert. Yes, it was pretty loud. As far as the food goes, it was kind of hit and miss. I thought the free house salsa was a little dry and not that good, but the homemade chips was ok, and I've had a tastier carnitas plate. However, our sauteed mushroom and cheese appetizer was awesome, and so was my blackened shrimp tacos! Yuummm! The service was pretty good and the prices comparable to similar restaurants here. All and all, I'd go again, but mainly because it's the closest mexican restaurant to my house. (Well, and for those delicious shrimp tacos) Seriously readers, if nothing else, just try these tacos!

    (4)

  • Susan N.

    i would not expect a great mexican restaurant in Hawaii. We heard from a friend it was a great restaurant. Mexico is one of the best mexican restaurant we have been to. Living in San Diego in the past we are pretty particular. My husband had enchaladas that were one of the best he had ever had. I had delicious beef tacos and guacamole dip. Both exceptional. if you like mexican this is the place

    (4)

  • Rudolf H.

    Came here once maybe four years ago. Wasn't impressed then or I would've been back. Could've been the parking lot though, that's more like a parking trap. My eight year old companion and I were seated quickly. I brought him since he's an expert in Mexican food. For example, he grades a Mexican restaurant on their salsa. Ordered two tacos and a quesadilla combination for $20? Recommended size by the waiter, who'd called the plate huge. He'd approached us from behind. Had to turn my head to address him while he leaned against a post. Maybe he was tired. Food came reasonably fast. Unfortunately, the food was tired too, bland, with dry, tasteless meat, and did I mention the tacos and quesadilla were tiny? Came on a huge plate though, with a side of smeared out refried beans to make it look like a lot, a sprinkling of chopped lettuce and tomatoes, and the rice, also spread out, was a joyless Uncle Ben joke, overcooked and again, bland, like it came out of the microwave. Maybe it did. The quesadilla arrived separately and the items on both plates were barely a quarter inch in height, if even. Maybe they were saving on fillings that night. My eight year old on-loan companion soon pushed his plate away, declaring it not tasty. And he eats everything, even the surprisingly spicy salsa that came with the nachos and was put in front of him without so much as a warning. Luckily, he's an expert in Mexican food, carefully dipped a nacho in the salsa, like a toe into a hot bath, liked it, but in the end declared Taco Bell the better place. Taco Bell, really? He kids me not and illuminates me on what makes it so, which I won't repeat here, because that's too embarrassing for a "real" restaurant. So, what's the attraction at Mexico's? The place was busy, there was live music by a guy who apparently only knows the standard Spanish/Mexican songs--the ones you're sick of hearing--the place is loud so you can hardly understand your table partner, but it's obviously popular with people looking for a good time. Good for them they don't come for the food, unless they know better dishes to order than the mainstays we came for. Bottom line, we won't be back. We left hungry and went somewhere for desert. For $20 I can have a helluvalot better food that feeds two at Taco Bell apparently, but if you don't mind driving a bit, Cha Cha Cha in Hawaii Kai has way better tacos and quesadillas and a homemade salsa that's so hot and tasty it deserves to be sold in bottles. They even make their own corn chips the waitress told me. I've already announced the trip to my young companion. He can't wait to get his hands on some real Mexican food he says. He's picky, repeated that you can know if a Mexican restaurant is any good by the salsa. Apparently not.

    (1)

  • Isela W.

    I really really like this restaurant the reason it lost a star is because since I'm an avid watcher of restaurant nightmares they violated something huge when I was having dinner. They rolled the garbage out while everyone was eating. Not very nice. The food and service was excellent though. They should have been five stars they just got bad timing on garbage take out. Should be done when there's no guests.

    (4)

  • Big Daddy O.

    Been there half a dozen times. The Decor is typical south of the border. Every time I go there I can't help but order the Mamamia burrito. It is a seafood burrito with a cream sauce to die for. The portions are more than generous. I rarely am able to finish this burrito. I've also had the shrimp cocktail. Wow that is some good! I've also sampled the traditional fajita. Again the portion was huge. And coming in on a sizzling platter it can't help but impress. Their top of the line dish is the padron. A ribeye steak dinner with a Mexican twist is a dish that can't be beat. Again, the portions are huge. The restaurant is clean and orderly. The service is excellent. The waitresses are attentive and keep the water glasses filled. We haven't been disappointed by any of the meals we've had there. I think the most enjoyable aspect is the ambience. They have a Mexican guitarist there named Ali. The dude is very accomplished. The atmosphere there is very cheerful and festive. I would've rated it supreme however I have to drop one star because the parking is horrible. Get there early and you get a good spot. Get there late and you're on your own. Would I go there again? In a heartbeat. I recommend this place to anyone who wants good authentic Mexican food. And plenty of it!

    (4)

  • Jeff A.

    Agua! Please I need agua! Come on we sitting next to the pick up window and no one noticed our empty cups? Overall the food is killer! Parking sucks or is because of the dumb ass that blocked the driveway?!?!? So food great! Service so so!

    (4)

  • Arleen D.

    This is my fourth time eating here. It is so good. Authentic Mexican dishes. Great margaritas. Friendly staff. Can't believe this restaurant exists in Kalihi.

    (4)

  • Kenyan K.

    This is my favorite Mexican restaurant on Oahu so far. I used to eat here like once a month for lunch when I worked at Fort Shafter since it was so good and close. The quality and quantity of the food is terrific. The prices are on the low end for the amount of food you get. I always leave super full and have to fight to stay awake in the afternoon. The salsa they serve with their free chips is really good. I've eaten their tacos and burritos with shredded beef. They have many types of huge burritos like the deep fried chimichanga but even the plain burrito for about $10 is super big. The parking lot here is very small and finding street parking is also challenging. I've only eaten here for lunch but it gets pretty crowded.

    (4)

  • Ryan L.

    Great food and live music! Probably one of the best places to eat over the boarder food. I've gotten food poisoning from this place once but i still go back for more. It took some time to get over the fact that someone didn't wash their hands. Food and service is a go here.

    (4)

  • Trish P.

    Crab Chimichanga..... and not imitation crab..... REAL crab. and not skimpy..... plentiful chunks of real crab. and its a chimichanga.... a delicious fried chimichanga..... covered in guac and sour cream. go ahead - think about it for a second.... you want one. you know you do. AND nachos? - they're good, but dont expect fake liquid cheese - they use the real stuff! AND sauteed mushrooms? - they're killer! but let them cool down b/c if you dont, you wont be able to taste the rest of your meal. p.s. - get the horchata!!!

    (4)

  • Susana C.

    First impression. Loved the decor and atmosphere! There was someone close to the door playing playing an organ and singing. Not super loud but we definitely had to raise our voices to hear each other from across the table. It wasn't crowded (Wednesday night) though their parking lot was full. Service was decent -- not super quick but not slacking either. Server dropped off salsa and chips right off the bat and was ready to take out orders. I had their crab quesadilla plate (about $15). Decent amount of crab but nothing really special. Basically crab and cheese served with black beans and rice. Drinks are served in mini pitchers. Cool touch. I had a lemonade that was pretty good -- not too sweet. Servers were friendly and atmosphere was very casual and comfortable. Great place to hang out. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Mari M.

    We don't have many Mexican places in Hawai`i (no, Taco Bell and Taco Del Mar don't count d:). Fortunately, there is Mexico Restaurant! The food is delicious (I usually get enchiladas) and the portions are large. Sometimes they have a live band, which can be a bit too noisy if you're trying to have a conversation with someone, as it's a medium sized restaurant. On some days, service seemed a bit slow but the food was worth it. I live all the way in Waipio but whenever I have a craving for Mexican food (which is pretty often, as it is my favorite type of food), this is always my first choice.

    (4)

  • Yoselyn F.

    Recommend the horchata, anything with the papaya guac sauce and the garlic shrimp pllate! Li Hi margarita is amazing!!! Service tends to be great but the food has had rough patches when they switch cooks.

    (4)

  • Victoria T.

    I arrived about an hour before closing on a Monday night and found the dining room mostly empty. There was a table shared by two women having a bite and a beer, a fellow at the bar, and a family at a table in the main dining area. I stood around for a few minutes before grabbing a takeout menu to occupy my time. The bartender then told me to sit anywhere I liked. The waitress was friendly and quick, attentive without hovering. I ordered the Guadalajara Fajitas, a sizzling skillet of shrimp, steak, chicken, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and baby corn served with refriend beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and flour tortillas. I asked for no onion and for the cook to add tomatoes instead. I got no onion, no mushrooms, and no baby corn. I did get the tomatoes. I was all excited about my giant meal and hunkered in to feast. And disappointment settled in. The whole plate was bland. It was as if the cook was somehow angry with the spice rack and refused to even consider its presence. The chicken did, however, have a strange flavor that I couldn't quite place and didn't really want to. Sadly, I have no desire to try any other items on the menu.

    (2)

  • P M.

    I live down the street from here and EVERYTIME I come here I feel it's a solid 3 stars. One of these days I'm gonna remember not to come here. This lady brought us our water and spilled it all over the table. Then, she didn't even wipe it up. So we had spilled water there the whole time. Even someone with common sense would know to wipe it. The food is really not that good. I always get seafood dishes so that could be it? The portions are really decent sized and it's not cheap but not expensive either for a sit down restaurant. I was there last Monday and there was a singer playing his guitar. But it took 15 minutes to even take our order--another 25 to get a pork enchilada (1 plate), and 10 minutes more to get our two fried banana desserts we ordered. We were waiting for our car to get fixed so the waitress offered to bring the food out as it's ready ...how does it take 35 min for desserts? Btw, the best food I've ever had here was the fried banana dessert. She would come by and ask us if we wanted something and never come back with it! You would think she would bring my husband beer that she offered because it would raise our tab right? No. And you would think she would want to bring us our tab quickly right so she can get rid of us and get more customers? No. Idk, I think maybe she just doesn't want to get paid. After we paid I realized she undercharged us. What a dummy! Even if we got undercharged every time, it still wouldn't be worth it.

    (2)

  • AnnaKopatiola H.

    Parking sucked & waitress wanted us to share a table with strangers.. Food was awesome compared to Taco Bell.

    (3)

  • Cintamani A.

    Apparently, I've come here enough that one of the main servers (the one who usually has her son there) always treats me graciously. She even knows my mom at this point and asks about me which even softens my Grinch like heart. I like how she and most of the other workers are Mexican which may sound racist but if I'm having Mexican food I want it to made by Mexicans! One of the rare places I recommend to people from the Mainland since I'm sure they'll find it a cut above the usual Mexican fare here. I've never had a negative or even disappointing experience with the food regardless of what I have ordered. My relatives from LA have enjoyed the food also. Good variety of classic staples, generous servings and mucho flavorful.It's shocking that of all the places I've ordered carne asada that Mexico has consistently outperformed ever place even though it's such an easy dish to make. The parking lot and live music are the only things that make it difficult to dine there. It can be tricky to maneuver out of there or find any parking at times. I've seen countless people almost crash their cars. It's small with stalls that are too small. The appearance of the restaurant is a bit haggard, dingy and dark but has charm nonetheless. Honestly, I'm unsure about the cleanliness since the darkness makes it hard to look at the dark furniture. At least the bathroom is decent and clean. It is great that they have live music every single time we've gone there. They are great performers singing in Spanish who play beautiful music. The only drawback is that it's so loud that it pretty much holds a table captive from communicating since it's so deafening. If you don't want to look rude while their give me such an emotionally wrought performance don't expect much dinner banter. They just really need a better name...

    (4)

  • Susan P.

    Lets start off by saying the decor is cute. It pretty much ends there as far as authentic goes. I have really tried to like this place. I have been here at least a half dozen times, mostly because it is so hard to find any decent Mexican food on the island. I'll admit I'm spoiled by growing up in Los Angeles and San Diego, both places with some of the best Mexican food in the country. What makes this place lose stars, is that the food is never the same. One day the retried beans are so watery that you can use a straw, other times, they are perfect. Tonight sealed it for me. I will NEVER go back there again! Every time I go, I have ordered the sizzling Queso appetizer. To start with, it is priced way to high. $9.95 for a plate of melted cheese is kinda ridiculous. But I love that I can put that gooey cheese in warm flour tortillas. YUMMY. Tonight I order my appetizer and the waitress just puts it on the table and walks away. I waited 10 minutes for her to return so I could ask about my warm flour tortillas. She tells me it doesn't come with warm tortillas,only the stale chips on the table. I tell her I always get the warmed tortillas, she says I must be mistaken. WHATEVER! Here's the kicker. I look up at the kitchen area and there iOS my waitress complaining about me to another waitress, they were staring at me and when I made eye contact, they both tried to look away, too late, I caught them. So UNPROFESSIONAL! My dinner was cold, the combo meal with a chile rellano which was ice cold and a watery bean and cheese burrito. I asked I for the check and the waitress tells me that her manager was going to come speak to me. I told her I did not want to speak to the manager, I just wanted the check so I could leave. 2 minutes later, a man in a black shirt comes p and tells me that the Queso does not come with tortillas, only chips. If someone was giving me free tortillas, they shouldn't have. Mind you that this man didn't even introduce himself, just started talking. By now, I'm angry. I told the waitress I didn't want the manager and I sure the heck didn't want to be told the 5 times I've eaten there before I should have been charged extra for my tortilla's. SO OVER IT! My recommendation is too eat elsewhere. Less hassle, better service...

    (2)

  • Mai T.

    Best Mexican food on the Island. Staff are amazing. Service is great. I absolutely LOVE the atmosphere, live music, decorations. Margaritas are phenomenal. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place :)

    (5)

  • Paige G.

    Cadillac Margaritas! Yes, please! Nachos and queso dip were our appetizers. Oh, and more margaritas! Been here for pupu & drinks and also for lunch. It has a busy lunch crowd from the Army post nearby so if you can go before 11:30 or after 2pm you'd have a shorter wait time for service. Food is sooo good, though! Oh and those margaritas!

    (4)

  • Jamila J.

    Baby friendly.

    (5)

  • Kristina E.

    Yelp comrades, sorry to say but you got this one wrong for once. Mexico Restaurant was a HUGE disappointment. Food was barely edible, the serivce isn't good and the parking situation just sucks. Went here for lunch in a group of 6, bottom line is that no one enjoyed their experience or food. Overall concensus was that the salsa and chips were nothing special, rice was bland, some meats were salty, and the cheese tasted like velveeta. Sure they give a big portion but does that really matter when the food is sub-par? No one was able to finish their food and no one wanted to take their left-overs home. It took our server forever to take our order in the first place. Then waiting for our food took another 30+ minutes. When we asked for water while waiting for our food, we didn't get a refill until she brought our check. Really? Are we supposed to drink our water while paying for our bill when we were thirsty for a long time while we were eating your salty meats? There's a parking lot for the restaurant but to get in and out is a chore in itself. Granted the area it's in isn't good for parking anywhere but the parking is so narrow and beat up. When two SUVs are parked across from each other, you can hardly squeeze a compact car down the lane. Then to get out you either have to reverse out or go off-roading on a severly beat up road to get out. Last point I want to add is that it's so loud in there! We couldn't even keep up a conversation with people across the table from us because the sound kept bouning off the walls. Bottom line, there's waaaaaay better Mexican food out there, skip Mexico Restaurant. Needless to say, all 6 of us will not be back.

    (1)

  • Christina Z.

    I don't understand how this place has any good reviews. The service was not good, there was a woman working there I do not know if she was a manager but we sat next to the bar and all she did was stand there, boss the waiters and bus boys around, curse, flirt with the bartender and say very inappropriate and unprofessional comments. The bartender was our waiter as well as bartender, his service was OK. The horchata is watered down and the guacamole is like paste, not good at all. The margaritas were not good at all, probably the worst I've ever had. I got the chimichangas and they were very dull as well. I will never go back or recommend this place to anyone.

    (2)

  • Kimberly F.

    The first time I went here I had a great experience with a great server and great food. A couple weeks later I decided to come back with some friends for lunch. My friends and I had a waiter named Carlos. He took forever to come back to our table to take our orders and we went through two chip orders during this time. When he finally came back, we put in our drink and food orders. We waited forever for our meals, and when they finally came, my order had been messed up. There was chicken in it, and since I'm a vegetarian I politely mentioned that it was not what I ordered. He just said "You said you wanted chicken." A little put off by his rudeness, I said back "I said cheese." He grabbed the plate and left...no apology, nothing! It then took another 20 minutes before I got my meal, and none of us got any refills on our drinks the entire time. Once we were all done, he was just standing there talking to the bartender and wouldn't come over to give us our checks. It got to a point where finally one of my friends had to go ask him for the bill. I ended up leaving him a 2.00 tip, which I think was far too generous for the horrible service I was provided with. And the best part? I got sick... Since that doesn't happen very often for me, I'm guessing something was done to my food. I don't think I'll be back.

    (2)

  • Chris H.

    My wife and I were raised about a hundred miles from the mexican border. Since we moved here we have been trying to find some good mexican food. We have tried a few places but Mexico is easily the closest to our favorite dives from home.

    (5)

  • Dallas S.

    I'm from Southern California. Los Angeles is where I spent most of my time. Mexican food was a staple in my diet. Oh, and I'm a food snob. I love good food. I HATE bad food. This place.....omfg! By far the best I've had in a very long time. And I'm not just limiting this to Mexican food. Best. Food. Ever. And the margarita! Oh man! I got the pomegranate margarita on the rocks. That baby packs a punch. Very smooth. Ok, so more on the food. I ordered the combination plate and chose the shredded beef enchilada and the tamale. The enchilada was pretty damn good. The shredded beef was well seasoned and juicy, and the tortilla was smothered in cheese. Perfecto. The tamal was heaven on a plate. Easily the biggest one I have ever seen. And the maseca was moist the whole way through. Very, very good. The spanish rice and beans were also very good. My wife order the carne asade tostada. She said it was really good, but I can't verify. I was too busy stuffing my face to try hers. I can tell you, though, that it was about the size of a small child. Huge portions all around. By this point, you're probably wondering why 4 stars. Well, folks, let me explain. I so desperately wanted to give this place 5. Really, I did. But the one drawback was parking. Like everyone else has said, it sucks. If you park in the back, by the park, you're likely to get a feeling of impending stabbing. But if you're lucky, you can park on the side parking lot and be happy and unafraid. So go stuff your face!

    (4)

  • Vincent K.

    Quite possibly the only good mexican restaurant in town..... we love coming here, the food is good, atmosphere welcoming, margaritas big, they make their own chips and salsa too! Only challenge is the parking.... small lot with about a dozen spots and street parking is hard to find in this crowded neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Turquoise S.

    Not very good Mexican food. I'm mystified by the rave reviews. The things I ordered were what you'd expect in a not very good Mexican restaurant in the seventies on the mainland. The papaya avocado salsa was made with reconstituted lemon juice, (the kind the comes out of a bottle). It consisted of that, chopped supermarket tomatoes, avocados and some average papaya. It was served in a styrofoam cup. The rice and beans were nothing special. They have added corn and lima beans to the rice, but thankfully not enough that is it noticeable. Still, why add lima beans to anything? The beans are made with lard. The chips and cooked salsa are nothing special. Others have said they think the cooked salsa comes out of bottles or cans. Wouldn't surprise me. The salsa fresca was basically chopped low grade supermarket tomatoes in all their unripe glory. The enchiladas were o.k. but nothing special. What I happened to order came in a normal quantity. It was generous, but nothing extraordinary. By the time you pay for everything, this place isn't much of a bargain. In contrast to the food, the service was good. The waiters were gracious and accommodating. When I didn't like the avocado papaya salsa, it was graciously taken off my bill, in contrast to other reports here. Don't know that it matters, but I liked the decor except for the mounted steer head and steer horns. They don't seem to be helping. The bar also looked a little dark and narrow for me. All of the tables at Mexico are four tops or larger. Not everyone can get on and off high bar stools so eating at the bar isn't always an option for a single person. I guess they get a lot of large parties. The bougainvillea draped over the front door is nice. The entrance is a ramp that is steeper than most wheelchair ramps. The average person in a wheelchair would have trouble getting up it by themselves. As others have mentioned, the parking lot is not overly large or overly smooth. It slopes downward. It is shared with the Puerto Rican social club next door. Someone else mentioned that parking on weekends may be scarce even at off hours. I went at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. There were a few spaces open. I saw no street parking available. Backing out of the parking space into the street was a trip. If you drink at Mexico, having a designated driver seems like a good idea. Other people seem to like this place. They were doing good business. Many of the other customers looked like they could not wait to get outside of their favorite Mexican food. I'm still looking for mine. Mexico is on School street near Houghtailing, on the ocean side of the street. If you see Kalihi Street, you have gone too far towards the airport.

    (2)

  • Jermy D.

    Cliff Notes: some of the best tasting Mexican food on the island. Healthy portions packed with LOTS of flavor! AND...Margaritas that can knock you off your feet! The only downside to this place is the crummy parking lot, but can't help that all that much. Food The food is delicious. The portions are ginormous. I always leave with a full tummy and heart. Some serious comfort food. Delicious Chips and Salsa! I always go for the Tamal with chicken or (if i'm feeling daring) the chimichanga. I've also had their seafood fajita platter which is delicious and huge! Don't let the price startle you too much. You can comfortable share this with 2-3 people depending on how hungry you are. Booze They have pitchers of margaritas that are well worth the price (about $25ish/pitcher). Those things pack a punch! The bartender more than makes sure you get your money's worth. I also enjoy their nice selection of tequilas. Also for those teetotalers, the horchata is some of the best! and, for those non-teetotalers, add a shot of tequila to that horchata, and you'll be singing with the live entertainment! Service Service is usually consistently good. When they get busy, you may have to flag down the waitresses. They usually only have a handful each night. But, they are all very pleasant and always keep the booze and chips and salsa full!

    (4)

  • Lei L.

    I just dined there again and was blown away. My mouth and taste buds are completely satisfied. This time I had the combo...crab enchilada & shrimp quesadillas. Both were pretty damn yummy, but the shrimp q stole my heart. The rice, beans & salad are quite ono as well. The guy singing to us was an amazing touch. 2 thumbs UP.

    (5)

  • Steve N.

    Best Mexican food in Honolulu. My only complaint is the parking. It's a small lot that fills up fast.

    (4)

  • John F.

    Hey, besides Azteca, I love this place, too. Very authentic, tasty (I like the sopa) food, beans and rice are not from a can like most Mexican restaurants on the Island, and the full bar is loaded with all the styles of tequila I love, plus Bohemia, my favorite Mexican lager beer. I first discovered the place when I was closing my late mother's accounts at the Honolulu Fire Dept. FCU diagonally across the street mauka. I had a blast sitting at the bar and talking with a young Mexican bartender, unfortunately, I can't remember his name. He was funny, personable, and we exchanged jokes and he gave me recommendations on where to eat, visit, and the best affordable hotels to stay in when in Mexico. Parking is crappy though, very few stalls in the lot adjoining the building, parking spaces also used by a church and children's day-care in back of the restaurant.

    (4)

  • James W.

    Best Mexican food i've found on Oahu since Mama's Mexican Kitchen on School street closed down several years ago. Homemade chips and salsa were delicious. Shredded beef burrito plate was delicious. Fried bananas for dessert was so-so. Service was fast and friendly. Waiter came back to check on us twice. Re-filled water and soda. Live music/guitar player was a nice surprise. Can't wait to come back!

    (4)

  • Cy C.

    With a name like Mexico, your Mexican food better be good. Now I've been to L.A., so I just want to make it clear, I am basing my opinion comparing to other Mexican restaurants in Hawaii. I must be honest you just can't beat Mexican food from Cali but this place does a pretty good job. I found this place by accident driving through Kalihi. I was in the mood for Mexican and I noticed the sign. I walked in the door and first thing I said was, "Wow I feel like I'm in Mexico". The decor just exhumes Mexico with live music, decor, and wonderful smells of Mexican food. I also noticed there was a full bar so of course I order a Corona. Since my first visit, I've been here few other times. I enjoyed every dish I had. Of course free chip and salsa is available for dine in. I would definitely recommend the Carne Asada, Chile Verde, Grande Burrito or just order the combination. I love Mexican food because it is so flavorful. Staff is friendly with a lot of tables. Now since my first visit I noticed this place has gotten popular. Now all the tables are full. Not much parking available but this place is worth checking out. Opens every day from 10-9pm except Saturday at 10 pm. Craving for a burrito, check out the Restaurant MEXICO

    (4)

  • Olivia D.

    I found out about this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try based on all the glowing reviews. My friend and I got there after the lunch rush. There was only one table there, but he server spent 10 minutes with them explaining the menu before she walked over to our table and gave us menus to look at. The service continued to be extremely slow throughout the meal. I didn't think the food was anything special, but then again I'm really spoiled because I always have good and cheap Mexican food in L.A. where the portions are huge and always fresh and delicious. I ordered the garlic shrimp based on the majority of Yelper's recommendations. I don't know what they were all singing about. It was a good portion of shrimp, but they had all been overcooked until shrunken and rubbery and was very salty and oily. The sauce was just oil, butter, and chunks of soft, sauteed garlic--nothing exciting or out of the ordinary. The sides were the requisite refried beans from a can and rice. I was hungry so I also ordered a side taco with steak. It tasted like a pretty authentic street taco. The steak came in a soft corn tortilla with onions, cilantro, and a slice of lime. I should have just ordered tacos. The chips were already portioned out on baskets that were stacked upon each other against a wall. We didn't like the tortillas they use to make the chips because they had a bitter aftertaste. The salsa was okay. I asked if they had aqua fresca and the server said the closest was their fresh lemonade. It was delicious--not too sweet--and huge. I thought the decor was cool because they really tried to give the place some atmosphere with the paintings, chandeliers, and knickknacks. We'll be back to give this place another try. Next time, I'll stick to the meats or the tacos.

    (3)

  • Leslie A.

    Super awesome authentic mexican food. Similar to the ones I had in Texas. The Spanish rice is great! I had the chimichanga- once shredded beef and once pork kalua...so tasty! Hands down the best! One thing though, they put too much cheese inside the burrito. I mean you can actually remove a cup full of melted cheese. I'm just not a fan of a cheese overdose. Overall it's worth it if you have a craving for Mexican food. Live music for dinner on some nights...too loud though.

    (4)

  • Jane N.

    I agree with many of the reviews. Small parking lot, eclectic decor, and the best Mexican food on the island so far! My friend Nellie recommended Mexico Restaurant in Kalihi to me. I've been wanting to try their food for a while now. But due to logistics, I wasn't able to go until today. With that being said, if they had a better location and bigger parking lot, they could be making a fortune! Beans and rice. They got it right! The beans tasted homemade, very creamy with just the right amount of cheese and salt. The rice was moist, flavorful with a hint of cumin. Just the way I like it! I usually put more tomato in mine but perhaps that is why I can't taste the cumin in mine. From there, it just got better. The chiles rellenos were AMAZING!!! Poblano chiles baked in puffy egg batter smothered in cheese....Yum! Cheese enchilada with red sauce and cheese was also very good (there was so much food, I only had a couple bites). Chips were fresh and crunchy, salsa was medium spicy but was smooth. The steak was tender with some pepper and spices that just melted in your mouth. I couldn't finish that either because I was pigging out on the AMAZING chiles rellenos! Oh, and I had a horchata also. It was so much to drink that the waitress offered me a take home cup (which I filled to the top). It was so good with just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar. It was enough for two. I think I have four days worth of food. Yes, it was a bit pricey, $23, but well worth it. I went there after 1230 so it wasn't too crowded. There was plenty of parking and there was even a neighborhood park that may have been an option to park at as well. The service was good. The waitress was friendly and polite. The noise level wasn't too bad. The decor in the bathroom was very cool. Although there was only one stall, it was designed in a way that made the room seem spacious. I loved the Spanish dancer painted on the door. It reminded me of my grandma in her younger years. They could have tidied up the floor a little more often. That's the only bad thing I can think of. Also, as a note to the manager, I would decide on what type of clientele I would cater to and stick with it. Reduce price=reduce menu selections, Keep the price the same=switch locations to more upscale part of town. Class up the decor. No one from Kahala will be going to Kalihi and park their benz in that lot. I will definitely return. Thank you for giving me a reason NOT to open a decent Mexican restaurant in Hawaii. We have been saved!

    (5)

  • Jennie E.

    Looking for Mexican food on Oahu? Look no further! This place is AMAZING! This So Cal girl found heaven when this place was reviewed by another Yelp member (THANK YOU). I have loved everything I have. Authentic Mexican at its best!!!

    (5)

  • Claudia M.

    The food here is amazing!!!! I would say the best mexican I've had here. They serve horchata here by the pitcher and a straw. The only thing i dont like bout this place is the parking. The parking is very tight and small. I suggest parking with a small car and good luck finding parking in their parking lot.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Went here for my anniversary and for the money and the what you get its pretty good. Tho it's not necessarily the "best" Mexican food I had, it was fresh, tasty and plentiful. The portions are HUGE. A 3 item combo could easily feed two people with good appetites. This is what we ordered: Chicken Flauta Appetizer - Was HUGE, could have been a main course. A big flour tortilla filled with marinated chicken, fried, cut into peices for easy eating and served with fresh pico de gallo, sour cream and guac. Very satisfying comfort food. Sope with shredded beef - The shredded beef was excellently flavored and textured, and piled high with lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and guac however, I found my sope (cakey, masa pancake) a bit tough on top. I probably won't get this again. My husband ordered a 3 item combo of enchilada, tamale and burrito and all were good according to him. Now the refried beans, rice, chips and salsa were average to me. Not complete stand outs but tasty and fresh. I did have a home made Horchata, it's very good and sweet and again a large serving. The service was good, except when I initially ordered my Sope I said shredded beef, when I got it, it was shredded chicken. I asked my waitress to change it and she tried to talk me into it saying ,"you don't like chicken?" I said "I said, I know it looks pretty and another time I would just eat it but I specifically asked for beef." She looked reluctant then said, "Yeah, I know you order beef." She took it back and came back rather quickly with a new plate with beef. She said, "Yeah, I know you order beef they got it wrong in the kitchen." Duh....she was nice about it but come one, don't try to hussle your customer into something they didn't order! Like other reviews, I'm still searching for great Mexican food on the island but this place is pretty safe to go if you need a fix. You won't feel ripped off.

    (3)

  • Jermel-Lynn Q.

    I live near this place and I love the food here! I've been to Mexico and San Diego, and I've tried a whole lot of Mexican food. This place is authentic because of the people behind the menu and the restaurant's staff. The entrees are pretty big and trust me when I say that I LOVE their HORCHATA!!! Who would have known that a great Mexican restuarant would be in Kalihi? Of all places right? and the prices here are reasonable and great. Worth the money and the drive to Kalihi.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    Limited parking so when they are really busy it is better to go somewhere else. Difficult to get out of parking lot. Service was excellent and the food was decent.

    (3)

  • Rob T.

    If there is one word to best describe this place, it's 'festive'... not really the 'hole in the wall' that people say it is. It was a pretty popular place. There were a mix of different people there. I find it interesting that the restaurant is nested in Kalihi, my home town. I've always loved Mexican food and this place was great. The food, ambiance, atmosphere, people... you name it. It reminded me of Old Towne in San Diego. It was 'ono' and the mariachi band added to the fun. If you're looking for some great Mexican food, I would recommend this place. The name may not be unique, but the food was definitely genuine Mexican cooking.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    "Going to Mexico" is kind of confusing, and any conversation about the restaurant causes some amount of miscommunication. Every time. This restaurant is in the Palama area, a few blocks away from Kamehameha Shopping Center, and is one I'd consider to be acceptable when compared to other local Mexican restaurants. To be straight up, parking here sucks. There is a lot next to it, but getting in and out of it is worse than pulling teeth. Find street parking and walk a block or two -- it's worth it. The layout of the restaurant is a little cramped, and a little strange, but the servers are very good at navigating the narrow aisles to ensure your water is always filled. Points of interest include a live mariachi band that plays from time to time, and a bar full of Mexican beers and beverages. Pacifico is the best, just for the record. Most of the entrees range from $10-$20 depending on how crazy you plan to get, with sizzling fajita platters exceeding the $20 mark. I tried the Huevos Rancheros, and have to say that it kind of tasted the same as any other place I've been to in Hawaii. Another eye-catcher for me was the deceptively-named "Diablo Wings" which are accompanied by a "SPICY" marker on the menu. These wings are not spicy at all, and were pretty disappointing. Thinking that it may have been a one-time error, I ordered them again another night, and received the same sweet/roasted chili wings as before. They should be more fittingly named "Red Chicken Wings" or "Children's Spicy Wings." I'm not hating -- just feel that it's entirely inaccurately named. Overall, the restaurant is kind of meh, with average prices and average fare. I would definitely come back here,but I don't have a spark of passion for the food. If you're in the area, it's worth a shot. If you aren't, then maybe you should save yourself the trip.

    (3)

  • Andrew B.

    Awesome place, however parking is horrid on busy nights. If you have a truck I'd recommend not parking in their lot. Also watch out for bums - their like zombies!

    (4)

  • Derek K.

    I think I found my favorite mexican restaurant here in Hawaii...so far. We all no it's hard to find good mexican food here in Hawaii. In fact, if you've never had mexican on the mainland or unless you are a Yelper, you probably think good mexican food is Taco Bell. The other week I had dinner here with a couple friends. i had the fajita burrito and it was EXCELLENT! The burrito is huge and the meat (steak) and vegetables are cooked fajita style. The burrito is served with rice and beans. Everything on the plate is so fresh and tasty. The atmosphere here is also very comfortable. The service is very friendly and they constantly check up on you. Despite the good service and excellent tasting food, I always say the best way to judge a mexican restaurant is by the chips and salsa. The Mexico Restaurant obviously did not disappoint. The chips are very fresh and the salsa is very tasty with enough spice (not overpowering). In addition, when we finished off the baskets of chips, they would instantly give us another basket and another salsa cup...AMAZING! I will definitely go back, again and again. Like I said, this is the best mexican restaurant that I've found so far. My one complaint is that the parking lot sucks! That's it.

    (5)

  • Korry I.

    Along with great sushi and Japanese food, it's hard to find a good Mexican restaurant on this island. They are few and far between - literally. I made my visit here to Mexico Restaurant during the 2011 Cinco De Mayo. The restaurant was obviously packed for the occasion - myself + 4 friends had a wait of around 15-20 minutes which was not too bad considering the amount of people here and waiting. The menu is pretty vast with lots to choose from. Service is good, fast and friendly. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable. The drinks, though good, are on the pricier side. There's no real negative I could find to this restaurant. The food is pretty awesome in my opinion!

    (4)

  • Champions B.

    Very good Mexican Food. We like to sit in the back by the bar and get service from the bartender gentleman

    (4)

  • Jennifer R.

    Summary: Bomb food! :) I went to another Mexican Restaurant the other night because we were too lazy to go to Mexico in Kalihi. Sad to say it did not live up to my standards. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but it made me miss Mexico even more!!! Everything that I had ordered, I couldn't help but compare it to the food from Mexico's. I love the fact that Mexican Restaurants give complimentary chips & salsa. But OMG - Mexico's chips & salsa are soOo good, even if it is hot & spicy you will catch yourself having some more! Plus, if you need 2nd round, it's free! (not sure how accurate because it has been a while). For the past few times I've gone to Mexico, there's only ONE thing that I always order: carne asada soft taco plate!!! I can't even put into words how BOMB this food is! You seriously have to try it! Their horchatas are super duper yummy & refreshing, too! You'll kind of need to order it anyway because of their spicy but super ono salsa. The spiciness doesn't bother me because i love spicy food, which is why i love Mexican food - except when I get heartburn =p I also like the fact that Mexican Restaurants put so much effort into the interior design of their restaurant. The ladies bathroom is pretty interesting. And did I tell you there's live music?! It makes the restaurant so much more than just their goooood food. I just love it here - can you tell? :) I cannot wait to come back - I've missed you Mexico!! :)

    (5)

  • Alyssa M.

    I ordered the "mexico burrito" & a Strawberry Jarrito -- Let me tell you..their Spanish rice is GOOOODDD!! :) I was telling my bf that it's good that the workers (or most of them) actually speak Spanish. I went with my Bf & 2 roommates, & 2 of them BARELY speak English & mainly Spanish. That was a plus! The waiter we had, had pretty good customer service...The bartender remembered my bf & his roommates from years ago! my 2nd time there, & i would probably be returning. only down side is the parking. they have a parking lot, but its quite small.

    (4)

  • Jwillson W.

    Best Mexican food I've had in Hawaii.... They also have dishes that have a little local style kick in it.. will return

    (4)

  • Jonathan S.

    Been twice. Food is solid, about as good TexMex as you're going to get in HI, and the live music is a nice touch. Service is variable. Was great the first time and less great the second time.

    (4)

  • Leilani N.

    Had to try this place because my friend Carol L said it was pretty close to another Mexican restaurant we both love in Vegas. Food yes, everything else..."eh"! First of all, the parking really sucks! Very small and probably parks not more than 20 cars (that's probably a generous amount). If you don't find parking, turning around to get out of the parking lot can be a pain in the you know what. There's like a park near there and it looks pretty "sketchy" as my hubs would say. We found parking after making one loop around but I'm sure you can find street parking somewhere. For this, I had to take off one star...sorry. The chips seemed fresh but the salsa was quite disappointing. Almost seems like it was from a jar. The food was tasty. I had the Chile Verde and that was yummy. Kev had a burrito and he said it was pretty good. Pretty decent size portions including beans and spanish rice (both was alright). My dish came with sour cream and guacamole but his one didn't so I shared. I had flour tortilla for my dish but it was not fresh at all. I guess I'm used to a cute little mexican lady making it fresh like the Vegas restaurant. No tortilla making lady here! We both ordered iced tea and it was a huge glass, i should really say it was like a "mini" pitcher. It said free refills but we didn't need any, just a bucket of ice on the side. We sat right next to bar which was alright but the one thing that got me was a box behind Kevin. Well, why you ask? It was a huge box for a toilet! Yes, you heard me...and not typo, TOILET! They look like they were renovating the bathroom area, as they should...so again, taking off another star. The bathroom was "unisex" and there was only one toilet working and the rest of the bathroom looks like a storage area. Hence why the toilet box was near the bar?! Hmmmmm.... If I were to rate on the food alone, I'd probably give it 3.5 stars. It is one of the better mexican foods I've had on Oahu so def worth trying. The service was also okay. We came after the lunch rush but she still seemed busy. They have another restaurant in Kailua but never been there. We would try this place again....hoping there would be some improvements.

    (3)

  • Philip U.

    love it here... just hard to find parking

    (4)

  • Marc K.

    The food at Mexico Restaurant is to die for! Love love love their fajitas, chips and salsa and everything. Kalua pig quesadillas are awesome too! The decor in the place is real neat and definitely has seen some upgrades from the early days. I do miss the casual dining experience that this place used to have before it got really popular. There were soo many people there tonight and with only two servers who were also acting as bussers, slowed the dining experience a bit. All in all though, this is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants...a must try!

    (4)

  • Blane K.

    The best Mexican food I've had! The live music is nice, horchata drink is delicious. My dad loves their menudo which he claims to be very authentic tasting. I just cannot remember what I usually order here but it's one of the sizling platters and taste very good. Portions are huge! I NEVER finish my order & always end up taking home my leftover. Save room for the fried ice cream dessert...

    (5)

  • Karen L.

    Went here yesterday, a co-worker suggested we have our work meeting here. Excellent choice! Since we went from 3pm to 5:30pm the place was pretty empty but got very busy when we were leaving. The food is awesome! Everything was great! They give you one serving of chips and salsa for free but then charge you $1 each for refills (so $2 for both chips & salsa). The salsa is too spicy for my taste but good. I had the veggie burrito which was huge & came with a lot of toss salad with olives & other veggies & ranch dressing. The whole plate was delish! I brought home half of my burrito because I couldn't finish it. It was $12.95, not bad. I like that they have several vegetarian options including quesadillas. I also split an order of the fried ice cream with a co-worker and it was delish too! Like ice cream in a donut with whip cream & chocolate syrup drizzled on top. It tasted like ice cream & churros. This place has a full bar and is known for it's Margarita's which come in med & lg. My co-workers had their famous Li Hing Margarita's! The medium size was $7. The atmosphere was really cool, lots of art, color, & Mexican accoutrements. When we were leaving they were setting up for live music, pretty cool. The food was really, really good! I can't wait to go back! The only reason I gave them 4 of 5 stars is because we had to get our servers attention for dessert and he put the wrong dish on my bill. But otherwise, I think this is a great place to hang out and eat some great food! Not to mention the Margarita's!

    (4)

  • hanako y.

    good food n always busy. i think price is ......little too high in this area...

    (4)

  • Rza Marie R.

    I was really excited to try this place out after my good friend raved about it since our first stop which was Helena's was closed. So I walked in the door and the host/ server guy wasn't so friendly he gave us complimentary chips and salsa when he gave us our menus, the chips were stale and the salsa tasted like it came out of a jar. I ordered there tacos and to my surprise they tasted like crap. Everything literally tasted like it came out of a can, Should of just went to Taco Bell.

    (1)

  • Jhoren C.

    Mexico in Kalihi go figure?! tried out this place and it was okay, nothing different from all the other mexican restaurants hawaii has, yep CALI handsdown has the BEST mexican joints ever! I can vouch for it because I was raised there and can tell what real street/authentic mexican food taste like. what I did like about this restaurant was the fact that they did make chicken tamales --- one of my favorite mexican food besides your typical carne asada burrito. I also had the chance to taste their seafood ceviche and was it FRESH!

    (3)

  • Marcus S.

    Being from California I do expect a lot when it comes to Mexican food. This place was the WORST! When you name your place mexico you better be frickin good man. Service sucked, waited 15 minutes before anyone talked to us. First time I did not finish my tamale and my wife's carnitas fajitas were dry,tough,and lacked the every so important thing called FLAVOR! Do not go here. Only go if you plan on drinking margaritas and are going somewhere else too eat. BLICK!

    (1)

  • bryan d.

    New review... Food is good, was there on cinco di mayo and had horrible service when owner was there felt a little sick but no worries foods good. Came again today only about 3 tables full in the entire restaurant lunch time ( not good for them ) Didn't want to sit at the actual bar just the side table since I was alone and grabbing a quick bite. Host told me I couldn't sit there... really? Thats to hard in that small of a room with no customers, before he could change his mind I left there goes my $10 tips on $20 meals and I will never go again. I will just go to his cousins in kailua lol same good food just different name ;) I am sure this isn't like this all the time but I am weird like that if it happens twice far apart ;) happy yelping 5 stars down to 2. Old Review Having serious LA Mexican food withdrawels I think I have hit every mexican food restaurant on the island. I actually didn't try this one because every time I drove by it in Kalihi it looked a little sketchy from the outside. Finally I gave in and I am glad I did! I give it 5 stars because so far it is the best I have found... If you know better please tell me so I can try! Great interior I like the setup and design. Live mexican music. Great bar. Service is average. I usually get the steak or chicken burrito. The chips are the only thing I think can be better they are just average. The owner has a cousin or relative which owns another mexican restaurant in kailua which is also pretty good. If you like mexican food give it a shot.

    (2)

  • Andrew S.

    Coming from So.Cal I'm picky about Mexican food. This place doesn't make the grade. It's edible and they have a nice bar so they get two stars. Bland unauthentic mexican food. pretty good margaritas.

    (2)

  • Brian A.

    When I first arrived on the island my girlfriend tried to find me that one diamond in the rough, a Mexican food oasis in the middle of the Pacific. Alas, I am still searching, but back to Mexico Restaurant. To me, even though the food was alright, the establishment and it's food comes off as something closer to an El Torito's chain. The size and prices are similar even though the food is slightly better here. You start off with salsa and your order will come with a full plate of food. It will definitely fill you up. The service was pretty good, even if we weren't there on a really busy night. Anyway, if you don't get there early, parking can be a bit of a worry. Overall it wasn't too bad.

    (3)

  • Stephanie M.

    Decent Mexican Food: not overly priced and farely tastey Horrible service: we were expecting a large party of 10+, they wouldn't seat the first 3 of us despite there only being TWO tables taken in the whole restaurant! Finally when 5 of us were there I asked if we could take a table, we were given a table for 6 even when I explained we'd have at least 10. When we hit 7 people I asked if we could move which he allowed us and showed us to table for 8 (still there were no other customers except for the 2 other taken tables), when we had more people arrive we pulled over tables ourselves since we were tired of asking to move. Chips were not brought to our table (maybe he was mad at us for having so many people), and the waitor seemed annoyed every time he had to take our order despite an empty restaurant. Would really like to frequent Mexico since it's a neighborhood restaurant, but clearly I will not be returning unless desperate for bad service.

    (1)

  • Chelsea A.

    Went here yesterday for a late lunch/extremely early dinner. The parking could definitely be an issue but at 3pm on a Saturday there were still a few open spots and we had no trouble. Ordered the Cadillac margaritas but make sure the waitress hears you--we clearly ordered mediums but she brought out larges. We spent the whole meal marveling that there could be a margarita bigger than this only to discover the reason on the bill. Only a dollar or two difference so not a big deal if you don't mind getting seriously buzzed in the afternoon. The chips and salsa are delish--and they're happy to bring out more, though you may need to flag down your waitress. Really, prepare to do that anyway. A table of about 10 sat down next to us and the rest of the meal the servers all seemed to be hiding. I ordered the vegetarian burrito--the avo/papaya salsa is delicious but be careful again--the menu says nothing about olives and this dish has it's fair share. I happen to think canned black olives = salty ass so I had to pick around. Still, a great meal and next time I order it I'll be sure to say sans olives. My husband got the chicken enchiladas and totally cleaned his plate--kept raving about the chicken. We'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Romi B.

    My wife and I comes here about once a month. This time we shared the lobster enchilada. Large margarita for her, corona for me. It's a perfect serving after a hard day of work.

    (4)

  • WonderWoman W.

    Meh, I've experienced better, at the same restaurant! Against my better judgment, a friend who had never eaten there, persuaded me to go. Used to eat there all the time or stop by for carnitas take out on the way home. No more. Hadn't been there in over a year. The carnitas used to be good, like kalua pig or pulled pork. The last three times it was not only like mincemeat but full of gristle and fat, inedible. One time I even wrote a complaint about it on the check. The manager came over and said he had gotten a lot of complaints and was thinking about changing back. Well, they haven't. It's still mincemeat. The margarita was half price and tasted like it was a virgin margarita, alcohol-free. NOT a happy camper and I hope my friend doesn't want to go back.

    (2)

  • Scott H.

    It was an enjoyable experience overall. Parking is rather rough since you have to literally back out of the parking lot to leave the property when you leave. The atmosphere and food are pretty authentic with good service.

    (4)

  • Delilah A.

    Pretty authentic food as far as Hawaii goes. I have been having difficulties trying to find something that compares to the authenticity I had back on mainland. The appetizer mushrooms were amazing and cooked perfectly. I decided to go outside the box and ordered the mammamia burrito, which contained mahi mahi and shrimp. It was very pleasing. I probably wont get that particular burrito again just because there are so many other things I plan on trying. Definitely will attempt to make it a weekly thing. Downside to place is the parking.

    (5)

  • Aaron B.

    Wow is the first thing you say when you walk in the door. This place feels like your in mexico. It has the good ole cowboy bar with a giant bottle of patrone. I used to frequent the place before it became mexico resturant and it has been completly redone. I asked the waitress (she was very good) what she'd recomend and she stated the carne asada steak. I love steak, so i ordred the carne asade boritto ($14). When it arived it was monster. Looked almost a footlong and about 4 inches wide a 3 inches tall. With refired beans and rice. The taste was okay, the steak could have been flavored more. I added habenero hot sauce. And it made the dish come to life. My wife had the crab chile renos it was also huge but it was light flavor and had real crab $18. I orded a hughe homemade lemonade and it was nice sweet, wish it was more tart. I wanna go back already, i want to try the menudo. It was pricey but worth the 1x or 2x treat.

    (4)

  • Aime M.

    I would of put 4 stars but I was not a fan of the salsa, the chips were k but honestly good salsa makes it! I ordered taquitos and got both beef/chicken, very yummy. I also did not care for the lemonade, it tasted like it was old and or a cheap powder mix...boo hoo, I added water and more sugar. Service was good, place looked clean, restroom only one stall, but her the have a private party room for a pachanga down stairs!!!

    (3)

  • Krystal W.

    In my never ending quest for "Authentic Mexican Food" I tapped my yelp app once again while out and about. First attempt was Jose's Cantina but how could my GPS have known the Koko Head exit was closed! Several U-turns later led me to rethink my venture eastward and head closer to home. Second up...Mexico Restaurant. Just two easy turns off H1 we arrive at their doorstep. Nice, exterior decorated festively and bougainvillea surround the entrance. It was early afternoon so we missed the lunch crowd, I could see how parking would be an issue during prime hours. We were seated promptly, the waitress suggested the Li Hing margarita instead of my plain ol' standby. It was very local flavored but soooo good! After browsing the menu we ran our selections of the Mexico Burrito and the Fajita Burrito, by our waitress she agreed those were two of the best choices. While waiting I was scoping out other yelps and was clued in that they served Horchata! On of my childhood favs. Food came quickly and was....AMAZING! Creamy beans, flavorful rice and the fajita filling was season to perfection. The fried ice cream was different than I had ever had it. It was sort of like a whole wheat bread pudding that surrounded the ice cream. Not sure I would get it again, perhaps we'll try their flan next time. We ordered some ala carte tacos to go for the kids and they snarfed them down as soon as we set them on the table. Tried the carnitas, adobado(sp?) and chicken ones, all great. Especially loved the fresh cilantro on top. And so ends my quest for a place to satisfy my Mexican cravings! I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    Hawaii does not have many mexican restaurants that are really good. Mexico Restaurant is really good, and the only downside is a small parking lot and finding parking in the residential area as this place is always packed. The margaritas are really good. I like their horchata and their atmosphere (a few times I have went they had mexican singing and trumpet playing). I like getting the fajitas, burritos, flautas, etc.

    (5)

  • Sheryl M.

    This was our first time at Mexico restaurant and the reason for my low rating is because of their service! The guy at the door (short Asian looking guy) didn't smile or greet us or anyone that kept coming after us waiting to be seated. He was rude and the first thing he says to us was "did u guys put your name on the list" with no smile and in a sassy tone of voice no "hi welcome to Mexico restaurant" and when he finally called us along with two other parties that were waiting to be seated he said "alright this is how it goes,u guys there on that table the other two there and other party over there" he pointed out where we would sit and didn't walk anybody to their tables like other host/hostess usually do.ive never had it like that before. The food was good and so was the entertainer that was there playing his guitar for the customers. Our waiter was alright didn't smile much either and never once refilled my water. But not as disappointing as the other guy. We ordered their fried ice cream for last of course but wasn't that awesome either. It was way too sweet to enjoy. We enjoyed eating the whip cream more than the actual fried ice cream but hey everyone's different but to us the fried ice cream was just way too sweet! But despite the service we got here I'm sure in the future we would still come and eat here but just maybe not so soon.

    (2)

  • Laura N.

    Food is authentic and tasty. Great chips and salsa. Delish guacamole. If this review was based solely on the food it would be a solid 4, but the staff is so inconsistent that I cannot bring myself to overlook it. We constantly have to ASK for refills, more chips, our check...We enjoy the food, but the service needs some serious customer focused leadership.

    (3)

  • Anita C.

    All I can say is OMG!! 1) the food is awesome and comes out steaming hot! 2) the service is fast and cheerful. 3) portions are HUGE!! 4) cost is really good for the amount that they give. 5) THIS IS A GOTTA TRY KINDA PLACE!!

    (4)

  • Sheri D.

    This place is FANTASTIC! Hands down the BEST Mexican food on the island! Threw a surprise birthday party for the bf last night and Rene, the GM/bartender and the crew were just AWESOME! We had a group of about 30 people and they were just so accommodating and on top of things! They made it so easy for us and made sure that our group was well taken care of. Also, props to Christian, our server who was brave enough to take care of our crazy group to begin with! Food was EXCELLENT! I had the tacos tradicionales, the bf had the regular tacos platter, and we shared the sizzling quezo w/chorizo... OMG, soooooooo BUENO! The rest of the group also enjoyed their meal and they were all very full and satisfied leaving the restaurant. As for the drinks, well, I'm not a margarita person at all. GASP! you say? Well, yes, I had a BAD experience w/ margaritas a few years back, but hey that's another story and as for the margaritas in Mexico, I heard they were great! Definitely check this place out! They have GREAT food and offer GREAT service! Rene, Christian, and the rest of the crew are just WONDERFUL!!! You won't be disappointed!!! OLE!

    (5)

  • Veteran B.

    Just moved to Kalihi and wanted to find a restaurant/bar close to the house. Checked out Mexico Restaurant. Let me get to the point. Decent food. Good atmosphere. Food service hit/miss. Bar service sucks! It was actually funny. I was sitting at the bar drinking a margarita reading yelp reviews on Mexican Restaurant and I had to LOL.... literally. One of the reviews was about the bar service and the bar tender which was right on point. I think he might be the owner because he sure doesn't go out of his way to talk or ensure you don't need anything else or remotely try to work at customer service to get a good tip. He must not need the tip $. Just stands behind the bar, no smile, and kinda ignores everyone. It's a shame, I get out regularly and would end up being a 3x a week customer if the bar service was better. That's okay, I found a better place a mile further. Good luck Mexican Restaurant. This review isn't based on a 1 time experience. I went there 4x's before making the review.

    (2)

  • Jesse C.

    The carne asada burrito is friggen awesome here! Both times I've had it, it was delicious. However, I once ordered the asada taco and it wasnt. Needless to say I was confused. I wanted that suculent asada taste but something lighter; since I wasnt as hungry. But it was a completely different beast. The service can be slow but they've always been friendly to me. On numerious visits I have seen live entertainment. This isnt a bad spot if you got a mexican craving. One day I'll ween off the carne asada burrito and try something else on the menu. :D

    (4)

  • Michael W.

    Great atmosphere, service, margaritas and food. Converted faithful Jose's devotee to what Mexico Restaurant has to offer. Only one minus...live music too loud to have easy conversation.

    (4)

  • Noeru N.

    YAY! A great lunch choice for me and bf when we're craving some spice in our life. The restaurant is located in Kalihi, across the street from another food heaven, Helena's. I hear parking sucks, but we completely lucked out for our early lunch date. The complimentary chips and salsa were okay (we agreed that the salsa and Torito's is our favorite). As we looked over the menu, I was very excited to see that they offered "huevos" options as well menudo and such.. Being that Hawaii really isn't known for Mexican food, I was happy to see that they did offer things other than just burritos and enchiladas. I had a difficult time deciding on just one thing and went with the combination plate: Chicken Tamale and Chile Relleno. BF got carnitas platter. Chicken Tamale: 4 Stars Chile Relleno: 4 Stars Carnitas: 5 Stars Refried Beans: 4 Stars Mexican Rice: 4 Stars and to top it off bf got a huge coke served in a pitcher with straw! All in all, the food was very very flavorful, service was courteous and quick. It wasn't terribly crowded and the ambience was very fun. Kinda looking forward to a sombrero night with the ladies to try the margaritas!

    (4)

  • Gavin S.

    Beware: This is an authentic Mexican Restaurant even down to the back of the house with the restroom. The men's restroom has a urinal and 2 toilets. The urinal is in plain site when the door opens. The 1st stall when you open up I find it has grayish black water in the bowl and it was oily. It looks as if someone had stuck their mop head and cleaned it in the toilet. The 2nd stall has crutches, hangers, etc in the stall. The wall has a sign to put the stuff in the 2nd stall. This is hilarious!!! There is no soap dispenser or paper towel holder. The soap is just put into a bowl for people to dip their hands in. hehehe too funny. Anyhow on to the purpose of this review. The food right!!! hehe A group of 12 of us had hit up this restaurant. Most of the group seemed though they were enjoying their food. I had one of the chef's recommended on the menu. I don't recall the title of the dish. I think it was called chili verde. It came with beans, rice, tortillas, beef mixed with vegetables, and a salsa vegetable dish. I enjoyed the taste and flavor from the meats. One of my friends on the other hand had a fish taco. She said it wasn't that good. It seemed as though it was previously frozen. hahaha And the funny part is the waiter recommended it too!!! The atmosphere was nice with the musician playing music in the background. Would I recommend this place to others sure if they looking for the real AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE!!!! hehehe Just stay clear of the restrooms!! hehehe And also the fish taco til the recipe can be fixed up.

    (3)

  • Forest F.

    I've eaten here a few time for lunch and thought the food was ok. The service has always been poor, but I thought the food was decent enough to look beyond that. Last night I ate there for dinner for the first time. Things have gone from bad to worse here. The salsa came out in a plastic ramekin. It didn't taste like it was homemade. When the food came (I had the Mexico Burrito) the guacamole was clearly not homemade. It tasted and looked exactly like the kind you buy at Costco or Safeway in a plastic tub. The service still sucked, the reason I even gave it 2 stars is they had a pretty cool Mariachi player, so the stars are for him.

    (2)

  • Brandy C.

    Vallarta fajita was delicious! Server was not touchy feely but very sweet and helpful just the same. Parking was kind of a nightmare, but the good and ambiance made it definitely worth it!! Again, let me just suggest the Vallarta fajita!! SO GOOD!

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    i love mexican food and i sure do love eating at Mexico! everything i've tried is good so i can't say that anything is bad. Carne Asada dishes, burritos, salads, YUMYUMYUM. They also have horchata. Can we say HOoooo!! The horchata is HUGE but not as good as the horchata at Los Chapporos but hey, sometimes, size is everything. :p Try it. It's good eats for a good price.

    (4)

  • Nicole G.

    The food here is really good and it's a cute place. I warn you the area is not fantastic and the parking lot is very small so you may have to park on the street somewhere. Don't go on a Saturday night because you will hear the base from the social club behind the place. Prices are right and there is live entertainment at certain times.

    (4)

  • Justin Y.

    Ah how I miss California and all its mexican food... As far as Mexico Restaurant is concerned, it's definitely in the "ok" category. The food certainly comes in abundance (good lord those are some huge portions.) and theres always chips and salsa to munch on prior to your ginourmous meal. The service is alright. Not bad, not stellar...no complaints thus far though. The food definitely falls a little short compared to the food I got used to up in California though...which makes me a sad panda. If you want a meal that'll last you the entire day...or maybe 2 if you don't eat much at all, then hey check it out. Just get there at an off-peak time or pray for parking, because the parking here is terrible.

    (2)

  • Shawn S.

    Good food. Great Mexican beer selection. Awesome margaritas. Service is hit or miss but the at home decor make time slip away.

    (4)

  • Nina M.

    The restaurant is very pretty (check out the bathrooms!!!). The food was really good, vegetarian options, tons to pick from and more! The waitress was a little distracted and seemed like she forgot about us, but other than that I recommend the place.

    (4)

  • Seth H.

    I went there about a month ago and can say the food was really good, had the ceviche made out of mahi mahi which really impressed me, the burrito was huge and had authentic flavor as did their salsa. The live music was good, two guys- one with a trumpet the other with a guitar. The place itself gives you that cantina-like atmosphere which is fitting, guess where they lose the other star I would have given them is the sucky parking lot and real sketchy neighborhood, Sorry Kalihi, but the outside is kind of Scary. Oh another thing I can't rave about was their fried ice cream which was kind of junk- like the outside batter hadn't been mixed well, so some bites tasted doughy. But overall, for Hawaii this place tastes pretty good, we aren't the Mecca of Mexican food anyway.

    (3)

  • Ulanka B.

    I like to eat and try new places, so here I am. The ambiance is magnificent, the aromas help to draw you in and drinks make you want to stay (I had the Patron margarita, awesome). I figured since this was my initial visit I'd go for a favorite of mines "fajitas". As it goes the veggies (guacamole & pics de gallo) were fresh and yummy. The meat (steak, chicken & shrimp) was full of flavor. However, the chicken and steak were both over cooked. Not to mention the steak was so thinly sliced I thought I was at a "Steak'em", ewwwww. I might give it another go, but I will try all seafood next time. Though one can never go wrong the drinks & complimentary chips & salsa.

    (3)

  • ALANA M.

    The food is authentic. The best Mexican food I have ever tasted. With great service, and clean environment. Lots of really cool stuff to look at inside. Antique funny bar signs. The drinks are spectacular. The bartender obviously has a lot of experience and is also a great server as well. I'm from CA, I couldn't believe I found better Mexican food here in Hawaii then out in CA. The Mexico Restaurant ratings deserve to be higher than just 5 stars!!!!! I have returned and tried several dishes, shrimp cocktail is delicious. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

    (5)

  • Raul S.

    Short of moving my mom to Honolulu to cook for me every now and again, I figured finding a decent Mexican restaurant in Hawaii was pretty much a pipe dream. My partner, along with his parents and I, have tried many Mexican restaurants in Hawaii but none have had that 'real' Mexican flavor we've all known and missed since living in Hawaii. We discovered this Mexico Restaurant while my old man and me were helping his parents move here and we kept saying that we needed "try it". We finally did last night. We all shared the Carne Asada Nachos (served in a Fiesta football shaped platter) and the perfect sampler platter called "El Platon", which is literally this GIGANTIC Fiesta platter (and yes, they do get EXTRA points for using actual Fiesta Dinnerware - come to my kitchen and I'll show you what that is, it's all we have). The sampler has a big Zope, Chile Relleno, Quesadilla, Green and Red Salsa Tamales, and Flautas served with a generous side of real sour cream and homemade guacamole (not in those little round plastic 1 oz cups most restaurants use). My old man and his dad also shared a shrimp marisco, I don't eat shrimp cause they look and have the texture of pinky fingers so can't really attest to how good they actually but being that no shrimp was left behind, I'm pretty sure they loved those too. Every item we tried was AMAZING and welcoming. The flavors are from Jalisco, so you know it's gonna be good. The Chips and salsa are good and the salsa has a good spicy kick...please note that if you can't handle the heat, lest just say the roasted habanero salsa will clear any sinus problems you got going. I hadn't eaten this much in a very long time, but I had to try it all. We washed it all down with a couple of Cadillac Margarita pitchers. The ambiance is great with Mexican decorations through out the restaurant. The place is also very spacious and they accommodate nice, big heavy wooden tables and chairs. Allot of thought has gone into the decore of the dining room. They also have a separate fully stocked bar that you can sit and have drinks at. The music was all regional Mexican music, that was a little loud for comfortable conversation levels, but didn't deter from the actual food experience. The service was non-pretentious, non-overbearing and super friendly. Our server took the time to talk with us and share hometown stories, I'm from Baja Cal., she's from Laredo, TX, my old man's parents grew up in Imperial Valley (bordering the California and Mexican border), so it was a nice experience. All in all, I felt at home, I felt comfortable and I felt welcomed add that to the amazingly great tasting Mexican food in Honolulu and it makes for an excellent experience. I have found a new home and cannot wait to back there again.

    (5)

  • Micah R.

    Coming from the mainland, I've missed good Mexican food. Took me a few years of searching and trying different places (with much disappointment) when I finally came across Mexico Restaurant. This is by far the best Mexican food I've had here in Hawaii. The service is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because the parking is very limited.

    (4)

  • Laura C.

    I went here with a friend from Texas. He claimed it was the most authentic mexican food around knowing we both have been to Mexico multiple times and love mexican food. Yes, he was right, closest I've found around. It's still gringo style, but very good. The decor is also spot on to a nicer mexican restaurant in LA or Mexico. There is very little parking and it was pretty crowded on a Saturday night. A little pricey, but the food was very good. The only thing I really didn't like was how loud their live music was. The music was good, just way too loud. They didn't need mics for the size of the place. Our group had trouble hearing each other even sitting right next to each other. Live without mics would've been MUCH better. Still, I'll go back, the food and atmosphere was great, reminded me of home. I'll probably try to go early so as to find parking and skip the music.

    (4)

  • Humlei F.

    My first time here at Mexico restaurant and I loved it! Food was great service was pretty fast. Will be returning for another group dinner date! the steak quesadilla was bomb! And the gandule rice was so good! Fluffy and flavorful. Yummmmmy!

    (5)

  • D R.

    Best Mexican food on Oahu. Here's my list: Mexico Restaurant Los Chapparos (all good but rice has chicken flavor) Azteca Anything else not mentioned is not worth trying!! IMO. If you want a fresh vibe, try Wahoo's fish taco. Mexico restaurant is hands down, all around best Mexican food. Large portions, excellent flavors, all the ingredients you'd expect. Ambiance is great, you feel like you are in Mexico! Try the El Jimador tequila shot at the bar.

    (5)

  • Donna D.

    Large mango margarita! I love this place. Not just because they serve large portion, it is really good as well. And..I don't mean to be racial, but the cooks are Hispanics! I have eaten in some americanize Mexican restaurants in downtown that were awful. Downside is the parking. It can be a real challenge parking there because it is really tight space, but it's worth it. 'Don't mind the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Vesper W.

    There's is a Parking lot right next to the Restaurant. This Restaurant is on the "makai" side of the road; South side; Oceanside. Good food. I'm a newbie to 'Mexican' foods but this place was enjoyable. Had the Chicken Chiming and although it wasn't exactly as 'deep-fried'-cruchy like I usually like my shortchanges, it was very tasty.

    (4)

  • Wado M.

    Their chili verde is in one word "awesome". Unfortunately the other things on the menu I've eaten were not nearly as good as the chili verde. I would have given them four stars, but there is really only one thing on the menu for me. That said though, if you want a really good chili verde, hit this place up! you won't be disappointed!!!

    (3)

  • Jared T.

    This place gets two stars because the margaritas and the chips and salsa was okay. There isn't a place on island that has good Tex-Mex food. Don't waste your time looking for one. In Hawaii this place has the best Mexican food. If this place were in Texas I would choose taco bell over it.

    (2)

  • Vanessa L.

    OK. First things first, I'm a stickler for service. That's why they get 3 stars. My husband and I went here for a late dinner. I went to school in Southern California (San Diego), my husband has lived in SD for a year, growing up I'd spend summers in California visiting family/friends, and we've spent time in Mexico during my school breaks in college. We've had our share of great Mexican food. When we got there, we were seated and given stale chips and really great salsa. It was a shame the chips were so junk because thier salsa was really tasty. Took a long time for them to take our food and drink order. They were also really slow in bringing our drinks.... they came right before our food! I ordered the Mexican Combo plate- one crab and one chicken enchilada. I was brought one crab and one cheese enchilada. However, it was tasty so I didn't bother having them correct it. The husband ordered the Mexican Combo plate as well- one taco, one burrito, one enchilada, all carne asada. Overall, the food was good, but my husband said the carne asada was kinda salty. Both of my enchiladas were good, but I've had better. While we were waiting, a waitress passed by with two orders of their fried ice cream... it looked soooo good! So we decided we were gonna order that... Well, just as we were finishing up, the server places our check on the table, and tells us "anytime you're ready guys".... didn't even ask if we needed anything else. Honestly, everything was good up until this point and then my mood just tanked... We felt like we were being rushed outta there so didn't even bother trying to order dessert. Now, to be fair, all of the servers were very friendly. But they messed up on my order, were slow, and rushed us out. The food was OK, but nothing spectacular. But again, to be fair, the food was better than most places in Hawaii, and very authentic. So out of all the junk Mexican places in Hawaii, this one is one of the less junk. Oh, and on the bill? A $3 charge for crab, and two separate charges of $2 for carne asada on my husband's entree. I knew there was an additional charge for seafood in the combo but TWO separate charges for carne asada on the same entree? PUH-LEEZE

    (3)

  • Shirley P.

    Don't think we'll b returning anytime soon. Slow service and food not so great. Our waiter was terrible. He didn't even check on our table after he took our order and brought our food. If you wanna eat good mexican food with great service, i highly recommend Los Chaparros.

    (1)

  • Adam K.

    Finally a great place to get Ceviche!!! As a whole this place has great food and you should definitely check it out.

    (5)

  • Lauren W.

    5 minutes away from my house and still one of the better Mexican places around. I hate that we don't have better offerings for this type of food. Maybe Hawai'i should offer a 2 for 1 immigration special from Mexico or something. Diablo shrimp is as devilishly spicy as it sounds - but delicious, if you don't mind peeling it yourself. Also try, mini quesdillas, crab enchilada, crab chile relleno, and the tamale. Ole!

    (4)

  • Samone S.

    Giving it a two star rating because I used to love this place. I love Mexican food and missed having it while here on the island. Found this place and came here regularly. Friday night will be my last attempt to coming here. We had a party of 5 and went in and put our name on the list because they were kind of busy. Host told us 5 to 10 minutes. We patiently waited outside for 30 minutes when a big table opened up. (When we got there we were behind a couple on the list and no one else was ahead of us or them. We were the only ones on the list at this point.) We see the bus boy clean the table and then a group that came way after us be seated at this table. We went inside to confront the host on what happened. He grabbed his board and said oh they were in front of you. They came before you. As I am staring at the freaking clip board with OUR NAME before anyone else's. Needless to say due to this host and how rude he was we will not be coming back here nor will I recommend this place to anyone. Apparently it's a hit or miss place. You have to catch them on there good day.

    (2)

  • Crystal B.

    This is a 3 1/2 star review, but i'm rounding up. I have been here 3 times now, and it has been kind of an uneven experience. Contrary to some of the reviews I see about this place, we have always had good service here. The food is where I am just not quite sure what to say. The first time, I got a beef tamale with red sauce and a pork enchilada with verde sauce. The tamale was just okay, nothing special, mostly because of the sauce, which tasted very tomato-ey but did not have much of that slow-cooked spice and chile flavor that I look for in Mexican food. The enchilada was much better, and the verde sauce was actually really good. So the next time we went here, I was looking for whatever had that verde sauce on it. I chose the burrito with simmered pork verde, and it was delicious. Like, actually tasted comparable to the Mexican food I grew up eating at restaurants on the mainland where the servers didn't speak English and Abuelita was in the kitchen. I was so excited. The third trip, I ordered the same burrito and was SOOO disappointed when it tasted different! Didn't have as much of that delicious green chile flavor, was just kind of salty and boring. Frustrating. So, perhaps I should give it 3 stars, but as is talked about often, Mexican food in Hawaii is pretty dismal, so even a place with potential is getting that extra rounded-up half star from me. I have high hopes for my next visit.

    (4)

  • T.K. H.

    First time I ate from Mexico Restaurant was take out a few weeks ago, food was very good. Took my family last night, we all enjoyed the food and atmosphere was great. The only bummer was their bar was not open, but they allowed BYOB. We will definetely return again when we feel ono for Mexican food.

    (5)

  • Holland M.

    Oh yes! I took my friend here for lunch, after we visited the Bishop Museum, just a block away. I ordered the Carne Asada. But, it wasn't as great as what my friend ordered, the Kalua pig chimichanga. OH my gosh, that is the best chimichanga I've EVER had. I nearly ate hers all XD But, I know what I'll be ordering the next time I go. The dish had great flavor and coupled with a good Horchata made for good eating. I'll definitely go during happy hour next time, and have at the Magaritas with salt P:

    (5)

  • Evan S.

    I'm not sure if there is new ownership or if the recession has taken it's toll on this place but the quality has slipped big time. I revisited this restaurant after 18 months. My fond memories of great food were dashed as soon as I got my fajitas. The quality of the meat is totally different, the shrimp were small and at one time frozen. The steak was also once frozen and tasteless. I won't talk about how good this place was a couple of years ago, but it is not what it once was. Anyone who gave this place 5 stars doesn't know what good food is and I would question any of their reviews. Large portions and free refills doesn't make a restaurant excellent or even good. "Pretty authentic food as far as Hawaii goes." this statement is a joke. It seems like people give bad restaurant a pass here in Hawaii because it's Hawaii. That's bullsh*t and people need to stop supporting bad restaurants.

    (2)

  • Nathan N.

    I've had some friends complain about the service at Mexico Restaurant. Well, if you haven't figure it out yet, go sit at the bar. They have a dedicated bartender that takes care of your needs.

    (4)

  • E N.

    Thats weird Big Island E... all that video shows me is a plate of crap bastardized junk food. Now the guy you interview says they make traditional Menudo (Tripe Soup), Tripas (Grilled Small Intestine) & Lengua (Beef Tongue).... I will certainly come out to check those out. Note... I have not been here... my 3 stars is meaningless... just average... so that I could comment. However let me respond to Waynele... the dish you are referring to Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is a very traditional dish of Spanish origin that is pretty much the same as Shrimp Scampi. As you may, or may not know, the Spanish colonized Mexico as well as Southern Italy (about the same time)... so there are bound to be some similarities between Mexican & Sicilian cuisine. In addition to Scampi... you will find some of Mexico's cheeses, bread & deli meats are very similar to what you find in Sicily as well. To Moonie... I guess you don't know much about Mexican cuisine... it rivals Chinese & French among the most diverse on the planet. I realize that Mainland Mexican places are lame and don't offer diversity... but please don't ignorantly repeat b.s. until you have gone to Mexico's interior and experienced the cuisine for yourself.

    (3)

  • Lauren M.

    Best flavor, best value, best service (Sarah is great!) and according to my from-Mexico-and-very-scrutinous husband, the most authentic Mexican restaurant on the island. And we don't throw around the word "authentic" lightly. Get the chile verde! And the horchata!

    (5)

  • Kaiulani K.

    Ordered the beef tacos here, very good. Made me want to be a little less harsh than my first review. Customer service is still pretty bad- think the bare minimum you could get before being tempted to just walk out or never come again. The guys there are nice if you are nice to them, they just aren't helpful and maybe it's because they are busy, but they really act/seem like they don't have time for you. The food didn't have the bay area flavor I was looking for, but my tacos were way better than the carne asada i ordered and reviewed last time. the meat was tender, juicy, a little greasy. I like that they loaded up my plate with rice and beans- very large portions. even though the portions are large, you're paying for it since this place is pricey [especially for what they offer]. now that this place has been bumped up on my radar from "less than decent" to "okay", i would consider coming here again.

    (3)

  • Natty D.

    i heart mexico. $8 HUGE mango li hing mui margaritas. Fridays&Saturdays live music....they serenaded my guy cousin with La Bamba haha.

    (5)

  • Brenda M.

    I usually give my rating based 90% on food and a little bit on the service but even if the food was semi decent I would overlook the incredibly rude service. Seriously the rude hostess seats you with a tude, then you wait awhile, order and get overlooked tasteless Mexican food. I ordered a margarita, it was so terrible ithought it had dirty dishwater in it. The bartender tried it said it was fine and waitress made some joke mocking my complaint. This place isn't worth your hard earned money, they don't know how to treat customers and serve crappy, flavorless food.

    (1)

  • Teri-Lyn T.

    I loved it! My third time going and my husband's first. I will say I have had take out from here and compared to dining in the food isn't as good when you take out BUT why would you take out anyway?!? Their service was so amazing! I didn't have to flag my waiter down for anything, he was very attentive without being over-bearing and it was an environment my children enjoyed and felt very comfortable in and that is so important! I have tried their taquitos, carne asada plate and their carne asada taco, quesadilla and their enchilladas and they are great. They seat you and automatically come back with salsa and chips to take your drink/appetizer order and once they are back with drinks they take your order. Appetizers came out first (doesn't always happen at restaurants) and the only complaint I had is that they didn't bring all our food out at once but I do really appreciate that they brought out all the children's food together.

    (5)

  • Boki C.

    3;5 stars ambiance - good food - decent, not as zesty or "alive" as i would want me mexican food to be, although i did very much enjoy the spicy complimentary salsa! price - goood portions - huge service - good

    (3)

  • Rafal M.

    Pretty good food. Service is bad.

    (3)

  • Thomas S.

    Just went to Mexico yesterday (Thursday) with a group of 7. We needed the accessible parking spot for our wheelchair guest which was provided along with a ramp to the front door, very nice. Our server was pleasant and our food was real good. All of us were very pleased with our experience and for me I'm looking forward to returning again. This place does not compare to some of the finer Mexican Restaurants I've been to on the mainland but for Hawaii I have always been very pleased. While Choloes has had some of the best advertisements on the radio, I have never had good food there. While I have never heard an advertisement for Mexico I have heard someone recommend Mexico. I do agree with some of the negative experiences mentioned in some of the other reviewers but on the other hand we are not talking about a five star restaurant here but I will say they have taken a lot of pride in putting this place together and I give them a lot of credit for that. Someone has done some very thoughtful traveling to purchase the decorative items throughout. The over all decor is excellent. I would like to see more pride in the servers for their place but that is a matter of management and their desires for the level of service expected. Our server was pleasant though and actually a little bit fun. When you come make sure the most skilled driver is driving due to the challenged parking lot provided. Hey but if you put the same restaurant in town you may get better parking but your ticket at the end of the night will double for this level of food and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Marina J.

    got to the restaurant a little late and most of my friends were already there. Great ambiance and looks like a fun place to be. The service however was not so good and either was the food. The waitress kept getting the orders wrong and the food runner didn't seem to be wanting to help her at all. No team work. The manager was running around bar-tending and doing whatever rather than checking to see if everyone was happy. Under staffed for sure but no excuse. The cooks hanging out outside smoking cigs. The crab in one of the dishes not fresh. I would not recommend it.

    (2)

  • Gary A.

    This place has the best mexican food on the island! The ambiance feels very much like mexico. (With live mexican music on occasion) I tried their shrimp cocktail, and carne asada plate and the kalua pig casadia. Top it off with a glass of horchata and a flan dessert...awesome! Parking might be a struggle though.

    (4)

  • Kasey R.

    Would not even award 1 star. Awful! Pre-made warmed up food, stale chips, watery refried beans overall no flavor...we went here because living social names it the best mexican..I understand Jose's is far superior.

    (1)

  • willey k.

    I'll agree with being pretty darn good Mexican food! I won't know what's the best 'till I sample real kine but it hit the spot! Ordered some kind of Fish and Fhrimp Burrito and HG ordered the Mexcian Burrito. No complaints. We ordered the Li Hing Mui Margarita and the Mango Magarita. Li Hing was much better! Mango tasted like the regular stuff from Chili's. Only thing, the bathroom! Kinda crampy and dirty. Typical Kalihi style. The floors in the rest. weren't that clean either but I guess that's Mexico for you. We'll be back! Check it out!

    (4)

  • Katheryn H.

    Went to Mexico Restaurant with a friend, her son and my boyfriend for dinner. It was our first time and we were really disappointed. Here's a list of things that were totally wrong with this place: 1. Our greeting was a yell from the kitchen area "Seat yourself!!!" 2. One of the waitresses had her 2 year old child running all over the place and relaying on customers to watch her daughter for her 3. The food had no flavor what-so-ever. My friend and I ordered the Chicken and Steak Fajita and it tasted like there was something missing. It says it feeds two, but I think it feeds more like 1. The chips and salsa we had tasted way better than what we ate. 4. Our waitress never came to check up on us while we were eating unless we flagged her down for utensils, water, and the bill. 5. For the tasteless food, the price was ridiculous. 6. The parking situation is ridiculous, almost got into 2 accidents just getting out because the parking is soooo tight and it's impossible to see at night, not much lighting.

    (1)

  • Mike G.

    My wife and I go here for lunch and some dinners. We have even drug our parents when they were on holiday to eat here. We love the fajitas and chimis, the pork chimi being the BEST. I would give this 5 stars, but if it is busy you have to walk because the parking is ridiculous, unless you drive a scooter, then it is a 5 star establishment. There was a couple of times the service wasn't up to par, but as with everything you can't be perfect all the time.

    (4)

  • Gil G.

    Sorry, I had to drop it down a notch to 3.5 stars. Today was disappointing... In just 12 days since my last visit, the food has changed channels again to, I guess maintain some continuity between the expansion of the 3 locations. I hope these growing pains are harnessed soon. The Menudo was marginal. The tripe was tough and gristly as was the hominy. The soup was watery and thin. It lacked it's usual stew-like rich texture and flavors. There is usually a deeper red color from the chili sauce infused during the braising. This is usually my go to place for a family favorite. The chicken flauta used to be awesome and hand made. Today it was similar to a frozen Sam's or Costco chimichanga. It used to have shredded and hand pulled chicken and rolled In a tortilla, today doughy and very obviously machine made. Chicken was ok, but very tasteless with the aftertaste of a freezer. Last strike was the Guacamole, or rather, avo spread. Frozen, very bland and I'll leave it at that. Mexico! Your goldmine hidden in the heart of Kalihi shouldn't turn into McD's or Teddy's (corporate tasteless) Burgers! Please return to your own respected homemade food. Service was as usual, exceptional!

    (3)

  • Joshua D.

    Had the mexico burrito it was pretty bomb my glass wasnt ever empty and me and my friends left there full for a really good price!

    (5)

  • Diana C.

    I recomend this place , i am hispánic And this place has really good seasoning . They know what is mexican food all about , the prices are Fair . Good parking , good margaritas

    (5)

  • Joanne A.

    Food: Good - The salsa that came with the complimentary chips had a little spice to it that was delicious. I ordered a steak quesadilla, which came with rice, refried beans, lettuce, and sour cream. The portions were generous, so I had leftovers to take home. Drinks: Ok - We ordered a blended mango margarita pitcher. It wasn't as strong as I thought it would be. I'll probably try the li hing mui margarita if I ever go back. Service: Slow - Our group's entrees all came out at different times and we often needed to ask for our waters to be refilled. Also, we had to wait a while to get our checks and to pay our bill. Parking: Bad - Parking stalls were tight and limited.

    (3)

  • Haylee F.

    Have a never written a review about Mexico?! Shame on me! I love coming here. The staff is always super friendly and they almost always have live music nightly. We usual opt to sit at the bar and get just as good of service as we do at the tables. My order never changes: 2 chicken enchiladas, verde, no beans - all rice...side of guac. And I don't share guac. So when we come here, get your own guac. I always leave my plate empty, and I ALWAYS leave satisfied.

    (5)

  • Edmund G.

    First time trying this place. It was really good and the service was great. Ordered the Mexican burrito and the burrito was very filling. Great to have a place like this in town. Price is a little expensive but worth it for the amount of food they serve.

    (4)

  • Loryn G.

    The only reason I give this eatery 3 stars is because I'm biased, having grown up in a border town in New Mexico. Overall, this place is my second fave Mexican food spot on Oahu. Unexpectedly, it's located in Kalihi. Be aware, during peak hours, parking kinda sucks and the lot itself is a tight fit. Service is friendly, margaritas are huge, decor makes you feel like you're in Mexico / southwest USA, and the combination plates are great. The fish ceviche is really tasty, and a super large portion. Best thing? Like all authentic Mexican restaurants, they immediately bring you complimentary chips and salsa when seated. Salsa there rocks. Only complaint is that they have stacks of the tortilla chips sitting out in the open, near the kitchen / service area. Either hide them, or make them fresh. Hawaii inevitably has bugs, and I couldn't help but wonder how long those chips had been sitting out like that. :/

    (3)

  • Rachel B.

    I really like it here. The food is always good. I crave their fabulous horchata drink. The parking lot is atrocious and the waiters are a hit or miss which is why the 4 stars instead of 5. I have tried a great deal of the menu. If you like seafood then I recommend the garlic shrimp or the seafood burrito options. The sizzling fajita platters are very satisfying. The carne asada options can be very stringy and fatty. You must get the horchata! Seriously i'll just stop by to get a to-go cup of this stuff. The decor is very eclectic and fun. Overall a nice place to stop and have lunch.

    (4)

  • Mae K.

    Dinner with family. Parking sucks especially when there's people that don't know how to park. My nieces, Corona w/Margarita had a small roach in it! Yuck! Quick swap out! My chicken tamale was gr8! Mexican rice over dried out though! My sister's beef nachos, looked like a mountain of mushy cheese! She said her Margarita had no kick 2it! More Li Hing Mui then tequila! Walked a rubbish can through the dining room passed guests, who does that? Our waitress was gr8! Sister gave her a $21 tip, probably, best she'll get all night!

    (2)

  • Ariana M.

    Definitely the BEST Mexican restaurant on the island! I simply just love love love this place, the food is great, fun atmosphere, awesome décor, and live music! You really cant go wrong here. yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… As I was looking up and down the menu trying to decide what to eat, they brought out some chips and salsa to munch on. I was super excited because I was pretty hungry. So I took my chip and scooped up a pile of salsa on it... and that bugger was so spicy :( Then again, I have a super low spicy tolerance so it was probably just me, but my mouth was on fire! THE GRUB: [[MARGARITAS ]] Mango & Li Hing Mui Margarita yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… When your in a Mexican restaurant, you just HAVE to get a margarita I tell you. Especially here! There are so delicious and come in a ton of flavors. [[ CHIMICHANGA $14.50 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… The portion here is goooooood! [[ ENCHILADA $9.50 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… Yummy Yummy in my tummy!

    (5)

  • Marissa Ann T.

    I came here for my birthday a couple weeks ago because the only "mexican" food I've ever had in my life was from Taco Bell and I wanted to try something that was authentic. Got there around noon and my boyfriend and I got seated as soon as we got there. There was only one waitress, but the restaurant was pretty empty, so it didn't really matter. We ordered a horchata (only one size, pitcher) for me and a li hing margarita for him. The horchata was AMAZING. It tasted like a cinnabon in liquid form. As for the margarita, I have no idea because I'm not of legal drinking age yet. The boyfriend said it was delish, though, so I'll take his word for it. For our appetizer, we got the mushroom skillet. The description and images seemed amazing, and sure, it tasted great, but it was way too oily for my liking. For our entrees, I got the mexico burrito (it was monstrous), and my boyfriend had the kalua pork chimichanga. I was so looking forward to my burrito, but when I had my first bite I thought, "eh." When I saw juices oozing out of it when I cut into it, I thought it was from how juicy the carne asada was, but in actuality it was just oil. I was pretty much disappointed with my entree, and I couldn't even care less for the mexican rice and refried beans. The rice was overcooked and too mushy, and the beans tasted like some sort of paste. The only thing I liked about our entrees was my boyfriend's kalua pork chimichanga, which tasted heavenly. Halfway through our meal, I was wishing I had gotten that instead. Moving on to dessert, we had complimentary fried ice cream. It was basically ice cream wrapped in a churro shell (which was SO GOOD, but SO SWEET). All in all, it wasn't horrible. The service was good, the waiting time was excellent, drinks were beyond delicious, food was OK (will be getting a chimichanga next time), and the dessert was free!!! Also, the price you pay for the portions you get? TOTALLY worth it. You only need to order a little since the servings are so big. I'm pretty sure some of the dishes (mexico burrito, for example), could be served family style. And now that I think about how much I don't like the sides that come with the entrees, I'll make sure to order it ala carte style to save some $$$.

    (4)

  • Nizzle F.

    So, We finally checked this place out. Cute little spot. The menu is pretty big with a whole bunch of different options to choose from. I ended up getting the Chimichunga. It came with refried beans, rice, lettuce, diced onions, shredded lettuce, sour cream and guacamole!!!! The Chimichunga was big enough to feed a family of FOUR! My husband ordered the enchiladas as we heard so much good reviews about them. Let's just say we ended up taking a doggie bag home with enough food to make a meal out of. We will definetly be back...still have to try the margaritas

    (5)

  • Sara H.

    Pretty tasty! The place is super cute! The margarita I got was delicious and STRONG! I got a buzz off one. The queso was really good, but not spicy like the menu says. I got a burrito and it was HUGE! And quite scrumptious. Husband got some tacos and those were good as well. Only bad things I can think of: My margarita class was a little dirty but the strength of the liquor made it ok. The server wasn't the best, didn't know much about the drinks or menu, and didn't have a whole lot of personality. My side of sour cream was TWO DOLLARS! Oh well.....Nothing a little tequila can't make better! 4 stars because it's Hawaii, there's no good Mexican here, this was pretty decent, and I love me a good margarita!

    (4)

  • Emily K.

    I'm so happy my husband and I found this place! We've been here for almost 2 years and this is the closest mainland Mexican restaurant we've found. I only gave 4 stars for a couple of reasons. 1) you only get 1 basket of chips and salsa for free and have to pay for more. 2) no free refills on anything including soda, lemonade etc. All minor things I know but definitely something that caught my attention in a negative way. Other than that our experience was great! The food was flavorful and plentiful and my margarita was big and strong!

    (4)

  • Maile G.

    We have been looking for a good mexican restaurant on the windward side with no luck, friends have recommended this place and we were pleasantly surprised. Food was very good and we liked the live music. Only 15 minutes from Kaneohe. Would recommend to others and we will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Caesar P.

    Disappointed with the declining quality of the food. We've noticed this over the past year. Just had first meal there of 2015 and the decline continues. Tamale was microwaved and as such, halfway through the meal, the masa turned rock hard! With the other dish, the tostadas were lukewarm; not enough time in the microwave. Even the plate was unevenly warm... Beans were also the same. This was a place we used to recommend to our friends. Not anymore. We're probably not eating there anytime soon unless we learn that the quality has returned.

    (2)

  • Mariah C.

    This is my second time coming here so I expected to get the same authentic Mexican experience i had the first time around. But time has probably changed a lot of things because the staff was younger and there was a different vibe than before. Which is not a big deal, but I noticed. My parents got the fajita wrap and the carne asada plate. They were blown away by their food and I'm glad. Being it was my second time here, I decided to try something new. I always get cow tongue at Korean yakiniku so I tried it for the first time in a taco the other night. It looked appetizing but when I took my first bite, I knew something was wrong. I have never prepared cow tongue myself but I don't think it's supposed to be as rubbery or gelatinous as I received it. And it was a bit cold. I went home feeling feverish. The next day I had to call it an early day at work because my temperature was through the roof and I felt so nauseated. I'm disappointed because everyone else raved about their lengua tacos. Maybe I just got the last end of it right before closing...

    (2)

  • Sheila G.

    After coming back from our California trip last year, we couldn't get enough of Mexican food. So we yelped and tried a bunch of restaurants on Oahu. Honestly, this is as good as it gets in Hawaii. My bf always order beef tongue burrito. It's just so good. I, myself like to order different things for variety and all of them have been yummy. Customer service is a hit or miss though. Some days, it's horrible, other days, it's awesome. But with this restaurant, it doesn't matter to me. I'm here for the food, so if you give me crap service, you aren't getting a tip.

    (4)

  • G G.

    Love their lengua burrito and my husband loves their Mexico burrito..everything so tasty!

    (5)

  • Aim H.

    My friend and I came here for lunch and it was DA bomb. They gave us complimentary chips and salsa. We ordered a list hung margarita and a horchata. I ordered a big burrito and she ordered a mexico burrito and garlic mushrooms. The big burrito was soooo big, it could have fed 3 people. Her mexico burrito was big enough for 2. We topped it off with a fried ice cream but that one wasn't so good. It was an ice cream, wrapped in bread, deep fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. But all in all the rest of the food was really good and portions was phenomenal!!

    (4)

  • Hope Y.

    So we had an event in town, and decided to eat at Mexico Restaurant. The serve complimentary chips and salsa, and I am not always a salsa fan, but I liked their salsa! Ordered a Li hing Margarita, which is huge and at a decent price. Now, I am a cheese person. I love cheese. Give me a sizzling pan of melted cheese, and this girl is in heaven! Ah, just thinking about the queso is making me want to find some cheese. Hubs ordered the menudo, which he says is the best one he's tasted yet. I ordered the combo plate with a tamale and an enchilada. I only at the enchilada, and the tamale was for hubs. I don't like beans, so I had all rice, which was perfect since hubs and I were sharing. Service was good, restaurant was clean and the tummy was happy. Check out the bathroom, it's cool. Parking can be terrible, but if you go early or during an off-peak time, it's no problemo.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    We heard a lot of good things about this Resturant and decided to try it! We have a supper club that we started to just go out and try new and different genres of food! Just a bunch of us who like to eat good food! We had a great time with starting off with top shelf margaritas which was really good and strong! Lol! We had the ceviche to start and it was really good! Nothing special but great lime cilantro tomato sauce! Our dinners came and everyone had a great meal. I had the tamale and it was huge! Homemade to the best! Go out and try it! You might enjoy it! Oh parking sucks!

    (3)

  • Alison S.

    FINALLY!!! a delicious mexican food place in honolulu :) i cant tell you how stoked we were after eating there. we had just come back from a weekend in north shore so we had rented a car and decided to check this place out. we started with a pitcher of their lime margarita on the rocks. not too strong, just the perfect. my boyfriend ordered the "mama mia burrito" which was huge and served with rice and beans on the side. i ordered the "tostada salad" with chicken and its was sooooo good. the chicken alone was delish. cant wait to go back to this place again

    (5)

  • Peter M.

    Tried this place for the first time, the food is great, but almost like cafeteria style prep work, I had the Mexico burrito, it was okay, but seemed like the beef was pulled from a tray that's used for other items in their menu (hence cafeteria), prob. would've been better if they had grilled it or mixed it in with some seasonings. Also had a side carnitas taco, some portions of the pork was extremely salty, maybe pulled from a tray and then salted. The ambiance was okay, except the live music was a little too loud for the place. Overall it was a decent experience, maybe just a fluke with my orders, but if local Mexicans go there it must be authentic.

    (4)

  • Keith K.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant on Oahu. Recommend an empty stomach and anything listed on their menu -- it's all good. Update 6/20/2014: Liked it so much on Tuesday, we came back today [Friday] for another great lunch. I ordered fajitas combo this time. Meat came out on a sizzling hot plate and all of the fixins were really good. Did manage to finish this meal, but barely. Now the problem becomes what I should order on next visit to Mexico. All four of my friends enjoyed theirs, as well [again!] Dang, this place is good! Original Post 6/17/2014: Just got back from eating lunch at Mexico. Wow! This place is awesome!!! Ordered Chile Verde. It was excellent and a huge portion size. [first time I couldn't finish my meal in over 2 years] Servers were all very helpful and friendly ... and it just felt like a Mexican restaurant. My friends all enjoyed their meals, as well.

    (5)

  • O O.

    Their menudo soup is beefy tasting without a smidgen or waft of dung. It is tasty, large, in this thick and yummy peppery red soup with posole. I just wish the ratio was more tripe to soup. Really good.

    (4)

  • Scott P.

    Not to shabby for a Mexican restaurant in Kalihi. I had the Carnitas Plato. Pork was tender and seasoned well. The three tortillas were just the right amount. Didn't have a chance to order any alcohol...but maybe on the next visit.

    (3)

  • April Y.

    My mom has been here first time going here...don't like the location hard to get out of the parking lot....but the food is very good and good prices. By far best Mexican food I've had on the island.

    (5)

  • Francisco H.

    Came here for breakfast on Father's Day. They told us they do not serve coffee. Ordered a Mexican breakfast. They told us that the breakfast does not come with Tortillas. We have to pay for tortillas extra. I ordered eggs with chorizo. The eggs came with some kind of spicy beef that was not chorizo. We will not be returning to this restaurant until we get some assurance that the management takes these issues seriously. You decide if you want to come to a restaurant that offers breakfast but no coffee and offers Mexican dishes and no tortillas. and doesn't serve chorizo when you asked for it.

    (1)

  • Crys M.

    A nice little hole in the wall Mexican restaurant in Kalihi. The food was great, service was excellent, and my Margarita drink was nice and strong. Parking is kind of small and tight. But it's a good place to go if you do not want to drive into town. Will Definitely be back.

    (4)

  • melie t.

    Very good Mexican for Hawaii. Only ok if it was from California. The carne asada tasted good in my quesadilla. My dad had the Hawaiian pork tacos. He really liked them. Passion fruit and coconut margaritas were good. It had live music playing when we went. I would go back again.

    (4)

  • Summer T.

    pretty decent mexican food. i must say that i am by no means an expert on mexican food but i did enjoy this restaurant over some other ones. i really, really, really liked their horchata. they give it to you in a nice little personal pitcher. I don't eat meat but they do have a few vegetarian options. I tried their tostada salad and thier veggie burrito. both were pretty appetizing. my husband tried a few different plates at different occasions and it seem like everything he ordred was completely covered in melted cheese. He didn't order it this way, i guess that's how they make it. he personally loves cheese but just a heads up if you're one to go for a little bit less greasy food. i heard their fried ice cream desert is spectacular but everytime we've gone, they were out. i must say their margaritas are pretty awesome though, must try! also, their parking lot is very small and usually packed since it's right next to a local park. be open to street parking!

    (3)

  • Andrew P.

    At 4PM on a Thursday, the restaurant wasn't too crowded. Parking is horrible; it took about 15 minutes to find a space. The restaurant was clean but the waitresses seemed "blah;" at least they kept my water full. The food came out in a timely and manner and a man was about to play live music right as I left the restaurant. I would eat there again.

    (3)

  • Patti K.

    This became one if our family's favorite restaurants. Amazing how a change of a menu and a chef can alter the whole dynamics for better or worse. Too many items removed that were our favorites and, we know, the favorites of others. Food didn't have the same kick and fish was dry. Disappointed not to have some menu items. Still have the greatest flan. Don't change that! It's in our meh list now. Was 5 stars. Now 3.

    (3)

  • Veronica L.

    Most of my friends can attest that I absolutely do not like Mexican food. At all. That being said, I LOVE Mexico Restaurant! A friend first took me here when I first moved to the island back in 2011. I was hooked ever since! Because I am a creature of habit (I always order a specific dish at each restaurant), I haven't ventured past the beef/chicken/Kalua pig (you can choose between the three meats) flauta and the garlic shrimp (served sizzling on a cast iron skillet). So heavenly the both of them! I try to come here a few times a year to get my Mexican on. I am also not a big fan of spicy foods so even though their salsa is good, it's a bit too spicy for me. The service is usually pretty good. Sometimes it's really crowded but to me, it's well worth the wait. I can't remember when, but they do have live music on certain days of the week. Granted, every time I have been privy to this, it was a one-man band with his guitar and synthesizer (mini keyboard). He's usually good! I'm not big on margaritas so I cannot comment on them. Although this last time I wanted to try their pomegranate margarita! Maybe next time. Also maybe next time I'll leave enough room in my stomach for dessert! I love fried ice cream but have yet to try theirs. One of these days!! So, from a non-Mexican-food-eater, this place is fantastic!!

    (4)

  • Raych D.

    This past Sunday I was craving Mexican food...which is very rare because I almost never crave for Mexican food unless I'm in California. Anyways, I've always wanted to try Mexico restaurant in Kalihi for awhile so after being in Salt Lake area the whole afternoon we decided to get a late lunch here before we head back home to town. The place was empty around 2:45pm and the waitress we had was sweet and she had purple hair. I love horchata and my bf doesn't drink that so I asked her if I could have something smaller than the pitcher it normally comes in and she accommodated to by charging me for a soda price in a cup (same cup the water comes in). We also asked for extra salsa for our chips and she forgot once to bring it but came back later to drop them off when our chips were gone but that's okay because we used that extra salsa for our tacos and was not charged for it...even better! My horchata was excellent...it is really the best one in town and I kinda wish I gotten the pitcher instead of just a cup. I ordered the 2 fish tacos which I believe they used Mahi Mahi fish and I loved that the tortilla was more on the smaller side and it was really soft and not oily at all. They aren't shy with the lettuce, tomatoes and re-fried beans (with melted cheese on top) and Spanish rice...I had so much food left over that I had to bring it home. My boyfriend got the 2 ground beef hard taco shells and at first he instead got the shredded beef and (because our waitress forgot) he just told her it was the wrong beef type and she immediately gave him 2 new ground beef hard shell tacos...which we also was not charged for and she did not even take the 2 mistaken tacos back. The place has a Mexican feel to it with all the paintings, sculptures, furniture and people that were there. The food rocks! Especially the fish tacos, salsa and horchata. I now know what everyone keeps talking about and know where to go when I'm having those rare Mexican food cravings. Price is a little pricey but the portion size makes up for it.

    (4)

  • Irene G.

    Portion sizes are good and that atmosphere is great! Parking lot is small and prices can get a little pricey so be prepared. This is one of the best Mexican restaurants on Oahu and trust me there aren't very many. Don't expect much from the servers here. I've had to repeat myself a few times and they often forget your drink order.

    (4)

  • Marni T.

    Omg I don't know why I came here to eat of ALL places. It was just awful, we didn't get greeted, we waited for someone to show us to a table and their was no one else in the place. They made it like it was so hard to service us. I can't even remember what I got, it wasn't memorable, plus it got me sick. Everything was smothered in garlic, which is nice but it was too much. I don't think I'll ever come back here.

    (2)

  • Al D.

    Have given this place a chance a few times since my bad experience a few years ago. This place is pretty dependable. Portions are large. They have an expansive menu. Margaritas are good but a little on the weak side. Good ambience. Friendly service. One unfortunate thing however is that the fish they serve is tilapia, which is yucky for locals.

    (4)

  • MooCow R.

    The food here is yummy! Salsa was really good and their chips are fresh. Just wish there was a bit more salt on the chips. They put hot sauce on the table, however you can also ask for habanero sauce. Portions are big and the service was great. The only issue I had was with my utensils. The fork and knife were wrapped in a napkin and when I opened the napkin the knife was stuck to the napkin...cause of some leftover cheese. :/ I opted not to use the knife. A table near us had what looked like a li hing margarita. It looked yummy! Will have to try that next time.

    (4)

  • Stacey W.

    The past several times I've been here has been really disappointing. I usually order the flautas or chimichanga. The last time I was here I ordered the flautas and got a chimichanga and the server and kitchen insisted the chimichanga was flautas. I honestly don't know how they can confuse the two and it's not like I haven't ordered flautas from them in the past so I know that what I got was not what I had received previously. When I sent it back all they did was remove the rice and beans they put on the plate when they first served it because flautas is an appetizer and does not come with rice and beans whereas chimichangas is a main course and does. But they still insisted that the chimichanga they returned to me after waiting 15 minutes for them to remove the rice and beans and re-plate the dish was actually flautas. That aside the taste of the chimichanga aka flautas was not up to par. It was really soggy and oily, which has been consistent with the preparation of the food during my last few visits. My first experience with this restaurant several years ago was good, so I've come back several times hoping to recapture the quality of that first visit, but I think I will stop trying at this point. Even the salsa isn't as good as I remember it being that first time. It almost tasted like something you can buy in a jar at the supermarket.

    (2)

  • April K.

    I highly recommend the enchiladas and their menudo. On customer service: Great staff, but inconsistent. They are more slow when it is not busy, yet great customer service when it is busy.

    (4)

  • Lansen E.

    The best place on Oahu for Mexican food in my opinion. Huge serving size and great tasting food. Fun ambiance, and perfect food for the days your really hungry.. Staff was great. Couldn't be any happier with the experience there. A 5 Stars forsure!!!

    (5)

  • Chelsey N.

    The food was excellent! I was adventurous and tried the lingua burrito...it had an iron-y taste but it was so tasty! The portion size is good considering the price ($15ish a plate). The service was kinda a bummer. There was some sort of fried remnant of what might have been hopefully food in our chips when we first sat down. Also they were pretty slow given that the restaurant was pretty slow. The menus need to be wiped down and they should make sure you get at least some ice in your water. Beyond that I loved it! Can't wait to go back and try something else.

    (3)

  • Tamiko D.

    This was my 1st time at Mexico, we were a group of 5. Good things: enchilada, taquitos, beef burrito & Carne asada. Okay thing: Chile relleno. Don't order the tamal - too dense, tasted like was heated in the microwave. Music was enjoyable.

    (3)

  • Mike P.

    Normally we love Mexico, and hail it as one of our 3 favorite Mexican Restaurants on Oahu (El Mariachi and Mexico Lindo being the other 2). However, our most recent experience tonight touched a nerve and I need to vent. One of my pet peeves is when a restaurant closes early or rushes you when you come in right before their ADVERTISED closing time. They close at 9pm, and even had there flashing neon sign that daid "open" on when we arrived at 8:50pm. We were sat and told that they "had last call in the kitchen and bar 5 mins ago. Can you order quick?" Really? WTF? I am in the food service biz and understand how much work needs to be done to close a restaurant. That being said, you have 2 choices: 1) Change your frickin closing time to 8:30 or 2) Serve your late customers with a frickin smile This goes for any restaurants. ..not just this one. I think we got a bad server who handled it wrong. She was haole w/ black nail polish. No smiles and rude.

    (2)

  • Eunice R. M.

    The worst service ever! They waitress sees that you're making eye contact and just ignores you! The only reason I'm here is for the lack of Mexican restaurants in Hawaii.

    (1)

  • Tim K.

    Food was excellent. Gabrielle our waitress seemed a bit overwhelmed with the amount of tables she was serving - but she still seemed a bit edgy. Because of the food I would probably go back!

    (3)

  • Jody S.

    Took my intern for her fave, Mexican cuisine. She's from Georgia and has been jonesing for some real authentic Mexican food and this place never ceases to impress. So off we went to celebrate her departure from us and thank her for all her hard work, dedication and commitment over the past month. Four of us went and we enjoyed the following: garlic shrimp skillet, crab chimichanga, chicken tamal and chicken enchilada combo and a shrimp taco and crab enchilada combo. The service was fast despite the place being crowded. And the food, mmmm delish!

    (4)

  • Billy L.

    F**k this place. Sat at the bar, no one acknowledged me for 10 minutes, then when they did, the bartender lectured me for sitting in an area where she couldn't see me. I walked out mid lecture. I've been there 4 or 5 times before and will NEVER go back. Food isn't that good anyway.

    (1)

  • Randy I.

    Excellent quality. Delicious food. Generous portions. Try the chicken chimichanga, I really enjoyed it. And also try the horchata. Compared to other Mexican restaurants, this was definitely the largest glass of horchata given. You'll be surprised.

    (4)

  • Adam S.

    My wife is a Mexican food fanatic and this place has it all. Get ready for spicy. They started with chips and salsa which put a little tingle on your tongue. Followed by a steaming plate of garlic and cheese grilled mushrooms. Tasted of fresh garlic and creamy cheese on crisp mushrooms. We ended up sharing a heaping mound of fajitas. Steak and chicken a plenty. Very well seasoned with peppers onion and mushrooms. Wish there was room for desert. The deep fried ice cream looked so good. Guess we will be heading back for desert...

    (5)

  • Justin T.

    Person: So you live in Kalihi huh? Me: Yeah i do Person: You've been to the Mexican restaurant over there oh what? Me: What? there a Mexican restaurant there? Person: ugh yeah. I lived in Kalihi my whole life and i have never went to this restaurant before, and i finally had the chance to go when a friend visiting from the mainland was craving for some Mexican food after a hike. Looking through the images and a quick stroll to a few reviews and we were sold, our stomachs growling as we travel from Hawaii Kai. So we arrive parking seemed very difficult, and a bit tight, especially when there are SUVs, and pickup trucks present which limit space when entering heir driveway but any who we managed to park. We entered the restaurant and i personally was awestruck just the fact that i passed this place many many times and only know i am able to see what it actually look inside. It was very authentic, very homey i should say. SERVICE We were greeted by servers nearby and soon after had us seated. Our server's name was DIANNA, a nice local girl. We told her that this would be our first experience here at the restaurant, and immediately she opened up and became very personable and open, she was nice, funny, and interacted with us very well, she asked us what preference we would have and then she worked from there on what she would recommend us ordering. FOOD We were given tortilla chips before we ordered, they were OK, not sure if they are freshly made, but when we got ours it was cold, but still crispy, gave me the idea i was eating store bought chips. I ordered the Chicken Fajita Burrito, there was a lot of food, mind you all carbs. I loved the beans they were really good they were the first to be gone from my plate. You get full fast, that's all i can say so you might want to cut down on the free chips they provide if you want to eat more of what you order. What i was disappointed on was that there was not much chicken on in my burrito, which i really wanted more of as i wanted meat, other than that flavors worked well, not to salty at all. I ate half of my burrito, i didn't even get through with my rice and i was already stuffed. Overall I'm a fan, I would come back sometime in the future, the environment is really nice its great for families and big groups especially, food will definitely and i can say guarantee to make you full, if not then order some more or eat your partners leftovers. Nothing really surprised me on the food, seemed very on par with other Mexican restaurants I've been too, nothing to make me rave about it. Service was awesome, can't complain on that otherwise. PS: If you need to CARB up say, before a marathon, race, or 5/10k runs, come here it will definitely set up for storing that energy. :)

    (4)

  • Jessica M.

    The food here is super tasty. Not necessarily the most Authentic Mexican food....but really good flavors. The chorizo cheese skillet is ridiculous!!! Melty, crispy cheese with spicy chorizo! Yes please!! The chimichanga is amazing. Love that they have a variety of hot sauces. Tamales are really good Also! If you have any room left you must try the fried ice cream!!! Amazing. Prices are farely reasonable. The only reason I don't give 5 stars is the service is usually bad. But the food is good enough to come back anyways!!

    (4)

  • Gin D.

    Great atmosphere and good food! Service is a little slow but I don't mind. Margaritas r strong!! :)

    (5)

  • Kev T.

    Came in wanting to like this place. According to the reviews, it seemed like a great place to get mexican food. Left feeling like I'd just wasted twenty bucks. Got here around 2 pm on Thursday afternoon. Entered to see a mom, dad and child seated on one table. Three student nurses on a second table and two ladies seated on a high table near the bar. Not very busy. Sign said wait to be seated. So, stood there a good eight or ten minutes. Finally a guys enters the front doors behind me and says you want to sit? Yes. He grabs a menu and seats me in the dining room. Ordered a chimichanga with shredded beef. Complimentary tortilla chips brought out with salsa. Salsa was okay, more of a sauce than actual recognizable pieces of tomato, onion etc. Chips were chips. Chimichanga came out. Rice was lukewarm as was the refried beans. Ever tried eating lukewarm beans? Hope not. The shell of the chimichanga was moist and not crispy for having been supposedly deep fried. Also, didn't seem to be warm at all. Shredded beef had a burnt flavor to it. And, while I wasn't expecting a huge amount of filling in the chimichanga, I felt there should've been more since I was paying about $15 for the plate. All in all, disappointing. Lukewarm mexican food is not fun.

    (2)

  • K K.

    Pros: Food is good Parking lot attached to restaurant and lots of area parking Vegetarian options and lots of meat styles to chose from Monday nights there's live music Cons: The wait to get seated can test your patience Food does not always arrive hot No reservations taken on weekends Service is inconsistent Shots over mixed drinks, margaritas need way more tequila!!

    (3)

  • Nomake L.

    This is probably my second time here during lunch hours. I usually come with some friends and my hubby for dinner. The menu on Yelp doesn't list the kids menu, but you can order an enchilada, burrito, mini chimichanga, or nachos. All entrees come with rice, beans, and a small drink. I ordered a kids shredded chicken enchilada (verde sauce and melted cheese on top), but you can also choose shredded beef. Shredded meat it always better than chopped. That's why I love this place. The friendly bartender who greeted me at the door also took my order. I've seen him here before and he's probably worked the longest of all the FOH (front of house) staff. My to-go order was ready in about 10min. The only reason I didn't give it a perfect 5 stars is because I still can't forget how the enchiladas tasted in LA. Otherwise, $7 for a kids menu and quick service before 1:00pm. Love it!

    (4)

  • Schon H.

    Chips weren't too bad, salsa not so good, canned I suspect. Buritto was fantastic but why oh why don't they offer salads with leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce? Iceberg is the lettuce of the least nutritional value. Iceberg lettuce is an insult to our pursuit for healthy choices, a punishment of sorts. I would eat at Mexico Mexican restaurant on a regular basis if the salads weren't made with iceberg lettuce.

    (2)

  • Marie C.

    I had the chile verde when I had lunch there with a party of 8. It was a generous portion and very good. Everyone else enjoyed their food, too. Very authentic Mexican food. Margaritas were great, too! Come early or come during non-peak times because parking is tight.

    (5)

  • Pabs G.

    The food is delicious and serving size rather large that I end up taking the rest home for lunch the next day. We enjoy going here with both small and large groups, but seating is limited during peak times. The horchata is am----mazzing! Super yummy! Been going here for years and there isn't anything negative that I could say about this place. Even the bathroom is clean. A clean restaurant speaks volumes about what it could look like in the kitchen.

    (4)

  • Jess F.

    My boyfriend and I live up the street and it's not only ALWAYS absolutely delicious, the portions are huge! We can't get enough and will be sad to leave this place behind when we move next month. One of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been too. And I'm from LA and his mom is the best Mexican cook (they might give her a run for her money though!)

    (5)

  • Mahina k.

    Proably the best Mexican place on oahu! Loved the mushrooms! The Mexican rice was soooo good best I ever had and I make Mexican rice lol! Ambiance on point. Service a little slow but friendly I recommend doing lunch dinner is way to busy for me. The reason it got a 3 stars and not a 4 was cause the woman's toilet was broken gross I literally had to remove the cover and flush it manually must happen often because there was a post it on the pump that said pull here. So you know they were aware of the problem. But i love this place.

    (3)

  • Kelly W.

    $15 for a small burrito with the cheese not even melted no flavor missing the first time we went there we walked out before we ordered because the service was so bad. Then today we gave it another chance and had take out. Terrible food! Nasty cashier. Save your money

    (1)

  • Zara B.

    Went there yesterday bout noon got a seat right away, food was ok service was not !! two tables got their food before us and we was seated before them , my Boi N hubby's food came 1st while mine was waiting in the window while the waiter make baskets of chips!! not once did he come to refill our drinks my hubby had to wave him down, too pricey for me

    (3)

  • Alicia C.

    The bartender here really needs an attitude adjustment. She clearly has never heard the term "the customer is always right." I ordered the Cadillac margarita, which, as described in their menu, includes agave nectar. When delivered, it tasted like straight tequila. I mean ZERO mixer of any kind. I can handle a strong drink, and on occasion have ordered double margaritas, but with this, I couldn't even sip it. I sent it back to be remade because it was VERY CLEARLY over poured. The waitress apologized and took the drink and about 3 minutes later, the bartender came out and, feeling insulted I guess, told me that I must be confused by what a Cadillac margarita is, since Cadillac margarita means that they put the max amount of tequila possible in it, so if that's not what I want, next time, I should just order a regular margarita. The waitress came out and apologized for the rude bartender, which is the reason I bumped this up from 1 star to 3 stars. Food is ok, not great, but I'm full Mexican, so it's hard for a Mexican restaurant to impress me.

    (3)

  • Emily D.

    Let me preface that Mexico may be as good as it gets as far as a steady Mexican restaurant in Hawaii. Now, those are a couple things that you really have to live in Hawaii to understand. 1) Mexican pop ups, trucks and small to go places is totally different than a sit down, service style restaurant. 2) I'm from the West coast, and we can get amazing Mexican food almost anywhere. But in Hawaii that is just not the case. At Mexico restaurant the portions were huge and the flavors were on point. The beans and rice were standard and just that much better with some Tapatio doused on. When I'm on a hangry rampage, the worst part is that I can never figure out what I want to eat. Luckily there was a burrito with literally everything I wanted. Shredded beef AND chicken, red sauce AND green sauce... it was amazing. Li Hing Mui Margarita- It was okay for a margarita from a restaurant. It tasted kind of watered down and needed some more lime. Parking is incredibly odd and tight... The lot is on a downward slope going toward a small and park. There is sometimes parking on the side, but it gets filled up pretty quickly. To get out, I think you can go through an opening through the fence. That and the fact that it is inconveniently placed in Kalihi is probably the worst part of the restaurant. Overall, it is worth the drive for a nice meal for the next couple days.

    (4)

  • Stephanie T.

    This is the closest to good mexican food that I have had on island, so when I'm to lazy to make it myself, this is where I go. The chicken tamales tasted a little different this time and I wish they were steamed just a tad bit longer or the masa was maybe a little drier and also not doused in sauce. It ruins them for me. The rice is pretty good and the refried beans are ya know refried beans, nothing special. They have live music here in the evenings so if you plan to have a conversation with whomever is sitting across the table from you, forget about it because they blast it so loud you cant hear across the table. One thing I always struggle with here is the service, because sometimes after you get your food it seems like they forget about you. I could have used a water refill during my meal a few times but ended up just eating the ice cubes instead.

    (3)

  • Teresa T.

    I love this restaurant. The menudo and flan are the best. I normally would not easy menudo, but this place makes it taste do good. The tripe isn't chewy so you wouldn't know you are eating menudo. I made the mistake if adding all of the Chile that was on the side of the bowl when they brought my order. Although, it was too spicy from the chili, it was still so good. It's as close to mainland Mexican food I have tasted here on the island. Don't leave without trying the flan. It's amazing. The pictures in the women's bathroom are comical. I get the New Mexico sort of vibe in this place. They have a man sitting by the door playing Mexican music sometimes. It can be a little loud at times. Parking is difficult when they are busy. You might have to park down a nearby street.

    (5)

  • Amy Y.

    Mexican craving to the MAX!!!!!!! So did I mention yet... I absolutely LOVE Mexican food?! My friend obviously noticed, so he took me here for dinner. It was a Saturday night, and it was busy. The wait wasn't too long, maybe around 20 minutes or so for two. The interior was very nice. Restaurant was decorated with a lot of Mexican-ish designs. There was also live music so the restaurant was really loud. Now to the food. My friend got the tamal and I got the taco plate. I was really full after the chips and salsa they gave us. It was sooooo good. I ate most of it. It felt like everything was spicy after. We had to get the Horchata (mini-size pitcher). It was very milky and cinnamony. I will be back for sure. *wink* Heheehee

    (4)

  • Chris L.

    rude!!! never again!!!! young server need to learn tact!!!! we are never going back again!!!!

    (1)

  • Kamaria N.

    I am not a fan of Mexican cuisine but my cousin found this place on yelp and insisted on going. We dined here for lunch last Friday and it was great. Not too crowded, the service was great and the food was even better. The menu was full of choices for anyone. Of course I had to get a frozen margarita. That was good also. I'll definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Chelsea G.

    Hole in the wall place, all the good food is always in Kalihi for some reason? Located close to the famous Helena's Hawaiian Food, it's literally across the street from one another. And as you can imagine, parking is a bizznitch!! I suggest you not use the private lot because you are risking being stuck in that lane OR your car getting dented from other inconsiderate customers tryna work their way out of their car grrrr. AND trying to maneuver yourself by reversing out onto North School can be tricky because this particular street is very very busy. Park on the streets or by Helena's. Iffy neighborhood but pretty safe *trust me* I loved how the inside ambience makes you feel at "home" comfy, seats quite close together but the wooden seats are wide do they do buy you more room space. Decor is quite interesting conversation pieces. The food is just so awesome! I love their simple refried beans and rice! I know if the basic butter and bread are good, the main courses are just as delish. Always get the simple tacos which you can choose your filling of ground beef shredded beef chicken etc. My boyfriend got the el grande burrito and it looked like it was a good 3lbs! Always a good value! I hate to give four stars cuz I'm a fan, but the past few times I've been going to dine their, their service was always slow! It took a while for them to get our drinks started and then maybe another 10 minutes again to take our order (despite me secretly eyeing the waiters/waitress). I do wish the management can assign more efficient waitresses at this busy restaurant. Oh and mind you, the days that I've been dining here, the restaurant was 50-75% full so it wasn't bustling busy.. Free dessert on your birthday!! Fried ice cream with whip! I love this place! Oh and try the el patron margarita ;) only $13!

    (4)

  • Chelle M.

    So far this is one of the best Mexican restaurants on this island. It feels like I'm back at home in Las Vegas and Cali. I'll be back for more.

    (5)

  • Bev L.

    Great Mexican food in Hawaii. Good atmosphere. Nice interior decorations. Banana fried ice cream yummmm! Only our service was a lil off bc the waiter was too busy.

    (4)

  • Carlton B.

    WAS 4 STARS PRIOR TO NEW MANAGEMENT TAKING OVER My wife and I used to spend our Fridays after work at this wonderful restaurant. The parking is horrible but that is kinda the norm here on Oahu. Customer service is good, always greeted and seated within a minute. The salsa WAS amazing. The older gentleman bartender WAS friendly and professional. Enchilladas, tacos, burritos WAS killer. And then, new management happened. The salsa recipe changed. It is now flavorless and hot. The food is rushed and taste of microwave slop. They used to make their tortilla chips homemade, now it taste old and store-bought. So unfortunate when new management comes in and screws up something that didn't need to be fix.

    (2)

  • Jennifer V.

    Been here a few times before & it was pretty good however, we will never return after the last meal. Having lived in Mexico, I know it is nearly impossible to find exceptional Mexican food in HI & I really don't have high expectations. The food was barely warm, tasteless but overly salted. We had a burrito, enchilada, beans & rice. Something was wrong with the rice. It just didn't taste right but can't pinpoint the reason. The porridge like beans tasted as such. The entire meal seemed like runny slop on a plate. My friend had a better dinner in her hospital room last week. I'm not usually this brutal & usually post positives but it really was awful. The server was appropriately attentive but didn't seem too interested in the whole experience. Bartender had some challenges with the drinks as well. Where is the quality control in this place?

    (1)

  • Jayson L.

    The best Mexican place you can ever eat in island of Oahu!!! First of all i love maxican food, it's not the healthy but it's delicious. everytime i come here i'm always leaving feeling like i'm going to explode because just too much food. i come here quite often and i always get combo meal. i change it up times to times but always get their burrito which it never fails. their rice and the beans comes really hot when you get it so i love to eat it right away with the free chip and salsa they give you. i think they charge second order of chip and salsa but it's only a $1. They make their own chips and they are always crunch and their salsa are just hot enough where i like it. someplace i been to was just too water down. they have full bar which you can get all type of drink you want. One thing they have really special desert that i haven't seen anywhere is that DEEP FRY ICE CREAM!!! let's all scream for deep fried ice cream!!! yayyyayayaya it's lightly batter into flower and deep fried and served with whip cream and chocolate syrup. if you have sweet tooth you will love this. The best ice desert i had in my life. if you haven't tried this place it's a must. Only thing it's not so good is that they have very limited parking so it's a small battle to good food. when you win the battle you will get award it with awesome food ^.^

    (5)

  • Farren R.

    My husband and I love it here! Our favorites are their Mexico and lengua burritos and their salsa rojo and salsa verde. The staff is always friendly here! The only downside is that their parking lot is kind of small and cramped.

    (5)

  • Harold B.

    Visited Mexico again last night. This is my fourth time to Oahu and fourth visit to Mexico. The margaritas are served in a large stem glass, as they should be, and are pretty good. The fajitas with carnitas we ordered were just right. The guacamole was very good and fresh. Everything was very good and we will be back on our next visit. They do close at 9 pm sharp.

    (4)

  • Gee G.

    My new favorite dish is their Carnitas Plato!!! It's sooo good, more of the green sauce would've been nice but seriously delicious!

    (5)

  • Joseph C.

    Being Mexican myself and growing up in Texas I must start off with if you're looking for AUTHENTIC Mexican food do NOT eat here!! Do not get me wrong the food is decent if you're looking for Americanized mexican food the portions are very generous, but unfortunately that still doesn't make up for the lack of authenticity. The reason I am still giving 2 stars is because of the ambience of the restaurant, it simply made feel like I was back home. If you must have Mexican food I would honestly just recommend the chile relleno or the carne asada tacos, they're by far the only tolerable things I tasted during my visit. Oh and a note to the restaurant do not call your red sauce home made when it tastes like it came from a can.

    (2)

  • Lorilynn L.

    Nice atmosphere, delicious food, reasonable price and live Mariachi music, que bueno!! Mui delicioso!

    (5)

  • Carrie G.

    Bleh... Where to start? First of all, we were really excited to try this place. After a long day of working on home renovation and only eating 1 Musubi all day, I was starving... So anything they served me should have been great, but it wasn't. The li hung mui margarita was watered down. The large caught me no buzz. It was tasty but ineffective. The food made me want to turn vegetarian. The meat was soooo salty. I love salt. i pour salt on top of salt and lick the rim, my fingers, anything with salt, i love it. i pour salt on my dessert... but this place was salt overload. The rest was so bland. No spice, no fresh cilantro, no lime, no fresh onions, no cumin... All the signatures of true Mexican cuisine were missing. The chips were hard and stale, salsa was lifeless. The beef quesadilla was overly salted and sat in a pool of liquid, making it soggy on 1 side. The chicken burrito had piles of salty shredded chicken, but it wasn't a good thing. Bland green sauce on top. The kalua pig crunchy taco had piles of overly salted pig inside, I couldn't finish it. It made me gasp for my watery margarita to chase it down. The only good thing we got was the chili releno. It was cheesy, cooked just right with a thin egg batter. The refried beans and rice were good, but a side does not make a meal. The service was ok. No frills, no thrills. Wish this place lived up to the hype, but I can't bring myself to eat there again.

    (2)

  • Dextin A.

    First time here and ive heard mixed reviews i must say i was pleasantly surprised the food was good and the portions were great the service was excellent definitely will be returning

    (4)

  • Shelley E.

    The service here is SOOOOO slow!!!! As if time were endless and there was no line 20 people deep outside. As if we stopped to smell the roses and never left. So slow my son had a chance to nap AND eat dinner. You have been warned, Tacos are delicious and so are the margaritas if you can live long enough to try them.

    (3)

  • Gloria G.

    Last night a friend and I decide we needed to have Mexican food and since we were close by we decided Mexico Restaurant was where we needed to be. The service was great. Our waitress was very hands on, our water glasses were always full. She patiently waited while we decided what we had to have. I ordered the Carne Asada Burrito plate. The rice and refried beans were so good. I'm from Texas and prefer refried beans to black beans anytime. The burrito it self was very good and HUGE. I ordered without tomatoes and for the first time in a long time. There were none in my burrito. IT was nice not having to pick any out and just enjoy my meal. I was able to take half of it home. My only complaint was parking. They were completely full. I had to park in the additional parking. I was a little scared about leaving it out there because there were some people sitting out smoking cigarettes. I went out and checked on it once. In the end the people were gone and my car was okay.

    (4)

  • Yvonne M.

    VATOS LOCOS FOREVER! Hehe, whenever I hear Mexican anything I think of that saying. Anyway, this was one of my first Mexican restaurants I've tried on Oahu & it was bueno! FOOD ORDERED -Complimentary Chips & Salsa - Salsa tasted freshly made, chips were a little stale, probably because there's a whole bunch lined up against the wall. But eatable. yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… -Horchatta - liquid churro goodness. yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… -Combo Meal (Chile Verde & Cheese Queso) - cheese, cheese, cheese! stringy cheese! -Combo Meal (Enchilada & Taco) - good. - Kids cheese Quesadilla - good! yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… ENVIRONMENT Located on N School St. across the street from Helena's, near Kam bakery & Mitsukens. Great mexican decor, you feel like you're in California or maybe even in Mexico? Bright colors, large wooden tables, and pottery surround you. Best mexican restaurant decor compared to the other ones on the island. Parking is very limited though. Go early or car pool. SERVICE Decent. Could have been friendlier, but hey the food came out in a good amount of time & all requests were accomodated to. CONCLUSION The food and environment was nice. Good place for Margaritas with the gals or co-workers or even just some family fun.

    (4)

  • Russell V.

    Being from Arizona I'm a little picky about Mexican food. I have eaten here three times now and the food continues to impress. Yea the parking may suck but the food, drinks, and service are well worth the inconvenience. This place is possibly the best Mexican resteraunts on the island.

    (5)

  • Matt M.

    This review is for a ways back (think 2012 lol) but I have to say, always enjoyed coming here after playing soccer in the late morning and just enjoying some decent mexican food (keep in mind we're in Hawaii, not California) and of course a Negra Modelo or a Corona or a couple. I would say I didn't enjoy the rice too much, but overall the food was good.

    (4)

  • Fran C.

    Do you know what's the best thing about Friday? Yesiree.....it's "Pau Hana Friday," and the best part of Pau Hana Friday is meeting up with a few friends to share a meal! For tonight, I was feelin' a little Mexican so I decided to try a new place - Mexico Restaurant in the Kalihi area. This was an all time first for me, and after having a wonderful dining experience at Mexico Restaurant...........I can Guarantee you that I will be coming back here real soon!!! What can I say about this place...........got here early about - (5:30 PM) as I read two of my Yelp buddies - Dave & Nat's reviews. I think Dave mentioned that the parking was a b****! And Nat said - "why is all the best restaurants always happen to be in locations with junkie parking?" Yes, Mexico Restaurant has a small private parking lot, but parking is very limited. Thanks for the tip Dave & Nat! The Mexico restaurant is just down the road from the original Mitsu-ken okazuya, and diagonally across Helena's Hawaiian Food Restaurant. When I walked in at 5:30 PM, a lot of people were already inside (good sign I guess). Lovely Mexican inspired decor, and surprisingly the restaurant was much bigger on the inside, than looking at it from the outside. Now we get to the food.......I must say, this restaurant really serves up some delicious Mexican food! The portions are RIDICULOUSLY HUGE! The service is fast & friendly too! For tonight we had the following items - 1. Garlic Mushrooms for an appetizer. (I had ordered this due to the intoxicating aroma!) Someone had ordered this in the restaurant, and when I got a whiff of this dish, I turned around to see what it was. Upon finding out what it was, I knew I had to get it! 2. Chicken Fajita Burrito - I had ordered this for my meal tonight. What can I say........it was DELICIOUS!!! The chicken was marinaded & cooked just right, and there were chunks of green bell peppers, onions, and other stuff packed into my Fajita Burrito. The portion of my meal was so HUGE, I didn't even touch my refried beans, or Mexican rice. I was only able to get through 2/3's of my burrito............I had to take the rest of my meal home. Now don't get me wrong...........I'm a BIG GUY, and I eat BIG FOOD........... but the portion was just Ridiculous! My friends ordered the following items for their meals - 3. Chicken Burrito 4. California Burrito 5. Tostada Ranchera 6. Crab Enchildas It appeared everyone enjoyed their meals, and everyone was stuffed! I must say...........I will let my other friends know about this place, as I think I found my new favorite Mexican Restaurant!

    (5)

  • Sarah S.

    So this place is Bomb. Huge portions and great drinks. Arguably the best Mexican food on the island. After years of returning again and again i decided to update my review. I bring everyone i know here for li- hing margs, and the three plate combo could feed you for days no lie. My other favorites include the shrimp enchiladas, and the kaula pork chimi. But really you can get any number of wonderful combos!

    (5)

  • Patrick C.

    Enjoyed enjoyed enjoyed !! About a 15 minute drive from downtown Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki but really worth it. We were looking for a good Mexican place and we found it. Started with the sizzling queso ( oh my god ! ) and I had fajita chicken quessidilla and my partner had a huge burrito. Live music, lively setting with the locals. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely go back next time we vacation in Hawaii !! Priced reasonably for Hawaii. :)

    (4)

  • Kimberly S.

    Lively atmosphere but bland food overall. We ordered the crab chiles rellenos, the crab chimichanga, and the sizzling mushroom appetizer. The crab plates were okay--edible to say the least. So we were excited when the mushroom appetizer arrived (it came after our entrees). But picture our disdain when we found bits of plastic (wrapper?) embedded among the mushrooms and cheese. Our waitress was sweet about it, but the bald, unsmiling manager refused to acknowledge our complaint. He didn't even come to our table to check it out. At least the waitress offered to take it off our tab, which we accepted of course. I later heard her explaining to the manager why she took it off our tab (she was the one who made the call to do so--not her grumpy manager who remained/cowered behind the bar). As far as the rest of the food, the rice was decent, but the tomatoes used in the pico de gallo were soggy. The complimentary salsa and chips were so-so; the chips were stale, and the salsa's texture was inconsistent throughout. Honestly, I think the food would have been amazing if I had been hammered (I hear they sell decent margaritas). But I was driving, so I was sober. The person I was with wanted me to give this place 0 stars, which isn't possible unfortunately. However, I dedicate the one obligatory star to the short, fair-skinned busboy with black hair who was extremely kind and considerate to us. He was a sweetheart.

    (1)

  • Pii K.

    Our waiter was the worst! 20mins for water then forgets my son's drink took another 10 minutes to get that food was good and to top it off 45mins for our check! We had to ask another waiter if he could get our check for us seriously was about to walk out. Our waiter was skinny guy, shaved head , and looks like he doesn't wanna be there.

    (2)

  • Tabatha P.

    Recently I have really started craving Mexican food, since Asian food and ramen is getting a little old to me now. So my hunt for other cuisines on Oahu has begun! This place has a great authetic-feeling environment. Almost every time I order a horchata, I am disappointed by the size. Not here! They brought me out a huge pitcher of sweet, delicious horchata and it was AWESOME! I enjoy having live music and the man really gave a smile when he finished a song, and my son was clapping really loudly and fast and smiling after the song and he was the only one clapping, and then others joined and started clapping too. Very cute. Tip that guy! I did. So yeah, I got two tamales and they were the bomb, nice sauce. All servings were fair and even the boy with us who has hardly eaten Mexican food in his life really enjoyed his chimichanga. It was somewhat spicy salsa and sauces but most people dig that so right on! Service could be a little quicker and one brunette girl did not smile the whole time, we actually caught the attention of another server because she was ignoring us and looked grouchy. The girl that helped us was also brunette but darker but very upbeat and helpful, especially with my son, and kept our orders gong and to go boxes ready right away. I was still really happy with it so you still get five stars for your delicious place. Gracias, bueno noches amigos!

    (5)

  • Kamele B.

    Boyfriend and I were craving good quality Mexican food last night so we went for a late dinner to Mexico, located in Kalihi. We got there around 9:30pm on Saturday night. Yes, we were those people who go to a restaurant right before closing (sorry staff of Mexico). Anyway, we were warmly greeted and had our choice of table in the restaurant. They offer complimentary salsa and chips. Salsa was great. I like all things spicy, so this salsa was AMAZE. Spicy, but still had good flavor. If you don't like spicy, then maybe this won't be for you. I ordered the Adobado Burrito, which included the normal burrito fillings with adobo'd pork meat. Seriously, so ono!! Good amount of meat to filling ratio and the sides were awesome. Very flavorful, and complimented by burrito nicely. Boyfriend ordered steak and chicken faijitas. Everything came out sizzling like it's supposed to and was tender and flavorful. I wish I had gotten a picture, because the colors of the bell peppers looked so beautiful with all the meats. Needless to say, we were pretty famished from our long day at the beach and devoured our food. No time for pictures, or leftovers cause the food was just that good. I have been to Mexico before during their Happy Hour; margaritas are delicious, and if you go with a group of friends, getting a pitcher is so worth it. However, because they're so busy during this time, I felt customer service was slower. I can't remember exactly remember what I ordered, but I remember thinking that it could've been better. It may have been just that we didn't order the right thing, or that because it was so busy the food was just being shown as much love as it normally would have. But based on this past experience last night, Mexico totally redeemed themselves, I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for yummy Mexican cuisine. I wanna go back already!!

    (4)

  • Heather J.

    Pretty good food. Not excellent but good. For the price range I expect better quality. We have tried this place 2 times for food and once for just drinks. The drinks were decent but the queso needs improvement if you want it to snack on.. The taco salads are huge but soggy. You do get plenty of salad though. That's a plus. Enchiladas are ok. Maybe we will give it another shot and order something else.. Who knows. Parking is horrible.. But parking in Hawaii as a whole is horrible. We are definitely not in Oklahoma anymore.. Ha!

    (3)

  • Raquel A.

    What can I say other then how much I love this place! I crave it and make it a point to go there as often as possible. Two things - Li Hing Mui Magarita and El Mariachi Burrito

    (5)

  • CY S.

    Good food. Closest to 'Mexican' food we get in AZ and SoCal. Will come again. The Fajitas Burrito is yummy. Was here twice in a week!

    (4)

  • Justina B.

    So happy to find a delicious Mexican spot. I ordered the grande burrito and was amazed by the size of the dish. I love getting a large amount of food for a descent price. Also, the Li-Hing margarita was a great compliment to my meal. This restaurant is a must stop!

    (4)

  • Kenny W.

    Disappointed. Went at 9:30 on a Saturday night. Said they closed early. Very unprofessional.

    (3)

  • Jessica S.

    I feel bad for all the people who are saying they had poor service. The free chips & salsa was good (kinda hard to mess that up in my opinion) Our food came out fairly quickly & was nice & hot. I had the shredded beef enchilada & my boyfriend got the Kalua pork quesadilla. I LOVED my food & had a chance to take a couple bites of the quesadillas which was also delicious. They didn't skimp on the meat like some other places I've gone. The waitress kept our drinks full & looked like everyone around us was getting the same service. She was very prompt & brought us an extra plate & spoon for my niece without us even asking. Definitely will go there again & again!

    (5)

  • Jenifer V.

    Food: 5 stars Margaritas: 5 stars (I've only had the Li Hing, and the bartender always seems to give me a lil extra tehkweelah, no complaints here!) Servers: 3-5 stars, understandable in the food service industry Ambiance: 5 stars! Never been to such a lovely Mexican restaurant. It's clean, comfortable, and the bathroom sinks are tres fancy shmancy. Can get a little loud but, just have some tequila and join in. Price: $-$$, comparable to other Mexican eateries around the island. People that complain about the price are often tourists and don't seem to realize that things cost a bit more out here, and that's okay. Price is reasonable (for Hawaii) given the large amount and deliciousness of food. Parking: 1 star. I realize it's tough to get good property out here, and Kalihi, yeesh...but man that parking situation is ridunk. Come in a small car, carpool, catch a cab/bus, or park on the street several blocks away and walk. ***One of the best ways to judge whether a place is good or not would be to consider how many customers they have especially during peak hours like pau hana/dinner time, and I'll just say, they ain't strugglin' for business. Lengthier Review... I've never had a bad experience with this restaurant. The food is always delicious; always have a pleasant experience with servers, though I've heard people complain here and there, including from my own friends who've come on their own, I for some reason haven't had any problems. I've had Mexican food across the island, and this is definitely the only place worth the repeat (for me and those I've recommended it to). Previously there was a restaurant in Kailua called 'Cisco's Cantina', they were awesome and I think they were actually owned by the same owners of this place. Kaneohe's old 'Mexico Lindo' was good too, again same owners. Every single person I've recommended this restaurant to raves about it, even the few who've had a bad experience with slow/unattentive servers. Is it "authentic" Mexican? I really don't know, never been to the actual country. I will say that there isn't one American based Mexican restaurant (ran by REAL LIVE MEXICANS or not) that everyone can agree is "authentic". Ever notice that? Check out any popular Mex place anywhere, there's always at least one self-proclaimed Mexican-food authority making sure the public is fully aware that it's NOT REAL MEXICAN FOOD. Thanks but when the day comes for me to look for authentic food, I'll fork out the moolah to visit the country of origin. No one can bastardize food the way Americans can. Yum yum. Murica.

    (4)

  • Melissa C.

    Came across Mexico restaurant when a group & I were looking for another place we were pleased we chose to eat here the decor was festive, the waitress was nice & the food was delicious, the portions were huge & filling. I'm hungry thinking about how good it was! Lost a star for the margaritas though, ordered a pitcher of mango flavored it was more of a smoothie than cocktail def very little or no alcohol.

    (4)

  • Kelly M.

    Popular place, so we had a wait. Good margaritas, good food, fun atmosphere. My favorite dish of the evening was the chili con queso - cheese warmly melted, spicy, crispy chips, comfort food. It is exactly what it tries to be, simple Americanized Mexican, lots a cheese and lettuce and tomato, one step up from Taco Bell. Comfortable.

    (4)

  • Jerry K.

    I had the chimichanga which tasted pretty good. The beans and rice were so-so the chips were tasty but I didn't like the salsa. I didn't think the service was very good we went at lunch time and it was pretty busy but the staff seemed a little overwhelmed and not terribly friendly, but when you feel slammed I guess thats one of the last things on your mind. It was a very nice restaurant though, decor was good it felt relatively clean as well. The prices were typical, not cheap not expensive. Menu seemed good too. I'll come back for another try definitely, but I think next time I'll be a little more critical about the visit.

    (3)

  • Bobby K.

    Ate here with a co-worker during our lunch break and I have to say the food and service was pretty good. I had the taco salad and nachos and it's some of the better that I've had. If it was closer to Ewa, I would probably eat here more often. As far as Mexican food goes, it's some of the better that I've had on Oahu. You can't go wrong eating here, in my opinion.

    (4)

  • Rita C.

    The chili relleno wasn't cooked all the way and the cheese was cold and hard on the inside. When I told the server they didn't apologize or try to make it right or offer anything.

    (2)

  • Ilene B.

    The decor is a cross between hodge podge lodge and a little shack located in Cozumel somewhere so I guess it's authentic enough! Super loud so good place to go to just play on your phone since u can't hear any conversations at your own table! Fresh chips and salsa. Huge portions. The service is kinda slow decent prices. Music pied through the speakers is obnoxious. All and all a 3.

    (3)

  • Sash T.

    Good mexican food, but our server kept disappearing on us. We kept having to order our food n drinks through the other servers. I'll have to go back to give them another try.

    (3)

  • Heather E.

    I went to Mexico last night with my husband and this was maybe my fourth or fifth time there. It was what I have come to expect from Mexico Restaurant. They are always very consistent. Food is always delicious, the best real Mexican I have found on the island. Staff are usually friendly enough, and the food comes quickly. I ordered my usual, the two choice combo with a ground beef burrito and a mini shredded beef quesadilla which also comes with beans, rice, and salsa fresca. At least I think that's what the tomatoes are called. I always have to split my meal into two or three sittings but the food reheats pretty well. The queso is delicious and it should be law to order some as soon as you enter. My husband also had a strawberry frozen margarita but I like the Li hing mui. I highly recommend Mexico Restaurant.

    (5)

  • Chad S.

    This place has been within walking distance from my childhood home for years and only the other day did I first give it a try. The first meal I had was shredded beef taquitos and it was AWESOME. So much so that I was anxious to take my wife there, which we did the following day. The next day I ordered the machaca and the beef was so fatty that I couldn't tolerate any more than a few bites. Too bad, too. One day it was 5 stars, and the following it was just 1.

    (3)

  • Kehau C.

    On my way to eat good Mexican again! This restaurant serves delicious food. Everything is tasty and portioned right. Give it a try!

    (4)

  • Mike N.

    Very good food. The mushroom appetizer, the carne asada and horchata are excellent. The beer has no tap so it's all bottles. Other than that, great cantina ambiance and good food.

    (4)

  • Leah F.

    Had the li hi margarita and mini quesadilla. Food was pretty good, but it was one of the loudest places I've eaten at. No conversation to hear. And the live music was just too loud for me. Not sure if I'll go back.

    (3)

  • Pj E.

    Waitress was friendly, food was bland, and then there's the food poisoning that me and my kids all got! This place was highly recommended from friends....very disappointed!

    (1)

  • Ryan M.

    The original restaurant that we were supposed to eat at wasn't open, so my wife asked me to choose another place. I quickly said Mexico since we don't eat much Mexican food other then taco bell, I thought maybe we could give this place a try since it was on the way home. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Environment - This place is located in Kalihi on N. School street. To be more specific, it's across the street from Helena's Hawaiian Food and a few doors away from Mitsu-Ken. Parking here is horrible. They actually have a lot but fills up fast and its hard to get in and out of. Getting out is especially tough because the lane to exit is super narrow. If you have a big vehicle then good luck. The inside has a nice decor. Very Mexicanish. Never been to Mexico besides Tijuana but it reminds me of it. The size of this place is pretty decent. Has a few TV's as well if you want to just come for drinks. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… Food - As soon as you sit down someone brings chips and salsa to your table. Salsa is pretty spicy. Chips were a bit stale but its probably because they have it pre-made out in baskets so they can give it to you as soon as you come in. Ordered the 2 choice Mexico Combo. My choices were the Enchilada and Taco. Combo dishes all come with rice and beans. Never thought I would say this but the enchilada was huge and delicious. The meat had good flavor to it. Never thought I would say this either but the taco was just alright, nothing special. I enjoyed the enchilada much more. Both rice and beans were good but standard. Portions are good. -We also ordered the Horchata which was very good. Tasted like cinnamon milk. It's comes in a pitcher which was enough for the three of us to share. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… -They have three different types of hot sauces at the tables. The famous Tapatio (love the Doritos) and a green and red salsa habanera. I have never seen or heard of habenera before. Is habanera the girl version of habanero? I assume its made with habanero but it didn't seem as spicy though. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… When we were done we left feeling super stuffed and satisfied. Service - It was pretty good. They were quick to greet us at the door. Our server also explained the menu when we had questions and checked on us a few times. I just wish he would have seemed a little more friendly though. Looked like he was having a bad day or something. The main thing was that he still took care of us and wasn't rude. Overall, I had a good time here and would definitely return when in the mood for some Mexican food. Adios amigos!

    (4)

  • Kanani M.

    Good Mexican food and probably the closest to authentic that you can get on the island. They also offer vegetarian items, which is a huge plus in general, but earns them extra points because it's actually delicious and not just an attempt to please the new trendy crowd. The Horchata comes in mini pitcher and you'll be glad because it's the best Horchata you can get in the islands! The service is laid back but friendly. I love it!

    (5)

  • Charlotte V.

    Portions are huge! Yes, but nothing tastes good. The rice that day must have been old or something I'm not sure but it tasted really bad. And the rice stunk up my leftovers when I brought it home. The queso starter is just literally melted cheese -no taste or flavor. Portions are just huge..that's all i can say. Nothing impressive. The horchata was good!

    (2)

  • Holly B.

    The ratings for this restaurant are all over the place, so we tried Mexico last night with a little hesitancy. . . Not to worry! The food was great! The service was good; we got our food less than 5 minutes after ordering it, piping HOT! And there was so much of it - huge portions! My crab chile relleno was REAL crab and piping hot. The verde sauce was perfect with just the right amount of heat. Our party of 4 gobbled down the chips and salsa while we were waiting and we were given another basket and salsa when asked, no charge! And the sodas are refillable! Woo hoo! Yes we had to wait for a table because the place was packed, but it was worth it! My significant other declared it better than what used to be his favorite Mexican restaurant, so I guess we're dining here from now on! SIDE NOTE: Very, very uncool for the bleached blonde, Daryl Hannah in Kill Bill with the black eye patch wannabe, to rudely try to sneak her name above about 5 parties, us included, who had already put our names on the waitlist for a table and had been patiently waiting for 20 minutes. Shame on you! Didn't your mother teach you manners or did you grow up in a cave?!! We saw you! Do you think you're more special or more important than the rest of us to CUT in line without waiting?!! And what about your cowardly boyfriend waiting in the car and making you do such a selfish thing? How come he sends you and doesn't do it himself - the bloody cad?!! Your rude, selfish ways will catch up to you and someone might just pluck out your other eye like Pai Mei in Kill Bill! Good thing you both drove away instead of sticking around to hear what everyone had to say about you, "princess!"

    (5)

  • Neva M.

    I arrived at Mexico's because I heard the food was super great. As I walked in, I waited about 5-10 minutes to be greeted and seated by a young man who I thought was going to be serving us. When he sat us down, he asked me and my daughter if we would like anything to drink. I asked for water and he said ok he'll be right back with our drinks. I waited.....and waited....and waited.....and waited for about 20 minutes just to get a glass of water but he never came back. He was waiting on other peoples tables and they got their drinks before us. Feeling irritated and hungry, I started to stare at him and got no response. So I did what anyone in my position would do - I spoke with a deep volume in my tone where I could be heard by another server. I can't remember his name but he obviously was Mexican and took our order. I ordered the Quesadilla's and the Enchillada's. The food was GREAT but my appetite kind of faded with the long wait of being waited on. You can't expect a good tip if you are not giving good customer service at the same time. I think I am a great tipper but if I feel that you are not servicing customers right, I can be a jack@$$ about it too. All in all, the service sucked but the food was good. It could improve if they had a faster service and better customer service. I probably would go back, but I don't think it's going to be anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Sara S.

    When you live in Japan for a year, you get to feast on various types of Japanese food in all their delicious glory. However, you are also deprived of Mexican food. Nothing comes close. So after coming back from Japan, I desperately craved good Mexican food. TAKE ME TO MEXICO! Sometimes I wish YELP would allow us to post music clips directly onto posts... but now I have "La Cucaracha" stuck in my head. We went to this place on a recommendation from my mom's co-worker, who is from Mexico. Figure that he knows his stuff... and he was right! Portions are HUGE. I got a 2-item combo (1 tamale + 1 enchilada with beans & rice) for $14.95. A little pricey, but it will definitely last me for 2 meals. I would've probably just been satisfied ordering 1 enchilada for $9.75, but my fat eyes had their sights set on more food... just to "try." Silly brain. The enchilada was definitely bomb. Smothered in cheese, flavorful chicken, accompanied with beans and rice...after every mouthful I half expected a mariachi band to bust out playing in song! The tamale was average but maybe I'm not a tamale person. The leftovers actually tasted rather good the next day despite being cold... that's always a plus! Cold tamales for breakfast!! Yeah... I'm weird. My mom got a grilled chicken quesadilla (per recommendation of our server) which was also perrrrrfect. BTW ordering grilled chicken is $2 more than just ordering normal shredded chicken... thanks to our server for actually pointing that out. Sometimes servers don't tell you their recommendation is extra... swindlers!! Great food & great service, but a little pricey. All in all, a delicious spot for Mexican food!

    (4)

  • Angela Irene D.

    LOVE the taste of the authenticity of the homemade Horchata, especially in a pitcher the size of my face! The food is 'okay', large portions but the customer service is truly friendly! The atmosphere and design of the restaurant is really nice too! Enjoyed everything here but the food. The parking lot can be packed easily, especially at night. I want to come back for the margaritas! They look delicious, and HUGE.

    (4)

  • Nat N.

    Is it just me or do the best restaurants always happen to be in locations with junkie parking? If you're not one of the lucky ones to score a space in their lot, then put on your walking shoes, because finding a space on that street (School street) is like trying to find a parking space in Makiki. But despite the parking issues, that's the only thing to complain about here. The food is BUENO! I don't know what it is that they put in their food, but it's something addictive, because I lick my plate clean every time I come here, beans and all. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. My personal favorite is the chicken enchilada. Make sure to order something that comes with rice because you don't want to miss their mexican rice. It's cooked to perfection. Not flaky, not mushy. We came on a Friday night and were entertained by a two-man band. It was a little loud, but I always appreciate live music. A lot of people, including myself, feel that this is one of the best Mexican joints on the island.

    (5)

  • Melissa S.

    Absolutely THE best Mexican food on Oahu. Everything has flavor and its our favorite place to go! The portions are large and the horchata is delicious.

    (5)

  • Quinn S.

    First time here! Been hearing about this place for quite some time. Tried to go a couple of times but parking was horrific! Glad I found parking a block away this time and good thing we had reservations (there was actually one space open but was kinda tight and don't like the idea of more dings in my g-ride). Party of 11 adults and 8 keiki - oh my! A Cali friend recommended Mexico, but I've heard mixed reviews. My aunty was in town so we decided to make a party of it! Sat down to a steer's head on the wall staring at me... oddly, very welcoming! Then all of a sudden the pitchers of li hing mui margaritas appeared:) Very tasty, not as strong as I would have liked, but hey, I needed to drive home safely, right?! Ordered the Carne Arriera plate with grilled steak, cooked in spicy salsa with double rice (no beans!), guac, tomato, and flour tortillas. My cousin had the first bite and said it was good. Then I tried it and I agreed! BOOM! So YUM! Tons of flavor, a little bit of spice, and it blended so well with all the sides. All the other dishes looked tasty but I couldn't eat anymore - I think I have left overs for days! The service was a little slow, but the whole atmosphere and experience made up for it. They even had live music! I definitely want to go back for more!

    (4)

  • Danny K.

    Always passed by there going into town from where I lived but never had the time to visit until just the other day, I got the enchiladas and let me tell you now they were filling and very tasty but at that price I understand why they give you such large serving sizes. the were very kind to me, parking was a pain considering it was nearing dinner but considering everything else my time there was pretty enjoyable, bring a friend or two and you won't notice all the little things.

    (4)

  • Dennis P.

    We were here for dinner... the food was actually really good (definitely a three star, close to a four)... I had the mamamita burrito... quite delicious. A house favorite I heard. Hefty portions! The music was pretty cool! A trumpet and guitar! Parking in the back was tight, but plenty of street parking. The service was... ehhh... not so Aloha... at least not our server... The atmosphere was fun, thanks to the music. They had a full bar, and my wife had the House Margarita... most excellent But the main reason for the two star (could have been less), was the upkeep of the men's bathroom... OMG, I just about lost it in there... no soap, definitely a mess.... how did the cooks wash their hands? Don't want to think about it. Apparently, the women's bathroom (according to my wife's description) was not a problem, in fact it was very nice. Which is why they get a two... barely Anyway, this is coming from a professional health inspector of over 20 years in the food service/restaurant business....

    (2)

  • Erika A.

    The only reason I m giving this place two stars is because the food is fairly good. I have given this place more than enough chances but the wait staff and management are AWEFUL! We literarily sat at the table and watched 3 wait staff sitting and talking while we waited for 20 minutes and no one took out drink order. One waitress walked by us six times and not once acknowledged us. When I went to discuss the situation with the manager, he didn't even looked up at me to acknowledge me. He simply said "yeah I ll take care of it".

    (2)

  • Juliene C.

    I LOVE Mexican food! I took it for granted in California. Living in Hawaii, i really miss it! There are very few Mexican restaurants here. I had a bad Mexican food craving for weeks! I know that Mexican Restaurant is right by our house, but i was skeptical about eating here. I read the reviews about drug dealers hanging out in the front & drug transactions being done here & it freaked me out. But i wanted Mexican food so bad! So i came! Parking is a major NO! I don't know how people are brave enough to park their vehicle here! They must have skills! We ended up finding a spot on the street. Lucky us! Next time i will walk here from my house. It was a saturday around 12pm & we were seated right away with no wait. The hostess who was also our waitress greeted us right away. Chips & salsa were brought to our table immediately. I give props to the waitress because she was the only waitress there serving a handful of tables. Some with large parties. There was her, the busboy, & the owner/manager moving around the place. Quite efficient. Cute restaurant. It made me forget i was in Hawaii with all the Mexican decor. Food review: -chips & salsa: didn't really care for it. The salsa looked like it came from a jar. -chips & guacamole: something about it that made me feel like it wasn't real avocado. Too creamy! Strange to me. -horchata: very good! It came in a pitcher. Pretty cool! -chicken flautas w/ rice & beans: flautas are my favorite Mexican food. It looked more like a deep fried burrito chopped in several pieces. The chicken was weird and was mixed in with melted cheese. Flautas are usually 3 fat taquitos filled with either shredded chicken or meat. On top they put lettuce, pico de gallo, & the crema sauce. What i ordered was not a flauta at all! -fish tacos: huge! It was good. I mean, what do you expect? I already knew it wasn't going to be authentic! Geeze! I was just really hoping it would at least be close to it! Our bill totaled to $50! But it should really be like $10! But i have no choice! If i'm craving Mexican food i have to come here!

    (3)

  • John D.

    The setting is Mexico the music is Mexico and the food is Mexico. I say there and enjoyed me chips and salsa while waiting for my lengua burrito (cow tounge), with traditional Mexican music playing overhead as I observed the surroundings there are many Mexican decorations and as I looked around I saw a wall of liquor bottles behind a much decorated bar. Looked very nice. All I needed was my sombrero and chanklas. Great place. Ohh yeah one more thing even the bathrooms were clean!!!

    (5)

  • Jaime C.

    Hawaii does NOT have good authentic Mexican food unlike Los Angeles but this has got to be one of the better ones. Ive been to Sergs but it was just disgusting. Mexico has awesome margaritas and good food. Large portions.

    (4)

  • Peter A.

    I have eaten mostly Tex-Mex style mexican food in Louisiana, Texas and Florida, so I don't know what California Mexican food tastes like, but Mexico is one of the better mexican places I've found in Hawaii. This was an exception to the latino cuisine in Hawaii, since most of them stink. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, it was pretty busy, and felt like an actual mexican restaurant, not just a faux latino ambience, I got a combo plate with a chile relleno, which i thoroughly enjoyed, and my wife also got a combo plate. Really enjoyed this place, and we will go back again, but will save room for dessert.

    (4)

  • Maria A.

    This is a short, basic first impression review. Ambiance was great! Extensive menu that you featured many of the comfort foods I miss from the mainland. Plates was generously portioned. The good was very delicious!!! Try the appetizer guacamole, impressive! The service however was very cold and lacked that warm and fuzzy you get at most mexican restaurants. No greeting from the server, big gaps between ordering drinks to actually receiving them. No follow up to see if we needed anything. Seems like we were bothering the waiter by asking for the check. The restaurant was not full. So I cannot blame that for the quality of the service. Like I said I enjoyed the food. So I sure will come back to give it another chance. Will add to this review when I do so.

    (4)

  • Steven B.

    This has to be one of the best on island. True authentic mexican food. The carnitas are awesome. Drinks are great too. Depending when you go will decide how your service is. Parking is not that great either. Location is very local to the community. Still will always be going here.

    (4)

  • Lisa K.

    Te quiero muchisimo, Mexico!! Granted, you take what you can get in Honolulu, but when it comes to good Mexican food, it's slim pickins'. Enter Mexico Restaurant and finally there's a real contender for the best and most autentico. The ambiance is quaint in a kind of Dia de Los Muertos-meets-neighborhood bar kind of way. Then there's the occasional mariachi singer who drops by to kick the Mexican experience up a notch. I'll admit it; I love it. I usually get the plentiful 3-item plate and split it with the hubs. Burrito, chile relleno, enchilada, they're all good... God, they're good... Really, really, good. They also have a full bar with some great Mexican beers and some tasty (not too sweet) margaritas. And unless mine was some anomaly, let's just say if you come for a birthday meal, expect the best darn birthday dessert you've ever laid taste buds on. Enough to solidify MY birthday plans for the next few years.

    (5)

  • Yessica P.

    I was told not to eat here by a friend but I was craving a margarita and some Mexican food and this was the closest place by my house. I was a bit disappointed with the food the drink and the service.

    (3)

  • Julie T.

    Love this place! My wife and I come here regularly. We even found a mariachi band here to play at our wedding. This place is a good old taste of mainland Mexican food. The servers are very friendly and fast, and the drinks are excellent. I highly recommend the top shelf margarita! Wow! I took one star off just because sometimes the food is too rich for me. It's very buttery and cheesy - though some people would say "why complain about that?!" Overall, I really enjoy eating at Mexico Restaurant and I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you have a hankering for Mexican comfort food!

    (4)

  • Rich P.

    This meal ruined my vacation. Okay, that's being too harsh, but that was worse than Chevy's or any of the other low-end Mexican restaurants on the mainland. Slow service. Low-grade ingredients. And waaaaaay too much salt. We were in the neighborhood to go to the Bishop museum and chose this place over McDonald's. McDonald's would have been better. Helena's Hawaiian Foods is just across the street. Unfortunately, it was closed. PS - Worst parking lot in Hawaii!

    (1)

  • Jamie M.

    I was really surprised when I walked into this place for a work lunch. It was much bigger than I was expecting, and it had at least a couple of mounted steers. The decor felt Mexican to me, although I'm not an expert on anything Mexican. I thought the chips and salsa were delish. The portions for my meal were surprisingly huge. I got a chicken quesadilla, and it was a-ok although I would say that it isn't the best I've ever had. My quesadilla came with rice, refried beans, and some lettuce with salsa and sour cream. The cost-portion ration seems like a good value, and the food is not bad at all. Everyone I was with inhaled their food and suffered a food coma afterwards. I would come back again. I'd like to try one of their margaritas when I'm not lunching with my boss.

    (4)

  • Kyle Q.

    Chips and Salsa was OK, and the service is good.

    (4)

  • A G.

    A little pricey but expected for Hawaii. Food tasted pretty authentic. Decent portions.

    (3)

  • Hannah M.

    Amazing Mexican food in Honolulu!! We are so happy we could SCREAM. It is seriously worth a happy scream. Authentic, fresh food and best margarita I've had on island. Go here!! We lived in Southern Cal for years and this is as good.

    (5)

  • Nirettzy S.

    Having spent many many years in San Antonio and Houston, Texas, this place left me wanting. The menu has traditional Mexican dishes, however the taste was a bit off. I had an enchilada plate complete with the rice and refried beans. The rice was very bland and the enchilada greasier than most I have had. My friend (who happens to be Mexican) was not impressed either. The search for good Mexican on hawaii continues. Oh and they put a new "twist" on the fried ice cream. Be warned, the ice cream is not fried.

    (2)

  • Kanya E.

    I was happy to find this Mexican restaurant here on Oahu. Some friends suggested it one night after we had plans to go to another restaurant that had been closed. Parking can be difficult, but we haven't ever had a problem finding a spot. The staff is friendly enough, you sometimes wonder if you can get a top off of the drink glass when they get a little busy. The tables and booths can be a bit dirty or run down sometimes, but nothing too bad. I've noticed that paying for your chips and salsa here is commonplace, although it is something I'm not used to. We are from a part of the mainland where there is a large Mexican population. Our restaurants tend to be VERY good and VERY cheap, with bottomless chips and salsa with your food order. This isn't a major complaint. The food is great, however inconsistent. The first time I went I ordered the Kaluah Chimichanga and when I ordered it the second time it was cooked completely different, and was a lot more mediocre. The prices are high, but fall a little over the quality of the food. There is a decent drink selection which may make it worth your while. I've had better Mexican, but not on the island.

    (3)

  • Racquel S.

    I remember my first trip here was because my older sister just came back from San Diego and was in need of some real authentic Mexican food... I have never tried here nor did she but that was the closest thing to us at that time. When we first went here they just opened up and wasn't real busy and they were still working on a few things to glam up the place. I was real excited to try this place because I love me some Mexican.. oh and the food.. hehe.. :) The food was great, I ordered shrimp tacos and they give a generous portion of it with Spanish rice, beans, and salsa.. it was delissshhh... you also have to try the shrimp salad with that comes in a huge tortilla bowl and lots of juicy salsa with veggies.. and add the Li Hing Mui Strawberry Margarita and your set :) They use to have long hours but I don't know what happened to that wished they stayed open longer because their bar is stocked!! After a few visits they had revamp the place adding a full bar, tv's and live music every so often.. quick tip when celebrating cinco de mayo there make sure you prepare yourself for a long wait.. it was crazy when we got there the line was outside and it was so packed inside that you could barely move to get in to just do a takeout order but i have to say these place the many few places I would wait to be seated at because the food is soo good, I haven't gone to any other Mexican place because my bf doesn't want to betray the restaurant (seriously, no joke) except for taco bell because that's what we really think of Mexican food here anyway.. but if you are from the mainland or visited there and tried the real experience then you will only get as close to the real thing at Mexico..

    (4)

  • Deedra R.

    My bf, his sister, and I went here tonight(11/30/2013). We went around 7:15pm ish. The parking lot is very small but we were lucky to have gotten a parking space right next to the front door. When we entered we didn't get greeted with a hello but with how many, strike one. But we got seated right away. The place was packed so we were very happy we got seated right away. In just a few short minutes we got chips and salsa and our waters. The chips and salsa are good. You can really taste the cilantro in the salsa plus the salsa has some kick to it. It took a while for our waitress to take our order. We didn't mind because my bf couldn't decide what he wanted. When he ordered his food, our waitress seemed to have a bit of an attitude because my bf didn't understand her question, strike two. If you are trying to ask what kind of meat you like in your burrito, you should ask what kind of meat would you like not which one. Anyway my bf ended up ordering the burrito with shredded chicken, his sister ordered 2 shredded beef enchiladas, and I ordered the taco salad with shredded beef. It only took a few minutes for our food to come out which is fast considering they were really busy. The prices are a bit high but the portions are huge. But the whole time we are dining we never got checked on to see how things were. Only to refill our drinks which was like only once the whole time we were there, strike three. After we were done with our food, it took a while before we got dessert. We got the deep fried ice cream which is so yummy. All in all, the food is the tastiest and the best Mexican food I've tasted. But what lead me to give this restaurant only 3 stars is the service. Our waitress with the purple hair isn't that good. Plus some of the workers looked like they didn't even want to be there. If they changed the service then I would give this place 5 stars.

    (3)

  • Mel C.

    Came here after a hike on the recommendations of a couple of people in our party. I had driven past this place hundreds of times and probably would not have come in on my own. I was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant was very clean, the service was good, and the food was a lot better than what I was expecting. I had the El Mariachi Burrito - the pork was tender and juicy and the servings were good sized . I would highly recommend the Mango or Li Hing Mui Margarita and the Fried Ice Cream. These two items alone would be enough to bring me back. Although not an issue when I visited today, I can imagine parking being a hassle during lunch or dinner. They have a small lot on the side of the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Cynthia H.

    This place serves some delicious food! My family, yes...with kids, have gone here about 3-4 times and we haven't been disappointed. The service is quick, food is always great, and such friendly people!!! Do try the horchata for some authentic non alcoholic drink. I can't wait to come with some friends at night to try out their margarita!

    (5)

  • E G.

    My husband and I wanted to go to Helena's Hawaiian Food across the street, which we have heard is very good. However, they were closed, so we settled on going to this Mexican place. We are from Oregon, so we do have a large selection of Mexican food that is very good. While I understand that Hawaii does not have this luxury, that is no excuse for poor service and burnt food. The salsa that is served with the chips tasted like it was made with tomato paste. The chips tasted semi-stale. Our food was mediocre, smothered in sauces and cheese. The beans and rice the dishes came with were absolutely terrible. The rice was burnt and overcooked and the beans were dry - how you can mess up refried beans, I don't know. The waitress was less than friendly and disappeared. Another waitress had to step in several times to refill my water and we had to track someone down to get our check. The only good thing about this restaurant was the live music. The man playing the guitar was amazing and friendly. He sang wonderfully. We tipped him and not the waitress.

    (2)

  • Darick M.

    The food wasn't bad.. the lengua was very nice.. one of the few places that have it on the menu.. I've had better beans, rice, tortilla chips and salsa.. parking was so-so.. If it wasn't for the lengua I'd give this place 2 stars..

    (3)

  • Chan G.

    I gotta say... My 2nd time around at Mexico was amaze! The service has really stepped it up & food again was amaze! Will be back on the regular.

    (5)

  • Saena K.

    So far the best Mexican restaurant in Oahu! Their chicken tamales are my favorite and there coco margarita is delicious!! They are very generous with their free chips and salsa.

    (5)

  • Russel M.

    We had lunch today and we were pretty happy with everything we ordered. Arriving at 10am helped with the parking, no one was there yet. Diablo Shrimp - fairly spicy for beginners. Very Good! ($15.50) Chicken Fajita Wrap (big enough for sharing) (13.50) Overall we thought the food was better than average.

    (4)

  • Paul C.

    Overall the experience was good but I would rate it a 3.5 versus a full 4 stars due to the two-man band playing right in my ear. Otherwise, very good. I had the carnitas which is always my "go to" in any Mexican restaurant. Having eaten here a couple times before I knew I would be in for a treat. My girlfriend had the fish tacos and raved all night about how good the fish was. Our friends had the enchilada and Patrone combo. Both enjoyed but my buddy who had the Patrone combo absolutely loved his dish. Mom definitely trying that next time. The only negative is we were right next to the band. Although the music was good and authentic, it was playing right in our ears as the speakers were pointed directly at us. Go early to beat the crowd for parking.

    (4)

  • Gizelle M.

    The customer service is just bad. I came here before with my husband with ok service and the food wasn't that bad, but this time with my family we had horrible service. We waited 30 minutes to get in our orders and them waited 45 minutes waiting for our food which we did not even get cause the food is not worth waiting that long for! We had left hungry and very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: if you want to feel like you're eating mexican food in mexico then this is the restaurant for you :) something good: you feel like you're eating in mexico! the food is excellent and the service is just as good! something not so good: i can't think of one thing, seriously! something to try: ground beef tacos & gaucamole and chips

    (5)

  • B K.

    My boyfriend and I come here often when we're in the mood for mexican because the prices are decent and you get a pretty hefty serving of food. The environment is real nice, but sometimes they play their music way too loud that I can't even hear myself talk. Parking is a bit tricky. The food is great! Can't go wrong with the Kalua pig quesadillas! do it!

    (5)

  • Gabbi T.

    Has anyone else noticed their credit card being over charged? I was balancing my checkbook and noticed a discrepancy with what I was charged and what I had written on my receipt. Although it was only $.50 more, it made me think about those businesses you hear of that try to sneak in a little extra here and there thinking it will go unnoticed or written off since its an "insignificant" amount. My bill was $5.76, I added a dollar tip and wrote down the total as $6.76. Can someone tell me how $6.76 turns into $7.26 on my credit card statement? Just seems a little sketchy to me-- exactly 50 cents more, showing it's not like someone just accidentally pressed a single wrong button. I contacted the restaurant merely to show them that I had noticed the over charge.

    (2)

  • Cynthia H.

    Ok this place it cute! The interior is pretty big inside I think you could fit about 75 people total. The interior feels and looks like Mexico! Downside, parking really sucks. THey share a parking lot with the Puerto Riccan society hall and parking is really limited and tight. Street parking is almost nonexistent. They have a full bar and TV (They were playing the Denver game last time we went). They give you a little basket of tortillas and salsa when you get there to pass the waiting period between the time you order and when your order and when your order actually arrives. Their burritos and tacos are really tasty. But their kalua pig tacos (although also yummy) are so deep fried that every bite you take has you dribbling oil down your face. Their margaritas are to die for, and they are HUGE! If you want authentic Mexican food and non of that bland crap and small portions, come on over to Mexico!

    (4)

  • Rodger J.

    Flautas were fantastic. Food was better than in Idaho. Simple name, great food!

    (5)

  • Tim C.

    Great food great drink and atmosphere, not on the strip check it out!!!

    (4)

  • Mark Y.

    3 1/2 stars Ate here for the first time a couple of weeks ago when a friend was in town for a vacation. There were 4 of us in the group and I'd say the place was about 2/3 full. It was a Thursday night and there was a guitarist performing. I'm not sure if they have live music nightly or not. We were seated at the table next to the musician so it was quite loud and difficult to carry on a conversation. This actually had some advantages to it though. (inside joke) We didn't order any appetizers or drinks, just entrees. I had the spicy pork burrito which was better than average but not great. The burrito was huge and filled with stewed pork and refried beans. The pork itself was tender but a little bland though. The other dishes ordered were, kalua pork chimichanga, crab chimichanga, and a tostada salad. I sampled each one except the crab since I'm allergic. Both were good with the kalua pork chimi being the better one. The part that was lacking the most was the kitchen. For 2 of our 4 orders, they messed up. 2 of the dishes were totally the wrong dish and had to be sent back and redone. Overall the food was good, I'd go back to try some of the other dishes and drinks. But, with that said, I do like Los Chaparros better.

    (3)

  • Sharif B.

    Very kind service and good food for Mexican in Hawaii. The prices could be cheaper, but I recommend bringing in a group and getting the Sampler Entree...It is JIIINNORRMOUS. I still like Serg's Better and Los Chapparos is great as well. But this is probably a number 3 for me in Hawaii.

    (4)

  • Romeo D.

    Atmosphere: Plenty of decor in traditional fiesta setting. The building can accommodate about 40-50ppl. Music was hard to hear but they did have TV's available to catch up your sports games. I think apart from typical mexican fiesta decorations, the only thing missing may have been the virgin of Guadalupe statue and a Luchador mask. Parking: Very Difficult to get in and out on that street with their private lot. If you choose street parking instead, Finding Street parking on school street can also be frustrating.---needs improvement. Food: Margaritas were delicious! Full bar available for Cinco De Mayo. Many choices of authentic tequillas and drinks. I must say that my first trip there was a little disappointing. I went with their signature Carne Asada plate which on its own could have been promising but with a mix up of orders and undercooking the steak which was more inedible fat than meat on the portion, it made it a little hard to eat. All of my friends thought the food was great though. This we need to think over. Rice and beans Ok. Prices: Not too bad. $100.00 for 4 adults with beers.

    (3)

  • Noa H.

    Best Mexican food on the island that I have found so far. I've been here three times now and minus the occasional slow service, I have been very pleased. Although the name says Mexico restaurant, this place is actually located in Kalihi. Parking can be difficult, I have had to street park every time I have gone, but have found spots across the street. Once you've done that though it's all down hill. I really like the ambiance here, very cool Mexican decor, just walking in makes me want to start drinking Cervezas and eating cheese laden food stuffed with meat.(which is what I usually do) Service is friendly, just has been slow. Food and drinks are excellent though. The head Chef is Mexican and a lot of the ingredients are imported from Mexico ( Legally, illegally, whatever). All in all, we are in Hawaii, if they could get a little better with the service, 4 stars would be appropriate. Enjoy.... TIPS: Street parking is available across the street if the lot is full / Bar looks super fun if you feel like a fiesta / The Chimichanga is definitely a fried, meat stuffed, cheese laden item, if your feeling naughty

    (3)

  • M. V. E.

    Food here is OK,. Found the menu to be decent with enough variety of traditional Mexican dishes. Good indicator for a Mexican restaurant is the chips and salsa... well both the chips and salsa were mediocre at best. My taquitos were also a bit bland with the meat taste and texture a bit off. Had a margarita as well, but it too left much to be desired... Sad but true, the margs at Chilis are mucho mejor! Overall a so so place, Ok if you are in a pinch and need a Mexican food fix in a bad way.

    (3)

  • Jesus E.

    Authentic Mexican food. Visiting from Las Vegas we felt like having some Mexican food. Found this place on the iphone maps. Very good food. Friendly staff. Restaurant decor is very nice. Its away from the tourist spots so that was nice. pricing is reasonable and comparable to the island higher prices. I would recommend this place to anybody!

    (5)

  • Jana P.

    Since all of the reviews for this Mexico Restaurant seem to be prefaced with the reviewers' ties to Mexico, here's mines: I visited Rosarito twice in college and got shit-faced both times but I do recall pouring beer on a girl at a foam party and having the runniest stomach after eating "tacos" from the street vendors. The "tacos" were amazing but they may have used the street dogs for meat because the dogs would disappear by night. We also rode mules on the beach. Also, I know 2 Mexicans who live in Hawaii. They both play soccer. Anyway on our Tuesday night visit, Mexico Restaurant was festive as ever and had great live music. However, the music was ridiculously loud. The horchata was great and my ______ Burrito (Sorry, I forget the name of it) was also really good and generously stuffed with chicken and shrimp. The food came out really fast so they seem to have addressed that problem (previous Yelpers' seemed to have had very slow service) however, good luck trying to flag down the waitress for water refills and the check. In short: tasty food, great decor, fast service, normal restrooms, reasonable prices, huge portions, music too loud to hold normal conversations, parking can be weird. I street-parked as I didn't want to park in the back lot for the park. Seemed a little shady although someone from the restaurant supposedly watches the customers' cars.

    (4)

  • Alyssa M.

    I gave Mexico Restaurant three stars because their food was alright, nothing special. I shared the traditional fajitas (combination) with my bf and also had their fried ice cream. The steak was really good but the chicken was kind of dry. The grilled veggies were delish but their side were very limited for the amount of meat that they gave us. As for the fried ice cream, I loooove fried ice cream and this one wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. It had a more breaded texture that I was not a fan of. It was also more on the pricey side and the service was slow. The five waitresses were hardly paying attention to us and it was not even close to busy. I don't think that we'll be eating here again.

    (3)

  • Shaun R.

    Whoever said this place is filthy has lost their mind! Bathroom is immaculate nothing on the floor like they said. Service is great, so is their food. Margaritas are awesome, the house tequila is 1800. This is officially my new spot! Enjoy good food, good drinks and good service for a great price!

    (5)

  • Greg A.

    Went there early on a Saturday night and the place was crowded! We enjoyed our food but the place is filthy! I accidentally dropped my fork on the floor, went to get it and couldn't help but notice all the crap under the table! It's like they never mopped or swept under there for ever! Then went to the bathroom and it was filthy! Kinda makes you wonder about the quality of their food & prep area.

    (3)

  • Meghan T.

    After 45 minutes of waiting on a non busy night,i finally got my food.

    (1)

  • Jessica W.

    Been here numerous times and it's always hit or miss. Once again tonight was a miss. I had the chicken fajita burrito. The vegetables were raw and cold and the cheese inside wasn't even melted. Sent it back and manager said she would charge me for half of my dinner! Are you kidding? They should have made me another one or not charge me. I'm never coming back.

    (1)

  • Samela L.

    Hands down the WORST Mexican food on the island!!!!!!!! It didn't even taste like gringo Mexican food! I recommend going to taco bell because their Mexican food is more authentic! I'm Latina and when I asked if the Horchata was fresh they said yes yet horchata is supposed to have cinnamon on the bottom of the drink and this place didn't. When I asked about it they said they used Horchata packets and I couldn't help but laugh!! I thought the waitress was joking but she wasn't.. And that's just the start..

    (1)

  • Lea H.

    Delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine. I love their huge mug of horchata and the fajita burritos. The location is not ideal, parking can be a bit crowded and difficult to exit. Next to El Mariachi, this is the next best Mexican restaurant.

    (4)

  • Merritt G.

    Best Mexican food on Oahu. Service is good and the place is very nice inside with nice tables, chairs, and decorations. The bartenders are very nice and can tell you all about their Tequila selection.

    (4)

  • eph z.

    This place is bad on many fronts: bland, unoriginal, and not authentic food; too loud to hear each other; crappy parking; and a limited supply of authentic mexican aguas frescas drinks (only had horchata). I've lived in California for 11 years, traveled in Mexico for many months, and cook mole, salsas, and tamales all the time, so I know what good Mexican food should be, and this is not it. Many people on Yelp seem to focus on the size of dishes, but if you just want a lot of food, go get a cheap bucket of fried chicken or a stacked burger! What about the taste and the quality? Well this had neither. Fish in the fish tacos was not fresh tasting (inexcusable in Hawai'i), no salsas to top them aside from the one that came with the chips and some bottled stuff, and the chili rellenos were just..... lame! If you really want the best Mexican in Oahu, if not the state, try Serg's or El Palenque. Those are both super authentic and 100x tastier, not to mention you can hear yourself talk in those!

    (1)

  • Will L.

    My search for real carne asada continues. The ambience is nice as the dining room is fairly big, on Friday night about 6pm the mariachi guitar player was doing his thing, portions are ample (esp. for the keiki plates @ $4.95) and there's plenty of parking (although you have to back out to the street in reverse onto School Street, which is a somewhat dangerous proposition). My kids liked their quesadila, spanish rice and bean plate - and again, it was a lot of food for them, which includes the house chips and salsa. The salsa by the way, tasted exactly like it came from a La Victoria bottle. I ordered the carne asada plate for $12.95 hoping to find real carne asada. Real carne asada is a very thin but dense layer of nicely marinated steak, which is eaten with corn tortillas, onions, cilantro and salsa. Well, what came out was not bad, but not carne asada either. The plate basically had what looked to be some kind of chuck steak you can buy from Times or Foodland. I guess it's really hard to find the carne asada cuts, because it's just not happening at local Mexican restaurants. Anyway, the steak was pretty good, I chopped it up so that my kids could have some and they liked it. They served it with two corn tortillas, much too insufficient to cover a plate like that -- again, ample portions. Plus the corn tortillas were over-baked and you could see that it was kind of warped. Good corn tortillas are nice and warm with good constitution. The carne asada plate came with refried beans and spanish rice. The meal turned out to be very heavy, with the house chips, refried beans, spanish rice, guacamole and the chuck steak aka carne asada. I left feeling about 10 lbs. fatter, which I guess is a good thing? If you're in the Kalihi area and you're jonesing for some Mexican food, Mexico Restaurant is a good way to go, perhaps the only way to go around here. But if you want real carne asada (and I've had their pollo burritos, which are not bad, but I think Diego's on King and the one on Fort Street Mall are better for chicken), keep looking. And if you find the real kind, let me know.

    (3)

  • Clarissa M.

    Been here three times on different days for lunch. Service was efficient - no wait to be seated, took our food order quickly, always made sure our water glasses were full, and we did not even have to ask for the check. Food was delicious - tried the grilled chicken taco salad, taquitos appetizer, crispy taco with chicken, and ground beef burrito. You also cannot go wrong with the fried ice cream.

    (4)

  • Jenny L.

    Everyone told me (and fellow Yelp members too), that this place was really good. I convinced my friends to finally try this place; epic failure! It was a maze to take us to our table, and why sit us all the way in the back!? Large menu so it was hard to decide. I went with a combo plate to taste a few items. My tamale had hard burnt edges. My rice and beans were luke warm. My friend returned her plate because of cold rice and beans. Then returned it again because of the burnt dried meat. Finally, she didn't want anything and I don't blame her! I think I will stick to the gourmet taco trucks around town.

    (1)

  • Carol L.

    Finally an above average place for Mexican food. I see alot of mixed reviews here. Hubby and I had. Chile Verde and a combo of beef burrito and Chile releno. Portions are large come hungry. The salsa they serve with chips was a bit disappointing. Had way better. Chile Verde very tasty! Pork was fall off the bone tender. The Chile Releno was huge! Ooozing with cheese!! The beef burrito was huge and good. Served wit beans and rice. Will come again

    (4)

  • Micah L.

    BEST FRIED ICE CREAM EVER. (At least in Hawaii, which doesn't say much) I would go there just to eat that by itself. Seriously.

    (5)

  • Eric X.

    Apparently we got the large guacamole appetizer last time and were charged for medium. So it's actually $8 not $4 something. Ahh well seemed to good to be true. The portions are still absolutely huge and here's a new tip: $3 for Horchata is like halfway to being a pitcher -- huge glass mug. Also it's really good Horchata, not chalky and nice amount of cinnamon. I will say the house salsa is watery and dull like another yelper mentioned. That could be improved. But it's still the best mexican food I've found on Oahu thus far.

    (4)

  • Pedro H.

    Ok, so I'm Mexican. Like actually from Mexico. I had never heard of Nachos or Burritos until I came to the US. This place is not bad for the tacos, which is a tiny little section on the first page (it's literally a tiny little part of the menu). They have carne asada tacos, but more impressively they have less american-friendly offerings of tongue and tripitas (figure that one out on your own). The rest of the food is the regular run of the mill tex-mex, cali-mex, or whatever mex- type of food, but not fully Mexican. Good enough if you don't care about authenticity, but honestly I don't think it tastes that good. Although other people in Hawaii swear it tastes great and it's totally authentic because it's exactly as they remember....back in San Francisco. Yeah, ok.

    (3)

  • Robyn S.

    Gotta say that this by far one of the best Mexican restaurants on the island. And yes I'm gonna say it... They are by far way better than Cholos in Haleiwa. Servings are huge and one burrito can feed 2 people. They don't hold back on the shredded beef either!! Try the Horchata it's awesome! Atmosphere is pretty typical of a Mexican restaurant, lots of color and décor. Sometimes (and I'm not sure what day) they have a guy playing guitar. There is also a bar with a good selection of tequila and others. Their margarita was delicious and refreshing. Service all times dining there was excellent.

    (5)

  • Guy K.

    Just finished a take-out order of huevos rancheros from this place. It was soo mediocre and at $10.99 (I left a $1 tip on the take-out) it should have been mucho mucho bueno. Since this is a very basic entree, they should know how to do it up as good or better than their competition in order for the customer to get good value out of something that they're selling for $10.99 a serving. The huevos rancheros at Serg's in Manoa kicks butt over this one and surpasses it by two solid star ratings. I don't think I'll be adding this place to my list of Mexican restaurants; my point of view is from eating Mexican for about 10 years in Los Angeles (SoCal / TexMex flavors).

    (2)

  • Waynele Y.

    It might be what I ordered, but I definitely don't need to eat here again. It wasn't bad, but just not very good. The garlic shrimp didn't taste so Mexican to me--more like shrimp scampi with Mexican sides. The rice and black beans weren't very flavorful. My husband got the carne asada and said his meat was super tough. It was kind of disappointing. i think i prefer los chapporos.

    (2)

  • Hungry C.

    Wow! what a great improvement from our last visit. The food was great! The kids enjoyed everything on the keiki menu. Good atmosphere too. We really enjoyed the musician and had a wonderful time. Carnitas was awesome. Taco Salad was Enormous! We are definitely a fan now. Parking sucks, kinda shady folks hanging in the park behind the restaurant. We ended up parking on the street.

    (4)

  • Jericho E.

    Came on a Sunday where it wasnt busy at all. Took a little bit for the server (Anai) to come but she was extra pleasant and recommended awesome dishes. Horchata is a must!! Tastes just like it does back in Cali. Shrimp tacos were phenomenal as well. Definitely an authentic Mexican restaurant with the side of beans, rice and veggies with every plate and the loud mexican music in the background.

    (4)

  • Satoru Y.

    A decent Mexican restaurant: but not too impressive. I guess the first turn-off I had was the florescent color of their guacamole. The portions are pretty huge; and they definitely aren't skimpy. The service was attentive, and had no problem filled up our chips and salsa numerous times. I guess I just didn't find the food we ordered that impressive. I ordered one of their specialty Burritos. I thought the Chicken and Beef in the Burrito was delicious and wonderfully tender. However, there was not much else going on in the Burrito flavor-wise. The menu does have a wide variety of traditional Mexican dishes that aren't available in many places in Hawaii. I do love the layout of the restaurant. Its got that adobe feel to it. The place is pretty spacious; and it is great for groups and kids. The rancho decorations are a great touch. All in all, decent attempt at bringing a rustic Mexican restaurant to Hawaii.

    (3)

  • Enjoy L.

    Great Horchata & large portions. service is so-so.

    (4)

  • Ryan D.

    Best Mexican Food I have had here in Hawaii. As close to "authentic" as you can get in Hawaii. I am used to Mexican Food in California so I tend to be a bit cirtical. Overall, it was very tasty. The enchilada's and rice were tasty and the chips and salsa were good. I would def go back! I would say its much better than Cholo's, although the atmosphere at Cholo's was much better. Overall, very satisfied.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    What's the Scoop? I give it a 3 star only because there isn't really any Mexican places on the Island. Maybe a handful at best and I'm pretty darn sure I've eaten at all of them. This places is decent. It's nothing like the mainland Mexican food, but it'll do, to fulfill your Mexican food craving. Price: Fair Must try: Anything...mexican food isn't too diverse. Rice, Beans, Tortillas, Sauce and some meant? LOL. I had the enchiladas and it was good. Very healthy portions. Drinks: Very sweet horchata. Not the best, but decent. Parking: Has it's own lot but it's small.

    (3)

  • Kenny C.

    I am not a super big fan of Mexican food, but we come here quite often since its close to my workplace. The food is pretty good, but the service can be pretty junk at times. The nachos is good and I usually get the enchalada plate.

    (3)

  • Les Is More M.

    3 words: LI HING MARGARITAS!!!

    (5)

  • Kalani C.

    Last minute we figured we'd head to Mexico to celebrate in some fashion, Cinco de Mayo (down with the French!). Place was packed; never seen it so festive. The waiting list was extensive & estimated at 1.5 hours. We headed to the bar, standing room only, & had beers, margaritas & ceviche. No joke, a table cleared 1.5 hours later & so did two stools at the bar. We remained at the bar for their Mariachi Burrito & Chili Verde which were both delicious. Mahalo to bartender Renee for being attentive despite the madness. Bus boys were incredible as were the wait staff. A nice mid-week jaunt to get me in the mood for the weekend.

    (4)

  • Mark G.

    Biggest set of horns I've seen in Hawaii. They were on the wall, that bull must have been the size of a Volkswagen. Stopped by late-ish on a Saturday. There was a guy playing guitar, poorly. I was told he wasn't the regular guy though. The decor of this restaurant is very nice. They seemed to have done a full remodel unlike some places that just hang up some serapes and put up some travel posters. But enough about the furniture let me mention the food. I liked the salsa with the chips, it was the smoother style of salsa probably put through a hand grinder or food processor; sticks to the chip well. I had the Diablo Shrimp appetizer. The waitress said it was somewhere between the Chipotle Shrimp and the Garlic Sh imp on the Scoville scale. Good flavor, not too hot. I also had the ceviche; major disappointment. Just a big pile of fish mush with tomato. The fish tacos had Guacamole and two big chunks of char grilled fish, not bad. I also had the Crab Enchiladas on the waitresses recommendation, although I was leaning that way anyway. The Crab Enchiladas were packed with crab and had a nice light Verde sauce which didn't cover the taste of the crab. All in all, very friendly service, mostly good food, BYOB a plus for me.

    (4)

  • Hillary N.

    So tonight was mexicos chance at redemption. It's mediocre at best, if you knew little about REAL Mexican food or didn't know any better you would be satisfied. I got my food to go tonight and unfortunately I didn't check it and had to return because I was given the wrong order and when I returned to have it corrected I witnessed the micronesian mind u Micronesian not Mexican cook and I use that term loosely microwave the order that was supposed to go home with me in the first place then put in a bag that was then passed along to me. The actual food wasn't horrible but if you are going to go out to eat Mexican on Oahu go to el mariachi in Aiea or Kaneohe there's is so close to my mamas it makes me miss her.

    (1)

  • Ian S.

    My wife and I really enjoyed the food here. The decor is also nice, but the service was lacking and the price is way too much for Mexican food. Definitely four star food, but two star service and five star pricing. I would go back based on the quality of food, maybe the service will be netter next time.

    (3)

  • Richard C.

    There are not many contenders here for Mexican food to even consider. This is about the top for me. Food is good, Rene makes awesome Maggies, and almost always a seat at the bar. They occasionally do Tequila tastings, especially Cabo Wabo, my favorite. Will keep you posted on those tastings. Oh and if you ask for the special habanero sauce you will be wowed. Have another Margie. Actually 3.5 stars for me.

    (3)

  • lori l.

    We took the advise of a friends and decided to check out Mexico. What a treat! FINALLY a Mexican restaurant on Oahu that is authentic! The carne asada tacos were right out of Baja and the enchiladas verdes were delicious! Coupled with the perfect margarita you can't go wrong! Pleasant staff and killer food! Can't wait to go back soon!

    (5)

  • Esteban W.

    I avoided this joint for as long as I can remember. It was always talked down upon by the locals, my friends didn't like it and why was I to believe that ME a Mexican would even enjoy it... well I was FU*KIN' wrong. Thanks to a scheduled meeting with a co-worker (she chose the spot) I was able to experience the very thing I feared (bad Mexican). So the break down: three stars... Mexican food is judged by one very important criteria, Rice. The "Mexican" rice that comes on every plate and an orange mess of deliciousness and flavor is so fundamentally essential in Mexican dining, its the Spam on your Musubi. With that being said, its simplistic design should be something that can be EASILY conquered by any restaurant with decent practice. For this, Mexico gets a friggin "A". Similar to Toritos, Mexico uses a specific rice that is just good eats on the plate. RECOMMENDATION: Chimichanga. Period. It was massive and filled to the brim with flavor, meat and goodness. I ordered carnitas, so i can't vouch for the other meat fillings. NOW, the bad stuff...why only three stars? the service was a little slow with us, she was GREAT with the table next to us though, so I know she has it in her, but for some reason our table must of had leperacy or something because she avoided us as if she saw a cold sore or something. the price was also as extreme as the chimichanga, it was definitely a twenty dollar lunch, which even in Hawaii is incredibly..expensive. Coming from San Diego, $20 can feed a family, a Mexican one too... This place was definitely delicious, but one of those places that you're going to need to wait til pay day to go.

    (3)

  • Rose L.

    The food is awesome - especially the garlic shrimp! YUM! After we ate all the shrimp, I grabbed my fork and ate everything else on the plate ... it was THAT good! The restaurant looks great and our server was really nice. We'll definitely be back :)

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    pork taquitos are awesome

    (4)

  • Brooke M.

    Why did I drive all the way to Kalihi for this? (Yeah, like it's so far!) So I guess if you don't like garlic shrimp, don't go here. Yeah, the decor is pretty nice, doesn't feel like you're in Kalihi. They have a really nice bar- too bad there's no booze in it. Salsa tasted like it came out of a jar, or at least part of it did and they just added some cilantro and stuff to it. There was this middle aged couple playing guitar and singing (sometimes badly), and I kept hoping that they wouldn't come over to our table! Anyway, Jeremy's theory is that Mexican food is all about the meat- meat, sauce, tortillas. Therefore, vegetarians will never be satisfied with Mexican restaurants, and we need to just make our own "Mexican" food to satisfy our cravings. Ok, fine. But a margarita would've helped, a little.

    (3)

  • Isao K.

    I feel like this is the best mexican restaurant on oahu. 1st: There salsa, ceviche, and homemade hot sauce were superb. as were the quesadillas when combo'd with the ceviche 2nd: this is not some wuss mexi-wai'i restaurant. they are not afraid to use the little chili that they use. Plus they are very liberal with their garlic. Let me explain why this is good. Chili's not only stimulate circulation, and are good for digestion, they are also anti bacterial, meaning if you have any stomach problems, the chili can take care of them, when used correctly. Garlic has much of the same properties, including anti-inflamatory and general anti-sickness(like flu or colds) plus they are loaded with good oils for your body, however loose most of them when cooked to much, which is why the rawer the garlic the better. The service was good, and the kitchen staff was great. This is a great food sharing restaurant. The only downside I saw was a lack of bike parking. good job guys.... I have been looking for good mexican in the islands for way to long

    (5)

  • Gareth W.

    I have not been to all of the Mexican places on the island, but I would have to say that this is one of the best places that I have been. I had the El Mariachi burrito, I could not finish it. The salsa was really good not too spicy. I came in the middle of the week during lunch and there were just a few other people. From the looks of the tables I can see how seating could be a problem because most of the tables were set up for larger groups.

    (5)

  • Atherfagalagi N.

    the prices are ridiculous for the servings you get. i had the mariachi burrito. all the bland pork was stuck in one end of the burrito while the other end was filled with refried beans. chalk that up to just plain sloppiness. the "salsa fresca" was little more than some chopped tomatos and the "spanish" rice was made with frozen vegetable mix. i saw corn first then the cut green beans, that's what gave it away. i also tried the chilie rejeno and enchillada ala carta. unfortunately they all tasted the same as the burrito, no taste at all. i suppose if i had drowned everything in hot sauce it would have had something to remind my tongue that i had food in my mouth, but food should be able to stand on its own. no? the only things worse than the food were the service and the parking. when i walked in several of the "wait staff" looked at me and then just turned and went about their business. no, "hi, how are you" or "welcome" or anything. although the restaurant was only half full the parking lot was overflowing. mitsuken is right down the street and i'd brave their non-existent parking lot for delicious food rather than trying to figure out mexico's parking arrangements just to fill my mouth with substance and taste-free fluff.

    (1)

  • E K.

    Anyway, the food is better than Taco Bell's.

    (1)

  • kaulana e.

    I must start off by saying that i am a Mexican/Hawaiian/Filipino that grew up in California where the mexican food choices are plentiful. I was a little cautious reading all the reviews for this place thinking that people from here wouldn't know real mexican food if it slapped them in the face.. I was wrong ! The food here was simply put.."Muy Bien" (very good).. To start off with I loved the adobe like feel of the decor, i like the fact it's not too big, yeah the parking was atrocious, but who cares about parking when the food is this good. I would have walked a mile to eat here. I ordered the crab enchiladas and my wife had the kalua pig chimichanga. Both were amazing, even the spanish rice and salsa were great! If you like Horchata, don't go home without it! We definitely have found our new home for eat out mexican here on the island... See ya there soon!

    (5)

  • Jimmy O.

    This is the best Mexican food on the island. They make great drinks and excellent food. Service is efficient and friendly.

    (5)

  • Iazy i.

    if i had written this review a year ago, it would have easily gotten 4 stars. mexico restaurant actually used to be my favorite mexican food on the island. i hadnt been here in over six months, and was disappointed that the quality had gone down since my last visit... and it wasn't a subtle difference; it was significant enough for me to think that they may have actually changed ownership. even the complimentary salsa went from tasting homemade and authentic to tasting store-bought, or a mixture of homemade salsa with store-bought salsa as filler. this may be a cost-saving move, but it's very noticeable to the palate. i thought that maybe i just went on a bad day, and given that i was a big fan of mexico restaurant, i've gone back two more times to see if that was the case. both occasions let me know that this is now the norm and not the exception. if you want the best mexican food on the island, it's serg's mexican kitchen... HANDS DOWN! to the credit of mexico restaurant, the serving sizes are still huge, and that's even by local standards. the margaritas and horchatas are solid. the food on the other hand, is decent, but nowhere near what it used to be.

    (3)

  • Kent I.

    If I wrote this review 2 years ago, this restaurant would get 4 stars easily, but unfortunately, this place has been changing. The food is the same as before, but the quality seems to be lower. For instance, the salsa before was excellent, fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic....all home made. I have gone a few times this year and the salsa is now Pace picante sauce with some chopped tomatoes mixed in. I was very sad to see this. The rest of the food is still good though, but not great. The pricing is typical for mexican food here, maybe a little pricey. Parking is limited. Worth a try, but I have been to better places here.

    (3)

  • Stephanie H.

    I usually only review restaurants that I was impressed with, but I have made an exception for this one and I'll tell you why. First of all, our server was friendly and attentive which is why I added an extra star, otherwise I would have given it a 2. We ordered a pitcher of magharita, which had a nice consistency (and this is key in magharitas as far as I'm concerned) but not the best flavor and they were WAY too strong. The food was alright, but not great. We wanted to sit around and finish the rest of the pitcher so one of my friends ordered a beer but because the place was going to close in 10 minutes they wouldn't serve him! And the people behind the bar were rude. Our server recognized our frustration and apologized profusely for it. We felt rushed, like we were being kicked out at the end of our meal. I say, in this economy you should be happy with any customers you get, even if it is almost closing time.

    (3)

  • Daniel P.

    Good tasting food, slow service.

    (3)

  • Jeannie J.

    The food here is amazing, but the service sucks. I was told it was okay to seat myself at the bar, cuz I needed a margarita, and was really excited about enjoying the enchilada and verde sauces. I sat myself at the empty bar, except for a man at the end of the bar, with his back to the whole place, watching a basketball game. Even the sound of the stool being pulled out, purse hitting the bar did not get his attention. So, being a long time food and beverage person, I decided to see how long he, as well as the server, and the kitchen guy who saw me would take to wait on me. I sat 5 min, before I spoke into the restaurant to the server, and asked if he was going to wait on me. He said, no Carlos was. Then this guy watching TV the whole time got up and brought chips and salsa. I politely ordered a margarita. Then a combination plate, with the enchilada and verde. He only took my order. That's it!! Then went to sit down again to watch TV, until my food was ready, he delivered, I asked for sour cream, he brought it, and left again. Carlos did not ask me if everything was okay. I sat at the bar by myself and had my meal. I heard the rest of the staff in the dining area laughing and was finished and saw the bartender (Carlos) back by the kitchen window bullshitting. I was obviously finished with my meal, and needed a go container, by this time, I was furious. I loudly asked if anyone was working here! I was the only customer in the place, and no one cared. Shittiest service I've ever had. I asked Carlos if the manager was around, and would you believe it, the one watching the TV, with his back to the whole establishment, and provided me with the horrible service, Carlos, was the manager! When I complained I had been ignored the whole time I was there, he tried to tell me he was busy with something else. I've been in food and beverage for many many years, and I saw everything. I hate leaving a shitty tip, but I did. I'm so disappointed because, as I said, the food is amazing. But I will not return, and will tell my friends not to waste their time. The owner deserves a phone call in the morning, which I fully intend to do, and perhaps, if the customer service improves, maybe. Did I say the food is amazing?

    (1)

  • Tiffany A.

    What a trip to Mexico! Well not literally but this restaurant was beyond what I expected. The food was really good and I ended up devouring all of my Mexico Combo... mmm mmm good! After recommendation from my cousin, we decided on lunch here. The place has lots of room to fit big groups as well as small. Although the restaurant wasn't full (although there were 3 big groups), the parking lot was packed. It's very small and getting in and out is awful. In the restaurant, it seemed kind of hot... lack of a better A/C maybe? But that was the end of the worst. The chips and salsa were pretty good. The chips seemed homemade, crunchy and falls apart in your mouth kine. The salsa was good on spicy for my preference. I was swayed to try the crab (real by the way) enchiladas. But I saw the combo option and decided to try that since I could choose two or three items since I love variety. So I got the Crab Enchiladas and the Carne Asada burrito (extra charge though for the seafood and the steak which was about $3). The plates are HUGE!!! But if you bring your appetite I'm sure you'll finish it and if not take the rest home!!! I really REALLY loved the crab enchiladas! It was my favorite :) The carne asada in the burrito was good but there wasn't much of it... more refried beans instead. The spanish rice included in the plate was mighty yummy! It had other things like small beans or peas but it didn't distract and it was fluffy :) Just the way I like it. So I recommend this place, maybe not during the busy lunch hour on weekdays, but the food is worth it and the prices are about the same as other mexican restaurants here in Hawaii.

    (4)

  • Grand Master J.

    Good good , but lots of room for improvement in service

    (3)

  • Harmony S.

    The food was not good. Ordered the mini chicken quesadilla, which had a funky taste like it was spoiled or something. The chicken chimichanga had the same awful taste. The shrimp in the fajitas were dry/over cooked. Hot sauce could not even help the food! The service was slow/non existant, asked for more salsa and it never came, no re-fill on water. 1 star for immediate seating and good Spanish Rice. Will not be returning here.

    (1)

  • Susan F.

    I was really hoping this place would be another "good", (I know it won't be GREAT) Mexican spot to eat at. I ordered the chile relleno and that was really good. The chile wasn't over cooked and soft, it still had a little bite to it. And the cheeses were great together. The salsa was ok, I honestly think I make a better salsa and I'm not even Mexican. The rice.... I didn't think you could mess up rice. Some grains of rice was not cooked long enough and it was extremely dry. They also put corn in it, I've never had Spanish rice with corn in it. Overall, it's okay! Maybe I'll just order something ala carte next time.

    (3)

  • Ap C.

    Awesome customer service! Greeted with a hostess who opened the door for us. Then chips and salsa were brought out right away! Awesome!

    (5)

  • Lina P.

    I've been here twice and I like it. It's the most authentic mexican food I've had on the island. The portions are so big you can comfortable share a plate. I like the chile rellenos.

    (4)

  • Christine A.

    I love this place. Best mexican food on the island and i have been to pretty much all of them. You couldnt make better guacamole better that this place, it is so fresh. Everything is fantastic. My dislikes are that parkng is horrible and you have to park sometimes down at the park where some sketchy people live. Also the music is pretty loud. And one more thing it takes forever to get, refills, a bill, and pay.

    (4)

  • Kalei F.

    This restaurant was pretty good. The salsa and chips were good....felt like it was homemade. Salsa could've been a little spicier, but it was ok. I ordered the huevos con chorizo......it's the dish I order at every Mexican restaurant to compare them :) It was pretty yummy....not the best I've had, but still pretty good. My friend had the taco salad which was just common. The huevos con chorizo had too much egg, but the chorizo flavor itself was good....again could've been spicier. The beans and Mexican rice were very good though! One of my favorites! Their horchata was HUGE!!! It didn't really taste handmade but it was very sugary and definitely quenched your thirst and you can share it with people! You must try Los Chaparros though!! It's still my favorite Mexican restaurant (with Mexico Lindo in Kailua being my 2nd favorite) All in all, it was still a good restaurant....good atmosphere. Would come back again :) Mostly locals so that's a good sign! And yes people, we all know that Hawai'i is lacking in the area of Mexican food, and I have had Californian mexican, as well as Mexican from Arizona and from Mexico itself, but for Hawaii, this is a pretty good Mexican restaurant....not the best, but still good. And when you're ordering Mexican food, do not order just the "common" burrito or taco....venture out!! You'll find what REAL Mexican food is! Have fun!

    (4)

  • Jordan M.

    Mexican in Honolulu? That's just crazy talk. And yet here this place is. They know what a chili looks like and how to use them. The fish tacos were good and contained possibly the largest amount of fish I've ever seen in a fish taco. They weren't classic baja style, but they were served on two nice small corn tortillas with a plate of refried beans and spanish rice. The spanish rice actually had bits of corn in it which was nice. It was good. Very good.

    (5)

  • Alyssa K.

    Great! salsa: taste seems to change each time garlic shrimp = huge adobada: YUM! ceviche: DELICIOUS! fried ice cream: i dont care for it, but bf loves it!

    (5)

  • Kristin G.

    Definitely nothing impressive about this establishment. The service might have been better if there had been more than one waitress for 30 people. The food was average at best and did not have that certain zing I've come to expect in Mexican cuisine. In other words, it was bland; the rice and the enchilada. However, it was the parking that really did this place in. A very narrow parking lot on an incline. When we left, we had to back out because there was a big truck blocking what would have been a path between the parking spots. Although Mexican restaurants are harder to come by here on Oahu, I've definitely had better.

    (2)

  • Mia F.

    For Hawaii....this is our favorite Mexican restaurant...it's as good as it gets and it's pretty darn good...if you get a giant cadillac margarita and the carnitas you will be a happy! The atmosphere is fun too with lively music...kid friendly...

    (4)

  • James Q.

    Easily the best Mexican restaurant in town. Everything is good!

    (4)

  • Keltie J.

    overpriced, not amazing service. i've been lots of times. tiny parking lot.

    (3)

  • Nick J.

    Food is pretty good I would say you get your money's worth, it is pricey if your on a budget, it was pretty crowded when we got here so it was a pretty long wait.

    (4)

  • JAN I.

    Just came here for my lunch break.....I do wish it was after work. I was so tempted to drink a Margarita, maybe next time. I got the fish tacos and it was delicious. The fish was moist and good amount of fried beans and rice.

    (4)

  • Kawika C.

    Adequate at best. Waitress was attentive but never smiled. That's always a turnoff! Salsa seemed to be out of a can. Food was very very bland. Chips were room temperature, and from a huge stack of chip baskets in the back. I may give it another chance, not to many choices here. On the bright side, portions were large, decor was funky Tex/Mex, looks like there's a nice bar if your not driving. Two years later, tried the joint again. I raised it a star. This waitress smiled. Food was much better. Salsa is still a little iffy. And "PLEASE", quit pre stackin the chips to the ceiling? I want my chips warm.

    (3)

  • Marilyn M.

    okay, we've been there several times. my husband had the menudo soup before and its been awesome!!! well not this time. i'll get back to the menudo -- everything else was either cold or hard then the menudo was sent back cause he wanted it hot. well everything came out from both ends by midnight. get it: my poor husband. i know we wont be headin that way again....

    (1)

  • Ricky L.

    Maybe it was an off night, but the food was below average. I ordered the menudo, an ala carte carne asada taco and a horchata. Of which the horchata was the best part of the meal. The menudo tasted like watered down tripe stew and the taco was decent but not special. Also the waitress forgot my taco and i had to ask for it again, and the music was so loud I couldn't talk to the friend I was having dinner with. I may try it again, but not for a while. Oh yah and the roach motel near the door was full, is that good or bad?

    (2)

  • Jonathan D.

    where to start. this place lacks EVERYTHING!! once my wife and i walked in the vibe was ok, looked MEXICAN, but soon thereafter they fell short i mean really really short. 1. Service sucks!: sat and waited for about 30-45 mins for our food, i mean if its great food, i dont mind the wait, but the food is crap so the wait pissed me off. 2. Chips and salsa were ok. As we waited you would think that they would refill your chips and salsa right? not here... had to ask and still didnt bring them even after our food came. 3. The food: why do servers bring you one plate when the rest is not ready? i mean come on, its rude to sit there with a plate in front of you and have your wife wait for hers! i am one of those guys that waits for his wife to have her plate before i start to eat, its just polite i think. By the time hers came out mine was cold and hers was fresh out of the microwave! GROSS!!! then the messed up her order! LAME!! very lame! 4.PRICE! this is where i got pissed even further. three item combo..$18.95... not bad if it is great food, but again food is CRAP! no flavor in the meat and the plates are just coverd in canned sauce and cheese. The green sauce on the Chili Relleno was the same as the bottled crap on the table! On top of all this when i looked at the bill they charged me for "carne asada" ! it was a menu item! i guess if you call grilled steak in Hawaii "carne asada" which is what it is they charge you for it!! GOD I MISS SAN DIEGO !!! anyway, in my opinion...look else where. me and wifey made homemade mexican the other and i will admit, its the best there is out there bar none!!!

    (1)

  • Cheryl K.

    I have been to this a while back. I went to Mexico Restaurant to catch up with an old co-worker. Please beware the following may gross you out (or not, as I had to bear it for lunch). I was sitting in my truck and I see a cook come out from the back of the building with an apron on. Then I see him full on blow his nose on his apron. I was totally disgusted and prayed that, that man was not going to touch my food. Everyone was excited to eat here so I just chanced it without telling them (I still feel barfy thinking about it). Anyways, I ordered the chile relleno (minus the mucus) and my coworkers ordered the chimichanga and a crab salad. In my head, I am thinking the chile relleno maybe was stuffed by some other cook with super clean hands the day before. It was actually decent. Very similar to the one my mother-in-law makes. The salsa with the chips was not that good. It seemed to be out of the can tomato sauce and spiced up with a pepper or two. Not my fave. The rice and beans that came with the meal were pretty good. The rice seemed a little hard around the edges or something. Anyways, the service was on it and super fast and the prices were reasonable. The ambiance is very Mexico-ish and sets a pretty nice mood. This place is okay. I am totally OCD with cleanliness and seeing the cook blow his nose on his apron turned me off. Three stars for the ambiance, service, and prices. Minus two for the mucus.

    (3)

  • Cesar G.

    My girl and I just ate here tonight. Wow, were we impressed. Their menu is great. My girl is a vegetarian, but eats seafood. Their menu was filled with great sounding seafood like crab chimichangas, crab enchilladas, grilled fish, garlic shrimp, but my girl ordered the Mamamia Burrito. She could not believe how good it was. Grilled fish and shrimp, lettuce, and pico de gallo covered in a white creamy lobster sauce and a spoonful of avocado/papaya salsa on top! Wow. I had the carne asada plate and it was perfect. Full bar was a plus!!

    (5)

  • Cat D.

    It was OK...the beans tasted like the re fried beans from the can and the seasoning of the rice was off. Not sure how to explain it but it didn't have the dried chili taste that Mexican rice has. The guacamole was sour tasting as if the tomatoes were added but somewhat rotten. i had the Flautas and I love flautas from Maria Bonita's but didn't really want to drive the extra 7 mins and ended up here (I came here when they 1st opened and my review then was a 2* for obvious reasons). Anyways, so not Mexican style. They add soooo much cheese and not cotija cheese but probably mozzarella in side the flautas, which seeped through the tortilla making it soggy and not crispy. It was too american...don't feel you need to add cheese to everything or over due it. The carne asada wasn't tasty and the meat was flank steak not a good cut of meat (as they mentioned rib eye...and i know rib eye). It's simple...tortilla, cilantro and carne asada...with a slice of lemon...that's Mexican from Mexico

    (2)

  • Laughn R.

    I've been searching for some good Mexican food since my move here a year ago and I've tried almost all of the Mexican joints on the island. Mexico has the best Carnitas I have had outside of Los Angeles. Crunchy, juicy, with just the right amount of flavor.....perfect. I highly recommend their Taqueria style tacos with the barbacoa (shredded, sauced beef) or the Carnitas. Best mexican food in Honolulu IMHO. Service is a little lacking sometimes and their parking can be a real pain in the butt, especially when the Puerto Rican association downstairs is having some kind of function.

    (4)

  • Chad D.

    Good traditional Mexican food is very hard to find in Hawaii. Best Mexican food on the island has to go to El Palenque (spelling?) in Wahiawa. However, Mexico Restaurant is one of the better places in town. The food is tasty, the portions are rather large, and the prices are reasonable. As far as authenticity goes, they do lose some points there. The dishes are pretty good and the prices are fairly low. They constantly have drink specials and, on occasion, have a live mariachi player in Friday nights. I haven't ordered anything I didn't like as I try to order something different every time. So if you're down for some good Mexican food that's close to town, then stop by.

    (3)

  • Ileana R.

    A few wonderful people brought me to this neighborhood restaurant. The parking was maxed out. The service was wonderful and quick, the music was melt in your mouth deliciously wonderful. I was really in the mood for some taco truck succulence - so I ordered Adobada, Pork, and Chicken tacos with Rice & Beans. All of the meat was dry and overcooked. Atmosphere was GREAT, the Margarita was pretty good, but alas the search for something to live up to taco truck wonderment continues.....

    (3)

  • Jonelle R.

    Awesome food and great (fast) service!

    (4)

  • Rachelle M.

    Food was not good... everything was either way too seasoned or not seasoned enough. Even the salsa tasted like it was out of a can and the chips were stale. The only thing I would suggest would be the horchata since its the only Mexican restaurant that I have been to on the island that offers this drink. Other than that pass it up.

    (1)

  • S K.

    I've enjoyed all of the food items the half dozen times I've dined there. Servers are nice but disinterested. Ordered three meals and taquitos for take out tonight...no chips or salsa included. Told that I could get it as a side order. Declined. Felt like a fool for including a nice tip. Might be a deal breaker.

    (3)

  • Peter S.

    Best darn Mexican restaurant in Honolulu! Too many great food items to describe, but I had the Fajitas, which come to your table on a sizzling platter. Ono! Everything in the place is good! The horchata is awesome, huge and a great value at $3. For dessert, try the fried banana or the fried ice cream. . . ice cream dipped in batter and deep fried. Prices are from cheap to reasonable. Parking is a bit tight. Decor is fabulous. The also have an entertainer singing and playing guitar. . . not a platinum record seller, but very charming. Of the 8 times i've been there, the service has varied from slow to outstanding. On the positive side, even when the waitress was slow, they were very friendly.

    (5)

  • Lena H.

    living in la you get a pretty good taste of what real mexican food taste like... this place was pretty good. the salsa was good, chips ok, service was good as far as the server. the food took a while to come, but our server was really nice. when we finally got our food it was really worth the wait. i thought the taste was muy bien, but i have to say the beans were crap, but when you put tapatio on it it makes everything taste better! the ceviche was onolicious! it seemed like a pretty happening place on a saturday night. it was crowded but we got seated fast. there was live music from this cute hispanic dude who performs every sat. night. he was cute because there was a large group making a lot of noise so the just strummed his guitar and let them be loud for a while then when they stopped he sang. we gave him a few dollars because he was right next to us. at the end the large group went over to thank him and took pictures with him and tipped him.. that was nice. and then when he played la bamba everyone clapped because that was the only song everyone knew! lol! all in all the i would suggest you give it a try. you wouldn't think to find a place like that in kalihi/alewa heights area fo sho!

    (4)

  • Jesse L.

    Yum, yum, yum! Food is great, service is great, drinks are even better. They even have a happy hour when margaritas are cheaper, I always get the Cadillac large for two on the rocks with a salted rim. I ususally order the kalua pig taquitos app size and ala carte carne adada tacos. The tacos come with lime and cilantro, yum yum. Just a notice when you order ONE order of tacos, that means two corn tortillas and enough meat for two tacos. Great live entertainment, one man band. Also a must try!, tucked away in kalihi on school street. The only bad part is the parking!

    (5)

  • Katie K.

    Went here for the first time the other day with a couple of friends. Parking along side the restaurant wasn't a problem--but then again we were there around early bird special time--there was no one else in the place! For starters we ordered the sizzling cheesy mushroom appetizer. Okay, seriously amazing!! But my problem here, is that this was the best thing I had here--and no where near what I would consider a traditional Mexican dish. They also brought us the normal complimentary chips and salsa. Salsa, very spicy, which is fine for my taste, but beware! And the chips--blah, I do not think these were homemade, and honestly don't even compare to the chips at Chili's. I do have to hand it to their bar though-- ordered an El Patron margarita, this thing was huge, yes it was $12, but I can guarantee you that the amount of alcohol in this thing is well worth the money! For my entree I ordered the El Mariachi burrito: chili verde wet burrito w/ beans and rice. Priced reasonalbly for the large quantity of food you get, but a little underwhelmed (if that's a word). The pork and verde sauce was good, but the beans and rice--I'm sorry, but very bland. So really, this place is decent, but with service and food being "just alright" I can't say that I plan to return here. I might want to try some other items on the menu (or just go back for the cheesy mushrooms!) but for now, I think I'll stick to Serg's when I'm craving Mexican.

    (3)

  • Jennifer O.

    Just went here for some Mexican with my boyfriend and was totally let down. We are both servers and have been in the industry for a combined 20 some years. The service was horrible! It takes a lot for me to get really upset but this did it. I understand if you are busy and can't give each table your total attention but this was just inexcusable and ignorant. The server was friendly enough, but a little slow. We eventually ordered and my boyfriend's 3 choice combo came up pretty quickly within 15 minutes. I kept waiting... and waiting... and waiting. My boyfriend was literally done with his meal when my single entree came out. I had specifically asked if they had any other kind of beans than black and was told no, though my boyfriend's plate came with refried. Then there were olives, which I can't eat, everywhere on my dish. No where on the menu did it say that my dish had a pound of olives in it, otherwise I would have obviously not ordered it. About 2 minutes after getting my plate my boyfriend asked for the check and a box. The girl dropped 2 boxes, and came back a few minutes later to collect our cash. She saw that I didn't eat any of my plate nor did I pack any of it up but that didn't seem to phase her. We paid our $40 tab and left an unprecedented 10% tip, which for us in the industry is really as bad as it gets. Our server was really nice, but she should have picked up on the fact that I was completely unhappy with the food and offered to do something about it. Though my boyfriend's food was fine both of our meals were ruined. If you want CHEAP Mexican food and don't care about the service by all means try the place out. If you don't want to have to pay for bad food and mediocre service go some place else.

    (1)

  • Javier C.

    This is by far the only most authentic mexican restaurant in the island. The Patron Steak is awesome. The spicy shrimps are great too. The ONO fish salad is delicious. Sometimes they have fried fish. Their home made chips are excellent. Only bad thing is that they don't have a license to sell alcohol. Must bring your own bottle or six pack.

    (4)

  • Scott R. D.

    The garlic shrimp are indeed good. It's same ownership as Mexico Lindo in Kailua (and formerly Kaneohe). When we lived windward Mexico Lindo was one of our favorites. This location doesn't disappoint. Live music and good food. The crab enchiladas were always good.

    (4)

  • sampaguita p.

    i always wonder about the balance between authenticity and plain old, "does it taste good, even to palates that don't know what 'authentic (insert food type) here'?" i will admit wholeheartedly that i've never had real mexican food (as in, from mexico, or prepared by mexicans in their home and not in a restaurant). i've never had cali-mex either. i did go to san antonio back when i was in college but my palate was undeveloped then and i honestly can't remember what tex-mex tastes like. that said, we ordered mexico's chili verde and a trio of tacos (lengua, asada, and fish, if i remember correctly) to share. the pork in the verde was fork tender, juicy and not in any way stringy. the sauce was killer, if a bit greasy. the beans were forgettable but somehow, the tortillas tasted better than any others i've had. we also enjoyed the tacos. tongue might sound awful to eat for some; that just means more for those of us who actually tried it and enjoy its beefy muscularity that is wonderful when slightly crisped, as they are in the tacos. the more i think about it, if i didn't know what authentic filipino food tasted like because of personal experience, i still would have given max of manila's the one star i gave them. their problem wasn't lack of authenticity but lack of taste. i think you can have inauthentic food that tastes good, especially to less knowledgeable palates. when people lament the dearth of good mexican in hawaii, i point out that there's likely a corresponding dearth of good japanese, especially japanese non-sushi, in texas. it's a given that the further you get from the source, the less likely it will be "authentic." once you get over that, the next question is "does it taste good?' and to this reviewer, yes, it does. oh boy, it does. and it's in my old neighborhood, too!

    (3)

  • MI M.

    Food great, service sucked.

    (2)

  • Mark T.

    I have dined here more than 10 times with varied results. I have the same meal every time. Chicken chimichanga and a blended margarita. The food is always good with the portion size changing often. The service depends on who you get but never good. Here is the problem which prompted this review, a one star, and me to never return. Last night I ordered a margarita and it came promptly, it tasted like water. No flavor or alchahol taste at all. My wife also tasted it and said it tasted like water. I promptly let the waitress know, who did not seem to care but took it back to the bar. She returned about 10 minutes later and said they would not make me another margarita but would not charge me for the one I returned. So they served me a messed up margarita with no taste then refused to correct it and serve me what I ordered. This has never happened to me before in any place I have dined in the world. I will not return here, not recommend to friends and visitors, and will miss the food. Mexico does not care about their customers enough to make sure their $10 margarita does not taste like frozen water.

    (1)

  • Jason s.

    If you want good mexican food on the island, this is the place to go! dont waste your time with all the other places like cholos etc.... this is the closest mexican restaurant your gonna find that even compares to mexican restaurants in California! We all know they got the best there, I know first hand because i grew up there. Anywayz, the combo plates are your best choices, I usually get the enchilada and tamale combo, soo ono! but beware the parking is pretty shitty, and if you drive a big suv, your gonna have a hard time making that damm u-turn in the lot. hope this helps, aloha!

    (5)

  • Gracie J.

    We decided to go to Mexico restaurant after reading all of the good reviews on Yelp. When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised by the decor and friendly staff. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas and nachos to start off with, the margaritas were actually delicious!! The nachos came out with our entrees, and they were nothing close to their picture in the menu (which displays and describes "a mountain" of nachos). Within a few minutes my boyfriend and I realized I was missing the fish from my salad and he, the steak from his fajitas. We were waiting for our experience to be turned around, because the fajitas did actually have really good flavor; but then we were brought out severely over-done fish and shredded beef (not steak). It just kept getting worse. The only really redeeming part of the meal was the margaritas and maybe the fajitas (had they been made correctly). Typical Mexican restaurant in Hawaii experience, we will stick to Los Chapparros.

    (2)

  • Karen S.

    I have only eaten here a couple of times for lunch, but I would defo go again if I had the time. The first time I went, I was with co-workers. We sat and munched on chips and salsa. I don't remember the specifics about the salsa, except it was a little hot without burning your eyes from the inside out. I ordered a vegetarian burrito. I realize that some may say vegetarian and Mexican does not go together, but they have several selections (which is several more than many restaurants). The burrito was huge, and not simply rice and beans inside. The service was pretty decent actually, though this seems to be a rare occurrence judging by previous reviews. Parking of course is not plentiful - is there anywhere in Honolulu that has a vast and never full parking lot? The next time I ordered take out. It was about 10-15 minutes, I was offered a drink while I waited, and they apologized profusely for my wait. Price was 12-15 so I'd say not too bad. I think they also have a partial "window" of sorts to the kitchen which makes you feel like it may be reasonably clean, but I'd leave that judgement to my friend that sells restaurant kitchen equipment.

    (4)

  • Daniel D.

    This place has mixed reviews. Got a lot of friends that says that its good, for me I had better. Service was ok since the first 30-45 minutes they were open there was only one waiter/host. On a positive, the serving size was more than I can finsh.

    (2)

  • J.J. M.

    A good place to get your authentic Mexican food fix. The atmosphere is great. The service is good. The space can accommodate big groups. However, beware parking is limited in number and space. There's a small lot for the restaurant. I suggest you carpool and take a small car; otherwise, park on the street or around the neighborhood. Watching a large truck navigate through the itty bitty space looks absolutely ridiculous.

    (3)

  • Jennifer S.

    I was pleasantly surprised! Living on the island, I was definitely missing some good Mexican food and this place was pretty good! I got the Mexico burrito and it was delicious! The service was friendly and fast too!

    (4)

  • Brian K.

    First the parking sucks. Way narrow and hard to turn around. Service was good but first impression when we walked in was mixed because the tables were dirty. Standard chips and salsa. Tasty. Solid. I ordered the "Mexico Burrito" basically a carne asada burrito, wet with pico de gallo and guacamole. HUGE burrito. Taste was good but need to be augmented with Tapatio. Came with standard rice and refried beans and cheese. All in all, not bad but not something i would go out of my way for.

    (3)

  • Jacqueline H.

    two words. CRAB ENCHILADA. :) parking right on the side n great entertainment on certain nights. i would recommend the DEEP FRIED ICE CREAM. but of course share it with somebody because its huge n will knock your socks off.

    (4)

  • Lexi H.

    I love this place. The chairs are really big...

    (5)

  • Steve C.

    Good food, pretty authentic.

    (4)

  • Austin N.

    Positives: -food is very good considering it's mexican food in Hawaii -delicious horchata -love the tortilla chips and salsa (free!) -large portions -nice ambience Negatives: -bad parking -pretty expensive for mexican food You just can't get good mexican food in Hawaii. Or at least, I haven't found a place yet that can compare to what you can get in the mainland. But this place comes as close as you can get. Freshly fried tortilla chips, huge portions of solid Mexican favorites, and that Mexican restaurant feeling when you get inside. Bottom line: Best place for Mexican food that I've found in Hawaii so far. Just make sure you're ready to pay for it.

    (3)

  • Gerry D.

    Came to this cute lil mexican restaurant tucked away in a local area of Kalihi. Its also across the street from the famous Helena's. The atmosphere is very inviting and cozy. When u come here, always ask for KELSEY. She gives the best service ever and very friendly. The food is also very authentic. COME HERE TO EAT!

    (4)

  • Joshua S.

    Not what I expected. Chips and salsa right away were lovely but I almost fainted when I saw the menu...$16 for a two taco plate!? And the ala carte was 6.50 for one taco...I saw what they looked like and realized what a ripoff it was. The margaritas were good, but not worth $11 either. If you are the kind of person who likes wasting money at Chilis, this might be the place for you.

    (2)

  • Lynn M.

    Been here several times and the food used to be much better. They have also raised their prices. Think it's pretty expensive for Mexican restaurant in Kalihi. The drinks were okay but at $14 I think they should be bigger. At least they had a parking attendant since the parking can be bad on the weekends. Not sure if I will go back anymore since the prices are higher and the food is not as good.

    (3)

  • Mark T.

    I love this place an order nachos a picture of margaritas and that's all you need here. The rest of the menu is fabulous though too you'll never go hungry here huge portions reasonable prices and great atmosphere. Don't forget the fried ice cream is fantastic here Jen's first experience and it looks like she'll probably be here every week had a great time

    (4)

  • Melissa W.

    Definitely deserves 5 stars! It was delish!!! Had a great margarita and combo meal. My hubby had a grande burrito and it was enormous! My daughter had the fajita burrito and loved it. The steak in it was super tender. They even sent a dessert out for her birthday.

    (5)

  • Bill S.

    Great salsa! Rice and beans were okay. Chile relleno had great flavors but was not very warm. Same for the quesadilla and enchilada. They have free drink refills on sodas, but did not offer to refill the chips. The fried ice cream was great, but was not served hot. Parking is in a very tight lot that fills up at lunch and dinner time. Wait staff seemed understaffed.

    (3)

  • Lei P.

    Great mexican food. Affordable, service is fair. Most of the time the food is tasty, generous in portion size, filling and authentic. Once in a while you will get a miss but mostly you can expect hits here. Try the chimichanga, quesadillas, nachos and burritos.

    (4)

  • Jozlyn H.

    The reviews said that the wait was long and the service was bad. However, it must've been my lucky day because the first parking stall by the entrance was open. We were greeted and seated right away, and our server was top notch! We got here on Sunday evening around 530pm. Early dinner, and it wasn't busy at all. When we left around 630pm, the parking was full and there were some people waiting outside to be seated. TIP: come early! I ordered the Mexico burrito, friends had the chicken chimichanga and the fajita burrito. Everyone enjoyed their food. I asked for a takeout box in the beginning because the burrito was ginormous!!!!! Our server constantly filled our drinks and checked up on us throughout our meal. She even thanked us in the end. We left her a good tip because I left this place satisfied. As far as the Mexican food goes, it's about the same everywhere..... However you can tell if it's good by their rice and beans. I was definitely satisfied with their rice and beans. I would have given then 4 stars for their parking situation, but you can only do so much in Kalihi. This place is definitely worth a try. MEXICO!!!!

    (5)

  • Kyle M.

    Great place! Fresh food. Out of the way from the touristy places. You can really tell everything is fresh. Had the crispy tacos. The tacos were filled with beef! The horchata comes in a pitcher!! I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Krysten I.

    I'm not the hugest fan of Mexican food. However, my boyfriend woke me up singing about tacos and horchata. We decided to try Mexico restaurant because they had good reviews for the horchata. The restaurant is located diagonally from Helena's. They have a small parking lot that fills up quickly during lunch hour. Like many Mexican restaurants, they give you a basket of complimentary chips and salsa when you sit down. It'll cost you a dollar more if you want either more chips or more salsa. We ordered a side of guac to eat with the chips too. For $4, I don't think it's worth it; I'm not a fan of their guac. Because I don't really like Mexican food, I just ordered crispy tacos ala carte. The flavors were good, but the tacos came out soggy. My boyfriend loved his chimichanga and the complete meals are large enough to take home a second meal as left overs. He also loved his horchata. I had a few sips. It was def one of the better horchatas I've had. The waitress service was good. I don't really like the tables here. It seems kinda weird, but the tables are large, so it's kinda hard to have a conversation.

    (3)

  • Robert S.

    From Texas Been here 3 years and have not found anything close to TexMex until now!! Wow. I had the chicken enchiladas Super and plate was big!! Chips ok...But I have been eating at Chillis so...This is the place to eat!!

    (4)

  • Domain H.

    My wife and I went to this place last weekend and we were impressed with the food. It was the best Mexican food we've had on the island thus far. Its cozy and the seats are pretty close together because of the space constraints but it wasn't anything I couldn't get pass. The service here was mediocre. Our waitress seemed more concerned about conversation in the back rather then asking us how we were. On one occasion she asked us in passing if we needed anything and kept walking before we had a chance to answer. SMH Unfortunately, because of its location and limited parking area on the side it was hard to find parking. I was greeted by a mid age gentleman that I was unsure worked there but was policing parking. There were no available spots in the parking area so he directed me to park in the back on the right. As I rode down this slim alley way, the parking area he instructed me to go to looked "shotty" to say the least. There were about 6 young guys, (4 of which had no shirt on) waving me to come park there. Needless to say my six sense alerted me, so I backed out and found parking in front of the restaurant. While enjoying my meal I noticed there were 2 police officers combing the area, and yelling at (what I thought to be) the individuals that previously waved me to park in the area. My advice to people wanting to dine here, if there are no parking spots available next to the restaurant prepare to do some searching.

    (4)

  • Bobby L.

    Consistently good food. Parking is a little awkward due to the lot layout, but what can you do? I have been here a dozen times, always good quality and tasty. The first 8 times I never got a napkin until the food was delivered. Chips, yes. Water, yes. Utensils, sometimes. But no napkin. I thought it as a conspiracy. But the last few times they all came at once, food was ready in 10-15 minutes. Great lunch spot, but don't plan on going back to work! These heavy eats will put your lights on dim for sure.

    (5)

  • Leah M.

    The food was not so good ( I'm being nice ). My husbands carnitas were more burnt than fried. I Had the kalua pork chimichanga and started to eat it when the waitress realized she gave me the wrong plate and literally pulled it out from under me mid bite. The staff was not personable at all. I would not go back and wouldn't recommend to anyone. Taco Bell is cheaper, and better than this place.

    (1)

  • Wayne T.

    So yesterday my girlfriend was craving Mexican food, and she decided maybe we should check out Mexico for dinner. Since it was near the house and I had to run a errand down the road before dinner. As soon as I get there parking was just horrible. Then some worker from inside comes out and says im not allowed to park in the lot because its too full. So I waited 10 mins before a car pulled out. Then the same guy comes out again and says just park by the dumpster. At this point I was hungry and didn't care. Appetizers were ok, but simple. Horchata wasn't that bad either. Just the main meal was something I wasn't expecting. I ordered the mexico burrito because the picture had a lot of steak on top. As soon as I got it I already knew something was wrong. Opened it up and it only had a few bits of steak in it. It was crappy if you ask me for the price of $14-$15. And my girlfriend ordered the adobada burrito, and the meat was Room temp/slightly warm. When you serve pork, at least cook it hot enough! The plate was hotter than anything we received that whole night, especially the $1.00 tortilla chips! I'd give this restaurant a 1 star, but wouldn't seem fair that not everything was decent the whole experience there. But yeah I don't think I'll be eating here anymore.

    (2)

  • Codi V.

    I only have ordered take-out because I have kids and Id rather pass that experience and just enjoy the food at home. I love their guacamole it's delicious and their shrimp tacos combo with rice and beans It's tasty and I keep coming back for it. Great food and the restaurant seems very nice on the inside. One day I'll dine-in, but I'll stick to take-out in the meantime.

    (5)

  • Sarah N.

    First time here! I had the carne asada taco and a strawberry jarrito! The food was pretty delicious. The carne asada had lots of flavor but what stood out to me most was the service. Our waiter was extremely nice and tentative--always refilling our drinks, clearing our table, and striking up a conversation!

    (4)

  • Lillie M.

    This was the second time here and the first time we had a great experience, but this time it wasn't very good. The chips and salsa are always really good. Our food on the other hand... Well, the pork tasted really funny so we ended up not eating much of it, the mushroom skillet was good, but really oily, and the ceviche was good but needed a little more flavor. I may give this place another try before I leave the island, but if you're looking for good Mexican food, Serg's in Manoa will never let you down!

    (2)

  • Alice K.

    Went during the "dead time" (2:00-2:30) for lunch with the husband. Somehow we had to wait to be seated even though there were only 4 groups in the restaurant. I didn't really mind that TOO MUCH since I've hosted before and know that sometimes you have to double check with the server to make sure they're ready. Then I got irritated when I found out that the man who told us to wait was also our server...when there were 2 other employees just hanging around polishing silverware... I ordered the Mexico burrito which didn't specify what kind of meat was inside, so I asked. Our older gentleman waiter told me "steak", little did I know you can choose what kind of meat to put in.. (the steak here sucks btw. Sliced thin as hair, no flavor, dry, stringy).. The salsa was very watery, and the chips tasted old and stale. The food was mediocre which is a shame because it use to be on point. My burrito came out room temperature (..even taco bell makes a HOT burrito). Our server NEVER came to check on us throughout our entire meal! My husband had to flag him down to get a refill on his soda. I NEVER got a refill on my water, the man never asked. The only time he came to our table was when we were done eating to give us the check and ask if I was finished with my meal. I had enough, it tasted like grease and broken dreams. My husband ordered the enchiladas which weren't too bad. But honestly, being the LAST customers in the restaurant you would think that they would be a tad bit more attentive. I felt like I was a bother being there! Maybe I would have been a bother if I was just loitering but I was a PAYING customer. Needless to say I shall NEVER return here again. You would think for a restaurant bold enough to put MEXICO as their name..their Mexican food would be legit... Scary parking near a cracky looking park, horrible service, terrible food. I'm still dying of thirst....

    (1)

  • Amy M.

    Well I was hoping that the food here would be decent. They ran out of takeout menus so I ended up looking at the one that was given at the restaurant. I ordered the chicken tostada ranchero salad and a chicken chalupa for my honey. I waited about 15 minutes till I received my order. Not bad considering the place was empty so it gave comfort that he/she was making the food fresh. Once we took it back to the car I opened up my container. The fried tortilla shell was massive. Presentation wise everything "looked" great. The guacamole and sour cream was in a separate container as well as the ranch dressing. The quantity of chicken was surprising there was an abundance of it over lettuce. I thought for 15 bucks the amount given I was pleased. But, then I took a bite and it tasted rubbery and hard. I pulled it out of my mouth and realized that piece was not thoroughly cooked. I thought this was terrible. I threw that piece out and tried another one that was somewhat ok. I didn't want to throw out everything just yet. It would be such a waste. The seasonings on the chicken was ok, it seemed like adobo was used. The refried beans in conjunction with lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, chicken, and tortilla was the most flavorless meal I had ever eaten. How is that even possible? Flavors are suppose to be flying all over the place. Besides the chicken everything was just bland and the guacamole had an after taste of raw garlic. The tortilla shell was a bit burnt and it tasted like pure oil left in the deep fryer too long. I was disappointed. My honey also felt Taco Bell was better at executing a decent chalupa. Although the quantity of food was given food here the quality lacked. It was more as just substance to fill you up and no more.

    (1)

  • Gil G.

    Sorry, I had to drop it down a notch to 3.5 stars. Today was disappointing... In just 12 days since my last visit, the food has changed channels again to, I guess maintain some continuity between the expansion of the 3 locations. I hope these growing pains are harnessed soon. The Menudo was marginal. The tripe was tough and gristly as was the hominy. The soup was watery and thin. It lacked it's usual stew-like rich texture and flavors. There is usually a deeper red color from the chili sauce infused during the braising. This is usually my go to place for a family favorite. The chicken flauta used to be awesome and hand made. Today it was similar to a frozen Sam's or Costco chimichanga. It used to have shredded and hand pulled chicken and rolled In a tortilla, today doughy and very obviously machine made. Chicken was ok, but very tasteless with the aftertaste of a freezer. Last strike was the Guacamole, or rather, avo spread. Frozen, very bland and I'll leave it at that. Mexico! Your goldmine hidden in the heart of Kalihi shouldn't turn into McD's or Teddy's (corporate tasteless) Burgers! Please return to your own respected homemade food. Service was as usual, exceptional!

    (3)

  • Joshua D.

    Had the mexico burrito it was pretty bomb my glass wasnt ever empty and me and my friends left there full for a really good price!

    (5)

  • Diana C.

    I recomend this place , i am hispánic And this place has really good seasoning . They know what is mexican food all about , the prices are Fair . Good parking , good margaritas

    (5)

  • Joanne A.

    Food: Good - The salsa that came with the complimentary chips had a little spice to it that was delicious. I ordered a steak quesadilla, which came with rice, refried beans, lettuce, and sour cream. The portions were generous, so I had leftovers to take home. Drinks: Ok - We ordered a blended mango margarita pitcher. It wasn't as strong as I thought it would be. I'll probably try the li hing mui margarita if I ever go back. Service: Slow - Our group's entrees all came out at different times and we often needed to ask for our waters to be refilled. Also, we had to wait a while to get our checks and to pay our bill. Parking: Bad - Parking stalls were tight and limited.

    (3)

  • Haylee F.

    Have a never written a review about Mexico?! Shame on me! I love coming here. The staff is always super friendly and they almost always have live music nightly. We usual opt to sit at the bar and get just as good of service as we do at the tables. My order never changes: 2 chicken enchiladas, verde, no beans - all rice...side of guac. And I don't share guac. So when we come here, get your own guac. I always leave my plate empty, and I ALWAYS leave satisfied.

    (5)

  • Edmund G.

    First time trying this place. It was really good and the service was great. Ordered the Mexican burrito and the burrito was very filling. Great to have a place like this in town. Price is a little expensive but worth it for the amount of food they serve.

    (4)

  • Loryn G.

    The only reason I give this eatery 3 stars is because I'm biased, having grown up in a border town in New Mexico. Overall, this place is my second fave Mexican food spot on Oahu. Unexpectedly, it's located in Kalihi. Be aware, during peak hours, parking kinda sucks and the lot itself is a tight fit. Service is friendly, margaritas are huge, decor makes you feel like you're in Mexico / southwest USA, and the combination plates are great. The fish ceviche is really tasty, and a super large portion. Best thing? Like all authentic Mexican restaurants, they immediately bring you complimentary chips and salsa when seated. Salsa there rocks. Only complaint is that they have stacks of the tortilla chips sitting out in the open, near the kitchen / service area. Either hide them, or make them fresh. Hawaii inevitably has bugs, and I couldn't help but wonder how long those chips had been sitting out like that. :/

    (3)

  • Rachel B.

    I really like it here. The food is always good. I crave their fabulous horchata drink. The parking lot is atrocious and the waiters are a hit or miss which is why the 4 stars instead of 5. I have tried a great deal of the menu. If you like seafood then I recommend the garlic shrimp or the seafood burrito options. The sizzling fajita platters are very satisfying. The carne asada options can be very stringy and fatty. You must get the horchata! Seriously i'll just stop by to get a to-go cup of this stuff. The decor is very eclectic and fun. Overall a nice place to stop and have lunch.

    (4)

  • Mae K.

    Dinner with family. Parking sucks especially when there's people that don't know how to park. My nieces, Corona w/Margarita had a small roach in it! Yuck! Quick swap out! My chicken tamale was gr8! Mexican rice over dried out though! My sister's beef nachos, looked like a mountain of mushy cheese! She said her Margarita had no kick 2it! More Li Hing Mui then tequila! Walked a rubbish can through the dining room passed guests, who does that? Our waitress was gr8! Sister gave her a $21 tip, probably, best she'll get all night!

    (2)

  • Ariana M.

    Definitely the BEST Mexican restaurant on the island! I simply just love love love this place, the food is great, fun atmosphere, awesome décor, and live music! You really cant go wrong here. yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… As I was looking up and down the menu trying to decide what to eat, they brought out some chips and salsa to munch on. I was super excited because I was pretty hungry. So I took my chip and scooped up a pile of salsa on it... and that bugger was so spicy :( Then again, I have a super low spicy tolerance so it was probably just me, but my mouth was on fire! THE GRUB: [[MARGARITAS ]] Mango & Li Hing Mui Margarita yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… When your in a Mexican restaurant, you just HAVE to get a margarita I tell you. Especially here! There are so delicious and come in a ton of flavors. [[ CHIMICHANGA $14.50 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… The portion here is goooooood! [[ ENCHILADA $9.50 ]] yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… Yummy Yummy in my tummy!

    (5)

  • Marissa Ann T.

    I came here for my birthday a couple weeks ago because the only "mexican" food I've ever had in my life was from Taco Bell and I wanted to try something that was authentic. Got there around noon and my boyfriend and I got seated as soon as we got there. There was only one waitress, but the restaurant was pretty empty, so it didn't really matter. We ordered a horchata (only one size, pitcher) for me and a li hing margarita for him. The horchata was AMAZING. It tasted like a cinnabon in liquid form. As for the margarita, I have no idea because I'm not of legal drinking age yet. The boyfriend said it was delish, though, so I'll take his word for it. For our appetizer, we got the mushroom skillet. The description and images seemed amazing, and sure, it tasted great, but it was way too oily for my liking. For our entrees, I got the mexico burrito (it was monstrous), and my boyfriend had the kalua pork chimichanga. I was so looking forward to my burrito, but when I had my first bite I thought, "eh." When I saw juices oozing out of it when I cut into it, I thought it was from how juicy the carne asada was, but in actuality it was just oil. I was pretty much disappointed with my entree, and I couldn't even care less for the mexican rice and refried beans. The rice was overcooked and too mushy, and the beans tasted like some sort of paste. The only thing I liked about our entrees was my boyfriend's kalua pork chimichanga, which tasted heavenly. Halfway through our meal, I was wishing I had gotten that instead. Moving on to dessert, we had complimentary fried ice cream. It was basically ice cream wrapped in a churro shell (which was SO GOOD, but SO SWEET). All in all, it wasn't horrible. The service was good, the waiting time was excellent, drinks were beyond delicious, food was OK (will be getting a chimichanga next time), and the dessert was free!!! Also, the price you pay for the portions you get? TOTALLY worth it. You only need to order a little since the servings are so big. I'm pretty sure some of the dishes (mexico burrito, for example), could be served family style. And now that I think about how much I don't like the sides that come with the entrees, I'll make sure to order it ala carte style to save some $$$.

    (4)

  • Nizzle F.

    So, We finally checked this place out. Cute little spot. The menu is pretty big with a whole bunch of different options to choose from. I ended up getting the Chimichunga. It came with refried beans, rice, lettuce, diced onions, shredded lettuce, sour cream and guacamole!!!! The Chimichunga was big enough to feed a family of FOUR! My husband ordered the enchiladas as we heard so much good reviews about them. Let's just say we ended up taking a doggie bag home with enough food to make a meal out of. We will definetly be back...still have to try the margaritas

    (5)

  • Sara H.

    Pretty tasty! The place is super cute! The margarita I got was delicious and STRONG! I got a buzz off one. The queso was really good, but not spicy like the menu says. I got a burrito and it was HUGE! And quite scrumptious. Husband got some tacos and those were good as well. Only bad things I can think of: My margarita class was a little dirty but the strength of the liquor made it ok. The server wasn't the best, didn't know much about the drinks or menu, and didn't have a whole lot of personality. My side of sour cream was TWO DOLLARS! Oh well.....Nothing a little tequila can't make better! 4 stars because it's Hawaii, there's no good Mexican here, this was pretty decent, and I love me a good margarita!

    (4)

  • Emily K.

    I'm so happy my husband and I found this place! We've been here for almost 2 years and this is the closest mainland Mexican restaurant we've found. I only gave 4 stars for a couple of reasons. 1) you only get 1 basket of chips and salsa for free and have to pay for more. 2) no free refills on anything including soda, lemonade etc. All minor things I know but definitely something that caught my attention in a negative way. Other than that our experience was great! The food was flavorful and plentiful and my margarita was big and strong!

    (4)

  • Maile G.

    We have been looking for a good mexican restaurant on the windward side with no luck, friends have recommended this place and we were pleasantly surprised. Food was very good and we liked the live music. Only 15 minutes from Kaneohe. Would recommend to others and we will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Caesar P.

    Disappointed with the declining quality of the food. We've noticed this over the past year. Just had first meal there of 2015 and the decline continues. Tamale was microwaved and as such, halfway through the meal, the masa turned rock hard! With the other dish, the tostadas were lukewarm; not enough time in the microwave. Even the plate was unevenly warm... Beans were also the same. This was a place we used to recommend to our friends. Not anymore. We're probably not eating there anytime soon unless we learn that the quality has returned.

    (2)

  • Mariah C.

    This is my second time coming here so I expected to get the same authentic Mexican experience i had the first time around. But time has probably changed a lot of things because the staff was younger and there was a different vibe than before. Which is not a big deal, but I noticed. My parents got the fajita wrap and the carne asada plate. They were blown away by their food and I'm glad. Being it was my second time here, I decided to try something new. I always get cow tongue at Korean yakiniku so I tried it for the first time in a taco the other night. It looked appetizing but when I took my first bite, I knew something was wrong. I have never prepared cow tongue myself but I don't think it's supposed to be as rubbery or gelatinous as I received it. And it was a bit cold. I went home feeling feverish. The next day I had to call it an early day at work because my temperature was through the roof and I felt so nauseated. I'm disappointed because everyone else raved about their lengua tacos. Maybe I just got the last end of it right before closing...

    (2)

  • Sheila G.

    After coming back from our California trip last year, we couldn't get enough of Mexican food. So we yelped and tried a bunch of restaurants on Oahu. Honestly, this is as good as it gets in Hawaii. My bf always order beef tongue burrito. It's just so good. I, myself like to order different things for variety and all of them have been yummy. Customer service is a hit or miss though. Some days, it's horrible, other days, it's awesome. But with this restaurant, it doesn't matter to me. I'm here for the food, so if you give me crap service, you aren't getting a tip.

    (4)

  • G G.

    Love their lengua burrito and my husband loves their Mexico burrito..everything so tasty!

    (5)

  • Aim H.

    My friend and I came here for lunch and it was DA bomb. They gave us complimentary chips and salsa. We ordered a list hung margarita and a horchata. I ordered a big burrito and she ordered a mexico burrito and garlic mushrooms. The big burrito was soooo big, it could have fed 3 people. Her mexico burrito was big enough for 2. We topped it off with a fried ice cream but that one wasn't so good. It was an ice cream, wrapped in bread, deep fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar. But all in all the rest of the food was really good and portions was phenomenal!!

    (4)

  • Hope Y.

    So we had an event in town, and decided to eat at Mexico Restaurant. The serve complimentary chips and salsa, and I am not always a salsa fan, but I liked their salsa! Ordered a Li hing Margarita, which is huge and at a decent price. Now, I am a cheese person. I love cheese. Give me a sizzling pan of melted cheese, and this girl is in heaven! Ah, just thinking about the queso is making me want to find some cheese. Hubs ordered the menudo, which he says is the best one he's tasted yet. I ordered the combo plate with a tamale and an enchilada. I only at the enchilada, and the tamale was for hubs. I don't like beans, so I had all rice, which was perfect since hubs and I were sharing. Service was good, restaurant was clean and the tummy was happy. Check out the bathroom, it's cool. Parking can be terrible, but if you go early or during an off-peak time, it's no problemo.

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    We heard a lot of good things about this Resturant and decided to try it! We have a supper club that we started to just go out and try new and different genres of food! Just a bunch of us who like to eat good food! We had a great time with starting off with top shelf margaritas which was really good and strong! Lol! We had the ceviche to start and it was really good! Nothing special but great lime cilantro tomato sauce! Our dinners came and everyone had a great meal. I had the tamale and it was huge! Homemade to the best! Go out and try it! You might enjoy it! Oh parking sucks!

    (3)

  • Alison S.

    FINALLY!!! a delicious mexican food place in honolulu :) i cant tell you how stoked we were after eating there. we had just come back from a weekend in north shore so we had rented a car and decided to check this place out. we started with a pitcher of their lime margarita on the rocks. not too strong, just the perfect. my boyfriend ordered the "mama mia burrito" which was huge and served with rice and beans on the side. i ordered the "tostada salad" with chicken and its was sooooo good. the chicken alone was delish. cant wait to go back to this place again

    (5)

  • Peter M.

    Tried this place for the first time, the food is great, but almost like cafeteria style prep work, I had the Mexico burrito, it was okay, but seemed like the beef was pulled from a tray that's used for other items in their menu (hence cafeteria), prob. would've been better if they had grilled it or mixed it in with some seasonings. Also had a side carnitas taco, some portions of the pork was extremely salty, maybe pulled from a tray and then salted. The ambiance was okay, except the live music was a little too loud for the place. Overall it was a decent experience, maybe just a fluke with my orders, but if local Mexicans go there it must be authentic.

    (4)

  • Keith K.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant on Oahu. Recommend an empty stomach and anything listed on their menu -- it's all good. Update 6/20/2014: Liked it so much on Tuesday, we came back today [Friday] for another great lunch. I ordered fajitas combo this time. Meat came out on a sizzling hot plate and all of the fixins were really good. Did manage to finish this meal, but barely. Now the problem becomes what I should order on next visit to Mexico. All four of my friends enjoyed theirs, as well [again!] Dang, this place is good! Original Post 6/17/2014: Just got back from eating lunch at Mexico. Wow! This place is awesome!!! Ordered Chile Verde. It was excellent and a huge portion size. [first time I couldn't finish my meal in over 2 years] Servers were all very helpful and friendly ... and it just felt like a Mexican restaurant. My friends all enjoyed their meals, as well.

    (5)

  • O O.

    Their menudo soup is beefy tasting without a smidgen or waft of dung. It is tasty, large, in this thick and yummy peppery red soup with posole. I just wish the ratio was more tripe to soup. Really good.

    (4)

  • Scott P.

    Not to shabby for a Mexican restaurant in Kalihi. I had the Carnitas Plato. Pork was tender and seasoned well. The three tortillas were just the right amount. Didn't have a chance to order any alcohol...but maybe on the next visit.

    (3)

  • April Y.

    My mom has been here first time going here...don't like the location hard to get out of the parking lot....but the food is very good and good prices. By far best Mexican food I've had on the island.

    (5)

  • Francisco H.

    Came here for breakfast on Father's Day. They told us they do not serve coffee. Ordered a Mexican breakfast. They told us that the breakfast does not come with Tortillas. We have to pay for tortillas extra. I ordered eggs with chorizo. The eggs came with some kind of spicy beef that was not chorizo. We will not be returning to this restaurant until we get some assurance that the management takes these issues seriously. You decide if you want to come to a restaurant that offers breakfast but no coffee and offers Mexican dishes and no tortillas. and doesn't serve chorizo when you asked for it.

    (1)

  • Crys M.

    A nice little hole in the wall Mexican restaurant in Kalihi. The food was great, service was excellent, and my Margarita drink was nice and strong. Parking is kind of small and tight. But it's a good place to go if you do not want to drive into town. Will Definitely be back.

    (4)

  • melie t.

    Very good Mexican for Hawaii. Only ok if it was from California. The carne asada tasted good in my quesadilla. My dad had the Hawaiian pork tacos. He really liked them. Passion fruit and coconut margaritas were good. It had live music playing when we went. I would go back again.

    (4)

  • Summer T.

    pretty decent mexican food. i must say that i am by no means an expert on mexican food but i did enjoy this restaurant over some other ones. i really, really, really liked their horchata. they give it to you in a nice little personal pitcher. I don't eat meat but they do have a few vegetarian options. I tried their tostada salad and thier veggie burrito. both were pretty appetizing. my husband tried a few different plates at different occasions and it seem like everything he ordred was completely covered in melted cheese. He didn't order it this way, i guess that's how they make it. he personally loves cheese but just a heads up if you're one to go for a little bit less greasy food. i heard their fried ice cream desert is spectacular but everytime we've gone, they were out. i must say their margaritas are pretty awesome though, must try! also, their parking lot is very small and usually packed since it's right next to a local park. be open to street parking!

    (3)

  • Andrew P.

    At 4PM on a Thursday, the restaurant wasn't too crowded. Parking is horrible; it took about 15 minutes to find a space. The restaurant was clean but the waitresses seemed "blah;" at least they kept my water full. The food came out in a timely and manner and a man was about to play live music right as I left the restaurant. I would eat there again.

    (3)

  • Patti K.

    This became one if our family's favorite restaurants. Amazing how a change of a menu and a chef can alter the whole dynamics for better or worse. Too many items removed that were our favorites and, we know, the favorites of others. Food didn't have the same kick and fish was dry. Disappointed not to have some menu items. Still have the greatest flan. Don't change that! It's in our meh list now. Was 5 stars. Now 3.

    (3)

  • Veronica L.

    Most of my friends can attest that I absolutely do not like Mexican food. At all. That being said, I LOVE Mexico Restaurant! A friend first took me here when I first moved to the island back in 2011. I was hooked ever since! Because I am a creature of habit (I always order a specific dish at each restaurant), I haven't ventured past the beef/chicken/Kalua pig (you can choose between the three meats) flauta and the garlic shrimp (served sizzling on a cast iron skillet). So heavenly the both of them! I try to come here a few times a year to get my Mexican on. I am also not a big fan of spicy foods so even though their salsa is good, it's a bit too spicy for me. The service is usually pretty good. Sometimes it's really crowded but to me, it's well worth the wait. I can't remember when, but they do have live music on certain days of the week. Granted, every time I have been privy to this, it was a one-man band with his guitar and synthesizer (mini keyboard). He's usually good! I'm not big on margaritas so I cannot comment on them. Although this last time I wanted to try their pomegranate margarita! Maybe next time. Also maybe next time I'll leave enough room in my stomach for dessert! I love fried ice cream but have yet to try theirs. One of these days!! So, from a non-Mexican-food-eater, this place is fantastic!!

    (4)

  • Raych D.

    This past Sunday I was craving Mexican food...which is very rare because I almost never crave for Mexican food unless I'm in California. Anyways, I've always wanted to try Mexico restaurant in Kalihi for awhile so after being in Salt Lake area the whole afternoon we decided to get a late lunch here before we head back home to town. The place was empty around 2:45pm and the waitress we had was sweet and she had purple hair. I love horchata and my bf doesn't drink that so I asked her if I could have something smaller than the pitcher it normally comes in and she accommodated to by charging me for a soda price in a cup (same cup the water comes in). We also asked for extra salsa for our chips and she forgot once to bring it but came back later to drop them off when our chips were gone but that's okay because we used that extra salsa for our tacos and was not charged for it...even better! My horchata was excellent...it is really the best one in town and I kinda wish I gotten the pitcher instead of just a cup. I ordered the 2 fish tacos which I believe they used Mahi Mahi fish and I loved that the tortilla was more on the smaller side and it was really soft and not oily at all. They aren't shy with the lettuce, tomatoes and re-fried beans (with melted cheese on top) and Spanish rice...I had so much food left over that I had to bring it home. My boyfriend got the 2 ground beef hard taco shells and at first he instead got the shredded beef and (because our waitress forgot) he just told her it was the wrong beef type and she immediately gave him 2 new ground beef hard shell tacos...which we also was not charged for and she did not even take the 2 mistaken tacos back. The place has a Mexican feel to it with all the paintings, sculptures, furniture and people that were there. The food rocks! Especially the fish tacos, salsa and horchata. I now know what everyone keeps talking about and know where to go when I'm having those rare Mexican food cravings. Price is a little pricey but the portion size makes up for it.

    (4)

  • Irene G.

    Portion sizes are good and that atmosphere is great! Parking lot is small and prices can get a little pricey so be prepared. This is one of the best Mexican restaurants on Oahu and trust me there aren't very many. Don't expect much from the servers here. I've had to repeat myself a few times and they often forget your drink order.

    (4)

  • Marni T.

    Omg I don't know why I came here to eat of ALL places. It was just awful, we didn't get greeted, we waited for someone to show us to a table and their was no one else in the place. They made it like it was so hard to service us. I can't even remember what I got, it wasn't memorable, plus it got me sick. Everything was smothered in garlic, which is nice but it was too much. I don't think I'll ever come back here.

    (2)

  • Al D.

    Have given this place a chance a few times since my bad experience a few years ago. This place is pretty dependable. Portions are large. They have an expansive menu. Margaritas are good but a little on the weak side. Good ambience. Friendly service. One unfortunate thing however is that the fish they serve is tilapia, which is yucky for locals.

    (4)

  • MooCow R.

    The food here is yummy! Salsa was really good and their chips are fresh. Just wish there was a bit more salt on the chips. They put hot sauce on the table, however you can also ask for habanero sauce. Portions are big and the service was great. The only issue I had was with my utensils. The fork and knife were wrapped in a napkin and when I opened the napkin the knife was stuck to the napkin...cause of some leftover cheese. :/ I opted not to use the knife. A table near us had what looked like a li hing margarita. It looked yummy! Will have to try that next time.

    (4)

  • Stacey W.

    The past several times I've been here has been really disappointing. I usually order the flautas or chimichanga. The last time I was here I ordered the flautas and got a chimichanga and the server and kitchen insisted the chimichanga was flautas. I honestly don't know how they can confuse the two and it's not like I haven't ordered flautas from them in the past so I know that what I got was not what I had received previously. When I sent it back all they did was remove the rice and beans they put on the plate when they first served it because flautas is an appetizer and does not come with rice and beans whereas chimichangas is a main course and does. But they still insisted that the chimichanga they returned to me after waiting 15 minutes for them to remove the rice and beans and re-plate the dish was actually flautas. That aside the taste of the chimichanga aka flautas was not up to par. It was really soggy and oily, which has been consistent with the preparation of the food during my last few visits. My first experience with this restaurant several years ago was good, so I've come back several times hoping to recapture the quality of that first visit, but I think I will stop trying at this point. Even the salsa isn't as good as I remember it being that first time. It almost tasted like something you can buy in a jar at the supermarket.

    (2)

  • April K.

    I highly recommend the enchiladas and their menudo. On customer service: Great staff, but inconsistent. They are more slow when it is not busy, yet great customer service when it is busy.

    (4)

  • Lansen E.

    The best place on Oahu for Mexican food in my opinion. Huge serving size and great tasting food. Fun ambiance, and perfect food for the days your really hungry.. Staff was great. Couldn't be any happier with the experience there. A 5 Stars forsure!!!

    (5)

  • Chelsey N.

    The food was excellent! I was adventurous and tried the lingua burrito...it had an iron-y taste but it was so tasty! The portion size is good considering the price ($15ish a plate). The service was kinda a bummer. There was some sort of fried remnant of what might have been hopefully food in our chips when we first sat down. Also they were pretty slow given that the restaurant was pretty slow. The menus need to be wiped down and they should make sure you get at least some ice in your water. Beyond that I loved it! Can't wait to go back and try something else.

    (3)

  • Tamiko D.

    This was my 1st time at Mexico, we were a group of 5. Good things: enchilada, taquitos, beef burrito & Carne asada. Okay thing: Chile relleno. Don't order the tamal - too dense, tasted like was heated in the microwave. Music was enjoyable.

    (3)

  • Mike P.

    Normally we love Mexico, and hail it as one of our 3 favorite Mexican Restaurants on Oahu (El Mariachi and Mexico Lindo being the other 2). However, our most recent experience tonight touched a nerve and I need to vent. One of my pet peeves is when a restaurant closes early or rushes you when you come in right before their ADVERTISED closing time. They close at 9pm, and even had there flashing neon sign that daid "open" on when we arrived at 8:50pm. We were sat and told that they "had last call in the kitchen and bar 5 mins ago. Can you order quick?" Really? WTF? I am in the food service biz and understand how much work needs to be done to close a restaurant. That being said, you have 2 choices: 1) Change your frickin closing time to 8:30 or 2) Serve your late customers with a frickin smile This goes for any restaurants. ..not just this one. I think we got a bad server who handled it wrong. She was haole w/ black nail polish. No smiles and rude.

    (2)

  • Eunice R. M.

    The worst service ever! They waitress sees that you're making eye contact and just ignores you! The only reason I'm here is for the lack of Mexican restaurants in Hawaii.

    (1)

  • Tim K.

    Food was excellent. Gabrielle our waitress seemed a bit overwhelmed with the amount of tables she was serving - but she still seemed a bit edgy. Because of the food I would probably go back!

    (3)

  • Jody S.

    Took my intern for her fave, Mexican cuisine. She's from Georgia and has been jonesing for some real authentic Mexican food and this place never ceases to impress. So off we went to celebrate her departure from us and thank her for all her hard work, dedication and commitment over the past month. Four of us went and we enjoyed the following: garlic shrimp skillet, crab chimichanga, chicken tamal and chicken enchilada combo and a shrimp taco and crab enchilada combo. The service was fast despite the place being crowded. And the food, mmmm delish!

    (4)

  • Billy L.

    F**k this place. Sat at the bar, no one acknowledged me for 10 minutes, then when they did, the bartender lectured me for sitting in an area where she couldn't see me. I walked out mid lecture. I've been there 4 or 5 times before and will NEVER go back. Food isn't that good anyway.

    (1)

  • Randy I.

    Excellent quality. Delicious food. Generous portions. Try the chicken chimichanga, I really enjoyed it. And also try the horchata. Compared to other Mexican restaurants, this was definitely the largest glass of horchata given. You'll be surprised.

    (4)

  • Adam S.

    My wife is a Mexican food fanatic and this place has it all. Get ready for spicy. They started with chips and salsa which put a little tingle on your tongue. Followed by a steaming plate of garlic and cheese grilled mushrooms. Tasted of fresh garlic and creamy cheese on crisp mushrooms. We ended up sharing a heaping mound of fajitas. Steak and chicken a plenty. Very well seasoned with peppers onion and mushrooms. Wish there was room for desert. The deep fried ice cream looked so good. Guess we will be heading back for desert...

    (5)

  • Justin T.

    Person: So you live in Kalihi huh? Me: Yeah i do Person: You've been to the Mexican restaurant over there oh what? Me: What? there a Mexican restaurant there? Person: ugh yeah. I lived in Kalihi my whole life and i have never went to this restaurant before, and i finally had the chance to go when a friend visiting from the mainland was craving for some Mexican food after a hike. Looking through the images and a quick stroll to a few reviews and we were sold, our stomachs growling as we travel from Hawaii Kai. So we arrive parking seemed very difficult, and a bit tight, especially when there are SUVs, and pickup trucks present which limit space when entering heir driveway but any who we managed to park. We entered the restaurant and i personally was awestruck just the fact that i passed this place many many times and only know i am able to see what it actually look inside. It was very authentic, very homey i should say. SERVICE We were greeted by servers nearby and soon after had us seated. Our server's name was DIANNA, a nice local girl. We told her that this would be our first experience here at the restaurant, and immediately she opened up and became very personable and open, she was nice, funny, and interacted with us very well, she asked us what preference we would have and then she worked from there on what she would recommend us ordering. FOOD We were given tortilla chips before we ordered, they were OK, not sure if they are freshly made, but when we got ours it was cold, but still crispy, gave me the idea i was eating store bought chips. I ordered the Chicken Fajita Burrito, there was a lot of food, mind you all carbs. I loved the beans they were really good they were the first to be gone from my plate. You get full fast, that's all i can say so you might want to cut down on the free chips they provide if you want to eat more of what you order. What i was disappointed on was that there was not much chicken on in my burrito, which i really wanted more of as i wanted meat, other than that flavors worked well, not to salty at all. I ate half of my burrito, i didn't even get through with my rice and i was already stuffed. Overall I'm a fan, I would come back sometime in the future, the environment is really nice its great for families and big groups especially, food will definitely and i can say guarantee to make you full, if not then order some more or eat your partners leftovers. Nothing really surprised me on the food, seemed very on par with other Mexican restaurants I've been too, nothing to make me rave about it. Service was awesome, can't complain on that otherwise. PS: If you need to CARB up say, before a marathon, race, or 5/10k runs, come here it will definitely set up for storing that energy. :)

    (4)

  • Jessica M.

    The food here is super tasty. Not necessarily the most Authentic Mexican food....but really good flavors. The chorizo cheese skillet is ridiculous!!! Melty, crispy cheese with spicy chorizo! Yes please!! The chimichanga is amazing. Love that they have a variety of hot sauces. Tamales are really good Also! If you have any room left you must try the fried ice cream!!! Amazing. Prices are farely reasonable. The only reason I don't give 5 stars is the service is usually bad. But the food is good enough to come back anyways!!

    (4)

  • Gin D.

    Great atmosphere and good food! Service is a little slow but I don't mind. Margaritas r strong!! :)

    (5)

  • Kev T.

    Came in wanting to like this place. According to the reviews, it seemed like a great place to get mexican food. Left feeling like I'd just wasted twenty bucks. Got here around 2 pm on Thursday afternoon. Entered to see a mom, dad and child seated on one table. Three student nurses on a second table and two ladies seated on a high table near the bar. Not very busy. Sign said wait to be seated. So, stood there a good eight or ten minutes. Finally a guys enters the front doors behind me and says you want to sit? Yes. He grabs a menu and seats me in the dining room. Ordered a chimichanga with shredded beef. Complimentary tortilla chips brought out with salsa. Salsa was okay, more of a sauce than actual recognizable pieces of tomato, onion etc. Chips were chips. Chimichanga came out. Rice was lukewarm as was the refried beans. Ever tried eating lukewarm beans? Hope not. The shell of the chimichanga was moist and not crispy for having been supposedly deep fried. Also, didn't seem to be warm at all. Shredded beef had a burnt flavor to it. And, while I wasn't expecting a huge amount of filling in the chimichanga, I felt there should've been more since I was paying about $15 for the plate. All in all, disappointing. Lukewarm mexican food is not fun.

    (2)

  • K K.

    Pros: Food is good Parking lot attached to restaurant and lots of area parking Vegetarian options and lots of meat styles to chose from Monday nights there's live music Cons: The wait to get seated can test your patience Food does not always arrive hot No reservations taken on weekends Service is inconsistent Shots over mixed drinks, margaritas need way more tequila!!

    (3)

  • Nomake L.

    This is probably my second time here during lunch hours. I usually come with some friends and my hubby for dinner. The menu on Yelp doesn't list the kids menu, but you can order an enchilada, burrito, mini chimichanga, or nachos. All entrees come with rice, beans, and a small drink. I ordered a kids shredded chicken enchilada (verde sauce and melted cheese on top), but you can also choose shredded beef. Shredded meat it always better than chopped. That's why I love this place. The friendly bartender who greeted me at the door also took my order. I've seen him here before and he's probably worked the longest of all the FOH (front of house) staff. My to-go order was ready in about 10min. The only reason I didn't give it a perfect 5 stars is because I still can't forget how the enchiladas tasted in LA. Otherwise, $7 for a kids menu and quick service before 1:00pm. Love it!

    (4)

  • Racquel S.

    I remember my first trip here was because my older sister just came back from San Diego and was in need of some real authentic Mexican food... I have never tried here nor did she but that was the closest thing to us at that time. When we first went here they just opened up and wasn't real busy and they were still working on a few things to glam up the place. I was real excited to try this place because I love me some Mexican.. oh and the food.. hehe.. :) The food was great, I ordered shrimp tacos and they give a generous portion of it with Spanish rice, beans, and salsa.. it was delissshhh... you also have to try the shrimp salad with that comes in a huge tortilla bowl and lots of juicy salsa with veggies.. and add the Li Hing Mui Strawberry Margarita and your set :) They use to have long hours but I don't know what happened to that wished they stayed open longer because their bar is stocked!! After a few visits they had revamp the place adding a full bar, tv's and live music every so often.. quick tip when celebrating cinco de mayo there make sure you prepare yourself for a long wait.. it was crazy when we got there the line was outside and it was so packed inside that you could barely move to get in to just do a takeout order but i have to say these place the many few places I would wait to be seated at because the food is soo good, I haven't gone to any other Mexican place because my bf doesn't want to betray the restaurant (seriously, no joke) except for taco bell because that's what we really think of Mexican food here anyway.. but if you are from the mainland or visited there and tried the real experience then you will only get as close to the real thing at Mexico..

    (4)

  • Schon H.

    Chips weren't too bad, salsa not so good, canned I suspect. Buritto was fantastic but why oh why don't they offer salads with leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce? Iceberg is the lettuce of the least nutritional value. Iceberg lettuce is an insult to our pursuit for healthy choices, a punishment of sorts. I would eat at Mexico Mexican restaurant on a regular basis if the salads weren't made with iceberg lettuce.

    (2)

  • Marie C.

    I had the chile verde when I had lunch there with a party of 8. It was a generous portion and very good. Everyone else enjoyed their food, too. Very authentic Mexican food. Margaritas were great, too! Come early or come during non-peak times because parking is tight.

    (5)

  • Pabs G.

    The food is delicious and serving size rather large that I end up taking the rest home for lunch the next day. We enjoy going here with both small and large groups, but seating is limited during peak times. The horchata is am----mazzing! Super yummy! Been going here for years and there isn't anything negative that I could say about this place. Even the bathroom is clean. A clean restaurant speaks volumes about what it could look like in the kitchen.

    (4)

  • Jess F.

    My boyfriend and I live up the street and it's not only ALWAYS absolutely delicious, the portions are huge! We can't get enough and will be sad to leave this place behind when we move next month. One of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been too. And I'm from LA and his mom is the best Mexican cook (they might give her a run for her money though!)

    (5)

  • Deedra R.

    My bf, his sister, and I went here tonight(11/30/2013). We went around 7:15pm ish. The parking lot is very small but we were lucky to have gotten a parking space right next to the front door. When we entered we didn't get greeted with a hello but with how many, strike one. But we got seated right away. The place was packed so we were very happy we got seated right away. In just a few short minutes we got chips and salsa and our waters. The chips and salsa are good. You can really taste the cilantro in the salsa plus the salsa has some kick to it. It took a while for our waitress to take our order. We didn't mind because my bf couldn't decide what he wanted. When he ordered his food, our waitress seemed to have a bit of an attitude because my bf didn't understand her question, strike two. If you are trying to ask what kind of meat you like in your burrito, you should ask what kind of meat would you like not which one. Anyway my bf ended up ordering the burrito with shredded chicken, his sister ordered 2 shredded beef enchiladas, and I ordered the taco salad with shredded beef. It only took a few minutes for our food to come out which is fast considering they were really busy. The prices are a bit high but the portions are huge. But the whole time we are dining we never got checked on to see how things were. Only to refill our drinks which was like only once the whole time we were there, strike three. After we were done with our food, it took a while before we got dessert. We got the deep fried ice cream which is so yummy. All in all, the food is the tastiest and the best Mexican food I've tasted. But what lead me to give this restaurant only 3 stars is the service. Our waitress with the purple hair isn't that good. Plus some of the workers looked like they didn't even want to be there. If they changed the service then I would give this place 5 stars.

    (3)

  • Mahina k.

    Proably the best Mexican place on oahu! Loved the mushrooms! The Mexican rice was soooo good best I ever had and I make Mexican rice lol! Ambiance on point. Service a little slow but friendly I recommend doing lunch dinner is way to busy for me. The reason it got a 3 stars and not a 4 was cause the woman's toilet was broken gross I literally had to remove the cover and flush it manually must happen often because there was a post it on the pump that said pull here. So you know they were aware of the problem. But i love this place.

    (3)

  • Kelly W.

    $15 for a small burrito with the cheese not even melted no flavor missing the first time we went there we walked out before we ordered because the service was so bad. Then today we gave it another chance and had take out. Terrible food! Nasty cashier. Save your money

    (1)

  • Zara B.

    Went there yesterday bout noon got a seat right away, food was ok service was not !! two tables got their food before us and we was seated before them , my Boi N hubby's food came 1st while mine was waiting in the window while the waiter make baskets of chips!! not once did he come to refill our drinks my hubby had to wave him down, too pricey for me

    (3)

  • Alicia C.

    The bartender here really needs an attitude adjustment. She clearly has never heard the term "the customer is always right." I ordered the Cadillac margarita, which, as described in their menu, includes agave nectar. When delivered, it tasted like straight tequila. I mean ZERO mixer of any kind. I can handle a strong drink, and on occasion have ordered double margaritas, but with this, I couldn't even sip it. I sent it back to be remade because it was VERY CLEARLY over poured. The waitress apologized and took the drink and about 3 minutes later, the bartender came out and, feeling insulted I guess, told me that I must be confused by what a Cadillac margarita is, since Cadillac margarita means that they put the max amount of tequila possible in it, so if that's not what I want, next time, I should just order a regular margarita. The waitress came out and apologized for the rude bartender, which is the reason I bumped this up from 1 star to 3 stars. Food is ok, not great, but I'm full Mexican, so it's hard for a Mexican restaurant to impress me.

    (3)

  • Mel C.

    Came here after a hike on the recommendations of a couple of people in our party. I had driven past this place hundreds of times and probably would not have come in on my own. I was pleasantly surprised. The restaurant was very clean, the service was good, and the food was a lot better than what I was expecting. I had the El Mariachi Burrito - the pork was tender and juicy and the servings were good sized . I would highly recommend the Mango or Li Hing Mui Margarita and the Fried Ice Cream. These two items alone would be enough to bring me back. Although not an issue when I visited today, I can imagine parking being a hassle during lunch or dinner. They have a small lot on the side of the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Emily D.

    Let me preface that Mexico may be as good as it gets as far as a steady Mexican restaurant in Hawaii. Now, those are a couple things that you really have to live in Hawaii to understand. 1) Mexican pop ups, trucks and small to go places is totally different than a sit down, service style restaurant. 2) I'm from the West coast, and we can get amazing Mexican food almost anywhere. But in Hawaii that is just not the case. At Mexico restaurant the portions were huge and the flavors were on point. The beans and rice were standard and just that much better with some Tapatio doused on. When I'm on a hangry rampage, the worst part is that I can never figure out what I want to eat. Luckily there was a burrito with literally everything I wanted. Shredded beef AND chicken, red sauce AND green sauce... it was amazing. Li Hing Mui Margarita- It was okay for a margarita from a restaurant. It tasted kind of watered down and needed some more lime. Parking is incredibly odd and tight... The lot is on a downward slope going toward a small and park. There is sometimes parking on the side, but it gets filled up pretty quickly. To get out, I think you can go through an opening through the fence. That and the fact that it is inconveniently placed in Kalihi is probably the worst part of the restaurant. Overall, it is worth the drive for a nice meal for the next couple days.

    (4)

  • Stephanie T.

    This is the closest to good mexican food that I have had on island, so when I'm to lazy to make it myself, this is where I go. The chicken tamales tasted a little different this time and I wish they were steamed just a tad bit longer or the masa was maybe a little drier and also not doused in sauce. It ruins them for me. The rice is pretty good and the refried beans are ya know refried beans, nothing special. They have live music here in the evenings so if you plan to have a conversation with whomever is sitting across the table from you, forget about it because they blast it so loud you cant hear across the table. One thing I always struggle with here is the service, because sometimes after you get your food it seems like they forget about you. I could have used a water refill during my meal a few times but ended up just eating the ice cubes instead.

    (3)

  • Cynthia H.

    This place serves some delicious food! My family, yes...with kids, have gone here about 3-4 times and we haven't been disappointed. The service is quick, food is always great, and such friendly people!!! Do try the horchata for some authentic non alcoholic drink. I can't wait to come with some friends at night to try out their margarita!

    (5)

  • Teresa T.

    I love this restaurant. The menudo and flan are the best. I normally would not easy menudo, but this place makes it taste do good. The tripe isn't chewy so you wouldn't know you are eating menudo. I made the mistake if adding all of the Chile that was on the side of the bowl when they brought my order. Although, it was too spicy from the chili, it was still so good. It's as close to mainland Mexican food I have tasted here on the island. Don't leave without trying the flan. It's amazing. The pictures in the women's bathroom are comical. I get the New Mexico sort of vibe in this place. They have a man sitting by the door playing Mexican music sometimes. It can be a little loud at times. Parking is difficult when they are busy. You might have to park down a nearby street.

    (5)

  • E G.

    My husband and I wanted to go to Helena's Hawaiian Food across the street, which we have heard is very good. However, they were closed, so we settled on going to this Mexican place. We are from Oregon, so we do have a large selection of Mexican food that is very good. While I understand that Hawaii does not have this luxury, that is no excuse for poor service and burnt food. The salsa that is served with the chips tasted like it was made with tomato paste. The chips tasted semi-stale. Our food was mediocre, smothered in sauces and cheese. The beans and rice the dishes came with were absolutely terrible. The rice was burnt and overcooked and the beans were dry - how you can mess up refried beans, I don't know. The waitress was less than friendly and disappeared. Another waitress had to step in several times to refill my water and we had to track someone down to get our check. The only good thing about this restaurant was the live music. The man playing the guitar was amazing and friendly. He sang wonderfully. We tipped him and not the waitress.

    (2)

  • Amy Y.

    Mexican craving to the MAX!!!!!!! So did I mention yet... I absolutely LOVE Mexican food?! My friend obviously noticed, so he took me here for dinner. It was a Saturday night, and it was busy. The wait wasn't too long, maybe around 20 minutes or so for two. The interior was very nice. Restaurant was decorated with a lot of Mexican-ish designs. There was also live music so the restaurant was really loud. Now to the food. My friend got the tamal and I got the taco plate. I was really full after the chips and salsa they gave us. It was sooooo good. I ate most of it. It felt like everything was spicy after. We had to get the Horchata (mini-size pitcher). It was very milky and cinnamony. I will be back for sure. *wink* Heheehee

    (4)

  • Chris L.

    rude!!! never again!!!! young server need to learn tact!!!! we are never going back again!!!!

    (1)

  • Darick M.

    The food wasn't bad.. the lengua was very nice.. one of the few places that have it on the menu.. I've had better beans, rice, tortilla chips and salsa.. parking was so-so.. If it wasn't for the lengua I'd give this place 2 stars..

    (3)

  • Kamaria N.

    I am not a fan of Mexican cuisine but my cousin found this place on yelp and insisted on going. We dined here for lunch last Friday and it was great. Not too crowded, the service was great and the food was even better. The menu was full of choices for anyone. Of course I had to get a frozen margarita. That was good also. I'll definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Chelsea G.

    Hole in the wall place, all the good food is always in Kalihi for some reason? Located close to the famous Helena's Hawaiian Food, it's literally across the street from one another. And as you can imagine, parking is a bizznitch!! I suggest you not use the private lot because you are risking being stuck in that lane OR your car getting dented from other inconsiderate customers tryna work their way out of their car grrrr. AND trying to maneuver yourself by reversing out onto North School can be tricky because this particular street is very very busy. Park on the streets or by Helena's. Iffy neighborhood but pretty safe *trust me* I loved how the inside ambience makes you feel at "home" comfy, seats quite close together but the wooden seats are wide do they do buy you more room space. Decor is quite interesting conversation pieces. The food is just so awesome! I love their simple refried beans and rice! I know if the basic butter and bread are good, the main courses are just as delish. Always get the simple tacos which you can choose your filling of ground beef shredded beef chicken etc. My boyfriend got the el grande burrito and it looked like it was a good 3lbs! Always a good value! I hate to give four stars cuz I'm a fan, but the past few times I've been going to dine their, their service was always slow! It took a while for them to get our drinks started and then maybe another 10 minutes again to take our order (despite me secretly eyeing the waiters/waitress). I do wish the management can assign more efficient waitresses at this busy restaurant. Oh and mind you, the days that I've been dining here, the restaurant was 50-75% full so it wasn't bustling busy.. Free dessert on your birthday!! Fried ice cream with whip! I love this place! Oh and try the el patron margarita ;) only $13!

    (4)

  • Chan G.

    I gotta say... My 2nd time around at Mexico was amaze! The service has really stepped it up & food again was amaze! Will be back on the regular.

    (5)

  • Chelle M.

    So far this is one of the best Mexican restaurants on this island. It feels like I'm back at home in Las Vegas and Cali. I'll be back for more.

    (5)

  • Saena K.

    So far the best Mexican restaurant in Oahu! Their chicken tamales are my favorite and there coco margarita is delicious!! They are very generous with their free chips and salsa.

    (5)

  • Bev L.

    Great Mexican food in Hawaii. Good atmosphere. Nice interior decorations. Banana fried ice cream yummmm! Only our service was a lil off bc the waiter was too busy.

    (4)

  • Carlton B.

    WAS 4 STARS PRIOR TO NEW MANAGEMENT TAKING OVER My wife and I used to spend our Fridays after work at this wonderful restaurant. The parking is horrible but that is kinda the norm here on Oahu. Customer service is good, always greeted and seated within a minute. The salsa WAS amazing. The older gentleman bartender WAS friendly and professional. Enchilladas, tacos, burritos WAS killer. And then, new management happened. The salsa recipe changed. It is now flavorless and hot. The food is rushed and taste of microwave slop. They used to make their tortilla chips homemade, now it taste old and store-bought. So unfortunate when new management comes in and screws up something that didn't need to be fix.

    (2)

  • Russel M.

    We had lunch today and we were pretty happy with everything we ordered. Arriving at 10am helped with the parking, no one was there yet. Diablo Shrimp - fairly spicy for beginners. Very Good! ($15.50) Chicken Fajita Wrap (big enough for sharing) (13.50) Overall we thought the food was better than average.

    (4)

  • Jennifer V.

    Been here a few times before & it was pretty good however, we will never return after the last meal. Having lived in Mexico, I know it is nearly impossible to find exceptional Mexican food in HI & I really don't have high expectations. The food was barely warm, tasteless but overly salted. We had a burrito, enchilada, beans & rice. Something was wrong with the rice. It just didn't taste right but can't pinpoint the reason. The porridge like beans tasted as such. The entire meal seemed like runny slop on a plate. My friend had a better dinner in her hospital room last week. I'm not usually this brutal & usually post positives but it really was awful. The server was appropriately attentive but didn't seem too interested in the whole experience. Bartender had some challenges with the drinks as well. Where is the quality control in this place?

    (1)

  • Jayson L.

    The best Mexican place you can ever eat in island of Oahu!!! First of all i love maxican food, it's not the healthy but it's delicious. everytime i come here i'm always leaving feeling like i'm going to explode because just too much food. i come here quite often and i always get combo meal. i change it up times to times but always get their burrito which it never fails. their rice and the beans comes really hot when you get it so i love to eat it right away with the free chip and salsa they give you. i think they charge second order of chip and salsa but it's only a $1. They make their own chips and they are always crunch and their salsa are just hot enough where i like it. someplace i been to was just too water down. they have full bar which you can get all type of drink you want. One thing they have really special desert that i haven't seen anywhere is that DEEP FRY ICE CREAM!!! let's all scream for deep fried ice cream!!! yayyyayayaya it's lightly batter into flower and deep fried and served with whip cream and chocolate syrup. if you have sweet tooth you will love this. The best ice desert i had in my life. if you haven't tried this place it's a must. Only thing it's not so good is that they have very limited parking so it's a small battle to good food. when you win the battle you will get award it with awesome food ^.^

    (5)

  • Farren R.

    My husband and I love it here! Our favorites are their Mexico and lengua burritos and their salsa rojo and salsa verde. The staff is always friendly here! The only downside is that their parking lot is kind of small and cramped.

    (5)

  • Paul C.

    Overall the experience was good but I would rate it a 3.5 versus a full 4 stars due to the two-man band playing right in my ear. Otherwise, very good. I had the carnitas which is always my "go to" in any Mexican restaurant. Having eaten here a couple times before I knew I would be in for a treat. My girlfriend had the fish tacos and raved all night about how good the fish was. Our friends had the enchilada and Patrone combo. Both enjoyed but my buddy who had the Patrone combo absolutely loved his dish. Mom definitely trying that next time. The only negative is we were right next to the band. Although the music was good and authentic, it was playing right in our ears as the speakers were pointed directly at us. Go early to beat the crowd for parking.

    (4)

  • Harold B.

    Visited Mexico again last night. This is my fourth time to Oahu and fourth visit to Mexico. The margaritas are served in a large stem glass, as they should be, and are pretty good. The fajitas with carnitas we ordered were just right. The guacamole was very good and fresh. Everything was very good and we will be back on our next visit. They do close at 9 pm sharp.

    (4)

  • Gizelle M.

    The customer service is just bad. I came here before with my husband with ok service and the food wasn't that bad, but this time with my family we had horrible service. We waited 30 minutes to get in our orders and them waited 45 minutes waiting for our food which we did not even get cause the food is not worth waiting that long for! We had left hungry and very disappointed.

    (2)

  • Gee G.

    My new favorite dish is their Carnitas Plato!!! It's sooo good, more of the green sauce would've been nice but seriously delicious!

    (5)

  • Sheryl G.

    what: if you want to feel like you're eating mexican food in mexico then this is the restaurant for you :) something good: you feel like you're eating in mexico! the food is excellent and the service is just as good! something not so good: i can't think of one thing, seriously! something to try: ground beef tacos & gaucamole and chips

    (5)

  • Joseph C.

    Being Mexican myself and growing up in Texas I must start off with if you're looking for AUTHENTIC Mexican food do NOT eat here!! Do not get me wrong the food is decent if you're looking for Americanized mexican food the portions are very generous, but unfortunately that still doesn't make up for the lack of authenticity. The reason I am still giving 2 stars is because of the ambience of the restaurant, it simply made feel like I was back home. If you must have Mexican food I would honestly just recommend the chile relleno or the carne asada tacos, they're by far the only tolerable things I tasted during my visit. Oh and a note to the restaurant do not call your red sauce home made when it tastes like it came from a can.

    (2)

  • B K.

    My boyfriend and I come here often when we're in the mood for mexican because the prices are decent and you get a pretty hefty serving of food. The environment is real nice, but sometimes they play their music way too loud that I can't even hear myself talk. Parking is a bit tricky. The food is great! Can't go wrong with the Kalua pig quesadillas! do it!

    (5)

  • Lorilynn L.

    Nice atmosphere, delicious food, reasonable price and live Mariachi music, que bueno!! Mui delicioso!

    (5)

  • Gabbi T.

    Has anyone else noticed their credit card being over charged? I was balancing my checkbook and noticed a discrepancy with what I was charged and what I had written on my receipt. Although it was only $.50 more, it made me think about those businesses you hear of that try to sneak in a little extra here and there thinking it will go unnoticed or written off since its an "insignificant" amount. My bill was $5.76, I added a dollar tip and wrote down the total as $6.76. Can someone tell me how $6.76 turns into $7.26 on my credit card statement? Just seems a little sketchy to me-- exactly 50 cents more, showing it's not like someone just accidentally pressed a single wrong button. I contacted the restaurant merely to show them that I had noticed the over charge.

    (2)

  • Carrie G.

    Bleh... Where to start? First of all, we were really excited to try this place. After a long day of working on home renovation and only eating 1 Musubi all day, I was starving... So anything they served me should have been great, but it wasn't. The li hung mui margarita was watered down. The large caught me no buzz. It was tasty but ineffective. The food made me want to turn vegetarian. The meat was soooo salty. I love salt. i pour salt on top of salt and lick the rim, my fingers, anything with salt, i love it. i pour salt on my dessert... but this place was salt overload. The rest was so bland. No spice, no fresh cilantro, no lime, no fresh onions, no cumin... All the signatures of true Mexican cuisine were missing. The chips were hard and stale, salsa was lifeless. The beef quesadilla was overly salted and sat in a pool of liquid, making it soggy on 1 side. The chicken burrito had piles of salty shredded chicken, but it wasn't a good thing. Bland green sauce on top. The kalua pig crunchy taco had piles of overly salted pig inside, I couldn't finish it. It made me gasp for my watery margarita to chase it down. The only good thing we got was the chili releno. It was cheesy, cooked just right with a thin egg batter. The refried beans and rice were good, but a side does not make a meal. The service was ok. No frills, no thrills. Wish this place lived up to the hype, but I can't bring myself to eat there again.

    (2)

  • Cynthia H.

    Ok this place it cute! The interior is pretty big inside I think you could fit about 75 people total. The interior feels and looks like Mexico! Downside, parking really sucks. THey share a parking lot with the Puerto Riccan society hall and parking is really limited and tight. Street parking is almost nonexistent. They have a full bar and TV (They were playing the Denver game last time we went). They give you a little basket of tortillas and salsa when you get there to pass the waiting period between the time you order and when your order and when your order actually arrives. Their burritos and tacos are really tasty. But their kalua pig tacos (although also yummy) are so deep fried that every bite you take has you dribbling oil down your face. Their margaritas are to die for, and they are HUGE! If you want authentic Mexican food and non of that bland crap and small portions, come on over to Mexico!

    (4)

  • Dextin A.

    First time here and ive heard mixed reviews i must say i was pleasantly surprised the food was good and the portions were great the service was excellent definitely will be returning

    (4)

  • Rodger J.

    Flautas were fantastic. Food was better than in Idaho. Simple name, great food!

    (5)

  • Shelley E.

    The service here is SOOOOO slow!!!! As if time were endless and there was no line 20 people deep outside. As if we stopped to smell the roses and never left. So slow my son had a chance to nap AND eat dinner. You have been warned, Tacos are delicious and so are the margaritas if you can live long enough to try them.

    (3)

  • Tim C.

    Great food great drink and atmosphere, not on the strip check it out!!!

    (4)

  • Gloria G.

    Last night a friend and I decide we needed to have Mexican food and since we were close by we decided Mexico Restaurant was where we needed to be. The service was great. Our waitress was very hands on, our water glasses were always full. She patiently waited while we decided what we had to have. I ordered the Carne Asada Burrito plate. The rice and refried beans were so good. I'm from Texas and prefer refried beans to black beans anytime. The burrito it self was very good and HUGE. I ordered without tomatoes and for the first time in a long time. There were none in my burrito. IT was nice not having to pick any out and just enjoy my meal. I was able to take half of it home. My only complaint was parking. They were completely full. I had to park in the additional parking. I was a little scared about leaving it out there because there were some people sitting out smoking cigarettes. I went out and checked on it once. In the end the people were gone and my car was okay.

    (4)

  • Mark Y.

    3 1/2 stars Ate here for the first time a couple of weeks ago when a friend was in town for a vacation. There were 4 of us in the group and I'd say the place was about 2/3 full. It was a Thursday night and there was a guitarist performing. I'm not sure if they have live music nightly or not. We were seated at the table next to the musician so it was quite loud and difficult to carry on a conversation. This actually had some advantages to it though. (inside joke) We didn't order any appetizers or drinks, just entrees. I had the spicy pork burrito which was better than average but not great. The burrito was huge and filled with stewed pork and refried beans. The pork itself was tender but a little bland though. The other dishes ordered were, kalua pork chimichanga, crab chimichanga, and a tostada salad. I sampled each one except the crab since I'm allergic. Both were good with the kalua pork chimi being the better one. The part that was lacking the most was the kitchen. For 2 of our 4 orders, they messed up. 2 of the dishes were totally the wrong dish and had to be sent back and redone. Overall the food was good, I'd go back to try some of the other dishes and drinks. But, with that said, I do like Los Chaparros better.

    (3)

  • Yvonne M.

    VATOS LOCOS FOREVER! Hehe, whenever I hear Mexican anything I think of that saying. Anyway, this was one of my first Mexican restaurants I've tried on Oahu & it was bueno! FOOD ORDERED -Complimentary Chips & Salsa - Salsa tasted freshly made, chips were a little stale, probably because there's a whole bunch lined up against the wall. But eatable. yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… -Horchatta - liquid churro goodness. yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… -Combo Meal (Chile Verde & Cheese Queso) - cheese, cheese, cheese! stringy cheese! -Combo Meal (Enchilada & Taco) - good. - Kids cheese Quesadilla - good! yelp.com/biz_photos/mexi… ENVIRONMENT Located on N School St. across the street from Helena's, near Kam bakery & Mitsukens. Great mexican decor, you feel like you're in California or maybe even in Mexico? Bright colors, large wooden tables, and pottery surround you. Best mexican restaurant decor compared to the other ones on the island. Parking is very limited though. Go early or car pool. SERVICE Decent. Could have been friendlier, but hey the food came out in a good amount of time & all requests were accomodated to. CONCLUSION The food and environment was nice. Good place for Margaritas with the gals or co-workers or even just some family fun.

    (4)

  • Sharif B.

    Very kind service and good food for Mexican in Hawaii. The prices could be cheaper, but I recommend bringing in a group and getting the Sampler Entree...It is JIIINNORRMOUS. I still like Serg's Better and Los Chapparos is great as well. But this is probably a number 3 for me in Hawaii.

    (4)

  • Russell V.

    Being from Arizona I'm a little picky about Mexican food. I have eaten here three times now and the food continues to impress. Yea the parking may suck but the food, drinks, and service are well worth the inconvenience. This place is possibly the best Mexican resteraunts on the island.

    (5)

  • Romeo D.

    Atmosphere: Plenty of decor in traditional fiesta setting. The building can accommodate about 40-50ppl. Music was hard to hear but they did have TV's available to catch up your sports games. I think apart from typical mexican fiesta decorations, the only thing missing may have been the virgin of Guadalupe statue and a Luchador mask. Parking: Very Difficult to get in and out on that street with their private lot. If you choose street parking instead, Finding Street parking on school street can also be frustrating.---needs improvement. Food: Margaritas were delicious! Full bar available for Cinco De Mayo. Many choices of authentic tequillas and drinks. I must say that my first trip there was a little disappointing. I went with their signature Carne Asada plate which on its own could have been promising but with a mix up of orders and undercooking the steak which was more inedible fat than meat on the portion, it made it a little hard to eat. All of my friends thought the food was great though. This we need to think over. Rice and beans Ok. Prices: Not too bad. $100.00 for 4 adults with beers.

    (3)

  • Matt M.

    This review is for a ways back (think 2012 lol) but I have to say, always enjoyed coming here after playing soccer in the late morning and just enjoying some decent mexican food (keep in mind we're in Hawaii, not California) and of course a Negra Modelo or a Corona or a couple. I would say I didn't enjoy the rice too much, but overall the food was good.

    (4)

  • Noa H.

    Best Mexican food on the island that I have found so far. I've been here three times now and minus the occasional slow service, I have been very pleased. Although the name says Mexico restaurant, this place is actually located in Kalihi. Parking can be difficult, I have had to street park every time I have gone, but have found spots across the street. Once you've done that though it's all down hill. I really like the ambiance here, very cool Mexican decor, just walking in makes me want to start drinking Cervezas and eating cheese laden food stuffed with meat.(which is what I usually do) Service is friendly, just has been slow. Food and drinks are excellent though. The head Chef is Mexican and a lot of the ingredients are imported from Mexico ( Legally, illegally, whatever). All in all, we are in Hawaii, if they could get a little better with the service, 4 stars would be appropriate. Enjoy.... TIPS: Street parking is available across the street if the lot is full / Bar looks super fun if you feel like a fiesta / The Chimichanga is definitely a fried, meat stuffed, cheese laden item, if your feeling naughty

    (3)

  • Fran C.

    Do you know what's the best thing about Friday? Yesiree.....it's "Pau Hana Friday," and the best part of Pau Hana Friday is meeting up with a few friends to share a meal! For tonight, I was feelin' a little Mexican so I decided to try a new place - Mexico Restaurant in the Kalihi area. This was an all time first for me, and after having a wonderful dining experience at Mexico Restaurant...........I can Guarantee you that I will be coming back here real soon!!! What can I say about this place...........got here early about - (5:30 PM) as I read two of my Yelp buddies - Dave & Nat's reviews. I think Dave mentioned that the parking was a b****! And Nat said - "why is all the best restaurants always happen to be in locations with junkie parking?" Yes, Mexico Restaurant has a small private parking lot, but parking is very limited. Thanks for the tip Dave & Nat! The Mexico restaurant is just down the road from the original Mitsu-ken okazuya, and diagonally across Helena's Hawaiian Food Restaurant. When I walked in at 5:30 PM, a lot of people were already inside (good sign I guess). Lovely Mexican inspired decor, and surprisingly the restaurant was much bigger on the inside, than looking at it from the outside. Now we get to the food.......I must say, this restaurant really serves up some delicious Mexican food! The portions are RIDICULOUSLY HUGE! The service is fast & friendly too! For tonight we had the following items - 1. Garlic Mushrooms for an appetizer. (I had ordered this due to the intoxicating aroma!) Someone had ordered this in the restaurant, and when I got a whiff of this dish, I turned around to see what it was. Upon finding out what it was, I knew I had to get it! 2. Chicken Fajita Burrito - I had ordered this for my meal tonight. What can I say........it was DELICIOUS!!! The chicken was marinaded & cooked just right, and there were chunks of green bell peppers, onions, and other stuff packed into my Fajita Burrito. The portion of my meal was so HUGE, I didn't even touch my refried beans, or Mexican rice. I was only able to get through 2/3's of my burrito............I had to take the rest of my meal home. Now don't get me wrong...........I'm a BIG GUY, and I eat BIG FOOD........... but the portion was just Ridiculous! My friends ordered the following items for their meals - 3. Chicken Burrito 4. California Burrito 5. Tostada Ranchera 6. Crab Enchildas It appeared everyone enjoyed their meals, and everyone was stuffed! I must say...........I will let my other friends know about this place, as I think I found my new favorite Mexican Restaurant!

    (5)

  • M. V. E.

    Food here is OK,. Found the menu to be decent with enough variety of traditional Mexican dishes. Good indicator for a Mexican restaurant is the chips and salsa... well both the chips and salsa were mediocre at best. My taquitos were also a bit bland with the meat taste and texture a bit off. Had a margarita as well, but it too left much to be desired... Sad but true, the margs at Chilis are mucho mejor! Overall a so so place, Ok if you are in a pinch and need a Mexican food fix in a bad way.

    (3)

  • Sarah S.

    So this place is Bomb. Huge portions and great drinks. Arguably the best Mexican food on the island. After years of returning again and again i decided to update my review. I bring everyone i know here for li- hing margs, and the three plate combo could feed you for days no lie. My other favorites include the shrimp enchiladas, and the kaula pork chimi. But really you can get any number of wonderful combos!

    (5)

  • Jesus E.

    Authentic Mexican food. Visiting from Las Vegas we felt like having some Mexican food. Found this place on the iphone maps. Very good food. Friendly staff. Restaurant decor is very nice. Its away from the tourist spots so that was nice. pricing is reasonable and comparable to the island higher prices. I would recommend this place to anybody!

    (5)

  • Patrick C.

    Enjoyed enjoyed enjoyed !! About a 15 minute drive from downtown Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki but really worth it. We were looking for a good Mexican place and we found it. Started with the sizzling queso ( oh my god ! ) and I had fajita chicken quessidilla and my partner had a huge burrito. Live music, lively setting with the locals. Thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely go back next time we vacation in Hawaii !! Priced reasonably for Hawaii. :)

    (4)

  • Jana P.

    Since all of the reviews for this Mexico Restaurant seem to be prefaced with the reviewers' ties to Mexico, here's mines: I visited Rosarito twice in college and got shit-faced both times but I do recall pouring beer on a girl at a foam party and having the runniest stomach after eating "tacos" from the street vendors. The "tacos" were amazing but they may have used the street dogs for meat because the dogs would disappear by night. We also rode mules on the beach. Also, I know 2 Mexicans who live in Hawaii. They both play soccer. Anyway on our Tuesday night visit, Mexico Restaurant was festive as ever and had great live music. However, the music was ridiculously loud. The horchata was great and my ______ Burrito (Sorry, I forget the name of it) was also really good and generously stuffed with chicken and shrimp. The food came out really fast so they seem to have addressed that problem (previous Yelpers' seemed to have had very slow service) however, good luck trying to flag down the waitress for water refills and the check. In short: tasty food, great decor, fast service, normal restrooms, reasonable prices, huge portions, music too loud to hold normal conversations, parking can be weird. I street-parked as I didn't want to park in the back lot for the park. Seemed a little shady although someone from the restaurant supposedly watches the customers' cars.

    (4)

  • Kimberly S.

    Lively atmosphere but bland food overall. We ordered the crab chiles rellenos, the crab chimichanga, and the sizzling mushroom appetizer. The crab plates were okay--edible to say the least. So we were excited when the mushroom appetizer arrived (it came after our entrees). But picture our disdain when we found bits of plastic (wrapper?) embedded among the mushrooms and cheese. Our waitress was sweet about it, but the bald, unsmiling manager refused to acknowledge our complaint. He didn't even come to our table to check it out. At least the waitress offered to take it off our tab, which we accepted of course. I later heard her explaining to the manager why she took it off our tab (she was the one who made the call to do so--not her grumpy manager who remained/cowered behind the bar). As far as the rest of the food, the rice was decent, but the tomatoes used in the pico de gallo were soggy. The complimentary salsa and chips were so-so; the chips were stale, and the salsa's texture was inconsistent throughout. Honestly, I think the food would have been amazing if I had been hammered (I hear they sell decent margaritas). But I was driving, so I was sober. The person I was with wanted me to give this place 0 stars, which isn't possible unfortunately. However, I dedicate the one obligatory star to the short, fair-skinned busboy with black hair who was extremely kind and considerate to us. He was a sweetheart.

    (1)

  • Alyssa M.

    I gave Mexico Restaurant three stars because their food was alright, nothing special. I shared the traditional fajitas (combination) with my bf and also had their fried ice cream. The steak was really good but the chicken was kind of dry. The grilled veggies were delish but their side were very limited for the amount of meat that they gave us. As for the fried ice cream, I loooove fried ice cream and this one wasn't as good as I hoped it would be. It had a more breaded texture that I was not a fan of. It was also more on the pricey side and the service was slow. The five waitresses were hardly paying attention to us and it was not even close to busy. I don't think that we'll be eating here again.

    (3)

  • Pii K.

    Our waiter was the worst! 20mins for water then forgets my son's drink took another 10 minutes to get that food was good and to top it off 45mins for our check! We had to ask another waiter if he could get our check for us seriously was about to walk out. Our waiter was skinny guy, shaved head , and looks like he doesn't wanna be there.

    (2)

  • Tabatha P.

    Recently I have really started craving Mexican food, since Asian food and ramen is getting a little old to me now. So my hunt for other cuisines on Oahu has begun! This place has a great authetic-feeling environment. Almost every time I order a horchata, I am disappointed by the size. Not here! They brought me out a huge pitcher of sweet, delicious horchata and it was AWESOME! I enjoy having live music and the man really gave a smile when he finished a song, and my son was clapping really loudly and fast and smiling after the song and he was the only one clapping, and then others joined and started clapping too. Very cute. Tip that guy! I did. So yeah, I got two tamales and they were the bomb, nice sauce. All servings were fair and even the boy with us who has hardly eaten Mexican food in his life really enjoyed his chimichanga. It was somewhat spicy salsa and sauces but most people dig that so right on! Service could be a little quicker and one brunette girl did not smile the whole time, we actually caught the attention of another server because she was ignoring us and looked grouchy. The girl that helped us was also brunette but darker but very upbeat and helpful, especially with my son, and kept our orders gong and to go boxes ready right away. I was still really happy with it so you still get five stars for your delicious place. Gracias, bueno noches amigos!

    (5)

  • Kamele B.

    Boyfriend and I were craving good quality Mexican food last night so we went for a late dinner to Mexico, located in Kalihi. We got there around 9:30pm on Saturday night. Yes, we were those people who go to a restaurant right before closing (sorry staff of Mexico). Anyway, we were warmly greeted and had our choice of table in the restaurant. They offer complimentary salsa and chips. Salsa was great. I like all things spicy, so this salsa was AMAZE. Spicy, but still had good flavor. If you don't like spicy, then maybe this won't be for you. I ordered the Adobado Burrito, which included the normal burrito fillings with adobo'd pork meat. Seriously, so ono!! Good amount of meat to filling ratio and the sides were awesome. Very flavorful, and complimented by burrito nicely. Boyfriend ordered steak and chicken faijitas. Everything came out sizzling like it's supposed to and was tender and flavorful. I wish I had gotten a picture, because the colors of the bell peppers looked so beautiful with all the meats. Needless to say, we were pretty famished from our long day at the beach and devoured our food. No time for pictures, or leftovers cause the food was just that good. I have been to Mexico before during their Happy Hour; margaritas are delicious, and if you go with a group of friends, getting a pitcher is so worth it. However, because they're so busy during this time, I felt customer service was slower. I can't remember exactly remember what I ordered, but I remember thinking that it could've been better. It may have been just that we didn't order the right thing, or that because it was so busy the food was just being shown as much love as it normally would have. But based on this past experience last night, Mexico totally redeemed themselves, I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for yummy Mexican cuisine. I wanna go back already!!

    (4)

  • Heather J.

    Pretty good food. Not excellent but good. For the price range I expect better quality. We have tried this place 2 times for food and once for just drinks. The drinks were decent but the queso needs improvement if you want it to snack on.. The taco salads are huge but soggy. You do get plenty of salad though. That's a plus. Enchiladas are ok. Maybe we will give it another shot and order something else.. Who knows. Parking is horrible.. But parking in Hawaii as a whole is horrible. We are definitely not in Oklahoma anymore.. Ha!

    (3)

  • Raquel A.

    What can I say other then how much I love this place! I crave it and make it a point to go there as often as possible. Two things - Li Hing Mui Magarita and El Mariachi Burrito

    (5)

  • CY S.

    Good food. Closest to 'Mexican' food we get in AZ and SoCal. Will come again. The Fajitas Burrito is yummy. Was here twice in a week!

    (4)

  • Justina B.

    So happy to find a delicious Mexican spot. I ordered the grande burrito and was amazed by the size of the dish. I love getting a large amount of food for a descent price. Also, the Li-Hing margarita was a great compliment to my meal. This restaurant is a must stop!

    (4)

  • Kenny W.

    Disappointed. Went at 9:30 on a Saturday night. Said they closed early. Very unprofessional.

    (3)

  • Shaun R.

    Whoever said this place is filthy has lost their mind! Bathroom is immaculate nothing on the floor like they said. Service is great, so is their food. Margaritas are awesome, the house tequila is 1800. This is officially my new spot! Enjoy good food, good drinks and good service for a great price!

    (5)

  • Jessica S.

    I feel bad for all the people who are saying they had poor service. The free chips & salsa was good (kinda hard to mess that up in my opinion) Our food came out fairly quickly & was nice & hot. I had the shredded beef enchilada & my boyfriend got the Kalua pork quesadilla. I LOVED my food & had a chance to take a couple bites of the quesadillas which was also delicious. They didn't skimp on the meat like some other places I've gone. The waitress kept our drinks full & looked like everyone around us was getting the same service. She was very prompt & brought us an extra plate & spoon for my niece without us even asking. Definitely will go there again & again!

    (5)

  • Greg A.

    Went there early on a Saturday night and the place was crowded! We enjoyed our food but the place is filthy! I accidentally dropped my fork on the floor, went to get it and couldn't help but notice all the crap under the table! It's like they never mopped or swept under there for ever! Then went to the bathroom and it was filthy! Kinda makes you wonder about the quality of their food & prep area.

    (3)

  • Jenifer V.

    Food: 5 stars Margaritas: 5 stars (I've only had the Li Hing, and the bartender always seems to give me a lil extra tehkweelah, no complaints here!) Servers: 3-5 stars, understandable in the food service industry Ambiance: 5 stars! Never been to such a lovely Mexican restaurant. It's clean, comfortable, and the bathroom sinks are tres fancy shmancy. Can get a little loud but, just have some tequila and join in. Price: $-$$, comparable to other Mexican eateries around the island. People that complain about the price are often tourists and don't seem to realize that things cost a bit more out here, and that's okay. Price is reasonable (for Hawaii) given the large amount and deliciousness of food. Parking: 1 star. I realize it's tough to get good property out here, and Kalihi, yeesh...but man that parking situation is ridunk. Come in a small car, carpool, catch a cab/bus, or park on the street several blocks away and walk. ***One of the best ways to judge whether a place is good or not would be to consider how many customers they have especially during peak hours like pau hana/dinner time, and I'll just say, they ain't strugglin' for business. Lengthier Review... I've never had a bad experience with this restaurant. The food is always delicious; always have a pleasant experience with servers, though I've heard people complain here and there, including from my own friends who've come on their own, I for some reason haven't had any problems. I've had Mexican food across the island, and this is definitely the only place worth the repeat (for me and those I've recommended it to). Previously there was a restaurant in Kailua called 'Cisco's Cantina', they were awesome and I think they were actually owned by the same owners of this place. Kaneohe's old 'Mexico Lindo' was good too, again same owners. Every single person I've recommended this restaurant to raves about it, even the few who've had a bad experience with slow/unattentive servers. Is it "authentic" Mexican? I really don't know, never been to the actual country. I will say that there isn't one American based Mexican restaurant (ran by REAL LIVE MEXICANS or not) that everyone can agree is "authentic". Ever notice that? Check out any popular Mex place anywhere, there's always at least one self-proclaimed Mexican-food authority making sure the public is fully aware that it's NOT REAL MEXICAN FOOD. Thanks but when the day comes for me to look for authentic food, I'll fork out the moolah to visit the country of origin. No one can bastardize food the way Americans can. Yum yum. Murica.

    (4)

  • Meghan T.

    After 45 minutes of waiting on a non busy night,i finally got my food.

    (1)

  • Jessica W.

    Been here numerous times and it's always hit or miss. Once again tonight was a miss. I had the chicken fajita burrito. The vegetables were raw and cold and the cheese inside wasn't even melted. Sent it back and manager said she would charge me for half of my dinner! Are you kidding? They should have made me another one or not charge me. I'm never coming back.

    (1)

  • Melissa C.

    Came across Mexico restaurant when a group & I were looking for another place we were pleased we chose to eat here the decor was festive, the waitress was nice & the food was delicious, the portions were huge & filling. I'm hungry thinking about how good it was! Lost a star for the margaritas though, ordered a pitcher of mango flavored it was more of a smoothie than cocktail def very little or no alcohol.

    (4)

  • eph z.

    This place is bad on many fronts: bland, unoriginal, and not authentic food; too loud to hear each other; crappy parking; and a limited supply of authentic mexican aguas frescas drinks (only had horchata). I've lived in California for 11 years, traveled in Mexico for many months, and cook mole, salsas, and tamales all the time, so I know what good Mexican food should be, and this is not it. Many people on Yelp seem to focus on the size of dishes, but if you just want a lot of food, go get a cheap bucket of fried chicken or a stacked burger! What about the taste and the quality? Well this had neither. Fish in the fish tacos was not fresh tasting (inexcusable in Hawai'i), no salsas to top them aside from the one that came with the chips and some bottled stuff, and the chili rellenos were just..... lame! If you really want the best Mexican in Oahu, if not the state, try Serg's or El Palenque. Those are both super authentic and 100x tastier, not to mention you can hear yourself talk in those!

    (1)

  • Kelly M.

    Popular place, so we had a wait. Good margaritas, good food, fun atmosphere. My favorite dish of the evening was the chili con queso - cheese warmly melted, spicy, crispy chips, comfort food. It is exactly what it tries to be, simple Americanized Mexican, lots a cheese and lettuce and tomato, one step up from Taco Bell. Comfortable.

    (4)

  • Will L.

    My search for real carne asada continues. The ambience is nice as the dining room is fairly big, on Friday night about 6pm the mariachi guitar player was doing his thing, portions are ample (esp. for the keiki plates @ $4.95) and there's plenty of parking (although you have to back out to the street in reverse onto School Street, which is a somewhat dangerous proposition). My kids liked their quesadila, spanish rice and bean plate - and again, it was a lot of food for them, which includes the house chips and salsa. The salsa by the way, tasted exactly like it came from a La Victoria bottle. I ordered the carne asada plate for $12.95 hoping to find real carne asada. Real carne asada is a very thin but dense layer of nicely marinated steak, which is eaten with corn tortillas, onions, cilantro and salsa. Well, what came out was not bad, but not carne asada either. The plate basically had what looked to be some kind of chuck steak you can buy from Times or Foodland. I guess it's really hard to find the carne asada cuts, because it's just not happening at local Mexican restaurants. Anyway, the steak was pretty good, I chopped it up so that my kids could have some and they liked it. They served it with two corn tortillas, much too insufficient to cover a plate like that -- again, ample portions. Plus the corn tortillas were over-baked and you could see that it was kind of warped. Good corn tortillas are nice and warm with good constitution. The carne asada plate came with refried beans and spanish rice. The meal turned out to be very heavy, with the house chips, refried beans, spanish rice, guacamole and the chuck steak aka carne asada. I left feeling about 10 lbs. fatter, which I guess is a good thing? If you're in the Kalihi area and you're jonesing for some Mexican food, Mexico Restaurant is a good way to go, perhaps the only way to go around here. But if you want real carne asada (and I've had their pollo burritos, which are not bad, but I think Diego's on King and the one on Fort Street Mall are better for chicken), keep looking. And if you find the real kind, let me know.

    (3)

  • Jerry K.

    I had the chimichanga which tasted pretty good. The beans and rice were so-so the chips were tasty but I didn't like the salsa. I didn't think the service was very good we went at lunch time and it was pretty busy but the staff seemed a little overwhelmed and not terribly friendly, but when you feel slammed I guess thats one of the last things on your mind. It was a very nice restaurant though, decor was good it felt relatively clean as well. The prices were typical, not cheap not expensive. Menu seemed good too. I'll come back for another try definitely, but I think next time I'll be a little more critical about the visit.

    (3)

  • Clarissa M.

    Been here three times on different days for lunch. Service was efficient - no wait to be seated, took our food order quickly, always made sure our water glasses were full, and we did not even have to ask for the check. Food was delicious - tried the grilled chicken taco salad, taquitos appetizer, crispy taco with chicken, and ground beef burrito. You also cannot go wrong with the fried ice cream.

    (4)

  • Bobby K.

    Ate here with a co-worker during our lunch break and I have to say the food and service was pretty good. I had the taco salad and nachos and it's some of the better that I've had. If it was closer to Ewa, I would probably eat here more often. As far as Mexican food goes, it's some of the better that I've had on Oahu. You can't go wrong eating here, in my opinion.

    (4)

  • Rita C.

    The chili relleno wasn't cooked all the way and the cheese was cold and hard on the inside. When I told the server they didn't apologize or try to make it right or offer anything.

    (2)

  • Jenny L.

    Everyone told me (and fellow Yelp members too), that this place was really good. I convinced my friends to finally try this place; epic failure! It was a maze to take us to our table, and why sit us all the way in the back!? Large menu so it was hard to decide. I went with a combo plate to taste a few items. My tamale had hard burnt edges. My rice and beans were luke warm. My friend returned her plate because of cold rice and beans. Then returned it again because of the burnt dried meat. Finally, she didn't want anything and I don't blame her! I think I will stick to the gourmet taco trucks around town.

    (1)

  • Ilene B.

    The decor is a cross between hodge podge lodge and a little shack located in Cozumel somewhere so I guess it's authentic enough! Super loud so good place to go to just play on your phone since u can't hear any conversations at your own table! Fresh chips and salsa. Huge portions. The service is kinda slow decent prices. Music pied through the speakers is obnoxious. All and all a 3.

    (3)

  • Lea H.

    Delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine. I love their huge mug of horchata and the fajita burritos. The location is not ideal, parking can be a bit crowded and difficult to exit. Next to El Mariachi, this is the next best Mexican restaurant.

    (4)

  • Merritt G.

    Best Mexican food on Oahu. Service is good and the place is very nice inside with nice tables, chairs, and decorations. The bartenders are very nice and can tell you all about their Tequila selection.

    (4)

  • Heather E.

    I went to Mexico last night with my husband and this was maybe my fourth or fifth time there. It was what I have come to expect from Mexico Restaurant. They are always very consistent. Food is always delicious, the best real Mexican I have found on the island. Staff are usually friendly enough, and the food comes quickly. I ordered my usual, the two choice combo with a ground beef burrito and a mini shredded beef quesadilla which also comes with beans, rice, and salsa fresca. At least I think that's what the tomatoes are called. I always have to split my meal into two or three sittings but the food reheats pretty well. The queso is delicious and it should be law to order some as soon as you enter. My husband also had a strawberry frozen margarita but I like the Li hing mui. I highly recommend Mexico Restaurant.

    (5)

  • Chad S.

    This place has been within walking distance from my childhood home for years and only the other day did I first give it a try. The first meal I had was shredded beef taquitos and it was AWESOME. So much so that I was anxious to take my wife there, which we did the following day. The next day I ordered the machaca and the beef was so fatty that I couldn't tolerate any more than a few bites. Too bad, too. One day it was 5 stars, and the following it was just 1.

    (3)

  • Kehau C.

    On my way to eat good Mexican again! This restaurant serves delicious food. Everything is tasty and portioned right. Give it a try!

    (4)

  • Mike N.

    Very good food. The mushroom appetizer, the carne asada and horchata are excellent. The beer has no tap so it's all bottles. Other than that, great cantina ambiance and good food.

    (4)

  • Leah F.

    Had the li hi margarita and mini quesadilla. Food was pretty good, but it was one of the loudest places I've eaten at. No conversation to hear. And the live music was just too loud for me. Not sure if I'll go back.

    (3)

  • Pj E.

    Waitress was friendly, food was bland, and then there's the food poisoning that me and my kids all got! This place was highly recommended from friends....very disappointed!

    (1)

  • Sash T.

    Good mexican food, but our server kept disappearing on us. We kept having to order our food n drinks through the other servers. I'll have to go back to give them another try.

    (3)

  • Samela L.

    Hands down the WORST Mexican food on the island!!!!!!!! It didn't even taste like gringo Mexican food! I recommend going to taco bell because their Mexican food is more authentic! I'm Latina and when I asked if the Horchata was fresh they said yes yet horchata is supposed to have cinnamon on the bottom of the drink and this place didn't. When I asked about it they said they used Horchata packets and I couldn't help but laugh!! I thought the waitress was joking but she wasn't.. And that's just the start..

    (1)

  • Ryan M.

    The original restaurant that we were supposed to eat at wasn't open, so my wife asked me to choose another place. I quickly said Mexico since we don't eat much Mexican food other then taco bell, I thought maybe we could give this place a try since it was on the way home. Turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Environment - This place is located in Kalihi on N. School street. To be more specific, it's across the street from Helena's Hawaiian Food and a few doors away from Mitsu-Ken. Parking here is horrible. They actually have a lot but fills up fast and its hard to get in and out of. Getting out is especially tough because the lane to exit is super narrow. If you have a big vehicle then good luck. The inside has a nice decor. Very Mexicanish. Never been to Mexico besides Tijuana but it reminds me of it. The size of this place is pretty decent. Has a few TV's as well if you want to just come for drinks. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… Food - As soon as you sit down someone brings chips and salsa to your table. Salsa is pretty spicy. Chips were a bit stale but its probably because they have it pre-made out in baskets so they can give it to you as soon as you come in. Ordered the 2 choice Mexico Combo. My choices were the Enchilada and Taco. Combo dishes all come with rice and beans. Never thought I would say this but the enchilada was huge and delicious. The meat had good flavor to it. Never thought I would say this either but the taco was just alright, nothing special. I enjoyed the enchilada much more. Both rice and beans were good but standard. Portions are good. -We also ordered the Horchata which was very good. Tasted like cinnamon milk. It's comes in a pitcher which was enough for the three of us to share. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… -They have three different types of hot sauces at the tables. The famous Tapatio (love the Doritos) and a green and red salsa habanera. I have never seen or heard of habenera before. Is habanera the girl version of habanero? I assume its made with habanero but it didn't seem as spicy though. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… When we were done we left feeling super stuffed and satisfied. Service - It was pretty good. They were quick to greet us at the door. Our server also explained the menu when we had questions and checked on us a few times. I just wish he would have seemed a little more friendly though. Looked like he was having a bad day or something. The main thing was that he still took care of us and wasn't rude. Overall, I had a good time here and would definitely return when in the mood for some Mexican food. Adios amigos!

    (4)

  • Kanani M.

    Good Mexican food and probably the closest to authentic that you can get on the island. They also offer vegetarian items, which is a huge plus in general, but earns them extra points because it's actually delicious and not just an attempt to please the new trendy crowd. The Horchata comes in mini pitcher and you'll be glad because it's the best Horchata you can get in the islands! The service is laid back but friendly. I love it!

    (5)

  • Charlotte V.

    Portions are huge! Yes, but nothing tastes good. The rice that day must have been old or something I'm not sure but it tasted really bad. And the rice stunk up my leftovers when I brought it home. The queso starter is just literally melted cheese -no taste or flavor. Portions are just huge..that's all i can say. Nothing impressive. The horchata was good!

    (2)

  • Holly B.

    The ratings for this restaurant are all over the place, so we tried Mexico last night with a little hesitancy. . . Not to worry! The food was great! The service was good; we got our food less than 5 minutes after ordering it, piping HOT! And there was so much of it - huge portions! My crab chile relleno was REAL crab and piping hot. The verde sauce was perfect with just the right amount of heat. Our party of 4 gobbled down the chips and salsa while we were waiting and we were given another basket and salsa when asked, no charge! And the sodas are refillable! Woo hoo! Yes we had to wait for a table because the place was packed, but it was worth it! My significant other declared it better than what used to be his favorite Mexican restaurant, so I guess we're dining here from now on! SIDE NOTE: Very, very uncool for the bleached blonde, Daryl Hannah in Kill Bill with the black eye patch wannabe, to rudely try to sneak her name above about 5 parties, us included, who had already put our names on the waitlist for a table and had been patiently waiting for 20 minutes. Shame on you! Didn't your mother teach you manners or did you grow up in a cave?!! We saw you! Do you think you're more special or more important than the rest of us to CUT in line without waiting?!! And what about your cowardly boyfriend waiting in the car and making you do such a selfish thing? How come he sends you and doesn't do it himself - the bloody cad?!! Your rude, selfish ways will catch up to you and someone might just pluck out your other eye like Pai Mei in Kill Bill! Good thing you both drove away instead of sticking around to hear what everyone had to say about you, "princess!"

    (5)

  • Neva M.

    I arrived at Mexico's because I heard the food was super great. As I walked in, I waited about 5-10 minutes to be greeted and seated by a young man who I thought was going to be serving us. When he sat us down, he asked me and my daughter if we would like anything to drink. I asked for water and he said ok he'll be right back with our drinks. I waited.....and waited....and waited.....and waited for about 20 minutes just to get a glass of water but he never came back. He was waiting on other peoples tables and they got their drinks before us. Feeling irritated and hungry, I started to stare at him and got no response. So I did what anyone in my position would do - I spoke with a deep volume in my tone where I could be heard by another server. I can't remember his name but he obviously was Mexican and took our order. I ordered the Quesadilla's and the Enchillada's. The food was GREAT but my appetite kind of faded with the long wait of being waited on. You can't expect a good tip if you are not giving good customer service at the same time. I think I am a great tipper but if I feel that you are not servicing customers right, I can be a jack@$$ about it too. All in all, the service sucked but the food was good. It could improve if they had a faster service and better customer service. I probably would go back, but I don't think it's going to be anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Sara S.

    When you live in Japan for a year, you get to feast on various types of Japanese food in all their delicious glory. However, you are also deprived of Mexican food. Nothing comes close. So after coming back from Japan, I desperately craved good Mexican food. TAKE ME TO MEXICO! Sometimes I wish YELP would allow us to post music clips directly onto posts... but now I have "La Cucaracha" stuck in my head. We went to this place on a recommendation from my mom's co-worker, who is from Mexico. Figure that he knows his stuff... and he was right! Portions are HUGE. I got a 2-item combo (1 tamale + 1 enchilada with beans & rice) for $14.95. A little pricey, but it will definitely last me for 2 meals. I would've probably just been satisfied ordering 1 enchilada for $9.75, but my fat eyes had their sights set on more food... just to "try." Silly brain. The enchilada was definitely bomb. Smothered in cheese, flavorful chicken, accompanied with beans and rice...after every mouthful I half expected a mariachi band to bust out playing in song! The tamale was average but maybe I'm not a tamale person. The leftovers actually tasted rather good the next day despite being cold... that's always a plus! Cold tamales for breakfast!! Yeah... I'm weird. My mom got a grilled chicken quesadilla (per recommendation of our server) which was also perrrrrfect. BTW ordering grilled chicken is $2 more than just ordering normal shredded chicken... thanks to our server for actually pointing that out. Sometimes servers don't tell you their recommendation is extra... swindlers!! Great food & great service, but a little pricey. All in all, a delicious spot for Mexican food!

    (4)

  • Angela Irene D.

    LOVE the taste of the authenticity of the homemade Horchata, especially in a pitcher the size of my face! The food is 'okay', large portions but the customer service is truly friendly! The atmosphere and design of the restaurant is really nice too! Enjoyed everything here but the food. The parking lot can be packed easily, especially at night. I want to come back for the margaritas! They look delicious, and HUGE.

    (4)

  • Nat N.

    Is it just me or do the best restaurants always happen to be in locations with junkie parking? If you're not one of the lucky ones to score a space in their lot, then put on your walking shoes, because finding a space on that street (School street) is like trying to find a parking space in Makiki. But despite the parking issues, that's the only thing to complain about here. The food is BUENO! I don't know what it is that they put in their food, but it's something addictive, because I lick my plate clean every time I come here, beans and all. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. My personal favorite is the chicken enchilada. Make sure to order something that comes with rice because you don't want to miss their mexican rice. It's cooked to perfection. Not flaky, not mushy. We came on a Friday night and were entertained by a two-man band. It was a little loud, but I always appreciate live music. A lot of people, including myself, feel that this is one of the best Mexican joints on the island.

    (5)

  • Melissa S.

    Absolutely THE best Mexican food on Oahu. Everything has flavor and its our favorite place to go! The portions are large and the horchata is delicious.

    (5)

  • Quinn S.

    First time here! Been hearing about this place for quite some time. Tried to go a couple of times but parking was horrific! Glad I found parking a block away this time and good thing we had reservations (there was actually one space open but was kinda tight and don't like the idea of more dings in my g-ride). Party of 11 adults and 8 keiki - oh my! A Cali friend recommended Mexico, but I've heard mixed reviews. My aunty was in town so we decided to make a party of it! Sat down to a steer's head on the wall staring at me... oddly, very welcoming! Then all of a sudden the pitchers of li hing mui margaritas appeared:) Very tasty, not as strong as I would have liked, but hey, I needed to drive home safely, right?! Ordered the Carne Arriera plate with grilled steak, cooked in spicy salsa with double rice (no beans!), guac, tomato, and flour tortillas. My cousin had the first bite and said it was good. Then I tried it and I agreed! BOOM! So YUM! Tons of flavor, a little bit of spice, and it blended so well with all the sides. All the other dishes looked tasty but I couldn't eat anymore - I think I have left overs for days! The service was a little slow, but the whole atmosphere and experience made up for it. They even had live music! I definitely want to go back for more!

    (4)

  • Danny K.

    Always passed by there going into town from where I lived but never had the time to visit until just the other day, I got the enchiladas and let me tell you now they were filling and very tasty but at that price I understand why they give you such large serving sizes. the were very kind to me, parking was a pain considering it was nearing dinner but considering everything else my time there was pretty enjoyable, bring a friend or two and you won't notice all the little things.

    (4)

  • Dennis P.

    We were here for dinner... the food was actually really good (definitely a three star, close to a four)... I had the mamamita burrito... quite delicious. A house favorite I heard. Hefty portions! The music was pretty cool! A trumpet and guitar! Parking in the back was tight, but plenty of street parking. The service was... ehhh... not so Aloha... at least not our server... The atmosphere was fun, thanks to the music. They had a full bar, and my wife had the House Margarita... most excellent But the main reason for the two star (could have been less), was the upkeep of the men's bathroom... OMG, I just about lost it in there... no soap, definitely a mess.... how did the cooks wash their hands? Don't want to think about it. Apparently, the women's bathroom (according to my wife's description) was not a problem, in fact it was very nice. Which is why they get a two... barely Anyway, this is coming from a professional health inspector of over 20 years in the food service/restaurant business....

    (2)

  • Peter A.

    I have eaten mostly Tex-Mex style mexican food in Louisiana, Texas and Florida, so I don't know what California Mexican food tastes like, but Mexico is one of the better mexican places I've found in Hawaii. This was an exception to the latino cuisine in Hawaii, since most of them stink. I really enjoyed the atmosphere, it was pretty busy, and felt like an actual mexican restaurant, not just a faux latino ambience, I got a combo plate with a chile relleno, which i thoroughly enjoyed, and my wife also got a combo plate. Really enjoyed this place, and we will go back again, but will save room for dessert.

    (4)

  • Juliene C.

    I LOVE Mexican food! I took it for granted in California. Living in Hawaii, i really miss it! There are very few Mexican restaurants here. I had a bad Mexican food craving for weeks! I know that Mexican Restaurant is right by our house, but i was skeptical about eating here. I read the reviews about drug dealers hanging out in the front & drug transactions being done here & it freaked me out. But i wanted Mexican food so bad! So i came! Parking is a major NO! I don't know how people are brave enough to park their vehicle here! They must have skills! We ended up finding a spot on the street. Lucky us! Next time i will walk here from my house. It was a saturday around 12pm & we were seated right away with no wait. The hostess who was also our waitress greeted us right away. Chips & salsa were brought to our table immediately. I give props to the waitress because she was the only waitress there serving a handful of tables. Some with large parties. There was her, the busboy, & the owner/manager moving around the place. Quite efficient. Cute restaurant. It made me forget i was in Hawaii with all the Mexican decor. Food review: -chips & salsa: didn't really care for it. The salsa looked like it came from a jar. -chips & guacamole: something about it that made me feel like it wasn't real avocado. Too creamy! Strange to me. -horchata: very good! It came in a pitcher. Pretty cool! -chicken flautas w/ rice & beans: flautas are my favorite Mexican food. It looked more like a deep fried burrito chopped in several pieces. The chicken was weird and was mixed in with melted cheese. Flautas are usually 3 fat taquitos filled with either shredded chicken or meat. On top they put lettuce, pico de gallo, & the crema sauce. What i ordered was not a flauta at all! -fish tacos: huge! It was good. I mean, what do you expect? I already knew it wasn't going to be authentic! Geeze! I was just really hoping it would at least be close to it! Our bill totaled to $50! But it should really be like $10! But i have no choice! If i'm craving Mexican food i have to come here!

    (3)

  • John D.

    The setting is Mexico the music is Mexico and the food is Mexico. I say there and enjoyed me chips and salsa while waiting for my lengua burrito (cow tounge), with traditional Mexican music playing overhead as I observed the surroundings there are many Mexican decorations and as I looked around I saw a wall of liquor bottles behind a much decorated bar. Looked very nice. All I needed was my sombrero and chanklas. Great place. Ohh yeah one more thing even the bathrooms were clean!!!

    (5)

  • Jaime C.

    Hawaii does NOT have good authentic Mexican food unlike Los Angeles but this has got to be one of the better ones. Ive been to Sergs but it was just disgusting. Mexico has awesome margaritas and good food. Large portions.

    (4)

  • Erika A.

    The only reason I m giving this place two stars is because the food is fairly good. I have given this place more than enough chances but the wait staff and management are AWEFUL! We literarily sat at the table and watched 3 wait staff sitting and talking while we waited for 20 minutes and no one took out drink order. One waitress walked by us six times and not once acknowledged us. When I went to discuss the situation with the manager, he didn't even looked up at me to acknowledge me. He simply said "yeah I ll take care of it".

    (2)

  • Maria A.

    This is a short, basic first impression review. Ambiance was great! Extensive menu that you featured many of the comfort foods I miss from the mainland. Plates was generously portioned. The good was very delicious!!! Try the appetizer guacamole, impressive! The service however was very cold and lacked that warm and fuzzy you get at most mexican restaurants. No greeting from the server, big gaps between ordering drinks to actually receiving them. No follow up to see if we needed anything. Seems like we were bothering the waiter by asking for the check. The restaurant was not full. So I cannot blame that for the quality of the service. Like I said I enjoyed the food. So I sure will come back to give it another chance. Will add to this review when I do so.

    (4)

  • Steven B.

    This has to be one of the best on island. True authentic mexican food. The carnitas are awesome. Drinks are great too. Depending when you go will decide how your service is. Parking is not that great either. Location is very local to the community. Still will always be going here.

    (4)

  • Lisa K.

    Te quiero muchisimo, Mexico!! Granted, you take what you can get in Honolulu, but when it comes to good Mexican food, it's slim pickins'. Enter Mexico Restaurant and finally there's a real contender for the best and most autentico. The ambiance is quaint in a kind of Dia de Los Muertos-meets-neighborhood bar kind of way. Then there's the occasional mariachi singer who drops by to kick the Mexican experience up a notch. I'll admit it; I love it. I usually get the plentiful 3-item plate and split it with the hubs. Burrito, chile relleno, enchilada, they're all good... God, they're good... Really, really, good. They also have a full bar with some great Mexican beers and some tasty (not too sweet) margaritas. And unless mine was some anomaly, let's just say if you come for a birthday meal, expect the best darn birthday dessert you've ever laid taste buds on. Enough to solidify MY birthday plans for the next few years.

    (5)

  • Yessica P.

    I was told not to eat here by a friend but I was craving a margarita and some Mexican food and this was the closest place by my house. I was a bit disappointed with the food the drink and the service.

    (3)

  • Julie T.

    Love this place! My wife and I come here regularly. We even found a mariachi band here to play at our wedding. This place is a good old taste of mainland Mexican food. The servers are very friendly and fast, and the drinks are excellent. I highly recommend the top shelf margarita! Wow! I took one star off just because sometimes the food is too rich for me. It's very buttery and cheesy - though some people would say "why complain about that?!" Overall, I really enjoy eating at Mexico Restaurant and I would recommend it to anyone, especially if you have a hankering for Mexican comfort food!

    (4)

  • Rich P.

    This meal ruined my vacation. Okay, that's being too harsh, but that was worse than Chevy's or any of the other low-end Mexican restaurants on the mainland. Slow service. Low-grade ingredients. And waaaaaay too much salt. We were in the neighborhood to go to the Bishop museum and chose this place over McDonald's. McDonald's would have been better. Helena's Hawaiian Foods is just across the street. Unfortunately, it was closed. PS - Worst parking lot in Hawaii!

    (1)

  • Jamie M.

    I was really surprised when I walked into this place for a work lunch. It was much bigger than I was expecting, and it had at least a couple of mounted steers. The decor felt Mexican to me, although I'm not an expert on anything Mexican. I thought the chips and salsa were delish. The portions for my meal were surprisingly huge. I got a chicken quesadilla, and it was a-ok although I would say that it isn't the best I've ever had. My quesadilla came with rice, refried beans, and some lettuce with salsa and sour cream. The cost-portion ration seems like a good value, and the food is not bad at all. Everyone I was with inhaled their food and suffered a food coma afterwards. I would come back again. I'd like to try one of their margaritas when I'm not lunching with my boss.

    (4)

  • Kyle Q.

    Chips and Salsa was OK, and the service is good.

    (4)

  • A G.

    A little pricey but expected for Hawaii. Food tasted pretty authentic. Decent portions.

    (3)

  • Hannah M.

    Amazing Mexican food in Honolulu!! We are so happy we could SCREAM. It is seriously worth a happy scream. Authentic, fresh food and best margarita I've had on island. Go here!! We lived in Southern Cal for years and this is as good.

    (5)

  • Nirettzy S.

    Having spent many many years in San Antonio and Houston, Texas, this place left me wanting. The menu has traditional Mexican dishes, however the taste was a bit off. I had an enchilada plate complete with the rice and refried beans. The rice was very bland and the enchilada greasier than most I have had. My friend (who happens to be Mexican) was not impressed either. The search for good Mexican on hawaii continues. Oh and they put a new "twist" on the fried ice cream. Be warned, the ice cream is not fried.

    (2)

  • Kanya E.

    I was happy to find this Mexican restaurant here on Oahu. Some friends suggested it one night after we had plans to go to another restaurant that had been closed. Parking can be difficult, but we haven't ever had a problem finding a spot. The staff is friendly enough, you sometimes wonder if you can get a top off of the drink glass when they get a little busy. The tables and booths can be a bit dirty or run down sometimes, but nothing too bad. I've noticed that paying for your chips and salsa here is commonplace, although it is something I'm not used to. We are from a part of the mainland where there is a large Mexican population. Our restaurants tend to be VERY good and VERY cheap, with bottomless chips and salsa with your food order. This isn't a major complaint. The food is great, however inconsistent. The first time I went I ordered the Kaluah Chimichanga and when I ordered it the second time it was cooked completely different, and was a lot more mediocre. The prices are high, but fall a little over the quality of the food. There is a decent drink selection which may make it worth your while. I've had better Mexican, but not on the island.

    (3)

  • Greg Y.

    Good start with the huge horchata and chips and salsa that kept on coming. The live music was getting the applause of the crowd. My appetite was building. But then my Mexico Burrito arrived...after everyone else's dishes...and cold. Buzz kill. The dish was reheated but I was done. The horchata was good. Update: we got the wrong check...

    (3)

  • Jordana F.

    Everyone I've ever encountered who knows about Mexico restaurant loves it. I love their horchata--it's huge and delicious! (32 ounces to be exact). Their crab chimichanga is amazing! There's a mango sauce they drizzle on top of the chimichanga that I could eat alone if it didn't taste so good with the chimichanga. I had a pork shoulder plate (I can't remember the name of it and it's not on the menu provided on yelp) but it was hands down the best pork dish I've had in a while. It almost tasted like lechon but was more tender and juicy and a little less vinegary. The dish comes with toritillas of your choice to make a burrito but you can definitely eat the dish as is if you want. Of course they have a wide selection of tequilas and margaritas--whatever you want they can most likely make. Parking is a bit weird though. They have a small lot, and if there's no room in the lot you can park right behind it near a public park but the roads there are so dilapidated, it's a pretty bumpy ride. But the food is good and it's a pretty easy place to find (right across the street from Helena's in the heart of Kalihi).

    (4)

  • Moala P.

    I luv there LenguaTacos and there Fish Ceviche.I always order it whenever I go there.I know there's more good stuffs on the menu but I'm hooked on these two and you can even ask them to make u Lengua Burritos if u don't want it in tacos.One of my favorite Mexican restaurant in Hawaii.I really like there service.Waiters are always on top of it with our orders even if it's a full house.

    (4)

  • Desiree R.

    I always love coming here. The staff is efficient, the ambiance is great and the cooks/chefs are fantastic. This is classic mainland Mexican restaurant food. Very enjoyable. Can't wait until next time.

    (5)

  • Lance T.

    Mexico is primarily the reason that took me to this neighborhood. Slow down when you're near the vicinity so you don't miss it. I have been to this place about 5 times now and it never disappoints. Ironically, i don't see too many customers that i would think are from the nearby area. At lunch time during the work week i see lots of regular working people and nearby Fort Shafter military personnel. I was there twice on a Saturday and i was surprised to see the crowd of mixed weekenders, some locals, and again - military personnel. So its a well balanced crowd of diners. I've tried the burritos, tacos and carne asada. All are very good. Reasonably priced, great atmosphere, and great service. If you like guacamole - make sure you ask how much it costs if you plan to order extra because its so good it can ramp up your bill. haha. :))

    (4)

  • Angel H.

    I met up with a few co-workers for dinner. The last time I was here was about 4 years ago. We had a total of 12 people, 9 adults and 3 kids. We arrived at 5pm for dinner and the place was packed. I didn't expect them to be so busy. That's probably the reason why they don't take reservations. My friend ordered the lychee margarita, which was awesome and huge for $12. I got the virgin watermelon margarita, which wasn't as good for $11. The lychee drink was on the sweeter side where the watermelon drink was tart. For my entree I got the crab taco salad, not bad. I've never had crab in my taco salad before and thought I'd try it out. I had asked the server if it was real or imitation crab before I ordered it. I was happy to hear that it was real crab. For some reason the guacamole tasted a bit off. It was a little bitter and a little sour. Maybe too much lemon or lime juice? I also ordered the fried ice cream for dessert. That was awesome! The shell was fried crispy sprinkled with cinnamon. The vanilla ice cream on the inside was still solid and not melted. This item also came with whip cream, chocolate and caramel drizzle. Woohoo!

    (3)

  • Ashley P.

    I read the reviews hoping for greatness and it was far from it! The only good thing was the salsa. I ordered a mango margarita and there was a bug in it gross. Then my sons fruit punch had a bug floating on the top of it! Still we decided maybe we should eat, horrible idea!! Our food was gross too! No bugs but my chicken fajita burrito tasted rancid! We finally got a new pitcher of margaritas was frozen not on the rocks like we asked. 15 min later my son got another fruit punch an half way through it found another bug!! Plus our waiter was slow, unfriendly, and never checked us. We will never go back!! I feel sick! I did not pay for it either!!

    (1)

  • Terry K.

    Yelp Challenge 365 # 56/365 I have been craving for "authentic" mexican food and while I have several places bookmarked to try, I decided on Mexico Restaurant, mainly because it's close and in passing for me, on my way home... I will admit the taste and preparation of the food here is as authentic as can be. My version of authentic is based on :1 ) their salsa (homemade with special seasonings from Mexico perhaps?, 2) mexican cheese, rich and creamy, 3) rice? definitely with a touch cumin and other spices from Mexico. The tortillas? Okay, they get it mass produced so I can't comment on that one. If I understand correct, owner is from Quadalajara and has another place on the windward side. But for now, the Mexico Restaurant on School STreet. Parking AGAIN..... why do I pick places where parking is a B****? (Okay, call me the parking patrol, if you read my reviews, you'll see that is up there in criteria for places I visit and dine at) Well, I will hand it to the taste of the food in this case, such that parking is a secondary matter.. The service and price is as good as you can expect for a place like this. Average price of the mean is $15. They have a good selection of mexican beers too. (I'm not a beer drinker but am willing to try anything once) The ceviche? one of the better ones I've had. The fresh fish? grilled to near perfection with hispanic flavors. The chicken and beef? seasoned just right. You can tell it apart from other beef and chicken marinades. They do get crowded so be prepared to wait a bit; especially on Fridays. And I would look for street parking On a weekday, you can park on School Street after 5:30 and on the weekends, I'd park on the side streets.... Bottom line for this place? authentic by flavor, parking is a b****, service and price, coupled with the autnenticity of taste is worth the parking hassle

    (4)

  • Cassie P.

    Probably the best sit down Mexican restaurant around. Which are very few, so that gives a good boost. Huge delicious margaritas. We weren't really a fan of the fajitas, but everything else was awesome. Live music. Loud and busy. Fun family dinner excursion!

    (4)

  • Jeremy U.

    I like eating Mexican food. When Taco Bell or taco del mar isn't quite satisfying my cravings for Mexican food, I like to go here. Portions are large and the taste is awsome, but it's pretty pricy. Then again its worth the price for the amount and quality. If dining in, you'll have the feel of a Mexican vibe with live Mexican singer. If theres no parking, take out is just as good as dining in. Portions are still large, but larger dining in. Parking is bad though. Their parking lot can't park more than 10 or so cars, and there's a little more parking in the back, but it's dark and errie, and gives you the feeling of being mugged or murdered. Overall, cook place to eat

    (5)

  • Chad A.

    The food here REALLY sucks! The nachos taste like they have sat out all day (maybe even longer). The food I am near positive is out of a can, but the parking isn't as bad as people claim it to be. The service and atmosphere wasn't the worst which is why I am giving them a 2 . I was really happy there was a place closer than Aiea to me for Mexican food, what a disappointment. I think the only way this place is good is if you had waaay to many mixed drinks and it distorted your sense of taste. For good Mexican food go to El Charro's or El Mariachi.

    (2)

  • Jonathan P.

    Normally, Mexican isn't one of my top picks when going out to eat. But I would have to say that Mexico is pretty darn good when it comes to Mexican food. Plus it's easy to remember! When you want to eat Mexican just go to Mexico! =P Okay, I have to be honest...the first time I went here I thought it was just an A-OK 3-star kind of place. I wasn't a fan of the small, gravelly, uneven parking lot, the atmosphere was way too loud with the live Mexican music, and my salsa that night was no bueno. But the second time I went to Mexico (not using my car) it was AMAZING! This time I mainly just came for drinks after work, and it really made quite a difference! The horchata was my favorite! Plus the live music didn't seem so loud and annoying. So far I have tried Mexico's Chicken Tacos yelp.com/user_local_phot… Chicken Enchilada yelp.com/user_local_phot… and Chicken and Pork Nachos yelp.com/user_local_phot… I think the chicken tacos are a personal favorite of mine. After Mexico, those skimpy Taco Tuesday Taco's just won't do! The chicken is so moist and packed full of flavor. My second favorite is definitely the horchata. The size of the horchata was just perfect after a stressful day and will help you enjoy the lively Mexican filled atmosphere that much more! Just make sure to go early, otherwise parking will be quite the hassle~

    (4)

  • Laura P.

    The best margaritas are at Mexico! The service and food are great- always satisfied with my dining experience here!

    (5)

  • Valaine V.

    Mexico, Mexico Mexico....are you aware that Mexican food is full of distinct flavors? I suggest you look into infusing traditional chiles, chapotle, cumin, and Mexican oregano and SALT into your foods to bring back the ole' in the menu options. I must applaud the presentation of menu items is great at Mexico....it always LOOKS good. Tonight, I sampled everything my table ordered and I must say it was missing the flavors that make Mexican food desirable to the palate. Queso con chorizo was one dimensional in taste and did not create any fiesta activity in my mouth. I ordered the tacos traditionales with grilled chicken as my main dish. These tacos are in a fresh corn tortilla & always come with fresh cilantro, white onions and lime wedge. Again, presentation great, quantity is great- flavor is lacking. My daughter's taco salad she'll was soaked with excess water from the lettuce and the guacamole was saturated with lime and carried too strong of a citrus flavor & we couldn't enjoy the avocado flavor. Enchiladas tasted as if the sauce came straight from an aluminum can. I grew up making homemade enchilada sauce and know great sauce requires an early morning start in the kitchen with fresh ingredients simmering all day long....try it some time and call me for dinner. A $100 for four people. One appetizer, one alcoholic drink and 4 meals. Taco Bell is still open.

    (3)

  • Tam O.

    We have been searching for an amazing Mexican restaurant on the island for years, but our search is over! My husband is from Texas and very picky about his Mexican food. Fortunately, Mexico Restaurant delivered on taste and then some. I ordered the crab enchilada that comes with rice and refried beans. The rice was the most flavorful I have EVER tasted, surprisingly, since spanish rice doesn't usually stand out much at other restaurants. The beans were to die for, and the crab was perfectly seasoned in flour tortillas in a verde sauce, which was a nice change from the usual corn tortillas in enchiladas. Now for my husband; he usually tests a restaurant by ordering the cheese enchiladas. If they aren't very good, he doesn't go back again. Well, he can't stop talking about what he will order the next time we go, which will be VERY soon! Thanks Mexico, for bringing a little bit of home to my man. :)

    (5)

  • Mark J.

    I eat here quiet allot? 2 times a month... Chilie verdi almost always. the food is good the service is always aight... they recently did a make over all the ptices went u a little, because of that I don't go as much as I used to... getting redy for some SNF... just placed a phone order. So guess what I ordered.. Hmmm.... sometimes get some guy playing authentic mexican music, he is kinda loud... If they serve authentic Mexican food.... I figured the serve some authentic mexican water.. to no surprise, they don't have.....

    (4)

  • Jeanette S.

    Came here for staff meeting during lunch. Needless to say it probably was a bad idea. It's so noisy it was hard to hear each other talk. Literally you had to lean over to talk to each other. The ambience-mainly the taxiderm animal heads takes some getting used to. Seems like is a go to spot for soldiers though, about half the restaurant were all soldiers. As far as the service, it's ok. During the entire time we were there they didn't fill our water, until the very end when I asked for some water. However there was a sign by the kitchen saying water available upon request. I found that a bit strange but ok if that's the policy, it's definitely something to take note of. Seem like there were only 4 servers in the restaurant, and they we running back and forth. I ordered the chicken enchilada and chicken chalupa. It was good. I've been to Mexico (the country), and can say the food is pretty authentic, but it's also kind of forgettable. Perhaps I was expecting more flavors and spices that Mexican cuisine are known for. I did like was the garlic mushrooms. Being a mushroom lover I'm kind of picky, but I must say it was yummy. I'd come back for the mushrooms. The horchata was pretty good. Ended up sharing it with one of my coworkers because it was a lot to drink on my own. The fried banana and ice cream was not what I expected. It came out and I saw it and I thought, "oh it's like a lumpia" but when I bit into it the banana was frozen. On top of that it was coated in chocolate it seemed to be overly sweet and I ended up just eating the wrapper with ice cream. Apparently my coworkers had a different experience, their banana was sour! We also had the fried ice cream. I ate the crust which looked to be made of wheat bread coated with cinnamon sugar. Not too sweet which was also a good thing. It's worth a try at least once. Would I come back, probably, if I'm in the area and hungry, and if Helena's were closed.

    (2)

  • Edge N.

    This restaurant seemed to be hear since I was a kid so a restaurant being around for so long must mean they are doing something right. I always passed by and wanted to try it. We came here around 5 so we did not experience the live music. The décor in the restaurant is made to look as how you would imagine a restaurant would look in Mexico I guess. I ordered the 3 enchilada plate for around $15.00 ( there are plates with less also). I got the shredded beef. The enchiladas were cooked perfectly soft but not too soft. the sauce on it was perfectly inbetween spicy and not too spicy. The shredded beef was tasty and soft. The plate also came with rice and beans and both of those were good too.. My friend ordered a lihing mui margarita which she let me try and even that was good. They also gave us salsa and chips and that was good too. The chips seemed to be homemade with some a bit more toasted than others. The salsa was good but seemed very uniform so we were wondering if it was actually made from scratch or bought but either way it was good. This place did everything right so yeah I am a fan and will definetly return.

    (4)

  • Melissa M.

    Waitress name is: Mariana We dined for lunch on 10-3-2013 12:00 Couple next to us were seated after came back from the restroom ordered and were served their food. 20 min sitting and still waiting on food. Got soda order wrong, husband asked for a diet they brought a regular. Different waitress delivered drinks. 12:36 What's with the waitress with purple hair and orange skin? Do they hire Oompa Loompas ? Still no food. 12:38 empty soda. Empty water. Waiting. 12:41 another large table served their food. Mind you this is all done by our waitress which there are three of them working the tony restaurant. Empty drinks. 12:44 was delivered a fajita burrito not fajita wrap. Son ordered a soft taco keiki he got a hard taco. My son is 4. 12:47 drinks still empty 12:53 done with food and I wish I could done n dash this hellhole. The veggies on my burrito were undercooked. My son got shredded beef instead of ground beef. I wouldn't come back here and oh and my water is still empty 12:54 12:58 got check and got the f*^% out of here

    (1)

  • Troubles L.

    food is pretty good.. service on the other hand. . sucks!!!! dont these mf know they in the hospitality industry??? i guess they expect a tip without working for it... silly mf's

    (3)

  • Claire F.

    Bottomless (homemade?) chips and salsa, delicious li hing margaritas, and hugeee portions of made-to-order fajitas? Yes please! Despite being located in Kalihi where convenient parking is not always readily available, Mexico is an awesome place for good Mexican food. The servers were very attentive (I think we got 3-4 refills of chips/salsa without even asking), the food came fairly fast, and there was live music (although it was almost too loud to hold a steady conversation). The food itself was also very good (though I don't know how hard it is to screw up Mexican food). The fajitas for one actually is PLENTY for two (I guess for $20 it should), and they gave us more tortilla wraps for free. I think if not for the location and the too-loud live music, this place would be a five-star rating. The prices are so reasonable for the amount of food you get, the servers are so attentive, and I still can't get over the bottomless chips and salsa! I'll definitely be back again!

    (4)

  • Lai T.

    Mexico is semi-decent Mexican restaurant, but in my books, it isn't quite a 3 star place but rather more of a 2.5. Here is my rationale: + The atmosphere is lively. + There was live music. + Our server was friendly. + The food is not spectacular...but better than Taco Bell. They have a fairly diverse menu. - My biggest beef with this place is the island pricing. Three of us came here for dinner one night and our bill was $96! We didn't order any thing too crazy and even split a pitcher of margarita instead of ordering individual drinks. Perhaps this is okay in Hawaii but having lived in San Diego...this is blasphemous! I would have never come here in the first place if it were not for my co-workers who told me that this place was legit. I wish I could take them on a field trip to San Diego/Mexico.

    (3)

  • Glenda R.

    Meh. Here are a few things I noticed on my last visit to Mexico... Overpriced: even for the island Salsa: delicioso Steak: cheap Atmosphere: cozy Parking: a pain Service: average

    (3)

  • Alanna M.

    Honestly I've went here once and it was good but tonight was a disappointment... My Chili Relleno was under cooked, the chili was tough and it was very soggy... When I let the bartender know he said well it is covered in egg whites? Um I've had my fair share of chili rellenos and this was just plain and simply undercooked. I was the only one at the bar and he seemed cold and more interested in his basketball game and phone, so when I said something about the food because I obviously didn't eat very much of it he seemed very bothered. I won't be back. One margarita and crappy food...$31 with tip down the drain. Sucks because I used to like this place and being in the industry it really doesn't hurt to be a little nicer or at least pretend you want to be there... Super disappointed

    (2)

  • Eunice F.

    Food here just didn't taste fresh and the service was splotchy... At first the waiter was good... But once he dropped the food back... He never came back to check up on us for water or anything... Pros: - private parking lot - live music on a random Monday night - homemade orchata was yummy - free salsa and chips - ground beef enchiladas were ok - rice and beans were at least edible.. Nothing special.. Cons: - shrimp platter tasted like reheated shrimp, hard and over cooked - shredded chicken taco had no flavor - flan texture was hard and the bottom tasted burnt - fried banana ice cream was terrible... Banana inside tasted frozen and the ice cream was freezer burned -

    (2)

  • Chip M.

    Food has been good so far. This is my second time here. I have tried their burritos and it has been good...I havent really tried,any of their other items,on the menu.. The service,on the other hand needs work...four servers and we did not once get checked on. (Water refill, how is how food etc.) As the restaurant got busier the service just went south or maybe just ewa bound...

    (3)

  • Sonny S.

    Two thumbs down. Service sucked so bad. I get better service at Taco Bell. I was there for 15 minutes and neither water or a menu was placed on my table. Left right after my free basket of chips. There's better Mexican food places on the island. Parking sucks too.

    (1)

  • Jill B.

    The first time I tried this place all I could think was "what is everyone raving about?!" I stopped in for lunch with a friend before enjoying an afternoon at The Bishop Museum. The food was OK but the service was HORRENDOUS and our food wasn't all that great. So, when my friends suggested we stop by there for dinner one night, I really wasn't looking forward to it. But, these friends swore it was going to be amazing so, I went along for the ride. Mostly because in Hawaii, let's be honest, bad Mexican is better than no Mexican (unless it's bad as in food poisoning then I'll definitely pass all together, lol). I was certainly surprised to find that the dinner staff was prompt and way more attentive than the lunch crew. The margaritas are great! And, for whatever reason, the dinner kitchen crew is even better than the lunch shift. This may not be mainland Mexican but it's the closest I've come to finding it here in Hawaii. Bottom line: * DON'T go here for lunch, it's definitely worth it to go for dinner. * DON'T be surprised if you can't find parking in the lot. It's probably the size of the actual restaurant (which isn't all that big) but there's street parking in the neighborhood * DO try the margaritas! Remember, they do offer margarita pitchers!!!

    (4)

  • Jessica G.

    It was ok. Decent Horchata but for SURE pass on the queso - which was basically shredded cheddar melted on a hot plate.

    (3)

  • Amy T.

    Went here with a group on ten from work on lunch break. Was able to make a reservation. Food was good, servers were good, cooks took forever. Almost one hour bf receiving our food. Next time will order in.

    (4)

  • Kelly A.

    Love this place!!! The margarita's ROCK! The meals are huge so you always have leftovers. :) You really must check it out! The only downfall is the parking stinks! There are only a few spots and it's hard to get in and out. It's worth the hassle! Enjoy and drink one for me :)

    (4)

  • Traci Y.

    Went to this place twice and love it. The food is really good but when you go make sure you to the blended li hing margarita!!!! It is sooooooo yummy! I could go there to just get that and the chips and salsa. Both times I went I ordered it and both times they were awesome! Can't wait to go back!

    (4)

  • Trista T.

    After coming back a 3rd time, I am still disappointed with Mexico Lindo. The food just isn't good. Enchiladas Quesedilla Burrito Flautas ALL of which were just 'okay'. Nothing special. Don't waste your time or money.

    (1)

  • Kalihi J.

    It was my first Friday night here, but I've been here three times in the past two months. My family was seated at the front right next to The Mexican entertainer... We had a bum waitress though but she was probably having a bad day. However, we didn't let it affect our experience with the food. Through trial and error from eating here the past two times, I knew exactly what I wanted to order. We ordered two of the fried cheese so that I could dip my burrito and taquitos into it. My wife had the chimichanga for the third time in a row... My kids had the fried ice cream for dessert and ate it in record time...

    (4)

  • Shailanne A.

    my son, boyfriend, and I used to come here all the time as we live up the road but no matter how many times we came the service was bad. No greetings, bad attitudes, and the workers always seemed too busy (even if the restaurant was empty) to care to seat you right away. The only reason we kept coming was because we love Mexican food, even though this place is subpar to other Hawaii locations. The worst part was one day when we came here my boyfriend found fly in his food. NOT ON BUT INSIDE his fried chimmie. Sooooo so so gross!!! And when we told our server he didn't even seemed surprised. Like does that happen often or something?!?! WORST PART IS WE STILL HAD TO PAY FOR THE MEAL, working in the restaurant business the least I would do is give the while meal for free. NASTY NASTY NASTY, WE NEVER WENT BACK AGAIN. IF THE FOOD HAS FLYS IN IT THEN THAT MAKES ME WORRIED ABOUT THE SANITATION OF THEIR DISHES. BLEH, I JUST CAN'T. We now travel, in traffic I might add, to Los Chapparros. Although it's further the service is always top notch and the food and drinks are better. So worth it.

    (1)

  • Dan F.

    I was craving Mexican food after a nice hike on Wai'anae Ka'ala trail and decided to try this place out due to the location being close to my home. Unfortunately, I should've went elsewhere. We weren't greeted when we first walked in. About a minute later, someone came by and greeted us. We were offered the complementary chips and salsa that most Mexican restaurants do. However, there was a problem with the salsa. It was mostly red, a little pasty and tangy. It looked very similar to jar salsa you can buy at the supermarket. Didn't taste fresh at all. For my entree, I ordered the Grande Burrito. It was about a foot long and 2 inches in diameter. Filled with shredded chicken, shredded beef, lettuce, and rice on top a Verde sauce. It also came with a side salad of lettuce, tomatoes, olives, and shredded cheddar. I was trying to figure out why this burrito didn't taste how it should but more like a burger. Do traditional burritos normally have lettuce in them? The beef and chicken tasted as if it was from a can and processed. The rice was just unnecessary filler giving the burrito its hefty size. The salad wasn't pleasant with the olives and the shredded cheese. The person who made this salad must have taken a jar of olives and just poured it on the salad including the olive juice. Must be the reason why my tomatoes and lettuce tasted like olives. I felt like I was eating a glorified high school lunch. I really think that that most of their ingredients are not fresh and store bought.

    (2)

  • Kehaulani B.

    Qué bueno! I ate there this morning with my friends, one in particular is from SoCal and is Hispanic! She enjoyed her meal immensely. We arrived just about 10 mins after they opened on a Saturday morning. We waited about 5 mins for someone to give us a menu and then an additional 15 mins before our order was taken. I ordered the Kalua pig burrito with verde sauce. My platter came With refried beans and rice with Pico de gallo. My meal was fulfilling and flavorful. My friends ate the Machaca, which was paired with eggs. This was a hit for them! Very authentic and flavorful and FILLING! Parking is tight, so bring a moped if you have one. (Ok maybe not a moped but be prepared for tight spots. ).

    (4)

  • Reggie S.

    Pros- Best Mexican Food on the island PERIOD!!! And the portions are enormous. Made the mistake of ordering pulled chicken nachos. What was I thinking. LoL the nachos could feed 3 people alone. I ordered the Mexican burrito and had to take over half home due to the nachos being so huge. The price is great for both entrees and beverages. The have a lot of options to choose from for both. Cons- They really could use a touch up in service department. I do believe it has something to do with the sheer volume of business they are doing. They were packed when we got there and seems to be packed all the times I've driven by, due to the great food they are serving up. But that doesn't mean that service should suffer. Overall I loved this place, will definitely be coming back again.

    (4)

  • Joan A.

    OMG... This place is by far the BEST Mexican restaurant on the island!!! I felt like I was in One of those authentic Mexican restaurants on Mission street in San Francisco! I love it! We were greeted immediately upon entry and walked to our table. Our waitress greeted us as we sat which was awesome... No time wasted! My fiancé and I wanted to order margaritas but they weren't serving alcohol it was BYOB and I didn't bother to ask why no alcohol though. We ordered their Diablo Wings which were to die for... Mannnn they have this sauce on the wings that's so Ono it's making my mouth water right now just thinking about it. My fiancé ordered the Mexico Burrito which he was happy with! I ordered the Ranchero Salad with carne asada which was out of this world good! I almost failed to mention that thei salsa was also amazing with just the right amount of spiciness to it! We also ordered their fried ice cream... Can't get any better than theirs! It was worth the drive from Kapolei!!! Found ourselves the best Mexican restaurant on the island! So worth every penny!

    (5)

  • Christina A.

    Food was very good! Service was not, hence the 4 and not a 5! Our food was delivered, checked on once Had to go find a server for a check whike our dishes sat piled up. Would had stayed for dessert, however, no one came to offer after we sat with piled up empty plates

    (4)

  • T T.

    Food is great, service sucks. Talk about waiting forever for your order to come out. The service is very slow and staff are very inattentive to customers. If you want to eat here, best bet is to take out.

    (3)

  • Crista C.

    Great food. The salsa is spicy. The beef tacos are greasy. The chili rellano is excellent. The portions are really generous. The service is not so great. They were really slow refilling water glasses. They brought out all of our meals but one and offered no explanation or expected wait time. No one came by the table for us to question about the missing meal until they finally brought it out several minutes later.

    (3)

  • Chris Z.

    If we were in texas or California I would probably give them 1-2 stars, but being in Hawaii and based on what is available I think three stars is fair. Service was good and helped boost the the review. Guacamole was ok....better tasting and larger than Mexico but not as good as L. Buenos. Carnitas were average and portions were decent. I think their combo prices are ridiculous.

    (3)

  • John A.

    Sorry, but.......we have tried this place multiple times (5) in our desperate attempt to find decent Mexican food in HNL. Went there tonight again, in spite of my spouses objections, and it was really really really bad. The food came out cold so they took it back to the kitchen to heat it up, (they should have started over) and it came back it drenched in their obviously package sauces. Not sure but I don't think anything there is made from scratch. Including their enchiladas, chile rellenos, tamales .......everything....all very tasteless and kind of insulting. This was our last attempt. For all you want to be a restauranteurs out there.....open a good Mexican restaurant and your fortunes will follow......just don't use anything, or as minimal as possible, pre packaged entrees and sauces. Adios Mexico .....the restaurant.....not the country.

    (1)

  • Craig M.

    On the way to a late coffee shop breakfast one day, we passed by the Mexico Restaurant and on the spur of the moment, decided we wouldn't mind having lunch instead of breakfast, and that Mexican food sounded good. It was then that I had a thought - I could combine Mexican food and breakfast by having huevos rancheros. The last time we were there, I'd seen it on the menu but was in the mood for fajitas, so I passed it up. Not this time. I asked our waitress, Leilani (only in Hawaii can you have a young woman with a Hawaiian name take your order in a Mexican restaurant), for her opinion, and she was very effusive in recommending the dish. The wife wanted something a little less fiery, so she had the fish tacos. They looked so beautiful on the plate that I asked her for a bite. That creamy avocado guacamole just soothed the inside of my mouth, with just a little bit of heat. Veddy good tacos! She thought so too, but could only eat one. So she brought the other home, and my brother-in-law just inhaled it, devouring it in a second. But I digress ... my Huevos Rancheros was everything I expected it to be. You couldn't see the eggs for all the cheese that covered them, but that's not a bad thing. When I poked through the cheese layer, the egg yolk came oozing forth like a golden volcano releasing its goodness into the world. I though their refried beans needed a little zing, so I spooned on some hot sauce that came with the taco-chip appetizer that Leilani brought us. Oh yeah, that did it. The pico di gallo mixed nicely with the cheesy huevos and the Spanish rice. In all, it was a very satisfying and top-of-head warming meal. Now I've got the urge to go Mexican again.

    (4)

  • Charisma F.

    Thanks to a coworker's recommendation, I came here for lunch. I've passed by this place so many times, but never realized that it was a Mexican restaurant. The decor, music, ambience makes you feel like you've been transported to Mexico or old town San Diego. Free chips and salsa are served once your seated. I went with the shredded chicken enchilada lunch special. It came with rice, chopped lettuce and tomatoes, and beans with cheese. All for $8.75 and well worth it. The enchilada was tasty and rice was delicious. The refried beans tasted like any other place that serves refried beans, nothing extraordinary. Definitely would come back for dinner or on a weekend to try their larger plates and wide assortment of margaritas.

    (4)

  • Roan P.

    I had been craving Mexican food so I decided to come here again. Forgot how good this place is! I ordered the Chile Relleno! Absolutely perfect! All the cheese made it spectacular. I'd have given this place 5 stars but the menu is SUPER EXPENSIVE!

    (4)

  • Brandon H.

    Delicious, authentic Mexican food. Very few places in the islands actually serve menudo, and theirs is absolutely delicious! Everything I've ordered on the menu thus far, from the garlic shrimp platter to the burritos and tacos, have been superb! The one and only drawback about the restaurant, which seems to be everybody's comment here on Yelp, is the lack of parking spaces. Highly recommended!!!

    (5)

  • Jeff C.

    The food is great but service is lacking. Need more attentive and proactive. This was not the greatest experience for a Mexican restaurant. Step it up please.

    (2)

  • Traci R.

    Want Mexican? Well, you'd think a place named Mexico Restaurant might just serve Mexican food, no? Located on a fairly busy street, it's easy to not notice this restaurant. I used to hang out a lot in the area as a kid and never noticed it. I had heard about this place only a few years ago from a co-worker and someone I happened to be sitting next to on a plane. Well, this stranger from California was complaining about how Hawaii doesn't have authentic Mexican food. I had to agree. But, he did say out of all the places he has been to after living on Oahu for several years, the best was Mexico Restaurant! Today, I went back again for my (I lost track of the number of visits) time. They just recently changed their menu too! We were seated immediately as it wasn't very crowded at 4pm on a Friday. They gave us complimentary chips and salsa while deciding what to order. We waited nearly 10-15 minutes for a waitress to take our order. There were at least four waitresses that noticed we wanted to take our order but they kept talking story amongst themselves. Finally, Kaitlin noticed we were waiting and asked if she could help (and she wasn't our original server!). She was very apologetic and ended up giving us another chips and salsa on the house. The service from Kaitlin was five stars! But the rest of the waitress team was a measly one star. I ordered the Catrina Taco Salad with shredded beef. Delicious! But the only let down was that they used packaged iceberg lettuce?! I could tell because they had the red cabbage and carrot bits and the lettuce wasn't shredded. How odd though because extra shredded lettuce and tomatoes were on the side, outside of the shell. Aside from that, this taco salad was bomb! The beef was tasty, guacamole excellent, shell oh so crispy, and the ranch sauce was a nice addition! Tip: save some salsa from the chips and add it to your salad! You won't be disappointed! All that for $12.95 plus tax and tip. YES! But, a pointer...a taco salad isn't a very great dish to order if you're on a date or meeting with someone you aren't comfortable being messy around! Hahahaha I must admit I was pretty messy! But my tummy was happy! Definitely coming back again! I want to try other dishes! :) :P Hopefully they don't use packaged tossed salad again. This was the first time they had done that! Maybe they just ran out.

    (4)

  • Shawn T.

    Best Mexican food & restaurant on Oahu BY FAR! I know others agree with me, as this restaurant gets more crowded & more crowded everytime I come to eat here. Their carne asada enchiladas is one of the best, if not THE best I've ever had, and I've had really good Mexican food in San Diego, Texas, and several cities in Mexico. I order my carne asada enchiladas w/ their made from scratch red sauce. AWESOME!!!

    (5)

  • Melinda D.

    I am always so sad when I eat here. It's not very good, and it's super expensive!!! For Mexican food, that is. I've tried it a few times, just to give it a fair chance but I've been disappointed every time. The only up side is the service is pretty good. The servers are friendly and nice. ***sigh*** I just want good Mexican food.

    (2)

  • Amina P.

    We just do not have good Mexican food in Hawaii. It doesn't exist. Its almost as if Mexicans come here and immediately are disowned by their people. This is as good as it gets here. Good food, environment could be cleaner since the food isn't the best. I kind of expect better food with this divey appearance. Order a big margarita to wash it all down.

    (3)

  • Kuuipo D.

    Again! Another place in Kalihi that I never ate at until I move out of the hood! Why? Me & the hubby's anniversary weekend comes up and being the awesome man he is suggests we go to Mexico. I tell him that we need dogsitters, and he clarifies the restaurant, not the country. I do my happy dance because I LOVE Mexican food! I have been hearing such good things about this place that I cannot wait to get there! We get there about 9 pm on a Saturday night. The place had one huge party and maybe a few other tables, so we were able to sit right down. The hostess/watergirl/busperson was super attentive. She sat us down and quickly gave us our water and menus and chips. This made me very happy! Our server came over and asked if we had any questions. She was very friendly and frequently checked on us until it was time to order. I got the veggie burrito plate and hubby got the taco salad. The decor is typical Mexican stuff, but it wasn't unpleasant. I liked the fact that the place was clean. Our water was always refilled and the server came over to see if we needed our chips refilled as well. The food came out fast and we dug in. My burrito consisted of mushrooms, sour cream, and cheese, and was all kinds of tasty goodness! My plate also came with rice and black beans and that was all good, too. Needless to say, every part of my plate disappeared quickly and I was actually debating wether or not someone would catch me licking my plate. Hubby's taco salad was HUGE and he took longer than I did to finish. He enjoyed it - a lot. The server asked if we were interested in dessert & that was a no brainer! Bring on the fried ice cream. Holy heaven! It was so good that I almost asked for another. What the heck was I thinking to share one with the hubby? Next time, I get my own. The food was great. There service we got was excellent. AND there was parking! Can't get better than this! Five stars for you Mexico! I'll be back!

    (5)

  • Mike And Leslie B.

    Been coming here for several years and this place has changed some good some not so good. First off, the chips they serve complementary are always a bit stale... always. Please go to any good Mexican restaurant on the mainland abd you'll see the chips are warm and crispy. To me, that's a HUGE deal. Second, they've raised the prices on everything! Four of us went and the damage was over $120...a bit high for Mexican food, especially with stale chips. Just saying. The food was good, and the drinks were good, just pricey. $14 for a margarita, and that's not in one of the super huge glasses, just normal size. We'll come back, but it's unfortunate they've jacked the prices. Btw....service was decent.

    (3)

  • Summer D.

    This restaurant is understaffed for Monday lunch. I ordered the Mayan Special Soup and asked if it was spicy because it is for my grandma. The waitress said no. It was too spicy for her and they didn't even bring my rice. I had to take it back to the kitchen and re-order it on the fly as mild; better. For myself, I ordered the Menudo Soup. It always tastes different. Last time it was too salty. No water refills and we were neglected the rest of the time. I used to love this place because of the menudo and enchiladas. But now, I think I will try something else instead.

    (2)

  • Kyla N.

    Went here last night for my birthday and it was very easy to find a table for all 9 of us. The food was amazing, live music was great, and the decor of the restaurant made me feel as if I was really in Mexico! I had the Beef Enchiladas and they were amazing. Everyone was satisfied with their meals, whether they ordered tacos, quesadillas, or nachos. If you aren't too full at the end of your meal, order their fried ice cream. It isn't just fried, it's inside of a churro. I got a free one for my birthday and they are big enough to easily share with a friend. Not only this, but the man singing as the entertainment came and serenaded me with a traditional Mexican birthday song. It was beautiful. Parking was very tricky as we had to go to a back lot to park and there weird guys who cat called us as we were walking to the resraurant.

    (4)

  • Kris B.

    Now my favorite place for Mexican food. Great service, and the food is delicious. Nice atmosphere. Chile verde, always. The horchata comes in a little pitcher, and it's amazing. Food comes in large portions - well worth your money. Downside is parking - if you aren't there early or just come on the wrong day, there is no parking. In addition, if you have a larger vehicle, you will not appreciate their little lot. Sparse street parking is available.

    (5)

  • Travelmeister T.

    Had dinner here last night for the first time. It's now our favorite Mexican place on the island. Service was okay but the food was really good. Chips and salsa were pretty good too. Wifey had the combo burrito (chicken and beef) that was absolutely huge. It was served with guac and sour cream on top and rice and beans to accompany. Honestly, it's a meal for at least two -- half the burrito came home with us. I had two shredded beef enchiladas; one with green and one with red sauce also with beans. Fantastic. The classic lime margarita was okay, nothing special. I think this is our fifth try for Mexican on Oahu. We've found some other good ones but this is the best so far.

    (5)

  • Benjamin L.

    Hawaiian tacos.. that's a no go. Just don't get them, they literally taste like a room full of wet dog if you can imagine it. At least the beans and rice were good. I guess I brought it upon myself, considering everyone afterwards asked "Why in the world would you get Hawaiian food at a Mexican restaurant?!" I get it. Bad idea. But it could have at least tasted decent.

    (3)

  • Paula H.

    PROS: -Great food! -Outstanding customer service. Wait staff was very accommodating and timely from the time we walked in until we left. -Fair prices. There were two of us and we split dessert. Our total was $34 before tip. -Great atmosphere! I loved the decor. Very cozy place. CONS: -Parking can be a challenge during peak hours. Overall an outstanding experience! Cannot wait to go back! 8/100 Yelp Challenge 2015

    (5)

  • Brigitte S.

    This place totally threw me for a loop! A long time ago someone told me that this place had some of the better Mexican food here in Hawaii. I never got a chance to go but I remember passing the sign. Fast forward 5 years and were pulling the parking lot. I am immediately thrown that the sign looked new and that a man helped us with our parking. Totally thought this was a hole in the wall! We went in and our friends were already waiting at a table - we called ahead, they take reservations. The menu was bigger than expected. Our friends ordered a solid array but we only tried a few items to see how they do the basics. Drinks are the start to any Mexican meal so Patron margarita on the rocks for me & Li hing mui blended for him. They were HUGE! We also got a horchata to share which came one the most adorable mini pitcher. They had some great salsa (had kick but not over powering) and chips so I ordered guacamole. This was my only bummer of the night. I found it very bland and in fresh tasting. We mixed it in stuff but we were let down. My boyfriend and I both ordered combo plates. I tried a shredded chicken taco and a shredded beef enchilada that came with rice & beans. The meat was all well seasoned and juicy. I tend to say if the rice and beans are decent than the food is probably alright. This joint has a pretty good rice & beans sooooo... I enjoyed the food a lot. Those margaritas definitely went to our heads and were worth every penny. I love that this restaurant is decently affordable, chill atmosphere [loud, bulls on the walls, paper towel napkin rolls, etc] and delicious. Our waitress was mostly friendly and I found we were well taken care of. I'll definitely be back, ole!

    (4)

  • Daniel H.

    Firstly the service here was outstanding. Shortly after sitting down we had iced water and corn chips with house salsa. Big tick in the box for that one! The waits was friendly and efficient, filling water and replacing corn chips with nary a word. The meal was delicious with an Hawaiian slant on traditional Mexican cuisine (completely optional though) and more than enough on the plate. I was stuffed at the end of it. It's not the easiest place to find and a little off the beaten track, but it's all worth the hunt.

    (5)

  • Norm G.

    In a word, delicious! I have been here twice, and both times I was very pleased with the quality of the food. The first time I believe I had enchiladas, and this weekend I had crispy tacos. They don't take reservations, but we didn't have to wait too long for a table for eight of us. The servers are friendly. There are only two things that bug me, and the biggest is the parking situation. The lot is very small and tight, so you either have to park somewhere farther down School Street or on Aupuni Street. Just don't park in anyone's yard; that is inconsiderate. If you try to park in the small park located in back (which is probably not legal) be careful! If you have passed through the restaurant's parking lot and try to pull into the little alley that goes to the park, you are going to scrape the bottom of your car, if you are driving a sedan and not a behemoth of an SUV, such as a Humvee or Suburban. The other thing that bothered me was the noise level once the music started. The guy playing guitar and singing was good at his craft, but my voice was hoarse after shouting a conversation to my family. I'm a bit old-fashioned in that I really enjoy hearing the person that is talking to me while enjoying a meal.

    (4)

  • Courtney Y.

    "Took my friends to an all expenses paid trip to Mexico. This wasn't exactly what they were imagining but the food was just as good and hey-- you can drink their water!" - Boyfriend who wants to Yelp it up for this review. Some notes about here, though. Been here about three times before and I have got some pointers for you. Go at an off time. We went here yesterday (Monday) at around 2ish for a really late lunch. The parking was really empty and I wasn't forced to park in their diagonal stalls, thank goodness. The best part was the food. Oh my deliciousness. Complimentary salsa and chips. Oh, and get this, per the suggestion of our friendly and helpful waitress, my friend got the frozen passion fruit margarita with a li hing mui rim. The heavens must have created that drink itself. I, on the other hand grabbed my usual li hing mui margarita. Wait a minute, I have yet to talk about their amazing and noteworthy chicken fajita burrito, which came with refried beans, lettuce and tomatoes and Spanish rice. It was so darn delicious that I put it away in record time and didn't feel as full as I should have been considering the burrito was packed with tasty chicken and grilled vegetables and cheeeeeseeeeeee!!!!! Even the waitress was impressed. My friends tried it and I definitely ordered one of the best things. But best is hard to say because the chimichanga was pretty delicious. It's like saying mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best compared to chocolate ice cream-- both pretty delicious. I will definitely be heading there again soon with more friends!

    (5)

  • Izz R.

    Hands down one of the best Mexican restaurants on Oahu. Food is full of authentic Mexican flavor from the beans to the rice to the meat. Salsa is on point also. Will be coming back regularly.

    (4)

  • Becky M.

    Let me first start off by saying that 1) I'm not Mexican/Hispanic and 2) I am not from, nor have I ever lived in California. I've been told by my Mexican friends on the island that it's slim pickins when it comes to finding "good" authentic Mexican food in Hawaii. And that's sad knowing that I find places like Mexico Restaurant to be rather sufficient in satisfying my taco tastebuds. If you're looking for a decent, hearty, Mexican-American meal, Mexico's is a good choice. The portions are well-sized and their Crab Enchiladas are HUGE, so come with a big appetite! This location always seems to be busy for dinner, that's why the servers always seem to be rushing all-over the place. But they do their best to make sure your meal gets in, water glasses are full, and extra complimentary chips and salsa are on your table. The restaurant is located on N.School Street right across from Helena's in Kalihi. It's been me and my bf go-to restaurant since we live nearby. Nice traditional western decor, and ample amount of seating is available including a bar area. Obviously the parking here sucks, so if you go a little later in the evening you can park on the street or wait for an opening in their small, narrow (shared) lot in the back. It may not be the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Hawaii, but Mexico isn't half bad. Give it a try!

    (3)

  • Brandon H.

    The best Mexican restaurant I've found on Oahu. Great Mama Mia burrito, chips and salsa, margaritas, and really good service.

    (5)

  • Mark O.

    Mexico restaurant shows up every now and then on the best mexican food lists. It's strange that I've lived less than a minute from this place for years without ever getting around to trying it. Now that I've finally gotten the chance to see how it is I am glad that I avoided it all that time. I don't think Mexico was particularly bad in any specific way, it just wasn't that great in general. I ordered the flauta and the beef taquitos. The taquitos were not very good especially because the tortilla was kind of soggy. The same was true for the flauta but at least it had some cheesiness to it and didn't completely get ruined by the lack of crispiness. Overall, in the future if I get a craving for mexican food, I'll take the extra time to drive over to Serg's. As far as Mexico restaurant goes, "I've experienced better."

    (2)

  • Inthira M.

    Many of my friends rave about this place and it's been open since I can remember, but I haven't dined at it until recently. It is a little on the pricier side, but they do give you big portions and I've always needed a take out box (or a wheelchair because something came over me and I decided to stuff myself silly). I usually get the 2 choice combo. I've gotten the enchiladas (with green sauce... because the meat changes the sauce they top it with), tamale (just ok), chili relleno (soo good), and the quesadilla (can't go wrong). I've recently gotten the chalupa (yummers... deep fried anything is good) and on one of my occasions there I had the deep fried ice cream (a little too much breading for my taste, but still good). I really haven't had a bad meal here and the one thing I love is that they have margaritas by the pitcher! It's a great spot to stop by for both lunch and dinner, though for dinner there's usually a wait. Although the parking lot is small it's definitely bigger than some other restaurants I've been too so I'm not complaining and I've always found a spot. If you want good Mexican food I would definitely recommend coming to Mexico... or visiting their new restaurant at Ward!

    (3)

  • Ben J.

    Great spot for your Mexican cravings. There are many reasons why this place deserves my 5 stars, the first reason isn't their food, but it's their service and their parking attendant (sometimes there). Service is exceptional whenever I come here. Second is their HORCHATA, don't know what that is come here and try it out, it comes in individual pitchers and it's HUGE! This place beats the horchata in many so called Mexican restaurants. Third is the food! Big portions and just so good!! And lastly is the ambiance!! They have a great area and it makes it feel so homey! Sometimes they have live music (not sure when), when they do it makes dinner perfect!

    (5)

  • Andrea G.

    Garlic mushroom's were garlicky and cheesy. Loved the salsa, spicy with the right amount of heat. Side order of the Adobo taco was deliciously pricey, $6.50 for just one taco. The Spanish rice was very pretty looking, but was just blah. I felt like my chicharones/carnita make your own taco dish overall just needed an extra kick and flavor. I did like the limes on the side because it definitely helped. The waiter was doing the best he could, while the others "looked" busy.

    (3)

  • Maria R.

    Mhmm. The reason why I'm writing this review is because I have sudden cravings for Mexican food and the first thing that popped out was Mexico's Restaurant in Kalihi. "WAIT whaaat MEXICAN RESTAURANT? IN KALIHI?" ...Yes, that was my first reaction when I found out there was a mexican restaurant here because you can easily miss this place due to the location- lots of housing and car repair area. Not to mention that its located in Kalihi. Lets talk about Parking! Soooo parking is super tight -- its seriously a one way in and a slightly narrow alley where you can exit to the left. It would probably fit small cars and you might need extra skills if you're driving with big cars. I'd suggest you carpool prior to coming here or try to find street parking around the area. I would recommend calling in for a reservation if you have a party of 4 or more because it does get crowded in here. Ambiance You can definitely feel that Mexican feel just looking at the decorations and the music. The interior reminds me of a desert because there's cactuses, animal heads, and a terra cotta wallpaper/paint. The bathrooms are nicely decorated. It's very lively inside and sometimes there's a mariachi band playing on the stage. The only thing I don't like is how the place can get crowded and I'd feel like a squished sardine in a can of sardines (you know what i mean right?) The tables and chairs are so close to each other that you're bound to hit the person if you move your chair backwards to stand.. There's also a bar area for those who want to drink than eat. They give you complimentary nachos. :) Service I cant say much about the service because I haven't visited recently but according to my previous visits I'd say their service is good. I remember my server was very friendly and patient. Food Oh my gulay, THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS. PERIOD. Complimentary nachos, huge portions of Carne Asada, Vegetarian Quesadilla (sp?), Horchata served in a beer mug and not to mention their delicious margaritas!? In my opinion, Mexico has the best margaritas I've ever tasted. Seriously, no joke. One time I was waiting for my tires to get fixed at 76 (or 79, idk) gas station and I went here just to get a margarita because it was THAT good. Overall, id recommend this place to fullfill very hungry stomachs because you will get your money's worth in here. I would definitely come back for more margaritas if I'm ever feeling down lol.

    (5)

  • Nikolai E.

    Had their California Burrito and it was delicious!!! It was so good and filling that I couldn't finish my plate and had to ask for a doggy bag for later.

    (5)

  • Jenny T.

    It was actually my first time trying this place and I got to try the garlic mushroom,shrimp cocktail, side order of Spanish rice, and the steak taco. The reason why I rated 2 star is because the service was okay. I mean our waitress took awhile to take our order and when I got my food it was cold and I didn't enjoy it at all. On the bright side the deep fried ice cream was delicious and that was fast. I personally would rather have taco bell.

    (2)

  • Nani G.

    The parking is a nightmare. If you find a spot jump for joy cuz this place gets busy. It was pretty jovial during my visit or maybe it was where I was sitting. There was a loud group of ladies enjoying a night out and had already enjoyed a couple of rounds. Senior Daniel was singing his little heart out for the folks. His music was a little difficult to hear over the ladies, but it was nice Spanish music. I like the feel of the restaurant. It has that make believe rustic Mexico feel which is nice. There are not many tables in the place and there is always a steady flow of people. I had to wait 40 minutes for my food. I'm not sure if they were short staffed or just moving slowly. The food was okay. The chicken tamal had too much mass at the top and the chicken didn't have much of a special flavor that I'm used to eating. I ordered a ground beef taco and shredded beef chalupa, but they both came as shredded beef. The beef was salty. I like the fluffiness of the rice, but peas, carrots and corn do not belong in Spanish rice. The beans weren't anything special. I thought they were Rosarita beans for a minute. They could've been. I enjoy beans and these fell short. They definitely didn't make me click my heels. The waitress was friendly and apologetic for my long wait. She kept my water filled and brought me more chips and salsa. That was good.

    (3)

  • Ryan M.

    Well the best way to describe the fajita (or as I say fah-jai-tah) burrito is by the many names of David Ryder: youtu.be/RFHlJ2voJHY Point is, it's big. I would have been able to conquer this with ease even a couple months ago but sadly I only could stomach about half. Very generous portions and doesn't cost a ton of pesos. My friend had a margarita with the Cuervo Gold youtu.be/eAHQ-9Fniac I had a sip it was good and not too strong which might be a drawback for some. The service was great and friendly and it had fun decor and fiesta atmosphere. I parked down by the park area and while it appeared there was a thriving homeless population there, they were all friendly and vowed to keep an eye on my latest classic car project. I brought them some burritos as a reward and had a laugh about the chicken smelling like fish...I'm not sure what that was about but I laughed all the same. Bottomline, best Mexican I've had in awhile. Honestly, I haven't had much Mexican in Hawaii having been spoiled with unreal homecooked Mexican meals in colegio--but this is the best I've had in the 808.

    (4)

  • Joanne V.

    There was a point in time when Mexico was my favorite Mexican restaurant of all time! Parking was always chaotic, but the portions of very tasty food were humongous & prices could not be beat. I moved to LA for a bit, came home, and Mexico was not the same. Maybe I had changed or maybe Mexico had, but what I knew for sure was that Mexico was no longer my favorite. Portions are still pretty massive, don't get me wrong, but the quality isn't as amazing to me as it had been. Service is still great & food is good, but the chile relleno did not do it for me. I still like the chimichanga & enchiladas though!

    (3)

  • Jess J.

    The beef enchilada... It was yummy! Too bad it was served on a chip platter. New dishes, maybe?! Looooooooooove their Fried Ice Cream. Tastes like a churro! I almost didn't want to share. Parking is a nightmare! Leave behind your 4x4 vehicles and opt to take your smart-car:-)

    (4)

  • Lori L.

    Mexico Restaurant is one of our go-to's when we're craving Mexican. A great place for groups, though it can get very loud, especially on nights with live music. There is a full bar and I usually start with either a Negra Modelo or the traditional Margarita. If you're craving steak, the Carne Arriera or Steak Fajita are good options, both come with peppers, onions, tortilla, and fixings. For chicken fans, try the Pollo Azado a la Maria which has chunks of tender chicken with peppers and onions. Seafood lovers should try the Shrimp Diablo. The medium-large shrimp are cooked in their shell for maximum flavor, in a spicy, garlicky, tomatoey sauce. And my favorite dish, the Chili Verde, has chunks of tender pork simmered in verde sauce with tortillas and fixings. I would skip the Fish Ceviche which was marinated in lime juice for too long and changed the texture of the fish and only tasted of lime flavor. The Tamale also aren't memorable. Too big, with too much masa, and definitely not how any Abuelita I know makes them. Most entrees are going to run you $15-19 per person. The entrees are large enough that you won't need an appetizer or dessert unless you're really ready to throw down. Limited parking available, so carpool if you can and head on down!

    (3)

  • Rhea Cherie B.

    Food: C Price: B+ Location: B- Customer Service: C Atmosphere/Ambiance: A I dine at Mexico fairly often because it's in my neck of the woods but it's definitely not my first choice for Mexican food. Parking is an issue; the lot is small and full of potholes. If you dine during lunch, it may take a while for you to pull out of the parking lot as N School Street tends to get busy. What I do love about Mexico is the ambiance. They have tons of decorations like bull heads, bullhorns, paintings and pottery. They also have Mexican music playing in the restaurant. You are served comlimentary chips and salsa but their salsa tastes like the kind of salsa you buy bottled at the grocery store. It's watery and doesn't taste like it's made fresh like other Mexican restaurants. I could also live without sticky utensils because on several occasions, I've had to ask for new utensils because the "clean" ones they gave me were sticky. The customer service could use some improvement. The employees are nice and all but they aren't overly friendly and have never done anything to exceed my expectations. Most times, the service is slow, they take a while to check back on our table or I have to ask for my water to be refilled. The food is alright. They do give pretty large portions and the burritos are huge so you do get a lot of bang for your buck. This includes drinks as well because they serve Horchatas in a mini pitcher which I think is pretty awesome. However, when it comes to food quality, meh, it's ok. Their food is not by any means bad, but it's definitely not the best Mexican food I've had. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is but it might be the fact that some of their dishes are bland and I always have to load up on the Tapatio. Overall, Mexico is really convenient for me and I will continue to dine there but it's nowhere near the top of my "go-to" places to get some good grub. It sure is a good place to stop by if you need a drink though! They have a full bar on the far end of the restaurant.

    (3)

  • Allx M.

    I've been here a handful of time and I keep forgetting to write a review! ONE I am so impressed by the detail and atmosphere, that's why I keep coming back honestly. That sounds silly but when you see an establishment put the one and energy into making something really enjoyable, in every detail! I even took half of my pictures in the bathroom, and felt totally silly that i was admiring a bathroom! Haha but it really is pretty. It makes me think of Mexico , old mexico and the culture. I've always had great servers! and they have dr pepper? Not many places do! Haha. I have had the tacos and quesadillas and veggie plate, and always good! The bar is super cute. Just come check it out! Good for bigger parties or couples. So romantic and well made:)

    (5)

  • Melissa L.

    Ahh, the restaurant with the parking lot that makes no damn sense. N. School St. in general give me anxiety. Parking at Helena's, old Mitsuken, and Mitsuba is a experience in its own but this place... takes the cake. My friends recommended we eat here because its legit Mexican and whatnot. Luckily we went kinda late so I parked in the lot but if you are a horrible driver or suck at parking, then you will most likely bump into someone's car or just get stuck lol. Food was extremely tasty and portions are generous. We got the Chicken Burrito and friend got the Menudo. We didn't get a chance to try any drinks but im sure we will be back soon to give it a try.

    (4)

  • Roxy W.

    Location/Parking: Mexico Restaurant is located on busy School Street in Kalihi. The parking here sucks. The parking area is small and VERY tight! A big vehicle could easily side swipe a car going in to the parking area. Food: The complimentary chips and salsa was a disappointment. The chips were NOT fresh and the salsa tasted like store bought jar salsa. Yuck! Nobody in our group ate the salsa. I ordered the beef fajitas. The portions were huge. I got a generous portion of meat in the sizzling pan. It came with 3 flour tortilla, beans, sour cream, guacamole and diced tomatoes. The beef fajitas were good. Drinks: The margaritas are delicious! I've tried the Li Hing Mui and Lychee Margarita blended and they were awesome! Price: It is pricer than other Mexican restaurants but the portions are larger. Mexico Restaurant is one of the few Mexican restaurants that sell alcohol so I don't blame them for their high priced ($12) margaritas. Decor: I love the decor at this restaurant. It was very festive. The bathrooms are nicely decorated as well. Overall, I would be back for the margaritas and fajitas AND if I'm in the area and if I find a decent parking spot.

    (3)

  • Kaiwi Y.

    Food used to be good. The "home made" tamales tasted cold and meat was still frozen in the middle. Cold dish, cold service, warm beer. Yucks.

    (1)

  • Mairead G.

    This place is great! I love the decor. My fiance is from California and always complains about the lack of quality carne asada in Hawaii. Mexico fit the bill & satisfied his carne asada cravings. The steak fajita burrito is the way to go.

    (5)

  • Big D.

    Great food and drinks. Live band gives out good vibes. Staff is awesome. The food portions are huge can't go wrong with the Carne Asada. Food is real fresh not sitting around like some places cooking ahead and just reheating. I will keep coming back here.

    (5)

  • Lyn L.

    Had a long lunch with girlfriend the other week. People are very nice I found the food old K. The tortilla chips were hard and tasted stale. I thought the salsa was quite watery and tasteless. I had a burrito which was actually pretty good, nicely shredded beef but sour cream is not included. We had to order it as a side. All in all, it was ok...probably wouldn't bother going back unless I was craving Mexican and happened to be in the area

    (3)

  • Chris A.

    This place is one of my favorite restaurants to get my Mexican food fix. It's been years since I last dined here & last night we were near the area so we decided to have dinner here. We were seated right away and immediately given water & our basket of chips and salsa (which I love because its kind of spicy). I always had ordered the traditional fajitas with steak before, but I wanted to try something different because they do have many entrees to choose from. However when our waitress came to take our order my automatic response was "traditional steak fajitas". The strips of tender sirloin with mushrooms, bell peppers, & onions comes out hot & sizzling. Served with sour cream, guacamole, and refried beans. The tortillas are hot covered in a foil pack of (3) and you can ask for more at no extra charge. You get all this for just under $20. It's so simple yet so yummy. Portions are very generous & I've never been able to finish this in one sitting. Their Li hing mui margarita (grande size) was the only thing that stopped me from getting dessert. But sometimes you need to sacrifice. This drink alone can be categorized as a meal in itself. It'a served in a fish bowl glass, & the flavor of this sweet & sour beverage is so delicious. I think on average an entree will cost around $14. The portions are huge. Count on having left overs. Our server was great, I always appreciate good customer service and she definitely made our visit here a good one. The women's restroom is clean and very pleasant. Almost like a little peaceful hideaway for a short moment, only thing is they have just (1) stall & this restroom is also used by employees. They even had live music... Did I understand the lyrics? No, but it was a nice touch to the already Mexico feel you get from dining here. Parking sucks! I'd like to think I'm a pretty good driver and pulling in here is okay, but trying to get out seems to be the impossible. Lots of reversing, driving forward, turning, & repeat the above to attempt to get out of this lot. I wouldn't recommend driving here with a truck or anything bigger than a mid size vehicle. This is the only downside of this place along with the location. Keep your doors locked and be prepared to get frustrated on your exit out of here. They are located right across from Helena's.

    (4)

  • Nick S.

    I've heard soo many good things about Mexico Restaurant for the last couple of years, I just never was in that part of town to give it a try. We got there at 12:20pm and it was pretty busy. We got our food 30 minutes later at 12:50pm. The chips and salsa were pretty good. I ordered the Mexico Burrito thinking it was a safe bet since apparently it was the signature dish. The beans were completely bland, I actually added salt to them and they still were not tasty. The rice was tasteless as well. The carnitas were very overcooked and almost crunchy. All in all the food was not that great. I was pretty disappointed after all the hype from my co-workers. I don't want to slam this place as hard as I could because I may have just been the unlucky customer of the day to get non-seasoned overcooked food.

    (2)

  • Jennifer P.

    Someone at our hotel told us this was the best Mexican food on the island... We didn't try any others but I believe him....the food was amazing and the decor was so great. We loved it!!!

    (5)

  • Nix M.

    I have been meaning to review Mexico but everytime I leave I am in a food coma. I would give them 4 stars for food & service. Salsa is pretty damn good & chips hot n fresh. They have a lot of the authentic dishes & drinks that you don't see everywhere. Everything I have had there is super good from Enchiladas, to fajitas, to steak ranchero. The deserts are always all out tho and limited by the time we get there, which probably means they are super good. My dad, who is my gauge of all mexican restaurants, would give it 5-6 stars tho. He grew up with SUPER authentic Mexican food in Cali and anytime he visits I take him to what I think is a "good" mexican place. He always shoots them down with something that isn't right. The beans or the rice or the sauce. And he usually makes it a point to share his opinion with the waitresses when they ask "how was everything". I told one waiter "just walk away dude, you don't want to know". He didnt listen and for that he had to listen to my dad breakdown the faults of the meal dish by dish. Poor guy! But my Dad LOVED Mexico! Yay! First time ever he has liked a Mexican place in Hawaii. The night we went they had live music & he said it reminded him of when he was a kid growing up. Real deal stuff he said. He raved about the restaurant even days after we had dinner. Out of nowhere he would just say "that dinner we had at that mexican restaurant was so good, I can't believe I was in hawaii & eating that". The Padre has spoke & I have finally gotten the seal of approval on a Mexican restaurant in Hawaii. :)

    (4)

  • Sasha Y.

    We came here for lunch today and tried to get lengua but were told that they were out of it, oh well, instead I had the carne arriera, and my husband had carne asada. The food was very good and plated nicely! I loved the taste of my dish, the portion size was good, a lot of beef and veggie mixed together, all cooked in a very delicious red salsa sauce; there was some tiny veggie chunks in the rice, which is different from others, but I liked it, I'm willing to try something different; other things like refried beans, a huge dollop of fresh guac, salsa fresca and fresh warm corn tortillas, all of them ended up in my stomach:-) my husband loved his dish too! The restaurant was very nice and clean, but the service wasn't very good, just as some other yelpers said; and it was a bit expensive than most other mexican restaurants. I would like to give a 5 star if the service can catch up with the quality of the food, and if they can lower the price a little bit!

    (4)

  • Jam A.

    We both were happy with our food!!! I defiantly will be coming back to try more dishes. Clean and friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Daniel H.

    Chips and salsa was good. Had the sizzling mushrooms - great start! Food in general was plenty and good. Not that I'm Mexican and could compare to a lot of Mexican restaurants but I definitely like this place. They had a band playing which was nice. Service was a little slow but it was packed. Food wasn't hot but warm - still good. I go again

    (4)

  • Ellen W.

    My friend was visiting from Hilo and we decided to try this place out since her brother and sister-in-law liked it. Well, parking was a challenge as the other reviewers have said but that did not stop us. We figured good mexican food closeby was a winnah. Well, she ordered the chicken tamale plate and it was filling but dry, too much masa and not enough chicken. I ordered the carnitas plate and it was really dry and looked like it had sat under the warmer too long. Some of the pieces were so dry they were inedible. The yellow rice was tasteless. Soooo disappointed as carnitas was $15.95. And waitress has to ask a 2nd time if I wanted flour or corn tortillas. And at the end of the meal, we got the wrong check.

    (2)

  • Jennifer S.

    My brother took us to lunch at Mexico and I have to say it was pretty much just like Mexican Restaurants back home. The food was decent, the prices were decent and they had nice ambiance. Couldn't get the toilet to flush, but otherwise we had a good time. For lunch, it wasn't crowded. Our server mostly kept our drinks filled and was pretty attentive to us. Food came out fairly quickly. Overall, the service was good. I give 'em three stars because it was good, not fantastic, and I'd both return and recommend.

    (3)

  • Max K.

    This was my 2nd visit to this restaurant and we had a decent meal. The portions are nice and the food is okay. I wouldn't rave about it but it was okay. Honestly, the best part of the meal were the chips and salsa as we sat down. I had ordered a combination plate of Shredded Beef Chalupa and a Ground Beef Burrito. It came with beans and rice and a small portion of lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. Again, it wasn't worth raving about but it satisfied my craving for Mexican food. I like the ambiance of the restaurant but even the service wasn't that great. We were done eating and had to wait for about 10 minutes before anyone even noticed we were done. All the while I could see the wait staff hiding out in their back room counting their tips. Parking is not the greatest here either and it may be unlikely that we'll be back.

    (3)

  • Marc K.

    Wow yes portions are huge (more than any one sane person should eat frankly unless you have dug ditches today!) but ow wow, this is my 3rd or 4th visit here, and the food tonight was WAY TOO SALTY! It's now 2 hours since I ate there and my mouth is still tasting the salt. It is like the cook threw the salt shaker in every dish. Worst was the guacamole which, as a result was barely edible. Pls lay off the salt if you want me back, ok??

    (2)

  • Jason B.

    Best Mexican food we've had on the island so far. The salsa was fresh and tasty and the chips were crispy. The frozen margarita was blended perfectly and the chile relleno tasted great. We took a star away for the poor parking arrangement but not the worst thing in the world. We almost got stuck because card were parked so poorly. Before we left a man and his guitar started playing. He sounded good and wasn't too loud. We will definitely try more of the menu the next time we get a date night. :-)

    (4)

  • Amy K.

    We stopped in here because of a recommendation from my boyfriends co-worker. The guy who recommended it says it's one of the best places for authentic Mexican food, even comparable to good places he had in Southern California. I've never been there so I can't say that's true, but this is one of the better Mexican restaurants I've had food at in Hawaii. We both came in, waited a minute since we weren't sure if we were supposed to seat ourselves or not. A waitress came by and sat us. We waited about 10-12 minutes before our waitress came to take just our drink order. We thought we were forgotten about. The place was only a third full, so pretty empty. They have a pretty good menu. We ordered chimichangas, one ground beef and one shredded. It's hard to say if it was better than some of the ones I've had in Kailua, but I think they just might be better by a smidge. The meal was hot, crispy and came with a side of refried beans, guacamole, diced tomatoes & onions and rice, all very good. The size of the drinks were HUGE. It came in one of those mini water pitchers. We would have finished the meal but ate too many of the complimentary tortilla chips with salsa. Parking is a private lot on the side. Prices vary from $9-$25 for a meal. Overall, I will be going back again. On a random and weird note, if you go into the female bathroom, check out the interiors....it has a very spanish feel, especially the sink.

    (4)

  • Celena F.

    Mariachi burrito and the grande li hing margarita are my staples here. My friends swear by the chimichanga and cerviche. The carnitas is super tender with a light crisp around the edges and packed with flavor. The food here is consistently delicious. Only downside here is the small parking lot. If you come on an off hour, no problem but prime time can get frustrating. Service is friendly and wait time is reasonable relative to the crowd. Very festive and.casual atmosphere. I feel like everytime i come here i notice something new on the wall or ceiling. They also have live entertainment some nights-cant understand what hes singing but it sounds good. Best part is the reasonable prices for the large portions.

    (4)

  • Scott H.

    The service here is terrible. Do not expect a quick lunch. Do not expect your drinks to stay wet. Do not expect to have your order taken in a timely fashion. Do not expect to get your food within an hour of seating. But when your food comes, you will forget the bad service (well, you'll be able to excuse it). Best Mexican in town (run by Puerto Ricans). Their carnitas is still the best on the island. To get good Hawaii mexican food like this you will have to go to Pahoa on the Big Island. Just don't expect good and quick service. You have been warned. PS - the bathroom are dirty but look cool.

    (5)

  • Kayla R.

    HANDS DOWN, best mexican restaurant on this island! I used to live in California for about 4 years, and ever since I moved back to Hawaii I missed all of the mexican food... Till I found this restaurant. Reminds me a lot of california mexican food. It is Legit! You must order the horchata for your drink, it's a sweet mexican drink that is HUGE, comes in a pitcher, just the amount I like the drink anyways. It's sooo addicting. You can't just take one sip. Or you can share with someone with you. There is more than enough! yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… Mahi Mahi Ceviche: So delish! I'm not a huge mahi mahi fan but it's a good change to the usual shrimp ceviches I've had in my life. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… Shrimp Plate, Chipotle style: You're able to choose the style of your shrimp, comes with rice beans and some salad, guacamole and loads of shrimp! I can never finish it all, and I end up taking it home. There is plenty of sauce, so it may get messy, but don't worry there are lots of napkins on the table. yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_… Grande Burrito: yelp.com/biz_photos/El3_…

    (5)

  • Pualena P.

    Me: "We're getting Mexican food tonight, wanna come?" Friend: "Yup! Where are you going?" Me: "Mexico." Friend: "Ha. Ha. ...really, where?" Me: "Mexico." Friend: "I hate you. Where are you going for dinner???" Me: "MEXICO! The restaurant is called 'Mexico'!!!!" Friend: "Oh...WE GO!" :) I have had this same conversation on more than one occasion. Once you clarify with your frustrated friends that you're taking them to a restaurant, not the country, prepare to be dazzled! I've tried so many things here, and I haven't ever been disappointed. I've had the tamales, steak fajitas, shrimp wraps, chicken fajita salad, sizzling mushrooms, quesadillas, etc. All the meals are served with beans and Spanish rice, lettuce, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Even the salsa that comes with your complementary basket of chips is delicious! It's spicy and so fresh! Recently, I had the sizzling garlic scallops which were to DIE for! They were drenched in diced garlic and served on a sizzling hot plate. You can either get it as an appetizer or as a meal with beans and rice. They have a variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. One of my favorites is the Horchata. It's a cinnamon-y, non-alcoholic rice drink that tastes like you're drinking a churro. I've never tried the margaritas but I often see them at other tables...they're huge! For dessert, I highly recommend the fried bananas with ice cream. The bananas are fried in a cinnamon-doused wrap and it's served with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauce. I'd like to mention a few "disclaimers"... (1) The parking is TERRIBLE. The lot is small and street parking is...well...you have to get creative. As long as you're mentally prepared for 2 minutes of parking frustration, it won't ruin your night. (2) Yes, we all know good Mexican food is almost impossible to find in Hawaii. So if you're from California or Texas or anywhere on the mainland where Mexican food is mind-blowing and plentiful, take this with a grain of salt: Mexico has, in my opinion, some of the best Mexican food on this island. If you're looking for a great meal with live entertainment and a lively atmosphere, you must travel to Mexico! (a.k.a. N. School St.)

    (5)

  • Nicole M.

    Hmm. Came around 2:30 and there was some kind of Micronesian ceremony going on in the space in the back of the parking lot, so all... what 10 parking spaces? were taken. I went to Longs, came back at 3:30 and it was empty! So I parked, got seated immediately. I wasn't a fan of the weird dusty plant I was sitting next to but the decor was interesting to say the least. Like the big cow head on the wall. Chips and Salsa were okay, the first round is complimentary (you have to pay if you ask for more). The Enchilada and Burrito combo... Note to self, Enchilada and burrito is almost the same thing T.T I got the enchilada with shredded beef and the burrito with ground, I enjoyed the shredded beef much more, there was much more flavor. I got a li hing margarita, but VIRGIN because they temporary cannot serve alcohol. The sign says you can go to the liquor store down the street and BYOB though. That's interesting. It did seem a little understaffed, but there were seriously only 4 groups in there, and things seemed orderly and timely. Other than things being a little dusty, and there being salsa all over the menu I was handed, it was ok, and I'd come back if parking was available.

    (3)

  • Nicole T.

    my bf and I had lunch here today and there were a few things that kinda annoyed me: 1) we waited at least 5 minutes at the door before anyone even greeted us. 2) wen we got seated it took maybe another 10 minutes just to get our order taken and wen it did, our waitress diana didn't bother to write any of our order down but asked me twice if I wanted shredded beef or ground beef. I had a feeling something was gonna go wrong. I asked for no guacamole and still received guacamole. 3) our food took another 15 minutes to get to our table 4) we ordered horchata and were given the drink in a disposable 32oz cup instead of a pitcher like usual. I had to ask for utensils wen we got our food, and wen we were leaving, I noticed other tables had their horchata served to them in pitchers...not disposable cups. but wat was surprising was wen we got ur check, Diana didn't include the horchata in the order. I'm not sure if she was comping the drink because we had to wait long, or if she forgot to add it in because she never wrote it down, but I wasn't gonna tell her anything (even tho I should have). I like this Mexican restaurant but I think during peak lunch/dinner rushes they need to have at least one more server on the floor. I felt like we were kinda forgotten about sitting in our little corner near the bathrooms.

    (3)

  • Jessica S.

    Food was great, but the service was horrible. The waitress copped an attitude when we asked her to divide the check for only 7 of us (most of us paired up). She made a big scene and insisted she could only divide it certain ways. Even though nowhere in the establishment or on the menus is it stated that the check can not be divided. Then she wrote in her own tips on each of our receipts! Definitely will not be returning to this establishment.

    (3)

  • Kalae P.

    Looking for a fiesta? Mexico Restaurant offers a huge variety of across-the-border cuisine that is sure to spice things up! I've been through these doors a couple of times over the past few years, but it looks like business has escalated. What once was an establishment easy to miss, is now a hot spot; displaying a large restaurant sign and decorative entrance that accompanies the cultural interior oh so well. (Maybe its been this way for a while now, but I just seemed to take it all in during my most recent visit.) The food is great! This spot has the usual enchiladas, burritos, nachos, and Mexican specialties, but furthermore, they allow you to substitute items! I am a sucker for the chimichangas, yet I decided to change it up a bit and order another favorite, the combination plate--packed with a mouthful of Mexican spice and textures to your liking. I substituted the chicken in my enchilada with chorizo, and that is probably the best decision I made all day! You can expect medium to large-sized portions, which is great if you're hoping for left overs or to share with the rest of your party. Mexico Restaurant is gaining increasingly popular, and with a somewhat of a central location, it's definitely worth stopping by and indulging in Mexican cuisine and drink!

    (5)

  • Kat R.

    Looking for good Mexican food in Hawaii is tough, but Mexico is a great place to start! Went there with some co-workers over lunch and had a tamale combination plate. It was tasty and fresh - would get again! They also have the traditional free chips/salsa which is expected these days. Wish the salsa had a bit more spice, but I think that is just my preference. Overall, the food and atmosphere was good and I would recommend to family and friends! That being said, they lose a star for the parking situation. I know in Town parking is minimal at best, but when you have a piece of land that works as your lot, it should be strictly used for customer. The lot is tiny and tight and if you have anything other then a compact, don't even try it. There is also a park behind the restaurant and patrons tend to use the lot for their events. I went back just recently for lunch, but had to leave because the lot was filled up with park visiters. Otherwise, it's delish!

    (4)

  • Laura R.

    Parking is a joke. Just tried going there and couldn't because there was no where to park.

    (1)

  • Todd T.

    I am a big fan of Mexican food. I have been on Island for over 8 years and the best place for Mexican food and atmosphere is Mexico restaurant. Two thumbs up.

    (5)

  • Christi L.

    Best Mexican food I've ever had in Hawaii! & that's saying something, since I was from SoCal. The Chile Verde was spicy, delicious, & the portion was huge. Planning to make this a weekly visit (so ill be ordering a to go box when the food is served, since it easily makes 2 meals).

    (4)

  • Angelo A.

    My wife, her cousin and I thought we would give this place a try based on some rave reviews from some co-workers today. We arrived at about 530p or so and the lot was already packed, although the restaurant didn't seem crowded at all, maybe the employees park in the lot as well. I drive a Honda Pilot, and frankly parking that monster proved to be quite the ordeal. Once I passed my drivers test, we gathered up the girls and away we went. Once inside we were greeted immediately by a very pleasant young lady, and thankfully she didn't even flinch when we asked for two high chairs ( this is a huge deal for us ). It didn't take long at all for us to get served. We received the menu, chips and salsa, then made a "B" line for the keiki section. The twins ordered the quesadilla, just cheese please. They absolutely loved it. Jan ordered an enchilada, and her description was that it was very, very bland. She managed to spice it up by using the salsa that came with the chips, great idea wish I would have thought of it. My Grande Burrito, although very good, it too was exceptionally bland. although the meat had some excellent flavor . Cuz's fish taco was good, and since she's not big on spicy, she was OK with hers I'm not expert on Mexican cuisine, but I have experienced better, yet here in Hawaii, this was pretty damned good. I'm torn, the service and atmosphere get a 4 star, yet the bland, but very good food get a 3 star. They don't have a 3 1/2 rating here, so I had to settle on the 3. I would love to eat here again, and hopefully it was just a so so night for them.

    (3)

  • Jay P.

    I was craving a li hing mui margarita for quite some time now. I'm usually not a fan of Mexican food, but Mexico really did treat me right! There is a small parking lot to the left of Mexico's; I had no trouble parking and there were still many stalls available. Upon walking in, we were given a table and menus. I decided on (of course) a li hing mui margarita while my friend ordered herself a strawberry margarita. The margaritas can either be blended or on the rocks. There are also two sizes for the margaritas. I chose the grande size and it sure was big! Both the li hing mui and the strawberry margarita were flavorful and definitely not "watered down." I was very pleased with my drink. There is complementary chips and salsa before your meal, with the salsa being tangy and moderately spicy. I also ordered a burrito with beef, although you can choose different meats for your food. The quality and quantity of the food was amazing! I left with my stomach full and my mind fully satisfied. I will definitely be coming back for the food and the li hing mui margaritas. Thank you Mexico's for opening my mind toward Mexican food!

    (5)

  • Jordan R.

    Came in on a Saturday for lunch. Had the ceviche which was great. Parking was available and the service was great. Would come back again.

    (4)

  • Chamaigne R.

    So tonight we wanted to eat out. Called our previous favorite Mexican Restraunt, as of tonight. We have been coming here for years since they first opened and no liquor license. I called the restraunt and was asked to hold a few minutes by Christian the manager, well that turned into 19 minutes and 38 seconds as I showed him my phone when walking into the restraunt. Any fool would have hung up, but we are true fans if this place, I thought he would at least have given us the chips and salsa for free since I hung onto the call and still ordered to go. Not only did he charge me full price for everything, including the chips and salsa, he totally ignored the fact that I reminded him that his phone was still off the hook. Where did customer loyalty and service go? Certainly not this place. Wonder what the owners would say about his arrogant attitude? Well no more bringing our families here for birthdays. We've certainly given this restraunt too many $200+ worth of business without so much a lowsy free chips and salsa when kept on hold for 19 minutes. Now waiting for our last food from here, goodbye to a once humble and great restraunt.

    (1)

  • Natallia W.

    Parking sucks!!! Park on the street and walk. But the food is TOTALLY worth the parking hassle! Authentic food, huge portions, well mixed drinks and a friendly staff.

    (4)

  • Amber S.

    My father requested Mexican food for his birthday, and since we haven't found any Mexican restaurants that we like here, we decided to try something new. I did a quick internet search and found Mexico Restaurant. I wasn't impressed by the name, and was a little weary because of the location, but decided to try it out. I was surprised to see no available parking spaces on a Wednesday at 6:00pm. Luckily there were a few people leaving, and we were all able to park within 15 minutes of being there. Do note that the parking lot is fairly small so arrive well before your reservations so there's no stress when waiting for a space to open. The restaurant was clean and nicely decorated. I was mostly impressed with the extremely clean restroom. I tend to judge a restaurant's restroom because it is a quick way to judge a restaurant's attention to detail. Also, being able to use a clean restroom is always a SCORE! The food was pretty good. I wouldn't vote it the best Mexican food I've had in my life, but it was pretty darn good compared to the Mexican food we have here in Hawaii. The portions are large, and when I say large I mean everyone including the four men in our party had to ask for to-go containers. I'm not sure who the bartender was, but he/she made the best lihing margarita I've ever had. It was amazing, and HUGE. Our service was okay considering how busy the restaurant was. Will certainly come back!

    (4)

  • Mary O.

    The good. Atmosphere and retried beans and portion sizes. The bad, the salsa tasted like tomato sauce, the guacamole had no cilantro, a ton of lime juice that made it sour and overwhelmed everything they put it on. Had fish tacos but because of the guacamole it was all I could taste. The burrito had almost no discernible cheese in it. Might come back for a drink but not the food.

    (2)

  • Mikey H.

    "Do you think they serve Mexican food here?" I asked myself. Finding good Mexican food on the islands is like looking for a needle in a haystack. My aunty told me to check this place out, so feeling rather adventurous I thought, What the heck! The parking sucks. It's a small lot on the side of the building. The ambiance is okay. But I felt there were too many tables crammed into the space. It looked like a converted house, which is something I like. I ordered a fish taco and a carne asada taco. I felt this would be a good test. Oh, and of course a margarita. I didn't care for their salsa. It was too watery. I've eaten some of the best Mexican food in San Diego, and since we're close to the border, it's pretty authentic, so I'm spoiled. The fish was fresh and grilled. I really liked that. The carne asada was seasoned well, which was a plus. I had a little of that Asian glow, so the margarita did it's thing. Quite a few locals finishing their lunch. The service was attentive, but not overly friendly. Overall, it's decent. I can't say it's the best but for Hawaii, this place is worth checking out. A little kitschy knick-knacky on the inside. I wondered what it looked like at night.

    (3)

  • Donna O.

    I'm from Texas and always looking for good Mexican food. This is the best. My husband comes once a week and always gets carnitas. I like the fish tacos. The Cadillac margaritas are yummy. Yes parking is a challenge at times. I love the atmosphere and when there's live music, that's a special treat. The only thing I don't care for is the chips.

    (5)

  • Nicole U.

    First time here! & loved it!!! I love mexican food and have been wanting to try this place for a longggggg time! But the boyfriend doesn't care for mexican food. He finally caved in though and decided to go with me! PROS: -Seated quickly -Received tortilla chips and salsa as soon as seated -Drink order was taken and arrived quickly -Biggggg food portions -Pricing is good considering how much they give -Fried ice cream!!!! (didn't get to try it though because I was too full from the main entree itself. but I love me some fried ice cream!) CONS: -Takes a while to get a refill of water or soda -Seemed like there was only 1 server so just have to a little patient.

    (4)

  • Shannale K.

    Food is decent and good. Personally, the best Mexican place I've been to in Hawaii (I haven't been to tons). But this review is based on the service, which isn't that great...at all! We were sat next to the service food window, and we could hear everything. The wait staff grumbling to the cooking staff. We weren't checked up on until we were half way through with our meal. Trying to wave a staff down for a refill was a task on its own. I love chili relleno and previous visits, they were extremely stuffed with cheese. But our last visit there was barely any, and I'm not over exaggerating. The place looks like a true Mexican restaurant, kinda dirty and dusty. Once I find a more comfortable place to have Mexican food, this will have to make do.

    (2)

  • Rupert L.

    The atmosphere is like any mexican place. I really liked that there was a bulls head up on the wall. The portions are great for the price.

    (4)

  • Teresa G.

    I came here at the recommendation of my friends. I'm not mexican but have tried authentic mexican food and loved it. I was so excited to come here. I love the ambience of this place. Nice and cozy and very relaxing. We had a party of 12 and we were the first large table for our waitress ever and boy did it show! I ordered the carne asada plate. The beans and rice was good. The meat looked like a piece of steak that was slapped on the grill and placed on my plate. For a carne asada i was disappointed. i expected some kind of seasoning and for it to come out sliced. As a steak it was not too bad but lacking favor. The food portions are huge. Enough to bring leftovers home or to share. price is reasonable for the food portion. Service was slow and i think it was just because it was her first time handling a large group. We were there for almost 3 hours because of the slow service.

    (3)

  • Arturo G.

    Was looking for a place to eat for Cinco de Mayo and decided to go here. I have been here before and it was just ok so I wasn't expecting too this time around. To start with we ordered the ordered the Ceviche de Camaron. To my understanding the seafood in ceviche is supposed to be raw and cooked in the lime juice only. In this case instead of doing that they used fully cooked shrimp to make their ceviche and it cost $14.50. For that price I would only hope to have this prepared properly. And to top it off it didn't taste so great, tasted more like a salsa with shrimp inside. I ordered the Chicken Fajita Salad and my wife ordered the Tostade Ranchera. Our food came out really fast which as its pros and cons. The chicken on my plate was marinated decently but was watered down by iceberg lettuce and diced tomatos. The Tostade Ranchera look good but the shell quickly became soggy. The overall taste of these 2 dishes were nothing to that can't be recreated at home and for the price I would hope it would have been better but I guess it was quantity over quality. Also ordered the mango margarita frozen and asked to have the salt rim but when it came the salt rim was gone because they over poured the margarita can't really complain about that. All in all for 2 of us it came out to be around $53 dollars. That is kinda expensive. With as little choices for Mexican food here on the islands Mexico is just ok to me. Over all the staff was good, the atmosphere was good, but the food was ok. To me it more a 2.5 instead of 3

    (3)

  • jonah A.

    I pass by Mexico Restaurant all the time but kept thinking that it was just another Mexican restaurant that won't last long in this competitive market. However, I recently decided to try it since I have been seeing a packed parking lot a number of times when I pass by the restaurant. Parking: Yuck, it's the pits. Ambience: I like the inside of the restaurant. It feels cozy and comfortable. However, the tables are huge. It's hard to have a conversation with the person across from you. Service: Quick service, but no smile, not even a crack, from our server. However, the people who greeted us smiled genuinely and checked back with us to make sure that we had everything we needed. Enchilada Plate with Ground Beef: Way toooooo salty. Maybe it was a mistake, but it seemed like the salt, a whole lot, was poured in vs. a little sprinkled on the food. The chips were okay but they didn't taste as fresh as I had hoped. The salsa had a different funky taste to it. The salsa, I found, to be spicy and i like it that way.

    (3)

  • Casey D.

    I have been to this restaurant with my family on several occasions. Each time I have been here, the service had been subpar. The food, however, was decent, so we decided to give it another try since there are so few decent Mexican places on Oahu. The last visit was horrendous. The service was the worst I have ever had. I was a server in a VERY busy resteraunt for a few yeras, so I empathize sincerely with wait staff. In this instance, there is no excuse. Being "outright ignored" is an understatement. I was sitting close enough with my family to hear the bartender and my "waitress" discuss the math skills of other paying customers. For 17 minutes. With her back turned. From five feet away. While other "servers" walked by our mountain of empty cups and half eaten, lousy plates. Waited till the end of the review to discuss the food because that is how bad the service was. So, the food sucks too, but not as much. I will not be back.

    (1)

  • Anjelika J.

    If you can get past the wall of Micronesians loitering behind, in front and inside the building, the shady drug deals going around your family as you try to eat, the same loiterers walking in and out of the restaurant talking to the emotionless, old bar guy, then you MIGHT be able to overlook the rude servers (the guy was nice, tho) and actually enjoy your food. Nothing against Micronesians, but each time we go there, they're all over that place like cockroaches! They're not eating, they're loitering and doing their pretty obvious shady things with that bar guy. What a shame because the food is OK and the atmosphere is great minus everything I mentioned above. Smh.

    (2)

  • Paul N.

    We have gone to this mexican restaurant about 6 times for dinner and its been very good each time. The place is a little noisy and parking can be a problem but other then that its one of the best mexican restaurants on the island.

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    Food is really good.. Service is ok and you have live music which make u feel like a real Mexican place..

    (4)

  • Rissa M.

    YES. Finally, a place on Oahu that does Mexican food justice. I've eaten at Cholos (fail), I've eaten at Sergs (decent), I've eaten at Miquelz (Decent). The only place I can say that might put up some competition is Lui Buenos (but it's so far!) We got Li Hing Margaritas and they were on point. Poured generously, and not too sweet. Just the way I like it. The complimentary chips are not greasy, and unsalted giving you leeway to salt your chips just the way you like it. The salsa is chunky and mildly spiced, which to me is better and fair for all taste buds sitting at the table. The portions are generous and the plates are moderately priced. Wide selection of choices, varying from Taco Salads, Nachos, Enchiladas, Quesadilla, Wet Burritos-- they've got EVERYTHING. I even noticed a breakfast selection on the back of the menu. I got the Enchilada plate which came with Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, and the choice of 1 or 2 Enchiladas. I got two, inhaled the whole thing, and regretted it. But not really. It was SOOOOO GOOD. The meat was juicy, and tortilla was fresh, and the beans were perfectly seasoned. I am coming back, and soon!

    (4)

  • Jimmy F.

    Ate here twice during lunch and the food was good but nothing compared to places in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Jose. Crunchy tacos were alright. Pork tamale was a little dry but the chicken enchilada was pretty good. However all these items on the combo plates were not as flavorful as I am used to. I sampled their seafood plate that someone else in the group got which was good but my favorite spot is still Puerto Azul in San Jose (Mocajete de Mariscos). The salsa is spicy/tasty so the kids didn't get to try this. Rice was a little bland but the refried beans with cheese was good. Parking is horrible so carpool as much as possible. Ambiance is rustic and has a mish mash of things. It was busy and service was pretty slow. Not sure what happened that day but it was BYOB so no cerveza for us that day. Workers are really friendly so that made things better. Bottom line. We will go back again to try out other items and try to go during off hours to get better service and parking. But first our next stop will be to the taco truck in Kaimuki.

    (3)

  • Ken A.

    Used to be good, quality of food , and cleanliness was poor. Sad too see it going downhill. Hope they get it together.

    (2)

  • Katherine M.

    Pros: Great food!!!! I had chili verde and it was delicious and the beans were good too. However the rice was not tasty and did not taste like Spanish rice. I had the li hing mui margarita in the large size - very tasty however there large seemed on the small side. Our server was great... wonderful disposition and very attentive. Cons: Parking is awful!!!!!! Their home made chips were stale and cold. No flavor - I suggest them deep frying them instead of baking. The food presentation was poor as well. It looked like my food was just thrown on the plate. Their salsa that came with the chips was good however it did not look fresh. Overall experience was good.... loved the chili verde (I was craving this for a while). They need to work on their rice cooking (maybe I can show them how to make Spanish rice) and change their chips. I will be back to try something else on the menu to see if I really like this place.

    (3)

  • Ryan I.

    I've been here three times already. I've had the chile verde (freaking awesome!), the chicken fajita salad (freaking awesome!) and the chile relleno (freaking awesome, but holy smokes, way too rich!!). The servers are pretty nice and the food comes out kinda quick. The parking can be a problem if you arrive too late, so get there early.

    (4)

  • Ryan P.

    Service here was horrible. We had to call a waitress over to get water after waiting about 10 mins. Then they got my girlfriend's order wrong so I refuse to eat while she watches. The waitress brings out the "correct" order which is still wrong so we cancel the order and request to be comped for my meal and the manager only comps the one wrong order because I had eaten half of mine by that time. The food quality was nothing special so needless to say, we won't be coming back.

    (1)

  • k l.

    I love Mexican food and living in California one gets very spoiled - even the bad Mexican food here is pretty darn good. This place was recommended and given mixed reviews from 'best on the island to it's OK'. I'm not sure what the folks who recommended the place ate or whether they had any in depth exposure to Mexican food. However, if this is the best that Oahu as to offer, save your money. The menu looked promising although very little information on the dishes was provided by our server, Fernando. When I asked what I wanted I made it very clear that I judge Mexican restaurants on a few dishes - chile relleno, carnitas and their mole (mole was not on the menu). I decided on a small combo - chile relleno and an adobada burrito. My companion ordered a pork tamal and a chicken enchilada (which turned out to be the better choice. Let's deal with the good part first. The chicken enchilada was flavourful and something that I might order if I ever went back to this place (not likely). The verde sauce covering it was bland and not what one would expect. The masa used for the tamal was some of the best I have ever had - light, fluffy, just perfect. That is where the goodness ends - the sauce that covered it was an unfortunate addition. As my dinner partner said - ' I make a better sauce, I'd order the tamal plain for take-away and add my own sauce.' Now, the really bad parts. Chile relleno is a classic - the chile is stuffed with cheese, coated in a light fluffy batter then fried to the [oint where the cheese melts and the chile is cooked until it is soft. This chile relleno was hard, had very little cheese, had a batter that was non-descript and was smothered in the same bland salsa verde as the chicken enchilada along with a large scoop of sour cream. Very disappointing especially after saying to the server this is one of the dishes I measure Mex restaurants by. The adobada burrito was worse. You could tell the pork was marinated in something but it certainly did not have the flavour one would expect from this type of dish. Even worse was the sauce the chef decided to smother this thing with. I can only assume, based on the flavour, that it was left over gravy from a Mexican version of moco-loco. Horrendous. And after mentioning to the person bussing the table that this was some of the worst Mexican food I'd ever had the misfortune of putting in my mouth, no one came by. That says a lot especially when a half eaten plate is sent away. On a positive note, they do have a broad selection of tequilas. I was tempted to order a double Centenario anejo to wash the taste out of my mouth but reason prevailed since I was driving. Bottom line for me - I won't go back unless someone else is paying. And even then I'd be hard pressed to order anything other than the nachos - they are pretty hard to mess up.

    (1)

  • Ha N.

    I've been here a couple of times and I seem to order the same thing everytime. The garlic shrimp here is pretty good -- they bring it out to you on a simmering plate so hot that the shrimp may be overcooked if not devoured quickly enough. I then wash it down with the li hing mui blended margarita. This appeases the beast in me enough to not want to order anything else. But then again, I am not really into burritos and beans and the like.

    (4)

  • K P.

    Overpriced, oversalty, and overly slow. Totally not worth $30 for two anemic fish tacos and a tostado salad. Don't waste your money.

    (1)

  • Naomi L.

    Finally!! A place that reminds me of one of the Mexican restaurants I ate at while living in San Diego for 5 yrs. The decor is definitely reminiscent of one of those places- with wooden chairs, terra cotta colored walls, random brick overlay, cowboy rope/unknown animal skull, and some cactus at the entrance. Awesome. In addition, they played mariachi music the whole time, which was great. Sounds kinda cheesy, but I swear it makes the food taste better! Don't get me wrong, I also enjoy eating at Los Chaparros and think the two are pretty similar. Los Chaparros' prices are better/cheaper and portions a bit smaller, in addition there are more options to make combinations if you want to sample different things and not break the bank. That being said, I loved how much food I got at Mexico Restaurant for the price! The burrito was HUGE. I couldn't even eat the whole thing. The beans and rice were cooked perfectly. I ate as much as I could handle and still had enough to bring home for another meal. Bf's tacos tradicionales were yummy! While he usually has a bottomless stomach, this plate filled him up perfectly. We also got a large guac with chips ($7.95), which really was large. It's not a super avocado-green color, so they probably mix it with sour cream. I know several people who do that, but I think it could be off-putting if you weren't expecting it. We couldn't finish the whole thing so I was packing it in with my leftovers and was sad to see that they packed the bottom of the dish with lettuce to take up room in the bowl. This place would get 5 stars alone for the horchata. This has to be one of the best horchatas I have ever tasted. I don't know the combo of ingredients, but holy deliciousness. If you've ever been disappointed by a horchata in the past, please come here and try - it'll change your mind towards the drink! The large comes in a small beer pitcher and only costs $3.50. Minus 1 star for the chips and salsa (salsa is ok, but nothing special) that come at the start of the meal. The chips were stale and seemed like all the little broken pieces at the bottom of a bag. This got me unexcited for the rest of the meal, which turned out to be great. I only say this because the chips that came for the guac were crispy, good, and large-sized. Overall, I will be coming back here next time I get a craving for Mexican food!

    (4)

  • Michelle L.

    I don't care about authentic Mexican food because let's face it, we're far far away from Mexico. For what my taste buds know, the food at Mexico Restaurant is pretty yummy. Definite upgrade from Jose's. I ordered the chimichanga and boy ordered the beef tacos or something. Both dishes were huge and very flavorful. The horchata was humangous. I was scared I would become lactose intolerant after attempting to drink 3/4 of it. Ridiculous. If I'm coming here, I will not cringe at the thought of Mexican food. I'm ecstatic that Boy found a new Mexican restaurant so Jose's is finally off my food chain.

    (5)

  • Ericka B.

    Tonight was my first time here. The atmosphere makes you feel like your in Mexico! It's really cute. Even the bathroom was amazing. They had a really cool sink, go take a look ladies! DRINKS: I had their Li-Hing margarita... it was ok. I wouldn't order it again if I had the chance. I tried my friend's Horchata, MY GOODNESS! It was amazing!!! I was quite disappointed I didn't order that instead. FOOD: I decided to go with their Carne Asada Plate. Which came with Spanish rice, cheese and re-fried beans, guacamole, this onion, tomato, cilantro mixture, 2 huge slabs of carne asada topped with onions and bell peppers, and 3 hot tortilla rolls. The carne asada was AWESOME! So much flavor!!! This carne asada tasted different from my friend's burrito which she ordered with carne asada. It didn't have the marinade that mines had. I would definitely order this platter again! My ONLY gripe was their Spanish rice, I've had better. For dessert we opted for the Flan.... OH. MY. GOODNESS....... This has got to be the best flan I've ever tasted in my life!!!! It wasn't what I thought it would be. I imagined a custard-pie consistency. But this one... was almost like a cheesecake flan! IT WAS FREAKING AMAZING! Definitely need to try when you eat here! OOH and parking definitely sucks here =/ Really tiny and tight parking area, be careful!

    (4)

  • Mac J.

    I ordered the Pollo Asado a la Maria. It was dry. I had to cut up the chicken breast to let it soak up the sauce. Meanwhile, I continues to snack on my chips & salsa. My iced tea was cold but I couldn't taste the tea. After a few song from the live band, my Pollo Asado a la Maria tasted much better. Customer service was good. My server Gabriella was spot on.

    (3)

  • Ellison U.

    Mexico Restaurant I absolutely LOVE this place! No Joke, I just wish I could dine there more often! Best Mexican Food I've ever had in Hawaii. My friends and I discovered this place a few years back when they opened. The plan was to go eat at Elena's Hawaiian Restaurant (located right across), but place was busy and a friend was craving for Mexican. Mexico's is located on the same street as my other all time favorite 3 restaurants; Helen's, Mitsuken, and Mitsuba in Kalihi. Now I'm adding Mexican cuisine to my list. Food is Ah-MAZING! Portion sizes are BIG! I usually get the Chicken Chimichanga, it is served with refried beans and dirty rice. Man their Chimichanga is HUGEE! Topped with sour cream and guacamole. Someone get me one, STAT! Friends usually order the Chicken Quesadilla, it includes the same sides and it is HUGE and is filled with chicken chunks and cheese... && Nomm.. Other meats they offer are; Steak, Lobster, and Kalua Pig. I've had the Kalua Pig Quesadilla was it was Nomm-O! as well. Service is a tad slow, but every time we go, we normally order margaritas... oh I forgot to mention they have a FULL BARRR! Yep, Mar-Gar-iiTas Yay! Drinking mid-day is best, Why... cause there's no road blocks! Haha no I KID... Please drink responsibly. Adios Muchachos

    (5)

  • Beth I.

    Beware: SO GOOD....Food-coma is inevitable! This place was especially good yesterday. Lunch seemed pretty busy (full house) but not overly crowded. I had the chile relleno and my bf had the kalua chimichanga. Both were delicious! The rice has changed from when I went a few weeks ago. It seemed more like saffron rice (the kind you get at an Indian restaurant) rather than the drier achote colored rice they had before. I was jonesing for some margaritas and we had original margaritas with li hing on the rim! I haven't had that before so I was especially impressed. The ice was very finely blended (the way i LOVE it) and not watery. Something about the tartness of the li hing with the lime really pushed it over the edge.... SOOO good!

    (4)

  • M F.

    I liked this place. The margaritas are good, the food was filling and tasty and I enjoyed the guacamole as well. Service was good and overall I can say that I enjoyed myself. Was a bit pricy for the type of food though (Around $60 ish for 2 baskets of chips and salsa, guacamole, 2 burrito entrees and 2 drinks). But, seeing as Hawaii lacks good Mexican food, I suppose the price is worth it. I would come back :)

    (4)

  • Misty P.

    I went here a while ago with some friends for lunch. The parking was ok, but if it got crowded, there aren't many stalls. The restaurant was sort of empty. We were greeted right away by the hostess. The place appeared clean, and the service was good. I got the crunchy tacos with rice and beans. The meals came with complimentary chips and salsa. Those were good and the salsa was ok with the appropriate spice level. My meal was fine, but the rice was a little too dry for my taste. My friends got the li hing mui margaritas. They seemed to enjoy it. I stuck with a simple Corona. The food was ok, the price is mediocre. The portions were ok. Not totally blown away to the point that I'd come back again.

    (3)

  • Shawn S.

    Food was ok, experience wasn't so great. Took trash out through main restaurant on a cart, even made my wife move her chair to get by with trash cart. Carne asada burrito was not delicious at all, left most of plate full of food. Waited for 15-20 minutes for "cashier" to make his way to the cash drawer so we could pay to leave. Only one waitress for a restaurant full of people. We won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Anson G.

    Bottom line: a great find! Awesome mexican food, in the middle of nowhere in Kalihi! Who would have thought to find a great restaurant in the middle of Kalihi? The food here is great, and they have some localized dishes, in addition to their mainly traditional fair. They have great margaritas, and their prices are reasonable. If you're looking for a good mexican place in Hawaii, you won't go wrong here at Mexico.

    (5)

  • Dreena T.

    I have been to this place a few times and each time I've been, the service has been terrible! We have to wait to be seated when the place is almost empty, and when we are seated it takes what it seems 15 mins to get our order taken by someone who seems that they wish they didn't work there. The food also takes a long time to be made. The only reason I can forgive this is because the food is actually great. The last time we went in, we were told that they no longer serve alcohol. We normally come here to order their giant margaritas, however, this time we were a little disappointed. Despite the terrible service, I return to order the Pollo a la Maria (I am pretty sure this is what it's called) It is delicious. It includes rice and salad and has an amazing sauce packed with flavor. Compared to the other local Mexican restaurants, this place really takes the cake as far as flavor and authenticity. They always start you off with chips and salsa (after your 15 mins of waiting) and then come back to take your order. The place is nicely decorated and definitely matches it's Mexican theme. The bathroom is even pretty cool. A recommend if you don't mind waiting, just don't go there starving.

    (3)

  • Mason H.

    Good food. Free chips and salsa. Best Mexican restaurant on the island. Their beer selection could use some diversity and their guacamole was rather tasteless. But the entrees were huge and delicious. I had the California burrito which comes with refried beans and mexican rice. Our server was excellent, although it seemed like she was the only server working hard. Other diners with different servers may have a different opinion.

    (4)

  • Sammy B.

    Best Mexican food I can find on the island! The food is delicious and the servers on great! The drinks are delicious but my only complaint would be how long it takes me to receive my drinks, especially when I'm sitting at the bar. Other than that, Mexico's is the place to go for Mexican food

    (4)

  • Maggie O.

    Atmosphere: Relaxed, live music, cool decor Service: slow but everyone was really nice Food: nice size portions and the queso is awesome! the tamale isn't that good, theres too much maze on it but chile reno is great

    (3)

  • Amy S.

    After being touristy at the Bishop museum, we were looking for some grub--- so I turned to my trusty Yelp app! It recommended this place-- which had an interesting name to me--- but it was right near our bus stop. Inside was nice-- and not really crowded. Typical Mexican restaurant decor. Even though it was seat yourself, a worker came to help us after we walked around super clueless (not seeing the sign). We both got the fajita burritos. My friend got chicken, and I got the steak- which I requested with no onion. We feasted on the free chips and salsa-- that was spicy for my tastebuds! Then two gianormous burritos appeared before us--- so much food--- with rice and beans--- and the server warned me that there was onion with the tomato salsa!!! And my steak was soo juicy and well cooked. The tortilla tasted fresh and possibly homemade! We both could not finish our meals, and now have dinner for tonite! I would def come back--- esp if I could talk one of my driving friends into going!

    (5)

  • Kelly G.

    Where else can you find deliciously cooked leguna?! Was able to get a chimichanga with leguna (not listed as one of the meats on the menu), served with guac, sour cream, rice and beans. It was delicious, except for the fact that there didn't seem to be a lot of meat. Service was alright. Then it became stellar when my friend's carnitas seemed burnt. The manager came over saw the situation and immediately changed out the ENTIRE plate without question. Extra star for great service. The second serving of carnitas seemed much more on par, but it was still lacking that something yummy. Free chips and salsa, had live music. Price is alright. Wouldn't mind coming back, but I don't think I'll be craving it anytime soon.

    (4)

  • Megan G.

    Where to eat before we went to the Night Sky presentation at the Bishop Museum.... Yelp to the rescue. Upon entering a Super cool interior was presented to us, which made me happy and excited for hopefully good grindz. I ordered a horchata and he got a beer. We split the Chicken/beef/Shrimp fajitas for two. Huge portions, and good flavor. We had a LOT of leftovers, and the whole meal was super inexpensive!! Next time I find myself in Kalihi, I know where to go!

    (4)

  • Jenn Y.

    Poor customer service. We were not greeted. We sat next the kitchen. It looks like a Micronesian was cooking and he did not seem to be concentrated on the food and the waitress was getting frustrated with him. I tried the shrimp chimichanga and does not taste good. It's was gross to me like doesn't match. Bf got kalua pork chimichanga and I did not like it too. Service seems slow. Maybe because they were busy. They were not attentive to customers and we wait a long time just for our check.

    (2)

  • H K.

    I've been to Mexicos twice...first time? AMAZING food, great service! Second time...good, but not as good as the first. I'll start off saying that I would definitely go back. Probably try something different on the menu. Both my husband and I had the Mexico burrito, and it wasn't that great. I ordered the chicken quesadilla for both my kids. They didn't eat it, but not because it wasn't good - my kids are just annoyingly picky. I took the leftovers home and the quesadillas were onolicious! Oh, we also ordered the nachos as an appetizer with shredded beef and it was good too. I like that they serve fresh salsa and chips for free when you sit down. However, when we first walked in, the place was packed. There isn't a hostess at the front and no sign telling you where to go. The reason I'm not giving 5 stars is because I don't appreciate looking like an idiot in these kinds of situations. I seriously looked all over the place for an employee who could help me, but anyone that looked like they worked there, didn't explain their seating procedures. I finally looked down and to the left - a small table had a clipboard with a sign-in sheet. Yeeeeeah...so I signed in. I wish there had been a noticeable sign that clearly tells you - either wait to be seated or Hey! Sign in on our sign in sheet...sheesh. Good food, service was okay at best. It seemed like our waitress was having a bad night because she didn't seem very happy to be at work. The bathroom toilet didn't flush (like someone else noted earlier. gross!) which is another no bueno. But oh well, next time I'll pee before going there and cross my fingers for a nicer server and a better menu choice. Oh - and look for the stupid sign in sheet to your left.

    (4)

  • Chelsey O.

    I've lived up the street from this restaurant for a couple years and would consider myself a regular. I keep coming back because I LOVE the food and the atmosphere. There's only one problem....the service consistently SUCKS. For example, when I came the other day, the host seated the party behind us first and never gave us a second look. I ended up seating myself and this wasn't the first time I've had to do so. The food is consistent and very authentic for a Mexican eatery in Hawaii (I'm originally from California.) I just wish the service was better, especially for how often I come here. Don't come to this place with a time limit, as it usually takes a solid twenty minutes just to get the check :-/ and sitting at the bar isn't much quicker...the bartender is less than attentive. Sorry Mexico, maybe one day I can give you a better review. Although, I can recommend the carnitas plate and your tamales because they are oh so ono! Maybe I should just order take-out?

    (2)

  • Masako U.

    Excellent food: just order takeout. The food here is very good, but the service is terrible. My husband didn't get his food until everyone else in our party of six pretty much finished eating. I saw his burrito on the counter; I almost went to get it myself if my friends hadn't stopped me. I haven't been there since but saw that their store sign changed...I hope their servers changed as well.

    (2)

  • Rhi M.

    BEST LIHING MUI MARGARITA I EVER HAD!!! :)) $9 for regular and $11 for the large. Never ordered or seen how the large looks like, but the regular one is pretty big. btw, there is not much parking.

    (4)

  • Lexoh D. M.

    Most authentic Mexican food I've had on the island. The only downsides are the price and the parking.

    (4)

  • R M.

    First time here tonight. Chili Rellano, Rice, Beans, and topped it off with a salad. All for $9.95! Extremely suprised with the portion I had for the price. A good deal. I was originally going to get an Ala carte side of just Chili Rellano and Spanish Rice, but the waitress said it was cheaper to get a plate. I'm very glad I got the plate instead of those items separately. Chili Rellano was good, loved the arroz y frijoles. Entertainment on a Tuesday night was a guy playing some Mexican music as well as some music on the Pan Flute. I had a good experience here for my first time.

    (5)

  • Alexandra B.

    Horrible experience at Mexico in Kalihi the other day. The food was barely warm and the beans were disgusting. While I was eating I was looking up at the pictures on the wall and saw a huge cockroach crawling up the wall. It instantly made me lose my appetite but I didn't say anything because my friends were still eating. When I looked up again it was crawling down towards the table so I got up and my friend got up too, sorry not a fan of cockroaches. Finally we sat down as it began crawling back up, our waitress walks by and rudely says "good old Hawaii". That really pissed me off, I get it there are roaches here but in a food establishment I don't want to see that. I should have been compensated especially considering I didn't even eat half of my food. I did not tip that rude waitress and quite honestly think I should notify the health inspector. Disgusting, never getting my business again!

    (1)

  • Britt A.

    It's been twice so far that I've dined here at Mexico Restaurant. First, on a weekend with my boyfriend and his family (party of 9), and second was on a weekday with my boyfriend, and another couple (party of 4). On my first visit, the wait was extremely long, which we assumed was due to it being a Saturday night, however as we waited outside, standing, because they do not offer any sort of seating/waiting area, we watched approximately 10-12 other guests, of smaller parties, be seated before us. I understand that our party was large, but when you wait for over half an hour, it starts to become frustrating. Only after we inquired about how long more our wait would be, did they actually attempt to seat us by suggesting we sit at two different tables right next to one another, rather than at one large table. Had that alternative been brought to our attention much earlier, we wouldn't have had to stand outside for over half an hour. This is my only complaint about Mexico Restaurant. My second visit, went a lot smoother. There was no wait, and the four of us were seated immediately. Likely because it was a weekday and it wasn't as crowded as it probably gets on weekends. Also, on this particular evening they had a live musician playing the guitar and singing, which I thought was a nice touch. The restaurant's decor is extremely fitting and you can't help but feel as though you're truly in Mexico. Even the restrooms are quite festive! You are given tortilla chips and salsa as a complimentary appetizer, and the entree portions are very large! Both times, I ordered the Mexico burrito, and both times did I end up bringing it home in a doggie-bag for the next day's lunch. I can't recall if they offer dessert, but that's because I've always been too full to ever care to look! My boyfriend's favorite drink from here is called Horchata, a drink which it's ingredients include rice water and cinnamon. Tastes a whole lot like drinking a churro! Overall, the atmosphere is fun, the food is tasty and filling, and this is a great place to have some drinks with friends (granted they can seat you in a timely manner). I'll definitely be back.

    (3)

  • Alexis K.

    I have been here a couple of times & had okay experiences. Recently my family and I went for dinner .We waited a long time to be seated . Service there just sucks. our food took a long time and our waiter seemed to tend more to the Mexican customers more then other customers. The management was the same way( rude). The food is mediocre . I tried to like this place ,but it's a FAIL.

    (1)

  • Brian W.

    This is one of the better Mexican restaurants on the island. The food is consistently good, and the service is always pretty good. I haven;t had the margaritas yet, but they look pre-made. I just wish it was a little cheaper, they are a little over priced (even for Hawaii)

    (4)

  • LeaDan Y.

    My favorite Mexican restaurant so far, which seems appropriately named. The portions match the price and quality. Parking is tricky in that area.

    (3)

  • Janice H.

    Growing up in California, and dating my half-Mexican boyfriend for the last 5 years (whose madre is from Mexico City), I DEFINITELY know what authentic Mexican food tastes like ... Pull my finger 'cuz I stay joking! Don't you hate it when people start off their reviews l'dat? Example: "I know what authentic (insert ethnic food group here) tastes like because .... my mother is from Japan, my boyfriend is from Mexico, I'm half-Korean, blah, blah, blah!" I could care less, honestly! As long as da joint has 'ono (delicious) food, den I'm down to try it. Bought da Living Social deal for Mexico Restaurant last fall ($15 for $30) and came here on a random weeknight. Parking sucked, as expected. A dude from El Salvador provided some great entertainment jamming it on his guitar. Found out da owner of dis place is from Mexico City, Mexico, so food has some authenticity credentials to it. Da guy manning da bar looked Filipino, but sported a Mexican or Spanish accent. Chile rellenos & their fried banana dessert ($5) = broke da mout! Fried banana dessert = banana lumpias with a huge scoop of ice cream (or was it whipped cream?) on it. REVIEW #151

    (4)

  • Shelly C.

    This is an update from my previous 5 stars. Had a fish wrap... eh, nothing to write home about! Kind of wet and soggy...also had sauted mushrooms... I know right? Who ever heard of garlic butter shrooms at a mexican place? They were different but we liked them! Warning: VERY garlic-y & oily! Husband loved his pork carnitas.

    (4)

  • Aidett S.

    I get that there isn't a great selection of Mexican food on the island but damn was this place horrible. Not only was the food far from authentic but what really killed me was the service. Nothing about this place was inviting. Definitely going elsewhere for subpar Mexican food with way better service.

    (1)

  • Sam A.

    The food is not worth the wait. In my opinion it is like the worst Mexican food on the mainland. I am from Southern California so I'm very particular. Good atmosphere and service.

    (2)

  • Earl N.

    One of the things I missed about Southern California was the Mexican food. When we moved to Oahu, my family and I had trouble finding a restaurant that served anything that could compare to what we were used to ... and then we finally ran into this place. Having eaten at Mexico Restaurant a few times already, I can honestly say that this establishment is definitely right up there when it comes to Mexican dishes (and food on the island in general). The atmosphere is great, the service is awesome and the food is excellent. The only downside is the parking which is small and set up a little funky. That's just a little issue though which hardly takes away from the overall score. Anyone who enjoys Mexican food should at least check it out once.

    (5)

  • Jenn G.

    Having lived in Southern California, there are few restaurants on the island that have decent enough Mexican food for me. This place is the one I enjoy going to. PROS:The meal portions are really large, a little pricey but worth it. Free chips and salsa, and great service! The atmosphere is super casual, and super loud! I love that! They're either blasting appropriate music with Spanish lyrics or they have an actual singer doing his live show for tips. The parking lot is a little shifty, free, but really way too tiny, but if you get there before the dinner rush, you should be fine! I highly recommend getting an Horchata, the cinnamon rice-milk drink! They come in personal pitchers that you will want to share with others at the table. _______ CONS: Don't go when the football fans are there watching a big game. They get way too loud and obnoxious even though they're in the bar section of the restaurant.

    (4)

  • S S.

    JUST A SMALL KINE WARNING EVERYONE!!! My coworkers decided they want to eat Mexican food. We've been to Mexico Restaurant MANY MANY times and we never complained! Their food and service is AWESOME~ BUT!!!!!! Last week we ordered CARNITAS and two of us that ate the exact same thing ended up PUKING and getting really sick! So... I'd watch out and DO NOT order carnitas!!!

    (1)

  • Dave F.

    First off, I should have listened to my friend Terry K about the parking!! She was right, it was a b****! And who should know better than her when it comes to parking! Well, the parking WAS a secondary matter. I couldn't turn down the offer from my friends to meet up for dinner one recent night. As usual, I had to order my customary Heineken and had the basket of Tortilla chips and salsa. Man, the salsa was hot! Hehe, maybe because my taste buds are so sensitive when it comes to hot stuff! After much consideration, I chose what I would like to eat and ended up with a combo of Beef Burrito and Beef Enchillada... Both were awesome and came served with the normal starches, Mexican rice and refried beans. The rice served here tasted a little different from what I'm usually used to having at other restaurants, but it was good nonetheless. It also is served with a small serving of pico de gallo. What impressed me most was our server. She made sure we had our orders in promptly and that our waters were always filled. She also remembered everyone's orders without even having to write them down!! Good job!! There was also entertainment that night and even if it was a bit loud where we were sitting, it was nice to have that while having our meal. It was a very enjoyable meal and I will be back again someday. Just remember, parking is a b****, but parking on the street and walking the distance is worth it. If you come after 5:30pm, you can park on School Street close to the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Michelle G.

    FTMFW!! This is the BEST Mexican restaurant on Oahu!! If you know anything about Mexican food I recommend the Menudo or Chicken Carnitas Plato. It truly tastes like homemade Mexican food from the motherland...the meat is so flavorful, smoky, and tender!! Can't beat good Mexican food, music plus some horchata.

    (5)

  • Maricor C.

    I give this place 3.5 stars. Overall, the food is pretty good (still not the best Mexican food I've had). It's good enough for Hawaii though, given we don't really have many decent Mexican joints out here in the islands. Now I've never been to Mexico (the actual country) to attest to the "real" deal, so don't get on my case for that. But I used to live in Colorado where there is a hefty Hispanic population and lots of little family-owned Mexican restaurants. I also have a lot of Hispanic friends in Colorado who were the ones who brought me to said restaurants and told me which places were "as good as home" or "too Americanized." So although I may not be the ideal reviewer, I feel I do have some understanding of what makes a good-tasting Mexican meal. I ordered a chicken burrito which was served with rice and beans. As expected, the serving was very generous for the price. Nonetheless, the taste didn't give that "Wow" I've had at dare I say, more "authentic" Mexican restaurants. Other points: 1) The ambiance is great! The live musician was really awesome. 2) As Blaine H. mentioned, parking is very awkward (and limited)! 3) My Li Hing Mui margarita was pretty good. (The fact that they have a Li Hing Mui margarita should signal that this restaurant isn't hardcore authentic). The drink serving was definitely more than enough. In short, good place to get your Mexican fix but not as good as it can get.

    (3)

  • Valerie S.

    Went with a friend visiting from the mainland and overall we were quite pleased. Portions were HUGE, and I couldn't believe how much pork was inside my chimichanga. The price was reasonable and food was above average. The place was really neat, and our service was friendly and competent, even though our server had 6 tables by the end of our meal. We did get there about 11:45, but the bathroom was very clean, and we loved the design/style of the restaurant. Our margaritas were tasty and not weak. So, I will definitely be going back to try some other things on the menu.

    (4)

  • Lori P.

    Love the margarita coco tequila and great fajitas!

    (4)

  • Lori W.

    First time here. The adult Mexican Farrell's decor weirded me out. Went here on Father's Day ~3pm. Figured the crowds would be gone, but stood at the "wait to be seated" sign for a good ten minutes before anyone greeted us, but to be fair it was after the lunch rush so maybe they weren't expecting more customers? DON'Ts: - Parking: It is in the same building "complex" as the old United Puerto Rican Association hall. The hall still gets rented out, mostly on weekends and all share the same small, badly paved lot. Lucked out eventually and didn't bottom out the car going over the old blacktop to get a space. Had a hard time getting out of lot later, though. Park on the street if you can. -Restaurant Layout: Hard to maneuver here if it's crowded because table layouts are too big for the space. Almost every table was a slab that could seat large parties. Not everyone is dining with a soccer team all the time... -Decor: Seems like they went for a ranch hacienda feel, but it didn't really pan out. Too many bull heads and placards about life philosophies. Think adult Mexican Farrell's, with alcohol. Not really our thing. -Only first basket of chips and salsa PER TABLE is free. Additional requests cost you. Doesn't matter how many in your party, apparently. -Tortillas are NOT handmade (yeah, we asked)! Awwwwww, man! The cheapest & easiest thing to make and you don't crank those out? So sad...would've made a big difference here. MAYBEs: *Uneven Value: Had the taquitos app. Choice is chicken or ground beef (what!) per the server, but it came with shredded beef (das right!). But for 10 bucks, we expected more than four small taquitos cut in half & three sauces. Carne arriera was huge portions. Mexico burrito was the same. Although for $16, quantity may be the only saving grace here. *Freshness: Chips were the hefty, thick type, although we suspect the salsa was out of a jar and jazzed up with some fresh cilantro. Salsa fresca on entree was good, if a little bland. Sour cream from a container. Other reviews have dinged the guac, but today the guac was good, though--had a chunky texture and decent seasoning, although a little more acid would've brightened it up nicely. Beans tasted out of a can. Rice was odd--lima beans and corn? Um, different... Beef was overcooked but seasoned well, and bell peppers were fresh with some bite left to them. Menu says items come with flour tortillas but you can ask for corn instead. *Service: Apps came at a good time, very hot temperature wise. Rest of the food for the table came all at once, except for mine, which took another awkward 15+ minutes to arrive, with everyone kind of staring at their food waiting to begin (although I told em go!). A few plates got to less than sizzling. Drink refills were ok (2x), if a little slow. Server was very sweet and did check on us 2x, but wasn't really speedy. *Cleanliness/Kid Friendly Bathroom: Bathrooms are quirky, with the outdoor-type sink and a lot of inspirational placards "conveniently" hung around and opposite the toilet bowl for you to read, ahem. One-stall deal. No changing tables. Wastebasket overflowing with used paper towels. DOs: +You may like the bar, though we're not really bar folk. Shows a lot of desportes in the native tongue, if you're craving some "goooooooooooooalllllllll!" and want to be around others for it. Would be really fun around World Cup time. Nothing else I can 100% recommend. The guac ain't enough to sustain a return visit. Sorry...maybe some takeaway would be ok. But if the public bathroom/front of the house can't even stay clean, how does the kitchen/back of the house look? No one got sick, but that don't mean I ain't scared for any future orders. Bottom line: no, good Mexican food ain't a strong suit in Hawaii. The quest continues. I don't think I'd go back for a sit-down meal, unless family/friends wanted to come here. I took good Mexican food for granted for sooooo many years. Dang. Overpriced for the quality ($16 for carne arriera, $10 for taquito apps, WAAAAY too much money for some basic horchata), but if you're after quantity then this may fit the bill, I guess.

    (3)

  • Keith L.

    Great food, good service. However, musician and chatter way too loud to enjoy the meal.

    (3)

  • Nathan G.

    Great affordable place to eat. I gave it 4 stars because the chips and salsa were only okay. The entree I got was very tasty!

    (4)

  • Laura N.

    Food is authentic and tasty. Great chips and salsa. Delish guacamole. If this review was based solely on the food it would be a solid 4, but the staff is so inconsistent that I cannot bring myself to overlook it. We constantly have to ASK for refills, more chips, our check...We enjoy the food, but the service needs some serious customer focused leadership.

    (3)

  • Anita C.

    All I can say is OMG!! 1) the food is awesome and comes out steaming hot! 2) the service is fast and cheerful. 3) portions are HUGE!! 4) cost is really good for the amount that they give. 5) THIS IS A GOTTA TRY KINDA PLACE!!

    (4)

  • Cyrus F.

    For Hawaii, this is almost as close to the real deal as you're likely to find. As a SoCal native its hard to find good Mexican food around here, but there are a few decent places around town, Mexico Restaurant being one of them. Their burritos are generous in size and come with authentic mexican rice and beans or else a salad. Good guacamole, and decent meats. I daresay the carne asade could use a little bit more flavoring but hey its pretty good and reminded me a little bit of Los Angeles (home of the best Mexican restaurants). The service was quick and proper, and they even brought me an entire new burrito after I was only 2 bites into my first one, telling me they had brought out the wrong burrito to being with (I didn't really have time to notice, but getting an extra burrito is always pretty sweet). The interior/exterior is appropriately and festively decorated, and yes, the restaurant is complete with full bar, margarita & Mexican beer selection at recent prices, as well as two TV sets for the football game. All-in-all I recommend it for those experienced eaters looking for some decent-to-good Mexican food in Hawaii; Los Chaparros in Moiliili might have the edge on them in a few places but I'd have to go back and try The Mexico again to confirm this suspicion.

    (4)

  • May L.

    Hmm. Meh. Expensive. Almost $20 for a fajita? And you put skirt steak for THAT?! I've had cheaper AND tastier steak on a sizzling plate for HALF THE PRICE! Service. SUCKS! We came on a Monday night 8pm. We weren't greeted till almost 8:30! Drinks took forever. We were seated right next to the bar, and the bartender was there the whole time pretending that he did not see us. At least come by and say someone would be here in a bit. That's the least you can do when you are slammed! Food. A okay. My friends loved their enchiladas. Fajita was below average. Margaritas. Tasted like regular margaritas. It's hard to screw up on that. Won't be back.

    (2)

  • Joanne H.

    One of the best on island....but thats not saying much as there is noooooo good mexican food here. Prices are good, food is ok, service is GREAT.

    (4)

  • Megan T.

    I was totally unsure about this place. I mean, I Mexican Restaurant in Hawaii? Really? The actual restaurant in very cute. They have a good sized menu and well as drinks. Oh and like every Mexican beer you can think of! I got enchiladas and my husband got the chimichanga. The food was good, not the best I've ever had but it was good. As far as the service goes, it was good as well. Again, not the best I've ever had, but good. I may go back if I'm really craving Mexican.

    (3)

  • Brandy C.

    Vallarta fajita was delicious! Server was not touchy feely but very sweet and helpful just the same. Parking was kind of a nightmare, but the good and ambiance made it definitely worth it!! Again, let me just suggest the Vallarta fajita!! SO GOOD!

    (5)

  • Anna D.

    i love mexican food and i sure do love eating at Mexico! everything i've tried is good so i can't say that anything is bad. Carne Asada dishes, burritos, salads, YUMYUMYUM. They also have horchata. Can we say HOoooo!! The horchata is HUGE but not as good as the horchata at Los Chapporos but hey, sometimes, size is everything. :p Try it. It's good eats for a good price.

    (4)

  • Florence K.

    By far, the BEST Mexican food I have found in Hawaii. And yes I've tried quite a bit of establishments. I've been staring at this restaurant every time I drive past it, and always mention to my boyfriend that I want to try it. Luckily, we got to come here the other night for dinner and it was so good. I think the only thing that people may find bad about this place is the parking. There's definitely not that many stalls, and if the restaurant was crowded, customers may have to park on the street and walk. However, I easily found parking in the lot, so I'm not complaining. We were greeted immediately and had a choice to sit in the dining area or near the bar, but we didn't have a preference so she sat us on a tablenext to the bar. Immediately after we sat, the server/bartender placed a basket of chips and salsa on our table. We both ordered grande margaritas-me the strawberry, the boyfriend the mango, and boy were they definitely grande. I was definitely surprised at the size of the cup. I think I definitely started feeling the alcohol go through my bloodstream after a third of that cocktail. I decided to order the grande burrito, because it sounded good to me at the time, and my boyfriend got the Mamamia burrito, minus the shrimp (he's allergic). They were both huge portions. Again, that grande burrito, definitely was a big one. And they were both DELICIOUS. That was the best fish burrito I've ever tried. And that grande burrito was so yummy as well. I can't think of any place I've ever had better Mexican food. I left the restaurant full (and I only ate half my burrito) and buzzed. I'll definitely be making my way here many more times!

    (5)

  • Leah P.

    The food was so/so at best. For everyone who says its amazing I wonder if they have ever had real Mexican food. Because this just isn't it!!!

    (2)

  • Malea K.

    Great food, great service and amazing coconut margarita! I had the fajita burrito and the chicken was bomb and my boyfriend got the chipotle scallops and he loved them!

    (5)

  • Marissa J.

    Closest I've seen to mexican food since we came to Hawaii. The food is great! and the service is good as well! Sometimes getting a table can be difficult because this is a popular local place so go during off hours unless you don't mind waiting!

    (4)

  • David G.

    Really!!! Still bad... Even their simple dishes are poorly executed. From their jar like salsa to their terrible beans each dish seemed to gets worse. There are many reviews pertaining to their rude or lackluster service. It's kind of funny because that's the last area one should be concerned with. Start with the food! A knowledgeable child could prepare better Mexican food. To give an example: Chilaquiles are made with simple leftover ingredients to make a great breakfast dish.Their preparation or more specifically their interpretation was: dry eggs on dry crispy chips with no flavor, no cheese and almost no sauce. How can this place stay in business??? On a positive note: their decorations are nice along with the cleanliness of the restaurant. It is extremely clean; including the kitchen, which is a rarity among Hawaiian restaurants! Run while you can...

    (2)

  • Laura R.

    My gf and I first learned of this restaurant while driving through Kalihi one afternoon. It appeared to be a popular spot, so we decided to hit it up for a date night. Two words: big mistake. (Full disclosure: I even read the Yelp reviews before we went there, but my stubbornness won out!) The first sign that things were not going to go well is that they tried to seat us right by the front door, even though the majority of the restaurant was empty. We requested to be reseated and ended up in the bar (improvement!), but despite the fact that I could see cases of beer from our table...our waiter took 15 minutes to getting around to take our drink order (again, majority of the restaurant was empty - we were the only people seated in the bar). The beer selection was typical....and, in retrospect, I should have gone with a tequila drink since I don't have a taste for lagers. At any rate, if the service was bad, the food was worse. I had a carne asada taco salad...which was decidedly unexciting. If you can imagine a hospital deciding to make this as their evening meal, then you can probably imagine what this tasted like. No flavor! My girlfriend ordered a fajita wrap, which was not a whole lot different than what I ordered except it had bell peppers and was dripping (quite literally, dripping) with oil. If you're waiting with bated breath to find out how this meal ended, you are SOL. We asked for the check halfway through the meal. The well-appointedl restroom was the highlight of the experience. It had nice fixtures and was much more pleasant than most restaurant bathrooms I've experienced. In fact, the general decor of the restaurant was nice enough overall, although it seemed like the owners/decorators decided to put any wall hanging with words written on them up on the wall. I'll give this place 2 stars based on the fact that the food wasn't inedible and the ambience was pleasant enough. P.S. The prices they ask for this food is outrageous. Do yourself a favor: Skip Mexico Restaurant and go to Serg's for a great taco/fajita salad! They even let you bring your own beer!

    (2)

  • Karen T.

    Service is is good. Food comes out in 5-10 minutes, our water is always filled, chips and salsa are good. Food is good although I will admit that I haven't had too much Mexican Food to compare it to. I've had several dishes here and no complaints. My favorite is the Combo Fajita's. There's so much food I always take home half my plate. Drinks-They have a Li Hing Mui Margarita that I just love! If I'm in the mood for alcohol that's what I get. If no I get the horchata that comes in a mini pitcher. Overall, I would suggest eating in if you can-you get the chips and salsa! :)

    (4)

  • Nicole G.

    The food here is really good and it's a cute place. I warn you the area is not fantastic and the parking lot is very small so you may have to park on the street somewhere. Don't go on a Saturday night because you will hear the base from the social club behind the place. Prices are right and there is live entertainment at certain times.

    (4)

  • Chad Y.

    A mexican restaurant named Mexico? How original right? So when a friend wanted to check it out, I was a bit apprehensive. After much debate, I decided to go and let me just start of with this. It is damn good Mexican food considering this is Hawaii. Let's not attempt to compare this to food we can get in California or Texas, cause we got nothing on them. Yet, if you are in Honolulu and want mexican food in a comfortable environment with good service, Mexico Restaurant is the place to go! I certainly have gone on several occasions. Tucked off School Street, parking can be hard to come by, but go around the block or park on the street. The restaurant itself is tastefully appointed in a rustic surrounding that is nostalgic of a mexican marketplace. There is a mariachi band playing on many nights, although it gets very loud. So if you do go on those nights, ask for a table away from the door, or you won't be able to hear anything at the end of the night nor will you be able to have a conversation. The menu is diverse with your traditional staples like tacos, buritos, horchatas, chimichangas and everything else you can imagine. It is wide ranging and definitely pleases. The burritos were huge and full of flavor, I opted for the chicken on one occasion and it was delicious. On the second time I tried the steak which was even better!The margaritas are huge by the way. and the strawberry is heaven. Service is good and quick, although you may have to ask to get your water refilled on several occasions. Especially if you order the hot sauce... Definitely worth checking out and if I want Mexican food in Honolulu, Mexico is probably the first that comes to mind!

    (4)

  • J. Lewis E.

    Mexico Restaurant has decent food. But I don't recommend the establishment for the following reason: If you were to order the combo dish where you choose from the common dishes i.e. taco, enchilada, chile relleno, etc. And let's say you wanted 3 beef tacos, you would pay $18.50. Folks, this is a sort of rustic place. A cantina. No way 3 tacos (rice & beans included) should cost $18.50 at this type of place! The restaurant lacks value. They keep raising their prices when, if truth be told, they need to lower them. Also, if anyone has been in Mexico, salsa & chips are gratis, including refills. At this restaurant after the chips are gone, a refill will cost you a dollar.

    (2)

  • Jasmine M.

    I thought the ambiance of this place was great. Been here a few times but my recent visit has ensured I won't be back. The food was fantastic before. Delicious, no issues. Tasted like authentic Mexican food. Now I feel as if they're taking shortcuts. Food wasnt even tasty I feel like I would have been happier driving through Taco Bell I know that sounds bad, but I can't picture wasting my hard earned money on mediocre Mexican food. Service was okay, live music was way too loud, kept yelling to talk to my friends. Won't be back.

    (2)

  • Marty R.

    Mexico was recommended by people my wife works with so we stopped for dinner while in town last night, a Monday. The place is easy to find on School Street, but the parking is limited, on a steep incline, and treacherously tight. Even before getting to the door we could hear the sound of live music and thought it a nice touch. That is, until we got inside and seated. The restaurant is very small and the man playing guitar/singing was using an amplifier. The volume was way too loud!! Any conversation, even with the person sitting right next to you, had to wait until between songs or be shouted. The musician was quite talented and had he been playing acoustically it would of been a wonderful addition to the experience, not the annoyance it was. Our waiter took our drink order (soft drinks) and then our food order when he returned with those. We started the meal with a large order of Sauteed Garlic Mushrooms, They were awesome! Piping hot whole mushrooms prepared with fresh garlic, butter, and cheese, then finished in a broiler. The mushrooms were well cooked and not overdone/mushy, had just the right amount of garlic and the cheese was gooey and stringy and crisped around the edges. Yum! As is too often the case when eating out, our entrees arrived halfway through our appetizer course. I really dislike that! I had traditional tacos with lengua (beef tongue) which came with rice and beans. My wife ordered the Grande Burrito. They allowed her to substitute rice and beans for the salad that came with it. Nice touch! (My wife always tests the rice and beans at Mexican restaurants to gauge of how good the place is... kind of a baseline measurement.) My tacos were good, though I questioned the waiter whether the meat was actually lengua or just their regular beef. He assured me it was beef tongue... but I'm still a bit incredulous. Either way, they were okay. I don't think the tortillas are made fresh, but there was a decent amount of meat, onion and cilantro fillings topped with an avocado based sauce. It might of been described as guacamole on the menu, but was almost perfectly smooth and rather bland. My wife enjoyed her Grande Burrito, which has both chicken and beef fillings. She was able to finish a little over half of it before reaching her limit. I'll let her Yelp any other thoughts she has about it! Oh, the rice and beans? The rice was "okay", moist and fluffy, cooked in chicken stock I think with maybe a little tomato paste for color. No onions, peppers or other spices that I could detect. The beans were a disappointment. For me, they're not refried beans if they're not made with lard. You just don't get that creamy, luxurious feeling on the tongue without it. Overall, nothing was bad, but then again the only thing worth raving about was the garlic mushrooms. It was the only plate we finished! I won't discourage anyone from trying the place themselves, but maybe find out what days the guitar player has off and go then. Or maybe stuff his tip jar and ask him to play acoustically for you!

    (2)

  • Mossberg S.

    Went there twice, and both times we had terrible service. The sad part, there was only 4 tables of patrons. Our server pretty much neglected us as if we were some Micronesian lepers. I dont want to babble, so in a nutshell... the big fat girl, and the creepy looking server dude that looks like he fondles cats are complete IDIOTS!! Never again at this over-hyped place.

    (1)

  • David C.

    I think authentic Mexican cuisine is one of the great Cuisines of the World. Yucatan peninsula cuisine is amazingly fresh, flavorful and thoughtful. Just like French, Chinese, Italian, and Turkish cuisines. Beware: This is not authentic Mexican food. It is American-styled Mexican food from the 80s where large plates with mounds of food are covered with cheese and tossed into the oven or microwave for warmth and cheese melt. Out comes the plate, toss on cold wet greens and plops of sour cream and guacamole and serve. Yuck. Complimentary chips are too thick and salsa tasted like canned tomato paste with chopped onions in it. Carne asada was not good. Not sure if it was actually marinated and if it was the flavors weren't there. They have a nice one page explanation of the "Origins of Mexican Food" with a full paragraph on Oaxacan food and moles. They don't have any on their menu. Won't be back unless I'm in the mood for decent Mexican atmosphere, ok pitchers of margaritas, and average Mexican food. Pretty much never.

    (1)

  • Michelle M.

    Gosh...Why do I even think about trying new Mexican restaurants around here?? I cant seem to find anything that works...or even tastes halfway decent. So, since I am working in the Upper Kalihi area now, I have found that there are a few lunch options to choose from. This was just one of the many around my new digs and since the group from work wanted to eat there because it was "OOOHHH SOOOO GOOD", I reluctantly agreed. Grrrr...flavorless, way too many beans...canned refried beans at that! EWWWW... I had a chicken burrito with the Verde sauce. I almost mistook it for a piece of soggy cardboard with some green sauce on it because it tasted so bland. The rice was made nicely, but again, lacked any sazon. I guess I should premise this review by saying that I normally dont prefer Mexican food...but I have had decent Mexican, and this is certainly not it. Thank goodness it was a work lunch because then I would have been really sad. Not a winner in my book.

    (1)

  • Alex M.

    This place is hands down the best Mexican restaurant on the island. Not only is it cleaner than the (few) other Mexican restaurants on the island, but it is warm, cozy and welcoming. The decor of the restaurant reflects the Mexican culture and every time I've gone there has been some great Hispanic musicians playing the guitar and singing. Ambiance deserves a 5/5. The staff was very kind, executed every step of service smoothly, and dishes were prepared quickly. Service gets a 5/5. The food is amazing and the portions are big. I usually get their burritos and boy are they delicious. This is as close as you'll get to authentic Mexican food. Food gets a 5/5.

    (5)

  • Christopher D.

    I've only been here once now but it was absolutely excellent. Large portions of good food, very friendly staff, and none of the annoying cheap things I've seen at other restaurants like charging extra for chips and salsa or for refills. We got horchata which came in large cups and was delicious. The menudo was spicy and full of flavor and my wife's quesadillas were massive. Our waitress kept our chips and salsa full during the short time we waited for our food. I can't wait to eat here again.

    (5)

  • Mark M.

    To me, a great restaurant has to be clicking in sync on three things. First, the ambiance. Secondly, the service. And third, the food. A good restaurant can still have two of the three and be fine. An alright restaurant might have one of them or maybe a little in all three categories. Thankfully, Mexico has all three in spades. I've never been to a true 'authentic' Mexican restaurant before. The decor in this place is pretty cool. It almost feels as if it came out of the movie set from Desperado or something. They even have a guy posted by the door singing his renditions of Christmas songs in Spanish. I love it. The service here was great. Our server might have forgotten our drinks once or twice but the rest of the time she was splendid. She was always aware of who needed more glasses of water or glasses for margaritas even though our party and table size kept growing as the night proceeded. They could have used maybe one or two more servers that night since it seemed like our poor girl got overwhelmed at times, but all in all, it was great. The food was awesome. Everything from the simple chips and salsa to the garlic mushroom appetizer. Crab quesadilla was very well done. I had the kalua pig tacos and it almost melted in your mouth. I'd love to come back here again to try some of the items I was interested in. The only downside to this place is the parking lot. As many have said, it's small, cramped, and there's only one way in and out. This can cause confusion and traffic jams. The experience of Mexico is worth the trouble though.

    (4)

  • Gaelen L.

    I'm not normally a fan of mexican food, but this place was good! They are normally busy and have a very small parking lot but the food is better than most Mexican places I have eaten. I like the choose 2-3-4 plate where you can pick from burritos, tacos, enchiladas, etc. and make your own meal. Of course each can be changed from chicken to beef or shredded beef. They have very large margaritas and big bar too!

    (4)

  • Wayne S.

    The parking absolutely sucks!! the lot is small, turning around to leave is irritating, and if there isnt any parking then pray that you can find street parking. Having said that and getting the bad out of the way, once you walk in the weight of the stress you were feeling while just trying to get into the restaurant (parking) is gone with a quick sigh. As soon as you walk in you hear the music from the one man bad right at the door. I mean not the bestest but adds so much to the environment which makes it pretty darn good. Shortly after the busy buzzing waitresses come by and drop chips and salsa at your table. a few moments later they come by again and ask if you are ready to order.....well i was but still had some questions and she was very willing to take the time to answer my questions. Had the lobster something and my wife got the other something that i dont even remember but it was so good. You know the food was really good but the environment and the service really added to a great experience.

    (5)

  • KaimukiMan H.

    First of all this is Honolulu, not LA or San Diego, or Albuquerque, or even Houston. This is still one of Honolulu's best Mexican restaurants. I have only one major complaint. The tortilla chips. Bad, very very bad. They are stale, hard but not crisp, heavy with no air pockets, no lightness. and god alone knows how long they spend stacked up next to the kitchen service window. Absolutely hands down the worst tortilla chips I've ever had anywhere. The ones in a cello pack from the grocery store are better. They should be ashamed to even have these in the restaurant. I was with a friend who is undergoing chemo. She said, geeze these taste like cardboard. I said it isn't the chemo, they DO taste like cardboard.

    (3)

  • Papiloa J.

    Total Fan! Easily The Best Mex On Oahu! *Service: Friendly, Attentive, Quick *Ambience: Fun/Authentic Mex Vibe, Separate Bar Area, Live Music on occassion *Food: On Point & Delish! Complimentary Chips (as it should be!), Great Selection *Beverages: Good - not fab, Horchata Is Good, Margaritas Are Yummy Too *Price: Above Average (compared to what you would pay in San Diego for good Mex) *Parking: Limited to about 15 cars total and awkward to maneuver Good For: Themed Parties, Groups, Fun Date Night Out, Lunch or Dinner, Live Mex Music (check site as days for music vary) Recommendations: -Don't order any appetizers unless you are in a group or can control yourself from gobbling down all of the complimentary chips! -Go for dinner! While this spot is awesome anytime, their food is soooo heavy and served in such gracious portions (not a prob for me!) that I often feel like I need a decent nap afterward. Dinner is best, so you don't kill the rest of your day :) -If you are planning on having dessert after your meal, ask first if they still have any. Seems silly, but they run out quick and you don't want to be disappointed :( -Get their Mama Burrito. Can't remember exact name, but ask waitress/waiter he or she will know - UHMAAAZING!! I'm pretty sure I ate my left-over for breakfast the next day at 5am and I swear it was even better then! Papi Says: "The Mexico? Yeah Baby!"

    (4)

  • Ed L.

    I was in search of a good mexican place near my work place, so I ventured out to this place. After some reassurring Yelp reviews, I went here instead of my usual Subway and tried to venture something new. I'm surprised to say that this place was pretty decent. The ambiance was like a regular typical bar and restaurant. Small, but effective. The neighborhood it is in isn't that great, but you would not want to be there at night. You know, Kalihi, and all that. The food was average, I must admit. Not stellar quality that I thought. I ordered take out for lunch, so the dining area was not even crowded at all. I had the wet burrito. It was tasty, but it could have been better. The price was overwhelming, but I suppose it makes up for it in portion size.

    (3)

  • Darron A.

    I really wanted to like this restaurant. Really I did. It just didn't live up to the standard of, well many establishments I've dined at. Now granted, we went about an hour before closing, but we were surprised at how consistently poor our experience was. First of all, I loved the live music. The guitar player and singer was fabulous. He was the highlight of our evening. Which isn't saying much considering how the rest of the night went. We were served the complimentary chips and salsa before we even ordered our drinks, which was good. One basket was perfectly fine, the other had many chips that tasted burnt. I can power down just about anything, but he chips were a little tough. When it came to our meal, we ordered the Taco Salad, and a 3 entree Mexican combo with a Pork Tamal, a cheese enchilada, and a chicken taco. Our daughter does not generally like sauces so we ordered the enchilada sauce on the side. When it came out, it was smothered in it. I enjoyed the red sauce since it had a nice smokey flavor to it, but it was definitely too spicy for my daughter. This was somewhat trivial, and I would have overlooked it at the time. But my wife's taco salad was the kicker. The ground beef was absolutely pink. I'd say a hearty medium pink, which is too pink for anyone who prefers to not spend the rest of the week yacking up an intestine. We showed the server and she graciously removed it from the bill without us asking. (Incidentally I overheard the party at the table next to us send back a chicken dish as well. Must have been a real off night for the kitchen!) When I was handed the bill, I looked at the rundown of the receipt and saw there were 3 Dos XX Ambers on there. Come to find out it was someone else's tab, which is quite amusing since we were the second to last party in the restaurant! After I got the correct bill, I promptly put cash in the folder and left it on the corner of our table for our server to take. But it sat there for 5 minutes while the server was gabbing with the kitchen staff. It probably would have been longer if it wasn't for me getting up from my chair and asking if I was supposed to pay at the bar (I actually assumed I was supposed to since our server never came back). Instead of immediately making change and handing it back to me, our server handed it off for someone else to do and went back to the kitchen window to talk some more. By this time I was pretty impatient and it seemed like an eternity that I was standing there waiting for my change. It was definitely long enough to make me think she was taking my change for a 33% tip! All in all, it was definitely not a great first experience for us, and even though it's hailed by other yelpers as the best Mexican restaurant on the island we likely won't be going back. Plus one star for the live music. That guy is a great singer/guitarist!

    (2)

  • Allie L.

    A girlfriend of mine was super gung-ho to try this place. Like the true Yelp believer I am, I looked here to see what the deal is. And...I was left unsure to be honest. It's either, "BEST MEXICAN IN HAWAII!" or "OMG, WORST MEXICAN EVAAAAR!". I guess you could say my experience was...whelming. The decor is cute, the menu is extensive, we weren't treated so nicely by one server (though he wasn't OUR server, who was great.), and the live musica was bueno. The food took a while to come out, I got a Mexico combo with chile relleno (good!) and a beef enchilada (meh.). My drinks were the highlights. Michelada with Pacifico; next time I'll get it with Modelo, basically a Mexican Bloody Mary. And the horchata is worth getting, it's awesome. Too bad for my sweet tooth, they were out of ALL DESSERTS. Maybe that's why my subconscious knocked off a star...

    (3)

  • Nanea L.

    This a hole in the wall restaurant. The neighborhood makes it look ghetto. But once inside, the decor will completely change your mind! Lived next to this for a couple years, while it was being renovated & never got to experience it. But finally came here and I must say it was worth the drive since I don't live near it anymore. This restaurant is located in the heart of Kalihi or maybe a little off to the side. In the middle of Kamehameha Shopping Center and Lanakila Community Park. Or if your familiar with Elena's Hawaiian Food, almost directly across from there. Very authentic Mexican foood. I love the inside it's so cute. The signs are super funny along with the staff. I only gave it 4 stars because I had this old man that was serving my mom&I, and he was a bit irritating. But maybe because he was old? I wanted more patron in my margarita but it was whatever. LOL the margaritas are supeeeeeeeer good, along with the nacos&the beef tounge. haha The portions are very big and generous. Not to mention they have happy hour! From 2-5pm! GOOOOOOOOOOOO! :)

    (4)

  • Lima Z.

    Great food especially when they have a band playing in the background it just makes everything so authentic

    (5)

  • bryan d.

    New review... Food is good, was there on cinco di mayo and had horrible service when owner was there felt a little sick but no worries foods good. Came again today only about 3 tables full in the entire restaurant lunch time ( not good for them ) Didn't want to sit at the actual bar just the side table since I was alone and grabbing a quick bite. Host told me I couldn't sit there... really? Thats to hard in that small of a room with no customers, before he could change his mind I left there goes my $10 tips on $20 meals and I will never go again. I will just go to his cousins in kailua lol same good food just different name ;) I am sure this isn't like this all the time but I am weird like that if it happens twice far apart ;) happy yelping 5 stars down to 2. Old Review Having serious LA Mexican food withdrawels I think I have hit every mexican food restaurant on the island. I actually didn't try this one because every time I drove by it in Kalihi it looked a little sketchy from the outside. Finally I gave in and I am glad I did! I give it 5 stars because so far it is the best I have found... If you know better please tell me so I can try! Great interior I like the setup and design. Live mexican music. Great bar. Service is average. I usually get the steak or chicken burrito. The chips are the only thing I think can be better they are just average. The owner has a cousin or relative which owns another mexican restaurant in kailua which is also pretty good. If you like mexican food give it a shot.

    (2)

  • Andrew S.

    Coming from So.Cal I'm picky about Mexican food. This place doesn't make the grade. It's edible and they have a nice bar so they get two stars. Bland unauthentic mexican food. pretty good margaritas.

    (2)

  • Rudolf H.

    Came here once maybe four years ago. Wasn't impressed then or I would've been back. Could've been the parking lot though, that's more like a parking trap. My eight year old companion and I were seated quickly. I brought him since he's an expert in Mexican food. For example, he grades a Mexican restaurant on their salsa. Ordered two tacos and a quesadilla combination for $20? Recommended size by the waiter, who'd called the plate huge. He'd approached us from behind. Had to turn my head to address him while he leaned against a post. Maybe he was tired. Food came reasonably fast. Unfortunately, the food was tired too, bland, with dry, tasteless meat, and did I mention the tacos and quesadilla were tiny? Came on a huge plate though, with a side of smeared out refried beans to make it look like a lot, a sprinkling of chopped lettuce and tomatoes, and the rice, also spread out, was a joyless Uncle Ben joke, overcooked and again, bland, like it came out of the microwave. Maybe it did. The quesadilla arrived separately and the items on both plates were barely a quarter inch in height, if even. Maybe they were saving on fillings that night. My eight year old on-loan companion soon pushed his plate away, declaring it not tasty. And he eats everything, even the surprisingly spicy salsa that came with the nachos and was put in front of him without so much as a warning. Luckily, he's an expert in Mexican food, carefully dipped a nacho in the salsa, like a toe into a hot bath, liked it, but in the end declared Taco Bell the better place. Taco Bell, really? He kids me not and illuminates me on what makes it so, which I won't repeat here, because that's too embarrassing for a "real" restaurant. So, what's the attraction at Mexico's? The place was busy, there was live music by a guy who apparently only knows the standard Spanish/Mexican songs--the ones you're sick of hearing--the place is loud so you can hardly understand your table partner, but it's obviously popular with people looking for a good time. Good for them they don't come for the food, unless they know better dishes to order than the mainstays we came for. Bottom line, we won't be back. We left hungry and went somewhere for desert. For $20 I can have a helluvalot better food that feeds two at Taco Bell apparently, but if you don't mind driving a bit, Cha Cha Cha in Hawaii Kai has way better tacos and quesadillas and a homemade salsa that's so hot and tasty it deserves to be sold in bottles. They even make their own corn chips the waitress told me. I've already announced the trip to my young companion. He can't wait to get his hands on some real Mexican food he says. He's picky, repeated that you can know if a Mexican restaurant is any good by the salsa. Apparently not.

    (1)

  • Isela W.

    I really really like this restaurant the reason it lost a star is because since I'm an avid watcher of restaurant nightmares they violated something huge when I was having dinner. They rolled the garbage out while everyone was eating. Not very nice. The food and service was excellent though. They should have been five stars they just got bad timing on garbage take out. Should be done when there's no guests.

    (4)

  • Big Daddy O.

    Been there half a dozen times. The Decor is typical south of the border. Every time I go there I can't help but order the Mamamia burrito. It is a seafood burrito with a cream sauce to die for. The portions are more than generous. I rarely am able to finish this burrito. I've also had the shrimp cocktail. Wow that is some good! I've also sampled the traditional fajita. Again the portion was huge. And coming in on a sizzling platter it can't help but impress. Their top of the line dish is the padron. A ribeye steak dinner with a Mexican twist is a dish that can't be beat. Again, the portions are huge. The restaurant is clean and orderly. The service is excellent. The waitresses are attentive and keep the water glasses filled. We haven't been disappointed by any of the meals we've had there. I think the most enjoyable aspect is the ambience. They have a Mexican guitarist there named Ali. The dude is very accomplished. The atmosphere there is very cheerful and festive. I would've rated it supreme however I have to drop one star because the parking is horrible. Get there early and you get a good spot. Get there late and you're on your own. Would I go there again? In a heartbeat. I recommend this place to anyone who wants good authentic Mexican food. And plenty of it!

    (4)

  • Jeff A.

    Agua! Please I need agua! Come on we sitting next to the pick up window and no one noticed our empty cups? Overall the food is killer! Parking sucks or is because of the dumb ass that blocked the driveway?!?!? So food great! Service so so!

    (4)

  • Arleen D.

    This is my fourth time eating here. It is so good. Authentic Mexican dishes. Great margaritas. Friendly staff. Can't believe this restaurant exists in Kalihi.

    (4)

  • Kenyan K.

    This is my favorite Mexican restaurant on Oahu so far. I used to eat here like once a month for lunch when I worked at Fort Shafter since it was so good and close. The quality and quantity of the food is terrific. The prices are on the low end for the amount of food you get. I always leave super full and have to fight to stay awake in the afternoon. The salsa they serve with their free chips is really good. I've eaten their tacos and burritos with shredded beef. They have many types of huge burritos like the deep fried chimichanga but even the plain burrito for about $10 is super big. The parking lot here is very small and finding street parking is also challenging. I've only eaten here for lunch but it gets pretty crowded.

    (4)

  • Ryan L.

    Great food and live music! Probably one of the best places to eat over the boarder food. I've gotten food poisoning from this place once but i still go back for more. It took some time to get over the fact that someone didn't wash their hands. Food and service is a go here.

    (4)

  • Trish P.

    Crab Chimichanga..... and not imitation crab..... REAL crab. and not skimpy..... plentiful chunks of real crab. and its a chimichanga.... a delicious fried chimichanga..... covered in guac and sour cream. go ahead - think about it for a second.... you want one. you know you do. AND nachos? - they're good, but dont expect fake liquid cheese - they use the real stuff! AND sauteed mushrooms? - they're killer! but let them cool down b/c if you dont, you wont be able to taste the rest of your meal. p.s. - get the horchata!!!

    (4)

  • Susana C.

    First impression. Loved the decor and atmosphere! There was someone close to the door playing playing an organ and singing. Not super loud but we definitely had to raise our voices to hear each other from across the table. It wasn't crowded (Wednesday night) though their parking lot was full. Service was decent -- not super quick but not slacking either. Server dropped off salsa and chips right off the bat and was ready to take out orders. I had their crab quesadilla plate (about $15). Decent amount of crab but nothing really special. Basically crab and cheese served with black beans and rice. Drinks are served in mini pitchers. Cool touch. I had a lemonade that was pretty good -- not too sweet. Servers were friendly and atmosphere was very casual and comfortable. Great place to hang out. I'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Mari M.

    We don't have many Mexican places in Hawai`i (no, Taco Bell and Taco Del Mar don't count d:). Fortunately, there is Mexico Restaurant! The food is delicious (I usually get enchiladas) and the portions are large. Sometimes they have a live band, which can be a bit too noisy if you're trying to have a conversation with someone, as it's a medium sized restaurant. On some days, service seemed a bit slow but the food was worth it. I live all the way in Waipio but whenever I have a craving for Mexican food (which is pretty often, as it is my favorite type of food), this is always my first choice.

    (4)

  • Yoselyn F.

    Recommend the horchata, anything with the papaya guac sauce and the garlic shrimp pllate! Li Hi margarita is amazing!!! Service tends to be great but the food has had rough patches when they switch cooks.

    (4)

  • Victoria T.

    I arrived about an hour before closing on a Monday night and found the dining room mostly empty. There was a table shared by two women having a bite and a beer, a fellow at the bar, and a family at a table in the main dining area. I stood around for a few minutes before grabbing a takeout menu to occupy my time. The bartender then told me to sit anywhere I liked. The waitress was friendly and quick, attentive without hovering. I ordered the Guadalajara Fajitas, a sizzling skillet of shrimp, steak, chicken, peppers, onions, mushrooms, and baby corn served with refriend beans, pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, and flour tortillas. I asked for no onion and for the cook to add tomatoes instead. I got no onion, no mushrooms, and no baby corn. I did get the tomatoes. I was all excited about my giant meal and hunkered in to feast. And disappointment settled in. The whole plate was bland. It was as if the cook was somehow angry with the spice rack and refused to even consider its presence. The chicken did, however, have a strange flavor that I couldn't quite place and didn't really want to. Sadly, I have no desire to try any other items on the menu.

    (2)

  • P M.

    I live down the street from here and EVERYTIME I come here I feel it's a solid 3 stars. One of these days I'm gonna remember not to come here. This lady brought us our water and spilled it all over the table. Then, she didn't even wipe it up. So we had spilled water there the whole time. Even someone with common sense would know to wipe it. The food is really not that good. I always get seafood dishes so that could be it? The portions are really decent sized and it's not cheap but not expensive either for a sit down restaurant. I was there last Monday and there was a singer playing his guitar. But it took 15 minutes to even take our order--another 25 to get a pork enchilada (1 plate), and 10 minutes more to get our two fried banana desserts we ordered. We were waiting for our car to get fixed so the waitress offered to bring the food out as it's ready ...how does it take 35 min for desserts? Btw, the best food I've ever had here was the fried banana dessert. She would come by and ask us if we wanted something and never come back with it! You would think she would bring my husband beer that she offered because it would raise our tab right? No. And you would think she would want to bring us our tab quickly right so she can get rid of us and get more customers? No. Idk, I think maybe she just doesn't want to get paid. After we paid I realized she undercharged us. What a dummy! Even if we got undercharged every time, it still wouldn't be worth it.

    (2)

  • AnnaKopatiola H.

    Parking sucked & waitress wanted us to share a table with strangers.. Food was awesome compared to Taco Bell.

    (3)

  • Cintamani A.

    Apparently, I've come here enough that one of the main servers (the one who usually has her son there) always treats me graciously. She even knows my mom at this point and asks about me which even softens my Grinch like heart. I like how she and most of the other workers are Mexican which may sound racist but if I'm having Mexican food I want it to made by Mexicans! One of the rare places I recommend to people from the Mainland since I'm sure they'll find it a cut above the usual Mexican fare here. I've never had a negative or even disappointing experience with the food regardless of what I have ordered. My relatives from LA have enjoyed the food also. Good variety of classic staples, generous servings and mucho flavorful.It's shocking that of all the places I've ordered carne asada that Mexico has consistently outperformed ever place even though it's such an easy dish to make. The parking lot and live music are the only things that make it difficult to dine there. It can be tricky to maneuver out of there or find any parking at times. I've seen countless people almost crash their cars. It's small with stalls that are too small. The appearance of the restaurant is a bit haggard, dingy and dark but has charm nonetheless. Honestly, I'm unsure about the cleanliness since the darkness makes it hard to look at the dark furniture. At least the bathroom is decent and clean. It is great that they have live music every single time we've gone there. They are great performers singing in Spanish who play beautiful music. The only drawback is that it's so loud that it pretty much holds a table captive from communicating since it's so deafening. If you don't want to look rude while their give me such an emotionally wrought performance don't expect much dinner banter. They just really need a better name...

    (4)

  • Susan P.

    Lets start off by saying the decor is cute. It pretty much ends there as far as authentic goes. I have really tried to like this place. I have been here at least a half dozen times, mostly because it is so hard to find any decent Mexican food on the island. I'll admit I'm spoiled by growing up in Los Angeles and San Diego, both places with some of the best Mexican food in the country. What makes this place lose stars, is that the food is never the same. One day the retried beans are so watery that you can use a straw, other times, they are perfect. Tonight sealed it for me. I will NEVER go back there again! Every time I go, I have ordered the sizzling Queso appetizer. To start with, it is priced way to high. $9.95 for a plate of melted cheese is kinda ridiculous. But I love that I can put that gooey cheese in warm flour tortillas. YUMMY. Tonight I order my appetizer and the waitress just puts it on the table and walks away. I waited 10 minutes for her to return so I could ask about my warm flour tortillas. She tells me it doesn't come with warm tortillas,only the stale chips on the table. I tell her I always get the warmed tortillas, she says I must be mistaken. WHATEVER! Here's the kicker. I look up at the kitchen area and there iOS my waitress complaining about me to another waitress, they were staring at me and when I made eye contact, they both tried to look away, too late, I caught them. So UNPROFESSIONAL! My dinner was cold, the combo meal with a chile rellano which was ice cold and a watery bean and cheese burrito. I asked I for the check and the waitress tells me that her manager was going to come speak to me. I told her I did not want to speak to the manager, I just wanted the check so I could leave. 2 minutes later, a man in a black shirt comes p and tells me that the Queso does not come with tortillas, only chips. If someone was giving me free tortillas, they shouldn't have. Mind you that this man didn't even introduce himself, just started talking. By now, I'm angry. I told the waitress I didn't want the manager and I sure the heck didn't want to be told the 5 times I've eaten there before I should have been charged extra for my tortilla's. SO OVER IT! My recommendation is too eat elsewhere. Less hassle, better service...

    (2)

  • Mai T.

    Best Mexican food on the Island. Staff are amazing. Service is great. I absolutely LOVE the atmosphere, live music, decorations. Margaritas are phenomenal. LOVE LOVE LOVE this place :)

    (5)

  • John K.

    Went here last night for dinner. Got in at 8. We were immediately given a table but our server didn't give us menus or water for at least 15 minutes. After that it took her another 15 minutes to take our order. The place wasn't to crowed either. Once we placed our orders our food and drinks came pretty quick. I had the Lengua burrito and my girl had the mariachi burrito. Food was not the great. In fact the food was mediocore at best. Lengua was dry and blan. The mariachi burrito was better but full of refried beans and not chili verde. One positive the drinks are very reasonably priced. If I ever come back it'll be for the drinks.

    (2)

  • Erin C.

    service was painfully slow, all of the food received was luke warm at best. sad flavor profile/freshness/ingredient quality standard. boo, mexico restaurant.

    (2)

  • Nathan N.

    I really enjoyed the li hing margaritas and my bean and cheese burrito! Good atmosphere and service!

    (5)

  • Kristina E.

    Yelp comrades, sorry to say but you got this one wrong for once. Mexico Restaurant was a HUGE disappointment. Food was barely edible, the serivce isn't good and the parking situation just sucks. Went here for lunch in a group of 6, bottom line is that no one enjoyed their experience or food. Overall concensus was that the salsa and chips were nothing special, rice was bland, some meats were salty, and the cheese tasted like velveeta. Sure they give a big portion but does that really matter when the food is sub-par? No one was able to finish their food and no one wanted to take their left-overs home. It took our server forever to take our order in the first place. Then waiting for our food took another 30+ minutes. When we asked for water while waiting for our food, we didn't get a refill until she brought our check. Really? Are we supposed to drink our water while paying for our bill when we were thirsty for a long time while we were eating your salty meats? There's a parking lot for the restaurant but to get in and out is a chore in itself. Granted the area it's in isn't good for parking anywhere but the parking is so narrow and beat up. When two SUVs are parked across from each other, you can hardly squeeze a compact car down the lane. Then to get out you either have to reverse out or go off-roading on a severly beat up road to get out. Last point I want to add is that it's so loud in there! We couldn't even keep up a conversation with people across the table from us because the sound kept bouning off the walls. Bottom line, there's waaaaaay better Mexican food out there, skip Mexico Restaurant. Needless to say, all 6 of us will not be back.

    (1)

  • Christina Z.

    I don't understand how this place has any good reviews. The service was not good, there was a woman working there I do not know if she was a manager but we sat next to the bar and all she did was stand there, boss the waiters and bus boys around, curse, flirt with the bartender and say very inappropriate and unprofessional comments. The bartender was our waiter as well as bartender, his service was OK. The horchata is watered down and the guacamole is like paste, not good at all. The margaritas were not good at all, probably the worst I've ever had. I got the chimichangas and they were very dull as well. I will never go back or recommend this place to anyone.

    (2)

  • Paige G.

    Cadillac Margaritas! Yes, please! Nachos and queso dip were our appetizers. Oh, and more margaritas! Been here for pupu & drinks and also for lunch. It has a busy lunch crowd from the Army post nearby so if you can go before 11:30 or after 2pm you'd have a shorter wait time for service. Food is sooo good, though! Oh and those margaritas!

    (4)

  • Jamila J.

    Baby friendly.

    (5)

  • Kimberly F.

    The first time I went here I had a great experience with a great server and great food. A couple weeks later I decided to come back with some friends for lunch. My friends and I had a waiter named Carlos. He took forever to come back to our table to take our orders and we went through two chip orders during this time. When he finally came back, we put in our drink and food orders. We waited forever for our meals, and when they finally came, my order had been messed up. There was chicken in it, and since I'm a vegetarian I politely mentioned that it was not what I ordered. He just said "You said you wanted chicken." A little put off by his rudeness, I said back "I said cheese." He grabbed the plate and left...no apology, nothing! It then took another 20 minutes before I got my meal, and none of us got any refills on our drinks the entire time. Once we were all done, he was just standing there talking to the bartender and wouldn't come over to give us our checks. It got to a point where finally one of my friends had to go ask him for the bill. I ended up leaving him a 2.00 tip, which I think was far too generous for the horrible service I was provided with. And the best part? I got sick... Since that doesn't happen very often for me, I'm guessing something was done to my food. I don't think I'll be back.

    (2)

  • Chris H.

    My wife and I were raised about a hundred miles from the mexican border. Since we moved here we have been trying to find some good mexican food. We have tried a few places but Mexico is easily the closest to our favorite dives from home.

    (5)

  • Dallas S.

    I'm from Southern California. Los Angeles is where I spent most of my time. Mexican food was a staple in my diet. Oh, and I'm a food snob. I love good food. I HATE bad food. This place.....omfg! By far the best I've had in a very long time. And I'm not just limiting this to Mexican food. Best. Food. Ever. And the margarita! Oh man! I got the pomegranate margarita on the rocks. That baby packs a punch. Very smooth. Ok, so more on the food. I ordered the combination plate and chose the shredded beef enchilada and the tamale. The enchilada was pretty damn good. The shredded beef was well seasoned and juicy, and the tortilla was smothered in cheese. Perfecto. The tamal was heaven on a plate. Easily the biggest one I have ever seen. And the maseca was moist the whole way through. Very, very good. The spanish rice and beans were also very good. My wife order the carne asade tostada. She said it was really good, but I can't verify. I was too busy stuffing my face to try hers. I can tell you, though, that it was about the size of a small child. Huge portions all around. By this point, you're probably wondering why 4 stars. Well, folks, let me explain. I so desperately wanted to give this place 5. Really, I did. But the one drawback was parking. Like everyone else has said, it sucks. If you park in the back, by the park, you're likely to get a feeling of impending stabbing. But if you're lucky, you can park on the side parking lot and be happy and unafraid. So go stuff your face!

    (4)

  • Vincent K.

    Quite possibly the only good mexican restaurant in town..... we love coming here, the food is good, atmosphere welcoming, margaritas big, they make their own chips and salsa too! Only challenge is the parking.... small lot with about a dozen spots and street parking is hard to find in this crowded neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Turquoise S.

    Not very good Mexican food. I'm mystified by the rave reviews. The things I ordered were what you'd expect in a not very good Mexican restaurant in the seventies on the mainland. The papaya avocado salsa was made with reconstituted lemon juice, (the kind the comes out of a bottle). It consisted of that, chopped supermarket tomatoes, avocados and some average papaya. It was served in a styrofoam cup. The rice and beans were nothing special. They have added corn and lima beans to the rice, but thankfully not enough that is it noticeable. Still, why add lima beans to anything? The beans are made with lard. The chips and cooked salsa are nothing special. Others have said they think the cooked salsa comes out of bottles or cans. Wouldn't surprise me. The salsa fresca was basically chopped low grade supermarket tomatoes in all their unripe glory. The enchiladas were o.k. but nothing special. What I happened to order came in a normal quantity. It was generous, but nothing extraordinary. By the time you pay for everything, this place isn't much of a bargain. In contrast to the food, the service was good. The waiters were gracious and accommodating. When I didn't like the avocado papaya salsa, it was graciously taken off my bill, in contrast to other reports here. Don't know that it matters, but I liked the decor except for the mounted steer head and steer horns. They don't seem to be helping. The bar also looked a little dark and narrow for me. All of the tables at Mexico are four tops or larger. Not everyone can get on and off high bar stools so eating at the bar isn't always an option for a single person. I guess they get a lot of large parties. The bougainvillea draped over the front door is nice. The entrance is a ramp that is steeper than most wheelchair ramps. The average person in a wheelchair would have trouble getting up it by themselves. As others have mentioned, the parking lot is not overly large or overly smooth. It slopes downward. It is shared with the Puerto Rican social club next door. Someone else mentioned that parking on weekends may be scarce even at off hours. I went at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. There were a few spaces open. I saw no street parking available. Backing out of the parking space into the street was a trip. If you drink at Mexico, having a designated driver seems like a good idea. Other people seem to like this place. They were doing good business. Many of the other customers looked like they could not wait to get outside of their favorite Mexican food. I'm still looking for mine. Mexico is on School street near Houghtailing, on the ocean side of the street. If you see Kalihi Street, you have gone too far towards the airport.

    (2)

  • Aime M.

    I would of put 4 stars but I was not a fan of the salsa, the chips were k but honestly good salsa makes it! I ordered taquitos and got both beef/chicken, very yummy. I also did not care for the lemonade, it tasted like it was old and or a cheap powder mix...boo hoo, I added water and more sugar. Service was good, place looked clean, restroom only one stall, but her the have a private party room for a pachanga down stairs!!!

    (3)

  • Jermy D.

    Cliff Notes: some of the best tasting Mexican food on the island. Healthy portions packed with LOTS of flavor! AND...Margaritas that can knock you off your feet! The only downside to this place is the crummy parking lot, but can't help that all that much. Food The food is delicious. The portions are ginormous. I always leave with a full tummy and heart. Some serious comfort food. Delicious Chips and Salsa! I always go for the Tamal with chicken or (if i'm feeling daring) the chimichanga. I've also had their seafood fajita platter which is delicious and huge! Don't let the price startle you too much. You can comfortable share this with 2-3 people depending on how hungry you are. Booze They have pitchers of margaritas that are well worth the price (about $25ish/pitcher). Those things pack a punch! The bartender more than makes sure you get your money's worth. I also enjoy their nice selection of tequilas. Also for those teetotalers, the horchata is some of the best! and, for those non-teetotalers, add a shot of tequila to that horchata, and you'll be singing with the live entertainment! Service Service is usually consistently good. When they get busy, you may have to flag down the waitresses. They usually only have a handful each night. But, they are all very pleasant and always keep the booze and chips and salsa full!

    (4)

  • Lei L.

    I just dined there again and was blown away. My mouth and taste buds are completely satisfied. This time I had the combo...crab enchilada & shrimp quesadillas. Both were pretty damn yummy, but the shrimp q stole my heart. The rice, beans & salad are quite ono as well. The guy singing to us was an amazing touch. 2 thumbs UP.

    (5)

  • Steve N.

    Best Mexican food in Honolulu. My only complaint is the parking. It's a small lot that fills up fast.

    (4)

  • John F.

    Hey, besides Azteca, I love this place, too. Very authentic, tasty (I like the sopa) food, beans and rice are not from a can like most Mexican restaurants on the Island, and the full bar is loaded with all the styles of tequila I love, plus Bohemia, my favorite Mexican lager beer. I first discovered the place when I was closing my late mother's accounts at the Honolulu Fire Dept. FCU diagonally across the street mauka. I had a blast sitting at the bar and talking with a young Mexican bartender, unfortunately, I can't remember his name. He was funny, personable, and we exchanged jokes and he gave me recommendations on where to eat, visit, and the best affordable hotels to stay in when in Mexico. Parking is crappy though, very few stalls in the lot adjoining the building, parking spaces also used by a church and children's day-care in back of the restaurant.

    (4)

  • James W.

    Best Mexican food i've found on Oahu since Mama's Mexican Kitchen on School street closed down several years ago. Homemade chips and salsa were delicious. Shredded beef burrito plate was delicious. Fried bananas for dessert was so-so. Service was fast and friendly. Waiter came back to check on us twice. Re-filled water and soda. Live music/guitar player was a nice surprise. Can't wait to come back!

    (4)

  • Cy C.

    With a name like Mexico, your Mexican food better be good. Now I've been to L.A., so I just want to make it clear, I am basing my opinion comparing to other Mexican restaurants in Hawaii. I must be honest you just can't beat Mexican food from Cali but this place does a pretty good job. I found this place by accident driving through Kalihi. I was in the mood for Mexican and I noticed the sign. I walked in the door and first thing I said was, "Wow I feel like I'm in Mexico". The decor just exhumes Mexico with live music, decor, and wonderful smells of Mexican food. I also noticed there was a full bar so of course I order a Corona. Since my first visit, I've been here few other times. I enjoyed every dish I had. Of course free chip and salsa is available for dine in. I would definitely recommend the Carne Asada, Chile Verde, Grande Burrito or just order the combination. I love Mexican food because it is so flavorful. Staff is friendly with a lot of tables. Now since my first visit I noticed this place has gotten popular. Now all the tables are full. Not much parking available but this place is worth checking out. Opens every day from 10-9pm except Saturday at 10 pm. Craving for a burrito, check out the Restaurant MEXICO

    (4)

  • Olivia D.

    I found out about this place on Yelp and decided to give it a try based on all the glowing reviews. My friend and I got there after the lunch rush. There was only one table there, but he server spent 10 minutes with them explaining the menu before she walked over to our table and gave us menus to look at. The service continued to be extremely slow throughout the meal. I didn't think the food was anything special, but then again I'm really spoiled because I always have good and cheap Mexican food in L.A. where the portions are huge and always fresh and delicious. I ordered the garlic shrimp based on the majority of Yelper's recommendations. I don't know what they were all singing about. It was a good portion of shrimp, but they had all been overcooked until shrunken and rubbery and was very salty and oily. The sauce was just oil, butter, and chunks of soft, sauteed garlic--nothing exciting or out of the ordinary. The sides were the requisite refried beans from a can and rice. I was hungry so I also ordered a side taco with steak. It tasted like a pretty authentic street taco. The steak came in a soft corn tortilla with onions, cilantro, and a slice of lime. I should have just ordered tacos. The chips were already portioned out on baskets that were stacked upon each other against a wall. We didn't like the tortillas they use to make the chips because they had a bitter aftertaste. The salsa was okay. I asked if they had aqua fresca and the server said the closest was their fresh lemonade. It was delicious--not too sweet--and huge. I thought the decor was cool because they really tried to give the place some atmosphere with the paintings, chandeliers, and knickknacks. We'll be back to give this place another try. Next time, I'll stick to the meats or the tacos.

    (3)

  • Leslie A.

    Super awesome authentic mexican food. Similar to the ones I had in Texas. The Spanish rice is great! I had the chimichanga- once shredded beef and once pork kalua...so tasty! Hands down the best! One thing though, they put too much cheese inside the burrito. I mean you can actually remove a cup full of melted cheese. I'm just not a fan of a cheese overdose. Overall it's worth it if you have a craving for Mexican food. Live music for dinner on some nights...too loud though.

    (4)

  • Jane N.

    I agree with many of the reviews. Small parking lot, eclectic decor, and the best Mexican food on the island so far! My friend Nellie recommended Mexico Restaurant in Kalihi to me. I've been wanting to try their food for a while now. But due to logistics, I wasn't able to go until today. With that being said, if they had a better location and bigger parking lot, they could be making a fortune! Beans and rice. They got it right! The beans tasted homemade, very creamy with just the right amount of cheese and salt. The rice was moist, flavorful with a hint of cumin. Just the way I like it! I usually put more tomato in mine but perhaps that is why I can't taste the cumin in mine. From there, it just got better. The chiles rellenos were AMAZING!!! Poblano chiles baked in puffy egg batter smothered in cheese....Yum! Cheese enchilada with red sauce and cheese was also very good (there was so much food, I only had a couple bites). Chips were fresh and crunchy, salsa was medium spicy but was smooth. The steak was tender with some pepper and spices that just melted in your mouth. I couldn't finish that either because I was pigging out on the AMAZING chiles rellenos! Oh, and I had a horchata also. It was so much to drink that the waitress offered me a take home cup (which I filled to the top). It was so good with just the right amount of cinnamon and sugar. It was enough for two. I think I have four days worth of food. Yes, it was a bit pricey, $23, but well worth it. I went there after 1230 so it wasn't too crowded. There was plenty of parking and there was even a neighborhood park that may have been an option to park at as well. The service was good. The waitress was friendly and polite. The noise level wasn't too bad. The decor in the bathroom was very cool. Although there was only one stall, it was designed in a way that made the room seem spacious. I loved the Spanish dancer painted on the door. It reminded me of my grandma in her younger years. They could have tidied up the floor a little more often. That's the only bad thing I can think of. Also, as a note to the manager, I would decide on what type of clientele I would cater to and stick with it. Reduce price=reduce menu selections, Keep the price the same=switch locations to more upscale part of town. Class up the decor. No one from Kahala will be going to Kalihi and park their benz in that lot. I will definitely return. Thank you for giving me a reason NOT to open a decent Mexican restaurant in Hawaii. We have been saved!

    (5)

  • Jennie E.

    Looking for Mexican food on Oahu? Look no further! This place is AMAZING! This So Cal girl found heaven when this place was reviewed by another Yelp member (THANK YOU). I have loved everything I have. Authentic Mexican at its best!!!

    (5)

  • Claudia M.

    The food here is amazing!!!! I would say the best mexican I've had here. They serve horchata here by the pitcher and a straw. The only thing i dont like bout this place is the parking. The parking is very tight and small. I suggest parking with a small car and good luck finding parking in their parking lot.

    (4)

  • Elizabeth N.

    Went here for my anniversary and for the money and the what you get its pretty good. Tho it's not necessarily the "best" Mexican food I had, it was fresh, tasty and plentiful. The portions are HUGE. A 3 item combo could easily feed two people with good appetites. This is what we ordered: Chicken Flauta Appetizer - Was HUGE, could have been a main course. A big flour tortilla filled with marinated chicken, fried, cut into peices for easy eating and served with fresh pico de gallo, sour cream and guac. Very satisfying comfort food. Sope with shredded beef - The shredded beef was excellently flavored and textured, and piled high with lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream and guac however, I found my sope (cakey, masa pancake) a bit tough on top. I probably won't get this again. My husband ordered a 3 item combo of enchilada, tamale and burrito and all were good according to him. Now the refried beans, rice, chips and salsa were average to me. Not complete stand outs but tasty and fresh. I did have a home made Horchata, it's very good and sweet and again a large serving. The service was good, except when I initially ordered my Sope I said shredded beef, when I got it, it was shredded chicken. I asked my waitress to change it and she tried to talk me into it saying ,"you don't like chicken?" I said "I said, I know it looks pretty and another time I would just eat it but I specifically asked for beef." She looked reluctant then said, "Yeah, I know you order beef." She took it back and came back rather quickly with a new plate with beef. She said, "Yeah, I know you order beef they got it wrong in the kitchen." Duh....she was nice about it but come one, don't try to hussle your customer into something they didn't order! Like other reviews, I'm still searching for great Mexican food on the island but this place is pretty safe to go if you need a fix. You won't feel ripped off.

    (3)

  • Jermel-Lynn Q.

    I live near this place and I love the food here! I've been to Mexico and San Diego, and I've tried a whole lot of Mexican food. This place is authentic because of the people behind the menu and the restaurant's staff. The entrees are pretty big and trust me when I say that I LOVE their HORCHATA!!! Who would have known that a great Mexican restuarant would be in Kalihi? Of all places right? and the prices here are reasonable and great. Worth the money and the drive to Kalihi.

    (4)

  • Michael D.

    Limited parking so when they are really busy it is better to go somewhere else. Difficult to get out of parking lot. Service was excellent and the food was decent.

    (3)

  • Rob T.

    If there is one word to best describe this place, it's 'festive'... not really the 'hole in the wall' that people say it is. It was a pretty popular place. There were a mix of different people there. I find it interesting that the restaurant is nested in Kalihi, my home town. I've always loved Mexican food and this place was great. The food, ambiance, atmosphere, people... you name it. It reminded me of Old Towne in San Diego. It was 'ono' and the mariachi band added to the fun. If you're looking for some great Mexican food, I would recommend this place. The name may not be unique, but the food was definitely genuine Mexican cooking.

    (4)

  • Justin S.

    "Going to Mexico" is kind of confusing, and any conversation about the restaurant causes some amount of miscommunication. Every time. This restaurant is in the Palama area, a few blocks away from Kamehameha Shopping Center, and is one I'd consider to be acceptable when compared to other local Mexican restaurants. To be straight up, parking here sucks. There is a lot next to it, but getting in and out of it is worse than pulling teeth. Find street parking and walk a block or two -- it's worth it. The layout of the restaurant is a little cramped, and a little strange, but the servers are very good at navigating the narrow aisles to ensure your water is always filled. Points of interest include a live mariachi band that plays from time to time, and a bar full of Mexican beers and beverages. Pacifico is the best, just for the record. Most of the entrees range from $10-$20 depending on how crazy you plan to get, with sizzling fajita platters exceeding the $20 mark. I tried the Huevos Rancheros, and have to say that it kind of tasted the same as any other place I've been to in Hawaii. Another eye-catcher for me was the deceptively-named "Diablo Wings" which are accompanied by a "SPICY" marker on the menu. These wings are not spicy at all, and were pretty disappointing. Thinking that it may have been a one-time error, I ordered them again another night, and received the same sweet/roasted chili wings as before. They should be more fittingly named "Red Chicken Wings" or "Children's Spicy Wings." I'm not hating -- just feel that it's entirely inaccurately named. Overall, the restaurant is kind of meh, with average prices and average fare. I would definitely come back here,but I don't have a spark of passion for the food. If you're in the area, it's worth a shot. If you aren't, then maybe you should save yourself the trip.

    (3)

  • Andrew B.

    Awesome place, however parking is horrid on busy nights. If you have a truck I'd recommend not parking in their lot. Also watch out for bums - their like zombies!

    (4)

  • Derek K.

    I think I found my favorite mexican restaurant here in Hawaii...so far. We all no it's hard to find good mexican food here in Hawaii. In fact, if you've never had mexican on the mainland or unless you are a Yelper, you probably think good mexican food is Taco Bell. The other week I had dinner here with a couple friends. i had the fajita burrito and it was EXCELLENT! The burrito is huge and the meat (steak) and vegetables are cooked fajita style. The burrito is served with rice and beans. Everything on the plate is so fresh and tasty. The atmosphere here is also very comfortable. The service is very friendly and they constantly check up on you. Despite the good service and excellent tasting food, I always say the best way to judge a mexican restaurant is by the chips and salsa. The Mexico Restaurant obviously did not disappoint. The chips are very fresh and the salsa is very tasty with enough spice (not overpowering). In addition, when we finished off the baskets of chips, they would instantly give us another basket and another salsa cup...AMAZING! I will definitely go back, again and again. Like I said, this is the best mexican restaurant that I've found so far. My one complaint is that the parking lot sucks! That's it.

    (5)

  • Korry I.

    Along with great sushi and Japanese food, it's hard to find a good Mexican restaurant on this island. They are few and far between - literally. I made my visit here to Mexico Restaurant during the 2011 Cinco De Mayo. The restaurant was obviously packed for the occasion - myself + 4 friends had a wait of around 15-20 minutes which was not too bad considering the amount of people here and waiting. The menu is pretty vast with lots to choose from. Service is good, fast and friendly. Portions are generous and prices are reasonable. The drinks, though good, are on the pricier side. There's no real negative I could find to this restaurant. The food is pretty awesome in my opinion!

    (4)

  • Champions B.

    Very good Mexican Food. We like to sit in the back by the bar and get service from the bartender gentleman

    (4)

  • Jennifer R.

    Summary: Bomb food! :) I went to another Mexican Restaurant the other night because we were too lazy to go to Mexico in Kalihi. Sad to say it did not live up to my standards. Don't get me wrong, the food was good, but it made me miss Mexico even more!!! Everything that I had ordered, I couldn't help but compare it to the food from Mexico's. I love the fact that Mexican Restaurants give complimentary chips & salsa. But OMG - Mexico's chips & salsa are soOo good, even if it is hot & spicy you will catch yourself having some more! Plus, if you need 2nd round, it's free! (not sure how accurate because it has been a while). For the past few times I've gone to Mexico, there's only ONE thing that I always order: carne asada soft taco plate!!! I can't even put into words how BOMB this food is! You seriously have to try it! Their horchatas are super duper yummy & refreshing, too! You'll kind of need to order it anyway because of their spicy but super ono salsa. The spiciness doesn't bother me because i love spicy food, which is why i love Mexican food - except when I get heartburn =p I also like the fact that Mexican Restaurants put so much effort into the interior design of their restaurant. The ladies bathroom is pretty interesting. And did I tell you there's live music?! It makes the restaurant so much more than just their goooood food. I just love it here - can you tell? :) I cannot wait to come back - I've missed you Mexico!! :)

    (5)

  • Alyssa M.

    I ordered the "mexico burrito" & a Strawberry Jarrito -- Let me tell you..their Spanish rice is GOOOODDD!! :) I was telling my bf that it's good that the workers (or most of them) actually speak Spanish. I went with my Bf & 2 roommates, & 2 of them BARELY speak English & mainly Spanish. That was a plus! The waiter we had, had pretty good customer service...The bartender remembered my bf & his roommates from years ago! my 2nd time there, & i would probably be returning. only down side is the parking. they have a parking lot, but its quite small.

    (4)

  • Jwillson W.

    Best Mexican food I've had in Hawaii.... They also have dishes that have a little local style kick in it.. will return

    (4)

  • Jonathan S.

    Been twice. Food is solid, about as good TexMex as you're going to get in HI, and the live music is a nice touch. Service is variable. Was great the first time and less great the second time.

    (4)

  • Leilani N.

    Had to try this place because my friend Carol L said it was pretty close to another Mexican restaurant we both love in Vegas. Food yes, everything else..."eh"! First of all, the parking really sucks! Very small and probably parks not more than 20 cars (that's probably a generous amount). If you don't find parking, turning around to get out of the parking lot can be a pain in the you know what. There's like a park near there and it looks pretty "sketchy" as my hubs would say. We found parking after making one loop around but I'm sure you can find street parking somewhere. For this, I had to take off one star...sorry. The chips seemed fresh but the salsa was quite disappointing. Almost seems like it was from a jar. The food was tasty. I had the Chile Verde and that was yummy. Kev had a burrito and he said it was pretty good. Pretty decent size portions including beans and spanish rice (both was alright). My dish came with sour cream and guacamole but his one didn't so I shared. I had flour tortilla for my dish but it was not fresh at all. I guess I'm used to a cute little mexican lady making it fresh like the Vegas restaurant. No tortilla making lady here! We both ordered iced tea and it was a huge glass, i should really say it was like a "mini" pitcher. It said free refills but we didn't need any, just a bucket of ice on the side. We sat right next to bar which was alright but the one thing that got me was a box behind Kevin. Well, why you ask? It was a huge box for a toilet! Yes, you heard me...and not typo, TOILET! They look like they were renovating the bathroom area, as they should...so again, taking off another star. The bathroom was "unisex" and there was only one toilet working and the rest of the bathroom looks like a storage area. Hence why the toilet box was near the bar?! Hmmmmm.... If I were to rate on the food alone, I'd probably give it 3.5 stars. It is one of the better mexican foods I've had on Oahu so def worth trying. The service was also okay. We came after the lunch rush but she still seemed busy. They have another restaurant in Kailua but never been there. We would try this place again....hoping there would be some improvements.

    (3)

  • Philip U.

    love it here... just hard to find parking

    (4)

  • Marc K.

    The food at Mexico Restaurant is to die for! Love love love their fajitas, chips and salsa and everything. Kalua pig quesadillas are awesome too! The decor in the place is real neat and definitely has seen some upgrades from the early days. I do miss the casual dining experience that this place used to have before it got really popular. There were soo many people there tonight and with only two servers who were also acting as bussers, slowed the dining experience a bit. All in all though, this is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants...a must try!

    (4)

  • Kawai K.

    I live very near this place and have driven by it many time so i just had to finally give it a try. My friend and I went there this afternoon for some margaritas and tasty mexican food. I can definitely say we were both very satisfied. Good service and good ambiance. We will definitely make this one of our regular spots.

    (4)

  • Karen L.

    Went here yesterday, a co-worker suggested we have our work meeting here. Excellent choice! Since we went from 3pm to 5:30pm the place was pretty empty but got very busy when we were leaving. The food is awesome! Everything was great! They give you one serving of chips and salsa for free but then charge you $1 each for refills (so $2 for both chips & salsa). The salsa is too spicy for my taste but good. I had the veggie burrito which was huge & came with a lot of toss salad with olives & other veggies & ranch dressing. The whole plate was delish! I brought home half of my burrito because I couldn't finish it. It was $12.95, not bad. I like that they have several vegetarian options including quesadillas. I also split an order of the fried ice cream with a co-worker and it was delish too! Like ice cream in a donut with whip cream & chocolate syrup drizzled on top. It tasted like ice cream & churros. This place has a full bar and is known for it's Margarita's which come in med & lg. My co-workers had their famous Li Hing Margarita's! The medium size was $7. The atmosphere was really cool, lots of art, color, & Mexican accoutrements. When we were leaving they were setting up for live music, pretty cool. The food was really, really good! I can't wait to go back! The only reason I gave them 4 of 5 stars is because we had to get our servers attention for dessert and he put the wrong dish on my bill. But otherwise, I think this is a great place to hang out and eat some great food! Not to mention the Margarita's!

    (4)

  • hanako y.

    good food n always busy. i think price is ......little too high in this area...

    (4)

  • Rza Marie R.

    I was really excited to try this place out after my good friend raved about it since our first stop which was Helena's was closed. So I walked in the door and the host/ server guy wasn't so friendly he gave us complimentary chips and salsa when he gave us our menus, the chips were stale and the salsa tasted like it came out of a jar. I ordered there tacos and to my surprise they tasted like crap. Everything literally tasted like it came out of a can, Should of just went to Taco Bell.

    (1)

  • Jhoren C.

    Mexico in Kalihi go figure?! tried out this place and it was okay, nothing different from all the other mexican restaurants hawaii has, yep CALI handsdown has the BEST mexican joints ever! I can vouch for it because I was raised there and can tell what real street/authentic mexican food taste like. what I did like about this restaurant was the fact that they did make chicken tamales --- one of my favorite mexican food besides your typical carne asada burrito. I also had the chance to taste their seafood ceviche and was it FRESH!

    (3)

  • Brian A.

    When I first arrived on the island my girlfriend tried to find me that one diamond in the rough, a Mexican food oasis in the middle of the Pacific. Alas, I am still searching, but back to Mexico Restaurant. To me, even though the food was alright, the establishment and it's food comes off as something closer to an El Torito's chain. The size and prices are similar even though the food is slightly better here. You start off with salsa and your order will come with a full plate of food. It will definitely fill you up. The service was pretty good, even if we weren't there on a really busy night. Anyway, if you don't get there early, parking can be a bit of a worry. Overall it wasn't too bad.

    (3)

  • Stephanie M.

    Decent Mexican Food: not overly priced and farely tastey Horrible service: we were expecting a large party of 10+, they wouldn't seat the first 3 of us despite there only being TWO tables taken in the whole restaurant! Finally when 5 of us were there I asked if we could take a table, we were given a table for 6 even when I explained we'd have at least 10. When we hit 7 people I asked if we could move which he allowed us and showed us to table for 8 (still there were no other customers except for the 2 other taken tables), when we had more people arrive we pulled over tables ourselves since we were tired of asking to move. Chips were not brought to our table (maybe he was mad at us for having so many people), and the waitor seemed annoyed every time he had to take our order despite an empty restaurant. Would really like to frequent Mexico since it's a neighborhood restaurant, but clearly I will not be returning unless desperate for bad service.

    (1)

  • Chelsea A.

    Went here yesterday for a late lunch/extremely early dinner. The parking could definitely be an issue but at 3pm on a Saturday there were still a few open spots and we had no trouble. Ordered the Cadillac margaritas but make sure the waitress hears you--we clearly ordered mediums but she brought out larges. We spent the whole meal marveling that there could be a margarita bigger than this only to discover the reason on the bill. Only a dollar or two difference so not a big deal if you don't mind getting seriously buzzed in the afternoon. The chips and salsa are delish--and they're happy to bring out more, though you may need to flag down your waitress. Really, prepare to do that anyway. A table of about 10 sat down next to us and the rest of the meal the servers all seemed to be hiding. I ordered the vegetarian burrito--the avo/papaya salsa is delicious but be careful again--the menu says nothing about olives and this dish has it's fair share. I happen to think canned black olives = salty ass so I had to pick around. Still, a great meal and next time I order it I'll be sure to say sans olives. My husband got the chicken enchiladas and totally cleaned his plate--kept raving about the chicken. We'll definitely be back.

    (4)

  • Romi B.

    My wife and I comes here about once a month. This time we shared the lobster enchilada. Large margarita for her, corona for me. It's a perfect serving after a hard day of work.

    (4)

  • WonderWoman W.

    Meh, I've experienced better, at the same restaurant! Against my better judgment, a friend who had never eaten there, persuaded me to go. Used to eat there all the time or stop by for carnitas take out on the way home. No more. Hadn't been there in over a year. The carnitas used to be good, like kalua pig or pulled pork. The last three times it was not only like mincemeat but full of gristle and fat, inedible. One time I even wrote a complaint about it on the check. The manager came over and said he had gotten a lot of complaints and was thinking about changing back. Well, they haven't. It's still mincemeat. The margarita was half price and tasted like it was a virgin margarita, alcohol-free. NOT a happy camper and I hope my friend doesn't want to go back.

    (2)

  • Scott H.

    It was an enjoyable experience overall. Parking is rather rough since you have to literally back out of the parking lot to leave the property when you leave. The atmosphere and food are pretty authentic with good service.

    (4)

  • Delilah A.

    Pretty authentic food as far as Hawaii goes. I have been having difficulties trying to find something that compares to the authenticity I had back on mainland. The appetizer mushrooms were amazing and cooked perfectly. I decided to go outside the box and ordered the mammamia burrito, which contained mahi mahi and shrimp. It was very pleasing. I probably wont get that particular burrito again just because there are so many other things I plan on trying. Definitely will attempt to make it a weekly thing. Downside to place is the parking.

    (5)

  • Blane K.

    The best Mexican food I've had! The live music is nice, horchata drink is delicious. My dad loves their menudo which he claims to be very authentic tasting. I just cannot remember what I usually order here but it's one of the sizling platters and taste very good. Portions are huge! I NEVER finish my order & always end up taking home my leftover. Save room for the fried ice cream dessert...

    (5)

  • Aaron B.

    Wow is the first thing you say when you walk in the door. This place feels like your in mexico. It has the good ole cowboy bar with a giant bottle of patrone. I used to frequent the place before it became mexico resturant and it has been completly redone. I asked the waitress (she was very good) what she'd recomend and she stated the carne asada steak. I love steak, so i ordred the carne asade boritto ($14). When it arived it was monster. Looked almost a footlong and about 4 inches wide a 3 inches tall. With refired beans and rice. The taste was okay, the steak could have been flavored more. I added habenero hot sauce. And it made the dish come to life. My wife had the crab chile renos it was also huge but it was light flavor and had real crab $18. I orded a hughe homemade lemonade and it was nice sweet, wish it was more tart. I wanna go back already, i want to try the menudo. It was pricey but worth the 1x or 2x treat.

    (4)

  • Krystal W.

    In my never ending quest for "Authentic Mexican Food" I tapped my yelp app once again while out and about. First attempt was Jose's Cantina but how could my GPS have known the Koko Head exit was closed! Several U-turns later led me to rethink my venture eastward and head closer to home. Second up...Mexico Restaurant. Just two easy turns off H1 we arrive at their doorstep. Nice, exterior decorated festively and bougainvillea surround the entrance. It was early afternoon so we missed the lunch crowd, I could see how parking would be an issue during prime hours. We were seated promptly, the waitress suggested the Li Hing margarita instead of my plain ol' standby. It was very local flavored but soooo good! After browsing the menu we ran our selections of the Mexico Burrito and the Fajita Burrito, by our waitress she agreed those were two of the best choices. While waiting I was scoping out other yelps and was clued in that they served Horchata! On of my childhood favs. Food came quickly and was....AMAZING! Creamy beans, flavorful rice and the fajita filling was season to perfection. The fried ice cream was different than I had ever had it. It was sort of like a whole wheat bread pudding that surrounded the ice cream. Not sure I would get it again, perhaps we'll try their flan next time. We ordered some ala carte tacos to go for the kids and they snarfed them down as soon as we set them on the table. Tried the carnitas, adobado(sp?) and chicken ones, all great. Especially loved the fresh cilantro on top. And so ends my quest for a place to satisfy my Mexican cravings! I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Joseph M.

    Hawaii does not have many mexican restaurants that are really good. Mexico Restaurant is really good, and the only downside is a small parking lot and finding parking in the residential area as this place is always packed. The margaritas are really good. I like their horchata and their atmosphere (a few times I have went they had mexican singing and trumpet playing). I like getting the fajitas, burritos, flautas, etc.

    (5)

  • Sheryl M.

    This was our first time at Mexico restaurant and the reason for my low rating is because of their service! The guy at the door (short Asian looking guy) didn't smile or greet us or anyone that kept coming after us waiting to be seated. He was rude and the first thing he says to us was "did u guys put your name on the list" with no smile and in a sassy tone of voice no "hi welcome to Mexico restaurant" and when he finally called us along with two other parties that were waiting to be seated he said "alright this is how it goes,u guys there on that table the other two there and other party over there" he pointed out where we would sit and didn't walk anybody to their tables like other host/hostess usually do.ive never had it like that before. The food was good and so was the entertainer that was there playing his guitar for the customers. Our waiter was alright didn't smile much either and never once refilled my water. But not as disappointing as the other guy. We ordered their fried ice cream for last of course but wasn't that awesome either. It was way too sweet to enjoy. We enjoyed eating the whip cream more than the actual fried ice cream but hey everyone's different but to us the fried ice cream was just way too sweet! But despite the service we got here I'm sure in the future we would still come and eat here but just maybe not so soon.

    (2)

  • Sheri D.

    This place is FANTASTIC! Hands down the BEST Mexican food on the island! Threw a surprise birthday party for the bf last night and Rene, the GM/bartender and the crew were just AWESOME! We had a group of about 30 people and they were just so accommodating and on top of things! They made it so easy for us and made sure that our group was well taken care of. Also, props to Christian, our server who was brave enough to take care of our crazy group to begin with! Food was EXCELLENT! I had the tacos tradicionales, the bf had the regular tacos platter, and we shared the sizzling quezo w/chorizo... OMG, soooooooo BUENO! The rest of the group also enjoyed their meal and they were all very full and satisfied leaving the restaurant. As for the drinks, well, I'm not a margarita person at all. GASP! you say? Well, yes, I had a BAD experience w/ margaritas a few years back, but hey that's another story and as for the margaritas in Mexico, I heard they were great! Definitely check this place out! They have GREAT food and offer GREAT service! Rene, Christian, and the rest of the crew are just WONDERFUL!!! You won't be disappointed!!! OLE!

    (5)

  • Veteran B.

    Just moved to Kalihi and wanted to find a restaurant/bar close to the house. Checked out Mexico Restaurant. Let me get to the point. Decent food. Good atmosphere. Food service hit/miss. Bar service sucks! It was actually funny. I was sitting at the bar drinking a margarita reading yelp reviews on Mexican Restaurant and I had to LOL.... literally. One of the reviews was about the bar service and the bar tender which was right on point. I think he might be the owner because he sure doesn't go out of his way to talk or ensure you don't need anything else or remotely try to work at customer service to get a good tip. He must not need the tip $. Just stands behind the bar, no smile, and kinda ignores everyone. It's a shame, I get out regularly and would end up being a 3x a week customer if the bar service was better. That's okay, I found a better place a mile further. Good luck Mexican Restaurant. This review isn't based on a 1 time experience. I went there 4x's before making the review.

    (2)

  • Jesse C.

    The carne asada burrito is friggen awesome here! Both times I've had it, it was delicious. However, I once ordered the asada taco and it wasnt. Needless to say I was confused. I wanted that suculent asada taste but something lighter; since I wasnt as hungry. But it was a completely different beast. The service can be slow but they've always been friendly to me. On numerious visits I have seen live entertainment. This isnt a bad spot if you got a mexican craving. One day I'll ween off the carne asada burrito and try something else on the menu. :D

    (4)

  • Michael W.

    Great atmosphere, service, margaritas and food. Converted faithful Jose's devotee to what Mexico Restaurant has to offer. Only one minus...live music too loud to have easy conversation.

    (4)

  • Noeru N.

    YAY! A great lunch choice for me and bf when we're craving some spice in our life. The restaurant is located in Kalihi, across the street from another food heaven, Helena's. I hear parking sucks, but we completely lucked out for our early lunch date. The complimentary chips and salsa were okay (we agreed that the salsa and Torito's is our favorite). As we looked over the menu, I was very excited to see that they offered "huevos" options as well menudo and such.. Being that Hawaii really isn't known for Mexican food, I was happy to see that they did offer things other than just burritos and enchiladas. I had a difficult time deciding on just one thing and went with the combination plate: Chicken Tamale and Chile Relleno. BF got carnitas platter. Chicken Tamale: 4 Stars Chile Relleno: 4 Stars Carnitas: 5 Stars Refried Beans: 4 Stars Mexican Rice: 4 Stars and to top it off bf got a huge coke served in a pitcher with straw! All in all, the food was very very flavorful, service was courteous and quick. It wasn't terribly crowded and the ambience was very fun. Kinda looking forward to a sombrero night with the ladies to try the margaritas!

    (4)

  • Gavin S.

    Beware: This is an authentic Mexican Restaurant even down to the back of the house with the restroom. The men's restroom has a urinal and 2 toilets. The urinal is in plain site when the door opens. The 1st stall when you open up I find it has grayish black water in the bowl and it was oily. It looks as if someone had stuck their mop head and cleaned it in the toilet. The 2nd stall has crutches, hangers, etc in the stall. The wall has a sign to put the stuff in the 2nd stall. This is hilarious!!! There is no soap dispenser or paper towel holder. The soap is just put into a bowl for people to dip their hands in. hehehe too funny. Anyhow on to the purpose of this review. The food right!!! hehe A group of 12 of us had hit up this restaurant. Most of the group seemed though they were enjoying their food. I had one of the chef's recommended on the menu. I don't recall the title of the dish. I think it was called chili verde. It came with beans, rice, tortillas, beef mixed with vegetables, and a salsa vegetable dish. I enjoyed the taste and flavor from the meats. One of my friends on the other hand had a fish taco. She said it wasn't that good. It seemed as though it was previously frozen. hahaha And the funny part is the waiter recommended it too!!! The atmosphere was nice with the musician playing music in the background. Would I recommend this place to others sure if they looking for the real AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE!!!! hehehe Just stay clear of the restrooms!! hehehe And also the fish taco til the recipe can be fixed up.

    (3)

  • Forest F.

    I've eaten here a few time for lunch and thought the food was ok. The service has always been poor, but I thought the food was decent enough to look beyond that. Last night I ate there for dinner for the first time. Things have gone from bad to worse here. The salsa came out in a plastic ramekin. It didn't taste like it was homemade. When the food came (I had the Mexico Burrito) the guacamole was clearly not homemade. It tasted and looked exactly like the kind you buy at Costco or Safeway in a plastic tub. The service still sucked, the reason I even gave it 2 stars is they had a pretty cool Mariachi player, so the stars are for him.

    (2)

  • Justin Y.

    Ah how I miss California and all its mexican food... As far as Mexico Restaurant is concerned, it's definitely in the "ok" category. The food certainly comes in abundance (good lord those are some huge portions.) and theres always chips and salsa to munch on prior to your ginourmous meal. The service is alright. Not bad, not stellar...no complaints thus far though. The food definitely falls a little short compared to the food I got used to up in California though...which makes me a sad panda. If you want a meal that'll last you the entire day...or maybe 2 if you don't eat much at all, then hey check it out. Just get there at an off-peak time or pray for parking, because the parking here is terrible.

    (2)

  • Shawn S.

    Good food. Great Mexican beer selection. Awesome margaritas. Service is hit or miss but the at home decor make time slip away.

    (4)

  • Nina M.

    The restaurant is very pretty (check out the bathrooms!!!). The food was really good, vegetarian options, tons to pick from and more! The waitress was a little distracted and seemed like she forgot about us, but other than that I recommend the place.

    (4)

  • Seth H.

    I went there about a month ago and can say the food was really good, had the ceviche made out of mahi mahi which really impressed me, the burrito was huge and had authentic flavor as did their salsa. The live music was good, two guys- one with a trumpet the other with a guitar. The place itself gives you that cantina-like atmosphere which is fitting, guess where they lose the other star I would have given them is the sucky parking lot and real sketchy neighborhood, Sorry Kalihi, but the outside is kind of Scary. Oh another thing I can't rave about was their fried ice cream which was kind of junk- like the outside batter hadn't been mixed well, so some bites tasted doughy. But overall, for Hawaii this place tastes pretty good, we aren't the Mecca of Mexican food anyway.

    (3)

  • Ulanka B.

    I like to eat and try new places, so here I am. The ambiance is magnificent, the aromas help to draw you in and drinks make you want to stay (I had the Patron margarita, awesome). I figured since this was my initial visit I'd go for a favorite of mines "fajitas". As it goes the veggies (guacamole & pics de gallo) were fresh and yummy. The meat (steak, chicken & shrimp) was full of flavor. However, the chicken and steak were both over cooked. Not to mention the steak was so thinly sliced I thought I was at a "Steak'em", ewwwww. I might give it another go, but I will try all seafood next time. Though one can never go wrong the drinks & complimentary chips & salsa.

    (3)

  • ALANA M.

    The food is authentic. The best Mexican food I have ever tasted. With great service, and clean environment. Lots of really cool stuff to look at inside. Antique funny bar signs. The drinks are spectacular. The bartender obviously has a lot of experience and is also a great server as well. I'm from CA, I couldn't believe I found better Mexican food here in Hawaii then out in CA. The Mexico Restaurant ratings deserve to be higher than just 5 stars!!!!! I have returned and tried several dishes, shrimp cocktail is delicious. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!

    (5)

  • Raul S.

    Short of moving my mom to Honolulu to cook for me every now and again, I figured finding a decent Mexican restaurant in Hawaii was pretty much a pipe dream. My partner, along with his parents and I, have tried many Mexican restaurants in Hawaii but none have had that 'real' Mexican flavor we've all known and missed since living in Hawaii. We discovered this Mexico Restaurant while my old man and me were helping his parents move here and we kept saying that we needed "try it". We finally did last night. We all shared the Carne Asada Nachos (served in a Fiesta football shaped platter) and the perfect sampler platter called "El Platon", which is literally this GIGANTIC Fiesta platter (and yes, they do get EXTRA points for using actual Fiesta Dinnerware - come to my kitchen and I'll show you what that is, it's all we have). The sampler has a big Zope, Chile Relleno, Quesadilla, Green and Red Salsa Tamales, and Flautas served with a generous side of real sour cream and homemade guacamole (not in those little round plastic 1 oz cups most restaurants use). My old man and his dad also shared a shrimp marisco, I don't eat shrimp cause they look and have the texture of pinky fingers so can't really attest to how good they actually but being that no shrimp was left behind, I'm pretty sure they loved those too. Every item we tried was AMAZING and welcoming. The flavors are from Jalisco, so you know it's gonna be good. The Chips and salsa are good and the salsa has a good spicy kick...please note that if you can't handle the heat, lest just say the roasted habanero salsa will clear any sinus problems you got going. I hadn't eaten this much in a very long time, but I had to try it all. We washed it all down with a couple of Cadillac Margarita pitchers. The ambiance is great with Mexican decorations through out the restaurant. The place is also very spacious and they accommodate nice, big heavy wooden tables and chairs. Allot of thought has gone into the decore of the dining room. They also have a separate fully stocked bar that you can sit and have drinks at. The music was all regional Mexican music, that was a little loud for comfortable conversation levels, but didn't deter from the actual food experience. The service was non-pretentious, non-overbearing and super friendly. Our server took the time to talk with us and share hometown stories, I'm from Baja Cal., she's from Laredo, TX, my old man's parents grew up in Imperial Valley (bordering the California and Mexican border), so it was a nice experience. All in all, I felt at home, I felt comfortable and I felt welcomed add that to the amazingly great tasting Mexican food in Honolulu and it makes for an excellent experience. I have found a new home and cannot wait to back there again.

    (5)

  • Micah R.

    Coming from the mainland, I've missed good Mexican food. Took me a few years of searching and trying different places (with much disappointment) when I finally came across Mexico Restaurant. This is by far the best Mexican food I've had here in Hawaii. The service is good and the atmosphere is pleasant. The only reason I'm giving it 4 stars is because the parking is very limited.

    (4)

  • Laura C.

    I went here with a friend from Texas. He claimed it was the most authentic mexican food around knowing we both have been to Mexico multiple times and love mexican food. Yes, he was right, closest I've found around. It's still gringo style, but very good. The decor is also spot on to a nicer mexican restaurant in LA or Mexico. There is very little parking and it was pretty crowded on a Saturday night. A little pricey, but the food was very good. The only thing I really didn't like was how loud their live music was. The music was good, just way too loud. They didn't need mics for the size of the place. Our group had trouble hearing each other even sitting right next to each other. Live without mics would've been MUCH better. Still, I'll go back, the food and atmosphere was great, reminded me of home. I'll probably try to go early so as to find parking and skip the music.

    (4)

  • Humlei F.

    My first time here at Mexico restaurant and I loved it! Food was great service was pretty fast. Will be returning for another group dinner date! the steak quesadilla was bomb! And the gandule rice was so good! Fluffy and flavorful. Yummmmmy!

    (5)

  • D R.

    Best Mexican food on Oahu. Here's my list: Mexico Restaurant Los Chapparos (all good but rice has chicken flavor) Azteca Anything else not mentioned is not worth trying!! IMO. If you want a fresh vibe, try Wahoo's fish taco. Mexico restaurant is hands down, all around best Mexican food. Large portions, excellent flavors, all the ingredients you'd expect. Ambiance is great, you feel like you are in Mexico! Try the El Jimador tequila shot at the bar.

    (5)

  • Donna D.

    Large mango margarita! I love this place. Not just because they serve large portion, it is really good as well. And..I don't mean to be racial, but the cooks are Hispanics! I have eaten in some americanize Mexican restaurants in downtown that were awful. Downside is the parking. It can be a real challenge parking there because it is really tight space, but it's worth it. 'Don't mind the neighborhood.

    (4)

  • Vesper W.

    There's is a Parking lot right next to the Restaurant. This Restaurant is on the "makai" side of the road; South side; Oceanside. Good food. I'm a newbie to 'Mexican' foods but this place was enjoyable. Had the Chicken Chiming and although it wasn't exactly as 'deep-fried'-cruchy like I usually like my shortchanges, it was very tasty.

    (4)

  • Wado M.

    Their chili verde is in one word "awesome". Unfortunately the other things on the menu I've eaten were not nearly as good as the chili verde. I would have given them four stars, but there is really only one thing on the menu for me. That said though, if you want a really good chili verde, hit this place up! you won't be disappointed!!!

    (3)

  • Jared T.

    This place gets two stars because the margaritas and the chips and salsa was okay. There isn't a place on island that has good Tex-Mex food. Don't waste your time looking for one. In Hawaii this place has the best Mexican food. If this place were in Texas I would choose taco bell over it.

    (2)

  • Vanessa L.

    OK. First things first, I'm a stickler for service. That's why they get 3 stars. My husband and I went here for a late dinner. I went to school in Southern California (San Diego), my husband has lived in SD for a year, growing up I'd spend summers in California visiting family/friends, and we've spent time in Mexico during my school breaks in college. We've had our share of great Mexican food. When we got there, we were seated and given stale chips and really great salsa. It was a shame the chips were so junk because thier salsa was really tasty. Took a long time for them to take our food and drink order. They were also really slow in bringing our drinks.... they came right before our food! I ordered the Mexican Combo plate- one crab and one chicken enchilada. I was brought one crab and one cheese enchilada. However, it was tasty so I didn't bother having them correct it. The husband ordered the Mexican Combo plate as well- one taco, one burrito, one enchilada, all carne asada. Overall, the food was good, but my husband said the carne asada was kinda salty. Both of my enchiladas were good, but I've had better. While we were waiting, a waitress passed by with two orders of their fried ice cream... it looked soooo good! So we decided we were gonna order that... Well, just as we were finishing up, the server places our check on the table, and tells us "anytime you're ready guys".... didn't even ask if we needed anything else. Honestly, everything was good up until this point and then my mood just tanked... We felt like we were being rushed outta there so didn't even bother trying to order dessert. Now, to be fair, all of the servers were very friendly. But they messed up on my order, were slow, and rushed us out. The food was OK, but nothing spectacular. But again, to be fair, the food was better than most places in Hawaii, and very authentic. So out of all the junk Mexican places in Hawaii, this one is one of the less junk. Oh, and on the bill? A $3 charge for crab, and two separate charges of $2 for carne asada on my husband's entree. I knew there was an additional charge for seafood in the combo but TWO separate charges for carne asada on the same entree? PUH-LEEZE

    (3)

  • Shirley P.

    Don't think we'll b returning anytime soon. Slow service and food not so great. Our waiter was terrible. He didn't even check on our table after he took our order and brought our food. If you wanna eat good mexican food with great service, i highly recommend Los Chaparros.

    (1)

  • Adam K.

    Finally a great place to get Ceviche!!! As a whole this place has great food and you should definitely check it out.

    (5)

  • Marcus S.

    Being from California I do expect a lot when it comes to Mexican food. This place was the WORST! When you name your place mexico you better be frickin good man. Service sucked, waited 15 minutes before anyone talked to us. First time I did not finish my tamale and my wife's carnitas fajitas were dry,tough,and lacked the every so important thing called FLAVOR! Do not go here. Only go if you plan on drinking margaritas and are going somewhere else too eat. BLICK!

    (1)

  • Samone S.

    Giving it a two star rating because I used to love this place. I love Mexican food and missed having it while here on the island. Found this place and came here regularly. Friday night will be my last attempt to coming here. We had a party of 5 and went in and put our name on the list because they were kind of busy. Host told us 5 to 10 minutes. We patiently waited outside for 30 minutes when a big table opened up. (When we got there we were behind a couple on the list and no one else was ahead of us or them. We were the only ones on the list at this point.) We see the bus boy clean the table and then a group that came way after us be seated at this table. We went inside to confront the host on what happened. He grabbed his board and said oh they were in front of you. They came before you. As I am staring at the freaking clip board with OUR NAME before anyone else's. Needless to say due to this host and how rude he was we will not be coming back here nor will I recommend this place to anyone. Apparently it's a hit or miss place. You have to catch them on there good day.

    (2)

  • Crystal B.

    This is a 3 1/2 star review, but i'm rounding up. I have been here 3 times now, and it has been kind of an uneven experience. Contrary to some of the reviews I see about this place, we have always had good service here. The food is where I am just not quite sure what to say. The first time, I got a beef tamale with red sauce and a pork enchilada with verde sauce. The tamale was just okay, nothing special, mostly because of the sauce, which tasted very tomato-ey but did not have much of that slow-cooked spice and chile flavor that I look for in Mexican food. The enchilada was much better, and the verde sauce was actually really good. So the next time we went here, I was looking for whatever had that verde sauce on it. I chose the burrito with simmered pork verde, and it was delicious. Like, actually tasted comparable to the Mexican food I grew up eating at restaurants on the mainland where the servers didn't speak English and Abuelita was in the kitchen. I was so excited. The third trip, I ordered the same burrito and was SOOO disappointed when it tasted different! Didn't have as much of that delicious green chile flavor, was just kind of salty and boring. Frustrating. So, perhaps I should give it 3 stars, but as is talked about often, Mexican food in Hawaii is pretty dismal, so even a place with potential is getting that extra rounded-up half star from me. I have high hopes for my next visit.

    (4)

  • T.K. H.

    First time I ate from Mexico Restaurant was take out a few weeks ago, food was very good. Took my family last night, we all enjoyed the food and atmosphere was great. The only bummer was their bar was not open, but they allowed BYOB. We will definetely return again when we feel ono for Mexican food.

    (5)

  • Holland M.

    Oh yes! I took my friend here for lunch, after we visited the Bishop Museum, just a block away. I ordered the Carne Asada. But, it wasn't as great as what my friend ordered, the Kalua pig chimichanga. OH my gosh, that is the best chimichanga I've EVER had. I nearly ate hers all XD But, I know what I'll be ordering the next time I go. The dish had great flavor and coupled with a good Horchata made for good eating. I'll definitely go during happy hour next time, and have at the Magaritas with salt P:

    (5)

  • Evan S.

    I'm not sure if there is new ownership or if the recession has taken it's toll on this place but the quality has slipped big time. I revisited this restaurant after 18 months. My fond memories of great food were dashed as soon as I got my fajitas. The quality of the meat is totally different, the shrimp were small and at one time frozen. The steak was also once frozen and tasteless. I won't talk about how good this place was a couple of years ago, but it is not what it once was. Anyone who gave this place 5 stars doesn't know what good food is and I would question any of their reviews. Large portions and free refills doesn't make a restaurant excellent or even good. "Pretty authentic food as far as Hawaii goes." this statement is a joke. It seems like people give bad restaurant a pass here in Hawaii because it's Hawaii. That's bullsh*t and people need to stop supporting bad restaurants.

    (2)

  • Nathan N.

    I've had some friends complain about the service at Mexico Restaurant. Well, if you haven't figure it out yet, go sit at the bar. They have a dedicated bartender that takes care of your needs.

    (4)

  • E N.

    Thats weird Big Island E... all that video shows me is a plate of crap bastardized junk food. Now the guy you interview says they make traditional Menudo (Tripe Soup), Tripas (Grilled Small Intestine) & Lengua (Beef Tongue).... I will certainly come out to check those out. Note... I have not been here... my 3 stars is meaningless... just average... so that I could comment. However let me respond to Waynele... the dish you are referring to Camarones al Mojo de Ajo is a very traditional dish of Spanish origin that is pretty much the same as Shrimp Scampi. As you may, or may not know, the Spanish colonized Mexico as well as Southern Italy (about the same time)... so there are bound to be some similarities between Mexican & Sicilian cuisine. In addition to Scampi... you will find some of Mexico's cheeses, bread & deli meats are very similar to what you find in Sicily as well. To Moonie... I guess you don't know much about Mexican cuisine... it rivals Chinese & French among the most diverse on the planet. I realize that Mainland Mexican places are lame and don't offer diversity... but please don't ignorantly repeat b.s. until you have gone to Mexico's interior and experienced the cuisine for yourself.

    (3)

  • Lauren M.

    Best flavor, best value, best service (Sarah is great!) and according to my from-Mexico-and-very-scrutinous husband, the most authentic Mexican restaurant on the island. And we don't throw around the word "authentic" lightly. Get the chile verde! And the horchata!

    (5)

  • Lauren W.

    5 minutes away from my house and still one of the better Mexican places around. I hate that we don't have better offerings for this type of food. Maybe Hawai'i should offer a 2 for 1 immigration special from Mexico or something. Diablo shrimp is as devilishly spicy as it sounds - but delicious, if you don't mind peeling it yourself. Also try, mini quesdillas, crab enchilada, crab chile relleno, and the tamale. Ole!

    (4)

  • Kaiulani K.

    Ordered the beef tacos here, very good. Made me want to be a little less harsh than my first review. Customer service is still pretty bad- think the bare minimum you could get before being tempted to just walk out or never come again. The guys there are nice if you are nice to them, they just aren't helpful and maybe it's because they are busy, but they really act/seem like they don't have time for you. The food didn't have the bay area flavor I was looking for, but my tacos were way better than the carne asada i ordered and reviewed last time. the meat was tender, juicy, a little greasy. I like that they loaded up my plate with rice and beans- very large portions. even though the portions are large, you're paying for it since this place is pricey [especially for what they offer]. now that this place has been bumped up on my radar from "less than decent" to "okay", i would consider coming here again.

    (3)

  • Natty D.

    i heart mexico. $8 HUGE mango li hing mui margaritas. Fridays&Saturdays live music....they serenaded my guy cousin with La Bamba haha.

    (5)

  • Brenda M.

    I usually give my rating based 90% on food and a little bit on the service but even if the food was semi decent I would overlook the incredibly rude service. Seriously the rude hostess seats you with a tude, then you wait awhile, order and get overlooked tasteless Mexican food. I ordered a margarita, it was so terrible ithought it had dirty dishwater in it. The bartender tried it said it was fine and waitress made some joke mocking my complaint. This place isn't worth your hard earned money, they don't know how to treat customers and serve crappy, flavorless food.

    (1)

  • Teri-Lyn T.

    I loved it! My third time going and my husband's first. I will say I have had take out from here and compared to dining in the food isn't as good when you take out BUT why would you take out anyway?!? Their service was so amazing! I didn't have to flag my waiter down for anything, he was very attentive without being over-bearing and it was an environment my children enjoyed and felt very comfortable in and that is so important! I have tried their taquitos, carne asada plate and their carne asada taco, quesadilla and their enchilladas and they are great. They seat you and automatically come back with salsa and chips to take your drink/appetizer order and once they are back with drinks they take your order. Appetizers came out first (doesn't always happen at restaurants) and the only complaint I had is that they didn't bring all our food out at once but I do really appreciate that they brought out all the children's food together.

    (5)

  • Boki C.

    3;5 stars ambiance - good food - decent, not as zesty or "alive" as i would want me mexican food to be, although i did very much enjoy the spicy complimentary salsa! price - goood portions - huge service - good

    (3)

  • Rafal M.

    Pretty good food. Service is bad.

    (3)

  • Fofoga M.

    I just got back from having lunch at Mexico Restaurant and it was deeeeeelish!! My sister and I decided to try something different. We're always going for local bbq, Indian, Korean but today I chose Mexican. Yelp help me decide Mexico was the place to try and we both are glad we came. I had the chimichanga....and it was yummmmmmmmo! Portion was too much for me. Same for my sister. She had 3 tacos and she couldn't finish 2. Only down fall was we never got refills on our soft drinks and there was barely any ice in our water and so we ended up drinking water...not ice water. Food was great and we are definitely returning.

    (4)

  • Russ C.

    consistently decent, which is saying a lot for Mexican food in Honolulu

    (3)

  • Lora H.

    Great garlic shrimp! Serious garlic action. And the shrimps were big. Had the taco salad too - was good, not bad, but not great. This restaurant is kind of just a random restaurant in a not-so-good part of town. But the restaurant is nice - probably one of the more cleaner, bigger Mexican places I've been to. Would I go again - yes. Parking is good, service was good, price was good.

    (4)

  • Liesl O.

    I eat here ALL the time. After a careful search, I think this is as good as Mexican food gets on the island. No there's no view, the neighborhood feels sketchy (just like Mexico! haha) and the parking lot can leave you trapped, but the people are friendly, the decor is cute, they have live music most of the nights I've been there, and their margaritas are strong. The food, well, like I said, it's the best on the island - which just doesn't compare to the mainland, but I enjoy their fish tacos and their chicken taco salad.

    (4)

  • Josh A.

    This place is great! We went here by default. I didn't bring cash for Helena's, so we walked across the street to here. I mean, who really wants Mexican food when visiting Hawaii? Our waiter was friendly and fast. I got the pig tacos. They were great. The chips and salsa were good too. if you're looking for Mexican food, come here.

    (4)

  • Regina T.

    I lived in San Antonio for 5.5 yrs and I've had some amazing Mexican food. Mexico ranks right up there. I had the flauta with a side of beans and rice and it was amazing! My husband had the Mexico Burrito... He really liked it as well! Parking is not optimal if they have a lot of people there. However, i consider that a good sign! Highly recommend!

    (5)

  • Ryan D.

    Best Mexican Food I have had here in Hawaii. As close to "authentic" as you can get in Hawaii. I am used to Mexican Food in California so I tend to be a bit cirtical. Overall, it was very tasty. The enchilada's and rice were tasty and the chips and salsa were good. I would def go back! I would say its much better than Cholo's, although the atmosphere at Cholo's was much better. Overall, very satisfied.

    (4)

  • Thomas S.

    Just went to Mexico yesterday (Thursday) with a group of 7. We needed the accessible parking spot for our wheelchair guest which was provided along with a ramp to the front door, very nice. Our server was pleasant and our food was real good. All of us were very pleased with our experience and for me I'm looking forward to returning again. This place does not compare to some of the finer Mexican Restaurants I've been to on the mainland but for Hawaii I have always been very pleased. While Choloes has had some of the best advertisements on the radio, I have never had good food there. While I have never heard an advertisement for Mexico I have heard someone recommend Mexico. I do agree with some of the negative experiences mentioned in some of the other reviewers but on the other hand we are not talking about a five star restaurant here but I will say they have taken a lot of pride in putting this place together and I give them a lot of credit for that. Someone has done some very thoughtful traveling to purchase the decorative items throughout. The over all decor is excellent. I would like to see more pride in the servers for their place but that is a matter of management and their desires for the level of service expected. Our server was pleasant though and actually a little bit fun. When you come make sure the most skilled driver is driving due to the challenged parking lot provided. Hey but if you put the same restaurant in town you may get better parking but your ticket at the end of the night will double for this level of food and atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Marina J.

    got to the restaurant a little late and most of my friends were already there. Great ambiance and looks like a fun place to be. The service however was not so good and either was the food. The waitress kept getting the orders wrong and the food runner didn't seem to be wanting to help her at all. No team work. The manager was running around bar-tending and doing whatever rather than checking to see if everyone was happy. Under staffed for sure but no excuse. The cooks hanging out outside smoking cigs. The crab in one of the dishes not fresh. I would not recommend it.

    (2)

  • Gary A.

    This place has the best mexican food on the island! The ambiance feels very much like mexico. (With live mexican music on occasion) I tried their shrimp cocktail, and carne asada plate and the kalua pig casadia. Top it off with a glass of horchata and a flan dessert...awesome! Parking might be a struggle though.

    (4)

  • Kasey R.

    Would not even award 1 star. Awful! Pre-made warmed up food, stale chips, watery refried beans overall no flavor...we went here because living social names it the best mexican..I understand Jose's is far superior.

    (1)

  • willey k.

    I'll agree with being pretty darn good Mexican food! I won't know what's the best 'till I sample real kine but it hit the spot! Ordered some kind of Fish and Fhrimp Burrito and HG ordered the Mexcian Burrito. No complaints. We ordered the Li Hing Mui Margarita and the Mango Magarita. Li Hing was much better! Mango tasted like the regular stuff from Chili's. Only thing, the bathroom! Kinda crampy and dirty. Typical Kalihi style. The floors in the rest. weren't that clean either but I guess that's Mexico for you. We'll be back! Check it out!

    (4)

  • Katheryn H.

    Went to Mexico Restaurant with a friend, her son and my boyfriend for dinner. It was our first time and we were really disappointed. Here's a list of things that were totally wrong with this place: 1. Our greeting was a yell from the kitchen area "Seat yourself!!!" 2. One of the waitresses had her 2 year old child running all over the place and relaying on customers to watch her daughter for her 3. The food had no flavor what-so-ever. My friend and I ordered the Chicken and Steak Fajita and it tasted like there was something missing. It says it feeds two, but I think it feeds more like 1. The chips and salsa we had tasted way better than what we ate. 4. Our waitress never came to check up on us while we were eating unless we flagged her down for utensils, water, and the bill. 5. For the tasteless food, the price was ridiculous. 6. The parking situation is ridiculous, almost got into 2 accidents just getting out because the parking is soooo tight and it's impossible to see at night, not much lighting.

    (1)

  • Mike G.

    My wife and I go here for lunch and some dinners. We have even drug our parents when they were on holiday to eat here. We love the fajitas and chimis, the pork chimi being the BEST. I would give this 5 stars, but if it is busy you have to walk because the parking is ridiculous, unless you drive a scooter, then it is a 5 star establishment. There was a couple of times the service wasn't up to par, but as with everything you can't be perfect all the time.

    (4)

  • Carol L.

    Finally an above average place for Mexican food. I see alot of mixed reviews here. Hubby and I had. Chile Verde and a combo of beef burrito and Chile releno. Portions are large come hungry. The salsa they serve with chips was a bit disappointing. Had way better. Chile Verde very tasty! Pork was fall off the bone tender. The Chile Releno was huge! Ooozing with cheese!! The beef burrito was huge and good. Served wit beans and rice. Will come again

    (4)

  • Micah L.

    BEST FRIED ICE CREAM EVER. (At least in Hawaii, which doesn't say much) I would go there just to eat that by itself. Seriously.

    (5)

  • Eric X.

    Apparently we got the large guacamole appetizer last time and were charged for medium. So it's actually $8 not $4 something. Ahh well seemed to good to be true. The portions are still absolutely huge and here's a new tip: $3 for Horchata is like halfway to being a pitcher -- huge glass mug. Also it's really good Horchata, not chalky and nice amount of cinnamon. I will say the house salsa is watery and dull like another yelper mentioned. That could be improved. But it's still the best mexican food I've found on Oahu thus far.

    (4)

  • Pedro H.

    Ok, so I'm Mexican. Like actually from Mexico. I had never heard of Nachos or Burritos until I came to the US. This place is not bad for the tacos, which is a tiny little section on the first page (it's literally a tiny little part of the menu). They have carne asada tacos, but more impressively they have less american-friendly offerings of tongue and tripitas (figure that one out on your own). The rest of the food is the regular run of the mill tex-mex, cali-mex, or whatever mex- type of food, but not fully Mexican. Good enough if you don't care about authenticity, but honestly I don't think it tastes that good. Although other people in Hawaii swear it tastes great and it's totally authentic because it's exactly as they remember....back in San Francisco. Yeah, ok.

    (3)

  • Robyn S.

    Gotta say that this by far one of the best Mexican restaurants on the island. And yes I'm gonna say it... They are by far way better than Cholos in Haleiwa. Servings are huge and one burrito can feed 2 people. They don't hold back on the shredded beef either!! Try the Horchata it's awesome! Atmosphere is pretty typical of a Mexican restaurant, lots of color and décor. Sometimes (and I'm not sure what day) they have a guy playing guitar. There is also a bar with a good selection of tequila and others. Their margarita was delicious and refreshing. Service all times dining there was excellent.

    (5)

  • Guy K.

    Just finished a take-out order of huevos rancheros from this place. It was soo mediocre and at $10.99 (I left a $1 tip on the take-out) it should have been mucho mucho bueno. Since this is a very basic entree, they should know how to do it up as good or better than their competition in order for the customer to get good value out of something that they're selling for $10.99 a serving. The huevos rancheros at Serg's in Manoa kicks butt over this one and surpasses it by two solid star ratings. I don't think I'll be adding this place to my list of Mexican restaurants; my point of view is from eating Mexican for about 10 years in Los Angeles (SoCal / TexMex flavors).

    (2)

  • Waynele Y.

    It might be what I ordered, but I definitely don't need to eat here again. It wasn't bad, but just not very good. The garlic shrimp didn't taste so Mexican to me--more like shrimp scampi with Mexican sides. The rice and black beans weren't very flavorful. My husband got the carne asada and said his meat was super tough. It was kind of disappointing. i think i prefer los chapporos.

    (2)

  • Hungry C.

    Wow! what a great improvement from our last visit. The food was great! The kids enjoyed everything on the keiki menu. Good atmosphere too. We really enjoyed the musician and had a wonderful time. Carnitas was awesome. Taco Salad was Enormous! We are definitely a fan now. Parking sucks, kinda shady folks hanging in the park behind the restaurant. We ended up parking on the street.

    (4)

  • Jericho E.

    Came on a Sunday where it wasnt busy at all. Took a little bit for the server (Anai) to come but she was extra pleasant and recommended awesome dishes. Horchata is a must!! Tastes just like it does back in Cali. Shrimp tacos were phenomenal as well. Definitely an authentic Mexican restaurant with the side of beans, rice and veggies with every plate and the loud mexican music in the background.

    (4)

  • Spacechimp S.

    Been craving mexican food for a few weeks and kept driving by this aptly named, fairly new, restaurant across from Helena's Hawaiian Food on School Street. On a random thursday last week, we stopped by to check it out. When we arrived, parking was plentiful in the lot beside and behind the building, but found the area kind of shady considering it was dusk and there tends to be a bunch of men drinking in the oddly-placed park in the back. When we entered the restaurant, I found the interior design, though adorned with your standard Mexican decor, to feel slightly off. I think it was because there is a huge wooden bar on one side of the large room, but because of a lack of a liquor license, it was bare. Once seated, we started looking over the menu while a single Mariachi with guitar in hand played music and sang in the corner. Even though the large room had about 16 patrons and with the (microphone-less) musician standing 20 feet away, it was kind of hard to carry a conversation because he was so loud. Don't get me wrong, he had a great voice and was talented, I'd just prefer to enjoy a meal without the sensation of standing in front of an amplified speaker at a Los Lobos concert. Yes, it was pretty loud. As far as the food goes, it was kind of hit and miss. I thought the free house salsa was a little dry and not that good, but the homemade chips was ok, and I've had a tastier carnitas plate. However, our sauteed mushroom and cheese appetizer was awesome, and so was my blackened shrimp tacos! Yuummm! The service was pretty good and the prices comparable to similar restaurants here. All and all, I'd go again, but mainly because it's the closest mexican restaurant to my house. (Well, and for those delicious shrimp tacos) Seriously readers, if nothing else, just try these tacos!

    (4)

  • Susan N.

    i would not expect a great mexican restaurant in Hawaii. We heard from a friend it was a great restaurant. Mexico is one of the best mexican restaurant we have been to. Living in San Diego in the past we are pretty particular. My husband had enchaladas that were one of the best he had ever had. I had delicious beef tacos and guacamole dip. Both exceptional. if you like mexican this is the place

    (4)

  • Satoru Y.

    A decent Mexican restaurant: but not too impressive. I guess the first turn-off I had was the florescent color of their guacamole. The portions are pretty huge; and they definitely aren't skimpy. The service was attentive, and had no problem filled up our chips and salsa numerous times. I guess I just didn't find the food we ordered that impressive. I ordered one of their specialty Burritos. I thought the Chicken and Beef in the Burrito was delicious and wonderfully tender. However, there was not much else going on in the Burrito flavor-wise. The menu does have a wide variety of traditional Mexican dishes that aren't available in many places in Hawaii. I do love the layout of the restaurant. Its got that adobe feel to it. The place is pretty spacious; and it is great for groups and kids. The rancho decorations are a great touch. All in all, decent attempt at bringing a rustic Mexican restaurant to Hawaii.

    (3)

  • Enjoy L.

    Great Horchata & large portions. service is so-so.

    (4)

  • Kevin M.

    What's the Scoop? I give it a 3 star only because there isn't really any Mexican places on the Island. Maybe a handful at best and I'm pretty darn sure I've eaten at all of them. This places is decent. It's nothing like the mainland Mexican food, but it'll do, to fulfill your Mexican food craving. Price: Fair Must try: Anything...mexican food isn't too diverse. Rice, Beans, Tortillas, Sauce and some meant? LOL. I had the enchiladas and it was good. Very healthy portions. Drinks: Very sweet horchata. Not the best, but decent. Parking: Has it's own lot but it's small.

    (3)

  • Kenny C.

    I am not a super big fan of Mexican food, but we come here quite often since its close to my workplace. The food is pretty good, but the service can be pretty junk at times. The nachos is good and I usually get the enchalada plate.

    (3)

  • Les Is More M.

    3 words: LI HING MARGARITAS!!!

    (5)

  • Kalani C.

    Last minute we figured we'd head to Mexico to celebrate in some fashion, Cinco de Mayo (down with the French!). Place was packed; never seen it so festive. The waiting list was extensive & estimated at 1.5 hours. We headed to the bar, standing room only, & had beers, margaritas & ceviche. No joke, a table cleared 1.5 hours later & so did two stools at the bar. We remained at the bar for their Mariachi Burrito & Chili Verde which were both delicious. Mahalo to bartender Renee for being attentive despite the madness. Bus boys were incredible as were the wait staff. A nice mid-week jaunt to get me in the mood for the weekend.

    (4)

  • Daflowa A.

    I really like this place. I used to go to their sister restaurant, Mexico Lindo in Kailua all the time so it's nice that this place is closer to home. The food is authentic (I think) and best of all yummy! They have a ton of seafood options on their menu which is nice and the prices are moderate.

    (4)

  • Mark G.

    Biggest set of horns I've seen in Hawaii. They were on the wall, that bull must have been the size of a Volkswagen. Stopped by late-ish on a Saturday. There was a guy playing guitar, poorly. I was told he wasn't the regular guy though. The decor of this restaurant is very nice. They seemed to have done a full remodel unlike some places that just hang up some serapes and put up some travel posters. But enough about the furniture let me mention the food. I liked the salsa with the chips, it was the smoother style of salsa probably put through a hand grinder or food processor; sticks to the chip well. I had the Diablo Shrimp appetizer. The waitress said it was somewhere between the Chipotle Shrimp and the Garlic Sh imp on the Scoville scale. Good flavor, not too hot. I also had the ceviche; major disappointment. Just a big pile of fish mush with tomato. The fish tacos had Guacamole and two big chunks of char grilled fish, not bad. I also had the Crab Enchiladas on the waitresses recommendation, although I was leaning that way anyway. The Crab Enchiladas were packed with crab and had a nice light Verde sauce which didn't cover the taste of the crab. All in all, very friendly service, mostly good food, BYOB a plus for me.

    (4)

  • Hillary N.

    So tonight was mexicos chance at redemption. It's mediocre at best, if you knew little about REAL Mexican food or didn't know any better you would be satisfied. I got my food to go tonight and unfortunately I didn't check it and had to return because I was given the wrong order and when I returned to have it corrected I witnessed the micronesian mind u Micronesian not Mexican cook and I use that term loosely microwave the order that was supposed to go home with me in the first place then put in a bag that was then passed along to me. The actual food wasn't horrible but if you are going to go out to eat Mexican on Oahu go to el mariachi in Aiea or Kaneohe there's is so close to my mamas it makes me miss her.

    (1)

  • Ian S.

    My wife and I really enjoyed the food here. The decor is also nice, but the service was lacking and the price is way too much for Mexican food. Definitely four star food, but two star service and five star pricing. I would go back based on the quality of food, maybe the service will be netter next time.

    (3)

  • Richard C.

    There are not many contenders here for Mexican food to even consider. This is about the top for me. Food is good, Rene makes awesome Maggies, and almost always a seat at the bar. They occasionally do Tequila tastings, especially Cabo Wabo, my favorite. Will keep you posted on those tastings. Oh and if you ask for the special habanero sauce you will be wowed. Have another Margie. Actually 3.5 stars for me.

    (3)

  • lori l.

    We took the advise of a friends and decided to check out Mexico. What a treat! FINALLY a Mexican restaurant on Oahu that is authentic! The carne asada tacos were right out of Baja and the enchiladas verdes were delicious! Coupled with the perfect margarita you can't go wrong! Pleasant staff and killer food! Can't wait to go back soon!

    (5)

  • Kimo U.

    Just needed a quick picker-upper for dinner. This place is a short drive down to School Street. Noticed that they had small tacos, perfect for a small dinner. Ordered the lengua and tripitas tacos. They certainly looked and smelled like the tacos I get in San Jose, CA. The tongue was tender and went well with the green sauce. The sauce, which I poured over the taco, could have been a tad spicier, but was a good complement. The tripe, though, was not quite what I expected; its to-the-bite texture seemed almost too tender. After reading the other reviews, I'll have to return for their other choices. Very inviting ambience.

    (4)

  • M B.

    Best on island. Beef flauta and asada burrito are amazing. Huge portions

    (5)

  • Christine A.

    I love this place. Best mexican food on the island and i have been to pretty much all of them. You couldnt make better guacamole better that this place, it is so fresh. Everything is fantastic. My dislikes are that parkng is horrible and you have to park sometimes down at the park where some sketchy people live. Also the music is pretty loud. And one more thing it takes forever to get, refills, a bill, and pay.

    (4)

  • Esteban W.

    I avoided this joint for as long as I can remember. It was always talked down upon by the locals, my friends didn't like it and why was I to believe that ME a Mexican would even enjoy it... well I was FU*KIN' wrong. Thanks to a scheduled meeting with a co-worker (she chose the spot) I was able to experience the very thing I feared (bad Mexican). So the break down: three stars... Mexican food is judged by one very important criteria, Rice. The "Mexican" rice that comes on every plate and an orange mess of deliciousness and flavor is so fundamentally essential in Mexican dining, its the Spam on your Musubi. With that being said, its simplistic design should be something that can be EASILY conquered by any restaurant with decent practice. For this, Mexico gets a friggin "A". Similar to Toritos, Mexico uses a specific rice that is just good eats on the plate. RECOMMENDATION: Chimichanga. Period. It was massive and filled to the brim with flavor, meat and goodness. I ordered carnitas, so i can't vouch for the other meat fillings. NOW, the bad stuff...why only three stars? the service was a little slow with us, she was GREAT with the table next to us though, so I know she has it in her, but for some reason our table must of had leperacy or something because she avoided us as if she saw a cold sore or something. the price was also as extreme as the chimichanga, it was definitely a twenty dollar lunch, which even in Hawaii is incredibly..expensive. Coming from San Diego, $20 can feed a family, a Mexican one too... This place was definitely delicious, but one of those places that you're going to need to wait til pay day to go.

    (3)

  • Rose L.

    The food is awesome - especially the garlic shrimp! YUM! After we ate all the shrimp, I grabbed my fork and ate everything else on the plate ... it was THAT good! The restaurant looks great and our server was really nice. We'll definitely be back :)

    (5)

  • Matt C.

    pork taquitos are awesome

    (4)

  • Brooke M.

    Why did I drive all the way to Kalihi for this? (Yeah, like it's so far!) So I guess if you don't like garlic shrimp, don't go here. Yeah, the decor is pretty nice, doesn't feel like you're in Kalihi. They have a really nice bar- too bad there's no booze in it. Salsa tasted like it came out of a jar, or at least part of it did and they just added some cilantro and stuff to it. There was this middle aged couple playing guitar and singing (sometimes badly), and I kept hoping that they wouldn't come over to our table! Anyway, Jeremy's theory is that Mexican food is all about the meat- meat, sauce, tortillas. Therefore, vegetarians will never be satisfied with Mexican restaurants, and we need to just make our own "Mexican" food to satisfy our cravings. Ok, fine. But a margarita would've helped, a little.

    (3)

  • Isao K.

    I feel like this is the best mexican restaurant on oahu. 1st: There salsa, ceviche, and homemade hot sauce were superb. as were the quesadillas when combo'd with the ceviche 2nd: this is not some wuss mexi-wai'i restaurant. they are not afraid to use the little chili that they use. Plus they are very liberal with their garlic. Let me explain why this is good. Chili's not only stimulate circulation, and are good for digestion, they are also anti bacterial, meaning if you have any stomach problems, the chili can take care of them, when used correctly. Garlic has much of the same properties, including anti-inflamatory and general anti-sickness(like flu or colds) plus they are loaded with good oils for your body, however loose most of them when cooked to much, which is why the rawer the garlic the better. The service was good, and the kitchen staff was great. This is a great food sharing restaurant. The only downside I saw was a lack of bike parking. good job guys.... I have been looking for good mexican in the islands for way to long

    (5)

  • Gareth W.

    I have not been to all of the Mexican places on the island, but I would have to say that this is one of the best places that I have been. I had the El Mariachi burrito, I could not finish it. The salsa was really good not too spicy. I came in the middle of the week during lunch and there were just a few other people. From the looks of the tables I can see how seating could be a problem because most of the tables were set up for larger groups.

    (5)

  • Atherfagalagi N.

    the prices are ridiculous for the servings you get. i had the mariachi burrito. all the bland pork was stuck in one end of the burrito while the other end was filled with refried beans. chalk that up to just plain sloppiness. the "salsa fresca" was little more than some chopped tomatos and the "spanish" rice was made with frozen vegetable mix. i saw corn first then the cut green beans, that's what gave it away. i also tried the chilie rejeno and enchillada ala carta. unfortunately they all tasted the same as the burrito, no taste at all. i suppose if i had drowned everything in hot sauce it would have had something to remind my tongue that i had food in my mouth, but food should be able to stand on its own. no? the only things worse than the food were the service and the parking. when i walked in several of the "wait staff" looked at me and then just turned and went about their business. no, "hi, how are you" or "welcome" or anything. although the restaurant was only half full the parking lot was overflowing. mitsuken is right down the street and i'd brave their non-existent parking lot for delicious food rather than trying to figure out mexico's parking arrangements just to fill my mouth with substance and taste-free fluff.

    (1)

  • E K.

    Anyway, the food is better than Taco Bell's.

    (1)

  • kaulana e.

    I must start off by saying that i am a Mexican/Hawaiian/Filipino that grew up in California where the mexican food choices are plentiful. I was a little cautious reading all the reviews for this place thinking that people from here wouldn't know real mexican food if it slapped them in the face.. I was wrong ! The food here was simply put.."Muy Bien" (very good).. To start off with I loved the adobe like feel of the decor, i like the fact it's not too big, yeah the parking was atrocious, but who cares about parking when the food is this good. I would have walked a mile to eat here. I ordered the crab enchiladas and my wife had the kalua pig chimichanga. Both were amazing, even the spanish rice and salsa were great! If you like Horchata, don't go home without it! We definitely have found our new home for eat out mexican here on the island... See ya there soon!

    (5)

  • Jimmy O.

    This is the best Mexican food on the island. They make great drinks and excellent food. Service is efficient and friendly.

    (5)

  • Iazy i.

    if i had written this review a year ago, it would have easily gotten 4 stars. mexico restaurant actually used to be my favorite mexican food on the island. i hadnt been here in over six months, and was disappointed that the quality had gone down since my last visit... and it wasn't a subtle difference; it was significant enough for me to think that they may have actually changed ownership. even the complimentary salsa went from tasting homemade and authentic to tasting store-bought, or a mixture of homemade salsa with store-bought salsa as filler. this may be a cost-saving move, but it's very noticeable to the palate. i thought that maybe i just went on a bad day, and given that i was a big fan of mexico restaurant, i've gone back two more times to see if that was the case. both occasions let me know that this is now the norm and not the exception. if you want the best mexican food on the island, it's serg's mexican kitchen... HANDS DOWN! to the credit of mexico restaurant, the serving sizes are still huge, and that's even by local standards. the margaritas and horchatas are solid. the food on the other hand, is decent, but nowhere near what it used to be.

    (3)

  • Kent I.

    If I wrote this review 2 years ago, this restaurant would get 4 stars easily, but unfortunately, this place has been changing. The food is the same as before, but the quality seems to be lower. For instance, the salsa before was excellent, fresh tomatoes, onion, garlic....all home made. I have gone a few times this year and the salsa is now Pace picante sauce with some chopped tomatoes mixed in. I was very sad to see this. The rest of the food is still good though, but not great. The pricing is typical for mexican food here, maybe a little pricey. Parking is limited. Worth a try, but I have been to better places here.

    (3)

  • Stephanie H.

    I usually only review restaurants that I was impressed with, but I have made an exception for this one and I'll tell you why. First of all, our server was friendly and attentive which is why I added an extra star, otherwise I would have given it a 2. We ordered a pitcher of magharita, which had a nice consistency (and this is key in magharitas as far as I'm concerned) but not the best flavor and they were WAY too strong. The food was alright, but not great. We wanted to sit around and finish the rest of the pitcher so one of my friends ordered a beer but because the place was going to close in 10 minutes they wouldn't serve him! And the people behind the bar were rude. Our server recognized our frustration and apologized profusely for it. We felt rushed, like we were being kicked out at the end of our meal. I say, in this economy you should be happy with any customers you get, even if it is almost closing time.

    (3)

  • Daniel P.

    Good tasting food, slow service.

    (3)

  • Jeannie J.

    The food here is amazing, but the service sucks. I was told it was okay to seat myself at the bar, cuz I needed a margarita, and was really excited about enjoying the enchilada and verde sauces. I sat myself at the empty bar, except for a man at the end of the bar, with his back to the whole place, watching a basketball game. Even the sound of the stool being pulled out, purse hitting the bar did not get his attention. So, being a long time food and beverage person, I decided to see how long he, as well as the server, and the kitchen guy who saw me would take to wait on me. I sat 5 min, before I spoke into the restaurant to the server, and asked if he was going to wait on me. He said, no Carlos was. Then this guy watching TV the whole time got up and brought chips and salsa. I politely ordered a margarita. Then a combination plate, with the enchilada and verde. He only took my order. That's it!! Then went to sit down again to watch TV, until my food was ready, he delivered, I asked for sour cream, he brought it, and left again. Carlos did not ask me if everything was okay. I sat at the bar by myself and had my meal. I heard the rest of the staff in the dining area laughing and was finished and saw the bartender (Carlos) back by the kitchen window bullshitting. I was obviously finished with my meal, and needed a go container, by this time, I was furious. I loudly asked if anyone was working here! I was the only customer in the place, and no one cared. Shittiest service I've ever had. I asked Carlos if the manager was around, and would you believe it, the one watching the TV, with his back to the whole establishment, and provided me with the horrible service, Carlos, was the manager! When I complained I had been ignored the whole time I was there, he tried to tell me he was busy with something else. I've been in food and beverage for many many years, and I saw everything. I hate leaving a shitty tip, but I did. I'm so disappointed because, as I said, the food is amazing. But I will not return, and will tell my friends not to waste their time. The owner deserves a phone call in the morning, which I fully intend to do, and perhaps, if the customer service improves, maybe. Did I say the food is amazing?

    (1)

  • Tiffany A.

    What a trip to Mexico! Well not literally but this restaurant was beyond what I expected. The food was really good and I ended up devouring all of my Mexico Combo... mmm mmm good! After recommendation from my cousin, we decided on lunch here. The place has lots of room to fit big groups as well as small. Although the restaurant wasn't full (although there were 3 big groups), the parking lot was packed. It's very small and getting in and out is awful. In the restaurant, it seemed kind of hot... lack of a better A/C maybe? But that was the end of the worst. The chips and salsa were pretty good. The chips seemed homemade, crunchy and falls apart in your mouth kine. The salsa was good on spicy for my preference. I was swayed to try the crab (real by the way) enchiladas. But I saw the combo option and decided to try that since I could choose two or three items since I love variety. So I got the Crab Enchiladas and the Carne Asada burrito (extra charge though for the seafood and the steak which was about $3). The plates are HUGE!!! But if you bring your appetite I'm sure you'll finish it and if not take the rest home!!! I really REALLY loved the crab enchiladas! It was my favorite :) The carne asada in the burrito was good but there wasn't much of it... more refried beans instead. The spanish rice included in the plate was mighty yummy! It had other things like small beans or peas but it didn't distract and it was fluffy :) Just the way I like it. So I recommend this place, maybe not during the busy lunch hour on weekdays, but the food is worth it and the prices are about the same as other mexican restaurants here in Hawaii.

    (4)

  • Grand Master J.

    Good good , but lots of room for improvement in service

    (3)

  • Harmony S.

    The food was not good. Ordered the mini chicken quesadilla, which had a funky taste like it was spoiled or something. The chicken chimichanga had the same awful taste. The shrimp in the fajitas were dry/over cooked. Hot sauce could not even help the food! The service was slow/non existant, asked for more salsa and it never came, no re-fill on water. 1 star for immediate seating and good Spanish Rice. Will not be returning here.

    (1)

  • Susan F.

    I was really hoping this place would be another "good", (I know it won't be GREAT) Mexican spot to eat at. I ordered the chile relleno and that was really good. The chile wasn't over cooked and soft, it still had a little bite to it. And the cheeses were great together. The salsa was ok, I honestly think I make a better salsa and I'm not even Mexican. The rice.... I didn't think you could mess up rice. Some grains of rice was not cooked long enough and it was extremely dry. They also put corn in it, I've never had Spanish rice with corn in it. Overall, it's okay! Maybe I'll just order something ala carte next time.

    (3)

  • Ap C.

    Awesome customer service! Greeted with a hostess who opened the door for us. Then chips and salsa were brought out right away! Awesome!

    (5)

  • Lina P.

    I've been here twice and I like it. It's the most authentic mexican food I've had on the island. The portions are so big you can comfortable share a plate. I like the chile rellenos.

    (4)

  • Kalei F.

    This restaurant was pretty good. The salsa and chips were good....felt like it was homemade. Salsa could've been a little spicier, but it was ok. I ordered the huevos con chorizo......it's the dish I order at every Mexican restaurant to compare them :) It was pretty yummy....not the best I've had, but still pretty good. My friend had the taco salad which was just common. The huevos con chorizo had too much egg, but the chorizo flavor itself was good....again could've been spicier. The beans and Mexican rice were very good though! One of my favorites! Their horchata was HUGE!!! It didn't really taste handmade but it was very sugary and definitely quenched your thirst and you can share it with people! You must try Los Chaparros though!! It's still my favorite Mexican restaurant (with Mexico Lindo in Kailua being my 2nd favorite) All in all, it was still a good restaurant....good atmosphere. Would come back again :) Mostly locals so that's a good sign! And yes people, we all know that Hawai'i is lacking in the area of Mexican food, and I have had Californian mexican, as well as Mexican from Arizona and from Mexico itself, but for Hawaii, this is a pretty good Mexican restaurant....not the best, but still good. And when you're ordering Mexican food, do not order just the "common" burrito or taco....venture out!! You'll find what REAL Mexican food is! Have fun!

    (4)

  • Jordan M.

    Mexican in Honolulu? That's just crazy talk. And yet here this place is. They know what a chili looks like and how to use them. The fish tacos were good and contained possibly the largest amount of fish I've ever seen in a fish taco. They weren't classic baja style, but they were served on two nice small corn tortillas with a plate of refried beans and spanish rice. The spanish rice actually had bits of corn in it which was nice. It was good. Very good.

    (5)

  • Alyssa K.

    Great! salsa: taste seems to change each time garlic shrimp = huge adobada: YUM! ceviche: DELICIOUS! fried ice cream: i dont care for it, but bf loves it!

    (5)

  • Kristin G.

    Definitely nothing impressive about this establishment. The service might have been better if there had been more than one waitress for 30 people. The food was average at best and did not have that certain zing I've come to expect in Mexican cuisine. In other words, it was bland; the rice and the enchilada. However, it was the parking that really did this place in. A very narrow parking lot on an incline. When we left, we had to back out because there was a big truck blocking what would have been a path between the parking spots. Although Mexican restaurants are harder to come by here on Oahu, I've definitely had better.

    (2)

  • Mia F.

    For Hawaii....this is our favorite Mexican restaurant...it's as good as it gets and it's pretty darn good...if you get a giant cadillac margarita and the carnitas you will be a happy! The atmosphere is fun too with lively music...kid friendly...

    (4)

  • James Q.

    Easily the best Mexican restaurant in town. Everything is good!

    (4)

  • Keltie J.

    overpriced, not amazing service. i've been lots of times. tiny parking lot.

    (3)

  • Nick J.

    Food is pretty good I would say you get your money's worth, it is pricey if your on a budget, it was pretty crowded when we got here so it was a pretty long wait.

    (4)

  • JAN I.

    Just came here for my lunch break.....I do wish it was after work. I was so tempted to drink a Margarita, maybe next time. I got the fish tacos and it was delicious. The fish was moist and good amount of fried beans and rice.

    (4)

  • Kawika C.

    Adequate at best. Waitress was attentive but never smiled. That's always a turnoff! Salsa seemed to be out of a can. Food was very very bland. Chips were room temperature, and from a huge stack of chip baskets in the back. I may give it another chance, not to many choices here. On the bright side, portions were large, decor was funky Tex/Mex, looks like there's a nice bar if your not driving. Two years later, tried the joint again. I raised it a star. This waitress smiled. Food was much better. Salsa is still a little iffy. And "PLEASE", quit pre stackin the chips to the ceiling? I want my chips warm.

    (3)

  • Marilyn M.

    okay, we've been there several times. my husband had the menudo soup before and its been awesome!!! well not this time. i'll get back to the menudo -- everything else was either cold or hard then the menudo was sent back cause he wanted it hot. well everything came out from both ends by midnight. get it: my poor husband. i know we wont be headin that way again....

    (1)

  • Jonathan D.

    where to start. this place lacks EVERYTHING!! once my wife and i walked in the vibe was ok, looked MEXICAN, but soon thereafter they fell short i mean really really short. 1. Service sucks!: sat and waited for about 30-45 mins for our food, i mean if its great food, i dont mind the wait, but the food is crap so the wait pissed me off. 2. Chips and salsa were ok. As we waited you would think that they would refill your chips and salsa right? not here... had to ask and still didnt bring them even after our food came. 3. The food: why do servers bring you one plate when the rest is not ready? i mean come on, its rude to sit there with a plate in front of you and have your wife wait for hers! i am one of those guys that waits for his wife to have her plate before i start to eat, its just polite i think. By the time hers came out mine was cold and hers was fresh out of the microwave! GROSS!!! then the messed up her order! LAME!! very lame! 4.PRICE! this is where i got pissed even further. three item combo..$18.95... not bad if it is great food, but again food is CRAP! no flavor in the meat and the plates are just coverd in canned sauce and cheese. The green sauce on the Chili Relleno was the same as the bottled crap on the table! On top of all this when i looked at the bill they charged me for "carne asada" ! it was a menu item! i guess if you call grilled steak in Hawaii "carne asada" which is what it is they charge you for it!! GOD I MISS SAN DIEGO !!! anyway, in my opinion...look else where. me and wifey made homemade mexican the other and i will admit, its the best there is out there bar none!!!

    (1)

  • Cheryl K.

    I have been to this a while back. I went to Mexico Restaurant to catch up with an old co-worker. Please beware the following may gross you out (or not, as I had to bear it for lunch). I was sitting in my truck and I see a cook come out from the back of the building with an apron on. Then I see him full on blow his nose on his apron. I was totally disgusted and prayed that, that man was not going to touch my food. Everyone was excited to eat here so I just chanced it without telling them (I still feel barfy thinking about it). Anyways, I ordered the chile relleno (minus the mucus) and my coworkers ordered the chimichanga and a crab salad. In my head, I am thinking the chile relleno maybe was stuffed by some other cook with super clean hands the day before. It was actually decent. Very similar to the one my mother-in-law makes. The salsa with the chips was not that good. It seemed to be out of the can tomato sauce and spiced up with a pepper or two. Not my fave. The rice and beans that came with the meal were pretty good. The rice seemed a little hard around the edges or something. Anyways, the service was on it and super fast and the prices were reasonable. The ambiance is very Mexico-ish and sets a pretty nice mood. This place is okay. I am totally OCD with cleanliness and seeing the cook blow his nose on his apron turned me off. Three stars for the ambiance, service, and prices. Minus two for the mucus.

    (3)

  • Cesar G.

    My girl and I just ate here tonight. Wow, were we impressed. Their menu is great. My girl is a vegetarian, but eats seafood. Their menu was filled with great sounding seafood like crab chimichangas, crab enchilladas, grilled fish, garlic shrimp, but my girl ordered the Mamamia Burrito. She could not believe how good it was. Grilled fish and shrimp, lettuce, and pico de gallo covered in a white creamy lobster sauce and a spoonful of avocado/papaya salsa on top! Wow. I had the carne asada plate and it was perfect. Full bar was a plus!!

    (5)

  • Ricky L.

    Maybe it was an off night, but the food was below average. I ordered the menudo, an ala carte carne asada taco and a horchata. Of which the horchata was the best part of the meal. The menudo tasted like watered down tripe stew and the taco was decent but not special. Also the waitress forgot my taco and i had to ask for it again, and the music was so loud I couldn't talk to the friend I was having dinner with. I may try it again, but not for a while. Oh yah and the roach motel near the door was full, is that good or bad?

    (2)

  • Cat D.

    It was OK...the beans tasted like the re fried beans from the can and the seasoning of the rice was off. Not sure how to explain it but it didn't have the dried chili taste that Mexican rice has. The guacamole was sour tasting as if the tomatoes were added but somewhat rotten. i had the Flautas and I love flautas from Maria Bonita's but didn't really want to drive the extra 7 mins and ended up here (I came here when they 1st opened and my review then was a 2* for obvious reasons). Anyways, so not Mexican style. They add soooo much cheese and not cotija cheese but probably mozzarella in side the flautas, which seeped through the tortilla making it soggy and not crispy. It was too american...don't feel you need to add cheese to everything or over due it. The carne asada wasn't tasty and the meat was flank steak not a good cut of meat (as they mentioned rib eye...and i know rib eye). It's simple...tortilla, cilantro and carne asada...with a slice of lemon...that's Mexican from Mexico

    (2)

  • Laughn R.

    I've been searching for some good Mexican food since my move here a year ago and I've tried almost all of the Mexican joints on the island. Mexico has the best Carnitas I have had outside of Los Angeles. Crunchy, juicy, with just the right amount of flavor.....perfect. I highly recommend their Taqueria style tacos with the barbacoa (shredded, sauced beef) or the Carnitas. Best mexican food in Honolulu IMHO. Service is a little lacking sometimes and their parking can be a real pain in the butt, especially when the Puerto Rican association downstairs is having some kind of function.

    (4)

  • Chad D.

    Good traditional Mexican food is very hard to find in Hawaii. Best Mexican food on the island has to go to El Palenque (spelling?) in Wahiawa. However, Mexico Restaurant is one of the better places in town. The food is tasty, the portions are rather large, and the prices are reasonable. As far as authenticity goes, they do lose some points there. The dishes are pretty good and the prices are fairly low. They constantly have drink specials and, on occasion, have a live mariachi player in Friday nights. I haven't ordered anything I didn't like as I try to order something different every time. So if you're down for some good Mexican food that's close to town, then stop by.

    (3)

  • Ileana R.

    A few wonderful people brought me to this neighborhood restaurant. The parking was maxed out. The service was wonderful and quick, the music was melt in your mouth deliciously wonderful. I was really in the mood for some taco truck succulence - so I ordered Adobada, Pork, and Chicken tacos with Rice & Beans. All of the meat was dry and overcooked. Atmosphere was GREAT, the Margarita was pretty good, but alas the search for something to live up to taco truck wonderment continues.....

    (3)

  • Jonelle R.

    Awesome food and great (fast) service!

    (4)

  • Rachelle M.

    Food was not good... everything was either way too seasoned or not seasoned enough. Even the salsa tasted like it was out of a can and the chips were stale. The only thing I would suggest would be the horchata since its the only Mexican restaurant that I have been to on the island that offers this drink. Other than that pass it up.

    (1)

  • S K.

    I've enjoyed all of the food items the half dozen times I've dined there. Servers are nice but disinterested. Ordered three meals and taquitos for take out tonight...no chips or salsa included. Told that I could get it as a side order. Declined. Felt like a fool for including a nice tip. Might be a deal breaker.

    (3)

  • Peter S.

    Best darn Mexican restaurant in Honolulu! Too many great food items to describe, but I had the Fajitas, which come to your table on a sizzling platter. Ono! Everything in the place is good! The horchata is awesome, huge and a great value at $3. For dessert, try the fried banana or the fried ice cream. . . ice cream dipped in batter and deep fried. Prices are from cheap to reasonable. Parking is a bit tight. Decor is fabulous. The also have an entertainer singing and playing guitar. . . not a platinum record seller, but very charming. Of the 8 times i've been there, the service has varied from slow to outstanding. On the positive side, even when the waitress was slow, they were very friendly.

    (5)

  • Lena H.

    living in la you get a pretty good taste of what real mexican food taste like... this place was pretty good. the salsa was good, chips ok, service was good as far as the server. the food took a while to come, but our server was really nice. when we finally got our food it was really worth the wait. i thought the taste was muy bien, but i have to say the beans were crap, but when you put tapatio on it it makes everything taste better! the ceviche was onolicious! it seemed like a pretty happening place on a saturday night. it was crowded but we got seated fast. there was live music from this cute hispanic dude who performs every sat. night. he was cute because there was a large group making a lot of noise so the just strummed his guitar and let them be loud for a while then when they stopped he sang. we gave him a few dollars because he was right next to us. at the end the large group went over to thank him and took pictures with him and tipped him.. that was nice. and then when he played la bamba everyone clapped because that was the only song everyone knew! lol! all in all the i would suggest you give it a try. you wouldn't think to find a place like that in kalihi/alewa heights area fo sho!

    (4)

  • Jesse L.

    Yum, yum, yum! Food is great, service is great, drinks are even better. They even have a happy hour when margaritas are cheaper, I always get the Cadillac large for two on the rocks with a salted rim. I ususally order the kalua pig taquitos app size and ala carte carne adada tacos. The tacos come with lime and cilantro, yum yum. Just a notice when you order ONE order of tacos, that means two corn tortillas and enough meat for two tacos. Great live entertainment, one man band. Also a must try!, tucked away in kalihi on school street. The only bad part is the parking!

    (5)

  • Scott R. D.

    The garlic shrimp are indeed good. It's same ownership as Mexico Lindo in Kailua (and formerly Kaneohe). When we lived windward Mexico Lindo was one of our favorites. This location doesn't disappoint. Live music and good food. The crab enchiladas were always good.

    (4)

  • Katie K.

    Went here for the first time the other day with a couple of friends. Parking along side the restaurant wasn't a problem--but then again we were there around early bird special time--there was no one else in the place! For starters we ordered the sizzling cheesy mushroom appetizer. Okay, seriously amazing!! But my problem here, is that this was the best thing I had here--and no where near what I would consider a traditional Mexican dish. They also brought us the normal complimentary chips and salsa. Salsa, very spicy, which is fine for my taste, but beware! And the chips--blah, I do not think these were homemade, and honestly don't even compare to the chips at Chili's. I do have to hand it to their bar though-- ordered an El Patron margarita, this thing was huge, yes it was $12, but I can guarantee you that the amount of alcohol in this thing is well worth the money! For my entree I ordered the El Mariachi burrito: chili verde wet burrito w/ beans and rice. Priced reasonalbly for the large quantity of food you get, but a little underwhelmed (if that's a word). The pork and verde sauce was good, but the beans and rice--I'm sorry, but very bland. So really, this place is decent, but with service and food being "just alright" I can't say that I plan to return here. I might want to try some other items on the menu (or just go back for the cheesy mushrooms!) but for now, I think I'll stick to Serg's when I'm craving Mexican.

    (3)

  • Jennifer O.

    Just went here for some Mexican with my boyfriend and was totally let down. We are both servers and have been in the industry for a combined 20 some years. The service was horrible! It takes a lot for me to get really upset but this did it. I understand if you are busy and can't give each table your total attention but this was just inexcusable and ignorant. The server was friendly enough, but a little slow. We eventually ordered and my boyfriend's 3 choice combo came up pretty quickly within 15 minutes. I kept waiting... and waiting... and waiting. My boyfriend was literally done with his meal when my single entree came out. I had specifically asked if they had any other kind of beans than black and was told no, though my boyfriend's plate came with refried. Then there were olives, which I can't eat, everywhere on my dish. No where on the menu did it say that my dish had a pound of olives in it, otherwise I would have obviously not ordered it. About 2 minutes after getting my plate my boyfriend asked for the check and a box. The girl dropped 2 boxes, and came back a few minutes later to collect our cash. She saw that I didn't eat any of my plate nor did I pack any of it up but that didn't seem to phase her. We paid our $40 tab and left an unprecedented 10% tip, which for us in the industry is really as bad as it gets. Our server was really nice, but she should have picked up on the fact that I was completely unhappy with the food and offered to do something about it. Though my boyfriend's food was fine both of our meals were ruined. If you want CHEAP Mexican food and don't care about the service by all means try the place out. If you don't want to have to pay for bad food and mediocre service go some place else.

    (1)

  • Javier C.

    This is by far the only most authentic mexican restaurant in the island. The Patron Steak is awesome. The spicy shrimps are great too. The ONO fish salad is delicious. Sometimes they have fried fish. Their home made chips are excellent. Only bad thing is that they don't have a license to sell alcohol. Must bring your own bottle or six pack.

    (4)

  • sampaguita p.

    i always wonder about the balance between authenticity and plain old, "does it taste good, even to palates that don't know what 'authentic (insert food type) here'?" i will admit wholeheartedly that i've never had real mexican food (as in, from mexico, or prepared by mexicans in their home and not in a restaurant). i've never had cali-mex either. i did go to san antonio back when i was in college but my palate was undeveloped then and i honestly can't remember what tex-mex tastes like. that said, we ordered mexico's chili verde and a trio of tacos (lengua, asada, and fish, if i remember correctly) to share. the pork in the verde was fork tender, juicy and not in any way stringy. the sauce was killer, if a bit greasy. the beans were forgettable but somehow, the tortillas tasted better than any others i've had. we also enjoyed the tacos. tongue might sound awful to eat for some; that just means more for those of us who actually tried it and enjoy its beefy muscularity that is wonderful when slightly crisped, as they are in the tacos. the more i think about it, if i didn't know what authentic filipino food tasted like because of personal experience, i still would have given max of manila's the one star i gave them. their problem wasn't lack of authenticity but lack of taste. i think you can have inauthentic food that tastes good, especially to less knowledgeable palates. when people lament the dearth of good mexican in hawaii, i point out that there's likely a corresponding dearth of good japanese, especially japanese non-sushi, in texas. it's a given that the further you get from the source, the less likely it will be "authentic." once you get over that, the next question is "does it taste good?' and to this reviewer, yes, it does. oh boy, it does. and it's in my old neighborhood, too!

    (3)

  • MI M.

    Food great, service sucked.

    (2)

  • Mark T.

    I have dined here more than 10 times with varied results. I have the same meal every time. Chicken chimichanga and a blended margarita. The food is always good with the portion size changing often. The service depends on who you get but never good. Here is the problem which prompted this review, a one star, and me to never return. Last night I ordered a margarita and it came promptly, it tasted like water. No flavor or alchahol taste at all. My wife also tasted it and said it tasted like water. I promptly let the waitress know, who did not seem to care but took it back to the bar. She returned about 10 minutes later and said they would not make me another margarita but would not charge me for the one I returned. So they served me a messed up margarita with no taste then refused to correct it and serve me what I ordered. This has never happened to me before in any place I have dined in the world. I will not return here, not recommend to friends and visitors, and will miss the food. Mexico does not care about their customers enough to make sure their $10 margarita does not taste like frozen water.

    (1)

  • Jason s.

    If you want good mexican food on the island, this is the place to go! dont waste your time with all the other places like cholos etc.... this is the closest mexican restaurant your gonna find that even compares to mexican restaurants in California! We all know they got the best there, I know first hand because i grew up there. Anywayz, the combo plates are your best choices, I usually get the enchilada and tamale combo, soo ono! but beware the parking is pretty shitty, and if you drive a big suv, your gonna have a hard time making that damm u-turn in the lot. hope this helps, aloha!

    (5)

  • Gracie J.

    We decided to go to Mexico restaurant after reading all of the good reviews on Yelp. When we arrived, we were pleasantly surprised by the decor and friendly staff. We ordered a pitcher of margaritas and nachos to start off with, the margaritas were actually delicious!! The nachos came out with our entrees, and they were nothing close to their picture in the menu (which displays and describes "a mountain" of nachos). Within a few minutes my boyfriend and I realized I was missing the fish from my salad and he, the steak from his fajitas. We were waiting for our experience to be turned around, because the fajitas did actually have really good flavor; but then we were brought out severely over-done fish and shredded beef (not steak). It just kept getting worse. The only really redeeming part of the meal was the margaritas and maybe the fajitas (had they been made correctly). Typical Mexican restaurant in Hawaii experience, we will stick to Los Chapparros.

    (2)

  • Karen S.

    I have only eaten here a couple of times for lunch, but I would defo go again if I had the time. The first time I went, I was with co-workers. We sat and munched on chips and salsa. I don't remember the specifics about the salsa, except it was a little hot without burning your eyes from the inside out. I ordered a vegetarian burrito. I realize that some may say vegetarian and Mexican does not go together, but they have several selections (which is several more than many restaurants). The burrito was huge, and not simply rice and beans inside. The service was pretty decent actually, though this seems to be a rare occurrence judging by previous reviews. Parking of course is not plentiful - is there anywhere in Honolulu that has a vast and never full parking lot? The next time I ordered take out. It was about 10-15 minutes, I was offered a drink while I waited, and they apologized profusely for my wait. Price was 12-15 so I'd say not too bad. I think they also have a partial "window" of sorts to the kitchen which makes you feel like it may be reasonably clean, but I'd leave that judgement to my friend that sells restaurant kitchen equipment.

    (4)

  • Dre P.

    finally , as a californian, i have a huge void in my life and it is mexican food. all of the mexican food that ive had had in hawaii has been disheartening and downright depressing. this place has all my shts, from chelada's to the coctail de camaron, i love it, the ceviche has room for improvement(looks like fancy feast for cats, luckily doesnt taste) ..but hey wut u gonna do...the only wierd thing is the entire staff looked like their souls were in another dimension and their bodys were simply droning on and producong som good ass mexican food...maybe their souls are back in mexico, and that is the only way they can reproduce the authentica mexicana taste...although, i find it funny how the puerto rican embassy or watever is upstairs...strange,,,are these reeally puerto ricans posing as mexicans????hmmmm??? that would explain the eerie vibe i get from the staff.....all in all this place is a true gem hidden amongst the projects and pothole ridden streets of honolulus own ghetto "kalihi"..............tip: watch out for the parking lot troll, he is hyper aggressive and he hates you..seriously theres a crazy homeless dude who thinks he owns the parking lot and resembles Whitey Duvall from Adam Sandler's Eight Crazy Night's

    (4)

  • Jen T.

    came here with my boy to entertain a friend. i've been here several times, and, although i like the place, it really doesn't stand out in my mind. other than the relative cleanliness of the place and the silly name of the establishment, the food is rather ordinary. but mexican food is hard to come by the 808, so if you're in the area and you're feeling like eating some rice and beans, you might as well stop by here.

    (3)

  • Mary T.

    THIS PLACE is the BOMB!!! I am so glad that I found this place coz, so far, this is the best Mexican restaurant I found on the Island. I am used to eating real Mexican food in Cali. Garlin Shrimp-delish, Carnitas-AWESOME (my favorite)... burritos-HUGE.... all excellent to feed two people with one order...!!! Fresh Chips and Salsa... that they don't charge you for...!!! I love this place. Two thumbs up for MEXICO restaurant.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :10:00 am - 9:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Mexican Cuisine

If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.

Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.

Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.

Mexico Restaurant

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