El Mexicali La Quinta

It was okay. There are definitely better Mexican restaurants in the area with better food and bigger portions. The portions of rice and beans they serve here are only the size of a scoop of ice cream because that’s what they use to serve it with. For the prices, people expect much bigger portions.

Although still one of our favs, El Mexicali La Quinta has lost a few stars due to inconsistency of our favorite dishes. The variety of chefs on duty don’t execute food in a like manner-​we never know what will be different and it is never for the better. In addition, new hires are not efficient like the wonderful familiar faces who have served us so well through the years. We’ve tried to be politely specific when we order but our fav tostadas and chile rellenos still don’t come out as they have in the past. Is it the staff taking down our order or the cooks? Disappointing to be sure.

Honestly, this is not where we planned on eating tonight but the other restaurant was busy with lines out the door thanks to season/​snowbirds so we found this place while searching for other options. Just to be clear, they were busy, too, but not being in a more tourist-​y part of town we were actually able to be seated right away.
It’s kind of an odd little setup and I thought maybe you ordered at the counter and then waited for the food but I was wrong — it’s a regular sit down restaurant. I think the layout is a remnant of previous tenants.
I had the combination fajitas and ate them without tortillas. The sauce was delicious and the meat was all tender and cooked well. There were 3 big shrimp in the platter along with steak and chicken, which I think was very fair for the price. I was worried I might get a few sad little frozen shrimp — glad I was wrong!
The BF had some sort of carnitas — I wasn’t paying attention — but he was very happy with his meal as well.
Overall a very happy discovery — we’ll be back!

Where? On the quiet side of town in a business complex shared with Louise’s Pantry, comes the third location of El Mexicali. In business for over 35 years, I learned they know how to cook!
I kept hearing about the «Chile Gueritos», so much so, I ordered the appetizer as an entrée.
Chile Gueritos ($ 15, 4.5 stars)
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Mild stuffed light green peppers filled with shrimp. Sounds good. 6 peppers, and a side of rice — it’ll do. I found the shrimp beautifully non-​fishy at all, but overall kinda boring as a whole. Why do they serve with a side of mayo and soy sauce? Because if you slather some mayo with a splash of soy sauce and chomp down, your eyes will roll back in your head and you’ll scream with delight. More Chinese than Mexican, makes sense — Mexicali’s bordertown has a lot of Chinese immigrants, and soy sauce is a household thing in every Mexican home. (I have our server, Anabel, to thank for the history lesson).
Conclusion
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The downside: no vibe, no energy.
The upside: fairly newish 3 years, nice service, and delish food.
In an area filled with Mexican eateries, Mexicali offers a bit of different fare — Olé!

Amazing food in a clean environment. We go here every time we come in town. Highly recommended the peppers and tacos. They have a few locations but this is our favorite. A family restaurant that remembers their customers.

The food and service was horrible. I ordered a taco, enchilada and beans. Food was cold. The cheese wasn’t even melted in my cheese enchilada. I let a waitress know it was cold and when she walked back to let our waitress know my food was cold she rolled her eyes. I will never go back and never recommend this place. Instead of making me happy they made me feel like a inconvenience. And it wasn’t that busy. Now I know why. Barely one star

Excellent value great yummy food and a harp player that is outstanding and plenty of fun and food. Check this place out people!

I’m giving this place 5 stars for the taste and quality of the food, and the service! We found this place on Thanksgiving morning and were met with a warm welcome from the cashier. She was so pleasant and answered all of my questions about the menu. Most people wouldn’t be so friendly if they had to work on a holiday! My boyfriend wanted a breakfast burrito, which he didn’t see on the menu. He wanted a burrito version of the Chorizo con Huevos Revueltos. He told the cashier and added potatoes to it and instead of charging extra, the cashier knew how to ring it up so it cost less than the plate option. I always appreciate when servers do this. I ordered the taco de papa… delicious!
We went back again the next day!!! And the other cashier seated us with chips and salsa on the House while we waited for our to-​go order. The salsa is so yummy! Made fresh in house, it’s spicy enough but still has a good flavour. And it’s not burnt tasting or smoky, which made me happy.
They have a bell to ring for good service at the door for good service, which I had to ring.
I can’t believe I didn’t know this place existed. They definitely need better signage on the street. Can’t wait to go again and try some other items on the menu!

This is my third time at this restaurant; first time was very good, second time too but this time it was bad; food took a long time to be served and one if the dishes was wrong; when I said that I had ordered chile relleno instead of what they brought me chile verde they took the plate back and by then everyone else was eating but me; two dishes were good but mine was too salty like if it was quickly reheated from frozen and they just salted to give some flavor; also the soup «beef» wasn’t good; very little meat and a few pieces of carrots, no other vegetables but a small piece of what it looked like frozen corn; I had way better soups for $ 6.95 close to my work than $ 10:00 in here; also my chile relleno plate had two chiles but very small, tasteless beans and salty old rice; plain presentation and service wasn’t good either; sorry to say that I’ll be looking for a New Mexican restaurant when in La Quinta! Officially something was wrong with my dish because two of us are it and we hit sick

The food and service are fantastic. The stuffed peppers are amazing. I would definitely recommend for a quick bite prior to a movie.

Awesome food! This Mexican restaurant is tucked in the back area of a group of office buildings and share’s the building w Louise Pantry. (If you know Louise’s). It shouldn’t be passed by its really one of the best Mexican restaurants in LaQuinta area. Local, family owned, spacious, bright and roomy dining room with booths and table and chairs. Staff pleasant and friendly willing to make your dining experience a good one. The soups are wonderful, homemade with veggies, meat, tasty broth. Most everyday they feature a soup of the day. Roasted peppers, chicken, meat dishes won’t disappoint. Reasonably priced, good value. I will be back, I enjoyed the tasty foods and delicious hot sauces. Not open on Sunday.

I have been here 5 times now in the last 2 weeks. The food is good, the enchilada sauce is one of the best I have tasted in years, beans good, rice is ok, table salsa is excellent. I do think the stuffed chili Guerreros are a little pricey I don’t feel they are worth the price to buy again.
The last time I was there which was a Saturday afternoon the service wasn’t like the other times in which they made you feel welcomed and at home. Food was good but I enjoy it more when you get great service and the waitress are friendly. Hopefully it was a one time thing because that enchilada sauce is GOOD and I want to go back.

At first I was just slightly disappointed that the regular table salsa was a little too spicy for me, however; after waiting nearly 50 min. for our food, the salsa was no longer the issue. Our waitress completely ignored us and was no where in sight for most of the meal. If it weren’t for the fact that we thought the food was delicious we would not return. Great food, poor service.

Probably some of the best Mexican food in the desert. Their cheese enchiladas are very delicious. Their chavelas are the best! Enchiladas and tacos are my favorite combo to get. Don’t miss out on this great experience. Get the chiles gueritos de Camaron, they serve them with lemon, soy sauce, and mayo. I know it sounds weird, but you have to get them and eat them that way. Excellent! Love, love, love this place for authentic mexican food that is fast and flavorful.

We love the food here. The campechana is the best I’ve had in the valley. Our parents love coming here when they come out as well. In typical Mexicali fashion, they make great chiles gueritos. On occasion, they have tacos on special, and they also offer other items as well. We’ve never had bad service here, even when my wife is getting picky.

Who doesn’t love the food here?
The Chile Gueritos — stuffed peppers put me in a food coma every time.

No joke I eat at this place once a week. It is amazing food and the servers are always so nice and happy. The average price per meal is about $ 15 but the quality of food is amazing. For a truly authentic Mexican treat this is a must!

Nice quiet ambiance and pleasant staff, quick service. So why only 3 stars? Food lacks seasoning. I love whole beans butch theirs have no seasoning. Guacamole is tasteless. Chips and salsa are good.

El Mexicali Café is still fantastic! I’ve Been going to the one in Indio since I was a kid! Terriffic two cheese rojo enchilada platter with a side of flour tortillas. And the salsa is delicious! I recommend it!

My kids love to meet here and catch up on each other while enjoying dinner. We love the caldo de pollo when we are under the weather. We used to go to the location in Indio by the railroad tracks but are thrilled to have this one in our La Quinta neighborhood. The girls are sweet, friendly, and always accommodating. We even like the chips and salsa.