Welcome to Jose's Mexican Cafe
Jose's Mexican Cafe, located in Seaside, CA, offers a vibrant and casual dining experience with a range of Mexican dishes. From flavorful aperitivos like shrimp cocktail and guacamole to house specialties like Chile Verde and Carne Asada, the menu caters to a variety of tastes. The seafood options, such as Crab Enchiladas and Fish Tacos, showcase the fresh flavors of the coast. Customers praise the friendly staff and cozy atmosphere, although some suggest improvements in the overall food quality. Overall, Jose's Mexican Cafe is a reliable spot for satisfying Mexican cuisine with the potential for even greater culinary excellence.
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1612 Contra Costa St Seaside, CA 939551612 Contra Costa St Seaside, CA 93955 Hotline: (831) 899-0345
Welcome to Jose's Mexican Cafe, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Seaside, California, where vibrant flavors meet a joyful ambiance. Located at 1612 Contra Costa St, just off Del Monte Avenue, this quaint eatery beckons both locals and visitors alike with the promise of authentic Mexican cuisine and heartwarming service. With a phone number you can easily call at (831) 899-0345, it's no wonder that Jose's has become a go-to spot for those looking to satisfy their cravings for traditional Mexican fare.
At Jose's Mexican Cafe, the menu tantalizes the senses. Their A La Carte offerings invite you to indulge in classic delights, such as the crisp chimichangas filled with asada or pork, savory bean burritos, and flavorful tacos. But the real stars are the Especiales De La Casa. Here, you’ll find dishes that tell a story—like the Carne Asada, marinated to perfection, or the tender Chile Colorado, featuring USDA choice beef chunks submerged in a rich red sauce. With prices ranging from $3.50 to $11.50, your taste buds and wallet will be equally pleased.
Seafood lovers are not left out, as the cafe excels in fresh offerings like the mouthwatering Fish Tacos and the crispy Pescado Frito, marinated overnight and fried to golden perfection. With shrimp dishes prepared with a touch of garlic and lemon, each bite is a seaside escape.
Patrons rave about the vibe, often highlighting the colorful decorations that evoke the spirit of Mexico. One guest described the restaurant as “a cute Mexican restaurant off of Del Monte,” emphasizing both the charm of its atmosphere and the friendly staff. Reviews reflect a commitment to welcoming service, with many mentioning how attentive the waitstaff are, enhancing the overall experience.
However, like any gem, there are areas for improvement. Some reviews hint at inconsistencies in food quality, stating that while certain salsas are vibrant and full of flavor, others may lack the punch expected from a Mexican establishment. Comments on the cooking techniques and seasoning reveal an eagerness for the cafe to elevate their dishes to truly remarkable status. As one customer put it, “the potential for amazing food is clearly there.”
In essence, Jose's Mexican Cafe combines heart and flavor in every dish, serving not just food, but an experience. Whether you're indulging in their chunky guacamole, savoring the rich textures of creamy refried beans, or enjoying a refreshing margarita at the full-service bar, you are bound to leave with a full stomach and a smile. So, if you're ever in the Seaside area, make sure to stop by Jose's—a place where great food and warm service create an unforgettable dining experience.
Food & drinks were delicious and the service was very quick! Loved their salsa and super friendly staff. We will definitely be back whenever we are craving some authentic Mexican food.
Such a cute Mexican restaurant off of Del Monte in Seaside. (The entrance to the parking lot is on Broadway). The decorations and ambience were both colorful and fun. Our waitress was super welcoming and attentive. Unfortunately, the food was very frustrating. I say frustrating because they CAN be better. The potential for amazing food is clearly there, but there were a couple of stumbles that made it hard to swallow. For example, their red salsa was amazing, full of flavor and tasted fresh. On the other hand, the green salsa, while still fresh tasting and had a good level of heat, was bland, very under-seasoned and needed more acidity and salt. The beans were blended smooth and creamy; I liked them, my lunch date did not. Steak fajitas - awesome, tamale - broken and cooked unevenly. Shrimp cocktail: the tomato sauce with avocado and onion was great! I probably could have drank it. Then... We got to the shrimps in the shrimp cocktail...the texture and taste were clear indicators that they were frozen precooked shrimps. You might be able to do serve that in a land-locked state but not in Monterey, where other local restaurants are serving fresh shrimp. Hopefully they find a way to bring consistency to the taste and quality of all their dishes. Currently, it almost taste like different cooks are making different sauces and dishes. It is definitely a place that I want to come back to and maybe even bring guests.
Down home, good food. Nothing pretentious but yummy food. The guacamole was chunky and delicious. Appropriately priced. Small parking lot. Friendly service.
Don't overlook the beautiful flowers someone is nurturing/growing at the entrance of this quaint little restaurant near busy Broadway Ave. Full L shaped bar with seating for likely 50. Seems a nice locals hangout for lunch. Bright interior sufficiently decorated, the best part is the service and the food. The red salsa is very fresh and is spicy. The heat builds up pretty good depending on your tastes, go easy. The green salsa is hotter (see if you can get both!) The service is spot on! Attentive and with an honest smile.
I give this place 4 stars. 3 for food 5 for service, vibe, and having a liquor license. If they could step their food up just a bit, I'd go here all the time. Its hard to describe, but it is pretty typical small town Northern California Mexican which is pretty disappointing. Sometimes you can look the other way when you just want Mexican good and a real drink. But usually I need something better. I want better grilled browning in the meat, cooked at a higher heat, more seasoning with real dried chilis etc, grilled onions and jalapeños, better produce, better refried beans and better Spanish rice. That sort of thing.