Vallejo’s Taqueria & Cantina

the best mexican food in downtown sac. authentic and cheap! great patio and super accommodating, I came here with a group of fifty (at least) on a second Saturday bike cruise and they handled us like champs! i also come here on the regular with my family – this place is consistently good.

Decent Lunch Specials, But I Miss Flexibility Of Previous, Less Expensive Combos
SITREP
It always pains me to highlight these kinds of changes, but when there is a significant shake-​up in terms of items and/​or costs that does not inure to the benefit of the customer, than I don’t go back to that establishment like I used to.
THE SETUP
I’ll say right off that Vallejo’s lunch combos have increased in price significantly from average I used to pay for similar items from $ 7-​$ 8 to $ 11-​$ 12. And hey, I understand that restaurants are free to make whatever the hell changes they want to make.
But then I as a customer am free to reconsider my options and hit other less costly, different cuisine lunch options under $ 10 than when Vallejo’s was consistently the more economical option.
THE COMBOS
Lunch was always good here, especially when the combos were more straightforward, with combos increasing proportionately in cost from one (1) time, to two (2) items, to three (3) items, and to four (4) items. And with this was the flexibility of getting — for example on a 3 item combo — two enchiladas and a chili relleno, or 3 different kinds of enchiladas.
No longer are these options available are the current set-​ordering structure. Fewer option, less flexibility, and now to duplicate a prior standard order under the former menu, it becomes a SIGNIFICANTLY increased cost to order that 3^rd enchilada, for a trio, a la carte. So I am not at all a fan of their newer «revamped» lunchtime menu.
So by comparison when looking at the financial metrics of buying lunches now, I’d just rather grab the sandwiches at either the Greek Deli or Ginos (both nearby) for under $ 5/​$ 7, or even getting the to-​go Yummy Choice 2-​item Chinese combo for $ 7.
THE LOWDOWN
This is still the location that many in our office enjoy for parties — going away, retirement, birthdays etc., those SPECIAL occasions. But for a day-​to-​day, with the increased cost and less flexibility in creating the platter you want, it makes dining here less desirable, less affordable on a budget, and just not worth the effort.

Been coming here since 1999. My hubby and I love it here. Great food and awesome service. We like the Q St location since it’s the one I always went to for lunch when I worked downtown for the government. It hasn’t changed much over the years for which I’m glad. I like to be able to depend on a place for consistency. Love the music and the people. Always have a great date here with my hubby.

Love this place! My girlfriend and I went on a weekday around 6:30 PM and the service was excellent. There is the one busser I wish I knew the name of, but he constantly made sure you had enough water and would refill your glass without asking as well as clear plates with perfect timing. The food is delicious too, and comes in enormous portions! Try the Nachos. they’re loaded with everything good! Their salsa is also to die for! And the atmosphere! It’s a very nice restaurant with both inside seating and covered outside seating. The inside gives off the bar vibe with wood paneled walls and ceiling.

Jalapeño margarita and chicken fajitas were good! We had a group of about 16 people in a private room, with a buffet. There were carnitas, fajitas, salad, beans, rice, and all the fixings. It was great and there was a ton of food left over! I would recommend this for parties!

I would give the food a 2 and the service a 6 so I’m giving them a 4.
Food wise, admittedly, I ordered a veggie burrito when I’m not a vegetarian so setting myself up for disappointment there already. Also I had to take it to go which might skew my perception… but food should still be good when I eat it like 10min later but it was not. It was dry, bland, and boring. Usually salsa can be my food’s saving grace but it fell short here again. Also, maybe I’m spoiled other places, but aren’t chips standard with any to-​go orders at places that have complimentary chips? i didn’t NEED them, but I wanted them :)
Service was kind, attentive, and just all around over the top while not being creepy. I think they even expedited my food because I was having a day and my face showed it. My two burritos were out in like 6 minutes. When I meandered to the bathroom, the staff made a funny joke and helped me, when I came back out the manager asked my order and personally went into the kitchen to bring it back out. I just felt all around very well taken care of.
PROS: service, location
CONS: food

Ate there today for lunch… the food was good, nothing spectacular. But I am giving this 5 stars because of the customer service. I can’t say that all employees give the customer service I was given, but the gentleman who waited on me was absolutely phenomenal, and I don’t use that word lightly. He was maybe 5’9 210 pounds, short brown hair and was wearing a purple shirt. If you are reading this, I was the guy who ordered nachos to go on the patio and I was wearing a blue collared shirt. Hats of you my friend… you have some serious skills! He anticipated everything I requested and i tipped him accordingly. 5 stars all the way !

More of a 2.5. It’s nice because it is convenient walking distance from work, but the food wasn’t great. Good lunch deals though! I’ll probably give it another go one of these days because I had heard good things about it, maybe it was just an off day for the kitchen.

Went today for an early dinner. I ordered a shrimp dish with rice. The rice was bland and undercooked, the shrimp still has shells and tails attached. We asked for boxes as I was not going to eat it, it was disgusting. My bf wanted to take it. I showed them the groupon and at first the refused to take it. Really, you let me order dinner, but won’t take a a dinner groupon? When I protested she took it. The check arrived with a“service fee «attached, so be warned they dictate how much tip you give them. We will not return.

Hell yes for a low carb menu! The carne asada plate and the chili verde plate were amazing!!! I was very impressed. Portion size was great and they didn’t skimp on the guac, sour cream, or pico de gallo! We will definitely be going back.

Vallejos is the place to be for Cinco de Mayo and lots of other occasions! They have concerts, party’s, boxing etc. This is a cool place to eat and drink if your in the downtown area.
I recommend the nachos & fajitas you can never go wrong. The menudo is also pretty good as well. Great alternative instead of Zocolos, reasonable prices and cool atmosphere.
You can come with your family or even to just have drinks with friends or coworkers. They have a wide variety or tequila and they are famous for their margaritas.

The food here is excellent and the portions are humongous. After eating an appetizer that was big enough for a meal I didn’t have room for much of dinner. I had the chicken mole and the wife had the zapata burrito. Will definitely come back again. The prices are also great. About $ 35 for appetizer, dinner and soda for both of us. Leftovers for at least two meals each.

I had my good bye luncheon here about a month ago. I looooove this place. They were super accommodating to our loud and crazy group. They had this little area in the back that even has a pull out wall for extra privacy, so it’s extra nice.
My favorite bartender is also is here… Sonia! She will take care of you. This girl makes fantastic drinks and is super fun to chat with. The nachos and the wings here are really tasty — But I haven’t had too many things outside of that so I can’t tell ya what else is good. Ooooh, actually their guacamole is pretty good too. Good folks and good food… Come for lunch… Stay for dinner. ;)

Not very good Mexican. The rice had no flavor… the beans were just so so. Don’t try the carnitas. It was so dry and again no flavor. I make just as good food at home.
Don’t waste your money and go somewhere else.

My family and I really like this place the service is always great and the food is good and they have a groupon deal going so that’s always awesome!
I recommend the avocado chicken salad, Yum!

Wow. I am so disappointed. I’ve been coming to Vallejos for several years both here and their other location. The food is usually pretty good but this evening it was horrible. It tasted as though someone had dumped a container of salt all over it. We sat outside on the patio and there was a couple large groups of people who were SCREAMING at the top of their lungs (the whole time) and 2 others came in trying to smoke cigarettes around our food. UNBELIEVABLE!!!
In the end one of the mangers offered to pay for our next meal the next time we came in which definitely helped.

This place is A ok, in my opinion. It’s location keeps the crowd coming for lunch and drinks after work. If you work at the Capitol or any of the surrounding state buildings, then you know what I’m talking about. My mom would always pick up some carnitas for dinner and they were always delicious. They come with tortillas and some salsa. It’s a perfect meal :)
I’ve tried several of their burritos during lunch breaks and they were just ok. Nothing special. Keep in mind the salsa bar is for dine in only, no take out.
Food is decent, atmosphere is nice, and the workers can be friendly (hit or miss) I would come back since it’s conveniently located by work.

Hubby favorite Mexican restaurant, have been trying it before, but not so impressed, so I forget how the food was :)
Return back after so long, making this like a new experience for me.
Surprised that they have low carb menus now.
I love their low carb carnitas.
The funny thing is every time we went there the salsa taste different, some time the red one is good and the verde one isn’t or vice versa.
For to go order, no chips :(

Some things absolutely never change… and in this case, it is a good thing.
After several years, I came back to this place for the first time and, boy did I miss it. You are given chips and salsa right off the bat and they have a pretty extensive menu. I sat in the bar area for lunch and it was really crowded — of course.
I ordered 2 tacos — one carnitas and one steak. Both came with guac and pico and two corn tortillas. They were big in size and definitely filling (along with the basket of chips I ate… whoops).
One thing that has changed are the chips… they now seem store bought which was disappointing. Not generic lame chips — but not what I remember.
Either way — love this place and recommend it!

Sadly I was not impressed or even enjoyed my experience at Vallejos.
My coworkers and I walked over today for lunch. We were treating our managers to lunch, and one of them decided on Vallejos. We arrived around 11:45 am, greeted and seated outside. Our table of 7 fit tightly into the space. Salsa was already on the table (I wonder how long it was sitting there) but no chips. After receiving water and menu we pondered over the menu. I noticed for the lunch specials the prices seemed a bit high (especially for a Mexican restaurant). After some time, and words from our waitress the water lady brought us chips.
We placed our orders and settled in chatting. It did not take long for the food to come but I swear each dish came out one by one over the course of ten minutes! Mmmmm we did want to eat together! So we waited patiently until all the food arrived.
My half dozen wingz were meh. Very salty!!! I only ate two. I was thinking dredging them in ranch wouldn’t even help. My coworker Mahi Mahi salad looked good but the dressing was runny, tomato was not ripe and fish was salty also. One coworker got steak instead of chicken on her tostada but not feeling like complaining she ate what she could. Overall I think the chips and salsa got the most attention. We were not happy with the food.
Service overall was good. Lots of water attention. But no questioning how was the meal. Lol they picked up our uneaten plates and brought the check. No wonder this place has under 3 stars. No thanks, I won’t be back. Maybe for drinks? No eats though!