Jacinto’s Kitchen Pot of Flavors

Wow. Closing this coming March. This restaurant just wasn’t supported by the local senior population, who are happier with a burger and fries for $ 3.50. Even with significant menu changes and paring down of wine offerings, they couldn’t survive. The food was always fresh and delicious, despite a few negative comments here from reviewers who apparently have no palate. The location was never a good one, being hidden off Highway 12 in a retirement community. It’s being replaced by a Chinese restaurant, probably much more suited to the local taste. All the best to Erasto and crew, hopefully in a much more productive new location.

I came here hoping this was still the place I used to dine at when I worked nearby. But, nope. it’s all new and way less flavorful.
The food tastes fresh and all, but I’ve certainly had better.
You have to consider the location though. They are located in an ‘active community’ for seniors. in Sonoma County. So, the folks that live here might even consider the food here to be ‘too spicy’.
It was definitely edible and I loved their fresh, homemade chips a LOT.
They need to get on board with refrying those beans though! I am not a lover of whole pinto beans and theirs lacked the flavor and oomph of the beans I appreciate.
I had the adobo pork burrito and my man got the pulled pork sandwich. We both gave it a nod of appreciation but, neither of us were blown away.
Our waitress was very kind and attentive. You definitely got the vibe of being in a family restaurant.
Over all it’s OK, but not craveworthy if you want good Mexican food.

This restaurant has slipped under my radar mostly because of the exterior of the building. To me, it looked like a failing Dennys. I have driven past it for weeks and finally gave it a try based on Unilocal reviews. I had their grilled vegetable sandwich, and I am hooked. They bake their own rolls. Firm, and a bit sweet. The vegetables were perfectly grilled with a hint of open flame. Lots of Porcini mushrooms, red peppers, zucchini. Small side salad with a decent vinaigrette. I will try more of their dishes and upgrade this as I learn more about other dishes. Bottom line this is a place to checkout and decide for yourself. I have a vested interested in their success, since I don’t want to lose the chance to get a grilled vegetable sandwich whenever I get the craving. So far, I have gone back three times and each time was as good as the first.

I would strongly suspect fake reviews here. The food is mediocre at best. The chicken mole is a piece of roasted chicken with a glob of mole on top. the pulled pork sandwich tastes like it was made a week ago. I have eaten here several times and it was never good and it is usually dead, no people. If it was great as the reviews i would expect some traffic

French fries to die for — crispy on the outside soft inside! Pulled pork torta and hamburger both excellent. The lamb tostada is also excellent. Can’t seem to get beyond these three wonderful entrees. Please come here, people, so they don’t close.

Best pulled pork sandwich I have eaten in a long time; and a master of everything corn.
The tamales are available only when the corn harvest is on; and the sopas are sublime.
The location is odd for this type of quality cooking.
Everything was good above expectations. Appetizer… wow…these sweet corn tamales are surprisingly good. Pork sandwhich… wow…this is really good. Coffee… great…Flan…wow…are we really in Oakmont.
Next visit… Chicken Mole… oh…I should have got this last time too… great…but I want the pork and tamales again…
This place will leave you remembering what these dishes are supposed to taste like, at Oakmont prices. The little details, like carefully made coffee, served correctly, tell me these folks care about food.

Simply delicious! Well worth the drive and unlike any other Mexican restaurant in town. The food is prepared fresh with especially nice presentation. The cute patio outside is an added bonus on a beautiful day. The staff is incredibly friendly, and they even made me a dish that’s not on the menu — an enchilada with their special slow-​cooked pork and a spicy red sauce. Definitely check it out.

Went there on a Wednesday night. Wasn’t too busy. Our 13 year old son was with us. He ordered the chicken enchiladas because they didn’t have his normal Mexican go-​to (quesadilla or taquitos). I was afraid he would hate it because he’s of that picky eater age. But e proclaimed it the best Mexican food he ever ate (and he has to eat Mexican food at least once a week, so he’s knowledgeable). He even ate the beans. He never eats the beans But these beans were great beans. Irresistible. Meanwhile, my husband also ordered the chicken enchiladas which he said was the best ever and I had the chicken mole. The mole was tasty, but I think if you are from Arizona or New Mexico, you would think the mole was watered down. I do think it’s perfect for Northern California tastes. We plan to go there once a week.

I finally had the opportunity to dine at Jacinto’s after hearing terrific reviews from friends and family who have been enjoying this little hidden gem for months. I was not disappointed and, in fact, was more impressed with the quality of food, preparation and presentation, and professional service than I had expected. (And, I’m in the restaurant business, so I can be a bit picky) Although the restaurant was empty in the middle of the afternoon on Sunday, the food was prepared fresh and was delicious and the level of service perfect. The chile relleno was one of the best I’ve ever had and their made fresh chips, salsa and black bean appetizer was great. My family routinely orders the lamb tostada and gives it rave reviews. The restaurant is located in a strip mall inside Oakmont off Highway 12, but don’t let that deter you from giving this place a try. I don’t think that you will be disappointed. I certainly wasn’t.

Love this place! The location does not do the place a favor as it’s one of the best restaurants in the area. I’ve been hooked since the first visit not long after they opened. I’ve been quite a few times now and the food is consistently impeccable and delicious (my go-​to is the lamb tostada). The chef/​owner is always in the kitchen, ready with a smile, and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. It feels like a best kept secret — with the bonus of a sweet little patio, perfect for warm weather.

What a pleasant surprise in Oakmont. The chicken w/​mole, the shrimp special, and chili rellenos were excellent. The staff explained the menu and was attentive to our needs. The beer and wine selection complements the menu and the location nicely. We will be a regular at Jacinto’s.

My fiancée and I came here for a quick lunch on a Saturday afternoon. We were a little worried when we found the place empty at noon, but were starving from the trip so westayed. Lucky for us! The waiter took our order quickly and was attentive without being overly so. I had the pulled pork Mexican torta and she had the beet salad. Ingredients were fresh and they subbed bacon for tomato on the salad at our first request. The flavors in the sandwich were prefect… Coming from San Antonio, our expectations for a torta are high and this one blew it out of the water, we agreed! A would go back in a second! Didn’t have dessert but they sounded great…

We’ve now been here several times and I believe, between my husband and I, that we have tried everything on the menu at least once or twice. This is high quality dining experience in an unusual location (retirement community) which likely explains why its not as busy as the food should dictate. The food and service are consistently good time after time. My go to menu favorites are their chicken mole and the lamb tostada. Everything is very flavorful, not a lot of spice, but always nicely balanced with nothing heavy or overbearing. The portions and quality are spot on for the dollar value. They have a small wine and beer list, but the choices are all good and also moderately priced.
Earlier this month, they started serving breakfast on the weekends. We had to check it out and I thought their french toast was one of the best I’ve had in a restaurant in a very long time. The breakfast food quality and value is consistent with their lunch and dinner offerings.
Would like to see them a lot busier and we’ll go back often!!!

Just tried Jacinto’s for the first time. It is amazing. Gourmet, creative Mexican cuisine is very hard to find. I love taquerias but this is completly different. The chef/​owner is Oaxacan but has spent many years learning gourmet cooking here in the US. Watercress in the lamb tostada! The mole was delicious! My favorite IPA on tap. Everything we had was unique and perfect. I’ll be going back as often as I can before Erasto changes the menu.

I hope more people discover this place so it stays in business. It is quite off the beaten track but as we are renting in Oakmont for the summer, it is our local place. It’s a true mom/​pop place — very clean and refreshing but the weeknite we went is was too quiet. The service was perfect and the food was very good and very reasonably priced. We had the corn tamales, chiles rellanos and enchaldias verde — all tasted like from a mama’s kitchen and beautifully presented. We will be back!

Definitely get past the odd name and the strange location… and check it out.
Short, solid menu from a talented chef. It’s comfort food (great soups, meats, sauces) and the place is warm and friendly.
If we were retired Oakmonters, we’d be regulars for sure and would shuffle on over (or take the Rascal) at 5:30pm every day. Until then, we’ll drive our car and make a trip of it.

We went today after an afternoon at the lavender festival, just down the road. We heard about a «really good Mexican restaurant» in Oakmont, so on a whim we four went there. It is an unprepossessing little place in a strip mall, but you could tell by the looks of the place it was gonna be a good one judging by the outside. The place is an neat as a pin, the waitstaff was quite professional, and the menu was small but impressive. I am a sucker for a Cobb salad, and I must admit theirs is at the top of the list. My SIL had the corn chowder, and it was fantastic. My BIL grudgingly admitted the lasagna was good, high praise indeed. I believe the owner/​chef is Mr. Jacinto himself, and he is expert in preparation of his dishes. This is a gem of a place, even though out of the mainstream.
We shall certainly go back to further explore their selections. I don’t give 5 star ratings easily, but this place deserves that.

I had lunch at Jacinto’s while looking for a house in Oakmont. Jacinto’s is wonderful
! Great service. Excellent food. Good prices. And no crowds or waiting. I highly recommend this restaurant and look forward to going back with friends.

Tucked away inside Oakmont senior community, somewhat off the well beaten track, but still just a few hundred yards off Hwy 12 — Valley of the Moon.
Eaten dinner here twice recently. Excellent food and gracious service both visits. The stellar meal? — Lamb tostada.
Most expensive menu item is a $ 16 entrée. A 3 course meal will average $ 25.
If you bring your own bottle there is Free wine corkage!
Sparsely decorated dining room. Clean modern look. Was not busy during my visits, so it’s a quiet dining place.
Highly recommended.

«Pot of Flavors» is the perfect name! Fresh, seasonal and not your average Mexican food. I had the Chile Relleno special. Filled with ground pork and queso fresco served with a warm and freshly-​made salsa, it was NOT fried. Hooray! I could actually taste every flavor! My friend had the roasted beet salad which was a meal in itself.
Don’t expect chips & salsa or beans & rice with your meal. This is a light California-​style take on a variety of foods. I will be back soon.
** Beer and wine only for now. Free corkage on first bottle. Lost a star when I couldn’t order a Margarita.