Mesa Maguey

First-time visit. Went with a large group. The service was spot on. They have an amazing bar, well stocked. Atmosphere is light and airy. We ordered the beet salad and the Carnitas plate. Both were well presented, and the flavors were fresh and balanced. Prices are very reasonable. Well worth a visit.

Happy hour is a must. My friend got nachos. They were a good portion and she said she loved them. I got tacos, pollo and carne asada. They were fire and what made them even more delish was the homemade corn tortillas they were in. We both got Micheladas, they were solid. The rim was a little too salty but overall good. I got a passion fruit margarita, delish! Highly recommend! My friend got a mezcal margarita, she loved it. In terms of drinks, I recommend Cocktails! Loved this place so much we came back the next day.

David Smith

Exceptional experience at Mesa Maguey. The chips and salsa for a few choices were solid, personally not my style of salsa but still enjoyable. The salsa verde in the top right felt the most mild, the salsa rojo left was slight more heat, and the verde on the bottom I think would be the highest. I could be wrong on those, none of them were really “hot” but felt mild to moderate for the average person. If you’re someone who hates heat, this is very different than the standard expected chunky non-spicy salsa and I would probably stay away. The tacos, especially being 2 for $9 during the happy hour are exceptional, so far being the best tacos I’ve had in Oakland. The corn and flour shell mix is strong and holds up beautifully with great texture, flavor and bite. This is a great solution to the issue of having to double up on store bought corn tacos due to them tearing I see a lot of restaurants use. I tried the Barbacoa, Asada, and Carnitas tacos of the three I would rank them from best to great Barbacoa, Asada, and Carnitas. All of them were great and honestly the Barbacoa and Asada could be tied for best. I would recommend 2-3 tacos for the average person, 2 is good, 3 (if they allow it) would be great. I eat a lot and was very hungry so I went with 4 and stuffed myself and do not regret it. The vibe is fun and relaxing, I will absolutely be back for more tacos and to likely try a drink next time. This is a must stop for tacos in Oakland

Jesus Cortez

I arrived right before closing. Drove here from the East Bay just to check ot out. Any expectations I had weew definitely exceeded. There was no wait at all; I was served rather quick. The enchiladas verdes were on point. I'm more partial to the red ones but this place really has me questioning my life choices. The enchiladas Verdes were the best I have ever tasted. Reminds me of my late mother's cooking.The agua fresca Jamaica was refreshing and complimented the acidity of the salsa verde. I highly recommend this to anyone seeking 5 star authentic Mexican cuisine. A special thank you to my server Ruben who was on point. Great service. Kudos to Mesa Maguey for hiring considerate people like him.

Christopher Beaty

With the amount of taquerias and Mexican restaurants in the area, it's often difficult to find the motivation to visit a new one. I am glad I took a chance and paid them a visit this past weekend. Nestled in the former Copper Spoon space, Mesa Maguey specializes in Oaxacan cuisine, so some dishes are familiar, while others are a bit more uncommon at other local eateries. Their salsas and chips were excellent, the tlayuda we shared was like a top notch Mexican pizza, and the memelitas were super flavorful, and like sopes but softer. The service was a tad on the slow side, but the food will definitely bring me back to this place.

Jeremy Laurin

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mesa Maguey is a lovely little hometown Mexican spot that totally hit the mark. I had the veggie burrito and it was incredible — huge, super vegetarian-friendly, and perfectly balanced with just the right amount of beans and guacamole. So satisfying without being heavy. We also shared chips and salsa, which came with three different salsas — all tasty and a nice variety. My friend ordered the pulled pork nachos and absolutely loved them. Bonus points: they have happy hour every day, which is always a win. 🌮🍹 Definitely recommend stopping by if you’re in the neighborhood!

Andrew Schneider

The cocktails are top notch and so strong it almost had me understanding the Spanish on the menu. The sautéed shrimp dish I had was incredibly tasty and couldn’t get enough of the sauce it was laying in. Beware though that they do not take the tails off the shrimp in that dish, but it is so worth the little bit of extra work. The enchiladas my partner had were average, so I would not necessarily recommend those, but the menu is full of seemingly great dishes.

Deb Smith

The food is 100% on point. Even the beans were delicious, really delicious. Beet starter was great and photo worthy. Drinks were superb, not watered down. Wait staff A+++. We will return!

Victoria J

The food was great! I’ve had the chicken nachos twice now in the last three weeks, and they never disappoint. The happy hour deals on margaritas and nachos are pretty solid too. I’ll definitely be coming back!

Shaomay

We came here for dinner on a Sunday evening. Everyone was very welcoming. I love the decorations. The food was very delicious and felt so homemade, as in not too oily or too salty. You can taste the care and effort they put into the food. The mole was delicious and chocolatey. The homemade corn flour tortilla was so good. The mezcal drinks were very good and strong enough, as in not too watered down. Their chef is also from Oaxaca and there were plenty of clearly labeled vegetarian options on the menu. We ordered the Mixtec with mezcal, Mazoteco with mezcal, Ceviche, Mole Rojo De La Casa, and 2 Taco Plate with grilled chicken. This is a great and fun place for a date or to catch up with friends and family. There is parking in the neighborhood. Checking out was easy and fast. There is parking in the neighborhood and on the streets. I highly recommend. It is important to support these businesses especially during this time.

Mike Gongzo

First-time visit. Went with a large group. The service was spot on. They have an amazing bar, well stocked. Atmosphere is light and airy. We ordered the beet salad and the Carnitas plate. Both were well presented, and the flavors were fresh and balanced. Prices are very reasonable. Well worth a visit.

Jessica Sepulveda

Happy hour is a must. My friend got nachos. They were a good portion and she said she loved them. I got tacos, pollo and carne asada. They were fire and what made them even more delish was the homemade corn tortillas they were in. We both got Micheladas, they were solid. The rim was a little too salty but overall good. I got a passion fruit margarita, delish! Highly recommend! My friend got a mezcal margarita, she loved it. In terms of drinks, I recommend Cocktails! Loved this place so much we came back the next day.

Roberto Velazquez-Ayala

We recently had the pleasure of visiting Mesa Maguey, the new mezcal bar in our area, and it was an outstanding experience! The ambiance is warm and inviting, perfect for both casual hangouts and special occasions. The service provided by Leo and Ruben was exceptional. Leo’s deep knowledge about mezcal truly enhanced our visit. He was incredibly informative, sharing fascinating details about the different mezcal varieties and guiding us through a memorable tasting experience. Ruben was also fantastic, ensuring we had everything we needed and providing attentive, friendly service. The food was absolutely delicious. We particularly enjoyed the tacos, chicken flautas, and tlayudas. Each dish was bursting with authentic flavors and expertly prepared. The Happy Hour menu offers great value with a diverse selection of tasty options. The assortment of beverages is impressive, with a range of expertly crafted cocktails. Whether you're a fan of classic margaritas or looking to try something new like the Flor Silvestra or Mojito de Maracuya, there’s something for everyone. Overall, Mesa Maguey is a fantastic addition to the Piedmont Ave area. With its outstanding service, knowledgeable staff, and delicious food and drinks, it’s definitely a place you’ll want to visit. Highly recommended!

Jeet Shah

Really delicious food and the staff is extremely sweet and understanding! They cater to all dietary needs. Highly recommend this local spot

Ki. Koi

Great happy hour with good selection of food and cocktails. Both food and cocktails are very colorful and the quality of food is really good. Highly recommended!

Cheyenne Waldman

The cocktails were delicious and took me back to my travels to Oaxaca! The food had great depth of flavor - we had the enchiladas and the tlayuda. The service was incredibly friendly and attentive and I can’t wait to go back!

Isner Art

Best Mexican food I’ve had in a while. Fresh chips, flavorful salsas, the Barbacoa was excellent and my mrs loved her fish tacos, which came with a delicious pineapple salsa. Really sweet people. I met the chef, great guy. And they have a full bar. Atmosphere is modern and comfortable.

Omg! I'd you have not been to this restaurant, you are missing out. The food is fantastic and delicious. My favorite... guacamole and chips ... so yummy. Try this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.

. . .Last month (February), I took a drive down to the Berkeley/Oakland area to visit with my brother and take care of personal business. .The second evening of our visit, my brother took us to MESA MAGUEY for dinner. .He had only just recently discovered this Mexican restaurant and was eager to share his "newfound favorite" place to dine. .The food was AMAZING!!. .Very fresh (not greasy) and the portions suitable for a satisfying appetite. .Our server was one of the most personable and accommodating individuals I have ever encountered during a dining experience. .He was always smiling and joking with us while making sure all our requests were fulfilled. . .The atmosphere was fun. .lots of ARTWORK displayed throughout the building. .LOVED IT!!!. . CG Aylsworth. . .Columbia, CA. . .

Great spot! We used the back room for a holiday party and it was excellent! The space is really great; we were 30 and had plenty of space, easily could fit another 8-10 people. Ruben was very responsive when organizing the party/food. The food was so delicious and the drinks are top! What stood out was the service. Romero and Leo were so attentive and fun, and helped keep the vibes very festive. Would highly recommend Mesa Maguey!

m ortiz

Food and service is always on point. Very welcoming atmosphere, the entire team is very friendly and attentive. Memelitas de asada is the best thing on the menu frfr. This place is a true gem! Cheers!

Andres Turner

Great spot! We used the back room for a holiday party and it was excellent! The space is really great; we were 30 and had plenty of space, easily could fit another 8-10 people. Ruben was very responsive when organizing the party/food. The food was so delicious and the drinks are top! What stood out was the service. Romero and Leo were so attentive and fun, and helped keep the vibes very festive. Would highly recommend Mesa Maguey!

Zander Jepsen

Have been twice and each plate I have had was amazing quality. The the burrito was huge, well wrapped and flavorful in every bite. You can tell they use high quality ingredients. The happy hour is a great deal too. Love the atmosphere as well. Will definitely be back

The food was very delicious rich with melted cheese,. My appetizer was queso fundido I couldn't even finish 1/3 of it. It is very very filling. Then my entrée was Tlayuda. I barely touched it and packed the rest to go. Service was excellent. Ambience is great as well. The only thing is, it was too fatty, felt very heavy afterwards.

Food was decent, the guacamole and salsa lacked some spice. But on request they give you a delicious spicy salsa. They were out of tamarind so opted for a sangria which was very good. We sat at the bar as we did not care for the bright white lights over each table. The bar is definitely more lively but because there is one person behind the bar making drinks and taking orders, service tends to be slow. We ordered the signature mole and the trip tip skirt steak, both were good.

Meena Saiprasad

The food was very delicious rich with melted cheese,. My appetizer was queso fundido I couldn't even finish 1/3 of it. It is very very filling. Then my entrée was Tlayuda. I barely touched it and packed the rest to go. Service was excellent. Ambience is great as well. The only thing is, it was too fatty, felt very heavy afterwards.

The food is a 1 The service and atmosphere is a 5 The only thing my husband and I enjoyed was the beef barbacoa- but all by itself. The taco shells were soggy and the queso….was a giant glob of cheese. I don’t know what we were supposed to do with it? I never seen queso like that before. They spent more time on the presentation than the food. I don’t need flowers on my queso I just need it to be liquid gold.

If you want a good double date place that is a great ambience, good food, and good service — DON’T come here on a weeknd night. They seated us in the back. An ugly space with weird paintings on wall and fluorescent lighting. It is a huge different from the cool ambience they have in front but just as loud. They sat us in corner, so we sadly got horrible service. They had the same poor waitress working 10+ tables in the back. We were neglected. They brought the wrong cheese dish. They didn’t clear our appetizer plates before bringing out our entree plates. And we kept having to get her attention to ask to order our dinner , get utensils etc. Like just not good service and I’m disappointed. Food was fine but nothing special. My husband loved the cheese though. This was my second time there - first time was happy hour and I liked it then. But we will not be coming back after such poor service and nothing special food. Granted people were there and it was a happening spot. But didn’t look like people with good taste. You’re better off elsewhere See in my photo you see they brought my enteee while leaving an entire huge stack of dishes. We had to explicitly ask to remove them. Again poor service.

hnnh

If you want a good double date place that is a great ambience, good food, and good service — DON’T come here on a weeknd night. They seated us in the back. An ugly space with weird paintings on wall and fluorescent lighting. It is a huge different from the cool ambience they have in front but just as loud. They sat us in corner, so we sadly got horrible service. They had the same poor waitress working 10+ tables in the back. We were neglected. They brought the wrong cheese dish. They didn’t clear our appetizer plates before bringing out our entree plates. And we kept having to get her attention to ask to order our dinner , get utensils etc. Like just not good service and I’m disappointed. Food was fine but nothing special. My husband loved the cheese though. This was my second time there - first time was happy hour and I liked it then. But we will not be coming back after such poor service and nothing special food. Granted people were there and it was a happening spot. But didn’t look like people with good taste. You’re better off elsewhere See in my photo you see they brought my enteee while leaving an entire huge stack of dishes. We had to explicitly ask to remove them. Again poor service.

food was decent, a little salty. Service was severely lacking. They sat us, waited 15 minutes to drop water, another 5 minutes to take our orders, didn’t bring us plates or utensils. We asked for refills on water from 3 different staff and never got it. We asked for the check and a to-go box, that didn’t come so I had to walk up to find someone to close us out. Food isn’t good enough to justify the costs and egregiously poor service.