El Alteno Authentic Mexican Food

Family owned authentic Mexican Restaurant serving delicious regional cuisine. Patio dining and full bar. We'll worth a visit : )

Amazing food was so delicious

The food was terrific and the outdoor seating area has so much much atmosphere. My only complain was that the $6 house margaritas were very weak. Luckily, a second one did the job 😉

Great food. Fair price. Honest business, they even offered a sample before we had ordered

Coworker and I went for lunch. Mole & Posole. Service was fast and attentive. Food was excellent and prices good. We will be back. Thanks!

Food was great. Not sure why we were the only ones in there. I'd go again.

Service was excellent, food as well. Had the Pescado Dorado. It was cooked perfectly and nicely balanced with the sides.

El Alteño does not get the attention it deserves. While Watsonville does have an abundance of Mexican restaurants, El Alteño is overlooked as one of the best. It's a hidden gem. I've been a customer for the past 15 or so years and have nothing but positive things to say about this restaurant. We've celebrated birthdays, graduations, and other events here. The food, service, and cost create an overall great experience. Will be back, thanks!

Some of the best tacos I've had in a long time. Really nice, homey atmosphere. Kind and welcoming staff. 10/10

The food is authentic homemde mexican food. Its delicious and the owner is always making sure you're enjoying your food. This is our go to place for a meal with our kids.

Eric Romero

Some of the best tacos I've had in a long time. Really nice, homey atmosphere. Kind and welcoming staff. 10/10

Daniel

El Alteño does not get the attention it deserves. While Watsonville does have an abundance of Mexican restaurants, El Alteño is overlooked as one of the best. It's a hidden gem. I've been a customer for the past 15 or so years and have nothing but positive things to say about this restaurant. We've celebrated birthdays, graduations, and other events here. The food, service, and cost create an overall great experience. Will be back, thanks!

MRxinsanity 831

Amazing food was so delicious

margarita medina

The food is authentic homemde mexican food. Its delicious and the owner is always making sure you're enjoying your food. This is our go to place for a meal with our kids.

Pete Cullen

Family owned authentic Mexican Restaurant serving delicious regional cuisine. Patio dining and full bar. We'll worth a visit : )

J Lemaj

Beautiful setting wonderful service! Then the food….authentic, fresh, wonderfully prepared and delicious and affordable! Cannot wait to return!

sandra cifuentes

Molcajete super recommended Molcajete is delicious and authentic, the service is incredible and the story of the owner Maria was amazing.

Kay Wood

Coworker and I went for lunch. Mole & Posole. Service was fast and attentive. Food was excellent and prices good. We will be back. Thanks!

Jason Ogasian

The food was terrific and the outdoor seating area has so much much atmosphere. My only complain was that the $6 house margaritas were very weak. Luckily, a second one did the job 😉

Dave Martone (DMarty454)

Food was great. Not sure why we were the only ones in there. I'd go again.

Ian Applegate

Great food. Fair price. Honest business, they even offered a sample before we had ordered

Leighton

Excellent Mexican food. Really nice authentic looking and spacious interior. Friendly service and reasonable prices. It's in the heart of downtown so it's street parking or there is a free public parking deck nearby. I have not eaten anything here that i didn't enjoy. There is also a bar here with more alcohol choices than a typical taqueria.

Located in Downtown Watsonville, this restaurant is good, BUT COULD Be Sooooo much more. It has a beautiful patio that can be used for banquets and the inside has that old fashioned, old west feel. Unfortunately for some reason people don't frequent this place as often as they could/should.

Chris Briano

Located in Downtown Watsonville, this restaurant is good, BUT COULD Be Sooooo much more. It has a beautiful patio that can be used for banquets and the inside has that old fashioned, old west feel. Unfortunately for some reason people don't frequent this place as often as they could/should.

The place is clean, lady running the front is friendly and attentive. I ordered a Chile rellano nothing to right home about but if you need something to eat it's a safe place for food to go.

Jacklin Khalsa

The place is clean, lady running the front is friendly and attentive. I ordered a Chile rellano nothing to right home about but if you need something to eat it's a safe place for food to go.

I don't know why, every time we try to eat here, either the food isn't very good or it just doesn't work out. Tonight there was only one other table in the dining room and a large party on the patio. We were waiting for someone to come talk to us/wait on us and the whole party came inside. There was one person working the party and no servers in the restaurant. I guess the bartender was going to help us, but then there was a line of about 20 people at the bar, so we left. Not going back

If I could I wouldn't even give a star!!!! Waited 15 minutes to get our drinks 60 minutes to get our food..... first and last time I bring my family to this place, owner should hire more staff had only 1 cook and 1 waitress.

Sarah K

I don't know why, every time we try to eat here, either the food isn't very good or it just doesn't work out. Tonight there was only one other table in the dining room and a large party on the patio. We were waiting for someone to come talk to us/wait on us and the whole party came inside. There was one person working the party and no servers in the restaurant. I guess the bartender was going to help us, but then there was a line of about 20 people at the bar, so we left. Not going back

Juliana Hernandez

If I could I wouldn't even give a star!!!! Waited 15 minutes to get our drinks 60 minutes to get our food..... first and last time I bring my family to this place, owner should hire more staff had only 1 cook and 1 waitress.