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Cocina Mexico
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Master Critic Reviews (5 Lists)
Cocina Mexico
7.6
This family-owned fast-casual taqueria delivers home-style Mexican favorites with exceptional catering services. Their seasoned carne asada and traditional carnitas anchor a menu focused on fresh, from-scratch preparations at accessible prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Tacos, Carnitas Burrito, Mexican Ice Cream
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Excellent catering services with home-style cooking
Who should go: Office groups needing reliable catering
When to visit: Weekday lunch for quick service
What to order: Carne asada plate, carnitas, Mexican ice cream
Insider tip: Their catering trays are perfect for parties
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Shared plaza parking with validated spots, can get tight during lunch but turnover is quick
Dress code: Come as you are - fast-casual counter service welcomes everyone
Noise level: Moderate - open kitchen adds energy, conversations easy at normal volume
Weekend wait: 5-10 min to order and receive food, less crowded than lunch
Weekday lunch: Can be 10-15 min line at counter 12-1pm, food comes out in 5-8 min
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - bean and cheese options, veggie burritos and tacos available
Vegan options: Limited - can do veggie items without dairy, ask about bean preparation
Gluten-free options: Corn tortillas available, but shared prep areas mean cross-contact likely
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Too casual - fast food style ordering at counter, basic seating, bright lighting. Save for lunch with coworkers instead
Can I get a table without a reservation? No reservations needed - order at counter, grab any open table. Quick turnover means seats usually available
Is it kid-friendly? Yes - casual atmosphere where kids are welcome, quick service keeps them happy, Mexican ice cream for dessert is a hit
Best For
Better for: Best catering value in Pleasanton, most consistent home-style cooking, Mexican ice cream unique in area, perfect for office lunch runs
Skip if: You want full service, margaritas, or date night ambiance. Try Blue Agave for upscale or Two Amigos for drinks and atmosphere
Cocina Mexico
8.2
Family-owned downtown taquería serving from-scratch plates at accessible prices, with indoor seating and a small patio feel on Angela. Clean flavors and tidy execution make it a reliable lunch or casual dinner stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada plate, Carnitas tacos, Mexican ice cream dessert cup
Scores:
Value: 8.9
Service: 8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: From-scratch taquería plates downtown with fair pricing and friendly pacing.
Who should go: Downtown walkers and families
When to visit: Tue–Thu 11:30am–1pm or 6–7:30pm
What to order: Carne asada plate, carnitas tacos, ice cream cup
Insider tip: Parking is easiest in the adjacent public lots off Angela.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free public lots off Angela Street and behind Main Street make parking easy; street spots open up after lunch hours.
Dress code: Casual — come as you are; jeans and tees fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate — easy to hold a conversation even when busy.
Weekend wait: 10–20 minutes at peak; quick turnover keeps things moving.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait except during noon rush on Fridays.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos, cheese enchiladas, and customizable burritos available.
Vegan options: Limited — a few dishes can be made vegan by omitting cheese or crema.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas and several plates naturally gluten-free, though no separate prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? More casual than romantic — better for a laid-back lunch or a relaxed early dinner than a special-occasion date.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — walk-ins only; tables turn quickly even during busy times.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — high chairs, mild menu options, and fast service make it ideal for families with kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Fresh, house-made flavors and low prices that beat most downtown taquerías for everyday meals.
Skip if: You’re looking for bar service, late hours, or a more upscale sit-down experience.
Cocina Mexico
7.9
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Counter-service taqueria just off Main Street serving from-scratch tacos, burritos, and plates at family-friendly prices. Quick ticket times and a small patio make it an easy pre-park or post-errand stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas tacos, Carne asada burrito, Chicken quesadilla
Scores:
Value: 9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 7.9
Food Quality: 8
Atmosphere: 6.8
Cultural Relevance: 7.6
What makes it special: From-scratch taqueria with fast service steps from Main Street.
Who should go: Parents between errands with kids
When to visit: Lunch 11:30am–12:15pm before rush
What to order: Carnitas tacos, asada burrito, quesadilla
Insider tip: Order online for pick-up to keep timing tight.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free shared lot behind the building plus easy street parking along West Angela during off-hours.
Dress code: Very casual — shorts, tees, and sneakers fit right in.
Noise level: Low to moderate — casual chatter and kitchen sounds, but easy to hold conversation.
Weekend wait: 10–15 minutes during peak, mostly takeout flow.
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait; order at counter and food comes in 5–8 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie burrito, cheese enchiladas, and rice/bean plates available.
Vegan options: Limited — can customize burritos or tacos without cheese and sour cream.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas and plate meals are gluten-free friendly.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal — it’s counter-service and casual, better suited for a quick meal than a date atmosphere.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes — all seating is first-come, first-served with quick turnover, so you’ll rarely wait long.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — great for kids 4+; portions are generous, and simple menu items like quesadillas and rice plates are easy crowd-pleasers.
Best For
Better for: Faster and cheaper than most Main Street sit-down spots — ideal for takeout or quick family meals.
Skip if: You’re looking for a sit-down dinner, table service, or extensive margarita selection.
Cocina Mexico
8.2
From-scratch taqueria off Main with tidy, sauced burritos and a short, focused menu. Slightly pricier than strip-mall peers but cleaner flavors and nicer plating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pastor Burrito, Carnitas Wet Burrito (red sauce), Chicken Tinga Burrito
Scores:
Value: 7.9
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Clean, from-scratch sauces elevate classic burrito builds.
Who should go: Families wanting sit-down taqueria comfort
When to visit: Evenings 5–6 for easier parking
What to order: Pastor, wet carnitas (red), tinga
Insider tip: Ask for half-wet to keep one side crisp for takeout.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on and around Main can fill quickly during dinner hours; use the nearby public lot on Peters Ave for easiest access.
Dress code: Casual but neat—jeans and polos are common, though some diners dress up slightly for Main Street evenings.
Noise level: Moderate—comfortable for conversation even when the dining room fills up.
Weekend wait: Typically 20–30 minutes; faster if seated early or later in the evening.
Weekday lunch: Usually immediate seating or short wait during the 12–1 rush.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—veggie burritos, cheese enchiladas, and bean plates available.
Vegan options: Limited—1–2 burrito options can be customized without cheese or sour cream.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas and bowls offered; cross-contact possible in shared kitchen.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than formal dates—bright lighting and a relaxed taqueria vibe keep it friendly, not romantic.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—walk-ins are the norm. At peak dinner hours you may wait 15–20 minutes, but turnover is quick.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—staff are welcoming to families, with high chairs available and mild sauce options for kids.
Best For
Better for: Cleaner, more polished flavors and presentation than typical counter-service taquerias downtown.
Skip if: You’re on a tight budget—pricing runs higher than most local burrito spots.
Cocina Mexico
8.0
Small downtown taqueria focusing on from-scratch plates and straightforward tacos. Handy for a quick bite off Main Street with friendly counter service.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas Taco, Carne Asada Taco, Vegetarian Bean & Cheese Taco
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.1
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.7
What makes it special: Compact, family-run counter with honest flavors and fair prices.
Who should go: Downtown walkers and casual lunchers
When to visit: Noon–1 for fresh griddled tortillas
What to order: Carnitas, carne asada, veggie bean & cheese
Insider tip: Grab a seat on Angela St’s benches if the few tables are full.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Free street parking is available along Angela and Main Streets, though spots can be limited at lunchtime. Public lots on W. Angela near the library offer easy overflow options.
Dress code: Casual—come as you are. Most guests stop in from downtown errands or Main Street strolls.
Noise level: Low to moderate. You can easily chat over the counter hum and light kitchen sounds.
Weekend wait: 10–15 minutes at peak, usually quick turnover due to small space.
Weekday lunch: No wait to 5 minutes for counter orders; busiest around noon.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—bean and cheese tacos, veggie burritos, and customizable plates.
Vegan options: Limited—can modify veggie tacos or burritos by omitting cheese and crema.
Gluten-free options: Yes—corn tortillas are gluten-free, though kitchen is shared.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than romantic dates—quick, low-key, and friendly, great for a relaxed lunch stop rather than evening ambiance.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes—reservations aren’t accepted. The few tables turn quickly, and benches along Angela St work fine for takeout.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes—ideal for families with younger kids. Simple menu, quick service, and mild options like bean-and-cheese or chicken tacos.
Best For
Better for: Homemade-style tacos and friendly service at budget prices, great for quick lunches near Main Street.
Skip if: You’re looking for margaritas, large-group dining, or full-service atmosphere—try a sit-down taqueria instead.
Hours
MondayClosed
Tuesday11:30am - 8pm
Wednesday11:30am - 8pm
Thursday11:30am - 8pm
Friday11:30am - 8:30pm
Saturday11:30am - 8:30pm
Sunday11:30am - 8pm