Taqueria San Juan Mexican Grill Authentic Mexican Food

Taqueria San Juan Mexican Grill Authentic Mexican Food

Story and photo images by Mike Kinney

Recently on a Saturday afternoon, I was joined by two of my friends Mary and Ben for an early afternoon lunch at Taqueria San Juan Mexican Grill. The menus proudly read: We serve authentic Mexican food. Taqueria San Juan is well-known throughout the East Bay from Oakland to San Pablo. They are located in a cozy strip mall at 13501 
San Pablo Avenue at the corner of Vale Road in the City of San Pablo.

Juan Padilla is the owner of both Taqueria San Juan and Mely's Cafe next door.
Juan shared: " We prepare our food for our customers, the way we prepare it in our kitchens at home. We use only the finest ingredients , along with the freshest food and meat cuts."

We looked at the extensive menu with dozens of food items and dishes to order.
Ben decided he would order the corn mesa specialty-Sope which is loaded with cheese, beans, lettuce, Pico sauce, and sour cream. He ordered a Gordita served plain. When the chips and salsa arrived, Ben stated: "The chips and salsa are so fresh and
 excellent." 

Mary ordered a large burrito bowl that had rice, beans, cheese, sour cream ,lettuce,
Guacamole and cut up chicken.

I ordered the house salad with lettuce, tomato, carrots, avocados, and two side orders of black beans and sour cream.

Our hostess was Letty; she was very well-versed and knowledgably about how the food was cooked and prepared. Glancing through the menu, I the saw the Platillos Mexicanos were fine cuts of meat and poultry. There was Carne Assad, broiled beef, along with Milanese Pollo, breaded fried chicken breast all served with rice, beans, tortillas. There was just so much excellent food to be had!.

When Ben's food came, he stated: " The food is so authentic and tasty! Plus, I really enjoyed the warm welcome we received when got here And San Juan is so clean and neat."

Mary said when her burrito bowl arrived , she stated: " It was a very special burrito bowl, it was so lovely the way it was prepared and had a very special presentation.  
The flavor was so awesome, layer after layer of rice, sour cream, lettuce and tomatoes.
It was excellent with the chips and salsa dip. The meal was so good and filling."

My house salad was served on a large platter; I was only able to eat have of it.
The veggies were so crisp and fresh, it was like gourmet salad supreme. The service was simply incredible.

We all agreed that Taqueria San Juan is one of the best go to spots in East Bay and once you eat there you keep coming back. 

Taqueria San Juan is open daily. Monday through Thursday 9am-9pm, Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday 9am to 9pm. For more information call-510/ 965-9745.