Don Julio's Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Auburn

I had a very disappointing experience here during a Sunday lunch with my family. At first, things seemed promising—we received a complimentary small cheese dip, which we later saw was part of a Sunday special offered until 2 PM.

Unfortunately, the service quickly went downhill. Our waitress brought our drinks, then proceeded to sit down and scroll on her phone, leaving us waiting nearly 10 minutes to place our order. When I finally tried to order from the lunch menu, I was told I couldn't get what I wanted because it was three minutes past 2 PM. I ended up not ordering for myself, just for my husband and daughter.

The waitress was rude throughout, and to make things worse, she didn't even bring out my daughter’s food. When I asked to speak to a manager, I was told none were available.

To top it all off, I saw another staff member—who wasn’t our server—handling chips with bare hands and placing them in baskets for guests, right after sweeping in the server area. She then walked into the bathroom wearing her apron, which is highly unsanitary.

This was an unacceptable dining experience from start to finish. We won’t...

This Mexican restaurant, which recently opened, has quickly become a favorite of mine after my second visit. It offers a traditional Tex-Mex experience, and we started our meal with a chilled beer and a "wines rita" cocktail. The beer was served at the perfect temperature, setting the tone for a great meal. We also tried the aguas de Jamaica; although I'm not usually a fan, this one was spot on.

As a Mexican food enthusiast, my expectations are high, but the carnitas surpassed them. When the dish arrived, I was immediately impressed and couldn't wait to dig in. Honestly, the chef deserves five stars for the carnitas—they were outstanding.

The enchiladas and tacos my wife and daughter ordered also looked delicious.

This restaurant is a fantastic choice for spending a special evening with family. Highly...

Don Julio’s is a nice option to have on this side of Auburn—especially when you’re craving Mexican food and don’t want to drive across town. The food is pretty good overall with a solid selection of classic dishes and generous portions. The atmosphere is fine—nothing fancy, but clean and comfortable, and the place is usually bustling with customers.

Service, however, tends to be hit-or-miss. It’s not necessarily bad, just a little inattentive or slow at times, especially when they’re busy (which seems to be often). That said, it's convenient, affordable, and fine. Don Julio’s may not stand out in any major way, but it’s a reliable go-to when you’re nearby and in the mood for a casual...