Mesa Grande Taqueria — Restaurant in City of Auburn

I went to this restaurant tonight and was really really disturbed by the lack of sanitary practices. Associates need training- badly. I saw someone eat food behind the counter while her glove was on, she did not take it off after. Same girl went up the stairs and rubbed her hand along the railing, and did the same coming down, she never took her gloves off. Someone cashed someone out at the register while wearing gloves, never took her gloves off after and instantly went to preparing food.

While I was getting my drink I could see how absolutely filthy it was In the food prep area. The trash can was overflowing in the food prep area, I am not exaggerating, and associates kept throwing trash on top of it. They also stored all of their drinks right by it- unsanitary for them also.

There were at least 5 associates working, yet every table was dirty. I saw two associates peak their heads out like they were checking to see if it was busy and then they’d return to the back room. No reason the restaurant and food prep area weren’t spotless with the amount of people working.

Some service issues also but that isn’t even worth mentioning after everything else I saw. I was there for 20 minutes and observed all of these things. Who is/ where is the manager? These are very basic practices that anyone can understand and follow, I am no expert, just have a basic food service sanitation training certificate. Does your team have food handlers card? I really am tempted to call the health department. Am hoping it was just an off night. Most of your reviews are great. You may need a manager to stop in after hours to make sure your team is doing what they should be...

Positive was the guy behind the counter when we first got there had a good personality and was friendly. He may not know what a corn tortilla is vs a flour but was...

So not only does this place have amazing food and a ton of gluten free/vegetarian options but there service is incredible! That's all you really need to know but if you want a real story, buckle up...

Last month I had planned a twenty person suprise birthday party for my brother. We were not able to have a 30th party for him due to covid, so we planned to make his 31st extra special. The venue (that we all love and still do!) called me 3 hours before the party was supposed to start to tell me they had a Covid outbreak ...and needed to cancel to keep us all safe and healthy. We of course wouldn't be charged for the party being canceled but how were we going to host 20 people with less than 3 hours notice AND keep the change of plans a suprise? Alhough I appreciate the restaurants actions it did leave me in an insane time crunch.

Mesa Grande was my immediate thought for delicious, allergy friendly food, that everyone loves and they cater! Miraculously the team member who took my panicked phone call walked me through what to order and then contacted her manager to confirm the details. They made it happen! I ordered hard and soft shell tacos, chips with queso, guacamole, salad, and black beans.

The Mesa Grande staff were able to get all the food made and loaded into my car in just 2.5 hours! This gave me enough time to grab party supplies, booze, dessert, and get to my moms house to set up before guests and the birthday boy arrived.

The party was a huge success 🙌 My brother was shocked! The guests were well fed and happy. Mesa Grande saved the day. I cannot thank them enough or recommend them enough.

In a time of social disconnection, difficulty, and hardship, Mesa Grande was instrumental in safetly bringing my...

Parking is terrible you have to pay to park which I had no problem doing however the machines to pay to park did not work. They did not have any ground beef which is what I wanted. (Have been here one other time and the food and service was good this time was not) I settled for something I really did not want. The shredded beef instead had no flavor was dry would not recommend. I asked for a side of mild salsa and did not get any. I ordered chips and a large queso. Barely any chips in the bag, which I did not know until after I had left. Not one napkin was in the bag and the price for the quality is over priced over $22 for lunch is extremely expensive for lunch for one person I was excited to go back and after this I probably will not be back also it’s wild to me to just wrap a burrito in one thin piece of foil that barely fits on the burrito everyone working did not seem to want to be there let alone want to help me no prices are listed anywhere how do you know what you are paying for if no prices are listed I called to let them know all of this but an answering machine answers no one even bothers to answer the phone waste of $22, my gas and time (I don’t live in Auburn) I forgot to include my burrito was not grilled and the ingredients were not even hot I am highly shocked and disappointed bc the first time I went here the service was excellent and the food also was plus they were not out of anything the first time I went today they had no ground beef and I’m not sure what else they may have been out of felt like I was putting out the employees who were working there by me being there just placing a...