Casa Mendoza — Restaurant in Palm Desert

Went there because wife had been there 3 nights prior for the first time and she had loved it and it was big enough so our two little ones (2&3.5 yo) could run around if needed to. Place is huge and friendly, lots of TVs with sports on them (our 3.5 yo screamed football and ran to one table) and when you see Spanish speakers there in large numbers ordering and enjoying the food you know the food is delish and authentic. We weren’t disappointed! First place we didn’t have to ask for spicy salsa (that means if you don’t like spicy you’re in trouble gringo lol) and they were generous with their helpings while we waited. The large side of guacamole was enough for 3 hungry adults and two little ones, the steak fajitas were generous in portion with lots of well cooked vegetables and well seasoned to boot. Grilled first tacos were really flavorful and not just a fish stick either. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Sorry we were too hungry to take pictures of the food when it arrived (not late btw it was just kids that were distracting us as well). The margarita was strong and yummy to boot.

Update So my wife and I went back for a late lunch without the kiddos this time and we both had margaritas instead of me sampling hers like last time. She’s gone there a total of 3 times and I’ve been there now twice. I’m just going to suggest avoiding their house tequila and order yourself a branded one. There’s a bitterness in their house tequila brands that at first my wife attributed to the Skinny mix (1st time she went), empty stomach (2nd time) but after yesterday she was left nauseous and I had a massive headache lasting for about 5 hours post drink (we both had only one large margarita each),,so there’s definitely something with their house tequila that we won’t be ordering again.. the service and food we’re still excellent and their spicy...

To start with the thing we liked, the salsa and freshly made chips were tremendous. Some of the best restaurant salsa we've ever had. Unfortunately, they were the only good things to pass my lips this afternoon at Casa Mendoza.

Where to begin? Ordered two crunchy tacos, because, who could screw up tacos, right? They were absolutely tasteless. I don't mean, they were low class tacos, with no taste in decor, I mean they had no discernable tase in my mouth. The chicken tasted like it had been boiled, or cooked in a solar camping cooker in the parking lot. It was aggressively bland.

The rice and beans tasted like Formula 409. Well, actually, I discovered it was just the rice. The beans didn't taste like Formula 409, because that would have meant they tasted like something. They didn't. And I think, to be fair, it wasn't Formula 409 in the rice, but rather vinegar? Vinegar in rice, got it.

I ordered some pink lemonade that was clear, but it tasted vaguely reminiscent of pink lemonade, so I'll give them that one. Our waiter was nice and friendly but a low-talker. Every time she left the table we looked at each other and said, " What did she say?"

We stopped here because it had the highest Google rating of any Mexican restaurant in the area. The spotlight review excerpt called it, 'The best Mexican food in the Coachella Valley." If that is true, God help you all.

It looks like there is more than one location for Casa Mendoza, so I should specify that we ate at the Palm desert location, the one on 111. But honestly, how could any version of this temple of mediocrity be palatable?

I'm not a restauranteur, so I can't give them any advice on how to improve, except to say maybe get rid of the 55 gallon drum of vinegar in the kitchen and replace it with some salt and pepper. Start...

I wish I had taken a photo of what we had. My girlfriend selected Casa Mendoza for our lunch since I had my dog with me and they offer patio (3stars) or could have been 1

We sat on a table near railing that way my dog wouldn’t be in the center. Server brought menus and our lunch was selected. My girlfriend asked for a draft beer and chicken salad, I asked for 1 item lunch (enchilada verde) with a margarita.

We received order drinks and I had a sip of my so called margarita !!!! To be fair it had slot of alcohol but Other than that it tasted like water and a drop of orange juice, i let server know that it was not as expected since Mexican places should have GREAT MARGIES but not here. He asked me what was wrong with it, just said is not what I expected and he kept asking “ well what is wrong with it” so I told him it tasted like lots of tequila, water and a drop of oj, he in turn didn’t seem happy that I returned and asked for an Arnold Palmer. Our lunch arrived, we ate our lunch, paid and left. Well don’t know if it was intentional because I returned the margarita or their chicken in enchilada was bad ( but had 2 days of food poising right after I got home ) definitely will never go back and will tell all our friends and family not to even think about patronizing...