Leal's Mexican Restaurant — Restaurant in Woodway

This review is for people looking for real authentic Mexican food in the Waco area. Moved here about a year ago from Ca. And have been looking for good Mexican food. Only have came across Tex-mex which is NOT the same. Have asked every Spanish speaking Mexican I meet where I can find the good stuff and they all say there is nothing. This place was recommended to us and I was very skeptical at first bc of the name Leals. This place is packed by locals which doesn’t say much as this is not a diverse area at all. It is safe though. I have only eaten their burritos twice and well I must say while they aren’t horrible they are lacking true rich flavor and size. I will give a A+ for effort as the tortillas seem to be homemade and soft but no flavor probably weren’t made with salt and butter. All the other fillings were mediocre and so was the salsa. Overall the burritos are pretty dry and they do not offer anything Mexican except Chorizo. It would be nice if they offered more authentic Mexican burritos such as Machacado, carnitas or chili verde. I have heard all the good Mexican food is in SA and south of it so there’s that. The closest I have tasted to authentic in Waco is at union hall Huaco Eatery. Even my mom who was visiting from Ca said they had the best Pozole. Real Mexican food does not have shredded cheddar cheese nor lettuce...

I've had the pleasure of knowing what food and community mean when it comes to Leal's - there's no exception, just good food that's consistent and on the money. Since 1995, I've had their breakfast burritos, and I can tell you that each one was just as good as the next. I've never had a bad breakfast burrito.

Now, if you're from out of town or new to town and you prefer to drink Bloody Mary's out of a glass that looks like it holds tennis balls, then this isn't the place for you. But if you're willing to sit down in a good family-run restaurant, shut your phone off, and talk to some of the locals, then this is the place for you. People get things done at Leal's - other than taking pics of the restroom and reporting about how dirty it is. I've seen massive business deals go down with a burrito in one hand and a pen in the other.

Friendships are made, and great food is to be had. If you want a Woodway original and you still eat with a fork and sometimes your hands, then come to Leal's for the best...

We have seen this place many times over the past year. On March 15, 2024 was the day we stopped by about 8:30 AM for breakfast. 1st, we wondered if it was open because the parking lot was basically empty. Then we saw the drive thru. One thing we both noticed on the menu is that any changes made would cost you extra. We both chose to create your own breakfast burrito, large. We both got sausage egg, bean, potato, and Pico de gallo. We also got chips and hot sauce. We both noticed immediately the hot sauce had a different taste, and we thought too much cumin. Anyway wasn't for our taste. The burritos were big, but again, they lacked taste. As we were finishing up I needed to waste my hands, so I went to the men's room and let say it was if I stepped into the side of the road hole in a wall gas station. Ok, the truth, I do make exception time to time for location, but for a $34,$4 tip, breakfast with no bloodmary, this isn't a place I'm going to visit again. As always, keeping real per...