(707) 762-8192
905 Grant Ave., Novato, CA
(415) 878-0122
Parking: Lot adjacent to restaurant
Last Visited: December 13, 2010 (Prices below listed for December 23, 2004)
Food: 4 stars
Atmosphere: 2 to 3 stars
Service: 3 stars
Price: $ to $$
2010 Comments: The food is just as good as I remember it. I got a chicken enchilada combo which came with rice and beans for $7.15. It's still a wonderful place to get chicken enchiladas...mmm mmm good.After the visit in November, I enjoyed it so much that I went back one more time. I ordered a combination of (of course) a chicken enchilada and added a carnitas tostada to it.
What came to my table was huge. This plate has the diameter of a party platter!For less than $9, I got this huge dish of goodness and I was certainly full for lunch. The tostada ingredients were super fresh, and everything else just as delicious as always.
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This restaurant is definitely family style. It’s got booths on one side (at least in Petaluma) with tables on the other side of the divider along with an open salsa bar. The walls are a bright yellow with hints of orange swirls on the wall adjacent to the booths. Plates with different Mexican themes decorate the walls. The floor is white/gray tile.
The coolers are filled with lemonade, horchata, and Jamaica, a hibiscus drink (I like the hibiscus one the best). The owner is friendly and the waitresses give you menus and let you find your own seat. Very casual. The food is excellent. My mom says that there are more ‘relatives’ than there are locals. What does that mean? There are more Mexican people than there are any other people, and that’s a good thing. It means the food is good and good enough for even the most distinguished of Mexican food connoisseurs.
Tortilla chips arrive at the table with medium salsa. If the owner notices it’s too spicy for you, he’ll come by your table and ask if you want him to whip up a batch of mild salsa. He’s service-oriented, observant, and a great host.
- Enchilada – The shredded chicken ones are perfect. They are piping hot out of the oven, melt in your mouth, and are oh-so-delicious. I couldn’t ask for more – shredded chicken wrapped in a tortilla and made to perfection with a delicious enchilada sauce and melted cheese on top. If you get nothing else, get a chicken enchilada. You can choose from any type of meat; the shredded beef ones are good, but the chicken ones can’t be missed. $3.25
- Mojarra Frita/Deep-fried Whole Fish – Tilapia (with head and all) is fried in a lightly seasoned batter. Served with rice, refried beans, and warm tortillas. The flavor is good – not overwhelming the fish. I’ve had a similar fish dishes, baked, for triple the price, and they don’t even compare. This is worth getting even if you’re not a big fish fan, but note that the fish comes whole – bones and all. $10.95
- Taquitos – Again, choice of meat. We tried them with pork. These were served on a bed of lettuce. A little on the dry side, but they come with homemade guacamole that’s delicious. Plenty of meat – Mi Pueblo doesn’t skimp, but we got them once and haven’t tried to get this dish again.
- Carne Asada Steak – served with rice, refried beans, and warm tortillas. The steak is flavorful and tender. This dish is also a winner. Simply put – tastes great. What more do you need to know? $10.95
- Super Nachos – Lots of chips with the works – sour cream, guacamole, melted cheese, refried beans. Also available with choice of meat for $1-2 more. They’re good, but they’re not like the enchiladas.
- Albondigas Soup/ Meatball Soup – Six large meatballs served in a broth-like soup. The meatballs are delicious and the bowl of soup is huge. The soup also has tomatoes and potatoes. It’s flavorful and enough for two people, possibly three people.
- Tortilla Soup – Much the same base as the albondigas soup (tomatoes, potatoes, carrots), large strips of crisp tortilla are placed in the soup. Chunks of avocado are placed on top for added garnish and flavor. Very good. The tortilla strips add a lot of texture to the soup. Very flavorful and again, a large portion that could easily serve two people.
- Tacos – Comes with choice of meat and choice of soft or hard shell. We got steak soft tacos the first time and carnitas another time. Served with fresh lime - when added to the taco, the lime juice really brings out the flavor of the spices. These are good, but again, not like the enchiladas. Better tacos can be found elsewhere, but they are hot, so that’s a plus point.
- Menudo Soup/Tripe Soup – Same soup base as the Albondigas Soup, but the main ingredient is tender tripe. I’m not a big fan of tripe served this way, but if you like tripe, you might enjoy this soup more than the Albondigas one. $6.95
- Quesadilla – Choice of meat. A large tortilla is grilled with jack cheese and in this case, chicken. The quesadilla is served with guacamole on the side. Another healthy portion and as usual, very good. $4.50
- Taco Salad - It's similar ingredients to the other items you find on the menu. It's a great mix of freshness and flavor. The tostada shell is light and crisp. Great portions as usual. $6
- Agua frescas: Jamaica and Horchata available. Good sized glass and great flavor. Sometimes you’ll even get lime agua frescas which are very refreshing.$1.25
Note: Our only bad experience was an overcooked Mojarra Frita – that’s happened once out of the three times we’ve gotten it, so the record is still pretty good. Tortillas may cost extra – we’re never quite sure since the price is so reasonable, we haven’t paid that much attention. Most items are available a la carte or as full entrees. Their Novato operation is reminiscent of a Taco Bell setting in atmosphere, but the food is still high quality. They also have televisions at this location, usually broadcasting soccer. I like the atmosphere of the Petaluma branch more for its friendliness giving it a warm and familiar feel. The owner really does a great job of keeping an eye on everything and everyone and his attitude is excellent. All the food at both locations is also available for take out.
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