Dona Esther Mexican Restaurant

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CLOSED NOW - Opens at 11:00am

Best Mexican restaurant in San Juan Bautista local family remember when he opened al is perfect gentleman

I've been coming here for years and have never had a bad experience. I am shocked to read so many negative reviews. I don't need a menu, I order the same thing every time....I get the shredded beef enchiladas plate which comes with beans and rice and 2 enchiladas($10.95) The portion is huge, the enchilada sauce is awesome! I never leave hungry. I will usually order a small pitcher of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, a bargain at $5.95. As a self admitted beer snob, II've been coming here for years and have never had a bad experience. I am shocked to read so many negative reviews. I don't need a menu, I order the same thing every time....I get the shredded beef enchiladas plate which comes with beans and rice and 2 enchiladas($10.95) The portion is huge, the enchilada sauce is awesome! I never leave hungry. I will usually order a small pitcher of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, a bargain at $5.95. As a self admitted beer snob, I could do without the chilled beer mug. The food and service is awesome so I will give them a pass on that. could do without the chilled beer mug. The food and service is awesome so I will give them a pass on that.

Dona Esther's restaurant offers a great environment. The food is great, their brunch buffet is awesome and everyone is so friendly. It is a Mexican restaurant and the food is very authentic. The Menudo tastes home made, enchiladas, flautas, chimichangas and lots more. They have outdoor seating in a covered patio. Me and my honey love taking a small drive to this great restaurant on a sunny Sunday morning and listen to a great trio play while enjoying great food. Go!

I love the artichoke enchiladas! I travel ALL THE WAY FROM SAN JOSE just to get these enchiladas!! I also take an order for mom! They are super flavorful, yum!

This is my all time favorite resturant for authentic mexican food! What else can I say about a place that sponsored my little league team when I was 7 years old and STILL has my team picture on the wall? Well, how about the latest time I've been there...I went with 2 friends after golfing 18 holes and STARVING! We ate around 7:30 on a Sunday night. The atmosphere was great upon entering, with a gentleman playing guitar and we were seated within seconds. Chips, salsa and waters were delivered shortly after that. We went through 3 baskets of chips and the server always was very good about getting us more, except we did have to flag him down once (but we were hungry). Anyways, I got cheese enchiladas, and were served steaming with delicious sauce all over the plate (they were not small either). My friends ordered a carnitas burrito and a chimichanga, respectively. The server didn't rush us at all and even though we were one of the last few people in the resturant still offered us dessert. I can't say enough goodness about this place. The manager always comes around and asks how everything was, and if anything could be improved...my answer is always "Nope! This place is perfect!" Thanks Dona Esthers, see you next time.

we Love this place great customer service, great surounding, great food. we go back as much as we can.

friendly staff, excellent food, unforgettable dinning and delicious experience

Best Mexican Restaurant around. I live in Salinas and can honestly say Dona Esther's is the best Mexican restaurant around. I love their enchiladas and burritos and love love love their Sunday buffet. Good food. Good price. Friendly Service. Nuff said.

best beans in bay area hands down. best chicharrones in bay area hands down i eat mexican food all over the bay, and this place, albeit a bit drab inside, does the trick. my father in law, from a small town in mexico, claims this is some of the closest to home food he has had in the states

Went to celebrate my husbands birthday... the young man who served us was great! On top of it all night. We got the triple-juice for the kids. They loved it. Very fancy with a slice of pineapple on the glass...cute! I had chile colorado, fantastic! My husband had his favorite... chicheronnes! Crispy style with fresh diced salsa! Out of this world, but could stop your heart. The boys had the very affordable kids meals. Tristan had the cheese quesadilla (a little upset the beans were a little on it) but he got over it and ate it all. Dacien had the chicken strips and said, "it's the best I've ever had in my 8 years". He gave his fries an 8 out of 10. Didn't elaborate, but that was good. I love this place. I always take what I can't eat and roll it into a burrito and take it to go and it's great as a treat the next day. I wish we could get out more often and drive to San Juan and eat here but life is too busy. Thank goodness for special occasions to make this a nice treat! Mmmm.

when I am visiting San Juan Bautista which I love to do more often and craving for good food which i usually do here is a safe bet to go - in fact I have been here about 4 to 5 times - consistently good service, food and price for what you get. Make sure you walk it off by visiting the many antique shops because the portions are good size!

I love Dona Esther's!! Childhood memories here for me. If you didn't enjoy your experience, you just didn't order the right things. Chile Relleno and Cheese Enchilada plate is my favorite. Very cheesy. The mini chimichanga plate is the perfect portion. Tostadas are huge and yummy. Margaritas! The waitresses are always super friendly. And the Roosters walking in the back patio are the best.

Always like to go to Dona Esther when visiting San Juan Bautista. Never disappointed by the meal I get here. Last time I ordered the enchiladas and they were great! The specialty items are also very good. And great chips and salsa are a good place to start!

This place Is soooo yummy. The staff is so friendly, they treat you like family. The salsa you get while waiting for your food is delicious! One time my even brought some salsa home! They bring out your food really fast, and it's very good. I always get the cheese enchiladas!! Yuuuuum!!! It's very affordable and I always go here if I'm in the area. It's also in a cute little town too!

If you like Old School Mexican then you won't be disappointed and I wasn't, even though I prefer the newer, lighter style Mexican. Just love that you can ask for flour chips and get them in addition to corn chops. I am a chipaholic so this was heaven. The guacamole was good too, washed down by the Old School margaritas by the pitcher. I would skip the enchilada next time because that heavy, bland style is not my taste but it was good for what it was. I liked the old decor. It was nostalgic. If you go to this restaurant, knowing what to expect, it will be a very pleasant, reasonably priced experience.

Love eating here. Got to know all the staff and they are all very nice and polite. We had Sam as our.waiter today and I always love having him. Miho was our bartender (I always call him Miho). But Tina and Christina was working too. Love them all. The only one missing tonight was Aaron ( he was off today). Wish we could go see our extended family more often. The food is wonderful. Jimmy and I had the #8 today. Loved the flautas. The drinks are the bomb today. Especially the warm coffee ones. Anytime you are driving to or.from Monterey I suggest you stop there.

Love this place... especially their home made chicken noodle soup. Been there multiple times and keep going back.

Love the food and service. I would definitely recommend it to my friends and family. Been here twice and they have not let me down.

My family absolutely loves Dona Esther! We travel from Morgan Hill usually once a week to enjoy the food and friendly service. We have been loyal customers for years. We always take out of town visitors there and it is always requested by return visitors. The building may not be new but who cares when you get the mexican food around. We are forever patrons of this restaurant.

Amazing place. The ambiance was great. I ordered two enchilladas and they were perfect! You can order ala carte or from their menu. Or you can pick and choose what you want. Yummy food, totally going back!