On Old 288 near Kyle Rd and Bobby Ford


Average Overall Rating:

(5 out of 5)

Average Coffee Refill Rating:

(3 out of 5)

(1 out of 5)

Review by: turin on 8/3/2007

Overall Rating:

Coffee Refill Rating:

Expense Rating:

This is a precious jewel of a Mexican breakfast shop hidden away in a small coastal Texas town on a creek beside an abandoned looking wharehouse. Hurry before it disappears forever! Places like this are so hard to find now. It will transport you into Mexico with a very authentic ambience. I have once even seen a deer in their seldom-mowed backyard, and many of my friends tell me that they have seen wild hogs, but I cannot substantiate these claims. If you're the type to get a regular manicure, this place probably isn't your style. If you're like me and could do without the frills of the modern restaurant with its paved parking lot, finished walls, and large professional flashing lighted sign in order to pay about half the price for just a great tasting breakfast, consider Mendoza's Mexican Restaurant.

They don't really have a parking lot per se, but there is a gravel area in which I always seem to find a spot. The place is almost always crowded regardless of the time or day, so just be prepared to wait. Most people actually just pick up their order at the counter and go, but there are about ten picknic tables in an enclosed area with window A/C units to accomodate the truly hardcore Mendoza patrons (such as my wife and me). They have a slightly strange schedule, being closed on either Monday or Tuesday (I can never remember which), and, they also serve lunch which comes with free chips and salsa (as it is with most Mexican restaurants in Texas, but unfortunately not in Florida), but not on the weekends. Don't be too expectant of the waitress. For one thing, those girls are working hard and are VERY busy. When I need a refill of coffee at least, I don't even bother the poor waitress, I just get up and go to the pot myself.

The specialty is unarguably the breakfast burrito (and in particular the greatest-flour-tortilla-on-the-face-of-the-Earth that wraps it). A word of warning: once you have gone Mendoza's, you will laugh hysterically at what passes for a breakfast burrito at other resaurants, even that one that your friend recommends to have the best breakfast burritos (unless of course your friend recommends Mendoza's). The Mendoza family makes their own fresh fat flour tortillas. When you order a burrito, they stuff one of these delicious tortillas full of all kinds of breakfast goodness to your choosing. You get limitless bowls (one or two is plenty, even for a small group) of fresh salsa. I recommend "El Grande" if you like eggs, bacon, sausage, potatos, and cheese. But there are many choices, and you can pick and choose from among the previously mentioned items, various veggies, even beef or chicken fajita or carne guisada! And the beef is delicious slow-cooked brisket tasting stuff. Another warning: be careful handling the beast or prepared to get a little messy until you have had some practice. These burritos are just too full to stay together.

In addition to the burrito selection, there are various breakfast plates, all a bit Mexican style, but don't worry, you can still find eggs and bacon. I don't recall ever seeing pancakes or biscuits on the menu, though. (I think they substitute tortillas. :)~) However, If you want to go cheap, go with a burrito.

This place is just such a treasure, I actually catch myself sometimes wanting to move back to Texas, just so I can go to Mendoza's about two or three times a week.

Award Nomination: Best Bargin Breakfast

Review #11003


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Reviews submitted here are meant to pertain to breakfast only. While Mr Breakfast cannot vouch for the validity of each restaurant review, he feels pretty good vouching for the excellent character of the residents of Clute, Texas - who are primarily responsible for the review(s) you see above for Mendoza's Mexican Restaurant.