Top 15 Budget-Friendly Restaurants Near You in Salinas, CA

Amy Minnick Wow, so good! I ordered a Chicken Quesadilla and the flavoring is something Ive never tasted before. Very unique to me and I will be eating here again if Im in the area. Good selection of beer. The staff/owners are very friendly. Its a small building across the street from the Pilot. Thanks for a delicious meal!

Pietsch Walter “Wally” Colorful hole in the wall, conveniently located close to 101. Large parking lot with handicap parking in front of the entrance or street parking. Very friendly and helpful staff, warmly greeted. Delicious, authentic food dishes from Hidalgo and Oaxaca. Extensive menu with vegetarian section. Very tasty, big portions, reasonably priced. We got take out (due to late arrival) and returned two days later for dinner. Yummy, highly recommended. Best Mexican food I recall. Apparently a family run business, lots of local patrons. Very busy in the evening, but order was served quickly. Must have restaurant stop when transiting or coming to Salinas!

Denise Dhein Went there to have lunch with a girlfriend. A very cheery place..Christmas tree. Pointsetias on every table. Great menu and service. Also very clean. I had the prime rib sando and my girlfriend had the Big Bird turkey. Both delicious and ample. The onion rings were good. Im bringing my girls group next month. Occasional noise from an air plane..hey. its an airport.

Lilly Arce Found this gem of a restaurant on google. Located in old town Salinas, it’s friendly & inviting atmosphere. I ordered the eggs with ham steak & breakfast potatoes. DELISH! The orange juice was fresh & the coffee was freshly brewed. Isabel & the rest of staff was friendly & attentive. I would recommend anyone to have breakfast here

Megha Saini Truly stands out with its exceptional combination of delicious food, impeccable cleanliness, and welcoming atmosphere. From the moment you step in, the staffs warmth and professionalism make you feel right at home. The restaurant itself is spotlessly clean, creating a pleasant environment to enjoy their flavorful Mexican dishes. Each bite is a testament to their dedication to quality and authenticity, making El Zacatecano a must-visit for anyone seeking an outstanding dining experience.

Salas Json “J-Gante” Great location and selection of authentic dishes. The chips and Salsa are delicious! Awesome specials Friday-Saturday!!

Laurencio Ronquillo Excellent place! Service from staff is friendly, professional and superb. They go the extra mile to make sure your experience is comfortable and flawless. The menu is extensive, with options for every palate and all kinds of proteins. Seafood, beef, chicken and pork. The place is clean, lively and spacious plenty off street parking. Portions and prices are also very good making this place an absolute gem in value.

Chris Ross Excellent carnitas tacos. Crispy and tender

Stephanie Wing We just happened upon this wonderful place after viewing the nearby Mission. Darling place inside and out. The menu offered a lot. We both got the chicken with rice and veggies, onion rings and the veggie plate. Chicken was very tender and came with teriyaki sauce. Yum. The rice was lovely and not el dente, which we both do not like. Veggies were fresh and the ranch was fabulous, just enough flavor. However, the KING of the meal, were the Onion Rings. WOWEEEEEEE I almost did not eat my meal, they were so good. Crispy and flavorful on the outside, and creamy onion on the inside. Perfect combo.

Christina Federighi Staff was excellent. The vibe was nice, an authentic family feel. The verde must’ve been a day old. But it was fine. Pretty salty. Over all my family had a really great time. Happy to see the mariachis.

Thomas Blackington Ate here while passing through Salinas. Food was excellent; everyone we interacted with was friendly and helpful. Would definitely eat here again if I were in the area.

James Stanchfield Julian keep this place going. 2 Full bars, Meatballs are superb, they play Hi-NRG music. The only place that feels like back home on the Beast Coast. They hold it down for the Best Coast. Try the meatballs. To-Go is in Aluminum

George Castro What a great place to drop into when in the Salinas area.. the food is great and service was excellent.

Kevin Twidle I was a bit dubious going in, it just looked a little old from the outside. Well, it is old but its wonderful, wood paneling everywhere. There is a great looking bar partitioned from the seating area by a wood and glass partition. All the tables are small booths. It felt nice and cozy. The service was good and I had one of the best pork chops I have ever had. It was super thick and juicy, delicious. I have been back since, still great!

K S Wow. What a great night. Awesome people and amazing food. The beer was ice cold and the shrimp was perfect. Awesome memories were made tonight.