Doesn't Recommend

BenMarto

Joined 4 years ago

Very disappointing.. Very disappointing. Dishes that were described as "Vegetarian" are actually made with lard and rice that is cooked in chicken broth! Undoubtedly many vegetarians have eaten here without inquiring about this.

In addition, the service was mediocre, as was the food.

There are several much better Mexican restaurants in town - try Isabella's around the corner on Park off California.

Doesn't Recommend

aeisner007

Joined 11 years ago

Happy Hour that is Bogus Hour. The sign said: "Happy Hour in the Bar"..bueno, I thought. We had margaritas and main courses. The Margaritas were good...the carne asada was cardboard. The chips were incredibly greasy.

The surprise was on the check.....not really a Happy Hour...the drinks are all full price!...Evidently, there is a free appetizer only, and that wasn't offered to us. The "manager" said this is how it's been for 45 years.......ah, so that's why the ripoff is acceptable.....do yourself a favor and to elsewhere.............

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Restaurant serves traditional Mexican cuisine including nachos, chimichangas, steak, burgers plus offers a full bar.. In Short
Popular restaurant features an outdoor patio, potent margaritas, and reasonably priced entrees from $5 to $10. A popular item is the Cancun platter consisting of shrimps, crabs and scallops covered in cheese. Other notable menu items include the enchiladas, chile relleno and burritos served in ample portions. Locals quench their thirst with the large selection of homemade margaritas that cost $5.25 and up. Inside, brightly painted walls help create a bright and cheerful atmosphere.

Doesn't Recommend

gjagiello

Joined 10 years ago

Really, really terrible. This is easily the worst Mexican food I've ever purchased. The "enchilada" consisted of a large flour tortilla stuffed with cheese - including American cheese, for some reason - and paired up with just painfully terrible rice. Not fluffy, delicious, steamy arroz...hard, 'Rice-a-roni" style flavorless rice. I'm 99% sure the salsa is made in a factory far far from here, and might even be Pace -- it is a cooked, roasted green chile salsa (a clue to me that it isn't house made) with zero heat, and without any merit. My wife ordered chicken fajitas, which were just plain bad. They had been far overcooked on a flat grill, with too much vegetable oil, and really no actual flavor. The onions and peppers were blackened and reduced to a paste. I know there are plenty of people out there who LOVE this place, and I really wanted to, as well...but it is just bad food, period. I honestly think you could do better by stopping at Safeway and picking up ingredients from the Mexican aisle.

Recommends

j53

Joined 9 years ago

Celia's Beats out the Competitors!. I've been a loyal fan of Celia's for the past 16 years, and have eaten at 4 of their locations (the Peninsula Ave in Burlingame & the El Camino Real in Palo Alto are the best sites). The food is CONSISTANTLY good, the service is fast and friendly, and the prices are great! We've never had a bad meal at Celia's and will continue to return as long as they're in business. Keep up the good work! Gracias.

Recommends

bimmerle

Joined 9 years ago

Celia's is grrreat!. my girlfriend and i have lived in palo alto for a couple years and have been to tons of the restaurants around here. there's one place we ALWAYS go back to. CELIA'S IS THE BEST! the food is great, the service is great, and the ambiance is fun. highly recommended!

Recommends

rikkim

Joined 10 years ago

Great Food!. This place has some of the best choices in Mexican Food at reasonable prices. It's both quantity AND quality food.

Downside is parking. Not a lot of it right at the restaurant and hard to get out of.

Recommends

maga

Joined 10 years ago

Come on..... Celia's is a great place for a stiff margarita, and always a good place to hang out with a group, but it's not somewhere you go for the FOOD!? Good Mexican mole shouldn't taste like it comes from a bottle. Try Estrellita's, one block south of El Camino down the road in Los Altos. Now that's Mexican food.