El Jardin Restaurant

Food was amongst the best casual Mexican I’ve ever had. The pork was moist with a lime infusion, lemon chicken tacos were VERY tasty. The flour tortilla chips, versus the standard corn, made the wonderful bean dip into a real treat. Chile rijano had a strong smokey flavor. The salsa was obviously fresh made, subtle spice, strong flavors, just right for a kid or a gringo. Service was or not, friendly, attentive. We got the chance to talk with an owner, she is all about fresh, big portions and modest pricing. This place is a winner in my book.

Been to the Manteca location various times but today was my first day into this Modesto location. It’s very clean and set up very nice. The food I found to be lacking a little compared to Manteca. The red sauce was a little too thick, almost gloppy, and the enchilada could have been hotter. The beans and rice were fantastic, like always and the flour chips and salsa are my fav thing! The server was amazing! Very polite, very attentive making it a very pleasant experience. I would def go back and give it another shot but based on today the Manteca location is def better.

Food was good when it arrived. Waitress did not speak English and did not realize I ordered the sampler appetizer. Beer is cold. The Turlock location is much better.

This place is incredible! I’m not sure why it’s not busy. I had Pollo a la parilla with onions & jalapeños. It was so flavorful. Only add jalepeno if you like a lot of heat! They are fresh with the seeds. I also got fried ice cream for dessert. It was way too much for one, but so yummy! The service was great, but it wasn’t busy. I’m sad I didn’t find this place last week in my travels! I will be back!

I was happy to see a Mexican restaurant again where La Taquiza had been for so long. The décor was a huge improvement I hoped the food would be too. While La Taquiza had a more casual lunch décor, their food and service were great. I liked the flour tortilla chips but when we got more chips it was only corn tortilla. For being just after lunch and nearly empty the service was soo slow. We had to get up and find the server who was standing in the back talking just to order then never saw her again until I again found her to bring the check. It’s over priced for basic Mexican food that we could have found at a taco truck. It bugs me when places have invested in the décor and expect to pass all that expense in to customers. It’s business to reflect that in your prices but this felt like we were now financing this gamble.

I was excited to see another Mexican restaurant in downtown Modesto. I’ve been to the other locations so I was happy to see one walking distance from my work. The location is great, the place is decorated really nice and the service was great. Our waitress was very friendly and checked on us often. Love their flour tortillas and salsa! I ordered the Enchiladas a la Parrilla and they were pretty good, I really enjoyed the rice and beans. My friend ordered the carne asara torta and she completely raved about it. I will definitely be going back!

Just had a great dinner at El Jardin. Everything was delicious.
My husband had the crab enchilada & I had the Chicken Fajita’s. Food was prepared fresh & very tasty.
Staff very friendly.
We will be back!

Went for lunch and loved every bite! They give flour tortillas with the corn chips, we asked for a few more because they were so good and they brought us a whole bowl full.
I ordered the Chimichanga supreme with steak. It was huge! For $ 9 it was worth it, the portion was very generous. It was topped with guac and sour cream and the steak was very tender and seasoned well.
My friend ordered the chicken tacos and I had to sample them, the chicken was moist and seasoned perfectly. I really liked their rice and the salsa was good, not too hot. They also gave us some cabbage dip which was pretty tasty.
The other review about the prices being too high was ridiculous. The lunch specials we’re $ 7-​$ 9 with huge portions. I will definitely go back, the location is great because it’s just across the street from the movie theater.

The food is ok, expensive, we split the nachos at happy hour, with a michalada and the house margharita. We were here with 10 peolpe and they couldn’t figure out how to reconfigure the bar to accomidate. They spent literally an hour putting out water, chips and salsa. Everybody’s food came out at DRASTICALLY different times and my drink didn’t come until I was almost done eating. They need to get the service act together.

We went to have dinner at El Jardin this evening. Ample portions, great presentation, authentic, and DELICIOUS! Casual atmosphere. We sat in the booth by the window and were very comfortable and served very well. This was our first time there and we will definitely return.

First time at this location. Food was pretty good. Service was not that great. It took a long time for the waiter to arrive and never bothered to go over any specials with us. We saw a couple we knew who came over and spoke with us. They told us they would not be returning. I told him that my meal was actually decent. The bean and cheese burrito my daughter ordered was spicy for her. I like the spicy flavors but probably not a good idea on a kids meal. Again, my biggest issue with this place was the service. The waiter never came back once to refill drinks or ask «how was everything.» I’m really pulling for this place but first impressions are everything. Prices were too high, especially for the service received. My suggestion, lower prices 15% and make sure your wait staff is on it… This place has room for improvement.

We usually drive to manteca to eat El Jardin, since discovering they have one in Modesto now we thought we would give it a try… No point in ever going back to Manteca!
It’s ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Dinner hour was perfect, we were seated immediately. The service was EXCELLENT! Friendly staff. It was bright & vibrant in décor, which made a comfortable atmosphere. And the food was beyond amazing!
This will be our new fav spot!. If I had any suggestion at all it would be that they would serve Pepsi instead or in addition to coke. Otherwise GREAT PLACE!!!

First time at this location. Restaurant is clean and centrally located. Great to see a Hispanic Restaurant in down town Modesto. Customer service from our waiter was fine. The food was ok. I have visited other locations of El Jardin and remember the food having more flavor. Seems sometimes when restaurants expand, which is a great thing, but unfortunately the value and quality of food is jeopardized. Will be back and hope next time the «flavor» of El Jardin that I love will improve at this location, at least.

Excellent. Period. A little hard to find because it’s nestled in between a lot of shops downtown. But when you step in it’s not small. Clean restaurant is important to me, and Eljardin is very clean. Staff very polite and professional, our waitress even gave us a small sample of the food when we were undecided. Close to shops and movie theatre. Food is fresh and colorful. We enjoyed it all. Don’t stay with the plain menu items like tacos or a burrito. This place you need to experience the house specials like the pollo con crema… Happy hour is also great. Great place for kids, and groups of ppl. Price is moderate and reasonable. Will be back!

Very nice restaurant. Had a large birthday group of 10 people and the service was quick for such a big party. Lunch prices are very reasonable and good was tasty.

Accidentally wrote in the Modesto one instead of the Turlock one.

Their food is very tasty. Lots of flavor !!!
They serve a few flour tortilla chips along with their corn chips/​salsa/​bean dip/​cabbage .
I’ve been to the ones in Manteca. Sonora, Columbia, turlock, and Oakdale. Each has a unique tile work, must be done by a family member — nice atmosphere
Yes it’s a little pricey. They were very busy for lunch

Don’t go for lunch. Way over priced for what you get. And the order I received didn’t match the menu.
You can save you time and money by going around the corner.