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La Pinata (Guzman) (Mexican cuisine)  $$

 7.67
JaT Rating

39136 Paseo Padre, Fremont, 94538  (Directions)


510.790.6550


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Mexican restaurant bar with monsterous Tequila selection


Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 1040
Reviewed: 12/4/2004
Rating: 7.5
My photo gallery 		La Pinata in the east bay should not be confused with the La Pinata location in San Mateo. Different owners and food. The east bay La Pinata boasts 5 restaurants who are each operated separately by the Guzman family. We visited the Fremont location which holds a excellent selection of Tequila.

We didnt have a chance to enjoy the large restaurant, we ordered our food to go. Their chips are excellent but, whats the deal with charging for chips? Cmon...jatbar frets upon that, about 95% of the other mexican restaurants provide free chips, La Pinata should too.

I ordered a super carne asada burrito. It was gigantic...I only finished half of it. I normally dont get guacamole or sour cream but wanted to venture out a bit from the norm. The guac had way too much lime and was lacking in the garlic department but thats just a preference for me. Tortilla was soft, beans were ok, rice was so so, and asada was bland. There wasnt even that much beef in it. The only thing this burrito did to me was fill me up.

So if Im complaining this much about the asada, why would I give it a 7.5? Well my friends got the carnitas burrito and dammm that was good. Carnitas was full of flavor, tender, and crunchy on the ends. I would make a return visit just for that.
 


Reviewer: Terry
Total Reviews: 739
Reviewed: 12/8/2004
Rating: 7.5
My photo gallery 		I went to La Pinata with my family for dinner. It wasn't too crowded which was good. Its a very warm atmosphere inside and I enjoyed the place immensely. I ordered their Veggie Super Burrito and a Pacifico. The chips and salsa came on the table. The chips were OK, the salsa was good. I had to get a second saucer of the stuff. Anyway, the burrito arrived it was MASSIVE. Definitely ranks in the top 5 burritos for size. I cracked into it. The shell was a bit flaccid and flavorless but the rest of the ingredients were pretty fresh and exciting. I do not think they put any cheese inside the burrito, or if they did it wasn't very much. This was a little disappointing. The rice was mostly just filler and not too much flavor. If you want an easily-accessible mexican place with a wide variety of dishes I think you will be pleased with La Pinata. While the dishes may be uninspiring for the true mexican connoisuer I believe it will be a good place for the visitor who rarely visits a taqueria and wants to sample some fine mexican cooking.
 
  RETURN VISIT for Terry! 2/13/2007 - 8 Rating: My family ate here tonight again and this time we had a more informal sit down experience. We got chips and salsa on the table. Chips were free and quite tasty, nice salt to them. Salsa was spicy, but wasn't the best. Passable.

I went with the enchilada combination (both cheese) with refried beans and rice. While waiting for my food to arrive, I looked over the tequila menu. None for me today, but I am still in shock at their impressive selection. A lot of bargain selections, on up to the most expensive I saw - $195. For a shot. 2 ounces. wow.

The enchiladas arrived and were a good full plate of food. The enchiladas were a solid 7.5 or 8. I wasn't too crazy about the sauce on top, but the rest of it was good. Refried were on the runny side, but tasted good. Rice was just OK.

My wife got the carnitas plate and thought it was among the best she has had in the bay area. So something to try for you carnitas lovers.

I liked the feel of the place. Homey feeling but not old fashioned. Service was prompt and courteous. Plenty of good kids selections (even non mexican items, which is a relief some days).
 
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