Malenas tacos is one of the saddest excuses for a mexican restaurant. I heard so many great things about it and it was not till I experiensed it that I realized that its a great place to eat if you are white and in a hurry. Im not trying to be offensive but its true thats why you never see MEXICANS eating there, they know better. Taco time makes more authentic tasting food and believe me I should know. I was raised south of the border and travel back and forth frequently. Please give other restaurants a try I would recomed El Matador (ballard) or Pesos (lower queen Anne).

P.S.
and to health finnatics stay away from their Guacamole I was told it was made half avocado and half MAYO to preserve it.

My husband LOVES Malenas and was practically jumping for joy when it reopened. I, however, remember the bug that crawled out of the rice there one time. I hope this time they keep the kitchen a little cleaner - who knows, since it's all new, I may be willing to give it another chance. Somehow my husband was never deterred by the bug incident, either that says something about his taste or the food is THAT good.

Say what you want Malenas is good, cheap, and local. For all of you "Authentic" Mexican food eaters, you can join all of the "real bagel eaters" in the urinal. Eat the cake. Its real.

YUMMY! Went back today to remember if I liked Malena's or not. All I remembered from the last time I went was that the salsa was great, albeit a little hot for me. My wife thinks it's tops! Anyway we had the Carna Asda and the chicken taco's combos and both were great...it's always a nice touch when you actually want to eat the beans and rice as apposed to some other places I won't mention. KUDOS Malena's....I hope you do well. BTW, it was crowded today at lunch which is a good sign.

Yay! They have the best homemade salsa and I love their burritos! I'm so happy they're open again!

By yourself? If you're going to have a good hissy fit, shouldn't an innocent employee of a Mexican restaurant take the brunt of it? Why waste a good hissy fit by having no victim?

blacksheep:
i missed the hissy fit as well. i guess i will just have to have my own hissy fit today all by myself.

Was I the only myballardite that missed this hissy fit?

omg! boxcar and Sman, i was there too! that lady was insane! my husband and i were impressed with how nuts she really was. i was standing right next to her and she called the guy ringing everyone up a mother f*cker. i almost punched her.

it was good but yea, the wait was a little bit crazy.. we waited about 35 minutes... the food was good though! glad we went.

El puerco lloron downtown is the real deal. Does any one object? I did grow in a Mexican town in California with a mexican family and so did my wife so yes I can say what good Mexican food is.

I think i need to try something else there. The two tamales today I had were kinda small, very dry and as shocking as it is for me to say... bland (and i'm not one to eat spicey foods at ALL) but was hoping for a little something. I'm willing to give it another try or two to see if i can find something thats better suited to my tastes.

Mmm mmm, mmm. Authentic or not, I am delighted that Malena's has reopened. My husband waited nearly an hour to bring our dinner home tonight, but what a feast -- and super cheap: dinner for 4 for $12!

I went there too and had to wait too - not because anyone was loafing - it was crowded. The food was good, the staff were all very friendly and apologetic for the long wait. They even began giving out a basket of chips and salsa for those that were waiting.

I was there when the woman was complaining and agreed that she was causing a scene that drew attention and my reaction to her was not positive either.

Now, I wish they had a liquor license so they could serve beer.

These people are working hard, and offering a great deal... 50% off!!! DON"T BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU.

Thanks again , Malena's, for re-opening in this generous fashion. Glad you are back.

Just got back, and I am stuffed.

Everything was better than I remembered, larger portions, tastier, etc!!! For half price!!!

It was crowded, so be prepared for at least a 20 min wait, they are open till 9pm tonight.

To the obnoxious, impatient lady who was nearly causing a scene over her rice & beans and extra salsa: You are an embarrassment to your family, I hope you choked on 'em!

happy they are back in business!

SMan, that is just cold.

And hilarious. But shame on you, all the same.

wait a minute.. i havent heard one mention of Gorditos! Easily the best burrito on the planet.

My husband is Mexican and is perfectly happy eating at Malena's, Michohacan, Oaxaca, Matador, and even...gasp...Azteca. As long as the food is yummy and filling who cares if it's "authentic". He gets his "real" mexican food when his Grandma comes up to visit from Mexico.

If it wasn't Ash Wednesday we'd be down there tonight. Actually, he may just go without me, he's not much for "authentic" religion either ;)

I feared as much. And here I thought I was the only one. Malena my heart breaks, and yet, I can't keep away.

i like el chupacabra but its true. their food is subpar. i will eat it and enjoy it but its pretty low quality. the shredded cheese is still has visible outlines after its melted.. aaack. i have a feeling they water down their hot sauces too.. im actually pretty sure of it since my favorite hot sauce that i have at home is there and their's tastes like water. boo. but i do like the place and will go again. just dont go expecting "real" mexican food. whatever that may be.

Ben - LOL. I hope you don't get upset, but I plan to see her tonight and I expect it'll be more than a one night stand.

Dear Malena's,

My heart was broken when you burned. We were seeing each other two, sometimes three times a week. At least on my side, I felt like we were really developing a serious relationship. I had never had feelings for a Mexican restaurant like that before. If I went for more than a few days without seeing you, my heart would start to hurt. Also my tummy would grumble. Then, suddenly, you were gone. I didn't know what to do. I felt alone. I tried Senor Moose. Yeah it's good but it's also a bit complicated. With you, it was always so simple and easy. I thought about trying Azteca but I knew I'd just feel dirty afterwards. I was lost. Then I saw this post. I couldn't believe it. I ran straight to you. You're a little brighter and a little cleaner but it's still you my sweet sweet Malena's. The asada burrito was just as I remembered it. I love you and I'm so happy to have you back. Please make sure the fire extinguisher is in working order because I can't lose you again.

xo,
Ben

Malena's hole in the wall up on Queen Anne has been serving up cheap (used to be cheaper) Mexican food for at least a dozen years. To open up a second restaraunt in Ballard tells you they're doing something right. Tough not to like a soft corn tortilla filled with carne asada, guac, tomatoes, diced onion and their delicious salsa.

The "regulars" of El Chupacabra ruin it, you want constant stare downs and that unwelcome feeling, go there. Altough they got those great homemade sauces and the burritos are pretty good.

el chupacabra? Please ... the place sucks

Senor Moose is great and they also have a vegan mole sauce which is great - then my husband doesn't have to order yet another tostada (but I love the manchamanteles - decidedly not vegan).
Malenas is good for a quick meal and the proprietors are very friendly.

biophile, Senor Moose does serve chilaquiles. I recommend trying this place for breakfast or dinner.

I'll have to try Malena's - a couple of walkers told me that it as I peered in when it was still being remodeled.

Congratulations to Malena's on their reopening. Personally, it's refreshing to go to just a simple, unpretentious, non-trendy/gentrified place for a casual meal at an affordable price during the week. Good food, friendly service, uninflated prices.

Malena's is just simple mexican food, no cliche or what have you. I used to frequent them a lot back when I attended BHS after school, I'm glad to see them reopen. The folks who run it are always very friendly.

Thanks for the great suggestions, everyone. I will report back when I try some of these. I have been to Michoacan, it's alright. Super nice family, and I really go to support the business. The margaritas there: meh. Tailwind, I'll be coming over in about 15 minutes.

i'm with DC (#17) on this one; and happy to be stopping by Malena's for dinner tonight.

@ 15 gooner, awesome point about azteca.

Does anyone really eat there?

Senor Moose. Yum. I'm sure the customer demographics are different, but I wonder if Malena's might have lost some customers permanently to SM by being shut down for a year.

And if you want to toss authenticity entirely out the window, the Mission-style burritos at Chupacabra on Phinney Ridge are excellent.

Senior Moose has the best Mexican food I've ever tasted. For tacos, I'm all about Rancho Bravo in Wallingford.

biophile:

I agree with your comment about the lack of good margaritas in the Seattle area. Michoacan's are decent. El Camino...not bad. There's also a place in Bellingham (Dos Padres) that serves pretty good ones. Otherwise, the best ones are at my house.

Do you really have to be an authentic Mexican to enjoy authentic Mexican food? By that rationale, what food should an authentic white dude like myself be an expert on? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches?

I second Michoacan.
Best taquitos ever, amazing leg o' lamb, tamales yum...
Oh yeah, and addictive margaritas.

Taco trucks are where it's at!

I second the recommendations for Senor Moose, their food is awesome, just expect to wait before your seated.

I'm glad they're re-opened. I don't know (and don't care, frankly) about "authentic" - but Malena's is easy, cheap & good. They're a local small business I'm happy to support.

I have always gotten a good meal at a fair price from friendly people at malenas.

might i also recommend azteca... the 8.99 mexi burrito with the mazatlan sauce is awesome.

very authentic

@ biophile - try Senor Moose on Leary across from OAC. The woman who started it owned her own restaurant in Mexico City for years and she's the first to tell you that she doesn't serve "Tex-Mex".

Erik, sorry to say I will probably never be upper middle class. I'm first generation, baby. I am not Mexican, but I do miss my homies and my roots. And before some hater tells me to go back, I am also a legal, voting citizen that contributes actively to my US community. Thankyouverymuch.

Boxcar - Do they have chilaquiles? When I'm in the area, I'll definitely look for La Troka. Thanks.

Nothing like upper middle class white people in the Pacific Northwest complaining about 'authentic' Mexican food. Oh wait - I used to live in CA, NM, TX, so I KNOW authentic Mexican food. Right buddy...

senor moose is supremely excellent.

glad to see malena's is back.

I love their chicken taquitos.....
I like Malenas because its simple, easy in and out. The people working were always friendly and happy. Nice place to stop for a snack before the walk home.

oops... here it is:

http://b9.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/01239/91/00/...

The taco truck in White Center, on 15th or 16th? That is worth checking out if you are up for the trek.

I was pretty impressed with Restaurante Michoacan when I went. It is on 15th just north of 83rd.

I know I'll probably stir up the pot, but I've always felt that the Mexican restaurants in Seattle cater to the predominant ethnic community here, and are not true to the culture. Bland & sad. I have yet to eat at any exceptional Mexican restaurant in this city. I know you'll say, what about Carta de Oaxaca? Passable. In fairness, I have not eaten at Malena's Tacos yet. *Please* give me a good recommendation if I'm wrong. In the meantime, I see them all as convenience food, not great and not terrible. Just easier than me cooking. Don't even get me started on a good margarita...

I just think it's basic, cheap mexican food, not much else. Not the greatest, but I am loyal to them. I go there for their salsa, its not chunky... but I think I like it for all the cilantro in it? Never had a bad meal there, but it may not be up to some peoples higher standards, I guess.

I was suprised to read all the bad comments last time around. I've had nothing but excellent food there. I think the key to having success at Melena's is ordering the right thing. For me, it's only two items...the asada burrito and the chicken tacos. That's it. I've tried other things, but always come back to those two items.

I'm psyched they're open again.

I know we've been over how un-fabulous the food here is.... but I'm gonna be the one to bring it up again.

I was so EXCITED to eat here. My tacos were LAME. I've never gone back.

Is there something here that I'm missing? Is it something other than the tacos that folks love here?