Mesa's Mexican Grill - Bakersfield, California

Jeffrey Higbee

It's been awhile since I've made a review but I had to write this for others out there considering this place to eat at. It's very rare that anything these days stands out quite like Mesa Mexican Grill. I met a friend here for dinner a few years ago and I will always remember the huge portions and quality fresh food that it was. I was a fan back then. Not so much currently. I decided to try it again yesterday, June 7, 2024.

I walked into the establishment about 4:30pm on a friday and noticed no one around. 1 man arrived after me as I was getting ready to leave. There were essentially 2 counter workers for walk ins and 1 take out worker manning the drive through window. I decided to order 1 chicken quesadilla and 1 nachos without protein. Merely chips, beans, rice, and cheese. The workers were not very friendly. When I was making my order they made me wait and no one was in there. I have 2 things to order and say one item and he turns his back and starts his air frying quesadilla work. It felt like as I was making my order I was at a high school stadium snack bar. Absolutely no cooks. It was like everything they had was out front in the window. No one in back. The order takers became cooks that just grab the cold food up front to throw on air fryers in front of you.

The quesadilla was made with graded cheese that the counter worker again just grabbed from the front display window. I was thinking wow, it's been awhile since I've seen this tactic. The chicken meat were cut in cubes and very tough and dry, not even close to fresh. Taco bell quesadillas are 5 times better. I could make it better myself. The tortilla had no flavor. There was not near enough cheese. Absolutely no flavor. I learned about this later as I was eating it. Quite possibly the worst quesadilla I have ever had, let alone purchased. The nachos were very close to that type of bad. I should've ordered protein that 2 counter workers questioned me on. I said no both times to nacho protein. I asked if that was ok and she said yeah we have to ask it. So as she was ringing me up the total for 2 real basic items was nearly $28. I left thinking I was over charged and that it better be great. Never have I been so disappointed and it takes a lot for that level of disappointment. Service, environment, quality, etc. I will never go back. It was that bad and quite frankly I will be surprised if it stays open much longer at the rate it's going. They need a major face lift or get something new and start over from scratch.

Ariena Swarthout

I normally don’t do reviews but this place needs one! This was our first time eating here and honestly I would have rather gone to Taco Bell! We ordered tacos and they were soggy and little to no meat, the meat that was in it was rough and dry. The cheese was hard and the there was more lettuce than anything. Very disappointed Definitely won’t be going back!

Daniel Johnson

This place was pretty good. I liked the style of the restaurant. The food was good, even above average, but didn't stand out as being incredible compared to other options. I did like that the portion sizes were very large. That said, you pay for those large portion sizes. I felt like the bill was a bit higher than I was expecting while ordering. Adding extra toppings can add up. I got the loaded nachos and my wife got a Cali burrito. The kids split a bean and cheese, which was definitely big enough for them to share. My wife and I should have shared the nachos. They were huge and in the end I couldn't eat all of them. In fact I only got down about 2/3 of them and had to toss the rest. That's very abnormal for me. I wished that the nachos were served different. The chips got so soggy under all the toppings. If the chips, with real cheese melted on, were served in one tray and the toppings in another they would have been better. Then I would have saved them instead of trashing the leftovers. I'll prob eat here again and try that with the nachos.

Scott Smith

We hit this place for drive through Mexican Food when we have a craving and don't feel like sitting in a noisy busy restaurant.
My wife likes the Nachos, I've had the Yellow Bellies several times, branches out the other day and ordered chicken fajitas. Good Choice. The nacho chips weren't the freshest we've had there, but waay better than the worst we had there (years ago). Refries are always good there, and the rice is too - both kinds.
I always get black beans, my wife gets pinto. Had cilantro lime rice this last time, she had spanish.
It's similar to chipotle grill, pick this base, pick that protein, pick these sides, etc. Mesa Grill is closer to our house and we've yet to hear of any scandals with their staff or food. Plus it's drive thru if u choose.

Maria Ott

The food was good but not great. The portions were alright for the price. I'm giving them a 3 star review because I Doordashed my order and I had missing items which was disappointing considering the good reviews they have.

Zeke Hanscom

Was out running errands today and decided to try Mesa’s. Good parking, interior was clean and had a line where they make your food as you pass. I had the three taco plate, Soft corn tortillas and Carne Asada topped with grilled onions, and, of course, habanero salsa. Choice of beans and rice, or chips. I chose chips and ordered some guacamole. Two sizes of drinks, regular and large, free refills. Pepsico beverages Mug root beer, Dr Pepper, Tea, and Horchata. Sat at a table where I could watch a soccer game. There are three big screen TVs with different programs. The tacos were good but nothing to rave at. I have to say the cost was a little more than I would have thought. Will have to return to try one of the burritos.

Julie Oberlies

This is the third time I’ve dined in here since moving to the neighborhood a year ago. The food is pretty tasty but everything else is frustrating. The acoustics are terrible so you have to repeat yourself multiple times before they get your order done. They are always out of some ingredient. The dining room is always unkempt and the floor is sticky. There is a ton of food on the floor behind the counter. And, the dining room is hot. I doubt I’ll be back.

Chad Maximoff

My wife and I were craving tacos. Honestly, we've been really disappointed with all the different places we had tried in the recent past and just wanted to find a place that made great tacos like we used to get. We're not from Bakersfield and we're just visiting some friends, and Google this place on the way out of town. But let me tell you, from now on we will visit Mesa's Mexican Grill whenever we pass through Bakersfield!! We got steak tacos with cabbage and cheese on top and black beans and Spanish rice. I can't speak yet for the rest of the menu but these were the tacos we were craving all this time! I would highly recommend anybody to try them out. And I will be trying the other items on their menu soon, but based on what I've had so far all All I can say is.... "DAMN THESE ARE SOME KILLER TASTING TACOS!!!!"