Maria Elena’s Mexican - Lake Station

Alviso is part of San Jose. The really separate part away from all the high tech, highways and shoping centers. On the north side of Highway 237 it is an isolated community just off the southern end of the bay. And once you get there get to Maria Elena's. A small, family run restaurant with excellent and traditional mexican food. Just two for lunch and both getting the taco platters fish for me, meat for guest. Just perfectly prepared with the usual sides of rice and beans. And of course all the chips and dips you can eat. It does get crowded for lunch but well worth the wait. If the weather cooperates (it did not for our lunch) there is a large patio as well that helps with the crowd. Just make sure you are on the right side of The 237

Never had a bad meal at Maria Elena's and have been eating here for years. Everything from there chips and salsa to their entrees is good and made with fresh ingredients.

I just live this restaurant just an amazing food and such nice people. I am a huge foodie and this is one of my most visited places whenever I'm hungry.

Here 's why I 'm NEVER going there again.... and neither should you.. 1. I showed up at 12:40 for lunch... restaurant seats 64. There were 9 customers... can i sit at that table far away from the restroom ? Ans: No, we may get customers..... BUT there are 55 other seats available!! and its 12:45 on a weekday! 2. I see you have this dish with rice inside and another dish with veggies.. can you put the veggies on the other dish instead of rice? Ans: No, we cannot 3. Salsa was very watery, you had to hunt for tomato onion etc. 4. The menu says this dish has guacamole and spicy red sauce... but I didn 't find it ? Ans: We don 't put it bcs our customers don 't like it... BUT the menu describes them!! 5. After serving the dish, NOT ONCE did the waitress check up with a how 's it or can I get you anything ? 6.. Finally, the menu they have on their website with the prices is NOT the price in the restaurant... the prices are at least 40% higher! So, why should anyone go to this restaurant? Latinos are known for their good food and hospitality... except here... Mind you: ALL of this DESPITE telling the waiter when I got in, this is my first time, and I want to bring my team of 20 people here, if the foods ' good ...

My husband is working temporarily in San Jose and he discovered this place through work friends. We never expect good Mexican food outside of Texas and I wasn’t expecting too much when we pulled up to this rather low-key location. However, it reminds me of Tex-Mex food that I grew up with. It’s very good and we have a come back often. They have very good tamales but don’t have them available all the time. The enchiladas and burritos are very good. The homemade salsa is delicious but the chips they serve with it are less than desirable. And they have cold beer and good sangria!