Malena's Taco Shop

I actually think Malena's is the best Mexican food in Seattle. Ok, I can hear the Texans and Californians arguing that "best Mexican in Seattle" doesn't say very much but this food is really good -- and really cheap. Although they don't have the delicious margaritas available at El Camino, I think the food is actually better and it costs about 1/3 the price at El Camino. This is a classic hole-in-the-wall neighborhood joint -- and the salsa is delicious. Give Malena's a try -- I think you will enjoy it. more

I've only been there once and I had a cold so my tastebuds weren't completely accurate. However, I know good fresh Mexican sinced I've lived in California,this is not the horrid family Mexican that seems to be the majority across Washington. Fresh homemade guacamole, rich delicious roasted meats and its cheap. Definately the kind of place to go when you want something quick to eat. I do agree with previous reviewers that they were lacking spice. I think that they could probably kick it up a notch. Regardless, a gem. more

Ok, I'll admit I have only been to this place once. I got a chicken burrito, which was about taco del mar sized, but thankfully not nearly as watery, and the meat was very good. The veggies tasted fresh and their "sauce" was okay. But something was missing. ANY remote taste of hotness -- donde hotness? It was not hot _at all_. In addition, I liked the taste of their "hot" sauce, but again, NO hotness to it. Don't get me wrong, I can barely handle a "2" at a Thai restaurant, so i wasn't asking for much here. On the plus side, their prices are very reasonable, the atmosphere seems very genuine, and the service is quick. They do have a wide variety of choices: pork tacos, chordizo, all sorts of burritos and more. I do plan on returning, despite the lack of spice. How often do you find a remotely genuine "taco stand" in Seattle anyway? more

Malena's is a little "hole in the wall" Mom and Pop type restaurant on Queen Anne that caters mostly to take out. By "hole in the wall", I mean it is small, very small with a down home feel to it.There is some limited seating, bar style against the front window with approximately four tables inside and at least one table on the sidewalk outside where you can keep an eye on Fido and still enjoy really good homestyle Mexican food. Every order is made from scratch, utilizing freshly prepped ingredients, so special requests are not difficult for them to accomedate. Both English and Spanish are spoken by the employees, who by the way are very friendly. Malena's is low tech and only accepts cash or checks. It isn't hard to find, located between 6th and 7th streets on McGraw. Look for the place with a line out the door as us locals have already discovered it! more

It's hard to find good tacos in Seattle, but Malena's on McGraw in Queen Anne does a good job. Their asada ones are particularly good, and the tortilla isn't fried (unlike with the pork and chicken ones). Avoid the burritos. Though they're not cold-in-the-middle bad as they are at Taco Del Mar, they include green peppers, which doesn't work for me. Their salsa, which they sell to go, is also great. more

Malenas is the real thing. Great, simple food for great prices in a teeny neighborhood-oriented spot. You can get food to go or to eat there. If you eat there, you get chips and salsa while you wait. more

I've found best taco and burritos for your buck in Seattle! This small and friendly taco place in a quiet neighborhood of Queen Anne only has a few tables and a counter. The way it works is here very simple: you order your food at the cashier and they will bring you a free chips and salsa while you wait for your food. Their homemade salsa is very yummy. My favorite is fish taco :-) more