Ooba's Mexican Grill

We go to oobas at least 2x month. It is prepared and grilled when you get there. The chipotle sauce is great and it is not an out of state chain.

Pros: Actually Freshly prepared

Cons: none

Posted 05/11/09

It's kinda sad a place with so much promise suffers from a almost complete lack of tact in treating customers...
How many times can a place SCREW UP the simplest orders ? when they ALWAYS ask for the same thing ? ?
If a customer asks for NO beans - simple, do NOT put in beans, etc., etc...
How arrogant can they be with senseless remarks insulting a customer's request by comparing it to " Burger King " ?
The prices are far from cheap for what you get - how much extra is it for polite service ??

Pros: tasty food, decent portions

Cons: terrible service, arrogant attitudes

Posted 05/08/09

Ooba's give you fresh quality mexican food with each dish having an unexpected twist - like the chicken plate contain string beans grilled for putting in your in your taco. Yum! Give it a try.

Pros: Delicious

Cons: Servings

Posted 08/24/08

If you go here, do yourself a favor and skip the burritos in favor of quesadillas, tacos or one of their specials that showcase the grilled meats and fish better. It's not exactly authentic Mexican food, but it's nothing like the typical Americanized garbage you'll find at chains like Azteca. I'd say it's more like Authentic Mexican with a northwest influence. They also have excellent salsas.

Pros: Great grilled food

Cons: Burritos aren't super great

Posted 08/06/08

Everyone I bring here loves this place - it's been a safe bet for the office group lunch (including the vegetarian and "weight watchers" co-workers) or dinner out w/your "friends w/picky-eater kids". Highly recommend any entree w/steak, the pork quesadilla and Juans shrimp tacos! Can't beat the chips, salsas and guac (huge, creamy chunks of avacado!)

Pros: Fast!

Posted 02/19/08

Ooba's is the best thing to have happened to the Pacific Northwest Mexican cuisine scene. Not to miss--chunky guac, salmon tacos, chicken enchiladas, and whatever the special is of the day. Yeah, you can get a burrito anywhere, but Ooba's is real food--pork chops, fresh grilled mahi mahi, skirt steak platters. Having grown up in Southern California, I love Oooba's authentic spices, sauces and salsas. You can't get better flavor and interesting entres than this.

Posted 02/08/08

Please dont go there...I went there reading the same reviews below mine...and i heard it was better than Chipotle..What a joke.....It was the most tasteless Mexican i have ever been..If anyone in this review list claim it to be good, then they havent been to any mexican place in their entire life..i was laughing seeing their gucamole..it looked like a soup rather than a paste, yet tasteless....Its not worth the money.,..everything is over priced and quantity is very very less...It wont even fill ur stomach 1/2 and the food is gone...i prefer chipotle much better than this...

Pros: hard to think

Cons: many to write

Posted 02/04/08

Ooba's is a very unique place, I'll give it that but when it comes down to it it's not all that great. The food isn't any different than other mexican places, the presentation is just a little different.

Their prices are pretty high, there is basically no seatting (at least in the bellevue branch), it's crowded, and they have to constantly yell as that is how they let you know your order is done. Definately don't go here if you are wanting to sit around and talk with firends. This is strictly a place to go when you are needing a quick lunch that you can take back to your desk. Even then, you are looking at $10.

Pros: Unique. Somewhat quick.

Cons: Expensive for what it is.

Posted 01/04/08

Your Grilled chicken and shirmp tacos rock! Can work on being more clean of your establishment but overall prices are good and food is good

Posted 12/20/07

I have been a customer of Ooba's since its inception in 1997. I fondly remember chatting with Craig and Mark after going for a run along the slough and then walking in for a side of chicen and beans. My wfie and I loved it so much at one point that we offered our own roasted corn salsa (an "Eating Well" magazine derived recipe) to Lisa as a token of our appreciation. The food they serve has always been consistent and the service cordial. However, one thing we've noticed over the years is an aversion to "special" ordering. We've always done this at their shop because we prefer black beans, to add salsa ourselves, and to omit the pico de gallo and crema de chipotle individually. It seems strange, but I'd reckon that easily 6 times out of 10 the kitchen has failed to omit the various salsas etc. as ordered. We get home, and well, the wife and daughter toss their meals as inedible for them. Now, from time to time, we've called them on this and they have comp'd us replacements. However, their tendency of blowing these very simple requests -- basically "plain" chicken burrittos (chicken, black beans and rice only) or plain chicken quesadillas (cheese and chicken only) -- has been odd to say the least. Then, the other day, Mark (one of the owners) lectured my wife about how much of a bother these special requests had become. "You people think this like Burger King." Wow, Mark. She was a bit shocked with the attitude after all these years. Well, we've become somewhat borderline on Ooba's of late anyway (food is consistently pretty good, but generally very single-note in nature). So, farewell, Craig, Lisa, and Mark. We wish you well.

Pros: Consistent, decent eats.

Cons: Single note nature of food; aversion to "special order" requests.

Posted 08/18/07

Great inexpensive food. The food is better than most Mexican places in this area. I highly recommend it.

Pros: Great inexpensive food

Cons: service

Posted 08/14/07

I've been a frequent (3-4 times a week) diner here since '98 and I still LOVE this place!!! You can't beat the grilled skirt steak for quesadillas and burritos but the scallops are a nice change too. The chips are always warm (cause they actually make them!) and there's a ton of fresh salsas to choose from. You can create your own dishes by combining side orders, salmon + grilled asparagus is delish! (I think their salmon is better than the pricey Kirkland waterfront joints). Quick & friendly service, spend anytime here & you'll get to know the owners, managers, cooks, etc. You can call in an order to go or order online delivery (through "Dinner Delivery") but recommend eating there so you can enjoy a few mojitos (soooo good!). Place is casual & funky so you can dress comfortably, very kid / family-friendly.

Pros: Fresh, fresh, fresh! You can see all the ingredients - no covering up w/weird sauces.

Cons: Popular so it's a busy place.

Posted 08/10/07

The food at Ooba's is quite good. The margaritas, on the other hand, are not so good. Stick to their burritos, quesadillas, and other tasty fare and you should be safe. I recommend the dishes with skirt steak.

Pros: Good food, good prices

Cons: Bad margaritas

Posted 11/24/06

i love the fajita burrito...they always have fresh salsa and 3 choices of it. i have found the food to be a few dollars more, but it is always fresher than other places. a huge step up from taco time...

Posted 11/01/06

Born and raised in Mexico City I will never call Burritos Mexican food. That said, I will go with the flow but still have to call out that these are plain bad. Also, please stop putting a lime in my beer...

Pros: Good for kids

Cons: Lardy food, Ruined beer, Silly ambience

Posted 05/23/06

This is definitely one of the best Mexican restaurants in this region. The food has consistently been wonderful. It is not formal eating nor is it fancy, so don't expect waiters pouring your wine or anything! However, this is an excellent casual spot that is perfect for delicious lunches, dinners or meals on the go! Everything I have ever had over the past year has always been terrific!

Posted 05/17/06

I have eaten many times at all three Ooba's (including their new Bellevue location) and I am always amazed how how consistently great the food is. While I have tried most of the menu, my favorite is their huge burritos, whether steak, chicken or fish. The atmosphere is funky, the service is friendly, and the food is a great value compared to other restaurants.

Posted 01/09/06

I came with a group of 15 and the Manager ( Matt ) was awsome!! For a "order at the counter" style place, Oobas proved better than most full service places. I ordered the Scallop Burrito and it was Perfect. They use fresh fish so you can taste it, unlike frozen fish such as other Mex Restaurants. Its not cheap, but its fresh quality makes it worth it.

Pros: Good Food, Fresh Salsa, Good Service

Cons: Crowded at Times, chaotic at times

Posted 01/03/06

What a find! I can't wait to tell all of my friends that I have finally found great Mexican in Seattle. I am from San Francisco and know about good tacquerias and this one makes my list. My husband loves how easy and casual it is.

Pros: great food, service, cheap

Cons: seating, hard to find

Posted 12/28/05

came in on a business trip from Boston and i was dying for some real mexican food. my friend who works across the street suggested we try it out. not only was the service exceptional but the food was what i have been missing out on by living in the north east. be sure to try the habanero salsa its great with the chicken burrito

Posted 12/26/05

This place opened up (a branch) in Bellevue. It was so close to work I thought I'd try it. Both times were horrible and I ended up throwing the food away. I had the scallop burrito and it was extremely fishy tasting and too chewey. I can make better at my own home. The 1st time I had a chicken burrito and it too lacked zest or flavor.

Posted 11/13/05

I went here after reading good reviews and was so disappointed to find it average at best. Since we spent $18 for 2 plates and no drinks (considering it's a casual restaurant like taco del mar it's pricey in comparison) I thought it might at least be worth the cost but everything (grilled dish and salmon tacos) were average and pretty bland. The service was great but nothing was really flavorful im impressive.

Pros: service, decor

Cons: bland food, pricey

Posted 11/05/05

If you want great Mexican food in a fun, casual atmosphere, this is the place to go. The Yukon Gold Quesadilla is fantastic, as is everthing else on the menu. Service is great even during the crowded lunch time. I also recommend the grilled veggies (asparagus is particularly good), and, if you're really hungry, the nacho plate. Everyone is friendly here and the food and service on consistently superior.

Pros: Fantastic Food, Price, Service

Posted 04/23/05

The food is so fresh and pretty healthy. I think everything I have had so far there is delicious. I would recommend it highly.

Pros: Delicious, Great location

Posted 02/21/05

I don't say this about too many places you can go for fast food. This place is fantastic! The flavor of the food is incredible. Also, there is no other place I want to eat at every week. There is nothing that is not great here. My favorite is the Chicken Fajita Salad usually available in Woodinville Tuesdays and Fridays. I will never eat at a traditional Mexican Restaurant again.

Pros: Food, Inexpensive, Personable

Posted 09/15/04

We liked this place so much we rented it out for a dinner with friends and relatives. The food is not your typical Mexican. Mint rice and fresh black beans accompany dishes. Skirt steak is actual meat instead of the ground of hamburger you get elsewhere. The Pork Tacos with habanero salsa is one of my favorites. Both Woodinville/Redmond locations get busy at lunch so prepare for a line.

Pros: Quality of ingredient, Nice owners, Atmosphere

Cons: , No sitdown service

Posted 05/22/04

My sister and I ate here every day for a week while she was visiting! She HAD to have a daily taco plate - poor girl lives in Port Angeles. I preferred the fabulous grilled meat plates. Salsas and dips are wonderful! They have gas and can cook during a power outage - and they did!

Pros: Food, friendly staff

Cons: Not open Sundays

Posted 12/10/03

Great & tasty mahi taco's! Healthy & delicious! It's the place to go in Woodinville for Mexican! Good portions and VERY reasonably priced! Forget Las Margaritas & Torero's! Modern decor, spanish music and lot's of seating! They even have garage type glass doors to open in the summer! I will not go to any other mexican restaurant! Even our 11 yr old kids loved it! You MUST try it!

Posted 03/07/03

Great place. Some of my favorites are the yukon gold or skirt steak quesadillas both are stuffed with jack cheese. The grill plates are great - their meat rubs are so flavorful, it's kind of shocking. :)
Their corn chips are homemade (I think) and have an odd aftertaste. But, I polish them all off anyway with a hefty dose of their delish salsas. This place has yet to be discovered by the masses, meaning you can usually be seated right away on Saturday night.

Pros: Fresh Salsas, Prompt seating

Cons: Chips a bit odd

Posted 02/05/03

Been going to this place for years and it's had consistently excellent service, though it's often crowded at lunch.

Definitely not standard Mexican fare, this place has bold twists on old standards using citrus, herbs, and other fresh ingredients. Try the skirt steak tacos and the garlicky house salsa!

Warning, try a taste of the agua fresca before ordering-- its quality varies greatly day-to-day.

Pros: Great food, Unique recipes

Cons: Long lines at lunch

Posted 01/17/03

Ooba's is one of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the greater Seattle area. I keep coming back for their mouth-watering quesadillas (portobello is my favorite) and help-yourself salsa bar which sports a wide aray of fresh salsas. In the summer their grilled vegetables are tasty and the grilled fish tacos are also delicious. I wouldn't, however, recommend the margaritas which were watery and over-sweetened when I last tried.

Pros: great food, quick, decent prices

Cons: in Redmond

Posted 01/12/03

YUM! YUM! YUM! Consistiently - YUM! The grill plate is wonderful, the salsas fresh, the fish tacos to die for, the staff friendly. Decent atmosphere, EXCELLENT food!

Posted 11/21/02

I'm not kidding. These are the best burritos you will ever have. Unbelievable Eastside treasure.

Posted 09/25/02

Fantastic, finally good mexican food in Seattle. The staff is always friendly. Worth the trip to the east side.

Pros: Great food, fun atmosphere

Cons: Just a tad over $

Posted 09/03/02

Finally, we had the pleasure of trying the wonderfully fresh and tasty food at Ooba's. We were greeted by the energetic owner who, when learned this was our first visit, showed us the plates coming out of the kitchen and gave us a basket of chips free of charge. We ordered chicken quesadillas and a grill platter loaded with the best minted rice and tasty grilled asparagus. We spend most vacations in Mexico and this restaurant reminds of some our favorite eateries. Oh, and the salsa bar is the best!

Pros: Fresh Food, Wonderful Salsa, Wonderful Staff

Posted 09/02/02

I cannot even describe how yummy Ooba's chicken burritos are - talk about the ultimate comfort food. Add Craig (hardest working man I've ever seen) and his staff to the mix (best customer service ever!) and you have a perfect combination. Please consider opening a new location in Madison Park.

Pros: Inexpensive, Good for groups

Cons: Parking

Posted 08/10/02

So Oobas is getting a great reputation on the Eastside with all the Techy lunch goers. It deserves this reputation, great beans/mint rice, they make all tortillas themselves, awesome cheese and high quality meat. This is the best Mexican grill I have been to. Don't bother with their recently added Margaritas, they are not good. I don't think the owners know how to make one, stick with Corona. Great salsa bar.....service is sketchy, and the owners can be scatter brained but the food is worth it.

Pros: Beef Tacos, Mint Rice/Salsa, Corn Tortillas

Cons: Pricey, Packed at Lunch, Service Sketchy

Posted 07/03/02

Recall your favorite Mexican restaurant. Now rethink the term "Mexican Food" and any preconceived notions you may have. Cause this is better, fresher, more vibrant and tastier than any other - even the so called best! Ooba's offers a wide variety of meats, seafoods, sides, beverages and salsa's. Like fish? Strongly recommend the Halibut Burrito. But take a trip to the salsa bar and top the Grilled Skirt Steak Quesadilla with a mix of the just-made salsas and pair with a crisp Mojito* for the ultimate taste experience.

*Mojito - an iced drink mixed with rum, fresh squeezed lime juice and mint leafs that originated in Havana. Craig, the owner, calls it "candy in a glass". Well put!

Pros: Fun & Friendly Staff, Quality Ingredients, Mojitos = best drink

Cons: Popular for dinner

Posted 06/06/02

Ooba's in Redmond was recommended after I mentioned I went to Acapulco Fresh. A.F. was ...eh, okay. Not as good as I expected. Ooba's was fanstastic. The service was great, the atmosphere was wonderful and the chicken burrito I had was incredible. I loved how spicy and flavorful everything was!!

Pros: delicious, not too crowded

Cons: no waitress service

Posted 06/04/02

I visited Ooba's for the first time and was pleasantly surprised by my meal. I expected something more like fast food, but I was treated to a delicious full meal. The beans were so good, the rice was different, but really tasty, and the steak tacos were amazing. The fresh salsa bar is the real reason to return. I can't get enough of that stuff. I will be returning again and again.

Posted 05/22/02