Fiesta Mexicana

Fiesta Mexicana, located at the corner of 16th and M Streets, in downtown Merced, CA, has been an iconic Mexican restaurant since 2008, and has become a favorite of all Mercedians who appreciate fine Mexican food.As you enter the restaurant, you'll be meeted and greeted, and the friendly staff member will seat you, and provide you with a menu. As in Mexico, the decor is very colorful. The dining room is truly attractive, comfortable and nicely decorated. The decor is definitely Mexican, whith lots of photos on the wall of people, places and scenery in Mexico. The restaurant offers many seafood choices, so there is a faux blue marlin mounted on the wall.This amazing restaurant is serious about serving an authentic Mexican breakfast, as the restaurant opens daily at 07:00 in the morning, and breakfast is served anytime the restaurant is open.After placing my order, my hostess returned with a basket of corn tortilla chips, and a bowl of the best restaurant salsa in Merced County!The "House Salsa" - made in-house - was simply amazing! Like most salsas, it was tomato-based and had all of the usual things you'd expect in salsa, such as tomato, onion, garlic and cilantro. But this salsa had chunks of tomato, onion and... shredded cabbage! The salsa wasn't hot, but it had a "kick" to it, but it had a rich, smoky taste to it that was simply amazing. I wish I could get the recipe, but I'd place a wager that it's proprietary.From the "Breakfast" section of the menu, I went with "Carne Asada, Three Eggs, Potatoes and Toast." Substitutions are available, as you can choose between potatoes, beans and rice, or you can mix and match. I chose to "mix and patch" fried potatoes with refried beans. Rather than toast, I chose flour tortillas. When I enjoy breakfast at a Mexican restaurant, I crave breakfast like I'd enjoy if I was visiting Mexico.Fiesta Mexicana is very serious breakfast, as breakfast is served anytime the restaurant is open. It's a breakfast lover's paradise in Merced!The "main event" of my breakfast was a generous portion of grilled carne asada. The meat was thinly cut, seasoned and marinated, and grilled to perfection. The steak was juicy, fork-tender and nearly melted in my mouth. What a way to begin a Sunday morning!I opted for potatoes and refried beans as my sides of choice and although Mexican rice tempted me, I simply HAD to go with potatoes. Beans are always a de facto standard for me, so there was no question in my mind to go with refried beans.The refried beans were creamy, with just a little bit of texture, and were simply delicious! I don't believe they had any lard, as I couldn't ascertain the "nutty" flavor that lard implants into beans, but I loved them. The beans were sprinkled with melted Mexican cheese.The potatoes were coarsely diced red potatoes, lightly seasoned, and grilled in butter. They were soft, tender, and simply delicious. As a nice touch, the chef at Fiesta Mexicana left the skins on the potatoes. Like the beans, I simply loved the potatoes.Three eggs for breakfast... oh my! Eggs can be ordered cooked any style, and I went with sunnyside up, as they mix well with potatoes and beans. Like the rest of my breakfast, the eggs were perfectly cooked to order.Rather than toast - I was dining at a Mexican restaurant after all - I went with flour tortillas, and my breakfast included two toasted flour tortillas.I had commented to Theresa how much I loved the "House Salsa," and she offered to bring me another helping for my breakfast. Thanks! The salsa was even better with my breakfast than country gravy!As an aside, during my many travels to Mexico, I've eaten many similar breakfasts in loncherias and restaurants, but not in such an elegant dining room! This was an authentic Mexican breakfast.My breakfast was simply delicious, as everything was perfectly cooked, and simply amazing. The morning chef at Fiesta Mexicana has talent!Fiesta Mexicana is one of a handful of Mexican restaurants in the Merced area that open early - 07:00 every day - for breakfast, which is truly a welcome addition to the Merced dining scene. The food is simply delicious, the staff is friendly, and the dining room is very comfortable, and interestingly decorated. The full-service bar is always welcome!Enjoy delicious Mexican dining in downtown Merced at Fiesta Mexicana, located in Merced, CA. Five star dining all the way!

Very good service waiters I loved it would recommend and very good food very good environment setting would recommend

Went tonight at about 5:30pm and Sat ourselves immediately. Waitress quickly and attentively asked us for our drink order, and handed us menus. I was pleased to see they give you unlimited chips and salsa for FREE (unlike Isabella's in Atwater)... chips were hot and fresh, salsa was fresh, chunky, and had just the right amount of heat. Ordered Two Taco & Enchilada dinner ($17.99)... Came with rice and beans. I opted for 1 Carne Asada taco, 1 chicken taco, and a shredded beef enchilada. I don't know where to go from here but they are owed the time, and frankly my next pay check for the quality food I was served... lol, so I'll try my best... if I had to list my favorites of the 3, I would say the shredded beef enchilada took the cake, simply beautiful and flavorful... the beef had a a lot of flavor and not dry... the enchilada sauce was incredible... Next... The soft, but corn tortilla filled with Carne Asada would be my second choice, and the crispy shelled chicken taco would be the last, only because the chicken wasn't as moist and wasn't seasoned enough for my liking, but I destroyed it without issue. ... one thing that can't be overlooked was the rice and beans... seems simple enough, however many Mexican places in Merced fail at this "simple" task.. NOT Fiesta Mexicana! I've lived in this city for 43 years, eaten at EVERY Mexican Restaurant and Toco truck here, and I know there are hundreds of them. The BEST RICE AND BEANS, in the 209, maybe that I've ever had are at FIESTA MEXICANA! Wish I was hungry enough to try the deep fried ice cream! But there was absolutely zero room for that, BUT next time for sure!! Thanks for a nice at atmosphere, attentiveness, and a great dinner.

The services was great. The chilaquiles were ok. I like the crunch but not much flavor. Portion isn't as big as La Morenitas. I ate everything which is crazy because I always have leftovers. Decor is cute!

Arrived early in the morning and was happy to see that they were open. Chips which were just made were perfect texture and crunch though a little thin. The salsa was spicy and delicious! I ordered menudo and was pleasantly surprised that it was readily available. Had great flavor too! Definitely going to go back.

This is the cutest restaurant, delicious food. The waitresses were awesome friendly. I highly recommend them!!

Best chile quiles in Merced!!! So good and service is amazing! Rice and beans are top tier as well!

We ordered a Mexican pizza tonight and there was a cockroach in our food - disgusting place! Do not eat here.

Compared to GREAT Mexican cuisine eaten in the past at other fine restaurants, I find F-M's medicocre servings lacking.1. a. Food- Quality: Nothing special. Nothing worth remembering. Similar to decent taco-truck offerings. Quantity: Not enough food on the plate, considering they charge double the price of Rancho San Miguel Market, which has better food!2. Service- Good.3. Ambience- It is what it is. Mediocre.Recommendations- Owners & management visit other fine dining establishments to get a culinary education. They need to upgrade their game.

Food was delicious service what fantastic I got the molcahete bowl hope I spelled that right I was so hungry I count wait to dig in