La Esmeralda

When I teach at West Fresno Middle School and need to get a quick bite that's close, La Esmeralda is super close to the school. Just a 1-2 min drive and you're there. I ordered the carne asada tacos and they were juicy. A generous amount of toppings onions/cabbage and cilantro just makes it so good. They are pretty fast in delivering the food. But if it is busy, it might take 10 mins ish for the food to come out which is still not bad. I have also ordered their quesadillas, and hey are just as good. Good portion.

If you ever need a authentic Mexican food place to eat at this is the place to go. Everything is perfect and has an amazing flavor. Would come back with friends and families. This place does not let you down.

so good my friend told me about this place and it was yum definitely go and order from here :)

While not necessarily the best Mexican food in Fresno, it gets major points as the only "sit down" restaurant in the area for miles (other than a Denny's on Jensen,) with the only others being miles north downtown, or miles south in Easton. The only other lunch options in the area would be the Alberto's on the corner of Elm and Jensen, and the numerous fast food chains on Jensen, as well as the aforementioned Denny's. While there are numerous taco trucks in the area as well (that YELP refuses to add on here despite me trying numerous times,) all are pretty limited in selection in comparison to the rather large menu here.That's not to say this place is only good because there's no where else to eat around here- it'd still be a solid 4 stars if it were located anywhere else (well, except North Fresno/Clovis, where it would jump back up to a 5) and since I've been eating here from day 1 since it opened, I've learned what to get and what's better at the taco trucks.Speaking of eating here from day 1, the first time I came in, they didn't have their debit card system set up yet, and it was cash only. I didn't know this when I ordered, and kinda embarrassingly told the cashier I only had 2 bucks in my wallet so I'd come back some other time. He told me that was fine and let me have my order anyway. THAT is customer service and how you get repeat customers- hope all you business owners that publicly (and privately) BLAST your customers take note.Anyway, as far as what to order... I'd stay away from tacos and burritos here, they're kinda boring and you can get them at any taco truck. My personal favorites are the sopes, huaraches, and (surprisingly) the quesadillas. I'm not a big beans and rice eater, so I stay away from the larger combination plates. Oh, I forgot to mention that the prices you see are the prices you pay- tax has already been figured into the price. Nothing cleaner than just handing over a $5 bill and walking away ;)Would I recommend you dropping whatever you're doing and coming way the fuck out here? No, probably not. It is however, literally the definition of 5 stars- "as good as it gets" around this part of town.

I eat here at least every week really good prices good food and very friendly people that work there really good breakfast burritos you can basically order anything Mexican food related they will make it for you unless they don't have it that day and if I'm not mistaken they also make hamburgers and hotdogs Great place to get something to eat if you're in a hurry if you're lucky because they get packed sometimes especially at lunchtime

This was a great choice for lunch today. I had carne asada burrito with everything and got 3 tacos el pastor. Homemade tortillas really make a difference in the taste. My partner got the bacon breakfast burrito. All three were amazing from the meat to the rice and salsa. The wait wasn't long and the store was clean.Thank you La Esmeralda for a BOMB lunch. Definitely would recommend.

Nothing like a traditional Mexican restaurant. Small in place but filled with flavors. Customer service is fine and the wait is not to long. Please enjoy the front row view of what this little restaurant has to offer. #supportyourlocalbusiness

Wow! Amazing. I got the shrimp cocktail and it was so delicious! The food was so flavorful! Additionally, their service was so great. All the workers were extremely nice and welcoming. Definitely worth trying and definitely worth coming back!

They are very rude they made a mistake on my daughters order and they older cook stared to yell from behind the plastic window not thinking i that i knew Spanish and made a seen than made the order again but we already walking out very upset we payed for both orders and i was up set didnt even enjoy my meal on top of that she send her son out to our car to get rude with us and it scared us.

Rude the son follow me out to my car to tell me something.lady cooking is rude mad because she got my order wrong. Yelling at my mom from the back of the kitchen unclean. I paid for a meal I didn't even eat. Waste of time and service I'm surprised that they stay open with their unprofessional ways treating the customer. Never recommend to no one!