La Sinaloense Restaurant - Spring Valley, California

Mike M.

Honestly everything was really good. The service was Great and very friendly. Very reasonable prices. The taste, seasoning and temperature was Perfect. At least try it once and you'll agree. Definitely the NEW lunch spot for
Specialized Vehicle Company, Spring Valley, Ca

Keith M.

So I've been craving carne asada fries for a couple weeks and I finally gave in only to be disappointed by the dish this place gave me. I ordered cane asada fries 🍟 fries right? No they gave me carne asada wedges. Like I'm not picky but that was not what I wanted. Also to pay $20 for that. I was better off going to tacos imperial where the food is good sober or drunk. Oh and I was buzzed and the food still didn't taste that good. That says something right there. Thank you killed carne asada fries for me.

Nadine M.

Good food and excellent service we went there for breakfast and had a really good assortment at decent prices and they accommodated my dietary restrictions with a smile thank you

Steve D.

Service was fast to start when we were the only ones in the sit down, outdoor area. But after others arrived, the service was very slow. That said, there was only one server, so no disrespect for that. Tough with only one server. Next time, will try the ceviche.

Lee G.

Fun place and friendly people. I liked my meal, husband didn’t finish. Don’t think he was too thrilled with his enchiladas. Machine was broken so it was cash only. Luckily, we had some otherwise it was suggested we cross the street to the convenience store.

Danielle M.

La sinaloense is a great spot. The micheladas are really tasty. I ordered the surf and turf quesadilla and it was enormous. Excellent for leftovers! I also enjoyed the shrimp aguachiles, the green sauce was quite spicy.

Ma P.

Was the first time we were there and was definitely the best option. The food is delicious and the service is wonderful. The girls was incredible. Super great service.. definitely we will back soon..

Jay K.

La Sinaloense is a Spring Valley restaurant where you can taste the storied cuisine of the coastal Mexican state of Sinaloa without the risk of getting shot dead and hung from an overpass. That said, if the food in Sinaloa is as good as what is served here, I am willing to accept that risk. Come at me, narcos! (Just let me finish my meal first, please.)

During my first time in, I had asked my waiter for the restaurant's signature dish, and he indicated it is the "Molcajete Sinaloense." I have had similar seafood molcajete dishes in the past, but nothing as special as what La Sinaloense served me. Here, you will receive the "Death Star" of molcajete de mariscos dishes, as it has destroyed me for all others. Also, even though I ordered the "small size," it was enormous, and could easily feed at least 3 normal people. The gigantic black stone mortar bowl is lined with foil containing a bubbling lava-like tomato and cheese sauce filled with octopus, shrimp, scallops, clams, mussels, and crab, draped with nopales asada and garnished with cilantro, sliced radish, and fresh avocados. The simmering hearty broth tastes as if the ocean has been set afire and reduced with tomato sauce. Before being added to the pot, the shrimp and octopus have been grilled on a plancha to pick up a thick brown crust on one of their sides. It is served with rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, refried beans, and corn tortillas. Let's put it this way: next time I am hungover, I'm coming here.

The "Tostada de Aguachile" is another classic dish of Sinaloa featuring raw shrimp, red onions, and cucumbers submerged in lime juice heavily spiked with cilantro and serrano chiles. The aguachile sauce here is relatively tame, though spicy enough to clear one's sinuses. I prefer my aguachiles to have a bit more piquancy, but I can't argue with the balanced sweet and sour flavor of La Sinaloense's version, and I enjoyed the clean taste of this dish's crisp, taut shrimp.

For tacos, I've tried both the "Garlic Shrimp Taco" and the "Shrimp Culichi Taco." The culichi sauce used on the latter taco is a buttery, creamy chile sauce, more savory than spicy or sweet. I liked that taco, but I preferred the more simplistic "Garlic Shrimp Taco" for its in-your-face garlic and butter combination. It is a delightfully rich "taste bomb" and one of those indulgences that I would gladly sacrifice long-term health for and eat 3-4 times per week if I lived in the neighborhood.

Complimentary "Chips and Salsa" and "Seafood and Vegetable Consommé" are brought out at the beginning of the meal, the latter of which is excellent, reminding me less of the styrofoam cups half-filled with salty consommé one grabs from the local mariscos trucks and bringing more of the taste and texture of a quality minestrone soup with its soft, leafy vegetables. The squeeze-bottle red salsa provided (not the comparatively sad and runny salsa they bring out with the chips) could melt iron, but it is more than just heat, tasting of freshly pulverized chilies with a slightly sweet finish.

If nothing else, La Sinaloense is an interesting-looking place to eat with full waiter service, a woody patio area to dine on, decorated with a myriad of green plants, and a large water fountain that competes for your attention with your food throughout your meal. My meal attracted a good amount of annoying flies. Not a deal-breaker obviously, but the restaurant should consider investments to keep the insects at bay. Service is casual but earnest and (mostly) bilingual.