- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Hernande'z
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
38 reviews for Hernande'z
Review Highlights
-
"...know existed (a big thick corn tortilla topped with yum." In 3 reviews -
"Each row after that gets five free tacos." In 16 reviews -
"Its cash only though." In 6 reviews
Loading...
38 reviews in English
-
Review from Ben C.
Victoria, BC
4/14/2012
Just like customers can choose what kind of restaurant they want to go to, restaurants can choose what kind of customer they want to target. Hernande'z clearly has targeted people who want good quality, tasty food. There is more than enough word-of-mouth about them to keep them very busy, I don't see any reason why they'd want to invest probably millions of dollars in a new location and more staff just to cater to people who are put off by where they are now.
Personally we don't ever intend to sit there and eat, we order and run, and eat back at the office or at home (the food is still more than warm 10-15 minutes later). The pulled pork burritos are fantastic, not to mention HUGE. They're quick to serve, the food is great, and the prices are average to good. Based on that and the fact that's all I expect from this kind of restaurant, 5 stars is more than fair. -
Review from Dave D.
Victoria, BC
5/24/2012 1 Check-in Here
Very good, fresh Mexican food. And affordable too !!! :)
I only had the tacos but I can say ... I wanted more. Many more. Darn stomach size wouldn't let me. ;) -
Review from Hal E.
Courtenay, BC
4/22/2012
Jewel in Victoria BC
Cash only but food to die for -
Review from Morgan H.
4/26/2012
$7 for six tacos? Yes please! And the corn tortillas are done right, the meat is perfect and the salsa is an original flavor. I'll be frequenting this place often. Don't go if you only have a CC or if you're looking for some intimate atmosphere.
-
Review from Clare L.
7/29/2011
Hernande'z is epic. It's not a pretty place (although their side table thing beside the restaurant made me want to steal it, it was white, and country like and well worn in all the right places.) in the Arcade mall and seating in the mall hallway. The tablecloths so bright and patterny, and at the time it was about 720pm and the band was playing SO LOUD. being in the mall hallway, the music as loud as it was, madly echoed to the point that my friend and I were shouting at each other to have moderate conversation even though we sat the furthest away from the band.
Interesting to note: they do not do take away, even though we asked, and once we received it, we understood why.
It is presented to you on a sheet of waxy paper, 5 tacos, (I got the chicken version) with homemade corn tortillas and this mouth-watering, perfectly seasoned, freshly made, with epic fresh cilantro and lime wedged glory, is priced at -- get this -- for only $5. Part of me felt like I scammed them for getting this so cheap!!!!!
To be honest, to be able to eat this again, I'd happily sit in a construction site with fighter planes above me. It was a pleasant surprise particularly coz it's in Victoria, which doesn't conjure images of delicious cheap tacos.
As for the rest of the menu, I have no idea, we just ate these and bolted, but if it measures up to the chicken tacos, then it's for sure a must eat! Oh and to sum up why I understood its not meant for take away is simple: you'd really be missing out if you had to experience these cold, and I don't think they have the right packaging for you to take it, and keep the cost so low! -
Review from Purdy J.
9/10/2011
Great little taco place in a business building. Lots of seating In a mall/cafeteria style food court (but minus all the other awful, fast food joints) setting. No waiter service, you just order your food, they give you a card and you sit down and wait for the food. There s no ambiance not the food is great.
They call it slow food because everything is fresh, and made to order, in house for you. Their beef is organic but often not available... I can imagine that good quality beef sells out quickly.
Food is hot, fresh, tasty and very cheap. $6 for 5 tacos (pork, chicken or vegetarian) or 3 beef tacos. Their corn tortillas are made from scratch and in house - I love that!! We have a taco press at home and make our own tacos from scratch too; it's not hard and such a treat to have non pre-packaged tortillas.
Hernande'z is a great place to get delicious and cheap food. Great place to feed the family or satisfy your ace craving. Don't go here on a romantic first date or if you're allergic to peanuts... Many of their recipes call for peanuts and they can't guarantee that your meal will be peanut free. However, I believe that their meals are gluten free!
Helpful notes: you can't order the tacos to go. If you want a plate, it's a $1 extra as food is served on heavy duty, parchment like paper. Cash only, but there's a cash machine right by where you order. The lady who took my order didn't speak English well. Don't eat here if you're allergic to peanuts. -
Review from Weirdie B.
Victoria, BC
12/17/2011
I just... don't get it. For me, eating is all about the whole package, not just the food. Something about the set-up at Hernande'z puts me right off, to the point where I've stopped going there completely. Yes, the food is good, but not good enough for me to sit in a windy, dark hallway and feel as though I'm inconveniencing those that work there just by ordering. I've NEVER gotten a smile out of anyone, and the whole "we don't take debit but you can use the oh-so-conveniently placed debit machine right over there" thing is just another quirk that I find annoying, rather than endearing. I'm sorry, Hernande'z, but the only time you'll see me is when I'm walking past you to go to Souped Up or Mirage Coffee.
-
Review from Sherry L.
Coquitlam, BC
7/27/2011
5 tacos for $5. Possibly the best deal ever! I really wanted to try the beef tacos, but their disclaimer holds true! Sometimes they don't have beef, because it's super limited quantities. And today was one of those days. I got the chicken tacos instead.
I would go back to try the beef tacos (which are 3 for $5). -
Review from Emily-Anne P.
Vancouver, BC
3/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Hernande'z has been in Victoria for quite a few years now and I absolutely adore how amazingly good the good is.
The thing that keeps bringing me back, I'll say, is that you can get 5 tacos for $5. Who doesn't want 5 tacos for $5. Really? You'd have to be a taco hater or something.
This evening I had the bean tacos this evening. Handmade corn tortillas with slow cooked black beans, salsa, sour cream and cilantro. Amazing, and I have no problem eating the tacos because they're made with corn flour.
Everything they make is made in house, the corn tortillas are gluten free and all their sauces, everything they prep and make in house. They also have an explicit slow food approach to their menu (not their express menu but the food is cooked with the same philosophy). I adore it. They try their best to source locally and their pork is all grain fed, non-medicated. Really, it doesn't get any better for $5.
I know, too, that their burritos are amazing and incredibly filling.
Lunch or dinner if you want some good, fast, quality food check this place.Listed in: Culinary Tour of Victoria
-
Review from Frank S.
11/27/2011
There must be a tremendous shortage of Mexican food places in Victoria for this "restaurant" to get that many 4 and 5 star reviews. This is the only explanation I was able to come up with.
First off, this is not a restaurant. It is a bunch of tables in the hallway of a strip mall. The location is awful. The loud Mexican music echos off the walls while shoppers use the hallway as a short cut between two streets.
The menu is very limited and the food was very bland. We had tacos, a burrito, and huaraches. They all were bland. Once you had a good taco (like the one my local taco truck serves), you know that a taco shouldn't be tasting bland.
Service is non-existent. They give you a card with some picture on it and when your food is ready a guy walks around yelling out what is on the picture. Due to the hallway mall location, it is really hard to hear when your food is ready. They should be calling out numbers. The guy who brought our food out never looked at us or gave us a smile - just put down the plate and left. Nice.
Overall, this place is awful. Terrible location, no service, and bland food. Do yourself a favor and find a taco bus. -
Review from Mark H.
Victoria, BC
7/29/2011
Ok so they are a bit snobby, but their food is great, fast, delicious, and healthy.
The food quality also hasn't declined as their operation has grown.
You can tell that the owners of this place are working really hard to provide a good food service.
Its cash only though...so remember that before you go. -
Review from Matthew L.
Edmonton, AB
Updated - 6/18/2011
I'm no longer a vegetarian, and I can comment on their meat now. And "it's fantastic - their Pork "PowerBar" burrito is a chile-driven force to get you through the rest of your day at 3PM, especially if you only brought a light lunch.
One issue with Hernandez that I have, which would be irrelevant for anybody other than my wife, is that they do not have cheese. My wife is still a vegetarian and she requires cheese on any Mexican Food she eats. As such, when picking up Mexican Food on the way home, I need to choose between La Fiesta and Puerto Vallarta Amigos.
Also, I still find the whole cash-only thing a pain.1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
2/28/2009 First to Review
Hernande'z is a quirky operation, but the quirks add to the charm. It's a family operation, run by… Read more »
-
-
Review from Sherry N.
3/9/2012
Seriously good food. We have had both fast and slow items and agree that the tacos and the black bean burritos can't be beat by anyone in B.C. Cheap,wholesome food created with love. Even the salsa was superb! Victoria is fortunate to have this great little hidden gem. Shhhhh......don' tell too many people..
-
Review from Angela L.
10/26/2010 1 photo
How I wish Hernande'z was in Vancouver! I hit it up every time I'm on the island, but it's definitely one of those crave-worthy places that I would make the trip over for. I was really excited to try this place after reading a bunch of good reviews as well as hearing great things from my local friends, and it did not disappoint.
I was amazed at the value, especially for the quality of the food that came out. I've loved everything I've eaten here - nice selection of veg. options too! Fresh soft corn tortillas rock my world. I've received warm and excellent service each and every time I've been, and I kind of like the hole-in-the-wall atmosphere of it all. I love it, and I want to go back. -
Review from Anne J.
8/5/2011
Sorry to harsh on the praise party - but I just don't get this place. I am from California - so maybe for locals this is exciting Mexican food? If this is the only Mexican food around I would give it some slack, but overall pass on this place.
1. location - AWFUL It is inside a strip mall sort of thing. And that mall us soooo ugly. It felt like a mall in some of the 3rd world places I have been. Design and architecture icky.
There are two little holes in the wall that are Hernandez. I guess one is where you order and the other is where the food is made? Strange and confusing for us.
You sit on boring tables in the middle of the mall. There are icky tableclothes.
Bathroom is the gross mall bathroom and you have to get an annoying key
2. service - workers did not seem to happy to be there. Not patient with questions.
I was with my son - I asked for an empty cup so he could have some of my water, but they will only give you a cup if you buy a jamica drink. We asked about a few other option things that have never been a problem (can we have two plate because we are sharing this, etc, etc) and nothing other than exactly on the menu would fly.
CASH ONLY
3. food - Really was nothing special. We were a group of 6 ordering things to try and share. None of our food had an interesting spice, or anything amazing on it. Everything was edible, and we did not leave hungry, but as my stars say "Meh. i've had better"
Oh I forgot about drinks. They do not have a drink machine. You can have the punch they make, a weird Organic soda lemonade, or bottled water. Please have more choices!! I really wanted something other than a canned drink when I go out. Made me feel like I was having a sad dinner at my desk and my caned drink -
Review from Bryan G.
Victoria, BC
2/17/2012
Love the food, love the prices, but hate that they only take cash....it's annoying.
-
Review from Beth C.
Victoria, BC
12/29/2010
Ahhhh, how have I not reviewed Hernande'z yet?!
I love this place. Delicious, delicious, delicious. If you're a fan of the tex-mex style Mexican (smothered in cheese and sour cream and taco sauce), you won't find it here.
HERE you will find slow, authentic, genuine, delicious food, made by people who clearly care about what goes into it. I never get the feeling that the people at Hernande'z are trying to murder me, like I do at some other restaurants, sometimes, when they butter my fat and sweeten my sugar and salt my everything.
Hernande'z is fresh and flavourful and really, really GOOD. Yes, it's a bit of a wait if you're on a lunch break. It's worth it. Their thick tortillas (huaraches, I think they call them? But I think that means "sandal" so I may be wrong) are fantastic.
Oh, now I'm hungry. -
Review from Mo M.
8/9/2011
One star because the food was tasty in the end, but I have a food allergy and they were unable/unwilling to help me determine if I could eat their food. The girl at the counter was great and tried to help, but the kitchen staff were rude and the owner (?) that was eventually called asked me if I had read her disclaimer that they essentially weren't interested in serving anyone with a food allergy. I explained that I had, but that I had made an informed, adult choice to eat their food. She lectured me anyway. So rude! Especially since it turned out that they DID know the answer to my question! The food is good, but I don't think I'd return on principal. Discriminating against people with food allergies is irresponsible and ridiculous. Know what's in your food!
-
Review from christine c.
Victoria, BC
8/3/2010
5 zillion stars!
I'd say I eat here way too much, but it doesn't feel like too much. It just feels awesome.
The latin food (not Mexican specifically, they're from El Salvador) is local, fresh and crazy delicious. My personal favourites are the cochinita burritos, soft tacos and lately the huarache.
Service is always very friendly, but you definitely need to know how they run. Order at the till, grab your own drink, don't expect a plate...etc. I'm sure people who don't know what they're in for may be put off, because if you sit down thinking they'll take your order no one will rush to inform you otherwise. They actually lay everything out quite plainly on their website if you're interested in their reasoning behind different processes.
I also love that they're open seven days a week until 9pm. Quite perfect for lazy sunday nights.And the fact that they are incredibly inexpensive doesn't hurt. -
Review from Jessie J.
7/16/2010
This place is pretty great. Was taken there by a dear friend during a recent weekend in Victoria. I was craving Mexican food, but hadn't mentioned it, because I didn't know if it could be satisfactorily filled in our provincial capital. Lucky me - it was!
I agree with the other review that says the food isn't very spicy in the hot sense, but that didn't bug me. Not all Mexican food is hot spicy, sometimes it's just flavour spicy, and there was plenty of flavour.
I had a huarache, a dish I didn't even know existed (a big thick corn tortilla topped with yum). The ingredients were fresh, the flavours well blended, the home-made tortilla just right. The location is a little odd, but they make it work. I'm a fan!Listed in: The NAFTA List
-
Review from Neville I.
Vancouver, BC
6/27/2011
Great food in a kind of odd location. It's located in the middle of a mall setting which is perfect for lunch but slightly too casual for dinner. Love the thick corn tortillas and the meat is good quality. The only real downside is when people are waiting for their food to go and the guy working there is yelling out their order. I'm not a big fan of someone yelling while I'm eating.
-
Review from jailook l.
Victoria, BC
8/20/2011
Super good food. Cheap, fresh & totally satisfying. I love the simple presentation and the fact that you can see and taste each individual ingredient. I can't really say much that others haven't already said... Just that I'm glad I finally tried this place out. It lived up to my expectations and more. I'd have given it 5 stars if it weren't for the semi-rude woman working the cash register. Sure, it was a sunny day and she was stuck inside. And I imagine it sucks to have to tell people how to pronounce Huarache all day, but you know - it probably wouldn't have killed her to crack a smile. Or maybe it would have. Having said that, the woman who brought us our food was friendly. Regardless, we'll be back for the food.
-
Review from Doug G.
9/9/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Great option for Latin American food in Victoria . . .
Hernande'z is cleverly hidden inside an office building, you would never find it unless you are looking. Service is extremely friendly, and seating (which overflows into the main hallway of the office building) is relatively limited at lunch hour.
The menu is not specifically "Mexican", but includes a good variety of Burritos and Huaraches. I'd never heard of Huaraches before - similar to a burrito, but with a thick corn tortilla bed topped with your choice of toppings. I ordered a huarache from their "slow menu". It arrived within 10 minutes in the middle of the lunch hour rush - hardly slow in my books - and was delicious.
The staff here were delightful, the food excellent. I will be back next time I'm in Victoria. -
Review from Antonia W.
Toronto, ON
3/30/2010 3 photos
Ok, I'm not an expert on Mexican cuisine, but I think this place is really good! They have a fairly small menu and an express menu that uses flour tortillas instead of their handmade corn tortillas. I've always gone for the corn tortillas because I'm not in a rush :)
I like their 5 tacos for $5. You can get veggie, chicken, or pork... or you can get 3 highland beef tacos. They're the traditional style where you get little tiny soft taco shells with the meat, cilantro, and salsa on it and then a slice of lime for each (This is what I remember from being fed by a friend's brother in law in Cali who's Mexican). Guacamole would have made it THAT much better I think, but you have to pay extra for it, so I never bothered.
I also tried the chicken huaracha, which is like a really thick corn tortilla base topped with rice, beans, chicken, salsa, cheese... I actually stole a taste off somebody else's plate and it was better than I expected, but I would still stick with the tacos when I go visit again.
Service is friendly and fast!
EDIT: I've only been to their Yates location downtown. -
Review from Morgan W.
Victoria, BC
10/15/2009
I usually go to Hernande'z once a week. Right now my favorite item is the pollo (chicken) burrito. Their black bean and chicken tacos are a lighter option and a good deal at $5 for 5. The food is always fresh, fast and affordable. They hibiscus drink has a hint of citrus and is very refreshing.
Make sure to take advantage of the "Card Game". When you pay at the till the cashier will give you a card that will be called to receive your food. Match the food card to an icon on game card (ask the cashier for one) and she will mark off that icon. Get four in a row and you win a free entree. Each row after that gets five free tacos.
Hernande'z gets very busy. Use good etiquette; don't try to reserve a table before you order food.
Cash only.
Second location 1600 Bay St. -
Review from Robert K.
Victoria, BC
5/11/2011
I love Mexican food and theirs is very authentic and tasty, but I found the atmosphere to not be awesome, it was kind of food court like. I am also not a fan of the way they setup their Salsa and charge you for them.
-
Review from Jessica S.
Vancouver, BC
4/29/2011
The location is not exactly special, but the tacos are delish and so well priced. People were lining up for lunch before it opened. Food was served on a big sheet of what looked like butcher paper, but it does the trick. I loved the tender slow cooked pork, fresh salsa, homemade tortillas and generous topping of cilantro.
-
Review from Kelly H.
Duncan, BC
4/16/2011
Five amazing tacos for $5, you may feel like you in Mexico, but your not. Great food, great price, stop here for some food. CASH ONLY (this is a good thing).
-
Review from diana m.
9/4/2010
I really enjoyed the food at this restaurant. It's inexpensive, nicely flavored, and the portions were large. I ordered the vegetarian huarache and my friend ordered the pork version (it was tender and had a lot of cinnamon flavor). I live in L.A. and was very happy to try central American cuisine so far north.
-
Review from Adrianna N.
Vancouver, BC
12/22/2010
I count myself very lucky to have found out about this absolute gem of a restaurant. The first time I was introduced to this tiny hole in the wall (I say this with a lot of love!) I had the 5 pork tacos. After having a first bite, I was its slave. The food was just bursting with flavour and tasted exactly how they described it, fresh, homemade and chemical free (woo!). I know that is a very awful description but its hard for me to describe how wonderful their food is without drooling on my keyboard (Try it yourself! I'm sure you'll agree)
I've gone back several times trying different items on their menu. They have 2 menus, 1 dedicated to express food and another that takes a bit of time. I find both come in a very timely manner and are superb every time. They use healthy, organic, wholesome ingredients in their cooking and it really shows. Recently, I tried their taco platter with 5 pork tacos, beans, rice, zucchini along with the toppings of sour cream, onion, parsley, handmade salsa and lime. I'm usually not a bean fan but wow, the beans were amazing. I practically had to roll myself out of there as I insisted on finishing every bite (except for the rice but thats an exception). Everything was made to perfection and the platters gave a wonderfully rounded meal. Good reasonable prices as well and friendly staff. Don't expect fancy as this place is located in the bottom of a commercial building with sparse decor and simple table and chairs. The food will speak for itself. -
Review from Ashley W.
Victoria, BC
2/12/2011
Bare bones, but focuses on what's most important- simple food, done extremely well. Try the $5 chicken tacos. You can't get food this good anywhere else for this price!
-
Review from Melisa V.
8/25/2010
arrived here right when they opened on sunday. it took us asking someone where it was located to find it. he pointed at an office building/mall across the street and commented "oh yeah that place is really good."
we arrived inside the empty building and walked toward the mass of tables. one person was in line ahead of us. by the time we left, all of the tables were full (granted it's a small place, but still!)
the girl who took our order was probably the only semi-unfriendly person we encountered while in Victoria, but it didn't matter as the food spoke for itself. we ordered the chicken and pork tacos. the tortillas are made to order and filled with meat, hot salsa, onions, cilantro and a lime wedge. each order comes with five tacos and we devoured them all.
yum! I will absolutely head back the next time I'm in town. -
Review from Scott W.
6/24/2010
Come on, people. This is central American food in Victoria. The prices are incredibly reasonable, the food is sourced locally and organically, and the flavors are great. What more can you ask for? We live near lots of great Mexican and South American food in the San Francisco Bay Area and this holds up with the best of them. If you want to eat good, reasonably priced food, prepared with care, this is your place. There are lots of overpriced tourist traps in quaint, lovely, downtown Victoria. This is the place to go if you want straightforward food from south of the (US) border.
-
Review from Beth P.
7/11/2010
huarache clasica!!!
so good, so cheap, so many vegetarian options.
viva hernande'z! -
Review from Finn L.
Victoria, BC
8/20/2011
I hate Mexican food....I know you're probably saying: "HOW COULD YOU?!?!?!" But after I left Hernandez I loved Mexican food! From hate to love......Think about that. The beef tacos are dripping packs of goodness. .......Okay that sounds kinda gross...Lemme rephrase that, A small soft corn tortilla filled with juicy, spicy, beef and fresh Cilantro with a bit of salsa, topped of with a bit of your usual usual diced onions. It is probably in the strangest location....A very creepy, abandoned-like shopping mall. With a giant angel wing hanging from the ceiling (?!!?!?) The best thing to do though is to close your eyes when you go on there and imagine you are in Mexico...(helped me). It doesn't bother me that It's in a shopping mall, I personally think it's kinda cool. Oh and if you are wearing expensive clothing or you are just kind of a sissy fart..Don't come because those tacos drip everywhere.
-
Review from Angela C.
Victoria, BC
7/26/2011
Yummy food, but im kinda sad that they dont accept debit or credit cards. I understand the reasoning but its kinda frustrating
-
Review from Mary A. W.
Vancouver, BC
2/19/2010
finding a freshly made-as-you-order corn tortilla is about as difficult as finding a place that makes fresh jiao-zi from scratch. when i saw the reviews for this place i had to check it out, corn allergy be damned.
it's easy to miss as it's awkwardly located in a mall complex. the brightly coloured table covers were the giveaway that helped me find the place.
Make sure you bring your own water bottle -- they will fill it but have no glasses for tap water and often run out of bottled. I ended up having to buy expensive flavoured water from the magazine stop across the way just to get a bottle!
If you have some time order off the slow menu. if you use the quick menu they use premade flour tortillas instead. We got the chicken and carne asada tacos (as they were out of beef). they came on a piece of paper (you have to specially request a plate) with cilantro, onion, a bit of salsa, and lime.
Everything is made here from scratch. The meat was delicious but a little sparse. The freshly made shells were thicker than I'd anticipated but tasty. The cilantro and lime were quite generous. I only wished they'd put more salsa and onion on. We ordered some sour cream which smoothed out the flavours. Unfortunately, they're not making guacamole anymore, which is a favourite of mine when I partake in this style of food.
It's too bad that this restaurant is located in an older dusty rose-hued office building. the severe lack of ambiance betrays the tastiness of the fare. What they make, they make very well. Despite the fact that they were out of the things i'd wanted most to order, i'll probably come back again for the homemade-ness of it all. -
Review from James F.
My wife is from Texas and is constantly looking for good simple Mexican food. Hernandez is the best Mexican food you will get in Victoria (Adriana's was good but they are now closed). The location is pretty crappy, the service is pretty slow for the complexity of the food you are getting but once you are eating it you forget about all of that. Defiantly not a place to bring a date for a night out, but for cheap and great tasting Mexican food you can't beat it.
