Wine For Misfits

Taqueria Y Carniceria Martinez is in my hometown (Martinez, Ca). And thanks to my mom, this local Mexican restaurant is now on my radar.  

NOT THE PRETTIEST PART OF TOWN

Taqueria Y Carniceria Martinez is located on that long stretch of small-town road with a refinery to your right and “tweak burger” (the burger joint with “enthusiastic”, late-night patrons) to your left.

(This is a universal hometown experience, right?)

Go down just a mile further, and you’ll find the “charming” part of town with early 20th century homes and an Americana aesthetic.

You know, that part of town the hipsters moved into after they could no longer afford Oakland.

As a local, I’m allowed to talk shit. But as an outsider, the most you’re allowed to say is, “the restaurant’s a hidden gem”. 

While it’s not the prettiest part of town, I will say the lights on the refinery are pretty at night.

And the restaurant is in a cute building with pink accents.

PATIO SITTIN’

The moment you enter, you’ll see a little storefront and dining room.

If you go past the payment counter, into an area you feel like you shouldn’t be in, and then go through a backdoor, you’ll access the patio. 

My mom walks through like she owns the place.

Every time. 

THERE’S A CAT

Taqueria Y Carniceria Martinez would get a 10/10 just for a Patio Cat. If you’re allergic, sucks for you. 

The cat is hella cute. 

And his name is Mitchy.

Mitchy doesn’t eat chips though. If you put chips on the ground, he will give a you look as if he’s saying “ you know better”.

Don’t patronize the cat. Just pet the damn cat if you aren’t giving him the good stuff.

THERE’S CHIPPIES & DIPPIES

I’m a snacker. And one of my favorite snacks is chippies and dippies (I’m aware of the plural, however, it’s a singular genre). And this restaurant has the best chips and dip game I’ve ever seen.

Bean dip, Queso, gauc! And the platter doesn’t just come with chips. You’ll get a cheese quesadilla and taquitos.

A truly authentic Mexican experience. 

MIMOSAS

We all know there are two things that turn lunch into brunch:

1. Eggs

2. Mimosas

And Taqueria Y Carniceria Martinez has both. 

Not only do they have Orange juice, but they also have other juice flavors you can have in your sparkling wine.

Since I’m a pro, I didn’t write the juices down. I just listened intently, nodded my head, and ordered a Modelo Especial with lime because I had obligations later on in the day. 

Because, I’m responsible. 

OTHER DRINKS TOO

We went for Mother’s Day (it’s kind of becoming a tradition). 

My mom doesn’t drink, which means she only has one margarita a day. While they usually only serve wine and beer, they offered margaritas for Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day. 

My mom ordered the strawberry margarita. I took a sip. It tasted like fresh strawberries.

Now, were they actually fresh strawberries? We’ll never know because I didn’t ask.

It was good.

That’s all that matters.

But if you go during a time they don’t offer margaritas, you can enjoy a sangria, wine, or mix up your beer game with a Michelada.

TL;DR

Between the patio cat, chippies and dippies, and brunch-themed drink options, Taqueria Y Carniceria Martinez gets a 10/10 Kitties.