Address: | 2020 W El Camino Real, Mountain View, CA 94040, USA |
Phone: | +1 650-938-2020 |
Site: | m.facebook.com |
Rating: | 4.3 |
Working: | 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 11AM–2PM 5:30–9:30PM 5–9PM |
RA
Rangaprabhu Parthasarathy
This was my fourth trip to the place. The last three bizarrely happened in a span of 3 days during Christmas last year. I needed a break- not from their tasty food but from the richness of it. I returned back to the restaurant this week. There was some amount of excitement- we were meeting a friend from long ago. Plus, there was the food at Vive Sol. Vive Sol offers food they claim is authentic to the Puebla region of Mexico. I have no knowledge about the place or its cuisine. Suffice to say, it tastes good. The rest of the group was already seated on a busy Friday night when I walked in. For a change, I knew exactly what I wanted to eat. So the menu was just an afterthought. Appetizers are interesting in Vive Sol. None so that the free tortilla chips which comes with two exciting salsas. Both of the salsas are spicy and tingly. Add some guacamole as a side order and it makes for an excellent and relatively cheap appetizer. Their menu offers other interesting appetizers. Their chalupa is worth trying as an appetizer. Just remember to not think of the one you get in Taco Bell. I did order a virgin peach margarita which was lovely. Vive Sol’s speciality in my opinion is their wonderful rendition of guajillo sauce. I tasted this sauce for the first time in Vive Sol and fell in love with it instantly. I have since recommended it to multiple friends who all ended up enjoying it just as much. Guajillo is a type of chili pepper fairly common in Mexico. Surprisingly, I have not come across the pepper much. Vive Sol uses this pepper to great effect in a creamy sauce that is just about the right spice level and perfect. I had a veggie burrito with Guajillo sauce which was awesome. It paired well with the Spanish rice and beans on the side. Portions can be deceiving. If one gorges on the tortilla chips prior to the entree, the portion is perfectly adequate for dinner. For lunch, it depends on the hunger factor. Overall, I am a happy camper at Vive Sol and would recommend it very strongly.
DA
David Adams
The worst dining experience Ive had in years. Food Vive Sol buys really low quality ingredients and it shows in their food. Their guacamole was significantly worse than Ive had in a long time, and their Carne Asada had the texture of wet leather and a really odd flavor. The only thing I had here that wasnt awful was the chips and salsa. I cant comment on the drinks as I didnt have any. Service We were seated quickly, but after that, it was all down hill. We were generally ignored while we were seated. It took a long time to order and even longer to get our food. My wifes food was completely inedible (I gagged a little when I tried some of her Mole Poblano) and she barely touched it. It look more than 20 minutes for the server to come by after my wife was served that food, by which time we were ready to leave. Oh and that inedible dish that she barely touched, they still charged us for it. Value With the quality of food they serve here, youd expect the bill for two people (no drinks) to be $15, not $50. If you thinking about going to Vive Sol, dont. Youre better off with taco bell. The food tastes better and stomach ache you get after wont be any worse than the one youd get from Vive Sol.
MI
Mihir Meghani
This restaurant (owned by the wife) & the sibling restaurant Palo Alto Sol (owned by the husband) are great. They have great vegetarian options & the staff are familiar with what is truly vegetarian. Enchiladas are my favorite. In the past, we have had enfrijolades which is a set of 3 corn tortillas covered with beans & some vegetables & is very light on cheese - if you want this spicy be sure to ask for chipotle sauce. The enchiladas mexicanas had some sour cream - we got cheese inside & red sauce on top which was not spicy. The enchiladas guajillo we got with cheese & spinach inside, & this sauce was creamy with a slight spicy (but not hot) tinge. I had De La Plaza before & that was good. The complimentary chips & sauces are good but filling. If you order a la carte, it is $3 less than the full entree with beans & rice. They charge for sharing. Get Mexican Coca Cola. Service is good. The restaurant is colorful but small, & they dont take reservations.
CA
Carmel Bogle
I had been going to Vive Sol since I first moved to the area over a year ago. The food was okay, the prices a bit more than the quality of food. I found questionable hair in one of the enchiladas one time. I went back after a couple of months hoping it was a mistake but noticed the prices kept getting extensively higher without any change in portion size or quality. I commented on it and the staff seemed to not care. Poor business method to reject your loyal customers. I had brought multiple groups there for bachelorette parties, get togethers, etc but a staff and management that doesnt value its customers, has overprice food for low quality doesnt deserve my hard earned money. If you want cheap Mexican food try the taco truck next door. If you want fancy Mexican food, drive the extra mile to downtown Mountain View. This place should go out of business.
RA
Randall Lewis
Vive Sol is a tasty mexican food restaurant. While I havent deeply explored the menu, my favorite dishes are the nachos (guacamole, sour cream, beans, cheese) and the chicken enchilada with their sweet and creamy house guajillo sauce (this sauce is what keeps me coming back) which I share with my wife. The nachos are large and the enchilada comes with beans and rice on the side and collectively are enough food for two average people. Sometimes the place can get crowded, so if you dont like a loud dining experience, ask to sit on the patio, but bring a jacket if its a cooler time of the year. I dont eat out much because it can be hard to find a good restaurant with tasty dishes that you can leave spending less than $30.
DA
David Kahn
"Mole sauce to die for" ... My favorite Mexican restaurant. Been going to the one in Palo Alto and this one for decades, same owners. Helena and Hector. And they also have one in San Mateo. The other similar restaurants in Mountain View are also very good, but owned by different parts of the family. (ie, La Fiesta). Can sit outside or inside. Outdoor seating area has heaters. Can park in the nearby Mattress stores lot if parking lot is full. (Park along the side facing the restaurant.) Go early or wait. Good service, usually very fast.
TO
Tom Bruckbock
wont go there again. we have been there a few times, it actually always was ok. been there again this weekend, went there just because of the patio they have open on weekends. we said we only want to sit outside, they told us it will take 20-25 minutes. looked like they have forgotten us, after 45min we asked how much longer it will take, they said that we could sit inside, outside we would have to wait another 30min. so we left. since there are plenty of mexican restaurants, this was the last time at this place.
MA
maryannEatsArt
Upscale, decimals loud restaurant that sometimes has outdoor seating. Delicious, fresh Mexican food with plenty of choices. Lots of tequila brands, fresh margaritas not strong enough. Chips served with 3 different superb, fresh salsas. Cool sun-themed wall decorations, good place for business, family, friends dinner out. Parking can get full quickly. Clean bathroom is outside, spookily around the side of the building, making it a relief to rush back inside to the comfort of your table.