El NO QUE NO Authentic Mexican kitchen
About This Spot
El NO QUE NO Authentic Mexican Kitchen welcomes you with the comforting embrace of a relaxed neighborhood eatery where authenticity and warmth come first. Nestled quietly within a strip mall in Thornton, its unassuming exterior belies a space bursting with the rich textures and vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican home cooking. The atmosphere is easygoing, a gentle rhythm that invites lingering over plates filled with familiar, heartfelt dishes.
Inside, the pace slows just enough to savor each bite and share stories across the table. The friendly, attentive service adds a personal touch that makes every visit feel like catching up with an old friend who’s passionate about their craft. This is a place where conversations hum softly beside the clink of glasses filled with freshly made aguas frescas, and where families gather around generous portions crafted for sharing.
The menu reads like a journey through cherished recipes—each dish imbued with layers of tradition. Whether you’re drawn by the warm, comforting notes of chilaquiles con huevos at breakfast or the rich, savory pull of birria-inspired creations later in the day, the experience is unmistakably genuine. Here, the flavors don’t just satisfy hunger; they tell stories of heritage, time, and care.
Though the space is modest, it holds a certain charm that reflects the heart of a mom-and-pop kitchen. It’s the kind of spot where locals return not just for the food, but for the feeling of belonging — a reminder that some of the most meaningful moments happen around a simple meal shared with others.
What’s Available Here
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Kerbside pickup
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Delivery
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Drive-through
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Fast service
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Serves local specialty
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Breakfast
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Happy-hour food
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Healthy options
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Breakfast
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Brunch
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Catering
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Quiet
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Trendy
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Family friendly
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Groups
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Tourists
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University students
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Accepts reservations
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday | 09:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Friday | 08:00 AM - 12:00 AM | |
| Saturday | 08:00 AM - 12:00 AM | |
| Sunday | 08:00 AM - 12:00 AM |
Sherrie Willis 04 Jan 2026
So very delicious and plentiful. The menu offered a lot of choices and options. I enjoyed the gordita and my husband had a burrito. Were not disappointed at all. Clean, friendly, comfortable and we will definitely go back.
Daniel 07 Nov 2025
Great food. The birria torta was awesome and massive! I mean huge. I'm a big guy, and I had to get a box to bring half home. The carnitas and barbacoa tacos were great as well. The downside is the price. For the birria torta and two street tacos, my total was $27 before tip. Those are prices of restaurants with much nicer settings. I don't mind a hole in the wall, the place is not super nice inside, but the prices are more in line with much nicer restaurants. So, one star gone for the price, but the food is definitely good!
Larkspur 15 Oct 2025
A family favorite of ours. We come here for lunch and bring out-of-town family and friends since the menu is not only delicious but mostly gluten-free and the refried beans are vegetarian (no lard). This restaurant consistently serves the best huevos rancheros and Birria we have ever had. The service is friendly, attentive and very helpful. The portions are large and are of greater value than what you pay. Love this place and now that I have started thinking about the huevos I am sure I will be there soon!
Backwoodz Girl 05 Oct 2025
Visiting from Tampa Florida in search of authentic mom and pop cuisine and I found it here. Real Mexican and avoided the chain restaurants. Open late too!
G. Dunc 03 Oct 2025
This place is almost a hidden gem. They are known for their Birria options and my daughter and I thought we'd check them out. We arrived after sunset and the shopping mall that they are in is mostly vacant, but they are there even though their sign is faint. We went inside and we're promptly greeted. The service was solid. The waitress was attentive and knowledge. Shortly after taking our orders the food arrived. Wow! It didn't disappoint. It was hot, flavorful, and really cemented the fact that we will be back. I had a torta and my daughter tried the quesadilla. Both were from the Birria section of the menu. Totally worth the trip. While there were also noticed that there were a lot of orders being picked up by delivery services. So that's another option. Give them a try!
Rupert Doñes 16 Sep 2025
10/4, Daisy and Cati were pleasant tonight. They took excellent care of us and our dinner order for delicious tacos! The pineapple drink was like an Pineapple Julius. We appreciate them!! Thank you, Rupert