In the heart of Old Town Salinas, there’s a colorful little gem that has been quietly winning over locals and road-trippers alike for decades.
El Colibrí Restaurant and Deli on Main Street serves up a beautiful mashup of Mexican and American comfort food, with homemade soups, overstuffed sandwiches, and authentic Oaxacan dishes that keep people coming back again and again. 🌮🥪
It’s the kind of place that makes you wonder why every town doesn’t have one.
How El Colibrí Won Salinas Hearts
El Colibrí has been a fixture in Old Town Salinas since 1991, which tells you everything you need to know about how deeply it’s woven into the community’s fabric.
What started as a beloved deli known for homemade soups and sandwiches has grown into a full-scale restaurant that roasts its turkey, tri-tip, and grilled chicken fresh every single day—a detail that separates Irene from everything else on the block. 🍗
The restaurant has evolved beautifully over the years, rebranding and remodeling while keeping the same family running things, adding traditional Oaxacan dishes like quesabirrias, mole, and vegan tamales alongside the classic diner plates that first earned its reputation.
That rare ability to honor its roots while growing with the community is precisely why long-time regulars still show up, and why first-timers are surprised to find something this good tucked into a downtown street. 🌟
Reviewers consistently rave about the warm, cultural ambiance and attentive service that makes guests feel like they’re being hosted rather than just served.
One loyal customer put it perfectly, noting that owner Maribel serves guests with the same attentiveness she did over a decade ago—and in the restaurant world, that kind of consistency is almost unheard of. ❤️
Food Highlights
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Quesabirrias: The crispy, cheesy birria tacos here are the real deal—stuffed with tender, deeply spiced meat, dipped in consommé, and griddled until perfectly golden.
Reviewers describe the consommé as having rich, all-spice-forward flavors that make it uniquely memorable and absolutely worth dunking. 🌮
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Torta Cubana: A loaded ciabatta masterpiece featuring lightly breaded chicken, chorizo, ham, Oaxacan cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, onions, and jalapeño—all toasted to perfection. Guests call it “so amazing” and rave about the fluffy, fresh bread and how every ingredient pulls its weight.
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Tri-Tip Sandwich: One of the most popular items on the menu, built on fresh-roasted tri-tip sliced daily and loaded onto hearty bread with fresh ingredients.
It’s the kind of sandwich that reminds you what real roasted beef tastes like when someone actually cares. 🥩
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Bacon Cheeseburger: El Colibrí’s take on the classic bacon cheeseburger is a solid, satisfying burger that reviewers call a great option alongside the restaurant’s more elaborate menu offerings. It proves that even at a spot famous for Oaxacan cuisine, they haven’t forgotten how to build a proper burger. 🍔
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Fish Tacos: Listed among the most reviewed dishes on the menu, these tacos are described as “bomb” by returning guests who make them a repeat order on every visit.
Fresh, light, and satisfying—they’re a reminder that sometimes the simplest things are done best here.
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Veggie Bowl & Vegan Tamales: El Colibrí has become a go-to spot for plant-based diners seeking real, flavorful food without compromise—the vegan tamales and veggie bowls consistently earn high praise from vegan travelers passing through Salinas.
Guests on HappyCow call them “incredible” and make a point to stop here on road trips through Central California. 🌿
Atmosphere
El Colibrí sits in the heart of Old Town Salinas and has one of the few permanent outdoor patios in the area, making it a prime people-watching spot—especially on weekends during the Farmers Market. 🌞
Inside, reviewers describe the vibe as warm, colorful, and culturally rich, with an open kitchen that lets you see every dish being made fresh.
It feels like a cute, homemade Mexican restaurant with just enough diner charm to make everyone feel welcome, from vegans to carnivores.
The combination of an inviting indoor space and that beloved outdoor patio means this is equally great for a quick solo lunch or a laid-back dinner with friends.
Bottom Line
Visit El Colibrí for decades-proven comfort food, freshly roasted meats daily, authentic Oaxacan dishes you won’t find everywhere, one of Old Town’s best patios, and a warm family-run atmosphere that feels genuinely special. 🐦
This is California comfort food at its most soulful.
Address: 343 Main St, Salinas, CA 93901
📞 (831) 422-4133
🕔 Open Tue–Sun (hours vary)