Abuelo’s

Looking for fresh, exciting, authentic and cheap Mexican food? Abuelo’s could be the answer. This chain has been going strong since 1989, hiring the best Mexican chefs and creating dishes that all of the family can enjoy.

This award winning chain boasts around 40 locations, all of which are in the United States. On this page we will take a look at their menu prices, their secret menu, their nutrition info and everything else you could want to know about this family favorite.

About Abuelo’s

Abuelo's Full Menu

There are also options that are a little less Mexican and a little more American.

This Mexican eatery was founded in 1989. It came into its own when it hired Executive Chef Luis Sanchez, a Mexican cook who created many of the recipes that you can still find on the menu. Luis Sanchez began working for Abuelo’s in 1996, helping to grow this brand to the point where it had close to 40 locations.

Those locations can be found in 13 states, serving Mexican food that appeals to the American palate, but is also authentic. The is no shortage of Mexican fast food and casual dining chains in the United States. But the majority of these were founded by people who were born and bred in the US. Their experience came from eating at other Mexican restaurants, many of which were also created by Americans.

This cycle is the reason why there is very little authentic Mexican food, and the reason why the likes of Taco Bell have struggled to gain traction in Mexico (despite trying more than once). But Abuelo’s breaks that cycle. With its Mexican foundations, its Mexican cook and its Mexican influences, it serves food that is fresh, delicious and authentic.

Abuelo’s Menu

Abuelo's Menu

This food can be as fiery or as mild as you want it to be.

As mentioned above, the Abuelo’s menu contains authentic cuisine from south of the border. Their slogan is “The Flavor of Mexico” and this is what they bring to countless tables across over a dozen different states. You can enjoy everything from a selection of Tapas, Salads and Soups, to Fajitas and more.

There is also a Children’s Menu to keep the little ones satisfied, and plenty of cocktails for when the little ones make too much noise and the big ones need a little light relief.

Abuelo’s Secret Menu

Abuelo's Secret Menu Hack

Sample the best spices, the best cheeses and more.

There are a few items on the Abuelo’s secret menu, but not a great deal. This is a far cry from the Del Taco secret menu or the Chipotle secret menu. Mexican fast food and casual dining chains tend to have the best secret menus, but that’s not the case with this one.

There are a few options on this secret menu, but not a great deal. Still, this is growing all of the time and as soon as something new pops up, you can find it here.

Abuelo’s Menu Prices

Abuelo’s is very reasonably priced. It is roughly on par with the likes of El Pollo Loco, with most dishes costing less than $6. Even if you go the whole hog, with several courses, a number of sides and a drink or two, you should be able to walk away with change from $40.

You can feed the whole family for less than $50, and there is plenty of variety to keep even the fussiest of eaters happy.

To see more prices for all menu items, click onto our Abuelo’s Menu Prices guide, which is updated regularly.

Abuelo’s Nutrition and Calories

Abuelo's calories

Fresh beans, fresh greens and rice form the basis of many dishes.

The foundation of Mexican food is very healthy. Avocados, tomatoes, beans–it’s all superfood. You can get a huge dose of protein, fiber and nutrients from these ingredients and many of the other ingredients that form the basis of many Mexican dishes. There is a lot of cheese and cream as well, of course, but the same can be said for most cuisines and most restaurants. The good thing is that there are healthy options available if you want them, and even if you opt for something more decadent, there is still a lot of goodness in it.

To learn more, checkout our Abuelo’s Nutrition Info guide. This contains information on all of the calories, fat and salt in their dishes. This is updated all of the time to ensure that you know exactly what’s in your food when you sit down to eat at this popular Mexican chain.

Abuelo’s Locations

Abuelo's Locations

If you’re watching your weight or looking for something healthy, there are plenty of options on the menu.

There are close to 40 Abuelo’s locations in over a dozen states. Several of these locations have been the recipient of awards for excellence, as well as rave reviews from critics and consumers alike. Despite that, it is a long way behind many of its rivals when it comes to size and turnover.

To give you an idea of just how much smaller it is: Taco Bell is 3x bigger than Chipotle; Chipotle is 4x bigger than Del Taco; and Del Taco is more than 10x bigger than Abuelo’s. To put it another way, for every 1 Abuelo’s restaurant, there are more than 160 Taco Bell restaurants. Still, this brand packs a powerful punch, it is popular with customers and is still growing, albeit at a very steady pace.

The follow states all have locations:

  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • Florida
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Missouri
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia

Abuelo’s Store Hours

Typically, these restaurants open at 11:00am and close at 10:00pm on average. These times may differ slightly depending on the location, and they are reduced during certain holidays and on Sunday. They are all open 7 days a week.

Date Modified - December 4, 2017