Everything was delicious, flavorful and quickly made. We came for lunch takeout and will definitely come back. Only downside for salsa verde lovers, theirs is not properly spicy.
Overview
Walking into La Catrina Burritos Y Mas Mexican Restaurant at 1816 Owen Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304, United States feels like stepping into a neighborhood spot that locals quietly treasure. The vibe is relaxed, the staff greets you like they’ve seen you before, and the aroma of grilled meats and warm tortillas hits almost immediately. I stopped in during a busy lunch rush, and despite the steady flow of orders, everything moved smoothly, which already said a lot about how the kitchen operates day to day.
The menu leans confidently into traditional Mexican comfort food while still offering enough variety to keep repeat visits interesting. Burritos are clearly the star, packed generously and wrapped tight so nothing falls apart halfway through. On my last visit, I watched a cook press fresh tortillas on the griddle, a simple process that makes a noticeable difference in texture and flavor. That hands-on approach reflects what many chefs trained in regional Mexican cooking emphasize: freshness over shortcuts. According to culinary research shared by organizations like the James Beard Foundation, freshly prepared components consistently score higher in customer satisfaction, and it shows here.
What stands out most is how flavors are layered rather than overwhelming. The carne asada has a clean, beef-forward taste with just enough seasoning, while the rice and beans are balanced instead of being an afterthought. I’ve eaten at plenty of Mexican diners where sides feel rushed, but here they’re clearly treated as part of the whole experience. Reviews from locals often mention consistency, and that matters. The National Restaurant Association notes that repeat customers are more likely to return when dishes taste the same every time, and that reliability is something this place quietly nails.
The salsa bar deserves its own mention, not because it’s flashy, but because it’s practical and well thought out. You’ll usually find a mild option, a smoky medium, and a brighter, spicier salsa that wakes everything up. I overheard another customer say the green salsa was their go-to every week, which lines up with what many regulars mention in online reviews. It’s these small, repeatable pleasures that turn a casual stop into a habit.
Service here feels personal without being intrusive. On one visit, I asked about spice levels, and the cashier took the time to explain which sauces were house-made and which leaned hotter. That kind of interaction builds trust, especially for diners who may not be familiar with every item on the menu. From an industry perspective, hospitality experts often point out that clear communication reduces order mistakes and increases overall satisfaction, and you can tell the staff understands that instinctively.
Location-wise, being on Owen Drive makes it easy to swing by whether you’re a Fayetteville local or just passing through. Parking is straightforward, and the dining area stays clean even during peak hours. Like any small restaurant, there can be short waits during lunch, and seating may feel tight at times, which is worth noting if you’re in a rush. Still, the food comes out hot and fresh, which makes the wait feel reasonable rather than frustrating.
La Catrina Burritos Y Mas Mexican Restaurant doesn’t try to reinvent Mexican food or chase trends. Instead, it focuses on doing familiar dishes well, using straightforward methods and fresh ingredients. That grounded approach, paired with friendly service and solid reviews, explains why so many people keep coming back without making a big fuss about it.
Good to know
Service options
✓ No-contact delivery ✓ Delivery ✓ Takeaway ✓ Dine-inHighlights
✓ Serves local specialtyPopular for
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Solo diningAccessibility
✓ Wheelchair-accessible car park ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance ✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating ✓ Wheelchair-accessible toiletOfferings
✓ Alcohol ✓ Beer ✓ Comfort food ✓ Quick bite ✓ Small plates ✓ WineDining options
✓ Lunch ✓ Dinner ✓ Dessert ✓ SeatingAmenities
✓ ToiletAtmosphere
✓ Casual ✓ Cosy ✓ TrendyCrowd
✓ Family friendly ✓ TouristsPayments
✓ Credit cards ✓ Debit cards ✓ NFC mobile payments ✓ Credit cardsChildren
✓ Good for kids ✓ High chairs ✓ Kids' menuParking
✓ Free of charge street parking ✓ Free parking lot ✓ ParkingPets
✓ Dogs allowed outsidePhotos
1 / 4
Location
Reviews
- No ratings yet 229 reviews
This is my families new favorite spot!!!! The food is fresh 10/10 she had the birria pizza box I had veggie burrito w/shrimp and she had the taco box the food is California inspired and very authentic. You absolutely will NOT be disappointed..Also customer service is 10/10 very patient..Will definitely return….
The best birria we had in Fayetteville. I ordered the quesabirria tacos and my husband the grande chimichanga with birria; he doesn’t eat veggies and his chimichanga was FULL of birria which impressed me (see picture). They are big portions, amazing flavor, the place is very clean, staff is cleaning constantly which I loved, the cooks very polite and friendly wearing hairnets and gloves. Prices are ok compared to the portions. I definitely recommend it.
This place has some of the best food I’ve had!! The burritos are freshly made, they are huge and they have several different kinds and ingredients. I love this place and if you are a fan of burritos you definitely want to check this place out!!
Clean, friendly staff, the food is amazing!!! The burritos aren’t skimpy and stuffed to perfection!!! The birria tacos juicy not, flavorful, fresh lime and radishes. The Mexican rice has that amazing authentic flavor like it’s supposed to have!!! We will be returning!!! 10/10!!!!
The carne asada fries were LOADED! They definitely do not skimp when it comes to the meat and toppings. And both the fries and Mexican corn came out hot. There is cheese beneath the fries so mixing the fries together created a satisfying cheese pull! I brought half of the fries and Mexican corn home for leftovers because the meal was super filling. The melon (cantaloupe) agua fresca was okay, it was self serve out of a soda gun next to the fountain drinks dispenser. The other buttons on the soda gun for agua fresca was pineapple, hibiscus, and Horchata. It was a bit sweet so I diluted mine with water from the fountain machine. It isn’t for me, so I wouldn’t get it again but I would definitely come by to try more of their menu though based on how much I liked the food! Total bill for carne asada fries, side of Mexican corn and agua Fresca was $26.
They advertise they have the best burritos in town and they did not disappoint. If you are in the area check out this family owned, fresh ingredient restaurant! This is a place that will keep you coming back for more. As always tell them Tim sent you. Enjoy the food!
I only post on here when it's food I ABSOLUTELY love and really would recommend. (I eat everywhere lol) There are a lot of posts on here that people are too quick to jump and say they are good and then I go try it and get soooo disappointed. So here is a review you can TRUST. La Catrina Burritos not only had the freshest and most DELICIOUS Mexican food I have EVER HAD (Mexican is hugeeee in our house), but I couldn't have asked for better customer service. Kind, respectful and helpful! I got the L.A. Burrito and my husband got the burrito bowl and carne asada fries. THE FRESHEST FOOD!!!! CLEAN RESTAURANT!!! The cheese in the Carne Asada Fries tasted like a fountain of deliciousness from heaven. It was incredible. The meat was soft not chewy like other places. SEASONED TO PERFECTION!!!! I had a student who worked there recommend this place to me last year and I am so upset that I now had the time to go try them. She told me they cut up all their veggies fresh EVERY.DAY. Boy, have we been missing out! Go there now! I promise you won't regret it. They also do MILITARY DISCOUNT!!!!! Sorry we started eating before I took the pics. I had to try it asap lol it looked and smelled so gooddddd. SUPER AUTHENTIC!!!!