There’s a new fast casual, authentic Mexican restaurant in River Park in Fresno
A new fast casual, authentic Mexican restaurant is serving up birria tacos, fajitas, carne asada and more in Fresno’s River Park shopping district.
Mex Sabor Cocina Mexicana opened its doors in May at 40 El Camino Real.
The space was formerly home to Rubio’s Coastal Grill.
Alex Ignacio runs the day-to-day operations of the restaurant as manager. He told The Bee he wants to make sure Mex Sabor is not seen as a Tex-Mex, but a place that offers authentic Mexican food.
“We are a little bit of everything for everyone, but at the end of the day, it’s authentic flavors,” Ignacio said. “That’s almost why the name is Mex Sabor, (which translates to) Mexican flavor.”
And the birria tacos, he’s been told by customers, are the best in town.
Mex Sabor already has regulars
In the first few months of business, the restaurant has already begun to build a regular customer base.
“Our Latin community has come out a lot; people have shown their appreciation and their love for us,” Ignacio said.
One customer who lives in the area now comes into Mex Sabor every day to chat with the staff and try something new from the menu each time, Ignacio said.
Another regular comes in every Tuesday, and hasn’t gotten the same meal twice, he said.
Once, a customer brought in her mom, he said, and she asked for huevos a la Mexicana, or Mexican-style eggs, something not listed on the menu.
But that was no problem, as Ignacio had grown up with it as a breakfast staple, and the kitchen staff was also familiar with the classic Mexican breakfast dish.
They cooked and served huevos a la Mexicana for her.
“She loved it,” he said. “She was surprised, not a lot of places do that anymore.”
What’s on the menu at Mex Sabor?
At Mex Sabor, patrons can choose between countless styles of tacos and burritos, seafood dishes, doraditos, enchiladas, fajitas, carne asada and breakfast options.
Most entrees cost between $9 and $16.
A kids’, or little amigo, menu is also available, with each item priced at $7.50.
Mex Sabor offers happy hour and other specials
Each weekend, Mex Sabor offers a new kind of aguas frescas, a refreshing Mexican beverage made by blending fresh fruits, flowers, grains, or seeds with water and sugar.
Happy hour specials are offered from 1 to 3 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m.
On the weekends from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., bottomless mimosas are for sale for $6 each or bottomless.
Alex works to make an atmosphere that is like “coming home to your grandma’s house,” he said. “Somewhere people come in hungry and they leave full and happy.”
When is Mex Sabor open?
Mex Sabor is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.
This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 8:00 AM.