CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – If you have ever driven past the Costco in Concord, you have probably blown right a taco place that’s suddenly getting lots of local love.
Tucked a short distance behind the warehouse store at 970 Detroit Ave in Concord, Salsa Verde Mexican Cuisine is a small family-run restaurant that neighbors say feels like a secret — and they cannot stop raving about it.
A tiny, family-run spot behind Costco
Salsa Verde sits on a quiet stretch of Detroit Avenue, about half a mile behind the busy Costco off Monument Boulevard. Inside, the space is simple and homey: a small counter, a few indoor tables, and additional outdoor seating.
According to the restaurant’s website, Salsa Verde is a family-owned spot serving traditional Mexican dishes — everything from tacos and sopes to enchiladas and big, overstuffed burritos. One neighbor on social media added that the chefs hail from Oaxaca, often described as Mexico’s culinary capital, which helps explain why the flavors here stand out.
Officially, the restaurant lists its hours as Monday through Friday, 11 am to 3 pm, with weekends closed.
But in a recent neighborhood post, owner Humberto L. told locals that Salsa Verde plans to open from 11 am to 7 pm on weekdays starting Wednesday, November 12, to better catch the after-work and post-Costco crowd (Humberto proudly sent it to us directly). Diners should double-check hours before heading over, as the schedule has changed a few times this year.
Love letters from the neighborhood
The buzz around Salsa Verde is not coming from slick marketing. It is coming from regulars who have quietly made this their go-to Mexican spot.
Jumping onto the owner’s simple “new hours post”, Gary A. said his family “always” stops at Salsa Verde when they go to Costco, praising the consistently good food and fast service. Brooke S., who lives nearby, thanked him for the recommendation and said she was thrilled to realize such a highly rated spot was so close to home.
Others chimed in with specific dishes. Kat L. said she has worked her way through the shrimp quesadilla, veggie burrito, and chile relleno and called all of them delicious. Troy E. singled out the mole burrito as “phenomenal,” while another neighbor simply summed the place up as “great food” and left it at that.
For some families, Salsa Verde has become more than just a quick lunch stop. Dawn N. shared that owner Humberto catered her son’s wedding and said she “highly” recommends the restaurant for both everyday meals and special occasions.
Several commenters also praised Humberto himself, with Steve P. calling Salsa Verde his family’s favorite Mexican restaurant and adding that it will be “nice to be able to get there more often” under the expanded hours.
What to order at Salsa Verde
Humberto reached out to the Bay Area Telegraph to send us a menu.
The restaurant offers a full lineup of burritos, including regular and super burritos, a vegetarian option loaded with grilled vegetables, and specialties like the Salsa Verde Burrito made with pork in house tomatillo sauce, and a chicken mole burrito for those who want something rich and complex.
There are also:
- Crunchy and soft tacos with a choice of meats
- Hearty combination plates like chile verde, carnitas, fajitas and bistek de asada, usually served with rice and beans
- Breakfast and brunch items such as huevos con chorizo and huevos rancheros for early-day visits
- Seafood options, including shrimp plates and fish dishes for those who want something beyond the usual taco-shop fare
One of Salsa Verde’s signature dishes is the molcajete, a sizzling stone bowl piled with grilled chicken, steak, chorizo, cactus, peppers, and Oaxaca cheese, served with warm handmade tortillas, rice and beans.
How to find it — and why to go now
If you are used to sticking to the big chains near the freeway, Salsa Verde might be easy to miss. It is not in a high-profile shopping center or a glossy new development. Instead, it is on a quieter stretch of Detroit Avenue, just beyond Costco, with a simple storefront, a white picket fence out front, and a small parking area.
But neighbors say that is exactly the point. This is the kind of place where the owner knows regulars by name, the salsa tastes like something from a family kitchen, and the menu ranges from classic crunchy tacos to big plates that feel like a home-cooked meal.
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