The legend that would eventually inspire the opening of Don Juan's Mexican Kitchen in Tenino, was born in 1934 in the small town of Salvatierra in Guanajuato, Mexico. Maria De La Luz, or Lucha as her family affectionately called her, grew up in a home filled with tantalizing aromas where she quickly developed a deep passion for cooking.
She made it her mission to refine and preserve the authentic Mexican cuisine recipes of her family, while sharing them at her table with loved ones and friends. Her son Juan married Eva, who shared Seora Lucha's passion for beautiful food and quickly became her understudy. Spending evening after evening to learn Mexican cuisine magic from the legend herself.
She made it her mission to refine and preserve the authentic Mexican cuisine recipes of her family, while sharing them at her table with loved ones and friends. Her son Juan married Eva, who shared Seora Lucha's passion for beautiful food and quickly became her understudy. Spending evening after evening to learn Mexican cuisine magic from the legend herself.
Reviews (25)
Jeri Fredricksen
Feb 02, 2022
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Andi Saxton
Jan 31, 2022
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Aaron W.
Jan 21, 2022
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Quiero más Don Juan's!
Heeeeeyyyyyyoooooo!
If your in the area and want some super fresh and tasty food served by a true family run staff, then Don Juan's is yo JAM!
Shrimp Tacos, with wild caught shrimp from Argentina, was super fresh and had the perfect accompanying ingredients to let the fresh perfectly cooked shrimp shine.
Chips and a nice deep red salsa to start?
Sí, por favor!
A Modelo Especial to quench that thirst?
Sí, por favor!
Heeeeeyyyyyyoooooo!
If your in the area and want some super fresh and tasty food served by a true family run staff, then Don Juan's is yo JAM!
Shrimp Tacos, with wild caught shrimp from Argentina, was super fresh and had the perfect accompanying ingredients to let the fresh perfectly cooked shrimp shine.
Chips and a nice deep red salsa to start?
Sí, por favor!
A Modelo Especial to quench that thirst?
Sí, por favor!
Nathaniel Patriarca
Jan 05, 2022
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Dave Snyder
Nov 30, 2021
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This mole was the best I've ever had, and not just at a restaurant. Mole can be too sweet, too bitter, or just not right. This was "Goldilocks." Enough sweetness, but not too much. Smoky flavor, but not overpowering. Perfect.
Some of the best restaurant guac I've had as well. All of us were so happy with our meals. Two of us live or lived in SoCal, so we know what legit Mexican food tastes like. To have it in this quaint hamlet of Tenino makes this place a hidden gem.
Some of the best restaurant guac I've had as well. All of us were so happy with our meals. Two of us live or lived in SoCal, so we know what legit Mexican food tastes like. To have it in this quaint hamlet of Tenino makes this place a hidden gem.
Dayna Yacobazzi-Brown
Oct 24, 2021
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Donna Wing
Oct 06, 2021
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Pam Mills
Sep 26, 2021
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This was our first time coming here and I can tell you it will Not be the last it's our new favorite place. The food was amazing and nothing like we have ever had so much flavor all from scratch . We had the Carne Asada burrito and we split it and still had to take some home . The homemade fresh guacamole was the bomb so much flavor . The margarita also amazing so good we brought home a pint of the salsa.All the sauces so yummy the chips also different than normal fried in peanut oil! I wanted to take them home as well lol. Everything was over the top..service fantastic. This is the way to run
Kim Eley Culbertson
Sep 11, 2021
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Cynthia L.
Sep 08, 2021
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Marty Sable
Aug 27, 2021
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Sarah Baby Snake Schori
Aug 22, 2021
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Ellen Sanford
Jul 30, 2021
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Jammie Scroggins
Jul 26, 2021
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Marlene Corbett Hepp
Jul 21, 2021
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Vicky C.
Jul 01, 2021
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Blu Otis
Jun 29, 2021
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This was my second visit here in the past six weeks. I just had to bring my friends to experience the great food here. Being Mexican-American, I’ve had my fair share of Mexican food and I have to say that this is up there at the top. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! The service is as good as the food. Driving in from Olympia for lunch, you won’t be disappointed, believe me.
I had Mole that was very well prepared and flavorful, my friends had the quesadillas which were excellent and the Wet burrito was super. I had street tacos the first time I was there and was very pleased. The rice and beans
I had Mole that was very well prepared and flavorful, my friends had the quesadillas which were excellent and the Wet burrito was super. I had street tacos the first time I was there and was very pleased. The rice and beans
Gwen B.
Jun 20, 2021
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Every time we've been there I would have given then a 5+ star until today. If it wasn't for the great bartender and awesome cook with the carnitas and guacamole I'm not sure we'd have ever come back! And we've been here numerous times and with friends and family. Such a shame that one really bad server (I'm almost assuming she is related to the owners somehow) can really just turn you away from such a great spot after multiple excellent experiences.
Mark Klein
Jun 18, 2021
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Kathleen A.
May 13, 2021
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Therese N.
May 03, 2021
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Unfortunately never get steak fajitas. Awful, steak was way over cooked especially since I asked if they could make the steak to order and she checked with the kitchen no problem. But no one ever checked to see if anything was ok. Probably never eat there again since no one seemed to care. And it was a super special birthday dinner that we paid way to much for. My husband even said my Spanish Rice was way more flavorful. So I guess I should have cooked my own bday dinner! Ugh!
Cody S.
Apr 24, 2021
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Great place, great decor, great food! I've heard a lot of great things about this place but I just have never been here. I'm glad today we decided to come here. The food was very authentic and made with love! This is just my opinion but I do like thin chips, but they were still really good! Salsa was good and the pico was perfect! The owner Don Juan came out and introduced himself to us and shook my hand, which I appreciate in these times. He asked of the salsa was good and I told him I like hotter salsa and he came back with a multitude of choices from mild to really hot! They all were
Mary F.
Jan 18, 2021
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We love Don Juan's, Tenino Wa. They just started grilling chicken on Fridays and Saturdays. That chicken was so good, cooked to perfection. The sauce was perfect with it. Their food is always great. Clear your dinner plans for next Friday or Saturday and go to Don Juan's you will not be sorry.
Oh, just found out they are open 7 days a week now. Yes, it is take out only for right now.
Oh, just found out they are open 7 days a week now. Yes, it is take out only for right now.
Jennifer M.
Feb 29, 2020
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Literally some of the BEST food I've ever had. The Guacamole and salsa is off the charts good, The steer tocos we're so of the best I've ever had.
My husband had the Special, a Green Pork Mole dish, and my nephew had a gorgeous burrito that was bigger than his head!
No surprise they get busy. Go early or make a reservation!
My husband had the Special, a Green Pork Mole dish, and my nephew had a gorgeous burrito that was bigger than his head!
No surprise they get busy. Go early or make a reservation!
Danny S.
Feb 10, 2020
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Admittedly, I have never been to Mexico yet so perhaps I'm not the most reputable source in terms of judging Mexican food but ¡Ay Dios Mio! do I love myself some Don Juan's.
Don Juan's Tacos were excellent; 3 juicy tacos each filled with whichever protein you desire and man do these hit the spot.
Burritos enveloped with luscious cheese and one of their homemade sauces gallop in the distance, waiting to be enjoyed and voraciously devoured.
An immaculate bathroom and exceptional paintings/ artwork top it all off.
Amazing.
Don Juan's Tacos were excellent; 3 juicy tacos each filled with whichever protein you desire and man do these hit the spot.
Burritos enveloped with luscious cheese and one of their homemade sauces gallop in the distance, waiting to be enjoyed and voraciously devoured.
An immaculate bathroom and exceptional paintings/ artwork top it all off.
Amazing.