La Malinche Introduce
La Malinche stands out as a charming and authentic Mexican restaurant nestled in downtown Rahway, New Jersey. For locals in the Union County area and beyond, this establishment provides a welcoming, cozy spot to savor high-quality, flavorful Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. It is celebrated for offering a genuine taste of Mexico, with dishes prepared using fresh ingredients and traditional methods, proving that authentic flavors are readily available right here in the Garden State. La Malinche is a consistent favorite for those seeking great food at reasonable prices, served with fast, friendly service.
The restaurant provides a comprehensive menu that caters to both casual diners looking for a quick bite and groups planning a full, sit-down meal. Customer feedback highlights its strength in providing authentic, non-gourmet Mexican food that is both delicious and satisfying. Popular choices include the deep, layered flavors of dishes like the Enchiladas de Mole and the Enchiladas Verdes, alongside classics like the Burritos and Quesadillas. They are particularly noted for their extensive taco selection, which includes everything from Taco De Lengua and Taco De Camarón to the popular Taco Al Pastor. The menu also serves as a fantastic option for parties and events with generous "BIG GAME SPECIALS!" and party tray sizes available for items like Chicken Fajitas and Guacamole.
La Malinche's menu is rich and varied, ensuring a true exploration of Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. Here is a look at the diverse offerings:
- Entrees: A wide selection of traditional main courses, including Bistec Encebollado (Steak with Onions), Bistec Azteca, Chiles Rellenos (stuffed with cheese or meat), Pollo En Mole Oaxaqueño (Chicken in Oaxacan Mole), and various Fajitas (Steak and Chicken). Entrees typically come with rice, refried beans, and tortillas.
- Tacos: The classic soft corn tortilla tacos are a favorite, available in various fillings such as Taco De Pollo, Taco De Carnitas, Taco De Camaron, Taco De Pescado, and the popular Veggie Tacos.
- Tortas: Traditional Mexican sandwiches made on a soft roll and typically layered with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeño peppers, and chipotle mayo, accompanied by fries. Options include Torta Cubana and Torta De Milanesa De Res (Breaded Beef).
- Seafood: Fresh seafood selections like Sopa De Mariscos (Seafood Soup) and various shrimp dishes, including Camarones A La Diabla (Spicy Shrimp) and Camarones En Salsa De Cilantro.
- Appetizers & Sides: Great for starting the meal or snacking, featuring items like Guacamole Con Chips (highly-rated by customers), Nachos, Flautas Appetizer, Jalapeños Rellenos, and Coctel De Camarones (Mexican-style Shrimp Cocktail).
- Desserts (Postres): Finish your meal with authentic sweets like Flan, Tres Leches Cake, or the unique Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichanga.
- Drinks: Offering Milkshakes, Hot Chocolate, and a variety of Flavored Drinks.
- Party Trays: Catering to group events with "BIG GAME SPECIALS!" like Party Tray Size Chicken Fajitas and Large Party Size Guacamole.
La Malinche is centrally located in the heart of Rahway, making it easily accessible for Central and Northern New Jersey residents. The address is:
1588 Irving St, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA
The downtown Rahway location offers practical parking solutions, which is a major convenience for local New Jersey drivers:
- Free street parking (frequently cited as "plenty of on street parking")
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
Furthermore, the restaurant is committed to ensuring a comfortable visit for all patrons by offering comprehensive accessibility features:
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
La Malinche provides multiple service options to suit all customer needs, from a quick solo meal to a planned group event, ensuring locals can enjoy their food with maximum convenience.
- Dine-in: Enjoy the cozy, casual, and trendy atmosphere with comfortable seating.
- Takeout: Pick up your order quickly to enjoy at home.
- Delivery: Offering delivery services to bring fresh Mexican food directly to your location.
- Onsite Services: While the term is broad, this may include table service and general dining hospitality.
- Reservations: The restaurant accepts reservations, making it easy to plan group dinners or secure a table during busy hours.
- Table Service: Full service is provided for dine-in patrons.
- Lunch and Dinner: Serving full meals for both main dining periods, alongside small plates and desserts.
La Malinche is celebrated for several features that make it a favorite choice among the Rahway community and surrounding areas.
- Authentic Cuisine: Known for serving "authentic Tex-Mex" and "authentic Mexican" food with deep, flavorful dishes, including the highly-praised mole sauce. It is noted as a place to enjoy "real Mexican restaurants" style tacos.
- Fast Service: A key highlight, ensuring that even with a busy schedule, New Jersey patrons can rely on a quick meal.
- Serves Local Specialty: While all the food is high-quality, the emphasis on local favorites and traditional recipes ensures a unique local offering.
- Atmosphere & Ambiance: The interior is described as charming, nice, and cozy, with a casual and trendy feel that is great for groups and solo diners alike.
- Family-Friendly: Considered "Good for kids," offering a dedicated Kids' menu and high chairs, making it an excellent option for family meals.
- Value: Prices are consistently deemed "very reasonable" and "fair," especially given the good size portions provided. Entrees often come with complimentary chips & salsa, rice, and refried beans.
- Dietary Options: Provides vegetarian options, small plates, comfort food, and quick bites, catering to various dietary needs and preferences.
- Payment Flexibility: Accepts modern payment methods, including Credit cards, Debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
- Outdoor Pets: The policy of "Dogs allowed outside" caters to customers who wish to dine with their pets on any available outdoor seating.
For making a reservation, placing an order, or general inquiries, New Jersey customers can use the following details:
Address: 1588 Irving St, Rahway, NJ 07065, USA
Phone: (732) 382-9550 / +1 732-382-9550
For any New Jersey local searching for a reliable, high-quality Mexican dining experience, La Malinche is an outstanding choice. What makes it particularly worth choosing is the combination of authentic, deeply flavored cuisine—praised as the "best in Rahway for authentic Mexican food"—and the practical, friendly dining environment. Patrons consistently highlight the excellent value: generous portions of tasty food at reasonable prices, with entrees often including rice, beans, chips, and salsa. This is a local establishment that focuses on the core of great Mexican cooking, delivering satisfying, honest flavors rather than high-end gourmet interpretations.
The extensive menu is another huge draw, offering a culinary journey through Mexico, from the popular Taco Al Pastor to traditional Entrees like Pollo en Mole Oaxaqueño, catering to all palates and cravings. Furthermore, the commitment to excellent customer service is a noticeable feature; the staff is friendly, and service is fast, making it ideal for both a leisurely dinner and a quick, satisfying lunch break. The comprehensive accessibility, family-friendly features (kids' menu, high chairs), and flexible payment options make dining here stress-free. Whether you are a solo diner, a group needing a reservation, or a local planning a party (with their excellent "BIG GAME SPECIALS!"), La Malinche in Rahway provides a consistently warm, flavorful, and valuable Mexican food experience right here in New Jersey.
La Malinche Food & drink
BIG GAME SPECIALS!
- Salsas $20.00
1 red salsa one green salsa and medium tray of chips
- Chicken Fajitas Party Tray Size $110.00
Big tray of chicken fajitas (red pepper, green peppers, poblano peppers, tomato, onions and chicken) with a stack of flour tortillas perfect for any party
- Party Tray Of Chicken Flautas $95.00
LARGE Party Tray full of chicken flautas with a small container of cream, lettuce and queso fresco.
- Medium Party Size Guacamole $45.00
Medium Party sized guacamole containers with tray of chips. Choose your size and choose your spice level
- Large Party Size Guacamole $35.00
Large party sized guacamole containers with chips
Drinks
- Flavored Drinks $5.00
Sweet flavored drinks made on site, choose between Tamarind, Horchata or Jamaica
- Milkshakes $7.00
Strawberry or banana milkshake made with real fruit and milk
- Hot Chocolate $4.00
The traditional sweet hot chocolate for the season.
Tortas
- Torta De Carne Enchilada $11.00
Spicy pork sandwich topped with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper and chipotle mayo
- Torta De Carne $11.00
Beef sandwich topped with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper and chipotle mayo
- Torta De Pollo $11.00
Chicken breast sandwich topped with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper and chipotle mayo
- Torta De Chorizo $11.00
Ground pork patty sandwich topped with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper and chipotle mayo
- Torta Cubana $13.00
Cuban torta is a special sandwich but with mixed meats containing chicken breast, a ground pork patty, slice of beef and a slice of ham topped with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper and chipotle mayo
- Torta De Milanesa De Res $11.00
Breaded beef topped with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper and chipotle mayo
- Torta De Pollo Empanizado $11.00
Breaded chicken topped with beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper and chipotle mayo
Salads
- Ensalada Mixta $8.00
Mixed greens salad.
- Ensalada Cesar $8.00
Caesar salad.
- Ensalada De Nopales $10.00
A favorite of many customers the ensalada de nopales is a warm salad with chopped nopal cactus mixed with pico de gallo accompanied of a stack of tortillas.
Entree
- Bistec Encebollado $15.50
Thin cut steak (bistec style) with sauteed onions served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Chiles Rellenos De Queso O Carne $17.00
Stuffed poblano peppers with your choice of either cheese or ground beef topped with tomato sauce. served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Burritos $15.00
Grilled flour tortilla stuffed with cheese and your choice of chicken or beef, topped with lettuce, tomatoes, queso fresco and cream. (choose "everything inside!" and the burrito will come by itself with everything normally served with it stuffed inside the burrito)
- Pechuga De Pollo A La Mexicana $17.00
Chicken breast Mexican style. Sauteed onions, jalapeno, and peppers in tomato sauce. served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Chuletas En Salsa Verde $17.00
Pork chops in green Mexican sauce served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Bistec Azteca $17.00
Thin cut steak (bistec style cut) with sauteed onions, jalapeno slices and sliced poblano peppers. served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Quesadillas $14.50
Grilled folded flour tortilla filled with cheese and your choice of meat, topped lettuce, tomatoes, queso fresco and mexican cream. served with a side of rice and beans.
- Fajitas De Carne $17.00
Traditional beef fajitas with green peppers, red peppers, poblano peppers and onion topped with mixed cheese and served with a side of rice and beans and 3 flour tortillas
- Pollo En Mole Oaxaqueno $16.00
Chicken pieces topped with Mexican Oaxaca style mole sauce. served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Pechuga De Pollo Empanizada $14.50
Breaded chicken Mexican style served with pico de gallo with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Flautas $14.50
Crispy fried rolled corn tortilla stuffed with shredded chicken topped with lettuce, tomato, queso fresco and cream served with a side of rice and beans.
- Enchiladas Verdes $15.00
Soft corn tortillas stuffed with your choice of filling topped with green cilantro salsa, queso fresco and mexican cream served with a side of rice and beans
- Enchiladas De Mole $15.00
Soft corn tortillas stuffed with your choice of filling topped with our homemade Mole sauce grated queso fresco and mexican cream served with a small side of rice and beans.
- Bistec Asado $15.00
Thin cut steak (bistec style cut) served with pico de gallo a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Bistec Ranchero $18.00
Thin cut steak (bistec style) topped with two eggs and salsa Verde. served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Fajitas De Pollo $17.00
Traditional chicken fajitas with green peppers, red peppers, poblano peppers and onion topped with mixed cheese and served with a side of rice and beans and 3 flour tortillas
Appetizer
- Orden De Nopales $8.00
Roasted Mexican cactus served with tortillas and stewed onions
- Jalapeños Rellenos $10.00
Stuffed jalapeno peppers.
- Coctel De Camarones $10.00
Shrimp cocktail Mexican style.
- Guacamole Con Chips $10.00
Avocado dip with chips.
- Flautas Appetizer $10.00
Three crispy rolled corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken topped with lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese and Mexican cream
- Nachos $10.00
Corn chips topped with cheese, shredded lettuce, tomatoes, diced red onions, grated queso fresco, Mexican cream (additional charge for protein choice)
- Tostadas $5.00
One crispy corn tortilla topped with beans, your choice of meat and topped with lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced red onions, grated queso fresco and Mexican cream
- Elote (CORN ON THE COB) $5.00
The classic street corn covered in mayo and grated queso fresco
Sides
- Small Side Of Guacamole $4.00
Spicy.
Postres / Desserts
- Flan $3.00
Caramel custard.
- Tres Leches Cake $6.00
3 Milks cake
- Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichanga $8.50
A sweet chimichanga stuffed with strawberry and cheesecake deep fried and served warm.
Tacos
- Taco De Pollo $4.00
Shredded chicken tacos
- Taco De Lengua $4.50
Beef Tongue tacos
- Taco De Carnitas $4.00
Pork carnitas tacos
- Veggie Tacos $11.50
An order of 3 veggie tacos. Sautéed poblano, red and green peppers onions and zucchini
- Taco Al Pastor $4.00
Chopped pork marinated in Guajillo pinneapple sauce
- Taco De Carne Enchilada $4.00
Spicy chopped pork tacos (cannot be made less spicy)
- Taco De Chorizo $4.00
Ground pork marinated in guajillo sauce.
- Taco De Camaron $4.50
Cajun seasoned baby shrimp served with a side of chipotle aioli.
- Taco De Barbacoa $4.50
Slow cooked shredded beef and goat meat tacos
- Taco De Pescado $4.50
Cajun seasoned fish tacos served with a side of chipotle aioli
- Taco Carne Asada $4.00
Chopped beef tacos
Seafood
- Sopa De Mariscos $16.00
Seafood soup served with a stack of tortillas.
- Camarones A La Diabla $17.50
Shrimp in red diabla sauce served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Camarones En Salsa De Cilantro $17.50
Shrimp in green cilantro salsa served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
- Camarones A La Mexicana $17.50
Shrimp Mexican style with sauteed onions, jalapenos, poblano, red and green peppers in tomato sauce served with a side of rice and beans and a stack of tortillas
La Malinche Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Onsite services
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Serves local specialty
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Offerings
- Coffee
- Comfort food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Free street parking
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Parking
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
La Malinche Photos










La Malinche Location
La Malinche Reviews
tacossalsasguacamolehomechipsfood and servicefajitasenchiladas verdecubanojukebox
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Charming Mexican Restaurant in Downtown Rahway. Staff is very friendly and food very good. This is authentic TexMex… it is not high-end gourmet. A very good experience both times I’ve been here. A good place to practice your Spanish. Prices are very reasonable and there’s plenty of on street parking. Entree came with chips & salsa and flour tortillas along with rice and refried beans.
September 29 · Paul BuscemiNice and cozy inside! The servers are really nice. There is lots of options to chose from. My favorite thing here is probably the nachos. Recommend coming here.
February 20 · Elise GrimesGreat local spot for Mexican food. Staff and owners are really friendly and food comes out quick. Love the guacamole and tostadas.
September 20 · Nelly NelI ordered with Uber so not in restaurant but food was very good! Tried Tostada, taco carne asadaand enchiladas verdes; unfortunately for me the enchiladas were a bit too spicy but still delicious (I love the Mexican cream) and everything was fresh and so tasty. Definitely my go-to place for authentic Mexican food when the cravings hit!
May 17 · EvelynneThe food is good. The service is great. The tables are too visible from the street. I don’t want people walking by watching me eat
September 11 · dain garrett
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