Why Milpitas Deserves Better Than Chain Mexican — and Where to Find It
Milpitas sits at the intersection of Silicon Valley ambition and South Bay authenticity. Walk down Milmont Drive and you’ll find tech workers, families, and food lovers from a dozen different cultures. What you won’t find on every corner: genuinely authentic Mexican food made with the care and technique it deserves.
De Los Altos Grill has been that place since 2014.
Inspired by roots in Jalisco, Mexico — the same state that gave the world birria, pozole, and some of the finest taqueria traditions in Mexican culinary history — De Los Altos Grill brings hand-pressed corn tortillas, properly marinated meats, and the heritage of Los Altos Taqueria in Mountain View to a sit-down Milpitas location. It’s the kind of restaurant that earns regulars, not just first-timers.
This guide covers everything: what makes Jalisco-style Mexican different, what to order, when to go, and why De Los Altos Grill is Milpitas’ most important Mexican restaurant.
What Is Jalisco-Style Mexican Cuisine?
Mexico’s culinary traditions are regional, not monolithic. Jalisco, located in western Mexico with Guadalajara as its capital, has one of the country’s richest and most distinctive food cultures.
Key Jalisco hallmarks:
- Corn tortillas made by hand. The pressed corn tortilla — masa shaped and cooked fresh, not a pre-made flour shell — is the foundation of Jalisco street food. The texture, chew, and corn flavor of a hand-pressed tortilla is categorically different from a pre-packaged version.
- Meat cooked with direct heat and proper seasoning. Carne Asada, Al Pastor, and Carnitas in Jalisco tradition are seasoned simply but precisely — the quality of the marinade and the cook time matter more than elaborate sauces.
- Simplicity that reveals quality. A taco in the Jalisco tradition — protein, fresh onion, cilantro, and corn tortilla — puts the meat and tortilla front and center. If either is mediocre, there’s nowhere to hide. De Los Altos Grill’s recipes work because the fundamentals are right.
- Birria culture. Jalisco is the birthplace of birria — though De Los Altos’ current confirmed menu centers on tacos, asada, and street food classics.
The Menu: What to Order at De Los Altos Grill
Tacos (Hand-Pressed Corn Tortillas) The heart of the menu. Choose from Asada (marinated grilled beef), Al Pastor (chile-and-achiote marinated pork), or Carnitas (slow-cooked pork). All served on hand-pressed corn tortillas with fresh onions and cilantro. This is the Jalisco-style taco done right.
Quesadilla Suzia One of the most popular items on the menu. The “suiza” or “suzia” style quesadilla is a comfort-food staple — and at De Los Altos, it’s built with the same quality ingredients as the taco program.
Carne Asada Fries A crowd favorite. The carne asada that anchors the taco program gets loaded onto fries with toppings. A satisfying option for those who want something more substantial.
Plato de Asada A full plate — Carne Asada as the center, with rice, beans, and accompaniments. For those who want a sit-down meal rather than street food format.
Rolled Corn Tortillas (Enchilada Style) Four rolled corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken or beef, fried crispy, served with rice, beans, and pico de gallo. A different textural experience from the tacos — the crunch of the fried shell against the tender filling.
Taco Thursday Special Every Thursday: 3 chorizo tacos for $5. The best taco deal in Milpitas by a wide margin, and the kind of weekly ritual that builds regulars.
The Los Altos Taqueria Heritage
De Los Altos Grill isn’t starting from scratch. It’s an extension of Los Altos Taqueria in Mountain View — a restaurant that has established itself as one of the South Bay’s most beloved Mexican institutions over decades. The recipes, sourcing standards, and culinary approach carried into the Milpitas location.
For diners who’ve eaten at Los Altos Taqueria and wondered where to find that same quality in the East Bay side of the South Bay — De Los Altos Grill is the answer.
Hours: Open Earlier Than Any Competitor
De Los Altos Grill opens at 7:00 AM and serves until 10:00 PM, seven days a week.
The 7 AM opening is genuinely rare in the Milpitas Mexican restaurant scene. It positions De Los Altos as a breakfast destination — tacos and Mexican morning food for early risers, construction crews, and anyone who wants a real meal before the workday starts. It’s also a Mother’s Day brunch opportunity that most Mexican restaurants in the area can’t match.
Location: A Block from the Great Mall Action
De Los Altos Grill is on Milmont Drive, a short distance from Great Mall Milpitas — one of the largest shopping centers in Northern California. For Mall visitors looking for a real meal rather than food court fare, De Los Altos Grill is the obvious choice: more flavor, more authenticity, better value, and none of the food court crowds.
The location is easy to access with ample parking on Milmont Drive — common for this stretch of Milpitas near the mall corridor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does De Los Altos Grill have a Taco Thursday deal? Yes — every Thursday, get 3 chorizo tacos for $5. It’s the best taco value in Milpitas and a weekly tradition for regulars.
What tortillas does De Los Altos use? Hand-pressed corn tortillas — made fresh, not pre-packaged. This is the Jalisco standard and one of the things that separates De Los Altos from chain Mexican restaurants.
Is De Los Altos Grill open for breakfast? Yes — doors open at 7 AM daily. One of the very few authentic Mexican restaurants in Milpitas open at breakfast hours.
How do I order online? Order directly through the Innowi platform at online-ordering.innowi.com/branch/Delosaltos — no third-party fees, direct to the restaurant.
