Mexican Restaurant La Catrina is a restaurant in Wanaque, NJ. Open: Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Thu–Sat 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Phone: (973) 831-2296. Average rating is 4.8 stars from 218 reviews. Website: https://order.toasttab.com/online/la-catrina-548-ringwood-avenue.
Mexican Restaurant La Catrina
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Interior of La Catrina with colorful tables and decorations. — Mexican Restaurant La Catrina
4.8 218 reviews Today 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Authentic Mexican Flavor Hits Wanaque

Bold dishes, colorful ambiance, and attentive service that keeps Ringwood Ave regulars coming back.

About Us

The skull-adorned walls and bursts of color inside La Catrina tell you something before the food even arrives: this place takes its Mexican heritage seriously and has fun doing it. Named after the iconic Día de los Muertos figure, the restaurant on 548 Ringwood Ave brings genuine Mexican cooking to a corner of Passaic County that didn't know it needed it until now. Reviewers consistently rate it 4.8 out of 5, and first-timers routinely say the same thing: they'll be back.

The menu reads like a culinary tour of Mexico. Deviled shrimp arrives with a smoky, spiced kick. Guacamole is made to order, not scooped from a tub. Even the calamari appetizer draws repeat orders, which tells you the kitchen isn't coasting on chips and salsa. Server Fidel and the rest of the crew bring the kind of attentiveness that feels personal rather than rehearsed.

What We Offer

La Catrina covers the full range of what a Mexican restaurant should do well. Starters like fresh guacamole and chips and calamari set the tone. Entrees span bold proteins, including deviled shrimp tossed in a rich chile sauce, grilled chicken dishes, and a kids' menu that doesn't feel like an afterthought.

Dine-in delivers the full experience, complete with the colorful décor and table service that regulars rave about. When you can't make it in, online ordering through Toast lets you bring the kitchen home. The restaurant handles family lunches, casual dinners, and everything in between, so whether you're feeding two or a full table, the kitchen is ready.

Why Choose Us

A 4.8-star rating across 218 reviews means consistent quality, not a lucky streak.
Attentive, personable servers like Fidel make every table feel like a regular's table.
The colorful, Día de los Muertos-inspired décor turns a Tuesday dinner into an event.
Online ordering via Toast makes it easy to get La Catrina flavors without leaving home.
A menu that balances adventurous dishes like deviled shrimp with approachable family-friendly options.
First-time visitors keep coming back, a pattern that shows up across nearly every review.

Gallery

Take a look at our space and what we have to offer

What Our Customers Say

Don't just take our word for it - hear from our satisfied customers

Click to Rate & Review This Business ✍️
⭐⭐⭐⭐
3 weeks ago
"My friend and I went for dinner last night. Upon entering we were a little worried because we were the only ones in the restaurant, and remained the only ones for the duration of our visit. Ready to order: 1. Drinks: We were unaware they only have Mocktails, not alcoholic drinks. That was a bit of a bummer because we wanted a girls night out with a nice margarita. Instead I got a "catrinarita" which tasted like lemon-lime soda with a lime garnish, and it cost $10! My friend ordered a "sangria" which was essentially just juice and it cost $6. We also asked for water and they would only give us bottled water ($5 for two) even though we said tap water was fine. 2. Appetizer: We ordered the chicken flautas to share. They were delicious! 3. Meals: My friend ordered the burrito bowl with steak while I ordered the birria burrito. Both were delicious and very big portions. We each ate half and took the rest home for leftovers! 4. Dessert: We ordered churros to share and again, they were delicious! There were four in total and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Overall a good place and we will return because the food was just so good."
— AmyS
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 months ago
"Came for lunch with the family. Was just as satisfied as when we had placed a to go order. We had Guacamole and chips, and calamari for appetizers. For entrees we had the deviled shrimp, kids chicken fingers and fries. My husband and my daughter shared the burrito burria. Everything was fresh and delicious. Glad to have this place in town Love the digitalmeans, so you can see what each item looks like,"
— Shannon mehr
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2 months ago
"This was our first visit to this restaurant and we will DEFINITELY be coming back! The ambiance was colorful and very fun! Our waiter, Fidel, was great! Very attentive (but not overly so!) and friendly - we immediately felt welcome! Food was delicious and plentiful! So very excited to have found a great new Mexican restaurant to come back to!!"
— Sharon Burrell
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
6 months ago
"We came for lunch and were seated right away. We got chips and salsa to start. We ordered mocktails and wings to start. Then I had the chicken quesadilla and my husband had the birria tacos. All of the food (and the mocktails) were delicious. The atmosphere and fun and colorful. We’ll definitely be back."
— Jennifer Angileri
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3 months ago
"This wasn’t my first time here, but this week was the first time I was hosting with a large group. Do you think we were impressed? You bet! The staff was attentive to our various needs, the food was delicious & in solid portions. If our evening wasn’t already perfect, La Catrina generously shared a portion of their profit to a local scholarship. Good food, great atmosphere, and even better connection to community. Kudos all around!"
— Jason Velante

Frequently Asked Questions

Where exactly is La Catrina located?

La Catrina is at 548 Ringwood Ave in Wanaque, NJ 07465, easily accessible from Ringwood and the surrounding Passaic County communities.

Can I order online for pickup or delivery?

Yes. La Catrina uses Toast for online ordering. Visit order.toasttab.com/online/la-catrina-548-ringwood-avenue to place your order directly.

What are some must-try dishes on the menu?

Reviewers consistently highlight the deviled shrimp, fresh guacamole and chips, and the calamari appetizer as standout items worth ordering on your first visit.

Is La Catrina good for families with kids?

Absolutely. The restaurant offers a kids' menu alongside the full adult menu, and the colorful, festive atmosphere makes it a fun outing for the whole family.

Do I need a reservation?

La Catrina welcomes walk-ins. For larger groups or to guarantee your table, it's worth calling ahead, especially on weekend evenings.

What is the ambiance like inside?

The interior is bold, colorful, and inspired by Día de los Muertos imagery. Customers frequently describe it as festive and fun, a noticeable step above a typical strip-mall Mexican spot.

Does La Catrina serve lunch as well as dinner?

Yes. The kitchen serves both lunch and dinner. Multiple reviewers have visited for midday meals with family and reported the same quality they experienced at dinner.

Hours of Operation

Closed · Opens Wednesday at 11:00 AM
Monday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday Today 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

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