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Address and Contact Information
Address: 8601 W Dodge Rd ste 101, Omaha, NE 68114
Phone: (402) 916-5838
Website: https://www.santoroomaha.com/
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Santoro Mexican Restaurant
Owner/Chef Jesus Rivera, a prominent figure in Omaha’s culinary scene for over 20 years, brings his distinctive style to his new Mexican restaurant, Santoro.
Santoro Restaurant | Omaha NE – Facebook
Santoro Restaurant, Omaha. 3467 likes · 138 talking about this · 100 were here. Restaurant.
Santoro Mexican Restaurant (@santororestaurant1) · Omaha, NE
We are craftsman of mexican food and drink, serving heritage recipes for beloved Mexican favorites.
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Reviews
Curtis Cutler
What a pleasant surprise it was to find Santoro Mexican. We just made it there for the first time and really enjoyed it. Starting with the queso with chorizo, salsa and chips we knew it was going to be good. The wood fire grill really elevates the meat. She got the jumbo (our waitress said they were called “gorilla”) shrimp entree that was a taste explosion. Delicious. I had the carne asada and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the steak. The onions and peppers were a perfect complement along side the pico de gallo. So good.
A little bit high on the price, but well worth it. One thing we didn’t understand was that they have a full menu of different tequilas but our waitress said that they won’t hand make a margarita with them. Margaritas are all pre made. No exception. Found that really weird. (I don’t drink so it doesn’t matter personally)
Our server was Stefany and she was great. There are not a ton of seats thankfully because it got pretty loud in there as it was. I’m sure they’re on a wait quite a bit, but it’s worth getting over to 88th and Dodge to try!
… moreA little bit high on the price, but well worth it. One thing we didn’t understand was that they have a full menu of different tequilas but our waitress said that they won’t hand make a margarita with them. Margaritas are all pre made. No exception. Found that really weird. (I don’t drink so it doesn’t matter personally)
Our server was Stefany and she was great. There are not a ton of seats thankfully because it got pretty loud in there as it was. I’m sure they’re on a wait quite a bit, but it’s worth getting over to 88th and Dodge to try!
Mark F.
Was excited to try a ‘Good’ Mexican restaurant in Omaha upon moving back.
I tried the spicy margarita. It was ok. Moderately spicy. You could tell they tried but it was maybe a 3 on the spicy scale. All the margaritas are apparently premixed and service is quick as a result.
Tried the steak Aquachile for a healthy choice – No Rice No Beans No Tortillas just protein. It arrived and looked absolutely fabulous. It had one Chile on the Menu warning you that it was spicy but… Same as the margarita. Not really spicy. The chilis had absolutely no flavor. The meat was fatty and tough. It was confusing because it was charred nicely but several pieces were pretty much completely raw. To the point I didn’t finish it. In addition it was served absolutely cold which I didn’t expect for a charbroiled meat dish.
I was asked how it was and 8 commented that it was undercooked and served completely cold. I didn’t even get a opportunity to point out the lack of spice or toughness when I was informed that was how it’s supposed to be because it’s ‘Lime Marinated.’
Olin confusion I actually googled lime marinated steak thinking maybe I had missed something in my restaurant experiences and this was some sort of meat ceviche.
Google said this:
Properly cooking Mexican meat marinated in lime juice—such as Carne Asada or Pollo Asado—requires a balance between achieving a deep, acidic marinade flavor and preventing the acid from turning the meat mushy or tough. The key is to use lime for flavor, often balanced with oil and other citrus, and to cook it over high heat for a charred exterior.
Mine was tough and cold. I’m going to have to go with a good old plain not good.
Also… Expensive… One appetizer and one margarita was $35 plus tip. Dinner would set you back $60 or so with an entree and a couple of drinks .
I’ll save my Mexican experience for LA if this is what I get here in Omaha. Disappointed.
… moreI tried the spicy margarita. It was ok. Moderately spicy. You could tell they tried but it was maybe a 3 on the spicy scale. All the margaritas are apparently premixed and service is quick as a result.
Tried the steak Aquachile for a healthy choice – No Rice No Beans No Tortillas just protein. It arrived and looked absolutely fabulous. It had one Chile on the Menu warning you that it was spicy but… Same as the margarita. Not really spicy. The chilis had absolutely no flavor. The meat was fatty and tough. It was confusing because it was charred nicely but several pieces were pretty much completely raw. To the point I didn’t finish it. In addition it was served absolutely cold which I didn’t expect for a charbroiled meat dish.
I was asked how it was and 8 commented that it was undercooked and served completely cold. I didn’t even get a opportunity to point out the lack of spice or toughness when I was informed that was how it’s supposed to be because it’s ‘Lime Marinated.’
Olin confusion I actually googled lime marinated steak thinking maybe I had missed something in my restaurant experiences and this was some sort of meat ceviche.
Google said this:
Properly cooking Mexican meat marinated in lime juice—such as Carne Asada or Pollo Asado—requires a balance between achieving a deep, acidic marinade flavor and preventing the acid from turning the meat mushy or tough. The key is to use lime for flavor, often balanced with oil and other citrus, and to cook it over high heat for a charred exterior.
Mine was tough and cold. I’m going to have to go with a good old plain not good.
Also… Expensive… One appetizer and one margarita was $35 plus tip. Dinner would set you back $60 or so with an entree and a couple of drinks .
I’ll save my Mexican experience for LA if this is what I get here in Omaha. Disappointed.
Mad Buy
Santoro’s is an absolutely delightful Mexican restaurant right in the middle of Omaha. I was ecstatic to see the Shrimp Alambres as an appetizer as this was one of my favorites at Rivera’s – it does not disappoint. The margaritas are exquisitely crafted, each unique and flavorful. I definitely recommend the Chorizo Fundido appetizer and actually everything else on the menu. Our four dinners, the Santoro Carne Asada, Chipilo Enchiladas, Enchiladas Rancheros, and Mole Enchiladas were all absolutely delicious. The portions are large and we did not have room for any dessert. The wait staff was very friendly and extremely helpful.
September 2025 – The margaritas are still fantastic. This time we tried the Fajitas de la Casa and Enchiladas Supremas which are very highly recommended!
… moreSeptember 2025 – The margaritas are still fantastic. This time we tried the Fajitas de la Casa and Enchiladas Supremas which are very highly recommended!
Liz Gac
Food did not disappoint after waiting 3+ years for the return!
Atmosphere: not the highlight. Modern take on restaurant design, but very noisy (even for a restaurant), and other than the beautiful mural and wall of tequila it felt very basic.
Drinks: Freida and the Toxi-mango are winners, flavorful and the tequila/mezcal shined with the flavors! The GOAT margarita is probably the least favorite cocktail on the menu, it’s just a basic margarita, not impressed. We tried La Chona on the 2nd trip and it was awesome as well
Apps: we had the nightly special which had the most delicious hibiscus puree and wonderful pork belly. I do miss the old salsa though, something changed and it is not as flavorful. 2nd trip we tried the fundito, delicious!
Main meal: enchiladas especiales and Casuelas Norteña (sp?). The food lives up to its predecessor, everything has spice! The prices have definitely increased, but I think it is mostly on par and they are large portions with one exception. The enchiladas are a bit high and I don’t think the amount of lobster used really justified $35. Enchiladas were delicious, but hard to order enchiladas (even as delicious as they were) for that much when most other places are half or less.
The white mole is legend, I could drink it plain. The Nortenas was was like a Mexican lasagna and was so flavorful and huge!
2nd trip we tried the mole chicken and the pork shank….both were also delicious
Honestly my favorite thing is the rice and beans. So many places screw this part up and leave them bland. I save room to eat the beans and rice here, they are so good!
No room for dessert. We will be back to try more, but will probably leave the “goat margarita” and special enchiladas alone.
… moreAtmosphere: not the highlight. Modern take on restaurant design, but very noisy (even for a restaurant), and other than the beautiful mural and wall of tequila it felt very basic.
Drinks: Freida and the Toxi-mango are winners, flavorful and the tequila/mezcal shined with the flavors! The GOAT margarita is probably the least favorite cocktail on the menu, it’s just a basic margarita, not impressed. We tried La Chona on the 2nd trip and it was awesome as well
Apps: we had the nightly special which had the most delicious hibiscus puree and wonderful pork belly. I do miss the old salsa though, something changed and it is not as flavorful. 2nd trip we tried the fundito, delicious!
Main meal: enchiladas especiales and Casuelas Norteña (sp?). The food lives up to its predecessor, everything has spice! The prices have definitely increased, but I think it is mostly on par and they are large portions with one exception. The enchiladas are a bit high and I don’t think the amount of lobster used really justified $35. Enchiladas were delicious, but hard to order enchiladas (even as delicious as they were) for that much when most other places are half or less.
The white mole is legend, I could drink it plain. The Nortenas was was like a Mexican lasagna and was so flavorful and huge!
2nd trip we tried the mole chicken and the pork shank….both were also delicious
Honestly my favorite thing is the rice and beans. So many places screw this part up and leave them bland. I save room to eat the beans and rice here, they are so good!
No room for dessert. We will be back to try more, but will probably leave the “goat margarita” and special enchiladas alone.
Cinthia Rivera
My experience here was 10/10 ✨
Waitress was amazing with customer service, it felt warm and inviting and she made me feel comfortable with the million questions I had… I wish I would’ve gotten her name but I didn’t! however she was on top of her game with the menu and also keeping up with refilling our drinks and making sure we where taken care of
The food was FIRE which I was expecting because I was at the old spot at least twice a month we brought 2 friends tonight and it was their first time here and one of them said “best food I have had in Omaha!”
Jesus Rivera greeted our table and we had a great small chat, he and I have the same last name so it’s always cool to meet a fellow Rivera
This place deserves a Michelin Star ASAP and I’m not even exaggerating
I was born in Mexico and raised in Texas, so I have had a lot of Mexican food in my 30 years of living, and this restaurant is just so unique with the flavors of every dish the flavor profiles of every plate is so authentic but with a gourmet/modern twist which is sooo hard to find here in the Midwest.
Anyways I could go on and on but here is everything we had
Muchas gracias por el servicio señor Jesús fue un placer platicar con usted hoy y muchas gracias por las camisetas que me regaló! ☺️ no será la última vez que nos veamos !
… moreWaitress was amazing with customer service, it felt warm and inviting and she made me feel comfortable with the million questions I had… I wish I would’ve gotten her name but I didn’t! however she was on top of her game with the menu and also keeping up with refilling our drinks and making sure we where taken care of
The food was FIRE which I was expecting because I was at the old spot at least twice a month we brought 2 friends tonight and it was their first time here and one of them said “best food I have had in Omaha!”
Jesus Rivera greeted our table and we had a great small chat, he and I have the same last name so it’s always cool to meet a fellow Rivera
This place deserves a Michelin Star ASAP and I’m not even exaggerating
I was born in Mexico and raised in Texas, so I have had a lot of Mexican food in my 30 years of living, and this restaurant is just so unique with the flavors of every dish the flavor profiles of every plate is so authentic but with a gourmet/modern twist which is sooo hard to find here in the Midwest.
Anyways I could go on and on but here is everything we had
Muchas gracias por el servicio señor Jesús fue un placer platicar con usted hoy y muchas gracias por las camisetas que me regaló! ☺️ no será la última vez que nos veamos !
Nathan Brown
Moved here in May and so far this is the best Mexican food that we’ve had. 10 out of 10 recommend. I got the Frida margarita which was sweet, but not too sweet and strong! It’s a ton of food and we will be back soon
Also the chips and queso
… moreAlso the chips and queso
Madeline Rolston
The food was fantastic. The best Mexican food I’ve ever had. Truly an amazing meal. The price is high though. $140 (before tip) got us 4 plates, 2 beers, and a soda. We left with 2 small to-go boxes. I would say the price was the only thing that disappointed me and will make this a very rare meal.
… moreKirsten A
Date Night
We were headed to Omaha from Lincoln. While we never had the pleasure of eating at Rivera’s I was excited to try the Chef’s new hotspot Santoro! I originally heard about it from favorite Local Foodie Restaurant Hoppen a week or so prior.
It was a Saturday and they don’t accept reservations. We got there about 7pm, on the list, were told 20-30 min wait, pretty sure we were seated in like 12. There are a minimal amount of tables, maybe 15? It was 100⁰ and even the patio was full. Only a few working the floor, got our chips and salsa fairly quickly. It was different, kinda creamy and smoky. My husband looked at the menu and had a bit of sticker shock. I told him it’s supposed to be worth it… he struggled a bit with his decision but we both put in for our mains.
About 45 minutes after arriving our entrees were delivered to the table. He quickly dug into his Chipilo Enchiladas. He specifically chose one with several little chili peppers next to the description. Full of Braised Pork and Onions and topped with a Spicy Almond Mole Sauce I watched his expression change. He Was Stoked! The amount of flavor was Incredible! Completely Unique and Amazing! Even the sides of Rice and Beans were unmatched.
One of the only veg options is the Chile Rellenos. While it’s something I do enjoy it’s not generally what I’d choose for a main. What was on my plate was unlike anything I’d seen before. Holy Crap it was Delicious! The layers of flavors, cheesy goodness, there are just not enough adjectives. Absolutely Elevated, Warm and Inviting! It’s one of only a handful of times I sat there and cussed out loud at my food. Veg Cilantro Lime Rice was intense, and Veg Black Beans (which were a tad overdone for my liking) had lots of veggies.
Decided I had to try the GOAT marg before we left. It was a really good Margarita but nothing really special for me. Most of their craftier choices involve smoky or spicy ingredients which I can’t do. Our server Rosa was great but they all seemed to be stretched a bit thin. After it was all said and done my husband was Impressed.
Worth the Wait. Worth the Drive.
Worth the Price!
*****Originally posted to EAT IT in Lincoln, NE on Facebook*****
… moreWe were headed to Omaha from Lincoln. While we never had the pleasure of eating at Rivera’s I was excited to try the Chef’s new hotspot Santoro! I originally heard about it from favorite Local Foodie Restaurant Hoppen a week or so prior.
It was a Saturday and they don’t accept reservations. We got there about 7pm, on the list, were told 20-30 min wait, pretty sure we were seated in like 12. There are a minimal amount of tables, maybe 15? It was 100⁰ and even the patio was full. Only a few working the floor, got our chips and salsa fairly quickly. It was different, kinda creamy and smoky. My husband looked at the menu and had a bit of sticker shock. I told him it’s supposed to be worth it… he struggled a bit with his decision but we both put in for our mains.
About 45 minutes after arriving our entrees were delivered to the table. He quickly dug into his Chipilo Enchiladas. He specifically chose one with several little chili peppers next to the description. Full of Braised Pork and Onions and topped with a Spicy Almond Mole Sauce I watched his expression change. He Was Stoked! The amount of flavor was Incredible! Completely Unique and Amazing! Even the sides of Rice and Beans were unmatched.
One of the only veg options is the Chile Rellenos. While it’s something I do enjoy it’s not generally what I’d choose for a main. What was on my plate was unlike anything I’d seen before. Holy Crap it was Delicious! The layers of flavors, cheesy goodness, there are just not enough adjectives. Absolutely Elevated, Warm and Inviting! It’s one of only a handful of times I sat there and cussed out loud at my food. Veg Cilantro Lime Rice was intense, and Veg Black Beans (which were a tad overdone for my liking) had lots of veggies.
Decided I had to try the GOAT marg before we left. It was a really good Margarita but nothing really special for me. Most of their craftier choices involve smoky or spicy ingredients which I can’t do. Our server Rosa was great but they all seemed to be stretched a bit thin. After it was all said and done my husband was Impressed.
Worth the Wait. Worth the Drive.
Worth the Price!
*****Originally posted to EAT IT in Lincoln, NE on Facebook*****
Monica
My favorite restaurant was Rivera’s, so when this opened I was so excited! My boyfriend had never been to Rivera’s and didn’t know what to expect. While it was on the pricier side, he even agreed the taste was worth every penny. We didn’t wait long, we went right before dinner time. I think within 5 minutes we were seated. The drinks were delicious. The shrimp alambres were DELICIOUS. Everything was 10/10. Perfect date night.
… moreT
Happy to see Chef Rivera back at it and blessing Omahans with top notch Mexican food!
Shrimp alambres, queso, and salsa were 10/10. As well as the carne asada and enchiladas Rancheras. Been waiting for this! Beware that the Spicy margarita is SPICYYYYY. We love spicy but couldn’t even drink it!
One thing that impacted my rating on the atmosphere is how very loud it is. It felt like we were screaming to speak, because tables next to us were very loud. The echo in the building amplified this noise, to where you couldn’t hear music, it was just loud patrons. Another is how close the tables are together. We had to squeeze through to get to our table, it felt like we were on top of each other. Hopefully this will get resolved so you can enjoy the delicious food with great company and get to chat.
… moreShrimp alambres, queso, and salsa were 10/10. As well as the carne asada and enchiladas Rancheras. Been waiting for this! Beware that the Spicy margarita is SPICYYYYY. We love spicy but couldn’t even drink it!
One thing that impacted my rating on the atmosphere is how very loud it is. It felt like we were screaming to speak, because tables next to us were very loud. The echo in the building amplified this noise, to where you couldn’t hear music, it was just loud patrons. Another is how close the tables are together. We had to squeeze through to get to our table, it felt like we were on top of each other. Hopefully this will get resolved so you can enjoy the delicious food with great company and get to chat.