Don't miss these Somerset Mexican restaurant gems.
“Really yummy food, great atmosphere, and service. I had the 3 tacos (Al Pastor - marinated port, Bistec (beef), and Camaron (shrimp)) and my husband had the Pescada ala Mexicana (fried fish with shrimp). Everything was sooooo tasty. Will definitely be coming back here!“
“My go-to place for a quick bite. When I’m in the area this is the place to go for authentic Mexican food. The food is delicious and they also serve alcoholic drinks which was a nice surprise to me. I ordered a Michelada and it was perfect! Busy on weekends no reservations. Tacos have an additional charge if they’re hand-made tortillas. Music can be a bit loud for my taste on weekends. So I prefer weekdays to stop by for some food while I visit my precious son.Parking: Parking might be hard to find on busy days. It's in the back enclosed. There's also a house back there and they also use the same parking area. So it can get full on Weekends.“
“Food - the flavor of the food taste great but my food is always cold. There is no warmth to it whatsoever. Cold chicken, cold beans, cold rice, etc.Service - I’ve gone and had really good service. I’ve gone and the food service prepared sloppily prepared my food. Was rushing me as I’m telling them what I want on my salad. I was the only one in the restaurant; I didn’t understand their sense of urgency. Nor why they grossly put the food together like they did.Atmosphere - good/typical“
“So glad to have come across this place!! I have been here twice so far and gotten take out once. The staff are super friendly and greet everyone as you walk in, but the aromas of the food greet you as you walk up to the building. They have a breakfast menu in addition to the lunch/dinner menu and I have happily eaten from both. The portions are generous and for what you get, the prices are amazing. Everything I have had so far tasted amazing, and the food is very fresh. The amount of avocado on every order was fantastic and there is not an upcharge for it. The only complaint I can muster up is that the location is a little small, and since the food is so good, there may be a little wait if you come at a busy time. But that is really the only thing, and the food is definitely worth the wait. I can say that for takeout, the food traveled well and was still a great temperature when I got home. Will be back a bunch of times, and will try to remember to take photos next time!“
“Tacowala is a really great option for large events. Amish was incredibly welcoming and helpful in helping us choose how much and what to order for my guests. We fed 40+ people with the tacowala catering event, it was all correct and greatly organized. I would recommend this to anyone hosting a large party as a great option for vegetarian mexican inspired indian tacos!“
“My girlfriend and I have been coming here for well over a year now, and it is unbelievable how consistently good the quality of the food is. It gets better every single time we go. The Al pastor tacos melt in your mouth, with the perfect amount of pineapple and smoky flavor. Highly recommend. Service, atmosphere is phenomenal as well.“
“Went on a Saturday around noon. Food and drinks were nice and fresh. I had a mezcal and Blueberry drink and my wife ordered a tequila version of a Pina colada. For our meal I ordered the chicken enchiladas. The chicken was well seasoned and the green sauce had a nice bright citrus flavor and was quite enjoyable. My wife ordered the tree leches French toast which was nice very nice as well. The only disappointment was the fact that they only served brunch and we were looking to have the mole. Wish we were told prior to being seated or at least a sign posted. Not used to seeing brunch on Saturdays, usually thought brunch was reserved for Sundays. Will try again in the future but for dinner instead.“
“This is one of those Diners, Drive-ins & Dives kinda places for Tex Mex!! Located in Manville, NJ, its a chill little place with amazing food!! Go early cause it gets busy! The presentation was steler! I highly recommend the coconut shrimp tacos!! And shout out to Brittany for being able to multi task and being a great server! Definitely check this place out! #TacoTuesday“
“We went here with a friend. The kitchen was a bit loud like someone was banging pots. Decor is pretty sparse, we were the only people there on a Saturday evening. The tacos are good, don't expect any sort of side like beans or rice. Everything on the menu is less than $15 so expect the experience to line up accordingly.“
“A warm weather day calls for an outdoor dinner at Maria's! Got my usual go to which is Maria's Burrito. A regular burrito but drenched in their mole sauce. Then I add their la diabla sauce on top to make it spicy. Chefs Kiss. The shrimp la diabla is also a good go to and that thing packs heat! The residential cat was out and about. I'm pretty sure I saw it last time I dined outside too. The cat is real chill. It just roams. A side note: they updated the look of their menu. Reorganized the flow of items, text size, and prices.“
“Had such a great breakfast here today. The red velvet waffles were delicious as was the latte I ordered. My daughter had the huevos rancheros which she said was really good. My niece had the eggs Benedict which she said was cooked perfectly. Such a nice cafe with friendly staff. Will definitely be back!Kid-friendliness: They had high chairs available.“
“Authentic Mexican Restaurant! The food was delicious and fresh, the place is very clean. The staff were very friendly and pleasant. I would recommend this place. It gets a five star rating from me.Dietary restrictions: They were able to customize my dish according to my dietary needs.“
“I tried their birria tacos when they first opened (1-2 years ago), and they were good but I remember the tacos were on the smaller side compared to others I've had (e.g. Chofi in Union). Granted, they were a new restaurant and I assumed still working out some kinks. In all honesty, I ended up forgetting about this restaurant. I just ordered through Uber eats today, and the tacos were bigger than last time, tasted amazing, and delivered hot. Flavor was on point for the tacos, consome, and green salsa. Happy to add The Birria Kitchen in my rotation of local restaurants!“
“First time coming to this place. I did not expect it to be a "house", but it was a pleasant surprise. The girl that took our order was really nice and attentive throught our meal. We ordered a tamal verde and tamal de mole to start with. I had enchiladas verdes with chicken for dinner. The portion of the food was perfect. My husband ordered the steak with rice and beans that came with what looked like hand made tortillas. I also ordered their piña colada which tasted natural to me. It was refreshing. The total for two dinners was also a plus. Will definitely go backParking: only 5 spots for the restaurant, but the restaurant is small with atleast 5 tables inside“
“Always a great time here, food is delicious and the alcohol is actually good. Never felt sick after drinking margs here even the next day. The food is large portions and always delicious. Recommend getting apps and margs then sharing tacos because we always fill up after we ate that. The wait typically isn’t bad and there’s always been space at the bar to wait. Would recommend it here if you are looking for good Mexican food“
“This place is a gem in HP, quaint and charming, hands down, some of the best food I’ve had recently! They use the freshest ingredients and make sure each dish is done the right way. The Tacos al Pastor was especially memorable. Must try!!“
“What a great restaurant! We found it by chance and it’s like a little jewelry box filled with good authentic atmosphere, delicious food and amazing music. Señora Alma, the owner treated us as the family, the tacos were tasty. They also have some Oaxaca souvenirs and pottery for sale, the ambience is welcoming and warm.I will definitely be back for more. And did I mention they have parking lot next door for their customers.“
“We went Sunday afternoon as a group of 10. We ordered 9 different entrées and they were all great. My husband loved the steak fajitas and the steak with chimichurri sauce was a hit!! The food was fresh and not overly salty. Our servers were very friendly and helpful. Will definitely be back!“
“BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT HANDS DOWN!!!! The food was soo good, the mole is definitely handmade and not store bought. The pozole was soo good, very authentic without the extra padding. Picaditas was on spot with the cook time. The beans were also made so well, it was really impressive.Over all, this restaurant is definitely authentic in every sense. The staff was so nice and attentive, the lady that made the food was very humble and kind. It is definitely a hidden gem that needs more exposure.“
“The place is just fun to eat at; great lighting, fun decorations. All our food was great, and the create your own taco menu was AWESOME! Prices were very reasonable as well, and staff was on point. (Went here before a show at the State Theater)“
“Ordering pickup from El Mexicano is so GREAT! Starting with the AMAZING customer service when calling to order our food. The young lady answers very politely, understands our order and gets it right every-time! It is ready is a very timely manner. It is carefully packed, with salsas and chips. Most orders include a little salad, limes, and yummy chiles. We love the enchiladas verdes, pollo empanizado (breaded chicken cutlet). The arroz and fríjoles are DELICIOUS! The carnitas are so YUMMY too! Definitely recommend!“
“If you’re looking for savory food this is is the place. Had to try the menu and it’s been 3 times already jajaja. The tacos are loaded, great prices, the atmosphere is quiet and chill, and the natural juices are great as well. If you’re in the area definitely a must try.“
“Tried New Brunswick location today for the first time after hearing raving reviews from my co-workers. I am very impressed! I got a burrito box w/ chorizo and added guac, Brussels sprouts & chipotle aioli. Oh my goodness. Delicious! Those brussels were way tasty. Then a bag of chips too. The chips had a hint of lime and lightly salted, so good. Better than chipotles. The bowl was huge; couldn’t finish which made for a great dinner. Can’t wait to come back and keep trying different meats!!“
“The place was very relaxing before 6pm… the service was very pleasant, well-prepared drinks… the only detail that could be changed and made sure is that the water does not have a good taste, it is not at all natural or pleasant, the way it feels, the rest everything was good ? ??“
“I cannot rave about this place enough. We visit about once or twice a week and everyone seems to get better. Highly recommend if you're looking for legitimate Tex mex dining. Clean establishment, food is phenomenal, the gentleman who owns it is so kind and attentive. The hospitality is just as good as the food.“
“(Translated by Google) The place is new and I dared to visit it for the moment the service was great what I hope to receive in the service is first a smile and I received it very super well from the waitress, also the food tastes good, the tortilla chips were missing at the entrance with its sauce but everything was fine, the cook's service was very good, he even offered me a taste of the food they cook there, which I didn't receive because I was on the way out and I was in a hurry, but the truth is I plan to go back again to try some other dish and give the next review.(Original)El lugar es nuevo y me atreví a visitarlo por el momento el servicio estuvo genial lo que espero recibir en el servicio es primero una sonrisa y la recibí muy súper bien de la mesera, además la comida esta buena buen sabor, faltaron los totopos de entrada con su salsa pero todo bien el servicio del cocinero muy bueno hasta me ofreció darme una prueba de los alimentos que cocinan ahí lo cual no recibí por que iba de salida y tenia prisa pero la verdad pienso volver de nuevo a probar algún otro platillo y dar el siguiente review.“
“We ordered here on Sunday and loved the homemade guacamole and chips. My husband had the spicy pork tacos and I the enchiladas in green sauce. It was so flavorful and cooked perfectly. I craved it again and ordered on Wednesday evening. This time a gentleman was preparing the food and at the front desk. It was just as delicious, authentic and could taste that the chef took pride in the dishes.“
“Yelped a local place for authentic street tacos and found this gem. From the outside, it's very plain. Almost can't tell it's open but when you see everyone coming in & out, you know it's THE spot. Got my order to go although next time I'll be eating it indoors. The space is huge with lots of tables. Put in my order for al pastor tacos. He said 25 minutes but I got it waaaay less time! Soooo freaking good! Satisfying and filling! Five tacos for $16. Not bad if I do say so myself. Go. You'll like it!“
“Place is not bad. First time we went was for my wife's birthday. We were excited for Birria tacos. The consome was not bad. My wife enjoyed it. Taco shells are crispy and cheese was just the right amount. Meat was good portion. The place is very small. Its my only complaint. The waitress is good but there's only one in the place so if it's busy it's hard for her to tend to every table but she tries her best. They should add ground beef as part of their meat options. I would recommend this place if you're in a mood for some good tacos.“
“I had the Chicken Enchiladas (red) and it was wonderful!!! Fresh, delicious homemade Tres Leches!!! Best ever! Nice, casual, very clean, very friendly! The owner herself took my order. The food came out quickly and it was delicious!!!!!! Excellent Chipotle Chicken!Parking: Large public parking lot right beside it and also street parking.“
“We've been waiting for this place to open for a while because we haven't found good Mexican in the area. We just tried this place for the first time today and we'll definitely be coming back! Ordered the quesa birria tacos, el pastor tacos, chicken enchiladas, chicken quesadillas, and rice and beans. Everything was really full of flavor! So excited they are opened!“
“The most amazing pizza and Italian dishes you will ever eat! Super fresh and always delicious! The owners are the sweetest and truly make you feel special every time you visit. We’ve been customers since they were located in the Meyers parking lot, however, we’ve moved in the last few years and are unable to get our fix of Bella La Pizzeria greatness since. We travel over 3 hours for the best pizza and meals because the food is that delicious! I’m sitting here in heaven this evening enjoying a slice of their perfect pizza. Yummmm!!!…….“
“I found the chorizo to be extremely flavorful and full of spice and a great level of heat. I enjoyed it inside a burrito. You order via a kiosk and get a buzzer, and when your food is ready, the buzzer goes off, and you pick up your food at a separate window. The place has a cozy ambiance and efficient workers. No complaints.“
“I had to pick up a package at the UPS Customer Service center across the street (which this UPS's posted hours are different than on the UPS website and they didn't open for another hour) so I grabbed lunch here while waiting. The restaurant looks new and VERY clean with a spacious seating area. An employee took the time to explain to me what they serve and I ordered a Burrito Bowl ($12). The portion was HUGE and I was happy that I could custom order it as I like (mixing in both types of rice, mixed beans and mixed protein and lots of toppings to choose from). All the ingredients were fresh (including the lettuce and guac), tasty and nicely seasoned. The chicken was tender chunks and not grisly or chewy. I really enjoyed the bowl; it tasted like it was homemade and I had enough leftover to save for later. I'm not a fan of Chip-NO-tle and wasn't sure how this would be, but I was pleasantly surprised and will definitely come back when I'm in the area again.“
“A no frill restaurant. We weren’t sure if the server was fluent with English. The service was adequate.We had a burrito bowel, one verde con pollo (chicken w green sauce) tamale, one mole con pollo (chicken with mole) tamale, and a chicken tostada. For drinks we had jarrito mandarine and tamarind piña.The burrito was standard. The verde con pollo was delicious and the tostada was generous and tasty. The mole sauce was more bitter than sweet; it’s different from most places. The tamarind piña was good too.Wheelchair accessibility: It’s a small place with upstairs, no good for wheelchairs“
“One of the most incredible farm to table restaurants you will ever dine in!You absolutely must get the fried cheese. It is a staple! I also enjoyed the fried baby artichokes which were so delicate and delicious smothered in the most incredible sauce.If there’s anything there that comes with pork belly, then you absolutely must order it! The gorditas are my absolute favorite, essentially an extremely fat arepa stuffed with pork belly!Also, the fried chicken taco is next level.All the drinks are crazy, but I really prefer the Coquito. And I would be remiss if I did not mention that you must order any and all desserts that they offer! The tres strawberry shortcake is really something special !“
“this place is truly great. we ordered a few things and ended up taking most of it home because the soup portions were nice and hefty. everything was flavorful and made when ordered. cannot recommend this place enough. as soon as our soups came out we were shocked at how big the bowls were and how aromatic the soups were. flavors and service were on point. hidden gem 100%“
“Came here with a group of 6 girlfriends. It was a bit early so we were seated right away. Let begin to say this is the first time at a Mexican restaurant with a HUGE array of menu options! We were greeted by our server Abel he was fantastic! We all started with a flight of margaritas which were tasty but had no alcohol in them we even mentioned it to the server. He did not bring out extra tequila or anything. The flight cost us $30 each for juice, that is the reason I took 1 star off!! We all shared two orders of guac... really good. Most of us had the mixed fajitas, my other 2 friends had the enchiladas and the sirloin steak and shrimp on a stone. Our food was great, good flavor and portions. At the end, we all were given a shot of tequila, even that shot felt watered down! I would come back here for the food, they definitely need to work on their drinks! If they start to get the drinks right this place would be out of this world!“
“one of the best places around new brunswick. not sure why it's 3 stars they have great customer service the chorizo, shrimp, and queso are beyond amazing this place is very good. MUST go to but don't go on a friday night as it will be packed with college kids.“
“I didn’t know this place existed a few months back. I’m busy telling people ODOBO like Adobo my mistake. I thank God for such courteous service and a great GM Ivan that put all the pieces together and made my visit, though not the first, enjoyable, the food SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ In Jesus Name may it be blessed and I pray that we can get one By My Home in Rahway, I’m Usuaally A HomeBody and Love Home Cooked Food but if I’m Out Oh Yes!!“
“Seemed like they only spoke Spanish, but Idk. Prices were fair, portion size was just right, food was fantastic. Served chips with salsa verde. The salsa was spicy in the best way. I got pollo el chipotle. It was perfect. Also got pupusas. Definitely authentic food made very well. So far my favorite Mexican place in New Jersey.“
“This spot is a family-ran Mexican restaurant that has some very reasonably priced items! I found this local gem as a Rutgers student, but still worth the trip back whenever I have a hankering for Mexican in Highland Park 0 They also have lunch specials currently priced at $9.99 which is such a steal nowadays!“
“I was in the area on business and just googled restaurants near me. This place popped up quite small but the food was very very good and very reasonable. My whole meal was only $15 that was chips and salsa steak fajitas and a Coke. Definitely well worth the visit if you’re in the area.“
“This place has very good potential to be a regular spot.They have the best quesadillas ever. The tacos were alright, to be honest. The meat was rather dry, in my honest opinion, but I feel like it could've just been an off day for them when I tried it.The lady who helped us was absolutely sweet and really took time to get our orders correctly.The birria is good but definitely did not have a good consomé. It was very watery and not rich, and I think that made the birria taste rather plain a bit.But I think it's worth going back again for the chorizo, the quesadillas, and their amazing horchata :)Vegetarian options: Nopales (cactus)HorchataQuesadillas con quesoNachos“
“VERY GOOD, fresh and authentic Mexican food. A Very friendly and welcoming gentleman took my takeout order. As a Black/African American Born and raised in New Brunswick, NJ, I have driven past this GEM countless times but TODAY was my first time dining. Stopped in quickly for takeout lunch because I was in the mood for GOOD pork tacos. Walked inside and immediately felt like I was in Mexico and I say that in a positive respect for the culture way. I immediately enjoyed the Very traditional atmosphere with locals enjoying lunch. Nothing fancy, just regular people enjoying GOOD authentic Mexican Food and there was a PLETHORA of selections on the menu. I can't wait to visit again and try new things.“
“Tiny little place. Good food especially for the price. I got a pork special. Rice and black beans were really good. The small side salad was good including the dressing. Pork was thin cut and pretty good. For $11 this special was very much worth it.“
“On a random need for tacos and pizza combinations. This place is to go to their consommé is a little bit on the spicy side. I was surprised to see a birria pizza here so I gave it a try and I couldn't be more satisfied. I never really seem to see it again I guess it's a special request but I would love to try it again“
“Amazing authentic Mexican food, everything on the menu was good. I also loved my passion fruit juice. We accidentally spilled over the juice, the waitress gave us a free refill and cleaned the floor immediately for us. Such a wonderful dining “
“I have ordered from there several times and everything has been great. I decided to try their catering for a party of 10. The food was excellent. The price was great and the portions could have fed 15 or more. I will definitely use them to cater in the future.“
“I stumbled upon this gem (Gaelos) of a Mexican spot, tucked away on a corner, and let me tell you, it's worth slowing down for. From the moment I stepped in, I was impressed. Despite the limited seating, the cozy atmosphere exuded charm.Now, let's talk about the food. I ordered the chicken burrito with no lettuce, and they graciously accommodated my request to have the guacamole and sour cream on the side. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, with perfectly seasoned beans and rice that were far from mushy. The toasted burrito added an extra layer of delight to every mouthful.But what truly sets this place apart is the service. The staff went above and beyond to ensure my dining experience was exceptional. They were attentive, friendly, and eager to cater to my preferences.In summary, if you're in the area, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to this charming Mexican spot. Whether you dine in or opt for takeout, you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to return and explore more of their menu, and I wholeheartedly recommend you do the same. Trust me, you won't regret it!“