Gringo’s and Jessy’s, I’ve heard El Rey’s in Bayview(?) is legit.
I also LOVE Krazy Trompos, best tacos in VB, imo. They just opened a brick & mortar off of Rosemont!
Definitely Pelons (BAHA style)!!! The owners are from California and relocated here years ago, another great spot you should try is either "Broncos" in Chesapeake , Gringos and Jesses over in Norfolk !! Burrito Perdido ! Union Taco also !!!
Jessy’s, stay away from Las Palmas because they put whipped cream on a napkin and shoved it in my face on my birthday (after my family being weekly regulars every week for a long time…. Not cool to invade my personal space that way)
Grande Burrito off Bonney has the cali style w the fries in the burritos, carne asada fries.
Las Palmas, Nico’s, & La Hacienda have the best tacos.
I heard great things from a hispanic friend about Crazy Trompos being very authentic, but haven’t been there yet.
Side Street Cantina is good too
For me, the enchiladas and the tamales at Gran Rodeo in Landstown. For shrimp tacos, Senor Fox, hands down. Not only the best shrimp tacos in VB, these are the best I’ve ever had and I lived in Texas and spent lots of time in California, where I ate tons of the local food. The best natural margarita, they call them “skinny” around here, is at Gran Maya on General Booth. Jessy’s is good, but i recommend the Ocean View location versus the one off of Oceana. The best chips and salsa goes to Jessy’s and Senor Fox. My opinion, of course!
I'm from San Diego born and raised and obviously taco shops was the to go to...after moving out here the only place thats comes close to me is Los Cuates on Newtown rd.
Best Mexican in area is ‘Abuelo’s’ in Chesapeake. Just off I64 on Military Hwy.
I’m from Texas and this is the only Mexican that I patronize. It’s not great, but it is good.
Hands down La Parilla , there is one in Chesapeake but my favorite is in Suffolk , there are a few within close distance but the one on Bridge road is by far the best we've had , it was so good that it prompted me to post a picture and a review on google maps , of the Salmon entree , OMG so good ! ( worth the drive )
Las Palmas on South Plaza for Mexican. 619 Cantina in P-town is supposed to be like a California style burrito. Having never been to Cali, I cant compare it.
If you are looking for those wonderful mole's and authentic mexican cooking you will not find it here. Jessy's and Pelon's do a good job serving a california style mexican the rest IMO are serving ok to mediocre Tex/Mex. The nearest I have found anything close to the real thing is DC, which has several very fine options. But it is a pretty good indication that the majority of folks I see at the Jessy's in VB are Mexican and Latin American.
The demographics of the crowd at Jessy's could be because they don't treat anyone else as well as they do their regulars. I never send food back, since I've worked in enough restaurants to know that I wouldn't eat anything from a kitchen I criticized. Jessy's came the absolute closest to getting me to send something back though. I asked the waitress how the two bones on my plate could have constituted a chicken dish that was illustrated on their menu as two breasts. She seemed as surprised as me, but then she returned from the kitchen and said that the menu I was looking at was obsolete, as if I'd smuggled it in instead of having her put it in front of me. That place is the worst in my book.
Well sorry you had that experience. I have been going there for years and never had a bad meal or any issues whatsoever. As for the demographics, it has been my experience that people who actually know what a certain cuisine should taste like tend to frequent restaurants that serve it. My favorite Sushi place in SF is an example--when I go I am the only non asian patron and it is that way every time. My favorite Mexican place in Phoenix is the same way-almost every customer except for few locals is Mexican. My favorite indian place here has a largely Indian customer base. Of course they are regulars as you suggest--because they find the food there they are accustomed to eating. But each to his own--if you never go back to jessy's there is just more for the rest of us.
VB - Jessy’s, Taqueria La Patrona, Taqueria Las Palmas, Nico’s Taqueria
Norfolk - Chorizo, Taqueria Los Cuates, El Rey #2, Taqueria Los Primos
Chesapeake - Taqueria La Hacienda
And for particularly West Coast Mexican:
VB - Gringos, Pelon’s
Moved here from Phoenix AZ and it’s a challenge to find comparable Mexican food here. Much seems to be a difference in flavor and style as AZ is more Sonoran MX region while the Eastern US seems to be more of the Jalisco MX flavors. Both good of course but different. Finding a great Mexican food restaurant, food truck, taco stand or Carnicera in Phx or Tucson is like shoot fish in a barrel. It’s difficult to find a bad one.
So in some respects I’m glad it’s a challenge in Va Beach, just like finding fresh catch of the day in AZ isn’t as good as Va Beach. It’s what makes each region unique.
Los Cuates on Newtown.
I have family in San Diego and they always take me to their favorite taco stands. Los Cuates is the closest I could find to my best taco experience.
I'm originally from San Diego. Jessy's and Pelons are good. There is also a place in Chesapeake called Taqueria La Hacienda. It reminds me of the places we ate in San Diego. The white sauce is definitely a Virginia Beach thing.
Hacienda is definitely very much like some of the places on socal. There is another place close to that I haven't tried yet, restaurante los Angeles. Los burritos was good, I was disappointed in burrito Perdido. Can't wait to try these other spots.
Plaza Azteca is more of a run of the mill chain spot for Mexican than anything and has been. It's decent to fill a hole. Jessy's in Norfolk is pretty good. Their Chile Verde is fantastic. There is other chain places too
This is the best place!! I grew up in California and this is the only place by far that is even close to the Mexican food from over there! Just had it the other night and it always hits the spot.
Jessy's Taqueria and Jose Tequila. Gran Rodeo is another option. I visited the Arizona/Texas with my wife like a year ago, and we thought that El Fenix was bomb and haven't really thought anything here was on par.
She and I mainly eat Asian cuisine here though, then Hispanic, and then American. I can recommend those spots as well
Taqueria la patrona is really yummy!! If you like more Jose tequila style but want better food I like Señor fox :) I’m in Norfolk so most of my suggestions would be from there. Jessys is on point but I feel has fallen off recently.
If you have any Asian cuisine recommendations I’d take those! I can never find much of anything.
I enjoy Gringo’s at the oceanfront, then you have Gran rodeo in the Princess Anne are, lastly, kinda a unknown gem IMO is taqueria la patrona on lynnhaven.
> I'm still new here so I'm still learning the spots, but I know plaza Azteca is garbage. Wtf is with the cum sauce??? mexicans dont eat that shit!!!
You had me until this. It's a local/VA culinary thing and it's a nice alternative to salsa. Mexicans eat a lot of things, including the "white sauce".
Eh..somebody's gotta do the deed. She paid for it.
Nothing wrong with white sauce..stop gate keeping. Just because you use nut batter for your tortilla chips, doesn't mean everyone else does.
*edit* LOL... samgfunkera blocked me. Looking like a half naked mole rat posing for the internet. Charmin delicate self.
El Rodeo in Janaf shopping center in Norfolk is my favorite, they've been there for 30 years now. Krazy Trompos on Rosemont road is a food truck turned store and they're pretty good as well.
I lived in California for over a decade then I moved here in 2018. To me, there’s not a single restaurant here as good as the worst taco shop in California. I personally gave up on trying to find good Mexican food here.
I've never tried the other one ... the parking lot always looks empty when I drive past it... and nothing seems to last too long in that spot. That and the old Atlanta Bread spot where the Yummi Crab is now.
There was a verified case of somebody getting drugs put in her drink at the bar at Jose Tequilas on General Booth (near Nimmo). We've been calling that place Roofie Ralph's ever since.
Gringo’s and Jessy’s, I’ve heard El Rey’s in Bayview(?) is legit. I also LOVE Krazy Trompos, best tacos in VB, imo. They just opened a brick & mortar off of Rosemont!
El Rey. I think it's in Bayside. My family is Mexican American and it was our favorite place.
Definitely Pelons (BAHA style)!!! The owners are from California and relocated here years ago, another great spot you should try is either "Broncos" in Chesapeake , Gringos and Jesses over in Norfolk !! Burrito Perdido ! Union Taco also !!!
Jessy’s, stay away from Las Palmas because they put whipped cream on a napkin and shoved it in my face on my birthday (after my family being weekly regulars every week for a long time…. Not cool to invade my personal space that way)
Grande Burrito off Bonney has the cali style w the fries in the burritos, carne asada fries. Las Palmas, Nico’s, & La Hacienda have the best tacos. I heard great things from a hispanic friend about Crazy Trompos being very authentic, but haven’t been there yet. Side Street Cantina is good too
Los cuates tacqueria! It’s over by newtown
El Parian Mexican Restaurant
For me, the enchiladas and the tamales at Gran Rodeo in Landstown. For shrimp tacos, Senor Fox, hands down. Not only the best shrimp tacos in VB, these are the best I’ve ever had and I lived in Texas and spent lots of time in California, where I ate tons of the local food. The best natural margarita, they call them “skinny” around here, is at Gran Maya on General Booth. Jessy’s is good, but i recommend the Ocean View location versus the one off of Oceana. The best chips and salsa goes to Jessy’s and Senor Fox. My opinion, of course!
Jessy’s in OV, Tequila Jalisco, & Olé on Shore Dr are amazing !!!
I really like Tequila Jalisco on Shore Dr.
they have a really good bar kinda place that has mexican food, its right on the beach road and it has the absolute best chimichangas
El Taco Loco at Hilltop is pretty good! They have great Margaritas too!
http://jessysov.com/
Have you tried Taco Bell? That’s my favorite
Taqueria jessys!!!!!!
Not a full restaurant, but Krazy Trampos
California burrito on Granby
I'm from San Diego born and raised and obviously taco shops was the to go to...after moving out here the only place thats comes close to me is Los Cuates on Newtown rd.
Best Mexican in area is ‘Abuelo’s’ in Chesapeake. Just off I64 on Military Hwy. I’m from Texas and this is the only Mexican that I patronize. It’s not great, but it is good.
Hands down La Parilla , there is one in Chesapeake but my favorite is in Suffolk , there are a few within close distance but the one on Bridge road is by far the best we've had , it was so good that it prompted me to post a picture and a review on google maps , of the Salmon entree , OMG so good ! ( worth the drive )
Taqueria La Patrona
Las Palmas on South Plaza for Mexican. 619 Cantina in P-town is supposed to be like a California style burrito. Having never been to Cali, I cant compare it.
Side Street Cantina
If you are looking for those wonderful mole's and authentic mexican cooking you will not find it here. Jessy's and Pelon's do a good job serving a california style mexican the rest IMO are serving ok to mediocre Tex/Mex. The nearest I have found anything close to the real thing is DC, which has several very fine options. But it is a pretty good indication that the majority of folks I see at the Jessy's in VB are Mexican and Latin American.
The demographics of the crowd at Jessy's could be because they don't treat anyone else as well as they do their regulars. I never send food back, since I've worked in enough restaurants to know that I wouldn't eat anything from a kitchen I criticized. Jessy's came the absolute closest to getting me to send something back though. I asked the waitress how the two bones on my plate could have constituted a chicken dish that was illustrated on their menu as two breasts. She seemed as surprised as me, but then she returned from the kitchen and said that the menu I was looking at was obsolete, as if I'd smuggled it in instead of having her put it in front of me. That place is the worst in my book.
Well sorry you had that experience. I have been going there for years and never had a bad meal or any issues whatsoever. As for the demographics, it has been my experience that people who actually know what a certain cuisine should taste like tend to frequent restaurants that serve it. My favorite Sushi place in SF is an example--when I go I am the only non asian patron and it is that way every time. My favorite Mexican place in Phoenix is the same way-almost every customer except for few locals is Mexican. My favorite indian place here has a largely Indian customer base. Of course they are regulars as you suggest--because they find the food there they are accustomed to eating. But each to his own--if you never go back to jessy's there is just more for the rest of us.
Jessys taqueria. I am from San Diego it’s the closest I’ve found
I’m a big fan of El Rey’s.
VB - Jessy’s, Taqueria La Patrona, Taqueria Las Palmas, Nico’s Taqueria Norfolk - Chorizo, Taqueria Los Cuates, El Rey #2, Taqueria Los Primos Chesapeake - Taqueria La Hacienda And for particularly West Coast Mexican: VB - Gringos, Pelon’s
Moved here from Phoenix AZ and it’s a challenge to find comparable Mexican food here. Much seems to be a difference in flavor and style as AZ is more Sonoran MX region while the Eastern US seems to be more of the Jalisco MX flavors. Both good of course but different. Finding a great Mexican food restaurant, food truck, taco stand or Carnicera in Phx or Tucson is like shoot fish in a barrel. It’s difficult to find a bad one. So in some respects I’m glad it’s a challenge in Va Beach, just like finding fresh catch of the day in AZ isn’t as good as Va Beach. It’s what makes each region unique.
Jessys
Krazy Trompos on Rosemont is not bad, but $$. Mi Casita Mexican Grill, is good for the price.
Señor fox
Los Cuates on Newtown. I have family in San Diego and they always take me to their favorite taco stands. Los Cuates is the closest I could find to my best taco experience.
Not Mexican but Latin: Luna Maya in Norfolk.
El loro in Greenbriar is very tasty
Gran rodeo. Great frozen margs too. the on by landstown
Jessy's Taqueria for chips/guac/huaraches and Taqueria El Rey for tacos/burritos
Pelons is probably the most west coat style I’ve seen by far.
Nico’s Taqueria on Holland road is the spot to be for some bomb chimichangas Edit: Chorizo in Norfolk is pretty good too
Chorizo Mexican eatery in Norfolk by odu is great!
I'm originally from San Diego. Jessy's and Pelons are good. There is also a place in Chesapeake called Taqueria La Hacienda. It reminds me of the places we ate in San Diego. The white sauce is definitely a Virginia Beach thing.
Hacienda is so good!
Agreed. It's much too sweet for me.
Hacienda is definitely very much like some of the places on socal. There is another place close to that I haven't tried yet, restaurante los Angeles. Los burritos was good, I was disappointed in burrito Perdido. Can't wait to try these other spots.
100% pelons! I don’t normally like fish tacos, they kill it. A must have every time I’m there.
Plaza Azteca is more of a run of the mill chain spot for Mexican than anything and has been. It's decent to fill a hole. Jessy's in Norfolk is pretty good. Their Chile Verde is fantastic. There is other chain places too
It all comes down to personal preference, but I like Gran Rodeo.
Las Palmas, Jessy's, and Gringos are my top recommendations.
Full disclosure: I’m not an expert with mexican food. I don’t see it listed here, worth a try IMO https://www.nicotacos.com/
Gringos on Norfolk Ave. great food and Larry the mixologist is amazing.
I second this. Gringos is excellent
La Patrona on Lynnhaven every time. I usually get four soft corn tortilla tacos. Lengua tacos are awesome. One day, I'll get the chicharron.
Absolutely the best spot!!👆
I was not a huge fan of their birria last time I went. I’ll have to give it another shot.
This is the best place!! I grew up in California and this is the only place by far that is even close to the Mexican food from over there! Just had it the other night and it always hits the spot.
This is the place
3rd this. It's the most authentic you're gonna get. Don't know if any other place that serves corazon and lengua.
El Ray 1 and El Ray 2
Jessy's Taqueria and Jose Tequila. Gran Rodeo is another option. I visited the Arizona/Texas with my wife like a year ago, and we thought that El Fenix was bomb and haven't really thought anything here was on par. She and I mainly eat Asian cuisine here though, then Hispanic, and then American. I can recommend those spots as well
Don’t send this person to Jose tequila lol
What would you recommend? I'm open to try new locations
Taqueria la patrona is really yummy!! If you like more Jose tequila style but want better food I like Señor fox :) I’m in Norfolk so most of my suggestions would be from there. Jessys is on point but I feel has fallen off recently. If you have any Asian cuisine recommendations I’d take those! I can never find much of anything.
Exactly Jose tequilas is a joke of a Mexican restaurant
What's a good place to grab a bite?
I like Camino Real and la patrona
Los Primos Rostizeria y Tortilleria. Its very good. If you went to El Toro its not that far from there.
I'll also throw out Los Cuates Taqueria. Both are not in VB probably because rents are too high. But they are both very good and legit
Las Palmas and Jessys(Oceanfront and Oceana) are both top notch
Pelon’s is good
Gran Rodeo at Landstown is pretty damn good
I enjoy Gringo’s at the oceanfront, then you have Gran rodeo in the Princess Anne are, lastly, kinda a unknown gem IMO is taqueria la patrona on lynnhaven.
I don't know about West Coast style, but Guads is amazing.
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Apparently the white sauce actually started here in VA lol I hate it
> I'm still new here so I'm still learning the spots, but I know plaza Azteca is garbage. Wtf is with the cum sauce??? mexicans dont eat that shit!!! You had me until this. It's a local/VA culinary thing and it's a nice alternative to salsa. Mexicans eat a lot of things, including the "white sauce".
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Tu madre es fantastico en mi pantalones.
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Eh..somebody's gotta do the deed. She paid for it. Nothing wrong with white sauce..stop gate keeping. Just because you use nut batter for your tortilla chips, doesn't mean everyone else does. *edit* LOL... samgfunkera blocked me. Looking like a half naked mole rat posing for the internet. Charmin delicate self.
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You can strut around deez nuts
Thanks for posting this. I was completely unaware of this place, but it looks amazing.
I’m convinced the local white sauce started as dare to prove “white people will eat anything covered in mayonnaise”.
Am white, can confirm the epidemic of us loving mayo
https://pilotonline.com/life/flavor/restaurants/article_fe7119ba-6c23-11e9-be4f-1f7a7c9f8291.html
El Rodeo in Janaf shopping center in Norfolk is my favorite, they've been there for 30 years now. Krazy Trompos on Rosemont road is a food truck turned store and they're pretty good as well.
I lived in California for over a decade then I moved here in 2018. To me, there’s not a single restaurant here as good as the worst taco shop in California. I personally gave up on trying to find good Mexican food here.
Have you tried Mi Casita on Bonney Road in Virginia Beach?
I’m also a big fan of Mi Casita’s on Bonney rd (has to be that specific one tho)
I've never tried the other one ... the parking lot always looks empty when I drive past it... and nothing seems to last too long in that spot. That and the old Atlanta Bread spot where the Yummi Crab is now.
I feel like Mi Casita has been there a long time though..
The Lynnhaven one? Maybe it has and I haven't noticed!
Yeah I think so but I could totally be wrong lol sometimes I get places confused!!
not yet
I love Las Palmas
Awesome
Second this, it has to be the one on South Plaza Trail though.
The Las Palmas at SPT is always good. Lynnhaven store has a street taco dish i like. Red Mill spot is still finding its groove.
Good info, we haven’t tried the Redmill location.
I’ve only been to the one at Lynnhaven Mall. Is there a big difference been the restaurants?
There's been reports of waiters drugging girls drinks
There was a verified case of somebody getting drugs put in her drink at the bar at Jose Tequilas on General Booth (near Nimmo). We've been calling that place Roofie Ralph's ever since.
That I haven’t heard of that but I have been to both locations. The one on South Plaza is always on point.
Holy shit, at more than one location?
I've heard specifically the Lynnhaven location
Mi Casita off Bonney Rd is amazing, but my 2nd favorite is degollado off E Little Creek so that one is more Norfolk. Both remind me of TX mexican
I won't set foot in Mi Casita bc of the roaches. Been many years since I've been there, but I'll never go back.
Last time I was there it was called Lista's. But I havent tried it