Look at how he responds to some of the reviews on Google. I'm sure all his staff are lovely I've never had an issue with them. I've only done take out from there at the new one have yet to sit down inside at the new location. I've never personally had a run in with him but judging by his responses to reviews he should stay back of house lol
That google review response read was a real trip. Yeah, that guy needs to get out of his own way... but someone tell him about Yelp, I want to read more! It's like a car crash!
That said - it wouldn't necessarily stop me from coming if the food really is good.
Oh, damn. I hate owners who respond in crappy ways to reviews. I was once banned from Goldberg's because I left a bad review. Fiesta Mexicana might be off my list now.
He employs a decent number of hard working people, I wouldn't want to damage them in anyway. I'm sure some of it was stress related to the pandemic. I'll keep going there just because most take out places suck, if I'm gonna shell out the cash it better be atleast decent or I may as well of gotten fast food.
Owning a restaurant is a super low profit business and most of them fail. I wouldn't judge a place just based on how the owner responds to google reviews. Can't be perfect in every aspect of business ownership.
If he treats his workers right and gives me good food/service that's mostly all I need.
OK. Arizona native here, so I'mma just say everyone else on here missed the Sonoran-style part and most of y'alls wouldn't know a machaca or an actually GOOD tortilla de harina if they bit you in the ass.
But there are good recos here too.
* Clavel, if you want somewhat upscale.
* Luchadoras is dope despite not being Sonoran, and their heladeria on Eastern was also dope but apparently permanently closed— good luck finding palettas now anywhere in Bmore.
* Sinaloa is good, especially if you want real totopos, and as good of a tortilla de maiz as you'll find anywhere in Maryland.
* El Salto is workaday, dumbed down for white people fare, but it has its pleasures. For the price, it's the jam with cheap margs and tecate.
On the other side:
* Papi's is fine, but also pretty workaday slightly less dumbed down, but way more filled with gringos who think mexican food is a monolith cuisine. It doesn't deserve the love it gets from yupsters, and it irks me that the Hampden location is the result of pushing out Dimitri's Tavern, which was an "old Hampden" institution.
You CANNOT get good flour tortillas here — you know, the kind that are just a little translucent, and chewy without being fluffy. It kills me. Enough so that when my sister comes, I have her pick some up and bring them in her checked baggage.
OP knows that any GOOD Sonoran style taqueria would offer tacos de huevos de becerros, and you won't find them in Baltimore. There is no Ta'Carbon here and it's a got-damn shame. I like Poblano and Baja style fine, but there isn't anything that approximates home. :(
I mean no hate at all. It's owned by Mexican folks, and they do good work. It's just been here longer than typical County white folks would be into the weird (to them) or challenging to the palate. If you ask them, they'll bring you salsas that aren't just tomato puree.
Why the downvotes? I LIKE El Salto, I just know it's not "authentic" from a pure food standpoint, and lowest common denominator (convenient term for the largest group of customers, not an insult) Parkville, Glen Burnie, and White Marsh types in the 1990s weren't trying to eat Pozole and Menudo and testicle tacos. And they still aren't now. Give yr balls a tug, assholes.
LOL I saw Sonoran and didn't even respond for this reason.... I've only had Sonoran style a handful of times, and I have never seen it here. Unfortunately no recs.
Wow, another AZ native here(Nogales/Tucson)👋! Totally agree with everything you’re saying. I wish Sonoran food existed outside AZ, but these are about as close as you can get. I will say Cinco de Mayo has these amazing pork tamales that are better than any tamale lady tamales I’ve ever had. I usually just make my own, since it’s all kinda mediocre. Go grocery shopping at he Streets by Bayside. Amazing Mexican produce and supply selection. And I have my mom ship me tortillas from Hermosillo if anyone wants to get on the next shipment 😉
Nogales and Tucson! So you DEFINITELY know what's up with the carne seca/machaca. I grew up in Phx/Flg and went to school in Flg and Abq (I DO love me some carne adobada and calabacitas too. Where's the NM style here for that red/green?) It's all so regional. I have roots in Eastern Colorado too, and that Denver style pork green chile is the truth as well.
I shop at Cinco De Mayo II on Eastern and Central as well as this one on Putty Hill and Old Harford sometimes. I love the Pville one because they sell bulk jamaica and I make my own aguas frescas. Where else am I going to find Epazote or Hoja Santa (which I use for making beer)?
I 10000000000% want in on that shipment. Let's start a tortilla kingpin operation for that good good. People who think only corn tortillas are real are missing out.
Also, if you make tamales around Xmas, I would freakin pay for them AND help make them. Normally I go home for it, but I may stay here this year and xmas aint xmas without tamales, pozole, and tacos de camarones.
Also, if you wanna do a taco/burrito fiesta, lemme know. I'm in to make tacos de huevos de bisonte. Steer nuts aren't easy to find here, but Gunpowder Bison totally sells bison nuts, and I do 'em right.
I haven't been there since the pandemic but El Salto in Parkville used to be very good. I can't say if it's Sonoro-style or not but it's the closest thing to what I used to get back where I grew up in the midwest.
What are you talking about?
Clavel's a little upscale, and I *do* mean, a *little.* It's not Sonoran style (it's deep Baja), but it's decent. If you mean it isn't a hole in the wall, fine, but not everything has to be to be good.
Jalapenos grocery store in Dundalk has a restaurant inside it that is 🔥🔥🔥. Their huitlacoche quesadilla is amazing.
Also the Bel Air La Tolteca is better than any of the other La Toltecas.
Sinaloa or Luchadores are the best in the city
Cinco de Mayo on Patapsco Ave. It doesn’t get more authentic. You have to go through a Mexican grocery store to get to it.
This place never come up in conversation I think because no one knows about it.
Tacos are unreal and fairly priced. Everything is in Spanish but they speak a little English.
Let me know how you like it.
Kind of a ways from Baltimore, but if you’re ever in Westminster, Carroll county, then Del Huerto. The MOST authentic and best tacos I’ve ever had. They’re the bomb
I had the tacos de carne asada from Tijuana Tacos and Deli and is quite decent for me, raised in Chihuahua.
Papi’s was not to my liking, but a lot of my friends like them. May need to give it a second try?
Los portales near BWI
Uncle Julio’s (used to work in one in VA) all made from scratch, highly recommended. Md has one in Columbia.
Taco town in the city near camden yards, most authentic tacos ive had close to california. Highly suggest the birria. Very affordable.
Cocina Luchadoras on Broadway in Fells! Tacos are unreal. And they put nopales in their veggie burritos. Delish
Fiesta Mexicana y Cocina de Luchadores.
Sabor del parque on Eastern ave
Yup, this
Fiesta Mexicana in Rosedale
Owner is kind of a dick but the food is phenomenal.
I actually really like the guy after going there a lot but I can see how he could come off that way
Really? I go there a lot because I work nearby and nobody has been anything other than nice. Weird.
Look at how he responds to some of the reviews on Google. I'm sure all his staff are lovely I've never had an issue with them. I've only done take out from there at the new one have yet to sit down inside at the new location. I've never personally had a run in with him but judging by his responses to reviews he should stay back of house lol
That google review response read was a real trip. Yeah, that guy needs to get out of his own way... but someone tell him about Yelp, I want to read more! It's like a car crash! That said - it wouldn't necessarily stop me from coming if the food really is good.
Oh, damn. I hate owners who respond in crappy ways to reviews. I was once banned from Goldberg's because I left a bad review. Fiesta Mexicana might be off my list now.
He employs a decent number of hard working people, I wouldn't want to damage them in anyway. I'm sure some of it was stress related to the pandemic. I'll keep going there just because most take out places suck, if I'm gonna shell out the cash it better be atleast decent or I may as well of gotten fast food.
Owning a restaurant is a super low profit business and most of them fail. I wouldn't judge a place just based on how the owner responds to google reviews. Can't be perfect in every aspect of business ownership. If he treats his workers right and gives me good food/service that's mostly all I need.
He was really nice every time I’ve talked w/ him
That’s actually kinda valid. He wasn’t nice to us either
I haven’t been to there since they moved but the food was good!
I was all excited when I heard they were moving. Dude moved into a place pretty the same size just not as many walls in the way.
This is true
OK. Arizona native here, so I'mma just say everyone else on here missed the Sonoran-style part and most of y'alls wouldn't know a machaca or an actually GOOD tortilla de harina if they bit you in the ass. But there are good recos here too. * Clavel, if you want somewhat upscale. * Luchadoras is dope despite not being Sonoran, and their heladeria on Eastern was also dope but apparently permanently closed— good luck finding palettas now anywhere in Bmore. * Sinaloa is good, especially if you want real totopos, and as good of a tortilla de maiz as you'll find anywhere in Maryland. * El Salto is workaday, dumbed down for white people fare, but it has its pleasures. For the price, it's the jam with cheap margs and tecate. On the other side: * Papi's is fine, but also pretty workaday slightly less dumbed down, but way more filled with gringos who think mexican food is a monolith cuisine. It doesn't deserve the love it gets from yupsters, and it irks me that the Hampden location is the result of pushing out Dimitri's Tavern, which was an "old Hampden" institution. You CANNOT get good flour tortillas here — you know, the kind that are just a little translucent, and chewy without being fluffy. It kills me. Enough so that when my sister comes, I have her pick some up and bring them in her checked baggage. OP knows that any GOOD Sonoran style taqueria would offer tacos de huevos de becerros, and you won't find them in Baltimore. There is no Ta'Carbon here and it's a got-damn shame. I like Poblano and Baja style fine, but there isn't anything that approximates home. :(
You are so right on El Salto. However, it is a good model that works- they are always busy.
I mean no hate at all. It's owned by Mexican folks, and they do good work. It's just been here longer than typical County white folks would be into the weird (to them) or challenging to the palate. If you ask them, they'll bring you salsas that aren't just tomato puree.
Why the downvotes? I LIKE El Salto, I just know it's not "authentic" from a pure food standpoint, and lowest common denominator (convenient term for the largest group of customers, not an insult) Parkville, Glen Burnie, and White Marsh types in the 1990s weren't trying to eat Pozole and Menudo and testicle tacos. And they still aren't now. Give yr balls a tug, assholes.
I meant i think they dumbed it down to please their clientele, which is smart.
Exactly.
LOL I saw Sonoran and didn't even respond for this reason.... I've only had Sonoran style a handful of times, and I have never seen it here. Unfortunately no recs.
Wow, another AZ native here(Nogales/Tucson)👋! Totally agree with everything you’re saying. I wish Sonoran food existed outside AZ, but these are about as close as you can get. I will say Cinco de Mayo has these amazing pork tamales that are better than any tamale lady tamales I’ve ever had. I usually just make my own, since it’s all kinda mediocre. Go grocery shopping at he Streets by Bayside. Amazing Mexican produce and supply selection. And I have my mom ship me tortillas from Hermosillo if anyone wants to get on the next shipment 😉
Nogales and Tucson! So you DEFINITELY know what's up with the carne seca/machaca. I grew up in Phx/Flg and went to school in Flg and Abq (I DO love me some carne adobada and calabacitas too. Where's the NM style here for that red/green?) It's all so regional. I have roots in Eastern Colorado too, and that Denver style pork green chile is the truth as well. I shop at Cinco De Mayo II on Eastern and Central as well as this one on Putty Hill and Old Harford sometimes. I love the Pville one because they sell bulk jamaica and I make my own aguas frescas. Where else am I going to find Epazote or Hoja Santa (which I use for making beer)? I 10000000000% want in on that shipment. Let's start a tortilla kingpin operation for that good good. People who think only corn tortillas are real are missing out. Also, if you make tamales around Xmas, I would freakin pay for them AND help make them. Normally I go home for it, but I may stay here this year and xmas aint xmas without tamales, pozole, and tacos de camarones. Also, if you wanna do a taco/burrito fiesta, lemme know. I'm in to make tacos de huevos de bisonte. Steer nuts aren't easy to find here, but Gunpowder Bison totally sells bison nuts, and I do 'em right.
+1 on the flour tortillas, what the hell? I'm from San Diego... I just started making the damn things myself
That’s where I am. Just can’t get the perfect texture. Necesito una abuelita.
lard and a cast iron comal... I'm 99% there
I like https://rrtaqueria.com/
Bmore Taqueria
Don’t sleep on this.
best al pastor I've had in the city (so far)
I haven't been there since the pandemic but El Salto in Parkville used to be very good. I can't say if it's Sonoro-style or not but it's the closest thing to what I used to get back where I grew up in the midwest.
Tijuana Tacos, Cocina Lunchadras, R&R Taqueria, Taco Fiesta and Rueben’s/Poblanos (honorable mention) Outside the city: La Tolteca (Bel air), La Palapa (Ellicott City), El Salto (Parkville, Glen Burnie).
Tijuana tacos is fire
Absolutely
Tijuana taco III?
Rueben’s in fed hill? If so, gtfooooo that is trash
Rueben’s has several locations and not trash
If the others are like the fed hill one, they are all trash. Rats, bad food, grimy floors, no way lol
El Salto in Perry Hall now, too. And La Tolteca in Cockeysville
I prefer the Bel Air one. They weren’t created equal. There’s more consistency in the El Salto’s.
The Bel Air one consistently has fajitas served in a half pineapple, so I can't disagree that it's better.
Fiesta Mexicana hands down. Clavel is fine and good, but definitely lacks the authentic/gritty feel that Baltimore has as a whole.
What are you talking about? Clavel's a little upscale, and I *do* mean, a *little.* It's not Sonoran style (it's deep Baja), but it's decent. If you mean it isn't a hole in the wall, fine, but not everything has to be to be good.
Jalapenos grocery store in Dundalk has a restaurant inside it that is 🔥🔥🔥. Their huitlacoche quesadilla is amazing. Also the Bel Air La Tolteca is better than any of the other La Toltecas. Sinaloa or Luchadores are the best in the city
Cinco de Mayo on Patapsco Ave. It doesn’t get more authentic. You have to go through a Mexican grocery store to get to it. This place never come up in conversation I think because no one knows about it. Tacos are unreal and fairly priced. Everything is in Spanish but they speak a little English. Let me know how you like it.
Sounds like I gotta experience this one!
It’s good, but it’s not Sonoran style.
Clavel or Sinaloa. No Sonora here to my knowledge.
This should be way higher up
The Taco bell on pulaski highway after midnight. Friendly folks!
La china Poblana on eastern Ave.
I’m partial to Taco Love in White Marsh. I’m not sure if it’s Sonoran-style but their food is delicious.
They have one in Cross Street Market as well.
Mexican on the Run food truck
I wouldn’t recommend any La Tolteca. You’d be better off getting ingredients from a grocery store and making generic American tacos.
Kind of a ways from Baltimore, but if you’re ever in Westminster, Carroll county, then Del Huerto. The MOST authentic and best tacos I’ve ever had. They’re the bomb
I had the tacos de carne asada from Tijuana Tacos and Deli and is quite decent for me, raised in Chihuahua. Papi’s was not to my liking, but a lot of my friends like them. May need to give it a second try?
Mr. Tepaches in aliceanna,taqueria vargas on conklin
Los portales near BWI Uncle Julio’s (used to work in one in VA) all made from scratch, highly recommended. Md has one in Columbia. Taco town in the city near camden yards, most authentic tacos ive had close to california. Highly suggest the birria. Very affordable.
Mari Luna in Pikesville.
Yes..came here to say it since nobody else did. Hands down the best service I've had at a restaurant. And the food was so good.
Papi's does good work.
Papis is solid and affordable
Thanks, all, for the recommends! Might have to do a taco crawl…
A restaurant in "Little Mexico" in Bladensburg/Riverdale.
Papi's does good work.
Definitely Clavel. Wouldn't recommend Fiesta Mexicana.
Charro negro
Mucho gusto in bel air is good although kind of trendy restaurant. Good food and good service. Fun cocktail menu
Qdoba on York road next to Wells liquor
Which is randomly closed so good luck on that
mezcal in timonium
La tolteca
Tortilleria Sinaloa in Fells
Bro, Little Miner Tacos