Great tacos and great service and great owner. While there the owner shared some culture with us and gave us this delicious sweet bread he had made. Atmosphere is cute and clean. The food was real good!
Zarya P.
This place was amazing! Usually I find Mexican food in CT bad, but these Tacos Al Pastor were delicious! I love supporting Latino owned businesses. I'm not even a fan of green salsa, but it was delicious on the tacos. The service was great, muy amable. The ambiance was very homey, the music reminded me as if I was back in Mexico. Definitely recommend this spot!
John C.
Their tacos taste similar to what I've had in Tijuana, Mexico. If you're from Las Vegas or San Diego, and you've had the famous Los Gordos tacos, these mimic those. Is it similar? Almost. The tacos taste similar, but the sauce/seasoning is different from the real deal. Also, I want to caveat that although the tacos here are great, the price is absurdly high. It's more expensive here than it is in New York City. That being said, I'll come back because there aren't better options in New Haven... The first standout dish is their tacos birria, a quintessential Mexican street food. The birria at Tacos Los Gordos is a harmonious blend of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet, enveloped in a crisply seared tortilla. The meat's richness, slow-cooked to perfection, is balanced by fresh cilantro and onion, creating an indulgent and refreshing taco experience. 5/5.Moving on to the pastor, a dish that often acts as a litmus test for any Mexican eatery, Tacos Los Gordos does not disappoint. The pork is marinated in chilies and spices and then expertly grilled, resulting in flavorful and succulent meat. The addition of pineapple adds a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the spiciness of the heart. 5/5.Another dish worth mentioning is their carnitas. Los Gordos' version is a delightful dance of textures and flavors, with tender, juicy meat crisped up on the edges, embodying what good carnitas should be. However, it was quite salty and I would have preferred it to be less messy. 3.5/5.While the authenticity and quality of the food are beyond reproach, the pricing at Tacos Los Gordos leans towards the higher end, especially for the portion sizes. While this might be a deterrent for some, the quality of the food justifies the price for those who prioritize authenticity and flavor in their Mexican cuisine. Also, the service is great and quick!
Sarah N.
I like the food here, but it's overpriced. I purchased 1 taco and esquites and my total came out to $14. $7 for one taco is a bit steep in my opinion. That being said, it was tasty and I liked the texture of the lengua. The esquites was alright; the corn had a brownish tinge and there was too much mayo so it was hard to finish. If I was really hungry, I'd probably get tacos somewhere else.
Mellisa G.
Native Californian here and I'm always on the lookout for good Mexican food. We left disappointed. The food was overpriced, especially chips, rice and beans. Nopals were under seasoned, chips were over cooked and not seasoned. The carnitas had good flavor but the texture was unpleasant. There were white chewy bits mixed into the meat, upon asking they informed me that it was pigs ear - fine I don't really care, but the texture was that of al dente pasta and not pleasant or expected. I have never in my 40+ years had pigs ear in carnitas - not in California, not in Mexico. Additionally the ingredients are not listed anywhere, which makes ordering difficult. I spent $70 and left dissatisfied.
Anju P.
I was here because of the hype this place created and it was right after they opened the place. I was a bit disappointed because they did not have any vegan options on the menu. But they were kind enough to make me a cactus taco (the only option they offered back then). My family got chicken tacos. The tacos were pretty okish. We found it pretty expensive for the quantity and taste. The place is super clean. I think, I will give it another try to see if anything has changed.
Anheydkia R.
Good Food! Good Service! Clean Environment!Would recommend to stop and check it out.
Queen T.
A response to reviewer: KURTIS ADEIAs a customer who frequents Tacos Los Gordos and who also relies on reviews to find the best places to eat, I have to say your review was utterly disgusting to say the least. Since you spent, I would say roughly about 2 hours writing a book on how bad this place is, let me humble you real quick. First off, if you were a Executive Chef, which clearly you aren't, you would know that not disclosing the ingredients on the menu jeopardizes the integrity of one's business. They can become easily susceptible to other businesses stealing their ingredients and calling it their own. Now, if you're inquiring about what's on a food item, then that's something completely different and I'm sure the owner and staff would have no problem giving you that information ESPECIALLY since they pride themselves on taking consumer's dietary restrictions and allergies VERY seriously. I think you should take some of those tutoring skills and teach yourself to know the difference (you're not the only one who can do research).Secondly, you then mentioned the owner's credentials and philosophy. I actually had a conversation with the owner, when he first opened, and he explained what led him to open up his own restaurant. He has well over a decade of experience cooking and working in restaurants such as Shell&Bones, Gabriele's of Westport and Crave, as a SOUS CHEF might I add. Contrary to your belief, these places aren't McDonald's, they're high quality, well-respected, and well-known restaurants. I would think anyone who has worked at these places would want to open up their own restaurant and create their own menu to be just as successful as those places are. As for his philosophy behind it all, I think based on the reviews and the AUTHENTICITY of the food, I would say he DID do something right.Now, let's talk about the actual food. You went on a rampage about how salty your burrito was. In your words, you said it tasted "strange and likely processed and not fresh." I don't know what kind of taste buds you have or what Mexican places you go to but I can tell you now that I've been to plenty of Mexican restaurants in CT to know what's made fresh and what's not. THERE IS NO MEXICAN PLACE IN CT THAT PROVIDES AUTHENTIC, FRESH FOOD IMPORTED STRAIGHT FROM MEXICO. Tacos Los Gordos hand makes their tortillas FRESH, everyday and they butcher their meats. Nothing is "processed." How do I know this you might ask? I'm a foodie so every time I try a new restaurant just know I ask these questions. So just because you're used to frozen, pre-packaged meat from McDonald's and I'm sure from other AMERICANIZED restaurants you visit doesn't mean this place is the same. Also, if you're going to compare Tacos Los Gordos to another taco place, please know how to spell (since you "go to NY all the time"), it's called "Los Tacos No.1" NOT "Numero taco," idiot!This brings me to the pricing of the food. You claim you're an expert in economics (again research), but you have such a hard time understanding why you're so broke. You also lack common sense to think you're going to get quality food for Chipotle/Long Wharf prices. If you're living paycheck to paycheck just say that. Oh, you forgot to mention on Tuesday's they serve $3 tacos which is great for someone like you who can't afford it.Lastly, you ended your Martin Luther King speech mentioning the tragedy that unfortunately happened to the restaurant last year and how "that's a sign that this place never should have opened." How dare you be so insulting. No wonder you're stuck where you're at in life because you're ugly and will never amount to anything. Look where you are now...a nobody!You wanted clout, here you go weirdo. Your review was extremely disrespectful and insulting. I hope you didn't think your one review was going to discredit the busi
Sam P.
As a native Californian who had been consistently disappointed by all the Mexican food I tried during my five years in New Haven, I was convinced there was some divine law forbidding the presence of quality Mexican food in New England. The kitchen fire that closed down TLG barely a month after it opened seemed like an act of God that only reinforced my belief. Yet by some miracle they were able to reopen, and in doing so finally satisfied my craving for a taco that reminded me of home.The tortillas are handmade and often pressed in front of your very eyes. The salsa and guacamole are excellent, and in my opinion are the stars of the show. The meat is well-seasoned, although the steak can sometimes be a little dry. The al pastor is second to none.The tacos are a bit heftier than your average Cali street taco. My guess is this, along with shipping costs of ingredients, contribute to the admittedly high prices. If you're looking to spend less, show up on Tuesday where the tacos go for $3 apiece!If you're as big of a fan of their tacos as I am, I highly recommend their catering service! I had a 45-person event for which I received 12 pounds of protein (in four separate 3 lb. trays) in addition to 90 tortillas, chips, salsa, guacamole, and toppings. The price was reasonable, and the food arrived on time and was a huge hit - especially amongst my family, who have very high standards for their tacos!
Anusha V.
We were driving through Connecticut and decided to stop by here because of all the great reviews - best decision ever! It's a small space with limited seating inside. The place itself is clean, the only bummer being no restrooms.Coming to the food, we were super hungry and decided to order a bunch of stuff. Everything here is freshly made and tasted amazing!! The tacos are freshly made. We also got off the cob corn and it had too much cheese for my liking so I'd just ask for less cheese if you're like me.The service is friendly and polite. They were very helpful in making sure we figure out what we'd like best. I'd definitely come back here again if I'm in the area.
How in the heck does this place have a good rating on here? I had to double check that I was actually on the right yelp page. Maybe I just went on a bad night?Right off the bat, the menu online did not match the menu written on the chalkboard. The staff didn't know if they actually had vegetarian tacos or not. We ended up getting chips and guac, two fish tacos, and a chicken burrito. After tip it was right around $40, which seems expensive to me, but whatever, maybe these are amazing tacos, right? I asked for a cup of tap water, and was told that they charge $1.00. This is really what pushed this all the way to a one star review.We sat down to wait for our food and realized that the table was still covered in food from the people who ate before us. Also there were only nine chairs in the place for three tables (we got the last available) which isn't ideal for a place that offers dine in.It took close to thirty minutes for our ticket to be called. If it was going to be so long, why not get us the chips first? And while I'm thinking about it, what in the heck was the tip even for? The staff didn't clean the table before or after we ate, and we bussed our own food. I hate the trend of asking for tips at places like this. Just make your prices 20% higher. Giving the option of "18%, 20% or 25% tip" while paying is a con-job.I realize this review is getting long, and I haven't even gotten to the food. That's because the food was bland and forgettable. The tacos were generously portioned, and well cooked. But they were also bland. The burrito was very light on chicken, and was also mild at best. I was disappointed to say the least.TLDR: Expensive, boring food, long wait, charged for water.
Stephen M.
It's very easy to fall in love with Mexican food, but THIS type of Mexican cuisine is the one I dream about. It instantly reminded of me Los Tacos No. 1 in NYC. This spot may have the slight edge. It's safe to say these are the best tacos in New Haven and probably CT. The carnitas taco I had was perfection. The carne asada taco was on the same level. Although very messy, the adobada mulita made me smile right after the first bite. There's no question the flavor will turn you into an instant fan. My only gripe with this tiny joint serving immaculate food is the price. My total for 2 tacos and a mulita was about $25. I skipped getting a drink because it felt like an overkill on my wallet. I'd be eating at this location multiple times a week but due to the steep cost, I'll sadly have to limit it to once a month. I can't wait to return.
Audrey S.
These nopal tacos don't mess around! Grilled to perfection with a delicious sauce that makes them taste like a meaty taco, all on top of a homemade corn tortilla. I love a thoughtful vegetarian taco and this was one of my favorite takes on a nopal taco I've had. Small storefront a few blocks off the more bustling part of downtown. They only have a few tables. It was quick and easy to get in and get my tacos and the people working were nice. The small indoors had a cute aesthetic that felt modern but welcoming. Loved the music too. Only complaint is that I wish the nopal tacos were served with chips or something. They're not very filling, and at $12 for two tacos, I'd like to not need a snack after. I will still absolutely be back for the high quality product and I encourage you to do the same.
Jackson S.
Definitely the best Mexican food in New Haven (maybe Connecticut). Has that SoCal style that you don't usually find in New England. The chips are like crack, highly recommend them.
Becky P.
Tacos Los Gordos has the best tacos I've ever had. The photo shows their adobado tacos, but everything on the menu is absolutely top notch. Even the tortilla chips are fantastic. My husband, a tortilla chip snob, said that they are god tier. I truly can't recommend them enough - absolutely make a stop over if you're anywhere near the vicinity of New Haven.
Great tacos and great service and great owner. While there the owner shared some culture with us and gave us this delicious sweet bread he had made. Atmosphere is cute and clean. The food was real good!
This place was amazing! Usually I find Mexican food in CT bad, but these Tacos Al Pastor were delicious! I love supporting Latino owned businesses. I'm not even a fan of green salsa, but it was delicious on the tacos. The service was great, muy amable. The ambiance was very homey, the music reminded me as if I was back in Mexico. Definitely recommend this spot!
Their tacos taste similar to what I've had in Tijuana, Mexico. If you're from Las Vegas or San Diego, and you've had the famous Los Gordos tacos, these mimic those. Is it similar? Almost. The tacos taste similar, but the sauce/seasoning is different from the real deal. Also, I want to caveat that although the tacos here are great, the price is absurdly high. It's more expensive here than it is in New York City. That being said, I'll come back because there aren't better options in New Haven... The first standout dish is their tacos birria, a quintessential Mexican street food. The birria at Tacos Los Gordos is a harmonious blend of spicy, savory, and slightly sweet, enveloped in a crisply seared tortilla. The meat's richness, slow-cooked to perfection, is balanced by fresh cilantro and onion, creating an indulgent and refreshing taco experience. 5/5.Moving on to the pastor, a dish that often acts as a litmus test for any Mexican eatery, Tacos Los Gordos does not disappoint. The pork is marinated in chilies and spices and then expertly grilled, resulting in flavorful and succulent meat. The addition of pineapple adds a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the spiciness of the heart. 5/5.Another dish worth mentioning is their carnitas. Los Gordos' version is a delightful dance of textures and flavors, with tender, juicy meat crisped up on the edges, embodying what good carnitas should be. However, it was quite salty and I would have preferred it to be less messy. 3.5/5.While the authenticity and quality of the food are beyond reproach, the pricing at Tacos Los Gordos leans towards the higher end, especially for the portion sizes. While this might be a deterrent for some, the quality of the food justifies the price for those who prioritize authenticity and flavor in their Mexican cuisine. Also, the service is great and quick!
I like the food here, but it's overpriced. I purchased 1 taco and esquites and my total came out to $14. $7 for one taco is a bit steep in my opinion. That being said, it was tasty and I liked the texture of the lengua. The esquites was alright; the corn had a brownish tinge and there was too much mayo so it was hard to finish. If I was really hungry, I'd probably get tacos somewhere else.
Native Californian here and I'm always on the lookout for good Mexican food. We left disappointed. The food was overpriced, especially chips, rice and beans. Nopals were under seasoned, chips were over cooked and not seasoned. The carnitas had good flavor but the texture was unpleasant. There were white chewy bits mixed into the meat, upon asking they informed me that it was pigs ear - fine I don't really care, but the texture was that of al dente pasta and not pleasant or expected. I have never in my 40+ years had pigs ear in carnitas - not in California, not in Mexico. Additionally the ingredients are not listed anywhere, which makes ordering difficult. I spent $70 and left dissatisfied.
I was here because of the hype this place created and it was right after they opened the place. I was a bit disappointed because they did not have any vegan options on the menu. But they were kind enough to make me a cactus taco (the only option they offered back then). My family got chicken tacos. The tacos were pretty okish. We found it pretty expensive for the quantity and taste. The place is super clean. I think, I will give it another try to see if anything has changed.
Good Food! Good Service! Clean Environment!Would recommend to stop and check it out.
A response to reviewer: KURTIS ADEIAs a customer who frequents Tacos Los Gordos and who also relies on reviews to find the best places to eat, I have to say your review was utterly disgusting to say the least. Since you spent, I would say roughly about 2 hours writing a book on how bad this place is, let me humble you real quick. First off, if you were a Executive Chef, which clearly you aren't, you would know that not disclosing the ingredients on the menu jeopardizes the integrity of one's business. They can become easily susceptible to other businesses stealing their ingredients and calling it their own. Now, if you're inquiring about what's on a food item, then that's something completely different and I'm sure the owner and staff would have no problem giving you that information ESPECIALLY since they pride themselves on taking consumer's dietary restrictions and allergies VERY seriously. I think you should take some of those tutoring skills and teach yourself to know the difference (you're not the only one who can do research).Secondly, you then mentioned the owner's credentials and philosophy. I actually had a conversation with the owner, when he first opened, and he explained what led him to open up his own restaurant. He has well over a decade of experience cooking and working in restaurants such as Shell&Bones, Gabriele's of Westport and Crave, as a SOUS CHEF might I add. Contrary to your belief, these places aren't McDonald's, they're high quality, well-respected, and well-known restaurants. I would think anyone who has worked at these places would want to open up their own restaurant and create their own menu to be just as successful as those places are. As for his philosophy behind it all, I think based on the reviews and the AUTHENTICITY of the food, I would say he DID do something right.Now, let's talk about the actual food. You went on a rampage about how salty your burrito was. In your words, you said it tasted "strange and likely processed and not fresh." I don't know what kind of taste buds you have or what Mexican places you go to but I can tell you now that I've been to plenty of Mexican restaurants in CT to know what's made fresh and what's not. THERE IS NO MEXICAN PLACE IN CT THAT PROVIDES AUTHENTIC, FRESH FOOD IMPORTED STRAIGHT FROM MEXICO. Tacos Los Gordos hand makes their tortillas FRESH, everyday and they butcher their meats. Nothing is "processed." How do I know this you might ask? I'm a foodie so every time I try a new restaurant just know I ask these questions. So just because you're used to frozen, pre-packaged meat from McDonald's and I'm sure from other AMERICANIZED restaurants you visit doesn't mean this place is the same. Also, if you're going to compare Tacos Los Gordos to another taco place, please know how to spell (since you "go to NY all the time"), it's called "Los Tacos No.1" NOT "Numero taco," idiot!This brings me to the pricing of the food. You claim you're an expert in economics (again research), but you have such a hard time understanding why you're so broke. You also lack common sense to think you're going to get quality food for Chipotle/Long Wharf prices. If you're living paycheck to paycheck just say that. Oh, you forgot to mention on Tuesday's they serve $3 tacos which is great for someone like you who can't afford it.Lastly, you ended your Martin Luther King speech mentioning the tragedy that unfortunately happened to the restaurant last year and how "that's a sign that this place never should have opened." How dare you be so insulting. No wonder you're stuck where you're at in life because you're ugly and will never amount to anything. Look where you are now...a nobody!You wanted clout, here you go weirdo. Your review was extremely disrespectful and insulting. I hope you didn't think your one review was going to discredit the busi
As a native Californian who had been consistently disappointed by all the Mexican food I tried during my five years in New Haven, I was convinced there was some divine law forbidding the presence of quality Mexican food in New England. The kitchen fire that closed down TLG barely a month after it opened seemed like an act of God that only reinforced my belief. Yet by some miracle they were able to reopen, and in doing so finally satisfied my craving for a taco that reminded me of home.The tortillas are handmade and often pressed in front of your very eyes. The salsa and guacamole are excellent, and in my opinion are the stars of the show. The meat is well-seasoned, although the steak can sometimes be a little dry. The al pastor is second to none.The tacos are a bit heftier than your average Cali street taco. My guess is this, along with shipping costs of ingredients, contribute to the admittedly high prices. If you're looking to spend less, show up on Tuesday where the tacos go for $3 apiece!If you're as big of a fan of their tacos as I am, I highly recommend their catering service! I had a 45-person event for which I received 12 pounds of protein (in four separate 3 lb. trays) in addition to 90 tortillas, chips, salsa, guacamole, and toppings. The price was reasonable, and the food arrived on time and was a huge hit - especially amongst my family, who have very high standards for their tacos!
We were driving through Connecticut and decided to stop by here because of all the great reviews - best decision ever! It's a small space with limited seating inside. The place itself is clean, the only bummer being no restrooms.Coming to the food, we were super hungry and decided to order a bunch of stuff. Everything here is freshly made and tasted amazing!! The tacos are freshly made. We also got off the cob corn and it had too much cheese for my liking so I'd just ask for less cheese if you're like me.The service is friendly and polite. They were very helpful in making sure we figure out what we'd like best. I'd definitely come back here again if I'm in the area.
Restaurantji Recommends
How in the heck does this place have a good rating on here? I had to double check that I was actually on the right yelp page. Maybe I just went on a bad night?Right off the bat, the menu online did not match the menu written on the chalkboard. The staff didn't know if they actually had vegetarian tacos or not. We ended up getting chips and guac, two fish tacos, and a chicken burrito. After tip it was right around $40, which seems expensive to me, but whatever, maybe these are amazing tacos, right? I asked for a cup of tap water, and was told that they charge $1.00. This is really what pushed this all the way to a one star review.We sat down to wait for our food and realized that the table was still covered in food from the people who ate before us. Also there were only nine chairs in the place for three tables (we got the last available) which isn't ideal for a place that offers dine in.It took close to thirty minutes for our ticket to be called. If it was going to be so long, why not get us the chips first? And while I'm thinking about it, what in the heck was the tip even for? The staff didn't clean the table before or after we ate, and we bussed our own food. I hate the trend of asking for tips at places like this. Just make your prices 20% higher. Giving the option of "18%, 20% or 25% tip" while paying is a con-job.I realize this review is getting long, and I haven't even gotten to the food. That's because the food was bland and forgettable. The tacos were generously portioned, and well cooked. But they were also bland. The burrito was very light on chicken, and was also mild at best. I was disappointed to say the least.TLDR: Expensive, boring food, long wait, charged for water.
It's very easy to fall in love with Mexican food, but THIS type of Mexican cuisine is the one I dream about. It instantly reminded of me Los Tacos No. 1 in NYC. This spot may have the slight edge. It's safe to say these are the best tacos in New Haven and probably CT. The carnitas taco I had was perfection. The carne asada taco was on the same level. Although very messy, the adobada mulita made me smile right after the first bite. There's no question the flavor will turn you into an instant fan. My only gripe with this tiny joint serving immaculate food is the price. My total for 2 tacos and a mulita was about $25. I skipped getting a drink because it felt like an overkill on my wallet. I'd be eating at this location multiple times a week but due to the steep cost, I'll sadly have to limit it to once a month. I can't wait to return.
These nopal tacos don't mess around! Grilled to perfection with a delicious sauce that makes them taste like a meaty taco, all on top of a homemade corn tortilla. I love a thoughtful vegetarian taco and this was one of my favorite takes on a nopal taco I've had. Small storefront a few blocks off the more bustling part of downtown. They only have a few tables. It was quick and easy to get in and get my tacos and the people working were nice. The small indoors had a cute aesthetic that felt modern but welcoming. Loved the music too. Only complaint is that I wish the nopal tacos were served with chips or something. They're not very filling, and at $12 for two tacos, I'd like to not need a snack after. I will still absolutely be back for the high quality product and I encourage you to do the same.
Definitely the best Mexican food in New Haven (maybe Connecticut). Has that SoCal style that you don't usually find in New England. The chips are like crack, highly recommend them.
Tacos Los Gordos has the best tacos I've ever had. The photo shows their adobado tacos, but everything on the menu is absolutely top notch. Even the tortilla chips are fantastic. My husband, a tortilla chip snob, said that they are god tier. I truly can't recommend them enough - absolutely make a stop over if you're anywhere near the vicinity of New Haven.