El Cotorro - Taqueria and Heladeria (craft tacos and ice creams)

Convenient location. Build your own taco from well made ingredients. Have it your own way. What's not to like!

We are vegetarian- all veggie tacos were EXCELLENT! High quality everything, amazing tortillas for the tacos, novel ingredients. They are a little skimpy with the salsa, but I get it

So delicious! I had the fish taco special (pan seared mahi mahi), the vegan soy chorizo and potato taco, and the chicken tinga taco. The handmade corn tacos are so fresh and crispy. Thank you, El Cotorro!

I haven't been here in over a year but I was just remembering their tacos. My wife obviously likes their elotes. And the micheladas are tasty. It's always a good time there. Try the fried nopales tacos.

Hard to describe atmosphere. Upon entering, not quite sure where to order. There are two counters but the first one you see when you enter is not the one where you order. You go up a few stairs to the left to the other counter to make your order. It feels like if you are known to them, the service is extra quick and friendly. If you’re not, be ready to wait. It looks like this place mostly caters to UNM students so be prepared for boisterous, noisy, party-like atmosphere when busy. Also, the patio is off of Carlisle and Central so be ready for lots of traffic noise. I had the Smoked Lamb’s Leg Barbacoa which was supposed to come with raisins, mint cream, and cilantro – sounds delicious right? There certainly was lamb in the tiny 4” taco, but I never found any raisins, didn’t taste any mint cream, and only saw a couple pieces of cilantro. The taco was overly greasy and falling apart. I like when the menu lists it as Market Price - keeping the price hidden. Also had the Camote Guisado (sautéed allium, chard, kale, and purslane (depending on availability) with salsa verde, sweet potato, and micro greens. Well of all these ingredients, I found mostly onions (allium), maybe garlic, one piece of sweet potato, and perhaps some kale. Flavor-wise, it was better than the lamb taco. More even spicing. $4.25 I was going to order the Shrimp Taco but there was a fishy smell in this place which made me rethink that order. My friend had the Bean and Cheese with refried pinto beans and said it was very tasty. He also had the Soy Chorizo and Potato with tiny bits of onion but so oily as to make you gag. $4.75! Finally, I had a horchata, which was what you expected of a horchata. I asked for no ice (as it hurts my teeth) but they still served it with ice. I never tried the gelatos, but they looked good. I didn't want to wait in line again to order some. They regularly serve: Azteca (Mexican chocolate), Tres Leches, Mexican Vanilla, Horchata, and Orange but offer seasonal varieties as well. Only street parking offered. Good luck with that. Unless I’m invited to come back here, I probably wouldn’t. I prefer food trucks for this type of food. It is then cheaper and usually fresher. This is a good idea that is not quite panning out.

We had tacos and they were one of the best. Verity and tasty. Good location and patio is awesome.

Vegetarian options: Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free

Wheelchair accessibility: East entrance straight in.

Tacos are indeed small, but very flavorful. The chips have seemed stale every time we ordered the guac. The restaurant is pleasant inside, with paintings by local artists, and they have a nice big patio. However, they definitely need more registers and order-takers. The line snakes all the way through the restaurant and onto the street on weekends. You get your food fairly soon after you order, but last time we were there the line was so long and slow-moving that we left.

Were just wandering around near our AirBnB, decided that when in Rome... :) Had a carnitas taco, braised oxtail taco, elote, margarita, and a Desert Fog IPA from the local Marble Brewery. Everything was delicious, good chance we'll be stopping in again during our trip even though there are loads of restaurants here. A huge shout out to our server (so sorry I didn't get your name!) for giving us recommendations for other good local eats, especially where we might find some decent mole... Stay tuned...

Great service & great food! My kids and I enjoyed every part of it. We will be back???

El Taco Tote is .7 miles from this restaurant. .7 miles and half the price with more selection and no attitude from employees. Menus are above register on TVs that have limited viewing angle so you have to be directly in front to see. Heavy metal music? What is going on here?We dropped $104 on a meal that goes for about $60 with a full salsa bar just .7 miles away... get over yourself El Cotorro.

Customer service was superb they were attentive, patient and friendly, we had a pleasant and fun attitude. We return the second time and plan to go a third time this week..The experience is one of a kind presentation was gorgeous, your tastebuds will dance and sing with a bit of spice if chosen what a spectacular & delicious taste they have there. Having Chef Javier Romero is an amazing blessing, he is a true gem amongst our city, congratulations on your FIRST Place ? AWARD for best vegetarian tacos in all of Albuquerque We for-see he could likely own his own restaurant and/or taco truck chains.

Really wanted to rate one star however I am fair and a business owner myself. I love to support local and I love my city. What got me is we spent $79 on tacos and she “the manager” gave us three salsas total for 15 tacos. This is BURQUE! Charged us .75 cents per extra salsa. Just posting an honest review. $79 is a lot of money for tacos and no salsa. I will say the patio is nice and the cooks did well.

Delicious and quick. Beautiful location.

From the moment we walked in, Nadine was amazing and sold us on the vegan green chile calabactias taco, so good! Micheladas, tacos and the vegan coconut ice cream were amazing! We'll be back!

Lamb barbacoa and al pastor burritos were unique and delicious! The price was too steep for me, but if I were to win the lottery I'd definitely go again!