As a huge fan of Mexican food, I was thrilled to try Taqueria El Norte given its impressive 4.5-star Google rating. Unfortunately, my experience fell far short of expectations. While the restaurant boasts a vibrant and inviting atmosphere, it’s clear that understaffing is a major issue, leading to frustratingly slow service.
The food, sadly, was a letdown. The tacos lacked distinction, with each one tasting bland and nearly identical. The guacamole appeared to be store-bought, lacking the fresh, vibrant look and taste you’d expect. On a positive note, the sweet corn dish was enjoyable, and the homemade chips were a highlight.
Overall, the combination of mediocre food and sluggish service means I won’t be returning. The 4.5-star rating feels misleading based on this experience. I hope they address the staffing and food quality issues, as the vibe alone isn’t enough to justify a return visit.
Emma Bertrand
The best taco place ever! The chips were house made and the queso was so good. We got 8 tacos to share. They were all so good. The sauces were delicious and had a lot of fresh ingredients. The pork belly and shrimp tacos were my favourite. The drinks were also very good. I had a classic margarita. The restaurant has such a fun vibe and great art. We got the margarita cheesecake for dessert and it was a perfect end to a perfect meal. We will definitely be coming back.
Mario Stephen
Best tacos we ever had and the vibes were awesome!! Great service and delicious food!
Simon Bevan
Excellent tacos with a good variety to choose from. Nice selection of micro brewed beers as well as a huge variety of tequila and mescal.
Ferris T
After multiple years coming to this establishment I've been consistently blown away by the food quality. Although I do remember a unpleasant experience the first time I went with my best friend when they where on Paris Street (a small, and likely very stressful environment where the owner was definitely a bit overwhelmed with customers and therefore a bit blunt when speaking to us (which seems where the negative reviews are coming from)), the new location on Victoria street and increased size has been a constant 10/10. The tacos and other foodstuffs have been amazing, the environment lots of fun (hilarious pictures on the wall, and multiple movies from new to old playing on multiple TVs, good music), and service has been impeccable. I make sure to recomend this place everytime someone mentions tacos. Absolute must try menu items are the Chips and Salsa starter, Panza de Cerdo taco, and Pollo Frito Bùfalo taco, and of course the margarita (the OG). They are also very accommodating to allergies (peanut allergy) and make sure to let me know if there is any peanuts on the premisis at the time i order + prepare separately for the allergy. Street parking is the only available parking but always has a space avaliable. Both the patio and in restaurant areas are great. Special shout out to the waiter Jay who has consistently made sure I and others are enjoying their meal and provided the best service I've ever had at any restaurant! Food, service, and decor are off the charts. You will not be disappointed!
Ann K
Love it here!!
Michelle Colton
Love the back patio, and their tacos are always so delicious. Great craft beer selection in cans and on tap. Salsa trio, fried chicken taco, and tuna taco are top notch
MUHAMMAD Behroze
The fillings in the tacos is great but the tortilla itself isnt. The first time i went was a few years ago and it was great. This time the soft shell tortilla was stale. You could tell because of the fact that it broke as soon as you picked it up. It wasn’t because of its sogginess it was really just the way it was cracking that you could tell it wasn’t fresh. Everything else tasted great!
Dylan
There is simply no better place to eat in town than here. The servers are knowledgeable of the menu and taps , the owners are fantastic and the food is THE BEST IN TOWN. Forget the frozen Cisco garbage these chain restaurants serve. This place is the real deal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyuhee Kim
Foods were amazing and delicious! Highly recommend the steak taco 😍❤️ staff was sooo friendly 😍
Great food, great cocktails and a very cool vibe. We love the authenticity and delicious flavours created by Chef Rob Clements and the service from Sarah was excellent. The atmosphere feels more Brooklyn than Alliston.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kendra Lamont
I have tried this place twice and it doesn't disappoint. The food is delicious and the customer service is even better. I highly recommend stopping here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gabby Schaeffer (MrsBumbles)
We went in without a reserving, our first mistake. We were then seated at a table that was attached to another couple's table, who we did not know, which made things awkward. My partner was stuck facing the wall, and we were right by the door. And throughout the entire meal, the waitress was giving us attitude, making us feel very unwelcome. The only good thing was the food, but was a bit pricey.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
Kogulan N
I’ve heard so many great things about this hidden gem in Alliston, and today I finally got to check it out. I have to say, I’m impressed! This is hands down the best taco spot I’ve ever been to. The food was absolutely delicious, the staff were incredibly friendly, and the prices were more than reasonable. If you’re ever in Alliston, I highly recommend stopping by. You won’t be disappointed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Assorted Tacos
Chip Pitfield
It’s now October 2024. The food is even better. I no longer order, I simply ask them to feed me. The food is killer!
Three years later. New location, menu now broader. Special today was awesome. I’m quite certain there is no other place within 40 miles that delivers such interesting food 2021 - Brilliant lunch today. The tacos are very. To my mind they are over-stuffed. And perhaps the tacos should be doubled for structural support, but they are very, very good.
As a huge fan of Mexican food, I was thrilled to try Taqueria El Norte given its impressive 4.5-star Google rating. Unfortunately, my experience fell far short of expectations. While the restaurant boasts a vibrant and inviting atmosphere, it’s clear that understaffing is a major issue, leading to frustratingly slow service.
The food, sadly, was a letdown. The tacos lacked distinction, with each one tasting bland and nearly identical. The guacamole appeared to be store-bought, lacking the fresh, vibrant look and taste you’d expect. On a positive note, the sweet corn dish was enjoyable, and the homemade chips were a highlight.
Overall, the combination of mediocre food and sluggish service means I won’t be returning. The 4.5-star rating feels misleading based on this experience. I hope they address the staffing and food quality issues, as the vibe alone isn’t enough to justify a return visit.
The best taco place ever!
The chips were house made and the queso was so good.
We got 8 tacos to share. They were all so good. The sauces were delicious and had a lot of fresh ingredients. The pork belly and shrimp tacos were my favourite.
The drinks were also very good. I had a classic margarita. The restaurant has such a fun vibe and great art. We got the margarita cheesecake for dessert and it was a perfect end to a perfect meal. We will definitely be coming back.
Best tacos we ever had and the vibes were awesome!! Great service and delicious food!
Excellent tacos with a good variety to choose from. Nice selection of micro brewed beers as well as a huge variety of tequila and mescal.
After multiple years coming to this establishment I've been consistently blown away by the food quality. Although I do remember a unpleasant experience the first time I went with my best friend when they where on Paris Street (a small, and likely very stressful environment where the owner was definitely a bit overwhelmed with customers and therefore a bit blunt when speaking to us (which seems where the negative reviews are coming from)), the new location on Victoria street and increased size has been a constant 10/10. The tacos and other foodstuffs have been amazing, the environment lots of fun (hilarious pictures on the wall, and multiple movies from new to old playing on multiple TVs, good music), and service has been impeccable. I make sure to recomend this place everytime someone mentions tacos. Absolute must try menu items are the Chips and Salsa starter, Panza de Cerdo taco, and Pollo Frito Bùfalo taco, and of course the margarita (the OG). They are also very accommodating to allergies (peanut allergy) and make sure to let me know if there is any peanuts on the premisis at the time i order + prepare separately for the allergy. Street parking is the only available parking but always has a space avaliable. Both the patio and in restaurant areas are great. Special shout out to the waiter Jay who has consistently made sure I and others are enjoying their meal and provided the best service I've ever had at any restaurant!
Food, service, and decor are off the charts. You will not be disappointed!
Love it here!!
Love the back patio, and their tacos are always so delicious. Great craft beer selection in cans and on tap. Salsa trio, fried chicken taco, and tuna taco are top notch
The fillings in the tacos is great but the tortilla itself isnt. The first time i went was a few years ago and it was great. This time the soft shell tortilla was stale. You could tell because of the fact that it broke as soon as you picked it up. It wasn’t because of its sogginess it was really just the way it was cracking that you could tell it wasn’t fresh. Everything else tasted great!
There is simply no better place to eat in town than here. The servers are knowledgeable of the menu and taps , the owners are fantastic and the food is THE BEST IN TOWN. Forget the frozen Cisco garbage these chain restaurants serve. This place is the real deal
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Foods were amazing and delicious! Highly recommend the steak taco 😍❤️ staff was sooo friendly 😍
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Assorted Tacos
Restaurantji Recommends
Great food, great cocktails and a very cool vibe. We love the authenticity and delicious flavours created by Chef Rob Clements and the service from Sarah was excellent. The atmosphere feels more Brooklyn than Alliston.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I have tried this place twice and it doesn't disappoint. The food is delicious and the customer service is even better. I highly recommend stopping here.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We went in without a reserving, our first mistake. We were then seated at a table that was attached to another couple's table, who we did not know, which made things awkward.
My partner was stuck facing the wall, and we were right by the door.
And throughout the entire meal, the waitress was giving us attitude, making us feel very unwelcome.
The only good thing was the food, but was a bit pricey.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 3
Service: 1
I’ve heard so many great things about this hidden gem in Alliston, and today I finally got to check it out. I have to say, I’m impressed! This is hands down the best taco spot I’ve ever been to. The food was absolutely delicious, the staff were incredibly friendly, and the prices were more than reasonable. If you’re ever in Alliston, I highly recommend stopping by. You won’t be disappointed!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Assorted Tacos
It’s now October 2024. The food is even better. I no longer order, I simply ask them to feed me. The food is killer!
Three years later. New location, menu now broader. Special today was awesome. I’m quite certain there is no other place within 40 miles that delivers such interesting food
2021 - Brilliant lunch today. The tacos are very. To my mind they are over-stuffed. And perhaps the tacos should be doubled for structural support, but they are very, very good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Queso Fresco, Porkbelly Taco Taqueria
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