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    Abuelita's

    4.7 (338 reviews)
    ModerateMexican, Salad, Ramen
    Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Order Abuelita's Takeout or Delivery

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    ABUELITA'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Abuelita's

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    Quesabirria Tacos (3)
    Cherie O.

    The menu is above the counter and it changes too fast for reading. This is a cafeteria style restaurant so you order at the counter above premade food. I got Birria tacos, the tortillas were requested to be corn. Hubby got Birria en Caldo which was a Birria soup also served with corn tortillas. We strolled further down the counter to pay. We found a variety of salsa toppings for which we were provided four tiny paper thimbles. At least we had those. An employee brought over meals to us when we were seated. Crispy tortillas with obviously a filling of beef that had simmered for hours. I had the option for cheese, Monterey Jack and mozzarella, but I opted out. Hubby's soup was delicious. The ambiance was not where you would take a date to so it lost a star. The total was steep for what we ordered.

    Coronita! Didn't know this existed!
    Vicky L.

    Recently moved to a new area in Richmond and found this place off of Midlothian. Love that the menu provided many food options I have not tried before like the ramen birria! My husband enjoyed the dish but wished it had a little more beef. I got the quesabirria and it was delicious. (Could have used some wet wipes afterwards). And the Coronitas-didn't know that existed! Service was great! You order first and then they will bring out the food. If you get chips and salsa, there's a salsa bar. The place had plenty of seating and love the decor. Painted detailed tiles and kitchenware hanging on the walls and ceiling. Also plenty of parking! Would definitely come back and try other things on the menu.

    Jamaica hibiscus
    Javell H.

    Abuelita's is my new go to spot when craving Birria tacos. First off, the customer service here is so good. The owner, Carina is the best! She was really nice and helpful when explaining some of the dishes. You'll often find her working the register or helping out! The tacos are around $15 for 3, which is on the pricey side but I will say that is so worth it! The ambiance is also so cute! Plenty of seating and really cute for the area. The tacos are really flavorful. Tender, packed with beef. Such delicious consume. This is one of the better places for birria in Richmond. They also have stews which I haven't tried yet. The birria ramen is also really good, just wouldn't recommend if you are health conscious. On Tuesdays, they have taco Tuesday and they have mini birria tacos for $1.

    Austin G.

    A 10-minute drive outside of downtown, Abuelita's a popular, family-owned Mexican restaurant. If you love birria, it's worth the drive. Signs in the parking lot ask that you order inside if it's your first time to get the full experience. Once inside, walk to the counter and order. They will bring it to your table when it's ready. The cheese birria came in a trio and was tasty. There's an excellent salsa bar by the soda fountain to spice it up. Service is friendly and there's plenty of tables. They also have clean restrooms.

    Maria T.

    Coming from a Spanish background, I must say the food here is pretty good and I think my Abuela would agree! The picadillo was rich and flavorful and complemented the black beans and rice nicely. The beans had a slight garlicky taste which I savored! The corn tortillas were firmly textured and held up well. The chips and queso dip was tasty and were plowed through our basket quickly! We also got some coronitas and coronas! My hubby got the shredded pork. They have counter service, and a special where you can pick various entrees and sides. There's also a salsa bar which ranges from mild, the verde sauce, to hot, the picante/jalapeno. There was plenty of seating and the restaurant was clean and the staff was helpful and friendly. Prices were decent and the portions were large and filling! La comida es buena!!

    LaCora H.

    Authentic Mexican food served cafeteria style. No table service. Friendly people working! After they found out it was my first time there, they explained the setup. I chose the steak + cactus which I liked. The black beans were ok but I'd try the refried beans next time. I didn't quote follow drink options so I grabbed a bottled drink.

    Guiso
    Tony A.

    It's been 5 years since my first Yelp review. Abuelita's continues to set the gold standard by which all others are measured. They embody the American dream. They are the passion of Mexican food realized in a restaurant. The formula is so simple: If you build it, they will come. Abuelita's serves the BEST Mexican food in Richmond Virginia; PERIOD. Nobody comes close. THIS is my #1 in all of RVA. VIVA Abuelita's! Every experience here has been great. The flavors are second to none. The guisos have such depth of flavor and are hearty. It fills your belly with warmth and comfort. Their Spanish rice is flawless. I just can't say enough good things. I only wish the location was closer to my house.

    Quesabirria Tacos (3)

    Food was amazing! Service was great! I had the quesa birria tacos and the queso dip. 10 out of 10 would recommend this place.

    DELISH!
    Anjie K.

    The Pazole and the Berria are off the chain! excellent margaritas and salsa bar too! price is right , food is righteous! We will be back

    Maria M.

    The birria tacos with the consommé dip was incredibly delicious! Wonderful flavors! The salsa bar was a nice bonus to enhance my food experience. Had the bottled mango margarita but was a bit sweet and thickly for me. More alcohol and water would be nicer. Will definitely be back.

    Fresh stew options
    Jeremy M.

    I love Abuelita's- fast becoming one my favorite Mexican restaurants in town! The three areas I like to review when considering a restaurant experience - atmosphere, service and food- are all on point here and it makes me want to come back again and again. Here's the details: 1) The restaurant itself is an immersive experience. The owner here has paid particular attention to details that make the decor and atmosphere here really stand out. From unique and Mexican styled floor tiles to the order counter and the wall/ ceiling decor, everything in the restaurant is purposefully placed and selected to create a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. 2) The service is awesome. Super friendly and accommodating, the staff are there to take care of people. You can feel the positive engagement here. 3) Abuelitas is all about authentic Mexican stews- real comfort food. Choose from 8-10 different stews, served with beans (black or refried), rice (Mexican or white) and fresh homemade corn tortillas. There are stew options here for everyone: All different proteins, some vegetarian, some spicy, some not, and all crazy good! The staff allow you to try samples before you make your selection. The restaurant also serves hand rolled tamales in various options. Sodas and beer are available. Finally, there is a full salsa bar with multiple salsa and pickled vegetable options. Abuelitas is an order at the counter service style and drinks are self-served. A medium sized restaurant it can accommodate ~20 parties. Tables can accommodate 2-4 per table and tables can be pushed together if needed. This is a unique dining experience- a must try especially for those who love Mexican food. Happy eating, see you there.

    Toni A.

    A place you must visit!!!!!! We saw policemen getting food. We saw firefighters getting food. You know it's gotta be good if all the local rescue people are coming here for their break. And let me tell you, this stuff was sooooo good! You can either do their specialties like birria and such, or you can do the guisos plate style choosing out of the prepared stews of the day. These switch daily which is super cool. We did the plates, and omg I felt like I was filling my plate at someone's house. The flavors were so homey. My husband got the bistec en salsa verde and cheesy pollo with black beans and yellow rice. I got the tinga de pollo and the puerco en chile colorado with refried beans and yellow rice. Our favorite was the puerco en chile Colorado because of the rich flavors. Everything had a wonderful flavor of spices. We also got the sweet potato and pumpkin tamale which was super interesting, tasting like Thanksgiving in a tamale. Super unique! The salsa bar was super cool, and I really liked the pickled habenero. I wish things were a little more spicy. But otherwise everything was so good, I felt so happy that day. The inside is nice and quiet. The service was amazing and everyone was so nice. They explained the menu well! A must try!!!!!!! Delicious Mexican cuisine!

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    2 months ago

    Always hits the spot. Menu varies but we've never been disappointed. Service is great, atmosphere is nice.

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    No drive thru but walk up counter service is fast and Covid aware.

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    Main St. Dragon

    Main St. Dragon

    4.3(125 reviews)
    4.2 miThe Fan
    $$

    Main St. Dragon is a vibe. The service is consistently great, and it's definitely a spot you want…read moreto hit for happy hour. Solid energy, good drinks, and a menu that makes it hard to choose just one thing. But if I had to pick one must-order item -- and trust me, that's not easy -- it's the Malaysian curry ramen. Absolute chef's kiss. Rich, layered, and packed with flavor. Go for the atmosphere, stay for that ramen.

    I came here for a post work happy hour on a random weekday night, and was surprised by how busy…read morethis place was. I have heard good things from colleagues, some of them state that this is their favorite ramen in Richmond, though I have to say, I'm not convinced this place deserves their high praise. When we arrived, we ordered a drink at the bar, but were quickly seated thereafter, and our drinks that we ordered at the bar simply never arrived. When we spoke to the server about this, she seemed confused, and appeared to be somewhat new, and ultimately did not honor that happy hour prices of our drinks that ended up showing up 30 minutes later. Furthermore, one drink that I ordered was regular price, but the price listed on the menu was incorrect, and again the server would not the lower price that was printed on the menu. I was not informed of this error until the receipt was printed. The ramen itself was fine. I've had better, I've had worse. I felt like the broth itself was overall way too salty, and lacked the depth the flavor that I was seeking in a ramen broth. The noodles were well cooked and al dente, and the toppings were a nice addition. All in all, my experience here was rather disappointing, and I really hope that there's better ramen in Richmond.

    Photos
    Main St. Dragon - Bar with anime cartoons

    Bar with anime cartoons

    Main St. Dragon - Ramen with mushrooms and char siu

    Ramen with mushrooms and char siu

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    Ginza Spot - Tonkotsu Ramen

    Ginza Spot

    4.6(67 reviews)
    11.4 mi
    $$

    This is just fast food to me. I bet very little of the food is truly made in house…read more My husband and I wanted to get takeout but wanted to try something new to us. I've been seeing Ginza Soot but haven't tried it. My husband wanted ramen (we usually go to Takara) and we saw Ginza had ramen on the menu so we decided to try it. We ordered takeout: -Korean wings half regular and 1/2 spicy. They were just okay. Better Korean wings are available around town so I'd skip these next time. - Beef gyoza- reminded me of the frozen ones I buy from Lotte or Trader Joe's. They were okay but I didn't get the 'made in house' vibe from these. I've had better. Wouldn't order them again. - Pork tonkatsu ramen spicy. Granted it was takeout, but the package seems like it was assembled and stored in the fridge until someone ordered. The broth had to be heated up. It wasn't great. Wouldn't order it again. - general Tao's chicken spicy. This was way too sweet and not a hint of spiciness. The broccoli was overcooked. This is on par will mall Chinese food. Actually I've had better general Tso's at the mall kiosk. I bet the drinks and teas are good. For food, this one is not for me. This goes in the once and done column for me.

    I found this place by chance and decided to try it. When you enter, you can order at the counter or…read moreat one of their kiosks which conveniently takes your card too. Then, you sit down and wait for them to take the food to your table. The place was very clean and the cashier was very nice. We decided to order an appetizer called Takoyaki Ball. It comes with 6. This is an acquired taste, but not bad at all.It has a strong fishy smell. Also, we ordered a poke bowl with 2 protein choices, another poke bowl with 3 protein choices. You can pick from a variety of ingredients and everything looked fresh. We also had the General Tso chicken with broccoli and white rice. Let me tell you, it was VERY HOT. Not spicy hot, like blow on your food as you eat hot, so be careful. It was very flavorful though and I took some leftovers and reheated in the air fryer just fine. My husband tried a watermelon drink with a clear ball at the top that made for an interesting conversation. No, he didn't swallow it. Definitely try this place. It had many other things on the menu.

    Photos
    Ginza Spot - Inside

    Inside

    Ginza Spot - 6 Piece Takoyaki Ball

    6 Piece Takoyaki Ball

    Ginza Spot - Classic Thai Tea

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    Classic Thai Tea

    Fighting Fish - Monster Roll on the left and I can't remember the roll on the right but it has tuna and delicious!

    Fighting Fish

    4.5(403 reviews)
    4.8 miScott's Addition
    $$

    Sushi is legit! The…read moremenu offers many specialty rolls and traditional rolls such as sashimi, nigiri. We started off with some fried tofu (not pictured) and followed up with two specialty rolls. For two people, this was plenty to fill us up. The Monster roll is pretty filling with its size, tuna, and a piece of tempura. The roll on the left (forgot the name), was a nice balance to the heavier Monster roll. I thoroughly enjoyed the specialty rolls! Service was great! We were running behind our reservation time and I called to let them know. We still got our table when we arrived! They told us about the happy hour and we got some drinks and an appetizer. Water was always refilled. Ambiance is low key. Great for catching up with friends and families. Bathrooms had cool, neon lighting like you're at the club. Would definitely come back (which I did)!

    Cute location, very nice ambiance for dinner and seems like a great spot for date night. There's…read moreplenty of street parking. I ordered with a buy one get one deal through Uber Eats. Yume Roll and Jeff roll on bogo. They were actually a bit smaller than I expected. I ate all 4 rolls in one sitting. Some of the roll pieces were kind of thin but it was worth it with the bogo deal. Still pretty good flavor. I liked the Jeff roll with tuna, it seemed like a pretty thin topping and had a nice little kick from the jalapeño. The Yume roll had good flavor but it felt like the filling with the crunch was a lot of the filling which made it a little bland, nice crunch and simple flavors.

    Photos
    Fighting Fish
    Fighting Fish - Tuna tacos. Yum! Spicy.

    Tuna tacos. Yum! Spicy.

    Fighting Fish - Yellow Tail rolls

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    Yellow Tail rolls

    Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Steamed chili dumplings

    Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar

    4.1(753 reviews)
    5.0 miScott's Addition
    $$

    We arrived on a Thursday around 8 pm. The parking here is street parking, which is hit-or-miss. We…read moreparked within a half-block, so it was not a long trek. The entryway is interesting and provides some shelter from the rain, allowing you to manage your umbrella before entering. We were seated within seconds, and our server, Liza, came by very promptly with some water for our table. I felt slightly anxious at first, being that we were in a cozy two-top amongst the fray, but it subsided quickly because everyone was respectful and reasonably quiet. We ordered the veggie spring rolls to start, and I had the Chinatown Ramen, and my partner had the Chicken Fried Noodles. The appetizer was hot, savory, and spicy with the duck sauce and hot mustard mixture. If you like milder sauce, do not mix it. The entrees came out within five or so minutes of the appetizers, which seemed quick for a busy night. The ramen was spicy, hot, and filling. I was only able to finish about half. We will be enjoying those leftovers tonight. My partner said that her noodles and chicken were well-seasoned and delicious, too. Looking around the restaurant, it is clear that they support the local LGBTQ+ community, and it is even labeled as a Safe Space on the beautifully manicured, makeshift chalkboard/menu/posting board. The clientele and staff alike seemed warm and kind, based solely on limited interactions and observation on my part. If you are looking for a traditional American-Chinese food restaurant (think buffet-style items), this is likely not the place for you. There were no mishaps or snafus with our orders. Liza performed her duties well, and I can surely recommend this restaurant to anyone who doesn't mind a mix of Japanese and Chinese cuisine.

    About food I give 3*, but cocktails get 5* I had Dragon Ria…read moreas cocktail, Superb. Tempura Golden Prawn and even the rice was too ordinary. Still I will not give up hope, will go again and try other food. Service was very good. Ambiance was also good.

    Photos
    Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Ambiance and bar area

    Ambiance and bar area

    Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Crispy calamari

    Crispy calamari

    Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar - Fat Dragon Tofu

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    Abuelita's - mexican - Updated May 2026

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