My friends and I visited here for a part of my birthday celebration as we have talked about this…read moreplace before so I wanted to at least give it a shot. Overall the food was okay, and I intentionally avoided most dishes under the fuertes section not only because they were pricey but also because I wanted to see how much care they put into dishes that customers probably relatively order less, so I ordered quite a few dishes under the para la mesa section. In terms of highlight, the best dish in my opinion was actually the pistachio tres leches. The milk was definitely there, and there was a good amount of pistachio flavor immersed into the cake. I thought that texturally it worked very well, too, because the softness of the cake provided a good contrast with the pistachio bits on the top. The esquites were great as well, with the tajin crema providing both a sense of creaminess and just a tiny bit of spice, and the manchego cheese giving flavor. The baja fish tacos contained a good amount of white fish and the chipotle crema added flavor. Personally I liked the fact that the brisket tacos had a good amount of smoked brisket meat, but my friend who ordered the dish didn't enjoy it because she didn't think the salsa was flavorful enough, which I could understand but disagreed with. Other dishes were leaning towards okay to meh, such as the papas machas, which had fried yukon potatoes containing very good crispy texture but way too salty flavor, especially if the potatoes were tiny and had a lot of oil at the bottom. The brussel sprouts did not have enough lime vinaigrette so it was practically flavorless, especially since it was probably deep fried without additional seasoning, which also caused some pieces to be hard to chew. The grilled snapper itself was almost flavorless, and relied on the salsa for flavor completely. I didn't understand it because it looked like it was grilled in achiote, so I assumed it followed the tikin xic dish in Yucatán Mexico, with pickled red onions and all. Maybe the achiote paste didn't have enough spices in it for marinading, or maybe the time wasn't enough. Even though as of now I wouldn't actively recommend this establishment to others yet, I would still like to visit myself to try some dishes that my other friends have hyped up, namely the enchiladas de camote and verdes.

I came with a friend to check out the "cantina hour" at Chilango. The traffic is awful, so be…read moremindful of that if you are coming for the cantina hour which runs 4-6. Luckily we got there in time and I got a Chilango margarita and some nachos. The margarita was DELICIOUS, not too sour but flavorful. The nachos were pretty good: the toppings were well distributed and lots of flavor but I didn't love the combo of beans and sour cream, but I guess both are authentic to Mexico. We sat in the patio and enjoyed the beautiful lake view as we caught up, which was great, and I plan to come back! Pro tip: they validate parking! Turn on Thomas and pull into the beach club underground parking and bring your parking ticket to the restaurant for validation.

I haven't updated this since the last time I lived in Minnesota!…read more When we moved back, Orale was one of the first places we went back to. I love this place, and the food is on par with a lot of Mexican food in California. Most recently, we went to celebrate a birthday. We go here because they are veggie friendly. We ordered the veggie enchiladas and I got a veggie wet burrito. Everything was delicious. My only complaint would be that things could be a bit saucier...but that's a preference thing and we get salsa on the side for it. We also got chips and guac -- delicious as well! I will say that the portions, especially the burrito are VERY generous. I think I should have shared it! It was pretty buzzy, which was great to see given the depths of winter we were in. Go here!!

I have been wanting to check out Orale because I have heard great things from neighbors…read more Finally tried it for the 1st time a couple of weeks ago when my friend grabbed takeout for us and LOVED the Filipino tacos so much that I went back within the week to get more. Nice restaurant decor with a good amount of seating. The parking lot is a little small and could take a while to get in and out of because it's in a pretty busy area. Looking forward to dining in soon and trying more dishes AND desserts

Elizabeth was very friendly and professional! I've never been greeted that well there. She makes…read moregreat conversation too. The margarita wasn't as good as it looked but the fajitas were great! I went at a nice time when it wasn't very busy. I didn't get my actual servers name but she was a bit unfriendly and biased. I will leave it at that. Also they play rock music, which I love and enjoy! But if you're going for a Latin experience all around, it wouldn't be here.

Service, Food was great. Place was ultra clean…read more Had the smothered steak fajita burrito with pinto beans and rice. Excellent!

Located right next to the 50th st/ minnehaha light rail station, like right next to it, I…read moreaccidentally drove by it at first. There are about 10 parking spots in their lot, otherwise there is a good amount of street parking in the neighborhood. The ordering process is a bit chaotic; somethings from the menu are available by using the QR code at the table, but some things have to be ordered at the counter. I tried the chicken sandwich an and it was pretty good! I like the freshness of the pickled onions with the crispy chicken. Some of my friends got burgers and those looked good as well. It's a nice casual dive bar, and I would probably come back!

Was killing some time in the general area so decided to stop by Tipsy Steer with a friend. We…read morestopped in at about 2 pm on a Friday and since we had spent a lot of time outside that day, we decided to sit inside. It's located conveniently on the way to the airport on Hiawatha, and has a nice sizable parking lot to make stopping here a breeze. You can either order at the front or at your table using QR codes. I hadn't been to this location but I had been to one of the others and so I had a good idea of what I was getting into. It offers a good place to hang out and talk while drinking a beer and having a munch. The food isn't mind blowing or anything but it's definitely solid for a bar restaurant. We decided to go with the vegan nachos (my friend is vegetarian) and they were really good. As a carnivore, the vegan chorizo was actually really good and I would get again.

Yeah, no. Gross salad dressing to dip chips into, wrong order served, no refills offered on soda,…read morecharged $3 for three little extra tortillas. No corn tortillas. Tiny amount of chicken in the $13 taco salad. What a joke. The only reason I give it two stars instead of one is because the food was warm. Long story short, don't go here. Let it die on the vine.

Really friendly and attentive staff, generous portions, and reasonable prices…read more I recommend going with their street tacos or fajita platters. Queso sauce is also worth the up charge.

I've been to Pajarito a number of times but this one was special-- an engagement dinner (or…read morespecifically, a post engagement celebratory dinner). I am updating the review because Pajarito delivered the experience I knew they would and exceeded expectations. See my previous review (chips are great, proteins are great, drinks are great) and all that stands. The additional details here are: they brought us a celebratory split champagne, dessert of choice on the house (the bunuelos were actually super good and I would get them again-- had no idea just how warm, light, sweet, yet dense a donut could be), and a aperatif (a fruity post-dinner mini shot/drink). Not to mention, the host was quick to say "congrats" (I had let them know of the occasion ahead of time). As well, they were happy to reserve an ideal seat of choice for us with advanced notice. Overall, such a great dinner and great service, which is what I was hoping for for this once-in-a-lifetime milestone celebration. Pajarito delivered. Thanks!

Great location and can accommodate larger groups. We came for my husband's bday dinner with both of…read moreour families on a Tuesday. They were very accommodating and provided high chairs for the toddlers. They also have a real changing table and diapers in the women's room! Talk about family friendly. I've never had any food here that I didn't like. Definitely a local gem.

If you're even thinking about tacos, just go to Andale Taqueria Tacos--seriously…read more These are hands down the most delicious tacos I've ever had. The flavors are insanely fresh, the meat is perfectly seasoned, and every bite just hits. You can tell they actually care about the quality here. The tortillas? Soft and legit. The toppings? Simple but perfect. It's the kind of place where you take one bite and immediately know you'll be back. Even Guy Fieri stopped by and gave it high praise--and he was absolutely right. Easily a 10/10. This spot just raised my taco standards.

Lots of options, ranging to Mexican breakfast to shrimp tacos. However, that also got me…read moreoverwhelmed and it took awhile to get our food. It gets pretty packed during peak meal times. Horchata is just not it and it tasted like water. Flan was okay, it was a bit sweet but better than horchata. Fish was also deep fried for my tacos, but overall I liked it. The beans that came with the el pastro, carne asada and chorizo were amazing! I like that they have self-serve toppings bars with different sauces. Vibes were lively with lots of families during peak hours!

Great Mexican spot hidden right north of Lake st. Extensive menu, both in Spanish & English. It's a…read morequick service counter, which is very nice. The restaurant itself has plenty of seating and is well decorated. The food was really good, I was so excited to dive into the Alambres that I completely spaced on taking a picture of it! We also had a quesadilla with rice and beans, both very tasty. I will definitely go back here for another delicious meal!

I love la hacienda! I have been getting tacos from here for over 10 years! In this time the tacos…read morehave remained consistently great. Their al pastor is absolutely incomparable to other taco places/restaurants. I love to get their al pastor tacos with everything and fresh chopped pineapple. Service can be quick but also can take up to 20 mins to get your food. Ambiance is chill. I've definitely been here in sweatpants and crocs.

The food was absolutely delicious -- have been here at least here times now ! Loved it every time !…read moreDrinks are always spot on ! Had the chips and salsa -- and the birria tacos (my weakness)! Loved every bite ! Service was top notch and ambiance was a great vibe ! Always love it here !!!

We were completely confused by the location. We were at the VFW for a bar crawl and then tried to…read morefind El Jefe only to realize they were one and the same. We walked to the back of the VFW with louder music and ordered at the larger bar. We split an order of birria tacos and loaded fries. Everything had good flavor especially considering this is part of the VFW.

Dinner at Ena unfolds like a composed performance, measured, expressive, and cohesive from the…read morefirst course to the last. Named for perseverance and determination, Ena is a Latin fusion restaurant harmonizing flavors from Central and South America through a French technical lens, with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients. Chef-Owner Hector Ruiz's cooking reflects both formal culinary training and a clear respect for heritage, with sustainability woven into the way ingredients are chosen and treated. Seafood plays a leading role on the menu, handled with clear confidence throughout. The result feels thoughtful rather than showy, with hospitality that mirrors that same care. - Ceviche: A confident blend of Mexican and Peruvian influence. Chiles and ají amarillo set the tone, sharpened by pickled onion and lime. Balanced heat, clean acidity, and texture that stays true to form. Everything a ceviche should deliver. - Pasta de Langosta: Pappardelle with shrimp and lobster, well executed. Comforting without feeling heavy, this dish pulls together technique and flavor in a way that feels purposeful rather than indulgent. - Pescado: Blue and yellow corn-crusted red snapper paired with mole poblano and roasted tomatillo-guajillo salsa. The interplay of acidity, warmth, and depth complements the fish without overpowering it. Served over a crisp polenta cake with caramelized mushrooms, it's a smartly layered dish that stays focused. - Spanish Flan: a creamy vanilla custard with glossy caramel, accented by lemon-infused whipped cream and strawberry sauce, closed this meal on a high note. The cocktails strike a solid balance--spirited, and playful. The beverage list spans wine, cocktails, mocktails, beer, and seasonal offerings. A meal that stayed with me and IMO, worth adding to your next dinner rotation.

We first went here when it was Cafe Ena, probably 20 years ago, and loved it. The name has been…read moreshortened, but the food and service continue to be very good. We went for Valentine's Day. The place was jam packed and maybe overbooked, but the wait wasn't too bad. Not sure what it's like on a normal night, but the place is loud. When we first went years ago, the space was more romantic with low light. Now it's more brightly lit, so not as romantic. Drinks were creative, good, and priced well. My wife had the Scallops and Risotto, which she loved. I had the Paella de Mariscos, one of two versions they offer. The amount of seafood was incredible. The rice didn't have the typical bottom side crunch, but the dish was still very good overall. There were many dishes on the menu that sounded really good, so we'll definitely go again.