So, me and my friends decided to make the great taco challenge. I will post this in every restaurant that got into our own little comp:
1st place: MARIA BONITA... Everyone raves about it and rightfully so (NYT, CNN, Die Zeit, Zitty, Berliner Zeitung, RTL) .This guys started it all and have managed to expand their brand threefold (not an easy task). Simple concept that got the rest going... the good thing (cozy taqueria feel), although its a bit messy if it gets busy. Best alambre Ive had and really fast service. Bad things: no toilet... bit pricy... its in pberg....
Best dish: Burrito special with pork
2nd place: MARIA PELIGRO. Part two of our champ... started off a bit shaky but every time i go they get better and better. You cant beat the ambient in this place... really fun on friday nights specially, and great table service with real hot waitresses every time (even if they are not mexican)... Fresh habanero salsa.. The owners are super nice and ALWAYS there.. can go till late and has a huge terrace. Bad side... Really hyped up, good for people watching if you score a seat outside, terrible if you are inside (please do something about the lights, its way too dark)... can get too loud for a restaurant. Plus, just Corona?... I remembered the times when you used to have Bohemia.
Best dish: Baked green enchiladas (spot on). FREE WATER (finally someone understands it)
3rd place: TA CABRON.Brave attempt. Looks more traditional than the ones before which is nice.The guac and the tortillas are fresh made and on the spot, which is unheard of in the city (the amount and size of the place allows it). Beautiful tiled kitchen, terrific avocado salsa.Bad things... boring menu (three choices that you can choose as burrito, quesadilla or tacos)... picadillo is pretty awful and dry (canned corn on it). Get ready to wait at least 20 minutes for your food (its the price for having stuff made on the spot, but sometimes its too much)... shy staff, boring vibe (kinda like kiki bloefeld being accross bar 25 if you understand the reference).
Best dish: tamal on a corn husk (very traditional)
4th place: SANTA MARIA. Been only twice so I dont rate it as high. Definitely the nicest and better looking of all mexican restaurants. The tortas are very satisfying, but are still just a sandwich. The campechana tacos are right on the money, homemade chorizo and nice beef. Portions could be a big bigger on the tacos but the produce is top quality. Location is great especially since its open real late and you can stumble and have a taco after Luzia. On the bad side... the staff can be rude and it gets terribly hot during summer, so dont consider it if you dont have a seat outside... warm beer (maybe i went on a really hot day)... did i mention the staff is rude?
Must have: Happy hour margaritas and campechana tacos
5th place: TACOS DE MEXICO... went all the way to schoeneberg and was not dissapointed (the lady kicks ass). Not good enough to make me go back all the way there tho... specially since there are so many closer options...
Must: Quesadillas (luv the fresh flour tortillas)
6th place: DOLORES... I know it aint mexican but it works in a really guilty pleasure way... just like chipotle..
Must: Adobo burrito with spanish rice and pinto beans
7th place: VIVA MEXICO... Weird skulls in the back and shit soundsystem with mariachis give it that nice yet frightening mexican shithole feel. Food is ok. Way too many tex mex options tho...
Best: Picadillo tacos (nice and moist)
8th place: TIPICA... Nice decor... everything else is terrible. Service, music, food... you are running a restaurant for fuck sakes (swearing is not my thing but they deserve it)...
9th place: PULQUERIA... hard tortillas +nasty wait staff +drunk cooks= worst mexican in town. Some people should stop hangin at bar 25 so much and taking care of business. Absolutely dreadful. The decor is half assed... playground is nasty and the lettuce is everywhere. If you are not a mexican (chilean owned) and cant cook, why bother. Total rip off of the bonita and ta cabron menus. Avoid it like you would mexican pig flu (which you would probably get eating there)...
WORTH MENTIONING... Looking for Paloma Bar we stumbled across LUPITA. Even though it does not serve food the ambience is top (like a pueblo party vibe) and the mezcal is amazing, not to mention the view and tacky tunes... absolutely fantastic....
Thats it people... we are one restaurant away from being able to make a top 10 of mexican restaurants (maybe the voracious Bonita boys finally open up shop in Neukoelln)... What ever happened to that taco truck i heard was opening up? (too late i guess, summer is over). Feel free to comment, just remember this review is based purely on persoal taste. read more