As others stated, this place is SUPER authentic, so if you don't speak Spanish you might have to walk in and point to items on the menu that you'd like like I did. After I put my order in, I walked my dog around the block and came back. Food was ready in about 20 min and the worker gave me a free Diet Coke! I tried the shrimp fra diavolo. Omg, so so good! The spicy sauce on it mixed in with the large, well cooked shrimps, Mexican rice and refried beans was godly. Def a heavier dish I couldn't eat everyday, but well worth it! I also tried a chicken taco. Slightly dry/bland - wish they gave me a bit more of their homemade hot sauce that was delicious! But still the taco was very authentic tasting. The guac was HUGE! And extravagant. Super creamy and mostly mixed with onions and cilantro. They gave me a bag of chips on the side. This tiny little spot has a fun inside with a tv, (they played Sabrina the Teenage Witch which was one of my fav shows growing up!), had a juke box, art on the wall and I recognized the Frida painting. A couple customers were inside dining - they had every other table blocked off. I was surprised to see they have Valentina hot sauce on the tables instead of Tapatio - but I guess it's really no big deal. If you're looking for a solid authentic spot in the Central NJ area - and you like spice, DEF TRY THE SHRIMP FRA DIAVOLO! read more

Food was delicious and fresh. One of my favorite restaurants. Service was good and attentive

Try the guac.... whatever you order... get the guac! Their food is great! A little local whole in wall that deserves recognition. read more

Todo muy Delicioso la comida muy fresca. La salsa roja y verde estaba muy rica con chips read more

El Tapatio - a fish and rice dish - Mexican Near Me - South River, New Jersey

See all

I ordered on line on Wednesday, August 23,2023 to pick up the food. I had a pm emergency to run to and didn't go to pick up the food. I printed out my receipt for pr of payment and went to the store today to explain the situation and ask to have the order made. The lady behind the counter checked the days orders and found mine. She then said it was picked up. I told her that was impossible because I didn't come. She said I ordered on lone through their UBER website. I asked what was my recourse since somebody took my order. She didn't have an answer. She said since I ordered through UBER she couldn't do anything. I said your store uses UBER for deliverie. What does that have to do with someone picking up their food? I asked if she was replacing the order and she said no. I told her that was the first time I ordered from there and it would not happen again. The order was for 2 items totaling $28.79 read more

El Tapatio - a receipt for uber eats - Mexican Near Me - South River, New Jersey

Found my new favorite Mexican Restaurant! Got the beef fajita and chicken burrito and loved it! Huge portion, and amazing flavor! I had a bit of a problem finding this place due to their small sign so make sure to park by the police station and look for the yellow sign that says El Tapatio. read more

My go to is the Tex-Mex Burrito with Chicken. Stuffed with great flavor and topped with Salsa Verde & Avocado Slices. Their spicy side of Guac is amazing. Wife's go to is the Pollo Asado & Enchiladas Chipotle. Only do take out from here but love the food. read more

DONT RECOMMEND !!!!!!!! My First order from this place and I was super excited. When I get there, they made it wrong. I still wanted to try the food so I took it home & when I opened it. IT WAS COMPLETELY COLD. Tried to give them the benefit of the doubt and ordered again, and the same thing happened. AGAIN THEY MADE MY ORDER WRONG. The customer service is terrible and they clearly do not pay attention to their customer's orders. Do not recommend read more

I love this place, Very authentic, friendly, great price. Highly recommend the chilaquiles, and enchiladas read more

Pure authentic ( and I don't use that word loosely ) Mexican food at it's best. A complete hole in the wall, but don't let that deter you. $3 tacos featuring tripe, head cheese and tongue, but they're the double wrap kind so it's really 2 per order. Filled to over flowing. Less is more so always order Mexican style which is simply cilantro & diced onions. They offer up the infamous green & red sauce along with home made chips. Order up some freshly made guacamole and your set. Don't expect anything special in regards to atmosphere. The place is ridiculously small with about 6 booths. Time it wrong at prime dinner or lunch hour and you might well order take out, but that's no fun. Service and English is virtually nonexistent. Yes, you'll here Mariachi music blasting, at times a bit too loud. Always Spanish TV playing, usually one of those B grade variety shows with the hot bodied babes busting out of their form fitting wardrobes. I can't offer a recommendation on any dish other than the cactus, spring onions or shallots and roasted jalapeños which are tantalizing. Simplicity is the key here and what I love about Mexican food. What I can with great conviction boast about are their tacos. They are the best around and the reason I've ventured back time again and will continue to do so. My absolute favorite CNJ Mexican taco joint! read more

I've been to Tapatio several times and I absolutely love their chicken flautas!! They are fresh and the chicken is all white meat. If you're in the mood for some authentic Mexican food, come and check them out. read more

I got chicken tacos, beef tacos, empanadas, flan and horchata. Everything completely lacked flavor. The sauce for the tacos were just hot without flavor. The horchata was watered down. The only thing I can say is that the food is beautiful. read more

The quality of their food declined over the years. I mean they use to be so good now I don't know what happened and it's sooo expensive

We ordered chile rellenos. We got one. I repeat one, and a small one at that. For $12!!! It did come with some rice and a littler bit of beans. We have ordered in the past and the food was flavorful and the portions usually adequate. But the portions are getting smaller. Shame on you Tapatio! No good! read more

Definitely authentic Mexican food! The food here is absolutely delicious. I got the mole oaxaqueno. And, the chicken was absolutely cooked to perfection. The mole sauce was delicious and spicy, and tasted like it was full of flavor.. Staff is super friendly, and work very quickly, with orders. The staff speaks good English, and they will understand you when you say your order. I've had issues where I go to Mexican restaurants, and the staff does not speak a word of English. Inside is a little underwhelming, as it is a food type place. with very old floors. However, once you have the food you will be amazed! read more

Good and reasonably priced Mexican food. It seems authentic to me. Tasty! Chicken EnchiladaQueso Fresco

It's even BYOB!!! I hit this place up every time I'm down here. The Combo platter is great. I order it without the huge cactus because I never eat it anyways. You don't feel out of place here by the locals and the food is great. read more

El Tapatio - a plate of mexican food - Mexican Near Me - South River, New Jersey

Great food at great prices. Service was good. It is a hole in the wall with dripping water at the front door that you may have to avoid but that added to the ambiance of the whole (hole) experience. South River is a working class place and this place fits right in. Glad I got hungry when I did and stopped in. read more

See all

I would have expected this restaurant to be good but it was terrible, I ordered tacos for me and my sister, both the tacos ended up being dry not sure if it has to do with me ordering it for delivery. Not to mention the guacamole was just bland, didn't have any taste, this place is super overrated. read more

This place has bad service!! The waitress was really rude she got a phone call in the middle of taking my husband order and cut him off!! The food tasted like Taco Bell on crack!! This isn't an authentic Mexican restaurant this is owned by someone who is from Central American! Worse Mexican restaurant I've ever been!! So much for getting real Mexican food!! I'm from Chicago and next time I come to jersey I definitely know where not to come. I give this place zero stars!! Horrible horrible service and food!! It's making out 1 star but it deserves zero stars read more

The best around and the food is great. Try the tacos if ur on the go. I usually get chicken and tongue, absolutely the best. Ask for the the salsa verde, green sauce. read more

See all

These are the rudest waitresses that have ever existed on the face of the earth. I've unfortunately been there 3 times over the years because of accompanying friends who want to try it out. The food is okay but the service and the prices are awful. Of the three times, I've enjoyed myself ZERO times. It's also not so clean. Another thing: I am not the only one in the area that feels they cater to Latino customers only. read more

First time trying what people are calling "Authentic mexican" food. Some of the food was a hit or miss. Very bland no seasoning and then you had some dishes that were full of flavor. The service was extremely slow. They had one waitress that answered the phones and waited on tables. It got a little busy and it took awhile to get service. The prices are very reasonable. I'm not a big fan of seeing the produce out in the dinning area along side of the drinks. That stuff belongs in the kitchen not out with the customers. The tacos were very good and I would stick to that next time I come in. I would try this place if your a first timer but just stick to the basics. read more

Stopped by on a Sat night 30 mins before closing. The atmosphere is definitely authentic. Lengua tacos and Tripa tacos were seasoned very well, but were cut too large. The meat was tender but overwhelming. This could also be because there was just not enough onions and cilantro in the tacos for balance. On the menu, tacos were advertised to have grilled onion sprouts and radish on the side, but mine didn't :( I'll have to come for lunch. I'll give this place the benefit of doubt since they were already closing. Chicken enchilada with verde sauce was rocking though! 5/5 spicy and filling. There's a substantial amount of chicken in the enchilada, where other places have mostly sauce. Chips were thick but cold, verde sauce was spicy and tasty. Again, I'll come back during peak hours. Hopefully it'll be better. read more

Spend $124 today for Father's Day. Foods ok but burritos were cold no flavor Don't think I will be going back. Very expensive. Quality went down read more

Came here over 20 times either with my brother, my girlfriend, or just by myself. The food is authentic...fresh and 100% delicious!! I have worked at an upscale Mexican restaurant in Miami (Talavera Cocina Mexicana) which can not compare to El Tapatio. Service is always friendly and attentive, and the prices are very affordable! Highly recommend! read more

The combination fajitas here were possibly the best I've discovered in New Jersey! The place looked like a hole in the wall, but if you are thinking of visiting you definitely should not let that deter you. read more

THIS PLACE WAS SOO GOOD. It's a whole in the wall and nothing to look at, but the food OMG the food was so good. So they bring complentry chips with a red and green salsa had a bit of a kick, but nothing crazy. I got something familiar which was the chicken fajitas. You get a lot of food came with rice an beans cooks simply and to utter perfection. I have to admit I had been eyeing this place for years and to chicken to go in let me tell you don't do what I did just go and I promise this will become a "goto" stop for you. read more

El Tapatio - Mexican Near Me - South River, New Jersey

See all

Food is good except the people that serve you they have an attitude so bad... they are racist... i am mexican and especially the waitresses treated me badly... read more

I work 5 minutes from El Tapatio so after passing it by many times I decided to try a chicken burrito for lunch which was perfectly cooked and the size of my arm all for $6.95. If you want authentic Mexican food come here and keep small business alive. read more

This place has authentic Mexican food. The waitstaff does not speak English but don't let that deter you. They bring you hot and mild salsa and chips to start... awesome! The chilaquiles (salsa verde) were great and the portion was GIGANTIC. Talk about great value. The pollo milanesa with yellow rice was delicious as well. The batidos are cheap and tasty. Recommended. read more

More authentic than any Mexican in the area. This place is a hidden gem. Literally a hole in the wall, but the burritos, enchiladas, and everything else are unreal. Best part is you don't feel like crap after you eat it because it's GOOD real food. Awesome place for South river residents and visitors alike. Recommend take out. read more

I always get nervous about these hole in the wall places but the food was fantastic. I ate the flautas and they were crisp and delicious. The queso fresco was awesome. The nachos and guacamole were incredible. I really think the salsas are very tasty. I always ask for the salsa roja which they don't give you without asking but it's very tasty. It is a small place and usually I take it out. And it's still fresh and crispy when I get home. read more

Ordered chicken tacos, they were good, hot sauce was not hot at all. The reason I am giving this 3 stars is because 6 soft chicken tacos (nothing else) to go was $22 with tax... The tacos were not that good.. read more

Just finished eating lunch here. I was disappointed. I had read many great reviews about this eatery so I was expected greatness. The service was poor. My husband is fluent in Spanish so that wasn't an issue. Tables are very small. No space for dishes on table. Wait staff was lacking. Place wasn't clean. Food was not horrible but didn't taste authentic to me. My husband had the steak. He didn't like it at all. I had shrimp fajitas. Tails were left on which I hate. Fair not great. "Hole in the wall" is an appropriate description. I will not be returning. read more

Food is decent. Atmosphere is VERY authentic in that our skin tone made us stand out like sore thumbs. Very hard to communicate with the wait staff other than placing an order straight off the menu. read more

Good Tacos, not the cheapest but its not Taco Bell either. Place was clean and staff didn't forget us like some places I will not mention. Get a combo plate for the rice and beans. read more

Solid chicken burrito. Friendly staff when I picked up my takeout. Hoping to eat in next time, and maybe try one of their entrees.

Great authentic oaxacan restaurant! It is a tiny hole in the wall but the food is outstanding.

I'm not sure why people have a hard time with the customer service I have not had that problem at all. The food is always fresh and cooked correctly I love this place eat here twice a week. In central NJ this place is a welcome place, let's face it this is the land of garbage franchise sodium redden crap food period ! People should be running to this place I know I do ... I recommend the tacos, burritos, and the breakfast plates ,, enjoy read more