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    Esmeralda’s

    4.2 (38 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Order Esmeralda’s Takeout or Delivery

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    Guacamole
    Tracy E.

    We went to Esmeralda's, hoping for Happy Hour. We were disappointed they did not have a happy hour. Regardless, our chips, and salsa arrived shortly after we sat down. I was disappointed with the chips. They tasted like Old Dutch tortilla chips. We ordered the guacamole which was made tableside (which was VERY good!) I ordered the flautas and my friend got a burrito. Both were good. Overall, the food and service were good and we would return.

    Tableside guacamole
    Stephanie P.

    Our first visit and this is one of the better Mexican restaurants in the northwest suburbs. We started with the tableside guacamole which was delicious and you can customize to your liking. The complimentary chips and salsa were also very good. The chicken fajitas came out sizzling like you hope for when you order fajitas and that gave them a nice grilled flavor. Shrimp ceviche was good as well as was the combination #14 which came with 2 enchiladas and a quesadilla. The inside was very clean and warm, which was appreciated. Our server Olger was super nice, very friendly and attentive. All the staff were very nice.

    dessert menu

    First time coming here, I was looking for a good spot to eat and definitely picked the right one. It was so good I got seated with a bowl of chips and salsa almost immediately. Then asked what drink I wanted. Food came super fast everyone seemed on top of it. Place was very clean!! I payed around $25 for my tacos and soda all together would definitely come again.

    Madison B.

    Came in at 5:30pm on a Wednesday. Was seated and was greeted/put in our drink orders within a minute! Super kind host and waitress. Chips and salsa came out equally fast. Our food came out quickly as well. I got the shrimp ceviche and it was soooo good and fresh. My pictures aren't doing it justice because I was too excited to eat my husband got some sort of shrimp dish with tortillas and that was so flavorful as well. The restaurant was super clean. 10/10 experience and definitely will be returning

    Quesa Birria Tacos
    Kathleen C.

    Picked Esmeralda's for my book club meeting spot this month. When I arrived, I was shown to a table already set up to seat a larger group. Waters and chips and salsa appeared shortly. The top two recommended items by our server were the Pina Fajitas and the Quesa Birria Tacos. Both were chosen along with a Burrito California and a quesadilla. Everyone enjoyed what they ordered - empty plates all around. I wanted to check out something I had never tried before so picked the Arroz con Mariscos. The shrimp, scallops, and seafood blend was seated on rice and covered with cheese. This came with soft shells to make handhelds with all the fixings. Also a very delicious gluten free option without the shells. We tried a variety of the drinks offered on the drink menu. The Ultimate Margarita, Blanco Pomegranate, Blackberry Smash, and Modelo Negra were delicious. The Titorita had quite a kick from the jalapeños - for those jalapeño fans, this is your drink. The Pineapple Henny-Rita was a hit, coming out in a cored out pineapple as the glass garnished with a fruity smile that brought out the smiles all around.

    Chicken fajitas
    Natalie W.

    I went after a recommendation from a friend. The salsa is very good, but I do wish the chips were fresh made. They taste like they're out of a bag. I ordered the chicken fajitas and they were good. They were seasoned and flavored well. My bf got the seafood burrito and really liked it. The server was friendly and attentive. We went closer to closing time, so there was only 3 other tables in there but they were playing music. I would return.

    Menu
    Danny A.

    Brand New Mexican restaurant in the Riverdale area of Coon Rapids! Pretty run of the mill Americanized Mexican food. I ordered 3 tacos. They were made traditionally (or as Americans would say, street tacos) with double white corn tortillas, meat of your choice, onions, cilantro and a lime wedge. The meat all seemed to be slightly over cooked but overall they were decent. They came with a habanero hot/taco sauce that was FANTASTIC and arguably the best part of the entire experience. I also very much enjoyed the salsa that came out with the chips. It is some of the best restaurant salsa I've had. Chips were subpar. Ordered a couple beers on tap. Bartender was struggling a little to pour them but he made it happen. Another patron in the restaurant ordered an Old Fashioned, word of the wise, don't get an Old Fashioned at a Mexican restaurant. Outside of the lack of bartending skills, service was good. This place is exactly what you would expect from any other large scale Mexican restaurant. No worse, no better. 3 stars.

    Some of the interior
    Kimberly F.

    First I will say service was amazing. We were seated immediately on a Friday evening. It was just starting to get busy. They brought chips and salsa right over. They checked on us and got our drink order quickly. We were ready to order when they got back with drinks. My husband had some specialty tacos. I had seafood Chimichangas. Our food was excellent. I loved the white booths with the gold grommets. It gave it a little bit of classiness. They are located in an area we visit often so we'll definitely be back.

    Birria plate
    Brandi C.

    The service is quick and friendly. Wait staff is super nice and helpful with the menu. My last trip, I got the carnitas plate/platter and it was so yummy. Came with rice and beans and tortillas so I could make my own tacos if I wanted, but more food overall for lower cost than 3 taco. Great deal. Today I got the birria plate. Omgoodness it's so delicious. Big bowl of birria and consume, side of rice and beans, and tortillas for dipping. I need this recipe!!!

    Aquachile
    Christy L.

    Food is great so is the service the Cantaritas are the best I only wish they had a patio

    Plates of food, drinks and chips and salsa!

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    1 year ago

    I love this place! Delicious food! I ordered the taco salad and xango. I will return!!!!!!

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    3 years ago

    Your run of the mill Tex max place, nothing special about the food, the salsa was pretty good but that's about it.

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    3 years ago

    Great food. Great atmosphere. Perfect for family dinner. Very clean. Love the chips, salsa & food

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    Maya Cuisine - Torta (left) Maya Burrito (right) Quesabirrias (bottom)

    Maya Cuisine

    4.2(469 reviews)
    14.3 miNortheast
    $$

    The best Mexican food I have ever had in my life, It was truly so good. Phone did not eat first…read more Food and Drink - We started with the chips and guac and the guacamole was outstanding. The onions and tomato that were chopped up in it were so satifyingly chopped I really enjoyed, it was nice and cold too. I got the quesabirria tacos for my meal and they were out of this world, I seriously think I inhaled them and have been thinking about them ever since. We were drinking Pina Coloadas and it made me feel like I was on the beaches of Mexico. Service - There was one server working on a busy Friday night and she killed it; she was attentive and remembered everything whilst also being the bartender too!!! Ambience - it is colorful and bright in there and just almost nostalgic. There is a chipotle style line at the front if you want to just grab something quick and full service in the back of the building, cannot wait to go back.

    This place is a gem in Northeast. I finally got a chance to try this out and loved it. I've always…read moreheard great things about it. They offer a lot of daily specials, but the one that caught my eye most was the BOGO burritos on Wednesdays. Everything that we tried was delicious and fairly priced. You can choose to eat in the self seating dining area, or if you'd like service they have the full bar and restaurant in the back. I was blown away with how it tasted and I felt like I was back in Mexico enjoying their cuisine. I wish I would've went here a lot sooner, but I plan to be back in the future. The staff were friendly.

    Photos
    Maya Cuisine
    Maya Cuisine - Burritos with chicken

    Burritos with chicken

    Maya Cuisine

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    Barrio - Cubano sandwich

    Barrio

    3.5(598 reviews)
    16.2 miDowntown Minneapolis
    $$

    Came for happy hour with my teen. Enjoyed and would hit again, although I wouldn't call it cheap…read more Queso was delightful Tex-Mex style, not Velveeta-like but like genuine cheese. All the tacos we ordered, which included chicken, mushroom, and carnitas, were delicious and with generous fall-out-when-you-pick-it-up levels of filling. CHips and guac and salsa were more basic, nothing to write home about, but did not in any way regret them. It fell down on the drinks, just a little. The HH margarita specials were all a little off. A little too sour, a little too bland, just never quite perfect (yes, I did try multiple, I'm a reviewer doing reviews, it was research, you don't get to judge). Even so, I would wander here again for HH and maybe for regular.

    Came here as we were heading to see the phantom of the opera at the Orpheum. I remember going to…read moreBarrio in St. Paul a long time ago so I was excited to try it again. The service was amazing and our waiter was very friendly and helpful. The other staff help a lot as well and bring food out as it comes so you are always being seen to. Ambiance is a little cramped on the main floor, but they have a beautiful bar and the typical fun downtown leisure hangout. The food was ok. The burrito was nothing to wrote home about. I liked that it was grilled and all, but honestly prefer chipotle by a wide margin. About a 2. The yucas and meatballs were amazing and I was really glad we took the suggestion and ordered them. 4 to 5 The black beans were ehh and nothing really special and a little dry I would not recommend. I love black beans and was a bit disappointed. 1 to 2. The tacos were a hit and if I go again I would definitely lean towards the tacos, chips, and apps. 4 The beet salad was ok but expected a little more for the price. It was ok. 3 All and all a pleasant experience but not anything that will blow you away.

    Photos
    Barrio - Bar from the top floor

    Bar from the top floor

    Barrio - Guac and chips

    Guac and chips

    Barrio - Left to Right: Pink Elephant, Black Diamond, Cobre Verde

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    Left to Right: Pink Elephant, Black Diamond, Cobre Verde

    Centro - Enchiladas

    Centro

    4.0(380 reviews)
    14.6 miNortheast
    $$

    Centro on Quincy St definitely passed the afternoon vibe check. The soft serve margaritas were…read moreAHMAZING -- smooth, refreshing, and perfect for a daytime outing. The tacos weren't bad either, flavorful and satisfying without being too heavy. What really stood out was the service. Everyone was beyond awesome, friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience feel easy and welcoming. Good drinks, good food, good energy all around.

    This was first time at this location but my second time getting Centro. We went on a Saturday night…read moreand got a table right away but it wasn't cleaned off yet. You seat yourself so most people were snagging whatever spot they could get. You order at a QR code so there isn't actually a server. They had water you grab yourself but it was on the other side of the bar and not in an obvious location. So just be aware that it is there but you might need to look for it. The food came quick. My friend got the cool ranch wrap and chips and queso. I got the cool ranch wings. Their chips and queso is very good although I could do without the onions and jalapeño on top. The wings were alright. I wasn't really getting that cool ranch flavor and it tasted more just like your standard dry rub. I wasn't a fan of the ranch itself. My friend didn't care for her wrap as it was cold and she felt that the chicken was actually raw/undercooked. She also didn't get any cool ranch flavor come through: Not sure if I'd recommend this place or need to come back but I have had their quesadillas which were good and I did like their queso.

    Photos
    Centro
    Centro - Quesadilla

    Quesadilla

    Centro - Gogo juice (espresso) and Holly Dolly Christmas Mule

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    Gogo juice (espresso) and Holly Dolly Christmas Mule

    El Sazon Cocina & Tragos - Birria croquette

    El Sazon Cocina & Tragos

    4.7(72 reviews)
    20.6 miSouthwest
    $$

    El Sazon is amazing and a gem in the community…read more This is everything you want in a small business in your local community, a feeling like you're going over a relatives home. Exceptional, personal service, passionate cooking, warm and inviting atmosphere. The owners Chef Cristian and wife Karen are absolutely amazing and the sweetest. I'd been previously for various events, but this was the first trip just for a casual pop in and dinner. Went for nachos as a table, I snagged a birria burrito bowl, and we had a churro cheesecake for dessert. Chefs, absolute, kiss. You can taste the passion. There's a lot in the back for parking, and pricing is more than fair if not, a killer value in my opinion. Definitely check them out!

    I'm not exaggerating when I say the shrimp burrito at El Sazón might have altered the course of my…read morelife. I've eaten a lot of burritos around Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan--you name it--but nothing has ever come close to this masterpiece. The only hiccup was the ordering process. They really want you to order through a QR code, which threw me off for a second. It's not the most intuitive setup, and I definitely had a "wait... am I doing this right?" moment. But once the order was in, everything turned around fast. The service was smooth, friendly, and the food came out quicker than I expected. And that shrimp burrito? Unreal. The tortilla was warm and perfectly toasted, the sauce had that rich, savory kick that makes you pause mid‑bite, and the shrimp... there were so many I genuinely lost count. No filler, no fluff--just pure shrimp glory from start to finish. If you're anywhere near Minneapolis and even remotely into shrimp, get yourself to El Sazón. That burrito deserves its own fan club.

    Photos
    El Sazon Cocina & Tragos - Design on their wall

    Design on their wall

    El Sazon Cocina & Tragos - Steak meal

    Steak meal

    El Sazon Cocina & Tragos - Store front

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    Store front

    Colita - Chicken tostadas

    Colita

    4.4(611 reviews)
    20.6 miSouthwest
    $$$

    It's Taco Tuesday and I was craving Mexican food, but I didn't just wanna go to the type of place…read moreyou think of when "Mexican" is brought up... I'm fancy, so I wanted something a bit more upscale. I did a little bit of research and wouldn't you know it... Colita came up. So here's how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: Set south of downtown and a bit west of The Mall of America on Penn Avenue is this gem. There is no private parking lot, but plenty of street parking to leave your fly ride. But once you walk up to the restaurant you can immediately understand the message they're trying to send. Everything looks so modern, straightforward with straight lines, grey colors and light woods. There is a small outdoor section where you can dine if you get lucky enough to land a spot there. Inside carries a very similar style with a little nod to the pueblos and architecture of the southwest. The decor is minimalistic and the "loudest" thing in the room is the live plant wall seated directly behind the bar, which was super cool. Service: I can't remember who took care of us, but we had no issues whatsoever. Food/Drink: I was able to try so many different dishes and drinks here and the list is below... : Xochitl In Love : La Clandestina : Tuna Tostada : Chicken Tinga Tostada : Seared Scallops : Tlayuda : Colita Old Fashioned : Lamb Barbacoa Tacos : Duck Tamal However, my favorite things were the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, Duck Tamal and Seared Scallops, in that order. The food here is phenomenal, the drinks are excellently crafted and things are served tapas style so you don't get too full off of just one thing! Order a whole bunch of stuff and share with the table! Value: As I mentioned earlier, I wanted upscale and the priced dddooo reflect that. Lol. This is a nice place so be prepared to spend... Like you're downtown somewhere. In conclusion, I loved this place and I will come back over and over. Check this place out the next time you're in the area!

    Been to Colita a few times, great meal every time. The latest visit was with my best friend, we had…read morea fun dinner catching up over delicious food. The Tostadas (one order of the Tuna and one order of the Charred Eggplant) were on point. The shrimp tacos and corn elote were yummy too. The Churros were amazing! - A great way to cap off a nice meal. Lucky to have such a great restaurant so close to where we live - my best friend and I both walked to the restaurant because of the snow.

    Photos
    Colita - Interior

    Interior

    Colita - Seared Scallops with carrot puree, salsa macha, peanut, and fresno

    Seared Scallops with carrot puree, salsa macha, peanut, and fresno

    Colita - Fun cocktail and delicious mocktail!

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    Fun cocktail and delicious mocktail!

    Esmeralda’s - mexican - Updated May 2026

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