There are definitely some angels making the food in this walk-up window OTR joint. I was definitely suspicious of the quality from the means of ordering/location. But that quickly was relieved when the goodness that was my turtle was delivered at HalfCut. The perfect combination of meat + toppings + rice + salsa was suddenly at my fingertips and was well worth its waited arrival. Even though I could not finish the entire thing in one sitting, I took my leftovers home, froze them, and had a second helping for lunch the next day. Only con: I went around 10:30PM and the only meat left available was chicken. Now, my meal was awesome, but I would have loved to try it with carnitas or barbacoa. If you want the full experience, I would recommend checking this place out for lunch or an early dinner, so you have the full menu and can easily find seats in HalfCut if you do not take it home. Going later leaves you with the luck of the draw as to what meat will be there, but it will definitely still be delicious. read more

Deeeee-licious! I'm usually not huge on Mexican food, but I've been to Gomez three times already and am always satisfied. It's straight to the point - order your food on a sheet of paper and go to the stand. No seating, just order and go. It sounds like it would be quick, but sometimes you have to wait 15-20 minutes on busy nights (AKA weekends), and sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate with you. Makes for perfect drunk food, but whatever you order is delicious, filling, and cheap anytime. You get to choose whatever you want in your taco/turtle/bowl, and they have a wide selection of meats, toppings, and my favorite, SALSA. Each time I've gone, I've tried a different salsa, and they all tasted freshly made. Love the Gomez salsa! The staff are always friendly despite the number of customers. The many groups of people surrounding the taco stand mixed with random passersby sometimes make for a lively impromptu atmosphere. I love this new concept in the OTR neighborhood! Eventually, I hope to find the perfect flavor combination of Gomez taco... read more

Amazing! Chicken tacos Gomez! Barbacoa Southwest style! Chips! Guacamole! Queso! All amazing Amazing staff! read more

This place is awesome! I think a walk-up taco joint is a great idea! The process is very simple...you walk up, grab a blank menu, choose your options and hand the menu to the person at the window. It took almost my entire lunch break waiting for food (which is the reason I didn't give 5 stars) but the turtle shell was amazing! I filled my shell with chicken, rice, corn, lettuce, cheese, sour cream and pineapple salsa. They top off the turtle shells with Gomez Salsa and it is amazing! I will definitely be there again very soon!!! read more

Gomez Salsa - Such a great idea for a taco joint - Mexican Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

See all

Gomez Salsa is so much more than the eyes can see! It doesn't look like much at all but their "turtle" which is a burrito/quesadilla hybrid is beyond words! Their is melted cheese on the outside of the fried shell! It is a God-sent! There is no seating but at the nearby bars you can eat there as long as you by a beer to eat with your Gomez goodies! Try it out! read more

Gomez Salsa - The "turtle" @ Gomez Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I just love the turtles at Gomez! The best is ordering and then having a beer while you wait at Half cut! Great way to celebrate Cinco De Mayo! read more

Gomez Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

This place is awesome, and yet I always seem to forget that it's there. This tiny little place is a door on 12th Street right next to the Half-Cut Walk up window - you could walk past it and not even know you did. I'd like to describe it as a Bakersfield type of place, but without the up-charge. Nothing against Bakersfield, but sometimes price is very important in selection. They have small tapas-like tacos available for order, but if you really want the full experience, you've got to go for the turtle. I had it once, and I haven't order anything else since. The staff is super friendly and super chill, and they will even walk it over to half-cut for you after you order. My only criticism is the wait. It's not bad if you're one of the few there, but if there's a lot of people wanting food, it can take a while to get it - this happens later in the night when all the drunkies are walking home. read more

I cannot believe I have never reviewed Gomez before. Yet it possibly does not need a review as it has such it's own identity in OTR. This place is my favorite part of going out in OTR. There is literally no better way to end a night drinking with friends than picking up a turtle from Gomez. Beware enough people know this so if you do not put in your order ahead of time you will be stuck waiting in a long line. However, its still worth it. read more

Really good food! The turtles remind me of crunch wraps on steroids. I heard about this place on Yelp and I just had to try it when I first got there it was really early around 11:45 so it was no line. They have little cards that you fill out to order your food it could be a bit confusing on your first try or if you're drunk but the woman was very friendly and walking me through everything. I ordered a chicken turtle with all the fixings and it was the bomb I brought it back home and my boyfriend ate the other half. I almost regretted even showing it to him. You can tell this is definitely a late night spot for people after coming from the clubs and bars. This is still a good area for a quick lunch or maybe even dinner. read more

Gomez Salsa - Chicken Turtle with all the fixings. - Mexican Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I love Gomez Salsa. LOVE. If I could go here every day, I would. It's the top answer to "where should we go for dinner?" when they're open. Everything I've had has been fantastic. I've tried a lot of what is on the menu, but the Turtle is where it's at! If I had to describe a Turtle to someone, the only comparison is: it's like a crunch wrap from Taco Bell, if Taco Bell was actually amazing, had good ingredients and added rice and beans. But seriously, it's much better than anything you can imagine based on that description. The Turtle is BIG, though. Like eating an entire Chipotle burrito big, so if you don't have a huge appetite, I would recommend splitting one. The kowabunga salsa is so good - nice and spicy. There are a number of other (less spicy) options to choose from if you aren't a fan of spicy foods. The last few weeks, they've had a special Turtle, some combination that's not typically on the menu, which gives folks an easy option if they don't want to choose their own combination. You can order items a la carte or as combinations with chips and salsa. The tacos are also good and worth mentioning if you don't want to go for a Turtle. You can order them a la carte or do a combination of 3 with chips and salsa on the side. They also have rice bowls, but I haven't tried one yet. Judging from the tacos and turtles I've had, I'm sure they're great too! The menu is a piece of paper where you mark off your options. It's a little confusing if you've not been there before, however the staff at the window is always polite and willing to help or will ask if you've forgot to check something and always confirms your order after you hand them the sheet of paper. Have a question? Just ask! Seriously, such an nice friendly staff every time I've been (and I go at least weekly lately!). Not sure what to get? They'll gladly recommend their favorite combination. Since there's just a walk up window, if you go and are looking for someplace to enjoy your meal sitting down not on the street or a nearby stoop, they are connected to HalfCut OTR, which is on the corner of 12th & Walnut. You can order and bring your food with you to Half Cut or have your food brought to you there if you'd like a beer (or wine) to go with your tacos, Turtle, or chips and salsa. I've also walked to Rheingeist to eat there and Washington Park is only a few blocks away. Fantastic food, great staff - get yourself to Gomez Salsa!! read more

See all

Get the turtle, hold the baja sauce. Fresh ingredients and really fills you up. Can't beat the price at $8 either. Food comes out fast, but they get 4 stars from me because they mess up my order every time. It's still delicious, but it would be better without the baja or tomatoes or whatever mistake they've made this time. Lesson learned, check your order. read more

Great food, long wait. I've eaten here about three times and each time was worth it. I stopped by late-night on a weekend, during the day on Saturday, and also on a Sunday. My waits ranged from 15 - 30 minutes. The ordering approach is a little odd because you have a to fill out a form, but that's ok. There's no sitting area but that's also ok. My favorite part of Gomez Salsa is chatting with other patrons as we stand around the window and wait for our order. read more

DEAR GOD. Hubris is my fatal flaw. I ordered a Diablo turtle. I am but a small Midwestern white girl. UNPREPARED. Pain. Endless pain. 10/10 would eat again. read more

So tried this place today for the first time. What a surprise to finally find great Mexican food. This not be my last time going back for sure. It's a must try if you're in the area. With now sit down seating inside. read more

Perfect stop if you are barhopping in OTR and are looking for a late-night bite to eat! The walk up window houses the order cards right below it. You simply select what toppings you want on your turtle, bowl, taco, or quesadilla. The turtle reminds me of a much fresher and much larger version of the crunchwrap supreme. My husband ordered one with chicken and it was delicious. It is large enough to split if you aren't that hungry. I love burrito bowls from Chipotle so I opted for a bowl with rice, chicken, corn salsa, verde salsa, cheese, lettuce, and slaw. This was AH-MAZING! I think my Chipotle cravings will now be replaced by Gomez. Sadly, Gomez is about a 40 minute drive from our house. On weekends, the sidewalk tends to fill up with people waiting in line to order as well as people waiting for food. Despite the large (& drunk) crowd, the service was still friendly and super quick! Once you get your food head next door to Halfcut to enjoy a beer with your food. You won't regret it! read more

Good food for cheap. Not the highest quality, but I got the feeling this is more of a 2 AM on a Friday night place than a middle of the work day lunch spot. Cool experience with their walk-up counter from outside. read more

Baja Chicken & Chorizo Turtle... Just go get one right now. I cannot stress how amazing (and delusion-ally healthy - it contained pineapple, so) an experience this was for me. I just finished devouring it (with minimal breathing) and basically feel the urge to go get another one immediately. Does the parking suck? Yes. Do you stand around on the street waiting? Yes (unless you order in advance.) Is it the best version of a Taco Bell Crunchwrap you'll ever have? Most definitely. read more

Food was decent. Service was fast, enough. Someday I will find Real authentic Mexican food around here! Food was hot, and satisfying. But possibly just because we were hungry. read more

Tried the breakfast tacos... Excellent. Not many breakfast taco options available in Cincinnati. Can't wait to come back and try the Cincinnatian Turtle. Looks amazing. read more

See all

Pure salsa bliss. Be warned that the turtles are enormous, so you might want to share!

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place yet after going several times. The criteria for this review is based on two categories: food and service. I would give the food 5 stars, hands down. The turtles (their specialty) are like a fancy crunch wrap from Taco Bell except ten times better. You can add whatever ingredients you want from the order form and it always turns out delicious. I'm not a sauce person, but whatever is in their Gomez sauce is amazing. The place does lose a star for service. Although they are efficient at fulfilling the orders themselves, there needs to be a better system in place for the process of ordering. On any given weekend night, the line wraps around the block and it's a complete disorganized cluster. People cut in line or end up waiting for way too long because they don't make their way to the front. I'm confident that there has to be a better way! I still really enjoy coming here because the food is just too good to pass up, but I highly prefer to go during off peak hours when it won't be a 35 minute+ experience. read more

I love the Mexican Street Food Vibe. The food was delicious and flavorful. I was super impressed with the experience topped with a Beverage from HalfCut. read more

After an afternoon/evening of more than a few beverages while trolling the streets of OTR, nothing hits the spot better than a turtle from Gomez! My first time I assumed they were normal sized tacos. I ordered 4 of these bad boys! I think half the homeless in Cincy got a meal that night:) read more

A great to-go taco joint. Lots of ingredients to choose from to make it your own. The Turtle is the way to go, and guacamole is included in the price. read more

Gomez Salsa - The Turtle! - Mexican Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Turtle Shell - Hybrid Burrito is amazing! You must try! This place probably the best late night option. OTR - window is great and Walnut Hills place is nice. That would be great if they open a dine-in place in OTR. read more

People aren't kidding that Gomez is a hole in the wall. There is no seating you order outside and take it to go. But rest assure that their food is delicious. The Turtle is the way to go. I got rice, black beans, vegetarian(zucchini, peppers, onions), with corn and pineapple salsa. Their queso has a tang to it but it's tasty! read more

Gomez Salsa - Vegetarian turtle - Mexican Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

When Gomez first opened, I was a huge fan, but I have to say that the quality of their food has gone downhill substantially over the past few years (hence, why I am giving it 2 stars versus 1 star). My most recent experience was less than ideal, and I probably won't bother coming back to the OTR location. I've almost always ordered the turtle, and I prefer either vegetarian or chorizo, and for whatever reason, it always seems like they run out of the chorizo, even earlier in the evenings. During this most recent Gomez experience, I ordered a vegetarian turtle Gomez style. For starters, the rice was not flavored at all (it was just plain white rice), and the vegetables were soggy even though I had just ordered and picked it up on time, so it's not like it had been sitting there for a while. Although there is both 1) a convenience factor to the OTR location for late-night food and 2) an app that is rather user friendly, I still don't think quality of their food is anything to write home about anymore. I used to love Gomez, so I am hoping that their Walnut Hills location still offers the same level of quality that I used to really love about the OTR location, and I plan to check that place out sometime soon. read more

First experience was last night I must say great food taste was something which makes you want more . I will be going bac today

While ordering & getting your food is quirky it's worth it. They have a type of food vendors license not one for a restaurant. You order & pickup at the outside window. I got the a chicken "turtle" traditional. It was big & tasty. They have a nice selection of rotating local beer taps. The meal & beer was $15. A very good price for the near hip part of OTR. read more

I felt like getting our food was more complicated than it should have been due to confusion with the bar they are attached to, but where you can't order food from, the multiple windows on the street, and the menu implying that you can only order preset numbers of tacos and combinations of ingredients (you can actually order individual tacos however you want). It is also awkward to have to wait on the street for 10-15 minutes to pick up a few tacos (we were the only customers at the time we were there). Once we got through the confusion, most of the food was good. We tried several different tacos and they had some good flavor, but the fried fish was pretty soggy. Overall, Gomez Salsa is fine, but I doubt I'd make a special trip to get food from here. read more

This place was amazing!! Our original dinner plans fell through last night and we ended up here getting turtles for the first time. I was really torn between the Diablo style and... all of the flavors actually, but ended up getting the Baja one with chicken and added some habanero sauce. It was so good!!! These things are filling so I wished I had split it since we were going out to the bars and didn't want to carry around leftovers. Woke up this morning wishing I had the second half. Next time I'm in town I will definitely come here again!! read more

No, No, No, Its a Burrito guys. It's a small expensive Burrito. Not worth it. Why all the hype. Why do you take soooo long to make a "burrito". Another place I don't understand all the hype. Everyone is like, "Oh Gomez is soo good, Have you had that Turtle?" Size & Cost: First, You're making smaller versions of Burritos and selling them for $10 instead of $5.99 like Chipotle, Currito, Moes that all make them 40 minutes faster than you. Do you even know what your food cost is? That small Turtle probably only costs you $1.75 to make. So, you should be charging $5.25-$7 max. Or heck at least get bigger tortillas and put a little more meat and rice in there and cut the cost for that by using cheaper containers and not that .30 container that I threw away in 10 seconds after I ate your burrito in 5 bites. Flavor: Nope not good even when you try and cover it up with some salsas. The chicken was bleh and the salsa was bleh. There are other mexican restaurants opening bringing real flavor and not that Amurikan salsa. Your chips are stale when your employees remember to put them in my order after I paid (They forgot the last 2 of 3 times I went). Time: Why did it take your crew of 5 or more people 30-45 min to make a burrito. If you're always busy, then keep your meats warm and ready since you will be going through it quick. Make your team conveyor belt it and have a turtle together in less than 30 seconds. Quit using that flat top and get a hot press that is not much weighted to melt your cheese in 25 seconds and cut, throw it in a .07 tray and serve with your stale chips. Bam! 3 minute Turtles. More money, happier people who enjoy your product. I noticed the last time I went you made a late night menu finally. Great job on that, but why are they pre-made? Burritos can be busted out quickly. I worry for you guys up in Walnut Hills. It's taking such a long time to open and you let Mazunte in the door (Now at Woodburn Brewery). I mean that area can get a good beer + amazing flavor tacos in one place. I feel Walnut Hills is not big enough for two Mexcian restaurants. But, hey hats off to the owner on getting people to spend $10 and wait 45 minutes for a burrito outside. Heck if people are paying that and waiting that long and there is still a line, then keep making those "cool" people pay. read more

This place is delicious. The food is quality and so flavorful. This would be a 5 star except that our order is frequently wrong, something is always missing from either the turtle itself or someone ordered chips and didn't get them. This only happens with delivery. Otherwise amazing place. read more

Treat yoself to a turtle! Seriously, the food is some of the best I've ever had and I'm always telling friends and co-workers to go downtown and try it out. Probably my favorite place in Cincinnati. The food is on point and the employees are always so cheerful and friendly. My only qualm with Gomez Salsa is the hours - they're never open when I actually have free time to go out to eat, so it's rare that I can actually experience it, but when I do manage to catch an open day, it's well worth the wait. read more

Gomez Salsa - Mexican Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Gomez is a nice little place in OTR that serves Mexican from a window. Here's what I liked about it. 1. There are peices of paper that you fill out and hand to the cashier to make your order. 2. Food was made fast. I got carnitas tacos and a chicken "turtle." The turtle was good but the carnitas were better. 3. Variety. The menu is similar to chipotle but there are a lot of good salsas (tried gomez, pineapple, and verde). The gomez is a traditional red and the verde were both good on chips. I was bothered a little for being asked for money outside the window. It is OTR and comes with the territory but just want others to be aware. But don't let that scare you away. This place has great food and is worth the time. read more

This is just what OTR needed - a great hole in the wall (literally you order and receive your food through a door on 12th street) serving authentic tacos. The food is made from scratch and specials consistently change (and sell out). Although, Gomez is open limited days/hours, it is well worth the trip. Order a turtle if your appetite is big or have a few tacos. It it's cold, grab a beer in Half-Cut or wait outside next to the heater and head to Rhinehaus after grabbing your grub. Great place!! read more

Gomez always comes to our rescue late at night during weekends when all the other places have closed their kitchen. And the food is just plain delish! The famous turtle is famous for a reason! read more

The walk-up window can be the worst thing ever in Cincinnati winters, but it's always worth it. Sometimes the wait can be a little ridiculous when it's a Friday or Saturday night, but once you take a bite of those tacos all of your frustration melts away. By far some of the best tacos in the city. read more

As the majority says...this is just amazing! They have a unique product and the flavor is delicious!! The price is perfect! The only downside to this place is it makes you eat too much because it just tastes WAY too good to stop!!! My mouth is watering just thinking about their food again! read more

Got the Chicken Turtle Gomez Style. It was awesome. Next time I plan on getting the Carnitas Turtle Baja Style!