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    La Fortaleza

    3.2 (384 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Order La Fortaleza Takeout or Delivery

    La Fortaleza Photos

    LA FORTALEZA ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - La Fortaleza

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    Maggie H.

    Huge props to how they decorate this restaurant. Lots of neon signs, decor (they had a little Mayan temple on the wall), race car for a table right out front, statues, carved colored chairs- the whole place is a vibe. Expansive menus but the menus are on iPads. Not a fan of electric menus let alone on pricey iPads, just feels excessive because a server will still come and take your order. Overall pricey for food. Soup was at least $17 which is wild. I got the steak quesadillas which were okay. The meat was pretty dry but plentiful meat and lettuce. It came with three pieces and some kind of green sauce. They do serve a good number of drinks and food options. Service was slow though, definitely noticeable when getting our orders, delivering the food, and bringing the check. They have valet parking on site but be careful bc it's gravel and an uneven surface.

    Mexican beer
    Manny G.

    The service was good my spouse and I went for a quick dinner tonight. I ordered a chicken and beef burrito. And my spouse ordered a pozole soup. Well much to our surprise the food was very below average. My burrito was horrible and my spouse said his soup was like eating dirty water no flavor. And to our surprise only 2 of us and an 18% gratuity for sub par food needless to say I will not be returning to this establishment. Beautiful place but terrible food and gratuity for a table for two. No wonder on a Fri. night it was empty go back to what you were!

    Bea R.

    Authentic? Absolutely not. This is "Americanized" Mexican food to the T. The one thing they did get right is the ambiance. The outside and inside of the restaurant is decked head to toe in Mexican-themed decor. It's bright and colorful with photos ops left and right. There's music blasting and drums playing so yes... it's loud, lively, and fun. But SHEESH, the food and drinks were incredibly subpar, especially for their "premium" prices and small portions. My meal was a complete disappointment. Honestly, it might be one of the worst tacos I've had. *Baja Fish Tacos (3) $17 - Absolutely terrible. There was WAY too much batter. It was dry, tough, and stale. The fish was cut too thinly and was not fresh. I was expecting to bite into juicy, tender cod with a light, crispy batter.... but no, I felt like I was just eating overfried batter with thin slices of dry fish. The toppings didn't add anything to the overall flavor. The lemons and chipotle mayo sauce given on the side did nothing to save this disaster. *Birria Tacos (3) $19 - These were better than the baja fish tacos, but it didn't compare to the birria I've had at authentic Mexican businesses. The portion size was small. It was more like mini tacos with a mini side of consomme (broth stew). The meat wasn't seasoned well and there was a skimpy portion of it. *Guacamole and Golden Tortilla Chips $17 - Soooo this was actually the best part of the meal... The guac seemed fresh and the chips were crispy. Thank goodness this wasn't messed up. Lol. For our drinks we ordered a frozen tamarind margarita (~$16) and a passion fruit margarita (~$16) on the rocks. Both drinks needed a lot more tequila; it was very watered down and tasted more like sugary fruit juice... Service was good, so no complaints there. There were a lot of vendors on a Sunday night selling photographs, roses, and asking for tips. I've come to the conclusion that some of the best, most authentic Mexican food in NJ happens to be in the unassuming hole-in-the-wall type of joints. Look away from these "Instagrammable" restaurants. I don't think I'd come back here.

    Yanedt R.

    Was here on mother's day, The restaurant was nicely decorated. They have a couple of spots to take photos with your loved ones. My mother had such a great time taking photos. We were a party of 8, our waitress was very attentive in taking our orders for drinks and food. She asked if we were okay with certain sides instead of just surprising us with, which was nice to have that option. The food was delicious; everyone enjoyed their food. The only thing we didn't like was that one of the orders took really long to come out. By the time it came out everyone was pretty much done with their meal. We understood that it was a big table, but it wasn't fair that everyone was eating and one person was watching. Then we had to wait until that 1 person was done and they felt rush. Would I come back? Yes. I would also remind the waitress to make sure all food is out at the same time. If someone needs to wait 5 minutes, that's not a problem.

    Micah M.

    I thoroughly enjoyed La Fortaleza Clifton. The food was excellent. The drinks were excellent. The service was excellent. I cannot recommend enough the Bierria tacos. As expected, the decorations did not disappoint. We sat in the VW beetle booth. It was a great location to have an overview of the restaurant. The valet parking was excellent. The valets were extremely polite and accommodating. They also offered the the photo souvenir option. Even though the Carlstadt location is my current favorite, I would go back again to this location .

    Quesadilla (New) chicken
    Michele D.

    La Fortaleza of Clifton has become a staple in our dining out choices. The food here is always solid and the portion size is good for the money. don't forget to do the Yelp check in because you'll get free guac. They also have a rewards point system so make sure you sign up. It's a great vibe in here. Celebrated my birthday this past year there as well and everyone in my party, enjoyed themselves and their meal/drinks. They can easily accommodate a large group. Chips and salsa on the house.

    Enchiladas
    Quin W.

    If you're blk, don't go here. Stay away. Food has no flavor, especially the enchiladas and service is slow. If you want food order quesadillas to go. Everything else is trash. And why is the pina colada $30 no refill. Way too overpriced. I'm never going again

    Inside at open
    Yesenia C.

    No, this wasn't my first time going to La Fortaleza in Clifton. I will say this time was interesting given the fact that I was waiting so long to be attended. Usually my experience there tends to be quick, but this time, although it was lunchtime, and not packed, it took my server a while to get our orders in. Otherwise, the food is always immaculate and the vibes and ambience are always top-tier.

    Guacamole Side (New)
    mayra u.

    The food is a bit overpriced and flavor is okay not amazing. I did love the decor and service was good.

    Kids quesadilla
    Diana H.

    I really enjoyed this place. I love how the whole place is decked out from top to bottom in Mexican folklore decor. We came on cinco de mayo for an early dinner and will def return to try it when it is not so crazy busy. They have valet parking which is good because parking could be difficult in the residential area around the restaurant. The menu was limited since it was cinco de mayo but everything we tasted was delicious including the drinks! I love that they have fun drink options for the kids too. Great place.

    Anahi G.

    The food was good, but a bit over priced. The service was ok it was a bit of a wait for our food. I love the decor though. They also have a dj. We got agua de Jamaica in a cantatito cup, but that was $20 which was too much for that.

    Menu
    She A.

    Went here on National Margarita Day that fell on Taco Tuesday. It wasnt too crowded which was great. Ambiance- FUN!!! Full of colors, decor, murals on walls, tables, everywhere!!! Definitely not lacking in the decor and color categories. The band that goes around to every table to and play music and sing Feliz Cumpleanos.... very cute! Drinks- WAY TOO SWEET. Had frozen and on the rocks margarita and could not finish them. WAY TOO SWEET Food - food was okay and just average to me Service- good. Not much else to say about it. She was attentive despite a busy day

    Salmon
    INDIA O.

    We went during mid-afternoon hours and celebrated my Birthday, therefore the place wasn't packed. I love the decor of the place. It brought me back to my childhood with Chispirito and Doña Florinda. The service was quick, excellent and the food was delicious. After the bill was paid, we stayed nursing our drinks as they were super strong and we weren't rushed at all. I highly recommend this place and I'm tempted to try all the other locations.

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    19 days ago

    The food was delicious, and Victor served us very well. He was very kind, answered our questions, and gave us suggestions.

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    1 year ago

    Place sucks absolutely money grab. Upcharged my whole party. We ordered food and was upcharged atleast 30 bucks don't go here.

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    Page 1 of 10

    La Fortaleza Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - La Fortaleza

    Which location is best?

    I like the Clifton location...but...then again, I've only been to Clifton.

    Do they have their own parking lot?

    Yes they do .

    Is there happy hour?

    I believe there is $5 margaritas during lunch for happy hour!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Bitol Mexican Kitchen & Handcrafted Cantina - Mimosa flight

    Bitol Mexican Kitchen & Handcrafted Cantina

    3.9(234 reviews)
    3.8 mi
    $$$

    We dropped by here for lunch today. Super cute restaurant located in the Styertowne shopping center…read morecomplex. We were a bit chaotic, my son broke a plate as soon as we sat down, but the server was nice he cleaned it up and didn't make a fuss. And then my son spilled his water. It was not our day! But we were super excited to try the food. My husband ordered the tacos de carne asada and I had the Cesar salad with chicken. Both were really good. The Cesar salad was unique, it was 3 full pieces of romaine lettuce, I believe they were charred and the croutons were soft and delicious. The chicken and dressing were really good too. My husband thought the tacos were just okay. I think I'll come back and try more! I feel like the food took a while to get there, it seemed like other people that came after got their food first. But it wasn't too crazy. The bathroom was also really clean.

    Really wish Yelp offered 1/2 stars. My experience was very mixed and honestly I'd give them a 2.5…read more Ambiance is nice. The restaurant is pretty, dimly lit, cozy atmosphere. The food was good & nice plate presentation. My issue is cost. This is a Mexican restaurant in a strip mall. $14 maragarita. $15/Cab Sauvignon glass [the bottle is worth $20 at total wine]. Flautas appetizer was $14 and they were tasty and pretty but literally two tortillas cut in half (menu called mini tortilla). Club soda was $4. This place was nice and food passable but not worth that NYC prices they charged. I personally won't be back. The menu prices seemed elevated compared to the quality and portion size of the dishes.

    Photos
    Bitol Mexican Kitchen & Handcrafted Cantina - Inside!

    Inside!

    Bitol Mexican Kitchen & Handcrafted Cantina - Guava pancakes

    Guava pancakes

    Bitol Mexican Kitchen & Handcrafted Cantina - Colomitos Coconut Cocktail and Strawberry Margarita!

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    Colomitos Coconut Cocktail and Strawberry Margarita!

    Mariachi Grill - Churros

    Mariachi Grill

    4.4(396 reviews)
    5.9 mi
    $$

    From its pre-Columbian origins to its merger with Spanish and other culinary traditions, Mexican…read morecuisine has a fascinating history and a unique flavor configuration that sets it apart from other cuisines. They are renowned for their vibrant flavors, bold spices, and diverse dishes catering to all tastes using ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cilantro. Authentic Mexican food is more than tacos and salsa. The Garden State is hailed as one of the most diverse states when it comes to food, hosting some of the best Mexican restaurants on the East Coast. Whether one desires a quick taco or a full-course meal, my friends and I were craving rich and bold tastes from Mexico and decided on this family-owned establishment for an early Cinco de Mayo dinner. The reservation was easily made by calling Mariachi Grill, located on Ridge Road in Lyndhurst. Upon arrival at this popular spot to locals, with its cozy and casual interior decked out in traditional Mexican vibes, we were greeted by the staff and immediately got a table by the entrance, but they also have outdoor dining, weather permitting. The menu selection is much smaller than at other restaurants. We decided on the Cheese Enchiladas, Beef Enchiladas, California Burrito, Beef Burrito, Chicken Fries with Fries, and Shrimp Fajitas. Some meals are accompanied with a small portion of rice and black beans. Complimentary house chips and salsa started our meal. As the restaurant is working on their liquor license, it's BYOB. One can bring your own tequila or wine, and the staff will mix it with their sangria or margarita mixes. We washed our meal down with a pitcher of sangria. The presentation was very good. The food was made incredibly fresh, well seasoned, deliciously tasty, and generous. The price was very reasonable for the area. Our server Lisa with her outgoing personality and her desire to make our visit enjoyable, which we didn't feel rushed. Good experience overall, which we can recommend.

    Great local Mexican food that is BYOb. I Can't believe we waited so long to try it. They have a…read morecovered patio on the side for outdoor seating. The inside is not that big so be sure to go early or call ahead. The food was excellent and portions were a decent size. The meal starts with complimentary chips and salsa. The chicken mole was so good- highly recommended. They can make a burrito into a platter if requested and The churrasco was very tender. We look forward the dining again soon.

    Photos
    Mariachi Grill - Inside dining

    Inside dining

    Mariachi Grill - Steak fajita

    Steak fajita

    Mariachi Grill - The foyer

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    The foyer

    Tio Taco Tequila Bar - Fried Plantains

    Tio Taco Tequila Bar

    3.4(160 reviews)
    3.9 mi
    $$

    The server was great she was personable. The restaurant was clean and music was at a moderate…read moretempo. Vibes are there. We ordered Tacos on Tuesday which are 1/2 off. The drinks were mixed really good couldn't taste the alcohol but they crept up on us. Definitely will be back the food was good. I didn't really like the steak taco but the fish hit the spot. The best empanadas I've ever had.

    Some of the verrrrrrry best chain restaurant food we've had in a longgggg, longgggg while…read more With only 4 locations in NJ, I honestly wasn't very familiar with Tio Taco at all. With this area being our go to after a Salvation Army drop off run in Passaic, Tio Taco was next up on our list after we had already hit up a few of the restaurants in the Clifton shopping area. We came by at around 12pm on a wintry Saturday afternoon and there was only one table occupied at the time. When we walked in though, unfortunately we weren't greeted by anyone for a good few minutes, so alarms already were going off in our heads of a potentially bad experience coming up. We ended up walking in on our own and seating ourselves before being greeted. The menu was Mexican-oriented as you can imagine - empanadas, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, steak and seafood Mexican-inspired entrees, etc. It wasn't a huge menu, but plenty to still choose from. We started off with the Beef Empanadas, which were FANTASTICCC. There were 3 large pieces in the order, which easssssily could have been an entree. It was some of the best beef empanadas I've had - honestly. Juicy seasoned beef and very good flavor from the sofrito. It came with a side of lettuce and pico de gallo and cheese dipping sauce. Next, the entrees. We ordered from the Kids menu for the kiddos - a Kids Chicken Quesadilla. First, the order was absolutely HUGEEEE! We were so shocked that the serving was so big that we double-checked with the waiter that it wasn't 2 orders. This was one of the largest kids meals items I had ever seen. There were 6 cut up pieces of the quesadilla, which was generously filled with lots of chicken and melted cheese. There was also a side of deliciously super crispy fries. I had 1 piece of the quesadilla and it stunned me that it was soooo gooood and the entire order probably would have filled me up with ease. My better half ordered the Churrasco Skirt Steak and I had the Short Rib Enchiladas. BOTH were ridiculously superb. The skirt steak was tender, juicy, flavorful and the chimichurri sauce was perfect. One of the better "non-fancy restaurant" steaks that we've had. As for the enchiladas, absolutely delicious! The short rib was soooo juicy and flavorful. Both entrees came with a side of rice and beans. The rice was a bit on the hard side, but I mixed mine with the beans, which made it better. We've been to our fair share of restaurants and, especially chain restaurants, and this was one of the best experiences, service wise and food wise, that we've had. It didn't get off to the best start having to wait a few minutes to be greeted, but our waiter was very friendly, accommodating with our requests for non-glass plates and plastic forks and even brought over extra ketchup and napkins without us asking. He came by to check on us every once in a while as well. And, yes, initially I was brought the wrong order of enchiladas, but they fixed that up asap with a brand new order for me. In closing, I'll say that when we visit chain restaurants these days, most of the food is decent and satisfies our hunger, but nothing very memorable ... the food here was absolutely MEMORABLE and we'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Tio Taco Tequila Bar - Tacos

    Tacos

    Tio Taco Tequila Bar - Bar Area

    Bar Area

    Tio Taco Tequila Bar - Chips and Salsa

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    Chips and Salsa

    Clifton City Tavern Mexican Cantina - 3Leches

    Clifton City Tavern Mexican Cantina

    3.7(458 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    Got food to go, and it was prepare quickly and nicely separated out for ease of travel and then…read morelater assembly. I got the enchiladas, which were very cheesy and full of steak and accompanied by a good portion of pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream for preferred portioning. The meal also came with rice and beans which were nice and definitely served to round out the meal. I also got a side of maduros, which was a hearty portion, but they were a bit softer and less crispy on the outside than I like. They were still nice and sweet as a good side/dessert option. Food was good to go, look forward to having it on site next time.

    I recently visited this restaurant for the first time on the recommendation from friends, who…read moreadvised going only when the establishment is not busy. According to them, service tends to decline under pressure--particularly because the bartender is often pulled away to assist in the kitchen, and the manager doesn't seem to read the room effectively when additional support is clearly needed. Upon arrival, the restaurant was fairly quiet, with only one other table occupied. Despite this, our experience felt disorganized from the start. Our waitress was kind, but there was a noticeable language barrier that made it difficult to ask questions or receive drink and food recommendations. My impression was that maybe she was new? The manager watched her talk with us, but didn't step in when we couldn't all communicate effectively. This was the first and last time we ever saw our waitress. The bartender took over the dining room from there. One point of confusion was the absence of chips and salsa at our table. At most Mexican restaurants, this is typically a complimentary starter. We weren't served any, but later observed other tables receiving them. It appeared that chips and salsa may need to be ordered separately, but there was no clear indication of this on the menu or from the staff. On a positive note, the food arrived quickly and was served hot. The enchiladas were well-presented and came with a generous selection of sides including pico de gallo, guacamole, and sour cream (all included, no extra charge). The green sauce was flavorful with a good level of spice--definitely a highlight. The margarita, however, was underwhelming. It was served in a large cup, which was promising at first glance, but it tasted heavily diluted and juice-forward--more style than substance. We ordered churros for dessert, which turned into a frustrating experience. After waiting an hour (we could NOT get the manager or the bartenders attention sooner because they were hectically running around) we finally were able to request an update from the manager. The manager then brought out the dessert with an apology. We were told they'd be on the house from the manager themselves, due to the delay, but the final bill still included the charge hand-delivered by the manager. Clear lack of attention to detail. Throughout our visit, the restaurant only had five tables occupied, yet the overall atmosphere felt chaotic and poorly managed. If service becomes this scattered during a slow night, it's difficult to imagine how they might handle a larger group or busy service. On a more positive note, the decor was beautiful and thoughtfully curated, giving the space a warm and inviting ambiance. One final note: the restaurant appears to operate under two different names, which caused confusion when searching for directions. It's unclear why this is the case, and it made it difficult to confirm if we were arriving at the correct location. In summary, while there were some highlights in terms of food and ambiance, the service and organization left much to be desired. I'm open to giving the restaurant another try, but only under the right circumstances.

    Photos
    Clifton City Tavern Mexican Cantina
    Clifton City Tavern Mexican Cantina - Churrasco

    Churrasco

    Clifton City Tavern Mexican Cantina - Viva Mexico: Sampler platter, calamari, cheese quesadillas, Flautas, wings & grilled shrimp with chipotle sauce

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    Viva Mexico: Sampler platter, calamari, cheese quesadillas, Flautas, wings & grilled shrimp with chipotle sauce

    La Fortaleza - mexican - Updated May 2026

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