Food, service, ambiance, price... the margs! But this place really takes shine with the ambiance. It can get loud with the music but the asks usually have a good list of music. Tamarindo froze margs are my fave and the burritos with steak are yummy! read more

I got there at 9:00 pm they were three people in the restaurant and the server tried to set me next to the only two people in the restaurant. I asked if we could move seats and the server told me they close soon. Fortunately, they accepted my request to set a respectful distance. The restaurant itself feels like something out of a kid's birthday party not really what I expected just heads up if you're going for like a serious dinner or date. My date and I got six tacos, one mixed drink, and one beer all this came out to $98. Mind you we asked to waiter for a recommendation being that it's our first time and he offers us the most expensive drink on the menu that cost $22 and was very small and filled with ice. Overall for $11 per taco it was pretty good, but to wrap up the night I got double charged on my card. Bring the end of night total running a little less than $200 for 6 tacos and 2 drinks. 0/10 - would definitely recommend if I don't like you read more

I ordered a soup from door dash that was described as having beef. The soup came and smelled like farm animals. It smelled like a dirty pig bathed in the soup. Turns out it was beef guts. I called about it to let them know and they denied having made it. After showing up to the restaurant they gave me a new soup called pozole which smelled exactly like the last one, a farm animal smell. I'm absolutely disgusted. I'm not happy and will never come back here. read more

THE FOOD WAS AMAZING !!! The waiters are very nice. The food was delicious and came quick. I recommend to come :) The churros and the tres leches cake was superrr good :))) read more

La Fortaleza - Dessert - Mexican Near Me - Passaic, New Jersey

Ordered delivery from here. The food tasted very good. Order was on time and came with tamper evident sticker on the bag which is a great touch during this time of Covid. I loved the salsa verde and roja. Well priced too. read more

See all

I ordered this for delivery via GrubHub (pstttt there's no delivery minimum), so I can't speak for the restaurant itself with waitstaff, accommodations, cleanliness, etc. However, the friggin' BEHEMOTH of a cemita that I had was absolutely delectable. I had ordered the Hawaiana, which has avocado, grilled ham, pastor style pork, pineapple, Oaxaca Cheese and came with a side of green sauce and limes. I think they actually messed up my entire order. I ended up with avocado, grilled ham, pastor style pork, and breaded chicken (or pork?) with Oaxaca Cheese. I tried to see what cemita this was called on their menu, but I don't see it anywhere so I guess they made it up. Honestly, it didn't even matter because it was so damn good regardless. Only was able to finish half, and even that was a stretch. Will be throwing this in the toaster tomorrow to see how it tastes all hot and crisp. FYI, delivery took about an hour from Passaic to Elmwood Park. read more

La Fortaleza - Some kinda cemita, but not the original I had ordered. Nevertheless, DELICIOUS - Mexican Near Me - Passaic, New Jersey

La comida es muy Buena y El servicio es excellent. ​

Doesn't look like much it's a hole in wall spot but once you walk in your very surprised!! The place is big inside lot's of seating beautiful Decor all around Spanish music playing the waitress and owner are very friendly food comes out fresh and hot! There salsas have much flavor and are not watered down love ordering food here and the non alcoholic drinks are amazing!! read more

See all

Great customer service and nice environment. Food was ok. I've tried so many Mexican spots much better taste and cheaper than this one, so I don't think I'd be back read more

Me and my family decided to dine at this La Fortaleza for Mother's Day (5/13/2018), since our other plans were unfortunately plagued with long wait times and no reservations, our loss! Since most of our party (5) wanted Mexican food, instead of waiting 2+ hrs at La Fortaleza of Garfield, this location in Passaic would be good enough! Aside from that, it's convenient to access whether you're going in/out of Wallington or Garfield (both are down the streets, and you're never in a shortage of Mexican or Latin American food in this part of Passaic. So time to review! It left us in a bit of suspense coming here due to the fact that most of us were acclimated to the other La Fortaleza of Garfield vs this one, for instance, it looked smaller outside (1/3 to be specific, vs its own building) and little glam. Coming inside, we were greeted to a nearly empty restaurant with a few diners, and ample amount of seating for our large party (5 + 2 children), something La Fortaleza of Garfield can't do in a flash. It seems a bit quiet and tame here, there's not a party atmosphere going on, but more or less you're at someone else's home having a good meal. Our waitress greeted us, and gave us time to analyze the menu as we got ready. Some of their offerings include: their proud cemitas, which are Mexican sandwiches/tortas piled high with a choice of meat (can range from steak, pork/cow legs, to pork, to chicken, and white (mostly Oaxaca) cheese, toppings and spices. Next would be traditional dishes like enchiladas, chilaquiles, and mioxotes. After that is their list of signature dishes, given funny and fancy names in Spanish, also having several different meats (mostly skirt steaks, pork chops, or chicken), vegetables, all of which are at an affordable $10 per plate. Afterwards is appetizers such as nachos (with steak cooked to your liking), guacamole and chips, pico de gallo and chips, and French fries. Then it's small dishes that are presented in taco shells. Afterwards is tostadas, which are fried tortillas piled high with meats (cow/pigs feet, or steak and chicken), cheese and lettuce/tomato. Quesadillas are next, presented either as simple cheese quesadillas (given with Oaxaca cheese) in 2, or chicken/steak quesadillas (brings 3). Next would be the viva la dieta or house salad, which is a large salad made with lettuce/tomato/onions/avocado and given with in-house dressing. Next up is the kids menu, only offering either chicken tenders or (cheese) quesadillas, both given with either French fries or rice. Soup listings are later. Tacos are afterwards, either with pork or beef and brings 3 in a flour tortilla, and another set of tacos in a corn tortilla given with a wide array of meats (chicken, steak, pork chops, carnitas, even tongue to name a few). Last is dessert, ether being flan, rice pudding, or a scoop of ice cream. For drinks, it can range from fresh fruit juices, hortchata/tamarind, to bottled Mexican sodas like Jarritos, imported Coca-Cola, bottled water, or different coffee. They do NOT, 100% sell alcohol inside here since they lack a license for it, so it's BYOB and they don't charge you for that, so feel free to bring a drink if you'd like, just drink responsibly. For what it's worth, prices are very affordable, and you can easily do a meal per person (food + drink) that wouldn't be more than 15$, you can easily fill up on your favorites here, and then some. My order was quesadillas (cheese), and the salad, which was both roughly 8$ before tax and tip, and I was full! I do know that as with most Mexican restaurants, it's hard to accommodate for vegetarians or vegans too, so I've made due with what I've received. In short for service, we've ordered the usual classics for Mexican food (quesadillas, tacos), given complimentary chips and salsa, which would've used a bit more salt but was decent. Given the sauces, some of them homemade salsa and hot sauce + lime wedges. Food took a while, maybe a small kitchen despite low turnout? My salad was huge, and for 4$, was a steal, but maybe too much to be a diet, and didn't use ranch packet. My next item was the quesadillas, given in Oaxaca cheese, in 2 halves and sour cream in middle, also a bargain for what it's worth. I've enjoyed most of it, but the hard/stringy cheese got in the way! Aside from that, my family loved their tacos/chicken quesadillas, and the hot sauce provided heat. In closing, the bill was a generous amount for 5 + 2 (was half of what we would've spent at La Fortaleza of Garfield), and some of the food should've been improved since it "seems" bland and in the case of salad, too big, would've loved for attentive wait staff. At least we've got our Mexican food, and in the future, might consider here again. Until next time! read more

See all

This is my go to Mexican spot ! The service was amazing and food was on point. What really blew me away was the decor and the drinks. Definitely coming back soon read more

Well to start off, if you're the only costumer in the store youll have priorities. Thats as far as good news goes. As for the service, the store lacks employees, and seems as if theres only one cook. Food takes around 45 minutes to arrive at the table, but what I had a real big problem with was the sandwich i ordered, "cemitas" a normal cemita is overpowered with meat. I can not say the same for this restaurant. I received a thin, single slice of beef steak. And the worse part of all the sandwich was more cheese than anything else. Will not come back here and eat again! Ps. I would give half a start if possible read more

Came here for my birthday. This was a huge surprise for me did not expect this place remind me of Puebla! The decor and furniture were beautiful so authentic. Very traditional and mural inside depicting la batalla de puebla. I loved the restaurant being so vibrating with color. The food on the other hand was so so. I had a cemita which cut the inside of my mouth hard to chew ugh... Everyone else had tacos which was smart . They sort of liked it, lack of flavor. Service was ok. Might back btw no liquor :( read more

We were a table of 8! Disgusting service! Never checked it by a server nor manager! Every dish came in 5-7 minutes apart! We were asked for our order a second time by a different server! Offered us guacamole for their poor service! And billed us for gratuity anyways! Great food! Toxic and unprofessional and horrible service!!! Good luck getting your order right! UNFU€%#NG BELIEVABLE! read more

Me and my boyfriend placed a order of grub hub for a milanesa de res cemita and carne asada. Our order was confirmed and delivered. When we opened the bag only the carne asada was in the bag. We called the restaurant and they told us they sold out of the cemita. I don't understand why no one contacted us to let us know this as we would have ordered something else or cancelled the order. I have never heard of a restaurant only partially fulfilling a order without letting the customer know. This resulted in us having to order from somewhere else waiting an additional hour for our food and paying more delivery fees. This is completely careless and terrible customer service. We ordered two meals for a reason, will not be ordering from this location again! read more

Whenever I feel like eating Mexican Cuisine this is my go to spot. My partner and I always dine in or take out. They have one of the best Cemitas de Milanesa here which is my absolute favorite. It's simply a Mexican sandwich or as they call a "Torta" that contains your choice of meat in which my choice is always Chicken with Mexican style Mozzarella, Avocado, Papalo & Chile that I usually exclude. The inside decor is very colorful and unique kind of reminds me of eating out during my recent Cancun vacations. I definitly recommend this place for the cemitas they have and fresh drinks, a menu you can't go wrong with! read more

Owned & managed by a woman. Mexican. Shes got this business down pat. Best cemita sandwich. Ever. Decor is authentic. Great service. Smaller locale than original Fortaleza @Garfield, but worth the visit. Less wait too. read more

I want to thank La Fortaleza for another wonderful experience! I brought 6 other friends Thursday night (7-13-17) who had never been there, one who had a birthday and the birthday celebration you folks do is over the top! They were amazed at the food, all said they had the best time out to dinner this year! I told them every time I come to La Fortaleza is the best experience ever!! I look forward to coming back with my wife again soon. This is the premiere Mexican restaurant anywhere in northern New Jersey! I would never go anywhere else!! The atmosphere, the service, the food, all 5 star!! Thank you so much once more! Nate Brabant read more

Food was amazing as was the service by our waiter Felipe who was very helpful in helping us decide what to eat as first timers at la Fortaleza read more

La Fortaleza never disappoints. We are from Connecticut, but every time we go to NYC we have to stop by and get a cemita from this location. The bread is the closest thing you'll get to the traditional bread from Puebla. The lady is very friendly, the restaurant is always clean, and the food is always fresh and on time. Would highly recommend. read more

The service was amazing! Waitress was super attentive! The food was delicious. Great environment. The music was not too loud. Cute set up and decorations. Parking might be a little difficult but I went on a Saturday evening. 10/10 recommend! read more

The best churros I had in my life. I dream about them daily if not hourly. Just need to pace myself for the next visit.

Great food, great service from Chris, fun authentic atmosphere that has come through on multiple visits. Try this place. read more