I attended a tasting collective dinner at Oro. This was my first time here and I loved exploring the special menu they made for us. My favorite bite of the night was definitely the shrimp tostada with its bright flavorful guacamole. The dish that really surprised me was the venison sope it had beets which I love and lettuce on top giving it a fun bite with the crunchy sope and an earthy taste. I don't think I'd eat another chocolate black bean taco it was a texture thing for me but everything was presented beautifully and loved hearing more about the beautiful corn that's featured in all the dishes. The restaurant is beautiful in a cozy intimate space!! If you've never been please stop in and give them some love! read more

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Dined here for a tasting collective dinner which consists of 5 courses It's small and cozy interior, with a mezcal bar shared in the back and the storefront upfront where they sell their famous tortillas The first 3 dishes were great This included the shrimp tostada- super fresh and bright I was super surprised by the bean soup- lots of flavor The venison dish was also pretty good- first time I have enjoyed that protein but the last 2 dishes I did not enjoy at all unfortunately They maybe tried to hard to make unique interpretations of dishes that fell flat For example the chocolate bean taco was barely edible- and I was very disappointed by the duck dish I am a huge duck fan but I only managed a bite, pretty inedible and I didn't enjoy the flavor profile The sangria was not good- probably just stick to margaritas Staff were nice but felt a little unorganized at this event Overall happy to have tried this place as it does have alot of recognition but maybe not my kinda place Parking- somewhat difficult to find street parking read more

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We decided to eat at Oro by Nixta for our anniversary and we were both so glad. We ordered four dishes and a dessert and shared everything. It was all so fresh and flavorful. We started with fresh juice classic margaritas - yum! Our waiter brought the Chochoyotes de Yuca and the Ensalada de betabel (beet salad). The salad was so fresh, with a complexity of flavors. The chochoyotes were different from what I expected (they are corn battered and fried, I believe), but again, really nice melding of flavors. Next, we shared the Quesabirria and Tacos de lengua. Both were again so flavorful and the dipping consome that came with the quesabirria was such a great add. Mmmm. So good. Finally, although they are known for their version of Tres Leches, we were in the mood for chocolate, so we ordered the mole and wow, were we so glad we did. If you don't like dark chocolate, this may not be the dessert for you. If you do, make sure you include each element in every bite because together, they make a flavor masterpiece: carmelized plantain, chocolate masa, nuts, nutella and the sweet chile - the only thing I didn't absolutely love about this dessert is that I highly doubt I can make a version of it at home. My husband normally has one or at most, two bites of a dessert when we eat out, but he ate all of his share. I'll be thinking about this meal for a while. Very nice service and decent ambience. It's all about the food and well worth a visit. Plan to make reservations a while before. I'm also excited to order their masa dough next time I make tamales! read more

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All the hype around Oro and chefs Gustavo and Kate Romero is well deserved. Finally had the chance to visit and do a tasting menu via the Tasting Collective group. I haven't been during normal hours but will speak to my experience in this coursed setting. The space is really cozy and, while small, feels like your in a grandparents house. The staff seemed to be newer but I think that's partially due to the current ICE abductions. Everyone was really friendly and made us feel right at home. The food itself was absolutely amazing. Prices are on the higher side normally but I guarantee it's worth every penny. Really quality ingredients handled expertly with attention and love that you can taste. It goes without saying that all their masa elements were perfect. Ceviche was perfectly "cooked", the pan de queso & frijole soup exploded with richness, and the "chocolate taco" was an incredibly unique take on dessert. The venison sope was my highlight of the night, though. Perfectly braised and brined to remove all but a hint of the game from the meat. The sope itself just as good; the right thickness with crispy sides and a chewy, but not gummy, base. This is a spot I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone. It's the perfect place for special occasions. If anyone ever says that Mexican cuisine should be cheap or easy by default, just bring them here and watch them eat their words (wrapped in the best tortilla in Mpls). read more

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We celebrated a birthday at Nixta this week and enjoyed our experience. Masa is the focus, and the unique and beautiful heirloom corn shines through in many of the dishes. My favorites of the evening were the walleye pescadillas and duck tamal - don't miss out on their incredible mole! Out server wasn't in the best mood, but the courses were staged nicely and we always had full water glasses. One thing to note is that there are only a few vegetarian options on the menu, so make sure if you have a vegetarian in the party to look through the menu ahead of time to ensure there is something they will enjoy. read more

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Oro by Nixta had the highest quality tacos I've ever had, and I've had plenty. A few reviews I read prior to my meal caviled at the prices. The way I see it, quality comes at a price. We started off with a couple margaritas. These were strong, but went down easy. As for our meal, we had soft shell crab, beef tongue, duck, and quesabirria tacos. The soft shell crab was unlike any other taco I've had. The crab appears burnt, but is actually deep fried, then blackened with squid ink. It was crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside. It's worth coming here for that alone. I've had beef tongue tacos a handful of times, but none compare to Oro by Nixta's. My biggest knock on beef tongue is the overly gummy texture. Here, it was prepared in a way where the flavors overshadowed the texture. The duck tacos were much smaller than anticipated. However, the combination of the cherry salsa and avocado sauce complemented the duck nicely. Lastly, the birria tacos weren't as peculiar as the other tacos, but were still delightful. Most Mexican restaurants offer affordable fare and hole in the wall vibes. If you go to Oro by Nixta with that expectation, you'll be disappointed. It's evident thought and passion goes into each dish here. If I ever make it back to Minneapolis, it would be hard to pass up dining here again. read more

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Everything was good but a bit bland. The corn forward flavor is great and you can tell they put a lot of love and care into that, but corn doesn't impart much flavor so some of the dishes were a bit lacking. The drinks were great and the apps were also a highlight. read more

We were happy to be able to visit at 4:30 after a show at nearby Theater Latteda. It's a nice modern space with vivid art reflective of Mexico, with dia de las muertos and corn themes, and seat maybe 50 people in the restaurant. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, helping us to try a wide variety of interesting dishes, many wrapped or folded into house-made tortillas. We especially liked the main course items with duck and shrimp. read more

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Four of us went for a pre-- theater dinner. The experience was most enjoyable. All food was fresh and very well prepared, with a menu very different and appealing compared to the standard Mexican options we experienced in other area restaurants. Especially delicious was the guacamole, though the portion was on the small side. The chili relleno was also excellent and prepared in a different fashion, without cheese. The alcoholic drinks also were very good. Service was excellent. The ambience was most enjoyable. We will definitely return. read more

Wow wow wow!! Must try! Small restaurant so make a reservation. Authentic art and decor throughout the restaurant. Jars of heirloom corn are displayed as well. The servers are knowledgeable and friendly. The atmosphere is casual and light. We all left full and satisfied. The food is traditional but with an upscale twist. Fantastic ingredients and impeccable recipes create beautiful food that is delicious and enjoyable! The poblano Caesar dressing was fire! And the duck taco on a jicama tortilla was amazing!! read more

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Went for dinner on a Wednesday night after reading this restaurant was a previous James Beard finalist/nominee. My family loves Mexican food and had high hopes. They very much encourage shared plates so we got to try a large chunk of the menu. I'll start with some individual ratings. Tacos de Pato - 8.5/10 Should have gotten more than 3 of these, delicious duck tacos, avocado moussee, jicama tortilla Guacamole - 7/10 Guac was good, not as much a fan of the extra crispy corn tortillas Quesabirria - 9.2/10 Best dish by far I tried at Oro. Dipping it in the Au Jus type broth was amazing. Pescadillas - 8.1/10 Walleye quesadillas, pretty good Pollo con Mole - 6.3/10 The water said this was their signature dish. The chicken thigh was delicious and we all agree the mole tasted gross. Too much going on, spices mixed together in an unusual way. Tetela de Chorizo Verde - 5/10 Such a weird dish, tasted dry overall and we complimented the chorizo with sauces from previous dishes that was much needed Chochoyotes de Yuca - 7.9/10 Milanesa de Puerco - 8.5/10 Probably my second favorite dish, really crispy pork with a guac and other fun, tangy poblano ceasar that didn't necessarily match the pork but was a unique experience. Margarita - 8/10 Sin de Cara - 8/10 Old Fashioned - 8.5/10 You can also order individual tacos and my sister in law said the Taco de Camaron was her favorite menu item by far. Overall we had an enjoyable experience, cute little building and not crowded. Service was good and we were greeted with a well thought out walkthrough of the menu. Some dishes were very good, some were underwhelming as mentioned above. As I often find with upscale Mexican places, simple is better with Mexican food. Glad we came, don't think I will make a point of returning but recommend trying it out. read more

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We had wanted to try Oro for a long time. The tasting menu was good but not outstanding as expected. The highlight of the tasting menu was Tacos de Pato. They were excellent. The Wild Mushroom Pozole was also very good. The Pollo Con Mole was just okay. And the Mango Tart was really dry. My husband raved about the Quesabirria. It was excellent. We dined at first seating and it was pretty empty. Staff chatted with other tables but barely briefed us on the food. It seems somewhat hit or miss. Not sure if we will be back. read more

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What a comforting menu and cozy space... I felt like I was back in Oaxaca feasting on the local corn and the mother sauces Superb renditions of tacos that go way beyond anyone's wildest of dreams! Keep up the great Native American culinary adventures! read more

Hands down my favorite restaurant in Minneapolis. I have been to Mexico City several times and I will say this restaurant is definitely on par with restaurants over there. The lengua tacos and flor de calabaza quesadilla stood out in particular, and their mezcal cocktails were delicious. I will be back to try more! read more

Oro by Nixta - Flor de calabaza quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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What a great place, this restaurant had an intimate feel right when you walked in. We had a variety of food including carrots, Birria, guacamole, bean chochoyotes, Tetela de Huitlacoche, Barbacoa. Everything came out at an appropriate pace and our waiter was knowledgeable. There were only three tacos with the birria, and our waiter offered to give us four, since there were four of us in the group. read more

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Wow. Wow wow wow wow wow. Oro by Nixta has some absolutely phenomenal food. Add in excellent service and a fun environment, and it's no wonder that this place is hopping. Add in the fact that you can find things here that you can't find anywhere else (indeed, I had never encountered some of the items on the menu before today and greatly benefitted from the glossary on the menu and the wonderful folks in the front of the house) and the authenticity (while I have never been to Mexico City, our host has and swears that this is the real deal), and I'm smitten. We started with guacamole, which came served with three crispy tostadas, one golden, one blue, and one red. We really loved being able to try them side by side and discover their unique characters. (The guacamole was also superb--the pico verde? Chef's kiss.) We also ordered the bean chochoyotes, which was really very nice--somehow both bright and comforting, it had a variety of textures and tastes thanks to a refreshing salad, queso fresco, salsa venas, and chochoyotes. We also had the chile rellenos, a fresh-as-the-driven-snow vegan option. Ratatouille, potatoes, and corn bisque are somewhat unexpected but utterly apt accompaniments that balance the mild heat of the chile. My favorite thing on the menu, however, was the carrots. Flawless victory. Blackened carrots, creamy and smooth requeson, fresh mint, and an abundance of the most exquisite macha to ever have graced my lips came together into the perfect bite. I would happily eat this for breakfast (and will, in fact, eat it for breakfast tomorrow). Additional praise for the small but mighty selection of zero-proof beverages. I went with the lemonade of the moment, a glorious and extra-tart rose hip concoction that made me want to dance with every sip. We also adored the unique desserts that included the traditional and the unusual. We had both the mole and the nicuatole de ponche. I would be hard pressed to say which one I liked better, as both were delicious and unique (truly--I have never had anything like either), so I have to recommend ordering both. No matter what you're expecting, they'll surprise and delight you. Everything was beautifully plated, absolutely delicious, and perfectly harmonized. This really is the best Mexican restaurant in the Twin Cities and an overall standout for its intriguing options (including an abundance of absolutely superb vegetarian and vegan options). read more

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I was so excited for this meal and worked hard-ish to get reservations on Tock that worked for us. While the cocktails were consistently great, the food did not come close to the high end mexican food you might expect in Mexico City, NYC, or Los Angeles, and it also didn't have the flavor of your street taqueria. Oro used cool ingredients (Huitlacoche is one of my faves), but nothing was standout or even great. Every cocktail I tried I really did like, and the Tetela was also quite good. The tuna just didn't live up to the hype, the octopus was decent but not great and the dessert was downright horrible. I think if the dessert wasn't so bad and the vibes were on point we might have given this another star, but the vibes were also just very off! I really wish the flavors were less muted, even the habanero salsa lacked spice! And truly a renovation would be so great, the ambiance is lacking! Come for the cocktails, certainly try the Tetela, but the expectations of James beard and Tock reservations are not met unfortunately read more

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Visited 12/28/24. Made it to Oro after a long wait for reservations (Snagged one a few months ago and got in now). Super fun experience though. Did some street parking and it didn't take too long to find parking spots. Cool vibes in general and a really robust menu with something for everyone. Gives me similar vibes to like a Colita (similar food options, similar price points), but if I were to pick I think I would pick here to visit in the future over Colita based on food alone. Definitely not a weekly taco spot based on the price points, but you can tell they spared no expense in doing things right on their menu. I ended up trying new things like the lengua and feeling very pleasantly surprised. We ordered combo of: Coliflor, Repollitos, Huarache, Pescado, Lengua, Pollo, Chayote, and Berenjena tacos. Everything was well balanced with good flavor. Standout tacos: Berenjena (I don't even like eggplant but this was so good), lengua (who knew beef tongue could taste so tender), pescado (3/3 people loved this one most). Despite the tacos above being so good, I think in the future I would air more towards doing a bigger plate over a salad option because I feel like their masa section is where they seem to shine most/what makes them stand out from what I can tell. Would also DEFINITELY recommend both Brussels sprouts (repollitos) and the Califlor (cauliflower) to share. Also would come back for drinks! read more

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We were off to a semi poor start waiting over 30 minutes past our reservation for our table. Thankfully the food made up for alot of that. We enjoyed our tacos and tylauda. The authentic tortillas are definitely top notch. Located in a great area and very cool setting. read more

Oro by Nixta - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Always love a restaurant that lets you order drinks at the bar while waiting for a seat! We had a lovely time-- our server was extremely enthusiastic and took the time to explain the menu items to us. Especially loved the salmon and the quesabirria. I also loved the cocktail I chose called the first rodeo! I think for the price, I expected more with the food however it was tasty! I really loved the ambience of the place (surprisingly the bathroom art was honestly my favorite ) read more

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I can't believe I haven't left a review here before. One of my favorite places to eat in Minneapolis. The depth of flavors is amazing. I'm not a fan of mole and I love their mole. Cute little place - usually need to make reservations. I often feel when that's the case it's over-rated, but not here! The service is amazing. You should 100% go if you have the chance. read more

Everything. So delicious and surprisingl My husband enjoys the alternative tequila varieties

The food & drinks are amazing! If you are gluten-free, this is your spot! Almost everything except the tres leche dessert is GF. The Plato de Trio was light & refreshing on jicama; the langue taco was fatty & the sauce complimented it - so tasty! The mole was tasty w/ chicken thighs stuffed w/ chicken chorizo. Rather large lobby & small bar. Service was spot in! Server knew her way thru the menu & made everything she described sound like a must have. read more

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Welcoming place living up to its accolades. Went here for an early dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Shared a number of dishes, had amazing cocktails and friendly service. Biggest issue was the small space on a rainy evening and they made it cozy and make it work. Will go again! read more

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If you like Mexican food even a little, I highly recommend oro Food is amazing, authentic but each dish has a fun twist on it. The homemade masa is delicious. Fun drink menu and great mezcal selection! Service was impressive. Our waitress was very attentive and really knew the menu. It's a nice quiet ambiance with a less busy feel. Quiet enough to be able to have great convos, but not stuffy or empty feeling. Just a logistic tip, the parking is street parking and it can be hard to find! read more

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Wow! Incredible food and service. Can't wait to return. Went with a few friends. Our table didn't open up until a few minutes after our reservation, which was no big deal. Me and my friends all got a spicy marg, which was excellent. For food, we ordered the quesabirria, bean chochoyotes, chicken mole, tuna tostadas. The birria tacos may be the best dish I've had in the Twin Cities! Dessert was just ok, but I'm not really a dessert person read more

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Finally, elevated Mexican food in MN! And... at family restaurant prices so I feel like we get high value here. Tastes like food prepared by a Mexican friend's grandparents, cooked with lots of love. No wonder New York Times just named it one of the top favorites of 2024. Prime location, conveniently located near other local favs. On-street parking is available, but you may need to walk a few blocks. I was not wowed by the decor, but it was clean and unpretentious. Here's what I tried: TAMAL DE CONEJO (5/5) Hands down the most flavorful tamal I've ever had. When I said this place had elevated food, this is the dish I pictured. All of the flavors worked really well together and was plated artistically. Menu said it was Nixtamal masa, confit rabbit, mole encacahuatado, and carrot escabeche. QUESABIRRIA (4/5) The 3 mini tacos were delicious, the pork and crispy cheese was so flavorful! Served on a stone plate, so my food stayed warm AND crispy. But the many knife cuts in the stone plate took away from the experience. I ate every last drop from that bowl of consommé. The salsa was just ok and I hated the nopales (cactus) salad, though my hubby thought it was good. Palomita Ajena (Strange Dove) (5/5) A perfect citrus Paloma drink that paired well with our meal! Reposado Tequila, Trakal, Grapefruit, Guava leaf, Cardamom I'd love to come back soon to try more from their menu, but reservations between 6 to 8pm can require booking months out, so make reservations sooner than later. read more

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I have eaten at Oro by Nixta at least six times. The last time I went in there was only one taco on the menu which was vegetarian. I found the other choices limited, too. I loved a salmon I ate there once but never saw it on the menu again. I love the shrimp tacos I had in December but as I mentioned there was only one taco on the menu in late January. In addition, we walked in and were 'allowed' to have a table for an hour. No one even offered us a drink for 15 minutes. I ordered an appetizer and one glass of wine and my friend ordered an entree. The bill came to over $70. I've decided to stick with less expensive and friendlier options in the city. read more

I'm going five stars because I was in Minnie and had great Mexican, which I didn't really expect. The corn is the star here, which I love. We ate at the bar which was energetic and well staffed. Staff were happy to make recommendations. And I'm not sure who is barking about prices, but this is a high quality meal for the price. I loved the texture and taste of the quesabirria. The tacos stayed together with those awesome tortillas de maíz. I bought some to bring back to Virginia with me. Support this restaurant Minneapolis. These folks deserve the James Beard love. Dale!! read more

Oro by Nixta - Quesabirria tacos. These were very well done. Made us oooh and aaah. And these were the first restaurant tacos I had after trip to CDMX! - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Best authentic tacos I've had I. The twin cities. Everything was exceptional. 2 blocks from my apartment so I will definitely be marking a return visit!! read more

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We were waiting for our table and decided to go have some drinks. I was surprised to find a new restaurant in this area. Actually was curious about what kind of food they offer, the kitchen closed at 10pm and only the bar was open. Dining room was nice, reminds me of Pueblo style with brown and white walls. The bar was decorated with art and pictures on the wall. Big tequila menu, various prices in shots. We ordered a few shots and cocktails. I'll have to come back to try the food. read more

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Good food and overall experience! We had a reservation for several months and the day finally came- so the expectations were quite high. We've always loved their tortillas that we get with tacos at Centro/Vivir. We got quac, margaritas, a carnitas taco, lechon (suckling pig), and pollo con mole. Shared it all. The lechon and carnitas were the best- flavorful and tender meat. Guac and margs were good - pretty standard. Tortillas were good, but sorta expected to be blown away getting them fresh? And the chips were missing something...salt? Fat/oil? Chicken mole was ok but not amazing- I did like the plantain chochoyotes- which were basically like mini falafel. Portions were decent but on the smaller side- what you'd expect from an upscale place. My husband has both a gluten and dairy allergy- this whole place is gluten free (except for a couple desserts), so that made it really easy to order. We did try the only gluten and dairy free dessert (Nicuatole de Ponche) and neither of us really liked it: Fruit with large seeds that felt like eating popcorn kernels, sour tamarind, and a masa jelly. I'm more of a brownie and ice cream gal. Glad we tried it out though. Ambience was pretty laid back/casual. Staff very attentive with filling waters and taking plates. And very knowledgeable about allergens in the food. Decor was modern and festive. I think the food is better at Colita for the price. But I would go back and try additional dishes. read more

Oro by Nixta - Chicken medallions with mole and chochoyotes at the bottom of the pic. Carnitas taco. Lechon. - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Loved this place. Love what they stand for. We just got a few tacos and drinks before our dinner. We got a classic margarita, the Mexican old fashioned, and 4 tacos: the charred fish, the lengua (tongue), the chayote, the carnitas. Being. From California, I've been very spoiled with options for Mexican food. This place is tremendous. The tortillas are outstanding and the love and crafting really shows. My favorite tacos were the lengua and chayote. The fish was also extremely good. The cocktails were perfectly balanced. I would definitely come back here. A great addition to the neighborhood and to the city. read more

Oro by Nixta - Mexican Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Delicious meal, excellent service. Oro is a perfect spot for a cozy dinner. Everything we ordered looked great and tasted delicious.

Some of the things I ate here were truly delicious (duck breast, chochoyotes). However, there were also some major flaws. The short rib was drastically oversalted -- I was splitting it four ways, but If I had been eating just that entree myself I would have had to send it back. The desserts I tried were all bad, and one was a contender for worst thing I've ever been served in a restaurant. You could have a 1-star experience here, or a 5-star one -- but only if you know what to order and what to avoid. Service was great. read more

Ate here last week with friends, they loved all their dishes, I just had them make me some special cheese quesilladas as I was still recovering from food poisoning in Mexico. Cute quaint place, a bit small but food is top notch. Very attentive wait staff. Will definitely go back when I am feeling better. read more

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Every single dish we tried was delicious and unique. I'd highly recommend their lamb shank (barbacoa)... extremely tasty and a generous portion. Taco de lengua, tamal de alce and last but not least, Enmoladas de pato... My goodness was that duck great!! Found the place by chance and we will be returning on purpose. read more

Highly-reputed, and deserving of same. Deep dive into traditions of several states. And, of course, their corn tortillas are next-level.

I was enamored by the food and service. From the second, I walked in the door, I was greeted warmly. Our server Chloe was extremely attentive, but not pushy. She offered wonderful suggestions on the menu and seem to genuinely care about our experience. As for the food, it was a curious and confusing menu in the absolute best way. The layers and levels of complexity in both the food and the drink danced on my pallet. Starting off with the Mezcalita, you were hit with the acid of the lime then sweetness of the guava, the smoke carrying through an ending with a spice note... It just kept coming with new flavors even after you finished the sip. Next, we tried on Chloe's recommendation the dumpling appetizer. The depth of flavor in those dumplings was phenomenal offering a really great earthy note, balanced with the cheese sauce and bright greens on top. Then I was thrilled to try the huitlacoche quesadilla, which I would argue as a must try experience. Cheesy, earthy, spicy with a side of pickled vegetables. This was an absolute delight. Finally, we opted for the duck taco appetizer, which was served on the cutest little slices of jicama. The absolute care of this dish was crafted with was impressive. Every knife cut precise and every ingredient thoughtfully selected. I have no idea what was in the salsa on top, but it was sweet and spicy and absolutely delightful with the duck confit and crisp little jicama "shell." The ambience was not fussy, but comfortable and welcoming. Would absolutely recommend others to check this place out and sharing dishes to try as much of this great menu as possible! read more

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Oro has been on my list for forever and I was so excited to get in same-day on a last minute cancellation! Starting off everything we ordered was delicious, you really can't go wrong. The carnitas taco was probably my best bite of the night, it's a must order! Closely followed by the queso, brussels sprouts, and the lemon tart tho since these were also amazing. Service was outstanding, our server was super friendly and provided great recommendations when walking us through the menu. Everything came out well-paced as well. Ambiance is laid back but you can tell the love and careful attention to detail put into developing the restaurant. Highly recommend for a date night or special occasion! read more

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