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El Califa absolutely delivered from start to finish! We kicked things off with the cactus leaves, which were fresh and perfectly prepared. From there, it was one delicious dish after another -- the pork and chicken pastor costras were packed with flavor, the al pastor tacos were classic and satisfying, and the chicken soup was comforting and hearty. We also tried the gonga crater and a gonga in a lettuce leaf, both unique and incredibly tasty. One of the highlights was their wide variety of salsas, ranging from super spicy to pleasantly mild -- every single one we tried was delicious and paired perfectly with the food. To top it all off, we ended with dessert, and wow -- the tres leches and flan were both amazing and the perfect sweet finish to an already fantastic meal. Great prompt service in a nice open spacious setting meant that we didn't feel crowded even though all the tables were occupied. Highly recommend El Califa if you're looking for authentic, flavorful food with great variety. We'll definitely be back!
We had dinner at Taqueria El Califa, which was highly recommended as an examplar of classic CDMX tacos. We ordered a variety of tacos, including the most expensive Gaona, which is listed on the menu as ribeye, chuleta con queso, al pastor, and sirloin. We rounded that out with guacamole and, for greens, nopales salad. Every table has ramekins of 4 salsas and limes. The guacamole is also a huge portion, enough for 4-5 people, with plenty of tostadas. The salad of avocado, tomato and nopales was dressed simply with lime and it was fine. It was nopales-heavy but it was a good option for vegetables and I appreciated having a salad option at all. Of the tacos, we enjoyed the al pastor and sirloin the most. The al pastor was marinated and flavorful and, of the beef choices, the sirloin was much better than the very dry and thin gaona. A lot of the meats were sliced very thinly and cooked up dry. Overall, the tacos are a bit dry but we enjoyed trying this CMDX staple.
This place is a must try when in CDMX! The tacos de pastor were great in every way, from the homemade tortillas to the crisp of the pastor. I suggest you order guacamole to add to your tacos, it's the cherry on top. The flan was the best I have ever had, especially with the cajeta drizzled on top! I do have to say the service wasn't as great. They don't check up on you if you would like desert & when we did order desert they took a while. Asking for the tab took a while & it wasn't a busy day. I would come back for the food.
Great tacos and it's full table service so you sit down and order. I really like the outdoor tables as it's a lovely wide street with leafy trees. I tried the rib eye plate (you can make your own tacos with it) which was delicious. Needed some pickled onion or something. The beef quality was good. The other items look delicious, too. I saw an earlier Yelp recommendation for the Pastel Trés Leches and it was cute and very moist. Excellent service.
Wanted to try this taco place for awhile and was so glad I got to try it out. I was surprised that this place was a full scale fine in restaurants which makes sense because their tacos are slightly more expensive that the average taco out there. We ordered to go and they gave us our order in a cute little bag within 5 minutes which was great. - Taco de Pastor - Honestly this was not what I had expected as I though the meat was going to be shredded rather than carved like a kebab but it was pretty good nonetheless. I was a big fan of the darker colored salsa as well as the pico de Gallo although the pico had a spice that I was not very used to. I also thought it was interesting how the tacos here, the meat is very much the star rather than whatever spices they drench the meat in in the US. - Pastor Pollo - This was probably my least favorite option as the chicken was a bit dry. I do appreciate in general that the tacos had 2 tortillas so that it can grab all the different spices and toppings. - Gaonas - This was definitely the star of the night as the rib eye was extremely tender. I also love that there was a bit charred on the outside. Although this taco was much more expensive than the rest, I would highly recommend ordering it. - Bistec - I was not a big fan of this as the meat was not super tender. Overall, I think the tacos were okay except for the Rib Eye which was exceptional. I do think that this is a good place to go for tacos especially if you're looking for a "calmer" environment to be in. Also, I do really appreciate that they meticulously wrapped each of the tacos individually and hen placed them in a seal that the heat would not evaporate.
It's a large space with very fast service! I had 4 al pastor tacos and an al pastor crater. I had to take the pineapples off just in case, but I enjoyed the smaller size of the tacos; the crater however very much took the show. I loved the crunchy taco in contrast with the stringy Oaxacan cheese. I do think the prices are a bit pricey for Mexico City especially for the quantity, and the al pastor being a bit dry.
When you grow tired of street tacos and want something more gourmet and the ability to sit, Taqueria El Califa is the spot for you! While they don't come cheap - particularly when compared to street tacos, the tacos here are clean, delicious, and served up with the best salsas of any taco spot I visited on my trip to CDMX. Bonus points for calling out that the salsas don't get recycled between tables. The agua frescas are huge and refreshing as well!
This was our first stop in our little taco crawl for dinner on our second night in CDMX. While we stayed in the area of Polanco, we made our way here to eat at all of the highly rated and popular tacos shops. This one by far was my favorite, the tacos were all delicious. We ordered a bunch of different ones and just snacked away. The salsas were delicious. They brought out about 4 different ones with varying levels of spicy ness. Our favorite was the green jalapeño/avocado sauce. We were basically drinking it! The caldo de pollo is a must order! The broth is so clean and clear and just packed with flavor. That soup was a 10/10. They also have a huge selection of drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The service is great here. They basically give you a new plate fire every order that they bring out. The costilla de res was one of my favorites. The pita bread taco was awesome. The ribeye taco was so tender. The beef/res taco that has olive oil on it was another great one It is a nice place inside and out but we choose to sit outside which was very comfortable. I will definitely come back here again next time i am in CDMX. I want to come back and just order like 10 tacos and pig out.
Less is more. This is the place people come to enjoy good company, good conversation and good food! The place is Clean and service is great! Someone is always checking on you. They clear the plates as soon as you're done. They are very attentive. They provide 5 different types of salsa and limes. Most were too spicy for me - disclaimer: I don't do spicy salsa. Those who enjoy spicy or hot will probably enjoy them. The sides: Nopales - Delicious- I added it to my taco Onions - grilled to perfection Salad Mixta - ample side fresh with just avocado, tomatoes, onion, and cheese (i opted for no cheese). It was fresh. Main Dishes- There are lots of vegan options and protein style tacos Tacos- thin slice of meat and tortilla The pastor/pollo en "hoja de lechuga "AKA" Chicken in lettuce (not on a tortilla). I added nopales and some onions. Everything was fresh and cooked to perfection Rib-eye taco - tender meat, and delicious Agua Fresca- jamaica was good green juice (I forgot the name of it) was not overpowering- smooth and not grainy or too sweet! I ordered one "to go" The fifth star! Cheesecake de Guayaba was beyond delicious. Light not heavy or too sweet. Gelatin on top was flawless. Do not pass on this gem ! I highly recommend you try this spot!! read more
El Califa absolutely delivered from start to finish! We kicked things off with the cactus leaves, which were fresh and perfectly prepared. From there, it was one delicious dish after another -- the pork and chicken pastor costras were packed with flavor, the al pastor tacos were classic and satisfying, and the chicken soup was comforting and hearty. We also tried the gonga crater and a gonga in a lettuce leaf, both unique and incredibly tasty. One of the highlights was their wide variety of salsas, ranging from super spicy to pleasantly mild -- every single one we tried was delicious and paired perfectly with the food. To top it all off, we ended with dessert, and wow -- the tres leches and flan were both amazing and the perfect sweet finish to an already fantastic meal. Great prompt service in a nice open spacious setting meant that we didn't feel crowded even though all the tables were occupied. Highly recommend El Califa if you're looking for authentic, flavorful food with great variety. We'll definitely be back! read more
We had dinner at Taqueria El Califa, which was highly recommended as an examplar of classic CDMX tacos. We ordered a variety of tacos, including the most expensive Gaona, which is listed on the menu as ribeye, chuleta con queso, al pastor, and sirloin. We rounded that out with guacamole and, for greens, nopales salad. Every table has ramekins of 4 salsas and limes. The guacamole is also a huge portion, enough for 4-5 people, with plenty of tostadas. The salad of avocado, tomato and nopales was dressed simply with lime and it was fine. It was nopales-heavy but it was a good option for vegetables and I appreciated having a salad option at all. Of the tacos, we enjoyed the al pastor and sirloin the most. The al pastor was marinated and flavorful and, of the beef choices, the sirloin was much better than the very dry and thin gaona. A lot of the meats were sliced very thinly and cooked up dry. Overall, the tacos are a bit dry but we enjoyed trying this CMDX staple. read more
This place is a must try when in CDMX! The tacos de pastor were great in every way, from the homemade tortillas to the crisp of the pastor. I suggest you order guacamole to add to your tacos, it's the cherry on top. The flan was the best I have ever had, especially with the cajeta drizzled on top! I do have to say the service wasn't as great. They don't check up on you if you would like desert & when we did order desert they took a while. Asking for the tab took a while & it wasn't a busy day. I would come back for the food. read more
El Califa was close to our Airbnb so we decided to try it out on our first night arriving to Mexico City. A must try are the Costras which is meet with Oaxaca cheese on a flour tortilla. It was sooo good. The guacamole was super fresh too. read more
Great tacos and it's full table service so you sit down and order. I really like the outdoor tables as it's a lovely wide street with leafy trees. I tried the rib eye plate (you can make your own tacos with it) which was delicious. Needed some pickled onion or something. The beef quality was good. The other items look delicious, too. I saw an earlier Yelp recommendation for the Pastel Trés Leches and it was cute and very moist. Excellent service. read more
1 year ago
Wanted to try this taco place for awhile and was so glad I got to try it out. I was surprised that this place was a full scale fine in restaurants which makes sense because their tacos are slightly more expensive that the average taco out there. We ordered to go and they gave us our order in a cute little bag within 5 minutes which was great. - Taco de Pastor - Honestly this was not what I had expected as I though the meat was going to be shredded rather than carved like a kebab but it was pretty good nonetheless. I was a big fan of the darker colored salsa as well as the pico de Gallo although the pico had a spice that I was not very used to. I also thought it was interesting how the tacos here, the meat is very much the star rather than whatever spices they drench the meat in in the US. - Pastor Pollo - This was probably my least favorite option as the chicken was a bit dry. I do appreciate in general that the tacos had 2 tortillas so that it can grab all the different spices and toppings. - Gaonas - This was definitely the star of the night as the rib eye was extremely tender. I also love that there was a bit charred on the outside. Although this taco was much more expensive than the rest, I would highly recommend ordering it. - Bistec - I was not a big fan of this as the meat was not super tender. Overall, I think the tacos were okay except for the Rib Eye which was exceptional. I do think that this is a good place to go for tacos especially if you're looking for a "calmer" environment to be in. Also, I do really appreciate that they meticulously wrapped each of the tacos individually and hen placed them in a seal that the heat would not evaporate. read more
2 years ago
It's a large space with very fast service! I had 4 al pastor tacos and an al pastor crater. I had to take the pineapples off just in case, but I enjoyed the smaller size of the tacos; the crater however very much took the show. I loved the crunchy taco in contrast with the stringy Oaxacan cheese. I do think the prices are a bit pricey for Mexico City especially for the quantity, and the al pastor being a bit dry. read more
When you grow tired of street tacos and want something more gourmet and the ability to sit, Taqueria El Califa is the spot for you! While they don't come cheap - particularly when compared to street tacos, the tacos here are clean, delicious, and served up with the best salsas of any taco spot I visited on my trip to CDMX. Bonus points for calling out that the salsas don't get recycled between tables. The agua frescas are huge and refreshing as well! read more
This place was highly recommended by our hotel. The service is was great, we were seated immoderately upon arrival. The place gave me "brewery vibes" the Super Bowl was on. The tacos were a little small for the amount of meat they put on them. Overall it was a yummy experience read more
1 year ago
5 months ago
2 years ago
Not far from our Air B& B, but service was great. Spoke English and Spanish and helped w/menu. Food came quickly and was delicious. read more
This was our first stop in our little taco crawl for dinner on our second night in CDMX. While we stayed in the area of Polanco, we made our way here to eat at all of the highly rated and popular tacos shops. This one by far was my favorite, the tacos were all delicious. We ordered a bunch of different ones and just snacked away. The salsas were delicious. They brought out about 4 different ones with varying levels of spicy ness. Our favorite was the green jalapeño/avocado sauce. We were basically drinking it! The caldo de pollo is a must order! The broth is so clean and clear and just packed with flavor. That soup was a 10/10. They also have a huge selection of drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The service is great here. They basically give you a new plate fire every order that they bring out. The costilla de res was one of my favorites. The pita bread taco was awesome. The ribeye taco was so tender. The beef/res taco that has olive oil on it was another great one It is a nice place inside and out but we choose to sit outside which was very comfortable. I will definitely come back here again next time i am in CDMX. I want to come back and just order like 10 tacos and pig out. read more
1 year ago
Incredible value for all the taco goodies! Loved the variety, so many options of meats, veggies, cheeses, and more. My tacos with the melted cheese on inside were to die for. Melting in my mouth was an understatement. The servers are sweet and keep the energy up. Highly recommend! read more
4 years ago
Yum! I came here on the last day of my trip and wanted some tacos before we headed to the airport. We ordered carne en su jugo, chicharron queso (gouda), Al pastor tacos, chicken soup, and fried cheese pollo Al pastor tacos. I was thoroughly impressed with how delicious this place was. It was clean, servers were on point and the food was amazing. The restaurant was a little pricier than grabbing street tacos, but honestly worth it IMO. They're located in the plaza reforma area, so it's conveniently located to all the major hotels! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Really solid affordable tacos! Went several times because it was so convenient to where we were staying, and was very reliable. read more
2 years ago
We went here when we were in Mexico City with friends. I was excited about the fact that they had many veggie options. I got the vegetarian pastor pita which is pictured and we got fried queso as an appetizer. The fried queso was really interesting because I had never seen it served like that before. It looks like a crepe but it's all made with cheese! Both items were really good! I liked that the service was nice and they had English menus for us. The restaurant was very clean and had big windows which was also nice. I would consider going here again for a quick bite. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
The food was good but they charged us for things we didn't even ask for!!! And when we were leaving the guy that brought us our check stopped us and demanded that we leave a 15% tip (even though we tipped on top of being overcharged!) He yelled and made a huge scene so we put more money on the table and left with our kids. This was a TERRIBLE experience. read more
El Califa is a great spot in La Condesa for late-night eats-- the al pastor was definitely a standout! I went probably three separate times while in La Condesa and it was consistently good. I really enjoyed the salsas, but always had to order more tostadas to get to really get my fill. Would return here next time I'm in CDMX! read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
So I saw this on a YouTube channel and I was wondering around so I happened to go in. I had a costra de Al Pastor and it was bomb! The salsa they offered are good and totally make a difference in flavor for the taco. However, if you are not use to spicy then don't try two of them. The service is the fastest I have ever seen, even compared to New York! Of course I had to have a Michelada (Chelada) and it was good too. Even though the tacos look small they are pretty fulfilling, I had one of arrachera and goera (I think). Plus the area looks safe read more
Flashing back to my time in Mexico City for today's post to one of the best taquerias I've ever been to @elcalifa_mx a chain of taco shops in Mexico City. Interestingly today I'm not planning to talk about tacos but the Gaona Crater one of my favorite dishes I had in all of cdmx. Let's discuss the Crater and why it was so good: 1. The meat: my friends in cdmx describe this as the most tender part of the cow put into small chunks, it was super flavorful and soft 2. The shell: the meat is kept in a shell deep fried to give the dish an awesome bite not to mention the wonderful subtle flavor of a deep fried tortilla 3. The cheese: between the shell and meat is a nice layer of melted cheese and let's be honest with ourselves, are you ever upset with melted cheese? Adding this takes the dish to the next level just creating a perfect combination of flavors and textures If you're in CDMX be sure to check out El Califa one of my fav taco shops in Mexico!! read more
2 years ago
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Taquería El Califa - tacos - Updated May 2026
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