When I was a wee boy, I tasted the best taco in the world in a small village in Yucatán, Mexico…read more For years after, I have embarked on a journey across Grand Rapids in search of this taco. Countless dollars have been spent, shirts have been spilled on, and symptoms of spicy food have ensued, if you know what I mean. And yet, despite all of this, my taco perfecto had eluded me. I had all but given up until I moved to the West Side of GR and stumbled upon what could quite possibly be considered the Holy Grail of Grand Rapids Mexican food: a small, unassuming red shack on the corner of Bridge St. I'll just get down to the brass tacks. Any taco buff knows that a taco joint can be judged on one thing and one thing only: their Al Pastor. And by god, Cuñado delivers. On top of that, the Chorizo is cherishable. The steak is stellar. The chicken is, well, chicken, but it's damn good. And the salsa is just shy of perfect: it's fragrant, fresh and feisty, and pairs perfectly with any and every menu item (except the horchata, for obvious reasons). The sautéed onions provide sweet, crunchy and umami layers, and for the bold, a sauteéd Jalapeño to top it all off. All of this is housed between a generously griddled double tortilla, which bears the burden of it's toppings like an absolute champ. The value of this place is truly off the charts. I went (begrudgingly) to Donkey Taqueria the other day and paid $12 for two flimsy fake tacos. TWELVE DOLLARS for two raw tortillas with a smidge of crock pot meat in between. Meanwhile, I pay $8 for three hefty, hearty boys made with cariño down on Bridge Street, and they knock my socks off every time. The folks running this place are absolute gems as well. When you walk in, it kind of feels like you're at your abuela's house and she's pulling out all the stocks to absolutely stuff you to the brim. Although they probably see a thousand people a day, the Cuñado Bridge crew never hesitates to make my day that much better. In my opinion, Tacos El Cuñado Bridge St. humbly boasts the best tacos in town. And if you don't believe me, it'll only cost you $8 (on Tuesdays) to see for yourself.

They goofed up our pick up order. Forgot to include the item…read moremy wife really wanted and the food quality was "meh." I was literally the only person there, they were bit busy at all, can't blame it on overwhelming orders. I will try it again in a few months

The food is soooo delicious!! If you want authentic Mexican food this is the spot. I've tried many…read morebirrias and I will say this consomé was very good. Not too salty like others I've had. The owners are also Very sweet and attentive. Good portions for the price! We tried the birria burrito and birria half pizza. Definitely coming back to try the ramen birria and some mariscos!

These Birria Tacos were next level. My qualifications are that i lived in texas and have had my…read morefair share of birria. This is exactly how a Birria taco should be the meat was so flavorful, and the corn tortillas perfectly crispy. We took our order to go as there are only a couple tables. But we will definitely be back for the birria pizza!

Taco Tuesday at Poncho's Tacos was so good! I'd never been before as it's a bit far from my house,…read morebut it was totally worth the drive. It's cash only, but they do have an ATM inside. The menu consists of your typical items like tacos, burritos, Panchos (nachos), tortas, and more. They also have a lunch special and a daily deal (3 tacos, rice, and beans for $12.50 but no mix and match proteins). Since it was taco tuesday, tacos were $2.50. Nate got three tacos (al pastor, asada, and tinga) and I got a wet burrito with asada. We also ordered a horchata to share and chips and salsa. They have some dine in space but were doing a lot of takeout orders while we were there. Our chips and salsa came out first and the rest of our food shortly after that. The tacos came without toppings since you can load them up with their salsa/toppings bar. The tacos were super stuffed with meat! The burrito was massive - we shared it and still had leftovers for the next day. I tried each of the tacos and they were all delicious. The meats were not dry and again the portions were generous. I really liked the burrito as it was full of meat, cheese, beans, rice, guacamole, lettuce... it had it all. I wish the fillings were mixed up a bit more but it was so tasty. Service was great - we were asked how our meal was and they cleared our table when we were done. I'm really glad we finally made it to Poncho's Tacos and will definitely keep them on my Taco Tuesday list for the future!

Pros: Best tacos in GR we've found, Taco Tuesdays Cons: some…read moredishes are overpriced, cash only My hubs is always on a mission to find tacos like the ones he loves in CDMX. These are amazing. His former favorite taco place, El Cunado, are skimpy on filling and he didn't care for their pastor (his fav). At Panchos he is in HEAVEN! He LOVES the Al pastor tacos here and on taco Tuesday they are $2.50 each. We both also really like the Asada. I also got a small rice, but prob wouldn't order again. It was $2.50 for maybe 3/4 of a cup. The online pics show a bigger box, but that wasn't the serving I received. It is cash only so be prepared. If in a pinch, there is an atm onsite!

3.7 but keeping it at a 3…read more Ive been waiting to try Taqueria Chilango for a while now but locating, contacting and finding them had proven more difficult then I would have liked. Its now located in the basement of a small restaurant complex, open kitchen layout, kind of a bar-ish feel around. I thought they maybe shared the space with another business but im not 100% sure. I tried 4 different proteins in taco form - chicken, carne asada, flank steak and al pastor. To rank them, 1a Chicken, 1b pastor, 2 carne asada, all 3 of those were top notch, the flank steak was hit or miss for me, some bites were tasty others were to fatty/gelatinous for me. White onion and cilantro on top, went light on those which I would have liked more of. Hand made tortillas were also great. My big issue was the price point.. +$5 for each taco is to steep for a midwest taqueria in the basement of a restaurant. If price wasnt an issue for me then this would be the only taqueria I would go to in GR, but unfortunately price does play a part, but i will say they didnt skimp on the protein. I ordered 2 Tostada, 1 chicken and 1 shredded beef. I only received the 1 chicken tostada and I really wish I could have tried the shredded beef. But if I were to go back I would 100% get the tostada again, it was delicious, my favorite item by far, $7 for the tostada and although steeper then I feel its worth, it felt more worth then the $5 tacos and if I go back it will be what I order. Instead of a Tostada I got a mystery meat quesadilla. Authentic quesadilla but not what you expect if you are use to ordering them at other local joints. It was decent but definitely a grease ball. It was our least favorite item. We also ordered chips with 2 salsa and a side of guacamole. Chips and salsa were $8, chips were okay, homemade for sure but enough of the chips didnt feel fully fried. Salsas came in 2 2oz cups, again felt weak for the price point. No way those chips made it through that salsa, probably not even half the chips made it through the salsa, needed way more. The worst thing we tried by far was the $5 guacamole in a 2.5 Oz container. If im paying $5 for guacamole I expect more then half an avacado worth of guacamole, on top of that it was mid guacamole at best. The 2 salsa was a salsa verde and a peanut salsa, i didnt catch which pepper was used in the peanut salsa. The salsa verde was okay, somewhat bland. The peanut salsa was fabulous, I loved that it was not too spicy but so much flavor, will be one of the main reason I return. The owner was so so friendly, it was only him and 1 other dude. Im not trying to rip the business but to make it my go to taqueria would be hard to justify with what I got and what I paid for. My personal opinion, if the owner is making tortillas like that I would love to try a big flour tortilla burrito with that peanut salsa. Overall for the price point it was hard to justify. Some of the food i got was really delicious, some of it really didn't hit. Ill definitely be back but ill give it some time.

These are some of the best tacos in town in my opinion! I get the tacos al pastor each time because…read morethey are just that good! The service is over the top and the guy working there is super friendly. It's the perfect quick grab and go spot off a grassy lot near wealthy if you go to the food truck location! Perfect in the summer time when they have picnic table out too! Otherwise you can get it at Broadleaf underground on Bridge street! This is where I most recently had it and it was just as delicious as at the food truck location.

(5 stars? That's adorable. I'd give 47.)…read more I came to Pure Mex expecting tacos. Instead, I had a spiritual awakening. Our server, Ruth, did not simply "wait tables." Ruth orchestrated an experience. I am now convinced she exists outside the normal laws of physics. I'm fairly certain she can hear when a tortilla is overcooked from three zip codes away. Before I even realized I wanted another drink, Ruth had already appeared beside the table like some kind of benevolent taco guardian. I blinked once and the salsa was refilled. I blinked twice and somehow my life had direction again. The food? Incredible. But honestly, I would've eaten drywall if Ruth recommended it. That's the level of trust she inspired. Scientists should study her efficiency. NASA should recruit her. The Olympics need a "Hospitality Decathlon" because she'd retire undefeated. If she ever decides to run for president, I don't care what her platform is. She has my vote. At one point I said, "This is probably the best taco I've ever had," and Ruth smiled with the calm confidence of someone who already knew that would happen six months ago. I genuinely suspect Ruth is running at least four restaurants simultaneously using advanced cloning technology. There is no other explanation. By the end of the meal I wanted to stand up and applaud. Not because dinner was over--but because I had just witnessed greatness. The tacos were phenomenal. The margaritas were fantastic. But Ruth... Ruth is the reason legends are written. Future civilizations will uncover this Yelp review and assume she was a mythical figure, like Hercules, except armed with chips and salsa instead of a club. If you visit Pure Mex and Ruth is your server, cancel the rest of your plans. You're about to experience customer service so elite it should probably require a waiver. 10/10. Would gladly drive across state lines, through a snowstorm, and possibly a minor volcanic eruption just to have Ruth ask me, "Would you like anything else?"

4.5/5 Stars Pure Mex…read moreTacos & Tequila in Grandville was a great experience from start to finish. We kicked things off with the shrimp ceviche--and it honestly felt like there was a pound of shrimp in it... okay, maybe not quite that much! It was loaded with fresh shrimp, had incredible flavor, and was beautifully presented. A fantastic way to start the meal. For the entrée, the carne asada was cooked to perfection. The steak was tender, juicy, and full of flavor, topped with plenty of perfectly grilled onions. It came with authentic rice, beans, fresh avocado, guacamole, and warm flour tortillas, making every bite even better. We also tried the carne asada tacos, and they were outstanding. Topped with fresh pico de gallo, cilantro, and a light drizzle of crema, they were simple, authentic, and packed with flavor. The complimentary chips and salsa were fresh, crisp, and exactly what you hope for at a quality Mexican restaurant. The service was friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout our visit. They also have a huge bar, and my Tito's & Sprite was served ice cold--the perfect pairing with the meal. To finish, we shared the churros served with warm chocolate dipping sauce and whipped cream. They were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and the perfect sweet ending to a great meal. Pure Mex offers authentic Mexican flavors, generous portions, a fun atmosphere, and excellent hospitality. It's an easy 4.5-star experience, and I would definitely return to explore more of the menu. If you're in the Grand Rapids area, this is a spot worth checking out. Pure Mex Tacos & Tequila 4553 Canal Ave SW Grandville, MI 49418 @TheFoodie99 #restaurant

First time eating here with my boyfriend! What a wonderful experience. From the flavors, food and…read moreservice !! The atmosphere was very lively and welcoming. The building was clean and upkept. Will definitely be coming back

El Tapatio is officially my new happy place! I dove into their Nachos Carbon, and let me tell you,…read morethose tender, flavorful chicken and steak bites were living their best life on a bed of crispy chips. Every bite was a fiesta in my mouth. Then came the Strawberry Piña Colada Margarita... and wow. Just WOW. Best one I've had in ages: smooth, sweet, and dangerously easy to sip. The vibe? Colorful and fun. The staff? Absolute rock stars - friendly, fast, and always making sure I had everything I needed. I left with a full belly, a happy heart, and plans to come back ASAP. Highly recommend if you love great food, great drinks, and great people!

Seems like a lot of Tacos El Cuñado's are springing up everywhere…read more Jenison has a good franchise with nice owners. Prices recently risen, sometimes they can get an order wrong, but mostly things taste good. We usually get take out but the other day I dined in and enjoyed a burrito and a horchata. I was surprised that they give complimentary chips and salsa. Everything tasted good. This is usually are go to when the family wants Mexican. Happy to have Tacos El Cuñado in town. Great Franchise.

I struggled to make it in here because I thought they didn't have seating- I STAND CORRECTED! There…read moreIS seating, and table service! We were started with some delicioussss chips and salsa- why is chunky salsa so superior??? I got the taco trio, and Derek got the wet burrito. UGH some of the best tacos I've had in a longgggg time! Derek said the same about his burrito. I also tried the tripa y lengua tostada- not going to lie, this was not for me I'd never had lengua OR tripe so I was being a bit ambitious and didn't know what I was getting myself into- I'm sure it's great, if you're into that, but, not my thing Anyway, great authentic food, a casual atmosphere but the service was great, and everyone was very kind.

I work super close by and love having this option for a work lunch! The parking lot is a little…read moreawkward to get into but once you figure it out, there is ample parking available. You're always seated promptly and they will bring complimentary chips and salsa. The bar has a lot of options and this spot is known for the soft serve margarita (I got pomegranate) and the lunch combo (pick two) which comes with beans and rice. Honestly everything is really great and they have some items that you don't always find on other Mexican restaurant menus (unless they're huge and authentic). I'd love to come back for brunch and try the huevos rancheros or chilaquiles. Everything always looks so good so I can only imagine how the others options will be. They are very quick during lunch, especially during the week! You don't have to worry about lingering for 1.5+ hours, as my friend and I have been in and out within 45 minutes and felt like it was plenty of time.

Very cute place. Service was quick and server was very attentive to us. Food was very good. I came…read moreto try the soft serve margarita and it did not disappoint! Will be back very soon!

Definitely an awesome atmosphere to have drinks and watch a game, but that's as far as it goes. Was…read morethere on a medium-traffic weeknight, service was slow nonetheless, and the food was really disappointing. Ingredients tasted fresh, but everything was bland - little to no seasoning - and dry. My partner and I both got bone-dry burritos that were meant to be saucy. We each had a couple bites, then packed up the leftovers to take home to doctor up ourselves - because again, the components (rice, beans, proteins) WERE quality and cooked quite well, but the final product was nearly inedible. Had to ask for hot sauce or salsa, didn't get any choices, a couple tiny cups of what tasted almost exactly like Frank's Red (Mexican?) were brought to us, which I was charged extra for. Asked for a receipt after I checked out, because the meal was just shy of $70 (not including tip for *generously* mediocre service). I wasn't intending to, nor did I push back - I was just genuinely baffled, and curious. As expected, extra charges, bill was messed up. We don't eat fast food, so I don't say this lightly: a couple bites in, we both agreed we'd sincerely rather be eating Taco Bell. Would've saved $50.

Stopped by for lunch on a beautiful sunny day and was able to enjoy the outside seating area which…read moreis brightly painted with some nice covering to keep the sun from blaring down on you. The waitress was pleasant and kept our drinks consistently filled without asking. Had the Swole Bowl and truly enjoyed it, the flavors melded well together and the meal came already packed in a to go bowl (just pop on the lid) which you will definitely need! Additionally we had the chips and queso which was thick and delicious. Highly recommend stopping by for a filling meal.

We came with a margarita on our kind! They specialize in Milagro tequila! They have various flavors…read moreof frozen and on the rocks! But they are premixed so they were a little sweet for us. Added an extra shot! Decent chips and salsa. The garlic asada fries were great! And the fresh quac was the star of the show!

Came here for lunch on a Saturday. It wasn't busy and we were seated right away. The decor and…read morefurniture were cute, like you're "stereotypical" Mexican restaurant. We really liked their chips and salsa! The food came out quick which was nice. I ordered the steak quesadilla. Honestly, it was super greasy which wasn't my fave but overall the flavor was still good. I would come back here again but I probably would order something else. The prices felt really fair and they have a couple of parking spots behind the restaurant or there is street parking.