I can only comment on food quality since I ordered this as delivery. I ordered two fish tacos and were amazed to find that the fish was chopped up into tiny pieces, not one whole piece of fillet like a usual taco... that was the first sign. But then I bit into it and it was oddly soggy, separating from the breading, and then I knew it - this place is chopping up fish sticks and serving them as fish tacos for $3.00+ apiece. I'm spoiled because I'm from Los Angeles, but come on! Literal fish sticks! I also ordered the chilaquiles and was surprised to find them in a plastic storage container that most establishments put soup in. Chilaquiles are normally crunchy, freshly fried and then tossed in salsa - the tortillas instead came absolutely drenched and soggy in a very salty consommé with the salsa on the side. I mean, this was delivery, so slightly soggy chilaquiles are to be expected, but I almost don't know if they accidentally gave me a tortilla soup instead of chilaquiles. read more

Food is always great and they have a good variety of food. Angel is always friendly and cares about the customers he serves. Conveniently located next to a great pool hall. Their El pastor tacos (my favorite) are next level good. read more

Service is terrible. Owner has anger management issues. I was yelled at after I received the wrong order and asked if they could fix it. I know working in customer service is difficult so I always try to be as polite and accommodating as possible and I don't think I deserved to be yelled at for asking if I could get the meal I paid for. read more

Like other reviewers, this is my favorite Mexican restaurant in town. Having said that, I don't recommend every item on the menu. You have to know what to order. Below are items I consider "special". The list is limited to my favorites, but there are other great items on the menu. Chilaquiles!!! - This might be one of the best dishes on any menu in town. It's so good that I can't NOT order it. It's magic. Get the fried egg on top and stir everything together for the perfect sauce. It's got a low slow burn to it so if you're a spice sissy, it's not for you. Chips and Salsa - served with a green and a red salsa. Green salsa is the only one for me. Spice-challenged individuals beware, it packs heat. The red salsa is what I'd consider mild. I tend to ignore it, but it's well loved by many friends. Queso Blanco - I ordered the yellow cheese dip one day (embarrassed to admit this), but lucky for me they were out. They offered the white cheese dip instead. It's the best I've ever had. It's thin, flavorful and they throw in a spoonful of pico de gallo. I'm done with lumpy yellow cheese dip forever! Fish Tacos - They have a few different versions of fish tacos on the menu these days. Plain ol' fish tacos are my favorite. I crave these tacos. I've even attempted to recreate them at home. 3 tacos served on small white corn tortillas. They contain bits of fried fish, onion, tomato and cilantro. The lime wedges should be squeezed generously over each taco. Ask for extra lime if needed. They're served with 2 tortillas per taco but I always eat them with one. The extras can be used in creative combinations with the beans, rice and left over queso blanco. Get wild. Chicken Fajita salad - This is a great "lighter" option. You won't feel as guilty about all the chips and salsa you consumed. If you ordered the Guacamole, add leftovers to the salad. It's awesome. Poblano cream sauce - I would pretty much eat anything covered in this sauce. Mexican Martini - I fell in love with these in Austin. They have the best, but Tortas makes a good one and they're very reasonably priced. TIPS: 1. They have a large outdoor dining area. 2. It's a great carry out option. They securely pack the food for transport. 3. They own another very good restaurant in the 700 block of Mass called, Mexquisito. Even better green and red salsa served there. read more

Easily the most authentic tacos in Lawrence. My recommendation is the five soft shell tacos. Choose your meat of choice--I prefer steak or chicken and each one will be served in a small double-wrapped corn tortilla with fresh onions and cilantro and a pile of limes. Not fancy, but downright delicious. May not look like a lot to eat but trust me, you'll think it was plenty an hour later. Not your run of the mill Americanized Mexican, ie., put a bunch of crap on a plate and cover it up with thick gooey melted cheese until it's all runny. No thanks. That's not what the food looks like south of the border, and it shouldn't look like it here. Their specials are respectable and simple. Don't pass them up. The chips and sauce flow freely before the meal. Good selection of Mexican beers. The service can be funky since it's a small family run joint, but its never been a problem. Oh yes, and the margarita pitchers... they may not taste like they're loaded, but they are. I don't always eat Mexican food, but when I do, I choose Tortas Jalisco. It's the MOST INTERESTING Mexican in Larryville. Have fun. read more

Tortas Jalisco is the most authentic mexican restaurant that I've eaten at in Lawrence and one of my personal favorites. The green salsa is the best I've ever had and the Queso Blanco is as good as any I've ever eaten. Their chips and salsa aren't complimentary but they are hands down worth paying for when you receive hot chips and amazing salsa. The only dish that I haven't liked was their fajitas which wasn't bad but it wasn't a home-run either. After dozens of meals here, my go to meal is simply their five taco combo with beef and pork with fresh cilantro and lime. Their drinks are stiff and cheap too. read more

Best Mexican food in town , you can't go wrong with there tacos or any of there chip options. no other Mexican restaurant come close to their authenticity. Get the chorizo tacos and bean dip read more

I have been enjoying this place ever since they were in the gas station. I just walk in and say "what do you suggest" never do nice have they steered me wrong. Their sauces are to die for and they have the best chilaquiles. read more

Best I can say for Tortas Jaliscos is 'meh'. I guess I'm so desensitized to Tex-Mex/Cal-Mex that I can't tell the "authentic" stuff, but I'm just not impressed with the fare. The guacamole is pretty good, chips and salsa are pretty average, though the hotter (bright green) sauce is better than I thought it would be. read more

After moving to Lawrence from Texas a week ago, I went to Tortas Jalisco with lots of hope that I'd found good Mexican food in Lawrence. The chips were good - hot and definitely made to order, though I thought it was odd chips and salsa were an extra charge ($2.75 ish). I got the five taco plate with chorizo, asada, carnitas, chicken, and adobada. The chorizo was good, nothing special. The asada, carnitas, and adobado tacos were like corn tortillas filled with pencil erasers. The meat was cut into tiny, uniform squares, not seasoned at all, tasted a big "aged", and was cooked to death. My favorite meat was the shredded chicken, which is unusual for me in Mexican restaurants. My favorite part of the dinner was the green salsa. It was seasoned well and very spicy. It made the tacos bearable. I'll probably be back for the green sauce, but this time I will avoid any pork or beef dishes. read more

Tortas Jalisco - Chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

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Had dinner delivered - great dinner on a Friday evening. Website ordering was easy. Food traveled well, still warm when it arrived, even the delicious tortilla chips! I love Tortas Jalisco's chips and they gave us a lot. Guac is chunky (also my preference). We did the tacos, ordered three different kinds for four adults. The tacos are full, though the soft tacos are street taco size. It was enough for us on a casual evening on our patio. Definitely recommend trying their delivery if you can't eat in. read more

The chips and salsa are made in house, and are the best in town. The green salsa is very spicy, not made with tomatillos, and really great! I also like the tortas, chilaquiles, and the carnitas. Service can be slow in the evenings, so it's not a good place for a quick dinner. The staff is very nice and it's kid friendly. read more

Sometimes I just want to move to Kansas for a year. Sometimes I do (and regret it). Tortas Jalisco makes bad life decisions a little more bearable. Delicious tacos; thick, crispy, greasy tortilla chips; salsa that has flavor(s!); not so good sandwiches (but who's dumb enough to get a sandwich at a Mexican restaurant?) (me); the best horchata in town. This is a good place to eat if you're looking for an atmosphere that isn't overcrowded with drunk frat guys and their gals. A hard feat indeed in Lawrence. read more

This Mexican restaurant, located behind a gas station, is among the best in Lawrence. Its hand-made chips and green salsa are particularly well known in Lawrence. They are not free, but are well worth the price. They have three fish taco styles, one using Mahi Mahi and the other two using Tilapia. So far I've tried only the ones using Mahi Mahi, as recommended by the waiter. Unfortunately they do not have black beans or whole pinto beans. Another reviewer below mentioned black beans, but be aware that they only are available occasionally as a daily special. They usually have only refried beans, which are never a healthy choice. But they'll substitute guacamole salad instead of the refried beans, if you request, and the guacamole salad is excellent. They have only two wines: chardonnay and merlot, but they are both fine and at a very reasonable price. The choice of beers is better. The booths are made of wood and have no cushions, but the other chairs are padded and more comfortable. I'd raise my rating to five stars, if they were to make black beans or whole pinto beans available daily. read more

I went to Tortas Jaliscos for the first time last weekend with my boyfriend. My boyfriend recently turned vegetarian so we reviewed the menu in advance and found several vegetarian options, namely the "house specialty" fish tacos. We were told to sit wherever we wanted when we arrived and our waiter was pretty good about refilling our waters. The restaurant was surprisingly pretty empty for a Friday night. We ordered the chips and salsa after hearing good things and were not disappointed. The chips were fresh-baked and perfectly seasoned. I loved the red salsa and my boyfriend thought the green salsa was wonderful also. We each ordered a top shelf margarita but were sorely disappointed by the "margaritas" we received. Neither of us could taste any tequila at all--just a ton of sugary mixer that was most definitely not worth the $6 we paid for each of them. I ordered the chicken chimichanga and my boyfriend got the "famous" fish tacos. My chimichanga was edible (could've had something to do with the fact that I was extremely hungry), but nothing special. I ended up picking out all of the chicken and just eating the beans/rice/cheese inside because the chicken had no flavor at all. My boyfriend said his fish tacos tasted like they were made with frozen fish sticks a la the Gorton's fisherman. He was extremely unimpressed with them and from the bite I tasted I wouldn't recommend them either. Overall, the chips and salsa were awesome but that's about it. We won't be back any time soon. read more

I was very disappointed with our experience tonight. We both ordered the house margarita, and found them to be watered down and obviously made with a poor quality, artificial mix. The next time we attempted to upgrade to the premium version, which according to them was the "best margarita in the house." Also a disappointment. Overly sweet with another variety of artificial mixer (this time closer to sweet and sour, I believe?), and barely any indication of tequila within. The $20 bucks were wasted on that attempt. The cheese dip was quite good, but $5 for the small tub we received made it a questionable purchase. I also enjoyed the thick chips (chips and salsa are NOT complimentary here), but you receive very little salsa with them. This may not have been an issue had the service not been quite as abysmal as we experienced....we saw our server maybe 2-3 times the entire visit. The thing that sealed the deal for my one star review were their baja fish tacos, which were supposedly a "house specialty." These things were NOT anything to brag about. The fish was CLEARLY made from generic, pre-packaged, pre-frozen fish sticks, and definitely tasted as such. Overall, having to endure a screaming child in the restaurant while waiting for our server to finally come around with the check simply ruined my mood. Paying $50 for mediocre food, service, and ambiance guaranteed that I will never return. The competition for Mexican restaurants in Lawrence is pretty high. I don't know why anyone would bother heading to this place...I sure don't plan on it. read more

After having moved here from Texas and reading the reviews on this place I was really hoping that I had finally found a decent (or at least passable) Mexican restaurant. Sadly, this did not turn out to be the case. We started with chips, salsa, and margaritas. The chips and salsa would turn out to be the highlight of our meal. The green sauce was VERY good and actually quite spicy (beware, not for those with an aversion to heat). We have been back solely to pick up the green sauce even though we live on the other side of town. The margaritas were tasty, even if they were somewhat weak in the tequila department. At this point we were pretty excited and thinking that we had found a place we would come to regularly. I ordered a chalupa, and my girlfriend ordered the taco plate. Oddly, most of the meats were cut into tiny cubes that were dry, tough, and tasteless. The chorizo was the best of the meats, but was nothing to go back for specifically. After reading some recent reviews, I am considering going back to try the fish tacos, but other than that I will not be back. There are better choices, even in Lawrence. read more

I'm a gluten for punishment. This updated review gains a star for Tortas Jalisco. Each time I venture into this place (8 times and counting) I vow to never return. Here's the deal; I live literally 100 feet from Jalisco's. Between Jalisco's and Spangles, I feel like I'm cursed with bad restaurants within walking distance of my front door. At least I have Basil Leaf. Therefore, I continue to talk myself into eating at Tortas Jaliscos hoping I'm visiting on off days. Some well respected Yelp reviewers actually give this place good ratings. They all can't be wrong. Maybe it's just me. Well , I ordered the beef nachos this time and was quite surprised at how good they were.A huge platter of fresh chips drowned in beef and all the toppings affiliated with nachos. Sort of a pizza cheese type texture to the white cheese sprinkled about. Nice and hot. Very flavorful. Guacamole was excellent. Service was still spotty at best. Why do these guys (waiters) insist on not refilling the drinks. Is this another cost cutting measure at Tortas Jaliscos along with their ridiculous no free chips and salsa policy? Like clockwork, the staff congregates at the bar area and sometimes like to sit on the floor in front of the bar. Don't get me wrong, nobody likes pestering wait staffs. But for heavens sake, at least peak over and check to see if water or other drinks need refilling at least once during the entire visit. This stuff has happened at least 6 of the 8 times I've visited. The place stills has an empty feeling to it because there are not enough tables and too much open floor space in the middle of the restaurant. I could almost understand the set-up if they utilized the open space as a dance floor. Most of the tables surround the perimeter of the restaurant. At most they have 3-4 booths on the north wall. Everything else resembles wood picnic tables. Another Lawrence business with worlds of potential that just don't seem to get it. In the end, good luck getting your bill in a timely manner. Again, you may need to venture up to the gathering spot, the bar and seek out your bill. I kid you not, another person standing there arguing with the waiter in regards to being charged for chips and salsa. Yes, they were charged for a refill as well. So, those of you not getting charged for chips and salsa, you are very fortunate indeed. read more

Deliciousa soft shell tacos filled with chicken or beef! Great guac. A favorite before KU basketball games - great food and no Mass Street crowds. read more

Tortas Jalisco - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

My quest for good Mexican food in Lawrence is finally over. This place has great drink specials ($2 White Russians made with Horchata?? $15 margaritas on the rocks pitchers..?? mmm....) and the food is incredible for Lawrence. I would say it's above average Mexican food overall, but this is a true gem in Kansas. I keep wanting to go back and try all the dishes, but I would be out of money if I tried this. Their monthly specials always have at least 2-3 things that intrigue me, and I still haven't gotten to touch most of the menu items yet. Over Cinco de Mayo, I got an asada torta and it was exactly what I was looking for... I didn't think that these existed here in Kansas. read more

They were a little busy Friday night. A 5 minute wait for a seat and a 10 minute wait for anyone to take our orders. As one of the other reviews said get the queso blanco appetizer and both salsas come with it to make it a very good deal. We had three different dishes and not a clunker among them. They use real cheese not yellow stuff from Costco/Sam's Club. read more

We used to eat here quite frequently. Now I remember why we stopped going to Tortas Jalisco. First, you have to pay $2.79 for chips and salsa. I have never eaten at another Mexican restaurant that makes you pay for chips and salsa. Second, the $4 house margarita is small, maybe 12 ounces tops, with little if any tequila. A waste of $4. I got a better buzz from the ice water. Third, the guacamole ($4.99) is very small and loaded with tomatoes and onion (filler). $2.99 maybe, $4.99 forget it. Fourth, they have raised their prices on many dishes by a buck or cut the amount of food. For example, you now only get 4 tacos for $6.99 (instead of 5) and they eliminated carne asada (steak) as a "meat" option, the only choices now being chorizo, pork (carnitas or adobada), chicken or ground beef, all of which are much less costly than steak. Finally, the food is mediocre by California or Texas standards, but slightly above average for Lawrence. The place is always empty, likely the result of weak, overpriced margaritas and having to pay for chips and salsa ... this is a college town folks! CombatCritic Downgrades Tortas Jalisco To 5 Out Of 10 Bombs (Rounded Up To 3 Out Of 5 Stars) ... More Bombs Are Better! read more

If you visit Lawrence, don't miss family-owned Tortas Jalisco! They have the best Mexican breakfast menu I have ever seen, and everything on it I have tried is awesome! And it gets better. The Abuela of the family does some of the cooking, including making a wonderful mole. And they have lots of regional Jalisco dishes you won't find anywhere else! Stop in, check out the specials on the board inside the door, and give yourself a treat! Do I sound like a fan? Oh yeah! I eat there with a big group once a month, and wouldn't miss it for the world! read more

Although I am not Hispanic I have an aunt to thank for marrying into an Hispanic family and in turn for Grandma Rosales. I learned at a young age to have an open mind about Hispanic cooking. Tortas Jalisco can do for you what Grandma Rosales did for me. In Lawrence I confidently say there is no better food of this nature. Chips incredible (especially when warm)! Salsa x2, both homeade- WOW! Queso Blanco-get your hands off my Qeuso Blanco. Then comes their fish tacos. If you dare say you don't love fish tacos it's because you have not tried them at Tortas. I am yet to have anything on the menu that I haven't bee totally impressed with. M y entire family loves the place, even my 10 and 12 year old sons who can be a little picky. I try to sample something new everytime I go in and the daily specials tend to be something that might not sound/look familiar but give them a chance. Consistently awesome. This place should be packed 24/7 so I have to assume that many out there don't know about it. Well if you're ready this, now you do. Locally owned and authentic, delicious food. It's not 4 for a dollar taco hell franchise but I assure you every penny you pay will more than well spent. read more

Best Mexican food in Lawrence. Cheap drinks, authentic food and awesome service. I lived around the corner from this place and was my go-to spot whenever I was missing California. read more

Wow! Easily the best Mexican food in Lawrence. Now, that's not saying much, but this is wonderful. Service is helpful, friendly & fast. We'll be back! read more

Tortas Jalisco - Wow! Easily the best Mexican food in Lawrence. Now, that's not saying much, but this is wonderful. - Mexican Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

I am writing this post just to let you guys know how much I loved your old giant cactus sign on 6th street. Also, my friend's Dad ate food at your restaurant. read more

Based on the reviews here I chose to eat here for my first night in KS. I had a veggie burrito and because of the recommendation here I got the chips and salsa. When someone says "green salsa" I think tomatillos - not pureed peppers!! Wow, that salsa had a kick!! The burrito was okay, but nothing to write home about. The chips were fresh and the salsa yummy. I also had a friendly server. It's worth a stop in if you're in the area. read more

If you want genuine Mexican food, go to Jalisco's. You can get bland and average Mexican food all over town. I've been going to Jalisco's since it was in the gas station. What they serve is excellent, authentic, especially the daily and monthly specials. The staff is great, they have genuine Mexican soda, like Jarritos and Coke in tall bottles with cane sugar. Not a fancy place, but excellent entrees. The rice and beans are not gourmet, but they're not in Mexico, either. :) read more

Tortas Jalisco is hands down the best Mexican food you will find in Lawrence. I've had dinner or lunch here around five times and each time the food was excellent. The Baja fish tacos are great, the chilaquiles is AMAZING, and the tacos de nopales are a nice change for Kansas. This place really is the most authentic Mexican cuisine you will find in this area (despite what the Texans think). The service even reminded me of my visits to Mexico (not rushed). I don't hand out 5 stars that often, but when I do, you won't be disappointed. read more

This is one of the best Mexican restaurants in Lawrence. Much better than the pseudo-mexican chains. The fish tacos diablo are fantastic.

I've been here several times, and I have to say that overall I am pretty impressed. Jalisco, a region known more notably for the creation and manufacturing of tequila (or mezcal to the locals), has a very specific style of regional Mexican cuisine. Tortas Jalisco educates Lawrencians about this style and how it should be made. I've decided to focus on three dishes I've had at this quaint little joint, starting with something we always got for free at other Mexican places. Of course, I'm talking about chips n' salsa, but there's a reason why you have to lay down a little scratch for this number. The chips are dense corn tortillas sliced into small wedges, fried to crispy perfection, and seasoned with a unique spice blend. The sauces are sinister in their simplicity. What looks like ketchup tastes like fire roasted peppers; warm, spicy, and smoky. What looks like pure pureed jalapeno is... well, pretty much pure pureed jalapeno peppers. The spice level of both sauces surely excites the palate, giving the customer an unexpected compromise of authentic and pedestrian. The only dish that I was not impressed with was their carnitas. I've had carnitas at a number of different joints in Kansas, so I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect. Tortas Jalisco's carnitas presents itself as a very dry plate of stringy pork that is not really worth ordering if you're expecting succulent fall-apart juicy pork. The flavors are still there, but the pork itself just looked to be cooked a long... long time without any moisture. More like Carnitas Jerky or something. If that's your thing, feel free to give it a try. But not to worry. There are many other dishes that they do very well, such as their fish tacos and (or course) their bodacious tortas: Mexican sandwiches filled with anything under the sun. But the real reason why I even felt compelled to post this lengthy review is one dish that has made me see the light: Chilaquiles. Chilaquiles is a Mexican traditional breakfast dish that varies greatly from one place to the next. Usually it involves some kind of broth with meat and vegetables cooked forever, some tortilla chips, and cheese which are alternated in layers. And then they throw a couple eggs on top. First, the broth that Tortas Jalisco uses is insane. It is awesome. Not just awesome, wicked awesome. Blows your mind in half awesome. And then they've got their killer tortilla chips. That's right, those tortilla chips from the appetizer? Layered with roasted chicken, cheese, and that wicked broth, these chips are sturdy and crispy; hardy enough to stay crispy, even when submerged in the wicked chicken liquor steaming in your bowl... Yes, bowl. The eggs over easy on top are the perfect way to send this dish through the roof. The yolk breaks and runs down into the soup making the whole dish much more enjoyable and worthy of anyone's visit. Please do yourself a solid and try out Tortas Jalisco. They've got a lot to offer Lawrence, just make sure to go in with an open mind. read more

Love to order their fajitas, food is great, service is friendly, outside patio is nice for fresh air dining. The place is very authentic in every way except being outside Mexico! read more

They have really good salsas here, but the guacamole was a bummer. First off, it wasn't fresh, at least a day old. Secondly, it had an inordinate amount of tomatoes in it, and they had been mixed in since it was made, rather than to order, so they were mushy and gross. I got a house specialty, burrito de nopales, and it was pretty good, but it had a red sauce inside, and a green sauce outside, which didn't really go together and the rice was a few days old. So old that each grain of rice was pretty much unrecognizable, like you stuck a mini-firecracker in each grain. read more

I wish I could give this place 3.5 stars. Tortas Jalisco serves unpretentious, authentic Mexican food, tasty and pretty cheap. The food is great, the corn tortillas are nice and fresh, the margaritas are strong (and cheap!), and they put lots of lime and cilantro on the tacos. Sometimes the service can be slow, and the decor is pretty unimpressive, but the food is completely worth it. read more

They don't serve the expected free and fast chips and salsa, so you won't leave with a belly ache. Their beef fajitas are SPICY and not-so-good. And so is their green salsa. The red salsa tasted like canned tomato paste. Margaritas taste like a powder mix served and are served out of a dispenser. read more

Real Mexican food. The green salsa rocks if you like HOT! Family business which is why service is sketchy but adds to the experience. Very friendly. read more

The chips and salsa was good, but everything else fell short. The enchiladas were really dry and cold, the rice was really old and had a few very very dry peas in them. There was nothing special about them what-so-ever. Waste of 9 bucks! The spicy shrimp were okay, but full of oil. I could get really good mexican food for less at mi ranchito in overland park. Overall, I won't be going back. read more

This is the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Lawrence. If he's there, the owner, Angel, will come out to say hi. Known for their tortas, like a Mexican lunch sandwich, Angel learned this recipe as a child from his grandmother and they are superb. Along with great drink specials, friendly service, and the ability to cook almost whatever Mexican dish you desire, this is a great establishment. Do yourself a favor, and order something with the chorizo in it. You won't be disappointed. Also, weather permitting, check out their sweet patio seating. read more

This review is for lunch at Tortas. This seems to be the one of most authentic Mexican restaurants in the area based on other reviews. I had the carne asada and carnitas taco plate and a small chicken enchilada with mole sauce. The carne asada and pork both seemed pretty dry to me. The chicken in the enchilada was ok and the mole sauce tasted pretty decent. The rice and beans tasted like those of any other American Mexican restaurant. Business was slow and the server was very attentive and friendly. I would probably eat elsewhere and save my Mexican appetite for another time and place. read more