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With its real-deal tortilla-making machine from Guadalajara, this place shows what Mexican street food is about. The menu explores the versatility of masa (maize dough), flattened into soft tortillas for tacos, fried crisp for tostadas and shaped into thick patties for griddled sopes. Masks, movie posters and gorgeous staff make Taqueria easy on the eye, as well as the taste buds. There’s a commendable list of tequilas, many aged, and Mexican beer that can be served with lime, salt and chilli for a refreshing summer drink. Aguas frescas (flavoured waters) include cucumber, hibiscus, guava and creamy horchata, made from soaked rice and cinnamon: a great foil for chilli. As for the tacos, chicken tinga (with fabulous chipotle sauce) was too liquid, and the garlic prawns could have coped with more garlic. In contrast, the crumbly chorizo sopes were impeccable, and the zingy sea bass ceviche tasted as if straight from the sea.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
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Hi. I moved to St Albans just over 3 years ago to work in the family business. I think statistically most people meet their partner at work but as...
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Unequivocally passable. Reasonable vibe, polite but inefficient service, and overpriced for what it is. The fourth let-down following ratings by Time Out. Makes me wonder if the reviewers actually EAT in the restaurants they grade.
Nice if not spectacular food let down by some really slack service. Went for an early dinner on a Saturday and despite not being busy there were several mistakes made. Mains came whilst still eating starters and weren't offered to be taken back. After finishing food no one offered us a desert menu for about 15 mins despite walking past us several times, and then no one even said goodbye when we left. For a local style restaurant this lack of 'love' from them seemed really strange and I won't be going back.
My expectations were high when visiting this restaurant. Being called "Taqueria" I was expecting something similar to the kind of food you could get in a real Mexican taco shop. I was hugely disappointed. Portions are diminutive and prices are high. For instance I tried the "tacos al pastor" which are offered as a plate of 3 small tacos. These tacos were no more than 6cm in diameter with very little meat in them and one small cube of pineapple decorating each taco. It was like a plate for a child and for £5.50 these tiny tacos were overpriced. Then I had the "puntas de albanil" which were a pair of slightly bigger tacos but not large. Again, the price did not compensate for the dish. The service was decent but the atmosphere of the place is rather gloomy and sad. This could have been forgiven if the food was good but it was not the case. The food was edible but not outstanding. Overall not a nice experience eating there. I recommend to look somewhere else if you want something closer to a nice Mexican meal.
And I used to think I knew good Mexican in the states. It's a pleasant surprise when a restaurant exceeds your expectations, but the food at this place was fantastic. The review by Timeout was spot on in every way. The Botana (chips with a variety of sides) was a bit pricey for an appetizer esp considering the cost of the mains, however it was quality. Also tried the Al Pastor, Pescado, and Puntas Albanil tacos-- all fabulous. The wait staff pretty much left us alone as we were there for a couple hours on a Sunday afternoon but they always came quickly when we needed something. Did I mention they were incredibly nice, and quite easy on the eyes indeed. New favourite place for Mexican.
After arriving in London last year we found a flat just down the street from this Oaxacan dinner. While the food wasn't outstanding, it was tolerable, while missing our fantastic Mexican grub in Seattle. After finding a new flat outside of Notting Hill, we returned a couple of weeks ago for our Mexican fix. We found the Taqueria under new management...stale chips, cold/plaster like refried black beans, and no longer the outstanding tortillas, that used to be produced via tortilla machine in the back, and visible from the street through the front window into the kitchen. A very sad day indeed. We suggest looking elsewhere. Two stars for a marginal margarita. Taqueria we will miss you.
Just went to this place for the first time with gf. tried the hot chocolate..."the best in london"... I really don't think so. Bear in mind that London is meant to be the top 2 cities in the world. So this the best in the country at the very least?
We tried some of what could only be best described as snacks, and they were, clumsily; amateurishly prepared. Raw onion, raw chesee and dense heavy refry beans.
Really is this the best Mexican London has to offer? God! come back "Down Mexico Way" all is forgiven. Listen you'll do alot better if you just go down Tescos and get som' "Old el Paso" save your money.
Wait till you can go to Mexico or try the place in Soho, much better.
If you arrive there and find yourself the only table to be served, fine.
Once you have more than 2-3 tables – trouble ! – You can't get a waiter to pay attention to you, so you may well stay there all night until your bill comes 2 hours later.
It will be quickly packed and service is more appalling than ever !!
Waiters just don't pay attention to you anymore, don't bother asking for your bill anymore, just get up and pay at the counter !
Food is nice but... portions are very, very small, so you get the pressure to order more so you feel fed and then the prices just shoot to the sky !
Sadly I gave up being a local customer.