I've been to Pajarito a number of times but this one was special-- an engagement dinner (or…read morespecifically, a post engagement celebratory dinner). I am updating the review because Pajarito delivered the experience I knew they would and exceeded expectations. See my previous review (chips are great, proteins are great, drinks are great) and all that stands. The additional details here are: they brought us a celebratory split champagne, dessert of choice on the house (the bunuelos were actually super good and I would get them again-- had no idea just how warm, light, sweet, yet dense a donut could be), and a aperatif (a fruity post-dinner mini shot/drink). Not to mention, the host was quick to say "congrats" (I had let them know of the occasion ahead of time). As well, they were happy to reserve an ideal seat of choice for us with advanced notice. Overall, such a great dinner and great service, which is what I was hoping for for this once-in-a-lifetime milestone celebration. Pajarito delivered. Thanks!

Great location and can accommodate larger groups. We came for my husband's bday dinner with both of…read moreour families on a Tuesday. They were very accommodating and provided high chairs for the toddlers. They also have a real changing table and diapers in the women's room! Talk about family friendly. I've never had any food here that I didn't like. Definitely a local gem.

It's Taco Tuesday and I was craving Mexican food, but I didn't just wanna go to the type of place…read moreyou think of when "Mexican" is brought up... I'm fancy, so I wanted something a bit more upscale. I did a little bit of research and wouldn't you know it... Colita came up. So here's how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: Set south of downtown and a bit west of The Mall of America on Penn Avenue is this gem. There is no private parking lot, but plenty of street parking to leave your fly ride. But once you walk up to the restaurant you can immediately understand the message they're trying to send. Everything looks so modern, straightforward with straight lines, grey colors and light woods. There is a small outdoor section where you can dine if you get lucky enough to land a spot there. Inside carries a very similar style with a little nod to the pueblos and architecture of the southwest. The decor is minimalistic and the "loudest" thing in the room is the live plant wall seated directly behind the bar, which was super cool. Service: I can't remember who took care of us, but we had no issues whatsoever. Food/Drink: I was able to try so many different dishes and drinks here and the list is below... : Xochitl In Love : La Clandestina : Tuna Tostada : Chicken Tinga Tostada : Seared Scallops : Tlayuda : Colita Old Fashioned : Lamb Barbacoa Tacos : Duck Tamal However, my favorite things were the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, Duck Tamal and Seared Scallops, in that order. The food here is phenomenal, the drinks are excellently crafted and things are served tapas style so you don't get too full off of just one thing! Order a whole bunch of stuff and share with the table! Value: As I mentioned earlier, I wanted upscale and the priced dddooo reflect that. Lol. This is a nice place so be prepared to spend... Like you're downtown somewhere. In conclusion, I loved this place and I will come back over and over. Check this place out the next time you're in the area!

Been to Colita a few times, great meal every time. The latest visit was with my best friend, we had…read morea fun dinner catching up over delicious food. The Tostadas (one order of the Tuna and one order of the Charred Eggplant) were on point. The shrimp tacos and corn elote were yummy too. The Churros were amazing! - A great way to cap off a nice meal. Lucky to have such a great restaurant so close to where we live - my best friend and I both walked to the restaurant because of the snow.

If you're even thinking about tacos, just go to Andale Taqueria Tacos--seriously…read more These are hands down the most delicious tacos I've ever had. The flavors are insanely fresh, the meat is perfectly seasoned, and every bite just hits. You can tell they actually care about the quality here. The tortillas? Soft and legit. The toppings? Simple but perfect. It's the kind of place where you take one bite and immediately know you'll be back. Even Guy Fieri stopped by and gave it high praise--and he was absolutely right. Easily a 10/10. This spot just raised my taco standards.

Lots of options, ranging to Mexican breakfast to shrimp tacos. However, that also got me…read moreoverwhelmed and it took awhile to get our food. It gets pretty packed during peak meal times. Horchata is just not it and it tasted like water. Flan was okay, it was a bit sweet but better than horchata. Fish was also deep fried for my tacos, but overall I liked it. The beans that came with the el pastro, carne asada and chorizo were amazing! I like that they have self-serve toppings bars with different sauces. Vibes were lively with lots of families during peak hours!

El Sazon is amazing and a gem in the community…read more This is everything you want in a small business in your local community, a feeling like you're going over a relatives home. Exceptional, personal service, passionate cooking, warm and inviting atmosphere. The owners Chef Cristian and wife Karen are absolutely amazing and the sweetest. I'd been previously for various events, but this was the first trip just for a casual pop in and dinner. Went for nachos as a table, I snagged a birria burrito bowl, and we had a churro cheesecake for dessert. Chefs, absolute, kiss. You can taste the passion. There's a lot in the back for parking, and pricing is more than fair if not, a killer value in my opinion. Definitely check them out!

I'm not exaggerating when I say the shrimp burrito at El Sazón might have altered the course of my…read morelife. I've eaten a lot of burritos around Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan--you name it--but nothing has ever come close to this masterpiece. The only hiccup was the ordering process. They really want you to order through a QR code, which threw me off for a second. It's not the most intuitive setup, and I definitely had a "wait... am I doing this right?" moment. But once the order was in, everything turned around fast. The service was smooth, friendly, and the food came out quicker than I expected. And that shrimp burrito? Unreal. The tortilla was warm and perfectly toasted, the sauce had that rich, savory kick that makes you pause mid‑bite, and the shrimp... there were so many I genuinely lost count. No filler, no fluff--just pure shrimp glory from start to finish. If you're anywhere near Minneapolis and even remotely into shrimp, get yourself to El Sazón. That burrito deserves its own fan club.

This restaurant is tucked in an not so easy to spot location but don't be deterred. It's staffed by…read morewhat I assume is the family that runs the place and on both occasions we were treated very well. It's a cozy atmosphere, it doesn't feel like you need to be all dressed up to fit in. Now the food. My wife and I have been here twice. Once for lunch last week and tonight for dinner. On both occasions the food was outstanding. We were treated by a combination of fresh ingredients, a chefs eye towards delicious flavor profiles, great execution, and fair prices. Certainly keen to come back. I'd recommend the ceviche for an appetizer and if you're feeling spicy ask for the house hot sauce. It's a roasted habanero and it's awesome. For lunch I had the shrimp tacos and they were great also. I feel like I'm gushing here, but the rack of lamb and scallops were both also amazing dinner entrees as well. Lastly, every desert we've had has been tasty as well.

Cahill Bistro is one of my favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities, and for good reason! The food,…read morethe service, and the ambience are five stars across the board. Owned and operated by three brothers, this family-owned restaurant serves incredible Ecuadorian and Mexican-inspired dishes. If you visit, you'll most likely be greeted and served by one of the owners, who treat you like family--wholesome and genuinely high-quality hospitality without doing too much. The service provided and the love poured into the food are comparable to none. I've frequented this restaurant several times, throughout several years, and I've never had a bad experience or a bad meal. Some of my favorite dishes here include: - Empanadas de Carne or Vegetariana: Beef or vegetable empanadas. These empanadas are pan-fried corn dough, stuffed with your choice of tender, juicy, perfectly cooked braised beef or fresh vegetables. The empanadas are served on a bed of roasted tomato salsa and crema casera. The crispiness and warmth of the empanadas, combined with the tanginess of the sauces, make this dish my absolute favorite. If you're undecided in the appetizer section, this would be the one thing I would absolutely make sure you order. - The guacamole is made with fresh avocado, tomato, onion, cilantro, roasted tomato, salsa, and served with crispy corn chips. It is one of their top-selling items as it is made fresh to order, and absolutely delicious as such. - The shrimp ceviche is another favorite! Made with a blend of tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and citrus juice, this ceviche is both juicy and packed with tons of flavor. It's the perfect light and refreshing appetizer. - The Tostones and fried yucca, each crispy and crunchy, are also excellent options for sharing or nibbling solo before your main dish. - The Carne Asada is one of my go-to lunches when I visit. Overnight, marinated steak is grilled to perfection and served with achiote (yellow, seasoned) rice, black bean purée, French fries, and a small house salad. It's good comfort food cooked with love and an incredible amount of - The Lomo saltado dish is sautéed beef tips that are very tender, rich, and flavorful. The combination with the red onions, bell peppers, and tomatoes is sensational. Paired with an achiote (yellow, seasoned) rice that waters your mouth, as well as a side house salad served with a tangy lime vinaigrette that will blow you away. - The Mexican Tres leches is my absolute favorite version! I've tried several, not all, across the Twin Cities, and this is always easily my favorite. A homemade cake soaked with a blend of three milks, whipped cream, caramel chocolate, and topped with crispy coconut flakes. This dessert is decadent as it is delicious. In addition to these dishes, Cahill Bistro offers happy hour Sunday-Thursday from 3:00-5:30pm with specials on appetizers and drinks. They also have daily soup specials and brunch on Saturdays. Cahill Bistro has consistently won multiple awards for best Latin American food in the Twin Cities, and for me, there is no debate about that. Cahill Bistro is my #1!

We put in our name at Mothership Pizza Paradise across the street (1.5 hour wait!) so we opted to…read morecome over here for happy hour drinks and a snack, and it was great! Our server was so kind and welcomed us warmly. I loved the decor inside! We got the $8HH margs and the chips and trio dip, which was perfect for us. Happy hour margs hit the spot and were affordable! Our server was able to accommodate our two late arrivals and we had such a good experience that we'll definitely be back for HH again soon.

I had read mixed reviews of Barrio but had an awesome experience there!…read more It was quiet when we went for lunch. Service was fantastic and the restaurant itself is beautiful. I thought the chips and salsa were delicious, and I also enjoyed the shrimp skewers, shishito peppers, and shrimp tacos. The portions are smaller and the flavors are more mild compared to a Mexican restaurant. Parking in the free ramps or on the street can get busy, but there's typically something available. I'd go back!

Love this place. The chips and queso are the BEST! Perfectly seasoned crispy tortilla chips with…read moredelicious queso. We always devour every single bite. My husband likes getting a variety of tacos - al pastor, barbacoa, shrimp, or carnitas. My favorite is the rajas bowl - tasty cactus, peppers, black beans, lettuce, and pico. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is the wild inconsistency in these bowls. I've had it over 10 times and you never really know what you're going to get. Sometimes it has avocado, sometimes rice or beans, sometimes lettuce is soggy on the bottom but sometimes sprinkled on top, sometimes hominy, one time they even added refried beans. It's totally dealer's choice of whoever happens to be assembling it in the kitchen on any given day. Nevertheless, I'll keep coming back!

We need rested for pickup, and I waited in the car, so no review on the inside. The flavors of the…read moretacos are fantastic! The crispy chicken and wet taco were phenomenal, 10/10 and I will absolutely come back for more! The chips and queso were decent, could've been a bit more salty for the chips. The parking is of course always a zoo in this area, but oh well. Our only comment is that you don't get much for the price, 3 tacos left my fiancé wanting a fourth to get full (which would be $20+ for one meal). Well def get this as a snacky or appetizer again:)

Less busy than usual so service faster than usual, but as always delicious food (breakfast burritos…read morefor 2 of us and fajita bowl for the 3rd of us) and good portion size so left full. Customer service always great!

We ordered chicken enchiladas w/mole. It was unusually sweet. The refried beans lacked flavor and…read morethe rice was bland mush. The chips and guacamole was the highlight. Chips were fresh. My mother loved the guacamole. I was looking for more flavor - cilantro, jalapeños... something. It was fresh but nothing to write home about. The elote was cold and loaded with mayo. One bite and I was done. My husband liked his California burrito. I'm not sure how I feel about French fries in my burrito. I think Im still cranky about the horrible enchilada plate. I left hungry. The staff were very pleasant.

I haven't updated this since the last time I lived in Minnesota!…read more When we moved back, Orale was one of the first places we went back to. I love this place, and the food is on par with a lot of Mexican food in California. Most recently, we went to celebrate a birthday. We go here because they are veggie friendly. We ordered the veggie enchiladas and I got a veggie wet burrito. Everything was delicious. My only complaint would be that things could be a bit saucier...but that's a preference thing and we get salsa on the side for it. We also got chips and guac -- delicious as well! I will say that the portions, especially the burrito are VERY generous. I think I should have shared it! It was pretty buzzy, which was great to see given the depths of winter we were in. Go here!!

I have been wanting to check out Orale because I have heard great things from neighbors…read more Finally tried it for the 1st time a couple of weeks ago when my friend grabbed takeout for us and LOVED the Filipino tacos so much that I went back within the week to get more. Nice restaurant decor with a good amount of seating. The parking lot is a little small and could take a while to get in and out of because it's in a pretty busy area. Looking forward to dining in soon and trying more dishes AND desserts

I've been meaning to try this Richfield staple for some time now and I clearly waited too long --…read moreso good! I got the breakfast burrito and added crispy cheese... it's probably the best breakfast burrito I've ever had. It's also MASSIVE. I ate half and was very full... so I waited an hour and then ate the other half. Now I'm plain old stuffed. I also got a horchata cold brew... likewise, this may be my new favorite cold brew now. I thought it might be a bit too sweet initially but that thought quickly disappeared. Delicious with great depth of flavor. I will definitely be back to eat inside with friends soon. Lots of booths! Plenty of parking outside as well.

I saw this place before it opened in the fall. Planned to go there, but events intervened. Luckily,…read moreLito's so far has survived the fist of our extremist government. The ambiance is very modern, with smooth tables and an enormous, vaulted ceiling. Service was quick and efficient, with a cash register/ordering station, and a separate pick-up station to the left. Took about ten minutes to prep my burritos. I ate one of them at home, saving a breakfast burrito for later in the week. Delicious carnitas burrito, good salsa. There is parking in back, and some on the side street without paying. The menu appears unique, a mix of traditional and fusion. Prices are in the $15 range for an entree. Food delivered warm, in aluminum wrap. Generous portion, quite satisfying. Note: Please participate in my proposed National Hispanic Small Business Week, starting Monday, Feb 2, to Monday, Feb 9. Make a point of buying goods and services from local Hispanic businesses. Help defeat the plans of those that want all Hispanics purged from the United States. Thank you. I tip my top hat.