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    Mezcal Kitchen JC

    3.9 (206 reviews)
    ModerateMexican
    Closed • 11:00 am - 12:30 AM (Next day)

    Order Mezcal Kitchen JC Takeout or Delivery

    Mezcal Kitchen JC Photos

    MEZCAL KITCHEN JC ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Happy hour specials

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    Carnitas Burrito
    Josh B.

    Maybe it was all those awful Twitter scolds howling about the evils of the "burrito taxi," but I was in the mood for DoorDash's most reviled offering. The carnitas burrito was juicy and well-crafted. I liked the zingy salsa and even the rice. The preparation was speedy. Sorry haters. I'm glad I got this "luxury item." For my next act I'll buy avocado toast, which will be solely responsible for my inability to my a house.

    seating
    Vincent Y.

    Mezcal Kitchen JC.. stopped in for some Mexican food. Went with the nachos to start and entrees to follow including the chicken with peppers and onions and the cubano sandwich. Service wasn't anything special as it definitely didn't stand out. The place was loud and overly dark. The menu had a ton of options, which was a plus. The food was decent definitely worth the stop.

    Kebby B.

    This place serves some delicious Mexican food. You can order a variety of dishes, from Nachos to Quesadillas. We started with a pitcher of Sangria (which we got the happy hours discount on), but it was a bit too sweet for my taste. The nachos were loaded and great for a group of six. I enjoyed the Shrimp Quesadillas, which were loaded with large shrimp. We also tried the Chicken and Peppers, which was okay but a bit chewy. My main complaint is about the music. It was quite loud, making it difficult to hear each other. A softer volume would have been better.

    Beef Birria Burrito
    A'Yanna E.

    Loud & Pricey but Tasty! I was craving birria as I often do and decided to try a new place that happened to have birria burritos which sounded quite delicious. While I had to lean over the bar just to hear & be heard by the server due to the extremely loud music, I ordered the birria burrito and tres leches to go. She was kind. My order came quick. They give you a small to-go ramekin of consume dipping sauce...I wanted the equivalent of sauce received with standard birria tacos especially for the price. The tres leches I saw pictured on Yelp was plain with a few strawberry slices...this was covered in peaches, mango, & strawberries which I was not happy with when I opened it at home. They should tell ppl that ugh. It was fine but I prefer my tres leches less soggy & runny so I wouldn't order it again. Overall, good food to return for & a fun environment if you want to dine in solo or with others. I def want to try the birria quesadilla next. There were solo ppl at the bar, couples at the bar, friend groups at tabletops, families at tables, & birthday folks dancing. Go, enjoy!

    Nadia A.

    This has been my favorite spot so far moving into the jersey and it has not been a disappointment! The place is definitely for locals, always has seating, service is always attentive and friendly. They do have events and living performances as well. The food and drinks are delicious as I have come back in a few accessions mows and have been trying different items to get a feel of their dishes. The place is self is beautiful, not packed whenever we go even on a Friday night. I hope to see it on busy night one day but I don't mind going anytime!

    Bar area high tops
    Sara G.

    We love Mezcal!! We stayed in the neighborhood for about a month while our apartment was being finished, and we ate here multiple times. Everyone is always friendly. The food is consistently delicious--the mole enchiladas are my favorite along with the sweet tooth cocktail. Vibes are casual with sports on tv and themed decor.

    Kristen C.

    I came here with my significant other and we really liked the vibe and service. One thing to note is that I left my wallet there and I was so pleased that they were able to keep it overnight safe for me. We had too much fun splitting a pitcher of margaritas. Food absolutely delicious and the cheese dip was sizzling hot upon arrival. 10/10.

    Guacamole chips and salsa
    Dara R.

    Love this place in Five Corners Jersey City! We've been living here for 7 months and tried this spot for the first time. Drinks are great and their waitresses are on point with recommendations and checking in on guests. The shrimp tacos are small but pack a lot of flavor. We also had the fresh guac and chips which was super refreshing and delish! The atmosphere is clean and inviting and it feels like were in a fancier location maybe on vacation somewhere. Also, the prices are pretty decent for a local joint and we would definitely come back!

    beef birria enchiladas
    Steve A.

    Late night coming back from a concert, I felt a little peckish and wanted to replenish my saline. Mezcal was open, served Mexican, which often has salty seasoning, had decent reviews, and right on my way home. Do note that this doesn't have the best feeling neighborhood, but I put my trust in Newark Ave. being busy at all hours, and sure enough my car was just fine and the atmosphere in Mezcal feels nice and local. In fact, even though I'm not local, they offered to turn down the bar music for me! It was late, there were actual locals inside, so I deferred to them, but this place seems accommodating and caring. The servers took to me right away, with more than one helping me obtain beverage and meal items. I went with a different agua fresca than usual (tamarind) and not much to comment there, but $3 is reasonable for 16 oz of fresh drink. You can see the beef birria I ordered, and all of the stars poured in once I started eating. The enchiladas were full of every ingredient and perfectly balanced between items and flavors. The green sauce had a nice kick, there was a nice fresh avocado on top and just the right crema sauce, not oversauce like I'm used to. Even the rice and beans were full of flavor! I marveled to many of my friends how Mezcal singlehandedly raised the bar on rice and beans. No longer will I accept the slightly spiced rice and cool beans I'm used to. Now they have to have all of the delicious flavor that Mezcal brings! And since they raised my food bar, and with wonderful service and a great atmosphere (see photos!), all the stars for Mezcal!

    Outside of cake box
    Ami P.

    This review is for their tres leches cake - although their food is great too! There have been many times I have ordered a peice of just their tres leches cake because it is that good. So milky and soft and just the right amount of sweet. We decided to try to order a whole cake for my friend's birthday (he used to live in the area and definitely misses it) and they were soo sweet. They said this is the first time they have had this request and the chefs were excited so they got creative. So cute! Highly recommend if you want to have a different type of cake for a party! It held up very well and was a hit.

    Margaritas for Happy Hour

    I stumbled upon Mezcal's Kitchen while exploring Jersey City and honestly, it's one of the best decisions I've made all week. From the moment I walked in, the vibe was warm, welcoming, and authentic, a perfect mix of cozy and modern. Food wise, absolutely incredible. I had the chorizo quesadillas more times that I can count, juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked to the smallest detail. I also tried most of their mezcal cocktails, the best. Their happy hour is the best hour haha The service was on point too. Friendly, attentive without being overbearing, and you can tell the staff genuinely care about the food they're serving. I love you guys lol Whether you're a local or just visiting, Mezcal's Kitchen is 100% worth a stop. It feels like a neighborhood spot with destination-worthy food! Definitely stop by!

    Chorizo Tacos

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    2 months ago

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    15 days ago

    Food is great. Service is great. Angel P was great. 100% recommend both Angel and Mezcal.

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    Paola J.

    Yes same owner! Thank you for stopping in!

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    1 year ago

    Good food, large portions good drinks that's all I need to say oh yeah and great bartenders

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Mezcal Kitchen JC

    Is it possible to bring our own bottle? If yes, is there any extra charges for that?

    Yes...and they have virgin margarita mix for sale!

    View All 2 Questions

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    El Ranchero Taqueria

    El Ranchero Taqueria

    4.6(96 reviews)
    0.9 mi
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    I used to visit this place often when I lived in JC.. and now when I'm in the area, I try to make a…read morestop to get their tacos. It never disappoints! Authentic tacos, great service and friendly laid back ambiance. Give it a try! 4 chicken tacos for $12. Can't go wrong.

    Stopped by here for a quick lunch with my sister before heading back to work. It was Taco Tuesday…read moreso we had to celebrate accordingly and El Ranchero is the perfect spot because they throw in an extra taco on Tuesdays as part of their deal! The service was great. Our server was very on top of her stuff, making sure we had everything we needed and we were enjoying the food. She even let us practice our Spanish with her when ordering! My sister ordered the chicken tinga tacos and I ordered the beef birria. Both taco orders came with 5 tacos (because of the deal, it is typically 4), onions, cilantro, lime, and radish. Don't sleep on the radish, it my favorite part to add a nice crunch! Both meats were very flavorful and tender. They also gave us green and hot salsa on the side (green was my fave) and the birria tacos came with some delicious consommé for dipping. We also ordered guac and chips as an appetizer which was very fresh, and our favorite jarritos flavors to drink. It's decorated very nicely inside - no frills, a few tables and chairs inside for dining in and even a bar-style area with stools for those dining by themselves. They also offer takeout of course, but I honestly enjoyed sitting down because everything was very quick and they took great care of us. We walked, but there is only street parking so keep that in mind when traveling here.

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    Orale Mexican Kitchen

    Orale Mexican Kitchen

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    I had always been a big fan of Orale's Hoboken location (see review here-…read morehttps://www.yelp.com/biz/orale-mexican-kitchen-hoboken?hrid=ryYRKZXfVkYvL5NbKQavTA), which has sadly closed. However, I recently stopped into their original Jersey City spot for a quick snack at the bar. While my companion ordered a cocktail, I just had a can of Diet Coke, but we shared an order of chips and pico de gallo, which was excellent! The tortilla points were crispy and perfectly salted. The fresh tomato salsa was vibrant and delicious, but we also appreciated the three squirt bottles of more liquid-like sauces they gave us as well. These included one that was more smoky, one that was a medium spice-level verde, and another that was a more fiery rendition. The bar staff was great, and the large dining room was dimly-lit, but decorated with bright, festive colors. I will need to revisit that Orale location for a larger, more substantial meal next time!

    I was really torn about leaving this review but here we are. I went to Orale the other day because…read moreI had a craving for tacos and I wanted to be outside and people watch. The restaurant is located in the busy downtown area of Grove St. Jersey City. If you are lucky enough to get street parking great, if not there are some garages you can park in for a fee. I walked up and there were several employees at the entrance to the outdoor street-side patio chitchatting. They were very pleasant and quickly gave me a table. It wasn't busy. That's a key fact. Also I was dining alone. It took about 5 minutes for the waiter to come over and when he did he asked about my water preference and showed me the QR code on the table to get the menu. He left and came back and I gave him my order which was the carnitas tacos and a watermelon margarita. He quickly walked off and the food came out LITERALLY in 5 minutes. I was surprised because I was expecting the complimentary tortilla chips and salsa that's customary at most Mexican restaurants. Also I saw other tables with 2 or more with chips in front of them. So I asked a waitress that was passing by (since my waiter had seem to disappear) if I too can get the tortilla chips and she said it would be extra. Okay...well I started eating my food and my drink came out. The food was good. Flavorful. Temperature wise it didn't come out hot, it was warm... so it's not cooked to order. The drink was sweet and strong. So my reason for the three stars isn't the food or drink but more so for the service I received as a solo diner. My waiter never came back over to check on me! Had he done so I would have easily ordered dessert and something more to drink as I enjoyed the patio area. I had to wave him down to bring my check as he passed my table several times without even looking my way. Piece of me wanted to mirror his service in my tip but I still gave generously just to be a blessing. But I hate that I received poor service because I was a solo diner. I was a little jealous on how he treated the two other tables with 2&3 people. I spent over $50 here and left disappointed. So if you've reached this far, will I go back? Maybe. Just not alone. Food Service

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    4.3(333 reviews)
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    For living in NJ for nearly my entire life, I never stepped foot inside a Tacoria. Now living in…read moreJersey City, I couldn't avoid seeing it only a couple streets away from where I live. Looking for a quick dinner, I decided to come here on a whim. Because it was raining pretty decently, I opted to eat inside. There's a small size dining area in the back, though the ordering area and hallway leading there is a bit narrow. Anyhow, for those who are new, the concept is similar to Chipotle, except that they create everything for you behind the scenes. I basically opted for the burrito bowl except with the vegan chorizo (Tacorizo). Before adding the sauces, the Tacorizo had a good amount of heat to it. I simply added the two mildest sauces and it was just enough. Bowl tasted great and it was obviously very filling. Good spot for a quick bite.

    Tacoria in Jersey City was easy to find with a bit busy finding a spot. We came with an appetite…read moreand were warmly welcomed by the front staff. I love the brick walls, and the relaxed feeling we got. Our order arrived quickly. Everything was made fresh today. Very tasty food and plentiful. Thank you Yelp and Tacoria for having this event! I will be returning... :)

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    Auditorium-style seating

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    Los Cuernos - Margarita de sandia

    Los Cuernos

    3.6(279 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    •$$

    This is the only Mexican restaurant that I know that they have a dedicated stuff to make the best…read morehomemade chips and homemade salsa. That's what this restaurant apart from all the others because they strive to provide you with great food, made from scratch. Service is attentive, and the place is festive and lively. Great place for dates and for big parties and groups of all sizes. The manager Izzy and team makes it a great experience I told you franyelina pleasure.

    UPDATE -- September 2026: It genuinely pains me to change the glowing review I left here in 2022…read more Four years ago, I wrote: "You come here for good, affordable Mexican food in Newport." I recommended the torta and bistec tampiqueña, praised the value and portions, and specifically wrote that the "staff is super friendly." My only complaint was that the music could be too loud. That matters because I'm not someone who came here once, had a bad experience, and trashed the restaurant. I've lived in Newport for 5+ years and have dined at Los Cuernos since 2021. I've brought my parents, sister, extended family from the Philippines, friends, coworkers, my significant other and her family. In 2023-24, coworkers and I sometimes came for happy hour twice a week. If someone asked me for the most "worth it" restaurant in Jersey City -- balancing quality, price, portions and convenience -- Los Cuernos was genuinely my answer. That's why today was so disappointing. The food remains excellent. We had the chimichangas and quesadilla today, and longtime favorites include the queso fundido with poblano peppers and bistec a la tampiqueña. My opinion of the kitchen hasn't changed. Unfortunately, my opinion of management has. I've always loved the chips and salsa here -- some of my favorite in NJ/NY. Over years of dining here, I've been accustomed to complimentary refills, sometimes proactively offered by servers. Today, I asked for a refill and the employee who brought our food told us it would cost $1. Fine. Restaurants change prices. I agreed. The bill arrived: $4.50. Our waiter Alejandro, who provided good service, explained refills normally cost $4.50. I told him another employee specifically quoted us $1 BEFORE we ordered it, so he got the manager. I expected a simple resolution: "Sorry, he gave you the wrong price. We'll honor the $1." Instead, the manager repeatedly insisted refills have ALWAYS been $4.50, have ALWAYS been charged, and no customer has ever complained. He emphasized his four years in management and the restaurant's seven years in business. But I wasn't asking for free food or a change in policy. I was asking the restaurant to honor the price its own employee quoted me. If refills cost $4.50, fine. Tell me $4.50 and I'll decide whether I want one. But if YOUR employee tells me "$1" and I agree based on that price, why should the customer absorb the employee's mistake? And all of this was over $3.50. I asked the manager to bring over the employee who quoted us $1 so we could clear up what was said. He refused and continued insisting on the policy. Then came the part that completely lost me. As I was leaving, I saw the employee who originally quoted us $1 and pointed him out: "That's him. That's the employee who told us it was $1." The manager responded: "I know." That response said everything. If you knew exactly which employee I meant, why spend the interaction telling me what the restaurant has "always" done instead of acknowledging that your employee gave a customer a different price? As for the claim that refills have ALWAYS been charged, across five years and 10+ groups I've brought here, I genuinely cannot remember seeing a refill charge. I've had servers proactively refill the basket, and older Yelp reviews also mention complimentary chips and salsa/refills. Maybe the policy existed but wasn't consistently enforced. Maybe employees comped them. Maybe something changed. I don't work here, so I can only speak to five years of my own experience. To be clear: this is NOT about wanting free chips. I don't deserve special treatment because I've been coming since 2021, and bringing friends and family here doesn't mean the restaurant owes me anything. I mention my history because it shows how much goodwill this restaurant had built with me. The principle is simple: if your employee quotes a customer a price and the customer agrees based on that price, don't make the customer absorb the employee's mistake. That applies whether someone has been coming for five years or five minutes. To the manager working September 10 around 6 PM: I respect that you've managed this restaurant for four years. But I've also been dining here since before then. Neither fact automatically makes either of us right. What I know is simple: your employee told me $1. I agreed to $1. I was charged $4.50. When I identified the employee, you acknowledged you knew exactly who I meant. A $3.50 discrepancy could have been resolved with one sentence. Instead, it became an argument over whether years of my own experiences here were somehow incorrect. After five years of meals, happy hours, recommendations, and bringing countless friends and family here, I won't be returning. Not because of $3.50. Because of how management chose to handle a $3.50 mistake. My 2022 review shows how highly I once thought of Los Cuernos. I sincerely wish my 2026 update could say the same.

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    Los Cuernos - The bar

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    Tortilla soup & house Chips with Salsa

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    Ofrenda

    Mezcal Kitchen JC - mexican - Updated September 2026

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