One of the best gems in New Haven! Delicious and authentic Mexican food including chicken mole, chicken pipian (pumpkin seed sauce), carnitas and a range of salsa made fresh that range from spicy to smoky to sweet and fresh. The other stand outs are the amazing staff who are friendly and priced top notch service. We have been going here since we found it 10+ years ago and also recommend it to friends or folks traveling through New Haven. read more

E recently wrote a review about people ending up on the bathroom floor (and kitchen floor) after drinking sangria here. I was the bathroom floor, my closest friend was the fellow sangria drinker, and she was the kitchen floor. We went here one warm spring afternoon recently with the idea of having a quick drink and chatting. The wait staff was awesome, regularly checking in on us and talking us up. A friend walked by and we invited her to sit with us. There was never any hassle about adding another person to the table (outside tables), concern about the checks, etc. The staff was really just ready to roll with the punches. We ordered food, multiple drinks, and somehow it was really late at night. I seek out good sangria everywhere I go, and typically it's sweet and fruity, not the way sangria should be. Mezcal's sangria is HANDS-DOWN the best sangria in New Haven. It might have something to do with the alcohol content, but I've forewarned you about that. It's all in the details: -fried plantains just like they were when I had them in Honduras -spicy kick-your-butt salsa, the way it should be -worth repeating how amazing the sangria is (comprable to Dominick's in Ann Arbor for all you Michiganders) -no qualms about a dog being outside at the table with us -humored the number of times i drunkenly told them to not bring me another drink -best secret in East Rock, though I question writing this review and not being able to enjoy the secret again... read more

In the mood for a Margarita? Go here! The rocks version is perfect. Strong, not too sweet, not too tart. Food-wise, I've only been here once so far. The servers were nice (and anytime anyone walked by us they asked if we needed anything or if everything was alright, hence servers being plural. I'm not even entirely sure who our actual person was). Free chips & hot (YEEESSSSS!) salsa. If you don't like the spice you might want to back off the salsa. It makes me happy when it's actually hot, so I hope they never change it! I had the chili relleno & it was good. I really liked the sauce they put around it. It was tomato based and was really nice with the cheese and pepper. The cheese they use is also awesome! I would get this again, I practically licked the plate I liked it so well. I'll definitely be back to Mezcal. You should go too! read more

Loud!!!!! So very loud and busy. I thought the wait with our 7pm reservations was a bit annoying, but I understand that they had a full house. Unfortunately the food was just okay for me. I had an okay burrito and I didn't think it had enough flavor so the spicy salsa helped a lot. I tried some of my friends dishes, but I didn't think too much of them either. Service was a bit slow. Bathroom door wouldn't lock:( Not nice for girls. read more

I should start by saying I grew up in Los Angeles. I know good Mexican food. This place gets 5 stars for the margaritas but 3 for the food (which is hit or miss, sometimes good, sometimes mediocre), averaging out to four. I have been here four times. I have tried the chicken mole, the shrimp and octopus cocktail appetizer, the carnitas, and the fish ajillo style. My partner (also from California, has spent time traveling throughout Mexico) liked the shrimp enchiladas, which I did not sample. Mezcal is better than many east coast Mexican places in its authenticity. Real guajillo chiles in the fish dish, and similarly they seem to be making the mole in house. But the carnitas were not particularly flavorful and served with guac, rice and beans, and corn tortillas, it didn't stand out at all. I took the carnitas home to make my own tacos with fresh onion and cilantro and homemade red salsa.' The way the carnitas were served I was reliant on the salsa verde that came with the chips (which were homemade, but not great). The salsa was good enough, well spiced, but not a standout. I've had better...both in restaurants and at home. The shrimp-octopus cocktail was ok - it had lots of fresh ingredients - onion, cilantro, avocado - and the shimp and pulpo were prepared well - but I guess it was the tomato juice that made it all seem a little processed.... it fell short. The food is hit or miss - and I have had equally good or better food at Mi Tierra in Hadley, MA or La Veracruzana in Northampton - in both of those cases I tend to order the tacos, so in some ways it's an apples-oranges comparison. Still, I think the "best in New England" claims might be better modified to best in the county..... Now for the raves: the margaritas were phenomenal. I have not had a better margarita anywhere, and I have been to Mexico, Tucson, San Antonio, LA, etc... all places where there are good margaritas to be had, and I have had them. Fresh lime juice, salt, rocks. In a huge glass. It just doesn't get better. World class. And when the margaritas are good, it makes the food seem better too.... read more

One of the best restaurants in New Haven. The margaritas are well made and tasty. I also had a flight of three tequilas and the waitress' recommendations were spot-on. You cannot go wrong with Modelo Especial on draft. But the stand out was the chicken mole. The sauce was the best I have ever had. Their home made mole is amazing! The crowds gather for dinner but Mezcal is worth the wait. Come here when you are in New Haven and crave Mexican cuisine. read more

The real deal! Started off with a cactus salad that the four of us shared that was loaded with flavor and as fresh as it gets. Along with that and the awesome salsa n chips were margaritas that are very generous, reasonable and made perfectly! We have been to many Mexican restaurants here in new England and this one has the authenticity, quality, and portions all very reasonably priced for sure! Between the four of us we had fish burritos, chimichangas and steak carnitas Amazing! Refried beans and rice seemed like they were made to order that fresh! Ricardo and staff as always very friendly all with smiles and actually enjoying what they are doing. Come early bird during Happy Hour and enjoy this without the wait and experience great food, drink and atmosphere! Definitely a New Haven Favorite! read more

Ok, this is kind of a weird post because although I do think the food at this establishment is excellent, the service and "lack of nachos/lying servers" are not. So, with that in mind, my bf and I went there for a good ole' plate of vegetarian nachos (like we have done several times) last night. That's basically all we go there for, because they are the best nachos in town. As the waitress came over, we kindly asked for Nachos No. 2 plate and to our dismay it quote "wasn't available" with a smirk on her face. Now keep in mind, this apparently has happened before with my bf and his roommate (in which they previously walked out). So we said "ok" grudgingly and decided to order fish tacos and quesadillas instead. The service was fast and the food was good as usual, but we couldn't help but notice that all of the necessary ingredients to make nachos were on our table... *2 baskets of chips *salsa *cheese *re-fried beans *guacamole *sour cream *pica de gallo, etc, etc, etc So this leads us to believe...did the waitress simply not allow us to order the nacho plate because that's all we ever order and it happens to be the cheapest on the menu? I know this sounds ridiculous, but I am hesitant to go back because I think it is definitely a yes. Hence, 2 stars Mezcal and a shitty tip for your waitress last night, sorry. read more

Debatable three stars. Very authentic Mexican. Any new haven/Mexican feel. The menu is delicious but the pricing is very expensive. The tequila selection is slim but delicious. Again it was very good but very expensive I probably won't won't return due to the price. But definitely recommend it to others read more

Come to Mezcal- excellent quality ingredients and reasonable prices. Don't be fooled be fake Mexican food with American cheese at other places, or your nearest taco truck. This is my favorite haunt when I visit my best friend in CT. Great food. Wonderful staff. Sabrosa!! read more

As far as Mexican goes this is pretty bleh. I mean, they seem to be trying really hard by over-decorating and making their own tortillas, but these things are only OK if the food is great and it just isn't. They also seem to be taking their time on the liquor licensing hoping that in New Haven nobody will notice that they've been open for about six months and still aren't serving even wine or beer. The food is authentic, for sure, but it's just not prepared well. The tortillas, for example, were too dry so they seemed stale. They were also served rolled up in parchment paper on the side of my dish, which is not exactly conducive to retaining the much needed moisture. The rest of the food was bland and not even close to memorable. I'm glad to see that Jess M and David T. had great experiences there when they "first opened," but since then it must have gone waaaay downhill... like straight to hell. read more

Chips: thick and super fried! Pollo con pipian: delicious, spicy, well-seasoned, tender meat. A tad out of the way, and they didn't have a liquor license yet when I went (quite a few months ago), so it was BYOB. But worth a try. Definitely more authentic than, say... Bulldog Burrito, and even La Carreta down the street. read more

A distinction must be made in Connecticut when it comes to Mexican cuisine. 99% of the restaurants in this area - and in most of the US - are Texmex/Southwest-style. It is nearly impossible to find high quality, authentic Mexican in a restaurant setting. Mezcal is one of those rare examples. Everything I have tried here has been of the utmost quality and authentic. There are dishes here that just plain aren't on the menu of any other restaurant in CT. The service is friendly, but be warned: it can get packed on weekends. And if you're lucky, maybe you'll get a rifle shot of tequila. read more

There is nothing better than to start officially yelping with a place you would love to recommend to a friend. Mezcal is the type of place where ambiance and good cuisine perfectly combine. This is not the first time we visited Mezcal, but really the first time we indulged ourselves with some cravings. The flight of tequilas is a great starting point, but don't just order a flight, ask about the variety and compare domestics and imports. Micheladas are also great (ask about some of their own stuff). The shrimp and octopus ceviche was amazing, sweet and spicy. The quesadillas were fresh and the meat juicy. We had a fish, don't remember which one, but I can imagine all of their fish is just as good. Nothing fancy, but tasty and fulfilling. The service was great. I must say I am pretty bias because I love to talk to the staff of restaurants. One thing I learned, waiters can recommend the best underrated plates or save you from the pricey overrated. With the staff at Mezcal I felt I was actually welcomed and they were happy to show us some of their own good stuff and we were just a couple riding our bikes. read more

If you like authentic Mexican food this is the place. There is usually a wait on Sat/Friday night but it's a short one. The drinks are real strong but good so beware! I had the Adobo Carne entre which was really delicious. But the next time I went I had a steak dish that I wasn't thrilled with. Order a side of plantain to top off your meal. Also most people like the mole sauce but I'm not a fan of mole sauce in general so I can't help you there. The service is attentive here and the prices are reasonable if you don't go crazy with the drinks. A $50 bill will do for two people. The place has decent ambience but is small. If you like Mexican food check it out! Always honest reviews. read more

I had to downgrade my rating because while the food is delicious, the supply is frustratingly inconsistent. On different occasions they have been out of chicken, beef, nachos, cheese, salsa, guacamole...I'm not exaggerating, these have all really happened to me (I live nearby so I'm there often.) The last time I was there, my boyfriend and I were alone with another couple, no sign of a server despite making lots of noise. The couple in front of us said they had already been waiting for over 15 minutes. They joked that "this time they're out of service." It's really disappointing because I really love this place, but half the time they can't deliver. I don't understand how a mexican restaurant can run out of these staples. When I worked at a restaurant, when we ran out of an essential ingredient we drove over to stop & shop and bought enough to hold us over until our regular shipment came in. Come on Mezcal, pull yourself together! You can be great, just make sure you have what you need when you open. read more

Great Salsa. Small Margarita. Very good carnitas. Cold Beer. Cool Atmosphere. My buddy KC claims this is his favorite restaurant in New Haven. Me thinks this is part food and part he's a lazy SOB and he can walk there from his apartment. But that said - it's good Mexican food. I just don't get who started the tiny-ten-dollar-maragarita-trend. read more

Maybe by New England standards this is good Mexican food, but by Mexican food standards I did not think this was anything special. Beers and drinks are expensive (four dollars for a Corona). Chips tasted stale and one chip even had this weird green color on it. While my dining partner enjoyed her hard-shell tacos quite a bit, I felt my chimichanga was just "so so." While the chicken inside was very good (not that stringy stuff you find at many Mexican restaurants), I was disappointed by the small amount of guacamole on top. Also, the cheese was not melted on top of the chimichanga, which leads me to the fact that it was not as hot as I would have liked. On balance, I would probably try other Mexican restaurants in New Haven before returning here. read more

I went here with a friend today for dinner. It was pretty good. The service was very slow. I ordered the nachos which were fresh and tasty. My friend ordered the tamales and she said they were good as well They have a very limited beer selection on tap. I would go here again for Mexican food. read more

Mezcal was literally some of the worst restaurant service I have received in a long time. I arrived by joining up with a big party in honor of a recent fundraiser on behalf of the New Haven Land Trust. Although the ambiance of the restaurant was fine, the waitress was rude, dominant and condescending. We ended up standing and mingling for a long time, without even a friendly greeting by the waitstaff. My legs were getting tired so I requested to sit down in one of the couple empty tables and order early. This particular waitress insisted on making my friend and I wait until the entire (fundraiser) party could sit down at tables. (I arrived at 6:15.) My friend and I literally waited over an hour and a half just to sit down, even though there were a few empty tables available off and on. When we were finally seated, the food took 25 minutes to arrive. The food was average, though one of the sauces for the chips was good and drinks were good. My friend made a request not to have sour cream on her food, but four big dollops were served on her food anyhow. Ultimately, I will not come back to this place. Disorganized, slow service and a discourteous waitress makes me say "Adios!" read more

Decent carnitas and margaritias. After complaining to friends about the lack of good mexican food in New Haven, we were pleasantly surprised. Still not outstanding, but consistent and filling. And the carnitas were cooked quite well! read more

I found this place after reading a review by Donna R. As a native Californian myself and having lived in Mexico for over 20 years I can say without a doubt this is the best place thus far I have found in CT. Heck for East Coast Mex this is awesome. Became friends with Hugo the manager and the rest of the staff at Mezcal right off the bat. My girl and I have had several of the plates here. I have to say the Camarone Ceviche made me feel like I was back in San Jose del Cabo and was top notch. The pickled Jalapeno! Oh to die for. Can't eat enough of them. The Carnitas were perfect. Too many places on the East soak their Carnitas and that is horrible. The meat should be dry yet a bit juicy. Chicken Mole was one of the best my girl has ever had. Margaritas. What can I say other than this place knows how to rock a good rita. Have Hugo make you up a couple and I swear you will be impressed. Service is top notch the crew work hard and I applaud them for it. If you have to wait it's worth it. On one night we had to wait. There were only two working and the place got packed. And it was a T storm out. So I think that says a lot about the place. If you're in the New Haven or just in CT. This is worth the drive. Si mon Mezcal! read more

Equally delicious food on my second visit, and everything was great service-wise until the end of the meal. My friends and I gave the server our 3 credit cards (and asked her to split the bill among them, which we do all the time). She saw the three cards, looked at us, then shook her head and rolled her eyes as she walked away! My friend and I met working together as servers in a restaurant, so we were pretty amused that she didn't even bother get out of sight/earshot before griping about having to tap the computer screen a couple more times. read more

Very disappointing, used to be one of my favorite Mexican restaurants. We waited 30+ minutes for our drinks and nachos. Nachos came out cold. Food was lackluster and missing guac which was listed on the menu. Service was beyond slow- had to go inside to ask for water (for the third time) and our check. Will not return! read more

Everything was delicious! The chips and salsa they bring to the table are spicy and fresh. We split the chicken flautas and chipotle chicken. Everything was flavorful, the right amount of spicy and totally reasonably priced. Would definitely go back if I'm in the area. read more

I no longer just crave margaritas. I crave them from Mezcal. You cannot go wrong with carnitas y ceviche from Mezcal. Probably the best I have ever had. I have been to almost every traditional Mexican joint in Connecticut and they just cannot offer the vibe, food, and drink they have here. It's looks a little divey but it is amazing. read more

Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Been by here a bunch and have always been skeptical of the outer appearance and odd location. But when Caesus had no room and it was well past dinner time we decided to give it a try and we are so glad!! A little bit of a wait on a Friday night but the place was busy with people of all ages and families too. Very comfortable inside and friendly staff - nearly everyone greeted us. Delicious and authentic food at s reason all price. Best Mole I've had! Salsa was a bit spicy but had great flavor - we both like hot food and still found it a bit spicy. Had our baby with us And the staff was so friendly to her as well! Great environment & good food - excellent classic margarita as well! Can't do 5 stars till we try dessert! Stay tuned, we will go back :-) read more

Not my first time and defiantly not my last. This is a really cool little spot. The place is small, limited seating that fills up fast. They do take reservations and if your going to go on a Friday or Saturday night with a party of 4 or more best to call ahead. The staff is extremely friendly but a little slow at times. They do have a small parking lot to the side and street parking is also free. They have a full bar and the margaritas are very tasty. There is is one guy who walks around with a tequila shot gun, really cool fun touch. The fresh made tortillas chips are very good. They also make their own salsa which was really tasty as well. I have never been disappointed with the food. Everything is fresh and it's always totally on point. If your looking for a cool spot in New Haven for authentic Mexican food do yourself a favor and stop in. read more

Mezcal - Steak Alambres.. very tasty... - Mexican Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Stale unseasoned ( nothing at all! ) boiled and reheated, stringy chicken, and big hunks of boiled peppers in the so called fajitas...ugh 'Salsa's' were nothing but hot chiles in vinegar... Service was one lonely waitress who was more interested in flirting with the barback than serving tables... Never again... read more

This place is AWESOME! I went for the first time with a couple of friends who moved into the neighborhood. The service was very fast, the drinks were fantastic, and the food was amazing! Between 5 of us, we ordered a few different dishes - tostadas, fish tacos, and combo taco plates with both beef and chicken. Everything was delicious, and very reasonably priced. I can't wait to go back! read more

The mango mojito was tasty and the food was delicious! Service was mediocre, nothing to complain about also nothing to rave about.

Food was OK. Bloody Mary a tad spicy. I was really hoping this place would be good needed a good Mexican place in New Haven, but alas my search continues. The waiter was also a tad bit pushy and abrasive. I mean it's a restaurant I get it you don't like your job but at least don't make me hate your food. The food was OK 2.5/5 nothing to write home about or even tweet about I guess. Anyways greatly underwhelming. read more

Great place to go to for Mexican food, especially if you are looking for something else than a burrito or nachos. Vegetarians beware though, while there are some vegetarian dishes, the majority of the menu is geared towards carnivores. It can get very loud sometimes, especially when they have musicians there, which essentially sit in the dining area and sing very...passionately. read more

Earlier this month, I celebrated my ten-year anniversary with my husband. When he asked what I wanted to do, I said, "Let's get some f*%king NACHOS." Mezcal is my go-to place for all Mexican food. Free street and lot parking, a fun atmosphere, and absolutely amazing food full of flavor and personality. The staff has always been pleasant and understanding of my husband's terrible Spanish phrasing, and the drinks are killer. Not literally killer, like alcohol poisoning, but great sizes and just enough to get you through dinner. After writing this, I'm clearly going out for flautas and nachos tonight! Mezcal forever! read more

Mezcal is wonderful if you love authentic Mexican food. They make their own chips and salsa and have an abundance of meals to choose from. read more

Mezcal - Mexican Near Me - New Haven, Connecticut

Being from the west coast, I am quite a stickler when it comes to Mexican food. My favorite place in CT, El Sarape, is more than an hour away, so I have given up on going there, hoping to find a place closer to the area. Low and behold, I hear there is a restaurant on the quiet side of New Haven. An unassuming place, the sign is hard to see unless you're looking for it. Had the margaritas (with salt of course), nachos, enchiladas de camaron (with shrimp), and the husband had the shrimp diablo. Nachos were crunchy, with each bite piled on with guacamole, cheese, and sour cream (can I have some now?). Enchiladas were flavorful, spicy, and complimented with cabbage which gave it a crispy texture. Until next time... read more

A few things that I loved before we get too far. 1. Outdoor seating 2. Drinks that will put you on the floor (see below) 3. A solid burrito 4. Extremely friendly waitstaff So, I showed up late to the party but everyone was sitting at the table outside eating chips and HOT salsa. (When I say hot, I mean hot. I ask Thai places to make it an 11 and it's generally not hot enough for me.) So good! Apparently the others had started with Red and White Sangrias and the nachos. What I didn't know is that they had actually had two sangrias each and were plastered (see #2 above). I sipped the sangria and it was indeed as smooth and refreshing as they described. I then ordered the XX Lager, which is my preference when eating this type of food, and the Burrito No. 1 with carnitas. Other people had the mushroom quesadilla and a side of plantains with sour cream. I found the carnitas to be perfectly cooked and delicious in a town where burritos are habitually lack-luster. The lettuce, tomato, and beans on the side of the plate left something to be desired, but given how good everything else was I didn't care. Our waitstaff wasn't hovering but was always there when we needed them, they offered great suggestions, and were simply pleasant to be around. ... A third sangria by the others ensured that they both slept on the kitchen and bathroom floors respectively. BEWARE! We will definitely be back! read more

A-OK. The star rating would have been higher, but they were out of guacamole! The margarita was strong and delicious! Appetizer- chorizo- YUM Dinner- Shrimp Quesadilla- Great! (would have been better with guacamole) My husband enjoyed his chicken flautas as well. The interior is really neat- well decorated. We will be back! read more

I really enjoyed this place. I moved to new haven this year from California and I've definitely been feeling that Mexican food void. I thought the food, service, and ambiance were great. House margaritas are affordable and very tasty. Fresh lime juice and good tequila. I had the shrimp enchiladas which were amazing. Was very pleasantly surprised by the balance of flavored. My husband had the tostadas de tiga which were also good but put some salsa on them. The chips were fresh and delicious and the guacamole was fresh and a generous portion. Will be back for sure! read more

Amazing food but the horrible customer service is what ruined it for me. Waiting over 20 minutes for a refill, rude waitress.