My BF and I decided to take a bike ride Staten Island one Sunday evening and started jonesing for…read moreMexican food. Spotted this place on Yelp and it was close so we thought, "What do we have to lose?" It's cavernous and we didn't know what to expect as we sat down. (I imagine the place fills up during karaoke happy hour on Fridays/Saturdays and for private parties.) The food and the service was quite good. They have a wide menu. We ordered a range of tacos (al pastor, chorizo, etc), rice and beans, and beer. We made a few substitutions which wasn't a problem. The waitress didn't speak a lot of English, but someone else who worked there did and we had a laugh about it.

Came here on acre recommendation because they said it authentic and cheap. Located in not the best…read morepart of town which is why we went during the day for lunch. This is what you call s hole in the wall. I had to take 1 star away since our nice waitress didn't speak a word of English and my high school Spanish didn't get me very far. So most the food on menu I had to guess. Which is why I ended up with a dish I thought would be nachos but what I know as a tostada. Our order included just a random sampling of dishes such as: -Tostadas de Pollo: crispy tortillas (should say tortilla singular) topped with beans, chicken, lettuce, sour cream... boring -2 Tamales: chicken/green sauce and the cheese, jalapeño. Great tamales and only $2 and huge -2 tacos: fried beef, onion, cilantro and Chorizo taco cilantro/onion. The beef was ok but the chorizo was crispy fatty deliciousness -the entree of Enchiladas Suizas: shredded chicken enchiladas topped w/green sauce, cheese and rice n beans side. Very tasty their green sauce is unique compared to over verdes I've had, beans n rice kind of an after thought and bland. The total was $28 and we were stuffed. The house sauces don't seem spicy at all but then it creeps up on you slowly. I walked out on fire. They have a high chair but it looked like the dirtiest thing ever so I wouldn't use it. I will defiantly come back whenever I'm craving real Mexican cheaply.

This place is authentic, adorable and you feel like you're in Mexico. We ordered Alfonso's tacos…read moreand they were off the charts!! We ordered spicy Don Julio silver Margaritas with Tajin on the rims and yes we went for seconds. Our main meal was chicken, chorizo fajitas and honestly, the best I've ever had. Waitress Kat so sweet and knowledgeable and the bartender Alfonso ROCKED!!! Highly recommend

I have had lots of tacos in texas, La, manhattan, and queens so I am tough when it comes to tacos!…read more Overall: needs some seasoning, some more chips and just didnt give me that soft with a little bit of chew with the tortilla. The fries and chorizo nachos were the best for us! Food: 1$ off taco tuesday! Came with 7 people. Ordered an al pastor, beef taco, and empanada, chorizo nachos, steak nachos and fries. The table had a small portion of chips when we sat down that was probably a small cup size for the 7 people we had. - the tacos were on 6" corn tortillas and doubled which was nice but it just didnt have that salso or kick. I found myself adding salt and lotta hot sauce. The empanada was not hot but im not sure if its cause they were waiting to bring everything out for our table. I really liked the fries and the chorizo nachos more than anything! Service: the two girls were really so kind and helpful. Attentive and helped the party out a lot! Inside: nice cozy environment, bar is right there and theres two restrooms. Playing pop music with some tvs around. Had a group of 7 and was seated quickly on a Taco Tuesday!

Best tacos ever! Probably the best I've tried on Staten Island. I was craving for some this morning…read moreafter breakfast and walked up the hill to Taqueria El Gallo Azteca. The experience was very pleasant, and service was quick (I paid and I had a few minutes to go across the street to the Mexican bakery to get two cream puffs for a $1 while they make my tacos) while they made my food. I stopped by at around 11am and the place was empty but there are plenty of seats available in the taqueria with lots of Mexican drinks options. The ambiance was quiet. I asked for two cacti tacos, also known as the Taco Azteca at this taqueria as recommended by the other Yelpers. I started with two because I heard that their tacos run big. These tacos were enormous and I was full eating after just one taco and saved the other one for an afternoon snack!! They also give you a generous cup of green sauce, which is one of my favorites! Because normally when getting a cactus taco in the other boroughs, they only give you a straight vegetarian taco only, but I was very surprised it came with a big chunk of meats. For $10-12 for two big giant tacos, I feel like I am getting fed very well. I'll definitely be back again to try their lamb/goat soup as recommended by the other Yelpers.

The best tacos on Staten Island. Close to ferry. Try the house special Taco Azteca. Authentic and…read moreconsistent. Ambience is perfect for a quick bite. Service was excellent!

I love this place. I've been there in person to have a bite on the way home and never have to wait…read moretoo long to get some excellent food. Cozy atmosphere and clean. I also think their delivery portions are better than all the fast food options you'll see on DoorDash. I'll come back to add more when I remember to take photos -- but wanted to leave this here because there aren't too many recent reviews

Great food, I really enjoyed their Burritos!This place is one of my top 5 favorite Mexican…read morerestaurants

We walked in and were immediately greeted by the hostess .. It was beautiful out so we asked for an…read moreoutside table which informed was being cleaned but then there was a bit of confusion and the manager apologized but we decided inside was fine we were just hungry lol .. The manager brought us over a complimentary guac and chips and apologized again and we were not upset at all we know stuff happens but definitely appreciated the gesture ! We had a kids free weekend and were looking to enjoy some good food and that we did ! The margaritas were delicious and my blue belle ranch pork quesadilla was everything my husband had the chicken quesadilla because he is a plain guy but he enjoyed it and he is very picky ! It was Friday so they had an outside tiki bar and seating which was nice and also had a Dj setup going on so definitely a nice night spot to hit the out good eats .. Will be back

I was a bit nervous about ordering this bowl, but the waiter reassured me it was good. They nailed…read moreit. Besides the tacos, this is my new go-to. Love the music and vibe here.

Pro-Tip: Skip the Delivery, Head to the Restaurant…read more I recently ordered the quesabirria con consomme via Uber Eats, and I have a major pro-tip for anyone living a bit further away: Do not get this delivered. While the food portion was generous and the flavors were very tasty, delivery really impacted the quality. My driver got lost and arrived 15 minutes late, which meant the tortillas lost all their crunch and arrived soft and mushy. If you want that perfect, crispy texture this dish is known for, it's best enjoyed fresh at the restaurant. A few other notes on the meal: The Consomme: I was quite disappointed with the consistency. It was very watery, lacked the rich red color I've seen elsewhere, and didn't have any meat inside. Spice Level: I specifically requested "not spicy" because I don't like any heat, but the consomme was still quite spicy and essentially inedible for me. The Portion: On the positive side, the food portions are substantial and more than I expected. I'm a big supporter of small businesses and have seen many great reviews about their authentic food and fast service in person. Because the flavors were good, I'm willing to give them another try--but only as a sit-down meal next time to get the full, fresh experience that I hope they offer.

I would 10000% recommend this place! The people are extremely sweet, the place is very homie and…read morethey always have something interesting to watch. My fiancé and I got Elotes, passion fruit juice, rice and beans and of course some salsa and chips. The Elotes were perfectly seasoned with a little kick of spice, the passion fruit juice is to die for! The rice and beans are good, I do wished it was refried beans but it's still pretty good. I got the green salsa with chips, the chips I can tell are hand made. Definitely coming back and making some content here

I catered my daughter's graduation party last week. Everything about the experience was amazing!…read moreDaniella took my order and was so helpful about portions and all the extras. Deliver was on time and professional. The food was amazing!!! My guests were very impressed by this taco bar I highly recommend Sophia Taqueria!!!

The food is good, and the ambiance is decent. However, I wouldn't recommend this place for a date…read morenight if you're looking to enjoy a long, relaxed dinner together. They tend to rush customers out, even when the restaurant isn't busy, which takes away from the overall experience. When I'm spending well over $125 for two people before tip, I expect to be able to enjoy my meal without feeling hurried. Another issue I've had is that they offer guacamole as if it's a complimentary appetizer for the table, only for it to show up as a $13 charge on the bill. This has happened to me twice. Because of the rushed service and the surprise charges, I don't see myself returning.

Wow! This is officially my new favorite spot! Everything we ordered was absolutely amazing. My…read morefriend and I tried the fish, ribeye, shrimp, octopus, and lengua tacos, and every single one was packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. We also had the Ceviche Mixto and Aguachile Mixto, and they were incredibly fresh, vibrant, and delicious. The fresh oysters topped with guacamole were fantastic, and the oysters served in a michelada shot were next-level--such a unique and delicious combination! The restaurant is clean, beautifully decorated, and has an authentic Mexican taquería vibe. The Mexican music playing in the background made the atmosphere even more enjoyable. You can really taste the quality of the ingredients in every bite. I already can't wait to come back and work my way through the rest of the menu. If you're looking for authentic, fresh, and flavorful Mexican seafood and tacos, this place is a must-visit. I highly recommend it! Try it now before everyone discovers it and it's impossible to get a table!

Taqueria El Buchon: A Birria Revelation (and a Masterclass in Hospitality!)…read more My usual Mexican food pilgrimage involves a bit of a trek. Still, on a recent, intense QuesaBirria craving, the thought of a long drive was about as appealing as a lukewarm taco. So, I did what any smart foodie would do: hit up Yelp and Google for "Birria Restaurant Staten Island." Taqueria El Buchon popped up with reviews so good, I practically tasted the birria through my screen. "Alright," I thought, "let's give this a shot." And oh, am I ever glad I did! From the moment I rolled in (walker and all!) to the moment I reluctantly waddled out, I was utterly captivated. First, let's talk about the unsung hero of my visit: the gentleman (whose name I regrettably didn't catch, but he deserves a medal!) who served me. He didn't just serve; he served far and beyond. This man was a hospitality wizard, attentive without being overbearing, and genuinely made me feel like the most important diner in the room. And speaking of delightful surprises, let's dive into the chips and salsa. Forget those sad, bagged imposters from the supermarket. These, my friends, were the real deal. The salsa was a vibrant fiesta in a bowl - bursting with fresh cilantro, chunky onions, and ripe tomatoes. But the chips? Oh, the chips! Crispy, fresh, with that perfect, satisfying crunch that screams "homemade." The waiter confirmed they whip these beauties up fresh right there in the restaurant, and you can absolutely taste the difference. Seriously, a must-try! Now, for the main event: my QuesaBirria. This wasn't just a taco; it was a work of art. They were thoughtfully cut into perfect triangles, like a gourmet quesadilla. This ingenious design meant a flawless "plate to mouth ratio" - no embarrassing meat or tortilla shrapnel decorating my shirt, the table, or the floor. While I love a good messy taco as much as the next person, this elegant presentation was pure genius. The portion size was generous, and the blend of tender meat and cheese was simply divine. The consommé? Flavorful and rich, a true tasty companion. My only tiny wish (and I mean tiny, because the taste was absolute perfection) was for a few more strands of birria meat in the broth/consommé, as I've encountered at other spots. But honestly, it's a minor quibble in an otherwise flawless performance. The ambiance was just right. The music was a tad loud, but when it's tasteful Latin beats, who's complaining? Certainly not me! My Latin roots demanded a little chair jig, and I happily obliged. (Don't worry, it was subtle... mostly. lol.) But the true cherry on top of this already fantastic experience happened on my way out. A lovely young lady, without being prompted, graciously got up from her chair, greeted me with a warm smile, and opened the door. In a world where genuine kindness can sometimes feel rare, this was a truly delightful and happy moment. I thanked her, and now, reflecting on it, I wish I'd tipped her just for that thoughtful gesture. If I could give Taqueria El Buchon 10 stars, I absolutely would. Thank you for the exceptional service, the incredible food, and the heartwarming hospitality. You've won a new loyal customer! PS: almost forgot: I also absolutely enjoyed the whimsical salsa bowl; it was definitely unique and so cute! I want one. :-)