Amazing tacos. The prices are high but when you try the food you can immediately tell why - everything is high quality. The decorations are a nice touch as well! read more

What a nice little hidden gem in this strip mall. I walked in and was greeted by a short and sweet lady. And turns out she the owner. She spent quite sometime answering my questions. My friend and I split the Hawaiian and the birria tacos. We also got a side of chips and guac. Guac was tiny and chips tasted stale. But the tacos were great! I did ask for sour cream and was told their sour cream was a chipotle sour cream, so I changed my mind and did not get it. Wish they had both options. Anyhow, I'll be back to try more items. Large spacious dining room to eat after your order at counter. The place was continuously busy with togo orders and dine in. read more

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Fun bright little Costa Rican Mexican joint right in a plaza. 3.5 stars round closer to 3 due to considering if I would go back or not. I ordered the Birria tacos, their main attraction. Birria is a type of oven baked meat like a roast if you will. The portion is 3 large tacos. The price was 17.50$ or so. The service was fast like a street cart. I think it was quite salty for the experience to be pleasant. Perhaps if you were starving you would have wolfed it down but I couldn't make it past the 2nd taco as I felt it was too salty to be enjoyable. The first taco went down ok with the cheese and soft melt in your mouth meat paired with cilantro (I opted out of the onion). But I struggled with the second one. I definitely couldn't finish all 3. So, would come back if the meat hadn't been that salty. Texture was ok- somewhat messy and oily all over the place. Wished it had a bit more veggie/crunch to it and more lemon juice to help cut the oil. Otherwise; a good try if you're looking for a taco place around this part of town. read more

What a wonderful little place, hidden in a mini-strip mall. We went on a Thursday late afternoon. It was very quiet. At first a little confused thinking we should go sit down, but the wonderful staff person explained that we needed to order at the counter, then we could pick any table we wanted. It is all about the food! Isn't it? ;-) Well... the food was fantastic. I cannot wait to go back again. I had the Small Naked Burrito Salad- basically the fillings from a burrito, in a bowl, no wrap. I chose the Pork, Black Beans and all the goodies from cilantro to onion and more! Wonderful! My husband had the Hawaiian Tacos! Tacos with grilled pineapple! They were also very good. The one MINOR issue I had? We do not drink soda, and not in the mood for juice all I really wanted was a glass of water, but it was only available in plastic bottles. We already had plastic silverware- although the food dishes were all compostable. I get it. I understand. So we went with out beverages. Which was fine. Next time I will also bring my own reusable bamboo silverware. ;-) And there will definitely be a next time. I encourage you to go! read more

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best birria tacos in rochester! best quality and quantity for price too especially the burritos and burrito salad. i have been coming to this place since it was in a gas station around the corner, a lot has changed (new super cute decor and fresh paint in a lovely dining area!) but the amazing authentic flavors have stayed the same! here is me also begging that they get folks to start dining in and doing table service, all they would have to do is offer free chips and salsa - that place would be packed! read more

Great tacos and nice authentic drinks. Really enjoy the ambiance and it's right next to the movie theater

The service was good. The people were friendly however the food is absolute garbage. It is $5.60 for one shredded chicken taco. There are no seasoning on this chicken. The corn tortillas is not dipped in juices of the chicken and then heated because the chicken is extremely dry. It's a cute place but none of that matters if the food is not actually good and it's overpriced. read more

Business owners were delightful when we visited. Birria tacos were spot on delicious. A lovely, lesser known spot that is definitely worth a visit. read more

The people were so extremely nice here. Loved the energy inside a nice quaint location. I enjoyed the tacos but thought they could have used a bit more flavor. read more

Pura Vida Ville - Birria tacos - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

Visiting Pura Vida Ville was a truly wonderful experience from the very first moment. The place is beautiful, cozy, and has an atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The decoration, the music, and the kindness of the staff create such a pleasant vibe full of joy and positive energy.The food is simply delicious everything is made with great flavor and love. You can tell they put care into every detail to offer an authentic and high-quality experience. Each dish has that special touch that transports you straight to the heart of Latin cuisine.It's definitely the perfect place to enjoy with family or friends, relax, and have a great time. If you're looking for a spot that combines amazing food, excellent service, and a lively, welcoming atmosphere, Pura Vida Ville is the best choice. Highly recommended! read more

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I'm honestly surprised that, tucked into this little corner of a Gates strip mall, there exists a wonderfully delicious and homey Costa Rican/Mexican restaurant with flavors that make the tongue and eyes pop. This is my second time to Pura Vida Ville and the kind and welcoming staff serves food with just as much love as that filling their Birria and Diabla tacos. I've consistently had juicy tacos that are generously filled with toppings, and they don't skimp on FLAVOR. I really enjoyed the Diabla tacos, but if you can't handle spicy I wouldn't recommend. I also had a delicious beef & plantain empañada which was a nice savory and sweet start to the meal. Please go, eat to your satisfaction, and SUPPORT incredible small businesses like this one. P.S: They mentioned that they're looking to introduce more Costa Rican dishes so STAY TUNED! read more

Pura Vida Ville - Diabla tacos (the first one was already in my belly ) - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

Wasn't sure about this place at first BUT holy crap it was the best Mexican food I've had in such a long time! The service was wonderful, you order at the bar and they make it right in front of you, her English was great! There was authentic music playing and I felt like I was back in Mexico. We got the large burritos bc we love leftovers and I got pulled pork and it was divine! My boyfriend got the a carnitas meat and it was good too. The guac was small and only $4 but it was very tasty, some of the best guac I've had here in Rochester! Also the burrito was HUGE! She only used one shell to wrap it and I was thoroughly impressed read more

Pura Vida Ville - Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

First time eating here and long story short: I'll be back. Very bright, clean, friendly staff, fresh tasting, authentic. I got the chicken and rice empanadas. I'm stuffed lol. Decent pricing, very fast service. I have nothing unpositive to say. read more

I came in after dropping a package next door. Quesadilla de Carnitas & Guacamole & Chips. The guacamole was very good with chunks of avocado. The Quesadilla was brimming with cheese and the meat was very flavorful, well seasoned. I had lunch and dinner. The two ladies behind the counter were very friendly. read more

Pura Vida Ville - Quesadilla de Carnitas; Guacamole & Chips - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

Nice service but the food was not very good. The red salsa tasted watered down and none of the taco meats were marinated so the tacos didn't taste that good. Last, I think I had the worst tasting empanada I've ever tried here. read more

I had stopped here before and had their Tacos. I came again and had the Hawaiian Tacos. They were delicious! Thecstaff/cooks were so friendly and the place is very clean, bright and colorful. I love the representation of their culture! They have plenty of seats for indoor dining. If you're in Westgate Plaza on Buffalo Rd. please give this place a try!! read more

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Stopped in here after dropping off a package & boy I'm glad I did. I got a "salad" which is their version of a burrito bowl. I ordered a small & when she pulled out the container I was nervous about the size, but boy was I wrong! The wonderful server absolutely jammed that full of all the toppings I wanted! Delicious and I ate the whole thing. -1 point because my empanada was dry, but I did come in near to closing time so I'm assuming they were done making them fresh for the day. read more

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I have been hearing great things about this place and their Birria tacos so I had to try them. I got 3 total in one order. They really stuffed the taco with the meat and cheese. The meat was very tender but lakes in flavor. The cheese was gooey and so good. I asked for pico and cilantro. They came with lime wedges, green sauce and the brown sauce for dipping the Birria tacos in. I was extremely disappointed in the brown sauce. It had a over powering flavor of cloves. I couldn't even eat it. That was disappointing. I got beef empanadas w/ plantains and chicken empanadas. I didn't like the chicken ones at all. It had something in it that was bitter. The beef ones were good. They were small but they put a lot of meat in it. I also got 2 churros. They we ok. They were kinda hard. I only ate half of one. The place was very cool. Had a lot of culture all over. It was beautiful and bright. Loved the decor and the lady behind the counter was very nice. read more

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Noticed this place as I was heading to UPS and decided to stop in. Ordered a chicken burrito, birria tacos, an empanada and some Jarritos which amounted to around $40. Service was friendly but food was not that great. Birria tacos were good but not as authentic. Burrito was not good, I really wish I liked it. It had an overpowering taste of cumin and all the lettuce in their pico made it soggy. Overall a cute place and friendly staff but not a hit for us :( read more

Pura Vida Ville - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

Recently ordered a few quesadillas. Veggie quesadilla was good. My preference would have been to have more vegetarian additions to the quesadilla, but it was tasty and well constructed for what it basically was which was a cheese quesadilla with onions and beans. I am still not sure why they wouldn't have fajitas available like sautéed bell peppers or mushrooms, but it is what it is. Friendly customer service that was super accommodating and willing to answer questions. This is a newer addition to the plaza, but apparently was located elsewhere under a previous name which is why most of the older reviews refer to the restaurant by another name. Overall, this is a nice addition to the plaza. read more

So many good things to say about Pura Vida Villa! The employees are phenomenal as is the food. They do have a dine in option but only 3 4-top tables. So far my favorite item is the choritaco (chorizo taco). The way these tacos are created are unlike any Taco Bell, generic Mexican, etc restaurant. The fried tortilla with tons of cheese and meat is the perfect combination. Then topped with dice onion and chopped cilantro. *chefs kiss* Their beef birra soup was on special tonight. I believe it's made with the cooking liquid from the birra with onion, cilantro, and cheese added. A bowl of slightly salty, greasy goodness. My only complaint is sometimes the beef hasn't been completely shredded and there's chunks of fat. Not a big deal, I just pull those pieces out. read more

Pura Vida Ville - Beef birra tacos - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Food is amazing, although you do have to pay for chips/any sides here. Diabla tacos and burrito tacos are top notch! read more

I just found out this place was here. I love Mexican food and was a frequesnt visitor to Costa Rica for business. Expect excellent food, a great atmosphere and incredible service. This will be a regular for me! read more

I've visited twice since they've moved to the new location in Westmar Plaza and the food is still great! The location has a small seating area in the front with a few tables. The menu is the same and I ordered my regular Naked Salad with beef and everything was delicious! read more

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The best if not the best Mexican/ Costa Rican food in the area. Everything is so fresh and delicious, the meat tastes like it's stewed for hours, the fixings are freshly cut. The portions are more than generous. GO THERE read more

Pura Vida Ville - BIRRIA TACOS - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

Small quaint place. Limited menu. Items do not come with chips/salsa like many competitors. Given that I had the Birria tacos and they were YUM! My son had a chicken burrito and also enjoyed it. Overall good food, kinda steep prices. For 3 people I spent $50 for takeout, mains only no sides. read more

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I did NOT enjoy this food at all. I ordered the Biria tacos and my man ordered a 12 in Burrito. Meat had no flavor. The Biria sauce tasted like colored oil. We spent about 68$ and got home and we were totally dissatisfied. If you enjoy food with No flavor then this is the place to be. Presentation was cool. read more

The BEST empanadas and tacos I've had in Rochester. The first time I ate here I had to leave my tacos in my car for over an hour and my mind was blown that the tacos were still delicious. I came back again to have it fresh and yes, still wow. Very authentic and not too greasy, just the right amount. 10 out 10 recommend taking the time to try this magical cuisine. read more

Pura Vida Ville - And they're very generous with the salsa. - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

The Checharon taco was actually inedible. The checharon was so hard and cooked to death that I genuinely almost cracked a tooth biting into it. The beef taco was lacking in flavor and fell apart so it was difficult to eat. The two ladies working at the counter were super rude while I took a moment to look at their menu. This spot has been hyped up a lot on local food blogs but it is a huge disappointment and I can't recommend it to anyone. read more

Checked out the new location in Westmar plaza. It is a lot bigger and has same menu. There is a small seating area. Food is always fresh and hot. read more

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We decided to try the birria tacos here after checking out a few places online. They're a bit cheaper but still pricey at $16 for 3. I felt the same about the empanadas at $5 each, which are filled well but kind of mid-size compared to competitors. Overall the food was good, but probably won't order often for the price-vs-quantity. I also felt the menu was kind of small, which can be nice sometimes, but it just doesnt seem like much variety to frequent. Not sure what the empanada filling is, some sort of chicken, rice, and potato combo it seemed. read more

Pura Vida Ville - Birria tacos, empanadas - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

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I had heard good things about this Itacate location, and I love Mexican, so I decided to try it. I was leery about it being in a gas station, but it had good reviews, so I thought it would be ok. It wasn't until I was inside and ordering that I saw that it isn't Itacate anymore. Maybe that's the problem. The guy I ordered from was nice, and the location seemed fine, and the portions were really big. Things were ok until I actually tried to eat it. Oh my gosh, I've never eaten anything that so fittingly described a "gas station burrito". It was just so, so bad. The rice was hard and was like little pellets in my mouth. And whatever it was seasoned with was also awful. I tried to dump the burrito out on a plate and salvage some of it, but everything was just covered in the rice, and everything else was flavorless. The best part was the tortilla that hadn't touched anything on the inside of it. I ended up throwing most of it away. Along with the bag of tasteless chips. Never, ever, never, ever, ever, ever again. Ick. read more

The food is amazing! I've been here several times now and continue to have the same amazing quality of food and friendly atmosphere they are very welcoming. Amazing all around. Give this place a try! read more

Pura Vida Ville - Birria Tacos - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

Fantastic! Pura Vida is going to be my go to spot for amazing Mexican and Latin food. Everything was delicious. Definitely homemade and gave the comfort of my grandma's cooking. The service was unmatched! read more

Delicious, fresh ingredients , the service was wonderful. The birria tacos were amazing !

What an absolute disaster. Ordered a beef burrito and empanada for lunch. This was my empanada. Burnt and completely inedible. I messaged them through Facebook and all I received was a "sorry about your empanada". This is my second time trying this place and will be my last. The first time I was treated very poorly by the employee by the counter. Very unprofessional. read more

Pura Vida Ville - Here's their famous overcooked and inedible empanada - Mexican Near Me - Rochester, New York

Update: My office ordered lunch from Pura Vida today. I opted for the naked chicken burrito. Better than a regular burrito bc there's no tortilla to get all soggy. The rice, though, seemed undercooked. original review: Meh. We live a few min down the road and kept hearing about this place. This is not Itacate (we haven't eaten at an Itacate yet anyway). This is a new place in the gas station. We've been in ROC a few months. We moved from Southern California and .... maybe we need to lower our expectations for Mexican food around here :( Got the chicken burrito -no rice. Asked for red and green salsa/sauce and habanero salsa. Green salsa and habanero salsa were given on the side. Habanero salsa was flavorful- it was good. The green sauce had an odd sour smell to it- so I didn't eat it. Burrito consisted of shredded chicken, black beans, lettuce, pico de Gallo, cheese and salsa. The flavors weren't bad. The cons for me and hubby were: the sour smell (not a good smell) of the green sauce, couldn't taste the red salsa (did it get lost in there?) and the burrito was extremely soggy- it all just ended up falling apart. On the plus side, The staff was friendly and the overall flavors were good- but still lacked what we know as authentic Mexican food flavor and style. The staff is from Costa Rica- I'm wondering if the menu has some Costa Rican-type items. Not sure if we'll go back, but if we do I'm curious about their empanadas. read more

Everything we got was delicious, would definitely come back again. Service was also very good. Nice little spot! If you are in the area definitely check it out read more

There is new worker's now and I am very sadden by that! When I first started coming to this place 2 years ago it use to only be one lady doing everything and EVERYTHING was amazing and she had great customer service. Then early this year they added a guy that was very rude and lacked communication skills. I knew then it was going down hill when he put lemons on my birra tacos instead of lime. The last time I visited was probably around March or April but my birra tacos was burnt, chicken from my quesadilla was very unseasoned and the rice was burnt as well. I knew that day I was never going back. This wonder food I use to drive 15mins there and 15mins back home almost once a week was over. I USE TO CRAVE THIS FOOD it use to be so good!! Once the lady who was in by herself left so did the great food and customer service. The picture posted is in memory of great delious food from this spot, made by the lady that did everything by herself and had great customer service. read more

Absolutely spectacular fresh ceviche and definitely the Chicharon tacos. Strongly recommend as the owner and staff as as wonderful as the food read more

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