It's a solid bar with good tacos and margaritas. The tacos come out very hot but they are so flavorful. The service was great and the waitress was attentive and quick. The margaritas have good kick to them(especially the regular Margarita). The ambiance is what you would expect from a dive bar, grungy and dark. Definitely recommended if you're in the area. 4 stars. read more

Taqueria Downtown - Chorizo y Picadillo taco - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Taqueria Downtown is a DTJC classic, but sometimes classics are buoyed by nostalgia more than actual value, and that's kind of what this place felt like to me. On a hot, loud day (hot because of summer, loud because of World Cup chaos), we popped by for lunch. The Red Pozole was probably the best dish on the table, chock full of chunky, hearty ingredients--but not spicy enough for my liking. The Suadero Taco and Fish Tacos were both fine, but on the smaller side and not super flavorful. My Flautas Plate was decent, but I couldn't help noticing that places like El Ranchero give a LOT more food for their flautas platters. And the Rojo Tamale was just dry and sad. I think I could see it weep little maize tears. All in all, a solid choice if you want affordable standard Mexico fare, but there are other taquerias within a few-mile radius that are just as affordable while being able to make your tongue sing. read more

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I love everything about Taqueria except for the exceptionally long wait times on the weekends. But it's because the food, the drinks and the vibes are so incredible that you kind of don't mind the wait. I've waited every time I've come but last weekend was by far the longest. We put our names down around 7:30, grabbed a few margaritas from the bar inside and waited outside on the sidewalk for about an hour and a half. A couple tips to make your wait bearable! -If you are staying close by, grab some margaritas at the bar and hang out. -If your wait time is expected to be over an hour, I promise it won't be less than that so you might as well walk around or grab drinks elsewhere and come back. After we finally got in, we were seated in the enclosed back patio space (it's still cold out, but this is usually a lovely spot for dinner during the warmer months). Get the guac! We got a medley of a bunch of different tacos but my favorite was the fish and the lengua. Loved everything and have declared every time that I leave that those are the best tacos in the area. Worth the wait (to an extent) but just go on a weeknight if ya can! read more

Taqueria Downtown is a must try for their tacos. Highly favorable prices, great energy, very small intimate space. Note that this place has a very long wait time but you can always grab a drink and wait outdoors. Our server was super friendly, despite being busy, he was attentive and provided great service. Def recommend checking this place out. read more

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Good place to hang out post work or pre dinner, but be prepared to wait for a long time and there are no reservations. I would have preferred to sit outside as inside can be noisy. Tacos were okay, but at least there were a few interesting options like beef head and stomach. Tip is to ask for the free chips and salsa but the chips were on the harder side. read more

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I would give this place more stars if they allowed substitutions or had more chicken options for tacos, quesadillas etc. the margaritas were STRONG and food tasted authentic. I loveddd the chips and salsa. I would go back but mainly for that margarita. read more

Taqueria Downtown - Margarita - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

If you've passed by this location in person in the evening, you'll usually see a line with folks gathered in groups.  You have to put your name down to wait since they don't take reservations.  There is another Catering location also in JC where you can get takeout as well but we wanted to try their tacos from the OG location. On the evening we went, we waited with friends and saw that they allow you to order drinks while you wait in a designated area outside.  Definitely a smart option especially since you see lots of groups come through here. Once we were finally called, we walked inside a dimly lit establishment that can be accurately described as a hole in the wall.  While there are a bunch of tables the place overall isn't huge but it's got a lot of character. You get chips and salsa to start and they have a surprising amount of options imo which is great.  We all opted for tacos even though they have burritos, flautas, enchiladas, quesadillas, tostadas, plates and more. I got the bistec (steak), nopalitos (cactus) and chorizo.  We also ordered the pescado (fish), barbacoa (lamb) and repeats of what I ordered. The steak was done well and the fish is definitely best in person since it's fried (I can speak from experience having ordered this via takeout).  The chorizo was ok but I'd probably prefer to get a different one since it was more greasy than expected.  I was definitely intrigued by the cactus and the taste can be best described as a cross between eating a cucumber and zucchini.  I would order it again (and have) but might not opt for it every time.  Definitely unique and glad that I got to try it! This place is definitely popular for a reason and they deliver on their tacos.  I'd definitely love to try out some of their other menu items though we seem more drawn to them when the taco craving strikes.  Would recommend coming here if you have some time to kill and want to have a cozy experience with friends! read more

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Taqueria is a staple spot for us. We go there as often as we can for tacos, steak quesadillas, and margs. The service is always quick even though they are super busy. They always have a smile on their face and come with recs. We tried a platter once and that wasn't it for me or my partner. But they do their basics better than anyone we've found in NJ - esp the steak quesadillas. We always get them! We also purchase their hot sauce since it has the perfect kick with smokiness. It isn't the kind of place you sleep on. We've sat inside, outside and at the bar- and the vibes were amazing regardless. read more

Sorry I was told that it was an hour wait and the male Joel outside told me that it was not right and very aggressive

This place is a small gem. Simple but cozy and inviting. The margaritas and food items were tasty. They have an outdoor seating area which is nice to be able to enjoy the beautiful weather. Not to far walking distance from Downtown JC read more

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Great local spot for good/cheap food and drinks! Caution with the margs and sangria because they definitely can sneak up on you. I've been coming here for almost three years after moving to JC. I do recommend this spot but also as a disclaimer, they include pork fat in their beans so for people who do not eat pork for whatever your reason is, the pork added to your food isn't advertised. CONSUMER BE AWARE! It's pretty unfortunate that no one can communicate this on the menu. I found out by accident LOL. read more

I was visiting a friend who lives down the street from here and she took me here as soon as I landed because I was SO hungry. I am so glad she did!! I am from the west coast and this place was the closest I've found to west coast Mexican food I've found so far in this area. I wanted to try a little bit of everything so I got a taco, a tamale and a tostada. Everything was amazing! The steak taco was my favorite and had a good amount of spice. The tostada was absolutely massive and piled high with fresh yummy ingredients. The whole place was also decorated super cute for Christmas which made the vibes 100/10. I will 100% return when I'm back! read more

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This place is exactly what you want in an authentic Mexican spot--laid back, vibrant, and full of character. From the outside, Taqueria grabs your attention with its bold red brick facade and street corner setup that gives it an old-school downtown charm. They also have patio seating which is a great option when the weather's nice, perfect for people-watching over tacos and a cold drink. Inside, the vibe is loud, fun, and full of life. The walls are covered with pop culture posters, art, and memorabilia that give it a funky, nostalgic feel. It's tight and energetic in the best way--feels like a place where you could post up for hours with friends. The food? Legit. I ordered the flautas, and they were crispy, flavorful, and topped with creamy guac, cotija cheese, and salsa verde. The rice and beans were solid, and the chips on the side hit the spot. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable, and everything feels made with care. Service was quick and no-frills, which fits the vibe perfectly. If you're in Jersey City and craving solid Mexican food in a fun, no-pretense spot--this is the place. read more

Taqueria Downtown - Entrance - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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This place is so unbelievably cheap! Went with a friend for lunch and got the carnitas tortas. It was so good and the carnitas was very tender and very filling all under $9, tough to beat in this area. My friend got the enchiladas, also very good. All around a cozy spot, cheap food and good service. read more

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Arrived around 1pm for a Friday lunch. The place seemed lively, but service was quick since there was a designated register for carry out. I ordered three tacos (carnitas, steak, and fish) to go, which came to ~$14. Each taco was individually wrapped and came with their own lime slice, which was a nice touch. The tacos were flavorful and the carnitas was my favorite. Overall a solid lunch and would definitely stop by again. read more

Taqueria Downtown - Steak, fish, and carnitas tacos - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

what yall know about a good taco and a strong marg! super packed but i'll wait every time okay! read more

Taqueria Downtown - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Taqueria Downtown is definitely a Jersey City staple. Everyone knows it, everyone has been at least once, and the vibe is always lively. There are just a few things worth knowing before you go. First: the drinks. They are strong. Be-smart-and-stop-at-two strong. They taste great, but they sneak up on you fast. I ended up way sicker than expected, and I'm not a lightweight, so definitely pace yourself!! They will keep them coming long after you should have stopped. Second: they do not take reservations. Ever. Be prepared to wait, especially on weekends or evenings. It seems to be part of the Taqueria experience at this point, but it is still something to keep in mind. Now for my fellow vegans, here is the heads up. The complimentary chips are fine, but the salsa they bring out apparently has chicken broth in it. I had no idea the first time, since basic tomato salsa is usually the safest bet everywhere. They also use that same salsa on the tacos, so make sure you ask for it to be left off. As for vegan options, the nopalitos (cactus) tacos were pretty bland, and I really wish there were a few more solid choices without having to worry about hidden ingredients. All in all, I would not come here on my own for a meal, but I would definitely join a group if everyone wanted cheap tacos and very strong drinks. The atmosphere is fun, and it is a JC classic. It just is not the most vegan-friendly spot. read more

My friend told me to come here because they have the best tacos and I believe him they also had amazing Coquito that was to die for read more

Visited during a weekday around 2pm and walked right in! Chips and salsa were still good. Had to order 2 hibiscus margaritas they're amazing here! Fish taco still isn't my fave but I'll it's not the worse. read more

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IMO, Taqueria is a downtown Jersey City staple! Word to the wise, there will always be a line out the door (they don't take reservations), there isn't much room to wait around (recommend getting a drink at the bar while you wait) and yes, the drinks are strong!! You simply cannot go wrong with anything you order here. My faves include the enchiladas, flautas and of course all their salsas and hot sauces. read more

I have made it an annual event to bring my hubby here for Father's Day. He loves it and it hasn't let us down yet!! Everything is delicious, fresh, flavorful and perfectly cooked. Hubby says the pork taco is #1. Not a fan of the chicken (pollo) tostado it could've been seasoned a bit more. Especially compared to my other dish which was amazing!The service was way better very attentive and patient while ordering. Love the old sports memorable decor as always. Just a vibe! read more

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Excellent Burrito Box- very quick service- food was made in a flash! Nice vibe. Loved the Guava Basil drink too. Don't forget to order the Mexican Street corn- the must-have side! read more

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Great place for a chill dinner and drinks. Very affordable with true Mexican and strong margaritas! No reservations, and they can definitely have a bit of a wait, but try the hibiscus margarita while you wait. Will be going back! read more

Taqueria Downtown - Roja enchiladas - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

This place is a little Gem. We walked from Liberty Harbor RV Park. The place was packed but we got a table right away. We had margaritas, cheese quesadilla, rolled taco combo and two steak tacos. All was amazing. Drinks were strong. We might go back one more time for heading out. read more

Taqueria Downtown - Rolled tacos - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Always a fun, tasty and affordable taco spot to visit in downtown Jersey City! Every table is given a bowl of chips, they always come out warm and crispy, and I assume they are made in-house, which is a bonus! The Carnitas and Chorizo tacos are always my go to's here - They are packed with flavor, and small but mighty! Note, they come with salsa, cilantro and onion, and I ordered without salsa. This spot has dark lighting, tight seating, and loud music. Maybe not a great conversational spot / first date, but always a fun ambiance. The prices are very affordable, and although the portions sometimes look small, they are always filling and delicious meals. Service has always been fine here! They are busy, but always find a way to seat you. read more

Taqueria Downtown - Carnitas Taco (Pork) Chorizo Taco - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Most of their patrons must be drunk while dining here, which is probably why they engage in deceptive practices to overcharge you. Check your bill very closely, as they have slipped extra charges and extra items I never ordered onto my bill. Also, make sure you are given the correct menu, as they may give you the wrong one with more expensive prices. Especially in the evenings, the place is overpriced, crowded, dark, and noisy. The Yelp reviews do not make sense at all. This place is overstaffed with mediocre employees and looks more like a sloppy nightlife locale rather than a place for authentic Mexican cuisine. The complimentary chips were incredibly stale (I had to spit out some unswallowable bites into my napkin) and the salsa was watery and bland. The serving bowl was chipped, cracked and broken. Portion sizes are incredibly small. Everything about this place screams decline. Disregard the stars and go elsewhere, as there are much better options in the neighborhood from actual family-owned restaurants. read more

I loved this place. Their chicken soup is great during the week. I added their spicy sauce to give a kick. Also tortilla soup and steak tacos are wonderful! read more

Taqueria Downtown - Chicken soup - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Taqueria just made itself into one of my top favorite resturants in Jersey City- and I don't take that statement lightly! I've wanted to come here for a while now, but there's always a pretty long wait. On a Sunday night, I decided to give this a try. While the servers intially told us there would be a 20 min wait, I think we were seated within 10 mins. The inside of the resturant is small, but has so much character! This is a no frills place. Order your drinks and tacos. They will bring it out on paper plates. BUT it will be some of the best tasting food you've had in a while- guarenteed. I gave the barbacoa, chorizo, and carnitas tacos a try. They were each so unique and the meat on each was cooked perfectly! It could not have been a more tasty bite. I could go on and on about how incredible this place is. Try it for yourself! read more

Taqueria Downtown - Barbacoa Taco - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

I've been here a few times. The latest was on a Friday afternoon. Inside was packed and there was a couple mins wait (it's always packed and there's always a wait). It definitely gives dive bar vibes. I had a margarita, which was good. I tried the lamb taco and the fish taco. Both were yummy. The prices are very reasonable and it makes for a great place to come and pregame before a night out. read more

The best! Always consistent and always so good. Divey little vibe of a spot with quick service. We love it here.

I really enjoy getting food from Taqueria and my experience was on par at the Jersey City downtown location as well! I am a huge fan of the burrito bowls and so I ordered the burrito bowls with guac and a side of Mexican elote corn. The corn side was juicy and the sauce was yummy, and the bowl was overall delicious. I wish there could've been a little more rice, but other than that, everything was good! This is a great spot to hit up when you want different vibes from Chipotle and you're craving their 4 different sauces to eat with your meal. The employees are all nice and welcoming, so it feels great to come to this location for a quick bite. read more

Taqueria Downtown - Chips and guac - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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Sat right away on a busy Saturday afternoon. Atmosphere is loud and friendly. Service was extremely prompt, we had our food within ten minutes. Flautas were perfectly cooked. Owners must be from LA, lots of dodgers paraphernalia. Fun time, we'll be back read more

Taqueria Downtown - Bloody Mary, chips and salsa - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

Everything was delicious! We got chips and guac, cheese enchiladas, chicken tacos, steak tacos, and margaritas. Our server was great and even though they were packed, service was quick. The only downside is I wish they had rice and beans that were vegetarian. read more

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Discovered this hidden gem in jersey city and it was a little bit divey but wow delicious! The homemade chips and salsa are salted to perfection. The tacos were fresh and tender and filling. The torta was so delicious we ordered some to go. Parking can be a bit difficult to find here. But for amazing quality food and cheap prices this place will definitely have me coming back. There is often a wait but I can promise you the food here is well worth the wait. Service is very attentive and effockent read more

Taqueria Downtown - Pork torta - Mexican Near Me - Jersey City, New Jersey

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This is a simple, no-frills place. You often have to wait for a seat, but it's worth the wait! The tacos are inexpensive and delicious. The guacamole is incredibly tasty. And the quesadillas are phenomenal, too. This place is almost always crowded, no matter the time of day or day of the week, making it a lively spot for a quality lunch. read more

We stopped in for a bite on a beautiful Saturday in January and were delighted. We ordered a mushroom and cheese quesadilla, served in a fluffy tortilla, and it was delicious. I ordered pork, fish, and steak tacos. Everyone was excellent, both the service and the food. read more

I went back recently and I wanted to update my review because I will tell you since I've been back I haven't seen that waitress and the two I have had since were super sweet and on point ! I really enjoy all the food and margaritas here so I didn't want to give up on it just because of one bad day .. We have gotten the steak quesadilla, steak tacos , chorizo tacos and chicken flautas n all have been amazing every time !!!!!! Place is awesome and inexpensive ! read more

Came here on 2/2/2025 and almost everything was lovely; the ambiance, the food and its pricing, the service of the waitress, shoutout to her...everything was fine except the service of the host that served our party that evening. THAT alone made this experience a 2/5 and I will explain why. So we came as a party of four, had to wait about a minute or so to get a seat- quick seating, no issue with that. Our party ends up ordering and we get our food not too long after, cool. About ten minutes into our lunch a friend of ours shows up somewhat unexpected. We weren't sure if he was going to come in the first place but we didn't completely rule it out. This is the part where is starts to get messy. We're sitting at a table with 4 chairs and there's obviously not another chair at that table so my friend pulls a chair from another nearby table in which nobody is sitting. Not too long after the host comes by and tells him that he cannot sit there and he needs to put the chair back and ok fair. Our friend proceeds to put the chair back and he stands and talks with us for a bit. Host comes back again and says he has to leave because he's in the way and honestly he really really wasn't. We then try to inquire to the host about some possible resolutions to see if our friend can stay. We ask if we can move to another nearby table, or even move one of our party of four to another two seater table to sit with him. He rejects all these potential solutions saying that he's not allowed to do that, those are the rules, and people are waiting. Let me tell you, in our surrounding area there were MULTIPLE empty tables so the fact that the host could not accommodate one person in a was utterly ridiculous. He also did not say that the tables were reserved and it was during the evening on a Sunday so that is highly unlikely. The experience was aggravating. If it wasn't on the host and he was just following orders from the higher ups then it's on the manager, so be it. Also, the fact that the host had no interest in even helping us come to a compromise was just terrible all around. Basically, they're super duper anal about seating so make sure you have your whole party with you when you come here. Again, shoutout to the waitress, she was wonderful! read more

Favorite Mexican in all of jersey! I tried the cabeza taco and now I'm hooked. Come here eat and be happy. Nothing is bad and the margs pack a punch. read more

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I wish there was a way to add 10 more stars! I'm from Colorado and I honestly might have to fly here and eat here again and again! I had the enchiladas Rojas and they were amazing. Probably the best I've had. Even the chips and salsa were off the charts. Come early for sure! It's small and the line can get long. We came when it opened for lunch. Seriously! Do it! Come and eat here read more