Came here wanting some tacos with the bro and I order 4 of them they were pretty A1 I got The carne asada tacos And at first I honestly thought they were small but honestly man they get the job done and like I ordered a Torta too and I'm taking that Togo it is massive pretty nice man well done gets the job down now imma go Home and chill in bed with my horchata and let the food coma settle in read more

Ordered mixed "fajitas" just now and it was lunch meat ham, chopped up hot dogs, ground beef, shredded pork, and one shrimp. I had to laugh but was simultaneously grossed out and pissed off. read more

Nasties food I've ever tasted. Came in with some friends at 2 am and the bread had mold, the meat tasted old and was nasty 0/10. Worst thing ever I saw a rat passing by while eating my torta. Worst thing ever. Horchata tasted like moldy water. I was literally in the restroom for 2 hours. had food poisoning. read more

Thats the most horrible place of food that i ever went to in my hole life, it's disgusting, i don't even know what was that, but for sure not food, i oder fajitas and that thing had more onions that actual meat, i order a torta and same, moré onions then meat, there was not ever meat on there tbh, there service it's horrible, no wonder that place it's always empty, I literally paid 36 dollars for onion food, im fr, DONT GO THEREEEEEE ITS HORRIBLE, oh and the orchata its soooooooo bad, just dont go there!!!! read more

I ordered Nachos like the ones advertised on their DoorDash page and got something else. Pictures says it all read more

Taqueria La Esmeralda - a tray of nachos - Mexican Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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I think I got screwed - ordered late night but saying delivery at 9am WTF?

Wonderful service, great food, easy parking late at night. This is one of the few establishments open past 9pm on this Tuesday. I found it here on Yelp, and it's located just off the highway coming back from the airport so it was convenient. They have a simple menu, with all the standards I ordered the chicken burrito with guacamole and a steak torta. The person before me was having he torta and it looked amazing. Service by the woman was very friendly and welcoming. They do serve beer here along with the agua Fresca. I ordered the melon and it was very nice. Not too sweet, just enough flavor. I'd definitely come back if in the area. They have 2 doors, you enter on the left and it's partitioned to control the flow of the line. Next time i would like to try the cubana or the Milanese. read more

Taqueria La Esmeralda - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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THE BEST AUTHENTIC MEXICAN (TASTING) RESTAURANT We discovered this hidden gem, and we are very happy we did. We love the pozole; it's done and served to perfection. It includes (on the side) all the "traditional" add-ons; cabbage, onions, radishes, oregano, limes and tostadas. The other dishes we have tried have the authentic Mexican homemade taste. Their drinks such as the Jamaica and the tamarind (tamarindo) are delicious and taste so authentic. The delicious "homemade" sauces served with chips are complimentary. I cannot say enough to recommend this restaurant. It is not a fast food eatery, so for some dishes be prepared to wait a bit longer. Being bilingual, we haven't experienced any problems with the staff, regarding communication. I wish more people would give this restaurant a chance, specially in times like this. We should, if we can SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSES. Thank you and stay safe. read more

It's an "experience". The best damn Cubano in Omaha. Unreal. It is a Mexican diner style, not a wait staff type place. It is out of the way, but worth the extra mile. read more

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This was stop 5 on the 2013 Tour. There were supposed to be six stops but we collectively threw in the towel at stop 5. I had my fill of tacos before here so I went with Coctel de Camarones (with octopus) and it was outstanding. The reason for the three star rating is the others who went the taco route were not that excited about them and my past experience with tacos here was less than stellar. The service was good, restaurant was hot & the beer was semi cold. read more

Taqueria La Esmeralda - Mexican Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Be careful if you do not speak spanish well. They overcharged my card 4 times, then called me a liar when i showed them my bank statements, and told me to call my bank for my refund. Very unprofessional and I will not be recommending this place to anyone I know. read more

This place is my favorite spot to grab some street tacos. Made to order and always tasty! I literally crave their salsa, the green salsa is super spicy which I love! The staff is always super friendly and welcoming . I Would def recommend this "hole in the wall" you won't be disappointed. read more

Overall 8/10 Taste (7/10) Price (7/10) Location (7/10) Hours (10/10) 24/7 yeeeee My place for late night munchies in Omaha. Personally, I like the taste of Taqueria Tijuana more. HOWEVER (and this is a big however) I don't speak Spanish well, and Tijuana doesn't speak English at all, so it is hard to communicate really. La Esmeralda is also open 24 hours a day, and I can easily order anything. Here is my suggestion: Go here when it's late. It's friendly, English speaking, and fast. Nothing soaks up that beer like tacos! However, if you can manage a little bit of Spanish, feel like being a little adventurous (for you Omaha locals) try Tijuana or some of the many taco trucks along 24th in south O. It's safe, friendly, and best of all, tasty. Will I be back? YES - Happy eating read more

4 sober people and one drunk walk into this place and I don't have a clever punchline for this. It was post concert Attack of the Hunger Force Mega Zord 2014: Tokyo Drift. This place was decided on because we had all eaten there before so I'll base this review off this experience. We showed up in waves and put them to work. Wave 1 was a friend and I. He must be pregnant or just all fun'd after having played a pretty killer show. He got a steak quesadilla, rice and beans, chips and salsa, and chips and guacamole. That was his order...preggers. I simply ordered a Cubano torta to slobber on. Tack on 2 horchatas and you had two happy kids. The next wave had 4 steak tacos and something I stopped paying attention to since within 7 minutes my torta showed up. The last wave had a plate of I could give zero frakks because Torta. I did notice all the food came out quick and looked great and I heard no complaints over my loud chewing noises. So let's talk about me. Me. Me. Me. Mine! As I said the food came quick and it was why I always order it. Perfectly toast bread, overflowing with the best ways to cook an animal. Steak and ham bits getting all hawt and moist in my mouth with egg and mayo and a bit of bite from the jalapeños that kept jumping at me. Oh my Glob...I'm having a moment just writing this. Hold on sec.... (5 minutes of uncomfortable silence later) Ok...I'm back. Had to floss the leftovers out my teeth so I could chew the flavor out of them. Yup...that's what I did. So to say this place is more than just a late night "why not" place is an understatement. It's good on all fronts. But it can be pricey. Pregger's order alone was $21. The portions are there but some people may see that as steep and a mild deterrent. I can say you get what you pay for and that rings true here. It measures up. I say it does. I'm Hispanic, I'm legit. And I have an Ex-Wife eating T-Rex, named D'Brickashaw. Come at me!!! Put this in your facehole! Eat up, Minions!!!! read more

Not great, but they have three things going for them. One, they are open late. Two, they take bank cards. Most Mexican joints are $ only. Three, they serve Omaha's biggest, best burrito. $6 may seem like an expensive burrito, until you get one. They are huge. Hungry? Order a cachete burrito and smother it with with salsa verde. About 800 million times better than Alvarado's, which seems to be Omaha's go-to burrito joint. read more

We came in on New Years Eve for a low key bite with our daughter and discovered some delicious burritos. First time here, but have been wanting to try for a while. We were needing a new taqueria place since Los Compayes went in the crapper. I think we found it with La Esmeralda. Each ordered burritos, I had the barbacoa, my husband had the cuban style. Both were fantastic! Meats were flavorful and moist, stuffed with rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, avocado AND jalapenos! Great homemade salsas to compliment the meal. Unlike other taco joints they DO have a liquor license so we could enjoy a beer with our meal....ahhhh Negra Modello. Now that I know this place is 24hrs, I can guarantee I will be back! read more

I was hankerin' some tacos, but in the winter months I choose warmth over trucks and sought out an indoor taco situation. Based on the reviews, I decided to give this spot a go. Walking in I was momentarily confused. Do I order at the counter? Sit and wait for wait service? Oh wait...either works, depending on if you're take-away or dine-in. Started with salsa and (thick) chips, followed by Coctel de Camarones, and tacos with chicken (one), carne asada (two) and pork cheek (one). One waitress. One chef. Slow service. Coctel with generous shrimp was oddly sweet but octopus was a bit on the chewy side. Chicken taco was a no-go as it was a bit flavorless and pale. Carne asada taco a bit better. Pork cheek taco was yum. All said, under $20, but overall, not my fav option for my taco fix. read more

Girlfriend and myself went here after a football game downtown and let's just it was the best decision to end our evening! They have the BEST chicken tacos in Omaha! Absolutely great service, we asked if they could add cheese; not only did they accommodate but even asked what kind AND at no extra charge! When we received our meal after it was made to order, we asked for extra limes but they did one better; they brought a whole bowl! This restaurant is a MUST go, especially since it is open 24 hours! read more

Taqueria La Esmeralda - Chicken tacos ! - Mexican Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

Worst Tacos I've ever had. Not only that but their horchata smelt and tasted like dishwater, and that's cutting it some slack. Their "Al Pastor" Tacos didn't look like al pastor tacos and every bite had something hard. Not returning here. read more

Esmeralda's is the best for tacos in Omaha. I love this place. I've been to restaurants and food trucks all around town but nobody beats them. Please be patient and respectable with the wait staff, I've seen lines going out of the door some nights. That has to be a good sign, right?! Oh yea, I almost forgot the most important information about this place, its open 24/7! Boom!! Taco time is anytime!! read more

First time coming here and also the last, my asada tacos tasted like the meat was old and there was no flavor with my tacos de pastor. I'm giving this place two stars because the guy taking my order was nice. read more

Came here for the first time ever around 2 am with my boyfriend. Came in and struggled making the order since the cashier was fluent in Spanish she didn't speak to much of any English. It took about 10 minutes to get the order placed. Their layout allows you to watch your food being made so long as there isn't a line of people. We watched as they made it for us and there were a couple things to stand out. They were not wearing mask while in contact with us or the food and they did not wear gloves. They used a spatula that was sitting on the grill to scoop out the raw chicken onto the grill. After about 20 minutes of waiting the food was ready. We checked our food before leaving and they hadn't given us the rice and beans for the chicken taco COMBO. So there was a little conflict about getting the rice and beans because that is what we ordered but did not receive it. They gave it to us without charge because of the misunderstanding and we left the store. Got home and the first thing I tried was the carne asada taco... it was amazing, flavors were there they didn't have that horrible stretchy and chewy beef like some other restaurants. I myself had the carne asada and chicken enchiladas combo. My boyfriend had the three chicken tacos combo. Unfortunately the chicken did not compare to the carne asada AT ALL. It was horribly DRY, my enchiladas they tasted like FISH . The rice was OLD AS HELL mushy in some places and still raw in others... the beans we just barely decent. This restaurant is one of the few to stay open late during Covid but CHECK AND TASTE YOUR FOOD BEFORE LEAVING. We took it back quickly after and got a full refund. read more

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This place is really yummy! I often crave Mexican food and this is one of the places my husband brought me to one day. I got the chicken burritos here. They were amazing! They were not only the perfect size, but they also had the perfect flavor as well. Not too spicy like some commercial Mexican places. I think one of the best things about this place is their hours! I believe this is the location that is open 24 hours, so if you need to have Mexican food in the middle of the night. Go here :) read more

Got tacos al pastor and some barbacoa tacos along with some horchata. Good Mexican food for Omaha - al pastor was done right (with the pineapple) and was juicy, moist and flavorful. The barbacoa was moist but could afford more flavor. The horchata tasted like it came from a powdered mix. I'd come back for the tacos al pastor. read more

This place has very ancient Mexican foods. I really enjoy going there. Last time I bought nachos with steak and chicken. It was alright except they put too much nacho cheese on it, which I didn't like. Other than that I would recommend this place. read more

Taqueria La Esmeralda - Mexican Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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I had the lengua (beef tongue) and my fiancee had the chicken enchilada. Both were great, large portions with rice and beans. The chips and salsa are free. You get red and green salsa and the green is fantastic (very spicy too). The lengua was served with a ton of small corn tortillas, sliced avocad, diced onion and a heap of cilantro. I was unable to finish the entire plate. This place offers take out or dine in. Authentic, fast, delicious. The food isn't expensive, but maybe a bit above the expectation for the atmosphere, but I would go again. read more

I've been eating here for years and the food is just as good as the first time! Chips n salsa, lengua, carne asada, barbacoa, chorizo, horchata...all are phenomenal! Tacos n tortas are usually the way i go. If you're lucky enough to be there for karaoke, you're in for a treat. Otherwise, just enjoy the novellas! read more

Taqueria La Esmeralda - Tacos lenguas - Mexican Near Me - Omaha, Nebraska

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download this app just to warn you guys horrible service&food went in there for some food late night when i got my food i found a bug in it, AFTER that i went to the desk to ask for a refund and show the old lady working and she proceeded to pick the bug out the food closed it and proceeded to say it was the "fryer" didn't get a refund just left the food read more

24 hour authentic mexican food! Yummm! We were the only non-hispanics in the packed place (always a good sign of a restaurants authenticity), and they burst out into Spanish karaoke and it was the most fantastic sight. Two tacos autenticos with carne asada for $3.50, and the free chips and salsa are limitless and delicious. They even have a giant basket of sweets from Mexico for 50 cents! I wish it wasn't so far out of the way for me, but I definitely will be returning. read more

I haven't eaten here, but their horchata is some of the best I've ever had! I like to frequent taquerias and try their horchata... in my opinion it's one way you can measure a good taqueria from a bad one. read more

Great authentic méxican food. I was heading home from a late night in South Omaha and stopped by for take out. I ordered some carne asada tacos and some beans and rice. It was all excellent. I'll definitely be back to sample more things on the menu. Almost forgot to mention 24/7! read more

I have tried many mexican restaurants and taquerias and this one turned my stomach. Here's why, 1. The food was cold when it arrived and we only ordered tacos and chips 2. The food tasted like it was cooked in old grease 3. The restaurant is dirty. We went later in the day and I will not go back because of the condition of the restaurant read more

I said it in my tip, but I'll say it again since those don't show up on the main Yelp site. Get three tacos - carnitas, barbacoa and tongue - to sample the depth of flavor. Everything tastes unique and delicious. Sometimes to mix it up I'll order those with avocado on top which is refreshing as is the lime squeeze. I don't usually get the rice but the beans are almost too good. I couldn't finish my horchata though because it was so sweet. I think I just like a spicier, less sugary horchata. Ordering to go was quick but if you're needing a soap opera fix you can eat in. Open 24-7. read more

We stopped here on the way back to Arizona because of the reviews on Yelp. They are ACCURATE. GREAT tacos and the horchata was very good. I'm glad we stopped here, even though the area isn't exactly thriving and there wasn't much to look at. Some of the customers were a bit sketchy. No offense to any Yelpers ;) read more

Went in pretty late in the night. There was no one else. Just the cook and one lady. Got 3 chicken tacos. I was skeptical if it would be enough based on the size. They actually filled me up pretty well. The cleanliness could be improved a bit, but its a taqueria, so cant expect more. Good sauces along with the tacos and decent selection of beers. read more

This has been by far the worst restaurant I've ever ate at..... if I wanted some dude flirt with my girl I'd take her to the bar not at the register.... got my girlfriends food right and completely botched mine. This is complete and utter bullshit got a burrito de azada with more rice and beans then steak. This place is depressingly horrible. I'd rather go to McDonald's everyday then being here at La Esmeralda. read more

Good authentic Mexican food. Love the tacos de lengua, my fave kind growing up.

I used to love this place. It was my go to for great food late night. I work odd hours so good food late is big on my list. The last time we went they were clearly understaffed. Ok. That happens. I work in the service industry so I have patience with these types of things. They used to offer complimentary chips and salsa. I'm not sure when this ended, but it doesn't make me happy. I ordered guacamole as an appetizer and made the mistake of assuming chips came with the guacamole. Not so much. Don't get me wrong. I love guacamole, but not so much that I want to eat it with a spoon and nothing else. In order to get chips for my guacamole (which by the way came out with the rest of our food) I had to get back in line to wait to order chips and salsa. So, on top of the $5 guacamole I had to pay another $2.50 for chips. I don't think I've ever typed guacamole so many times in my life. Anywho, overall the food was good, the service was not, and you better be prepared to wait. The waiting has always been a thing there late night, BUT you had chips and salsa to get you through the time. Without that, you start noticing things you don't want to. The waitress/cashier/cook seemed perturbed over everything. Like asking for limes for my torta. read more

Wow! Todos excellente!! Fantastic real Mexican food. Delicious posole!! Barbacoa was awesome, too!