Tacos El Cuñado

Stopped in here on a Tuesday night and sat on the patio. I had a small chicken quesadilla and two steak tacos. The steak tacos were great– tender meat, cheese and sour cream (I ordered mine American style) and delicious corn tortillas. The chicken quesadilla was a tad soggy but overall also delicious; and this was a huge amount of food for one person.
My wife had two steak tacos, traditional style, and a shrimp taco. All delicious and served on corn soft shells alongside jalapeños, grilled onions, radishes and limes.
We also shared a side of rice and beans, all delicious. The beans were especially soft and creamy. Service was prompt and informal. We will definitely be back.
Oh! And the horchata was also super good. Sweet, creamy and served with just the right amount of ice.

I was blown away at how good the food is. This is a place where you cannot let the exterior or the neighborhood fool you. If you like authentic Mexican food, this is a fantastic option. I had the tripa quesadilla and my mouth was in love.

This place is a diamond in the rough! I’m new to Grand Rapids so I’ve been navigating my way throughout the city having culinary adventures. This place was packed to capacity. I had know clue how to order so I asked another patron where to order. She said «they come up to you». When someone came I order the 2 taco asada. Since the tables inside and outside were packed I decided to have them to go but however I noticed the parking lot was full of people eating in their cars. So I opened my bag and took a pinch out and needless to say I put my car back in park, turned my ignition off and joined the crowed that couldn’t wait to enjoy this authentic Mexican cuisine!

Best Tacos El Cuñado in town. Far more options than Bridge Street location and better outdoor seating. Super friendly staff and good cooks make for a pleasant experience.

I asked for a Coke. The server asked me in a bottle? I said, no with ice. She told me they didn’t have it. I looked around at every other table and they had fountain drinks with ice. I was puzzled. We ordered chips and salsa and they brought us a basket of chips and pointed at the bottled salsa on the table. And then right after they brought us our food they began mopping the floor with a concoction that isn’t fit to smell when you’re eating. I won’t be back. The food was mediocre at best.

Very authentic tacos! Got a chicken, a steak, and a pork one! Delicious. Also got tamales. Everything was very good! And Holy crap the Horchata!

becoming our favorite taquria in GR.

My favorite places to try are those so called «hole in the wall places». This is one, if not THE best hole in the wall place in Grand Rapids, located in the heart of the «Little Mexico» of the city, Grandville Ave. The food is AMAZING!!! A must try. I really recommend the shrimp quesadillas, to die for.

My husband grew up in west Michigan and lived in GR for a decade before moving away; whenever we’re in town, we only eat here or at Little Africa. Best tripe tacos I’ve had in all of the Midwest! The horchata is delicious, too. Wish they’d expand and add a few more tables so the wait won’t be so long otherwise, a perfect dining experience!

Amazing tacos at this little cute dive

Hit all levels for me! Flavor. Presentation. Nice service. My 1^st experience here was great nonetheless I will be recommending to others and returning soon

Real awkward feel while eating in, i.e. felt like the music stopped when we walked in. Food was good but next time I think I’ll do pickup. It was definitely authentic, with tripas, cabeza, and lengua. The tripas was really good in a taco. Guacamole was really fresh, I’d go here just for the guacamole!

This hole-​in-​the wall taco joint is a hidden gem! My wife & I visit Tacos El Cunado a few times a month. Conveniently located near our home, but I would drive across town in a heartbeat for a meal here any day of the week. We have tried so many other authentic Mexican spots in the neighborhood, and TEC tops our list. The menu is extensive and the food is full-​flavored. Delicious! Everything is good here — the pork, chicken, & steak tacos are perfectly done (topped with cilantro and onion). Also the gauc is spot on point. But for me, the greatest thing that separates them from the competition is their excellent homemade salsas & hot sauces. Try each one! They go great with everything.
Service can sometimes be hit-​or-​miss. Most often, the staff is very friendly and helpful and quick to get the food out. Only a few times the waitstaff has been lethargic. Not a ton of seating — only a few tables inside, but a decent outdoor porch area in the summer months.
If you’re looking for an upscale dine-​in Mexican experience, this place is not for you — it’s casual, it’s inexpensive, it’s tasty, it’s authentic, and I love it!

Well this place was quite a surprise for me. I would never have stopped here based on its overall appearance — it’s a bit rustic and extremely casual. Certainly it’s a very local place with only a couple tables indoors and a few patio tables outside. However fellow Unilocalers have given this restaurant enough praise to convince me to go a little out of my element to try this restaurant while passing through Grand Rapids. The only thing that I had to eat here were the pastor tacos but they convinced me that this place knows how to feed people. The meat was cooked perfectly, with enough sear on some of the pieces to add texture and caramelized flavor. They come with or without a heaping helping of cilantro and raw onions as is your preference. A little fresh lime juice finishes them off nicely. If you are looking for a quick, casual bite to eat and you are willing to judge your meal on the food alone (and not the décor), then this place is worth a try.

Steak tacos are great. Sorry no pic, couldn’t stop to take a pic hahaha. However if you have the guts to try there jalapeños, just a warning they are hot as hades sitting out in the sun tanning. OMG thought my stomach was on fire lol. However that’s what happens when it’s a dare at work, don’t worry won’t eat those again. Lol

A good spot for authentic Mexican in Grand Rapids.
Tacos El Cunado is located off Grandville Ave as you’re heading SW out of the city. Pull up to the brightly colored green shack with red trim and large yellow lettering spelling out what you’re there for, «TACOS.»
Inside it’s pretty cramped but they manage to fit a few tables fairly comfortably. Plus, on nice days they have a small outdoor patio attached to the building with additional seating if you’re not taking your food to go.
As for the food, it’s fairly good especially for the price (two something a taco). I’ve tried the pork, beef head, tongue, shrimp and chorizo tacos. Meats are tender and flavorful, cilantro and onion provides contrast and their sauces are excellent. Tacos are served on warmed corn tortillas for those of you with wheat/​gluten allergies.
My concern and therein reflected rating is in the service. On my first visit, the serving staff member was incredibly friendly not to mention helpful. My last visit was a very different experience. If any of you have entered a restaurant and been given that strong «why are you even here?!» vibe from staff then you’ll understand where I’m coming from. It made the whole ordering and eating experience uncomfortable. And of course you spent the whole time eating thinking, «did I do something?»
I’d stop in for a taco again, but feeling unwelcome my last visit makes me hesitant to return.

Good for authentic Mexican in Grand Rapids.
Tacos El Cunado is located off Grandville Ave as you’re heading SW out of the city. Pull up to the brightly colored green shack with red trim and large yellow lettering spelling out what you’re there for, «TACOS.»
Inside it’s pretty cramped but they manage to fit a few tables fairly comfortably. Plus, on nice days they have a small outdoor patio attached to the building with additional seating if you’re not taking your food to go.
As for the food, it’s fairly good especially for the price (two something a taco). I’ve tried the al pastor, cabeza, lengua, tripa and chorizo tacos. Meats are tender and flavorful, cilantro and onion provides contrast and their sauces are excellent. Tacos are served on warmed corn tortillas for those of you with gluten allergies.
My concern and therein reflected rating is in the service. On my first visit, the serving staff member was incredibly friendly not to mention helpful. My last visit was a very different experience. If any of you have entered a restaurant and been given that strong «why are you even here?!» vibe from staff then you’ll understand where I’m coming from. It made the whole ordering and eating experience uncomfortable. And of course you spent the whole time eating thinking, «did I do something?»
I’d stop in for a taco again, but feeling unwelcome my last visit makes me hesitant to return.

This tiny, out of the way little taco shack is such a gem! :) Authentic Mexican food at lower prices than Taco Bell — seriously! It’s hard not to over-​order because everything is so big! The guacamole (and everything, really) is super fresh! They have outdoor seating, too! I can’t stop with the exclamation points! :) I think about it at least once a week! LOVE.

They have quite a variety of foods that they can make! Don’t let the look of this place fool you. They have some of the best Spanish food I have had in Grand Rapids. It is usually busy but you can always find a little spot to sit down at. I personally just place my order and take it to go with me. They always seem to have my order come out faster this way.
They are relatively inexpensive and are overall friendly. I always feel welcomed and they actually provide chips and dip if you are eating in. If you have not treated yourself to this place don’t deny yourself anymore! When you have no idea what to have for dinner and are interested in Spanish food, think of this place. You won’t regret it!

So. Good.

Great taco stand with a variety of choices on the menu. Very authentic. Very reasonable. Delicious.

I’ve had some great Mexican food in Grand Rapids. We are blessed to have a great Hispanic community! I love this restaurant. And mostly because they do the offal meats so very well. The tongue, beef head, and tripe are amazing. The tacos al pastor, heavenly. The people there are very nice too. This really isn’t a place to bring a date unless you want to impress her with the fact that you know where to find the best Mexican food in West Michigan. BTW, I’m a suburban white guy, but I have come to know and love the beauty that is offal meat. Thank you Anthony Bourdain! But especially thank you Tacos El Cunado!

Excellent tacos — particularly the el Pastor, Carne Asada, Barbacoa done in an authentic manner… terrific chips, incredible housemade salsa, and so on — all on the cheap! Service is tedious so expect to wait a bit unless you’re ordering out!

It’s amazing how many tacos el cunado we have in the city but yet they’re all different. I’m still really partial to the downtown market one because of the meatless options and they don’t use lard in their beans like the rest of the restaurant locations. this el cunado is a hole in the wall but the restaurant has great food great character and a surprisingly nice deck.

This place is a dump… which means it probably has pretty good authentic Mexican food. And it does. I got tacos…1 steamed beef and 1 marinated pork. Both were very good but they didn’t give me a choice of tortillas so I assume all they have is corn. This fat gringo prefers flour, but I’m versatile. I love that they serve the tacos with a side plate of veggies (radishes, spicy pickled onions, jalapeño, sautéed onions, and lime wedges) and there are some homemade salsas on the table so you can jazz up the taco to your liking.
The service was good and overall the food was good… not great. I’ll be back to try more as this is one the better Mexican joints I’ve found in GR.

YUM! This place is awesome! Very small, 1 room restaurant with about 5 tables & 3 chairs per table. They serve you free chips & salsa if you eat in! We also had the guacamole which was freshly made, but way too salty. The small chicken quesadilla was really good– it had shredded chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, & cheese. The al pastor & asada tacos were both also delicious – they are served with fresh cilantro & onions! The tacos were huge & the tortillas were hot & greasy! They have bottled water & sodas if you’re thirsty.
They take credit cards & cash. I will definitely be back! Best taco joint in GR so far! My husband loves this place & he is from LA!

Love this place! Other than the VERY tiny dining area, this is as good as it gets when it comes to Mexican food in the area. The gorditas are just wow.
Cheap, fast, friendly, and delish!

I used to live in Los Angeles, so I hold my Mexican food with pretty high esteem. Finding something that this gringo would coin «authentic» has been a bit of a struggle for me. But, I somehow stumbled across Tacos El Cuñado.
Walking into this place, instantly, I was transported back to my favorite taqueria in Glendale, CA… El Sauz. Small, crowded, you can see right through into the hustling and bustling kitchen. Mexican music plays just a touch too loudly and everyone is kind of cramped. I love it.
I had to go for the old standards. Gimme two carne asada tacos and two al pastor. A short wait later, and these puppies are brought out fresh from the kitchen to me. And they. are. huge. These tacos were much bigger than anything I remember getting from LA, but the prices are right on par (approximately $ 2 a taco). Super bonus points because, just like LA, I was brought a plate of radishes, fresh limes, and jalapeño.
The menu, which basically amounts to poster board written on in marker, is expansive and all inclusive just like I was expecting. Tacos de cabeza, lengua, tripa, and more are here. There was even chorizo tacos, which I don’t recall seeing in LA, but will definitely have to try next time I’m there.
It boils down to this. This place is a steal at its prices. The food is beyond amazing and I think the al pastor was, by far, the best of this trip. I want this stuff every day for the rest of my life… or at least until I can move back to CA. Too bad I don’t make enough dough to afford eating out every day, even at their low prices.
Hit this place up and, if you dig authentic Mexican, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. Hell, I know you won’t be disappointed. This place is a godsend in Grand Rapids.

Even before coming here, I heard that the food was good and authentic… And I recieved nothing less. The food was so delicious and cheap! (Which is especially great if you’re a poor college student.)
I ordered three tacos: cabeza (head), lengua (tongue), and al pastor (marinated pork). They were all delicious, but I’d especially recommend lengua if you feel adventurous enough! :)
Mmm mmm MMM!