Taqueria Downtown

I came here on a Friday night with friends and the hostesses in the front was super rude. She did not notice us for 5 minutes because she was busy talking to her friends and laughing. I had to tap her on the shoulder to finally get her attention. Afterwards we waited around 30 minutes to get seated. We ordered a guacamole to share which was pretty good and a round of margarita drinks. I ordered 3 cecina steak tacos which were average at best. I really did not enjoy the tortillas they used because they did not taste freshly made. The tacos were also greasy and tiny. Tip: If your going for any of the tacos I would suggest ordering more than 3 because they are on the small side. Overall I would try it again to give it a second chance but I was not impressed.

I attended brunch at Taqueria Downtown with my fiancé this past Sunday. I was excited to take a nice little travel to new restaurant in Jersey city. As soon as we arrived we were greeted with very welcoming smiles and were very pleased with the initial service. I noticed that the establishment was very small and had an intimate setting but the ambiance distracted me from paying too much attention to the fact that the people next to be can hear my conversation. The walls were covered with Tex-​Mex articles and designs and I think it added character to the restaurant. When I realized how limited the brunch menu was I settled with the tacos and asked the waitress Kim if I could create my own with the tacos. She told me it comes with cilantro and salsa and I asked her to put it on the side and add a little lettuce, crème, cheese and tomatoes. She told me it was not the authentic way however she said she could make those changes. When I received my food I had a huge salad portion of lettuce, 5 pieces of beefsteak tomatoes and along with everything else. The type of tacos I ordered were two steak and one lamb. I was not impressed by not only the size of the tacos but the portion of meat that comes on the taco. It was pretty skimpy. On the bright side the mimosas were delicious. When we received our check I realized that the huge sized that I was given but I didn’t ask for were almost as much as my actual meal. Kim even charged me for the cilantro and salsa that she said comes on the taco but I asked to put it on the side. That seemed like a very devious act on her behalf. Like her only concern was to get the check as high as she could and not to make sure that I was aware that I was going to get charged for the huge sides (I couldn’t even fit much on the taco because they were so small). When I addressed her with my concerns she proceeded to argue with me by acting like I had no right to ask why I was being charged for something I was oblivious to the fact that I was being charged for it. I was not appeased with her temperament. The manager on duty made matters worse when she came over and said that no one ever complains about the add-​ons and that Kim did tell me I would be charged for them. I disagreed and she replied with «yes she did»! I was extremely outraged. What good is it to have a manager in an establishment that would argue with an guest, tell them that they are wrong for not liking something and outcast them and make it seem like their problem doesn’t matter to them? She said there was nothing that she could do and was totally okay with the fact that she had unhappy customers leaving the established she was in charge of. I’ve never witnessed something like that in my many years of dining out. No wonder why the server had that kind of attitude it all starts with management. Mediocre food, miserable service and terrible management. Due to the last impression I had at Taqueria Downtown I will never return and I would advise everyone else to go somewhere else. Save yourself the headache! There are about 3,500 restaurants in downtown jersey city it’s okay to skip this one.

Discriminated… idk… Honestly I dont know why this place has 4 stars. I love authentic tex-​mex spots and was excited to take the 25 minute drive to check this place out. When we first got there I was instantly shocked by how small the place was. It was like we were in the city with the tables literally 3 inches from each other. No big deal but honestly it was a little awkward rubbing elbows with strangers and being able to hear everyones conversation. It’s a difference when you expect that type of setting.
Anyways we receive the menus and where a little disappointed it was brunch only. I came because we both love mexican food and I have a bad rep with picking out places that aren’t so good so I wanted to redeem myself with a lil tex-​mex. Once I seen my fiancés face she wanted to leave but I was more like let’s give it a try they have good reviews, food looks good. So I was being optimistic like we’ll find something, however I didnt travel for brunch it’s plenty of restaurants in my area we could have went to especially for brunch.
So we stayed and i got like 5 tacos, chicken, beef, and pork. My fiancé really isn’t a taco fan but the brunch menu wasn’t anything special so she ordered tacos as well and just asked for a side of cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and tomatoes. Just to dress it up. The waiter basically acts like shes not entitled to order her food how she likes it. With a little speech how she can only add it as a side and this is an «authentic tex-​mex» it doesnt come with this or that blah blah blah. Just give her what she asked for I’m thinking. I mean she was very rude trying to talk over her and just not doing her job. If someone wants their food a certain way… Who are you?
We get the food. Its a bunch of very small tacos im glad i got 5. The add ons are taking up whole table. Which was basically a whole head of lettuce, 6 thick sliced tomatoes, and a little cup of cheese. Ate the food in like 5 mins. «Check please.»
To our surpise when the check comes we realize that each side she ordered was over a dollar. Like come one thats a little ridiculous the tacos where $ 3 but a side of lettuce was $ 1 and cheese $ 1.50. To me that just seems a little outrageous, trying to nickle and dime us with these sides that normally come with it. At best .50 or even .75 is one thing but $ 1.50 come on. So the sarcastic server says basically yes I charged you. Do you want to talk to manager? Manager comes and basically says same thing. Stating «no one else complains» this is normal to charge almost $ 2 for lettuce. Theres nothing I can do for you.
Now I’m going to be honest I don’t want to pull the race card but we both got the impression from her and her tone that we where just complaining to get something for free. Like every time black people have an issue we just want something for free, which is sad. Anyone who spends there money and doesn’t get what the expect or has a discrepancy about something charged has the right to address the problem without feeling as though their just complaining for a «free meal».
At the end of the day its only money it comes and goes. I paid the bill, which I intended to, my fiancé just wanted to express how the 20 extra charges where a bit extreme. We got 8 small tacos $ 3/​taco, a side of guacamole, 2 mimosas, one beer, and the sides my fiancé asked for, the bill was almost $ 60. The couple next to us who pretty much got the same thing minus the guacamole and add-​ons bill was only $ 30.
We left and went to another tex-​mex that we were familiar with because we where still hungry. Won’t suggest. Won’t return!

The best tacos I’ve had. I always go with the steak taco, it has a kick to with its delicious spicy sauce. The pork tacos are also very tasty. Don’t forget to get the guacamole and a cold beer to go along with it. Seating a little tight, classic tunes and movies from the 80’s on the tv. It has a divey feel to it, and the staff is very attentive.

This place is a neighborhood staple! It’s where you want to go for well priced tacos and tortas that are reliable and good!
Grab a beer with friends and listen to 90’s alternative and rock! It’s a great little place!

Being from California, it’s hard to find really good mexican food. Taqueria has a nice assortment of tacos that you will find at any taco shop. My only gripes were that there weren’t two torillia’s with my tacos.
Other than the white dude mocking the Spanish accent at the register. The food was great. The clientele is most def yuppies that have recently moved into downtown Jersey City.
It’s also really cramped when it’s busy and the alternative music is a plus.

Cost:$ 10-​$ 15/​person, if you’re a big eater/​drinker ++
Vibe: ⁵⁄₅
Service: ⁵⁄₅
Décor: ⁵⁄₅
This is my second home. Really, it’s 3 doors down.
The staff are great, the food’s consistent (props to Pedro), and the manager for most of my Taqueria career (Ricky), always make you feel like a best friend.
Living so close for just over 3 years I estimate I’ve been there over 300 times. I’ve disrobed, fallen asleep at the table, been carried home, etc. and they’ve always let me back in for more delicious authentic Mexican.
In my opinion it’s the most consistently tasty and best decorated/​themed restaurants in Jersey City and that’s probably why after 6PM it’s packed with customers, take-​out/​sit-​down.
This is the best when it comes to Mexican cuisine in the area and the kind of place Jersey City needs more of.
I’ll trade staff’s personal info for Unilocal Friends.

no frills almost-​divey place with really good tacos. Should you make a special trip here? I don’t know, but I do. My favorite are the offal type tacos – tongue, intestines, beef head. They’re nicely seasoned. The horchata is quite sweet, but I like it.
As a sort of side note: I had some leftover tacos that I warmed up the next day in the oven and the tacos got nice and crispy which went sooo nicely with the marinated fillings. I daresay it tasted even better? A note for the bosses if they ever read this!

Been coming here for over 7 years and have never had a bad meal. I love how consistently delicious this place is — you can always rely on Taqueria for a quality meal. The carnitas/​pork taco is a must-​have. We also love the tostadas and the chorizo is tasty as well. Back in the day the service was a little intimidating but in recent years it has become incredibly friendly (and fast!). The value is great — quality food at decent prices. The drinks are a little pricey but we deal with it.
Besides great food and drinks, the Taqueria also has a great vibe, awesome outdoor seating and is very accommodating with kids/​families.
Unfortunately we’ll be moving out of Jersey City soon and heading to the suburbs but I can guarantee we will come back often to Taqueria!
PS We noticed recently that they changed from two tortillas per taco to one. Kinda a bummer but not a huge deal if they keep the food tasty and the prices reasonable.

Most authentic Mexican north of Chihuahua.
The carnitas are the best.
Viva Taqueria Downtown!

After a nightmare in JC traffic this was a gem!
Best taqueria in nyc area. Worth the trip. I shit you not!
Also amazing throwback jukebox! Listening to captain and tenile «love will keep us together «sadly I know they divorced so it didn’t. But all in all they had a good run?!

The best Mexican restaurant I have been to hands down! Authentic homemade tasting tacos with great vibes! Friendly service! And the food is just delicious and fresh! I recommend the chorizo and beef tacos with a side order of crema (in replacement of sour cream). I liked the outdoor seating and décor. Def come with a group of friends or would be cool for date night too. 5 stars

I was in the area for business, during lunch I searched here on Unilocal near my location for something quick to eat and that it had the most ratings and hey I was in the mood for some tacos anyway.
I’m a fan of chicken tacos and was disappointed to find out that they did not have any on the menu. I got the chorizo taco which was loaded with grease, which by the way went through the tortilla and unto the plate. I also got the carnitas taco that was okay but better than the chorizo. Nothing to go crazy about, I’ve had better tacos in Queens, NY. Pricey for a New Yorker eating in jersey but hey it is Jersey City metro area.
Since there wasn’t any chicken tacos I got the chicken tamales, first time having it and I’m glad I got it because out of my whole meal this was my favorite dish.
I believe this place has this many ratings because of the atmosphere, it’s very authentic and has great music, the décor made you feel like a taqueria in Mexico with some L.A. teams on the wall which I found strange. The owner must be from L.A. or a huge L.A. fan.

A reliable taqueria joint on the outskirts of Grove St (literally at the end intersecting of Grand) I’ve been visiting since 2010,. Tons of people venture here but to what effect, I’m not certain. I’ve tried just about every taco and plate offered and in generally, the tacos were good albeit very, very, very salty. Is this their idea of giving their tacos taste? That being said, they have decent service for take-​out and sit-​down.
The energy here is always up due to it being packed most nights. I cant speak to the drinks though as I’ve only had a beer or two here but the bottom line is this, I’ve had better Mexican, just not in Jersey City. This really is one of a few choice places you have to live with for Latin flavor unless you’re willing to trek to other neighborhoods.

I reviewed several Mexican restaurants. This is probably my favorite thus far.
It looks diminutive from the outside. It is even smaller on the inside. Even nights in the middle of the week will be cramped. Good luck getting a seat. Even if you do, there is a chance those working will still ask you to leave after some time. As a small group of four, we were asked (kindly for what it’s worth) to leave after some time despite the fact that we were still ordering rounds of tacos and that one in my group knew those working at the Taqueria.
Take that however you will, I still love the tacos. They are one of the more authentic Mexican tacos. No sauces, no cheeses or dressings, no cilantro overload. Just a seasoned meat mix on a small soft tortilla served with a wedge of lime. I just wished they were at Mexican prices.
The carnitas taco is my absolute favorite. The pork is just so soft and savory. Followed by that are the lamb barbacoa and the chorizo.
Least favorites are the picadillo and bistec. The meat of the steak is paired with little more than a strong spice.
Pleasant wildcard is the new lengua (beef tongue). They have a lot of new tacos and you can bet I will try them all.
Side note: this is a Los Angeles sports sympathetic place. Go to Biergarten if that bothers you.

Yeah I wasn’t feeling it! We were so excited to eat at this spot! We walked into a bunch of drinking and having fun in the bar. We told them we were eating and wanted to sit in the patio in the back! We got to the back and ordered two mimosas with guacamole & salsa with chips! We were excited about trying the tacos and food! We heard a lot of good things?!
I ordered eggs, bacon meal which was a little greasy. The beans and rice was flavorful and didn’t hav r much tastiness going on! I didn’t finish it. I was still hungry. My friend ordered three tacos. One carnitas which was good, the chicken and beef was really greasy too.
Overall wasn’t to excited! I won’t be coming back! Sad day!

Hot salsa with free chips. Yummy margaritas $ 8. Mole sauce on the cheese enchiladas, awesome slow chocolate heat. Barbacoa (lamb) tacos $ 3. Perfectly steamed tamales $ 3. Fast friendly service (20% :). An outdoor patio like Cali. Disco music playing loud. So cheap! I love Taqueria Downtown so much.
Unilocal biz details are a little shaky: full bar yes (not just beer & wine). Waiter service yes.