John Murray

Literally the coolest spot ever cannot believe it took me this long since moving here to visit. Strong margs, affordable delicious food, and all around the Mexican restaurant I felt was missing from Hoboken/JC until I found this spot. Karen offered a warm welcome at the host stand and helped me get the best spot. JP is the best bartender ever and really made the experience. Mariana was amazing and served both food and humor. Barry is an awesome manager and came to check on me!

Limon R

I stopped by this Mexican restaurant and had a great experience. The beef tacos were flavorful, juicy, and seasoned perfectly – every bite was delicious. Paired with their refreshing margaritas, it was the perfect combo. The drinks were smooth, not too sweet, and just the right kick to go with the food. The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, making it a fun place to relax and enjoy a meal. Definitely a spot I’d come back to whenever I’m craving tacos and margaritas.

Bailey Jaworski

Very classic, authentic Mexican spot in downtown Jersey City. You will almost always find a crowd gathered outside drinking margaritas and waiting to be seated. Overall, this spot is solid and exactly what you would expect. We ordered quite a few options to try out for our first time. By far, my favorite thing on the menu was the carnitas tacos. These tacos are flavorful and juicy and I'd come back time and time again just to order these tacos specifically. Everything else on the menu was solid, but the real stand out to me are the carnitas tacos.

+2

John Allie

Taqueria Downtown is an absolute staple in Jersey City and a go-to spot for locals. Tucked away in a cozy basement, it has a colorful, no-frills vibe that feels like you’re stepping into your abuela’s kitchen—warm, welcoming, and full of incredible food. The menu is packed with delicious options, and you really can’t go wrong. Their Tortas ($7.95) are next-level, the quesadillas are fantastic, and the salsa? A deep red, slightly sweet, and perfectly spicy—just how it should be. But let’s talk drinks—this is where Taqueria truly shines. Grab a seat at the bar, order a margarita (or four), and don’t forget to take home a kit to keep the party going. An awesome spot to hang out, just off the main drag, and always a great time. Love me some Downtown Taqueria!

+6

K. A

I’ve been coming here since they first opened. Amazing food. Great service and atmosphere. I try to eat here once or twice a week. They don’t do take out at this location but they do have a catering spot that does take out. If you have kids, strollers stay outside. It’s usually busy so be prepared for a wait but it’s worth it. You’re welcome to grab a drink while you wait.

M A

Great customer service from the hostess, bartender, and waiters. I love how the restaurant bar is decorated and gave me a nostalgic feeling. Their items on the menu and bar is at great price. Of course I had their famous margarita made just right. My fav don’t judge me is the chips and salsa.

+8

Elaine

I expected fireworks based on the reviews and accolades this spot has received. My friend and I didn’t try many of the dishes but they were good. There was nothing spectacular about their flavors. They serve tortilla chips with a house sauce as a complimentary side dish. It’s a little hard but after the initial bite - we couldn’t stop! When you mix in the vibes of the place, then we have our answer as to why this place is loved by so many locals !! It’s a lowkey setting, crowded but homey, and brightened by colorful small lights. There’s a bar in the front house and outdoor seating in the back. The space is filled with laughter and people finished with their work day or grabbing a quick lunch. It feels familiar.

+7

Sebastián Bejas

I had Beef tongue, beef cheeks, and chorizo tacos. All 3 were excellent. The chorizo one had spice that was amazing. The tacos are kinda small sized so you need 3 at least. Ideally 4. Had a regular margarita that had a lot of alcohol. I personally like it more balanced. For dessert we had the flan which was really good. Creamy and smooth. Music is a little bit too loud for me although not annoying. Service was good but you feel they are rushing you to finish and take off. The place is small so it makes sense, but it is a little bit annoying.

M. H.

This Mexican Diner offers traditional specialties such as “Bistec Encebollado”, Carnitas & Lamb Tacos, Quesadillas and many others. Service is very friendly. The price quantity relation is very fair -that is probably why the place was absolutely packed.

+2

Luis Diaz

Good Mexican spot in downtown Jersey City that has tasty food that is well priced. Tight seating arrangements with a lively atmosphere. I wasn't blown away by anything, but the meal was good and affordable. The chips for the table were unevenly salted and we had to wait for water, even though we requested it with our drink order.

Erin Ly

Dined outdoors on the side of the road near the back patio during the autumn since we were accompanied by service dog. The tacos have good flavor but are quite small. I appreciated that they were individually wrapped to stay warm and made for easy transport. Order plenty if you want a filling meal. Wait time for food was about 15 minutes during peak hours.

Victor Chau

Came here for lunch. We ordered some tacos while our friends got the beef steak plates instead. The tacos themselves were alright and a bit on the smaller side. I can’t say I would get them again. The steak plates were definitely more tasty. The steak itself was a bit thin but large in size. The chips and salsa were probably my favorite food item here. Keep in mind you get the first order of chips and salsa complimentary but each subsequent order you need to pay for. We don’t know that and assumed you got free salsa and chip refills like at most other Mexican restaurants across the country. Overall I had a decent time here but don’t see myself coming back unless it’s for a deal.

Eddie Orellana

I love authentic Mexican food and many people have told me about this place and how great it is. Today as I am posting this, it's my 31st birthday. And for lunch I decided to finally give it a shot and see what the hype was about. I'm Salvadorean but I love Mexican cuisine and I know a good place when I try it. I been to Mexico City and have tried multiple Taquerias in the city and the options they had were amazing. However I do not eat red meat but only chicken. And when I went to Mexico City I had chicken tacos from all over. Today that is what I wanted to eat, chicken tacos. As I sat down and knew what I wanted to eat I asked for chicken tacos. To my disappointment, they do not offer chicken tacos. Although they have dishes with chicken, they could not substitute chicken in my tacos because that's their policy and also i was told that chicken tacos is "not traditional". I wish I could give 5 stars but because of that I really can't. They have every other option for tacos but none for chicken and having been to Mexico many times, it is definitely traditional. But it's ok I still think it's authentic but I just wouldn't come back again. After eating a chicken tostada, I have to honestly say it's a 2 out of 5, did not.like the taste of the chicken either. I can't say much about the food anymore. But I appreciate the environment and drinks, those parts are good but the food itself not so much

Went for the first time yesterday with my wife. The wait was about 30 minutes, and since the place is small, we were told to wait outside—in the cold. While waiting, I noticed others standing outside holding bar drinks. I went inside to order one while we waited for our table and asked who appeared to be the manager for a drink menu. It was very loud inside, and I could barely understand what he was saying. He pointed toward one corner of the bar, where I assumed the menu was located. I went to check it out and then walked over to the area of the bar where he was working. I asked for a michelada, and he yelled at me for not ordering at the side of the bar he had apparently “communicated” to me earlier. Again, it was extremely loud inside. The interaction felt degrading. The rest of the staff also seemed irritated when approached, which unfortunately makes me think they may be treated the same way. I understand that the food service industry can be hectic. However, if you can’t manage your emotions with customers—let alone your own employees—this may not be the right business for you. The only part of the experience we enjoyed was the food and the drinks.

Samantha G

I expected much better. The service was poor, the music didn’t match the concept, and the tacos were underwhelming. For a Mexican restaurant, the lack of atmosphere at the bar was surprising. The host and server both seemed unhappy, which really affected the experience. My family is from Veracruz, and hospitality is a huge part of the culture — unfortunately, this was a 0/10. The kitchen may have the best intentions , but the front-of-house experience needs improvement and the whole vibe at least appreciates Mexican culture

Taylor Blakey

I must say that I am extremely disappointed in what I experienced. The food was good as always, as well as the drinks. Today I experienced something uncomfortable. I came in a little after 2pm for lunch and I was meeting a co worker. I sat at the bar and ordered food for both of us and a drink for myself. When my coworker arrived there were no extra seats at the bar available. The male bartender walked over and informed her she could not block the take out area and she couldn’t stand, understandable. I then requested that we move to a table, where there were plenty of open tables and no line, he then said no we can not do that. I offered to pay before we moved to a table, which again he said no. He then directed us to sit in the seated area on the sidewalk. May I also add that there was no signage or indication of this policy. The manager was pleasant and explained