Nov 25

Nov 25 Food Review: A taco tour around Cleveland

With a large number of Mexican restaurants in Cleveland, I decided to test out a few of their tacos. The ratings for the following five restaurants are based on customer service, atmosphere, food quality and proximity to campus. We’ll start with the lowest score and finish with my favorite restaurant.

Tres Hermanos

Residing as a favorite among Lee students, it’s hard to walk into the dining room and not see a familiar face. For a restaurant that always seems to have a full parking lot, Tres Hermanos also delivers great service. The employees are friendly, and the food was served in under 10 minutes.

I ordered the Mexican-style chicken taco and was very impressed. The tacos were amazing — full of flavor, spice and very enjoyable. Located barely a mile from campus, Tres Hermanos is a great restaurant for college students, is affordable and serves delicious food in a short amount of time. Rating: 3.0/5

Las Margaritas

The restaurant I visited, funny enough, is directly across the street from Tres Hermanos, but they have several locations in Cleveland. This is a great place for large groups of people to go because of the open space and extra seating available.

The customer service was good, but the food took a little longer than one would expect. Because of this, it seems more suitable for a group outing when time is not as important rather than a quick lunch trip. I ordered the fajita chicken tacos, which came with a side of rice and beans. For a meal under nine dollars, it was a lot of food.

The tacos were incredible. They were topped with traditional fajita toppings like onions, peppers and tomatoes, and they were full of spice and flavor. Las Margaritas is a great restaurant for college students because it is spacious, allows for lots of friends, is located close to campus and is affordable. Pro tip: order their salsa verde. Rating: 3.5/5

El Cazador

Before ordering food from this restaurant, I had no idea it existed. Ironically, it seems to be a local favorite, as I recognized several Lee professors inside. The atmosphere is fun and lively, and the seating accommodates lots of people. This is another great option for large groups.

The customer service was great — the servers were friendly and kind, and most of them seemed to be familiar with the people they were serving. It is obvious the people who eat here always come back, and it makes sense why.

I ordered one chicken taco and one carne asada taco. Both were topped with onions, cilantro and limes and came with chips and salsa. The meal also came with a spicy salsa verde, and it was incredible. If you like heat, definitely ask for some with your food.

This restaurant is appealing to college students because of the affordability of the food, the large seating area and the location. While it is not as close to campus as others are, it’s still only about five minutes away. Rating: 4.0/5

Tacos El Cuñao

Affectionately referred to as “the taco truck,” Tacos El Cuñao is another Lee favorite. If you haven’t been yet, this place is on my recommended list. Not only is the food incredible, but it’s a fun experience just to go. The taco truck serves a wide variety of authentic Latin American dishes — all at a very affordable price.

I ordered two tacos; one chicken and one carne asada. They were topped with onions and cilantro and came with salsa verde and limes. You can taste the passion and authenticity in the food — it is a local favorite for a reason.

The taco truck will remain a favorite because of the fun experience, the incredible food and the low cost of a filling meal. It is a little further away, but it’s under 10 minutes away from the center of campus. Rating: 4.5/5

Nela’s Tacos

Lastly, we have Nela’s — my absolute favorite. With this being my first time at Nela’s, I had high hopes based on what I heard before my visit. It lived up to and surpassed my expectations. Nela’s is a small restaurant on Keith Street, and it is easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

There is not a lot of seating inside the restaurant — maybe five or six booths — but that’s because it is primarily counter service. This restaurant, similar to Tacos El Cuñao, offers a wide variety of food.

I ordered one chicken taco, one carne asada taco and one chorizo taco. The food was incredible. The authenticity shines through in each bite. The tacos are very simple — the meat of your choice is the star of the dish. Each taco is topped with onions, cilantro and limes and there were three sauces of varying spice level available, each one delicious. Nela’s is a great restaurant for college students because it is cheap, close to campus and provides an authentic and fun experience.

After experiencing the culture and authenticity of the tacos from all five restaurants, Nela’s has my pick as the best place to snag a taco in Cleveland. Rating: 4.8/5