Tacos del Cartel

Review summary

1. K

   Karen

   Las Vegas

   8 reviews

   vip
   3.0

   8 reviews

   Dined today

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   This is our third time at Tacos del Cartel. The food and cocktails, as always, were fantastic. The service not so much. We were seated quickly (had reservations) with cocktail menus and our server came over about 10 minutes later. We ordered cocktails and she asked if we wanted apps. We asked for a few minutes to look at the menus. She returned about 15 minutes later, and we ordered an app and our mains. 7 minutes or so later, our mains came out. I had to get our server's attention to ask about our app and she seemed surprised that it hadn't come out. I also had to ask for a soda for my daughter, as she hadn't gotten a cocktail and the server didn't ask her if she wanted anything to drink. About 10 minutes later, our app came out. Our server never really checked in with us after that and I had to call her over to refill water, my daughter's soda and to get more tortillas. There was a very large party when we walked in, so I get that it was all hands on deck, but they left about 20 minutes after we got there, so I'm not sure why everything was so disconnected. Also, I was supposed to get a complimentary Christmas ornament with my cocktail and didn't get one. There was no explanation for this, and I didn't want to have to call our server over again to ask. I know it sounds like we were maybe kind of demanding, but we really weren't. Just had to ask for stuff we don't usually have to ask for. We had a similar problem the first time we went with really inconsistent service, but we keep going back because the food is so good. Also, the atmosphere is really fun and we love the pillows on the benches and the decor. They also do birthdays really well here. The only other suggestion I'd make is that the music is LOUD!!!! I heard a couple of women in the restroom commenting on it too, so I know it's not just us.
   

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2. L

   Luis

   San Francisco

   2 reviews

   5.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 4 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Everything was great food was amazing vibe our server was very knowledgeable and quick with making sure we were taking care of.
   

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3. S

   Stephanie

   New Orleans

   8 reviews

   5.0

   8 reviews

   Dined 6 days ago

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I sat at the bar, Kyle was my server/bartender. Everything was AMAZING! I ordered the elote appetizer. Kyle suggested the bone marrow tacos. 😘 all were very delicious.
   

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4. R

   Richard

   New Orleans

   38 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   38 reviews

   Dined on December 8, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   EDUARDO WAS PHENOMENAL! ALL of his recommendations were spot on! You HAVE to ask for Eduardo and request HIS drink! It’s not on the menu but TRUST me when I tell you it’s the BOMB💣💥! We had the short rib (12 out of the 10), chicken+ waffle’s (12 out of 10), açaí bowl (8/10), Wagyu app (7/10), Costra (7/10 ON FLOUR), and SEVERAL other items….OVERALL the experience and food was phenomenal! It’s NOT what’s you’d expect in NOLA! It’s DEFINITELY a “vibe” if that’s what you’re looking for but if you’re looking for mind-blowing cuisine it misses the mark. It IS CLOSE THOUGH! The restrooms are EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAN and the service is STELLAR! We came here twice in one weekend, that’s DEFINITELY saying SOMETHING for Latin-American food in downtown NOLA! I had the birria tacos on 12/6 and I’ll say that these were THE BEST birria tacos in NOLA. Check out my folks @msbelladon on IG for more!
   

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5. C

   Christin

   New Orleans

   16 reviews

   4.0

   16 reviews

   Dined on December 4, 2024

   1. Overall 4
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 5

   The ambiance, vibes, decor…10/10! The drinks…10/10! The food was not good AT ALL! The tortilla soup tasted like absolutely nothing. It wasn’t seasoned well. The elote wasn’t good. The broccolini was borderline nasty, but okay. It has this smoked taste that isn’t appeasing. The birria tacos would have been good if they came out hot. There was no cheese pull, which should explain that. The tacos de asada were pretty good. No wow factor, but it wasn’t nasty like the elote and tortilla soup. Now, the black beans and Mexican rice were delicious! Those were the sides that came with the tacos. Overall it’s a no for me to return. The guests with me feel the same!
   

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6. J

   Jennifer

   Dallas

   13 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   13 reviews

   Dined on December 2, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Absolutely love this place. The family and I were down in new Orleans for a mini vacation and ate here twice in four days. The staff is amazing. Definitely will be back when we come back to new Orleans.
   

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7. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   New Orleans

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 30, 2024

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 5

   Our girls night out was very fun, food was great and people were nice! I had chicken tacos that were to die for. The 3-4 stars I gave was for the pricing, it is pretty high priced, 90$ just for myself included my chicken tacos and 3 short glass drinks….. also one of my drinks had a fruit fly sitting right on top. Usually I’m not one to complain but I asked for a new one. This is what bothered me…… they took the drink and the bar tender scooped the fly up with a straw, put the drink into a shaker, and put it back into the original cup and brought it back to me…… which was very upsetting….. just make a new drink….. I’m not asking for anything for free but 16$ per small glass drink with a fruit fly please just make me another drink…. Like cmon…. But other than that everything was great.
   

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8. P

   Peter

   New Orleans

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 28, 2024

   1. Overall 1
   2. Food 1
   3. Service 1
   4. Ambience 1

   They charged $14 for a kid's mocktail. They should be ashamed of themselves
   

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9. R

   Reilly

   New Orleans

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined on November 26, 2024

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   I love this place, I love the workers, and the food is too good!
   

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10. S

    Shelly

    New Orleans

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on November 26, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5

    Great Fun atmosphere! Beautiful decor. Good lack luster. Bar service very slow. 30 min for 3 mixed drinks and a glass of wine
    

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