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Cinco de Mayo Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
1202 Cortelyou Rd(between Argyle Rd & Westminster Rd)
Brooklyn, NY 11218
Neighborhood: Flatbush
(718) 693-1022
- Nearest Transit:
-
Cortelyou Rd (B, Q)
Beverly Rd (B, Q)
Newkirk Av (B, Q)
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Sera A. said: "I have been here over 3 times and every time I come here I am happy. We usually start with the shrimp tandoori, the pieces are big and they taste really good. I love their chicken makhni and the chicken curry. My husband likes the…" read more »
58 reviews for Cinco de Mayo Restaurant
Review Highlights
"The food is delicious and authentic."
(in 4 reviews)
"And their tacos are to die for."
(in 13 reviews)
"A tip - I've only ever done take-out."
(in 5 reviews)
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58 reviews in English
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Review from Eddy B.
Brooklyn, NY
1/25/2012 1 Check-in Here
This review only applies to a sit-down meal of tacos.
$2.50, good. Two tortillas, just onion and cilantro. Great salsa on the side, spicy! No chips + salsa. Friendly staff, cozy place. Super taco was great, but pretty much needs to be eaten with a fork.
Might try an entree here sometime. -
Review from Lena P.
Brooklyn, NY
1/23/2012
This is my favorite place!!! I have been frequenting it since moving to the neighborhood a year and a half ago.
The food is amazing and if you want a take out - I have never waited more than 30 min.
They are just great!!!
Wish they were a bit bigger with more tables though. -
Review from Dakotah E.
Brooklyn, NY
10/13/2011
If it weren't for the fact that this place is SO tiny, and that sometimes the cooks/staff just don't show up to work, I'd give this place 5 stars! The food is delicious and authentic. The staff is friendly and homey.
Now, when I say the food is "authentic," I mean that people say it's authentic. When I was in Mexico, mind you, the quesadillas tasted like they do when I get them anywhere else in NY. But not here. Cinco de Mayo quesadillas are deep fried with whatever not-monterrey-jack cheese goes on "authentic" quesadillas. I've never had anything like it before. So I suppose that means it's authentic. [I acknowledge that THAT was a weak logical argument, at best.] Regardless of whether or not the food tastes exactly like it does in your abuela's house in Mexico, I should again note that the food is relatively good. The portions are good, too.
One day when I ate there, there was one server and one cook. BAD NEWS for such a popular spot in the 'hood. The server let me know the situation (a little TMI--apparently two people called out), and how long it would take to get certain items. He even suggested the items that were the quickest and easiest to make. He even told me that HE could make some of the items himself! Wow! But no, I wanted my quesadilla. I waited about an hour for my plate and my friend's arroz con pollo. Bonkers. But he was so friendly the whole time, and kept offering us things to tide us over. -
Review from Ranah W.
Brooklyn, NY
2/3/2012
Had the beef nachos and the meat was undercooked. And something in it had an unappetizing smell.
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Review from Patrick C.
Brooklyn, NY
1/14/2012
Good food, cheap. Recommend the chorizo tacos. They also deliver; however it takes time. The one issue is the place is small and needs more space.
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Review from Ashley B.
1/2/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was a cute little spot. My boyfriend, his parents and I rented a place through AirBNB and Cinco De Mayo was right around the corner. It's definitely not spectacular and the place probably only seats like 10 total, but after a solid night of partying the night before, this girl needed a burrito, and this burrito hit the spot!
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Review from stephanie v.
Queens, NY
8/30/2011
Cinco de Mayo is a cute little hole in the wall Mexican restaurant. The ambiance isn't really restaurant-like, it's got a more fast food/take out vibe, but there are woven Mexican table clothes on the tables, maps and Frieda Kahlo art on the walls making it more comfy.
I ordered a ground beef taco and a pernil taco. I ate the pernil taco thinking that they had gotten my order wrong, because it tasted a lot like chicken. It wasn't greasy at all though, so this was a definite plus! It was quite good.
The ground beef taco was nicely spiced, but very greasy and a bit heavy.
They only offered soft shells for the taco, but the shells were cooked to perfection, they were toasted until they were a little crisp, which was great.
Both tacos came with cilantro and chopped onion inside.
The menu also offered various platters. Some of the people I was with ordered chicken dishes. The portions were huge and they were happy with their food.
Service was friendly and helpful, but the food came out on the slower side, probably because the place was full and also handling take out orders.
This is a good choice for inexpensive Mexican food! -
Review from Monica D.
New York, NY
7/20/2011
I'm not doing backflips over this joint, but they get a high rating because they are cheap, the food is relatively good, the portions are huge, and it's one of the few almost-authentic places around the ditmas park area.
the burritos are the way to go if you find yourself hungry as a horse. they have great juevos rancheros, and from what my friends tell me, the tortas ain't so bad either.
it's a small place and i find that in the summer months it gets a bit hot, but if you're craving some cheap mexican food and a cold modelo, this is the place to go on cortelyou road! -
Review from Bennie S.
Brooklyn, NY
11/6/2011
How did this place get such high scores!? I can't figure it out. Maybe it's for the coffee, which was the best thing about this place - had a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg. The rice was good too. I had the pernil tacos, which was very dry. Not only was the pernil overcooked and dry, but the tortillas were dry. So eating both of them together made for one difficult chewing and swallowing session. Good thing I had water to wash it all down. I ordered a chicken platter, which came out room temperature. The chicken was piled on with sauce and peppers and somehow still managed to stay dry. This place is more like fast food mexican rather than authentic.
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Review from Champika F.
Brooklyn, NY
7/1/2011
Yum! this place is delicious and proved to me that New York can have mexican food as delicious as what I had grown used to in San Francisco.
They have the best chilaquiles I've tried in New York (and I've tried a few - in search for the best). What are they? They're amazing. tortilla chips softened and simmered in a red or green sauce, topped with cheese, cream, onions and served with beans and eggs anyway you like. Greasy, saucy and delicious.
I also really like their lime and watermelon juices.
Oh and the staff is super friendly as well. -
Review from Daniel A.
Brooklyn, NY
12/20/2011
I love this place. It's right in my neighborhood, great cheap eats, and it seems to be the real deal. It's not fancy, it's not fussy, but man, is it tasty! Cinco is a great destination if you're just into good food. The breakfast here is the perfect thing on a Saturday or Sunday morning.
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Review from Bootsie O.
Brooklyn, NY
1/19/2011
I love Ditmas Park, so I would tell anyone I like to shlep it out there for a variety of reasons: beautiful lawns, amazingly large wrap-around porches that remind me of Memphis, the Farm on Adderly, Sycamore's delightful bourbon selection; but, a new reason I've discovered, and not a marginal one, is Cinco de Mayo, which could be renamed: Absolute, unequivocal, peerless, yet peculiar, deliciousness. That's what you're going to find at this joint of DE-lightful, queso blanco-stuffed treats.
I had quite possibly the strangest quesadilla of my life at Cinco de Mayo, and henceforth, I doubt I will a.) ever be the same and b.) be able to judge "normal quesadillas" with an unbiased heart. It was fried to perfection; framed with a heaven-sent, thick, corn tortilla; poked full of cilantro and cheese; and served at the perfect temperature (and somehow remained at this perfect temperature for the duration of the meal). Paired with a Mexican Coke (made with sugar cane rather than high fructose corn syrup) and a Pacifico (yeah I wanted two drinks; what?!), the meal was complete. This was not your standard quesadilla, let me tell you.
My dining partners were hunting for the Southern-standard chimichanga. We are all in search of the Mexican food we know and love from the Southern states. I warned that no such thing would be on the menu. Although disappointed initially, they fell in love with their 6-month-old, baby-sized burritos and plate of carne asada tacos. I'm not kidding when I say that conversation completely ceased when the food arrived. Only an occasional "mmmmmm" or "holy Mother" was uttered for the duration of the meal.
Bonus: I love Victoria beer, and until very recently, you couldn't purchase it in the States. I've heard recently that you can get it in some parts of Texas now, but it's a virtual white whale here in NYC-land. With that said, I ALWAYS ask the waiters, "Tienes Victoria?" with a very sad, yet hopeful, grin, praying they have a stash in the back they'll be willing to share with this blanca with a sweet face. No dice at Cinco de Mayo, but our waiter did tell me where it is available in Ditmas. I'll be trekking out there as soon as I can secure a Zipcar large enough to lug all of this amazing cerveza and a few dozen Cinco de Mayo quesadillas back to my apartment.
Cinco de Mayo, te amo! Te amo mucho!!! -
Review from Andrea Z.
Middle Village, NY
5/19/2011
This is the best cheap mexican food i have found in NYC, and i've searched! The food is absolutely incredible, and it's a great deal too.
The atmosphere is definitely lacking - it's cold, and a little dingy. There is only one waiter, so don't come if you're in a rush, because you'll go crazy. They have take-out, though.
I highly recommend coming here for the food! -
Review from Pong M.
Brooklyn, NY
12/24/2010
I did pick-up only here, so I don't know how the waiter/waitress service is. Prices are affordable.The tacos are delicious and authentic Mexican, not the Americanized hard-shell concoction with lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. I like 'em with onions, cilantro, and the desired meat, and that's how they how they do it here.
The Lengua en Salsa Verde, beef tounge in green salsa, was delicious and came with rice and beans.
The Shrimp Burrito I had was huge too. Please note: this is a hole in a wall, so don't expect some fancy gourmet restaurant- The food here is awesome! -
Review from Daniel J.
Brooklyn, NY
9/27/2010
Vegetarians take note: according to the woman working when I ordered, the rice has chicken stock, but the black beans and red beans are vegetarian.
I ordered a rice-free burrito with black beans, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, and sliced avocado.
The avocado was mysteriously not put into the burrito, but was served on the plate next to it. I guess I can chalk this up to miscommunication.
On pure quality and taste level: the beans and salsas are flavorful and form a good basis for a great burrito. The avocado was firm and under-ripe. Lack of attention to detail in the avocado department is common, but it's always a treat when restaurants do take care only to serve perfectly ripe avocado.
One of the most common shortcomings I find in east coast burritos (I'm from San Francisco) is in construction and consistency of the burrito itself. The wrapping job here was terrible, and my burrito arrived on the plate half unfolded. I usually prefer not to use a knife and fork to eat a burrito, but in this case there was no choice. Add to this the fact that the contents of the burrito were so wet it quickly turned into a kind of tortilla and bean stew on my plate. Perhaps rice would have helped cohere the contents, but IMHO the beans were too soupy. Taste was adequate but palatability was damaged by sloppiness and poor texture.
The staff was friendly and as I mentioned they have some basics right. I'll probably be back to try something else like the Chiles Rellenos, but unfortunately their burritos are a solid flop in my experience. -
Review from Claudette B.
New Haven, CT
1/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
You should go here. It's solid Mexican food on the East Coast. Perhaps, they should get a 5-star for that alone. However, a Chicana myself, I am impossible To Please away from the Southwest.
I've been twice and will continue to go here, whenever I need a Mexican meal to comfort my homesickness and I'm too lazy to to Tolcingo in Sunset Park. Tacos are good, burritos are good. I'm told the steak is good as well. The two places where the food shines so far are the horchata (tastes like it's made in-house to me) and the salsa that comes with the chips. They definitely got that right. Pico de gallo nor extra salsa is automatically served with the food. -
Review from vanessa g.
Brooklyn, NY
11/22/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Its a blessing and a curse that I work nights and am almost never on Cortelyou before 10 when they close.
A curse because I could have their carne asada tacos. every. single. night. for dinner and be perfectly happy.
A blessing because when it comes to Mexican food I have self control problems.
I'm a huge fan of cilantro and its in everything I like to order from here. The guac is amazing! The quesadillas here aren't pepper jack and meat sandwiched in between two flour tortillas. At Cinco a quesadilla is a home made tortilla deep fried and folded over stuffed with your choice of meat, lettuce and white cheese. I love the crunchy rim of the tortilla! The tacos come topped with just onions and cilantro with lime wedges and radish slices on the side. Always make sure to ask the waiter for the green tomatillo sauce. Always. It's my favorite from any Mexican joint I've been to.
Ordering takeout over the phone pretty much takes forever so I do pick up or dine-in. Don't be surprised if the service is a tiny bit slow as they've usually only got one waiter/waitress. Don't let that stop you from coming here to eat. Do it! -
Review from Michael S.
Brooklyn, NY
8/20/2011
Well......The service is terrible
The place got our orders wrong even after we repeatedly asked for our nachos to be made a specific way.
The food didnt taste authentic at all
The bill took forever and a day to get because our waitress was to busy watching hoodlums getting arrested for stealing a bike!
wont ever come back here -
Review from Sean S.
Brooklyn, NY
7/24/2011
Pretty happening Poblano style Mexican food. Definitely one of the best Mexican spots I've been to in New York (aside from Tacos El Bronco in S.P) I'm from L.A so I'm pretty picky about eating Mexican food out here but Cinco de Mayo is pretty firme. Get anything with Pastor and the moles pretty good too.
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Review from Mark T.
Brooklyn, NY
12/2/2009
1. Home made all natural tamarind juice is an absolute winner.
2. Its expensive ($$) you can't eat here under $10.
3. Cortelyou Road might be neat and charming.
4. The food is no good.
Location location is what they say, but you still need to throw the ball. My plate: grey lifeless chunks of what they call steak, so chewy that at that rate I will need dentures by time I reach 28. When my friend Paul J.'s plate arrived, my eyes popped out when i saw this ultra thin cold cut looking slice of "milanesa de pollo" I wanted to scream but was to shocked to utter a word. A 1/8" thick cut, 1/32" breading X 2 sides, 1/64" for orange hardened section due to reheating X2 so you're left with a 32nd of an inch of chicken multiplied by 5 1/2" radius which comes out to a little over a 0.7 cubic inch of edible chicken, and if you do your math calculations right it should weigh about 17.5 grams giving you a solid net 0.8 of protein with 2.1 grams of fat [about 22 fat cal], now that's one piece of thin chicken. -
Review from Jose G.
Brooklyn, NY
8/20/2008
Since it opened, this was my main Mexican restaurant before I moved to Chicago, and one of the bars at which all Mexican food was compared. Having moved to Chicago, I realize just how much New York Mexican eateries are missing. Like, uh, where's the Horchata?
Okay, but in New York, I still nominate this as one of the best Mexican restaurants statewide. It all starts with a great decor, including plenty of great framed images of Frida Kahlo and Emiliano Zapata. And there's a Che Guevara on a Cuban bill for good measure.
The food is wonderful, be it enchiladas, burritos, or any other North-of-the-border Mexican standard, and this was among the places that turned Jarrito into a staple for me. The prices have gone up, but the folks in the back have always been so damn friendly and cool that you know your money's going to the right place.
Flatbush has some good food, and indeed New York does in general. But without places like Cinco De Mayo, it would really be starving for good and (I hate this word, but) authentic bastions of one of the world's greatest cuisines. -
Review from Alexandra A.
Charlottesville, VA
8/9/2009 3 photos
My boyfriend spent part of his childhood in El Paso, TX, which is essentially on the Mexican border. Mexican food is his favorite, and he is very discerning (at least in that area). We'd passed Cinco de Mayo many times before, but we never went in. He said he wouldn't patronize a Mexican restaurant called Cinco de Mayo for the same reason he would never go to an Irish pub called St. Patty's. He though that the name was a marker of inauthenticity.
He was wrong! This is place is for real. Their sangria is absolutely delicious; the horchata is joy-making; the gaucamole has exactly the right texture; the beef tongue melts against your own.
The only issue is that the restaurant is not very well cooled, but the food is so good that it doesn't even matter. -
Review from William R.
Brooklyn, NY
6/18/2011
The food is fantastic- the service, not so much. When ordering for delivery, they often tell you that it will take 45 minutes when it actually takes an hour, an hour and a half, two hours...
The food is almost worth it. Almost. It would just be nice if they were honest about their delivery wait times. -
Review from Rebecca h.
Brooklyn, NY
10/16/2009
I went there with friends tonight and our complete silence during the meal should speak for itself.
I had sangria which was great and I ordered off their daily specials and had Chile Rellenos which were definitely the best I have had. The atmosphere is kind of funky and cute but I could have done without Celine Dion playing in the background...honestly that is what kept my 4 from going to a 5. -
Review from Tabitha S.
Manhattan, NY
5/5/2011
Definitely a four, Jose does an excellent job making suggestions. I was very tired when I arrived but the food was delicious and inexpensive so I left happy. The neighborhood is also really cute.
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Review from Adele M.
Austin, TX
9/11/2009
GREAT food. I am especially a fan of the super tacos, the super nachos, and their enchiladas with mole sauce. (Their re-fried beans and chicken -- on the nachos and in the tacos, respectively -- are imbued with a delicious, subtle smokey flavor. I LOVE it!). Meanwhile, the Cortelyou Road location is really charming; it has character without being cheesy or overdone. However, they are currently renovating... hopefully it won't change too much!
Finally, the ONLY reason I did not give Cinco de Mayo a 5-star rating is because their margaritas are hit-or-miss. Sometimes I get a big 'rita glass with a sweet margarita, other times I get a watered-down version in a smaller wine glass. -
Review from Phillip L.
Brooklyn, NY
9/5/2007
Although the atmosphere leaves something to be desired, the food is solid, delicious, and cheap. The complementary chips & salsa for dine-in were good and tasted fresh, while my ground beef burrito was so delicious that I had to devour the fetus-sized delight. I wasn't expecting much from this relative hole-in-the-wall, but it was good for a filling meal under $10.
I didn't try the margarita or sangria here, but I might think about that next time.Listed in: Brooklyn Beats
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Review from Sherri F.
10/8/2009
Good, fresh, cheap Mexican in large quantities. I almost always go for the super nachos with steak which are piled with more stuff than most sane people could eat in one sitting, for $8. And if you stand there while they make them, they totally put on everything you want. I feel like this place is pretty authentic too, namely due to the excellent tortillas and chips and the minimal quantities of cheese they use. And they only use cotija which is awesome. I'm generally a fan of absurd amounts of cheese, but when the other ingredients are good, it's unnecessary (and unhealthy) in Mexican food.
Have had a few other things on the menu and have never been disappointed. Sometimes the chicken or pork is a little dry, but overall this is an excellent neighborhood spot. And super cute inside!Listed in: Ditmas Park
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Review from Anna T.
Brooklyn, NY
5/13/2009
Cortelyou Road is such a neat street -- I mean, there's so much variety in so many city blocks. On what other NYC street would you have Vox Pop, Sycamore, Farm on Adderly, and probably my favorite, Cinco de Mayo.
Cinco de Mayo's pretty high on my list since they have one of my favorite things in the world: TACOS.
I've tried the lengua, the carne asada, the pulled pork, and the chicken and believe me, I was a happy girl when I finished scarfing them down. And really, at $2.50/piece, I could've had a few more... -
Review from tonya g.
San Francisco, CA
9/13/2011
probably the best authentic mexian i've had in nyc. affordable, large servings, and they deliver!! i had a big group of friends over and we had a take out feast from cinco: chicken nachos, pork nachos, all varities of nachos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. all were delicious! guac is legit. the only reason i am not giving 5 stars is because im from san francisco and im a snob.
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Review from Jessica M.
New York, NY
3/29/2009
A waitress from the restaurant Farm on Adderley (just down the street, also in this neighborhood Picket Fence and Mimi's Hummus) suggested I get Mexican food from this taqueria.
Much thanks to her. One marinated pork 5 pound baby later and I was completely satisfied - and ready for a food nap.
I got my food to go but the restaurant is small and cute. For a huge meal (you can eat one and not be hungry for days) under $10 - ditmas park is where it's at.Listed in: Cheap Eats
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Review from Commodore E.
Alamogordo, NM
5/8/2011
Excellent Mex food. Not outstanding or original, just consistent, good food.
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Review from Bomba C.
Queens, NY
12/10/2010
My favorite Mexican restaurant in the city! Fresh, simple ingredients. Tastes like authentic Mexican food.
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Review from Ehren S.
Brooklyn, NY
1/12/2010
Not So Much. I am a big fan of authentic Mexican food. This was just disappointing. The dining area was not clean or pleasant on the eyes. The food was bland and unappetizing. We ordered tacos - how can you go wrong with tacos?
In the end I took two or three bites and trashed the rest of my "meal."
I felt sick for the next 3 hours. My boyfriend was equally displeased with his meal.
Let's not forget to mention that my drink was served to me in a DIRTY can - how am I supposed to drink out of a dirty soda can? SICK!
Every time I pass this place I am reminded of the less that tasty meals they serve and my stomach gives a grumble. -
Review from Brendan M.
Brooklyn, NY
6/29/2010
First, I will pull rank before pulling pork: I've lived in two states in Mexico, worked in farm country where the tamales were plentiful, and was raised in a tortilla basket.
There is a lot of bad Mexican food in NY (and Brooklyn), much of it hyped up with bright colors but with bleh food. But a Frida Kahlo print on the wall does not good Mexican food make. Cinco de Mayo is an antidote to this: really good, solid Mexican food without frills.
My favorites are the enchiladas verdes, and I love the squash blossom quesadillas, which are heavy on epazote (which I like, but some people think tastes like medicine) and the huitlacoche (corn fungus) also really good. And they make a great pozole. Go there, you won't regret. -
Review from Erik C.
Brooklyn, NY
10/24/2009
Order from here pretty much every time I'm in the neighborhood. The Chicken Enchiladas Verde... I need my fix! The green.. I NEED THE GREEN!
The other food from there is solid as well. A tip - I've only ever done take-out. If you are close enough to place the order in person, you probably should. They tend to let the phone ring a bit... -
Review from Sharon D.
Brooklyn, NY
12/19/2009
I've not had a bad meal here, and there are so very many things to try. I love Mexican food, and I feel lucky to have such a great place so near to my house.
The potato and chorizo burrito haunts my dreams. And their tacos are to die for. But don't miss the mole - it causes obsessions. -
Review from Ana S.
Boston, MA
8/28/2010
I LOVE CINCO DE MAYO! It's my favorite Mexican place ever.
I've gotten their enchiladas (vegetable, cheese, with either mole sauce or green sauce depending on my mood), their burrito (rice and bean), their chips/salsa/guacamole, and their tacos. Everything has been wonderful. I like that the food isn't your typical cheesy greasy Mexican food. Put it this way, healthwise its not the worst place to eat. To drink I've gotten their Mexican hot chocolate and I thought it was pretty good too although I don't have anything to compare it to.
I've eaten there as well as gotten delivery. I'll say it right now, the place doesn't have much of an atmosphere. My boyfriend and I took his parents there one time and they took one look at the place and were ready to bounce but we convinced them to stay and try. They agreed that the food was amazing. The service there is really personable and friendly. Our waiter let my boyfriends dad try samples of a few of their different drinks. Every time I've gotten delivery I haven't had to wait long. The only thing was one time when I called to place an order for burritos for me and my friend, and she can't eat mushrooms and I couldn't remember if they put them in or not but just to be sure I asked for no mushrooms and the guy snapped back to me WE DONT USE MUSHROOMS. And I was like oookayyy then. But really that was just an isolated experience. -
Review from Rentaurant A.
Brooklyn, NY
1/28/2010
I cannot vouch for everything on their menu, but I order burritos from this spot with regularity, and I've never been disappointing by the quality or shear volume of these things. A burrito from cinco de mayo is a full meal, that's why they deserve the one $ rating.
The staff is real nice and the place is hands down cleaner than the taco truck a few blocks over. -
Review from Craig Z.
Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY
10/17/2010
Some of the best Mexican in the city. Tacos and their breakfast dishes are my favorites, though they have good tortas as well. I don't know where they get their chorizo or if they make it themselves but it's really unbeatable.
