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Taqueria Lupita's
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
3443 Bagley StDetroit, MI 48216
Neighborhoods: Mexicantown, Southwest Detroit
(313) 843-1105
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 9 am - 10 pm
Fri-Sun 9 am - 11 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- No
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Dive-y
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
98 reviews for Taqueria Lupita's
Review Highlights
98 reviews in English
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Review from Jason H.
Farmington, MI
1/21/2012
Marinated Pork is out of this world good. Be sure to get cheese on your tacos!
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Review from Ted N.
Royal Oak, MI
1/22/2012
An authentic alternative to the mexican chain restaurants with their multi-colored tortilla chips and faux mexican food.
Taqueria Lupitas has great tacos, however, their salsa is middle of the road - - could challenge themselves a bit more. -
Review from Martha G.
12/31/2011
Man, I'm really jealous of the people who've had good experiences at Lupita's.
We came for dinner on a Tuesday night, the night after Christmas. The no credit card thing is a bummer. I agree. There were seven of us, which, I admit, is a challenge for a tiny restaurant. But Lupita's failed in so many ways.
Three of us ordered shrimp dishes. The server came back after entering our order and explained that shrimp dishes were unavailable. It was unclear whether ALL the shrimp dishes were unavailable, or only some. After sorting that mess out, two of the three shrimp dishes were replaced with different shrimp dishes.
Then, our food started coming out. Not at all once. The person who got his food first had basically cleaned his plate by the time the fifth person got her food. Then, the server came back and told one of us that they were out of pollo a la plancha. AFTER our food started coming! He placed a replacement order.
At this time, me and him were waiting for our dishes. I had ordered carne a la plancha. My boyfriend called the server over after another 10 minutes of waiting for my food, and asked if there was carne a la plancha coming. She looked confused, went back to the kitchen, and came back to our table, and informed us they were also out of carne a la plancha. Couldn't they have told us that when they came to say there was no pollo a la plancha?! Ridiculous. At this time, everyone was done eating except me and one other person, who both had not gotten any food. We called it quits, and decided to get some food at the bar we were going to, instead.
The servers were apologetic, but it would have been a super easy problem to fix. After we placed our order, just come and tell ALL of us which dishes are unavailable, and we could have re-ordered easy peezy. Their apologies came across in the final bill total - only $22. Clearly they just made up a number cause there's no way even the food was that cheap. I guess that was nice.
Those of us that got food seemed to enjoy it. And the chips and salsa were yummy. But that does not a Mexican restaurant make. -
Review from Sarah C.
11/19/2011
Nice little hole in the wall. Mom and pops kind of place. Came here for a friend's birthday. First time having Mexican food in the D and it was surprisingly not bad.
The food was delicious and they give you quantity! The waitresses were nice and accommodating. We sat there for a good while just conversing after we were done eating.
Parking in the back.
I definitely wouldn't mind coming back! -
Review from Debbie H.
12/24/2011 5 Check-ins Here
Closest to authentic Mexican that we've had ...with mostly sincere apologies to Zumba and Guelaguetza. We always get the tacos ... Deb goes with the carnitas and I go with the pollo. These tacos are phenomenal, and fee-nominal ... Get it? Ok, I may not be a comedian but in all seriousness, the price for the quality of food ratio is greatly in the favor of the consumer.
This is the kind of place that can cause cravings ...affordable cravings at that. -
Review from Vic L.
Northville, MI
1/17/2012
OK, of the bagely street resturants, this one is authentic mexican. Not much atmosphere. Tiny. But good.
Funny story. We went there for lunch with coworkers. One of my co-workers' idea of authentic mexican is Taco Bell. She order tacos and when they arrived she practically had a fit. She made a scene (ok, that part wasn't funny for any of us). The server wanted to help, but my co-worker was incoherent with how unhappy she was. Finally, she managed to communicate that tacos aren't tacos unless they have cheese on them. So the waitress offered to bring cheese to make her happy. She comes back a minute later with a HUGE (and free!) bowl of queso blanco. For my co-worker that was the last straw. Just like authentic mexican means Taco Bell, cheese means chedder. She refused to eat after that. Which was wonderful because that HUGE bowl of queso blanco was heaven in my mouth. You don't know true joy until you eaten a huge gob of warm melted queso blanco. -
Review from Liz W.
8/13/2011
I cannot believe I have forgotten to review this place. It is great when you are broke and want to eat better than fast food garbage value menu items. Heaven forbid you cook for yourself LOL. You have to remember to bring cash though, which is not my fave way to pay personally. I also recommend avoiding it on super hot days as it can be a little less than cool.
Those caveats aside the food here is generally good, well the tacos are at least, I rarely stray so I cannot recommend beyond that. Cheap as chips too. That gets an extra star.
The chorizo here is easily the best thing going. Liz R. is right though that the lomo is usually very good (as is the al pastor). I have had dry carnitas once but I think it is an anomoly. Chicken generally satisfies too but I am not as likely to order it myself.
I like the variety of salsas with the chips and on the food. Have not had a clunker. Great beans here too. The rice is fine but nothing that will make you brag on it. For the price you are paying it is really surprisingly delicious overall, not healthier than fast food but a huge leap up in taste and even cheaper.
Do I love it here? No. I end up here though and am happy about it. Hard to complain much when you can leave stuffed full for under five bucks. Service is not stellar but they are generally pretty friendly. A bit greasy for the palette too but I can deal :). It works every now and again.Listed in: Dishing Detroit, Mexican-ish
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Review from Andrew S.
San Francisco, CA
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
It is what it is: simple, cheap, authentic tacos and mexican food.
Huge fan. Love that I'm often one of only 2-3 gringos in the place - that's the sign the food is top notch. -
Review from Dan G.
Northville, MI
12/16/2011
Just introduced to this spot. No frills. Just cheap, good Mexican food. Best tacos on the block? Great spot for lunch. And you can eat for under $5. Life is good.
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Review from Amber P.
Royal Oak, MI
5/2/2011
I still prefer Los Altos but this place was pretty good. I came here with a crowd of siblings as a slight detour on our way to Neveria for popsicles, and seven and a half of us ate for less than fifty bucks. The half is my three year old nephew, Blues, who didn't eat much as he was pretty focused on the upcoming popsicle. He was pretty pleased with the Strawberry Jarritos however (as was I).
The beans were actually very different. They were whole beans in a sauce with big chunks of bacon. Yummy. I got the carnitas(fried pork) tacos, they were good but not exceptional, pretty much your standard taco fare. I mean, standard for Mexicantown, which is still leaps and bounds above anywhere else.Listed in: Lunch in the D
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Review from Liz R.
4/9/2011
Small-ish restaurant, across the street from Evie's Tamales. Still cash only (but super cheap - we spent $15 total). We had to wait for a table to be cleared at 2pm Saturday, so pretty busy. Immediate chips and three salsas brought to our table - a large bowl of their medium-spiced, tangy salsa, and two smaller bowls with a hotter salsa and what reminded me of an avocado creama.
The (soaring) highs: my chorizo and lomo (juicy pork loin with sauce) tacos on corn tortillas, and Ken's chorizo and egg tacos on flour tortillas. Magical chorizo.
The meh: ceviche tostada. Fresh (no fish odor), but bland.
The lows: Ken's asada and cabeza (head) tacos, on corn tortillas. Both were tough, fatty and just not good enough.Listed in: Mmmm-Mexicantown
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Review from Suman M.
Dearborn, MI
11/2/2011
I sincerely do not believe this place is worth 4 star rating. It's just an below average restaurant . For those, who have tried one of those food trucks' tacos will not rate this so highly.
Anyways, this was my experience.
1. Tacos - very dry (rating - 1 out of 5)
2. Burrito - (just flavorless chicken wrapped in a flour tortilla)
3. service - below average (waiting time till you see your waitress and request something is 15 mins)
May be it's just one instance, but I have seen and eaten at better places. -
Review from Anna S.
4/17/2011
I was impressed, but not blown away. The service was very good and the place is quaint and clean.
I ordered two tacos - Al Pastor and Carnitas. Both were good, the Al Pastor was really flavorful and moist. The Carnitas were good but a little dry - I added some salsa. I did find the finely diced onions and cilantro a plus as it was more delicate tasting. I only ordered the two as I had eaten not long before this, so I was SO not hungry but I HAD to try them.
Overall I would go back and get more adventurous on the menu. It was a cool little place. -
Review from Bob H.
Royal Oak Charter Township, MI
10/12/2011
Went there today for steak tacos and chicken quesadilla. Delicious!
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Review from Christy R.
Auburn Hills, MI
8/12/2011
Holy Moley! Cheapest lunch ever! Went here while I was woking in the field. Stopped in by a recommendation from a coworker. I had the chicken tacos, rice and beans...came with chips and salsa and It was either 2.99 or 3.99. You cannot beat that. Their beans were not refried but actual beans...it was nice, esp. for the price. It's pretty small inside.
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Review from tom l.
Detroit, MI
8/26/2011
Traditional Arandas (Jalisco), Mexican-Mexican (not Chicano) style tacos. Before I talk about the food, there's something some of you people should know. If you're looking for service or cleanliness, don't go to a Mexican restaurant. I'm Mexican, so you can rest assured that's not a negative comment, it's just a statement. You got to a Mexican restaurant to eat, not to pick apart its waitresses and examine its bathrooms. There are plenty of eateries that charge enough for that to be a concern.
Outstanding caldo, de res and de pollo - both are good.
Salsas to start (free) are a nice touch and their traditional dipping salsa is the best on the block.
Al Pastor - not bad.
Chorizo - good.
Frijoles Charros (drunken beans) are dynamite. Make sure you request "charros" when getting a meal.
Food comes out fast. You leave stuffed for under five dollars.
Note: when several members of an ethnic group are eating their ethnic food when you walk in to a restaurant, you know they're doing something right. It's important to remember that you're rating food that you most likely did not grow up eating. Compare and contrast. In the end, if it tastes good, and you like it, then it's good. Art is relative. -
Review from Kevin R.
Detroit, MI
7/13/2011
Some of the best traditional tacos I've had in Detroit. This is where I go when I crave some simple Carne Asada tacos with corn tortillas, onions, cilantro at buck a pop. I must mention the beans that have some delicious bacon and jalapeno in them. Amazing on their own. One of the cheapest places I've ever ate in Detroit took my girl here for her birthday as she loves it. Walked out paying less than $20 including the $5 tip! I've ventured off the tacos before and had the Carne Plancha which was HUGE and had 2 fried eggs on it. I decided to be a whiteboy one day and order the Fajitas and surprisingly they were very, very good albeit mega greasy. The caldos are on point too. I once took a Swedish/Iranian techno star here once and he ordered the Caldo de Pollo. His eyes jumped out his head, he thought it would be a little chicken soup, not damn near half a chicken in broth. It was awesome. The Pazole is my favorite and is a meal on its own. I don't know why but I always get Camarones cocktail which is something on its own a bunch of shrimp, avocado, onion, tomatoes, lime and water served with plain crackers and hot sauce... defiantly a hangover cure.
All in all get the Carne Asada Tacos dinner or lunch and a Horchata. People say that the service is lacking but I've never experienced a problem and the girls are usually on it. The crowd is cool too, usually a mix of hipsters and mexican families and one of the weirdest jukeboxes on the planet. I went there on St. Patty's day this year and an Irish drinking song came on right after some Tejano/Norteno music and Katy Perry. AWESOME. -
Review from Ryan B.
3/10/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I will make it short and sweet.
I went for lunch. $2.99 for two tacos, rice and beans. Oh, don't forget the four bowls of Salsa and unlimited chips.
Nothing fancy, but really good food. The beans were the best Ive ever had. I love that they were whole Pintos and not refried.
I will be back..often. -
Review from Aaron H.
12/12/2010
Lupita's is my favorite sit-down place to go to satisfy my taco craving. Janelle's assessment is actually right on the nose as far as I'm concerned. But at the moment, I'm still hallucinating. I know it'd be more correct to give Lupita's a 3, but I'm feeling sentimental. 3-4 stars, depending on the day.
There is a reason it's called a taqueria though--their other food isn't really that stellar, except for the coqtel, which is great for those who like seafood. I would not recommend any of their combo plates. The tacos, though, are really good and come with a wide variety of meats to choose from. If you're feeling adventurous, you can order head meat (cabeza) and tongue (lengua), not to mention the old reliable standbys: chicken (pollo), beef (carne), pulled pork (carnitas) and, if you're looking for a kick--I always am--chorizo, which is a spicy sausage. That's what I call variety, and you really can't go wrong. Many Mexican joints limit the flesh options to chicken and beef. Why even bother? I've had multiples of every kind of taco Lupita's offers but the chorizo and carnitas are my favorites.
It's undeniable, I think, that their tacos would be a helluva lot better if you could wash them down with a beer or few and pay for them with a card. The first time I went there, I had to go to the seedy market across the street and pay money to access my money through an ATM that wasn't part of my bank's network. WTF? That's probably the only time I was annoyed by Lupita's rock-bottom pricing: I paid a $3 service fee in order to pay a bill that probably wasn't more than $12. Most of the time though, I'm delighted to walk out the door having stuffed my belly past recommended capacity and paid under $10. 'Can't do that many places anymore.Listed in: Southwest Solutions
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Review from Shanda S.
2/11/2011
Hello Lupita's,
I was just writing to let you know that I'm really falling for you. No, really. I know that it's a bit awkward to tell you this in an open letter on the internet, but I thought that I should just get my feelings out on the table now.
And I want you to know that the fact that I want to spend a lot of time with you isn't because I'm new in town or because I don't know other places. I know there are other restaurants in Mexican Town, I swear I do. I've even eaten at some of them. But it's just that you're so great, so much better than all the others. And I don't see any reason to hang out with different restaurants if I'm only going to be thinking about you the whole time.
So yeah, I have really strong feelings for you. And you don't have to tell me that you feel the same for me. I know it already, becuase you show me every time that we meet. I mean, how could you not love me when you feed me the most delicious ceviche tostadas that I've ever had, and then only charge me $1.75? And the tacos-- that's just more confirmation. Even the little things that you do, like the salsa sampler. I mean, you are just so caring.
So thank you, Lupita's. You're the only taqueria I see. -
Review from Izzy F.
Citrus Heights, CA
3/16/2011
The place I have been looking for! I got the house special taco's and they were perfect. Small, soft corn tortilla's around delish beef, onion and cilantro. Salsa's were fresh, limitless and amazing, chips were fresh and service was friendly and fast. 5.50 for two taco's, rice, beans and horchata. Yes they have Horchata!! and Tamirind! Didn't see any Jormicha though.
I will be back, will have to try the Torta's :) -
Review from Sara G.
7/20/2010
Why, oh why did it take me so long to enter the hallowed halls of taco heaven?
I only ordered three because I knew I would be eating later, otherwise I may have ordered...ahem...probably too many. The lomo (pork in a bbq-ish sauce) was luscious. The cabeza (beef head--but we're talking cheeks here, not brains) was UH-mazing. Granted, my stomach was still smarting after this weekend's Treetown Taco Tragedy...but these are some seriously marvelous tacos. The only thing better would HAVE to be a taco truck off the beaten path.
Before you even order they place a basket of warm chips in front of you, accompanied by an array of salsas (hot, mild and avocado!), pico di gallo and lime wedges.
Upon the recommendation of my perspicacious dining companion, I also ordered a ceviche tostada. Again, WOW. The ceviche had the perfect amount of sourness, and was buried under three thick slices of avocado (why yes, I am addicted to avocados).
The service was quick and attentive with no linqua problema. Would we have had slower service if I had said "head" instead of "cabeza?" I don't know. Such things aren't as important to ponder as what kind of tacos I will order during my next visit.
Lupita's only accepts cash, so come prepared: full wallet, empty belly! -
Review from A.J. S.
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
I decided to check out this place on Cinqo de Mayo. The place was absolutely jumping, I paid in cash but I think I saw them taking credit card, though I am not sure. The food was pretty decent. It wasn't the best I have ever had but it was pretty good. The service was nice. even when my friend said he wanted nachos. I don't think I will ever go back to mexican town on cinqo de mayo, but I would check this place out again. It seemed really worthwhile.
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Review from Cletus B.
Detroit, MI
3/23/2011
Great place to eat on the cheap. $1.00 tacos. Small but good. Lots of onions.
Try it and enjoy -
Review from Brittany S.
Detroit, MI
2/16/2011
My #1 spot in Mexican Town! The carnitas tacos are my favorite tacos anywhere. Corn tortillas, filled with delicious carnitas, topped with cilantro and onion = yum! The carnitas torta (a Mexican style sandwich) is also worth trying. Our buddy from Maryland fell in love with the fajitas when he was visiting. It's a smaller restaurant, but don't under estimate the food!
Heads up: They don't serve liquor and only take cash. So plan accordingly! (If you don't have cash, there is an ATM at the little shop across the street. I hear that's also a place worth stopping in!) -
Review from Nick G.
Royal Oak, MI
9/17/2010
I'll say right now that 2 of these stars are for the assortment of chips and dips they give you right when you sit down, the other is for the AL PASTOR. They totally hit the fuggin nail on the head with this one.... unreal... no other spot I've tried so far comes close... this is however the only reason i go to Lupita's.
This place has a jukebox that plays one song every half hour... such a good idea... you'll be sitting down at your table chomping on your chips and then the food comes... then a fanfare comes as you get that juice... you're gonna get that juice and it's gonna taste good,
It's cool though, most places will either be totally silent with chitter chatter here n there or there will be like this constant blare of south of the border sounds... Lupita's gives you the best of both worlds (sonically speaking).
The beans are weird as hell... totally fucked meat flavors and watery beansauce.... nah goo
This place also has the Toronja (grapefruit) Jarrito flavor... best one by far... grip and rip away.
You should go here if you like al pastor... which you do.
THANKS -
Review from Jake W.
Detroit, MI
1/24/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is where the locals eat. It's a bit down to earth. BEST tacos I have had, great sides. EAT here!
Update, the BEST tacos are at Los Altos, same owner better cooks. -
Review from O'Shea J.
Ann Arbor, MI
7/2/2011
Best fuckin' place I've ever been to in my life. Ceviche tortillas, Octopus soup, beans and rice, the chips and salsa are total holy shit. They bring out 6 different salsas for the chips. My advice, put that shit on EVERYTHING. You can even order a beef head, whatever the fuck that is, probably gross but I'm glad it exists. You can eat goddamn cow lips in this bitch. Also, the waitresses were beautiful and they have a picture menu for illiterate bastards like me.
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Review from Jim M.
Sterling Heights, MI
8/14/2011
I think I have eaten here about 10 times in the last 5 years and always thought it was ok. However I ate lunch there4 days ago and had the chicken flautas. They were great. They had the biggest helping of sour cream I have ever seen any where on Mexican food. They also came with two choices of hot sauce and a dish of Pico De Gallo and a dish of the runny Guacamole dip. Delicious. I am going back soon to see if they keep up this improvement. I sure hope so.
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Review from Saeed M.
Saratoga, CA
8/14/2011
Great food for great value. I ordered a steak burrito meal, and it was delicious. Friendly staff and quick service. Can't beat that.
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Review from Jennifer H.
Jacksonville, NC
From the overall glowing review from so many people, I was expecting something divine...but I was disappointed.
First, what the hell kind of restaurant doesn't take credit cards?
Second, what the hell kind of restaurant doesn't have good A/C?
Third, what the hell kind of mexican restaurant DOESN'T HAVE MARGARITAS? Really? I accepted the no-credit-card thing and the crappy-A/C thing, but the no-margarita thing almost made me walk out. Had we not been there with another couple, we might just have.
Fourth, kudos for the variety of free chips and accoutrements, but how about explaining them? Cripes, at any normal mexican restaurant they tell you which is hot or mild or whatever. But we had two salsas, a bowl of green stuff, a bowl of what looked like chopped veggies, and limes. WITH NO EXPLANATION. Really? It's a good thing I'm adventurous.
Fifth, we ordered waters and they came with about two pieces of ice per glass. Boooooo. And we had to constantly ask for refills. Hisssssss.
Sixth (and last) the food was good, but nothing to write home about. I had the tacos al pastor dinner and it was decent, but I've definitely had better.
They get two stars because the food was decent and our total for four people was $26 and change. But we won't be going back and I would not recommend this place unless you were in the area and wanted cheap decent food.Listed in: Troy Area A to Z Eating…
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Review from Janelle W.
Detroit, MI
Updated - 6/7/2009 1 photo
Here's my carne with Lupitas:
1. I'm coming down off my "OMG, Lupitas is what I've been looking for amongst the horrors of Xochimilco and El Zocalo" high. And when your head isn't so dizzied by hallucinations that exaggerate Lupitas' quality, you realize that their tacos are just average as compared to the taco trucks.
2. They don't take credit cards. These people own TWO restaurants, both of which are seeing a quickly-increasing amount of upper-middle-class suburban patrons. And they STILL can't take plastic? Not even with a $20 minimum? I use credit cards out of convenience. If I'm going to inconvenience myself with getting cash and paying a $1.95 ATM service fee, I want to maximize the return on my inconvenience. And to me, the Los Unicos taco truck provides a far tastier return than Lupitas. Capitalism, suckers. Welcome to America.
3. The pinto beans. They walk a fine line between tasteless and bitter. Not good.
4. If you're not Mexican or don't order in Spanish, expect slower service. Many of you are okay with this. But I'm not. Why? Because if average Joe white guy owned a restaurant and treated a customer differently because of the color of their skin, he would be called a racist and MSNBC would crucify him. Racism works both ways--not just white people should be held to treating everyone equally. Many taco trucks provide excellent, friendly service even though I am white (for the most part) and speak English. Those are the people I want to support--not the people who look at me differently because I can't roll my R's.
Lupitas may have been my first taco love in Mexicantown. But it was only a gateway drug that made me hallucinate, then led me to tastier discoveries.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/11/2009
Even after turning to Yelp for advice, I still thought searching for quality Mexican food in Detroit… Read more »
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Review from dea a.
Updated - 7/5/2008 8 Check-ins Here
Lupitas has been good to me, and the best Yelp-assisted discovery I have ever made. If you want a neon green margarita with watered down cheap tequila and a mariachi band swooning your date, Lupitas is NOT the place for you (they don't even have a liquor license).
They are consistently open to 10:30pm and if you are lucky, 11pm. They will even serve you chilequiles (wow I botched that spelling) as the perfect hangover breakfast.
The menu is a bit confusing so here is the break down.
Tacos - 12 different kinds of meats, some favorites are: al pastor (beef, really good), carnitas (fried pork, delicious), asada (good classic steak), pollo (chicken unlike what you've ever had before). They come with onion and cilantro. If you want cheese that's $.50 extra (it doesn't need it). Tacos are $1 a piece for ALL meats.
Burritos - mini burritos, made with the above meat choices and a flour tortilla.
Beans and rice -- made with real pork, the most amazing beans this side of the border!
Fajitas - chicken, steak or combination. All of the above are good, they come with guacamole, sour cream, and choice or corn or flour tortillas.
My friend and I frequently walk out of here paying $15 with tip and drinks, stuffed to the brim. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME with other places. Nothing will even come close that is the awesomeness that is Lupitas. CASH ONLY!Listed in: late night eats around the D, gems of the D, Best places for take out, where I spend most of my money, top 10 all time favorites
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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8/20/2007
Dear Lupitas,
I love you. I can't live without you. You are my ray of light at the end of the week.… Read more »
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Review from Kelley W.
Farmington, MI
This is what you dream of when you dream of a good taco. In my world, Mexican food is my life blood - I eat it more times a week than people think it is normal for someone that isn't of that heritage. I figure that I was born on Cinco de Mayo for a reason :)
I had read Janelle P's initial review and had been craving the experience for a while (though I do tend to agree with her update). Fortunately my office moved downtown and I have been able to experience this taco wonderfulness many times.
A variety of salsas and lime wedges come with the chips. They're all pretty good and are more authentic than most you can get. The first time I ordered tacos there they were pre-made, since then (maybe I got on their good side?) I get the platter and get to make my own. I enjoy their traditional pork but, have tried the chicken, steak and tongue and enjoy them all. I think their beans are tasty but not the best I've had. The rice is better than most.
As everyone warns, bring cash - no plastic here. The grocer across the street has an ATM with a $1.95 fee. If you can order in Spanish it works in your favor and your service will be faster. Although I haven't experienced completely terrible service here. Their carry out is well sized and equally delicious.
If you want tacos and aren't going to go the taco truck route it's one of the better options in the Mexicantown area. Try it - you'll like it! -
Review from Eric P.
Minneapolis, MN
3/29/2009 ROTD 9/5/2009
Lupita's has authentic Mexican food. It is one of the places that you go to if you want to "eat like a Mexican," rather than "eat Mexican food." And, because it is located somewhat close to downtown, it is a viable lunch option.
The food, of course, is amazing. No need to look at the entire menu. Since this is a taqueria, your best bet is just to order the taco lunch (or dinner). Three tacos like they make them back home, with corn tortillas, cilantro, onions, and your choice of meat. Al pastor (marinated pork - kind of like Mexican gyro/shawarma/doner kebab meat), chicken (pollo), carnitas (braised/roasted pork), and chorizo (Mexican sausage) are your best options. But, don't forget to try some of the other more exotic meats, typically only eaten by the Mexicans - you may be happily surprised. And, you will have a new like that you can use to gross out your gringo friends and impress your Mexican friends. The meal comes with decent Spanish rice, and delicious creamy refried beans. A glass of horchata (rice milk) is the perfect complement.
I have been here many times, but the most memorable was when I had lunch with a friend who had lived in Morelia for three months. She was surprised as soon as she walked in, and said that it looked exactly like being in Mexico. She was even more surprised when we got our bill and it came to less than $7.50 for the two of us. That's one of the best things about going to eat where immigrants eat - immigrant prices.
One word of caution, though - speak Spanish if you can. My Spanish is good enough for me to survive in places where people don't know English, but it is far from fluent, and I was feeling lazy. So, since the staff seemed to speak very good English, I just decided to go with that - big mistake. Since we were American, in a room full of Mexicans, we seemed to be assigned lowest priority. Now, thanks to Lisa N, I know why. Apparently, if we had been speaking Spanish, we would have gotten much better service. -
Review from Samir N.
Royal Oak, MI
9/19/2010
Having left Texas several years ago, I can safely say that this is the best Mexican food I have had in the rust belt. Cheap tacos, amazing salsas/dips, crispy chips - what is not to love? I also had the caldo de res, and the beef was melt in your mouth tender. It cost as much as the three tacos I had and it all cost a whopping total of eight bucks and change. That is a deal to me.
PS - this place only accepts cash, so keep that in mind. -
Review from Marco D.
2/14/2009
I heard how great the restaurants in Mexicantown were. However I was disappointed to see that all of the restaurants came across as being tourst traps glowing with neon lights. They really seemed like the kind of place that college students would attend during spring break in a border town.
And then there is Lupitas. The ONLY authentic food in Mexicantown period! Though I don't believe that the food there is actually mexican.
Anyway, it is simple and hearty no nonsense food at a great price. I had three chicken tacos and a bowl of Posole. The posole is the best I've had in a while. When I order a soup at a restaurant, I pretty much expect to be ripped off by getting a bowl of broth with a few nuggets in there. This posole was a meal in itself. It had gigantic chunks of pork and a lot of yummy hominy. It was seasoned well. I prefer it a little more spicy, but it was great anyway. The salsa had a smokey sweet flavor and was a great compliment to the tacos.
I don't believe you will be able to get a vegetarian dish there as they put pork in pretty much everything. I would recommend this place to anyone! -
Review from Jonathan W.
Dearborn, MI
4/10/2009
Well I tried this place because of all the good yelp reviews, I am coming to find out most yelpers around here just give high reviews because a place is cheap. Just because this place is cheap does not make it good.
Go to IHOP if you want cheap. Jesus christ people.
First off, after living in SoCal and TX and eating south of the boarder many times, I think I know what authentic Mexican foods, and this is not great authentic, more like authentic bland SLOP for the gringos. Yes they do have authentic dishes like Chile relleno, but everything was very bland and sloppy, it's like they put no spice because an american is ordering.
The closest you will find to authentic (IMO) in the area is if you try some of the street vendors in the summer, or find someone who makes homemade tamales and Elote (Mexican corn on the cob). IMHO authentic Mexican is not made in a restaurant, unless in the near the boarder or in Mexico.
I found everything very sloppy and very bland. Even the salsa was very mild and bland, very unauthentic for Mexican.
Hell, go over to Xochimilco and get way better flavor for not much more.
The place is small, fluorescent lit, you know, the type of lights that make everyone look bad, and you want to get out asap. I don't even want to see what the kitchen looks like. I had the pollo Chili Rellenos and it was very very bland and sloppy, one of the worst I ever had. I had to use up all the pico and salsa just to give it flavor. My vegetarian friends thought the same about their food. But they did at least offer meat free refreid beans. Even the service was not that great. I don't think I will visit this place again, when there is better on the same block.
Oh yeah it is CASH ONLY.
Again , would not say this place is good authentic Mexican.
I am getting really sick of this Detroit mentality of the cheaper, dirtier and uglier the place is, the higher the reviews are. Sorry It is just not my thing for eating food. -
Review from Katie W.
Detroit, MI
4/8/2009 2 photos
I'm so full. Chomp chomp. These are so good. I'm done. I'm sooo full. *groan* I hate them for putting chips and salsas on the table.
Smack dab in the middle of my shopping extravaganza, mexican food was the choice for the day. I turned to my Yelp bookmarks and I remembered that Janelle P hailed them as the end to her search for good mexican food in Detroit, and then I later read her comparison-- Taqueria Lupitas still won. So, Taqueria Lupitas it was!
It's funny how Americans crave this "authentic" food- mexican, chinese, indian, etc..... and really, they are all tainted. Chinese food here is like chicken nuggets with sauce and they call it sweet n sour chicken. Or the mexican rice is spicy. That's not cool. It takes a lot of trying restaurants before finding an authentic one. Lupitas delivered an all-around appeasing meal.
I ordered the chicken chimichangas and they came out so quick! These chimichangas were such meaty portions that I could have taken someone out with them, should the need have arisen. [Seeing as how we were in mexicantown, you just never know]. They had a guacamole layer on top with lettuce, tomatoes and sour cream. Delishhhh. The rice was really yummy too. Not too greasy, which is always a plus. Now: the refried beans. I despise refried beans. They remind me of something like Fancy Feast with some random chunks of who knows what. Lupitas refried beans were on key!!!! I -actually- ate and liked their refried beans. 5 stars for being able to overcome my hatred for refried beans. They weren't chalky, they were'nt dry. They were creamy and the flavor was amazing.
Cash only, but at less than $10 for a huge meal along with the free chips and salsa.....it shouldn't be that difficult.
Thank you Yelpers for steering me in Lupitas direction! -
Review from Mark P.
Oak Park, MI
6/16/2010
If they had cerveza I'd be all in with 5 stars but you can't win them all.
It seems some reviewers below had unrealistic expectations going into Lupita's. This isn't a fine dining, white linen tablecloth restaurant. This is a real working-class taqueria with great value and great food. Isn't that what it's all about anyways? I love to get the lengua (tongue) tacos but it's all good and authentic.
I've never had a bad meal here, never left hungry and never hurt my back picking up the check.
