Taquería El Califa — Restaurant in Mexico City

I rarely write reviews unless the place is amazing or sucky and this place was sucky. The customer service and the food was lacking. For the prices, go eat somewhere else worth it. I came to visit family who lives in the city from the US. It was my husband's first time in Mexico since he is american and we went out to eat at many places and he remembers this place for the horrible experience. Looking at the menu upon sitting down the prices didn't bother us much since my cousin said the tacos were great. We had a waiter who literally was the worst waiter ever. On top of not answering questions well since my husband had a few questions about the menu, he seemed more preoccupied with the table behind us of 7 people. 15 minutes pass and he doesn't take our order but keeps looking at this tablet standing around. We ordered beers and honestly if it wasn't for the beers we were ready to walk out. I asked him if we could take our order and he said yeah in a second which was not. As a waiter you should be like yes unless you are super busy and like I said he wasn't and was just worried about the table behind us. I asked him for tacos without pineapple for my husband and he came back with just the meat. Me and my husband were super mad. On top of the HORRIBLE SERVICE the tacos were cold. I then asked him for a last round of tacos since it was our only meal that day since we had just came from the pyramids and luckily we got another waitress to finish our bill. Conclusion, go someplace with better service and food. They should focus on training their waiters better and to pay attention to all tables equally....

I highly recommend this place for everything on their menu. After a long day on Paseo, my friend and I strolled in here looking for a cold coca-cola and tacos and we ordered so much food and it was all delicious. Every taco we ordered was better than the last and they were all exceptional! All of it was deliciously marinated and complimented by the various sauces and limes they bring to your table. Our servers were amazing, always there to bring us more Horchata (highly recommend) or really cold glass bottled coke! We started with Queso Fundido which is a melted white cheese that comes with 4 corn tortillas and 4 flour tortillas all made by hand and served warm and fresh per order. Then we ordered a Taco de Pechuga (a nicely marinated and flattened chicken breast) that is served on a fresh corn tortilla. I recommend adding cheese and loading up on the delicious sauces and lime. Then we had a bistec con queso (steak with cheese) -also mouth watering and exceptional. Last, but definitely not least was Arrechero Taco with cheese on a lettuce wrap. This was the star of the show! Iceberg lettuce was perfectly crunchy and not soggy and the Arrechero steak was so well marinated that my mouth watered just smelling it! I got this with cheese on top as well. I added some salsa and lime and it transported me to HEAVEN!!! Everything on the menu is a win. Do not pass this place up. If it’s busy and full of locals, that’s for a reason! They’re also tourist friendly and offer menus in English and Spanish. Staff are super welcoming and eager to do a great job. Add this place to your must...

As a first-timer in Mexico, I was eagerly looking forward to tasting authentic Mexican cuisine, and El Califa did not disappoint! From the moment I walked in, the vibrant atmosphere and welcoming staff set the tone for an unforgettable dining experience.

The tacos here are a revelation – each bite was a delightful mix of fresh, flavorful ingredients, wrapped in soft, perfectly cooked tortillas. The quality of the food speaks volumes about their commitment to traditional cooking methods. I was particularly impressed by the variety of tacos on offer, each with its unique twist, making it hard to choose a favorite!

What really stood out was the balance of flavors in each taco. The meats were tender and juicy, and the salsas added the perfect kick without overpowering the other ingredients. The portion sizes were generous, providing great value for money.

The service was top-notch, with friendly and attentive staff who were happy to make recommendations, enhancing the overall experience.

In summary, El Califa is a gem that offers a genuine taste of Mexico. Whether you're a taco aficionado or trying them for the first time, this place is a must-visit. I'm already looking forward to...