Tacos Los Gordos — Restaurant in New Haven

A response to reviewer: KURTIS ADEI

As a customer who frequents Tacos Los Gordos and who also relies on reviews to find the best places to eat, I have to say your review was utterly disgusting to say the least.

Since you spent, I would say roughly about 2 hours writing a book on how bad this place is, let me humble you real quick. First off, if you were a Executive Chef, which clearly you aren’t, you would know that not disclosing the ingredients on the menu jeopardizes the integrity of one’s business. They can become easily susceptible to other businesses stealing their ingredients and calling it their own. Now, if you’re inquiring about what’s on a food item, then that’s something completely different and I’m sure the owner and staff would have no problem giving you that information ESPECIALLY since they pride themselves on taking consumer’s dietary restrictions and allergies VERY seriously. I think you should take some of those tutoring skills and teach yourself to know the difference (you’re not the only one who can do research).

Secondly, you then mentioned the owner’s credentials and philosophy. I actually had a conversation with the owner, when he first opened, and he explained what led him to open up his own restaurant. He has well over a decade of experience cooking and working in restaurants such as Shell&Bones, Gabriele’s of Westport and Crave, as a SOUS CHEF might I add. Contrary to your belief, these places aren’t McDonald’s, they’re high quality, well-respected, and well-known restaurants. I would think anyone who has worked at these places would want to open up their own restaurant and create their own menu to be just as successful as those places are. As for his philosophy behind it all, I think based on the reviews and the AUTHENTICITY of the food, I would say he DID do something right.

Now, let’s talk about the actual food. You went on a rampage about how salty your burrito was. In your words, you said it tasted “strange and likely processed and not fresh.” I don’t know what kind of taste buds you have or what Mexican places you go to but I can tell you now that I’ve been to plenty of Mexican restaurants in CT to know what’s made fresh and what’s not. THERE IS NO MEXICAN PLACE IN CT THAT PROVIDES AUTHENTIC, FRESH FOOD IMPORTED STRAIGHT FROM MEXICO. Tacos Los Gordos hand makes their tortillas FRESH, everyday and they butcher their meats. Nothing is “processed.” How do I know this you might ask? I’m a foodie so every time I try a new restaurant just know I ask these questions. So just because you’re used to frozen, pre-packaged meat from McDonald’s and I’m sure from other AMERICANIZED restaurants you visit doesn’t mean this place is the same. Also, if you’re going to compare Tacos Los Gordos to another taco place, please know how to spell (since you “go to NY all the time”), it’s called “Los Tacos No.1” NOT “Numero taco,”!

This brings me to the pricing of the food. You claim you’re an expert in economics (again research), but you have such a hard time understanding why you’re so broke. You also lack common sense to think you’re going to get quality food for Chipotle/Long Wharf prices. If you’re living paycheck to paycheck just say that. Oh, you forgot to mention on Tuesday’s they serve $3 tacos which is great for someone like you who can’t afford it.

Lastly, you ended your Martin Luther King speech mentioning the tragedy that unfortunately happened to the restaurant last year and how “that’s a sign that this place never should have opened.” How dare you be so insulting. No wonder you’re stuck where you’re at in life because you’re ugly and will never amount to anything. Look where you are now…a nobody!

You wanted clout, here you go weirdo. Your review was extremely disrespectful and insulting. I hope you didn’t think your one review was going to discredit the business lol. You sound bitter and jealous. If you want to learn how to start a successful business, next time you’re in the area, just ask. The owner welcomes all haters.

The way you went about your review was nasty. Do...

Salt, salt, salt, and more salt. That sums of my experience here. It’s almost like there was only one ingredient in the food at this place. I ordered a burrito here last weekend and was already annoyed I had to ask what was in it. Why are the ingredients in the food at this restaurant a secret? List them somewhere like literally EVERY RESTAURANT in existence. I’m a picky eater like many people so why not just let the customers know what is in the food you are serving? Too much to ask I guess for a restaurant charging almost 20 dollars for a damn burrito.

I was hopeful when I looked on the wall detailing the “chef’s” credentials and philosophy. It said something about his mom told him if he wasn’t going to do something right don’t do it at all. He is also an executive chef. Probably at McDonald’s judging by the quality and taste of the food here. So why did this “chef” open a restaurant to serve salt wrapped in a chewy (obviously not fresh) tortilla and charge hilarious prices for it? That burrito was like $16 and Chipotle burritos taste better and that’s saying something because those are drowning in salt too.

I ordered an overpriced chicken burrito that needed more sal— oops I mean chicken because if you’re going to rob me of that much money at least put enough of the main ingredient in there.

Obviously there is no quality control at this place because if any of the staff tasted what I ate they would have spit it out. Or maybe they’re used to eating so much salt they can’t tell the difference. I couldn’t taste the chicken that was drowning in salt and the salsa or whatever that was tasted strange and likely processed and not fresh.

You don’t get to charge those laughable prices while serving mediocre food. Ignore this nightmare of a restaurant and go literally anywhere else. I go to New York all the time. Numero taco in NY is infinitely better even though those aren’t cheap either but you can taste the quality. No wonder that place is always packed all hours of the day. They deserve it. This place? Waste of time. These 5 star reviews make no sense and are unwarranted.

The fact that the response the owner left other reviewers who didn’t like the food or criticized then restaurant was childish, pathetic, unprofessional and disrespectful should tell you all you need to know. What kind of owner of a restaurant goes and attacks a customer’s review as if they have no right to leave a review? Look at ANY restaurant with negative reviews and how the owner or staff responds — calmly ,with respect, and without attacking the customer. If they disagree they do it diplomatically. Aka the opposite of this restaurant. Which makes sense because only someone insecure about the food they serve would be so patronizing. If you knew the food you served was good you would brush it off and keep things moving. Not literally come after the customer like your life depended on if you have perfect reviews. It’s possible for people not to like the “food” you serve. Get over yourself.

Avoid wasting your money here. Taco trucks on Long Wharf are fairly low quality but ironically I would rather eat lower quality, yet reasonably priced and satisfying food over there than overpriced salty basically not even edible garbage served at this place disguised as a restaurant. Find ANY OTHER taco place in New Haven instead of this place. The only solace I have from this place is the burrito was a decent amount of food so even though it was at least $4 over priced, I got a decent amount of food. The criminally high prices for the tacos and whatever else for like 2 bites of food is unbelievable. I saw an article that this place was destroyed in a fire a year or so ago. I’d say that’s a sign that this place never should have opened. I was very harsh on this review because I rarely see places so egregiously both mediocre and this overpriced and have the nerve to act like they...

This is the only taqueria that I recommend to people in CT, especially when they are coming from California. I don't need to hear your life story or your credentials, just eat, please!

--Some Background-- The tortillas are made with masa from Mexico and are fresh-pressed in front of you. There's a trompo that greets you from behind the counter, which rotates the al pastor meat (pork shoulder) under the heat, and is cut to order with the pineapple and its juices (which may run down to your elbows if you're not careful when eating). Every new special item curated by the (yes,) chef has hit the spot and exceeded my expectations, as he is very passionate about bringing quality to each element of his restaurant. And this is evidenced by many folks who return despite coming in with a lot of skepticism. Trust me, ask Edgar who's his best sales/PR rep 😅

--Prices-- These are downtown New Haven prices. You're paying for good ingredients and the atrocious costs of operating a storefront in DTNH. Depending on how hungry you are, you might hit just under $10 for a light bite, or $20 for a full set. I've spent $60 for two, once, but sometimes my appetite far exceeds my stomach capacity. We were both stuffed and had leftovers for that meal.

--How I Order-- I am a creature of habit. If I don't want to think, I'll default to 1-2 al pastor tacos. If I want to agonize over my choices I'll add a roulette of 2-3 more taco choices to ponder, then consider eating guac and chips, or switching something out for esquites. Then if Edgar had posted something or a new special on Instagram and that's what brought me in, I'll bargain with my wallet to see if I can get that and a taco or a side. If I'm feeling especially golden, I'll get a bottle of the Jarritos or the jamaica/hibiscus with all of that. These drinks are pretty sweet by the way. It helps to balance out some of the salt/fat, depending on how you ordered.

--Other FAQs-- No alcohol.

Guac is made fresh, in-house, just like everything else. chips are heated and salted.

There are snacks/candies that rotate through the "chef's table" or the counter where you get your condiments, to the right of the register. These are free to take.

Lots of food and changes rotate regularly. If you're eyeing the special, you need to swoop in! Food does run out and while there's a good chance it will come back, there is no guarantee. Tell him Michelle sent you

There will be a wait. Don't rush Exception.

Will update review again -- just wanted to write, given my late-night...