Tacombi — Restaurant in New York

Food here is very good. Definitely no qualms there. However, the service was a bit… odd.

When we first sat down, someone came over and asked us what we wanted to drink and told us a little bit about the menu since it was our first visit.

Then a totally different person took our food order (orders are done with paper and pencil on a menu where you check off the items you want).

Then a third person brought out our food.

Due to the fragmented staffing arrangement, it took a while for us to get a refill of water and for anyone to come over and check on us.

Restaurants have been successful in assigning one person to perform all duties at each table, as opposed to assigning different roles to different people who then service all tables. Not sure why Tacombi is trying to reinvent the wheel, especially when it is doing so unsuccessfully.

Additionally, the pricing of some items is a bit questionable. The tacos have an odd range in price from between $4 and $7 but traditional tacos with traditional meats and ingredients are $4.

Their quesadillas are $8. This made me believe that the quesadillas are fairly large, at least in comparison to the tacos. However, they are not.

First off, the quesadillas are served in the exact same manner as the tacos, which is not traditionally the way it is done.

Regardless of whether or not you order a taco or quesadilla, it is served on a soft shell completely open-faced, flat on a plate, with the ingredients thrown on top. That's fine for a taco, but quesadillas are supposed to be folded over and then grilled shut. Not the case here. I've eaten at many Mexican restaurants in my life and this is the very first time I have received an "open-faced" quesadilla. This is not the end of the world obviously. I just found it unusual.

In addition, if the quesadilla is double the price, you would expect it to have double the ingredients. Again, not the case. It is larger than the taco, but barely. Certainly not enough to warrant charging $8 for it. If the taco is $4, the quesadilla should be $5 at most.

I'll also add that the menu at the restaurant -- the paper one where you check off what you want -- does not list prices or list all of the ingredients in the food. The website DOES have this information. So in order to see everything each taco was made with, I actually had to go to their online menu on my phone to see that since the in-restaurant menu does not provide that information. This to me is also a bit silly and should be corrected. Considering they have to consistently print new menus (since customers write on them), this seems like an issue that can be corrected very quickly.

So to sum this all up, this place gets 5 stars in terms of food quality. It's very good. You certainly won't be disappointed there.

But the wonky service, the "incomplete" menus, and the price structure is what is making me give this place 4 stars overall instead of 5.

Also, please note this is a review of the Upper West Side location. I have not visited any of their other locations and cannot guarantee the service is the same at all locations. But based on the website, it appears the price is the same at all locations (but again that doesn't mean the portion sizes are the same everywhere. I can't speak to that)

This place also has the @nutfreeinnyc stamp...

Attention, foodies and taco enthusiasts! Brace yourselves for a culinary adventure at Tacombi, a restaurant near Theodore Roosevelt Park that will knock your sombreros off!

Picture this: You've just taken a leisurely stroll around the park, your appetite is roaring, and you stumble upon Tacombi. Hold onto your taste buds, because this place is a Mexican cuisine paradise that you simply cannot miss.

Let's dive into the menu, shall we? Prepare to have your taste buds dancing a salsa of delight with perfectly cooked Tacos al Pastor, fish tacos, and tuna that will make your taste buds shout "¡Olé!" These tacos are so delicious, they should come with a warning label: "Warning: May induce uncontrollable taco cravings."

And what's a visit to Tacombi without sipping on some refreshing beverages? From delicious margaritas to ice-cold beer and tantalizing piña coladas, they have you covered. Oh, and don't miss out on their horchata, fresh juices, or pineapple juice. They'll quench your thirst and leave you feeling refreshed.

Now, let's talk about convenience. Tacombi understands that sometimes you just want to enjoy their scrumptious food in the comfort of your own home. That's why they offer food delivery, so you can have a taco fiesta without even leaving your couch. It's like magic for your taste buds.

But that's not all—prepare to be charmed by the hostess with the mostest. She's not just accommodating; she's the queen of hospitality. With a warm smile and a welcoming demeanor, she'll make you feel right at home.

And let's not forget about the prices. Tacombi believes that great food should be accessible to everyone, so they offer democratic prices that won't make your wallet cry. You can savor their delicious dishes without breaking the bank.

Now, let's talk ambiance. Step inside Tacombi, and you'll be transported to a world of comfort and style. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, and the decor is simply spectacular. It's like stepping into a Mexican paradise, complete with vibrant colors and captivating design.

So, amigos and amigas, if you're in the mood for an unforgettable Mexican feast, Tacombi is the place to be. With its mouthwatering tacos, refreshing beverages, accommodating staff, and inviting atmosphere, it's a dining experience you'll cherish. Don't miss out on this culinary gem—it's a taco lover's...

First time eating at Tacombi, have mixed feelings….food flavor was really good, authentic food with a somewhat sophisticated approach…….on the negative side, portion size is very small and price does not match a good value, need about 20-25% larger portion size. We came from Mexico visiting NYC for the first time, heard about this place and decided to gave it a try. When arriving I greeted and started talking in Spanish to our waitress, she pretended she barely understood and addressed us in English all the time, even if I preferred to speak in my native tongue for a better communication, she did not want to talk to us in Spanish, forced us to speak out not so fluent English and she knew, she was speaking Spanish trying to teach one of the non-Spanish speaking male helpers so she was just pretending. Not only that, missing that smile and attentiveness that makes long term customers, when she asked if we were finished with food and said yes, well, I assumed she was going to bring check, 10 minutes later no check, so I decided to request help from different waitress and she did bring it to me. Just wanted to bring some attention to the issue, management should take care of hiring good personnel, those with good service nature, always smiling and aware when to stop to take care of customer needs….very important for making long term repeat customers…otherwise future may not be as great as it could be. Larger portions and more than anything, great customer service would have gotten you all 5 stars across the board……as...