Papi's Taqueria — Restaurant in Old Lyme

Papis taqueria

I had one of their carnitas street tacos and an order of carne asada fries. If you are looking for a tasty, rich in flavor, fresh food, and very well seasoned meat that is also super juicy. Look no further. The meat was super tender and juicy, no hint of being over cooked. The cook/chef knows what they are doing. The guacamole was fresh, the pico de galo was fresh, and the fries were cooked very nicely. The fries having a nice crispiness on the outside and slightly soft on the inside gave them an almost beer battered texture. It was really good. The little salsa cart/table they have gives you some options to spice up your food the way you like it. I also took home some horchata, tres leches cake, and flan. All tasty! The decor is nice, friendly, and has the Mexican vibe I’m used to. I look forward to visiting during dia de los muertos. I grew up in Arizona, and you always knew the mom and pop shops were the best. When the family worked together, the restaurant was always awesome. The food to money amount is spot on. You get what you pay for and the prices here are great for the quality and quantity of food you get! They do have a small seating area, 2 tables, 3 bar stools, and 2 outside seating. I would love to see some sort of food challenge or maybe a street taco eating challenge. This is an establishment I will love to see grow and expand. This is no Taco Bell, Moes, or Chipotle chain. This restaurant cares about their food qualities and I am very willing to drive the 25mins to come visit them whenever I get hungry for good...

Papis Taqueria is a total gem in Old Lyme — small in size, but big on flavor and good vibes. This spot is definitely worth the detour. I had the Buffalo Cauliflower and Mahi Mahi tacos — both were legit, but the Mahi stole the show with its bright, fresh flavor that just hit in a beach-town kind of way.

We also shared the meatless sopes, which were super generous and totally satisfying. A little messy (in the best way), and I gave them a flavor boost with some of the house salsas — which, by the way, are on point. I’d love to see a pescatarian version added — they already carry Mahi, so tossing that on a sope feels like an easy win. Shrimp would be another great coastal fit, and a hearty mushroom option could also round things out for plant-based folks (even if it doesn't match the seaside vibe as much).

My friend did a trio of tacos (Carnitas, Chorizo, and Al Pastor) and gave them an enthusiastic thumbs-up. No notes. Just solid, delicious tacos across the board.

The staff were awesome — super welcoming and kind. The vibe is relaxed and unfussy, with just a few outdoor seats and a steady stream of locals swinging by for pickup orders. It’s the kind of place you almost don’t want to tell people about because it feels like a secret… but also, more people need to know.

I live in San Diego part time and have eaten my way through the West, Southwest, and Mexico — and I’d still go out of my...

This is an adorable AUTHENTIC little Mexican Taqueria. It’s small: only 4 x 4 tops so it does a huge take out business. The Taqueria is decorated in bright festive colors which adds to its charm. They play a bit of Mexican music in the background at an audible level which is nice. THEIR BIRRA TACOS - ARE OFF THE HOOK - AMAZING. TONS OF FLAVOR & DEPTH. The broth was DELISH. The beef was super tender & flavorful. I had chicken enchiladas last time & they were solidly good but it will be extremely hard for me to order anything but the BIRRA TACOS. Their salsas are okay - not bad but not hugely spicy or complex. And I am a HUGE chips & salsa fan. Guacamole & charra pinto beans are VIP to me also. I haven’t tried any here so will try those next. (I know they have refried but charra beans are so much better imho). The green tomatillo salsa I thought was the best. I definitely recommend this place! GET THE BIRRA...