Chinelos Taqueria — Restaurant in Pinellas Park

While venturing out on a Friday night in search of new culinary experiences, fate led me to Chinelos Taqueria, a hidden gem that I had never visited before. In a nutshell, it's a place that delivers exceptional Mexican cuisine. It's not just good; it's authentically delicious, and the value you get for your money is outstanding. My initial curiosity was piqued by the restaurant's impressive 5-star rating on Google Maps, and I must say, it didn't disappoint.

For those who crave a more in-depth review, allow me to elaborate. The name "Chinelos" draws from the vibrant and traditional Mexican dance group known for their colorful attire and masks. On the other hand, "Taqueria" signifies a haven for tacos and Mexican street food enthusiasts. Together, Chinelos Taqueria brings forth a mouthwatering experience of traditional Mexican street food that's nothing short of a flavorful dance for your taste buds.

On this particular visit, I was on a date night with my vegetarian wife. While the menu lacked a straightforward vegetarian burrito option, she decided to make a special request. After tasting the veggie burrito, she remarked that what set it apart was the variety of vegetables used. They went above and beyond the usual vegetable choices you'd find elsewhere, although she did wish she'd specified adding beans, which was surprisingly omitted. Typically, when ordering a veggie burrito, it's expected that beans would take a central role, but here, they created a diverse vegetable mix without them. So, if you're a vegetarian, make sure to remind them to include beans, but overall, she found it to be one of the best 'veggie' burritos she's ever had.

As for my choice, I went with the Steak Chimichanga Con Queso and asked for the rice to be served on the side. I have a preference for rice on the side, as it allows me to strike the perfect balance between starch and savory goodness. Although I had specifically requested rice on the side, it was missing when my order arrived. Nonetheless, the steak chimichanga was satisfying, priced reasonably at $13, and featured an abundance of perfectly fried beef. However, the flavor profile was decent, but not exceptional; I suspect the inclusion of rice within the burrito muted the beef's flavors.

We opted to dine in, and it was clear that the other patrons were enjoying their meals as well. One standout aspect of Chinelos Taqueria is its unmistakable family-run atmosphere. The gentleman who took our orders, managed the counter, and served tables appeared to be an integral part of the restaurant's daily operations. I couldn't help but appreciate the quintessential American dream unfolding before my eyes as I indulged in this Mexican street food. The restaurant itself is on the cozier side, with only a handful of tables, but the service was impeccable. You could easily sense the owner's pride in both their food and the overall dining experience.

Yet, what truly stood out during our visit was the exceptional value for our money. My date and I enjoyed appetizers, entrees, and delectable homemade churros for just a little over $40. If we had opted for just dinner, we could have easily left satisfied for under $25. Chinelos Taqueria is more than just a place to grab a meal; it's an affordable, family-run establishment that offers an authentic taste of Mexican street food and a glimpse of the...

I’ve been looking for a semi decent authentic taco place in St Pete for a few years now. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I realized I may have actually stumbled upon the BEST taco place in the area. I recently ent to another local place that had good reviews and ended up having the worst tacos of my life, so even though this place had good reviews my expectations were still pretty low, and when I walked in and saw that this place was empty during lunch time all I could do was hope for the best. As soon as I walked in we were greeted very warmly by someone who I am assuming is the owner. He was so kind and welcoming and took our orders right away. The horchata was some of the best I’ve ever had, and I learned it’s made fresh from scratch which you can definitely taste. The food was out really quickly and you can tell everything was soooo fresh! The flavors were amazinggggg! The tacos were and good size, and the carnitas was so juicy and flavorful and the carne asada had cooked onions in it that gave it such a delicious flavor. The rice and beans were also really good and I tend to be pretty picky with my rice. The birria was super fresh and the flavor was so rich. I am so happy that I finally found an amazing local taqueria and I can’t wait to take everyone I know there and try...

I loved visiting Chinelos Taqueria! A family owned "hole in the wall" restaurant that will out cook any mainstream Mexican restaurant in the Tampa Bay area, in my opinion! I ordered a simple taco combo, and the authenticity of the blended flavors were rich. It came with a small side of rice, and coated refried beans. I've traveled to real- deal parts of Mexico several times, and when I tell you this is the real deal, this IS the REAL deal. I had some room for dessert, so I ordered churros, and DELICIOUS would be an understatement. They were cooked to perfection. You can certainly taste that they are made in house. The texture of the churros were not to hard nor too soft, and they were drizzled with the right amount of sugar and caramel. The ambience also set the tone: rodeo shows and Latin artist based concerts playing on the TV, with traditional decor hanging throughout the storefront- it beautifully added to the authentic experience. The owner was also so kind, and you can tell how passionate he is about what he does. I was visiting on a work trip, but plan to be back when my family joins me in the summer. In the meantime you take a visit and support this small business. Wishing them many many...