Abuelita's — Restaurant in Richmond

DONT COME HERE FOR BIRRIA TACOS! HUGE disappointment! Whenever I try a new Latino restaurant, I have a few staples that I always order first as it gives me a good baseline of how they cook. If the rice and beans are flat, there's not much hope for the rest of the food that takes actual skill. Almost all the items I always order are ala cart as it gives me the opportunity to experience their cooking skills and spice palette I went here SPECIFICALLY for Birria tacos. They are my absolute favorite! I have eaten them MANY times. I cannot even count how many restaurants I have eaten them at. But NEVER, NOT ONCE have I EVER been served these tacos w/o the broth. What the heck? If you order the plate which has three tacos for $16 then you get the consume but if you order your tacos separately you don't? I need to ask you, what is the point of having a birria taco w/o the broth? The broth completes/makes the taco. I was so disappointed! I sent them back and they refunded my money. They never offered when I questioned it. It was just, nope no plate no consume. I WILL NEVER return or recommend this place. Owners need to seriously reconsider serving the broth with the tacos ala cart. How many bad reviews do you need an order to change things? Let me ask you was it worth it?

The rice and beans were fair, nothing too major to write home about, but not flat and had flavor. I did try the pork Verde and the birria tamales. They were small (about 2/3 the size of average tamales) for $3.25 ea but both were excellent, very flavorful and delicious. Their maza was really good. It just adds to the huge disappointment that I will not return. I gave the flavor of the tamales at 5/5 but the size 3/5. Rice and beans get a 2.5/5. It's really disappointing as this could have been my new go to since returning to the Richmond area as it is not far from my home. So the search continues!

If you want birria tacos go somewhere else where you are served the complete experience with your order and the owners care that you have a choice where you spend your money...

Abuelitas is absolutely the best Mexican food you can find in Richmond. Now, a couple of you might think I'm easily appeased, and that you're SURE that your place is better. Let me make a few points to convince you just to go in there and give it a try if you end up that way:

1. This is AUTHENTIC MEXICAN FOOD. The owners are Mexican, and have two other successful restaurants in Midlothian and Powhatan (El Cerro Azul) that serve the stuff you and I are accustomed to. This is different. It was created with the intent of serving only authentic foods you would find at your family's dinner table in Mexico.

2. Everything is made and seasoned on location. This includes their stews, tortillas, rice, and salsas. Their DRINKS are even the real deal, so if you're craving some Horchata with your food, this is the place.

3. It's not a true restaurant. You pick out your food and drinks, they serve you, and you relax and eat your food. You don't have to worry about tipping a waiter, and this means you get your food FAST. Everyone is still very friendly and quick to help or answer any questions.

4. The food is GOOD. I'm a semi-picky eater, and I'm not a fan of really spicy food. I told them what I liked, and based off of their recommendations, I had the best Mexican food I've ever had.

If you don't believe me, try it for yourself! Oh, by the way, it's...

First time at Abuelita's and the other reviews have it right! The food is great, the staff is friendly & helpful, and the restaurant is cute & clean. I like that you can get comida casera in a fast casual type place.

They offer 2 size platters with a choice of 1 guiso for the small or 2 for the grande. The selection changes daily, but I got the chicken tinga & the chorizo con huevos, both of which were delicious and in plentiful portions. My dining partner had the pork chile verde and said it was similar to his own grandmother's cooking which is about as high compliment as you can get.

Both sizes came with your choice of refried or charro beans & Mexican style rice plus, the best part, fresh house made tortillas.

There's also a serve yourself bar with a variety of salsas and other accompaniments like jalapeños, cabbage & onions. Note, although all of the salsas were labeled "hot" and "very hot", I personally thought those like the ranchera and tomatillo we're pretty mild and lacking heat.

The agua frescas were flavorful, sweet & refreshing just as I'd expect. We had the guava & the pineapple.

We will...