Juan’s Taqueria & Cantina — Restaurant in Williamsburg

So, I tried this place as highly suggested by a fellow local friend. I have been to every Mexican restaurant in Williamsburg. This is one of the best taco shops I have been to in the area. I feel kind of taco snobby from my time in southern California but this place is real good. I got a "classic" margarita and it was not the best I have had but it was good. There were some other more expensive options on the menu but I went classic anyway because it was my first time here. There are better house margarita's in town but next time I'll upgrade to compare. We had the cheese dip which was standard. I had the Taco de Birria and the Taco al Pastor. Both were excellent and it was served perfectly. On the side was a flame grilled Jalapeno, some pickled onions and radishes. You can't go wrong with great presentation. The flavor of the tacos was excellent and I am FULL! My daughter had the chicken chimichanga and she loved it too. And she is not one who likes to go away from her normal favorite place in town. That is a win for Juan's she may have changed loyalties. We went at around 4 pm (Happy Hour) but I was not told what the happy hour specials were, although I should have asked. Our server was excellent, she offered suggestions and gave us the feeling that we were valued as customers. She was smiling and really attentive to us. The atmosphere is super laid back and it's not too overboard with decorations which gives it a more taqueria feel in my opinion. Overall, I will be back, a lot, as this place was...

UPDATE ON REVIEW: 1/19/25 - The last three times I have been here, I have found that the people behind the bar DO NOT KNOW the recipe for the drinks which EMELY MAKESI I often have to tell them how to make the drink. I was in the restaurant this week and was told EMELY only works weekends and they STILL do not know how to make my favorite drink. It's very frustrating because I like the food and want to support this restaurant but it's such a waste of $$ if I pay for what I don't want (plus tip! I always tip). The young man behind the bar, did not offer water or bring out chips and salsa, did not know how to make cocktails. He was very nice but this has happened more than once. THE STAFF needs to be TRAINED and BE CONSISTENT. Thank you

MY PREVIOUS REVIEW 8 months ago: I frequented this place when it first opened and although it was very good, I found it slipped a little. HOWEVER, I went back today after 6 months and it was EXCEPTIONAL. The Birria Taco was amazing. Good selections of cocktails. I sat at the bar. EMELY was my server and she was SO attentive and had a smile on her face the entire time! I do recommend Juan's. DEFINITELY try...

We have normally had good experiences here not sure what was going on. We were quickly seated but took a while to get service. Chips and salsa came and the salsa was terrible, about the consistency of water (asked for alternate salsa which never came. I had a house margarita and it was ok and my wife had a cantatarito which was awful, tasted all but like water (we came to Juan’s because she has really enjoyed this drink here in the past). The shrimp ceviche was very good and plentiful so the visit was not a total waste. Service staff never checked in if we needed refills (which we did). Service was so poor four gentlemen sat at a table next to ours and after waiting for a fairly long period got up and left.

There are a lot of other Mexican restaurants in Williamsburg so next time out we will most likely...