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oChef » Tacos la Cuadra 2 – Seattle
Tacos la Cuadra 2 - Seattle
Photo from Tacos la Cuadra 2
Tacos la Cuadra 2 at a glance
Seattle Whittier Heights
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
$$
Price per Person $21–$30
mentioned by 24 of the guests
#540 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#39 Mexican Restaurant out of 48 in Seattle
Good
7.1 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
151
Reviews
69.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Authentic Tacos
- Great Value
- Lively Vibe
Frequently criticized
- Cleanliness Issues
- Poor Service
- Inconsistent Dishes
The restaurant, a vibrant Mexican eatery in Seattle’s Whittier Heights neighborhood, invites you to savor authentic flavors. With its inviting atmosphere and a fantastic rooftop seating area, Tacos la Cuadra 2 offers a memorable dining experience.
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a leisurely meal, you’ll find a casual spot to enjoy delicious food and refreshing cocktails.
Overview: Introducting Tacos la Cuadra 2
Tacos la Cuadra 2 offers a lively spot where the food often hits the mark, particularly for its flavorful meat preparations. Many patrons highlight the authentic al pastor tacos and generous burritos, finding the portions satisfying and the overall experience enjoyable.
However, some visits have been marred by concerns about the dining environment, with mentions of ants, and occasional service hiccups. While the atmosphere can be quite fun, the consistency of the experience varies, suggesting areas for improvement beyond the plate.
Good
7.1
out of 10
151
Reviews
69.5%
Satisfaction
39
negative
7
neutral
105
positive
The overall score of 7.1 suggests a generally good dining experience at Tacos la Cuadra 2, with customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 69.5%. This indicates that while many leave pleased, a notable portion has reservations.
The restaurant’s strengths clearly lie in its Food (7.5) and Value (7.4), which consistently impress patrons. However, the Ambience (6.2) receives a more average reception, and Service (5.2) appears to be a weaker point, often falling short for some diners.
These insights are drawn from a total of 151 customer observations, including 105 positive remarks and 39 negative ones, painting a comprehensive picture of the establishment.
What people like
- Authentic Al Pastor Tacos
- Generous Portions & Value
- Lively Atmosphere
What people don't like
- Cleanliness Concerns
- Inconsistent Service
- Some Food Quality Issues
If you’re seeking robust flavors and generous portions, Tacos la Cuadra 2 is certainly worth considering, especially for its highly praised meat dishes. With a solid 7.5 recommendation score, it promises a satisfying meal for those prioritizing taste and quantity.
However, be mindful that the overall experience can be a mixed bag, with some patrons encountering issues with the dining environment or staff attentiveness. It’s a place that excels in its culinary offerings but might occasionally test your patience in other areas.
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Verdict: Our expert take on Tacos la Cuadra 2
Food (7.5 out of 10)
mentioned by 97% of the guests
When it comes to the food, this place generally shines, earning a good score of 7.5 and a good customer satisfaction rating of 73.6%. With 81 positive remarks, many diners rave about the authentic Al pastor tacos, the fantastic variety of options, and the delicious burritos. The homemade tortillas and extensive salsa bar also receive high praise, making for a truly enjoyable meal.
However, not every dish is a hit, as 23 negative comments indicate. Some found the meat dry or flavorless, and a few mentioned issues like a bad smell from certain tacos or an oddly placed ham in a gringa. There were also complaints about overly salty food and disappointing mulitas, suggesting some inconsistency in execution.
Food
110
Reviews
73%
Satisfaction
23
negative
6
neutral
81
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Authentic Al pastor tacos
- Homemade tortillas
- Great salsa bar
What people don't like
- Dry, bland meat
- Inconsistent dishes
- Overly salty food
Often praised
- al pastor tacosal pastor tacos here are authentic and delicious
- foodMy first visit was a fantastic experience; I was blown away by how good the food was and enjoyed the fun little bar in the back. The place was jumping on a Friday night.
- tacosThey serve tacos the right way, plain with all the cilantro/onions/salsa on the side!
- al pastorThe edges of the tortillas got incredibly crispy as well, which was really nice. The al pastor was similar to the ones in the tacos, but like in the tacos, there was so much present; the tortillas were completely stuffed with the pork. This combination of crispy tortillas, a perfectly melted sea of cheese, and slices upon slices of al pastor made this a pretty incredible experience.
- Al PastorAl Pastor was insanely good!
- Al pastor tacosthe Al pastor you could have any anywhere in the Seattle area
- burritosThe burritos and tacos are PHENOMENAL!
- lengua tacosMy partner enjoyed the lengua tacos as well.
- meatThe meat was plentiful and well seasoned.
- mulitasMy experience at this restaurant was fantastic! I had the best authentic street tacos, tortas, mulitas, and burritos. I usually visited their Rainier Beach location, but this one in Ballard is just as top-notch.
Frequently criticized
- foodDespite the health department rating of “good, ” I encountered ants crawling on the walls and near the salsa bar, which gave me the ick. Consequently, the food was not as tasty to me. It's crucial for any restaurant to control insects and rodents.
- meatmeat was relatively flavorless
- advertised dishesThe employees seemed to have no knowledge about the products, their operating hours, or even what they had in stock. It was frustrating to see several dishes advertised on the menu that they actually don't sell, like the tacos de canasta I was eagerly anticipating. Furthermore, the price for chilaquiles was an exorbitant $25.
- bad smellhorrible with a bad smell
- burritoburrito with only rice, beans, and unmelted cheese
- cabeza tacosthe cabeza tacos were horrible with a bad smell
- chicken burritolike eating a seven pound brick of warm salt
- chicken tacosgross fatty chicken chunks
- chorizo tacoSame story: good tortillas and cheese, but otherwise forgettable. I also tried a chorizo taco but the meat was weirdly seasoned and still kind of bland. The horchata, on the other hand, is excellent.
- fish and shrimpThe tacos were okay. They also have zero vegetarian options and not a lot of fish and shrimp. So sorry but won't be going back, which is sad to me because that literally was my favorite spot in the neighborhood.
If you're craving authentic Al pastor tacos and a great salsa bar, this spot is definitely worth a visit. Just be aware that some other meat options or specific dishes might be a bit inconsistent, so stick to their specialties for the best experience.
Service (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 47% of the guests
When it comes to service, this spot seems to be a bit of a mixed bag, with customer satisfaction at 47.6% and an average score of 5.2. Many guests have praised the friendly smiling workers and kind people, often noting the service as great and the staff as consistently kind. These 10 positive remarks suggest that when the team is on point, they truly make an impression.
On the flip side, 11 negative comments highlight some significant issues. Patrons have reported employees lacking knowledge, poor service, and frustrating wait times. There are also mentions of rude staff and even a refusal to sell a dish, indicating that the experience can be quite inconsistent.
Service
21
Reviews
47%
Satisfaction
11
negative
0
neutral
10
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Friendly staff
- Kind people
What people don't like
- Poor service
- Long waits
- Rude staff
Often praised
- stafftheir staff is always kind.
- ServiceService:5
- friendly smiling workersfriendly smiling workers who are happy to share their food
- grand openingTheir grand opening made an impression
- kind peoplesuper kind people
- linethere was little to no line
- peopleSuper nice people too
- self serveAlso happy that it's self serve.
- serviceService was great
Frequently criticized
- servicevery disappointed with the service
- employeesThe employees seemed to have no knowledge
- operating hoursno knowledge about their operating hours
- productsno knowledge about the products
- racist actit was clearly a racist act
- refusal to sell dishIf you’re okay with wasting an hour waiting for your food, this place is ideal. But what really pissed me off is that they refused to sell me a dish they did serve to others who arrived after me. There was no explanation—just a flat-out refusal.
- staffThe staff was incredibly rude, not friendly at all
- toppings barI was planning on using it for my tacos, as I had ordered takeout and was going to take the toppings with me to eat later. However, when I got the tacos, I noticed they were wrapped in foil on the outside. Since they were already wrapped, I figured this meant that tacos (or at least, those for takeout) already had onions and salsa included, and the toppings bar was for extra.
- wait timeWe were excited to try this restaurant and were very disappointed with the service and the food. We went for lunch over the weekend and the wait time was about 25-30 minutes. We ordered several tacos, a few other items, and 2 margaritas.
- waiting timeIf you’re okay with wasting an hour waiting for your food, this place is ideal. But what really pissed me off is that they refused to sell me a dish they did serve to others who arrived after me.
If youre considering a visit, be prepared for a varied service experience. While some guests enjoy friendly interactions, others encounter long waits and unhelpful staff. Its a bit of a gamble, so manage your expectations accordingly.
Ambience (6.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 22% of the guests
It seems the ambience here is a bit of a mixed bag, with a score of 6.2, placing it squarely in the average range. However, customer satisfaction sits at a slightly better 63.6%, indicating a mixed but leaning positive reception. Many guests rave about the fun place and lively atmosphere, often highlighting the great vibe and the fun little bar that gets jumping on busy nights, based on 7 positive observations.
On the flip side, 4 observations point to some significant concerns. Some visitors were put off by ants crawling on the walls and near the salsa bar, leading to a feeling that it felt very dirty. There were even mentions about a need to control insects and rodents, which definitely takes away from the overall experience.
Ambience
11
Reviews
63%
Satisfaction
4
negative
0
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Fun, lively atmosphere
- Great vibe
- Enjoyable bar
What people don't like
- Ants, insects
- Dirty feeling
- Rodent concerns
Often praised
- atmosphereFun, lively atmosphere
- AtmosphereAtmosphere:5
- awesome atmosphereawesome atmosphere
- barMy first visit was a fantastic experience; I was blown away by how good the food was and enjoyed the fun little bar in the back. The place was jumping on a Friday night.
- fun placeSuper fun place
- vibeGreat vibe
Frequently criticized
- antsHowever, my second visit, in the light of day, was disappointing. Despite the health department rating of “good, ” I encountered ants crawling on the walls and near the salsa bar, which gave me the ick. Consequently, the food was not as tasty to me.
- dirtyit felt very dirty
- insects and rodentsneed to control insects and rodents
- salsa barHowever, my second visit, in the light of day, was disappointing. Despite the health department rating of “good, ” I encountered ants crawling on the walls and near the salsa bar, which gave me the ick. Consequently, the food was not as tasty to me.
If youre looking for a lively spot with a good vibe and dont mind a potentially less-than-pristine environment, this place might be worth a try. However, if cleanliness is a top priority for you, especially regarding insects, you might want to proceed with caution or consider other options.
Value (7.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 19% of the guests
When it comes to getting your moneys worth, this spot generally hits the mark! With a solid score of 7.4 and customer satisfaction at a good 77.8%, it seems many diners feel theyre getting a great deal. Out of 9 total opinions, 7 were positive, praising the fair prices, generous meal portions, and overall deal on items like the burrito.
Many found the value to be insane, making their meals stretch or simply feeling it was worth every penny. However, its not entirely without a hitch. There was one negative opinion specifically pointing out the "price for chilaquiles" as being quite high.
While the overall sentiment leans heavily towards good value, its worth noting that not every single item on the menu might offer the same bang for your buck.
Value
9
Reviews
77%
Satisfaction
1
negative
1
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Good portions for price
- Fairly priced burritos
- Great overall deal
What people don't like
- Overpriced chilaquiles
Often praised
- pricesThe portions & prices are good at La Cuadra.
- burritoBurrito is very fairly priced.
- dealThe two tacos + mulita ended up being too much food for me. I would say this is a pretty great deal, considering how much meat you get. Overall, I don't know if I'll make the trip up here again – it wasn't all-time good – but this place has some very good Mexican food.
- mealthis <$15 meal stretched over 3 meals for me lmao. Insane value
- price for the mulita50. I was apprehensive about the price for the mulita at first, but after eating it, that could easily be a full meal on itself. The two tacos + mulita ended up being too much food for me.
- tacosbut these are worth it in my opinion
Frequently criticized
- price for chilaquilesprice for chilaquiles was an exorbitant $25.00
If youre looking for good portions and fair pricing on many menu items, especially burritos and tacos, youll likely be pleased with the value here. Just be mindful that some specific dishes, like the chilaquiles, might come with a higher price tag than expected.
How are the prices at Tacos la Cuadra 2?
You’re looking at roughly 21 per person – reported by 24 diners. That puts it in the $21–$30 category. For a Mexican Restaurant, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
While the average is 21, it’s interesting to see that many diners actually spend a bit less, with the most common price point falling in the $11–$20 range. There are also a few higher spenders, showing a nice mix of options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 24 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing feels quite fair for a Mexican restaurant in Seattle. It offers good value for a mid-range experience.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Tacos la Cuadra 2
Price per Person
- $11–$20
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
Wait Time
- Immediate (0–5 min.)
9
Incredible Value and Flavorful Burrito!
My experience at this restaurant truly lived up to the hype. I ordered the brisket burrito, and the tortilla itself was a standout, reminding me of a delicious South Asian paratha lol. The meat was plentiful and well seasoned.
This <$15 meal was so filling that it stretched over 3 meals for me, offering insane value lmao. While the normal red/green salsa was just okay, the habanero salsa was a game-changer, providing the perfect level of spice and fantastic taste. I also appreciated the self-serve aspect.
I also tried their chicken tacos; the chicken had a unique flavor I wasn't accustomed to, but it was still enjoyable. I would love to come back!
- brisket burrito9
- tortilla10
- meat9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
10
Best Al Pastor in Town!
If you've seen those pop-ups on street corners around town with long lines and flame-broiled Al Pastor on a spit, this is where they come from! This is the best Al Pastor in town! They also offer a variety of other tasty meat options like Carne Asada, Cabeza, Lengua, Tripa, Pollo, and Chorizo, but I personally come here for the flame-broiled Al Pastor.
Once you've decided on your meat(s), you can have it prepared in several ways: Tacos, Torta, Quesadilla, Burrito, Mulita, and Alambre. You really cannot go wrong with any of them, as they all have their own unique flavor combinations. My personal favorites are the straight-up tacos and the mulitas.
So, if you are ever on the hunt for great Al Pastor, do not hesitate! Highly recommend!
- Al Pastor10
- other meat options8
- tacos9
Visit Type
- Food Exploration
Service Type
- Dine-in
2
Horrible Head Tacos, Avoid!
I ordered 4 tacos: 2 of 'cabeza' (head) and 2 of 'lengua' (tongue). The 'cabeza' tacos were horrible and had a bad smell. Honestly, I couldn't even eat them.
- lengua tacos5
- cabeza tacos1
- bad smell1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Takeout
Meal Type
- Lunch
1
A Brick of Salt
I picked up a chicken burrito for lunch. My experience was that it was like eating a seven-pound brick of warm salt. The food was incredibly salty, making it an unpleasant experience.
- chicken burrito1
- food1
Visit Type
- Quick Meal
Service Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Dinner
1
Terrible Food and Service, Very Dirty
My experience at this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The food was not good, and the service was poor. To make matters worse, the establishment felt very dirty.
I ended up throwing away most of what I purchased.
- food1
- service2
- dirty1
What Tacos la Cuadra 2 offers
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
- Free Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
- Bar onsite
Offerings
- Quick bite
- Cocktails
- Alcohol
Dining options
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dessert
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Onsite services
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What dining options and atmosphere can you expect at Tacos la Cuadra 2?
At Tacos la Cuadra 2, you can enjoy a casual atmosphere perfect for any meal, from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner. You’ll find comfortable seating, including outdoor options and even rooftop seating for a unique experience. It’s a great spot for a quick bite or to relax with cocktails.
What convenient services and amenities does Tacos la Cuadra 2 offer?
Tacos la Cuadra 2 provides several conveniences for you, including a free parking lot that usually has plenty of space. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible with an accessible entrance, parking lot, and restroom. You can also enjoy free Wi-Fi, an onsite bar, and a kids’ menu with high chairs available.
How does Tacos la Cuadra 2 generally perform?
Tacos la Cuadra 2 holds a 7.1 score, indicating a good experience overall. Its Food (7.5) is a strong point, supported by good Value (7.4) and a decent Ambience (6.2). However, Service (5.2) could use improvement.
What are the standout dishes at Tacos la Cuadra 2?
Many patrons praise the al pastor tacos for their authenticity and flavor, often highlighting the crispy tortillas and generous meat portions. The burritos and mulitas also receive positive remarks for being substantial and delicious.
Are there any common issues to be aware of before visiting Tacos la Cuadra 2?
Some customers have noted concerns regarding cleanliness, with mentions of ants. There are also occasional reports of inconsistent service, including long wait times and staff knowledge gaps, and some specific dishes like certain chicken or cabeza tacos have received negative feedback.