Taqueria Ramirez is one of New York City’s most-talked-about taco spots. Despite being small, it often has a line that extends outside the shop at 94 Franklin St. in Brooklyn. So this leaves many people wondering: Is it really that amazing? After I visited Taqueria Ramirez, I personally would say that whether you hate or love the restaurant really depends on your taste in food. But I believe you should try something first before believing anything on the internet.
Taqueria Ramirez mainly focuses on one thing: tacos. The menu is super small compared to other Mexican-centered restaurants. It focuses on Tex Mex, city-style tacos made with suadero, al pastor, longaniza, tripe and more. These contain meats which are cooked for hours in a large pot of oil and spices before they are carefully served on corn tortillas with extra ingredients such as salsa, lime and cilantro.
First, let’s evaluate taste. Is the food really that good as people say? Having visited, I believe that if you’re looking for street-style Latin food, it’s a great place to try. One reviewer, Aya E. on Yelp, described how they hadn’t gone in a while but decided to visit the restaurant again to refresh my taste buds’ memory of these tacos.” Aya emphasized the very flavorful and strong taste the tacos had, saying they were , “super tender, savory and cooked well.”
However, Aya did mention how they personally don’t eat pork, and how Taqueria Ramirez is not something to go out of your way for if you can’t eat pork, especially since many tacos feature it as the main ingredient.
Your enjoyment of this restaurant really depends on your own preferences over certain foods.
Another review from Yelp, by Peter D., brought up how spicy the tacos are. In my opinion, the sauces will burn your tongue unless you are accustomed to spicy food. The “salsa verde” is mild, not too spicy; however, the red sauce (or the chili sauce) is hot, and I would consider it somewhat spicy.
For a restaurant in Greenpoint, $5 per taco is a really good price. The prices vary from $4 to $6, though it depends on the type of taco you get, with the sauces and toppings you choose.
From the outside, Taqueria Ramirez looks like a very simple and minimalistic restaurant, but when you walk inside the atmosphere changes completely. When I first went, I felt the authenticity and the comfort the place gives you. It was as if I stepped into a Mexican kitchen where tacos just so happen to be the only item being served. The restaurant in itself is rather small with little seating and has the menu right on the wall in bright red.
Inside, you’ll notice the strong smell of food and spices, but not in a bad way. The space is also clean and organized; however, it does get loud because it’s really packed.
Because of this, it does get really busy, which can lead to slower service. However, the staff are usually attentive and try to get your food on time. In reviews, many people mention having this same experience. So if you’re expecting a quiet and quick dining experience, this might not be the place for you.
New York residents have debated whether Ramirez is the best taco spot in NYC, but this just shows how popular it is. Of course, no restaurant is “perfect” — it all comes down to our own preferences. Many people think the restaurant is overhyped and even overpriced compared to other taco shops such as Los Tacos No. 1. It does have less variety and consistency than other restaurants, but in my opinion, it is more authentic.
Overall, it deserves at least 4 stars. Taqueria Ramirez is small but memorable, and it focuses more on flavor rather than making the store look good. Sure, it can get loud, but you never know, maybe you will end up loving the tacos.
I encourage you to go try it. After all, you should never judge a taco place without actually having tried the tacos.
