Gonza Tacos y Tequila
7713-39 Lead Mine Rd, Raleigh, NC, 27615
Gonza Tacos y Tequila Menu
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Sopa Y Ensalada
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De Los Gabachos
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Taco ? Terapia
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De Los Cuates
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De La Tierrita
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Pa Acompanar
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Botanitas
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Postres
Healthy Meal suggestions for Gonza Tacos y Tequila
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Sopa Y Ensalada
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De Los Gabachos
-
Taco ? Terapia
-
De Los Cuates
-
De La Tierrita
-
Pa Acompanar
-
Botanitas
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Postres
Visit below restaurant in Raleigh for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Raleigh for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
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Address :
7713-39 Lead Mine Rd
Raleigh, NC, 27615 - Phone (919) 846-5478
- Website https://www.gonzatacosytequila.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :Closed
- Mon : Closed
Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Korrie B.
Why did I wait so long to try this place?!? First, an important PSA! Yes, the menu is small. If you are a vegetarian, the options are limited for entrees. If you add seafood your options increase. Ok, I asked the waiter about specials after reviewing the somewhat simple menu, here is the explanation I got: There is always a specialty taco offering that isn't on the menu. This time it was an amazing sounding ropa vieja taco. Then, there are standby offerings on a "ghost" menu. Mexican flag enchiladas, chile relleno, scallop taco. We enjoyed 2 of the above offerings and would definitely try the scallop dish as well! The guacamole was good, could have been a larger portion. The enchiladas were superb but the chile relleno stole the show! I had mine with pork and every bite had me saying "mmmm." I added an order of plantains and the hubs added the cilantro rice. I could have eaten 6 orders of those delicious plantains but the rice was a pass. I've also had the fish tacos and they were OK but not as amazing as the items from the ghost menu Best thing, even better than the food, was the service. Our waiter was amazing! On subsequent visits the service wasn't amazing but wasn't sub par either. I was not impressed with their margaritas but was impressed with a grapefruit cocktail I had on a different visit. This has become a standard in our rotation but we avoid it on the weekend because it can get so crowded.
(4)David T.
I loved everything about this place! The portions were on the money and the food was perfect. I went there on a Friday night and the place was jammed packed, but we didn't have a wait. Once you walk in to this place you know you have made the right choice. The decor was excellent and the atmosphere was exciting. I really enjoyed the Mexican Flag dish. I also had the ceviche app to start it off. Higly recommend this place!
(5)Rebecca M.
Obsessed! This is my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. Service, food, and atmosphere are outstanding. Very fresh and unique flavors.
(5)Bridgett A.
Wow.. Where to start? Let's do a less is more kinda thing. We have been eating here since the restaurant opened. By far the BEST Mexican food in Raleigh. Atmosphere is great.. Staff and servers are fantastic... Food is phenomenal. If you don't visit at least one of the locations you are doing yourself a great disservice. Order ANYTHING on the menu. You can't go wrong. :)
(5)Mark H.
The food was great. I had the Mexican Flag. It was very tasty. The server was very attentive. The only complaint I have of that the mime was very rude. She acted very hostile when I tried to give her a tip by tapping her shoe. You're sitting up over everybody, don't expect people to see the tip jar of they are watching your act. You could lose the mime, and it would not detract from your great restaurant.
(3)Grant G.
Liked the vibe and the food was excellent. My only issue was the portions, but considering how fat people are these days maybe that's a good thing?
(4)Julia S.
Excellent service, food and fun atmosphere. A bit noisy but really fun place. Great drinks too. Mexican Flag is a perfect selection for varied meal. They offer easy take out as well. Never disappointed here. Will come often!
(5)Tim R.
I expected to be amazed by this place because my brother loves it and I also noticed the glowing reviews. But, I don't know if I would go again. THE GOOD: -service; I don't know how they pay all the wait staff and they were all friendly. -aura; very lively feel to the place THE BAD: -food wasn't really bad, just not anything special. I had the Mexican Flag (three kinds of burritos) and just thought it was a little bland for Mexican food. I wasn't too fond of the cubed meat in the enchiladas either since the textures just didn't match for me. -no frozen margaritas! Just cant understand this. I know the place strives to be different, but not sure this is how you do it. Clearly, a lot of people don't agree with me because the place was packed and probably 30 people were waiting outside. It is worth a try but I don't plan to return.
(3)Raul V.
Not paying attention to the time, got here ten minutes before opening time. The receptionist (very cute by the way) was very polite while telling me this, gave me the option it sit at the bar or she would sit me at a table, but the server would not be there until 11:30. Ordered the Fish Tacos (Mahi Mahi), guacamole, Posole and a soda. Posole was very good, so was the Guacamole. I would have liked a bigger portion of tacos, besides that, they were good too. I will be back with my wife so she can drink margaritas!
(4)Christina S.
I ate here for the first time tonight and loved it! When you step in, you feel like you just stepped into a big Mexican-themed party. They have lanterns hanging everywhere, hip spanish beats, and they even had a human statue who provided entertainment while we waited for our food. I came here with two friends and really liked the bacon wrapped pickled jalapeño peppers stuffed with cheese! However, I was most impressed with the service. Our waitress was fun, and despite how crowded it was (we came on a Friday night), we had multiple servers coming to our table making sure our drinks were refilled, we had what we needed, etc. I was never big on Mexican food, but I think this place has won me over. :)
(5)C H.
I had heard the buzz and now I know why. This place is the best Mexican I've had so far on the east coast. The bartender mixed up my drink but was great at fixing it. Decor is very fun. Wait can be a little long on weekend evenings but it's worth it. Got to meet the owner, who is incredibly nice. I've heard there's a branch to come in Wake Forest, too! I can't wait for my next dinner here :)
(5)Ryan T.
Our waiter didn't really seem to know much about the food at all. After ordering my entree and specifying "no cilantro", the waiter didn't bother to mention that the rice I chose for my side was also mixed with cilantro. The guacamole was pretty good (a little bit of heat) but also contained cilantro. The shredded pork in my tacos could have used a little more flavor. And a restaurant where the menu subtly insults you? "de los gabachos"? Classy.
(2)Julie R.
This is our favorite taco place in Raleigh. Everything is delicious: salsa, margaritas, TACOS!! The Camaron tacos are my absolute favorite. It's always busy here, though, so my husband and I will often just get takeout.
(5)Jason W.
Just a great time all around. It's on the short list in our house. Gonza and staff are the best!!
(5)Preethi V.
One of my favorite Mexican place in the area.They can get really crowded during the weekends. They have around 3 vegetarian options and I've found all three to be really good! My favorite is the chile relleno. Overall great ambience and good food!
(4)Wheeler D.
Gonzo's is my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. Have yet to find food as authentic and delicious in Raleigh. Menu is simple but the dishes are sophisticated. I love the Chiliquales Verdes and the Nachos. It's always packed so get drinks at the bar or blow bubbles while you wait You must eat here!
(5)R A.
Beautiful waitresses. Handsome waiters. Delicious food. Fantastic mojitos (get the spicy ones). Nut free desserts. Just perfect. Thank you.
(5)Jeremy S.
Went there at around 5:30 on a weekday recently. The place was about one-third full. We were told there would be about a 40-minute wait. We looked around at all the dozens of empty tables. We asked, "really"? The hostesses said, "really" (imagine a really nasty, snide voice). Of course, we turned around and went elsewhere. This is a place that does not want your business.
(1)Cheree R.
The food was pretty good... Service decent. I wouldn't mind going again. I was just a little turned off by the temperature of the food...but it was resolved right away.
(3)Sac S.
Great food. Ordered the Tuesday Tamale special. Two small tamales. My wife ordered the catch of the day ARRO E COCO CON PECAO. Must have been a 3 oz portion of fish and even less rice. We both left hungry. Will be back but now we know what NOT to order.
(3)Rebecca M.
Finally found decent Mexican food!!! The drinks (we got top shelf) were good, but every time you took a sip felt like you were taking a shot. Super strong!!! Our food was good, overall. I had the enchiladas en mole... It was yummy! best thing about our experience was our server... He was awesome!!! We'll most likely be back!!
(4)Stephanie H.
My husband and I and my mother in law went here for dinner one night. It was a favorite place of ours and we have patroned here for a while, bought gift certicates as gifts etc. We've told so many people they have to try it. The food is good and the margaritas are usually great. Our server's name was Paul and he was very much a salesman. Very pushy and my mother in law even commented to him that he needs to be in sales. My husband, mother in law and I ordered quite a few margaritas by the end of the night. Not once did we say top shelf. I don't think I've ever ordered a top shelf margarita in my life. There's like a $6 or $7 difference between house and top shelf, I wouldn't spend the money on that. We got our bill and it was larger than we expected but was a little buzzed and paid it anyway. He left a good 20% on top as well. After inspecting the line item receipt right before leaving, he got the gumption to speak to a manager. They brushed it off like it was his fault. No one at my table ordered top shelf but the manager said we must have drank them so we need to pay for them. Usually the default is when you order a drink is to make it with HOUSE liquor instead assuming top shelf. That's why they call it "HOUSE." Very passively, they wrote my husbands name down and said they'd "take care of us" next time. Whatever that means. Are we supposed to go back and remind them to look at their notepad from the last visit that they owe us like $70? That guy Paul is a sleaze and did that so he could get a larger tip. The funny thing is, I was at a hair salon a few weeks later and the woman next to me was bitching about her experience there and I chimed in with my story. She even asked me if my server was named Paul! I couldn't believe it. This guy is running a racket there and destroying the business, pushing away previously loyal customers. The manager could've done a better job as well handling the situation and refunded us right then, now we have to look like idiots IF we ever go back to get them to "take care of us." It's a bummer. I liked that place.
(1)Ashley L.
Awesome good, service, and very cool atmosphere! First visit here but will be back for sure!!
(5)N T.
I've been to Gonza twice now. On the first time, I shared Nachos Gabachos and Mexican Flag with someone. Wow, absolutely great! The second time, I had the Pastor tacos all to myself and got to sample the Chilaquiles Verdes and Carne tacos. Didn't enjoy it as much that time, but it was in the off-hours as well. I would definitely recommend trying this if you're after some Mexican food.
(4)Rick T.
This place is a real treat. We eat at the bar, but service is still great. Great food. Make sure you try the carne asada. (It's not on the menu.). Great margaritas, lots of tequila choices. Also, the atmosphere feels more like a club than a restaurant.
(5)Mark B.
One of my favorite spots in Raleigh. Can't beat the food, and the prices are really reasonable for what you get. The wait staff and owner are super friendly and very attentive. It's no wonder this place is so popular!
(5)Jordan M.
These people are balling it... hard. From the minute you walk in you can tell this ain't your average Mexican joint. As a Texas native I'm used to regular, reliable Mexican food. Raleigh is a nice place but it's no haven for great, authentic Mexican. This place is different. The staff, the atmosphere, the food... this place delivers. I've been here twice, once on a weekday and once on the weekend. My and everyone elses order I went with was EXCELLENT. I'm talking real, fresh ingredients put together by a talented chef. I loved the mango chicken tacos and am literally salivating over them right now as I am writing this. The staff are amazing. Friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about their work. Pros: Amazing food Amazing staff Amazing vibe Amazing price Cons: I'm not there right now
(5)Jonathan H.
This is the best Tex-Mex place in the Piedmont, hands down. I have only been once for lunch, but was extremely pleased with the chips and guacamole, and my dish; can't remember the name, something with steak that the waitress described as Mexican leftovers (egg on top). I'm a huge fan of K38 and sister restaurants down in Wilmington and this is right in line, closet thing in NC that I have found. Only suggestion would be to improve a little of the decor; very dark and overall feel is a little too grungy. I live in Chapel Hill, but I'll be making some special trips to this spot.
(5)Richard H.
Great food but it's a shame they are not open lunch time. We had to go another Mexican Restaurant.
(4)Josh P.
I am not a taco guy and mostly went just because my wife wanted to, but what we had was pretty good. It's just not my kind of food. Better tacos than Chubby's for sure (which I didn't care for at all). That said, the atmosphere is really cool. The art and music are very unique and there are actors in costume doing odd little dances for tips. Definitely a sight to be seen. Way too busy to recommend on a weekend, and even going on a slower weekday we got a bad table. Tables are packed too close together and it feels kind of claustrophobic. Maybe worth an early weekday dinner if you are in the mood.
(2)Hillary L.
This is the closest I have come to finding really good Tex-Mex food since moving to the area. The food is amazing!! I also really like that you can choose your side, including tortilla soup. Possibly my favorite dish I've had here though is more South American than Mexican: a steak and cheese stuffed plantain. The perfect combo of salty and sweet! The atmosphere just adds to the restaurant experience. It's quirky, and while the human mannequin perched near the hostess area might unease many adults, kids (both in age and at heart) are clearly fascinated and amused by the intermittent tambourine shaking that is this employee's job. If you too have been disappointed by the local "Mexican" restaurants, rest easy because Gonza will not disappoint!
(5)Laura M.
Sooo yummy! Very authentic cuisine! I'm one of those girls who always leaves something on her plate...not this place, I practically licked the plate clean!! Absolutely delicious!!
(5)Noa N.
Best tortillas in town! They tasted homemade and sooo fresh - just like bread can make a difference with a sandwich, these tortillas took the tacos to another level. 3 tacos come in one order - they're smaller than the tortillas you see at the grocery store, similar in size to the tacos I've gotten from a few local taco trucks. The shrimp/camaron tacos are the best - the chipotle tequila sauce, cheese,and pico are light and the shrimp are perfect - I haven't had shrimp tacos like these before - definitely try them out if you like shrimp. I liked them better than the pescado tacos - mahi-mahi was the fish of the day when we visited - the fish was cooked well but it was too much coleslaw on the tacos. I would have preferred the coleslaw on the side and the tacos to include maybe pico and avocado. We liked that you could choose beans, rice, salad, or soup with the tacos. With the beans, there's a choice of black, pinto, and refried - we both liked the refried beans - tasted a bit fresher and less salty than the beans I've had at other Mexican restaurants. 3 tacos and a side are generally $12. The fish tacos will depend on market price. We ordered the guacamole as a starter - the guacamole is some of the best in the area - I think there were red onions in it. The avocado was sooo good. I like the guacamole at Calavera and Jibarra a lot too but my fiancée likes Gonza's the best, it reminds him of a place he used to drive to just to eat guacamole and chips in Colorado. Salsa and chips are served shortly after being seating - the salsa as others mention has heat - we liked it and didn't find it too hot - it left a nice zing on the palette. It was chunky and the tomatoes looked like they came from a can but with the cilantro and other ingredients in the salsa - it definitely tasted fresh. Service was excellent - it looked like if you arrived before 6, you did not have to wait to be seated. It was busy, customers were constantly strolling in, but the wait only started around 6:30 when we left. They have a good amount of seating outside and covered - it kind of reminds me of Dos Taquitios with the fun colorful decor. The only thing lacking is that it's confusing who works there since everyone seems to wear what they want. Luckily the guy in the white tee and jeans who picked up my payment works there. I look forward to visiting Gonza's again - hopefully sooner rather than later.
(4)Scott B.
The food was great, I've tried both the enchilada con mole and the chile relleno tinga chicken. Excellent! Reservations are not readily available on open table, beware.
(5)Lorenzo G.
Great experience at this restaurant. Waitress was pleasant and had a fun sense of humor. The food was excellent and was worthy of the ratings on yelp. I knew the food would be good for the fact of the salsa being a damn tastebud explosion. The cilantro and salsa ratio is very balanced with a strong but smooth flavor. Best salsa I've had at a restaurant to date. I would've gave 5 stars but food was borderline hot. The plantain with chicken,beans,rice and cheese made up for the food not being piping hot. Not often you get a wonderful meal for under $10 that's filling also. I highly recommend this place.
(4)Ha N.
While I only had one item and I was only in there for 45 minutes, the experience I had at Gonza was enough to give this place 5 stars. I only had an hour for dinner break and the closest place that looked good was Gonza. I came in, all by my lonesome, and requested that the waitress get me in and out in about 40 minutes. She said that was no problem, and she proceeded to give me prompt and exceptional service. In fact, before I can even take my usual few minutes to peruse the menu, she recommended that I try the tamales. I was there on a Thursday, just in time for their Thursday special. She came back a few minutes later with chips and water, and my tamales a few minutes after that. The sauce was like wading in a pool of heaven. They gave me plenty of sauce, but I wanted plenty more on top of that. I finished the tamales so quickly, and I was so impressed that I got another portion to-go for my girlfriend. It was creamy, a little tart, and full of flavor. The corn meal in the tamales was soft and fluffy, and the meat was plentiful. I literally loved every bite I had plus some more bites that I stole from my girlfriend when she ate it. If there is nothing else on their menu that can compel you to try Gonza for the first time, at least let my review convince you to go on a Thursday. Get there early for dinner service, because they supposedly make a very limited amount of them.
(5)Heather C.
Amazing! Went here for dinner as part of Triangle Restaurant Week and we were blown away. The food is more authentic Mexican instead of those Tex-Mex places that all have the same menu. These are real tacos with fresh ingredients. Tip: Finish your meal with the chocolate flan!
(5)Cat V.
LOVE going to this place!!!!! The staff is fun and friendly and the BEST Mexican food in the triangle! Real GEM!!! outdoor seating is really fun!
(5)R P.
Gonza's is by far our favorite local restaurant and we go here regularly. The carne asada is fantastic as is the pastor tacos. The guacamole and queso are some of the best as well. The wait is typically 30 minutes during the week and longer on weekends, but you won't be disappointed. Definitely a nice departure than the cheesy tex mex that are other places around town.
(5)Paige A.
BEST ever. Food, atmosphere and fun. We eat here at least once a week and love every bit of it.
(5)Chrystal L.
Awesome food, but unfortunately the hours they are open are minimal and I rarely get an opportunity to eat there.
(3)Ashley L.
SO delicious and fun! Went here recently with a group of friends based on yelp reviews and I am so glad that I did! Everything was yummy. I got the steak burrito and it was the best one I have had around! So tasty. Everyone else got either the steak or shrimp tacos and they all loved them! The atmosphere was also a lot of fun. We sat outside where there were strung lights everywhere and space heaters for cooler nights. For a weekend night the place was super busy... I definitely recommend reservations!
(5)Anne K.
We had such a great meal and a good time last week at Gonza. To start, I was a little nervous about taking my 4-year-old to a place named Gonza Tacos and Tequila because it sounded like a bar to me. But my fellow yelpers assured me that it was good for kids - and indeed it is! The first thing you'll notice when you go into Gonza is the unusual decor. It's a little dark with colorful lanterns in the shape of stars hanging from the ceiling. There are also portraits of famous people from Mexico on the walls and other nice touches that make the dining area entertaining and appealing. I am not a fan of patio seating usually but Gonza has an especially nice covered patio that even I would enjoy (as long as there are no bugs, smokers, or sudden gusts of wind). We were hungry so we started the meal with the guacamole (fresh and delicious!) and the queso blanco. I had the chilaquiles verdes without the chicken and they were rich and sumptuous. I asked the waitress if they came with a side dish and she told me that I wouldn't need one. I was doubtful that would be the case because I am a person of a healthy well-developed appetite, but she was correct. I didn't need anything on the side - especially not after I had indulged on guacamole. My husband really liked the mole chicken enchiladas but my 15-year-old daughter was not a fan of her burrito at all. (My husband took it home with us and had it for lunch the next day and said it was delicious, just so you know.) There was a performer in the restaurant last Thursday. She was a "living doll" all dressed up for Day of the Dead and posed frozen in place for long periods of time. A tip in the tip jar would awaken her long enough to shake her maracas and give an appreciative "Muchas gracias." My kids were very impressed and we were sure to tip her (twice, actually). There are two things that kept me from giving this restaurant a 5-star rating: The waitress was very cool and disinterested. She was not impolite and she knew the menu well, but she did not make us feel especially welcome and she did not go out of her way for us at all. The other big detractor was a mistake in the kitchen. My daughter and I are vegetarians and she had ordered a bean burrito - making sure to let them know that she did not eat meat. But when my husband ate the burrito the next day, he said there was a big piece of pork in it. This is an easy mistake to make, I know. But there are a number of people who do not eat meat for religious and ethical reasons, so this is a big problem that the management of Gonza should make sure to address with their staff. Other than those two criticisms, the meal and the restaurant were wonderful. We had a great time and I'm sure we'll be back.
(4)Stephanie k.
This was a great place to eat & have a few drinks! I do warn you though; expect a wait, it's not always very long and they give you a fun bobble head instead of a buzzer! The atmosphere was fun an lively; with the interior design to match! Their menu is small and all the options sound excellent! I had the Chili Relleno con Carne, very good and excellent presentation! Marg's were good but not very strong. I'm definitely going to done there again!
(5)Kate S.
Gonza knocks the socks off any other mexican I've tried in RTP thusfar, and that would be many, many establishments! Our first time was on a Thursday night. We showed up here at around 8:30pm. The place has a nice enclosed patio area before you get to the main restaurant. We were surprised at how large the place was inside - it looks much smaller from the outside. Busy atmosphere with lots of vibrant/interesting murals on the walls. Service was great, had about 4 different people check on us at various points. Noticed an older guy walking around talking to people - must have been the owner. As the name suggests, they are known for their tequila. There are numerous top shelf choices in this regard. I just felt like beer, so I ordered 1 of the 2 they had on tap. It was a local brew as I later found out (Natty Greene's Wildflower). The beer was incredibly fresh and incredibly good (nice choice Gonza!) Chips & salsa to start were tasty & fresh. I asked about the specials when ordering and at that point there was only 1 special - chicken tamales. The waitress said these were particularly good - and they were. Just about the best tamales I have ever had (and I grew up west coast!) The sauce that came with them was top notch. Everything we ordered (Fish Tacos, Carnitas Tacos & some kind of enchiladas with a sweet/spicy mole) was top notch. The presentation was great too. Sizable portions - I felt painfully stuffed at the end, which I normally try to avoid, but it was just too good! It's very dangerous that this place is so close to my house...
(5)Weleys S.
So I was visiting family in Raleigh over 4th July weekend and we were bouncing around quite a bit and on the final night of our stay I finally got to pick our dinner spot. I spent 2-3 hours skowering yelp throughout the day while in the car or shopping and had 3 places narrowed down, this spot, a highly rated Italian spot near NC state, or another Mexican place. After arriving here, I immediately dug the ambiance and decor. I rarely give a crap about that whether I'm eating in San Diego or Atlanta or Raleigh for that matter. But I have to give credit where it's due, very cool setup. The waiting system was cool too, each person is given a Marvel/DC comic mini statue and hostess comes and finds the appropriate party when its time. It was a 45 min wait so I had a chance to check out the bar which was very cramped but was being run very efficiently. Most of my extended family are vegetarians, some don't eat garlic or onions either and one has salt restrictions so they put me in charge of ordering. This ends up happening with whoever I'm out with about 90 percent of the time. 10 percent of the time my date/friend/family have a bad meal when they are out with me and tell them you should have listened. I ordered 5 Mexican Flags (4 Veggie and 1 chicken), veg burrito, and the flattened plantain with flank steak on top and all the 7-8 Mexican goodies like rice, beans, etc. along with a extra order of Al Pastor on top. The last dish was mine. The enchiladas were very good, each sauce had a distinct flavor and real maize tortillas. We also ordered a couple sides of coconut rice and plantains which were also solid. Service was very good too and a lot of these places...cough cough Agave in Atlanta act very prissy about customization and especially veg substitute. We know this isn't a issue at Mom and Pop Mexican places but some of the upscale Mexican restaurants I've been to act as if they are French restaurants. The server was very accommodating, recommended me my dish, quick, and didn't make a single mistake given how busy they were. I'll miss this place because the closest thing to this is Agave in Atlanta and it's not even close in terms of the dining experience.
(5)John G.
This is an amazing Restaurant - I'd say Mexican and Columbian Fusion! My girlfriend and I dined at Gonza's tonight and it was incredible! I had the Plantains and Steak dish with cheese and beans and it was spectacular! So was the Passion Fruit and Strawberry Margaritas and the guacamole, salsa and chips - all delicious and freshly made! My girl had the white fish with coconut rice and she loved it! For dessert she had the coconut flan with caramel and it too was very tasty! We will definitely be going back soon. The service also was impeccable; everyone was friendly and nice and professional. It really made a difference when the owner took the time to come over and chat with us too!
(5)Ncmike M.
Finally a Mexican place that rocks! Better than Dos Taquitos and more friendly staff. Love the bacon wrapped jalapenos and the beef, chicken and shrimp tacos! The Mole sauce is very good and deep in flavor! Margueritas are spot on! Soups are the thing you want for your side!! Have told many friends and they love this place too! Good value for your dollar!
(5)Linda B.
Try it - you will not be disappointed!!!! The food is fresh and clean - not covered in cheeses and sauces. Fast friendly service. Fun and festive atmosphere.
(5)Jacquelyn O.
Original and amazing place! Even on a Wednesday night, this place was packed. Got a drink at the bar while waiting for a table. The house margarita was delicious (they only have margaritas on the rocks, no frozen - I prefer on the rocks, so this wasn't an issue). My husband ordered the drink special (this appears to change daily), which was a tequila concoction - it was unique and wonderful. Got a table for 2 on the patio after ~15 minutes. Our server, Fernando, was welcoming, attentive and informative. Chips and salsa were automatically brought to the table, and then we ordered guacamole as an appetizer. Everything tasted so fresh. Entrees were equally as delicious. The atmosphere at Gonza is unlike any restaurant I've every visited. It is funky and cool, almost beachy, with hammocks in the waiting area. The lighting inside is quite dim, and there are black lights place here and there to make the fluorescent colors stand out. Again, it's funky but cool.
(5)Kristy A.
The best Mexican in Raleigh by far. The salsa tasted so fresh that I ate the whole dish of it without even realizing it. The El Platano is a must have. I will now have a hard time ordering anything else there because that will be hard to live up to.
(5)Emily S.
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!!!!! i am such a huge fan for tacos and i have never been somewhere with such great food for awesome prices. every time i go i can't help but always get the shrimp tacos, they are absolutely to die for especially with a side of tortilla soup. The food isnt the only great part of tacos n tequila, the environment is great for someone around my age, I'm 23 and going their with my husband is just a blast. what i love most is that the owner of the establishment, on some nights, walks around and actually talks with his customers, otherwise the manager is, and he is just a s friendly. i highly recommend going to gonzas, you will turn into a huge fan!!!!
(5)Whitney H.
This is a really good Mexican restaurant. It is always crowded, but never a line or much of a wait. Great casual atmosphere with Mexican food that a step up from the regular fare. In all it is a really fun place to go out. After dinner you can get a cup of coffee across the parking lot at Sola Cafe.
(5)Brandyn S.
My wife and I go on a date once a month to Gonza's. We drive a little distance to Raleigh because we have never been disappointed with the service and quality of food. Gonza always makes us feel special and notices us right when we walk in the door. The chicken tortilla soup is unbelievably good. Whether you go there with your kids or on a date, Gonza's has incredible energy displayed by their wait staff. We always get a margarita with top shelf tequila, which should be a requirement. The steak tacos are our favorite and get the queso with your chips. So worth it!
(5)Guy C.
4 of 4 stars (excellent, casual dining). (see explanation of ratings below) VERY popular (make a reservation), fun spot in North Raleigh. Great selection of tequila. Good food at a great price. Allow 40-50 minutes (no dessert). About $10-$20 (no dessert). About my ratings: Only fine dining establishments can garner five stars. Until yelp realizes that a fast food joint cannot possibly be ranked equally with a $100 per person place, I need to draw the line somewhere. If we were only talking about the quality and presentation of the food, it would be a different story. But, as we know, yelp's rankings take into account the entire dining experience. Therefore, I divide restaurants into three categories (and I wish yelp would do the same): 1) fast food and "fast-casual" (no table service). 2) casual dining (table service, average entrée price: $10-$20). 3) fine dining (linen napkins, no plastic cups, no TV's in dining room, average entrée priced at more than $20). Fine dining can earn a max of five stars. Casual dining can earn a max of four stars. Fast food can earn a max of three stars.
(4)Allison P.
Food and service was great! We were there at 6pm on a Sunday, and it was packed! Our server was very personable and attentive. He was helpful with menu suggestions. There were six of us in our group (plus a toddler), and all of us loved what we ordered. In general, the food is pretty spicy, but you can ask them to tone it down. Even the guacamole was spicy! Might want to be cautious when ordering drinks because it can add up fast. A number of people at our table were ordering margaritas so the server suggested we get a pitcher. My impulsive husband said to make it top shelf.... $50!!! For a pitcher of margaritas?! That was ridiculous, but the restaurant itself was great.
(4)S J.
Definitely make reservations. Quirky, fun atmosphere, excellent food. A great Saturday night destination.
(4)L P.
2 adult 1 child = $50 (+ tip) What we got was 2 excellent entrees (mexican flag & chicken tacos), a good child's quesadilla entree, 2 beers + 1 top shelf margarita. Margarita was good, but definitely not something I would rave about. Service was excellent. Sat outside (covered with heaters) and I froze due to the draft. Side of beans tasted like it was out of a can with some cheese added to top (okay). Rice was flavored with cilantro (i enjoyed). Lots of kids and loud so no worries if kids act up. Parking was bad, and had to walk a distance. This place was packed. Best Mexican??? I don't think so, but for what we have in the Triangle, it's pretty darn good. I would recommend. Oh, we were stuffed when we left, so The portions are quite reasonable.
(4)Pam G.
Well I hate to be the only non 5 star review, maybe my expectations we're just too high based on all of the raves. We finally tried this place the other night. We were told we would have about a 30 minute wait for a table and were lucky to snag seats at the small bar while we waited. We ordered 2 patron margaritas on the rocks, no salt. First the bartender grabbed 2 glasses and preceded to load the rims with salt. My husband caught him in time to remind him no salt. Then he got down the patron and filled a shot glass half full. One of the other bartenders had to tell him to fill it all the way. Then he used cheap triple sec and gave us 2 margaritas at $12 each that tasted like koolaid. My DH asked him to add some more tequila to them! and he did add a splash! but they were extremely weak. We made sure to order our next rinks from one of the other bartenders and they were MUCH better. I understand that you have to train new bartenders, but they should actually be trained. Our actual wait was about 45-50 minutes as opposed to 30, but that was not a problem. We ordered guac to go with our chips. It was nice and chunky, I hate it when they blend it all up and make it smooth, but it had no salt. We had to ask twice for salt before we got any. The food though was great! My DH got the chile relleno and he was very happy that he was able to get carnitas in it. It was roasted rather than breaded and fried, so you could really taste the chile. I had the carne asada tacos with a side of chicken tostada soup. It looked like a small serving - 3 small tacos and a small bowl of soup, but it was more than I could eat. The steak was very good and the soup was very goo d and very filling. I couldn't help comparisons to Dos Taquitos. I think that the food is comparable, but Dos Taquitos has them beat by a long shot on the margaritas, even the one that was made properly. I do love that they give you a bobble head to identify you while you wait for your table though,
(3)Meri M.
I have been to this restaurant several times recently and am just unimpressed with the service. Takes forever to get drinks and I just don't really dig the food. I think you get shorted on the tacos and especially the guacamole appetizer. Redeeming quality is their drinks and decor, just plan on waiting a long time on the weekends.
(3)Gary S.
Summary: Underwhelming to average. I've been visiting since they opened a few times a month because I can walk there. I was hopeful because of the owner's other restaurant which was good. The food here isn't bad but it isn't all that special it is about average. I go because there just is not much selection within walking distance for me. Great service and the people are quite friendly. You get prompt refills, service is quick and people generally seem to like it. The place is always clean and the restrooms are clean. The food, to me, is just average, toned down/bland fusion Latin American style food. The no-so-bad: Price is somewhat high for what you get but other than that there is nothing that I have seen that is overly alarming. The wait can be long but that is nothing new for any place. I've seen the following happen many times: they up-charge you for any salsa you ask for with your meal and not tell you about that; it is fine if you know about it but I have been there when some people have gotten very very upset at surprise up-charge. I'm basing my review on growing up in Southern California where there is a heavy influence on the cuisine from all of Central and South America and I've had some wonderful Latin influenced dishes and Gonza Tacos and Tequila isn't bad it just fails to impress.
(2)Ellen S.
My favorite Mexican place :-) And most everything is gluten free on the menu (except the flour tortillas), so my husband doesn't feel like he is missing anything!!! :-) The ambience is really great as well :-)
(5)Toni P.
Love this place! Great food and awesome customer service! Original, funky, and fun! Weekends can be quite crowded but the food is worth the wait. Casual and family friendly.
(4)Chance M.
I thoroughly enjoyed this authentic Mexican cuisine. This is not your traditional cheap and easy Tex-Mex. There is a reason this place is always booked!!!
(5)Lauren H.
Mexican food is one of my very favorite kinds of food, and I was a big fan of this place. I went here one Friday night with my husband and parents for dinner. We started the meal with queso, which was really tasty and surprisingly spicy. The salsa was very good too and very fresh. For my meal I had the steak tacos. They were very good and also favorful. My mom got the shrimp tacos, which I will probably get next time, as she said they were really good and they looked great too. My dad had the fish tacos and my husband the pork, and they liked theirs as well. On the menu, they also have some sort of mystery tacos, and our server said they are not allowed to reveal what is in them, you just have to order them and find out. Next time, if I'm feeling brave, I may give it a try. This place is obviously popular, we got there around 6 PM and by the time we left there was a line out the door. The prices are reasonable for the portions and I wouldn't hesitant to eat there when I'm in the mood for Mexican. The food here seemed significantly fresher than the average Mexican spot in Raleigh.
(4)Catherine H.
So fun! I usually don't go for Mexican or related cuisine, but the steak tacos were really fantastic. Had the Spicy Pepino - some kind of cucumber-jalapeño-tequila concoction - and it was magical. Leave room for the coconut flan! Also, make a reservation the day before! You'll need it.
(5)Sowmya R.
The Mexican Mohito was excellent We had CHILES ENDIABLADOS(pickled jalapeños / bacon / cheese) - was SPICY and awesome! If the kitchen is not too backed up they allow you to mix and match tacos sometimes - so definitely ask! The PESCADO(flour tortilla / tilapia / cole slaw / tomatillo salsa) was not that great. But I give five stars to - CAMARON(flour tortilla / shrimp / cheese / tequila-chipotle / pico de gallo) CARNITAS(corn tortilla / slow roasted pork / cilantro / tomatillo salsa / onions) Ambiance is great. Expect wait times.
(5)Ashley S.
Their food would be great if they lightened up on the cilantro. I love the ambiance, the waiters are nice, and the food sounds good in the menu description, but you might as well chew on a cilantro leaf.
(2)Liza T.
So good! Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for delicious, fresh mexican food!
(5)Jessi F.
I really enjoyed my experience here. We came on a Thursday night and were seated within a few minutes at 7pm. But by the time we left, there was a long wait! The place is decorated wonderfully and it has a wonderful vibe! But it is a bit loud. On to the important stuff... the food! We got the guacamole and it was delicious, as guacamole always is. Next time I want to try the ceviche though. For dinner I had the Tacos al Pastor. Pastor Tacos are something I always get when I see them on the menu... and these might be some of the best in Raleigh!! While not truly authentic in texture, the taste is perfect!! You get 3 tacos and a side for $10 and each taco had a TON of meat!! It is a LOT of delicious food. I would go there again and order the same thing. My mom got the quesadilla which I tried and was crispy and tasty too. I would get that too. And my Dad for the carnitas which I didn't try but he said was great as well. As for sides-- I had cilantro rice which was nothing special, but the pinto beans were good. And my dad got a side salad which he said was very refreshing. As for the service, the waiter was very nice and I can tell the staff is great here. He took our orders on an iPod which was cool. And two times during the meal they celebrated people's birthdays... but not by singing embarrassingly... well... I'll just let you experience that if you there at the right time. It was pretty cool! So my review is definitely 5 stars and i will be back... soon!
(5)David G.
A terrific trio of tasty tacos! Great flavor. It was close to the customer site. If I make it back this way, I am definitely returning here.
(5)Brent L.
A great find in a north Raleigh shopping center. Tucked next to a Food Lion, this Mexican place has lots of character and great food (and great margaritas!). We came across it a couple weeks ago and have been waiting for a chance to try it. Went on a Sunday night and there were people all over the sidewalk waiting for tables, so we knew it must be good. Wait was 30 minutes or so, but grabbed a couple drinks from the bar to wait outside and it wasn't too bad. Their method of wait list by the way is bobbleheads. Everyone gets a different bobblehead and that's how they track you down. It was quirky and different and I liked it. Once we sat down we had fantastic service. The chips and salsa were great, I like spicy salsa. And my chicken tacos were really tasty as well. My rice wasn't anything too special, but that was the only thing not above average. My wife's enchiladas were fantastic. You will not leave hungry, that's for sure. $10 gets you three tacos and a side, so not too expensive either. Ranks right up there with Dos Taquitos. We'll definitely be going back.
(5)Eddie P.
This restaurant is absolutely one of the best in Raleigh for authentic Mexican. The restaurant has an unusual ambiance with hanging lit stars and mannequins (supposedly a live mannequin also frequents the place!). The waiter was extremely friendly and provided excellent service. Arrived during a weekday afternoon around 2pm with a few customers outside and inside the restaurant (tried to avoid the packed crowds mentioned in other reviews). Ordered the CHILES ENDIABLADOS and it was really good! Definitely need a fire extinguisher to put out the flame, but very tasty! The CHICKEN TACOS were also extremely good and fresh. The chips and salsa were better than most other restaurants we've visited if you like chunky salsa and the lighter chips. Spoke to the manager who was also very friendly and gave us a rundown of various events they have like the Thursday tamales they start making earlier in the day to be ready by the evening. Overall a very good place for authentic Mexican food... highly recommended!
(5)Anna W.
Best tacos EVER!!! Tons of variety and super fresh!!! I never get tired of eating there and the staff is so amazingly nice and attentive. The atmosphere makes you feel like you're somewhere exotic and cool....makes you feel like you're not even in raleigh anymore! If you haven't been to Gonza yet.....GO NOW!!!
(5)Violet C.
Great food and great atmosphere! I go to this place for lunch during the week and for dinner on the weekends. I usually get chicken tacos and a side salad. The chicken is well seasoned and perfectly cooked. The house salad dressing is flavorful. Everything tastes fresh and authentic. On weekend evenings this place is packed so call ahead and save some wait time. Order a margarita while you wait, they are really good. This is my favorite Mexican restaurant in the Triangle.
(5)Randy J.
Not sure what all the raving was about? The food was good but if you are looking for frozen margaritas forget it.
(3)Jeffrey W.
Gonza is fantastic! While traveling through the RDU area we stopped to meet some family for lunch. We had mentioned to them that we enjoy "local flavor" and this was their suggestion. I had one of the absolute best steak burritos I have ever eaten (to this point in my life, any way). Their fresh guacamole is also on point. If you find yourself in the area looking for Tex-Mex, this place should not be missed!
(5)Cindy H.
We were told an hour wait on a Friday evening around 8:30. We never really think they mean an hour but this time, they did. And just an FYI. By the time we sat around 9:30, there were PLENTY of seats. So just go later. :) We did occupy ourselves with margaritas but we also had two kids with us that were margarita-less, so they probably would have preferred NOT to wait an hour. My philosophy is no restaurant is worth a long wait. With that said, our food was so fricking good. It's basically just a menu of tacos. Yes, there are other food items: salads, a quesadilla (since my youngest ordered one of those), and I noticed carne asada but the majority of the menu is tacos at around $9-$10 each, maybe a few that went over $10; I can't remember. The salsa that comes with the chips is the best I've had in the area. And it is SPICY. Love. It. No one else at the table could tolerate it so I had it all to myself. My husband was shocked that this is what they gave as 'default' to normal humans. :) The guacamole is just a single scoop. I would prefer to see a larger amount delivered to the table. It didn't seem to be enough for the description. More beauty than function, IMHO. I ordered the camaron tacos - shrimp. You get one side and I ordered the cilantro rice. GET THIS. It is wonderful. You get three 'mini' tacos in lightly grilled flour tortillas. I could only eat two of my three but I also ate almost the entire bowl of salsa beforehand. The owner came to our table and I told him I recognized him from somewhere...Dos Taquitos? He said he worked there for many years before. The cilantro rice is also a dish that I had a Dos Taquitos (DT) - similar but not quite the same. But this is clearly a different place, specializing in tacos. The menu is much more limited than DT and I have to say, I'm quite happy to have two amazing and unique latin places to enjoy in the area.
(5)Gretta H.
The only downside to Gonza is that it's ALWAYS packed! Seriously, if it's a Tuesday night at 6.. there is going to be a wait. They get you seated pretty fast - and the chips & guac are worth it! The food is fresh, creative and delicious.
(5)Sheena M.
Not a fan of this place. Over-crowded, pretentious, and not enough food for what you're paying. I went once and I was annoyed with the lack of space and the hoards of people everywhere. The food was reasonable in terms of taste/quality, service wasn't that great. Prices were awful for what you received. The food price clearly reflects what they're paying for all of the hipster knick knacks everywhere and the lady who pretends she's a mannequin while you're eating. Not family friendly, make sure you're 23 before you go here. Plenty of other good places in Raleigh that don't cost this much and you won't need to sit on someone's lap to have some space.
(2)Mark P.
One of the best Mexican restaurants i have been to. Carla was a great waitress. Scallop tacos and beef burrito were 10s. Will definitely go back if we are in that neck of the woods. Chips and salsa was a 10 - salsa is great. We sat outside and it was very pleasant. They did a great job with that space. Inside doesn't have as good of an ambiance and was very loud (6pm on a Sunday). Only criticism I have is that their floors are slick and coat your shoe sole with whatever they wash it with. They either need to switch cleaners or rinse the floor better. Seems like a hazard.
(5)Cyndi W.
From the hickory area otw 2 beach, my hubby & I stop in Raleigh 2 visit family & they brought us here 4 lunch. Great food
(5)Kristi E.
Yay I'm a fan for sure! Atmosphere! Atmosphere! Atmosphere! From the multi colored, patterned star lantern style lights that add so much color....to the multi colored tables wow!! I know it sounds tacky but really is not.... A must see! The décor really sets the tone as fun but casual place! Oh and nice outdoor seating that I LOVE! Oh and the FOOD! Mmmmmmm!!! I had the Mahi Mahi tacos so good! Can't wait to go back and try more!!!
(4)Natasha G.
Oh, how happy am I to have found this place in my new neighborhood? Answer: muchÃsimo! And the part that initially thrilled me? They're open on Sundays! Since I moved to the south, I've come to appreciate that sweet little detail. In a few words: this place has amazing tacos! My favorite thing to order at Mexican restaurants is carne asada (well, and a margarita of course). So if a place has good carne asada and margaritas, I am happy. My friend and I ordered the carne asada tacos and devoured them so quickly that I think we scared our waiter. My second favorite thing to order at Mexican restaurants is any sort of stuffed jalapeño appetizer, and this place has the BEST stuffed jalapeños I have EVER had! I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the fact that these jalapeños are wrapped in bacon. Scratch that, I'm DEFINITELY sure. This place put me in a food coma for sure, and I can't wait to go back.
(4)Neil M.
This is a must-try place for Latin/Mexican cuisine. Food: We began with guacamole and then ordered a chilaquiles (a vegetarian version with grilled veggies) and a plantain (with grilled veggies) and refried beans. Everything was tasty and very flavorful. The grilled veggies has a nice smoky taste to it but did not taste burnt or dry at all. The guacamole is very smooth with a nice hotness due to the serrano peppers. Drinks: Their drinks are pretty good as well. Do try the spicy margarita for a nice spicy kick. The waitor suggested we should try the Mexican Mojito next time with an extra kick of spiciness. Service: the place was extremely busy on a Friday night but the service was excellent. They offer very good suggestions for vegetarians and are willing to go out of their way to make their customers happy. I wish they allow people to order a sampling of different tacos in one plate. It would allow first-timers to get different flavors all at once. Not really a complaint though. They are very accomodating everywhere else so I am sure they must have their reasons to not allow taco samplers.
(5)Kelsey H.
Never been here, but decided to venture out of my comfort zone of the usual chuy's. I wish I would have stuck with chuy's.. The fajitas don't even come with beans to put in the tortilla!! ..not to mention they are $13. After all of the reviews I read I thought this would be amazing, needless to say my expectation were way to high and I wish that I would have stayed in my comfort zone.
(2)Rachel S.
My first time at this location and I was not disappointed! I had the chef's special tonight: braised lamb tacos and I had the salad as a side. They were packed (on a Wednesday night) when my friend and I arrived, but we had a reservation. We ate on the patio. The service was excellent and prompt, the server, Paul, was helpful with making menu selections. And of course the food was delicious. As you can see from the picture, the chef's special not only tastes good, but looks delicious, too!
(5)Melissa D.
When I saw the chalk body outlines on the floor, I knew this would be a good meal. Gonza is colorful, loud, flavorful, and I can't imagine them doing anything differently. For my 30th birthday, we chose Gonza as a dinner with a couple of friends. Starting with a pitcher of strawberry margaritas (DO THIS), paired with their complimentary chips and salsa, we were so content we didn't even realize we hadn't ordered yet! Chicken Mole, Tacos Camaron, Burrito Grande, and Chicken Tortilla soup - y'all. It was all delicious. Nothing was overly spicy, but relied on flavor instead of heat. The men of the table wanted some spice, and the server brought out what they had: either habanero sauce or this hot sauce from Colombia (giving my BF a bit of side-eye when he said he could handle it). He professed to love it (sweating through the experience). Between Gonza, Dos Taquitos, and Centro, they each have their unique spins on traditional Mexican/Latin/South American, but Gonza is easily my favorite now.I want to go back. I need to go back. Someone ate my leftovers in the middle of the night and I am all kinds of upset.
(5)Bill S.
Most everything I had was bland. I had carnitas tacos, with beans and a side of guacamole. All were bland and not very flavorful. The guac especially could've used more garlic and lime. The house salsa was the only item I wasn't disappointed in. I get that Gonza is a step up from your typical "speedy Gonzales" type Mexican place, but I can quickly think of three places I'd rather go and those won't charge $11-$13 for tacos and $5 for two tablespoons of guac. I can only guess that Gonza's hype is built on its atmosphere and brand status amongst millennials.
(3)Jennifer B.
GREAT Mexican food. And I mean great. Actually authentic unlike every other Mexican place in the area and not with the plate bigger than your face. Hooray for North Raleigh! Tucked away in a cursed place in the Food Lion shopping center where several other restaurants have closed is where Gonza is stationed. You can tell it from the two fake people outside, cannot miss it. There is also always a crowd spilling out the doors as well. And for good reason. The food is incredible. I have so far tried the ceviche, chicken tacos, shrimp tacos and the salad. I would recommend them all. The salad is particularly incredible with its usual blend of flavors (pumpkin seeds with citrus) but it works. I hope they never change this salad because it is so hard to find a good, fresh salad nowadays. But anyway, both the chicken and shrimp tacos are great, the shrimp a bit spicier. You can also choose between corn and white tortillas. Very yummy. The ceviche is great but could be a tad bit tangier. Service was awesome, the decor is simply stunning and I feel right at home no matter what I am wearing. It is a fun atmosphere. And if its your birthday you get a hat and a shot- really enjoyed this occurring to my dad recently. In short, go here. Now.
(5)Susan S.
Oh, wow! Gonza Tacos and Tequila is fantastic. We had a party of 6 and everyone loved their meal. The chicken tacos with mole sauce were wonderful. My husband and mother especially enjoyed the pulled pork tacos and the pulled pork in the chili relleno. Chips, salsa, and cheese dip were also very good. Our waitress, Claire, kept our drinks full and was very helpful throughout the night. She was delightful. The decor was very interesting and our kids were entertained by looking at all the stuff on the walls and hanging from the ceiling. There was no wait at 6:30 on Sunday night but the place filled up while we were there. A few people were waiting as we left. We will definitely be back to try some more delicious Mexican food.
(5)Jessica B.
Love this Colombian hot spot. Amazing chillaquiles and their tacos were to die for. Very reasonable prices, nice selection of tequila and good ambiance. funny little street performer sitting very still on top of a wall. she shook her maracas at you every time you put money in the tip jar. there were a lot of kids there but I didn't see much on the menu that MY kids would ooh and aah over. not your typical - but good for an adventuresome kiddo. everything made fresh in house and perfectly spicy- especially the bacon wrapped jalapenos! Very busy on a Friday night so get a res if possible or content yourself to sip some tequila and wait for an amazing meal.
(5)Russell K.
Callo de hacha tacos are the best. My favorite Mexican place in the area, by far. Eclectic setting, good food. Can be fairly crowded, but for good reason.
(5)Tim C.
Very good neighborhood restaurant. Great selection of tacos. They come 3 per order choose your flavor. My favorite is steak. The best dish they make is the "flag". You have to ask for it, not on the menu sometimes served as a special. Not a real kid friendly place but my kids are usually happy getting the quesadillas.
(4)Shannon H.
Went out in a limb and tried Gonza for the first time while planning a college graduation party. After reading other yelp reviews about the great food and service, I had high expectations. Our party had 16 people in it and making the reservation was a breeze. OpenTable is usually weird about taking reservations for large parties, so I opted to call. The day of the party a very nice staff member called to see if we had any special accommodations like high chairs and to confirm our reservation. We arrived in time and were seated promptly, as our party was all there. I had brought a cake with us and the staff took it for safe keeping. The decor of the restaurant is very unique! We sat in a room that was painted with beautiful neon dia de muerto skulls. The lighting is very cool too--garden lights and stars that hang from the ceiling. As promised, the service was stellar. Caesar, our server was very attentive. Our drinks were never empty and he got all of our orders correct. The food was amazing. I tried the Mexican Flag entree and it was some of the best Mexican I have ever had. Everyone in our party enjoyed their food. After dinner, the cake was presented with plates and utensils. Overall, it's clear that Gonza has two priorities: customer service and quality of food. Thanks for making our celebration of a special occasion even more special. We will definitely be back!!!
(5)Stormi M.
This place is fantastic. Great margaritas (great bartender who actually talks to you!) Seriously delicious food. I had the fish tacos and my friend had the fajitas. We were both really happy and plan on going back as soon as possible. Next time I go...I need to get the snapper - I hear its amazing.
(5)Rebecca R.
Wonderful place to go! Had the fish tacos with swordfish and they were some of the best fish tacos I have ever had. My husband had the tacos with scallops and pork belly and he said they were wonderful. The margaritas were fresh and the overall atmosphere was great. We will definitely be going back!
(5)Shawn H.
Great food, great atmosphere and fun. This is my go-to restaurant. Margaritas by the pitcher and fresh tacos. Can't beat it. Need to wait? Check out the selection of Bobble Heads. LOL!
(5)Noelle P.
Awesome spot! Had dinner there last night. Love the atmosphere; very cool vibe, star lanterns hang from the ceiling, comfy booths, and the two mannequins that greet you on your way in are awesome and sort of creepy-but in the best way! The service was great. Our waitress was knowledgeable about both the food and beverage menu and gave us some great recommendations. The prices were very reasonable. The salsa was chunky, spicy, and clearly fresh-not the tomato soup with nondescript veggies floating that one gets at the average Mexican restaurant. The guacamole was fresh and full of flavor. I had the ceviche-which was in a citrus and tomato sauce-it was light, spicy, served with two fried plantain slices, and packed with flavor. I also had the Mexican Flag entree, which was a special last night. It consisted of three enchiladas-one steak, one chicken, one bean with three sauces- it was fantastic. The steak was a tad chewy but still very tasty. My best friend got the carne asada-which he was very happy with- while his girl got a vegetarian dish that she raved about. The sangria was okay but the variety of good Latin beers made up for it. The tequila flights are nice but the bloody mary mix that is served with them could have been my favorite part. All in all, we were very happy and I can't wait to go back. (This may replace Dos Taquitos as my favorite Mexican spot in the Triangle).
(4)Audrey K.
Great food. Great service. Awesome atmosphere.
(5)Ari P.
best fish tacos in raleigh. service can be slow, but worth the wait.
(5)Caryn B.
LOVE LOVE LOVED IT! Best Mexican food we've had since living next door to a Mexican chef. In fact, this food is better. Fresh, original, great ambiance. It's top of our list now for nights out, hands down.
(5)Lauren C.
This place earns a super-solid three stars. We were sat at a super wide table that made it hard to share the chips and salsa and guacamole that we ordered. The guacamole was also on the small side, but it wasn't stellar so this wasn't an issue. I got the carnitas with tortilla soup, my man got the quesadilla. We were both pleasantly surprised by our food, but not overwhelmingly excited by it. We'd probably go back, but it probably won't make the cut for frequent dining.
(3)Madison D.
I've been going to Gonza since it's inception and have been going back ever since. Everything on their menu is fantastic and especially so for their ghost menu. My personal favorite is the fried plantain stuffed with canre asada. The 'mexican flag' is also great and my co-workers always try to sneak over that direction for lunches even though it's farther than we'd usually like to travel. Best mexican in Raleigh for sure.
(5)Hailey Q.
So - I liked Gonza and I'll go back, but only for certain occations. The food was good, but I didn't think it was amazing. I'm vegetarian & they only had a few veggie items to choose from which is not what I'm used to at mexican-type restaurants. That is a lot of the reason I would not consider this restaurant a regular dinner spot for me, because I'm not interested in eating veggie tacos all the time. Things I liked: food was really fresh & pretty tasty; our server was attentive & knowledgeble; the atomsphere is really cool & not what you'd expect from a restaurant in a little shopping center; they only had two draft beers, but they were both local. Reasons I gave it three stars instead of 5: really limited vegetarian options; my food was good, but not outstanding; only two beers on draft; price is comparable to Dos Taquitos - it's not expensive, but I wouldn't call it a bargin either.
(3)Jason O.
This was my first time at Gonza (my wife's second or third) and it was really wonderful. Excellent staff, great soup, fabulous salsa, and the dinners were amazingly good. The most difficult thing about the place is deciding which of the dinners to try first.
(5)Juan G.
Get the chilaquiles
(4)Beth S.
This Place has a really great atmosphere. Perfect for a get together a with friends. The decor has lot of eye appeal. I had the Mexican Mojito. I highly recommend it if you like mojitos with a kick! Fresh ingredients. Yum! I've been twice and tried the fish & steak tacos. If you've never been. You've got to go. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Neil S.
Crazy delicious! Tacos are great, chilaquiles verdes is yummy, but really rich. Spicy mojito is refreshing. Especially nice if you can get a table outside.
(5)Lynn P.
I really like Dos Taquitos, but Gonza is better. In fact, this was the best food I've ever had at a Mexican-style restaurant. Aside from Dos Taquitos and Jibarra, you can count on the following from Mexican restaurants in Raleigh: over-cheesed dishes heaped with sour cream, rice, and refried beans. Not the case here. Gonza serves Columbian and Mexican food. I had the grilled red snapper (arro` e coco con pecao), which was served on a bed of coconut rice. The snapper was grilled perfectly, and the salsa veracuzana that accompanied it was delicious. For dessert, I enjoyed the coconut flan. Much better than the flan I've had other places, which I typically find to be too gelatinous. Everyone in the family enjoyed their meal (see my father's review). I sampled the chilaquiles verdes from my mother's plate: outstanding. My parents reported that the barman did not skimp on the tequila in the margaritas. (I'm not a tequila fan myself.) I enjoyed the dining experience, although our waiter was still learning the menu and getting the hang of things. The owner visited our table several times to ensure we were enjoying the meal and to make recommendations. With so many good restaurants downtown, I typically don't travel far from my place when I go out to eat. This was worth it. The folks that work here are fun, and the food is great. Try Gonza. You won't be sorry.
(4)Anthony G.
I usually dislike Mexican food and when a new place opens I cringe and say O NO another M restaurant. Why can't it be a Cuban place or Tahitian anything but M. SO when my friend Romni told me to meet her here I was reluctant but agreed. For a Tuesday at 7 there was a crowd inside and out. One of those PIT crowds of hungry people in flip flops and nautica wear. But since Romni knew the owner we got in fast and we ordered from the Ghost Menu. I had the Flag flour enchiladas and they were the best thing I've had in 20 years! The Margs were so good and the service was impeccable. Now those who know me are probably shocked b/c I always gripe about the food in Raleigh but this was complaint free. In fact I'm coming back for my birthday b/c there were several birthday people and there was a festive loud stomp from the staff when someone's birthday was announced. It was fun not annoying as in most places who do that sort of thing. Come here and enjoy. It's FUN/festive and above all the food is amazing! I think they add a little Heroin to addict you. I live in downtown and I;m driving here every chance I get to stuff myself and die young.
(5)Becky H.
All of my friends were raving about Gonza & it was worth the trip. The vibe of the restaurant is fantastic, the service is great & the food is amazing. The chicken tortilla soup was the best part of my meal.
(5)Genevieve G.
I went there with my man on a complete whim. We were just looking for some good mexican food...and there it was in a little shopping center by a Food Lion...wasn't quite sure about it at first, but the minute we walking in we were hooked. I got the chicken tacos, and my hubby got the burrito...a BIG burrito. Everything was super fresh and awesome! Would definitely recommend it! It is fresh and a really cute restaurant. Neat decor! A+ in my books!
(5)Geoff W.
Ok, we have been here twice and are convinced! The food is fabulous, the service is friendly, fast and top notch and the margaritas are on the marg! Scallop tacos on the "ghost"menu, extremely good and worth the trip alone! I have had the rellenos with carne beef, and the beef is perfectly cooked and seasoned with a tasty cheese and black bean base, also well seasoned. The food presentation is quite sophisticated and portions are perfect at a reasonable price. This is one of those warm, fun spots that quickly gets on your Go-to, fall-back default list! Well done Gonza!
(5)Chelsea S.
Great food and fun atmosphere. I had two kids with me, and we were at a table. It was hard to stay out of the way(kids wanting to get out of chairs), but only because they were so busy. They moved us in and out pretty quickly, so I can't really complain.
(4)Ashleigh V.
I had my 30th birthday party here in August. Let me start with the good parts of the night. The food was all quite tasty. I had their fish special which was served with a sort of ragout on top. My spicy margarita was nice. Our server was great, he was attentive and friendly and got all our orders right. I believe he was the owners son. He also gave me a free birthday shot which was nice. Now, for the bad. I originally made a reservation for 14 but had to increase it to 18, which they claimed was no problem. And then I got a call from the hostess to tell me that they would have to put everything on one bill. They would allow me to run separate but equal cards to pay that bill but that means I would have to ask my friend that doesn't drink and just had an entree to pay the same amount that a couple that ordered an appetizer and drinks and entrees should pay. I hardly think that's a fair expectation and I won't ask that of my friends. The hostess said this was their policy for groups of 15+ even though we'd actually only have 13 bills with all the couples. I explained that this was unacceptable and she said a manager would have to call me back at 3 pm when they came in. This left me wondering for 2 hours if I was going to have to move my party to a new restaurant on a Friday night and try to find a place for 18 people at the last minute...on my birthday. The manager did call me back and I explained to him my situation. He so "graciously" did the right thing and agreed to split checks but warned me not to expect it to happen again. The server seemed to have no problem figuring out this process the night of. However, I was in a tizzy for hours on my birthday trying to figure out what I was going to do. This is not the way anyone should spend their day, let alone their birthday. On top of all of this that manager I spoke to earlier? He never came by the table to check on us. Not once. You'd think if you had a group that large you'd at least check with the host that things were going well. Not at Gonza. Oh, and the icing on my birthday cake? Several of my guests told me the hostesses were flat out rude to them even going so far as to roll their eyes when they found out they were with my party. I will never patron Gonza again. There are far too many good Mexican restaurants in this town to waste my time on a place that treats customers with such disdain. By the way, this was my first and only time at Gonza. The blew it. Jose and sons, Centro, and Dos Taquitos you've got my business in the future. Skip this place and go somewhere that the appreciate your business.
(1)Lee M.
Pros: * amazing tacos * good customer service * clean restaurant and bathroom (even candles lit in the bathroom) * modern decor * fresh chips and amazing guacamole * dessert was good Cons: * menu is not accommodating * some entrées are small portions
(5)Gail C.
Really liked this restaurant. We ate outside. The food was fresh and inspiring. I had scallops and pork belly tacos. I thought there was too much heat in the taco because it overpowered the taste of the scallops. But when I pulled out the heat it was perfect. I had the tortilla soup which had heat, flavor and texture. This was really good. I was surprised to see a place that is called Tacos and Tequila not serve Margaritas in a Margarita glass.Our drinks were served in run of the mill glasses. That detracted from the experience.
(4)Kim B.
Absolutely a 5+star meal. Our server was phenomenal, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was fantastic. We were visiting the inlaws in Raleigh for the weekend and found this gem on yelp which actually only happens to be like 3 mins from their house. We arrived at 4:57, but they still allowed us to be seated. We asked the server for some of her recommendations and she provided a few opinions. After ordering our drinks, the server told our two daughters that she was going to bring adult cups since they seemed like they could handle it. We joked that their 9th birthday was the next day, so they should be mature enough. Well, while we were waiting for our entrees, they surprised each of them with a signed 'Feliz Cumpleaños' hat, gelato with dulce de leche and a candle and a sparkler for each of them. They sang to them and it was awesome! The owner even came out and wished them a very happy birthday and told them they get to eat dessert first! It was really a nice gesture. After hearing that our server's favorite menu item was the Mexican Flag, 3 of our party ordered it. And we totally saw why it was her favorite! It was fantastic!!!! It was 3 completely different enchiladas played so pretty. I ordered the Platano which was absolutely delightful. It was a plantain split filled with delicious steak, cheese, crema and sauce lying on a bed of delicious beans. So unique and so delicious. I'd order it again and again and again. The table shared queso and guacamole which were very good. The portions of the dips are fair for their prices and very tasty. I will return here most definitely when we return to Raleigh!
(5)Mark W.
I've only been here a couple of times, but I love this place. The food is very similar to Dos Taquitos as other Yelpers have mentioned, and that's a good thing. Most of the Mexican restaurants in the Triangle offer slight variations on the standard El Rodeo style menu. Gonza, Dos Taquitos, Centro, and The Mez offer a more creative menu, and very different atmospheres. For atmosphere, I generally prefer Gonza because there's better lighting and outdoor seating. Dos Taquitos is fun in a quirky way, but not everyone appreciates the low light (especially older folks who have trouble reading the menu). On the other hand, Gonza tends to attract more of a crowd, so you may be waiting a while for a table. As for food, everything I've had has been great. The selection isn't huge, but that just makes it easier to choose what to order in my book. I'm happy if the restaurant only offers items they know they can do well, and helps them keep their ingredients fresh. I would recommend making a reservation if you mind waiting for a table, and they have a convenient OpenTable integration on their website. I'd recommend Gonza across the board, and I'm looking forward to coming here regularly.
(5)Jeremy A.
Just got back from a fantastic lunch at Gonza. Our waiter Justin was real attentive and super helpful. He wanted to get us hooked up with some Margaritas which ive heard or great but that will have to wait for a dinnertime visit and not a work lunch :) I got the scallop and pork belly tacos which were delicious and unlike anything ive ever had at a mexican restaurant before. I got their chicken tortilla soup which was also great, They have alot of exotic items on the menu and everything to the sauces is made fresh in house. We also got a habanero puree when we asked for hot sauce that was REAL good. its a bit pricey but you get what you pay for and ill definitely be back.
(5)Andrew P.
Some of the best tacos I've had since moving from the Southwest! And we were in-and-out ridiculously fast. It was quicker than even taco bell, and immeasurably more delicious! Things were great right off the bat. Despite clearly being popular, we were able to get seated the moment we walked in the door. Almost immediately, our friendly waitress came by to take our drink order and offer us chips and salsa. The salsa was excellent, with the distinct freshness of good cilantro, and chips that were light enough to let the salsa's flavor shine. The menu was short, but hit all the right notes. A few appetizers, a couple of classic mexican dishes like enchiladas en mole, and a good selection of tacos. I ordered the special of the day (lamb tacos with chimichurri), while my girlfriend got the chicken quesadilla. While we waited for our food, we took in the decor. The dining room was illuminated by a constellation of colorful star shaped lamps, setting a very nice mood. Unlike a lot of garish Mexican restaurants, Gonza's decor felt modern while still remaining rooted in mestizo culture. We didn't have long to take in the decor, though, because within five minutes of putting in our order, our food was out and ready for us. While I doubt that they are always this fast, they really didn't waste time getting our order in, and the food didn't disappoint. The lamb tacos were rich and juicy, perfectly complemented by the verdant chimichurri and light crema. I particularly liked how the tortillas were warm and crispy, and not at all mealy like some corn tortillas I've had in the past. My girlfriend's quesadilla was also great. How do I know? Because the moment she bit into it she said "Oh my god, this is the best cheese!" And I have to agree, the melty oaxaca cheese is exactly what we use in Arizona to make quesadillas, and there's no better cheese to squeeze between two tortillas. The only problem I could noticed is that the restaurant was a little loud, with a lot of bare walls that reflected a lot of sound. It could certainly be worse (at least they avoided the exposed ceiling in favor of acoustic ceiling tiles), but it was still noticeably louder than I would have liked. Admittedly, I have pretty high standards on this because acoustics is my trade, but it was the only downside I could even find in an otherwise perfect trip. I'll definitely be coming here again!
(5)Lindsay H.
Is this love? Gonza Tacos Y Tequila has a great atmosphere, fresh cocktails, and delicious food. Given its name, I ordered tacos and a tequila drink and I wasn't disappointed. The salsa was to die for. So fresh and not crazy spicy. The queso and guac were good as well. And then.. The tacos came. My boyfriend said the steak tacos were better than Centro's, which is tough to beat. The steak was so good - clearly marinated and cooked to perfection. I had the scallop and pork belly tacos and a pork and pineapple taco - the waitress was nice enough to ask the kitchen to switch it up for me since I'm indecisive. Would definitely go back - it's delicious! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is I made a reservation knowing the place gets busy, and we still didn't get seated until 30 mins after our reservation (which to me, defeats the purpose of making one.)
(4)Chad F.
Friendly staff and quick service. My favorite dish is the mexican flag!!! omg it is so good. I love this place and will be comig back to visit.
(5)Amy H.
WOW! I think Gonza Tacos may have just ruined all other Mexican spots for me because it is SO FREAKING AWESOME that from now on, I will simply wish I was at Gonza's should I go anywhere else. First, I LOVE the decor. from the fun lighting to the collages on the wall, Gonza has a festive atmosphere. The service was friendly. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and the beverages. I ordered the chicken tacos. You could tell that all of the ingredients were fresh! the chicken was cooked well - not dry at all. Gonza will definitely be my "go to" Mexican restaurant from now on!
(5)Lawrence S.
My wife and I were in the area and hate a taste for Mexican food, so I checked Yelp and stumbled upon Gonzo's. Upon arrival we were greeted by none other than Gonzo himself. There was a 20 minute wait on a Wednesday evening, but that's a good sign. We started off with chips, salsa and guacamole. The guacamole was very tasty and had an almost creamy texture. My wife ordered the shrimp tacos with black beans. I ordered the pork tenderloin tacos with gauve and chipotle. Both dishes were delicious with just the right amount of heat. Throughout our visit, Gonzo checked on us quite often. He totally gets the importance of customer service. This is hands down the best Mexican food we've had in the triangle. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Mark M.
What can I say, my happy place. Gonza is true representation of his passion for his food. I love trying all the different specials. However, Thursday is a must so you can get Tamales. These are amazing. Love Mexican Flag, Con Mole, El Plantain, and Steak Tacos. We have moved from Raleigh but we MUST eat at Gonza on each visit.
(5)Belle S.
Will definitely be back! Awesome place great atmosphere! Here with Rob & Alex so much fun!
(5)Balaji S.
The ambiance is way out there with decor a one of a kind. The music is funky latin themed and makes feel like dancing. The food was very good. Ceviche, Chile Relleno were amazing and unique in flavor. The service was outstanding.
(5)Dale A.
FANTASTIC!!! I was here a year ago (see review). From New York I come to this place every time in town to visit my son. Outstanding food, great service and exciting menu. Today I stopped for their lunch menu and once again it didn't disappoint. I have mentioned this restaurant to friends in NY who either have family or friends that have moved to NC and am always surprise by how many people not only have heard about it but sing the praises as I do. Keep up the great work to deliver such a great value. I'll be back again next visit.
(5)Christen S.
This is hands down my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. The atmosphere is vibrant and fun, the service is always excellent, and of course the FOOD is the best part!!! My favorite is the Steak Tacos (carne) because it is the perfect portion and the seasoning is to die for, but the Platanos plate is absolutely delicious as well. Always get the queso. Their salsa is so fresh!! My family who comes in from out of town always requests to return to Gonza!
(5)Elease B.
One of my all time favorite places to go!!!Food is incredible! Drinks are wonderful! Service is always GREAT :)). Gets VERY loud and can feel 'frantic' with the lights and activity all around.
(4)Young B.
I got the steak tacos and they were delicious! The pieces of steak were huge and the guac was creamy and great with my fajitas. The al pastor tacos were okay, they just taste like al pastor tacos you can get any Mexican restaurant. But I would definitely recommend the fajitas.
(4)Michael H.
Oh, what a fun restaurant! She and I stopped there last night to grab some dinner. I ordered the Taco Pollo and enjoyed it so much that I almost found myself licking the crumbs off the plate. She had ... well, something ... that she similarly ate every last morsel of. The decor is really fun, and the "statue" model that would shake the maracas before assuming another pose for a few minutes was a lot of fun. Service was top-notch, and we'd go back again without any hesitation.
(5)Andy B.
Once you get past the "strip mall" exterior, you discover why this place is always packed with diners. We ended up arriving at 5pm, just so we could be sure of getting a table! The place is fun and reminds me of the kind of restaurant you would find at a beach resort. Our server added to that atmosphere and, for 45 minutes, I forgot I was in mid--town Raleigh and instead somewhere at the beach. The food is good and service is efficient. While food is delicious, I dropped one star because despite all of the amazing taco choices, you could not mix and match. They should add the option to pick your own 3 tacos, instead of getting only 3 of the same. I would gladly pay extra for that option. Get their early and bring your flip flops!
(4)Leslie R.
We were seated immediately when we arrived for our 8 pm reservation on a crowded Friday evening. The inside and patio seating were both packed, and lots of people waiting for tables well. Booking through Open Table turned out to be a great idea. Our table was a little too close to the kitchen for my taste, but offered a good opportunity to people watch (including the living sculpture perched above the dining room). Carne and swordfish (the special) tacos were delish, and the queso was a great addition to the standard pico. Only flaw was a very late arrival of our margherita...not enough to spoil a fun and delicious meal.
(4)Katharine B.
I loved everything about Gonza and I can see the similarity to Dos Taquitos. The colorful walls have the same collage of iconic Mexican images and the starry lamps add a very cozy affect atop the tables. The servers were very on-point and as soon as I left the straw wrapper on the table from my water, a stealth hand scooped it up. The chips and salsa were yummy and the guacamole was also a great selection. I ordered the tacos with beef and they were simply delicious and the rice had an interesting green tint to it and was very flavorful. The portion was modest and I would say this is a close second to Dos Taquitos for the best Mexican restaurant in North Raleigh. I see there is a new location opening in Durham as well and can't wait to check them out.
(4)Nimit S.
Cocktails: Grapefruit mojito was smooth and tasty. Went very well with their rich bacon wrapped appetizer (need name?). The traditional mojitos can be made normal or spicy. I tried spicy just to be adventurous and it was a very unique experience. The spice does not hit you immediately and is not a tongue burning spice either, but when it does hit, it makes your nose and throat tingle. Appetizers: bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeno was amazing and I could have eaten a plate of that as my main meal along with the chips & salsa. Entree: Carnitas (Pork) tacos: they were good but I expected better. Not sure how else to say that but they serve tacos authentic style with corn tortillas and there was nothing that stood out about these in comparison to food trucks or other authentic mexican food spots. The drinks and appetizers set you up to believe that the entrees would also have a unique twist but it was just your standard taco. Again, it was good, not great, and not exciting. Another minor thing I would fix is if they would price the tacos down a bit or offer a mix & match option so that you can try an assortment of their tacos. Ambiance: this is a very fun place to be. The majority of the staff have their faces painted in luchador style arrangements. When you're waiting for a table, they give you a bobblehead of a celebrity and call your party by means of yelling out the celebrity's name. The bar area is nice but a bit tiny, however you can take your drinks outside. I'm still giving this place 5 stars because the ambiance, drinks, appetizers more than deserve it. The entree itself was probably worth 4 stars.
(5)TravelPro P.
I really prefer the food here to Dos Toquitos which is down the street. I had the shrimp tacos today with the cilantro rice, and it was prepared perfectly and very filling for the price. The shrimp was very generous on the tacos, and the cheesy blend and spices were a great complement to each other. I didn't use the tequila chipolte sauce because it is way too spicy for me, I am just a wimp like that lol. To me it had enough flavor with out a hot sauce. The chips and salsa were fresh and tasty also. And as a bonus, I can actually see my food! If you have been to Dos Toquitos you will know what I mean:-) Sarah, the bartender was wonderful and very attentive to everyone.
(5)Mayah W.
Great but can get crowded and very very very loud..
(4)Adam M.
This place has to be the best Mexican food in North Carolina. I travel a lot for work in the state, and was impressed with the food, service, and atmosphere. The margarita I had was amazing and was not served in a sombrero sized glass. The menu is also similarly sized, meaning you can read it completely in under two minutes...these are positive things in my opinion. Food came out extremely quick which blew us away because of how crowded the place was, and it did not look like it was prepared quickly at all. Will be visiting regularly for the rest of the year for sure!
(5)Krazy T.
This place is such a gem to eat at.. I came for lunch and let me warn you the place fills up fast! My service was excellent! For starters I had chips and salsa...They have hands down some of the best salsa in this area. My entree was the POLLO: (flour tortilla / grilled chicken / cheese / pico de gallo / avocado) I opted for the house soup as my side. When the waiter described it the ingredients seemed so odd that I just had to try it. Incredible!! Not sure I've every had anything quite like this soup. I ordered to "bowls to go. My only grip about this place is that it opens back up at 5 p.m. Which is probably good b/c I would be in there every day and probably gain about 20 lbs.
(5)Mitch B.
Hands down some of the best, most authentic Mexican cuisine in the Triangle. I have gone to Gonza's several times over the years and have absolutely never been disappointed. My personal go-to dish of choice is the Mexican Flag, which is enchiladas three ways. Also, treat yourself to a great margarita while there. Be warned, reservations are highly recommended any day.
(5)Mike D.
Great meal. Carnitas tacos were great as was the guacamole. The rice and re fried beans may have been the best I've ever had!
(4)Laura G.
The second time was the charm. What was different you might ask? 1. Server and all staff that helped us-super sweet and friendly. On hand but not bothersome. Happy and helpful. 2. Pitcher of sangria was cost efficient for 4 us to share, so I didn't get sticker shock by having two $10 margaritas. 3. Portions seems larger. I had a pork tacos with pineapple, there were three of them. They were generously filled and the taste was really delicious. 4. The side salad that came with the meal was also really good. Avocado and some other different things made the salad yummy and unexpected. 5. We sat outside and the atmosphere were carefreeand fun and a bit less noisy than last time when we were stuffed in a dark corner of the restaurant. So happy that I came back with my group of friends and gave Gonza a second try. I also love the bobble heads and the weird looking mannequins that greet you. Can't wait to take hubby here so he can experience the good food and fun vibe.
(4)Roger F.
One of the best in the area in my opinion a little pricey but I guess you get what you pay for
(4)Bradford G.
Fun place. Dark, unique. Sat at the bar, my favorite when traveling and dining alone. Nice service from bartender Camille. Enjoyed the guacamole and short rib tacos. Margaritas were tasty, not too sweet. The toasted coconut flan was a great finish. This was not the best Mexican I've had but it was a worthwhile stop in Raleigh.
(4)Aaron S.
One of my favorites in the Triangle! The best Mexican food I've ever had - and I've had a lot!
(5)Noemi B.
Went here for dinner while visiting Raleigh and fell in love. Its tucked away in a shopping area but from the moment you step in it's not your average place. I loved the decor and all the artwork around the whole restaurant. Plenty of day of the dead decorations and different bobble heads greet you at the door. The staff is extremely friendly and the food is amazing! I had El Platano and it was cooked to perfection. Definitely would be back to try other dishes!
(5)Alejandro L.
I'm very impressed. I lived in Mexico for three years and fell in love with their gastronomy. Don't come to this place is you are looking for a burrito or sour cream in your cheddar cheese taco.. That's not authentic or even close to Mexican food. THIS PLACE IS. Tacos are supposed to have a meat, cilantro and onions, or other very simple combinations. These guys nail it with their simple but tasty offerings. Warm and crispy tortillas, great decor and ambiance. Will come here every time I'm in town!!!
(5)Linda C.
Best Mexican food in town. Excellent food and the service really is top notch, impressive.
(5)Chris H.
While I am not a fan of "Americanized" Mexican food due to the excessive use of beans and corn, I do have a soft spot for more authentic Mexican fare. I found this place through Trip Advisor which had listed Gonza as one of the top 15 places to go and eat in the Raleigh area. Needless to say, my expectations were pretty high. The first thing we noticed when we walked into this bustling establishment was that it was quite dim. Most of the lighting was provided by colorful lanterns hanging all around the restaurant. There was also plenty of outdoor seating. Despite it being rush hour, we were promptly seated and quickly served. For an appetizer, I got the ahi tuna ceviche. It was very fresh, and marinated with lime, papaya, and watermelon. The main course consisted of a taco dish, specifically the Callo de Hacha. A flour tortilla topped with scallops and pork belly, it was, without exaggeration, the best taco I have ever had. Additionally, the taco was topped with pico de gallo and a heavenly chipotle sauce. The servings were also large and I left feeling satisfied. This restaurant lives up to the hype and then some, come here if you want truly delicious Mexican cusine.
(5)Michelle T.
Great decorating, and pretty good food and booze. To be honest, the Wake Forest location worked more to accommodate my vegetarian requests than this one! Come one people, the world is a-changing. Their nachos with grilled veggies are good every once in a while but too smokey-tasting to have regularly (for me). The special margharitas are generally good but pricey.
(3)Sayjul P.
Let me start off by saying this restaurant has some delicious food! I have eaten here twice in the last few months and every time I have come the place has been packed! The decor is very nice and authentic but the space is small and can get crapped at times. Two of my favorite dishes here is the stuffed Jalapeno appetizer and the Chilaquiles. The stuffed Jalapenos have a creamy filling with the perfect spice. And it is wrapped in bacon :) I have had Chilaqulies a few times before and this place serves some of the best. All the flavors come together perfectly and balanced. The guacamole is overpriced for the amount they give you so I suggest you skip that. Ask for the extra spicy habanero sauce to spice things up. The only thing that has been subpar on each visit was the service. I understand it has been busy and chaotic but I know it can be better. Overall this place has been a great find in the area. Definitely a must visit if you are looking for some tasty Mexican food!
(4)Stephanie B.
My new favorite restaurant in Raleigh. The food is awesome (small portions from what you normally expect at a Mexican restaurant)and the atmosphere rocks. Definitely make a reservation, it's gets pretty crowded and rightfully so.
(5)John N.
Went for lunch today since they're closed on Monday. Had gone Monday based on a recommendation from an international traveler that said this food was awesome. Got right in. Sat outside with the gentle breeze of the ceiling fan and enjoyed perfect portions. They're new and the waitresses are still coming up to speed. We'll be back!
(4)Peyton W.
best mexian restaurant in raleigh! best queso i've ever had! tacos are pure perfection! definitely try the carnitas, pescado, & the carne ones! my only complaint is that the majority of the time you are able to order three different tacos.. the waiters always say "oh we normally don't but let me check" & then you can.. (my best friend waits there so i know it isn't a problem unless they are super busy).. but sometimes you get waiters that say no.. that is frustrating when you've ordered three different tacos every other time you've come in! haha! but other than that small complaint this place is incredible! definitely give it a try!
(5)F. K.
Didn't think chips and salsa was difficult to get right, but this place gives you that impression. The best I can say is that the food is average.
(2)Aman S.
I love this place. They have a decent tequila selection and decent guar/chips. The salsa is ok, and they don't really have a hot salsa (its too sweet). The tortilla soup is probably the best I have ever had - order it without the tortilla strips and put them in if you want. The soup actually has chicken!!! They did it right and put tons of chicken in the soup. I had the chicken tacos, which were great as well.
(4)Lucas P.
Authentic street style tacos/entrees and apps...great atmosphere...as good as it gets! The general atmosphere is maybe enough to draw you in, then add very reasonable prices, quick and friendly service (iPod touch order system with the service) and one will enjoy a great dinner at Gonza! I typically get the carnitas with the black bean side (served in a mini-star corn taco shell casing). Many $10 options for tacos and apps (bacon jalapeño is amazing) make this an A++++ and worth the wait! Go early if you do not want to wait, some outdoor seating during summer months and cooler days (as it is enclosed) but still a wait during peak hours. A full bar is also available for waiting, but is also small is stature.
(5)Jackie A.
Gonza was recommended by a friend and I'm so glad we went. We had a party of 12 and they accommodated our party with ease. The staff was very attentive despite our large group. Our meals came out together and our drinks were always refilled. They have a pretty decent tequila list which I was impressed with. The food was pretty delicious- everyone at the table seemed more than happy which I also was impressed with since we had such a large group. The restaurant was a little loud so at times it was a little hard to hear some members of our party but other than that I really have no complaints. I would definitely recommend this place! Side note- sometimes if the theater in the same plaza is having a show- parking can be a little tricky.
(4)Harley C.
Best authentic mexican ive ever had. And the funky decor makes me feel like im actually in mexico. The salsa is killer, the cilantro rice is outstanding, the scallop tacos are dreamy. Also the mexican flag enchiladas are deeeelish. Check out the live manniquin by the hostess station and make sure to put a dollar in the jar to see what happens!
(5)Adriana Y.
My husband and I had been curious about this place, it next to a Foodlion in a quiet shopping center...but the decor from the outside was very "interesting" to say the least. For our anniversary last week we decided to try it out. I can not believe we have such a GEM so close to us..no need to go to downtown!! Very cool decor, unique..fun hip vibe!! Every one is so nice and the patrons that were there were having lots of fun...there was a 20 minute wait on a Thursday night...not too bad we sipped on Mexican mojitos and Passion fruit house special. So delish...we were sat and started with Guacamole , chips and salsa..all fresh and tasty chips were warm and crunchy! For dinner we had shrimp tacos with side of tortilla soup and I had the snapper with coconut rice. I must say I was surprised by this menu...not your traditional mexican menu. I was picking up a Colombian vibe, I couldn't explain it but as soon as the owner came to greet us and see how we were doing I knew it, he is a fellow Colombian!! This menu is a wonderful fushion of mexican flavours as well as from Colombia!! Everything was delish down to my coffee and our dessert that was recommended by the owner...Do yourself a favor and try the Talega!! omg I was in HEAVEN!! I can not wait to go back with kids, I am sure they will love it as much as we did or a group of friends!
(5)Rahul P.
Tried this place yesterday with some friends and it is easily the best Mexican restaurant here in Raleigh. I will have to come here a lot more often, it's definitely a hidden gem! Ambiance (4.5/5): So much character and so vibrant. The star-shaped light fixtures, the wallpaper made of individual posters, and the small token items scattered throughout the restaurant really enhance the experience and make you feel like you are in a special place. They'll even give you a bobblehead as you are waiting for your table and call your party by whatever character you're holding ("Batman!"). They make good use of their space with a cool bar down the right side and a nice open seating where you can enjoy the company of your friends and of the restaurant. The only gripe is that when it's packed and you are waiting, it can get a little cramped and hectic (especially if you are trying to get to the bar). Food (5/5): What is there to say about the food? Just spectacular. The salsa is so fresh. I ordered the Mexican Flag, which was a plate of three enchiladas with three different fillings and sauces (chipotle on steak, queso on pinto, and tomatillo on grilled chicken), and the flavor was out of this world. Definitely a must order (although it was one of their specials for the night, but I'm sure you can still order it). I was able to try a few other dishes to that I would recommend. The pibil tacos had an amazing pork filling but I might have done without the pickled taste of the onions. The chilaquiles were also quite good, creamy with great flavor from the tomatillo. The only thing I was a little disappointed with was the guacamole - it was a bit bland and served in a tiny taco salad shell. Also, they didn't have a mas picante salsa, but the chef was happy to whip up a habanero salsa for us (gotta have spicy!) But with everything else? You cannot go wrong Drinks (4/5): Great. I had the regular mojito and a Mexican mojito (a little spicy) and they were muddled to perfection. A nice sweet, minty flavor that is hard to perfect, and it was probably the first great mojito I've had since Puerto Rico a few years ago. It's that good. Also, my friend saw that they served Quilmes, which is a national beer in Argentina. Very good beer and a nice change from the standard Dos Equis/Negro Modelo's that you find in your typical Mexican restaurant (but they have those as well!) Service (4.5/5): Our waitress was fairly knowledgeable and made some good recommendations. Our drinks did take a little while and there was a slight mix-up in the order, but I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since it was so busy. The food came out quickly and was perfect, so no complaints there! Overall: 5/5 Fantastic, cannot wait to go back there with some new people and see their reactions.
(5)Allen M.
I ate here again last night and had the Mexican flag! Oh my was this good. The red and green sauces were some of the best I have ever had. And the white sauce was rich and sweet. Don't miss this amazing Mexican restaurant. It's the best in Raleigh!!!!
(5)Erin R.
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE!! From the atmosphere to the food to the yummy margaritas. We were desperate to find a great Mexican restuarant when we moved from Charlotte and this is better than anything we had in the QC! As long as we live in Raleigh, this place is a monthly must!
(5)Natalie S.
Referred by a friend two weeks ago and wow! The tortilla soup is amazing and had a hard time choosing an entree. Choose the pork tacos, friend had beef, husband had chicken, all were great. Place stays packed so just know there will be a wait.
(5)Amy C.
Amazing pork tacos and Mexican mojito!
(5)Yeshanth J.
The ambience can surprise you. The restaurant is themed around the Mexican culture. They have definitely placed themselves differently from other Mexican restaurants in the Triangle. Gonzo is great for groups and when you are there, and if the weather is good, get a seat outside. This place can get crowded on Thursday,Friday and Saturday nights. For large parties, reserve ahead of time. And this restaurant doesn't take call aheads. They don't serve the stereotype Mexican dishes that you are familiar with. For vegetarians, Stuffed Poblano pepper with green sauce is worth a shot. It is light on the tummy as well. For chicken lovers, Enchiladas con mole and Chilaquiles Verde are delicious. Both Chilaquiles and Poblano pepper use the same green(verde) sauce. I wasn't impressed with the Mexican Flag as much as the others. I have also tasted the Camaron and it also tastes good. Their flour tortillas are very thin and whenever I have had a dish which had them, they have always tasted fresh and appetizing. Gonzo does a good job at the bar too. Their cocktails will enhance your experience. Their dishes are well priced. Slightly pricier than your average Mexican restaurant. Great place for groups and delicious food to share good times.
(5)Trudy A.
Amazing! The service, food and ambiance couldn't have been better! There will most definitely be a wait to be seated, but you can make reservations if you want or just wait. It's worth it. Be sure to order dessert. We split all three between the six of us. My personal vote is for the coconut flan, but they were all great.
(5)Trisha L.
I finally got to try this place last night. It was so worth the wait! I LOVED everything about the place! The decor was on point, and I love the wide selection of cartoon bobble heads they offer you to hold as you wait for your table. The service could not have been better and my server even convinced me to get a spicy cucumber margarita. I wanted a spicy margarita but I don't typically like cucumber so I was hesitant. The margarita was out of this world! My friend ordered the passion fruit margarita and loved it. We both ordered The Mexican Flag off of the menu. It was amazing!! It consisted of three different enchiladas each covered in its own type of sauce. Oh, and the chips and salsa were quite possibly the best I've ever had. This is my new favorite place. We will be going back!
(5)Stephanie S.
They are just okay. They try to be more upscale Mexican food, but it's not better. In fact, it's a lot worse than some cheap Mexican food. Our waitress gave us a tough time when we didn't want to order higher shelf tequila for our margaritas - annoying. Just mediocre, but overpriced.
(2)Michael H.
Good food great service. Decent selection of tequila as well. The gluten free selections include the chips for the salsa and gaucamole (though there is a chance of cross since fried in same fryer) and corn tortillas for the meals. The price is good as well for what you get. Decent election of tequila as well. I would come back definitely.
(5)Big Baby D.
30 minute wait wherein we were skipped several times, food served lukewarm/cold 30 minutes after it was ordered, and an inattentive waitress make for a terrible experience. The food was mediocre. Deserving of 3 stars. The service deserves 1 star. The parties who skipped us were generous enough to acknowledge that we were first. At which point, we deferred to a young couple with a baby and suggested they be seated. The host suggested that they could wait fora four top table because they had a party of 3. Infants in car seats require a place at the table now a days. I don't mind waiting 30 minutes, but getting skipped by three other parties who came in after us is inexcusable. The bobble head system is abhorrent. Not even all of them are bobble heads. Waitress was completely random. Pretty much sucked. Kitchen took forever to get us the food, but it could be that it arrived at the table long after it was ready because it was cold upon arrival. I won't bother with a second attempt. No idea how it's so packed every time I drive by it. I'd never pay twice for this experience. It's not even authentic Mexican food. Hit Los Cuates if you want authentic as hell Mexican food where you can order three different styles of taco a la carte. The decorations/atmosphere at Los Cuates are as spartan as it gets, but the food is 5 stars, you don't wait an hour to get it, the people taking your order are always friendly and its served HOT every single time. Gonza couldn't pull off any of that, but hey, it's a really pretty place (I'm rolling my eyes as I say this). Gonza's where you bring your first date. When you find out she likes real Mexican food and you've been dating for a few months, bring her to Los Cuates or almost any other Mexican restaurant near/on Capital Blvd.
(2)Lauren R.
I went on a weeknight--it was raining cats and dogs and the place was still packed! The food was good--I ordered a chicken taco plate with tortilla soup. I love that you can pick your side (soup, salad) instead of just getting rice and beans with a plate. The chips and salsa were plentiful. Overall, for slightly upscale Mexican, this place is perfect. The interior is really fun--whimsical decorations; the price is right (around $10 for a taco plate, $7 for a house margarita); and the food is good. I can see why this place is so popular in the area! Absolutely no complaints here.
(4)Nerri Y.
People are always raving about Dos Taquitos but in my opinion Gonza is the far superior option in Raleigh. I always opt for the tacos (Gonza's specialty) and usually get a specialty cocktail or two as well. Between friends and myself I think I've tried almost all the tacos and have yet to find one I didn't love. And the salsa that comes with the chips is amazing- I may have tried to spoon it out and eat it plain. Expect to wait for a table on a Friday or Saturday night but you can enjoy a beverage while you wait and the food is worth it. There are inside and covered outdoor seating options.
(5)Ed P.
I have been a regular at Gonza's for a few years now, actually since their opening and it is still one of my favorite restaurants of all time. Gonza and his staff ensures that every meal is a total experience of excellent taste, aromas, sounds and sights. One always feels welcome and special here, Gonza makes sure of that! This restaurant is truly something very, very special.
(5)Sean H.
Well, despite being a big fan of Sola coffee and a borderline regular there, I've apparently had tunnel vision the last two years and never even really registered than Gonza tacos was just a mere few yards away. Granted, I'm usually rolling up to Sola in a caffeine depleted haze, but still, get with it me. Thanks to a random search for new Mexican restaurants a scant few days ago, I came across the fact that supposedly a really legit and funky Mexican restaurant (with a well stocked bar no less) was right down the road from my very own house. Thanks to a surprise empty propane tank on my grill that changed our dinner plans suddenly the other night, I had a reason to come try Gonza and was not disappointed. The basics: Is Gonza a super authentic Mexican taqueria? No. But I'm pretty sure it isn't trying to be. It's a nice, funky Mexican restaurant with some personality, and again, a well stocked bar (worth repeating). They have a well priced menu of a number of tacos with a lot of variety, as well as some starters and larger plates. I myself had the Carne tacos, since I was feeling pretty carnivorous and somewhat simple, while my wife got the steak plantain plate, which since I'm a chivalrous gentleman, let her order despite how delicious it sounded and my own cravings. Everything was great! Really, really good steak on both dishes. Like, noticeably good. I did order corn tortillas instead of flour with my tacos, a wish that wasn't granted, but they were so good anyway I didn't even really care. They are somewhat small in terms of actual tortilla size, but they don't skip on the fillings at all, so I didn't have a problem. Also had the coconut flan for dessert, along with our two margaritas. The flan: Good lord. Insanely good. Everyone was super nice and I was very pleased. Some of the best Mexican food I've had here in the triangle, not counting a certain taqueria in S. Raleigh where I can order in Spanish and eat my face off for less than $10, but again, that's not an apples to apples comparison. And bonus: I could ride my bike there!
(5)Thomas S.
I had an early dinner with a couple friends at Gonza's on 06/07 Sunday. The atmosphere, service and food were all good. I would say it was an overall enjoyable time, until we witnessed an older, maybe middle-aged Hispanic man scold, then aggressively grab a young girl (presumably a server) by the wrist and drag her into the back. We weren't sure what to make of the scene nor what happened afterwards, but the whole situation left us with an uncomfortable feeling in the pits of our stomachs. In no circumstance should hands ever be laid upon an employee, it's completely unacceptable. We've never seen anything like this before and don't plan on experiencing it again, we definitely won't be back.
(1)JC S.
We stumbled upon this place after doing a quick search on Yelp for tacos in Raleigh. What an enjoyable time we all had! We were seated right away and were served by a very pleasant, efficient waitress. She told us about the day's special margarita, which was some type of ginger margarita. It was delicious! We all had different types of tacos and all were wonderful. I didn't realize that tacos could taste so good!
(5)Christine S.
-Cuisine: Mexican -Beverages: Full Bar, Margaritas/Cocktails, Beer, Some wine -Recommendations: * Cuisine: Tacos: Pescado (the fish changes routinely, and is always good, but I like the Mahi and Swordfish best), Tinga, Camaron, Carnitas, Pastor; Chilaquil
(4)Karie K.
Over all it was good, just not great. I doubt I will go again. We received a gift certificate from a friend and the first time we tried to go (on a Saturday at 1:30) it was closed - did not realize it does not open till 5pm. So we went on a Wednesday after work at 5pm. There were recommendations to get a reservation, but at 5pm there were only a couple tables filled so I don't think a reservation was necessary. The room did start to fill out by the time we left at 6:30. Our waiter was very nice, personable, and helpful. The menu was not very explanatory as to what the dish was so we did have to ask him several questions. I had two premium regular margaritas -- very good and strong -- just like I like them. We ordered the white queso cheese to go along with our chips and salsa -- also very good (but really how can you screw that up. :) I had the Mexican Flag - 3 different enchiladas rolled up with different sauces - 1 steak, 1 bean, 1 chicken. The chicken was really good, but I was surprized at the portion - somewhat small and I am used to having a side - beans, rice, fries - but no sides. My husband had a chili relleno - he said it was not very good. The food was OK, service was good, but just not enough to draw me back.
(3)DJ S.
Probably closer to 3 and half stars. Good chicken tinga tacos, pleasant service. Salsa was tasty, warm chips. Sure wish they had frozen margaritas... I opted for a Corona in lieu of a maggie.
(3)Tracy H.
It's so nice to find a mexican restaurant that has a fun and unique atmosphere and who's entire menu isn't smothered in cheese. Everything we ordered was delicious and we are excited to keep returning until we've tried everything on the menu!
(5)Christina M.
This is by far the best Mexican restaurant around. It is reminiscent of Dos Taquitos but by far much better. Endless tequila options, great margaritas. If you do not want a long wait, opt for a 7:30 dinner on Sundays. Every time we go there any other time it is always slammed with a long long wait. You can make reservations however ( opentable.com ) so that's a plus. The Mexican Flag is my favorite dish, check out this enchilada dish. Great flavor, quality ingredients. It is pricier than other places but trust me, it is worth every penny. The service is always outstanding. I don't think we have ever had bad service. I do wish there was more diversity in the clientele, but that's all I will say about that. I can only judge the food, service, and atmosphere. All of those are great. Tonight they had a very tasteful trumpeter playing songs for birthdays. It wasn't annoying, very good pitch and quality and not too loud. If you haven't been here, GO! You will love it.
(5)Dawn F.
Mmmm. Scrumptious! We walked in without a reservation as there were none available. We were seated right away, which was awesome. My strawberry margarita was delicious. We also ordered the guacamole. Very authentic. The chips were fresh and warm. The salsa was spicey, which is how I like it! I had the chicken fajitas, and my Dad had the enchiladas with mole. Both were phenomenal! This is def my new favorite Mexican place!
(5)Nathan H.
I've taken my daughter here for "daddy dates" twice and both times it was outstanding. On our most recent visit we sat on the patio where the hostess had set up a tub full of soapy water for the kids to use to blow bubbles. My daughter played with the bubble wands while I enjoyed some chips and a XX Amber. For dinner I had the steak tacos and they rocked. The meat was cooked properly and was seasoned to perfection. And the tacos included fresh avocado. My daughter had chicken quesadillas. I tried the chicken after she had picked it out of her quesadilla and it was excellent. The service was solid.
(4)Chris B.
The best mexican food in Raleigh, fresh, perfectly sized portions, good drinks, good service, I cant wait to go back.
(5)Stuart S.
Great salsa, friendly staff, imaginative and tasty cuisine. We like sitting outside on a nice evening... feels almost like we're in CA. Worth a try... you'll probably be back!
(5)Catherine W.
I really enjoyed this place. The margaritas were good, food was good and of course the atmosphere was great. My only complaint is that the bar is too small. Try the fajitas!
(4)Jay T.
Awesome food and excellent service!! I highly recommend the nachos Gabachos and the enchiladas con mole yummy!!! :) best mexican restaurant in town
(5)Dave P.
Been here 5 times and it is, for the money, the best restaurant in all of Raleigh as far as I'm concerned. Everything is so fresh from the cocktails to the salsa and tacos. Get the scallop tacos! Try a $20 tequila shot. It's easy to enjoy life with places like these. Better than any "Mexican" I ever had in the Arlington/DC area for sure.
(5)Allen O.
Second visit to Gonza. Got smart and made a reservation for a Friday night. Table outdoors was ready for us as soon as we walked in. Very good for a busy Friday night with at least 40 people waiting for a table. Had the enchiladas off the menu. The mole sauce is outstanding. Gonza is a great restaurant with superb service and outstanding food. One of my favorite places for a casual dinner
(5)Robert H.
I absolutely love this place so much and the best services ever, Gonzas son is the best server there and the drinks were also amazing from the bar, thank you Arthur!
(5)Margaret R.
Love this place we go with kids. Queso is great, tacos fantastic and apsave room for coconut flan. Only reason not a five star is that two out of three times the air conditioning vents over our table were freezing us in winter! But staff did respond quickly to fix both times.
(4)Judy B.
Food was not very good. Refried beans came out with a burnt taste. Rice was so bland, I had to add salt. Salsa was like canned tomatoes. Will never dine there again. Dos Taquitos and Chubby's Taco are much better.
(1)Tom J.
Can't say enough. Food has tons of flavor. Service always great.
(5)Brian D.
Impressed by the decor, I can always tell if the food is going to be good based in the salsa and chips. A+ salsa. It had a bite of flavorful spice with a subtle sweetness. I have to say the Steak Fajita's were amazing if not the best I've ever had. Food is phenomenal, atmosphere is a dream, service was perfect.
(5)Karen D.
This was a happy surprise find! Great atmosphere--cozy--hanging lanterns like in Mexico. Fabulous fish tacos & margaritas. FRESHEST salsa ever!!! Friendly service. Went with large group, so it was a bit of a challenge to get everything out at the same time. Will definitely return and try a special.
(4)Archibald R.
Party of nine. Service very good. Drinks very good. Top marks for the food, all of which was excellent.
(5)Sharon M.
Sopa de tortilla and pollo tacos.... Delicious! I love this place except for the creepy mannequin chick.
(5)Krystal R.
After searching for many restaurants in the Raleigh area, i stumbled upon this restaurant thinking it was a GREAT find. Considering the high rating, i decided to have my birthday dinner here. We made reservations for 7:30. About 10 members of the party had arrived earlier (around 7:15) the rest of the group (3 of us) showed up at 7:30, leaving 1 person missing. The hostess said they would not seat us until ALL of our group was there. We were patiently waiting outside, the place was PACKED. I wasn't surprised because i had read that they have good food. By this time it was 8:10, we decided to step inside since it was humid and rainy, the hostesses looked at us like we were a huge inconvenience. The manager came up to me (The birthday girl) and said that we needed to wait outside. I asked him "when are going to be seated?, I am the birthday girl and i am hungry" (jokingly of course) he answered back "WELL, who was late?! its not my fault". I was SHOCKED!!!!!! Then I look over and he proceeded to go carry on a conversation with the FOUR!!!! 4!!! people that he sat at OUR table for a party of 14!!!!!!!!!!! He was plain NASTY and RUDE. I CANNOT stand poor customer service, i had read in prior reviews that Gonza Tacos and Tequila leave people waiting (but then they say that the food was worth the wait) i am sorry, but customer service comes first in my book. That is what keeps people coming back for more. If the manager is rude, imagine the rest of the staff. I will NEVER be going back here.. HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE!!!!!! They need better management. People, if you love the food and keep going back, they will never care to step up their customer service..this is why they keep people waiting and DON'T care to provide good customer service. BTW all 14 of us left, took our services elsewhere, a BETTER UPSCALE restaurant called SITTI in downtown Raleigh who had water waiting for us when we got there!!! You guys need to check them out!! Oh, and as we were leaving the manager of Gonza Tacos and Tequila came out and said "Hey, where are you going, your table is almost ready" at this point we all thought it was a JOKE!!!! he had been saying that for almost an hour!!!!!!!!!
(1)Sean G.
4 stars for food, 2 stars for service. Food and margaritas were great, very fresh tasting, authentic and good portions for the price. Our server was friendly but made several mistakes with our food and drinks and I noticed the table next to us had two kids who did not get their food until the parents were done, they were not happy about it. As a parent of three I notice this stuff, making a kid wait for food is a disaster waiting to happen. I will definitely give them another chance, only open for a week so maybe working out the kinks. Cool looking bar inside.
(3)E R.
A very fun atmosphere, with excellent Mexican and Colombian food. I've visited the restaurant multiple times, and every time it is great. It's the best mexican food I've had in North Carolina. The staff is courteous and the owner is very friendly and funny. The prices are also very reasonable. I highly recommend!
(5)c a.
Great food. Best in raleigh But please do something about the birthday thing. Too noisy. There were three we had to sit through . Glad they are no longer pouring fake tequila down the birthday person's throat. but it would be nice to find a less noisy way of acknowledging birthdays.
(4)Brad B.
GT&T is off the charts! Great atmosphere, exceptional food, best margaritas in Raleigh, with careful attention paid by a well trained waitstaff. Very impressive and much needed in N. Raleigh
(5)Farrah G.
Went to Gonza Mexican for my fiance's 30th birthday dinner on Jan.5th. Dos Taquitos was our top favorite up until our visit here. Recommended by a friend, we decided to try out Gonza. Boy, so glad we did. Food was amazing, try the "Mexican Flag" entree. Service was wonderful. Place was clean. All employees had the "hands on deck" mentality. The best thing about the experience is you saw a Manager's presence in the dining room the entire evening. He was walking around to ensure that everyone was having a great experience with great tasting food. I give it 2 thumbs up and 5 stars and recommend the place to everyone who wants great tasting Mexican food with awesome service!!!
(5)Katrina V.
The food was delicious -- great salsa, queso, and my soup and taco were delish, BUT they totally rushed us out. Our beers, soup, and entrees all arrived within about three minutes of each other, leaving no room to actually eat, and they began clearing dishes before we were done. We probably won't go back, just based on the service.
(3)Henry P.
Small portions + high prices = me not going back. Food wasn't that great, either. The killer was the fact the server kept the change without asking me. That decision to keep the change informed me that's all they deserved for a tip.
(1)Denise M.
Went for lunch... Food was delicious. My only complaint would felt like the waiter rushed us.
(4)Cindy B.
The food is fabulous...the servers are pleasant...the environment festive. We eat here almost weekly!
(5)Witold S.
Raleigh finally has a restaurant with Gonza at the helm! We've been looking forward to going to Gonza Tacos and Tequila and finally got the chance to visit with our dear friends. The food was outstanding - what a way to start the year! Had the wonderfully spicy bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers for starters and the chilaquiles verdes and carne tacos - absolutely delicious! To drink - the margaritas (ask for "The Julie"!). For "desert" we asked for the cactus (it's really a full meal, but the taste of the cactus, just one of a kind). Portions were just right - really a perfect meal and in a whimsical yet elegant setting. The place is in true Gonza style. Take some friends and just relax and enjoy the food and great atmosphere...maybe we'll see you there!
(5)Brett S.
I have been to Gonza's once but keep hearing rave reviews from my father. A group of friends went to celebrate my husbands birthday. Other than a long wait we had a fantastic time! Food and drink were great, atmosphere was awesome and staff made it an extra special birthday by singing, donning my husband with a special hat, and a crazy green shot. Thanks for the great memories!
(4)Mahesh P.
The food here is fantastic.. The atmosphere is great. I really love this place, will definitely go back again!
(5)Nicholas S.
Went last night and although there was a 45 minute wait, it was well worth it! Service was excellent, had one of the best house margaritas I've had in a long time and about died when our order came out. Simple but delicious food at a relatively reasonable price. Will be back again very soon!
(5)Jessie H.
Wow, this place is great, awesome food, fun atmosphere, super service. Nice to have such a great place in Raleigh, we will be back a lot!
(5)Marrella T.
Decor is pretty. Crowd was large. Noise level was loud. Service was cheerful. Chips and salsa were good and spicy. Guacamole was creamy and chunky but not very avocado-y. Grilled fish was overcooked and rubbery. Will try again but will order chicken or beef tacos next time.
(3)A M.
Attitude of indifference. Fruit flys in Margarita on two separate visits one week apart.
(1)Brady K.
From the atmosphere to the food and the great service, Gonza's is the BEST Mexican food restaurant in Raleigh. I started going there almost 4 yrs ago and have never had a bad meal. My usual is the Chicken Tortilla Soup with a side of rice to mix in but the entire menu is worth the try. Also, if your lucky you'll meet Gonza, himself!
(5)Regio M.
it's really expensive we pay almost $60 for two Carne azada and they sale tortillas and salsa,this is not a real mexican restaurant..
(1)Ryan M.
My wife and I used to come here once a week. My only regret is that we can't do that anymore. We've tried nearly everything on the menu and haven't been disappointed yet. The Mexican Flag never fails to satisfy and El Platano is a very unique Colombian dish. The decor and atmosphere is fun, unique, and welcoming. The owner is there almost every night we've been, and it shows that he cares about the restaurant. Be prepared to wait, though. I think it's worth it, but the restaurant does get busy. While you wait grab one of the house or passion fruit margaritas from the bar, it helps.
(5)Rod O.
StuffedT Plantain! Plantain StuffedT with Steak! Yum! This is like Designer Cuban in a Designer "Mexican" Restaurant! After this it will be hard to switch back to Tacos or anything else! This is only on the Dinner Menu Tacos were just like the Wake Forest location! Which means they are Impressive Designer "Mexican" ! Salsa close to perfect, nearly the same as WF location! Decor is Rasselin meets Day of the Dead, Everyday! Dark at Night! As Large as this place is we were surprised how Packed it was on a VERY Cold Friday Night! We had Reservations at 6:00 got there at 6:00 and seated about 6:10 (party of two) other parties of two arriving at the same time were told it would be a 45 minute wait... I walked in (my Partner [kiss, kiss] was parking the Hogasaurus Chimp limo (usually my job) there was a line of three couples with no reservations and after being told it would be 45 minutes they ALL stayed! guess they already knew how good it is! Get a Babble Head and they will find you by your Doll! We got Chuck Norris, totally by coincidence.
(5)Lori R.
Today's the day...finally got into Gonza's! So it took half the town being at the beach for Memorial Weekend for us to finally get in, but by golly, we did it without a wait. Didn't hurt there was just two of us, either. First observation: everyone (staff and guests) all seemed to be happy to be there. Very fun atmosphere. Great fun vibe...even in the bathroom, where the music was loud and made you want to dance. Service: quick, friendly...spot-on! I know it's not fitting to the format here, but I went with my stand-by, a glass of chardonnay, and Husband did try a Margarita (minus the salt). I liked my wine just fine, and got a sip of Husband's drink, which was very good. Chips were served warm with a flavorful (slightly spicy) salsa. Husband had eaten here once before without me, and had fond memories of the burrito. We decided to share a couple orders of the tacos. We got the Pastor, which was described as: corn tortilla / traditionally cooked pork with pineapple / avocado salsa And the Tinga: corn tortilla / chicken tinga poblana / tomatillo salsa / cilantro / onions One side came with each. Since we were sharing and rice without beans and vice versa is just plain wrong, we got one of each. Both of us preferred the chicken tinga tacos. The pork was good, but the pineapple was overpowering. I got smart and ate the pinepple separately. Then I could taste the pork. There was no avocado anything served with it as the menu described. Came with a tomatillo salsa. It was all very fresh and good, without being overly heavy. Am looking forward to going back to try other things! (should we ever be able to get in again, that is!)
(4)Sherrie G.
Great Mexican restaurant. Good fresh salsa and margaritas. I always get the Mexican flag entree. Nice mix of three different yet equally delicious enchiladas. I prefer them made with the flour tortillas. The staff is friendly and atmosphere lively.
(5)Brian L.
Food was good, server and manager made us never want to come back. I took my mother here for dinner a few months back. Our server, Paul, was very charismatic, if a bit overbearing. Since we walked, we made a night of it and ordered the standard house margaritas one after another- they were delicious. When the check came, the total was over $200 as we were being billed for TOP SHELF drinks. I've never ordered a top shelf margarita in my life (whats the point?) nor did I utter those words to the server, nor did he ask if that's what we wanted. So I told Paul that I think he made a mistake, to which he replied "Well that's what I served, and you drank them." I then went to speak to a manager, and told him that I never ordered top shelf and our bill is about 3x the price it should be. He said that there's nothing he could do since we already drank the supposedly top shelf drinks. At this point my mother was getting agitated about the situation, and I didn't want to ruin an otherwise good night, so I paid the check and left. There are an endless supply of strip mall mexican places in Raleigh that are just as good as this place- keep a close eye on your check if you go to this one.
(1)Jim M.
The salsa wasn't very good. The queso was OK. The carnitas were not bad but not great. The chicken fajitas is a small portion and also not great. The music was way too loud (they turned it down on request). Nothing was "bad" but nothing we had was great (especially for the price). On a positive note, it's not the normally crappy Mexican place. They don't smother everything with cheese and sauces. I'd maybe go back with only my wife but will not go back with my whole family.
(2)Alexandra W.
Food: I've pretty much had everything on the menu. And I LOVE everything. Love love love. Carnitas..mmmm enchiladas con mole... MMmmmMmm Atmosphere: perfect. Art, awesome. But The girl mannequin ... Freaked me out the first time she moved. I almost needed the Heimlich maneuver and she almost got punched by my over active fight or flight reaction. But in hindsight, I think she is awesome and we are now on good terms. Drinks: they are all great. Get a better tequila and you'll enjoy a better marg. They have a few to experiment with. Staff: love them all. The owner, he's adorbs. They give you a shot and a dopey hat on your birthday. I went twice on my birthday...for the hats...
(5)Jessica L.
Cool quirky restaurant in Raleigh. They have an eclectic array of decor, and if you have to wait for a table, you get a little bobblehead of some famous figure to be identified by. They have a nice patio area outside where you can sit that's covered and doesn't get too hot or cold. The salsa is really good and on the spicier side. Chips are thick and fresh. I always get the chilaquiles (creamy casserole-type dish) and it's so thick and filling. Lives up to its name with its margaritas. I had a passionfruit margarita, which was so good, and different because it wasn't blended. Nice place to hang out, and the service is excellent.
(4)Stephanie H.
This is strictly an update for such incredibly poor service tonight. My fiancé and I had a reservation tonight at 6 as well as another couple who walked in just before us. The hostesses and I'm assuming the manager or owner seemed completely overwhelmed and confused when we both walked in to say that we were there for our separate reservations. First, the staff stood there and argued with one another about where to seat us, and double seating other people and blaming one another about their mistake like four people weren't standing in front of them. So we finally get seated and order drinks. Twice, servers came to our table to bring us guacamole then sangria which were for the other couple who happened to be seated behind us. One of the servers dropped the guacamole off and walked away as I was trying to get her attention to tell her we didn't order it. Then our mojitos were lost because apparently we were at a table that normally isn't table 13, as the bartender described it. Whatever, I don't care if I'm at a made up table, communicate with one another and don't put your guests in the middle of it. Needless to say, if this had been my first experience I wouldn't return. It's my second, and suffice it to say that I'll be trying other restaurants in the area before dealing with that mess again. I could barely catch up with my fiancé about our days without being constantly interrupted having to redirect the wait staff to the other table. And to top it off, nobody even acknowledged the mess that we just had to deal with.
(2)Amanda D.
I have never understood why so many people like this place. The restaurant is small and has very bizarre and kinda disturbing decor. I am not a huge fan of Mexican food but I do like some dishes as long as they are vegetarian and not spicy. They don't have anything that fits that bill here. I tried the vegetarian tacos but they were very spicy. I just couldn't eat them. The best thing about the restaurant is the queso dip. It is excellent! The service is pretty good and the prices are reasonable but that's about all I can say.
(2)Cheryl R.
My review will not address the food, which I have found pretty good on all my visits. I wanted to have some friends for dinner and we all LOVE this place. So I called and asked to place a reservation for 8. I was told that they could not separate the check. There would be one single check for everyone there. This is NOT a place for a group. Who wants to deal with that? With so many group friendly restaurants around, this one is off our list.
(4)Jordan C.
Simply put: this place has ruined me from enjoying any other Mexican/Columbian food in Raleigh. In fact after my 3rd visit, it is firmly in the number one spot of all time for such fair. The atmosphere is inviting and comfortable with a definite flair of style. Every employee encountered was nice and supremely helpful when needed. Start with the guacamole and let your tummy guide you the rest of the night - you won't be dissapointed!
(5)Gavin R.
Much has been written, this is hands down - the BEST Mexican food in NC. Gourmet Mexican as good as it gets. Great ambiance - fun place to visit. Highly recommended ********
(5)Carolina R.
Let me qualify this review up front: I am a foodie who lived in Mexico for a few years, so I am demanding when it comes to Mexican food, especially from a place with such glowing reviews. If you have never had authentic mexican food and are not a foodie, you will probably love this place. Otherwise, you may find my review useful. First, lets give credit when credit is due: Gonza offers great ambiance and a fully-stocked bar with a broad selection. The restaurant was packed and happening, they have outdoor seating and a nice decor; very reminiscent of Dos Taquitos. We sat at the bar and got some shots of Tequila; I was pleasantly surprised when I found out they had "sangrita"--which is a typically Mexican chaser for shots made of tomato and lime. Having been unable to get sangrita in most Mexican restaurants in the US, I was convinced I was going to have an authentic, and amazing, Mexican meal. I ordered typical dishes: the ceviche, queso fundido, and the tacos al pastor with the pozole on the side. Ceviche is a simple dish that most restaurants fail to get right. While the ingredients were fresh here, they ruined the dish with the tomato base. I felt I was trying to rescue shrimp and fish pieces out of marinara. The "marinara" type of sauce they used was overpowering, to the point that I could barely taste the shrimp and fish. The queso was liquid bland cheese. No self-respecting Mexican establishment will serve cheese this way. You want the cheese to be melted but not liquid, definitely rich and flavorful, especially if you are charging over $5 for it. It was supposed to have jalapenos in it, but I didn't taste those. Last but not least the tacos al pastor were... I actually don't know what those tacos were, but they were not al pastor. They should have been marinated in spices and pineapple, then flame broiled. The pork, which should have been diced in small cubes, should have tasted crispy and flavorful. Instead I got some shredded pork that had been cooked for too long, smothered in some sauce with barely any flavor. To top it off, each taco had only one tortilla. The mark of a typical Mexican place is that the tacos come with double tortilla, and with a heap of meat in them so you can split them. Also, the tortillas were dry and a bit stale. I asked for a side of pozole because it's my favorite mexican soup. To be fair, pozole, unlike all the other dishes I ordered, is difficult to make well; but I was surprised as to how bad a job they did here. The hominy was dry, the meat was too hard, and the broth lacked flavor. If you care about ambiance and drinks, give this place a shot, but for an authentic, delicious Mexican meal, go elsewhere.
(2)Mike D.
Everybody Loves Gonza (cept maybe Food Lion and Poor Pappa's Pizza next door that hasn't even opened yet). Yeah, parking sucks. Yeah, it's a bit claustrophobic, Yeah, the bar is the size of a postage stamp....but ain't it kool! Gonza's is flat out funky avant-garde. Food is fantastic though I haven't gotten past the Tinga Tacos. The beer is cold and as much as I can remember the Tequila is top shelf. Was that Patron or 1800 or Tre something another? Whatever. For a unique dining experience put Gonza's on the must try list. You'll be a happy camper.
(4)Nathan M.
This place is delicious. They make the best tacos. Very fresh!!! I can't wait to go back.
(5)J.D. B.
First visit. Very good Mexican food and excellent service. Interesting décor with lots of colors and an eclectic take on Dia de los Muertos. Enjoyed the delicious tamale special that evening. Two tamales served on steamed banana leaf, stuffed with chicken tinga (a type of achiote paste preparation) and smothered in a cream-tomatillo salsa verde. Superb! Also shared carne asada tacos served with a slice of fresh avocado and mole chicken enchiladas, also stuffed with chicken and smothered in a delicious mole sauce. Solid refried beans and interesting arroz verde were served on the side. Although it is served as such in Mexico, two corn tortillas for soft tacos aren't really needed here. It's not for splitting the meat between the two, it's to absorb the "juice" (grease) from la plancha soaking through to the second tortilla... Cannot remember the name of the dessert, a deep fried "satchel" with caramel and guava, I believe--fantastic. Finally, the menu here is best described as a mix of northern, central and southern Mexico cuisines, a little of everything...no Tex Mex food here. Be sure and order your Tequlia Completo (shooter + sangrita in 2 glasses); hard to find around here... Give it a shot; one of the best Mexican meals we've had at a restaurant in Raleigh.
(5)Kristen S.
Really cool place we went on a Monday night and they were packed. We had to wait 30minutes to be seated. The only bad thing is there was no where to sit whole we waited for our table. The experience was great but its barely any lighting I actually had to use the flashlight on my phone to see the menu and the music was way too loud. The food and the service was excellent though definitely will be going back
(4)Lynda J.
First dinner here. We ordered the flag dish, chicken tacos, mole enchiladas, queso and guacamole. Everything was very good and the service from Hakim was excellent. FWIW, I thought the margaritas were a bit pricy at $9 (that was without top shelf tequila). And buyer beware, we did order the special fried dumpling type dessert which comes so highly recommended in other Yelp reviews. I'm not sure what happened with ours, but it was so sweet that not one of us could eat more than a bite or two. (And that includes the always-ready-for-dessert 10 year old boy.)
(4)Amy W.
Great choice for Mexican food in Raleigh. I had the fish tacos and they were a hit. The atmosphere is fun and lively. The pagers are bobbleheads which adds to the fun if you have kids. Service was excellent. Definitely will make this my choice when craving mexican food.
(5)Kenny M.
Great food and great atmosphere. The wait staff were all very attentive and all worked well as a team together. Our waiter Nelson was very enthusiastic and very nice. We will certainly be back!
(5)James E.
Cute place. Friendly server. Guac was fresh tasting. Mahi Tacos were outstanding-really like the tortilla they use. Mexican Flag entree had good flavor-but didn't come to the table hot and I didn't want to return it just to be microwaved. Also a little strange they don't serve frozen margaritas-just on the rocks. Overall good experience, but not so much I'd make special effort to return.
(3)Charlene G.
Happy to find a different kind of mexican food place in Raleigh based on all the good reviews on Yelp. We made reservations for 5:45, which I thought was a little overkill. However, it was a good thing we did- the place was packed. What I liked most about this place is that it's all around great- service from start to finish, food options, and great drinks. I ordered the chile rellenos and can honestly say it was probably the best one I've ever eaten- not typical, but definitely the tastiest. Queso was good (how could it not be really though) and margaritas were fantastic. If we lived closer, we'd probably make this a regular place. The mannequins at the entry though- are just a tad weird- even for me. I'm totally down w/ quirky, but those border on creepy.
(4)Ashley C.
This place is absolutely amazing! The Mexican flag was the bomb-- please try this place if you have never been here!! :)
(5)Ellen T.
What a wonderful place. I took a group from work at lunch time. I was expecting delays and problems with a group of 12, but to my surprise it was an amazingly relaxing lunch. The service was absolutely wonderful - took all special orders and requests without hesitation and correctly. The food was great, not your normal run of the mill mexican - it definitely has a very unique flavor that is not too overpowering - PERFECT!! The atmosphere was very cool, fun and relaxing. I'd recommend this place for all occassions!
(5)Jerry R.
Gonza's is and has been one of my favorites since it opened a few years ago. You rock Gonza.
(5)Casey M.
It's no mystery that this place is busy and you're going to wait. Is it worth it? Absolutely, grab your favorite bobble head on the hostess stand and take a stand, your seat is going to be amazing. It was a 30 min wait, we got in at about 25, had my little buddy The Scarecrow with his little diploma ensuring our placement inside. Perfect weather, the semi-outside seating, it was great. Devoured the chips and salsa, maybe I was just hungry? The "platano" was an amazing dish, plantain with steak, beans and salsa, it just formed perfectly. What's more perfect? It was only $13. The Dos X, only $4. The bill for two, including alcohol, under $40. This place is, in short, amazeballs, I will be back again, and again, and again.
(5)Abram K.
Best authentic Mexican in the Triangle if you ask me. Service is always on point, food is always delicious. If you're looking for quantity over quality, this isn't your place. That being said, I've certainly never left Gonza hungry.
(5)Bruno N.
The best mexican restaurant that I've ever been, and I'm a fan of this cuisine. The quesadillas were perfectly made. The scallop tacos were very good. But I have to say, the chiles endiablados are amazing - something out of this world! I will come back there for sure. This place is a must!
(5)Kyle M.
I only seem to come on Yelp when something is really good, or really bad. This place gets all five stars. The food they make is delicious...absolutely heavenly. A couple of friends of ours introduced us to this place, and it is now one of our favorites. The servers are always nice and helpful. The atmosphere is pleasant and eclectic. The owner walks around to personally check that his guests are enjoying themselves.
(5)Courtney M.
This is the most amazing Mexican food I have ever had! I always get the carne soft tacos and at lunch your drink is included. The queso is so good and the chips are home made and always fresh with fresh salsa. The environment makes you feel like you're in Mexico. They have decorations like lights and skulls everywhere. I always find myself looking around. They also have a great bar and make one of the best margaritas. You must come!!!
(5)Joanna T.
Really good. I think they have tamale thursdays. Always busy -make a reservation. Or get there early. If you show up at 7 your going to wait ~35 mins. It will still be worth it. I LOVE the chilaquiles, its very unique, you can't get it anywhere else and its freaking delicious. It has a really fun zany atmosphere and I like it better than dos taquitos, you can actually see people and what you're eating and hear each other. The wait staff are fun and knowledgeable. The always recommend the talega dessert and I don't think its that good. The flan is much better. Most everything has been really good. The only thing I didn't love was the ceviche - they have it in a tomato sauce and I prefer citrus.
(5)Scott H.
Gonzas is our favorite spot for great food , great atmosphere ,and incredible service!
(5)Michelle H.
Have never had a bad experience here! Always delicious
(5)Richard W.
Well gonza is starting to slip. Bartenders are slow, I feel like I'm in the way. I also recently got a to go order, asked for xtra salsa and got a slightly bigger cup but it was half full. Prices seem to have risen for what seems like less food. 2 Chicken tacos entrées and some xtra sauce was almost 30 bucks. When the employees begin to treat the customer like they are in the way, then it's time for me to find another place.
(3)Shruti D.
This place is always busy but the service is great! We went there with a large party and they were wonderful with keeping up with all our orders. I am a vegetarian and they do a great job with making their "mexican flag" dish veggie. This dish is 3 enchiladas with 3 different sauces. They can make the enchiladas with all veggies or do cheese, beans and veggie. Just ask!
(5)Jamie G.
The place was great! The Scottish General manager was really grat. He stopped in numerous times to chat, and because he knew our friend took excellent care of us. The drink options are impressive, and the food was unique, very much a Mexican boutique in the sense of presentation, flavor, and food quality. We tried a variety of tacos (steak, chicken) and stuffed plantain, which was really great. I enjoyed this experience much different from my Midwestern Tex-mex experiences.
(5)Lauren B.
Very very good food if you are not looking for typical, everyday mexican. Very good margaritas too! I suggest the cheese dip, tacos, and burrito (maybe not all at once :) ). Great atmosphere! Also you will get a bobble head while you are waiting to hold your place hah!
(5)Aimee W.
Once again, this place delivers!! Five of us for dinner and we were all very very happy with our selections. WOW! Friend did the $15 tequila sampler and this added for some new great conversation at the table. (Now we all want to learn more about the aging process of tequilas!)
(5)Rahul J.
Excellent Ambiance, Cute and Knowledgeable waiters and Great Food I went here on my Birthday Party. So I got a tequila shot for free. Ordered CHILES ENDIABLADOS which was spicy and we loved the hot chilies in it. For Entree we ordered Fajitas (Safe Choice anywhere), Chile Relleno. Chile Relleno was full of flavors and that makes the dish amazing. Two of us are vegetarian, Andrea the waitress has good knowledge to suggest vegetarian dish. Overall a great experience.
(5)Amy L.
Definitely one of the most authentic Mexican restaurant I've found in the Triangle. The chicken fajitas are a-mazing! Also love the decor and bobble heads you are given while you wait for your table.
(5)Kevin H.
My wife and I were meeting friends for dinner and wanted to try something new, and Gonza Tacos and Tequila is what we found. We arrived early to an empty restaurant, but by the time we left (around 7pm), the place was hopping! The service was very good, the food was great (my wife said these were the best fish tacos she had ever had). Check the menu before you go - this isn't your typical generic Mexican restaurant. That's a big plus. The food tasted fresh and the dishes were perfectly prepared. The only thing missing was a better dessert menu. There were a few choices, but could have been more. The decor was also not your typical Mexican place. It's hard to describe without seeing it. Obviously someone spent a lot of time putting this place together. It was loud and bold, but not garish. It was a little darker in the dining room than we typically like, but it didn't take away from a great experience. It's worth noting that this really is a family-friendly place, too. There were diners of all kinds, including young children. Closing notes - the prices were fair (four of us ate well for about $50), service was good, food was fantastic, and the overall experience was one that we will experience again.
(4)Amanda P.
Let me start by saying the mannequins that greet you at the door were a little creepy but they made complete sense once I entered and noticed the other unique pieces of art inside. Great authentic menu with no extra fluff to confuse you. A variety of alcoholic beverages offered as well such as sangria, margaritas and beers. My meal was fresh and tasty but not overly so. I expected a little bit more of a kick with my chicken tacos but I'd visit again nonetheless. The owner also revealed that they're opening up another location in Wake Forest. I could also appreciate him taking the time to come by our table and chat.
(3)Nick P.
One of my favorite finds since moving to this part of Raleigh. The El Platano is my personal favorite, but everything I've tried has been great. I also love their Hibiscus cocktail, and order almost every time I go. And I love the Dia de Los Muertos decor! Though occasionally the mannequins in the doorway freak me out when I think they're people. :)
(5)Beth G.
I think I went in feeling a 5 star review and when i wasn't wowed, it made me sad. I wasn't all that hungry, though, so read with a grain of salt. I'll go back and try again. The decorations were fantastic, our waitress was knowledgable, friendly and quick. The food tasted good but the margarita tasted like it came from a mix. I guess the reason I wasn't thrilled was that there weren't a lot of options on the menu. Lots of choices for tacos, and they were good. There was a long wait for a Thursday night too.
(3)Tricia A.
The service was good. The food was good. The drinks were a little weird. The margarita had too much triple sec. The sangria had too much red wine.
(5)Eric C.
Really enjoyable meal. Sat outside. Picnic table wasn't the most comfortable but it was nice to be out on the patio. Server was great as well as the food and drinks.
(4)Mara W.
Love the atmosphere. Though it's a bit dark. Very friendly and good service. The tacos are great, get the same ones every time. These aren't like other Mexican restaurants that cover everything with sauces and rice. They are Baja style I think and really tasty.
(4)Beth D.
Great authentic Mexican with a fun atmosphere. Food portions were good, usually I end up with half a plate left at Mexican restaurants. Went for a business lunch. Server was prompt and made menu suugestions. Want to go back for dinner.
(5)Karyn B.
I had the Mexican flag dish and talega de platano dessert last night and it was so good! Miguel was an excellent and attentive server. I also really enjoyed the fresh salsa and queso dip. Just a little pricey...
(4)Kristina B.
The minute you walk in, you feel like you have been transported to a different country. The interior design of the place is amazing. It's authentic and modern. I've seen nothing like this in any Mexican restaurant I went. The staff is cool and friendly. The food is amazing. I got the ceviche and it blew my mind away. I really enjoyed this place a lot. Probably one of the best Mexican places I've ever been in!
(5)Latham H.
I love Tex-Mex food. A friend told us about Gonza's and we gave it a try. This was a couple of years ago. We average eating there a couple of times a week. Sometimes lunch, sometimes dinner. The food is usually very good. If something isn't up to par they always make it right. My favorite dish is the steak burrito. If I'm really really hungry then I like to order the Flag. A dish whose visual appearance resembles the Mexican flag. But, that's only half of what makes this place so popular. The other half is ambiance. The coziness of it's nooks and crannies, the outside patio seating, being family friendly and the fiesta atmosphere all add to it's charm. The staff is attentive, the owners and managers make frequent table visits to insure customer satisfaction and the special attention given to celebrators make this place stand out with superior hospitality. Don't come if you're looking for Taco Bell type food and are in a drive-thru time crunch. Come prepared to relax and soak in the experience and enjoy what the name says, Tacos y Tequila.
(5)Lauren P.
I feel like this is one of the places that have really helped revitalize this plaza. The food is pretty consistent each time. My husband and I split the nachos gabachos and the portion is enough for two people to share. The atmosphere is fun and enjoyable for all ages. There is a crowd almost every night. You are able to get reservations for Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. They have great outdoor seating which is nice for the nice weather days.
(5)La'Quette O.
It's hard to complain. I am never let down when it comes to the service, food, and length of wait. The five star are well desired
(5)Cynthia T.
We ended up at Gonza because Dos Taquitos is closed on Sunday (weird, right?), but I'm glad we did! After a short 10 minute wait, we were seated and on our way. Their salsa was delicious and I also placed an order of guacamole which I could not get enough of. My friend has a taste for the simpler things so she ordered the chicken tacos which she said we're very good. I was feeling a little more adventurous and strayed away from my usual fish or steak tacos and ordered the pork belly and scallop tacos... SO SO GOOD! The tacos were a little small, but you got three of them and you got a side of rice, beans, soup or salad. I got the tortilla soup which was really tasty. We finished up with the talega de platano which was perfect to share. It was warm and crispy which tasted great with the vanilla ice cream it came with, I just found the filling a little too sweet. Overall I would definitely come back. The food was good, the ambiance was fun and eclectic, and the service was great.
(4)