Taco Tontos
13321 Madison Ave, Lakewood, OH, 44107
Taco Tontos Menu
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Diabetics at Taco Bell
The biggest concern for diabetics is to find healthy food with less sugar at restaurants. The hunt for the right food becomes even more challenging for diabetics when dining at a fast food restaurant. Well, Taco Bell changes that with Fresco style. Simply ask or order an item from the Taco Bell menu in Fresco Style.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at Taco Bell:
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Fresco Steak Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 4g Fat (1.5g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 17g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 10g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco – Shredded Chicken
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Fresco Soft Taco Beef
Nutrition Fact: 160 calories, 6g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 480mg sodium, 18g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Bean Burrito
Nutrition Fact: 380 calories, 11g Fat (4g Sat. Fat), 1060mg sodium, 55g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 9g Fiber, 14g Protein
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for Diabetics:
You must avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes at Taco Bell if you have diabetes. Almost every beverage offered at Taco Bell contains high sugar content.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Visit below restaurant in Lakewood for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at Taco Bell
People with high blood pressure must avoid food with high sodium levels. You can either ask the people at Taco Bell to add less salt in your food or choose the food items with less sodium content or customize your order using Taco Bell's own nutrition calculator.
Food Suggestions to Control Blood Pressure at Taco Bell:
Fresco Chicken Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 150 calories, 6g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 9g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Grilled Breakfast Burrito - Sausage
Nutrition Fact: 340 calories, 17g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 730mg sodium, 36g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 11g Protein
Veggie Power Menu Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 480 calories, 19g Fat (5g Sat. Fat), 970mg sodium, 65g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 13g Fiber, 14g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Blood Pressure:
Taco Bell offers a wide range of Grande Scrambler Burritos, Crunch wraps, and Quesadillas which are high in sodium. It is important to limit the sodium intake at Taco Bell and avoid any meal with over 750-800mg sodium.
Visit below restaurant in Lakewood for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at Taco Bell
Fast food restaurants are known for serving high calorie, greasy food with lots of sugars. Taco Bell changes this trend by offering Fresco Style option where your favorite food item is prepared using pico de gallo as it will cut down 20 – 30 calories easily from the original meal.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at Taco Bell:
Mini Skillet Bowl
Nutrition Fact: 180 calories, 11g Fat (2g Sat. Fat), 430mg sodium, 16g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Breakfast Soft Taco – Egg & Cheese
Nutrition Fact: 170 calories, 9g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 330mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, less than 1g Fiber, 7g Protein
Spicy Tostada
Nutrition Fact: 210 calories, 10g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 440mg sodium, 22g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 5g Fiber, 6g Protein
Fresco Crunchy Taco – Beef
Nutrition Fact: 140 calories, 7g Fat (2.5g Sat. Fat), 300mg sodium, 14g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 6g Protein
Shredded Chicken Mini Quesadilla
Nutrition Fact: 200 calories, 10g Fat (3.5g Sat. Fat), 490mg sodium, 15g Carbs, less than 1g Sugar, 1g Fiber, 10g Protein
Crunchy Taco Supreme
Nutrition Fact: 190 calories, 11g Fat (4.5g Sat. Fat), 340mg sodium, 15g Carbs, 2g Sugar, 3g Fiber, 8g Protein
Spicy Potato Soft Taco
Nutrition Fact: 230 calories, 12g Fat (3g Sat. Fat), 460mg sodium, 27g Carbs, 1g Sugar, 2g Fiber, 5g Protein
Foods to Avoid at Taco Bell for High Cholesterol:
It is best to avoid Bacon or Steak dishes at Taco Bell as such dishes contain a lot of fat. Also, try to avoid all kinds of Drinks and Freezes which are full of sugars resulting in empty calories.
Visit below restaurant in Lakewood for healthy meals suggestion.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
About Taco Bell
Taco Bell is a haven for Mexican delicacies such as tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos, and other specialty items. Owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. Taco Bell is one of the fastest growing American chains of fast food restaurants. The restaurant operates from 7,072 different locations which are mostly run by independent franchisees and licensees.
The background story of Taco Bell is interesting and inspiring for budding entrepreneurs. The fast-food brand is the brainchild of Glen Bell, who started his first food venture as a hot dog seller in San Bernardino, California. The year was 1948. After witnessing long queues outside a Mexican restaurant called Mitla Café across the street, Bell saw the opportunity and demand for hard-shelled Tacos. He reverse-engineered the recipe and later started selling Tacos and called the venture Taco-Tia.
Later, the name changed from Taco-Tia to El Taco. Eventually, Glen Bell sold the company to his partner and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey in 1962. By 1964, the restaurant also got its first franchise in Torrance. The 100th Taco Bell restaurant was opened by 1965. PepsiCo acquired Taco Bell from Glen Bell in 1978 and the restaurant brand is currently a subsidiary of Yum! Brands which looks after the restaurant business of PepsiCo.
Healthy Food Options at Taco Bell
You may believe that a healthy lifestyle doesn't go well at a fast food restaurant. Well, that's not the case with Taco Bell. Surprisingly Taco Bell offers a variety of healthy options, thanks to the in-house registered dietician who monitors the whole menu. The dietician ensures that each item on the menu is free from additives and preservatives, colors, and artificial flavors. The dietician also ensures that the food served at Taco Bell doesn't contain high-fructose corn syrup, low sodium levels, and reduced use of partially hydrogenated oil.
More than 75% of food items served at Taco Bell falls under 500 calories. Taco Bell also features the Fresco Style option which helps the customers to maintain healthy diet plan without missing out on taste. In Fresco style option, Taco Bell switches pico de gallo with cheese, sour cream, guac, and mayo-based sauce. Taco Bell takes care of almost every health preference of its customers.
Tips for Dining at Taco Bell
Diabetics can also try other Fresco styled Taco items such as Fresco Crunchy Taco, Fresco Grilled Steak, and Fresco Soft Taco Beef. These are other healthy alternatives of Tacos for diabetics which contains an adequate amount of starch and minimum or no fat content. Switch the regular sauce or cheese with pico de gallo and you can easily reduce the sodium intake and fat content for your body. It will help maintain blood pressure levels and control high cholesterol.
Q&A on Taco Bell
Who owns Taco Bell?
Taco Bell is a restaurant chain subsidiary owned by Yum! Brands, Inc. which controls the restaurant division of PepsiCo.
When does Taco Bell stop serving breakfast?
Taco Bell starts serving breakfast from 6 a.m. which is one hour later than other competitors. However, the restaurant chain continues serving breakfast till 11 a.m. which is half an hour later than other competitors.
When is Taco Bell happy hour?
Happy hour at Taco Bell starts from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Are Taco Bell beans healthy?
Beans are rich in protein, fiber, and minerals like iron and phosphorous. Hence, Taco Bell beans are healthy in nature. However, there are claims that Taco Bell uses a rehydrated slew of mystery ingredients instead of beans. So, simply inquire about the beans before ordering items serving Taco Bell beans.
Which Taco Bell is closest to me?
Use our Restaurant Listings directory to find Taco Bell nearby.
Which Taco Bell sauce is hottest?
Diablo is the hottest Taco Bell sauce.
Which Taco Bell sauce is best?
In terms of popularity, the Mild sauce is undoubtedly the best Taco Bell sauce favored by Americans.
Which Taco Bell sauces are vegan?
Hot and Mild sauces are certified vegan.
Which Taco Bell has nacho fries?
Taco Bell has a habit of discontinuing and relaunching Nacho Fries. You can find the Taco Bell locations nearby to see if the Taco Bell store has Nacho Fries.
Which Taco Bell is open right now?
Taco Bell opens at 6 a.m. in the morning and stays open until 3 a.m. the next day at major locations. In New York city, the Taco Bell stores stay open till 11 p.m. or 12 midnight.
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Address :
13321 Madison Ave
Lakewood, OH, 44107 - Phone (216) 221-4479
- Website https://tacotontos.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : No
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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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Fallon S.
I really enjoyed the tacos here. Service was A+. A bit less adventurous than Barrio, but there are lots of add on's if you're willing to pay the minimal upcharges. Good, quality food, but what really stood out for me was the Two Layer Taco Sheet. It's a hard shell wrapped in a soft shell and glued together with your choice of queso, magic melt, sour cream, guac, pinto, or sweet potato. I went with the magic melt and it truly was magic, and heavenly. I will definitely be back for that. They have a lot of fun starters and other menu items I'd love to try. Not that Lakewood is lacking for tacos, but I'm glad this place is an option and I hope it sticks around!
(5)Chris C.
The tacos were dank! The pineapple salsa is bomb diggity! If you want some good food check this place out! The service was on point! I will be going back great experience!
(5)Andrew K.
On par with chipotle. No thank you. Way too small for a restaurant and service is slow. Stay far away from this one.
(1)Ted K.
I love Taco Tontos. The food is always very, very fresh. I have been going there for two years and have not had a problem. I eat there several times a week. To the people that are saying that the food is bland obviously you didn't try any of there salsas which are all excellent. .The food is meant to be a medium for there salsas. For example the spicy cilantro is really excellent with the shrimp special on Friday. They also have the best margaritas I have had anywhere and I go to Mexico a lot. Within three months of the opening I had to join a twelve step program. For a small place they also have a remarkable selection of craft beers. Unless they are extremely busy the waitresses and bartenders are very, very friendly. But there are times where you just have to press for efficiency so they won't be chatting you up. This is small mom and pop operation and when it gets crowded it might take 15 minutes or so to get your food. But usually it is just 5 or ten minutes. Please note that everyone I have talked to about it loves Taco Tontos..
(5)J B.
I love Tantos. But I'm never going back. I never write yelp reviews and hardly have bad attitudes about places. I've been a waitress and bartender myself and can understand an off night. I'm done with Tantos though. I have food allergies and Taco Tantos is one of the places around town that is able to be accommodating with their menu. My problem is, the last few times I've ordered take-out from there, the person on the other end taking my order has been short with me and has messed up my order (which for me means I simply can't eat the food). Also, I don't ask for anything crazy there. I pretty much always get the steak taco in a corn shell with no tomatoes. It really shouldn't be that hard. Today I thought I check everything before I left but got back to my apartment with my food and again, I had the wrong order (a flour tortilla with one of my tacos) and couldn't eat it. This stuff happens, it's fine. At this point I'm just annoyed with myself for not checking my order thoroughly before I left. I called them back up to replace the order for the taco they messed up and the girl on the other end blamed me for not saying what I wanted correctly but said she would have them remake the one taco. So I gave it about 15 minutes and went back. My order wasn't there and the waitress gal said it would be ready in a moment. As I was standing there, one of the cooks was very nice and apologetic to me and asked what I had gotten. I asked him if an order was placed for me, and he said no. I then asked for my money back because I wasn't going to wait another fifteen minutes for the order they messed up and waitress gal made a whole fuss about it. She also said she didn't know how to refund my money. I kind of got pissed off then. Considering she yelled at me for messing up my order. Then she lied and never put in a new order. Then she was acting like it was a huge to-do to refund my money. As I was leaving she said to me again "I took your order, you never said you wanted a corn tortilla." As a past waitress, I would never treat a customer like that. It's so unacceptable. And as a consumer, I'm not going to get sick from the wrong order or berated for trying to fix it. (P.s. thanks nice cook guy for being on my side.)
(1)Kt C.
This place. I love it. Whenever I have a day to myself, I like to come and get some tacos and a cocktail or two. The staff is super friendly, and I always end up in random conversations with them. The hot sauce is to die for, spicy, but super flavorful. I generally go for beef tacos- hearty and simple, but exactly what I'm craving. The burritos are also excellent- very good pre-night out food to give you a good base for cocktailing. The house margaritas are lovely and amazing- though today I was swayed by their new Blueberry Vanilla Lemonade. This is the perfect "It's my day off and I'll do what I want to" meal! Always good music playing, the decor is super fun (I want my living room painted like this) and it's just a good, fun, funky yet comfortable environment. I'll be back many, many times.
(5)Chas M.
Place is OK. The food is stuff I can make at home with stuff from La Plaza. Good, but nothin' that stands out too much. Drinks were good but expensive. The servers are the biggest turn off. They are indifferent...like they could care less if they make money or not. One was doing her makeup behind the bar and the other dropped our money off without even and "thank you" or "you suck"...anything. Then she sat down next to us (5 minutes after her shift started) and chowed a burrito. In a place so small, with so few people in it, one would have to actually TRY to make customers ignored. Can't say there are other options for Mexican in Flakewood.....there are, but the servers are just as bad. Maybe if I put on one of them Nacho Libre masks and do a flying elbow drop off a table it will liven up the place a little....
(3)Jason E.
Great local restaurant! Combo burrito bowls and tantos soda is a fav! Support local business !!
(5)Amy H.
We have eaten here twice recently. Great Service both times - Once at lunch and once for a Friday night dinner with friends. We bought the $5 take home bottle of sauce. Amazing!
(4)Dennis F.
I was really hoping for more. It's a nice small environment with very little seating. The tacos were good but not"ohhh my god!" It was good I MIGHT come back.
(3)Kara J.
Taco Tontos is so great. Everything is super delicious, the staff is wonderful, and they do a very good job getting you squared with a drink at the bar during what is usually a pretty quick wait for a table. I very much recommend the queso and chips; both are individually on point and perfect together. The guacamole is not my favorite in the world (it's a little too smooth), but all the drinks are excellent. Definitely try a house margarita or the habanero margarita if you are into spicy drinks (I absolutely love it), and the hot toddy is incredible. Oh man I really love this place, and I didn't even go to Kent!
(5)Mike E.
The place, as you walk in is not at all fancy! But they make up for it in sevice, bar and over all greatness! I ordered 1 taco, just to see if I liked it before I'd order another. The taco was awsome and so filling, I was done! They hand make their Margaritas... That means they muddle the fruit! You dont even see that in your higher class Mexican Restaurants!
(5)Jesco D.
If you don't do very well in tiny, cramped dining rooms with a ridiculous amount of people and asshole screaming children all around you, then this is NOT the place to be. Tuesday night at 8pm and there is a party of 10 for a birthday party?! Oh, and only one server on the floor. I'm really not sure why servers in general put more focus on larger groups as opposed to smaller groups who have been waiting a while to even see a menu. That happened. In the middle of looking at a menu and figuring out what to do the server all of a sudden decides that the table needs to be wiped off? Great. As stated before, it's a pretty small dining room and gets pretty fucking loud. Especially when one table has 10 people having a dumb birthday party. I really get irrational and aggressive being in small spaces with loud noises and people bumping into you, so I had to move to the bar for some reprieve. No offense to the server. We got the chips and queso. It wasn't anything special. The more I ate it the more it reminded me of the Velveeta cheese queso with the peppers in it. Pretty sure that's what it really is. The bartender was more attentive than our former server, who in the whole time of unbearably sitting at a tiny table only managed to get our drink orders. We got the chicken burrito and the beef burrito. The lady didn't like the need burrito at all and only ate half of it. The chicken burrito on the other hand...I don't think I would even like it if I was black-out drunk. The tortilla was crispy and good, but the inside was just a bland cheesy mess. I really don't think cold lettuce of any kind should be fried and then baked enclosed in a burrito. That's cooking 101. Gross. Unimpressed with the quality of the food. Originated in Kent, its obviously geared for wasted drunk college kids who could eat dog shit off a tire with no problem. It was ridiculously busy that night as outlined, and other than the feeling of the server focusing on the bigger party who probably didn't tip well anyway I can't really hold her at fault for anything. She was really nice and obviously doing the best she could despite being the only one on the floor. The food is just bland and nothing special. Will definitely not be returning. Don't even bother.
(1)Paige E.
Love Taco Tanto. Great flavor, very good margaritas. The place is very small. I wish they were open a little later. I've never had a problem with service.
(5)Shayna B.
Viva la Sweet Potato Tostada! Gotta say I don't enjoy many of the things on the menu without a ton of the add-ons and sauces, but I add nothing to the sweet potato tostada. If you can stand the heartburn, the habanero margarita is outstanding. The rest of the margs are mediocre. Their verde salsa and chipotle sauce make everything taste great. And the beer/tap selection is one of the best in Lakewood as far as I'm concerned. Certainly not the largest, but the best picks. For me, this is the type of place you go for a few specific, stand-out dishes when you have a taste for them. Otherwise, the offerings are unimpressive. Finally, I have to admit, 90% of the time that we visit is because we've gone to el Carnicero, Barrio, and Barroco a few too many times and need to change it up. Plus it's close and we really like sitting at their bar. If we didn't live in Lakewood and have so many great Latino food choices, the rating might be higher.
(3)Katie S.
Lots of good beer but food was SUPER bland I smothered my burrito in their decent mild sauce. Like smothered.
(2)Mark S.
Meh. Food is so so. Drinks are great depending on whose making em. And nice rotating beer list. The Juan Collins is the tops. (Thanks Penny!) Also kale should be outlawed and delisted from the edible food roster. It has no place on a taco or burrito.
(2)Casey J.
I have to update my review after going back to taco tontos after a long hiatus. I first went back and got a blackberry margarita at the bar-delicious and strong :) I also go the pork burrito to go and it was delicious, would certainly order it again. Glad my faith has been restored in this nearby establishment.
(4)David M.
So good, better than I remember from Kent!!! Service was a bit slow but they were busy!!!!
(5)Meri R.
Time for an update! I shied away from the Lakewood spot for a long while because the shoddy service and meh burritos were harshing my mellow college memories from the OG Kent location. Recently I popped back in for a takeout order, and was more than pleasantly surprised. It took about 15 minutes for two delicious burritos to be prepared, and the bartender chatted with me while she mixed Margaritas while I waited. The restaurant was about half full when I stopped in but it seemed to be filling up when I left. The food was awesome, the prices are fair, and I now have a renewed faith in Taco Tontos. My one caveat is that while the tempeh burrito (a Monday special) is very tasty, it was petty lacking in the key ingredient- tempeh! Looking forward to trying other menu items soon.
(4)Shannon C.
Did a take out order from here last week and already thinking about when I will be back... If they keep you coming back for more, you know it was good (he-he). And cheap (bahahaha). Enough with the cheesy jokes, let's talk food! The hubby did a steak burrito and I the chicken. I chose the same add ons I do at my favorite chain burrito place. We ordered on their website and food was ready within a half hour on a busy weekend evening, not bad at all. I certainly found the chicken a bit bland, really seemed under seasoned to me. I used a ton (literally) of hot sauce. Next time I will add more sauce and more add ons to make it taste better. But there was no chewy meat like found in other said burritos. Huge plus for me personally, not the dog. All in all, close to home so they will definitely get my business over the other guys for the time being. They season that chicken a bit more with garlic, salt and pepper and I would certainly give five stars.
(4)Marc H.
Really good chicken burrito. El biggo chx with hot sauce, no sour with vegan guacamole. I have ordered this several times and I'm always pleased. The steak burrito on the other hand isn't good at all. It's not steak, more of a beef roast. Hence a reduction in a star. I'll be back again to try some specials for sure.
(4)LeAnn S.
Love this place! Every time! It's so disappointing when we're craving it then we realize it's Sunday! :(
(5)Maurice R.
The only reason I didn't give five stars is because the place is too small. The burritos are HUGE and delicious. The Guacamole is fantastic. Service is usually good. Great atmosphere.
(4)Don C.
So at 8 pm the daily special is sold out. My friend had his order come out wrong so they remade it and to top it off my quesadilla looked like it was dropped. But I would have been willing to eat it except for it being 1/2 burned. I ate 1 piece that was not burned but tasted burnt and sent it back.
(2)Sly M.
I really love this little joint. The burritos are excellent and reasonably priced. I especially like how they hot press them. Always some good beers on tap as well. Its not like chipotle so don't compare them. Bartenders and servers have always been very cool.
(4)Mark R.
Really good and fresh. Standard fare tacos, burritos, tostadas, and salads. But where it gets interesting is the add ons! My standard beef taco was really good but adding smoked chipolte made huge difference. Really bold flavor mixed with fresh ingredients equals yum! The salsa and chips tasted pretty fresh too. Both probably homemade. Nice sized menu with lots of options. But only about seven tables and a small bat. If you are here with a crowd, you may wait awhile. Service was decent, but closer to slow than deliberate. Not a quick lunch stop, but with visit!
(4)Jill C.
Wow! First time tonight and was so awesomely surprised! Great food and even better service. Small, cozy, cute as can be... Can't wait to go back!
(5)Brooke G.
Fresh, fresh, fresh! Great small business with excellent service. Dining room is a little small but it goes with the overall cozy feel. Definitely recommend.
(5)Milos M.
I think I really really really want to give this place a 5 star rating but I might in the future when I go back here again. To start, this is a really cool hipster bar/restaurant. The environment inside is really cool and similar to the Barroco Grill just down Madison. Great selection of beers and liquor, friendly friendly servers and bartenders and just overall a friendly place. The food is rather really good, I got the beef tacos there in a gluten free shell and it was MASSIVE, for 1 dollar you can get a tiny hard taco at T-Bell but here for 4 dollars you get this MASSIVE taco that could fill you up if you aren't starving. The beef could use some more seasoning but I got this really good hot sauce with it and it was great. I also had chicken quesadillas, delicious but I wish they offered whole-wheat options instead of the white flour. Overall for anybody else this would be a 5 star place but lack of whole wheat options and sometimes lack of seasonings on some of the food would only make me give it a 4/5.
(4)Nick X.
Decent. The burritos can be dry and the meat isn't as flavorful/marinated as it should be. Nice atmosphere.
(3)Ted M.
I truly do want to give this place more but I can't seem to and it's only getting a second star due to the great drinks menu which is very reasonably priced and that their mild and hot sauces where delicious. The mild went perfect with the tacos and burritos. Perfect zest, kick and flavor in the sauce, unfortunately that's about it on the flavor front as the tacos where less than plain with nothing seasoned or really anything interesting. Just heated up lettuce, tomato, rice an fish which was the special on Friday. Sad to say it but even a person that's not versed in the kitchen can season up a better set of shrimp and be a tad more inventive with a burrito. I get it, it's an easy, simple and not trying to be fancy type of place but even the simple can be flavorful, this wasn't. I will give it another shot and if it seasons up I'll readjust but as of right now I don't see that happening.
(2)Brian B.
I definitely have to decrease my rating from 4 down to 2 stars. On our last visit the place wasn't very clean. They also left the door open and we were harassed by flies the entire time. Also the food has also gotten very bland and could use some refining (e.g. the steak chunks in a burrito are too big). My girlfriend had a coupon for a "baby burrito" (because they screwed up an order on another date), but when they brought that out it was way burnt! She had to send it back, and by the time she got yet another, I had finished all of my food. We were sick of the flies and left after that. Tontos just isn't keeping up when there are plenty of great Mexican options in Lakewood with better food and a better beer selection. Go to Barrio, Barroco, or Cozumel instead.
(2)Ferris B.
I often frequent this place as I live close by. I always have good service there. They have a bartender who wears a bow tie who is my favorite. He is personable and makes a great cocktail. I think I have to admit I like to drink here better than eat here. They have innovative cocktails and a decent craft beer menu. The atmosphere can be crowded as this is a very small place but is still nice. It has a really awesome mural and ambient lighting. The food leaves something to be desired. Many previous yelp posts claimed lack of flavor. Sadly, this is the truth. The meat lacks seasoning. Everything is kind of bland. However, they have a really nice selection of sauces. The cilantro lime and habanero are my favorite. Without it the food is sort of lack luster. I would not recommend getting anything with steak as it tends to be over cooked and tough. I would suggest giving this place a try regardless. The chicken tostada was a winner. Thier Zombie drink is killer. Fruity yet packs a boozy punch. Just be sure to get a sauce on the side.
(3)John M.
Best burrito in town every time I go. In fact my picky eating kids ask for it consistently. Chill atmosphere and easy to find. I can only hope an eastside expansion is in the works. Keep up the great food offerings MUAH!!
(4)Stefanie F.
I don't get it. They did well on the campus of KSU because, well, poor college students have no choice. And no taste. Their guacamole is perhaps the worst I've ever had. It should really be called something else. Guaca... pukey? I feel a bit bad being so smug-uppity but there are several more options for tacos y burritos in Lakewood that blow this place away. Service is super friendly and stuff but still, not good unless you're accustomed to T Bell.
(2)Allison O.
Whaaaaaaat a disappointment. Maybe it's my fault. I dont know why I expected a good taco from a place that calls itself "Silly Taco." Silly me. The meat in the steak taco felt like it had been cooking for four days. DRYYYYY! It tasted like nothing. No, that's a lie. It tasted like salad. There was a pound of lettuce and tomatoes on top of my steak taco. Who the eff puts salad on a taco? The beans on my bean and rice taco were DRYYYYY and tasted like windex or something. The rice was nothing more than Uncle Ben boil in a bag white rice.....no cilantro/lime no cumin/tomato. No salt even? Geez. I asked for soft corn tortillas, because what self-respecting taco-eater eats anything else? I picked up my taco and the shell split down the center and my pound 'o salad fell out into my dish. Duh. I guess I had to ask for WARM corn tortillas. Who makes tacos, calls themselves "tacos" and does not know how to properly assemble a taco? Taco Tontos. That's who. Salsa verde and some other sauce I got were alright (must have been pretty great if I can't remember what it was!), and the waitress was very nice. Bottom line: this place SUUUUUUUUUCKS.
(1)Callie L.
Eh, it's fine. I've been 3 or 4 times now, which I feel is enough times to make a fairly informed review. It's also enough times to know that I don't really need to go back. There was nothing exactly wrong with it, but there's certainly nothing right enough to make me jump for joy at the prospect of eating there. The food could generously be described as bland and generic and lacking in almost every element of flavor that I would have expected. There are plenty of other restaurants that do a MUCH better job with tacos/burritos/etc, and that's where I'll be taking my business.
(2)Chris S.
Meh. I found their beef tacos to be very bland, almost flavorless. There are a lot of options for Mexican around Lakewood these days. I miss the place that used to be here, Bela Dubby, which was a coffee/tea/beer dive that attracted hipsters, artists, and live performances.
(2)Scott S.
More of a bar than tt kent, which I see as an upgrade, food was almost exactly the same. Hot sauce was a little hotter and a bit more liquified, I prefer the kent puréed version. Can't wait to eat more burritos.
(5)Rob R.
Excellent food, perfect drinks, and fantastic service! :-) - We will be back with friends!
(5)Danny S.
My bosses have been trying to take me here for a long time. I decided to go on a Sunday and get some take out. I told the gentleman that greated me that I've never been here before and he replied "What, Do you want a menu? " I was kind of shocked but told him I would like one and that I am vegetarian can you direct me to your best vegetarian options. He replied "I don't know, I'm not vegetarian". At this point I was tired of this Guy so I asked for a taco, burrito, and chip with guac. He proceeded to tell me that to much food for one person, which I replied I have someone at home and not to worry about it. The man was like a manager, owner, or something more than a regular employee. He was giving the female bartender who looked like she hated her life directions to do things. The service is rude and worst I've ever experienced. Very amateur. I'm I'm the service industry I know. Got the food home and it was like eating cardboard. Absolutely no flavor. Don't waste your time or money. You can at least get mediocre down the street at barrio.
(1)Lance T.
I love my tacos & my wife loves burritos, so we were really excited to try thi place! But to our agreed disiponintment we won't return. Loved the ambiance and staff was gracious and helpfull,good beer selection. We ordered a few different things tacos beef,steak. And fish. burritos steak & beef. All were made with fresh ingreediance, tacos were overloaded with lettuce Burritos were grilled and nice size but like the tacos lacked in flavor! The fish in the taco was over cooked & lacked flavor. The cheese & sour cream were the only thing you could really taste ! Most bars in Lakewood make a better $1 tacos but this is just our opinion.
(2)Dani C.
The food is excellent. However, the ambience is horrible and the service is terrible. We have picked up there three times within the past two weeks, and every time we did not feel welcome. The waiters and the servers do not speak to you and the the girl behind the register seemed like she was annoyed that we didn't know what we wanted and was rushing us. They look at you cross-eyed and are rude. I did not feel welcome there.
(3)Ray L.
Ate here today for the first and last time. I got a beef burrito el biggo which was big but EXTREMELY dry. While it did have rice, onion and lettuce it did not have any cheese, which it was supposed to have. The ONLY reason I gave it two stars instead of one was because of how large the burrito was. Oh, and the "mild sauce" tasted like funky...ie... spoiled tomato sauce.
(2)J S.
Other people seem to love Taco Tantos, but the best I can do is describe it as uneven. I had a chicken burrito bowl, which was a plate of ice burg lettuce with dry chicken, cheese and sour cream. Incredibly bland. The other people I was with liked their food I think, but everything seemed pretty forgettable. I had two margaritas- one was perfect but the other wasn't made correctly and had so much tequila, I couldn't drink it (and I'm no stranger to tequila). The atmosphere and service were great, so I'd go back if invited, but I wouldn't initiate another visit.
(2)Babes S.
Well for starters we've never chose to dine in and drink their heavily advertised $5 beers... Is that supposed to be a deal on the east side of Lakewood? What we have done was get carry out 3 times. 1st time was very meh. Pretty flavorless, pretty big, with a smorgasbord of underwhelming sauces. 2nd time was a drunken decision, so you almost have to cancel that experience. But the 3rd was a "hey, remember that taco place? did we like it or not? I forget, let's try again. I arrive to pick it up only to arrive to a girl that looks like she hates anyone who isnt one of their 15 regulars. the bill came out to $24 and I had $30 and just told her to keep it. No thank you, no smile, no anything.... I didn't know $6 wasn't enough to be a bitch. So yet another good reason to not waste your time by sitting with these pleasant people. All I have to say is DON'T GET THE STEAK TACO! The meat was like dog food. No joke, it looked like rubber and tasted like Grandfather's foot. Just dont go here. Get it out of Lakewood. It's just another pot hole on Madison Ave.
(1)Christopher R.
Not very consistent in quality. Sometimes it's good, other times it's bland. Generally stick with the potato and sour cream tacos (i've been disappointed too many times with their meat tacos), but they were cold and bland this evening.
(2)The Cleveland C.
The food is fresh and flavorful! A unique baked burrito and classic tacos make this place really shine. I was a Kent, OH native during college and once I heard this place was in Town, I almost didn't believe it. The first few times I went there they were still getting everything together, and the food was lacking in flavor a bit. However since then I have been going to this place with my fiance nearly every week for lunch and it has quickly become our favorite place. They have improved on every single dish and I think the taste is even better than the original Taco Tontos in Kent, which is saying a mouthful. Try their tortilla soup or pretty much any taco, but make sure you use get a side of their mild or hot sauce, the rich robust flavor of their sauce makes pretty much any dish on the menu taste amazing. My fiance and I are vegetarian as well, and this place is probably once of the best places us, she loves their kale burritos and tacos, and we always get some creamy quac and chips. I read some bad reviews of this place on Yelp, and I can only guess it is from people who are used to eating, refrigerated, microwaved, and flavor enhanced garbage served and pretty much any corporate place in town. Taco Tantos offers fresh, REAL from-scratch cooking that is a diamond in the rough.
(5)Holly B.
What a fun place! Pricing is reasonable, food is fresh and delicious and the staff was friendly. Love this place.
(4)Kim Y.
went in at 530pm and it was starting to fill up. within an hour every seat/table was filled and people were eagerly waiting. i ordered 2 soft shell tacos- i usually prefer soft corn shells and not flour- but these worked. the order came out missing some stuff but it was easily remedied. i want to try the nachos next time.
(4)Jaehong H.
This place is typically busy. There are exactly four tables, so it is difficult to find seats at times. The food was great! I would recommend the tacos especially. There is a great beer selection.
(5)Hadley M.
Upon walking in you will immediately like this place. It's comfortable, colorful, smells god and is off the beaten path of other restaurants in the area. Feels like a friendly place where the locals come to gather. However, the food is not that great to write home about. It is satisfactory and that is about it. Prices are very affordable for what you get and the food is fresh. What's missing is a "wow" factor in taste. A signature taste. I will say that the sweet potato taco is mighty good , if just a little bit too sweet. (are they adding sugar?) The green/verde sauce is good. But the chips taste like store bought. This place need just a little something extra to kick it over the top. Service was ok. Also, beers on tap are expensive. Go for the el cheapoes. They could use a beer special.
(3)Melissa P.
We love this place! My fiancee and I have visited several times and it is always packed in here. It is a small little place, but that's their thing. They're not a big chain or a Cozumel or an El Jalapeno's, just a small neighborhood place. Their margaritas are delicious! The blackberry one is my favorite. They do have a happy hour and drink specials and a large selection of bottle and some drafts on tap as well. Their food is nothing fancy, but the price is right, has great flavor and there is plenty of it. The staff is friendly and accommodating to special requests. They have just started wait service in their dining room and they also plan to put in a summertime patio. This is a great little spot to get some moderate Mexican food and alcohol.
(5)Dale B.
I only went to Kent to party for 2 nights and never knew about Taco Tontos until my wife took me to the Lakewood location. It was totally awesome. The fish taco was insane and made me feel like i was getting a hug from God. The beer was awesome too. Music was cool. Staff was awesome. I think the owners are a hubby and wife team running the place and they really went out of their way for us. In fact, the lady who looks like a better version of Juliet Lewis was really helpful. The husband owner looks like a cross between Tom Selleck and Denzel Washington, was super cool and knows his beers. Anyways, we had an amazing time there and we were shocked at how inexpensive it was. We are going back ASAP.
(5)Diana Q.
This is the best place for a quick beer and burrito. Their specials are amazing...The 'kick-ass kale' is the best burrito I've ever had! Great vibe, awesome bartenders and great beer. This is my weekly stop!
(5)Mike T.
Huge portions, good prices, friendly people!!! Awesome! The guacamole is fantastic!!! This place is a 'must try'!!!
(5)Lauren A.
Delicious food but takes an irrational amount of time to make, with no real wait room. I would order TO GO. And then enjoy.
(3)Richard G.
I went here for the first time on an early Saturday afternoon. This is my ideal place to eat these days. The service staff is minimal. you place an order at the bar and they call your name when your food it up. I don't rate restaurants typically on ambiance or service. My main review is about food. Food is why we go out to eat and it is the reason we come back. First we stated with chips and salsa. The chips were crispy and warmed slightly. The salsa was all fresh cut vegetables and exceptionally fresh cilantro. There were a lot of chips and an equal amount of salsa. This is important because most places pile on the chips and add a scarce amount of dip. I ordered a steak burrito with added guacamole. All of the ingredients were fresh and the burrito was grilled so there an added crunch. For some extra flavor there were home made mild and hot sauces available on the tables. The mild sauce was fantastic and added just the right amount of spice and flavor to my burrito. There are two sizes you can order. I ordered the regular. The next size was larger. I saw someone eating a large and it was huge. The regular was plenty for me. In the end, the food was fresh and delicious. I enjoyed everything from start to finish and I will be back again. Next time I will be getting the tacos.
(4)Jim M.
Best tacos and burritos. All fresh ingredients. Best of all, no pretense. People of all ages enjoy great food at amazing prices. Great table service, too.
(5)Jen M.
What a bust! Just because a local news station features them on the morning news does not mean the food is good, people! This place is officially tied with El Guero for Worst Fast Mex in Cleveland in my opinion. Dry, greenish brown "steak" and dry pinto beans just aren't my thing. And whoever equated the steak to looking like Alpo was spot on. They should use a shredded seasoned beef or even Barbacoa. instead they use weird cubes of beef that look like dog food. The upside is they offer a baby sized burrito which is 4" and a perfect size for me. And they have a nice selection of sauces. Yes, the tortilla on the burrito is toasted and slightly crispy but who cares about that if you don't use quality ingredients? This place is very similar to Ohio City burrito and I never thought they put out good food either. The setup is cool and they have a good beer selection. But dammit I will go up the street to Tango Taqueria for high quality Mex / Latin American food and homemade chips. Or for authentic Mex you cannot beat Villa y Zapata. I won't go back.
(2)Simon O.
Stopped in for a meal with the band before playing down at the Spitfire. Fantastic!! Got a delicious burrito and PBR for $7. They have a nice beer selection, cool atmosphere, and friendly staff. For a Fri night it seemed like a very mixed crowd and even through it was busy the staff had everything under control. The rest of the guys loved their burrito as well and we will be back next time we're in Cleveland!!
(4)Steven T.
Had a big steak burrito and some guacamole. Guacamole was great, thou chips were clearly something poured out of the bottom of a Costco bag. Not a big problem, as the chips were serviceable even though I was given a half a bowl of chip crumbs from the bottom of e bag. The real disappointment here was the "steak". Apparently this is yet another Mexican restaurant that thinks meat prep means throwing meat into a bowl of hot water and letting it sit there all day, getting dry, flavorless and defatted. It was frankly gross, tasteless and clearly zero effort went into the meat prep. It's a real shame because everything else in the burrito was fresh and delicious. They are really ruining their own product with the bland, flavorless boiled meat they dump in it. Atmosphere is nice, service is great.
(3)Nicki S.
I've tried the sweet potato taco at both this and the Kent location now. I wanted to love it, because the sweet potato taco could be amazing, but the ingredients just tasted so randomly thrown together. These guys gave me mashed sweet potato, but at the Kent location, it was cubed. I preferred the cubes, because they didn't just squish out the sides as much.
(2)Lilly S.
I freaking love this place! I don't know what there is to complain about. I have been here twice and loved it both times, as did the people I was with. Okay, this place it tiny. So of course, there will be a bit of a wait. But honestly, it's very reasonable for the size of the kitchen. They work fast. Seating can be tricky so we are usually prepared to get it to go if it's packed. Just plan ahead and be able to work around that if you need or don't go if that would drive you crazy. I really think it's worth that possible annoyance, though. The regular sized burriots are HUGE. The guacamole is delicious. Any of the potato or sweet potato dishes are awesome. The hot sauces aren't that hot but the flavors are GREAT. Staff is really nice, decor is super awesome, prices are very reasonable! The beer selection isn't huge but it's good for the size of the bar! I really have no complaints about this place. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Rachel B.
I can't speak to the quality of the food, as I've only had a drink (with a girlfriend, NO KIDS!) at Taco Tontos. But the drink (blackberry margarita) was delicious and HUGE. It would have been even better frozen, but they didn't do that. No matter. It is very small inside, and had we not come at an off time (Saturday at around 6ish) it probably would have been really crowded and we wouldn't have been able to get a seat at the bar. But something just feels a little unfinished about the place. I shall return to eat and then update my review.
(3)Yakov H.
I came to Taco Tonto not expecting much, but I was in for a BIG surprise. Tonto's is a creative, fun, inexpensive, vegetarian and vegan friendly "contemporary Mexican" restaurant with quick, friendly service and a spectacular menu. I enjoyed the seasonal squash burrito. For $5.50 I was served a chubby tortilla full of steamy and delicious food which was completely satisfying as a meal. (You can super size for $1 extra if you so desire.) They stick the burrito in the oven before serving so the tortilla becomes stiff and crunchy, making for an easy, utensils-free meal. This food would work well for take out or eating on the go for that reason. I love their homemade hot sauce which is available at all tables in both mild and hot varieties. My server Natalie was alert, friendly, and fast. I hope to come back to sample their many interesting burrito and breakfast options as well as their housemade sodas. Taco Tonto's brings a wonderful dining option to the Madison / Birdtown area of Lakewood. I live in Florida but I'll be sure to come back whenever I'm visiting my in-laws here in Lakewood.
(5)Ryan D.
It's super simple. Great ambiance. Amazing fresh food, huge portions, great prices. I love this place. I prefer to return for fish taco Fridays. My wife said that it is her favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Cleveland. Enough said. just eat here already!!
(5)Adi S.
--3.5 stars-- Went here for lunch with work colleagues. Big fan of the colorful interior of this place, and have to give it a few extra points for quick and friendly service. Overall, I thought the food was about average compared to other restaurants on M
(3)Brandi H.
Decided to try taco tontos for the first time today. I thought it was wonderful. Today's special was spicy chicken tandoori and unfortunately they were out of it. I will definitely come back again to try that one. I ended up ordering the chicken burrito, added black beans and bacon and it was massive and delicious. More than I could eat. The service was friendly, I can't believe so many reviews said negative things about the service. The beer list is huge. My final deciding factor was the Bloody Mary that I ordered. It was potent and it had a nice kick. I would definitely come back and eat here again.
(5)Cheryl A.
Taco Tantos has some really great food at an even better price. I never question the quality of the ingredients like I might at some other typical Mexican restaurants. Everything is always fresh and delicious. I highly suggest the sweet potato tacos/burrito. Also, they've got a lot of vegetarian and vegan options.
(4)P W.
I enjoyed Taco Tontos during my years in Kent. This place is in such close proximity to La Plaza that I cannot justify ever getting a taco from them. I grew a fondness for potato burritos during travels out west and Taco Tontos makes a decent one. It is a nice stop along the Madison Crawl if you are hungry. The inside is cute.
(3)Callie L.
I try to support local restaurants over local chains when I can. I had been to Taco Tontos only a few times before and the food had always been good, but I hadn't had anything that really stood out in my mind. That was until a friend recommended I try the sweet potato chicken burrito. Coming from someone who doesn't even enjoy sweet potatos that much, this burrito is AMAZING and will keep me coming back. Something about the mix of the smokey chicken with the sweet potatoes is the perfect flavor combination. I would highly recommend it!! This place is also has a lot of vegetarian/vegan friendly options and a great beer selection. :)
(4)S. H.
In this review I am going to do a lot of comparison to another taco joint also on Madison, Barrio. Both are excellent places to eat; they are just different- and depending on your mood, one will be a better fit than the other.... Taco Tanto is a much smaller restaurant, so may need to wait longer to grab a seat, but is brighter and perhaps a bit cheerier in atmosphere than Barrio. Their tacos are larger in proportion, but also a little bit pricier than Barrio. Taco Tanto has a small bar, but the selection is well thought out. Taco Tanto has a more extensive but set menu than Barrio, but allow people to customize whats on the menu so its almost as versitle. I have had the beef tacos, chicken tacos, black bean tacos, and chips & guac.... and I ca't wait to try out more of their menu!
(4)Jake R.
Went with a group of friends. Iced tea was great. Steak burrito was excellent. Would highly recommend!
(4)J R.
I'm sorry to be a downer but although the staff was Great! My burrito was nothing to write home about. IJS...
(2)Tim H.
In the very restaurant competitive area this little gem could be over looked but that would be a mistake. The stylish art and generous portions make this place a must try. We loved the delicious food and attentive/friendly staff. This place is a must try!
(5)Kim R.
We were excited to try the neighborhood taco bar. After moving here from Texas last year, where tacos are just a staple/way of life in everyday food, I have been searching for a good go to taco joint to fulfill those cravings. Taco Tontos is not that place for me. I have to admit that I liked the location, and the fact that they had good beer on tap. But, the food was wicked bland. Seasoning people....season the food.
(1)Erin B.
I love Taco Tontos because they use high quality ingredients... There are very few places you can get brown rice on a burrito. They have house made vegan cashew sour cream, tempeh 'bacon', sweet potatoes, kale... Their daily specials such as 'tasty tempeh', 'kick-ass kale', and 'Summer or Winter vegetable' are really good too. The people who work here are all really friendly. It's a comfortable place to eat. The drinks are great- especially the blackberry margarita. I have heard people say that their food is too bland, but I think those people just don't want to think about what to put in their burritos/tacos. I like that you can choose what you want from a large list of ingredients. Aside from the specials, the combinations on the menu are somewhat bland and are meant to be added to. The only problem with this formula and this restaurant in general is that when I first started going here their accuracy rate of giving me exactly what I asked for was about 30%. Now, it is closer to 75%. If you don't add a lot of stuff like I do, you won't have this problem. I guess it doesn't bother me much... I still keep going and they have improved.
(5)Justin Y.
For what it is, this is an amazing burrito joint! I love chipotle but this above and beyond better! They have daily specials with many vegan/vegetarian options! This is a great place for lunch or cheap dinner! Also a decent selection of drinks! Bean and rice burrito with guacamole is my personal favorite!
(4)Samantha R.
The interior is cool. Bar is cool. Owner is a nice guy. Food is just OK. Tostadas should not be a soft flour toritilla on a pizza pan. It should be a crispy corn tortilla. One would expect they would know that. He could do so much better if he hired someone that knew how to really cook.
(2)Sarah F.
Love Taco Tanto's in Kent. Lakewood, you're doing just ok but I shouldn't have to wait 20 mins for a burrito. I'll still come visit you because: 1) You just opened a few weeks ago and I'm sure you're still working out some kinks 2) Your food is delicious The sweet potato burrito with the hot salsa is awesome. I also tried the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies once... if they're offered, GET THEM. So good! Please bring in the daily specials like the Kent location offers!
(3)Scott P.
Pretty cool place. I got the Tandoori Chicken special in a burrito and it was excellent. It arrived nice and warm like a delicious food sleeping bag full of joy and chicken. I like that you can get the special in a Taco or a burrito or however you want. The guacamole was decent and the hot sauces on the table were good. The habanero margarita was good at first, but turned out to be way too salty near middle, even when ignoring the rim and using the straw. Would happily go back!
(4)Cory R.
Another visit, another star lower. Asked for my burrito cut into two halves as usual and got it to go. When I got home the ends of the burrito weren't sealed at all (not just a small hole) and I had to put it on a plate and eat it with a fork. Blasphemy! If Taco Tontos was consistent I would give it 3 stars still, but out of the maybe 10 times I've been there there 3 have been disappointing.
(2)Amanda T.
Had the crunchy chicken and beef tacos, also the guac. Very mediocre , tacos are good size , Guac was average nothing great
(3)Becky R.
I had a dining experience here that would not take me back a second time. Service was very slow ( appeared to be a three-person operation- bartender, server and cook). I ordered a taco bowl without potatoes and it was served with potatoes. The menu is good and the restaurant overall has a funky, eclectic vibe but the service and order mess-up is not enough to bring me back.
(2)M. A.
Do not waste your time coming here. I came with a group of 4 people, the restaurant was very quiet. We ordered a large guac for an appetizer barely feeds 2 people honestly nothing special about it at all. From the 4 of us 2 ordered tacos and 2 ordered burritos, steak burrito was good chicken has NO flavor to it. The tacos were OK nothing to rave about and extremely bland. Definitely nothing authentic about their food. I ate half of my black bean taco and didn't even touch the chicken i tried it later at home and it actually made me sick to my stomach. Prices were very cheap but shows you get what you pay for. Go to Momocho's instead!
(1)Dane B.
I like the atmosphere at Taco Tontos in Lakewood. The artwork in the wall reminds me of Fire on the Mountain in Portland, Oregon. They have a pretty extensive beer menu, I was pleasantly surprised.
(5)Katie L.
I loved this place when I was at Kent state and I love it nearby in Lakewood more than ever!!! Drinks are awesome, staff are super nice and food is fresh and tasty ! I truly enjoy the vegan options and the deserts are soooo good! This place is such a gem. A healthier fresh take on Mexican cuisine. PLEASE GO HERE!!!
(5)Devon C.
I love this place! It's great living right up the street from a restaurant like this. It's a really unusual spot and the atmosphere is definitely not normal. I've been here several times and they recently converted to having table service as well as take out. Before then, you ordered at the counter and then self-seated. Either way worked for me. The table service has kind of made it a little easier, though. Yesterday, I finally utilized their takeout service and it was speedy and the food was fresh. The food is kind of an acquired taste. It is rather dry, kind of a charred, smoky Mexican cooking. Whether or not it's supposed to be authentic or a fusion style I wouldn't be able to tell you. However, I actually really like it. I usually get a combo burrito, which has beans and beef as well as lettuce, rice, cheese, and onions. Maybe more stuff. However, with all those ingredients comes a giant piece of food. Even when you order a burrito regular-sized (they have "regulata" and "el biggo") they're enormous. I really like the atmosphere. The service has been nothing but friendly to me and my friends/family. It is a very small place, but there always seems to be space for us. It's not the fastest restaurant, but it can be pretty quick and you can get out of there fast, if you must. I've never had to wait for a table and I've never heard of anyone wait for a table. I imagine I'm probably there on relatively slow nights because THIS IS A SMALL SPACE. However, it's uniquely decorated and the music playing is always top-notch. Notable selections include the original Strokes tracks and the like. Overall, my experience there always has been good. I've heard a lot of people complain about it, but it really works well for me. I have a soft spot for mexican food.
(5)Helen G.
This is just the kind of place we've been looking for in Lakewood. Funky décor, great selection of beer, and reasonably priced food. You can't go wrong with salsa, guac, and tacos. The atmosphere is relaxed, the ingredients are fresh, and the portions are satisfying.
(4)Jennifer D.
We were looking forward to checking this place out. It was good and bad. We ordered using their online ordering. After reading other Yelp reviews we ordered add-ons to our beef taco and Saturday pork soft taco. First, we were charged an extra $3 for the additional toppings and they forgot to add the toppings to both tacos! And, we ordered a side of queso for $2 and they forgot to include that in our order. As other reviewers say the guacamole is "ok" Needs onions and seasoning. The one good thing is the beef taco was very good (just wish they would have included the extra toppings we ordered!) The corn shell stayed crispy with carryout which was great and the meat portions are twice the amount for the price. Tacos run around $4 but equate to two tacos at other restaurants. The beef was really good. The Saturday pork special tasted gross. When we picked up our order we could see the pork sitting in a vat with the lid hanging off and it looked dry, like it had been cooked hours before. The cheese that they use is excellent. Their hot/mild salsas are terrible - no texture very runny and "blah". The corn/cilantro salsa excellent. Pineapple salsa has too much pineapple and very sweet. If you want chips/salsa that's an extra charge and the chips...we couldn't figure out if they were home made or from a bag. We love chips and salsa from Mexican restaurants and with most ,it's complimentary. I wouldn't pay for the chips/salsa here. Not sure if we will go back, but we will definitely call them Monday to try and get a refund for the items they did not include in our order, but we were charged for.
(2)Paul W.
Stopped by on the afternoon of the so-called "Blizzard of 2012" to try the BLT burrito. Nothing authentic about it, but found it very tasty. The hot salsa on the side had a nice kick. I'd go again but wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Kyle R.
Basically this place is a better version of chipotle that also happens to have a nice bar. Taco tantos has a very hipster atmosphere and serves multiple craft beers. The burritos are awesome and you can tell they use fresh, natural ingredients. Beware that the el biggo size is ridiculously big. I can never finish an el biggo so I go with the regulata. My favorite burrito is the black bean with guacamole.
(4)Kate A.
Honestly, I'm kind of shocked about all the bad reviews here on Yelp! Like many others, used to got to the Kent TT semi-often, and loved it. Sure, the burritos aren't necessarily authentic, but I've given up on authentic Mexican in NE Ohio anyway. Initially I was put off by the "meh" reviews here, and kind of dragged my heels about going. But then a friend posted a picture of the daily specials board yesterday and I knew I had to stop in before work. What drew me in? The "Kick-Ass Kale" special. I'm glad I went, because it was one of those rare moments when I got exactly what I wanted and was perfectly happy with my lunch. My crispy, baked burrito was full of a whole mess o' kale as promised, no skimpy greens portion here! Along with that, it contained roasted potatoes, corn, poblano peppers, onions, sour cream, tomatoes, and a butt-load of cheese. Effin delicious! If you are not the biggest fan of cheese, I'd recommend asking the kitchen to go light, because there was A LOT of it. No complaints here though. My boyfriend got the steak burrito and it was also delicious. The wait time was not bad. 15 minutes to eat in two burritos assembled from scratch and baked? Not sweating a 15 minute wait. I think people have just become used to going down the line at Chipotle. You'd wait that long or longer at any other restaurant. My only minute complaint is that the mild and hot salsa had exactly the same heat level and tasted very similar. That said, I preferred the flavor of the mild. Oh, and the bill? $14. Thank goodness for Taco Tonto's. You're there for me when I crave something better than the big C and have a little more time to spare. Before you, I had to suffer the abuses and erratic opening/closing times of El Tango, but no more! I'll be back, and hopefully not before work so I can try some of the signature margaritas!
(4)Rich S.
I really wish I could give this place a higher rating, but the food really sucks. On the surface, this is exactly what I want to see -- more fast casual restaurants in Lakewood, especially along Madison Ave. Taco Tonto's has "the look". The atmosphere and drink selection are fitting a cool new restaurant in a lively metro area or college campus. The food is another story. The person who said the food could have come from a concession stand at a little league baseball game wasn't kidding. There's nothing fresh here, nothing is being made in house, etc. A quick glance at the kitchen isn't needed to confirm this, but when you do look, between the absence of any significant cooking being done and the boxes from Old El Paso it's painfully clear. The quality is Aldi's at best. The jarred salsa sucks, even for jarred salsa. Anyone acting smug comparing this place to Chipotle (i.e. the guy who laughed at the people in the line at Chipotle) should be embarrassed for themselves.
(2)Michael J.
The food was incredibly bland. I was expecting gourmet and fresh ingredients, instead I found myself eating food that could have been served from a concession stand at a little league baseball game. The ground beef was unseasoned, the tomatoes dry, the lettuce bagged, and chips old and stale. Unless you're drunk and need some sustenance, I'd refrain from eating here. This place no doubt makes Lakewood's worst restaurants list.
(1)Joe C.
Taco Tonto's in Lakewood?! I can't even...I mean...please excuse any typos in this post; it's hard to see the screen with tears of joy in my eyes. Some background: I used to eat here several times a week when I went to Kent. I'd call my order in after class or when I got off work and then laugh at all the people standing in line at Chipotle while I went to pick up the best damn burrito on the planet. When I was finally looking to move out of Akron a few years ago, it was actually a legitimate concern that I wouldn't be able to get my TT fill as often. Well, problem solved. For those that aren't familiar with the Taco Tonto's formula, they bake the burritos after they roll them. This gives them a crispier shell and (at least in my opinion) seems to bake in the flavors. They also do tacos, bowls, and other options if you aren't in the mood for a burrito. The prices are totally reasonable, with my steak burrito running around $7 for the big one (and that's after I add some stuff to it). I like that this new location has more of a bar and a pretty good beer selection to go with it. They've only been open for two weeks up here, so I'd encourage you to give them the benefit of the doubt while the new location finds some traction. The burrito I had last night was just as good as the ones I used to get, but it sounds like some other people had a different experience. Regardless, I'm super excited that I get to introduce my Cleveland friends to what they've been missing out on up here! Get in on it now before the word gets out and the wait times get crazy.
(5)Bill R.
Second time at the Lakewood Taco Tonto's today for lunch with my son. We had "el biggo" burritos (each as big as your head) -- his fish, mine shrimp. Each had rice, a bit of guac (I think) and this spicy slaw that was really good. Mine was very generous with the shrimp, and my son said the same about the fish. Perfectly concocted in that the flavor was unique & pleasing, but not overpowering to the subtlety of the seafood. We also had fresh tortilla chips with homemade guac. Too much food really, but it was great. Five great beers on tap, including one of my favs, Negra Modelo, but sadly I gave up alcohol for Lent. (Yes, I am an idiot.) Some people don't seem to dig TTs, and perhaps that's because they may be expecting something else. It's not gourmet food, but it is very good, well-prepared and a good value on wholesome fare. They have tacos and quesadillas too. To me, the lightly-browned (baked) burrito shell (soft with crispy edges) is definitely an improvement over the Chipotle approach. And the place has a pleasant, bright, somewhat bohemian vibe to it (notice I didn't say hipster). A fun place to eat your great burrito. A Lakewood-owned business. You should try it!
(4)Cornez G.
Today (2/18/14) was the very first time I stepped foot into a Taco Tanto's and I was Truly amazed! The environment is very original and unique, the decorations are fantastic! This was my first impression! Now, I was going into Taco Tanto's as a salesman and was meeting with the owner Jill. Which turned out to be a win/ win situation because she sent me on my way with a chicken burrito that honestly can say was the best burrito I've ever had! My first couple bites were amazing, then I tapped into the hot salsa she gave me and it turned it into phenomenal! I am sold Taco Tantos! Chipotle who?! Seriously, you've made me a customer for life!! Cornez
(5)Brian W.
I can't really understand why some are bitching about Taco Tantos. Poor Cory's life must be unbearable since his halved burrito incident, and what the hell does Blue expect black beans to taste like? My partner and I have been in here a half dozen times and NEVER has the quality of the food been anything worse than delicious, and the wait staff is always pleasant and courteous. I like this place because the food, salsa, hot sauces, etc are freshly made, not scooped out of a bin of guacamole from Sam's. They also have great vegan and vegetarian options. I think some people just like to bitch. If you want an authentic taco go to freakin Mehico.
(5)Gina C.
Went back last night. Last time I didn't notice all the extras you can add to your tacos to give them more flavor for just $0.30 each, so that definitely improved my opinion of the food. My husband had a chicken taco and a combo taco with beef and pinto beans. He loved the chicken, but said he probably wouldn't order the beef again. He was very impressed with the quantity.
(4)Sean H.
Taco Tantos was one of my favorite places to eat when I went to school in Kent and the new location didn't disappoint! Great friendly staff and fast service. I love the Sweet Potato/Black Bean burrito and the homemade Hot Sauce is the best around. (Sauce isn't too hot and has quite a bit of flavor)
(5)Dominic T.
Authentic? No. Delicious? Yes. Lemonade (get it spiked with vodka!), one huge taco ($4.50) and shared order of chips & vegan guac (really just regular guac...the standard version has sour cream) did it for me. Friday fish tacos are really good, great for the price.
(4)Ted K.
I love Taco Tontos. The food is always very, very fresh. I have been going there for two years and have not had a problem. I eat there several times a week. To the people that are saying that the food is bland obviously you didn't try any of there salsas which are all excellent. .The food is meant to be a medium for there salsas. For example the spicy cilantro is really excellent with the shrimp special on Friday. They also have the best margaritas I have had anywhere and I go to Mexico a lot. Within three months of the opening I had to join a twelve step program. For a small place they also have a remarkable selection of craft beers. Unless they are extremely busy the waitresses and bartenders are very, very friendly. But there are times where you just have to press for efficiency so they won't be chatting you up. This is small mom and pop operation and when it gets crowded it might take 15 minutes or so to get your food. But usually it is just 5 or ten minutes. Please note that everyone I have talked to about it loves Taco Tontos..
(5)J B.
I love Tantos. But I'm never going back. I never write yelp reviews and hardly have bad attitudes about places. I've been a waitress and bartender myself and can understand an off night. I'm done with Tantos though. I have food allergies and Taco Tantos is one of the places around town that is able to be accommodating with their menu. My problem is, the last few times I've ordered take-out from there, the person on the other end taking my order has been short with me and has messed up my order (which for me means I simply can't eat the food). Also, I don't ask for anything crazy there. I pretty much always get the steak taco in a corn shell with no tomatoes. It really shouldn't be that hard. Today I thought I check everything before I left but got back to my apartment with my food and again, I had the wrong order (a flour tortilla with one of my tacos) and couldn't eat it. This stuff happens, it's fine. At this point I'm just annoyed with myself for not checking my order thoroughly before I left. I called them back up to replace the order for the taco they messed up and the girl on the other end blamed me for not saying what I wanted correctly but said she would have them remake the one taco. So I gave it about 15 minutes and went back. My order wasn't there and the waitress gal said it would be ready in a moment. As I was standing there, one of the cooks was very nice and apologetic to me and asked what I had gotten. I asked him if an order was placed for me, and he said no. I then asked for my money back because I wasn't going to wait another fifteen minutes for the order they messed up and waitress gal made a whole fuss about it. She also said she didn't know how to refund my money. I kind of got pissed off then. Considering she yelled at me for messing up my order. Then she lied and never put in a new order. Then she was acting like it was a huge to-do to refund my money. As I was leaving she said to me again "I took your order, you never said you wanted a corn tortilla." As a past waitress, I would never treat a customer like that. It's so unacceptable. And as a consumer, I'm not going to get sick from the wrong order or berated for trying to fix it. (P.s. thanks nice cook guy for being on my side.)
(1)Kt C.
This place. I love it. Whenever I have a day to myself, I like to come and get some tacos and a cocktail or two. The staff is super friendly, and I always end up in random conversations with them. The hot sauce is to die for, spicy, but super flavorful. I generally go for beef tacos- hearty and simple, but exactly what I'm craving. The burritos are also excellent- very good pre-night out food to give you a good base for cocktailing. The house margaritas are lovely and amazing- though today I was swayed by their new Blueberry Vanilla Lemonade. This is the perfect "It's my day off and I'll do what I want to" meal! Always good music playing, the decor is super fun (I want my living room painted like this) and it's just a good, fun, funky yet comfortable environment. I'll be back many, many times.
(5)Chas M.
Place is OK. The food is stuff I can make at home with stuff from La Plaza. Good, but nothin' that stands out too much. Drinks were good but expensive. The servers are the biggest turn off. They are indifferent...like they could care less if they make money or not. One was doing her makeup behind the bar and the other dropped our money off without even and "thank you" or "you suck"...anything. Then she sat down next to us (5 minutes after her shift started) and chowed a burrito. In a place so small, with so few people in it, one would have to actually TRY to make customers ignored. Can't say there are other options for Mexican in Flakewood.....there are, but the servers are just as bad. Maybe if I put on one of them Nacho Libre masks and do a flying elbow drop off a table it will liven up the place a little....
(3)Jason E.
Great local restaurant! Combo burrito bowls and tantos soda is a fav! Support local business !!
(5)Amy H.
We have eaten here twice recently. Great Service both times - Once at lunch and once for a Friday night dinner with friends. We bought the $5 take home bottle of sauce. Amazing!
(4)Dennis F.
I was really hoping for more. It's a nice small environment with very little seating. The tacos were good but not"ohhh my god!" It was good I MIGHT come back.
(3)Kara J.
Taco Tontos is so great. Everything is super delicious, the staff is wonderful, and they do a very good job getting you squared with a drink at the bar during what is usually a pretty quick wait for a table. I very much recommend the queso and chips; both are individually on point and perfect together. The guacamole is not my favorite in the world (it's a little too smooth), but all the drinks are excellent. Definitely try a house margarita or the habanero margarita if you are into spicy drinks (I absolutely love it), and the hot toddy is incredible. Oh man I really love this place, and I didn't even go to Kent!
(5)Mike E.
The place, as you walk in is not at all fancy! But they make up for it in sevice, bar and over all greatness! I ordered 1 taco, just to see if I liked it before I'd order another. The taco was awsome and so filling, I was done! They hand make their Margaritas... That means they muddle the fruit! You dont even see that in your higher class Mexican Restaurants!
(5)Fallon S.
I really enjoyed the tacos here. Service was A+. A bit less adventurous than Barrio, but there are lots of add on's if you're willing to pay the minimal upcharges. Good, quality food, but what really stood out for me was the Two Layer Taco Sheet. It's a hard shell wrapped in a soft shell and glued together with your choice of queso, magic melt, sour cream, guac, pinto, or sweet potato. I went with the magic melt and it truly was magic, and heavenly. I will definitely be back for that. They have a lot of fun starters and other menu items I'd love to try. Not that Lakewood is lacking for tacos, but I'm glad this place is an option and I hope it sticks around!
(5)Chris C.
The tacos were dank! The pineapple salsa is bomb diggity! If you want some good food check this place out! The service was on point! I will be going back great experience!
(5)Jesco D.
If you don't do very well in tiny, cramped dining rooms with a ridiculous amount of people and asshole screaming children all around you, then this is NOT the place to be. Tuesday night at 8pm and there is a party of 10 for a birthday party?! Oh, and only one server on the floor. I'm really not sure why servers in general put more focus on larger groups as opposed to smaller groups who have been waiting a while to even see a menu. That happened. In the middle of looking at a menu and figuring out what to do the server all of a sudden decides that the table needs to be wiped off? Great. As stated before, it's a pretty small dining room and gets pretty fucking loud. Especially when one table has 10 people having a dumb birthday party. I really get irrational and aggressive being in small spaces with loud noises and people bumping into you, so I had to move to the bar for some reprieve. No offense to the server. We got the chips and queso. It wasn't anything special. The more I ate it the more it reminded me of the Velveeta cheese queso with the peppers in it. Pretty sure that's what it really is. The bartender was more attentive than our former server, who in the whole time of unbearably sitting at a tiny table only managed to get our drink orders. We got the chicken burrito and the beef burrito. The lady didn't like the need burrito at all and only ate half of it. The chicken burrito on the other hand...I don't think I would even like it if I was black-out drunk. The tortilla was crispy and good, but the inside was just a bland cheesy mess. I really don't think cold lettuce of any kind should be fried and then baked enclosed in a burrito. That's cooking 101. Gross. Unimpressed with the quality of the food. Originated in Kent, its obviously geared for wasted drunk college kids who could eat dog shit off a tire with no problem. It was ridiculously busy that night as outlined, and other than the feeling of the server focusing on the bigger party who probably didn't tip well anyway I can't really hold her at fault for anything. She was really nice and obviously doing the best she could despite being the only one on the floor. The food is just bland and nothing special. Will definitely not be returning. Don't even bother.
(1)Paige E.
Love Taco Tanto. Great flavor, very good margaritas. The place is very small. I wish they were open a little later. I've never had a problem with service.
(5)Shayna B.
Viva la Sweet Potato Tostada! Gotta say I don't enjoy many of the things on the menu without a ton of the add-ons and sauces, but I add nothing to the sweet potato tostada. If you can stand the heartburn, the habanero margarita is outstanding. The rest of the margs are mediocre. Their verde salsa and chipotle sauce make everything taste great. And the beer/tap selection is one of the best in Lakewood as far as I'm concerned. Certainly not the largest, but the best picks. For me, this is the type of place you go for a few specific, stand-out dishes when you have a taste for them. Otherwise, the offerings are unimpressive. Finally, I have to admit, 90% of the time that we visit is because we've gone to el Carnicero, Barrio, and Barroco a few too many times and need to change it up. Plus it's close and we really like sitting at their bar. If we didn't live in Lakewood and have so many great Latino food choices, the rating might be higher.
(3)Katie S.
Lots of good beer but food was SUPER bland I smothered my burrito in their decent mild sauce. Like smothered.
(2)Andrew K.
On par with chipotle. No thank you. Way too small for a restaurant and service is slow. Stay far away from this one.
(1)Mark S.
Meh. Food is so so. Drinks are great depending on whose making em. And nice rotating beer list. The Juan Collins is the tops. (Thanks Penny!) Also kale should be outlawed and delisted from the edible food roster. It has no place on a taco or burrito.
(2)Casey J.
I have to update my review after going back to taco tontos after a long hiatus. I first went back and got a blackberry margarita at the bar-delicious and strong :) I also go the pork burrito to go and it was delicious, would certainly order it again. Glad my faith has been restored in this nearby establishment.
(4)David M.
So good, better than I remember from Kent!!! Service was a bit slow but they were busy!!!!
(5)Meri R.
Time for an update! I shied away from the Lakewood spot for a long while because the shoddy service and meh burritos were harshing my mellow college memories from the OG Kent location. Recently I popped back in for a takeout order, and was more than pleasantly surprised. It took about 15 minutes for two delicious burritos to be prepared, and the bartender chatted with me while she mixed Margaritas while I waited. The restaurant was about half full when I stopped in but it seemed to be filling up when I left. The food was awesome, the prices are fair, and I now have a renewed faith in Taco Tontos. My one caveat is that while the tempeh burrito (a Monday special) is very tasty, it was petty lacking in the key ingredient- tempeh! Looking forward to trying other menu items soon.
(4)Shannon C.
Did a take out order from here last week and already thinking about when I will be back... If they keep you coming back for more, you know it was good (he-he). And cheap (bahahaha). Enough with the cheesy jokes, let's talk food! The hubby did a steak burrito and I the chicken. I chose the same add ons I do at my favorite chain burrito place. We ordered on their website and food was ready within a half hour on a busy weekend evening, not bad at all. I certainly found the chicken a bit bland, really seemed under seasoned to me. I used a ton (literally) of hot sauce. Next time I will add more sauce and more add ons to make it taste better. But there was no chewy meat like found in other said burritos. Huge plus for me personally, not the dog. All in all, close to home so they will definitely get my business over the other guys for the time being. They season that chicken a bit more with garlic, salt and pepper and I would certainly give five stars.
(4)Marc H.
Really good chicken burrito. El biggo chx with hot sauce, no sour with vegan guacamole. I have ordered this several times and I'm always pleased. The steak burrito on the other hand isn't good at all. It's not steak, more of a beef roast. Hence a reduction in a star. I'll be back again to try some specials for sure.
(4)LeAnn S.
Love this place! Every time! It's so disappointing when we're craving it then we realize it's Sunday! :(
(5)Maurice R.
The only reason I didn't give five stars is because the place is too small. The burritos are HUGE and delicious. The Guacamole is fantastic. Service is usually good. Great atmosphere.
(4)Don C.
So at 8 pm the daily special is sold out. My friend had his order come out wrong so they remade it and to top it off my quesadilla looked like it was dropped. But I would have been willing to eat it except for it being 1/2 burned. I ate 1 piece that was not burned but tasted burnt and sent it back.
(2)Sly M.
I really love this little joint. The burritos are excellent and reasonably priced. I especially like how they hot press them. Always some good beers on tap as well. Its not like chipotle so don't compare them. Bartenders and servers have always been very cool.
(4)Mark R.
Really good and fresh. Standard fare tacos, burritos, tostadas, and salads. But where it gets interesting is the add ons! My standard beef taco was really good but adding smoked chipolte made huge difference. Really bold flavor mixed with fresh ingredients equals yum! The salsa and chips tasted pretty fresh too. Both probably homemade. Nice sized menu with lots of options. But only about seven tables and a small bat. If you are here with a crowd, you may wait awhile. Service was decent, but closer to slow than deliberate. Not a quick lunch stop, but with visit!
(4)Jill C.
Wow! First time tonight and was so awesomely surprised! Great food and even better service. Small, cozy, cute as can be... Can't wait to go back!
(5)Brooke G.
Fresh, fresh, fresh! Great small business with excellent service. Dining room is a little small but it goes with the overall cozy feel. Definitely recommend.
(5)Milos M.
I think I really really really want to give this place a 5 star rating but I might in the future when I go back here again. To start, this is a really cool hipster bar/restaurant. The environment inside is really cool and similar to the Barroco Grill just down Madison. Great selection of beers and liquor, friendly friendly servers and bartenders and just overall a friendly place. The food is rather really good, I got the beef tacos there in a gluten free shell and it was MASSIVE, for 1 dollar you can get a tiny hard taco at T-Bell but here for 4 dollars you get this MASSIVE taco that could fill you up if you aren't starving. The beef could use some more seasoning but I got this really good hot sauce with it and it was great. I also had chicken quesadillas, delicious but I wish they offered whole-wheat options instead of the white flour. Overall for anybody else this would be a 5 star place but lack of whole wheat options and sometimes lack of seasonings on some of the food would only make me give it a 4/5.
(4)Nick X.
Decent. The burritos can be dry and the meat isn't as flavorful/marinated as it should be. Nice atmosphere.
(3)Ted M.
I truly do want to give this place more but I can't seem to and it's only getting a second star due to the great drinks menu which is very reasonably priced and that their mild and hot sauces where delicious. The mild went perfect with the tacos and burritos. Perfect zest, kick and flavor in the sauce, unfortunately that's about it on the flavor front as the tacos where less than plain with nothing seasoned or really anything interesting. Just heated up lettuce, tomato, rice an fish which was the special on Friday. Sad to say it but even a person that's not versed in the kitchen can season up a better set of shrimp and be a tad more inventive with a burrito. I get it, it's an easy, simple and not trying to be fancy type of place but even the simple can be flavorful, this wasn't. I will give it another shot and if it seasons up I'll readjust but as of right now I don't see that happening.
(2)Brian B.
I definitely have to decrease my rating from 4 down to 2 stars. On our last visit the place wasn't very clean. They also left the door open and we were harassed by flies the entire time. Also the food has also gotten very bland and could use some refining (e.g. the steak chunks in a burrito are too big). My girlfriend had a coupon for a "baby burrito" (because they screwed up an order on another date), but when they brought that out it was way burnt! She had to send it back, and by the time she got yet another, I had finished all of my food. We were sick of the flies and left after that. Tontos just isn't keeping up when there are plenty of great Mexican options in Lakewood with better food and a better beer selection. Go to Barrio, Barroco, or Cozumel instead.
(2)Ferris B.
I often frequent this place as I live close by. I always have good service there. They have a bartender who wears a bow tie who is my favorite. He is personable and makes a great cocktail. I think I have to admit I like to drink here better than eat here. They have innovative cocktails and a decent craft beer menu. The atmosphere can be crowded as this is a very small place but is still nice. It has a really awesome mural and ambient lighting. The food leaves something to be desired. Many previous yelp posts claimed lack of flavor. Sadly, this is the truth. The meat lacks seasoning. Everything is kind of bland. However, they have a really nice selection of sauces. The cilantro lime and habanero are my favorite. Without it the food is sort of lack luster. I would not recommend getting anything with steak as it tends to be over cooked and tough. I would suggest giving this place a try regardless. The chicken tostada was a winner. Thier Zombie drink is killer. Fruity yet packs a boozy punch. Just be sure to get a sauce on the side.
(3)John M.
Best burrito in town every time I go. In fact my picky eating kids ask for it consistently. Chill atmosphere and easy to find. I can only hope an eastside expansion is in the works. Keep up the great food offerings MUAH!!
(4)Stefanie F.
I don't get it. They did well on the campus of KSU because, well, poor college students have no choice. And no taste. Their guacamole is perhaps the worst I've ever had. It should really be called something else. Guaca... pukey? I feel a bit bad being so smug-uppity but there are several more options for tacos y burritos in Lakewood that blow this place away. Service is super friendly and stuff but still, not good unless you're accustomed to T Bell.
(2)Lilly S.
I freaking love this place! I don't know what there is to complain about. I have been here twice and loved it both times, as did the people I was with. Okay, this place it tiny. So of course, there will be a bit of a wait. But honestly, it's very reasonable for the size of the kitchen. They work fast. Seating can be tricky so we are usually prepared to get it to go if it's packed. Just plan ahead and be able to work around that if you need or don't go if that would drive you crazy. I really think it's worth that possible annoyance, though. The regular sized burriots are HUGE. The guacamole is delicious. Any of the potato or sweet potato dishes are awesome. The hot sauces aren't that hot but the flavors are GREAT. Staff is really nice, decor is super awesome, prices are very reasonable! The beer selection isn't huge but it's good for the size of the bar! I really have no complaints about this place. I can't wait to go back!
(5)Rachel B.
I can't speak to the quality of the food, as I've only had a drink (with a girlfriend, NO KIDS!) at Taco Tontos. But the drink (blackberry margarita) was delicious and HUGE. It would have been even better frozen, but they didn't do that. No matter. It is very small inside, and had we not come at an off time (Saturday at around 6ish) it probably would have been really crowded and we wouldn't have been able to get a seat at the bar. But something just feels a little unfinished about the place. I shall return to eat and then update my review.
(3)Yakov H.
I came to Taco Tonto not expecting much, but I was in for a BIG surprise. Tonto's is a creative, fun, inexpensive, vegetarian and vegan friendly "contemporary Mexican" restaurant with quick, friendly service and a spectacular menu. I enjoyed the seasonal squash burrito. For $5.50 I was served a chubby tortilla full of steamy and delicious food which was completely satisfying as a meal. (You can super size for $1 extra if you so desire.) They stick the burrito in the oven before serving so the tortilla becomes stiff and crunchy, making for an easy, utensils-free meal. This food would work well for take out or eating on the go for that reason. I love their homemade hot sauce which is available at all tables in both mild and hot varieties. My server Natalie was alert, friendly, and fast. I hope to come back to sample their many interesting burrito and breakfast options as well as their housemade sodas. Taco Tonto's brings a wonderful dining option to the Madison / Birdtown area of Lakewood. I live in Florida but I'll be sure to come back whenever I'm visiting my in-laws here in Lakewood.
(5)Ryan D.
It's super simple. Great ambiance. Amazing fresh food, huge portions, great prices. I love this place. I prefer to return for fish taco Fridays. My wife said that it is her favorite Mexican restaurant in all of Cleveland. Enough said. just eat here already!!
(5)Brandi H.
Decided to try taco tontos for the first time today. I thought it was wonderful. Today's special was spicy chicken tandoori and unfortunately they were out of it. I will definitely come back again to try that one. I ended up ordering the chicken burrito, added black beans and bacon and it was massive and delicious. More than I could eat. The service was friendly, I can't believe so many reviews said negative things about the service. The beer list is huge. My final deciding factor was the Bloody Mary that I ordered. It was potent and it had a nice kick. I would definitely come back and eat here again.
(5)Cheryl A.
Taco Tantos has some really great food at an even better price. I never question the quality of the ingredients like I might at some other typical Mexican restaurants. Everything is always fresh and delicious. I highly suggest the sweet potato tacos/burrito. Also, they've got a lot of vegetarian and vegan options.
(4)Adi S.
--3.5 stars-- Went here for lunch with work colleagues. Big fan of the colorful interior of this place, and have to give it a few extra points for quick and friendly service. Overall, I thought the food was about average compared to other restaurants on M
(3)P W.
I enjoyed Taco Tontos during my years in Kent. This place is in such close proximity to La Plaza that I cannot justify ever getting a taco from them. I grew a fondness for potato burritos during travels out west and Taco Tontos makes a decent one. It is a nice stop along the Madison Crawl if you are hungry. The inside is cute.
(3)Callie L.
I try to support local restaurants over local chains when I can. I had been to Taco Tontos only a few times before and the food had always been good, but I hadn't had anything that really stood out in my mind. That was until a friend recommended I try the sweet potato chicken burrito. Coming from someone who doesn't even enjoy sweet potatos that much, this burrito is AMAZING and will keep me coming back. Something about the mix of the smokey chicken with the sweet potatoes is the perfect flavor combination. I would highly recommend it!! This place is also has a lot of vegetarian/vegan friendly options and a great beer selection. :)
(4)S. H.
In this review I am going to do a lot of comparison to another taco joint also on Madison, Barrio. Both are excellent places to eat; they are just different- and depending on your mood, one will be a better fit than the other.... Taco Tanto is a much smaller restaurant, so may need to wait longer to grab a seat, but is brighter and perhaps a bit cheerier in atmosphere than Barrio. Their tacos are larger in proportion, but also a little bit pricier than Barrio. Taco Tanto has a small bar, but the selection is well thought out. Taco Tanto has a more extensive but set menu than Barrio, but allow people to customize whats on the menu so its almost as versitle. I have had the beef tacos, chicken tacos, black bean tacos, and chips & guac.... and I ca't wait to try out more of their menu!
(4)Jake R.
Went with a group of friends. Iced tea was great. Steak burrito was excellent. Would highly recommend!
(4)J R.
I'm sorry to be a downer but although the staff was Great! My burrito was nothing to write home about. IJS...
(2)Tim H.
In the very restaurant competitive area this little gem could be over looked but that would be a mistake. The stylish art and generous portions make this place a must try. We loved the delicious food and attentive/friendly staff. This place is a must try!
(5)Kim R.
We were excited to try the neighborhood taco bar. After moving here from Texas last year, where tacos are just a staple/way of life in everyday food, I have been searching for a good go to taco joint to fulfill those cravings. Taco Tontos is not that place for me. I have to admit that I liked the location, and the fact that they had good beer on tap. But, the food was wicked bland. Seasoning people....season the food.
(1)Erin B.
I love Taco Tontos because they use high quality ingredients... There are very few places you can get brown rice on a burrito. They have house made vegan cashew sour cream, tempeh 'bacon', sweet potatoes, kale... Their daily specials such as 'tasty tempeh', 'kick-ass kale', and 'Summer or Winter vegetable' are really good too. The people who work here are all really friendly. It's a comfortable place to eat. The drinks are great- especially the blackberry margarita. I have heard people say that their food is too bland, but I think those people just don't want to think about what to put in their burritos/tacos. I like that you can choose what you want from a large list of ingredients. Aside from the specials, the combinations on the menu are somewhat bland and are meant to be added to. The only problem with this formula and this restaurant in general is that when I first started going here their accuracy rate of giving me exactly what I asked for was about 30%. Now, it is closer to 75%. If you don't add a lot of stuff like I do, you won't have this problem. I guess it doesn't bother me much... I still keep going and they have improved.
(5)Justin Y.
For what it is, this is an amazing burrito joint! I love chipotle but this above and beyond better! They have daily specials with many vegan/vegetarian options! This is a great place for lunch or cheap dinner! Also a decent selection of drinks! Bean and rice burrito with guacamole is my personal favorite!
(4)Samantha R.
The interior is cool. Bar is cool. Owner is a nice guy. Food is just OK. Tostadas should not be a soft flour toritilla on a pizza pan. It should be a crispy corn tortilla. One would expect they would know that. He could do so much better if he hired someone that knew how to really cook.
(2)Sarah F.
Love Taco Tanto's in Kent. Lakewood, you're doing just ok but I shouldn't have to wait 20 mins for a burrito. I'll still come visit you because: 1) You just opened a few weeks ago and I'm sure you're still working out some kinks 2) Your food is delicious The sweet potato burrito with the hot salsa is awesome. I also tried the pumpkin chocolate chip cookies once... if they're offered, GET THEM. So good! Please bring in the daily specials like the Kent location offers!
(3)Scott P.
Pretty cool place. I got the Tandoori Chicken special in a burrito and it was excellent. It arrived nice and warm like a delicious food sleeping bag full of joy and chicken. I like that you can get the special in a Taco or a burrito or however you want. The guacamole was decent and the hot sauces on the table were good. The habanero margarita was good at first, but turned out to be way too salty near middle, even when ignoring the rim and using the straw. Would happily go back!
(4)Cory R.
Another visit, another star lower. Asked for my burrito cut into two halves as usual and got it to go. When I got home the ends of the burrito weren't sealed at all (not just a small hole) and I had to put it on a plate and eat it with a fork. Blasphemy! If Taco Tontos was consistent I would give it 3 stars still, but out of the maybe 10 times I've been there there 3 have been disappointing.
(2)Amanda T.
Had the crunchy chicken and beef tacos, also the guac. Very mediocre , tacos are good size , Guac was average nothing great
(3)Becky R.
I had a dining experience here that would not take me back a second time. Service was very slow ( appeared to be a three-person operation- bartender, server and cook). I ordered a taco bowl without potatoes and it was served with potatoes. The menu is good and the restaurant overall has a funky, eclectic vibe but the service and order mess-up is not enough to bring me back.
(2)M. A.
Do not waste your time coming here. I came with a group of 4 people, the restaurant was very quiet. We ordered a large guac for an appetizer barely feeds 2 people honestly nothing special about it at all. From the 4 of us 2 ordered tacos and 2 ordered burritos, steak burrito was good chicken has NO flavor to it. The tacos were OK nothing to rave about and extremely bland. Definitely nothing authentic about their food. I ate half of my black bean taco and didn't even touch the chicken i tried it later at home and it actually made me sick to my stomach. Prices were very cheap but shows you get what you pay for. Go to Momocho's instead!
(1)Dane B.
I like the atmosphere at Taco Tontos in Lakewood. The artwork in the wall reminds me of Fire on the Mountain in Portland, Oregon. They have a pretty extensive beer menu, I was pleasantly surprised.
(5)Katie L.
I loved this place when I was at Kent state and I love it nearby in Lakewood more than ever!!! Drinks are awesome, staff are super nice and food is fresh and tasty ! I truly enjoy the vegan options and the deserts are soooo good! This place is such a gem. A healthier fresh take on Mexican cuisine. PLEASE GO HERE!!!
(5)Devon C.
I love this place! It's great living right up the street from a restaurant like this. It's a really unusual spot and the atmosphere is definitely not normal. I've been here several times and they recently converted to having table service as well as take out. Before then, you ordered at the counter and then self-seated. Either way worked for me. The table service has kind of made it a little easier, though. Yesterday, I finally utilized their takeout service and it was speedy and the food was fresh. The food is kind of an acquired taste. It is rather dry, kind of a charred, smoky Mexican cooking. Whether or not it's supposed to be authentic or a fusion style I wouldn't be able to tell you. However, I actually really like it. I usually get a combo burrito, which has beans and beef as well as lettuce, rice, cheese, and onions. Maybe more stuff. However, with all those ingredients comes a giant piece of food. Even when you order a burrito regular-sized (they have "regulata" and "el biggo") they're enormous. I really like the atmosphere. The service has been nothing but friendly to me and my friends/family. It is a very small place, but there always seems to be space for us. It's not the fastest restaurant, but it can be pretty quick and you can get out of there fast, if you must. I've never had to wait for a table and I've never heard of anyone wait for a table. I imagine I'm probably there on relatively slow nights because THIS IS A SMALL SPACE. However, it's uniquely decorated and the music playing is always top-notch. Notable selections include the original Strokes tracks and the like. Overall, my experience there always has been good. I've heard a lot of people complain about it, but it really works well for me. I have a soft spot for mexican food.
(5)Helen G.
This is just the kind of place we've been looking for in Lakewood. Funky décor, great selection of beer, and reasonably priced food. You can't go wrong with salsa, guac, and tacos. The atmosphere is relaxed, the ingredients are fresh, and the portions are satisfying.
(4)Jennifer D.
We were looking forward to checking this place out. It was good and bad. We ordered using their online ordering. After reading other Yelp reviews we ordered add-ons to our beef taco and Saturday pork soft taco. First, we were charged an extra $3 for the additional toppings and they forgot to add the toppings to both tacos! And, we ordered a side of queso for $2 and they forgot to include that in our order. As other reviewers say the guacamole is "ok" Needs onions and seasoning. The one good thing is the beef taco was very good (just wish they would have included the extra toppings we ordered!) The corn shell stayed crispy with carryout which was great and the meat portions are twice the amount for the price. Tacos run around $4 but equate to two tacos at other restaurants. The beef was really good. The Saturday pork special tasted gross. When we picked up our order we could see the pork sitting in a vat with the lid hanging off and it looked dry, like it had been cooked hours before. The cheese that they use is excellent. Their hot/mild salsas are terrible - no texture very runny and "blah". The corn/cilantro salsa excellent. Pineapple salsa has too much pineapple and very sweet. If you want chips/salsa that's an extra charge and the chips...we couldn't figure out if they were home made or from a bag. We love chips and salsa from Mexican restaurants and with most ,it's complimentary. I wouldn't pay for the chips/salsa here. Not sure if we will go back, but we will definitely call them Monday to try and get a refund for the items they did not include in our order, but we were charged for.
(2)Paul W.
Stopped by on the afternoon of the so-called "Blizzard of 2012" to try the BLT burrito. Nothing authentic about it, but found it very tasty. The hot salsa on the side had a nice kick. I'd go again but wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Kyle R.
Basically this place is a better version of chipotle that also happens to have a nice bar. Taco tantos has a very hipster atmosphere and serves multiple craft beers. The burritos are awesome and you can tell they use fresh, natural ingredients. Beware that the el biggo size is ridiculously big. I can never finish an el biggo so I go with the regulata. My favorite burrito is the black bean with guacamole.
(4)Brian W.
I can't really understand why some are bitching about Taco Tantos. Poor Cory's life must be unbearable since his halved burrito incident, and what the hell does Blue expect black beans to taste like? My partner and I have been in here a half dozen times and NEVER has the quality of the food been anything worse than delicious, and the wait staff is always pleasant and courteous. I like this place because the food, salsa, hot sauces, etc are freshly made, not scooped out of a bin of guacamole from Sam's. They also have great vegan and vegetarian options. I think some people just like to bitch. If you want an authentic taco go to freakin Mehico.
(5)Rob R.
Excellent food, perfect drinks, and fantastic service! :-) - We will be back with friends!
(5)Kate A.
Honestly, I'm kind of shocked about all the bad reviews here on Yelp! Like many others, used to got to the Kent TT semi-often, and loved it. Sure, the burritos aren't necessarily authentic, but I've given up on authentic Mexican in NE Ohio anyway. Initially I was put off by the "meh" reviews here, and kind of dragged my heels about going. But then a friend posted a picture of the daily specials board yesterday and I knew I had to stop in before work. What drew me in? The "Kick-Ass Kale" special. I'm glad I went, because it was one of those rare moments when I got exactly what I wanted and was perfectly happy with my lunch. My crispy, baked burrito was full of a whole mess o' kale as promised, no skimpy greens portion here! Along with that, it contained roasted potatoes, corn, poblano peppers, onions, sour cream, tomatoes, and a butt-load of cheese. Effin delicious! If you are not the biggest fan of cheese, I'd recommend asking the kitchen to go light, because there was A LOT of it. No complaints here though. My boyfriend got the steak burrito and it was also delicious. The wait time was not bad. 15 minutes to eat in two burritos assembled from scratch and baked? Not sweating a 15 minute wait. I think people have just become used to going down the line at Chipotle. You'd wait that long or longer at any other restaurant. My only minute complaint is that the mild and hot salsa had exactly the same heat level and tasted very similar. That said, I preferred the flavor of the mild. Oh, and the bill? $14. Thank goodness for Taco Tonto's. You're there for me when I crave something better than the big C and have a little more time to spare. Before you, I had to suffer the abuses and erratic opening/closing times of El Tango, but no more! I'll be back, and hopefully not before work so I can try some of the signature margaritas!
(4)Rich S.
I really wish I could give this place a higher rating, but the food really sucks. On the surface, this is exactly what I want to see -- more fast casual restaurants in Lakewood, especially along Madison Ave. Taco Tonto's has "the look". The atmosphere and drink selection are fitting a cool new restaurant in a lively metro area or college campus. The food is another story. The person who said the food could have come from a concession stand at a little league baseball game wasn't kidding. There's nothing fresh here, nothing is being made in house, etc. A quick glance at the kitchen isn't needed to confirm this, but when you do look, between the absence of any significant cooking being done and the boxes from Old El Paso it's painfully clear. The quality is Aldi's at best. The jarred salsa sucks, even for jarred salsa. Anyone acting smug comparing this place to Chipotle (i.e. the guy who laughed at the people in the line at Chipotle) should be embarrassed for themselves.
(2)Michael J.
The food was incredibly bland. I was expecting gourmet and fresh ingredients, instead I found myself eating food that could have been served from a concession stand at a little league baseball game. The ground beef was unseasoned, the tomatoes dry, the lettuce bagged, and chips old and stale. Unless you're drunk and need some sustenance, I'd refrain from eating here. This place no doubt makes Lakewood's worst restaurants list.
(1)Joe C.
Taco Tonto's in Lakewood?! I can't even...I mean...please excuse any typos in this post; it's hard to see the screen with tears of joy in my eyes. Some background: I used to eat here several times a week when I went to Kent. I'd call my order in after class or when I got off work and then laugh at all the people standing in line at Chipotle while I went to pick up the best damn burrito on the planet. When I was finally looking to move out of Akron a few years ago, it was actually a legitimate concern that I wouldn't be able to get my TT fill as often. Well, problem solved. For those that aren't familiar with the Taco Tonto's formula, they bake the burritos after they roll them. This gives them a crispier shell and (at least in my opinion) seems to bake in the flavors. They also do tacos, bowls, and other options if you aren't in the mood for a burrito. The prices are totally reasonable, with my steak burrito running around $7 for the big one (and that's after I add some stuff to it). I like that this new location has more of a bar and a pretty good beer selection to go with it. They've only been open for two weeks up here, so I'd encourage you to give them the benefit of the doubt while the new location finds some traction. The burrito I had last night was just as good as the ones I used to get, but it sounds like some other people had a different experience. Regardless, I'm super excited that I get to introduce my Cleveland friends to what they've been missing out on up here! Get in on it now before the word gets out and the wait times get crazy.
(5)Bill R.
Second time at the Lakewood Taco Tonto's today for lunch with my son. We had "el biggo" burritos (each as big as your head) -- his fish, mine shrimp. Each had rice, a bit of guac (I think) and this spicy slaw that was really good. Mine was very generous with the shrimp, and my son said the same about the fish. Perfectly concocted in that the flavor was unique & pleasing, but not overpowering to the subtlety of the seafood. We also had fresh tortilla chips with homemade guac. Too much food really, but it was great. Five great beers on tap, including one of my favs, Negra Modelo, but sadly I gave up alcohol for Lent. (Yes, I am an idiot.) Some people don't seem to dig TTs, and perhaps that's because they may be expecting something else. It's not gourmet food, but it is very good, well-prepared and a good value on wholesome fare. They have tacos and quesadillas too. To me, the lightly-browned (baked) burrito shell (soft with crispy edges) is definitely an improvement over the Chipotle approach. And the place has a pleasant, bright, somewhat bohemian vibe to it (notice I didn't say hipster). A fun place to eat your great burrito. A Lakewood-owned business. You should try it!
(4)Cornez G.
Today (2/18/14) was the very first time I stepped foot into a Taco Tanto's and I was Truly amazed! The environment is very original and unique, the decorations are fantastic! This was my first impression! Now, I was going into Taco Tanto's as a salesman and was meeting with the owner Jill. Which turned out to be a win/ win situation because she sent me on my way with a chicken burrito that honestly can say was the best burrito I've ever had! My first couple bites were amazing, then I tapped into the hot salsa she gave me and it turned it into phenomenal! I am sold Taco Tantos! Chipotle who?! Seriously, you've made me a customer for life!! Cornez
(5)Gina C.
Went back last night. Last time I didn't notice all the extras you can add to your tacos to give them more flavor for just $0.30 each, so that definitely improved my opinion of the food. My husband had a chicken taco and a combo taco with beef and pinto beans. He loved the chicken, but said he probably wouldn't order the beef again. He was very impressed with the quantity.
(4)Sean H.
Taco Tantos was one of my favorite places to eat when I went to school in Kent and the new location didn't disappoint! Great friendly staff and fast service. I love the Sweet Potato/Black Bean burrito and the homemade Hot Sauce is the best around. (Sauce isn't too hot and has quite a bit of flavor)
(5)Dominic T.
Authentic? No. Delicious? Yes. Lemonade (get it spiked with vodka!), one huge taco ($4.50) and shared order of chips & vegan guac (really just regular guac...the standard version has sour cream) did it for me. Friday fish tacos are really good, great for the price.
(4)Allison O.
Whaaaaaaat a disappointment. Maybe it's my fault. I dont know why I expected a good taco from a place that calls itself "Silly Taco." Silly me. The meat in the steak taco felt like it had been cooking for four days. DRYYYYY! It tasted like nothing. No, that's a lie. It tasted like salad. There was a pound of lettuce and tomatoes on top of my steak taco. Who the eff puts salad on a taco? The beans on my bean and rice taco were DRYYYYY and tasted like windex or something. The rice was nothing more than Uncle Ben boil in a bag white rice.....no cilantro/lime no cumin/tomato. No salt even? Geez. I asked for soft corn tortillas, because what self-respecting taco-eater eats anything else? I picked up my taco and the shell split down the center and my pound 'o salad fell out into my dish. Duh. I guess I had to ask for WARM corn tortillas. Who makes tacos, calls themselves "tacos" and does not know how to properly assemble a taco? Taco Tontos. That's who. Salsa verde and some other sauce I got were alright (must have been pretty great if I can't remember what it was!), and the waitress was very nice. Bottom line: this place SUUUUUUUUUCKS.
(1)Callie L.
Eh, it's fine. I've been 3 or 4 times now, which I feel is enough times to make a fairly informed review. It's also enough times to know that I don't really need to go back. There was nothing exactly wrong with it, but there's certainly nothing right enough to make me jump for joy at the prospect of eating there. The food could generously be described as bland and generic and lacking in almost every element of flavor that I would have expected. There are plenty of other restaurants that do a MUCH better job with tacos/burritos/etc, and that's where I'll be taking my business.
(2)Chris S.
Meh. I found their beef tacos to be very bland, almost flavorless. There are a lot of options for Mexican around Lakewood these days. I miss the place that used to be here, Bela Dubby, which was a coffee/tea/beer dive that attracted hipsters, artists, and live performances.
(2)Scott S.
More of a bar than tt kent, which I see as an upgrade, food was almost exactly the same. Hot sauce was a little hotter and a bit more liquified, I prefer the kent puréed version. Can't wait to eat more burritos.
(5)Danny S.
My bosses have been trying to take me here for a long time. I decided to go on a Sunday and get some take out. I told the gentleman that greated me that I've never been here before and he replied "What, Do you want a menu? " I was kind of shocked but told him I would like one and that I am vegetarian can you direct me to your best vegetarian options. He replied "I don't know, I'm not vegetarian". At this point I was tired of this Guy so I asked for a taco, burrito, and chip with guac. He proceeded to tell me that to much food for one person, which I replied I have someone at home and not to worry about it. The man was like a manager, owner, or something more than a regular employee. He was giving the female bartender who looked like she hated her life directions to do things. The service is rude and worst I've ever experienced. Very amateur. I'm I'm the service industry I know. Got the food home and it was like eating cardboard. Absolutely no flavor. Don't waste your time or money. You can at least get mediocre down the street at barrio.
(1)Lance T.
I love my tacos & my wife loves burritos, so we were really excited to try thi place! But to our agreed disiponintment we won't return. Loved the ambiance and staff was gracious and helpfull,good beer selection. We ordered a few different things tacos beef,steak. And fish. burritos steak & beef. All were made with fresh ingreediance, tacos were overloaded with lettuce Burritos were grilled and nice size but like the tacos lacked in flavor! The fish in the taco was over cooked & lacked flavor. The cheese & sour cream were the only thing you could really taste ! Most bars in Lakewood make a better $1 tacos but this is just our opinion.
(2)Dani C.
The food is excellent. However, the ambience is horrible and the service is terrible. We have picked up there three times within the past two weeks, and every time we did not feel welcome. The waiters and the servers do not speak to you and the the girl behind the register seemed like she was annoyed that we didn't know what we wanted and was rushing us. They look at you cross-eyed and are rude. I did not feel welcome there.
(3)Ray L.
Ate here today for the first and last time. I got a beef burrito el biggo which was big but EXTREMELY dry. While it did have rice, onion and lettuce it did not have any cheese, which it was supposed to have. The ONLY reason I gave it two stars instead of one was because of how large the burrito was. Oh, and the "mild sauce" tasted like funky...ie... spoiled tomato sauce.
(2)J S.
Other people seem to love Taco Tantos, but the best I can do is describe it as uneven. I had a chicken burrito bowl, which was a plate of ice burg lettuce with dry chicken, cheese and sour cream. Incredibly bland. The other people I was with liked their food I think, but everything seemed pretty forgettable. I had two margaritas- one was perfect but the other wasn't made correctly and had so much tequila, I couldn't drink it (and I'm no stranger to tequila). The atmosphere and service were great, so I'd go back if invited, but I wouldn't initiate another visit.
(2)Babes S.
Well for starters we've never chose to dine in and drink their heavily advertised $5 beers... Is that supposed to be a deal on the east side of Lakewood? What we have done was get carry out 3 times. 1st time was very meh. Pretty flavorless, pretty big, with a smorgasbord of underwhelming sauces. 2nd time was a drunken decision, so you almost have to cancel that experience. But the 3rd was a "hey, remember that taco place? did we like it or not? I forget, let's try again. I arrive to pick it up only to arrive to a girl that looks like she hates anyone who isnt one of their 15 regulars. the bill came out to $24 and I had $30 and just told her to keep it. No thank you, no smile, no anything.... I didn't know $6 wasn't enough to be a bitch. So yet another good reason to not waste your time by sitting with these pleasant people. All I have to say is DON'T GET THE STEAK TACO! The meat was like dog food. No joke, it looked like rubber and tasted like Grandfather's foot. Just dont go here. Get it out of Lakewood. It's just another pot hole on Madison Ave.
(1)Christopher R.
Not very consistent in quality. Sometimes it's good, other times it's bland. Generally stick with the potato and sour cream tacos (i've been disappointed too many times with their meat tacos), but they were cold and bland this evening.
(2)The Cleveland C.
The food is fresh and flavorful! A unique baked burrito and classic tacos make this place really shine. I was a Kent, OH native during college and once I heard this place was in Town, I almost didn't believe it. The first few times I went there they were still getting everything together, and the food was lacking in flavor a bit. However since then I have been going to this place with my fiance nearly every week for lunch and it has quickly become our favorite place. They have improved on every single dish and I think the taste is even better than the original Taco Tontos in Kent, which is saying a mouthful. Try their tortilla soup or pretty much any taco, but make sure you use get a side of their mild or hot sauce, the rich robust flavor of their sauce makes pretty much any dish on the menu taste amazing. My fiance and I are vegetarian as well, and this place is probably once of the best places us, she loves their kale burritos and tacos, and we always get some creamy quac and chips. I read some bad reviews of this place on Yelp, and I can only guess it is from people who are used to eating, refrigerated, microwaved, and flavor enhanced garbage served and pretty much any corporate place in town. Taco Tantos offers fresh, REAL from-scratch cooking that is a diamond in the rough.
(5)Holly B.
What a fun place! Pricing is reasonable, food is fresh and delicious and the staff was friendly. Love this place.
(4)Kim Y.
went in at 530pm and it was starting to fill up. within an hour every seat/table was filled and people were eagerly waiting. i ordered 2 soft shell tacos- i usually prefer soft corn shells and not flour- but these worked. the order came out missing some stuff but it was easily remedied. i want to try the nachos next time.
(4)Jaehong H.
This place is typically busy. There are exactly four tables, so it is difficult to find seats at times. The food was great! I would recommend the tacos especially. There is a great beer selection.
(5)Hadley M.
Upon walking in you will immediately like this place. It's comfortable, colorful, smells god and is off the beaten path of other restaurants in the area. Feels like a friendly place where the locals come to gather. However, the food is not that great to write home about. It is satisfactory and that is about it. Prices are very affordable for what you get and the food is fresh. What's missing is a "wow" factor in taste. A signature taste. I will say that the sweet potato taco is mighty good , if just a little bit too sweet. (are they adding sugar?) The green/verde sauce is good. But the chips taste like store bought. This place need just a little something extra to kick it over the top. Service was ok. Also, beers on tap are expensive. Go for the el cheapoes. They could use a beer special.
(3)Melissa P.
We love this place! My fiancee and I have visited several times and it is always packed in here. It is a small little place, but that's their thing. They're not a big chain or a Cozumel or an El Jalapeno's, just a small neighborhood place. Their margaritas are delicious! The blackberry one is my favorite. They do have a happy hour and drink specials and a large selection of bottle and some drafts on tap as well. Their food is nothing fancy, but the price is right, has great flavor and there is plenty of it. The staff is friendly and accommodating to special requests. They have just started wait service in their dining room and they also plan to put in a summertime patio. This is a great little spot to get some moderate Mexican food and alcohol.
(5)Dale B.
I only went to Kent to party for 2 nights and never knew about Taco Tontos until my wife took me to the Lakewood location. It was totally awesome. The fish taco was insane and made me feel like i was getting a hug from God. The beer was awesome too. Music was cool. Staff was awesome. I think the owners are a hubby and wife team running the place and they really went out of their way for us. In fact, the lady who looks like a better version of Juliet Lewis was really helpful. The husband owner looks like a cross between Tom Selleck and Denzel Washington, was super cool and knows his beers. Anyways, we had an amazing time there and we were shocked at how inexpensive it was. We are going back ASAP.
(5)Diana Q.
This is the best place for a quick beer and burrito. Their specials are amazing...The 'kick-ass kale' is the best burrito I've ever had! Great vibe, awesome bartenders and great beer. This is my weekly stop!
(5)Mike T.
Huge portions, good prices, friendly people!!! Awesome! The guacamole is fantastic!!! This place is a 'must try'!!!
(5)Lauren A.
Delicious food but takes an irrational amount of time to make, with no real wait room. I would order TO GO. And then enjoy.
(3)Richard G.
I went here for the first time on an early Saturday afternoon. This is my ideal place to eat these days. The service staff is minimal. you place an order at the bar and they call your name when your food it up. I don't rate restaurants typically on ambiance or service. My main review is about food. Food is why we go out to eat and it is the reason we come back. First we stated with chips and salsa. The chips were crispy and warmed slightly. The salsa was all fresh cut vegetables and exceptionally fresh cilantro. There were a lot of chips and an equal amount of salsa. This is important because most places pile on the chips and add a scarce amount of dip. I ordered a steak burrito with added guacamole. All of the ingredients were fresh and the burrito was grilled so there an added crunch. For some extra flavor there were home made mild and hot sauces available on the tables. The mild sauce was fantastic and added just the right amount of spice and flavor to my burrito. There are two sizes you can order. I ordered the regular. The next size was larger. I saw someone eating a large and it was huge. The regular was plenty for me. In the end, the food was fresh and delicious. I enjoyed everything from start to finish and I will be back again. Next time I will be getting the tacos.
(4)Jim M.
Best tacos and burritos. All fresh ingredients. Best of all, no pretense. People of all ages enjoy great food at amazing prices. Great table service, too.
(5)Jen M.
What a bust! Just because a local news station features them on the morning news does not mean the food is good, people! This place is officially tied with El Guero for Worst Fast Mex in Cleveland in my opinion. Dry, greenish brown "steak" and dry pinto beans just aren't my thing. And whoever equated the steak to looking like Alpo was spot on. They should use a shredded seasoned beef or even Barbacoa. instead they use weird cubes of beef that look like dog food. The upside is they offer a baby sized burrito which is 4" and a perfect size for me. And they have a nice selection of sauces. Yes, the tortilla on the burrito is toasted and slightly crispy but who cares about that if you don't use quality ingredients? This place is very similar to Ohio City burrito and I never thought they put out good food either. The setup is cool and they have a good beer selection. But dammit I will go up the street to Tango Taqueria for high quality Mex / Latin American food and homemade chips. Or for authentic Mex you cannot beat Villa y Zapata. I won't go back.
(2)Simon O.
Stopped in for a meal with the band before playing down at the Spitfire. Fantastic!! Got a delicious burrito and PBR for $7. They have a nice beer selection, cool atmosphere, and friendly staff. For a Fri night it seemed like a very mixed crowd and even through it was busy the staff had everything under control. The rest of the guys loved their burrito as well and we will be back next time we're in Cleveland!!
(4)Steven T.
Had a big steak burrito and some guacamole. Guacamole was great, thou chips were clearly something poured out of the bottom of a Costco bag. Not a big problem, as the chips were serviceable even though I was given a half a bowl of chip crumbs from the bottom of e bag. The real disappointment here was the "steak". Apparently this is yet another Mexican restaurant that thinks meat prep means throwing meat into a bowl of hot water and letting it sit there all day, getting dry, flavorless and defatted. It was frankly gross, tasteless and clearly zero effort went into the meat prep. It's a real shame because everything else in the burrito was fresh and delicious. They are really ruining their own product with the bland, flavorless boiled meat they dump in it. Atmosphere is nice, service is great.
(3)Nicki S.
I've tried the sweet potato taco at both this and the Kent location now. I wanted to love it, because the sweet potato taco could be amazing, but the ingredients just tasted so randomly thrown together. These guys gave me mashed sweet potato, but at the Kent location, it was cubed. I preferred the cubes, because they didn't just squish out the sides as much.
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