El Perrito
190 Thames St, Newport, RI, 02840
El Perrito Menu
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Address :
190 Thames St
Newport, RI, 02840 - Phone (401) 619-5502
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Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster, Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
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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Ben R.
Burritos are good. Tacos are nothing to write home about, same with the empanadas which were downright bland. The tortilla dough was tasty, but it's a bad sign when your tortilla is the best part of a taco. The chips that come with a meal are delicious. Fairly standard Mexican fare but given the location it's probably one of the better options. No alcohol appeared to be served--they were offering bottles or cans of soda. Very casual joint below street level with a hipstery vibe, not the fastest, not the cleanliest.
(2)Michelle D.
The food was very good, fresh, and tasty. The service was slow that day but maybe the girl was new. We had the nachos, they come in a big bowl, layered and really cheesy, gringo takes with a crispy shell and great pico, chorizo & potato tortilla and the pork taco. All we very good. I will be back again
(4)Hollie M.
The food was fresh, and delicious. I had a churico and potato buritto with a avacado, sour cream , lettuce, so good. Like the Music, and vibe here. Definitely a place to come.
(4)Michael R.
This place is great, the staff recommended and sold me on my selection which was three different tacos. (Short rib, chorizo/potato, and grilled fish) all were great, but next time I'm getting all three chorizo and potato! They close early (around 4pm) so get there for lunch and eat up! Next time I will try the empanadas del dia.
(5)Lisa R.
Me gusta!! These tacos were delicious. I tried five tacos: the tamarind short rib, the chicken tinga, black bean and avocado, shrimp, and the veggie one. I must say that the vegetarian ones reigned supreme in my opinion and then the shrimp. This is a wonderful spot to get some quick and casual food without compromising on flavor. The tortillas are hand made and probably the best part of the taco. The tacos are creative with unique flavor combinations as well. The tacos are $2.75-$3.75 each which some other reviewers felt like was a bit pricey, but guys...this is not your average taco so pay 8 bucks for three tacos and savor each bite. It is 2 dollars a person for BYOB. My only complaint is that the menu is kinda difficult to see but that may because I'm short.
(5)Tyson H.
Great little Mexican place! Their tacos are great - I've enjoyed every kind I tried but especially loves the fish tacos! Avocado fries were delicious too, and my husband really enjoyed his burritos. The decor of the restaurant is very cute and the staff were pleasant. Fresh ingredients and very tasty eat for a great price!
(4)Caitlin M.
AWESOME. It is a cheaper, more convenient and relaxed version of their "big sister" restaurant, Perro Salado. The tacos are DELICIOUS, interesting and quality. I've tried all their tacos, and never had one I didn't love. Three tacos are enough to fill me but not leave me too stuffed. I usually combo it with 2 tacos and a tostada. Their tostadas are just like those that they serve at Perro Salado, but again, more convenient and therefore YUMMY. El Perrito's desserts were not impressive, but you don't go to this place for dessert. Especially considering the spaces before the renovation for El Perrito, the vibe of this place is funky, fun and just great. I love the recycled pew for a long bench, and the exposed wood. Great hot sauces, too! El Perrito is a great places that serves quality and interesting food at VERY reasonable prices. In the summer time, with the outdoor seating, this place will be killer!!! Eat and enjoy!!! One warning-- this place does take out, but by the time I got home (5 minutes away), my taco was soggy :(. So, eat IN and enjoy!
(5)Aaron Z.
Great little find in Newport! The fish tacos are worth the trip, and the BYOB makes life that much more exciting. Not expensive, great handmade food. We are also big fans of their "sister restaurant" Perro Salado.
(4)Alexander P.
This is a small spot, cozy and delicious!! My wife and I were walking around on our 3rd anniversary and stumbled upon El Perrito for lunch. We are so happy we did! Do yourself a favor and order the avocado fries!!
(5)Chris B.
Awesome food, reasonably priced, and cool vibe. Menu had a few appetizers, several varieties of tostadas and tacos, and a few specials. The tostones appetizer came with a garlic dipping sauce that was really good. It's not big inside. You order at the counter, find a seat, and wait for your order. It's also B.Y.O.B. and there's a liquor store, two doors down. Will definitely go again.
(5)Kristin U.
I stopped by to grab some tacos on the way to the seafood festival (I don't eat seafood and didn't want to live on fries that day). The space was really cute, but I can't say I liked the tacos. I had the chicken tinga, and I felt that they lacked flavor (I regretted not adding hot sauce for the walk, but I had wanted to taste whatever spices the chicken was cooked with). Some of the chicken pieces were also oddly big and just kind of fell out (left them for the bf). The tortillas broke apart easily, so I had to try to scoop up the remnants of the tacos with a fork, a challenge while walking (not reviewing based on portability, but just noting one reason why soggy tortillas are not helpful). I love authentic-style tacos and have had them from many places, and these did not do it for me. Let's just say I did end up eating a ton of fries that day.
(2)Rashid M.
We decided to visit El Perrito while sight-seeing in Rhode Island and looking for some place quick and cheap to eat. Food was pretty good, and I was debating giving El Perrito either a 3 star or 4 star rating. Then I bit into the Tamarind Braised Short Rib taco. Between the short ribs and the mango salsa, my mouth was in joy from the intense flavors from this taco. You have to try it if you're at this restaurant!
(4)Julie G.
I'm gonna go ahead and say it... I love El Perrito! It is easily one of my favorite places in Newport. Food is ordered at the counter for dine in or take out. The bar seating out front is my favorite place to sit and people watch. It is also BYOB for $2 a person which I love. Heads up - There is a liquor store just right around the corner. Tacos, tostadas, tortas, burritos, empanadas, yucca fries.. this place has a great selection. And I have loved everything I have ordered. The yucca or avocado fries are a must (plenty to share with another person). I am a fan of the chicken tinga tacos and tostadas. Plenty of vegetarian options as well, my boyfriend loves the black bean tacos with avocado. There is also a roasted veggie option. The ingredients are always super fresh and each dish is prepared with care. I definitely recommend this for locals as well as anyone visiting Newport. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Michelle Y.
My boyfriend and I stopped by here for a quick lunch. I ordered 2 tacos: chicken in a soft shell and a gringo in a hard shell. I couldn't say which one I enjoyed more, because they were both equally delicious. The avocado fries were definitely unique. 1 portion seems like a little, but the avocado are actually really filling. I wish NYC had a Mexican place like this. Awesome food and great prices!
(5)Bhumika K.
Eh, not all that it's hyped up to be. Also I should not have expected so much, I mean it's Mexican food in Newport, RHODE ISLAND.
(2)Melissa M.
I read the reviews and was excited to try this place! I went for the chorizo and potato taco and short rib taco with mango. They were both delicious. My total was about $6. I wasnt too fond of the soft taco shelling. It was pretty dry but I am not sure if this is the authentic taco shell. They also seemed a tad bit small but there was plenty of meat in both. I would love to try other things on the menu.
(4)Susan M.
Love this little Mexican joint. Staff is always pleasant ! It is a small lower level spot. Food is very good.
(5)Jaclyn P.
At first I was nervous....will it be a disappointment? Will it live up to my standards? But it's right on Thames Street in the heart of Tourist-ville! Is Perro Salado spreading themselves too thin? So many worries.....all for nothing! It took me a while to try it out but I think I may be in love. So the tacos... Favorite was the Shrimp. Hands down! Then the black bean with so much avocado, I was giddy. Sadly, the grilled fish taco wasn't great. But it's OK because I had my house-made limeade to distract me! Husband said the al pastor was delicious and it looked so finger licking juicy, too! And the best part? I asked if they made the tortillas in house and the guy said that every morning Guatemalan ladies come in and make them by hand! No tortilla press here people, these are real, hand shaped tortillas! They also have killer chips and guacamole and the menu also offers burritos, tostados and tortas and other apps like tostones and avocado fries. Ok, let's go get some tacos! Who's in? Just me? Anyone??
(5)Matt K.
The burritos are awesome. I have been here numerous times and never had a bad meal. The people working here are really nice too.
(5)Jona P.
A TRUE GEM!! All fresh ingredients, great flavor, great food Ordered three tacos, a carnitas and a slow braised beef short rib, and my wife got a avocado black bean. They where all soft shell tacos on fresh white flour tortillas. They were delicious. They all came with their own topping to accompany their protein, truly a smart chef in the back. They would cook the meats in the back to order and bring it up to the front of the house to be dressed. The tacos also came with lime wedges to squeeze on top if you wanted a little citrus. They also came with beautiful fresh jalapeño slices to add more heat. We also ordered the house made chips n salsa... Top notch, fresh, home made, covered in fresh cilantro. Nice touch.. And to top it off they had Jarritos sodas, so you know they're real deal!!
(5)Kristen M.
This place is so fun and out-of-worldly! It's little and outdated but that's what makes it cute. The avocado fries are amazing and I haven't stopped thinking about them! Also something you need to try is the shrimp tacos, omg so unbelievably good and fresh. A little overpriced but it's worth trying.
(4)Benson T.
It was nice service and food. The food had lots of flavor and worked well. I had the avocado fries which were kind of a disappointment but I did have the nachitos which had really nice flavors and a nice helping of guacamole. However, table was a little sticky and gross. Overall, nice service and decent food.
(3)Alan K.
I was really looking forward to this place on a recent trip to Newport. It looked like it could be the silver lining of the massive, black cloud of having to go to Rhode Island in the dead of winter during a cold snap. I was extremely disappointed when I got to El Perrito and found a sign saying they were closed for the entire month of January. Nothing on their website had any mention of this. 1-star for poor customer relations--I can't think of anything more important than telling your potential customers when you are open and closed, especially if you take a month off!
(1)Caroline B.
So, after reading all of the reviews I was very excited to try this restaurant. I really REALLY wanted some mexican food, and tacos. I was very disappointed in this place. I really had high expectations and a serious taco craving that needed to be filled. My pork taco was bland even with the bacon on it. My chicken taco was also very bland. The presentation was very nice but everything was....bland. My husband and I ordered a side of refried beans and rice as well, also bland. I've had better refried beans out of a can, and no I'm not kidding. These beans had absolutely no taste and the rice was dry. I would not eat there again if it was the only restaurant and I was starving. The bag of Fritos they offered as a menu item would be more delicious than anything I ordered. I give this restaurant 0 stars out of 100.
(1)Ryan G.
Incredible burritos and homemade chips. The restaurant design inside perfectly fits, and compliments the great food.
(5)Chris S.
tacos were ok. Nothing spectacular here. Portions are extremely small. Not really worth the trip trying to get parking but, if your just walking by and want a small snack its ok.
(2)Kate G.
Sticky pork ribs, avocado fries, shrimp taco, short rib taco, chips and guacamole all fabulous! We couldn't believe the place was slow on a Sunday for lunch! Great find, location and service.
(5)Agustin K.
Very affordable for Newport. BYOB so grab your choice at the liquor store just around the corner. Also open late. The crowd is on the younger side hence can be quite loud just to keep in mind if you are looking to have a peaceful dining experience this is not the place to go. The fish and chicken tacos were good. We also got the tostadas... Was expecting more greens but came with quite a bit of cheese and meet which could be good for others. Must have is their yucca fries with the chimichurri sauce. I doused everything else with the chimichurri sauce. So good!!!!
(3)Danielle B.
Sit outside and people watch on Thames! The avocado fries might be the most delicious thing i've ever tasted - served with a generous portion of aioli, 3 of us couldn't finish the plate (Though we wanted to!) I had the Sonoran Burrito, a hotdog wrapped in bacon in a burrito! Adventurous, but a little salty for my liking. We also had nachos which we finished off easily. Lots of mexican soda options, which is always a plus in my book. Went on a tuesday afternoon, not very busy and nice service. I'm looking forward to another meal here.
(4)Tom B.
Short rib taco was crazy good, so was the fish taco. The pork taco was ok but lacking flavor in the pork itself. The avocado bites were interesting and worth trying. The tacos are small.
(4)Robert S.
I've heard rave reviews about this place, and I definitely enjoyed the vibe upon arrival. The prices are also pretty reasonable given how touristy that section of Newport is. That being said...meh. I have wholly succumbed to the fact that East Coast Mexican food is just not at the same level of that from the West Coast. I will compliment the chips and guacamole... Pretty solid. I ordered a milanese torta, which I understand is not authentic; nevertheless, the flavor was bland and uninspired. I ended up eating some of my girlfriend's chicken tostada, which was a little better. Still nothing great. Given that Newport, RI is one of the crustiest locales on planet earth, I'm sure the true authentic Mexican cuisine is hard to come by; with that in mind, maybe seafood would a better idea.
(3)L G.
Food used to be amazing, and they've included delicious Empanadas now, but it tastes like they've changed their beans. They used to make them in house but now they taste canned.
(3)E W.
Just OK - I am thinking back to California days and I know that will knock a star off most Mexican restaurant establishments but ya know what? I don't give a FUCK. Because it SHOULDN'T be that hard to get Mexican GOOD. No matter where you are on this planet. Sample, study up - and load up on fresh authentic ingredients. We live in a globalized world and Newport is no different - this Mexican leaves much to be desired on the flavor front. The green sauce was EW so sweet. Like, WTF? The avocado fries were pretty good though - that was the best thing we had. I got a fish taco and the slab of fish was like a slab of rock (not hard just the shape) and I can't even remember but maybe... maybe it tasted a little like... FISH. I dunno, I just... NO.
(2)Melissa J.
The most Baltimore place in Newport. Funky, fun and laid back. Great tacos, with so many options...carnitas, pollo, fish, braised short rib, and others. If you want something to eat fast and you don't feel like stuffing yourself this is the place, tacos are al la carte. If you do feel like stuffing yourself, the burritos are huge, and they use refried black beans which are so much tastier than the pinto. My hubby was impressed by the steak burrito which was a perfectly done medium, just like he likes it. For drinks, the limeade is not for the faint of heart, or you can BYOB.
(4)Hermelinda S.
PROS - The food was very good!! We tried a few of the tacos and a torta. Everything was delicious. The atmosphere was definitely a cool and different scene from a typical Mexican place. Staff super friendly. CONS - Mind you... the ford was not typical Mexican. My bf almost didn't want to eat here because a lot of what he likes ordering wasn't on the menu. So if you are looking for a full Mexican food menu, this isn't the place. Also portions were very small especially for the price! The tacos were miniature for the price of about $3 each!! OVERALL - delicious, unique food but a bit overpriced.
(4)Kenneth S.
I have to say I was very disappointed by this restaurant. This is a long review, but would be worth reading if you don't want to have overpriced garbage delivered by arrogant staff. First of all: I looked at the high ratings on Yelp and went there, but failed to look at the statistical sample. Seven reviews good reviews isn't proof of great tasting food. This is the first time Yelp failed me, and we had a lot of issues with this place On the surface, it looks like a good restaurant. However, I thought it was highly overpriced for what you get, and I don't care if we were in Newport or not. The place was a rip-off. As one reviewer said, the tacos are "SMALL." He couldn't have been more correct, but they were also $3! I'm from Long Beach, Ca and married to a Mexican family. This was not legitimate Mexican food by any means, and I could get more meat, etc for $1 taqueria in my home state. The photos on the menu are incredibly misleading, because the tacos are half the size they photographed We also ordered a bowl of chips and guacamole. The quac was good, but I'd say it was only about four ounces worth and the bowl of chips was very small for $7. Rip off!! My wife and I also ordered tortas. For those that don't know, a torta is one of the most amazing things to eat that Mexican food has to offer. It is a sandwich that has meats, cheeses, guacamole, etc. We both saw them and were ecstatic, and the price was fair for a quality torta. What we finally got was not quality. So, we ordered a couple of tacos and a couple of tortas. My mom was with us and ordered a tostada with no beans. We sat down and waited for about 10 minutes and the tacos came (we needed a microscope to find them). The tostada arrived shortly after--loaded with beans. We waited 10 more minutes and asked where our tortas were because people behind us were starting to get their food. The short guy was apologetic and said they were coming. I was starting to get mad because there is no way it takes 25 minutes to make a torta. It's a sandwich for crying out loud! I went up to the tall guy and tried to figure out what was taking so long. I said that we've been waiting 30 minutes for a torta, and I told him that it was ridiculous; to which he replied, "you haven't been waiting 30 minutes." Can you believe that? That set me off. Who is this guy to say something like that? I pulled out my receipt and said "look at the time here, and now look at the clock. How long has that wait been?" He dismissed me and said," that there was only two of them there," as if that is a good excuse to be rude and offset the fact that he was very pretentious/arrogant for a "cook." The short guy made up for it by offering to refund us the price of the tortas, which is the only reason this restaurant gets 2 stars instead of one. The torta wasn't bad, but again, it was really small. For all I care, in the restaurant biz, the person buying the food is God. Arrogance doesn't belong in service, and challenging a customer with cocky remarks is a good way to detract customers. Too sum this up: Over priced, NOT Mexican food (they try; it's more authentic than most,but it's really not that great for what you get), and rude people. The ONLY positive thing about the place was that they had Mexican Coke and Toronja Jarritos--a delicious grapefruit soda.
(2)T W.
Visited El Perrito Today for the 2nd time. As a local, El Perrito is a nice change to all the seafood and pubs. The food here is pretty good. Plenty of choices, lots of flavor, all fresh ingredients. Its a bit pricy, but in line with Newport prices. The reason for 2 stars is for service. Both times Ive visited, It has been extreeeeemly slow. Today, I walked in and noticed one person in the cafe waiting. The girl behind the counter was preparing his food. I waited at the order position, but was not acknowledged. It took nearly 10 min for her to complete his order, hand it out, then ask me what I wanted. No- "Hi, Ill be right with you" or " Im sorry, it will be a few minutes", Simply she said " Do you know what you want to order?" I want to give her the benefit of the doubt seeing she was preparing an order, but there was also a cook in the back who seemed to have nothing to do who could have been assisting. Shortly After I ordered, A couple came in, and received the exact same greeting as I had. Its quite disappointing. The food isnt bad at all. But sadly between the price/service, Diegos is a much better choice for quick Mexican in Newport.
(2)Lindsay C.
I am a lover of all things Mexican food and am constantly on the search for the world's greatest taco. I was absolutely blown away by the tacos at El Perrito. The Gringo In A Hard Shell is to die for! The carnita, chicken tinga, and bean and avocado tacos were also delicious. The price is very reasonable and I enjoyed the laid back, casual but hip vibe of the place. Superb location. Run, don't walk, get your hands on these tacos!
(5)Adam M.
A surprise find. We stopped for lunch, and we weren't disappointed. We split 2x Chicken Tinga tacos, a tamarind braised short rib taco, a potato and chorizo taco, and the empanada of the day. All were good, the Tinga was my favorite. It is BYOB, but I think we will return with a six pack and have a great meal.
(4)Prerana T.
Is this place for real?!!! Hands down the best most flavorful tacos I've ever had. Tamarind braised short rib tacos and the chorizo and potato tacos are a must try. Yucca fries are the ideal side- not too oily and soft inside. We had five tacos and two sides all for $25! Brilliant!
(5)Regina F.
El Perrito is officially my favorite Mexican restaurant in all of America. The yucca fries are something spectacular, and are a must order for anybody craving a freshly made, hot, lightly fried, succulently smooth side dish. They're not huge, nor are they dripping with grease. Instead, they're perfect tender steak-size-fries with a smooth interior and a perfectly salted caramel colored exterior. The green chimichuri sauce oozes with a rich velvet texture, and a hefty creamy flavor exuding the faintest aura of sweet green peppers and maybe a kick of green chili. The chips (served with pureed, elegant guacamole or spicy, homemade, salsa) are freshly fried and lightly seasoned with paprika and a blend of other Mexican spices. They're not salty in the least, so salt fanatics might find themselves reaching for the pink seasoned house sea salt blend on the hot sauce counter. The empanadas have a wonderfully flakey, decadently thick pastry crust, which envelops an interior of seasoned, moist, crumbly meat. Topped with thin sour cream, some diced veggies and cilantro, order empanadas in pairs to receive a flavorful meal.
(5)Chace T.
Love the setting. Love the drinks, me and the wife got a pitcher of margaritas...they were great. I got the tacos with shortrib. Fresh and filling.
(4)Britton P.
Always slamming!!! Best kept secret in newport. Stop by for a casual lunch bad people watch. The short rib taco is tha best!!!
(5)Aaron P.
So good. Great atmosphere, DELICIOUS food. It might be they best burrito I've ever had. Staff is super friendly :)
(5)Robyn F.
Love it! It's probably not authentic Mexican, but the food is fresh, and the staff is incredibly awesome. One of the staff members was chatting with me while I was waiting for my food, and he even entertained me with dance and simply being goofy. when he found out there was going to be a longer wait on the shrimp, he gave me a complimentary plate of nachos, pico and guac. Yum! The Tacos were perfectly portioned and stuffed ( I'm not a pig, I don't need a five pound plate of food to satisfy my pallet). Everything was perfectly seasoned, and I felt there was a nice balance to everything that was piled on the plate. I loved the atmosphere, I've never been to New Mexico, but for some reason I felt I was there. I'll definitely be going back here.
(4)Robert K.
This is a fantastic and unusual addition to Newport. Zero pretention, just an extremely creative spin on traditional Mexican. The tacos were wonderful, mixing very authentic tastes with some unexpected ingredients. There are a decent amount of tourist-trap restaurants in its direct vicinity that are expensive and don't deliver, but El Perrito is very well priced and not at all disappointing. This place would be home in Boston or NYC as much as it is in Newport. Atmosphere is very relaxed and low key. Great for take-out or eat-in. Highly recommended if you're in the area.
(4)Eric M.
Mexican in Newport. Not worth it. Ordered a shrimp taco for my son and it came with 2 tiny shrimp. $3.75. And when I brought a beer into drink I was charged $2 for drinking it. I guess this is Mexican in Newport but I won't be having it again.
(1)Jason B.
Fresh. Authentic. Well priced. Amazing flavors and a real hidden gem among the many tourist spots in Newport. Locals and tourists alike can gather in this legit Mexican stop along the Thames thoroughfare. Flavors are bold, corn tortillas are fresh and homemade, and the menu is simple, yet focused. Don't forget the chips & salsa. Will be back soon.
(5)Green M.
My wife and I tried this place out recently with pretty high hopes...and left feeling like we could've done better. I don't know; everything was kind of bland. She ordered two different kinds of tacos and I got a vegetarian burrito. None of the flavors were very bright or interesting or stayed with you. Even the guacamole fell short of my expectations. It seemed unnaturally smooth, like the kind you get at a fast food place, and there was nothing that really made it sing. I think if everything was better seasoned, this place would have gotten more stars from me. Location is perfect, though: right on the main drag, and it looks really cool inside. We got to eat outside, which was fun...though being below the sidewalk level meant that everyone passing by was staring at our food while we ate. Kind of a plus and a minus, I guess? I don't know. Was not blown away. "Meh" perfectly sums it up. I hate to say it, but next time I want Mexican food and I'm in Newport, I'm going to Diego's instead.
(2)Mindy B.
I wish this place was as good as their other restaurant, Perro Salado. Perro is one of my favorite restaurants. This place is more casual and BYOB. I wanted the food to be up to scratch but it just isn't. Their avocado fries are good but the rest of their stuff is just average. Their wait staff isn't that friendly either. If you have the time visit Perro Salado instead for fabulous food!
(3)Marianna K.
Good food, good prices, convenient location. We came here at a "between meal" time extremely hungry and this was exactly what we needed. The servers were very friendly and I was sad I wasn't hungry enough to try more menu items. They also have good grab and go meal options.
(4)Kelly A.
I was psyched to see a new Mexican spot on Thames Street, and especially psyched to see that it was a quick, inexpensive taqueria. We stopped in for lunch yesterday because we were shopping and we just wanted something light, and this was just perfect. Their menu wasn't very extensive - tacos and tortas - but that's fine with me. The tacos are tiny, so I ordered two, and I opted for the day's special, which was black bean and avocado with cotija cheese. I also got a limeade. At $2.95 per taco, it's affordable, and it's nice to know they use all fresh ingredients (and even make their tortillas in-house). The tacos were delicious, made even more delicious with the wide variety of hot sauces they offer. The limeade was so good - really tart, but perfect alongside the tacos. I'm not sure if any of the torta offerings were vegetarian, but seeing as they make vegetarian tacos, I'm sure they'd be willing to whip up vegetarian tortas as well. Tortas were all listed at $6. While I haven't yet made it to El Perro Salado, my positive experience at El Perrito makes me want to do that stat. A lovely lunch spot that will certainly be busy come summer.
(5)Sarita O.
Overpriced, rude staff, wrong food, cold food, small portions, bland. They should be ashamed to call themselves a Mexican Restaurant.
(1)Erica L.
Great food, but be prepared to wait for it. I'm interested to see how this place handles the crowds this summer.
(4)Mason W.
Excellent! Tacos are soft and small, so order a few, try out the flavors. Yes, I would go back. Fried avocados with chipotle mayo - wow! It was great.
(5)Ashley B.
FINALLY went to El Perrito for lunch on Saturday and let me tell ya, I am sorry I waited so long. This place is GOOD. I mean, really good. I am so happy that Newport has a place that serves up some pretty authentic Mexican cuisine. And this place is BYOB! Makes it all the better! The decor is awesome, staff is friendly, and the food is fresh and delicious. We had tacos (chicken tinga, short rib, and fish) - all of them amazing. We will definitely be back for a BYOB dinner and to try their avocado fries!
(5)Rene Q.
I am from Mexico - grew up eating tacos. What a great find! We had avocado fries (delicious; covered with panko bread crumbs and then fried), braised rib taco, fish taco, beans, tostones and a torta de milanesa. Everyone was happy with their choice. The food is fantastic and I would almost look for an excuse to make it back to Newport just to eat there again! The staff was also incredibly friendly and accommodating to our needs (we had a cranky 2 year old and very hungry 6 month old. It's BYOB so bring a 6 pack with you to wash down the tacos...
(5)corinne k.
Went to El Perrito on my last visit to Newport and was really impressed. First of all, the place is super cute, I love the mural on the wall, the cool wodden chair, basically all the decorations. Some people have commented that the tacos are too small. I'm not a Mexican food expert but I will say that these tacos are on par size wise with tacos I've had all over LA and considering the fresh ingredients and creative combinations I think the price is on point. We had the shrimp taco, the short rib, chicken, and pork and were happy with them all. Also the avocado fries are out of this world. Overall great experience and I can't wait to go back.
(5)Christine P.
My husband and I love this little BYOB spot on upper Thames. It doesn't look like much but the food speaks for itself. We've tried several tacos, burritos, the chips and salsa and the avocado fries! Our favorite taco and burrito so far is the potato and chorizo! The taco is spicy so be warned and the burrito is a little more mild as it has guacamole. The chips are some of the best we've had and I'm a Mexican food junkie... Although the salsa is nothing to write home about. But the avocado fries!!! You MUST try the avocado fries!!! Grab some beers from the liquor store on the corner and head over! You can either sit inside or outside in a small bar like area looking at the crowds passing by...
(4)Tom D.
So excited that El Perrito has just opened a block from the office... I had lunch there today, and just as expected it was great. Fresh, delicious, affordable in a fun setting. Always good to see people understand good, fresh, affordable food. Had three tacos: Chorizo and Potato, Tamarind Braised Short Rib and Fish
(5)Richard L.
It's a nice little quick option with some interesting choices. The location is in a prime spot on Thames so you'll probably walk past this place. They have a good selection of dishes and as mentioned by others, try the avocado fries. They are great. I personally like this place much better than the bigger brother for this place (Perro Salado). I think this place is comparable to PJs to Go. A good choice for lunch or a dinner.
(4)Holly S.
Puree black beans doesn't make refried beans. My tacos tasted like baby food. Plus the food is overpriced.
(1)Eva M.
After craving and wishing for a good tacqueria to open in Newport for many years, I was thrilled to see that the folks from Perro Salado were planning to open El Perrito. Their cute, Fresh, and authentic restaurant lives up to all my expectations. I've been to El Perrito twice in the past week! True to authentic Mexican street food standards, El Perrito's tacos are simple but carefully crafted, with attention to detail and flavor that I've never found elsewhere in similar New England taco joints. The chorizo and potato tacos with chipotle sour cream and scallions are homey, spicy, and rich. I also tried the fish taco (outstanding!) and the cochinda pork, a slow roasted pork with pickled onions and a bit of retried beans. El Perrito makes their own tortillas & tortilla chips. The nachos and tostadas are crisp and flavorful as a result. Also, I didn't try them but the avocado fries look amazing too! For drinks, you'll have to walk down the street to Perro Salado for blood orange magaritas....but El Perrito has blood orange aqua frescas and other daily agua fresca flavors too, as well as Mexican sodas and coffee from "the coffee guy." They also have a big carafe of fruit flavored water out on the serve-yourself utensil bar. I tried it and found it delicious! Overall, El Perrito is a fantastic new option for casual, authentic, and interesting, creative Mexican food in Newport. The decor of the restaurant is a radical change from the previous restaurant in this location: warm hand-carved wood tables and walls. some great seats outside on the front patio, too. I can't wait to see this restaurant continues to develop this summer, especially with Perro Salado's reputation for making the most of local produce and the farmers market. I have a feeling El Perrito will become a mainstay for many locals and for visitors too.
(5)Amar P.
Great service and atmosphere. Food is good too but portions are very small.
(4)William Y.
El Perrito is a stand-up burrito place. Granted, good burrito places don't have much competition on the east coast since there are so few good ones, but I'm still giving it my stamp of approval. Over-priced compared to what I can get at your average CA tacqueria ($8 v $5), but hey, it's the only game in town.
(4)