Pelon’s Baja Grill
738 W 22nd St,Ste 15, Norfolk, VA, 23517
Pelon’s Baja Grill Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
738 W 22nd St,Ste 15
Norfolk, VA, 23517 - Phone (757) 961-4673
- Website https://pelonsbajagrill.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
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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Mike W.
Pelon's niche is the simple taco. By far the closest resemblance to a SoCal fish taco that I've had on the a East Coast. Their happy hour specials are definitely worth the stop and I need to try one of their fresh made margaritas. Location is a bit hidden but optimal spot for a progressive dinner in Ghent. Strong recommend!
(4)Robbin L.
Great little local, casual Baja place. The house made salsa and guacamole are delicious, as are the house made sauces. They also have a large selection of bottled hot sauces. I tried the Grass Hut veggie burrito during my first visit and it was delicious - fresh veggies and beans with great salsa fresco. This is a great place for veg*ns, with many vegetable options and Gardein mock chicken that can substituted or added to most dishes. The staff are also super friendly, helpful, and welcoming. I'm glad to have discovered this restaurant.
(4)Shari S.
Had lunch here today as we were in the area & looking for a quick bite. The food was okay - not bad, not great, just okay. We've eaten at the Va Beach location before, so perhaps our expectations were a bit high, but today's wasn't as good as we had remembered. I think we'd have gotten better at the Chipotle down the street. Ah well, it happens.
(3)K L.
I will not be returning here. I witnessed the person taking orders (handling money and running food) working in the kitchen assembling orders without washing her hands or using gloves. Simply gross.
(1)Gary H.
I came to Pelon's because a friend of mine from Denver was telling me that they have a burrito with chile verde sauce (green chili sauce). Apparently this is a pretty common thing to find in Denver and she was excited to see it in Norfolk. For some reason I was expecting Pelons to be a sit down and wait for your waiter type of restaurant--but they actually have a counter where you order at and bring your food out. I don't know why that's important for the sake of this interview--but now you know. The restaurant is clean and has outdoor seating. There are hot sauces hanging on the walls if you like it spicy. I ordered the "over the top" burrito with the chile verde sauce. It's a big fork and knife type of burrito. It tasted great. I was sad when I ran out of burrito and still had the chile verde sauce left over. My girlfriend would have been mad if I had just eaten the sauce by itself because apparently doing those types of things are "gross". She ordered a burrito without a tortilla and really didn't enjoy it very much. I could see why, though, because it ended up just being a salad and who wants to eat a salad when you have so many burritos available to you? Looking forward to coming back here.
(3)Martina D.
Fish tacos. Cheap, tasty, quick.
(4)Rosslyn D.
For Mexican I usually settle for Chipotle. But Pelon was worth the try. Tucked away at a quiet street in Norfolk, this restaurant was extremely quiet and peaceful for a Saturday night. We got the chorizo nachos which were bursting with flavors and the guacamole was simply amazing! My wife got the Grass Hut burrito (vegan version available) and I got the vegan version of Over the top burrito. Both were great. The portions for the fillings were quite generous. The prices are inexpensive and similar to your fast food joints like Qdoba and Chipotle.
(4)Kasey H.
The fish tacos are really good, and very reasonably priced. The guacamole is also really good, but pricey for the amount that you get. I've also tried the pork tacos, and was less impressed - but I've gone back quite a few times now for the fish tacos, so obviously this place is doing something right!
(4)Brad M.
Pelon's is a California-mexican style restaurant that looks like a chain but has the feel of an independently owned shop (which I think it pretty much is). I say 'California style' being a native Californian, where mexican restaurants are a dime a dozen. There are two things that keep me coming back (even in the world of a Colley Chipotle): The customer service and the food quality. Every time I've eaten here, the waitresses/cashiers have been extremely friendly and are always working hard both around the restaurant as well as behind the register. I was concerned about this restaurant's well-being after the Chipotle conglomerate entered the neighborhood (which I like too by the way), but they said they had no change in sales! It made me think of 'You've Got Mail' when the book superstore opened and the 'shop around the corner' was in denial about their dwindling business...but I sincerely hope they live long and prosper. The food here has always tasted both fresh and been of perfect quantity. I usually get a burrito, but I've also tried the soups, quesadillas, chips/salsa, and tacos and they were all good as well! I never leave hungry (but I also never leave with leftovers...for those who like leftovers this might not be a great thing). They have PLENTY of vegan/vegetarian options for you non-carnivores in the crowd. For those that like alcohol, they have it here -- Which you might need to drown your sorrows if you don't eat meat. One complain I have that loses a star for me is the value of the food here. While, again, everything is of great quality, I always leave feeling like paid $2-3 more than I would have liked for what I received. Maybe I'm spoiled by my cheap California mexican restaurants, but if they even just included chips with larger entrees I would be much more satisfied with the prices. Although, I would be remiss if I did not mentioned that on Tuesdays they have a free BIG brownie with entrees+drink :). They also have many deals during the week, so check the website! Bottom line: If you like mexican food that isn't from a chain but is of great quality and in a comfortable atmosphere, this is the place to go! Prices are slightly more than you'd expect, but what's a couple extra bucks for good service??
(4)Teresa N.
The sauces really pulled everything together. I forgot the specific names of them but they were down right delicious! The tortilla were a bit flakey but that might be because I don't enjoy corn tortillas that much. Regardless, I thought the fish were very well seasoned but like I said the sauces really brought it all together. The service was okay. The first time I went the girl was nice and somewhat helpful but the second time the wait was long. It didn't help that they only had one register and only one person taking orders.
(4)Garison M.
I am sooo happy I found this place!!!! We just moved from southern California to va beach and have been looking for even a decent Mexican restaurant in the area. Me and my fiancé have been to 6 other Mexican restaurants and they all have been horrible! Pelon's is soooo good! Good guacamole (a little heavy on the onions ), my finance had a fish taco and a shrimp taco, she liked them both very much but was fond of the shrimp. I had the vegan ( surfer) burrito, and let me tell you it tasted like a really good so cal chicken burrito!!! It was soooo good! I highly recommend this place if you are looking a good "Mexican" restaurant so cal style!
(5)Porsha R.
Alright Brad M., you convinced me to give this place a try. Lovely, and well planned decor. Reminded me of so many great aspects of Southern California beach culture. It is very spacious and has varied seating with an outdoor patio. I must say this is a great place for groups! I don't do spicy foods, but they had a HUGE assortment of hot sauce (picture). The owner was very friendly. It's a shame that it was not the least bit busy on a Saturday night. I ordered the three tacos (shrimp, fish, and carne asada) and a cream soda. The carne asada taco will not be a repeat as it didn't have the grilled flavor I'm accustomed to. I did enjoy the fresh guacamole it had. The shrimp taco, with a good fruit salsa, was decent. I enjoyed the fish taco although I would have preferred more fish and less saucy cabbage. It's not the same as what I could find in California, but it will definitely do. Not too bad Pelon's, not too bad indeed.
(3)Rachael P.
Best fish tacos! They are little pieces of fish that are fried and come with slaw in a corn tortilla. They have a small salsa bar where you can choose different sauces (the mango one is the best) Also those brownies are to die for! They have everything you want from a Baja grill!
(5)Nicole N.
Best fish tacos ever! This is my secret guilty pleasure around town. Either down at the beach or in Norfolk, I always end up coming here on my lonesome to get my fix in. I also drag friends in any opportunity I get because so many of them think fish tacos would be gross, which I also thought before I ate one! Fish in a taco..? Um yes...perfection is what it is! And the owner is so sweet! They also have excellent brownies!
(5)Alex M.
Love this place. Unfortunately we just don't get here often enough. The wife and I went here after a long bike ride which we topped off with great burritos, beers, and margaritas. The tables outside are great for nice weather. If you get the chance, check this place out.
(5)Hungry I.
Make sure you check out the daily specials board before you order. Really good food, but I wish they had shredded pork &/or steak options vs. chunk. Still I love this place :-)
(4)Yajaida P.
Tucked up behind the Farm Fresh you'll have to keep an eye out to find it. Came here with the boss man and had fish tacos, 3 for $8 so it was a good buy. Shredded cabbage, house sauce, fresh fried fish (portion is small.) Not mind blowing, but all and all it hit the spot. What I liked best was a small wall of hot sauces. A cool California vibe and they got that extra star for the dog friendly patio.
(4)Burleigh M.
This is a great place to go if you've never had a real fish taco in Southern California or Mexico and you generally enjoy eating pallid ingredients. Let's break it down, shall we? : Taco shell = 1-star. Cold corn tortilla out of a package. Fish Filet = 1-star. Who knows what it is, but I can guarantee you it came frozen and likely pre-breaded. Completely devoid of taste, other than the breading. Sauce? = 1-star. Honestly I can't remember if it even had a sauce on it. If it had sauce, it was mundane enough for me to not remember it. "Fresh" toppings = 1-star. Hard to screw this one up in mid-July, or at least you'd think, but the tomato was translucent and mealy. Cabbage was ok. The tomatoes were clearly picked from a factory farm several weeks prior, green, and left to "ripen" in a dark box in a SYSCO truck on the way to this establishment. Ambiance = 1-star. Inside looks nice at first, but no atmosphere. The Jesus-music was creeping me out too. The outside has potential, but was a mess - excess tables and chairs thrown in a corner, and the only tables you could sit at had not been wiped down, and there were only 2 other customers in the whole joint at 6:00 PM. No excuse for that. Average Stars: 1. And that's only because Yelp won't allow me to to select anything less than 1-star. It's not just the fish tacos that are bad either, the carnitas were dried out and the chips were subpar. The salsa served with the chips was horrible. It looked and tasted like a thawed out unripe mealy tomato/onion mix, with no peppers, garlic, or cilantro. Soapbox time: I realize there aren't many options for fish tacos in Ghent, but we have to start holding our restaurants to a higher standard in Hampton Roads. The fact that this place is still open boggles my mind, it really is that bad. Sadly, I haven't found anyplace in the area that can touch a real Baja style taco from Cali/Mexico, but if you want a decent fish taco on the southside, try Gringo's in VA Beach near the Oceanfront. At least the ingredients are fresh, which is rule #1 for fish tacos anywhere.
(1)A W.
Went for the first time today and was extremely pleased! Feel in love with the fish tacos. I had the carne asada and carnitos as well and was pleased with all. Atmosphere was great and service was fast!
(4)Carlitta H.
Every time I come here I am NEVER disappointed. The fish tacos are mazing and the curler is probably my favorite. I never thought I'd enjoy a vegan brownie but even that was amazing. There are deals that no one can pass up! An amazing place to spend time with friends, family and loved ones. My boyfriend and I had our first (and super awkward) date there and we bonded over the perfect tacos. Now we come here all the time!
(5)Hollie W.
Hang Ten burrito made vegan with the mango habanero hot sauce is super delicious. Chips and salsa ehhh...go with chips and guac as the salsa is too runny for my preference :) I am going to power through all vegan options on the menu but so far my heart belongs to the Hang Ten. Nom nom!
(4)Troy S.
We are so lucky to have this hidden treasure in Ghent. California-style tacos done right! They have great specials that change each day of the week. Sit outside and have a margarita, some chunky fresh guacamole, and some fish tacos. You will be so glad you found this place!
(4)Lauren S.
Let me start off by saying that Mexican food is very close to the bottom for what I'd choose, however my bf loves it. So I searched yelp for a place that we could hopefully both be satisfied. When we walked in I was slightly thrown off, I was expecting a sit down restaurant as opposed to where you walk up and order. Not a big deal at all, just made a fool out of myself standing by the door for 30 seconds 'waiting to be seated' ha. I immediately loved that so much of their menu was veg friendly, an extremely rare find in the Mexican world. We knew we were gonna get guac, no brainier about that, and then my bf ordered the fish and carne asada tacos and I the grass hut burrito. The guac came out within minutes of us sitting down, not sure if that's a good thing or not? Either way the guac was really good, nice and chunky. Our food followed shortly after, my burrito was huge and delicious! Bf loved his tacos as well but he said he didn't really get why people rave about their fish tacos. We both prefer grilled fish in our tacos, as opposed to fried so that could be the main issue seeing how these ones are fried. One thing worth noting, they have a hot sauce wall! For any spice lover this is an amazing thing. We had a good time trying about 10 different ones. Will be back, glad to find a mexi place where we can both be happy!
(4)Sheryl M.
Hubby and I went for late dinner and were pleasantly surprised with friendly service and the BEST fish tacos I have ever had. Everything we ate seemed light and wasn't grease-laden like many Mexican/Baja types of places. They have happy hour and prices are reasonable for what you get. We also enjoy the vast selection of hot sauces though the house made sauces are my pick. The margaritas were good. My husband also enjoyed his tortilla soup which was more tomato-based but he described it as a "refreshing change of pace" from the more brothy style of tortilla soup. We will definitely be back!
(4)V T.
I ordered the Over the Top burrito with green sauce and it was very good with its lime and cilantro flavor. My wife also enjoyed her burrito (I think it was the Hang Ten). Service was a little slow even though the place was not crowded.
(3)Traci W.
Pelon's food is good - very good! I had the grilled vegan chicken (Gardein) burrito with salsa verde and guacamole. The burrito was a generous size, but not over-the-top like Chipotle. Both the salsa and the guacamole were fresh and flavorful. I'm very appreciative that they offer so many vegetarian and vegan options here -- including Gardein. The mystery to me is that they don't advertise Gardein as an option on their menu. In fact, nowhere on any menu nor anywhere in the restaurant is Gardein mentioned....it simply notes that burritos can be veganized. I only knew that it was an option because my fellow Yelpers had enlightened me. Customer service is important to me -- the lady waiting on us seemed annoyed by us and though she answered all of my questions, I walked away feeling as though I was bothering her. So why the four stars? Well, as I mentioned, the burrito was delicious and They have numerous vegetarian and vegan options. But there were other perks too: - They have FREE parking. In Ghent! - The prices were very reasonable, especially for the quality of the food. - And what solidified the four-star rating for my husband was the beer happy hour - buy one and get one free. We'll be regulars for sure.
(4)Shel D.
Tried the carne asada, chicken, shrimp and fish tacos. They were all good, but my favorite were the fish tacos. They were light and fresh. Brownies were yummy too. Didn't like their 3 sauces (picante, verde, pineapple). They were all bland so ventured into the hot sauce bar...fun times! Already looking forward to the next visit.
(4)Tiffany L.
First off, if anyone reads this before May 5th (2010), they are having a 99 cent taco thing going on all day. So, you'll find me there stuffing my face. I like their fish tacos. I wish their corn tortillas were better, and I wish their fish tasted better (like Gringo's fish in their tacos). Also, when you get the steak tacos, always get the red sauce. It's not spicy, despite what the cashier may tell you. Well, if you're a little baby it might be spicy. Cause the green sauce isn't cutting it. If you're weary, just go May 5th, what's 99 cents?
(4)Katrina C.
Food was just good. Not great, or anything to rave about. I've actually had better tasting burritos at Chipotle. Makes that a sad statement. Anyways, customer service is everything to me. Granted we came there about an hour before closing, the lady gave me some 'tude for asking a her to take certain things out of the burrito. I was a vegan at the time so I simply asked nicely for things not to be included in the burrito and she just rolled her eyes at me. RUDE. Then she declared that they had a veggie burrioto, which had things I did not want on my food. So I opted to get one of the meat ones minus the meat and cheese. Pretty simple enough if you ask me, yet she made it seem like it was the end of the world. Geesh. And for that same reason, I will never come back to Pelons. Sad because they keep a stack of some awesome hot sauces on their shelves. Plus the vibe of the place was pretty cool too. It is one of those places that's a hit or miss, but good to try at least once.
(2)Laura W.
My only complaint about Pelons is that they've ruined all other burritos for me. I know a big thing in taco/burrito eateries is a build-your-own thing where you shuffle down an assembly line of ingredients and hope the server doesn't stiff you too hard on guac, but Pelons has really got their burrito combinations down to a science. Their Hawaiian Pipeline - which has both pineapple chunks and a spicy pineapple sauce - will make you a believer in fruit on your burrito. The fish tacos and The Curl (which includes a shockingly delightful combination of deep-fried fish, refried beans, and shredded cabbage) are incredibly flavorful. You can also get meat substitutes for a small charge, so vegans and vegetarians have a lot of good options outside the dreaded lettuce-and-salsa-on-a-tortilla variety. The guacamole is heavenly, and a round of that and chips is a more than suitable appetizer for a small group. We ordered a vegan brownie to share for dessert - not expecting TOO much because it's a baja grill - and honest to God, it was the best brownie I've ever had, vegan or otherwise. It's also a nice place to meet after work for grub and a few beers - the atmosphere is relaxed, the music isn't at the decibel of an F-16, and the staff is friendly. The parking lot can fill up quickly since they share it with the grocery store and some other popular businesses, but if you go around seven or so, there doesn't seem to be much of a problem. They're also great about call-ins during lunchtime. I've never left this place unsatisfied. I wish they were open Sundays, but if they a need a day of rest from making the best burritos in the world, well, so be it.
(5)Shawday B.
Being from San Diego - I'll try just about any place that claims it has 'Southern California style" fare. While Jonn G's review made me laugh and he has a good point ("Oh sweet, another group of reviews where people compare food they had 3,000 miles away to food here in Tidewater. Seriously, I'm shocked, the fish taco's on Colley Ave weren't as good as in SoCal. Really?") - there is something to be said for people expecting what a place advertises. If you are FROM a place, and you grew up with a certain kind of food, and then you claim you can make that kind of food- people expect you to deliver. With that being said, my husband and had a good experience here. We each ordered 1 carne asada taco and 1 fish taco. The fish taco was on point, the carne asada was seasoned well (althought a little dry) and the guacamole was legit!!! Only suggestions - carne asada could be a little jucier and use 2 corn tortillas for each taco- that's real Cali style. Over all I give it a 3.5/4 out of 5 stars. I'll def be back.As far as VA goes- that's as close to So Cal tacos as your're going to get. ((ever since Diego's Southern California Style Mexican Food closed- does anyone remember that place?! closed down a few years back due to it's not so great location and poor exposure...man was that a sad day!!)
(4)Robert F.
In the event of a zombie outbreak a couple fish burritos are definitely on my list before I blow out of town. One day I could be digging a space in the back yard for the fish pond I've been meaning to start only to find out I have unearthed the burial place of Indian corpses who have become reanimated and have a pretty big score to settle with the colonials. "sweetheart it's time" I'd tell K on phone as I watched a Powhatan warrior assisting another from under my fig tree. "yeah the back yard, mm hmm, digging the fish pond... look we talked about this, a small well maintained pond wont draw mosquitos if we pay attention to it... listen I have to go I'll meet you at the rendezvous... yes I'll bring your merrells... love you too bye" After I gathered all of my Prince memorabilia id head to Pelons. 'give me 2 Curl burritos to go' id say while slapping a $20 on the table 'and keep the change' I like Pelon's food. I have tried a few of their burritos and the fish is my favorite. The guacamole (chunky) is really good also, but I haven't asked if they have that to go so I don't want to press my luck. While my food was being prepared id check out the cool interior one last time. The best part of Pelons is the wall of different hot sauces. You are free to play roulette with the variety of what ever different crazy sounding, looking and smelling toppings that your constitution can handle. Sure beats some texas pete. but that would be a fading memory as I grab my to go order and head out to avert the apocalypse hoping K was able to procure the supply of nutella like we practiced, and wondering how far we will get before she realizes I forgot her merrells...
(4)Helen C.
Satisfying, fresh food. Great place for a weekly stop. Crave the fish tacos.
(4)Mark D.
A little pricey (most burritos about $8) but overall pretty decent. Not as hole-in-the-wall taste wise, but the food is hot and tasty and it's worth a try. More of an Americanized type of Mexican but their daily deals are worth entertaining if you feel like heading in. Great service though!
(3)Liza P.
OmnomnomfishtacosOmnomnomnombajasauceOmnomnom Wait, what? Ah, Pelon's. Yes, it's a bit pricey. Yes, it's not what I've eaten in California. BUT - it tastes fresh, fantastic, and (if I close my eyes real tight) I can PRETEND I'm in SoCal. And you know what, that alone is worth the price. Fish tacos are awesome. Nachos and guac..a bit too many onions for my taste. Baja sauce? YES.
(4)John G.
Oh sweet, another group of reviews where people compare food they had 3,000 miles away to food here in Tidewater. Seriously, I'm shocked, the fish taco's on Colley Ave weren't as good as in SoCal. Really? "One time I was in Oxtotitlán, Mexico and they had a much better mole then I had at the local Moe's Burrito joint." Wow, that's really shocking, thanks for the insight!! You may want to temper your expectations just a tad there. For more on this rant, please see: yelp.com/topic/virginia-… Yeah, this location is not as good as the one at the beach...yet. Maybe it will get better.
(4)Matt M.
(5 star for a 1x $ place mind you)Came here on a night when we thought we'd try Luna Maya out but they were closed (Mon). Almost aborted because Yelp incorrectly says they are only beer and wine--but went for a look and ultimately discovered they serve very civilized (fresh lime juice, nice tequila proportion) margaritas--what I really wanted to accompany my cali-mex meal. The meal: --tortilla soup (w/chicken)--actually more of a tomato soup, but in a good way. Has a bit of heat, tasty tomatoes, some hidden slices of wonderful avacado, and not drowned in cheese--a definite entry in the plus column and something I would enjoy again. The chicken was shredded and finely chopped so as to not distract from the nice diced tomatoes, yet provide a bit of tender protein foundation --carnitas taco: enjoyed solidly. The pork was wonderfully tender (but not particularly seasoned), the cilantro great, the guacamole stellar, and the homemade tortilla definitely noteworthy. --chicken taco--the weakest link--not any issues, but is a basic chicken taco nice executed. --fish taco--saved the best for last. Was the consensus winner for both me and my better half who is a self-admitted non-fish-taco person. We both enjoyed the textural balance of the tortilla, the finely shredded cabbage, and nicely sized and fried breaded fish bites. The included sauce (spicy baja cream sauce) was a great pair, and standing by to be customized by... --the wide assortment of available hot sauces--including three in-house made ones. As a hot sauce connoisseur, I enjoyed the opportunity to try six new sauces (there were easily 40+ available). I thought this added a nice dimension to the whole meal. --other notes--it's counter service, but patient and friendly enough. Music was pleasant, suited and not unduly loud thankfully. - As a new Ghent area resident, will definitely be returning here for more.
(5)Hazel B.
Knock my Tex-Mex socks off good. Austin meets good seafood... Amazing fish tacos; the margaritas aren't special but happy hour prices on Wed nights can fix that deficiency. And OMG... Don't forget to get churros to finish the meal.
(4)Joe E.
Went on the recommendation of a coworker... We weren't happy with this one at all. We found it to be overpriced for what you get. The food (including the guacamole) was bland. I'm not the type to leave food on a plate...but I did...out of shear boredom. For the record, I got the fish tacos, my wife had one of the many vegetarian burritos (as recommended by the lady at the counter). We were equally unimpressed.
(1)Andrew C.
Awesome fish tacos. The best this side of San Diego.
(5)Wally T.
Just back from San Diego where Carne Asada and Fish Tacos are literally on every corner. I was thinking there would be nothing even close back here in Norfolk. Then I read a few Yelp reviews for Pelons, and I had to go. And it was $2 taco night, perfect time to try. The Carne Asada's were't quite what I was getting 3 meals a day in San Diego, but they were darn good. And it's true what all the other reviews say, the fish tacos rock.
(4)Lewis J.
the fish tacos are legit. pretty damn good. feels like im back in southern california. i cant wait to come back and get some more. the carne asada is ok. and the burritos are too expensive for me to actually want to get another one. and for the same price you can get a slightly better burrito at moes or someplace else. but the fish tacos are where its at. they have difinitely perfected that recipe.
(5)Sarah P.
I'm astonished to see that Pelon's has such poor reviews! For the starving vegan, I can't imagine a better place to eat (and in fact, I'm going there for lunch today!). They're menu is almost entirely veganizable, with vegan sour cream, cheese, chicken, and beef. Their chunky guacamole is out of this world delicious. I can't recommend the Big Kahuna burrito enough (which is stuffed w/ a half pound of meat, or vegan meat, and slathered w/ chunky guacamole). Pelon's is not just for vegans! My family of meat eaters loves Pelon's too. My mother said that their taco salad is THE BEST taco salad she has ever tried in her life. I've actually never taken anyone to Pelon's who wasn't blown away. Personally, I'm not an "authenticity" purist. If it tastes GREAT, I don't care if it's not just like tacos from San Diego or whatever! I really like new spins on old flavors, and if it makes you feel better, consider this a Ghent-style twist on Baja-style Mexican. We can call it Ghaja if you want.. or Bent.. no, I don't think I like that. ANYWAY, my point is, Pelon's is fantastic, and if you haven't been there yet, you just plain suck. Remedy that as soon as you can!
(5)Ashley C.
Much like Sarah K, I too am astonished that Pelon's is getting poor reviews. I adore this place. I live on the peninsula and rarely go across the water, but whenever I am in Norfolk or Virginia Beach I go out of my way to eat at Pelon's. I may not be an expert, as I have never had fish tacos in San Diego, but the I think their fish tacos are PHENOMENAL (especially compared to the god-awful ones at Colley Cantina). I literally order them every time I go. My husband has sampled a large portion of the burrito menu and only disliked one (though I can't remember which). Their chunky guacamole is far tastier than your average guac and the brownies are amazing. I've also taken many out-of-towners to Pelon's and they all shared my enthusiasm for the place. In conclusion, EAT THERE! You (most likely) won't regret it.
(5)Elizabeth M.
I had the fish taco and ceviche salad. Taco was delicious!!! The ceviche was very yummy too. My only complaint was there was just a little bit too much raw onion in the salad. That's my own issue, because I don't like raw onion. Flavor was great. Very fresh!!! I would wholeheartedly recommend this place. I will be going back on a regular basis.
(5)Holly P.
I've always had really good service here, and the fish tacos are on point. I also love the fact that they have a taco happy hour and a plethora of sauces to choose from. Five stars for you Pelons!
(5)Janelle C.
Authentic and incredibly delicious. The salsa is wonderfully fresh. Don't miss the fish tacos. And try some happy hour specials, too.
(5)Antonio Q.
I could eat here every day. Friendly service.
(5)Diana S.
Delicious, authentic, and quality ingredients. If you want Chipotle, just go to Chipotle. The interior was very clean and appealing, and the owner was super friendly. Everything seems to be made in-house, so no bulk-buy salsa or guacamole here. There are many more interesting variations on the burrito than in your average
(4)William A.
I thought this place was pretty good. When I went the fish tacos were great. The pork tacos were pretty bland and the beef was a bit over salted but I am gonna guess that was just a fluke so I will give them the benefit of the doubt. Pretty good overall for west coast mexican in Virginia. If youve ever been to the west coast then youd know that it trumps the mexican shit they have here.
(4)Dilbert D.
Pelon's Baja Grill serves decent food and is hidden away in a little shopping center behind Farm Fresh supermarket. It is much better than Moes, which seems to be a much busier place, located nearby. The carne asada tacos, the queso, and the chips and guacamole are all very good. The fish tacos and chicken tacos are decent too. If you are in the Norfolk area and looking for authentic taco-truck style food (tacos, burritos, guac) with quality ingredients, I would recommend to give Pelon's Baja Grill a try. Also, Monday is $5 margaritas all day and there are happy hour prices everyday from 3pm-6pm. There are at least 2 locations I am aware of--another one at Virginia Beach.
(4)Aaron M.
best fish tacos i've ever had. also the only fish tacos i've ever had, not sure where else to get any. they are a little pricey at, i think, $8 for three of the fish tacos but definitely worth trying. i'm not much of a dessert person but i had their fried ice cream and it's ice cream that is fried. not much more to say there. i've been here a handful times and there's always only a few other customers, usually families with little kids. not sure why though, maybe its the price that deters other students like me.
(4)Adam V.
This is a cool place tucked behind G.W. Marketplace. It's pretty standard Mexican food. The fish tacos are good. They're made California style fried with cabbage and baja sauce. When you walk inside it feels like a restaurant on Atlantic avenue in VA Beach. The menu is a little expensive for what you get (considering that it's fast food) but it's good if you're in the mood for quick Mexican food.
(3)Steve C.
I love this place. It's tiny shop in a strip mall on Pacific ave around 37th street, next to the Taste Unlimited. They have a surfer/skater theme with boards ans stickers all over the place while surfing videos are being played on their LCD. They have an awesome menu headlined by their Fish Tacos & Burritos, "The Curl" is my favorite with a little bit of homemade pineapple habanero sauce. Yum! It's a little pricey for burritos but well worth it.
(4)H P.
Who knew? Tucked in the back corner of a strip mall, I probably never would have found Pelon's--unless it hadn't come so highly recommended! Almost everything on the menu can be made vegan for 20% extra (which means we got two burritos for $20)--but it's worth the extra $$$, since they really pile on the mock meat, vegan sour cream, and vegan cheese. I wish I could afford to come here more often, because the price tage is my only complaint! I hear they have great vegan "fish" tacos, too (for less than $3 a pop), so I look forward to checking them out next time I go! Oh, and they have vegan brownies!
(4)Darius M.
I went to this place with a friend of mine on a whim. She wanted tacos so we found a spot that serves tacos. This place received a lot of positive ratings on Yelp so we went. First thing this place very clean and in a decent location off of 21st Street. The woman working the register was very nice and kind. The tacos that we tried were pretty good also. They have a wide variety of sauces. I tried one that looked like it was in a whiskey bottle. Pretty good. They also have pretty good chips and salsa. This place is a bit pricey for what we had but all in all it was pretty good I have no real complaints.
(4)Susan T.
I was hanging out with some friends last night in Norfolk on cinco de mayo and felt it was only right to partake in the $1 taco night at pelons. I have been to the one in virginia beach before but never the one in Norfolk. I ordered carne asada, fish, shrimp, chorizo and carnita tacos. Everything tasted so good and fresh----minus the chorizo---that one was odd. I originally ordered three tacos but that was just not enough for me---they are rather small tacos. You can order each taco separately or get a deal by ordering three but I think you would need 4-5 tacos to leave happy unless you're ordering a side. My order took 45 minutes, then again, we were told the wait time would be long and I presume because of the holiday. For my second order, they forgot about it until they checked on me. I easily forgave them though because they were all very apologetic and gave me a free brownie and my money back.
(4)David H.
The place itself is okay at best. I am a fish taco geek so I had to try them out and it is on my way home from work as well. They do have good specials daily and the staff is very friendly. I am not over whelmed with the fish tacos because I have had a whole lot better, but that are tasty and cheap enough to get me over. Gringo's Taqueria in Virginia Beach is by far the best in the HR area if you ask me. They do cost more, but you get what you are paying for as well.
(3)Lorrie L.
Tacos here are pretty good. Margaritas need some alcohol added. Order at the counter then sit and wait and they bring your food out. The place was very loud.
(3)Lindsey L.
I like the selection of hot sauces. Tons of options. The owner was friendly even after I broke a beer bottle. Sorry lol. The fish taco was pretty good. My fiancé doesn't like corn tortillas but I do. The fish inside was super fresh and crunchy. I didn't like how they had just cups and cups of ice and tequila with a pre mixed margarita mix. It wasn't made with love lol. It wasn't worth $5 I would've gave 3$ for it including the tip... But the sauce, location food & friendliness is 4 stars for me
(4)Amber H.
Very standard food with little flavor. Got chips and guacamole; look fresh but tasted bland. Fish tacos were nice and crisp but the steak tacos were less impressive. Not a bad place to get cheap eats but beware of specials before hand cuz they will not mention them. (We went on taco night and the only reason I know is after I ordered I saw a small sign on the table.) Also check the hot sauces before using; a lot of them were old. Oddly enough this meal gets much better after sitting in fridge for a couple of hours and letting the flavors come out, also a half a bottle of wine helps.
(3)Emily C.
It was okay, $13 for 4 tacos. Ordered up front and they delivered it to your table.The taco shells weren't soft and warm which is what I would have preferred, and the taco shell fell apart as soon as I picked it up because of the juices. Flavor was decent.
(2)Mindy M.
Love this place! I always make sure to stop here when I am visiting VA. I started going about 10 years ago and the food, service and overall experience has always been consistently great. Highly recommend.
(5)Emily ..
Pelon's is one of my favorite places to come in Norfolk. The fish tacos don't get any better. Their happy hour on Wednesdays from 6pm to close with the $2 tacos and $2 beers is the best. PS- make sure you ordered an extra side of Baja sauce with the tacos!!!!
(5)Chanelle G.
This was a mistake. Friday night, 6pm. Quotes of the night from the husband: "I'm not sure if I'm sadder about the $46 or the 46 minutes I will never get back." and "Of the ways to screw up a margarita, I think they managed to get every one." He ordered the 3 carnitas; I decided to try the Famous Fish Tacos. You know, I don't exactly have high standards for tacos. For the price, I've had better from Taco Bell. The tortillas were cold, the salsas devoid of flavor, and the fish in my fish tacos so blatantly fishy I'm just praying I don't die overnight. Margarita? Well. If you want to call it that. Served in a plastic margarita glass, unblended, incredibly syrupy, with the tequila not mixed in? I'll leave your imagination to determine the appropriate adjectives to describe the taste. Words fail me right now. The only redemptive features of the night: speedy service and the guacamole we ordered with our chips. If you're vegan or vegetarian, this is an excellent choice for you: lots of meat subs, though be prepared to pay the 15% extra -- which for some reason is also annotated on the menu for chips and salsa. Whatever, man! Maybe it's better at lunch time. Maybe it's better on other days of the week. Maybe. The only definite thing? We won't be going back. 1 star for the guac and service; 1 star because it's a local business.
(2)Kayla H.
Pelon's has very cheap and quite tasty food. The service was efficient, but not very friendly. The restaurant space was mostly clean, but not a particularly inspiring atmosphere. I could see how this place, in all its blandness, could hold a soft spot in someone's heart though. Regarding the quality of food alone, I think Chipotle is better. But, if I were a college kid and spent time loitering here eating cheap food/drinking cheap beer while building friendships, I'm sure I'd feel more enthusiastic.
(3)Joe D.
I recently had dinner here with a friend. The place is nice and has a sorta hip beach theme with murals on the walls. We popped in and ordered ordered our meals at counter and then took a seat in the half booth section near the back. While we were waiting for our order we looked over the various hot sauces on the wall and each grabbed a bottle. Each of us ordered the same mixed 3 taco dish. One Fish, one Steak & one Pork taco, all on soft shells. I have to say my favorite of the was the fish taco and next time around I'll probably just have 3 of those or try something else on the menu. One other thing I want to point out is that we were here kinda late in the evening, I want to say around 9pm, and I think that affected the quality of the meal a bit. It didn't seem very fresh to me. All in all it was ok but not great, and they have some other items I want to try later on. I'll definitely give them another try.
(3)Susie L.
My favorite taco place ever! I am in love with their fish tacos! The fish is nice and crispy, and just simply delicious. The salsa and chips here are also amazing. I have yet to try the guacamole but it looks delicious! I would definitely recommend this place to a friend. PS on Mon-Fri from 3-6PM it's buy two get one taco free! And Wednesdays after 6PM is $2 tacos! You can't beat that!
(5)Nicole N.
This place sucks. The girl who works behind the counter is very rude (both times I went), it took 16 minutes to make a burrito to go, you have to pay extra for chips, and honestly chipotle is better. The burrito is bland and lacks a lot of flavor.
(1)Cory E.
I love stopping at Pelon's Baja Grill when traveling to Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Sometimes it can be hard to find great healthy food choices when were all constantly on the go so much! The menu by far has a great variety of taco and burrito options especially for vegans and vegetarians. I went today and called ahead to cut out some time on my schedule, and 10 minutes later my burrito was ready once I walked in. I also was given a free brownie! The restaurant has a pretty nice beachy surf vibe going on, especially the one at the Ocean Front, it reminds me alot of burrito places in Cali and Hawaii with there surf posters and stickers slapped on every possible piece of wall. Great seating, outside patio and cool music! On the down side and maybe its just me, I really wish the restaurant had a better drink selection, all they had to offer was sodas and a few sugary teas and other random drinks.. Everything else has been great except one time I was at the oceanfront location eating a burrito and I found 2 very long pieces of hair in it! It was quite disturbing at first, but the burrito was so tasty it made up for it still in the end hahaa, I just ignored it was there.. But watch out!
(4)Scott C.
Great menu. Something for everyone. Friendly service. Everything was of great quality. I am glad Yelp steered me to this place. Each in our party agreed that it was a fantastic choice. Especially interesting was the wall of various hot sauces. Nice job, Pelon's!
(4)Doug M.
I have been eating here for lunch for a few years now, so I thought it was time to write a review. It will be short. Food great, service and staff are great, and the owner is out of bounds; so nice and friendly. Can't say enough nice things about this place...... Great job and happy holiday seasons........
(5)A K.
Good Mexican food. The service was good and friendly. They have a wall full of different hot sauces. Each of them was differently unique. They have beer and premade margaritas. So not really a bar but you can get a drink if you choose. Good place for lunch or quick bite.
(3)Amanda C.
Best vegan meal I have had in Hampton Roads in a long time! The chicken quesadilla and The Dude (both made vegan) are excellent! They have tons of veg-friendly options too! Well worth the money.
(5)Jackie C.
This is by far Norfolk's best kept secret. I went to ODU, recently graduated, and moved back home :( so i dont get to enjoy this gem anymore. BUT i ahve been craving it so i figured i'd write a review! They have weekly specials- follow them on FB, awesome updates and they always post super yummy pictures and make you STARVING! The chips and guac is a MUST- gotta go with the chuncky kind. The fish tacos are bomb, you cant go wrong with any burritto (depends what mood your in- beef, chicken, pork. I've had them all and they are always consistantly PERFECT). The salads, add chicken, are SOOOOOO good! and refreshingly LARGE. They dressing is literally perfection. The interior is so fricken cool. Super beachy and the walls are painted with an "ocean" theme. The patio is cool too, a little small but if you're lucky to grab a table do it! Honestly i can't say anything bad about this place. It is def one of my favorites in the hampton roads area and i ALWAYS make it my first stop whenever i'm in town.
(5)R B.
Awesome discovery. Great food and prices. Cool atmosphere at the Oceanfront. I have had several items on the menu and they are all great.
(5)Spencer P.
Seriously slow bringing out the food. Really ridiculous. The rice was like a pilaf which was weird because I thought I was in a Mexican food joint. Still waiting for my second order of one fish taco 20 minutes later. Gave them 2 stars cuz the food was so-so
(2)Megan P.
I was told about Pelon's by a customer I've been working with, and she had told me the fish tacos were awesome. Now I have a fondness for good fish tacos and this place delivered. My boyfriend and I walked in rather late, around 9pm and the management and help were inviting and kind. I had to ask about their new location in Richmond (yay) as I def plan on visiting that location on the regular. Besides the fish tacos, the shrimp tacos and margs were pretty on point. I've read the brownies are to die for, so I'll have to grab one the next time I'm in.
(4)Amanda H.
Cute attempt at "Cali" style tacos. That about sums it up. Based off of food alone, 3 stars, but the happy hour specials propped my rating up to 4. You order & pay for your food/drinks at the counter, pick a seat, and they bring it to you once it's ready. Want to order more? Hop over to the counter, rinse, & repeat. Neat concept if you're not a fan of servers continuously hovering over you. Monday through Friday, from 3pm (or maybe 4) 'til 6pm, they have some pretty good specials. I know one of the specials is a massive margarita for $5. Another one - buy two tacos, get the third for free. I forgot the other ones, probably because of that margarita, which was very effective. They also had some local craft beers available by the bottle. Mixed and matched a bunch of tacos, and here are my recommendations: The Shrimp tacos were the best by far. Battered shrimp deep fried on a corn tortilla with thinly shredded cabbage, a magical sauce, and some type of fruit salsa, the flavor combo was delicious. The boyfriend lost his mind after his first one & went back for more, which confirms how good they are. The fish tacos are great as well. Shredded cabbage, another magic sauce, some other stuff, and crispy fried fish. The carne asada tacos weren't great. The meat was tough and lacked flavor. The salsa and the margarita helped. Avoid the carnitas tacos at all costs - they arrived cold, dry, crusty, and flavorless, as if the meat had been sitting out on the counter for a few days. Honestly it was disgusting. I'm guessing that anything fried is cooked to order, and arrives hot, while everything else has been pre-cooked, and is likely to arrive to your table close to room temperature, if not colder. Summary - great for a quick weekday dinner, but avoid the carnitas.
(4)Melissa M.
Love this place! Fish tacos and shrimp tacos are my fave, but save room for the brownies. Yum!
(5)Shalimar L.
Hand down the Best fish tacos I've ever tried. Very unique and fun menu. I love all the shelves of hot choices too.
(4)Kathleen D.
Awesome place, great food, very friendly staff! Vegan toco salad salad is amazing, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, beans, tofu all.delicious! Homemade chips too!! Yum!
(5)Sarah D.
A small place with great Mexican food. They can make almost any menu item vegan! They have vegan sour cream, vegan cheese, vegan chicken, vegan beef, even vegan fish. Try the vegan chicken on a taco salad -- delicious! Their burritos are enormous, and their prices are very reasonable. Stop in for $2 tacos on Wednesdays. The only downside is service can be a bit slow. Try to stop in when they're not very busy (avoid on Cinco de Mayo).
(5)Dana G.
Boyfriend took me here a few weeks ago.. The guacamole was very good... I had a burrito with shrimp and he had the fish tacos.. They were both very good :)
(4)George B.
Took them more than 15 minutes to bring out my burrito. Also overpriced for what you get. Very few side items if you just want a little more food. All the buritto have cutesy names. Unlike the beach location you cant get refills on fountain drinks.
(2)Rory J.
I can't afford to take off to San Diego every time I want decent food, so I go here. Hubby and I came here for lunch today and man was it awesome. I was slightly put off by the 8 navy guys waiting outside for the doors to open, though I think it speaks to the quality and quantity of food here. The chunky gauc is amazing, full of avocado goodness. The salsa is also REALLY good, it's slightly sweet and very delicious. Clearly fresh made with big chunks of onion and cilantro. For lunch I had two tacos, one fish and one carnitas, my husband had the 'Hang Ten' burrito. Both were fresh and awesome. Word to the wise - do not attempt to eat one of their burritos and be a productive member of society. The most you can hope for during the 2 hour digestion period is to not nod off at work. The bright side of this is that I had plenty of rrom for churros and my husband did not. They were fresh and hot, definitely not something you can easily find around here.
(4)