El Tacuba

Mexican restaurant · Medford

El Tacuba

Mexican restaurant · Medford

4

35 Salem St, Medford, MA 02155

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35 Salem St, Medford, MA 02155 Get directions

eltacuba.com
@eltacubamedford

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35 Salem St, Medford, MA 02155 Get directions

+1 617 390 0600
eltacuba.com
@eltacubamedford
𝕏
@eltacubamedford

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Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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@eater

Boston Fine Dining Restaurant Mooncusser Adds a Casual Bar Downstairs - Eater Boston

"Mexican restaurant El Tacuba, from the team behind local fast-casual favorite Tenoch, is dishing up tacos, ceviches, tostadas, and more in Medford." - Erika Adams

https://boston.eater.com/2023/11/1/23940641/boston-restaurant-openings-moon-bar-eastern-standard-somenya
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Lots of Restaurants Are Opening in Medford in 2019 - Eater Boston

"Opening in summer 2019 by the team behind Tenoch, offering dishes from Veracruz." - Terrence Doyle

https://boston.eater.com/2019/7/8/18700932/medford-restaurant-scene-growth-2019
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The Most Anticipated Boston Restaurant Openings, Fall 2018 - Eater Boston

"El Tacuba, 35 Salem St., Medford Square Projected opening: 2018" - Rachel Leah Blumenthal

https://boston.eater.com/2018/8/28/17788946/most-anticipated-boston-restaurants-fall-2018
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The Torta Masters Behind Tenoch Will Open a Medford Restaurant and Tequila Bar - Eater Boston

"El Tacuba Cocina & Tequila Bar will open at 35 Salem St. in Medford Square, as reported by Boston Restaurant Talk, and the team behind it will be familiar to lovers of Mexican food, particularly tortas, in the Boston area. Alvaro and Andres Sandoval — the brothers who co-own the popular Tenoch brand, which boasts three restaurants and three food trucks — are behind the new spot, steps from Tenoch’s Medford Square location. There’s no set opening timeline, Alvaro Sandoval told Eater, but he anticipates that it will be later this year. While the El Tacuba menu isn’t finalized, it’ll be Mexican food. Tenoch also serves Mexican food, including the aforementioned tortas (sandwiches served on telera bread and packed full of Oaxaca cheese, avocado, chipotle mayo, and more), tacos, and a few other items. Unlike the Tenoch fast-casual restaurant set-up, El Tacuba will be a full-service restaurant. The Sandovals plan to feature a vast selection of tequila and mezcal, as well as local craft beers. El Tacuba is currently in the buildout phase. Check in with its website and various social media channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) for updates. And in the meantime, go eat a carnitas and ham torta at Tenoch." - Terrence Doyle

https://boston.eater.com/2018/3/13/17116512/el-tacuba-medford-tenoch-tequila
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Ryan Birch

Google
Went here for Friday night out with husband. The food here for the most part was delicious including the octopus, tacos, enchiladas and empanada though portions were a bit small for the price. Mixed reviews on drinks -I enjoy my spicy margarita but my husband’s standard margarita tasted more like a lemonade and seemed to be low on tequila. Would still come back sometime and try some other dishes, our service was great and was a fun atmosphere.

Cameron Weeks

Google
We had some apps and drinks here. The food was very tasty and came out very quickly, and the different margaritas we tried were good. The size of the plates were a bit small for the price or to split and the service was a little slow, but overall a good spot in Medford center.

Alicia Hunt

Google
Great margaritas, delicious small plate dishes. My recommendation is to order chips with the ceviche because the flavor is so strong! Also, order 1-2 dishes at a time, they come out quickly and that gives you a chance to pace yourself. We showed up at 5:30 and we were seated immediately, it was packed when we left! This is the best flan I’ve ever had!

Norman Ramsey

Google
Fantastic small Mexican dishes. We ordered six or seven different things and all of them were good, but the real standouts were the corn appetizer and the tuna tostada. Just exquisite. This is not typical cheap Mexican-American food but is from a place that's aspiring to be a nice restaurant. That said, we had a great meal with a lot of dishes for a very reasonable price. We will definitely be back. The dining room is quite hip and looks like it should be in the city of Boston and not in sleepy little Medford center, but I can work with that. We had reservations for 6:00 and there were a few other diners seated, but by the time we left shortly after 8:00 the place was absolutely mobbed. And that was on a Tuesday. Definitely worth a visit and prepared to have a great meal.

Hongmei

Google
Food tastes great but potions are too small. The ambience is fantastic, drinks and service are excellent! Welcome to Medford square, it’s nice to finally have a nice tequila bar here in the neighborhood!

M. Davenport

Google
This is a Mexican style tapas place but it misses the mark completely. Drinks were not memorable and took about a half hour from ordering to receiving and to add insult into injury the drinks received weren't what we ordered. They adjusted the bill to account for this. The food was better than average but the serving size was tiny even for tapas but the presentation of the food was good. I wouldn't mind the miniscule servings if the price was in line with the quality/taste of the food. Usually in tapas, a dish is served that one can share amongst people but in this case the dishes came out randomly and some were not sharable. (You cannot share a taco the way it's served here.. maybe they needed to be a little more creative). We were a party of 4 and even though we attempted to embrace the sharing the dishes came out so sporadically that at times one person was just eating alone. People should enjoy food together and I understand the restaurant is new but if you can't get that right then the dining experience suffers no matter how good the food is.(and unfortunately the food here was mediocre)

Julieta Sarmiento

Google
We had the most delightful experience at El Tacuba! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality from the owners & hostess. Their friendliness instantly set the tone for our evening. As for the food, it was an absolute delight! Every dish we tried was bursting with authentic Mexican flavors and cooked to perfection. Each bite was a culinary adventure that left us craving for more. Moreover, the service was impeccable. The staff went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed, making us feel like cherished guests. Overall, El Tacuba exceeded our expectations in every way possible, and we can't wait to return for another memorable dining experience!

Raj Sheth

Google
Super cute spot with okay drinks and a great atmosphere. Came here for a nightcap after dinner and the vibe inside was amazing. We got some drinks off their menu the guava margarita, mangarindo, and the Carajillo. The one lasting impression was that everything was overly sweet. I'm okay with some level of sweetness, but they need to dial back their usage of the agave syrup. The chips and salsas as well as the queso fundido were all excellent - I would highly recommend that part!
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Van V.

Yelp
Lovely and large space with a beautiful bar and several different eating areas. Workers were also greening up patio are by sidewalk with many plants. We both tried two plates each. He loved the enchilada suiza and I really enjoyed the short rib taco and tuna ceviche. Fantastic cocktails. Next time I go maybe I will sit at bar and try a special tequila. Fun soundtrack playing! Very nice upbeat vibe.
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Igor R.

Yelp
The menu reads nicely, the service was speedy & attentive. The decor of the place is fun and vibrant. We ordered a bunch of stuff to share. The items from the specials menu were excellent - particularly the octopus ceviche. The items we got from the regular menu were just okay. The scallops were undercooked - which is *fine*, certainly edible. The sauce was very good. And $7 for one taco is ridiculous. This is where I take it from a 4 to a 3 star. We got the De La Casa and while the flavor was fine, it was texturally one-note. It ate very 'soggy'. Had they crisped up the bacon, it would've made a bigger impact. So, I can't justify ordering tacos here at this price point. They're simply not good enough. That said - the drinks were great and they have a nice outdoor patio. If I'm in Medford, it's a place I'd swing by for a drink and apps. And for that - I'd recommend it. But if you're looking for a nice Mexican dining experience, there's better options out there (granted, few in Greater Boston).
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S O.

Yelp
I'm sorry, but this place need to decide if it wants to be a club or a restaurant. The music is so annoying! Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump! That's all can think and hear when I'm there. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump! OMG! Even at dinner time, 5 - 7 pm. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump! Turn that crap down, or at least turn down the base during dinner hours! Or put something, anything less annoying. Then turn it up for the evening crowd if you want. It's really sad. Medford waited for years for this place. I really WANT to like this place, since friends live nearby and would be nice to have a somewhat pleasant after work place for good food and drink without having to deal with the annoying Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump! Then there's the tables, all crammed together and small, maybe 20 inches square. I think maybe they forgot that these little tables have to accommodate multiple 'small plates' , hence the tapas part of the tapas restaurant? And add the too-large-for-the-table lamp, the water bottle, 2 water glasses and 2 drink glasses and the menus = tables are too small. Receiving our meals was like a jigsaw puzzle or navigating chess game pieces. Table spacing is crammed. In one evening, staff bumped into us twice. I saw people almost collide 4 or 5 times, in the span of a half hour. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump! Menus. Can they make the print any tinier? Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump. Staff. Asked about salad ingredients. Waiter was indifferent about finding out: responding "I think so" and stood there until I insisted he found out. Really? Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump Great to have a new restaurant in Medford square, but El Tacuba has a long way to go before I will return. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump! Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump. Thump, Thump Thump, Thumpity Thump, Thumpity Thump!
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Jennifer R.

Yelp
I visited El Tacuba for the first time, and the place looks great inside modern with beautiful decor to look at. Parking was convenient, and the service from our waitress, Stephanie, was top notch. We tried dishes like elotes callejeros, Ensalada Betabel, shrimp tacos and ensalada de temporada. While my gin cocktail was good, the food was decent but not particularly memorable for the price. I might return for drinks, but I'm in no rush.
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Kelly T.

Yelp
Great Food, Subpar Service Came here on a Saturday night around 7pm and it was on and jumping. The place was packed and we were told a 40 min wait. We decided to wait and just get a drink at the bar. It took us about 20 mins to get a Modelo at the bar. After about 30 mins, we got seated and the restaurant cleared out and quieted down (about 1/2 the tables were open by 7:45pm). Once seated, it took about 7-10 mins for someone to even notice us. The server that noticed that we hadn't been attended to called our server who seemingly ignored her and still didn't come over to our table. Another 5-7 mins went by and the manager (maybe owner) noticed we had been served yet and he grabbed our server who was just chatting with the hostess. We put in our drink order and an appetizer, which took a while to come out (8-10mins). It took so long for us to flag down our server to put in our dinner order. She seemed very frantic and a little ditsy, chatting with the bartenders and hosts and blatantly ignoring her tables. We planned to order some food and then add more later if we were hungry, but realized quickly our server was not going to be coming back for a while. The food was very good with a nice variety of meats and items. Only complaint is that the portions are small for the price (compared to Bar Taco, Lolita, Yellow Door). 1. The Classico (4/5) - Basic but the passionfruit flavor didn't taste too artificial 2. Mangorindo (5/5) - Sweet, Salty, Spicy. Pretty and Yummy 3. Sopesitos (3.5/5)- The topping were tasty but the corn dough was thick and dry 4. Tacos: -Cochinito (3/5) The meat was pretty dry and lacked flavor -De la Casa (5/5) Very good! Salty and fatty -Suadero (3/5) the meat was dry but had good flavor -Camaron (4/5) shrimp were well seasoned and not overcooked but you only get two medium shrimp for a $7 taco 5. Tostadas: -Camaron (5/5) really fresh and delicious -Carne (4/5) would recommend for picky eaters -Jaiba (5/5) The BEST thing we had all night. Fresh crabmeat, well seasoned and not at all fishy
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Denise M.

Yelp
The food, staff and atmosphere is excellent with traditional Mexican Venezuelan food. The guacamole and steak tacos were delicious, the drinks delightful. The portion sizes are small, one taco is six dollars but you're paying for the atmosphere, hoping the serving sizes change to be more in line with the prices and they establish a reservation system. Most of the food is gluten free, a huge plus and a signature sign of authenticity. Great place for a tasty meal and a drink.
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Francisco P.

Yelp
My group of friends came out to celebrate a birthday at El Tacuba. The restaurant was very nice and it had a really fun and upscale vibe to it. I liked the decoration and the service was great. The drinks were really good. I had el Chingon which was a drink with mezcal and guava. It was sweet and Smokey and my favorite drink of the night. I also had a Mangarindo which had mezcal and a tamarind stick. This drink was a conversation starter as it prompted a couple of people in tables adjacent to us ask us what it was. However, while it is a fun drink, it was not as good as El Chingon. For tapas, we had the guacamole and chips (beware it's mostly chips), the queso fundido with chorizo, the camarones al mojo de ajo, ceviche, platano macho and assorted tostadas. For dessert we had the flan. The food was all delicious, however the portions were very small. My favorite dishes were the camarones al mojo de ajo. They were tender and flavorful. The stuffed plantains were fun and innovative, I've never had them like this before. The queso was so gooey and delicious. The flan missed the mark a little bit. Overall, this was a great experience. I'd love to come back to try other things, except that I'd probably have a snack beforehand or be ready to splash the cash for an infinite amount of little tapas.
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Ina G.

Yelp
Downtown Medford was certainly in need of a more elevated spot like this-- one with an extensive drink menu, a variety of creative mixed drinks and a lovely bar. A manageable, tight assortment of tastefully executed and reasonably priced small plates rounds out the experience. Service was friendly and it wasn't tough to get in on a weeknight. The only head scratcher (and perhaps someone could enlighten me) is that, although the fare at Tacuba is described as Mexican, a distinct cuisine is not so apparent from the dishes. It feels like a creative fusion of several cuisines.
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Manfred S.

Yelp
The most amazing new bar/restaurant in Medford Square. 1. Very nice tequila collection 2. Great cocktails (El Classico and El Diavolo got me) 3. Fantastic tapas (details to follow) 4. Kind, friendly, efficient service 5. Wonderful owner/host Tenoch's Alvaro Tonight's food choices were in order of awesomeness: 1. Callo de Hacha 2. Camarones al mojo de ajo 3. Jaiba 4. Sopesitos 5. Psecado a la Veracruzana More expensive than your cantina, but worth it considering the pleasant atmosphere.
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Laura F.

Yelp
Came here for a pre comedy show dinner. House was packed but service was perfect and food was incredible!!!! Sorry I ate it. No food pics. Drinks were awesome too and cheaper than what we find in NH! Loved it all. Highly recommend.
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Camila R.

Yelp
My friend and I dined here with an 8pm reservation on a Friday night and it was amazing! So happy to have this addition to our Medford Square, we already love Tenoch. Previous reviews mentioned high prices but I disagree, I thought the prices were great and every dish we were served came in a timely manner, perfectly plated and seasoned to perfection! The place is very nicely decorated and cozy, some of the tables are very close in proximity but we didn't mind. Each table has its own lamp with different color and dim settings which we liked. My friend got the Michelada drink, her only complaint was that it was warm but we're not sure if that's how it's traditionally served or not. We ordered: 1. Elotes/corn 2. Shrimp tacos (one each) 3. Octopus served with potatoes 4. Arroz del Mar- seafood and rice dish All were amazing we highly recommend! We were told from the beginning that this is a tapas style restaurant so we did keep the portions in mind but they were perfect for us!
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Anna F.

Yelp
The food got nothing but good feedback from my friends. They thought it was very fresh and tasty. Also, we partially took them there bc/ they're Medford locals- and they thought it was a unique addition to Medford. The high ceilings, tapas style eating, and visually pleasing drinks make it a cool place for going out to with friends. I'd say it's a bit on the pricey side, but maybe you're paying for the ambiance too. The mezcal drinks were popular among my friends, and the ceviche stuffed sweet plantains and garlic shrimp were the biggest hits in terms of food. I would have appreciated slightly bigger portions, but they're just starting out so I'm sure they're still figuring things out.
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Harri S.

Yelp
Tacuba was hopping when we walked in. They were in the first month and blew us away. I lived next to the Mexican Border and had fantastic food
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Justin G.

Yelp
Thrilled that El Tacuba has finally opened! The food and drinks were fresh and flavorful. The portions are on the smaller side so you'll probably want to order ~3 items per person and eat family style. I would highly recommend the Arroz Del Mar and the Camaron Tostada.
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Nancy S.

Yelp
Stylish new restaurant with a wide array of cocktails and small plates. Every dish is a delight - creative tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, and other interesting fare. Friendly fun staff, great atmosphere.
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Eric S.

Yelp
Had high hopes for this spot but it did not deliver. Service was sloppy. Food was not good. Thrown together, cold tacos, didn't finish half our plates. They closed the kitchen at 8pm with several customers still eating and turned away new customers coming in for dinner. They are advertised as being open until 10pm so this was strange. Drinks were good. Ambiance was nice. Overall a disappointing experience, and a surprise based on the reviews so far.
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Catherine R.

Yelp
Cool decor. Great place to meet up with friends for a cocktail and of course tequila. Small portions-

Jd H.

Yelp
My wife and I love coming here for Sunday brunch. Everything we have gotten here has been better than expected. Just really fresh and delicious. Addictive elote and amazing ceviche. Highly recommended!
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Julia W.

Yelp
First, so excited this place has finally opened. The space is really cool, bar is beautiful - I forgot I was in Medford Square, which is both not cool or very beautiful - yet. This gives me hope. We sat/stood at the bar, had a round, and put our names in for a table around 6:30. Didn't get sat until we checked for our table for maybe the 3rd time at almost 8. Not great. But I also think this is indicative of a new opening that is getting slammed all night. And I mean slammed. We showed up at 5:30ish and the place was as completely full - every table and the entire bar except for 1 seat. The place was still almost all full when we left at 9. So definitely some growing pains with logistics but lots of potential. We also were there on a Saturday when there were shows at both Deep Cut and Chevalier so may be less crowded on a different day / night. More importantly the food was so good. Only complaint is that the dishes are all small plates, so had we understood that, we would have ordered a plate or two more. For what we got - scallops, enchiladas, guacamole and ceviche - all really, really good. Not just tex mex like most Mexican restaurants around here! And prices reasonable too. Staff friendly albeit a bit overwhelmed. Will absolutely be back and so glad this exceeded our expectations after 5 years of waiting!
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Cynthia E.

Yelp
Finally a great place in Medford Square to catch a drink and some apps (tapas) before the show. Medford square has been a dying spot, but this restaurant brings it life again! El Tacuba is bright, lively, well decorated, expert Latin cuisine, and the friendliest staff and owner and brother of the owner as well. I loved the octopus, scallops, stuffed, plantain, and spicy margarita. You will not go wrong with those! The queso app was hard after it was cold and did not taste as great. I would recommend taking that off the menu to make room for their many other amazing highlights. The tostadas are also ALL amazing--check out their sister restaurant called tenoch next-door for great burritos! Thank you so much for making Medford square fun again!
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Charmie C.

Yelp
A wonderful, delicious experience all around. Let me tell you about the queso. You will never ever have queso this good. Enough said. The steak taco and shrimp taco were made to perfection! Well portioned, well seasoned. The service was delightful. This is a fantastic business that I hope continues to do well in the neighborhood. No reservations, so plan accordingly.

Jacqueline S.

Yelp
I will come back for this queso again and again. It was mind blowing. BUT they serve it with 3 corn tortillas which wasn't enough, so we ended up requesting tortilla chips (so good, definitely recommend). The cocktail mandiga is served ceviche-style, flavour was great, but the saltines to eat it felt weird. We ended up using the tortilla chips for these as well. The pork tacos were amazing and flavorful, but the short rib tacos were kind of tough and dry. We also ordered the enchiladas which were good not great. Would HIGHLY recommend the house margaritas. The best I've had in a very long time!! The atmosphere in the restaurant is amazing. The owner was helping his staff and greeting tables, which is always great to see. I would highly recommend coming here for drinks/apps.
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Faustino A.

Yelp
Expect small plates with big flavors. Only disappointing thing was the flan. Was burnt in the middle and not the same standard as the rest of their menu. Don't get the stuffed plantain because they only serve one. Would recommend ordering another taco or tostada instead. Recommend ordering a variety of plates to enjoy the different flavors! If you're looking for a traditional burrito/ taco style meal, go to their local shop that's opposite of where the restaurant is located.

Phil S.

Yelp
Terrific place! Had the guacamole, shrimp, sea bass, and enchiladas. All excellent. Good craft beer list and the martini was first rate. Server was pleasant and efficient. Will return.
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Kimberly R.

Yelp
I dropped in here with my family last night and it was such a pleasant surprise. Was expecting a basic American-Mexican restaurant but this is not that. Really well crafted, seafood heavy, authentic small plates place. Nice space. Loud but not obnoxious. Tables are tight, especially once they put all the glassware and small plates down, but Oh man...the food was totally awesome. Service was very friendly and efficient but still learning the menu. It did not matter, the food and drink were to die for. My only criticism is that it may have been helpful if staff helped to guide you through what would make a full meal given the small portion style? Maybe suggest a rice dish if you only ordered seafood tapas with no starch, that sort of thing. Not sure if you can get sides of rice, chips, etc? We also did not get the plates we requested as appetizers, first. The dishes just kinda came out whenever they were ready. The service needs a little polish for the price point; its was $220 for 4 people with 3 drinks. We tried multiple tostadas, tacos, rice with seafood, spicy shrimp, sea bass, mole chicken and beef empanadas... wow! Fish was VERY fresh and everything was better than the thing that came before it. Even the drinks were solid. Couple kinks to work out but we will come back again and again. Welcome to Medford Tacuba! Delighted to have you.
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Greg H.

Yelp
Service - pretentious and unwelcoming, particularly for this area. We were told about a 90 minute time limit for table turnover in a very obnoxious way at the beginning of our meal. We were immediately turned off by that. Our server was fine. As a rule, I just don't go to places who act like they're doing me a favor by taking my money. Ambiance - good vibe in theory but at the same time a little out of place feeling given the area. The kind of place I should like but I felt a bit confused by it at the same time. Food - Small plates. No complaints about the food... The enchiladas were some of the best things I've eaten in a while. I've had better queso though. Drinks were also good. Chips cost $3 even with queso ordered. Lots of other great options that value our business more than this place though. I've been to Vegas clubs that felt more welcoming than this place.
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Kevin M.

Yelp
We popped in for a couple appetizers and drinks. We knew nothing about it, but walking by, it definitely has great "curb appeal." We had great El Padrino margs and a bunch of smaller plates (chicken burrito, shrimp in garlic / wine sauce, tuna ceviche. We loved all of the food and the whole vibe. We'll be back soon!

Ingrid T.

Yelp
Earlier this week, We made reservations on Google with Tacuba and received a confirmation email, within 2 hours before our set reservation time we received a call telling us that they had a glitch in their system and they didn't have space for us and did not offer any accommodations other than an apology. I made these reservations days ago and they only just caught their error today is what I was told. The lack of professionalism is absurd, we're disappointed for our ruined plans.
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Selki A.

Yelp
I was excited to try El Tacuba and it was better than I imagined--I already anticipated amazing tacos, as I love nearby Tenoch (same owners). The tacos are delicious but not over stuffed so you may need to order a few. The guacamole was delicious, and the margaritas were also not too sweet with good quality limes. The flan was also a perfect texture. I did wish they offered sides of rice or beans--They have gorgeous Mexican tiles on the wall --so the place looks both beautiful and authentic but also hip. When we arrived, mid-week, we got a table right away --but by 6pm the restaurant was busier than ever. There were a few available tables, but it was certainly popular for such a new restaurant. Understandable, given the high quality food.
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Ladyjane S.

Yelp
I haven't been this excited about a new restaurant in so long. The guys from Tenoch really know what they're doing and have put so much thought into this restaurant/tequila bar. I forget what the plantain small plate is called but GET IT. Either with or without beef (I prefer with) it's my favorite dish currently. The rest of the menu is phenomenal. Obviously tacos are great but so are the tostadas, ceviche, sea bass...honestly everything is superb. The drinks are incredible and they have a fantastic beer list. This is currently my favorite restaurant. I just hope it doesn't get too hard to make a reservation!!
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Jenna K.

Yelp
An exciting new addition to the Medford restaurant scene! Friendly staff, an upbeat atmosphere, and a thoughtfully designed space. Their concept of seafood-focused Mexican tapas is well executed and offers a variety of delicious choices such as fish tacos, shrimp tostadas, and scallops in a creamy poblano and jalapeño sauce. The sea bass in tomato and caper sauce was one of our favorites, too. The margaritas were perfectly balanced and the Spanish wines paired great with the food. Looking forward to my next meal here!
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Laurelisa P.

Yelp
Excellent food! Great friendly service and awesome ambience ! Super recommended, the food is fresh, served in a timely manner and warm! Besides it has the authentic taste of our mexican food!
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Sharen B.

Yelp
Food is excellent everything is fresh and delicious. My second time here intentionally tried 4 different plates and loved all our selections as much as the 1st. Excellent margaritas. Great place to go with friends and try a variety of tapas plates perfect for sharing. You won't be disappointed great atmosphere, food, and service.
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Mike S.

Yelp
Ordered the queso and I have never seen a starter plate come out after the main course and to have it look and taste terrible. The staff was rude all around from the server to the bartender even after asking if it was our first time there. If you're looking for tapas it's a little pricy. Will not be going back
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N. C.

Yelp
We used to live in Medford and loved before El Tacuba opened. Once we heard it was open we headed back for what we hoped would be a good meal (Teboche is an old favorite too). We were not disappointed! First, the restaurant has such a cool vibe. The decor and music were amazing. Second, the food was GREAT! We tried the guacamole, elote, ceviche, jaiba and shrimp tostada and some of the tacos. We saw another couple order the beet salad and it looked so good we decided to give it a try too. All was amazing. The flavors were rich and felt very unique. The beet salad was perfectly dressed in a sesame dressing. Third, the mixed drinks were good- probably could have been a tiny bit stronger but still good. My husband is a fan of Mezcal and was pleased with the selection. Lastly, the service was exceptionally friendly. It was a hectic night and yet we had excellent service.
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Peter N.

Yelp
Great food, great service, but a little pricey. Ordered several items from the menu and they were all good to great.
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Diane L.

Yelp
We have been here four times in the last 2 months. The first time was with a party of ten on a busy Saturday night. I emailed for a reservation and I received both an email and a call back. What service! They accommodated us before a show at the local theater and welcomed us back for cocktails post show. Great to have a local fun and lively place nearby! Food is superb both in quality of ingredients and flavor. My husband and I love the Queso Fundido, the De La Casa tacos but hands down the Pescado a La Veracruzana dish is our favorite. It is sea bass in a delicious olive and caper tomato sauce. I recommend asking for a side of their warm tortillas. It will help you sop up the rest of the delicious broth. The margaritas and cocktails don't disappoint either. I didn't get a chance to try it but watched the bartender mix a "Bloody Mary" made with a homemade tomato juice mix and their own chili infused tequila. That will have to wait for our next visit. We'll be back soon!

Victoria V.

Yelp
Best new place I've been to recently-everything was excellent-food, portions, drinks. Next time I catch a show in Medford I will absolutely come again.
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Carolyn T.

Yelp
Great food, excellent drinks, cool vibes. Only downside is not taking reservations. But amazing to have a hip and delicious spot in medford.
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Bean D.

Yelp
Arroz Del Mar is my favorite, but everything we tried so far in the two times we have been there has been wonderful. The staff are wonderful, the owner checks in on things, and the decor is unique. It is appropriate for special occasions and comfortable for a regular night out. We did not partake in having mixed drinks yet, but they look amazing, and have good beer/cider selections too.
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E G.

Yelp
Good food (the whole menu is small plates), great atmosphere. Try the Chingón cocktail!

Cori G.

Yelp
I found the margaritas to be very tart- maybe mostly lime juice. My taco was cold sadly and very fatty beef . The ambience was nice- I liked the colors! Staff was friendly. But service was very slow. There was a lot of hype about this restaurant but check it out for yourself.

Clyde L.

Yelp
I loved this place. We went on a Tuesday and by 6 pm the tables were almost full. The food is excellent and as our server (excellent) said the food is tapas style only mexican. So you might need a couple of dishes. We started with the guacamole which was excellent and the baked cheese. Only complaint was the tortillas that came with the baked cheese were too small or you need more than 3. tacos and enchiladas were what we finished with and everything was high end and well done. Drinks were also 5 star Look forward to going back

Joyce W.

Yelp
Well, we've been waiting with bated breath for this opening. We're long-time fans of Tenoch so we figured the food would be good, but we were blown away. The whole experience was outstanding. The place is beautiful, the vibe and the music are great. The server could not have been more pleasant or efficient. We were surprised that we were able to get a table. It was very busy, but we only waited about 10 minutes. I think we were just lucky that tables were turning over at that time. The Beet salad is not to be missed. The Tuna ceviche maybe one of the tastiest things I've ever eaten. The scallops were perfectly cooked and the creamy poblano sauce they were in is addictive. The drinks were great also. Solid Margaritas and the Chingon was outstanding. We'll be back. Soon!

David M.

Yelp
The ambiance is a cool vibe. I enjoyed the food. Service was good. However, the drinks were expensive and pretty weak. $15-17 for a cocktail in Medford Square?? Come on! I'll be back but won't be drinking.

Anthony C.

Yelp
Great food, just recommend sitting at the bar, the tables are a bit small. Happily Tried some new things but i wish they would expand the menu a bit. And the hours. Definitely recommended

Lindsey B.

Yelp
I found the service at this restaurant to be lacking; it took an extensive 30 minutes to receive 1 beer, and we got it after we had already eaten most of our food. The margaritas were not good; for a Mexican spot and tequila bar I would expect the margaritas to taste better. The atmosphere was nice, but most of the food was subpar. The guacamole was the best part about this place.

Jake P.

Yelp
Been waiting a long time for El Tacuba to open and it didn't disappoint. They easily have the best beer selection of any bar or restaurant I've been to in Boston or otherwise. The margs were also very good. The Queso was great, and they are the first place I've been to that serves it with mini corn tortilla's rather than chips, which was unique and very tasty. Can't wait to go back!

Brenda W.

Yelp
First time there. Everything we ordered was amazing. Flavors in every dish were abundant. Drinks were perfect. Service was excellent! Only downside was the view. A mirror would be beneficial for the people facing the blank wall.

Rod B.

Yelp
We were visiting our daughter and were looking for a new place for dinner in Medford, MA. We saw El Tacuba on Yelp and were excited to try it. The ambiance was delightful, good music and the food was delicious. The food was very authentic and very tasty. We look forward to trying it again when we are back in Medford.