R S.
Yelp
In the neighborhoods of Ridgewood and Bushwick, there is certainly no dearth of taquerias. They of course vary in quality (reliant on seemingly random factors) and are central in a debate as to which are, indeed, "the best."
I can't make a claim for everyone's taste buds, as apparently I'm in the minority opinion on some of these places, but Guadalajara is easily my favorite Mexican joint in the entire area. It's also a convenient place to do some shopping for produce and Mexican groceries, if I'm inclined to do the cooking myself that night.
The menu goes beyond the typical tortas, tostadas and tacos and ventures into a variety of dishes that includes soups, seafood and even breakfast (if you come early enough). Now, of course, the above-mentioned items are available, but what's nice is that there is seemingly more variety than usual.
The key part to Guadalajara that sells it to me as my "favorite" has to be the taste. It's absolutely authentic Mexican cooking that isn't afraid to use seasoning and spices to ensure the flavors are all there. The guacamole, in particular, is absolutely fantastic. The portions are fairly generous and the prices are easy on the wallet; a combination that I find rarely leaves anyone irritated.
West Coast pals of mine, who swear that it's impossible to find good Mexican (or Korean) food in NYC have even been satisfied with the food offerings here. And, while I'm sure they're not infallible, this at least probably means something if we think about it for a few moments.
While I typically take my food from here to go, there are a few tables in the middle of this deli/restaurant where people are almost always busily eating away. With a decent selection of Mexican beers and sodas, it's also not a bad idea to take a seat and enjoy oneself every so often.
While it's certainly not the finest dining experience to be had in all of Ridgewood, Guadalajara deserves some mildly enthusiastic attention, at the very least.