Los Cuates Taqueria

Reviews

• Cryssee F.

  star star star star star 28 July 2026

  Great food
  Great service
  Cool atmosphere
  
  The only thing I didn't like was how loud the music speaker was. I came on my lunch break and my nerves were already rattled. Can't fault them for my mood though, so 5 stars.

• Timmy T.

  star star star star star_border 21 July 2026

  It's a Saturday afternoon and me and my wife draw restaurant names from a hat and Los Cuates Taqueria was the winner for our dinner outing.
  
  This restaurant is located in the Newtown Shopping Center, a few doors down from the Kyushu sushi restaurant. This place doesn't look too inviting from the outside; they actually have blacked out windows so I thought we were going inside of a dingy pool hall. Hesitant, but we still decided to dine here.
  
  We were seated immediately and had two different waitresses serving us and taking our orders. We were given a basket of chips and some salsa which were just okay. There are two parts to the restaurant and one side has a bar and more dining in options.
  
  I got three tacos: the lengua (beef tongue), carnitas and the fried pork stomach/intestines. These were some of the best tacos I've had in quite some time. I especially enjoyed the fried pork stomach intestines - they were super juicy and packed with flavor. I would come here again just for three of those tacos. Their green salsa is very spicy and I would use it lightly. My wife got the barbacoa tacos and raved about them as well. I also got some churros which were COVERED in cinnamon sugar and was too much.
  
  Before we checked out, there's a little candy bar near the register and we were able to score some authentic Hispanic candies that I haven't been able to find anywhere else!

• Ebbonie K.

  star star star star star 13 July 2026

  Traveling on business and found this place on Yelp. It's in a very unassuming strip mall. Very casual. You'll find the place filled with local Hispanic folks which is a great sign for a taco restaurant :-) Margaritas are quite yummy as are the chips and salsa.
  There are TVs above the bar if you want to watch some sports and have a nice drink.
  Service is not way fast, since they are pretty busy, even on a weeknight,  but if your not rushed it's a friendly laid back place to hang after a hard day and relax.
  Tacos just came and I'm doing the happy dance. Did a sampler of steak chicken pork and fish and I'm loving life.
  The meat is flavorful and all topped with a generous helping of onions and cilantro.
  Chicken and pork are definitely my favorite. Fish was a little Bland comparatively. All in all however,
  Very nice meal for the money.

• Ara A.

  star star star star star_border 5 July 2026

  So glad I finally had a chance to try this place, and it turned out great. The place is very authentic and you can tell.
  I had the 2 asada tacos and 1 pastor. The flavor was good not great, nothing mind blowing. I had the mango margarita and that was just ok slightly sweet. The salsa is a little on the watery side but the red and green sauces are delicious.

• Dennis C.

  star star star star star 5 July 2026

  Los Cuates Taqueria opened quietly four years ago in a strip mall located south of the intersection of Newtown Road and Virginia Beach Boulevard. It is two doors down from the former Tony's Hot Dog's, which closed last month.
  
  I ate there once when it first opened, and it didn't leave much of an impression. Service was slow and awkward. My server didn't understand my English and had to get a translator.
  
  The place was as quiet as a tomb and emitted an eerie vibe. I was the only customer there, and I honestly didn't think the place would last.
  
  Slowly but surely, I began to hear some rave reviews. I was skeptical and didn't go back until last month in June.
  
  I am now greeted with the loud and lively beat of Latin American music. The decor is brightly colorful, and the vibe is festive. Displays of Mexican snacks, candies, and merchandise are displayed by the counter.
  
  It has been renovated and expanded to at least twice its original size. There are now two dining areas, one of them with a full service bar that wasn't there before.
  
  No longer am I the only customer. The place is now packed during their lunch hours with many customers of Latin American descent.
  
  In July of last year, the Virginian-Pilot conducted a Taste Test for the best Mexican style street tacos in the local area. To my surprise, the tacos from Los Cuates Taqueria came in first place.
  
  Three of my recent visits were devoted to sampling their tacos, and I am now in agreement with the Virginian-Pilot. This might the first time I have ever agreed with one of their taste tests.
  
  Their tacos come packed with onions and cilantro in their true and authentic Mexican style. I have tried the following:
  
  TACOS BARBACOA:  Barbacoa is a form of cooking that originated in the Caribbean before it made its way to Mexico. It is the term from which the word "barbecue" was derived. Barbacoa has since become Mexico's version of barbecue.
  
  These tacos contained a slow cooked beef cheek filling that exhibited a deep smoky taste that played well with the cilantro and crunchy onions. They were profoundly delicious. My Rating: 5 Stars.
  
  TACOS AL PASTOR:  The meat fillings consisted of pieces of pork that were marinated in a combination of dried chilies, various spices, and pineapple.
  
  The presence of pineapple was just right and not overpowering. The combination of flavors from all of the ingredients danced happily on my tongue and left me in a state of bliss. My Rating: 5 Stars.
  
  TACOS CARNITAS:  Filled with pieces of slow cooked pork, these did not sing to me as well as the others. I prefer a crispier texture to my pork carnitas, and these were a bit soft.
  
  The corn tortillas were also not as tender as the others. Yet, they were still tasty and also the most filling of the lot. In fact, I was full after eating only one. My Rating: 4 Stars.
  
  Their Mexican style street tacos are the most satisfying I have tasted in the area so far. Yet, they may now have some competition, based upon the rave reviews I am now hearing about a new taqueria in Virginia Beach I have yet to try.
  
  In addition to their tacos, I have tried the following:
  
  MENUDO:  A traditional Mexican soup made with beef stomach and hominy. The version here is prepared in a broth with a red chili pepper base and served with corn tortillas.
  
  The heat level of the chili pepper broth made my hot tooth sing. Its remaining flavor profile was lacking in depth, and the texture of the broth was a bit thin and watery. The beef stomach slices were chewy as expected. My Rating: 3.5 Stars.
  
  MEXICAN STYLE STREET CORN:  A steamed whole corn on the cob on a stick with a spread of lime, mayonnaise, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese and chili powder.
  
  The texture of the corn was crunchy yet tender. The chili powder was provided in abundance instead of just a sprinkle, giving the corn a nice fiery pop. Overall, this was the most satisfying street corn I have tasted to date. My Rating: 5 Stars.
  
  ENCHILADES POBLANAS DE POLLO:  Three chicken enchiladas covered in a special Mexican mole sauce and topped with mozzarella cheese. Served with refried beans, rice, and a salad.
  
  Chosen from their list of entrees, this one hit all the right notes. The mole sauce had some spicy undertones and was the best I've had in years. The rice and beans tasted fresh and flavorful. My Rating; 5 Stars.
  
  MANGONADA:  A bright orange sherbet swirled with red chamoy sauce topped with frozen chunks of mango. Decorated with a tamarind straw.
  
  This was a most refreshing dessert that hit the spot on a hot summer day. The flavors from the sherbet, mango, chamoy sauce, and the tamarind from the straw came together for a delicious taste experience. My Rating: 5 Stars.
  
  The service I have received here lately has been friendly without any awkward moments. When it comes to authentic Mexican food, this place is the real deal.
  
  When crunching the numbers, my rating rounds up easily to a 5-star rating. I eagerly look forward to my future visits.