Tortilleria Mexicana Los Hermanos
|
I'm not sure what all the hype is about. Sure, the tortilla factory is cool and all, but otherwise this is just a run-of-the-mill taco joint. The service is friendly but the food was just so-so. The one thing we loved was the chorizo tostada.
Atmosphere
You might be a little put-off by the neighborhood the first time you come, especially if you come at night because, well, there isn't much there. But, you'll be relieved to know that the restaurant is literally steps away from the subway and, once you are inside, all is fine.
The restaurant itself is not much to speak of. It's a taco dive, basically, looking like all the other taco dives in the city: inexpensive tables and chairs, a huge homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe, a fry kitchen, a huge case of Mexican sodas and, in this case, a few Christmas decorations, like red bows tied to the diner counter chairs.
The one thing that makes this place different is the large tortilla factory that sits right in the back. It is empty and unused at night but during the day you can sit and watch the tortillas being made which, in some odd way, probably makes the food taste better.
The restaurant itself is not much to speak of. It's a taco dive, basically, looking like all the other taco dives in the city: inexpensive tables and chairs, a huge homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe, a fry kitchen, a huge case of Mexican sodas and, in this case, a few Christmas decorations, like red bows tied to the diner counter chairs.
The one thing that makes this place different is the large tortilla factory that sits right in the back. It is empty and unused at night but during the day you can sit and watch the tortillas being made which, in some odd way, probably makes the food taste better.
Service
Counter service, but extremely friendly and personable. Very eager to please.
Food
After hearing so much buzz about how great the tacos were we were a little disappointed. To try a variety, we ordered a few different kinds: chicken, bistec, salted beef, and carnitas ($2 each). And although the tortillas themselves were excellent, they were not that different from most other taco joints, all of which use fresh tortillas too. In that case, it is the meat that usually makes a taco stand out, and this was just not that great. Sure, the bistec had a nice crispy crunch, the salted beef good flavor, but all-in-all we found the tacos flat and uneventful, even when we loaded them with salsa. And the salsas too were good, but not exceptional.
The one item that stood out for us was the chorizo tostada ($3), a wonderfully crisp shell loaded with spicy chirizo with potatoes, lettuce, tomato, avocado and sour cream. This was a truly great dish that I could have eaten many of. Unfortunately, I was stuffed with mediocre tacos.
The one item that stood out for us was the chorizo tostada ($3), a wonderfully crisp shell loaded with spicy chirizo with potatoes, lettuce, tomato, avocado and sour cream. This was a truly great dish that I could have eaten many of. Unfortunately, I was stuffed with mediocre tacos.
Cleanliness
It's a dive, what do you expect? Bathrooms are pretty dirty but, thankfully, the kitchen is open and looks fine.
Pros
Great tostada, fun to watch the tortillas being made during the day, very friendly service.
Cons
Mediocre tacos, ho-hum atmosphere.
