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My husband and I relocated here from Chicago where they have fantastic Mexican food. We can't find anything other than chains (On the Border, Marita's). We like these a lot, but would like to find the more authentic restaurants we were used to in the city. Any suggestions?
The restaurant in cranford was for years my favorite place to eat out. Sadly, it closed over the summer. Now there are not very many options in my area for great mexican. Beana's in rahway is decent, but not spectacular. Tinga's in westfield is not particularly impressive either. There are tons of great places in the city though and I'm sure outside of my area there are a few gems just waiting to be found.
ElMeson, ElFamiliar, Mi Lindo Mexico, Restaurante Y Taqueria Munoz in Freehold. Juanito's, Carlos O'Connor, Fiesta Mexicana in Red Bank. Acapulqueno, El Rancho Mexican in Long Branch are all very good. There are dozens more here in Monmouth County.
Jose Tejas on Rt1 in woodbridge is good but its tex-mex/cajun and draws a fairly large college crowd. Central Jerzy is not a very hispanic area so your not going to find ALOT of good restaurants. Unlike Chicago where you have a HUGE hispanic population.
I'd try Beana's in Rahway. It's on a major road, but the ambiance inside is great - it's a little Mexican hole in the wall with Mariachi music and flea market furniture but it is more authentic than the fast-food chains.
BUT the BEST mexican food I have ever had in NJ BY FAR is from a tiny little restaurant in Newark (on Ferry St in the Ironbound area) called Mi Pequeno Mexico - I go to school in Newark and interned with a Judge in the area and we would always pick up from there - the food is amazing, totally authentic and the recipes are very different from what you will find in any of the fast food Mex places - they serve flautas, huaraches, homemade tamales, and tons of other greats - they have great dessert and Mexican sodas. I've never actually dined in - it's very spanish centered - not many americans inside and the restaurant is very very very small but I would call and get a menu faxed over, and if you are in the area pick up (the ironbound is not like the rest of newark and you can feel safe driving in or walking around). I think the food is awesome and I've been to Mexico several times and haven't had food as tasty. Hope this helps - and if you are really jonesing for Mex, venture out and try this place!!
Casa Comida in Long Branch is our go-to Central Jersey Mexican restaurant. Good stuff. Our favorite in NJ is Baja in Hoboken.
Give Acapulqueno on Broadway a shot. You won't be disapointed.
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Not Too Many
The BEST Mexican Hole-in-a-wall
