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Jalapeños
Master Critic Reviews (6 Lists)
Jalapeños
8.2
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Jalapeños is a busy Fifth Avenue standby where sizzling fajitas, house enchiladas, and big combination plates draw families and groups. With hundreds of recent delivery and dine-in reviews, it’s a reliable choice when you want a full sit-down Mexican meal rather than just a quick taco run.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sizzling fajitas platters, Enchiladas estilo Jalapeños, Bistec a la Mexicana
Scores:
Value: 8.3
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 7.2
Cultural Relevance: 7.8
What makes it special: Large, crowd-pleasing menu with fajitas and platters built for sharing.
Who should go: Families and groups wanting sit-down Mexican comfort.
When to visit: Weeknights around 6–8pm before it gets slammed.
What to order: Mixed fajitas, enchiladas estilo Jalapeños, bistec a la Mexicana.
Insider tip: Portions are big—split a fajita platter and add an extra appetizer instead.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on Fifth Avenue is limited and competitive; easier to find spots on side streets after 8pm. No valet.
Dress code: Casual and practical — jeans, hoodies, and everyday wear fit right in.
Noise level: Lively to loud — full conversations are possible but expect plenty of background noise.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Usually no wait or under 10 minutes
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie fajitas, cheese enchiladas, bean-based plates, and sides make it doable.
Vegan options: Limited — rice, beans, some vegetable sides, and modified fajitas without dairy.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas, grilled meats, rice, beans, and most fajitas are naturally gluten-free with server guidance.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, low-pressure dates than intimate ones — it’s lively, affordable, and fun, but not romantic or quiet.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weeknights and earlier evenings; weekends may require a short wait.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — large booths, forgiving noise level, familiar menu items, and quick service make it easy with kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Big sit-down meals, group-friendly platters, and fajita-focused dinners compared to smaller taco or counter-service spots.
Skip if: You’re looking for destination-level Mexican, late-night taco energy, or a quiet, romantic dining room.
Jalapeños
8.4
A large, lively Mexican restaurant on 5th Avenue where sizzling fajitas, enchiladas, and strong drinks stretch dinner well past midnight. It works for families, groups, and late-night sit-down meals when most of the neighborhood has gone quiet.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sizzling fajitas mixtas, Enchiladas estilo Jalapeños, Bistec a la Mexicana
Scores:
Value: 8.6
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.4
Food Quality: 8.7
Atmosphere: 6.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Full-service, open-late Mexican with big portions and a party feel.
Who should go: Groups wanting a sit-down Mexican dinner after 10 pm.
When to visit: Weekend nights for music, crowds, and late kitchen hours.
What to order: Fajitas mixtas, house enchiladas, bistec a la Mexicana.
Insider tip: On busy nights, sit near the bar for faster drink refills.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; moderately difficult after 7 pm on weekends, easier on side streets toward 6th Avenue.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans, sneakers, and going-out tops all fit in comfortably.
Noise level: Loud and energetic — easy for groups, harder for quiet conversation.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes after 8 pm without a reservation
Weekday lunch: 5–10 minutes or no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie fajitas, cheese enchiladas, quesadillas, rice and bean-based plates.
Vegan options: Limited — vegetable fajitas without cheese, rice, beans, guacamole; no dedicated vegan menu.
Gluten-free options: Some options — corn tortillas, grilled meats, rice, beans; cross-contamination possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a fun, casual first date than a romantic one — the energy is lively and loud, so it’s more about shared plates and drinks than intimate conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays and earlier evenings. After 9 pm on weekends, expect a wait unless you arrive right as tables turn over.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes for earlier evenings — booths, familiar dishes, and generous portions work well for families, but it gets loud and rowdy later at night.
Best For
Better for: Late-night sit-down Mexican meals with strong drinks, big portions, and space for groups when most nearby spots are closing.
Skip if: You’re looking for quiet date-night vibes, elevated regional Mexican cooking, or a quick late-night taco counter experience.
Jalapeños
8.3
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Jalapeños is a big, festive Mexican restaurant where sizzling plates, strong margaritas, and late hours make it a dependable stop for tacos after 10pm. The room fills with families, birthday crews, and mariachi sets, but the kitchen keeps turning out solid tacos alongside fajitas and combo plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos de carne asada, Fajitas mixtas, Guacamole with chips
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 6.4
Consistency: 8.1
Food Quality: 8.5
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 7.9
What makes it special: Lively, open-late 5th Avenue dining room with tacos, fajitas, and live music.
Who should go: Groups planning celebratory, margarita-fueled taco nights.
When to visit: Late weekend evenings for full crowds and music.
What to order: Carne asada tacos, fajitas mixtas, guacamole and chips.
Insider tip: Come with a group and split a margarita pitcher with a taco spread.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Metered street parking along 5th Avenue and nearby side streets; can be very difficult after 7pm on weekends.
Dress code: Casual to festive casual — jeans, sneakers, and going-out tops all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud and energetic — expect music, birthdays, and raised voices at peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes after 8:30 pm without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos, cheese enchiladas, bean burritos, rice and beans, guacamole
Vegan options: Limited — possible with bean, rice, grilled veggie combos and no dairy
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas, grilled meats, rice, beans (confirm fryer use for chips)
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, high-energy first dates than intimate ones — the noise and crowd make conversation less private but the vibe stays fun and low-pressure.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes, but expect a wait on Friday and Saturday nights after 8pm. Groups of 4+ should arrive early to avoid long delays.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes in the early evening — families are common before 8pm, but the late-night crowd turns more adult and loud.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, birthday dinners, loud celebrations, late-night sit-down tacos with drinks
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, fast counter-service tacos, or a romantic low-light date atmosphere
Jalapeños
7.9
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
Jalapeños is a large, lively Mexican restaurant where sizzling fajitas, combination plates, and strong drinks make it a popular choice for birthdays and big-group dinners. Prices are still approachable for sit-down service, especially given the portion sizes and frequent weeknight deals. The atmosphere leans loud and festive rather than refined, with weekend mariachi adding to the energy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fajitas mixtas, Bistec a la Mexicana, Enchiladas estilo Jalapeños
Scores:
Value: 8.5
Service: 7.2
Consistency: 8
Food Quality: 8.4
Atmosphere: 6.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Big, boisterous dining room with affordable fajitas, plates, and live music.
Who should go: Groups planning casual celebrations with tacos and margaritas.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for full mariachi energy and crowd buzz.
What to order: Fajitas mixtas, enchiladas estilo Jalapeños, bistec a la Mexicana.
Insider tip: For a slightly calmer experience, aim for earlier weeknights before peak hours.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking on 5th Avenue is limited and competitive after 6pm; side-street parking is usually the best bet with some circling required.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans, sneakers, and relaxed going-out outfits all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud — conversation requires raised voices during peak hours, especially on weekends with mariachi.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation during peak birthday and group dinner hours.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or 5–10 minutes at most.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie fajitas, bean-based enchiladas, rice-and-beans plates, and cheese-heavy classics are available.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with custom orders like vegetable fajitas without dairy and simple bean-and-rice plates.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — grilled meats, fajitas without flour tortillas, and corn-tortilla tacos work well, but shared prep surfaces apply.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for intimate conversation — it’s loud, busy, and better suited for casual, high-energy meetups rather than quiet getting-to-know-you dinners.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weeknights, but weekends often come with a wait for groups — arriving early helps a lot.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — big tables, familiar food, high chairs, and a lively atmosphere that works well for families with kids of all ages.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, birthdays, loud celebrations, big fajita platters, and margarita-driven dinners with energy.
Skip if: You want a quiet date night, refined Mexican cooking, or a calm atmosphere for conversation.
Jalapeños
8.4
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
Jalapeños is a large, lively Tex-Mex restaurant where sizzling fajitas and strong margaritas share the menu with reliably satisfying tacos. It’s one of the neighborhood’s go-tos for birthday dinners and big-group nights out, with pricing that stays workable for generous combo platters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Al pastor tacos, Shrimp tacos
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 8.2
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.1
What makes it special: Big, festive Tex-Mex room where tacos, fajitas, and margaritas dominate.
Who should go: Birthday crews and groups wanting loud, affordable taco nights.
When to visit: Weekend evenings for full mariachi energy and packed tables.
What to order: Carne asada tacos, al pastor tacos, shrimp tacos.
Insider tip: Time your visit with happy hour to stretch margaritas and taco orders.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; can be tough after 7pm on weekends but easier on side streets off 5th Avenue.
Dress code: Casual — jeans, sneakers, and casual night-out outfits all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud — mariachi, birthday tables, and big groups make conversation energetic but not intimate.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak birthday and family dinner hours
Weekday lunch: No wait to 10 minutes most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie tacos, cheese enchiladas, rice and bean plates are easy to build into a full meal.
Vegan options: Limited — possible with bean tacos, veggie fajitas, and no-cheese modifications.
Gluten-free options: Moderate — corn tortillas, grilled meats, and rice-based plates work, but cross-contact is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal for a quiet first date — it’s loud, bright, and high-energy, better for casual, fun-focused meetups than intimate conversations.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays, but on weekend nights expect a wait unless you arrive early or go later in the evening.
Is it kid-friendly? Very — families are common, high chairs are available, and the menu works well for kids who like tacos, rice, and quesadillas.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, birthday dinners, margarita-forward nights, and big shared platters.
Skip if: You want quiet conversation, elevated taco craftsmanship, or a small, low-key dining room.
Jalapeños
8.2
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
Jalapeños is a large, lively Tex-Mex restaurant where strong margaritas, sizzling fajitas, and generously filled tacos anchor after-work and weekend happy hour meetups. The room runs loud and energetic rather than intimate, making it a go-to for groups splitting platters and rounds of drinks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Shrimp tacos, Steak fajitas
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7
Consistency: 8.3
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 6.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.2
What makes it special: Big-room Tex-Mex with strong margaritas and taco platters built for groups.
Who should go: Birthday crews and after-work groups craving tacos and drinks.
When to visit: Weekday late afternoon or early evening for peak happy hour.
What to order: Carne asada tacos, shrimp tacos, steak fajitas.
Insider tip: Split a fajita platter and a taco plate so the table can mix and match with one round of margaritas.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; challenging after 6pm on weekends, easier earlier in the day. Allow extra time to circle.
Dress code: Casual to smart casual — jeans, sneakers, and relaxed after-work outfits fit right in.
Noise level: Loud and energetic — conversation requires raised voices during peak hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak happy hour and dinner rush without a reservation.
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or under 10 minutes.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — cheese, bean, and veggie tacos plus sides like rice, beans, and guacamole.
Vegan options: Limited — veggie tacos without cheese and bean-based sides can work with modifications.
Gluten-free options: Yes — corn tortillas are standard, but cross-contamination is possible during busy hours.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual meetups than intimate first dates — the energy is fun but loud and not very private.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially on weekdays. On weekends, showing up before peak dinner hours helps keep the wait manageable.
Is it kid-friendly? Yes — families with kids are common earlier in the evening, and the menu is easygoing for picky eaters.
Best For
Better for: Large groups, birthdays, and loud happy hour energy with strong drinks and generous platters.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, serious taco craftsmanship, or an intimate date-night setting.