Tinga Taqueria

Tinga Fresh Mexican & BBQ: A Colorful Montclair Staple for Mexican Standards

Tinga Fresh Mexican & BBQ, located at 215 Bellevue Ave in Montclair, NJ, is a mini-chain branch of Mexican restaurants that offers a variety of Mexican standards in a colorful and inviting setting. With a BYO beer and wine policy, Tinga is the perfect spot for a casual night out with friends or a fun family dinner.

The menu at Tinga is filled with classic Mexican dishes, such as tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, as well as some unique offerings, such as the BBQ tacos and brisket tacos. The brisket tacos come topped with cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce and are served with rice and beans, while the BBQ tacos are a must-try with their delicious, flavorful, and filling taste. And for those with a sweet tooth, the churro dessert is a great way to end the meal.

The chef at Tinga is not mentioned, but the restaurant has garnered a rating of 4.3 out of 367 reviews on Google, with many customers praising the food, service, and atmosphere. Some of the standout reviews include:

• "What a fantastic dining experience! We had a most wonderful host who welcomed us and told us about the menu. The food was fantastic! Do yourself a favor and get the BBQ tacos or the burrito. Delicious, flavorful, filling. Great food. Great people. Great atmosphere. Highly recommend!" - Dine in, Dinner, $10-20
• "The food was ok, a bit overcooked, not very flavorful (bland like hospital food), and with small portions. It's a bit overpriced but the service was excellent. It's a small little place but it's very comfortable and the people are very kind, friendly, and accommodating." - Dine in, Dinner, $20-30
• "Not the best Mexican but definitely bang for your buck! I got the brisket tacos which is topped with cheese, tomatoes, and lettuce and it also comes with rice and beans. The only thing that I found strange is that the tacos are served in a soft shell inside of a hard shell which made it messy and hard to eat. The brisket was good but not great, it was a bit dry and could have been cut into smaller pieces because that was hard to eat as well. Also, the outdoor seating is not very nice for warmer weather because it’s enclosed so it felt very dark and cold - like a cave." - Dine in, Lunch, $10-20
• "The place looks cozy with a nice atmosphere, however, the food wasn’t that good and way overpriced. Mexican food isn’t supposed to be bland and flavorless. The food just isn’t what Mexican food is. Bland rice and beans, bland tacos. I ordered the fish tacos and steak tacos. The fish tacos tasted like carrots and cabbage in a taco shell. The steak just tasted like a salad in a taco shell. Very little meat and the meat that was in there was bland and not cooked right." - Takeout

Despite some mixed reviews, Tinga Fresh Mexican & BBQ has become a staple in Montclair for those looking for a casual and inviting spot for Mexican food. The restaurant is located near some interesting landmarks, such as the Montclair Art Museum and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.

In summary, Tinga Fresh Mexican & BBQ offers Mexican standards in a colorful and inviting setting, with some unique menu items that are worth trying. The restaurant is good for a casual night out with friends or a fun family dinner, and the BYO beer and wine policy adds to the relaxed atmosphere. While some reviewers have had mixed experiences with the food, the overall rating and positive reviews show that Tinga is a Montclair favorite for Mexican cuisine.