La Cucaracha

Disappointing, no one in the restaurant at 7:30 but they wouldn’t let us eat because we didn’t have a reservation!

This is a perfectly average place to get Mexican food if you’ve been in Rome for quite sometime and you are homesick for California. They serve all the basics: enchiladas, burritos, tacos, etc. They do «European Mexican» food much better than other places I’ve eaten at while longing for home. (I once saw meatballs with marinara sauce on a Mexican menu in London, but that’s a story for another view.)
My friend and I ate here a few times while studying in Rome (we lived just down the street). The service is very friendly and they make strong cuba libres and good sangria!

Italy in not known for its expansive palette of foreign food selections. In fact, I had Phở the other day in a place that had 4 Unilocal stars that put Parmesan Cheese in the dry noodle soup! So I wasn’t expecting anything close to what I am used to in the states in the San Jose/​San Francisco area of California. Granted, I worked in a very good Mexican restaurant in SF for 3 years so even in California I am extremely picky and try my wife’s patience often. So the first thing I ordered was the tried and true litmus test, well a burrito of course. I was completely surprised at how well seasoned it was in terms of flavor, very rich and not over powering. Subtle but rich Spanish and Mexican flavors. The Margaritas were delicious too and well made. There was no Italian-​ization done to any of the dishes. We went back again thinking this must be a fluke, but again they delivered high quality dishes. I got a Chimichanga which is usually nothing to write home about, but is was quite unique and completely delicious. My wife order a common plate, the Fajita but is was like no Fajita you get in the states it was in a very light but extremely delightful sauce with well-​seasoned chicken, red peppers and onions. Simple but so good! I highly recommend this place. You will need to book ahead of time because they are booked up in advance. Best days to go there are week days and off season but in peak season you will need to plan ahead. I know this is not a tradition «Italian» experience. Whether you are burnt out on Pizza and Pasta like were were or you just want really good Mexican food, I highly recommend this place.

Da das Restaurant gleich um die Ecke war, haben wir es getestet. Leider schmeckt der nicht Original Mexikaner in Charlottenburg wesentlich besser. DienPortion war sehr klein (Burrito vegetarisch) und für 13,00 Euro völlig unangemessen. Leider nein.

Very good Mexican food. Hits the spot for someone craving an alternative to pizza and pasta!

Being one of the few Mexican restaurants in a place thriving from tourism makes this restaurant have the upperhand on prices and portions (ie, they can over charge for Mexican because there is no Mexican!) we were satisfied with our meals. The food was pricey (slightly absurd for the quantity and quality) but it was decent and hit the spot. Overall I would rate lower if it were in the US, but for an Italian rare gem, 3 is a reasonable rating (ie I’d return just to get away from Italian meals and for a CHANGE). Had the Guerrero tacos (well seasoned) and the green enchiladas (which were good). Their beans are not refried red, but black which was a nice twist. Margaritas were pricey (8euros) but delish.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! I went here in 2008 while living in Rome for 3 months, and it was amazing. I went here again in 2013 when I returned. It was equally amazing. Get the «tequila bomba» — SO GOOD.

I had wanted to have some Mexican food which I have been missing in Rome. Coming from the US, I have had plenty of authentic Mexican food. As it appears to be the most popular (if not the only) Mexican restaurant in Rome, I had expected the quality of the food to be authentic and reasonably priced. I was wrong on both counts.
Firstly, the food is cheaply made and not very fresh: stale, tasteless chips; cheese that tastes like bulk produced and manufactured junk (and to think it’s in Rome!); lettuce that one would buy shredded from the supermarket; refried beans that look like they have sat out all day; NO AUTHENTIC MEXICAN SPICES; etc. From what I’ve gathered, the restaurant is actually owned by Mexican people. This strikes me as strange, because it either means that they don’t know how to cook or, much more likely, they are cutting many corners to pull the wool over the eyes of Italians about what Mexican food tastes like. Mexican food is easy to make and full of flavor, but I received bland, sub-​par, worse than fast food, tasting dishes.
Secondly, the average plate in the restaurant is priced to about 15 €, which is expensive considering the cheap cost of the ingredients in Mexican food and especially the poor quality of the food.
Also, the atmosphere of the restaurant is completely contrived. This place is an utter disappointment. I can’t believe it currently holds a decent rating on Unilocal.Even if you might want to have some Mexican food to contrast with the multitude of Italian cooking in Rome, avoid this place at all costs.

God bless La Cucaracha for bringing Mexican food to Rome. This place is definitely a bit challenging to find for the first time, but you’ll be glad you did. To my surprise the restaurant is actually owned by a Mexican family and you definitely feel very at home here. I also really liked the decorations and lively mood of the restaurant. The food here is also pretty good, and even if it wasn’t I wouldn’t complain because just having this option in Rome is fine enough. Honestly I can’t remember the specific names of dishes I’ve tried but they always had carnitas, and the standard sides of rice and beans. I do remember one of the dishes is served with tortillas, toppings (salsa, guacamole, sour cream) and your choice of three different meats. No matter what you get the quality of the ingredients is bound to be good, and I can’t remember a time where I left La Cucaracha feeling anything less than satisfied.