Chinelos II

Super nice people running the store. Really cheap, authentic food. I got a carne asada steak burrito; the only thing I wasn’t a fan of was the steak because it was very chewy. I’m sure the chicken is better though. The portions are HUGE so go in hungry

Super authentic mexican place in Harlem. Full of locals and Mexican people, which is always a good sign.
Food is very cheap! (2,5 /​3 $ tacos!).
Tacos are bigger than usual, specially bigger than the ones they do in Mexico. I have tried several tacos: Al pastor, carniras, bistec, pollo… All of them are good, but not great. They use sour cream and cheese which is not how they do tacos in most places in Mexico but i guess they are just adapting to local tastes in NY.

I ordered nachos, tacos dorados, and tacos de pollo al pastor. They were good but my nachos had no cheese, and the tacos were cheated with little meat and more vegetables and potatoes. Good for a low price I guess.

I’m a huge fan of all things fried and crispy, so I always go with the tacos dorados. I usually order take out, but I’ve sat to eat here a few times. There is nothing fancy about Chinelos, but some of my Mexican friends have said this is some of the best Mexican food they’ve had on the East coast! They offer quick, and friendly service, and some great Mexican grub! Oh, and their prices are also very reasonable. You can stuff your face for less than $ 10. What a steal! Definitely stop by if you’re in the neighborhood!

Was excellent the first time I ordered, but the last two times weren’t as good. I will just chalk it up to a margin of error because my roommates swear by it.

Place looks pretty divey from the street but is spic-​and-​span on the inside. Staff is really friendly and there’s actually table service, a surprise for a Harlem joint selling $ 2.50 tacos.
Tried the cecina (good not great) and the carnitas (great not good, featuring juicy shreds of pork that’s been crisped on the edges). Tortillas are store-​bought but respectable, hot sauces are bright and balanced.
Overall a must-​visit if you’re in the neighborhood.

Walked by many time, I didn’t know it was restaurant. Let me tell you!
Food is really good & so cheap! Must try!!!

The best Mexican spot in the area– hands down. I love this place! The enchiladas are my favorite, but everything I’ve tried so far is delicious. The burritos are a steal, the nachos are huge, the tortas are amazing. And the prices are on point! We had the enchiladas, a torta, two tacos, and two modelos for $ 31 highly recommend!

I ordered a Steak Chimichanga, Rice and Beans, a Side of Lettuce, and Salsa. The chimichanga was good, but I wish I knew it had rice and beans inside so I wouldn’t have ordered that as a side. It was nice they gave me plenty of lettuce. But I could have used a lot more salsa. Its really good, but is packaged in a small container. Delivery time was on time according to Seamless. Portion is huge! I cut it in half so I can have leftovers. Would definitely order from here again but try the tacos instead.

Taqueria snob from California checking in. I finally caved in to my Mexican food cravings because I’m a guy who likes Mexican food. Came here because I was in the area, and I loved it.
I realize Mexican food follows the same rule as Chinese food, and I assume this applies to pretty much any ‘ethnic’ food. Anything with under 100 reviews and a decent rating is probably something pretty authentic and not overrun by random American people.
Ordered three tacos — Carnitas, Lengua, Al Pastor. Carnitas was a bit on the dry crispy side but still good. The Al Pastor isn’t the real al pastor where it came from a giant hunk of meat with a pineapple on top, but it was still tasty pork. The Lengua was good — usually the Lengua is kind of wet and just came as is, but they fried the lengua up and it was crispy and yummy. I got them American style by accident not realizing when I said I want everything on my tacos it means more than onions and cilantro, but it’s fine because everything tasted good.
ALSO… the PRICES. 2.50 to 3 dollars a taco, like how much tacos should really cost. Who the hell pays $ 4 for a taco. The tacos are also pretty big compared to what I’m used to.
I highly recommend this, would definitely come here for the other stuff on the menu.

For $ 5 a burrito, I can’t score you any less than 4-​stars. Cute establishment connected to grocery store. Hit the spot of this Californian who was missing burritos from Oakland. I kinda wished the meat was a bit more flavorful and juicy. Also, I’m not used to eating my burrito with cheese on top and with a knife and fork. I like to hold it in my hands and get the drippings all over myself. That is the life.
Still, for this area, best (only) spot I’ve found so far for burritos that are good quality at this price. Will go as often as I can.

Their steak+chorizo burrito for $ 5.50 is one of the best burritos I’ve ever had in my life… and I’ve had plenty coming from California. Terrific neighborhood vibe, cheap high quality food

You guys the Tortas are insane! They’re so big and sooo good. I’m picky when it comes to Tortas but they are great. The Mexican food here is as authentic as it gets and at a very amazing price. Whoa. Also their sauces have changed and are great as well. Definitely order from here it’s almost guaranteed to be good. I’m honestly blown away.

I love the food however every time I order a meal with beans or rice/​beans on the side, the order is delivered to me with all or the majority of the beans out of their package and spilled into the bag. EVERY TIME!!! I finally called them and hopefully they fix their packaging.

Huge tortas, several times I have gotten delivery and it’s an above-​average amount of well-​done mexican food. I guess I can only review the torta meals/​meats though hehe.

I freaking love this place. I pretty much only order delivery which is probably for the best if you don’t speak Spanish because when I went to the actual place to order it was like a total language barrier.
I probably eat here almost every week. I’ve had their burritos (steak, chicken, chorizo and steak), chimichangas (chicken, chorizo), tacos dorados, chicken nachos, tacos el pastor, and the chicken tacos. Usually I get them american style, always I get them with sour cream on the side.
All of them have been delicious, they arrive hot and timely. Never more than 20 minutes. And it’s really cost effective too. If you can order at the place, you can easily spend less than 10 dollars. If you’re ordering delivery for two you can easily feed two people with average appetites for 10 bucks. You can’t beat the price.
I love this place, it’s by far the best Mexican food I’ve had in the neighborhood.

Pedí un pozole y es una basura ni sabor tiene y la gente k trabaja ahí no tienen ni la menor idea para cocinar lastima k ponen en mal la comida mexicana

ahhh Chinelos the first time I came here I was overjoyed by the fact that this was a real mexican restaurant and not just dominicans serving up mexican food (i.e. Picante). 4 stars because the place is inconsistent with its use of GLOVES to prepare the food (1^st time the guy used gloves, the 2^nd time I went another guy did not). It almost makes me not want to go a third time.
I have been here twice and will detail my experiences below:
1^st time)
Reviews are accurate about awkward paying scheme. You order first, then pay, then go back to the restaurant area and wait to pickup your order. Guy used gloves to prepare food.
I got a burrito with «Tinga» (chipotle sauce and chicken) and a «Carne Enchilada» (Spicy Pork) Taco.
Burrito– very mediocre and small amount of «Tinga» but plenty of rice and beans. Nothing else, which was kind of upsetting because the menu says it includes guac and cream. For $ 5 it was meh.
Taco– AMAZING. I was almost brought to tears by the authenticity of the Spicy Pork meat. I ordered the «estilo americano» and it included cheese, cream, cilantro, and onion. So good.
2^nd Time)
I ordered a Spicy Pork Burrito and a «Al Pastor» Taco. Guy didnt use gloves to prepare food, which was a bit gross (but it is Harlem…)
Burrito– Meh. Same experience as the first time and for some reason the spicy pork was not really spicy, unlike last time.
Tacos– Al Pastor taco was on point! Very good and kind of authentic (its the variation with pineapple – more common in TexMex/​Texas mexican food). But the flavor was so good. I got it «estilo americano»
My final thoughts are that you should skip out on the burritos and just get the Tacos (estilo americano!!). At $ 3, you actually get a good amount of meat! Also make sure to check if the cook is wearing gloves!
–A

There are not many authentic Mexican hole in the wall joints in the city. The restaurant also has a grocery store that adjoins through a doorway. So when I came across this place I was impressed by how the tacos and burritos were. I had the cow stomach, beef tongue and Cecina (salted beef). I would definitely go back again and again. Customer service was on point and friendly as hell which is a plus. The chef willingly answered all my questions about the items on the menu professionally. The only negative is that I wished I ordered more lol.

I spent many years in the food service industry and am very forgiving of restaurants’ shortcomings. But rude customer service is a deal breaker for me.
That being said, I called for delivery and when my food hadn’t shown up over an hour later, I called to find out what had happened. The first time I called, the person who answered didn’t speak English, and hung up on me. The second time I called, the person didn’t speak English and handed the phone off to someone else, but I could still hear him talking about me in Spanish in the background. Calling your customer a puta is just not the best way to retain customers. Hey pendejos, entiendo español.
A one time delivery issue would not have prompted me to write a negative Unilocal review. But terrible customer service will certainly do the trick.
Do yourself a favor and order instead from Picante, Mi Cantina, or a number of other places in the area that are much more worthy of your time and money.

Pros:
(+) Cheap!
(+) Cheap!
(+) Cheap!
(+) $ 4.00 for a giant burrito? I’m sold!
Cons:
(-) Awkward set up for payment method
(-) Quesadilla doesn’t look like a quesadilla — nor is it filling
(-) Their menu says free delivery. However, I called for delivery TWICE and they said they don’t deliver.
(-) The music is really loud!
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Tip: If you want to eat, pay FIRST before your food is done.
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My First Experience:
I go to this place quite often and actually discovered it by accident with a friend. It’s an AWKWARD set up upon first glance. You will know exactly what I’m talking about once you get there.
First off, it looks like a regular bodega. You don’t even notice the restaurant at all… so if you walk by you might even miss this place! It’s located on 136^th st between Amsterdam & Broadway. Secondly, It looks like the owner bought two stores and linked them as one. Upon entering, the left side of the store is a bodega … then there’s a door that leads to the right side of the store which is the restaurant. As awkward as this place is set up… I don’t care… because $ 4.00 for a giant burrito is a deal that you can’t beat!
Ordering & Paying:
Before I start, I don’t understand the whole process of why they choose to deal with their payment & food ordering process the way they do. Maybe to make life exciting and confuse the heck out of the people?!? I don’t get it. If you’re confused on what I’m talking about… trust me, you will understand what I’m talking about once you get there. Here’s the scenario…
1. When entering the restaurant side, you’re greeted by a lady who clearly speaks Spanish only. She’ll punch in your order at the «cash register» and hand you a receipt. At first, I thought I had to pay her there since she clearly punched in my order at a «cash register» but no… that’s not how they do it here. They want to make things exciting for you!
2. You must take that receipt… and walk to the other side of the store (the bodega side) and pay for your order with another young girl who speaks English. (Be sure to pick up a drink before you pay.)
3. After you pay… she’ll stamp your receipt «PAID» and now you have to walk back to the restaurant side and give your stamped receipt to the lady at the grill.
4. If you don’t follow this process before your order is done, the lady preparing your food will start talking to you in Spanish about how you need to pay first. Trust me, I’m saving you the confusion for all you non-​Spanish speakers out there! I didn’t know what the heck she was saying at first. But with enough arm flaring, I finally figured it out!
I don’t understand the process of this whole ordeal of walking back and forth just to pay for your food when there’s clearly a register on the restaurant’s side. Wouldn’t it just make sense to just pay for your food where you take your order at since they have a register there? I don’t get it.
Other than that. The food is pretty good for how cheap it is.
Another thing. Why is the music here so loud?! Sometimes I’m the only customer in the restaurant and the music is blaring loud! Who are they playing the music so loud for? All of Harlem? I guess so. If I come with a friend… we literally are yelling to each other trying to have a conversation and we sound like 2 old folkies with hearing aids on saying «Huh? I can’t hear you! Speak louder!!» I end up leaving with my ear drums making humming sounds.
As for delivery, their menu says free delivery but I called 2 times to have my order delivered and I was told that they don’t deliver. Huh? Ok.
But other than that. I still like this place.
The End. =)