Taqueria Brenda Lee - Passaic

You don't visit this place for its service or ambiance; you come for their authentic Mexican tacos. Be prepared—the salsa verde is quite spicy! I highly recommend the lengua, tripa, and cecina tacos. However, keep in mind that they're not the cheapest option.

I stumbled upon a charming little restaurant shaped like a corner triangle. It's definitely one of those "hole-in-the-wall" places. Inside, there are just a few chairs and a countertop by the window. But as the saying goes, you really shouldn't judge a book by its cover—and that rings true here! I ordered four tacos for $14, with a choice of two meats. The chorizo was a bit disappointing; it had an overpowering smoky flavor that reminded me of charcoal. On the other hand, the cuerito was tender yet firm, and I actually preferred it over the one at Los Amigos. My husband really enjoyed the carne enchilada. The buche was tasty, but one of my only complaints was that the pieces were too large; I felt like I was slurping noodles when I tried to take a bite! The sandía (watermelon) drink was fantastic—definitely made with real watermelon, pureed into juice with no added sugar. I noticed the online menu listed more meat options than what was displayed on their menu board. My husband asked if those were the only choices, and they confirmed they were. After our meal, while thanking them for the delicious tacos, he mentioned he was hoping for sesos, trompa, ojos, and cachete. To our surprise, they showed him all those options! I told my husband next time to just ask, as many Americans and younger generations might not try these offerings, so they don’t highlight them prominently. A heads up: they only accept cash, and finding street parking is quite a challenge. We ended up finding a parking island about three blocks away. Overall, it was a great experience and well worth the effort!

One of the best spots to enjoy authentic Mexican tacos! Although the venue is quite small, they offer a fantastic selection of tacos. The only drawback is that the bathroom could use a thorough cleaning and better organization to improve its appearance.

I ordered one portion of chicken tacos for $14.50 which is a bit expensive. The tacos did not taste good. The chicken looked and tasted more like canned tuna which is really weird. It also looks like the meat is stored in liquid behind the counter. The place does not look clean. The guys behind the counter were friendly even if it was hard to communicate with them.TLDR: Didn't finish my tacos because they tasted like they had gone bad and too expensive for what it is.

If you want some good tacos this little place is the best. Parking: You have to go around a few times to find parking. Kid-friendliness: Yeah.