Tortilla West
West Ghent,508 Orapax St, Norfolk, VA, 23507
Tortilla West Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Norfolk for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
West Ghent,508 Orapax St
Norfolk, VA, 23507 - Phone (757) 440-3777
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 1:3
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : No
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Daniel D.
Tortilla West is my McLaren's (How I Met Your Mother reference) with my friends. It all started several years ago, and since then it has been where we all turn to for night outings. I wanted to rate this a 4.5 only because I have had bad service a small handful of times in my years of going there. However, I am unable to do so. I have three favorite servers, and two of which my friends and I always hope we get. The service here is extraordinary. Two of those servers are probably on my top servers list. The ambience is perfect. I like the fact that there is more of a restaurant feeling in the front, and then the bar feeling is in the back. They definitely set it up to blend the best of both worlds. Their drink selection is awesome, and I have been told (so I'm not alone here) that they have the best margaritas in Norfolk. I have gone there and tasted every margarita in one sitting, and I will have to do that again in order to rank them and post on Yelp. I love the beer selection they have, there is absolutely a great variety to choose from. I love me some Loose Cannon (draught!!) from here! As for food, this is where my review is lacking. I fell in love with the nachos the first time a group of friends and I tried them. In fact, that is what lead us to plan at least 3 outings a month here when we first got acquainted with T-west. All the selections for nachos they have are spot on, but you won't ever go wrong with shredded pork. And believe me, these nachos are loaded! I've tried their spinach artichoke in the past and it was delicious! And I do come in for their 75 cent tacos. I have come here both on Monday and Tuesday. Service is still superb, even though they get slammed on these days! I love how they bring the tacos with all the add ins on the plate versus on the taco. I tend to eat with my eyes and order a good amount, so I tend to leave the last two tacos to make a salad :). Have I tried eating anything else from here? Sadly I haven't, those nachos get me if it's not a Monday or a Tuesday. Those nachos have been something I have look forward to every time. Overall, I love this place
(5)Michelle O.
I've been to Tortilla West before, but never actually tried their food until last night. I usually don't order tacos (except shrimp) when I go to a Mexican restaurant, but for 85 cent tacos (they only have it Mondays and Tuesdays) how could I resist ? You have the option of beef or bean, hard or soft, and come with lettuce and cheese on the side. I ordered 3 soft beef tacos, and I must say I loved it. They season the meat really well and it's juicy. Add some sauce to it and it's even better ! With a total of 8 tacos and a $2 Negra Modelo, our bill didn't even break $10 (need to be $10 or more to use credit card). Good tacos for a good deal, how can I not come back (especially on taco night) ?
(4)Adrian E.
Great spot to grub or drink after a long day of work/school, especially on Monday and Tuesday for their 75cent taco nights. Tacos from these nights' specials remind me of homemade taco kits, but I don't mean that in a bad way! Choose your tortilla style and meat and $5 can feed you well. Cheese and lettuce on the side for you to apply as you like. A side of tomatoes is a little extra money, but no biggie. On days that I haven't gone on taco night, I tried some of their other options. The grilled cheese sandwich in particular was pretty decent. Can't go wrong with an order of nachos either. Chill environment with a decent beer selection. Can't go wrong, but it can get packed.
(4)Tawny A.
First- I really like the vibe here. Sorry for using the word "vibe" (i generally hate it too) but it fits for TW. The place is fun and bright and their menu is pretty impressive. I read prior reviews about the menu not being great and the food.....blah blah blah. I'm from Los Angeles and I will concede- NO this isn't "authentic" Mexican street food or anything....but ummm.....do they claim to be? No...so calm down people. This is Tortilla West- a southwestern fare restaurant that packs a punch of fun. The food isn't getting any Michelin stars but it's okay. I wasn't overly impressed and I wouldn't claim it as fantastic by any means but I think this place is worth it for a larger group. Also- I'm pretty sure the key to making the food taste better is BEER. You know that old sexist saying, "Drink until she's pretty?"....well it's kinda like that! Drink until the food tastes like it has the correct amount of seasoning!
(4)marquita f.
Best Nachos I've ever had. Great service. Fun vibes. Pool tables. What more do you need?
(5)Sally M.
Great atmosphere, service, and the nachos here look like a gigantic pile of deliciousness. The only reason I would come back here is to try the nachos because the rest of the "Mexican" food here is pretty disappointing. Or maybe just to drink and eat the hot-tasty-seasoned chips and salsa (totally worth the buck fifty). I've been here on taco night, where the wait can be either 10 minutes or over an hour. Not a fan of the room temp flour tortillas. I've also had the burrito, which was a decent size but the rice and shredded beef was dry and the I got a enormous chuck of beef that lacked any shredding. Not sure what's up with the orange tortilla (didn't taste like a flavored tortilla), but they should try doing the Chipotle method of warming/softening the tortilla.
(2)Mike D.
I've been here a few times and the only thing that I have noticed that is consistent is the slow service. The food is ok and the beer selection is adequate. They do have a good selection of various bourbons and whiskeys, though they seem to be a bit over priced.
(3)Lelia H.
I honestly don't know where any of theses negative reviews are coming from! My boyfriend's family lives near Norfolk, and every time we go down to visit they take us to "T-West" (as we all so fondly call it). Best chips and salsa, amazing beer selection, and their menu is so good! All of their traditional Mexican dishes are amazingly fresh and flavorful, so different from your standard neighborhood Tex-Mex place. I have ordered the chicken fajitas, beef tacos, and mole chicken enchiladas and it has all been DELICIOUS. Even better than the traditional Mexican food is their mexi-american fusion food. I drool when I think of the "Mexican Dip sandwich", a play on a traditional french dip sandwich. Perfectly seasoned, juicy pulled chicken or beef on a toasted torta bun, with a side of salsa verde "au jus". I always order the sandwich with their legendary jalapeno mac n cheese, a sinfully decadent dish of gooey, saucy cavatappi pasta, cheddar cheese, and jalapenos cooked down just enough so that the heat doesn't distract from the flavor. I have been known to order two sides of jalapeno mac in one bowl for my meal on more than one occasion. If you are looking for a great local place the next time you are in the Hampton Roads area, don't hesitate to grab a table and a cold IPA at Tortilla West!
(5)Xerxes N.
After years of hearing about this place I finally had the opportunity to try the tacos that oh so many people talk about. What's more impressive is how a place so far off the beaten path can pack the place. I suppose location isn't always everything. When a UYE goes bad because food truck waits were 30 minutes plus what do you do? Head over to T West (after a pit stop at Cogan's Pizza) for taco night (as described in a recent Weekly Yelp issue). Me and four others took a seat at the bar. Lucky we were able to find seats because the place got packed shortly after. We hung around for a bit and then placed an order for some tacos. Beef tacos were the specials at 75 cents each. I ordered one and had to try a fish taco. Both were phenomenal. They didn't come with tomatoes so ordering some on the side were extra so Matthew M said. Either way, the tacos were great, especially the fish taco. I could eaten five more but I was already full! Bummer. Great place for a hang out during the week and there is a Filipino karaoke bar across the street!
(4)Mr R.
Four words,.. Eighty-five-cent-tacos. The meat is decent enough for the price, and in my opinion, lower grade meat was intended for tacos anyway. Come here on a Monday or Tuesday and order and no matter how busy they are (and they will be busy) your tacos arrive super fast. Seriously, it's a matter of minutes. They arrive to your table plated in an easy to assemble pile of ingredients. Deliciously seasoned meat nestled in their (in my case) soft tortilla home, those are set atop a stack of fresh lettuce and blend of graded chesses. Also,...The house taco sauce is awesome,. Only tip is to order refills every second that you can, especially if you take your tacos spicy. the only thing worse than seeing the bottom of your glass, is seeing it with a mouth that is on fire.
(4)Jade R.
Their food was underwhelming. There was nothing special about the carnitas tacos I had or the jalapeño mac n cheese. Given the many rave reviews, I was surprised that the service, drinks and food were so very mediocre. It's a shame because they are so close to our house. Yah well.
(1)Richard O.
Great place to come to after school or bowling like me and my friends did. It was my first time here and the atmosphere already got be hooked onto the place. The old school hip hop in the background and the cheap tacos (85 cents now) made the experience much better. The service could of been a bit better, but I'm willing to come back every Monday or Tuesday. Try not coming at night since the streets can look a bit sketchy with barely any lights out.
(4)Jeffrey D.
Phenominal Nachos!!! Especially the pork nachos! This place has the feel of an industrial, laid back atmosphere with plenty of floor space for the pool tables and regular tables. The beer selection is awesome. 75 cent taco night on Monday and Tuesday brings in the crowds, but it's a pretty cool crowd. I've only ever ordered the nachos because they are so amazing.....I'm affraid to risk not liking anything else and sullying my Tortilla West experience.
(5)Traci W.
A long-time local let me in on this secret. Monday night 75 cents tacos? Yes please! Though initially I was bummed because they only offered the ground beef 75 cents taco, they did do a vegetarian version with beans for the same price. I was blown away by the shear number of vegetarian and vegan options. I got a platter with the house-made vegan 'chicken' chorizo tacos that comes with a side of black rice and beans. The taco filling was unbelievably tasty. Rich, lots of texture, and just full of flavor. The beans were well seasoned too and were delicious in their own right. When I asked for a side of guacamole, I was told it was an extra 2.99 charge - and it came out in a container the size of shot glass. I could have gotten a bag of avocados for that. And for the record --- waay too much lime in the guac. Eh, I'm going to let it slide because I guess they have to pay for 75 cents taco night somehow. And with all the veggie options for me, I've got nothing but love for this place.
(4)Alex M.
GET THE FISH BURRITO!!!! FLAVOR-GASMIC! And they usually have some unusual beers and wines. It can get a bit loud at times but what else should you expect at Mexican place a little off the beaten path. ------- Still my favorite place in Norfolk. The sliders are pretty amazing as well. The beer and wine selection very diverse and they're always new stuff.
(5)Scott And Raquel L.
She says: Mondays and Tuesdays are 75 cent taco night. We like to go extremely early (5PM) to avoid a long wait on Mondays or Tuesdays. They have an extensive tequila bar (supposedly 100 kinds), and a very large vegetarian and vegan option section on the menu. The spicy salad is a good gluten free option, with a good amount of fresh avocado, corn and a light, creamy dressing on it. I chose beef and couldn't finish it due to a late lunch and had the rest for leftovers the next day. I believe it was $8.95. (It does have some strips of tortilla shell in it, but you can ask for those to be left off.) This place is inexpensive and very tasty and the service is usually good or excellent. Their Sunday brunch is great and my parents often go with us, and it's also appealing to teenagers. There are a lot of Southwest omelet type options on Sundays, and the drink specials are great as well. I think it's a great piece of Norfolk flavor, despite a hipster-ish vibe that I am too old for. ha ha. I think one of the owners also owns A.W. Shucks. And they also serve Front Porch Wine for $5!
(4)Mo B.
Tortilla West has that increasingly canned, hipster ambiance. Although I appreciate the effort, I think they try just a bit too hard. Nonetheless, the place was packed on 75 cent taco night, so no one else seems to be complaining. I had a lychee and slushy margarita, knocking me back a grand total of 14.00 I know other places that are cheaper don't leave me feeling like I've stumbled into some sort of secret texmex clubhouse, but c'mon. The food, well... I was still hungry after I left. I got the veggie chicken sliders which consisted of buns and plain soy chicken. I can nuke that at home wearing a sombrero, thank you. T-West is unworthy of its prices and glory in my book.
(2)Rory J.
At 30, I should probably know better than to expect something awesome from $.75 tacos. I chose to check out tortilla west on a cheap taco night just to see what they were all about. First, it was packed, people of all ages doing happy hour. I had a margarita and it was decent, my husband went with his signature dos equis. It did look like they stocked a lot of local brews, though, which always elevates a place in my esteem. The service was understandably slow, and unfortunately we were at a small table in a high traffic area, so we kept getting jostled by servers running by us or patrons coming and going. We ordered the guac (which they had) and it was decent. Nothing to write home about, but I might be spoiled by Luna Maya's guac, which is an impossibly high standard to hold other restaurants against. After seeing a few $.75 tacos goes by, I decided to opt to pay the $7 for fish tacos. They were really good. A ton of food stuffed into two tacos and then a heaping side of beans. My husband opted for 3 of the $.75 tacos, because he still believe he can eat like a 20 year old. He wasn't impressed. He said it was really low quality meat, over seasoned and thrown on a tortilla. I think we'd probably go back for happy hour in the future, but will most likely avoid the cheap taco night.
(3)Chelsea M.
my friends and I come to tortilla west regularly for taco tuesday (and monday), when the major attraction is 85 cent beef or black bean tacos. while the place is usually packed on tuesdays, it's not quite as hard to get a table on monday - but still definitely expect to wait awhile before you're seated. it's easy to pass the time by the bar, though; my standby is the delicious orapax margarita, which infuses pomegranate with that classic margarita flavor. once you're seated, it's worth it to get the chips and whichever side you'd like. the salsa, guac, and queso are nothing special, but the chips have great seasoning on them that really sets them apart from your typical Mexican restaurant chips. points would definitely be added if the chips and salsa were complimentary, but I guess you are getting a break on those cheap tacos if you're there on Monday or Tuesday. the crunchy black bean tacos are my standard order; usually I stick with two or three, but they're so good, I could probably eat way more. the black beans are seasoned well, and they've got awesome flavor overall. the best part is that they come out super quickly once you order! overall, a great place to come with your friends for delicious cheap tacos, but watch out for the wait and those expensive chips and drinks!
(4)Erin J.
Delicious meaty super cheesy quesadilla. Yummy chips. Good service.
(4)Amy H.
The service is awful! We waited forever for our food and when we spoke to our server he said yeah well have you seen how busy we are? Seriously????!!!!
(2)Ryan B.
This is my second time going on a 75 cent taco night, and I must say, overall I'm satisfied. There was a bit of a wait each time, but there were seats at the bar and when our table was ready the hostess found me and my group at the bar and sat us on down. Beer selection could be a tad better. I usually go for a Magic Hat #9 and I was disappointed that they don't keep that stocked, despite it teasingly appearing on the beer menu. I won't hold it against them but I would love a beer menu that really reflects their regular inventory. They've got a great selection of other stuff though, including the Hoegarden on tap. I had the same server twice, a peppy, attractive older blonde lady, and I loved her carefree personality. For 75 cents, you really can't complain about the quality of the meat (Well, I guess you could, if you're one of those health-conscious types). The last time I went I tried their cheese dip and it was awe-inspiring. Easy 4-star recommendation from your boy Ryan Breeze.
(4)Roger M.
Great crowd, beer selection, and environment.
(4)Briana V.
Nachos are epic and the full portion is huge! Unlimited chips and salsa is always awesome and taco monday and tuesday is always a great time! Wish the margaritas were larger, but other wise Twest is a great hangout spot!
(4)Kristin W.
The food is just ok. I only go on 85 cent taco nights because the food is overpriced. The real kicker recently was they stopped selling Modelo. Mexican food without mexican beer just isn't the same.
(3)Christopher E.
Went on a Tuesday night, right about 5pm for Taco Tuesday (there is also a Taco Monday. .75 tacos (ground beef and black bean) served with hard or soft shells, accompanied with lettuce and shredded cheese. Solid selection of local beers (Smartmouth and O'connor), your typical Mexican beers, nice tequila selection and full bar. The service was good even as the "hipster" and college crowds began to clamor. Chips and salsa will run you $1.50, no refills. Go early, go hungry!
(4)Sarah H.
I just got done with my meal tonight & WOW. It was amazing- the food, the beer and the atmosphere were exactly up my alley! Its a bit off the beaten trail (Colley, that is) but its really close to my house in West Ghent, so that is a big plus for me! I went during their happy hour and was able to indulge in $1 off beer (I did a stout they had on draft) and ordered up some fish tacos. Holy Smokes Batman, it was like a Mexican mariachi in my mouth! Hot damn! My dad did the shredded chicken tacos and he remarked that they were perfectly seasoned for him. As far a my son was concerned, I was a little worried when I realized they didn't have a dedicated kids menu; however, they DID have a wonderful sandwich menu & he ordered the slider plate. FYI- when I say slider, I'm not taking about White Castle or Krystal burger sliders; I'm taking thick burgers on a McDonald's size bun. He really only needed one. The plate came with a side & we ordered the Jalapeno Mac n Cheese sans peppers and it was TO DIE FOR! Super creamy and had an amazing flavor! Since it was our first time there, I was uber surprised when the waitress offered dessert. She said that they make all the desserts fresh every day. "What the heck" we said & ordered up the Chocolate Cherry Mousse Pie. What they should have called it was "If you get hit walking out to your car, you will die happy." This stuff was amazing!!! So, the only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is the price. The three of us ate for 46.03 :( Kinda pricey, but it was worth it! I will definitely be returning on a Monday or Tuesday for the $0.75 taco specials after 4pm!!
(4)Gary H.
Tucked way back in West Ghent off or Orpax, this place is a hidden tex-mex gem. I have come here enough times that I'm willing to give it a 5 star review based on overall food quality and beer selection. The food is fantastic. Their tacos are great. The ingredients feel fresher than what you normally would get from other local tex-mex joints. My personal favorite here is their pork burrito. And for the love of all that is holy, order their JALAPENO MAC AND CHEESE for your side. It may be an additional charge, but totally worth it. Beer selection is great and rotates. There are quite a few taps (for hipsters and rednecks alike). I like to come here and get a couple (ok, a few) in me before I head next door to The Birch to finish off my drunken West Ghent tour.
(5)Allison G.
I have been here 3 times and am very happy we stumbled upon this little hole in the wall. I highly recommend an order of nachos. we always get the veggie nachos and there is enough to share for 3 people ( or more if you get a few of the sides). The drinks are great too. Taco night tacos are slightly bland, but you can't complain for the price. I do wish the chips and salsa should be complimentary and the order of guacamole is rather small for the price. I would eat here every meal if we lived closer.
(5)Gregg D.
This is a great local, Mexican restaurant off the beaten path. The service is always great and pleasant. I love the tacos; I usually get chicken or beef but my friends swear by the fish tacos too. They have a wide variety of beer on tap and will run limited edition Dogfish Head beer. I was lucky to stop in the night they were running the new Bitches Brew. Amazingly good! Game room is in the back. There's also a front room restroom and a back room restroom.
(5)Angelique C.
Tortilla West was recommended to me by a coworker who lives near Norfolk. I had heard of it before and almost went a while ago when I was craving tacos, but it seemed too far away. The first thing that struck me as not great was the location. Situated in the Fort Norfolk/ Port of Norfolk area, Tortilla West is a bright orange and purple building among a multitude of run-down, port-related business buildings. I almost made my husband keep driving when I saw the building, because I was so unimpressed by its location. One would expect it to be a little nicer when you think of a restaurant "by the water." We went in anyway, on the belief system my husband holds that the most unsuspecting, run-down, hole in the wall places (of which this was certainly one) have the best food. We were severely disappointed. The place was pretty empty for dinner time, which didn't bother us, but it took a minute for us to be seated due to the fact that the staff can't see into the vestibule from the bar, which had a few people being served. Our server was exceptionally friendly and answered all of our questions. I ordered the pork and pineapple fajitas, and my husband ordered a burrito with extra queso. We had chips and salsa as an appetizer, and that was pretty good, although I have been spoiled by warmed chips at other Mexican-inspired restaurants. The pork and pineapple fajitas sounded amazing, but I only received one skimpy slice of pineapple, and while it was delicious when paired with a bite of pork, it only lasted a few bites. The pork came out looking very pale and chewy. It tasted fine, although some grill marks and some more seasoning would have helped. I loved that the fajita pan included zucchinni and squash and mushrooms. My husband told me after we'd left that his burrito was seriously sub-par, and that he never would have paid that much for the food he ate. He said the queso was just okay, and overall he wouldn't return. Apparently the drink selection (beers and margharitas) is amazing, but we didn't drink this visit. Maybe that would have made all the difference? Overall, I think the food is overpriced for the quality and taste, as well as the sketchy location. We literally watched 5 feral cats, 2 of which were pregnant, scrap outside the window during our meal. Not for the faint of heart.
(2)Jennifer E.
Tortilla West is rapidly becoming one of my favorite restaurants. Is it authentic Mexican food? No. Is the food awesome? Why yes it is. And the drinks rock too. My favorite meal is a tie between the rice and beans with shrimp, and the huevos rancheros. Steffan the bartender has an amazing drink called the horchado margarita, which may be my all time favorite drink. Don't let the shipyard setting scare you off. Try it - you'll like it.
(5)Angie K.
Tortilla West is located around an industrial ship yard area, not a place you just stumble onto but defiantly worth checking out. I would agree with another reviewer that it has an eclectic feel. The service has been GREAT every time I have gone and the food above average. It's not typical authentic Mexican but pretty delicious Each night they have happy hour & food specials. pretty decent beer choices too! I recommend trying the specials menu , my husband orders from it every time and it's always spectacular. The guac and salsa are really good , made from scratch! Give Tortilla West a try if you're looking for that dare to be different food experience.
(4)Sara A.
Two words: Hipster. Heaven. Ok, now that I've gotten that out of the way: Tortilla West actually has some pretty decent food. It's fresh and delicious and a great restaurant for that fake Mexican/Tex-Mex crap us Americans totally love but hate to admit it. Now: that's the ONLY thing this place has going for it. And all of the other factors completely outweigh the fact that the food is so good. Everything is expensive. I understand charging a bit more for fresher ingredients, but it just seems a little over the top - what they charge for a plate with 2 tacos and some lettuce as filler. It's also crowded all the time and there is absolutely no parking. Last time we went there it was about a million degrees inside and there were flies buzzing around everywhere. NOT my idea of great ambiance. Add this to the fact that it was crowded and loud, and I almost had an anxiety attack. Their mixed drinks are not good at all. Every time we go there, it it absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to get good service. I hate flagging down wait staff and I refuse to do it, but you will literally not get any service at all unless you flag them down. Drinks/chips/salsa/guac are emptied and go without refilling for the longest time. Food comes out at random, and no one seems to care. Half of your party will have finished their food by the time the other half gets theirs. We have ordered things, just to find out that our waiter completely forgot and did not put in the order. Just getting your check to get the heck out of there is a nightmare.
(2)David O.
In a City named West Ghent it has to be good. Or not. My Brother in Law (the enthusiastic Andrew E) had spoken highly of the Guacamole here, and indeed it does seem to be their best offering. When I stopped in, I ordered the Crab Enchilada which was surprisingly tasteless. The Tortilla seemed dry and unloved. Since I'm not a huge fan of Guac, I don't really see any reason I would return. The waitress was very friendly, and the parking seemed decent though it is curbside parking which I can see being quite frustrating given the area.
(2)Andrea V.
Total let down. Drove from Chesapeake and paid full price for the tunnel only to wait about an hour to be seated and still would have to wait to get seated. We were only a party of 2 and still had 2 parties of 2 ahead of us. I understand it is Cinco de Mayo, but someone working there should have come outside to let us know that the wait would be longer so we can chose to stay or leave. Also, the greeter taking reservations was wiping the sweat off of his forehead using his hands and then wrapping the utensils in napkins. I was looking forward to having a drink and some bbq nachos.
(1)Andy H.
Its not mind blowing or anything. But its one of our favorites. Easily one of the top 3 restaurants in the area for drinks. Tonight, I had the nachos & tortilla soup. Nachos were are as terrific as always. They're so big, its hard (& foolish) to finish them. Basically, this place is a local favorite. Its not going anywhere. Its here to stay. We're glad to have it.
(4)Andrew E.
I would like to title this review: "HOW TO BE THE WORST MEXICAN RESTAURANT YET STILL SERVE AMAZING FOOD {OR, SERIOUSLY? REALLY? OUT OF GUACAMOLE AGAIN!? FML}" This is going to be short and sweet, but i felt the need to write about this. There is a pretty good Mexican restaurant near my house named Tortilla West. Now, when i say pretty good - i need you to understand that as you read that statement you were transported through time to two weeks ago. I do not currently agree with that assessment of Tortilla West. Right now i would say it's pretty worthless and really a disappointment. You might be asking yourself, "What is he rambling about?" Well, i will tell you. About a month ago, Erica and I went to Tortilla West together for the first time. She had been there with friends before, In had not. We had a delightful experience; i believe i had the West Ghent Sliders and she had a taco. We also ordered an appetizer of guacamole. This guacamole was AMAZING. Huge chunks of avocados and whatever the heck else they put in a good guac. The guacamole was what really put into my head that i needed to come back there again. Well, two weeks pass and Erica and I find ourselves at Tortilla West again on a Sunday afternoon with friends. The waiter asks what i want (30 minutes after i was seated); i told him guac. He in turn tells me that they are out. Out? Really? A mexican restaurant has run out of guacamole? I guess i could let it slide. After all, a couple years ago i was at a restaurant called Baker's Crust when the waiter informed me that they were out of bread. A week later on Friday Erica and i decided that we wanted to go on a late night date and we headed on up to Tortilla West. Out of guac again. WTF? At this point, i was losing faith that whoever places the food orders for Tortilla West could count past 4. "Yes, i would like to order 4 avocados. Yes i am sure that will be quite enough for the entire week." The next week on Tuesday Tortilla West was offering .75 cent tacos, so i called up my friend Brian and we went up there. This time I didn't even want to experience the devastating sinking feeling that happens in the pit of my stomach when i hear those dreaded words so i didn't even try to order the guac. But Brian, not taking heed to my warnings, did. And guess what? Out of freaking guac. Tortilla West, we had something good. It was even exclusive - i wasn't seeing any other Mexican restaurant besides you. But you know what? You take me for granted. You take for granted the fact that i come around like a puppy begging at a table for scraps just because i want your delicious guac. Well guess what, West? I'm better than that. I'm make my own damn guacamole if it means that i never have to deal with you again. You are a disappointment through and through, and i hope for your sake you get your act together. Even though i have to see you everyday from the rooftop of my place of employment, i will no longer lust after your creamy, chunky guac. You were damn convenient, what with me having to walk right past you to get to my car after work, but it's just not worth the constant disappointment anymore. Good day, Tortilla West. I said good day sir!
(2)Ellen C.
I love it here, it's one of my favorite places to go to in Ghent/Downtown Norfolk. It's not a fancy place, but the food is great (especially the chimis and nachos). I have been here on 75 cent taco night, and it gets pretty crowded, but on other nights I've been seated within 10-15 minutes. The beer selection is good too (I haven't tried their mixed drinks, I typically stick to beer).
(4)Janet E.
A really delicious Mexican restaurant! There was a group of 12 of us. The restaurant has a lot of space because it is a bar, restaurant and pool place. But the sitting area of the restaurant is not a lot. The restaurant probably has a total of 12 tables. Unfortunately when we arrived they did not have enough seating for us, but the wait was only 15-20 minutes. I portions here are HUGE. You will definitely not leave here hungry. I ordered their soup of the day which really wasn't a soup. It ended up being a chicken and chorizo chili. It was good and filling. As an entree I ordered the cornmeal fried oyster tacos (2 of them) which came with a mango salsa on top. It also came with rice and beans. The oysters were DELICIOUS! Everyone else at our table really enjoyed their dish and thought the restaurant was a great choice. We were out celebrating our friend's wedding engagement. I didnt try any of their drinks but I heard the mojitos and margaritas were good. The service was GREAT. Our waiter remembered our orders perfectly and was on top of everything. He was very efficient and friendly and funny! The restaurant only loses a star because they charge for chips and salsa! What Mexican restaurant charges for chips and salsa??!?!?! Apparently this one. Sadly, their chips and salsa (particularly the chips) were DELICIOUS!!!! The chips were spiced and had a bit of a kick to them but thats what made them so tasty! I definitely recommend ordering the chips even though you have to pay for them! The location of the restaurant is a bit odd. Its located in an industrial area and leads to a dead end street. Parking is not hard to find though.
(4)William S.
This place is a new favorite. You can't go wrong on Mon. Tues. for CHEAP tacos. Great beer selection and the food is delicious. A very cool place in Norfolk(reminds me of Austin). Our waitress, I believe was Liz, the last two time we've gone has been awesome. Made a great impression on us, we look forward to returning very soon.
(5)Hollie W.
Seventy five cent vegan tacos! :) The vegan boca nacho's are dreamy. Beer selection is super and service is always great, even when it's slamming, which is most of the time. Gotta love T-West.
(4)jennifer m.
Fabulous Food! Best food I've eaten in Norfolk to date. We love the jalapeno mac & cheese. Everything is always prepared well, and I have never had a bad dish. The prices the best bargain for the quality and portion sizes.
(5)Christian S.
Went to Tortilla West after visiting The Birch. We were able to grab a table right away and the waitress greeted us and got our drink order within a couple of minutes even though she seemed pretty busy. I ordered an enchilada with pork and my dinner mate ordered a chicken cuban sandwich. We were both very please with the food. Oh yeah, I love the tortilla chips here. They have a special seasoning that I haven't found elsewhere and the salsa was house made. Definitely visit Tortilla West either by Light Rail with a short walk or back behind the MidTown Tunnel down Orapax Street.
(4)Gwen D.
This place gets really busy on Taco nights (Mon & Tues) so be prepared to have some difficulty parking. They open at 4pm so between 4-6 is the magic time frame to get in and get some tacos! After that you're looking at a waiting time of 30 mins. We were told 30-40 mins but it was definitely close to an hour before we got seated. And there were only 4 of us. Ok, the tacos -- goodness! Definitely worth the wait. They're full of beef, and they give you plenty of lettuce and cheese on the side. About 4 were enough to fill hungry ol me. They have 4 different sauces, ranging from sweet a habanero spicy. If you're not here for tacos they have a full menu of other items. Other than the misleading waiting time (which they couldn't help), service was fast and efficient. Drinks were expensive though.
(4)Jennifer K.
I'm sorry, but I am not a fan - of the food that is. The drinks and atmosphere are nice, but I was not impressed at all with the food. I'm not a huge fan of Tex Mex and I had hoped they could change my mind. They are pretty accommodating for groups so that is a plus. We have had several work baby showers here (although once, they did not make the reservation for us and we were forced to huddle to the front as another group had taken over the back area). The staff is very friendly too and for those perks they get 3 stars. Parking really sucks though - I hate to see what it looks like when the joint is crowded. I'd definitely come back for a happy hour, but as for dinner - I'll pass.
(3)Ed C.
It's one of those places my friends and I will wind up at. We never really plan to go there, it's usually a last resort or the secondary option. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. We can always count on reasonably priced drinks (big in my book, obviously). And they have a decent selection of beer and liquors. The cheap go-to beer here is PBR for $2 or Modelo cans for the same. The bartenders are always on top of their game, and I've never felt ignored at the bar. I will say that they have some of the best nachos in Ghent. They are of course second to the fond memories of Magnolia's nachos, which were legendary (I will fight anyone who says otherwise.) T.West gives you a great portion with a good choice of toppings. It's perfect for sharing with a few hungry friends. And $.75 tacos on Mondays and Tuesdays are a pretty sweet deal too. This is a great place to hang with some friends. And the hipster crowd of Ghent will agree with that. This place attracts more skinny-jean wearing, nose pierced, tattooed, wearing-a-skull-cap-in-the-middle-of-summer, lanky, thick bespectacled people than anywhere else in Norfolk.
(4)Cindy R.
Bloody mary bar on sundays makes me love this place!
(4)Amy M.
Good heaping guacamole and spiced tortilla chips. Grilled calamari is gorgeously tasty! My BF swears his life on the fish burrito and I must say, it is truly a bit of heaven wrapped up snug. My favorite is the tuna soft tacos and the spicy lime chicken salad. Good beer selection, mojitos lovely.
(4)Eric C.
The moment I came to Norfolk, I was told that Tortilla West was a must try. I admit I didn't get a chance to try it until today. I looked at website reviews, and asked people who have lived here and every told me that I couldn't go wrong... or could I? I don't understand the hype with this place. I can see how people who grew up with the restaurant can "like" it for old memories, but the food here is really sub par. First of all, everything is expensive (unless you get tacos... but then again they are less than stellar even with the cheap price on Mondays and Tuesdays). People said that they have an expansive menu... expansive? no.. more selection than I expected? yes... but people really. What they have as a selection on the menu is what a NORMAL AVERAGE Tex mex restaurant should have. The food itself is average. Nothing spectacular. I can easily make everything they have myself and eat it for a quarter of the price or even less. If you want a good margarita place, go to Mi Hogar. If you want a good quesadilla, make it yourself. If you like sour cream, go buy some at the store. They charge you 75c for a table spoon of sour cream. If you are from Texas or California, I suggest getting tex mex from Mi Hogar. That is the closest you'll get to the real thing and it's cheaper.
(2)D M.
Umm, the 75 cent tacos may cut it for the hipsters that frequent there. For those of us that don't rely on coins found from the cushions of random couches they crashed on, go elsewhere. Their tacos suck so bad I wouldn't even feed them to the stray cats that live across the street.
(1)Jeff W.
This place was recommended to me by a coworker, but I was disappointed. The food wasn't good and the atmosphere felt like a dumpy bar/frat house.
(3)Meredith V.
Everyone raves about their Monday/Tuesday 75 cent taco night. Eh. What you should know is that the tacos on special are the ground beef ones and not served as an entree (so no rice or beans or lettuce/tom, etc). So if all of that is fine with you, then you will be set. There were mostly college kids here anyway who obviously didn't care what they were eating anyway (I remember going to a 25 cent taco night in college too. Tiki Bobs anyone?). BUT if you wanted to really sample their menu, try one of their other fun tacos. I got the pulled pork hard shell tacos...had a bit of heat. It was alright. We also ordered the guac & chips (chips/salsa not included on table), which was served in a very small ramikan...not really worth the $5 we paid for it. They also have different margaritas (try the blue agave nectar marg), that was great and on special for $4 until 7. Overall, I really wasn't impressed. I've had better tacos at Plaza Azteca. The final nail in the head for Tortilla West is that it's in the middle of NOWHERE. Like it literally was not on my GPS...off the grid! It's located near some random construction pier, I don't know, we couldn't figure it out. And parking is a weird combination of permit only spots and residential, so we spent about 10 minutes driving around trying to figure if we could park somewhere or not. Just WAY too much hassle for a mediocre experience. I'll leave this place to the college kids.
(3)Jessica L.
I made it back here for the infamous 75 cent taco nights (Mondays and Tuesdays). I was wondering if it was going to be loud and crazy with ODU students, but it was actually filled with a wide range of people of varying ages, and the volume level was just right. It was a cool vibe. Unfortunately, the 75 cent tacos are only the beef and bean ones, not the chicken, which is what I wanted. Boo! They do have some really good chips and salsa. They put a chili or cumin powder on the chips, which give the chips a nice little kick. I enjoyed myself and will still go back. I also want to check out this new bar literally around the corner called the berch. It looks really cool, but it's closed on Mondays.
(4)Heather M.
Great vegan menu. Can't beat their 75 cent taco night Mon & Tue. The only problem is it is very expensive to buy off the menu, staff can be unhelpful/rude sometimes and the place is not located in a great place. Parking can suck!
(4)Paul M.
Very fast take out service, two meals less than 7 minutes! Food is great, clearly fresh ingredients. One of the best craft beer selections in Norfolk also! Check it out!
(4)Becki W.
Eclectic Norfolk TexMex. Go for brunch. I think 10-3. And I know delicious. The portions are huge, and they have a make your own Bloody Mary bar for $2.50. And it's definitely not cheap b/c you get shorted on the vodka. It's just well priced. Monday & Tues nights are 0.75 taco nights. Small tacos, but really?They're .75... Order 50 if you want. It's still cheap. Or go somewhere else and pay more money. The food is good, the prices are cheap, and the portions are big. Oh, and check out the special chalkboard. Always something worth trying on there.
(4)Dan W.
Tortilla West is one of those places that is worth checking out--you may find it charming, you may not. And I think it somewhat depends on what you order. First time there, went with some friends after a show and caught the Friday night scene. Talk about a good time! The place was packed around the bar, but the pool table room was okay; left plenty of room for pool or talking with friends. When you walk in, the first room is kind of narrow and split lengthwise by a divider, tables on one side, bar on the other. We drank beers & took shots of tequila. Fun stuff, and the bartenders were good about getting to us so we weren't waiting forever. Second time there, I was a bit hungover and we came in for a Tex Mex breakfast. The portions were generous and the price was fair. Had a couple Mimosas to take the edge off--they were made well. The food was good... not amazing, but still good for a Saturday morning recovery. My third time there was last night (a Wednesday). This time I got to experience the dinner crowd. It was fun, and our server, Liz, was really nice and helpful with menu questions. I ordered the Cuban Sandwich (pretty much my favorite sandwich on the planet), which was made slightly different in that in place of pickles were pickled jalapenos. While not traditional, I quite enjoyed the sangwich and would definitely order it again. My date had the chicken quesadilla which I took a few bites of and I thought it was just average. I recommend checking the place out.
(3)Kate O.
This is one of our favorite places to go. Split the shredded pork nachos, they are the shit!
(5)Jacqui R.
I always forget about Tortilla West, most likely because it's tucked away in an odd area in West Ghent. Having said that, I do enjoy going when I remember. I have been there for brunch before which was really good - a huge helping of hash brown potatoes, scrambled eggs, fruit, and bacon (I even got 'extra' bacon because the server told me the chef didn't think he had given me enough the first time). You also have the option to make your own Bloody Marys but the Blood Mary bar was a little dirty so I opted for a Mimosa instead. I went a couple of weeks ago and had dinner, a chicken quesidilla. It wasn't outstanding but it was pretty good. They have a lot of options on the menu so it was somewhat difficult to make a decision. They also had an assortment of mojitos to pick from that night. So basically I've been here for brunch, for dinner, and several times I've been to T. West just to drink it up with friends. This place has a great, local atmosphere which is really what keeps me coming back.
(4)Bekah M.
This place is great! It's kind of tucked away and doesn't look like much from the outside but both the food and service are great! Their tacos are amazing and so is their cheese dip. Everything is always fresh and tastes amazing! Definitely give them a try!
(5)Nicky T.
Here's the deal with Tortilla West. The food is REALLY good, their reputation holds to that. But their waiting/bar staff sucks and can't remember you or anything you ask them. Go pick the food up if you aren't into the night scene as this place gets loud at night, or at least get there before 7 or 8pm if you want a more quiet dining experience. I'd compare the taste of their dishes to Moe's. Good food but quite overpriced for the what you're getting.
(3)Coventry S.
Tortilla West will always have a special place in my heart. I am sure that years from now, when I've finally moved away from this area, this place will be one of the very few things that I miss. The $0.75 tacos on Mondays and Tuesdays have been a staple within my social circle for about 3 years now. Sure, it gets disgustingly busy sometimes and their service can be hit-or-miss, but there's a certain allure that I can't put my finger on. But don't let the cheap tacos fool you: their menu and their specials are serious business. Their food can be a bit pricey but I assure you it is worth it; although it's by no means "authentic" Mexican food, it sure as hell puts to shame all of the other Mexican crap-masquerading-as-food that we have in our area. They also have an incredible drink selection. Whether you're in the mood for quality craft beer on draft, cocktails, or even wine, I guarantee you that they do not disappoint in that area. I would have to agree with some of the other reviewers and say that it's best to either go earlier in the day or after 10 PM in order to avoid the crowds.
(5)Jason A.
Basically an alcohol focused bar that happens to serve Mexican style food. The food was alright, but even basics like chips and salsa weren't that great. Decent tequila list though and a few good draft beers.
(3)Ed C.
Tortilla West (or T-West as most regulars call it), is easily the best bar / restaurant in West Ghent and one of my favorites in all of Ghent period. If you could give a 4 and 1/2 star rating, then that's really what it would get from me. The place is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. There are plenty of tables, and what's great is that there is a lot of open space. This makes this place a really good location to have a large gathering of friends (I've had several birthday celebrations here). The general atmosphere is divey with some hints of upscale here and there. Now let's talk about drinks. T-West's bar should be able to make just about anyone happy. As far as beer goes, it's like most other Ghent bars in that it's got an awesome selection. They've got everything from PBR and Modelo in the can to high end stuff like Chimay and other Belgians. They also constantly have different seasonal beers come in, and it's always worth checking their chalkboards to see what's new. Really as far as imported beer and micro's go, I'd say they are really close to being on par with the Norfolk Taphouse in terms of selection. Liquor wise, they specialize in Tequila. If you're looking for high end or exotic Tequila's in Norfolk, this is the place to be. Aside from Tequila they have pretty good selection of other kinds of spirits, that I would put on par with or slightly better than other Ghent establishments. I don't drink Wine, so I can't comment on their selection in this area. Overall, this is place where drinking wise you can go low key and go cheap or, live it up and spend a ton of money on high end stuff. Now let's talk about the food. I eat here often (at least a couple times a month) and while I wouldn't call it spectacular, I can honestly say that I've never had a bad meal at Tortilla West. The main thing here is the Mexican food, but I hesitate to call T-West a Mexican restaurant. Tex-Mex seems more accurate. Still, semantics aside the Mexican food here is pretty decent, although slightly different than what you'd get at more typical Mexican Restaurants (ie ones staffed by actual Mexicans). The ingredients used are generally fresher, and in some cases they'll differ from more typical places (for example: the burrito's are not wrapped with a regular flour tortilla but something more akin to sandwich type wrap). Speaking of the ingredients, not only does T-West have a ton of different meat choices to fill your burritos, enchiladas, tacos, etc, but it also has a ton of vegetarian and vegan options as well. If you like Fish Tacos, then i'd say this is probably one of the best places in Norfolk for that particular item. I know that I personally really dig the Nachos here. In fact, this is probably my favorite place to get Nachos in Hampton Roads. They also have really great selection of sandwiches. Although my favorite T-West sandwich is probably the Mexican Dip, I know a lot of people who absolutely swear by the Chicken Avocado. The appetizer menu is pretty good too with everything from Fried Plantains to both Grilled and Fried Calamari (not many other places do it grilled around here), not too mention a fairly extensive selection of dips. The Guacamole here is great (you can get two different types) and cheese dips are good too. Be sure to check the chalkboards for the daily specials. There are always some really creative entrees available on them, not to mention the "Chimichanga of the Day" which usually includes a pretty tasty combination of meats and vegetables. Also, they've got a pretty decent Sunday Brunch, with some interesting mexican inspired breakfast items on the menu. Bottom line, there is a lot of great food here and most if it is fairly inexpensive. Now let's talk about the service. In my opinion it's normally pretty good. The waitstaff is generally attentative and accomodating, and the food comes out pretty fast. The only times I've really had a problem were on occasions where all I was getting were drinks. I normally just get up and get drinks from the bar in that situation, but sometimes using the waiter / or waitress in this situation is the more correct thing to do. Still, I've never had a problem with the service when I was ordering food. I mean it when I say that this is one of my favorite haunts. The food is good and reasonably priced, there are lots of options at the bar, and the place has very chill and easygoing atmosphere. This is place to that is great for both having a meal and hanging out late night. T-West is pretty awesome.
(4)Tiffany L.
While the food isn't particularily amazing, the atmosphere's nice (if you're on the younger spectrum..), and on Tuesday nights they have 75 cent tacos. 75 cents! that's cheaper than taco bell my friends. Unfortunately, they sort of resemble taco bell tacos. But the soft tacos here have a better tortilla, and the beans and beef actually have some flavor. However, the iceberg lettuce and cheddar cheese are parallel to taco bell's. They don't even resemble a distant cousin of authentic tacos (Tienda Jessy's/Jessy's Tacqueria!). But I embarassingly did crave one the other day, but only at the 75 cent price. Some reason I ordered the lemon buttermilk pie. I didn't think it was that bad, but no one else liked it at the group. Whatever they just hatin'. Oh and, if for some reason you're from out of town or you're just looking for some hipster lovin', I guess come here!
(3)Alex D.
This used to be our favorite restaurant in town. Over the past few years, the quality of the food has declined (I have gotten sick on the fish tacos twice), the food takes an incredibly long time to receive (on more than two occasions people in our party have had to leave prior to getting their food), and the food we receive is not the food we order (and the wait staff gives us grief when we point that out). I really hope things improve. We used to eat here 2-4 times per week. Now it's barely once a month. We keep holding out hope that things will improve.
(2)Justin O.
First time eating at Tortilla West per the recommendation of a good friend of mine. Food-wise, we were thoroughly impressed and pleased, the chips had a good seasoning which was kind of a Cajun salt, the salsa was quite delicious, very balanced with sweetness but a little spice, and we added the provided red and green salsas on the table to give it a little more kick. I ordered the Red Chile Pork which was amazing. The pork was tender, the tomato sauce very similar to an enchilada sauce, and the tostada was crunchy and rounded it out nicely. My girlfriend ordered the Beef Short Rib Tamale, which came with corn pudding and spinach. The short rib was super tender and rich with juicy flavor. I highly recommend both. The only downsides were I felt my margarita was a little weak and a little too sweet; and our waitress was somewhat inattentive the whole visit. While she was very nice and polite, we were both out of water and chips for over 5 minutes before another server came by and saw our situation. I think part of it is a problem with the restaurant set up... The long wooden wall separates the restaurant in two, and if the waitress is running around on the other side near the bar and getting food, she can't see us. So I don't completely blame her, but with the layout of the restaurant, their staff needs to be extra sure to check tables on the other side. However, with all that said, we still very much like the place and will definitely be returning to try more!
(4)Shari G.
I used to LOVE Tortilla West, especially their nachos. Alas, no more. Even before I went vegan, I enjoyed TWest's veggie nachos. They were delicious--loaded with toppings (including faux chicken that was better than the real thing) all of which were layered perfectly. They were the perfect nachos and the price was very reasonable. Imagine my disappointment this past Sunday when I went there for lunch with some friends and found out that they had completely changed their nachos, for the worse. My husband and I split some vegan nachos with Gardein chicken and our friends split veggie nachos, also with Gardein chicken. (What's the difference between the two, you ask? The veggie nachos are supposed to have cheese and sour cream, the vegan nachos are not.) Both plates of nachos came out looking sad. The toppings were dumped on, not carefully layered like in the past. The toppings had also changed. Sure, there was pico de gallo and guacamole and beans and jalapenos and lettuce, but there were also grilled veggies. A ridiculous amount of (flavorless) grilled onions, peppers, and squash made the nachos very soggy and gross. For the record, the nachos didn't taste bad, per se, but they were really terribly executed and the wet grilled veggies were the main culprit. Oh, and there were very few pieces of Gardein and the pieces that were there were way too big for being on nachos. They were the size of a man's fingers as opposed to bite-size which would have been much more appropriate for a finger food such as nachos. Our friends' nachos had the same problems as well as a couple more: they were sorely lacking in cheese and there was no sour cream. There was so little cheese that they didn't think there was any at all until they rooted around toward the bottom of the nacho pile and found a couple (literally just a couple) chips that were covered. All in all, the food was unimpressive and disappointing but the service was OK. TWest was once a favorite, but now I'm not sure I'll bother to go back.
(2)Chris S.
This is probably the most solid Mexican spot in all of hampton roads. Forget Guads, Plaza Azteca, ect... Tortilla West offers the flavor of a non-commercial Mexican taste while serving up a modern hipster ambiance. Drinks are evenly blended and complemented by a fair price. I ordered the Big beef Borrito chimichunga and the house side beans. On another occasion I ordered a Cubano sandwich take out that too was 5 star. This is a highly recommended lunch, dinner, night time spot that is Norfolk best kept secret. Highly recommend stopping by.
(5)Ara H.
I miss the taco nights! They need one in nova! Anyone know how to make the red taco sauce?!?!
(5)Jonathan G.
I visited T-West after a dance recital and it was a Latin breath of fresh air after doing some Salsa. We had a large party and the manager came and spoke to us and sat all 11 of us promptly. Our server Ashley was very accommodating and professional. She knew the menu very well and didn't even need to write down a single order. She always kept our waters full. I ordered the Grilled Chicken Fajita and it was absolutely divine. The seasoning was spot on and the guacamole on the side was perfectly acidic. The bar crowd stayed steady on this Saturday night, but thankfully the bar is separated from most of the eating area by so frosted glass partitions. I will definitely be returning. Made the unforgivable mistake of not bringing enough money for a proper tip for her amazing customer service, so my next visit I must request Ashley.
(5)Gen O.
This place is a solid casual place to hang with friends and get a decent bite to eat. I came here with a group of about 10 friends on a Saturday night. It wasn't too busy when we arrived at 6 but was busier when we left around 9. I LOVE seafood so I ordered two oyster tacos and then a duck taco on recommendation from a friend. They weren't anything too fancy-- as I recall, an abundance of oysters crisp and fried to perfection in a warm corn tortilla with cabbage and a cream sauce. The shredded duck which was slathered in a spicy-smoky sauce was also delicious. I've never had a duck taco before but I hope to have more in the future! The chips and salsa served before our meal were pretty good. The chips had some kind of seasoned salt sprinkled on them that I wasn't a huge fan of but the salsa was excellent! Fresh and flavorful but not too spicy to enjoy. I also had a mango margarita. The margarita was probably the strongest one I've ever had and super-super sweet, so it wasn't my favorite. It was so strong I couldn't finish it even over a 3 hr period knowing I had to drive home. I feel like maybe that amount of alcohol was a mistake? I'm used to at least being able to have 2-3 drinks over the course of an evening. The food overall was a solid 3.5 stars. Nothing gourmet but very palatable, full of flavor and filling. What put it over the top was the service. The server was very friendly, stood by our table to answer questions and give recommendations and was very attentive refilling drinks and even adjusting an order or two when needed. He made it feel like we had stopped at a friend's place for dinner, so the whole experience was more enjoyable. I definitely want to come back here, to try more of the variations on tacos which I hadn't seen in many other places. Overall I would recommend this place for solid food, great service, and a laid-back place to get together with friends. Just be careful with the margaritas!
(4)Kirstina C.
I have been wanting to try this place for some time, and I couldn't pass up Taco Tuesday! It is located in the Chelsea area of Norfolk, a place I did not know existed until coming here. I've heard it can get pretty busy, but I came when I got off work at 7pm and was able to get a table for six right away. Of course, we got the chips and salsa, and I had to get the queso dip, which I highly recommend! I've also had the guacamole, and I wish it came in a larger size. I couldn't pass up the tacos, which are delicious even though they're basic. I tried the beef tacos with lettuce, tomatoes, and sour cream. Surprisingly, I thought they were seasoned pretty well. You also have to try the jalapeno mac and cheese! Thankfully, our food didn't take too long. They have good happy hour drink specials. I tried one of their sangrias, which was actually pretty bitter, but do-able. Although this place was busy, I didn't find it overcrowded. I don't know if I'd voluntary come to this place if it wasn't Tuesday, but I was overall pleased with the experience.
(3)Liz C.
I dig this place. Totally unpretentious ... even though it's in Ghent. Tortilla West has a totally chill vibe, and great, fresh food. I love to get a good buzz on (the Prickly Pear Margarita and the Lychee Margarita are fantastic), and indulge in some sizzling fajitas! The first time I went, I got some sandwich with a tomatillo sauce, and wasn't impressed... but I'm so glad I gave it another chance - Tortilla West's food is spot-on -- fresh and tasty every day.
(4)Donnell W.
I moved to ghent from Florida about seven months ago and Tortilla West was one of the first restaurants suggested to me. My first experience there was a taco night. It was very busy and I had to wait just to get a seat at the bar. However the tacos were good (especially for the price 75 cents) and the beer selection is good. It has not become my first choice but I end up coming here often with friends. Overall the wait staff is good except for maybe one snooty server with little patience despite her title of waitress. However I am writing this review for a particular reason, crying waitresses and how they can ruin a meal. A couple of weeks ago we came for dinner on a Saturday night. A cheery red-head greeted us in good spirits told us about the specials. I have had her as a server before and our recognition of each other was mutual. I ordered the huevoes rancheros per her suggestion and a burbon barrel stout. I was there with a group of three others and had what was a unfortunate view of the kitchen. During dinner I saw our server seem to return to the kitchen with nachos. The surfer looking manager then turned to her and yelled and cussed loudly. She immediately turned red and began to cry. I have seen this happen in restaurants before and can not imagine what is so high stress in the food industry that makes managers want to make servers cry. When she did come to the table to ask me how our food was her face was beet red and there were tears in her eyes. Awkward. We made her laugh about how serious people get about food orders and asked her what had happened but gave only a vague description saying she had gotten in trouble. This sort of uncomfortable dining experience has left a bad after taste in my mouth, And despite the decent food I may not be back. So in summary decent food, good beverage selection, and occasional awkward service.
(2)Eric H.
Great little hole in the wall. The margaritas are great. Chips and salsa costs $1.50 but are totally worth it. Fresh chips and chunky good salsa. I've been here a couple of times. The beef in the dishes can be kinda dry and the enchiladas a little lacking in sauce but the quesadillas, burritos, and tacos never disappoint. Service is spot on and the drink menu and execution is great. I'd recommend you make this a regular destination.
(4)Elisa M.
79 cent taco nights on Mon & Tues!? I think HECK yes. This place rocks.
(5)Jeffrey B.
The brunch was pretty good. I got the poached eggs + spinach + ciabatta + hollandaise sauce. It had very few contrasting or dynamic flavors. It was supposed to has goat cheese, but I didn't detect any. Also, they were out of guacamole which was a major ingredient in something like half the brunch offerings. On the plus side, several vegetarian options.
(2)Jonathan v.
This is truly a hidden gem. The mexican style food here is fused with creative modern recipes in a no frills restaurant setting. The restaurant is well hidden in the port/industrial area. The beer selection is really special here as well. Ownership rotates through new ales and flavors just as they do at their other restaurant in town, A.W. Shucks, which is also worth a try.
(5)Scott M.
As a Mexican bar? -- top notch. Multiple tequilas, even the margaritas are made with agave. Seventy different beers. As a Mexican restaurant? -- not so much. In the land of the blind that is the Hampton Roads Mexican scene, the one eyed diner is king. Tortilla West barely makes it over that bar, with a menu that is Mexican "accented" vice being Mexican food. Spinach and Goat Cheese Quesadillas are in the same category as the Gruyere Enchilldas I had in Paris -- there is Mexican in there somewhere, but I will be damned if I know where. So go for the booze, go for the fun, but recognize the food for what it is -- a way to comply with the screwed up Virginia liquor laws while making a pot full of money off a great bar.
(2)Virginia B.
I only gave three stars because it can be a little hit or miss, but when its good, its GOOD. Love the seasoned chips and you can't beat cheap taco night!
(3)Mike U.
The bouncers were reading Nietche, the margaritas were too sweet, and this place is definitely a cougar den...that said, I had fun picking out various beers on tap, shooting some pool and watching some NBA on one of the 3-4 tv's they have in the place. The clientele here is a mix, I don't think it's an attractive mix, but it's a mix. I give it 3 stars for the MILF with the fake boobs who gave me free samples of their beer and...well, I guess that's about it.
(3)H P.
I normally love Tortilla West but last weekend was pretty disappointing. A sickening sweet margarita when they're normally tangy. My food was yuck too. I had snapper soft tacos. The fish was gamey - bleck. My husband's food was much better but I couldn't believe how bad mine was. I'm not writing this place off because it's usually great. Just disappointed.
(2)Gayle G.
From the owners of A.W. Shucks, comes Tortilla West, a brand new little restaurant and bar down by the docks in West Ghent. It just opened on Wednesday night and when we arrived at 11 p.m. last night the place was about 3/4 full. It's a Mexican restaurant cum cantina. There wasn't much eating going on when we arrived and the front section of tables were empty, but the bar area and the back room with a few tables, lounge area and pool tables was packed and getting smokier by the minute. We checked out the menu, but didn't eat. It's standard Mexican fare with reasonable prices. About $7 to $12 for entrees. $3.5 for various dips and chips. We did end up with the chorizo and cheese dip about midnight and I was super unimpressed with it, but the other 10 people at the table were loving it. I just moved to Norfolk from Phoenix, so my barometer for Mexican food is a little higher than most. Drinks were reasonable $6 cocktails and beers from $2.50 to $6-7 for imports and fancy domestics. They had 13 beers from Latin & Central America, which was pretty cool. I think they're still working out the kinks, but I'll try it again. Just like A.W. Shucks, they serve food until 1:30 a.m., which is a nice bonus.
(3)PK A.
Great bar, decent food, lots of fun. It's located right next to the shipyards, and the building exterior looks ridiculous, but it's worth it. The back room can be reserved for (excellent) parties.
(4)Rob G.
It's hard to find better Tex Mex at TW's prices. The fajitas for 1 are perfect to share and the happy hour is killer. Beer list is impressive, with many available in the can, which speaks to the laid back atmosphere you'll find here. Don't let the out of the way location frighten you, the food, service, and beverages will leave you happy!
(4)Michael B.
Really not feeling Tortilla West, but wanted to try it a few times before I made a review. The first time, the black beans on both of our plates smelled like garbage, inedible. Guacamole was a tarnished brown color, and for six dollars, I was very dissapointed. Vegan options are some disgusting sounding chicken substitutes and vegetables that are not found anywhere else on the menu and which are thus - not fresh. (2x) There are two pool tables (good) and there is only one side from which there is an awkward shot (better than cogans but worse than new belmont). If you are wandering around the Elizabeth River Trail and are in need of some expensive and mediocre snacks then this is your place.
(2)H Y.
Went on a recommendation. Not impressed with the location/decor... there's almost no parking and it actually has a funny smell because it's just an old, damp cement building. But I kept an open mind and checked out the menu. Many entrees come with your choice of sides... as long as your choice is one of their choices, I found. Lame. Ordered chicken tacos, which tasted pretty good going down. After spending the entire next morning in the bathroom, I won't be going back to Tortilla West.
(1)A M.
Been here twice. Normally I would not write a review, but I found the other 3 not be what I discovered about Tortilla West. Found service to be good--not pushy, not nosy....on top of things! :) Both times I went to Tortilla West were Friday--busy in all aspects...tables, bar, pool tables. Food and service were wonderful. I enjoyed both times here. Definitely different than many of the places in Ghent/Norfolk so most enjoyable!
(4)john D.
If my stomach would allow, I would eat here every day. I have never had a bad meal and always leave satisfied and stuffed. Mahi tacos are great, and the shrimp burrito is a favorite. They offer Chik-ette, which is a vegan-friendly alternative. Service is good, and its fairly child-friendly.
(4)Chantelle L.
Food was Ok. In our table of five, everyone said it was mediocre. Nachos BIG yes, flavor not worth the $15.00 almost $20 with tax. I wouldn't come eat here again, then again I'm a California girl who has access to the best Mexican food around. They call this TeX-Mex but it wasn't anything if ever crave I might be better off making my own version of TexMex. Service, even worse. The waitress brought the beers and they were all mixed up. Does she even know the different beers, absolutely not. Staff isn't knowledgable was really excited to eat here but won't be returning. The layout of the restaurant is super weird. Bathrooms were not clean and for a not so busy Sunday, servers ought to try just a little bit more.
(2)Rosalind B.
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars. However, Tortilla West is comparable to Chili's, but much, much more fun. The fun factor bumps it up a notch, for me. The bartenders are nice, chatty, and personable. They know the regulars by name. They mix strong drinks that are tasty and go down easy. The bathroom was clean. And, there's a separate room that's as big as the dining/bar area, that houses pool tables and a TV (or, two?). I wasn't crazy about the food and the hot sauce isn't really hot. But, I wasn't disappointed, either. For here, it seems that the food is secondary to the beers, atmosphere, and mixed drinks (in that order). And, on those 3 factors, TW does a better-than-good job. This is the kind of place where you can come as you are. Most people were dressed casually, but I saw people in suits. Look in any direction (even behind the bar) and people are talking, laughing, and having a good time. It's just really good at being a "feel good" type of place. They do Taco specials on Monday's and Tuesday's. If you're feeling extra youthful, Ask ABC Manager Anthony for a "Fruity." It's as if Tequila Sunrise & Long Island Iced Tea had a baby. And the baby acted like the mailman. ;)
(4)Alex D.
Been going to this place for years, and I'll admit, I love it. Yes, for those who don't understand how restaurants work, the staff can get busy from time to time, slowing the service a bit. But there's a reason that place gets so packed, and it's because the food is pretty awesome! Taco Night on Mon/Tues is great, and for 85 cents, the tacos are pretty damn good. If you're looking for gourmet 85 cent tacos, you're not going to find it....anywhere. Take it for what it is. The brunch there is tasty, I love the mimosas and the eggs benedict. I ate dinner there just the other night, and got the Mexican Dip sandwich with chicken, which was absolutely delicious. The chicken was juicy and flavorful with a little kick to it. I already want to go back and get it again because YES, Y'ALL. They don't have mexican beers anymore (I know, GASP), but seriously, who cares? They have a TON of beer and liquor options and the bartenders have always been friendly, even when super busy. Just like with any place --be cool, respect the staff, and tip, and they'll be cool to you. Funny how that works, huh? If you're looking for vegan options, they have that too. Apparently that's a big thing in Ghent, so vegan on, party people. I love this place and see you guys soon! Keep on doin' you, T West.
(4)Dennis C.
After an absence of over five years from this restaurant, I decided to walk here last Monday evening from my Ghent apartment. It was a beautiful and scenic walk that took me down Colley Avenue and then to Redgate Avenue, before coming to a brief stop on Hampton Boulevard due to its heavy traffic. After crossing Hampton Boulevard, I continued to trek upward on Redgate Avenue and hung a left on Orapax Avenue. Along the way, I saw the new Torch Bistro for the very first time, where a lively crowd outside was playing cornhole. Two very attractive girls standing outside the front entrance asked me to take a picture of them together with their cell phone camera, and I was very happy to oblige. A few minutes later I entered Tortilla West and took a seat at the bar, just as I did when I was a regular years ago. I was curious about their 85 cent tacos, which are available on Mondays and Tuesdays. I ordered a couple of them as an appetizer, and my server asked me if I wanted them hard or soft. This was an unexpected surprise, as I figured they just served them all hard. I ordered mine soft. I wasn't expecting much for 85 cents. As it turned out, they turned out better than expected. My tacos were served with two large and delightfully warm flour tortillas.They were filled with spicy ground beef with finely shredded lettuce and cheese on the side. A six-pack carton of various hot sauces was placed on the bar counter in front of me. Although they were not premium quality tacos, they weren't bad for the price. To my surprise, they actually filled me up. I really didn't need to eat anything more, but it was too late. I had already placed my order for my entree from their main menu. From the Specialties section of their menu, I ordered the following: ANCHO MOLE CHICKEN: "Fresh breaded chicken breast with an ancho mole sauce. Served with garlic spinach and redskin mashed potatoes." Damn, this was good! The chicken was temder and delicious with just the right amount of breading. The fresh garlic spinach and the redskin mashed potatoes were cooked to perfection and were very flavorful as well. This dish was held together beautifully with their ancho mole sauce, which proved to be profoundly delicious and combined well with the other ingredients. The sauce imparted a deep and spicy flavor profile with its ancho and mole notes, packing an invigorating heat level that made my hot tooth sing without having to add any of the other sauces. Having already reached a state of fullness from the two tacos, I ate half of it and took the rest home for breakfast the next day. Overall, I would rate the flavor profile of this dish to be more satisfying than a mole dish I recently had at a well known Mexican restaurant located in the Ocean View section of Norfolk. For liquid refreshment, I enjoyed two wonderful martinis, prepared with one of my new favorite gins they had in stock. I am referring to Tuthilltown Half Moon Orchard Wheat and Apple Gin. This is a new American craft style gin with a very unique taste profile, made with a blend of 80% wheat and 20% apples. This is a very smooth and refreshing gin, one which makes an excellent choice for a martini. I might add that my very skillful bartender did not freak out when I asked for them to be prepared stirred instead of shaken, which happens all too often elsewhere. She made them exceptionally well and delightfully strong. Overall, I had a great time here during my visit. I've been neglecting this place for far too long, This was a very solid 4-star experience.
(4)J David H.
I must say, if you want a fabulous tour guide of Ghent James R. is YOUR MAN! This was the third stop of an extended UYE event. I had no idea what to expect since I had never read a review, or looked at a pic. What I had seen are a lot of yelp checks. So when rolling into the area at around 10 PM I was quite shocked to find the joint smack in the middle of a residential area which did seem strange. But hey, this is the glorious eclectic area known as Ghent. The Birch Bar is in the same building. Parking is only off street that I know of and worked out fine. For the time period just after Christmas I was surprised to see a roaring crowd. No tables were immediately available, but the sweet hostess took our name and we squeezed into two seats at the bar. James said the tortilla's are the best and of course washed down with an ice cold O'Connor El Guapo on tap. I loved the industrial feel of the place which seems so evoke a Ghent vibe. The waitress took our orders quickly, got out a plate of chips quickly and left us alone which was perfect. I needed to dig down deeper into the real James R a complicated man for sure (-: I thought the salsa and chips were above average especially the tortilla's. The salsa was a hit for me because it was much more on the mild side, but full of flavor. Liked the feel of the young hip crowd engulfed around me at the bar. Just in front of the bar was table seating and another larger room at the majority of seats. It's an open floor plan so you can see pretty much the whole place. It was busy, but you could converse without yelling...that is a win in my book. The hostess came over around 10 minutes later to seat at a table, but we were enjoying the bar atmosphere and stay planted firmly in our stools. After a nice hour conversation dissecting James R. It was time to depart the Cantina after 11 PM. A line had now formed out the door, who would have thought. Love to come back soon and dig into their menu.
(4)Vanessa G.
I ate here for the first time last night. Upon walking in, the environment is pretty blah. and the waitstaff is about the same. The table we sat in was so wobbly I was about to get sea sick. However my margarita was more than decent and my Chili Lime Flank Steak was a little bit on the bland side, but I could taste some of the flavor in it which was pretty good. It was cooked well, so I couldn't really complain. I'd come here again with friends, but I won't be in a rush ;)
(3)Joe D.
Had a great visit here recently. We had a party of 6, 3 couples, and they gave us one of the big booths in the back room. The place was packed however our server really took care of us and kept the food and drinks coming throughout the visit. In fact I'll say it's probably the best service I've had here in quite some time. The meals were to numerous to cover them all however everything was delicious and perfectly prepared.
(4)Jonathan C.
I've only been on Mondays and Tuesdays for 85 cent taco night but it's definitely one of ghent's food staples. I go almost every week and it's well worth it.
(4)Brie F.
Wow. Talk about bad luck. Must be, because I've heard great things about this place, but i will not be coming back. My companions said the burritos had no flavor. 2 of us who had nachos were just a pile of burnt chips and everything was cold. Okay so 1 person had their food taken back because it was inedible. It took so long for the new entree to come out, she had to get it to go because everyone was finished. The service - rude, rude, rude. L The server even argued with us when we asked to see a manager. Well, when the manager came over, we can see why. He gave zero f***s about us, too. So, below average food and dispicable customer service. Also: Over priced food Charged for chips and salsa Asked for the fans in the back to be turned on and got the "I'll ask the bar tender" line. No fans turned on. There was 1 other table back there with us. Its 80 degrees. And the server didn't bother to come back to just say oh sorry, he can't turn them in or anything. We were just ignored. Doesnt matter now. We had this terrible experience and paid our bill and left with our dinner companions still there arguing with the manager.
(1)Paul T.
Literally the second closest place to my apartment to eat. I absolutely NEVER go and my friends invite me all the time. This shit is gross and overrun by WWII GI haircuts. My jeans are not tight enough to be there. they will lend you flannel though, if you aren't in dress code. Beyond all that, the food is the most midwestern, "never actually eaten real Mexican" food you will ever encounter. (I count Taco Bell as American food) Honestly, I would probably rather have Taco Bell. You can't have tortilla in your name and then give me multi-colored chips... WHAT IS THIS??? you also can't have tortilla in your name and not provide a single, reasonable hot sauce. Hot sauce would rectify so many of their mistakes too. Synopsis: one of a few places I actually try to avoid. -atmosphere sucks -food sucks -if Sufjan Stevens is the best musician you can think of, this place is your mecca.
(1)Chris S.
This place has some pretty tasty vegan options: the chick'n chorizo is possibly the best vegan-mexican filling around, and is really tasty on a plate of nachos with the great house-made chips. The white bean and spinach quesadilla is a solid option, though is lacking a bit in the flavor and texture department. It's pretty much just a hummus wrap that's prepared like a quesadilla. Order it with some of the chorizo and/or grilled vegetables and then you're talking. They also have a great beer selection, with some really tasty options on draft that rotate pretty frequently. It's a great place to grab a drink and some snacks, maybe shoot some pool, or sit down for some grub. That said, there could definitely be some improvements, especially from a vegan-perspective. So many restaurants nearby offer more vegan options (Pelons, Pancho N'Luigi, Cogan's, to name a few), which makes this place a little less appealing. Just some vegan cheese and sour cream would bring this place up to an awesome level and make it so much more appealing. The service can also be a little slow at times- given, it does get busy, but we have been forgotten almost entirely on multiple occasions. Still like this place, and will be back, but I hop they can keep trying to improve so they don't lose their vegan clientele.
(4)Mark D.
Although I have read and heard a lot of good about Tortilla West I found it to be a solid 3 Star restaurant and a 4 Star bar. However this evaluation is more on the restaurant side than the bar. Location: This place is right outside the piers / loading docks on the Elizabeth River. Not the nicest looking area but not a bad one either. It just makes it a little hard to find and parking can be a bear because there's no specified lot. That said it's location works great for an after work hangout and the wide selection of both liquor and beer coupled with the 95 cent Mon-Tue taco nights certainly lend to that crowd. Ambiance: Definitely a bar feel...Not sure what the cinderblock building was before it became a restaurant/bar but they've done a good job giving it a good vibe without spending a lot of money. Self made wood benches and small tables with individual chairs fill the front and part of the back giving a good amount of seating a the ability to create a space for crowds of 10 or more to eat together. Service: We had a little wait for our table but it gave me time to look at the wide range of liquor and beer. When we were seated our table was freshly wiped down and our server was polite. Not the best with helping us decide on a dish and slow with service but was pleasant none the less. Bar: Great choices of liquor and beer. Good tender and great place to talk with friends. Give the bar side of this place 5 Stars. But don't go here looking for the Foo Foo drinks this is a blue collar bar with wide range of choices for the working class, loved it. Food: The Tortilla Chips looked like typical bag tortilla chips spiced up with chili powder and other seasoning before being placed in an over for quick bake...but not sure...they may be homemade? Still they tasted good and salsa was very good. I particularly liked it because it was chunky and my wife enjoyed the smokey flavor it had as well. Appetizer: Keeping it basic we ordered the Grilled Corn and Chorizo Sausage and Cheese dip. The corn was awesome and definitely tasted as if I was eating Mexican Street Corn (on the cob), bringing back some good NM memories. The cheese dip was good but seemed to be more of a hybrid velveta with chopped up chorizo inside. Meal: I gave the Jalapeño Crab Cakes. It sounded different and hey we're in a seafood town near the docks, right? The rice was dry and cold with little to no flavoring, just bad. The crab cakes were slightly dry as well but filled with good chunks of crab and not to much filler made them a good choice but not a great one. I asked our server for some of jalapeño tater sauce because of the dryness and it really helped bring it to life. Something they should consider serving with the dish along with a serving of cocktail sauce. The spinach that came with the dish seemed out of place but it was good. Nothing special. My wife had the Chipolte Steak Cesar Salad. It was good but again the meat was a little dry. Everything just tasted overly heat lamp'd changing the flavor of the food from tasty to dry. Perhaps it's not a chef issue but serving on getting the food out on time? Desert: They only had a couple of items so we skipped it. Cleanliness: Good nothing to be worried about with health code violations and right in line with what you'd find in bar type restaurant, which is more of what Tortilla West is. Overall: This is a great place to meet friends and share stories with drinks. If I were rating it as a gathering hole I'd give it higher marks but as a restaurant it's a Solid 3 Stars.
(3)Shalimar L.
If it wasn't for the good service, my rating would be 2 stars. The food was average, shredded chicken and rice were both very dry. The walls lacked in art and the atmosphere was as bland as the food itself. Not one to give low ratings but, the quality as taste of the food really need improvement. Will definitely give this place another try and hope for a better experience next time.
(3)Crystal P.
Went here with the bf for $.85 tacos on taco Tuesday and they were delicious! I also ordered the queso with chorizo and was very impressed. Best queso I have ever had. Highly recommend!
(5)Ashlea L.
My friends & I have been coming for .75 taco nights for awhile now & it never disappoints. Who can beat that deal? We usually grab a drink by the bar while we wait for our table, and yes for .75 tacos you can expect a wait, but it's never that bad. They have a huge beer list & yummy margaritas. I usually stick to a $3.50 Tecate tall boy, it's tradition for me. My group always goes for the black bean tacos, so yummy. We usually do a few more add ons & one of my friends swears by the their Mexican pizza. Another pal ordered a 1/2 order of their chicken nachos & they looked amazing. Definitely looked like a large order. I went with the fire roasted corn with lime butter last time & it was soooo delicious. However, it is a whole corn cob & I think I was getting some judgement of eating it by some of the cool kids at the bar :-p Definitely the place to be in Ghent on Mondays & Tuesdays.
(3)Mike F.
Kinda sucked I could be too greedy wanting 85 cent tacos to be mind blowing. Really over hyped and expensive plus you have to pay for chips.
(3)Jaimie H.
I went once for taco Tuesday and thought that the tacos were absolutely miserable. I think that an 8th grader could have assembled a more interesting taco with their eyes closed. In fact, I thought that they were almost borderline gross. Yes, I lived in San Diego for a year and have eaten some legendarily good tacos but this was simply embarrassing that they were even selling these. I guess that's why they were so cheap? All around weird. I don't understand the hype. In San Diego "taco Tuesday" meant delicious tasty morsels of Cali-Mex heaven with tasty margaritas, here at Tortilla West I felt like I stumbled upon a strange fundraiser run by children who made the tacos themselves. But I digress..
(1)Rachel P.
I can see why my friend said that people get lost trying to find this place - it is in an industrial area, strangely. However, it's a great gem! I liked the atmosphere, and how the walls were painted with subtle flames. The service was good. We came for brunch and I got the veggie frittata. It was delicious, though they were out of guacamole. Both the grits and the potatoes were really yummy. It's vegetarian friendly. I would love to come back and get a giant mountain of nachos, or cheap tacos on Mondays and Tuesdays. Worth a visit!
(4)Kerrie W.
Tortilla West, or more affectionately known as TWest by some of the locals, is definitely a favorite Ghent hot spot. Buried deep in West Ghent next to Birch Bar and down the street from Orapax, they offer a large drink selection and tasty Tex Mex. Everyone raves about their tacos, particularly the Monday and Tuesday special they have on them. But if you are to order any dish on the menu, I highly recommend the pulled pork nachos. The plate is served piled high with fresh tortilla chips, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, a meat of your choice, jalapenos, gooey cheese, sour cream, and guacamole. It is more than enough to share as a meal between two people. I also recommend their quesadillas, which are still tasty heated up as leftovers the next day. Their drink selection is one of the main reasons why I keep going back. They offer several specialty craft beers in bottle and on draft that are reasonably priced, as well as a slew of mixed cocktails. My favorite is the house Margarita. They are so tasty I have chugged them on numerous occasions. They usually play an eclectic mix of music, including indie, old school hip hop, and 80s. They have two pool tables and a pinball machine in their back room which serves as more of the hangout spot of the establishment. There are two reasons why I only give it four stars. For starters, they only have three toilets in the entire place: a single mens and womens in the front room and a single coed in the back room. When you are there mainly to drink, this can become a problem once you need to break the seal, so to speak. Additionally, their customer service is not consistent. Their waitstaff is nothing but friendly, and Becca will give you drink recommendations. But their hostesses are miserable. I have been snapped at during several different visits and treated like I was an inconvenience. Luckily, that attitude ends at the front door. Definitely a spot I would recommend to most anyone.
(4)Christopher Miguel B.
Great place to eat. Especially on monday and tuesday with their 80 cent tacos. Great service too. Unfortunately it can get crowded later in the day. To use your credit card there is a $8.00 minimum.
(4)Helen S.
I love this place! My fiance enjoys the 85-cent tacos on Monday and Tuesday because ot reminds him of how his mom used to prepare tacos in L.A. I love the classic margaritas and the big burritos! It's got a relaxed and divey atmosphere, but the food is yummy and not pretentious.
(5)Mafalda L.
Monday is the day to go!! 75 cent tacos - beef, beans, soft, hard.. Doesn't matter! And they are yummy!!
(4)A M.
Awesome food, good beer. Sometime seating and the wait can be an issue. Taco night is cool but the taco selection is limited. However, their whole menu is packed full of really great choices. No joke, the grilled cheese is amazing. I know, a place called tortilla west, serving grilled cheese, but I tried it and loved it. Tortilla West is a great restaurant, with some really good food, and a cool atmosphere.
(4)