Cinco De Mayo Tacqueria Y Tortilleria

Take home message: Hole in the wall Mexican food.
Primary language of staff is Spanish which made ordering with my high school Spanish interesting.
Ordered take-​out: burrito al pastor and 3 chicken tacos and a side of guacamole. Definitely legit Mexican food. However, guacamole is blended and not traditional guacamole found at supermarkets and it’s spicy. All/​most food comes with small portion of guacamole too.
If can’t speak Spanish over the phone I’d recommend ordering takeout in person to avoid confusion.

Ugh, authentic tacos. My weakness. Despite the language barrier, you can get a damn good meal here for under $ 10. The pupusas are also worth every penny.

Ordered tacos de carne asada, pollo asada, lengua (tongue), pastor, and a tamale de rajas, which is a shredded chicken tamale. Everything was made to order and the tacos were STUFFED, which they probably should be for 3 bucks a piece. All of it was delicious, although the chicken was a bit dry — probably wouldn’t order that one again.
The carne asada was shredded and well seasoned to keep you coming back. The lengua was in a small dice and nicely chewy/​meaty/​soft, although it could have benefited from some treatment (tomatoes and onions?) — it was left as a blank canvas for the two salsas served on the side. The tamale was stupid good — held together with what tasted like chicken fat or chicken stock, it wasn’t dry at all!
Definitely my new go-​to taco joint, although it helps to speak Spanish if you want to ask any questions about the menu. Only about 5 stools in the place, so take your tacos to the park!

Years ago, I was at my favorite Mexican restaurant in Rosedale and was talking with the owner as I finished my lunch. I mentioned that I was looking for tomaillos, mole paste, avocados, etc. and he sent me to Mercado Cinco de Mayo. It was everything he’d said it would be and is my go to spot before making any Central or South American food. On my way out of the place after my first visit, I noticed a taqueria bearing the same name right across the street and decided to try it. I’d tried other taquerias in Baltimore and none were quite right. This place is, without a doubt, my favorite taqueria in Baltimore. Everyone I’ve sent there has loved it as well. Whether I get lengua, al pastor, chorizo, carnitas, etc., it’s always great. The marinated cactus, charred onions, radishes, and salsa that come on the side of the tacos are just phenomenal. This is also the place to get tortillas if you’re making food at home.
With that said, when my friend told me to go there, he also warned me that they may try to overcharge me for things here and there. Over the years, I’ve checked my receipts and there have been a few discrepancies but nothing major. Since their prices are already better than most other places (I just got 5 limes for $ 1 in the middle of winter and have gotten as good as 16 for $ 1 in the summer months), I’ve always let it slide. However, I finally got my reason to argue tonight. My wife, two sons, and I went down to the grocery store to pick up a few things for Christmas Eve dinner and then went across he street for tacos. We ordered 8 tacos (3 chorizo, 1 lengua, 2 al pastor, and 2 salted beef) and a package of tortillas. The woman at the register rang up our tacos, which came to $ 20 something. Then, she tells my wife that she forgot to ring up the tortillas and starts pushing buttons on the register. The total jumps to over $ 60. This was obviously a mistake. The price of a package of tortillas did not increase from $ 3 to ~$ 40 in the month since we were there last. My wife suggested to the woman that she may have multiplied the total by 3 instead of adding $ 3 to it. To my amazement, she insisted that the total was correct. They discussed this for far too long. There was another woman working who noticed them talking. She came over and fixed the problem right away. Was this an honest mistake? I guess it’s possible but, because the amount we were overcharged was actually more than the total once the problem was sorted out, it’s hard to believe it was a mistake.
Still, this place is soooooo good that I’ve only taken 1 star off. This would have been a 5 star review otherwise. I’ll still encourage people to go here but will definitely be suggesting that they check their receipts as well.

Highlandtown is quietly becoming a destination for ethnic foods. Al Pastor Burrito… YES PLEASE! I usually order takeout as there are only 5 seats. Eat until your hearts content… it will probably still be under $ 10. If you find your self in Highlandtown and are looking for a quick bite, this is a contender. Can’t wait to go back and try the Horchata.

First, it took a while to find this restaurant. If you turn right on Highland Ave from Eastern Ave, you will see Cinco De Mayo grocery store on your right. The take-​out restaurant is located across the street. It is relatively small and I could smell wonderful spices as soon as I entered the restaurant. I got El Pastor Burrito based on their English menu. The rice and meat in the burrito had really good flavor in addition to delicious chucks of cheese instead of shredded one. I will definitely try again for other items on the menu.

Food is fresh & delicious! ⁴⁄₅ only because there’s almost no seating but other than that it was great!

Wow! This place is a hole in the wall. The food is now lacking. When you pay $ 8 for a burrito it should be filled with meat. My burrito was mostly lettuce and rice barely sprinkled with meat. Not to mention they tried to over charge me then pretend no one speaks English. I’m officially done with this place

Ordered Al Pastor Burrito. Watched them cook the pork in a frying pan, cut the veggies, and wrap the burrito by hand. Very fresh and amazing flavor in the pork.
Point to what you want and they make it. Easy as that. Excellent neighborhood find.

This place is a small authentic Mexican take out place. The tacos are the best I have had in the city, tons of different meat choices and they are amazing! The workers did not speak any English but they had menus that were in English so all you have to do is point if you don’t speak Spanish. I will definitely be returning here, food was amazing and authentic and the price was great. I had the Chirizo taco, which is the best thing I have had in a while. Also had a tostada, very good as well.

Do you want authentic tasting made-​to-​order Tacos and Mexican platters made by people who know exactly what authentic tastes like? And how about at a budget price that rivals most fast food joints? Add choices of sodas and soft drinks that you might see in the home land?
THEN THIS IS THE PLACE!
This is a true hole-​in-​the-​wall place that if you literally blink, you will miss it. There isn’t a big dining area, so don’t be expecting to go with a party of five for dinner here. Only bar-​style seating around a sandwich ledge.
They also churn out tortillas for local markets.
If you like Mexican… I don’t like to give five-​stars unless its something that I rave as must-​see.