Gonza Tacos y Tequila

Always great food and service! You can go wrong with the callo de hacha or camarones tacos! The guacamole is great too!

Try the tamales!!! We went for the tamales (apparently they are a special that Gonza only serves on Thursdays). The wait staff was wonderful, the atmosphere is really cool, their margaritas were very good, and last but not least, the food was AMAZING. This is one of the best places to eat in Raleigh.

I had the chicken quesadilla and it was pretty good! The hot chips and queso were even better. Our waiter kept our drinks filled too. The only downside was the margarita. I ordered passion fruit and it was way too sweet. I tried my friend’s regular margarita and didn’t like that either. I’m a margarita connoisseur so I was a bit disappointed about that. But everything else was fantastic!

This place has great abidance and food. Unlike many cheap mexican restaurants this place you can taste that the food is fresh! The servers are very knowledgeable about the menu and have always been helpful in making decisions.
I will mention that the tacos are smaller street style tacos and some guys that we have been with have made the comment that its ‘not enough’ food but I have never left there hungry.

Hands down my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. It is always good. The burrito el guapo is amazing as are the tacos! Even the kids meal comes with a small ice cream treat. We always have great service. Love this place!

I really enjoyed Gonza Tacos y Tequila when I went on a busy Thursday night. The place was packed, but we were seated immediately since we were a party of two. We started off with the free chips and salsa and also ordered some guacamole. The chips were warm, the salsa tasted fresh and had a little spice to it, definitely not mild. The guacamole was also very green and fresh, tasted like you’d expect fresh guac to taste.
For my entrée, I had the Mexican flag, which is three enchiladas consisting of one chicken, one bean and cheese, and one steak, covered with three different sauces to resemble the Mexican flag. The corn tortilla was really good, had a lot of corn flavor and was great to eat. The chicken covered in fresh green tomatillo sauce was good. The tomatillo sauce was really fresh and brought all of the flavor. The bean and cheese was surprisingly the most flavorful. The white cheese sauce on top was sweet and a little creamy, but not over the top. It complemented the beans and cheese very well, and was definitely some cheesy goodness. I definitely enjoyed the steak much more than the chicken. It was super tender, charred from the grill, and really tasty when eaten with the orange sauce on top. Although the portion size was a little small, it was enough to fill me up along with the chips and salsa.
Overall, I had a great meal at Gonza. You can definitely taste the great quality ingredients they put into their food, and although it might be a touch pricier than your typical Mexican restaurant, it’s well worth the it for the amount of flavor and quality you get in each bite.

If you’re looking for a restaurant with a fun atmosphere, look no further! Not only is Gonza fully and vibrantly decorated inside the restaurant, but they take the fun décor to their patio too. It is a great place for a fun date night or for just going out with friends. I could definitely see myself having a girls night, complete with margaritas here.
And the food is great too! Since we were starving, we ordered their guacamole to go along with our chips and salsa. The guacamole was reallyyy fresh and delicious. I knew I had a big dinner coming, but I couldn’t stop eating it. And then I ordered the Chilaquiles Verdes for my entrée. It was a HUGE bowl full of chicken and corn tortillas in an awesome tomatillo sauce. I loved the fresh avocado on top too. I would order this again if I didn’t have so many other things on the menu I want to try. But I think you are definitely getting the bang for your buck with this dish.
The service was super fast. I think since they are normally really busy, they know how to turn over tables quickly because our food came out before we could even finish our chips and guac.
It has certainly been way too long since I’ve paid a visit to Gonza. Next time I won’t take so long to return.

Don’t go on Cinco de Mayo. Apparently, they have a limited food menu that consists of tacos, tacos and more tacos. Their tacos are highly overpriced and quite frankly, I could’ve gotten the same food at Taco Bell. Their drink menus are also limited to margaritas and tequila shots.
Maybe I’ll go back on a non «Mexican» holiday and see what they really have to offer cause if $ 14 tacos and margaritas are it, well hell, they’re in a strip mall. Dime a dozen.

Mexican food is what I live for. I found the way to my heart the second I stepped into gonzas ! I absolutely love the food, atmosphere, and staff. I have never had fresher salsa. Recently I moved out of Raleigh but every time I’m in the area (not kidding) I go to gonzas! Favorite dishes: Mexican flag, tacos are good but small, and ABSOLUTE FAVORITE is chilequeles verde: avocado, chicken, soft tortilla, cheese sauce warm and almost like soup like. I ask for no red onions (they seem to throw it off) if your looking for a good time head there or one of their other two locations! The Margs aren’t too bad either ! Nice and strong but good !!

Just okay, especially for the price (expensive). The tinga and short rib tacos are good. Just good. Not impressive. The chicken tortilla soup, though… that is definitely out of this world! Might be back, when I’m willing to splurge on ‘okay’ tacos. I would rather go all the way to Durham, Greensboro (camino real) or Winston-​Salem (el rancho tacqueria) for supremely delicious tacos.

ZOMG. I’ve spend a large portion of my life looking for chicken with mole sauce that didn’t make me want to dry heave. I’ve tried mole at SEVENTEEN other restaurants and it’s always been disgusting. A great friend of mine told me that delicious mole exists. Shoot, our waiter (who was AWESOME) promised me that if I didn’t love it, it was on him. Seriously? I kept the faith, and I was rewarded. The Mole Gods have smiled upon me at last.
The chicken mole here is slap yo Momma good. I now dream of chicken mole. But only from Gonza! Drinks are tasty and strong too. Their sign is teeny weeny and they’re in a strip mall. Don’t let that deter you. The food is freaking amazing. The service is equally good. You can’t go wrong here. It just might be the best authentic Mexican food in Raleigh.

I’ve lived in Mexico and Phoenix, so I can claim a fairly high level of knowledge about Mexican food. This place hits the right marks on that score. If I were commenting on just the food, I’d give it four stars abd would look forward to repeat visits.
However, the noise level is ridiculous. Even at lunch and in the bathrooms, they hafe cranked up the music so loud that placing an order becomes a chore. The word «What?» is repeated at least once with every order placed. Forget about table conversation — it’s impossible.
I was also annoyed by the policy of charging for hot sauce. Just bring me the bottle of hot sauce that I requested rather than your $ 2 plastic cup of homemade habanero sauce that is too hot to eat.
Too bad because the food was good, but my Mexican restaurant of choice in the Triangle remains Dos Taquitos.

I really wanted to love it, I promise.
I was so excited based on other reviews and the proximity to both my office and a beer shop. I tried Gonza for lunch last week and it was OK. It just didn’t meet the hype. Upon walking in, I expected something completely different: there was a HUGE covered patio as part of the entrance (I went through like 3 sets of doors, the last of which had «Enter at your own risk» or some such nonsense painted on it). The music was loud, the décor was funky, the staff was laidback and significantly non-​Hispanic. I thought maybe I’d be getting some fusion style new Mexican food, or something different, but when I got back to work I discovered… pretty much the same quesadilla, beans, and guacamole that I could get at any place with «El» or «La» in front of the building.
Don’t get me wrong, it was fine. I was just expecting a little… more. More special? More flavorful? More unique? I don’t know. But Gonza didn’t meet those expectations. I might try it again and get something else, or I might just give the local place right next to my office a try.

Sehr nette Mexikaner. Nette Ambiance. Preis-​Leistung in Ordnung
Ambiance sehr stylisch mit Mexikanische Ringkaempfer Logos und Zuckerschaedel. Also hier kann Mann n Casual Date auf jeden Fall machen.
Essen ist definitiv besser als durchschnittlich Mexikaner und die Speisekarte ist schlicht und ergreifend interresanter. Eine kleine Minuspunkt fuer mich waren die Margaritas ein bizl schwach, Aber wir kommen definitiv wieder.

Solid four my burrito was very good not a plantain fan and nothing about this changed my mind but put some salsa on the burrito and wow great
chips and salsa very good great taste add that to guac and very good taste
Mahi tacos were great lots of flavor
Drinks very typical of the area light pour got doubles and they were light Oh well
Sat at the bar nice people but felt rushed Over all very good we will certainly be back

Fajitas are delicious, margaritas are sweet and tasty! Make sure to have a reservation on the weekends, this place is popular and for good reason! Looking to go back soon and try something different. My friends ordered the quesadilla and it looked great!

Had a chance to eat here for the second time recently. It took longer to find a park than to get a table. There are other eateries and a Food Lion all in the same strip center so we almost gave up. The food is more authentic than the order by number places. The tacos resemble exactly how we got them at a roadside stand in Mexico-​flat, small, round and served open. Prices are about 10 bucks, but choices come only with one side. For the money, next time I’ll try the quesadilla or the fajitas, both of those portions were more substantial than the tacos 3 of us got.

My team at Fusion Dental took me here for a surprise dinner– it was so close by and we had a great time. The food and service were excellent and I can’t wait to go back :)

It’s in a bit of a dump of a shopping plaza, which made us skeptical, but we gave it a shot. VERY glad we did, because this is easily a new favorite for us. The food is fantastic. We got a chicken quesadilla and a burrito, both were some of the best Mexican we’ve ever had. Really great atmosphere; very fun place to eat. It fills up fast, so come early or be prepared to wait.
Heads up: it’s noisy, which is not a complaint, but if you’re looking for a quiet dinner, this isn’t it.

A corporate dinner brought me to Ganza. Although I’d heard great things about their margaritas, it wasn’t an appropriate occasion for anything stronger than beer. The size of the party made it a little difficult to figure out who was a server and who wasn’t, however the wait staff was friendly. Th buffet-​style chicken and beef taco service was surprisingly fast and the food was absolutely fantastic! I’m looking forward to future visits; this could be the best Mexican restaurant in the triangle.

Not Hipster enough to be greeted.
This place is beyond lame! The «hostess» allowed me to stand in front of her for AT LEAST 2 full minutes without looking up. I went to the restroom, returned and only lasted 30 seconds before whispering, «Excuse me.» She waited a couple of seconds then blankly looked up at me.
«We’re closed, we open at 5:00.»
It was 4:57!!!
No more of this trendy, inauthentic Latino fusion joint for me.

Have been to Gonza once a week for the past few weeks. The tacos are fantastic and I appreciate the way they lightly toast the corn tortillas, the juices don’t break the tortilla like in many places that serve soft corn tortillas.
I will continue to eat here because they care about their customers, which is a huge factor for me. If you mess up, no issue, just make it right. So far, these guys have been spot on! Gonza rocks!

I have been dying to go to Gonza forever. I don’t know what took me so long! I went with a group of nine. I had to make reservations in advance, and the woman I spoke with on the phone was wonderful. I got a call the day of to confirm and to ask me how the group wanted our checks done. We wanted separate so, at the end of our meal, we didn’t have to say a word. We were just given our checks.
As everyone has said, the food and service was amazing. I went with a top-​shelf margarita using whatever tequila my server recommended. It was more than I normally pay for (13.00 a pop, and I had two), but worth every penny. Very smooth.
For dinner, I had the Tinga Tacos with rice. The dish was a great deal (10.00), and the perfect amount of food. It was three chicken tacos with onions, and a side of green salsa, on small corn tortillas. By the time I had eaten them and my rice I was full, but not overly stuffed. Perfect!
My group ordered a variety of options, and everyone was very pleased with their meal. Only one person had been before, and she was very excited to be back. We all agreed that we should return as soon as possible.
The service was outstanding. Our waitress was very friendly and well organized. She knew the food (and tequila!) very well. One of the members of our group was gluten free, and our waitress explained this would not be an issue and that she could order most things. They figured something out, and she was very happy with her meal.
This is a fun place with amazing food. I saw another reviewer said it was the best Mexican place in the triangle, it just might be!

The ambiance is festive and lively. It reminds me a lot of Dos Taquitos in terms of the «chaotic» décor. I ordered the chicken fajitas and my friend ordered the Mexican Flag enchiladas. The food was pretty good. The enchilada’s sauces were each unique and tasty. The chicken fajitas were okay. What I was not okay with was the service. Our waiter couldn’t get us out of there fast enough. So fast that we weren’t done with the food before he tried to clear the table and decided for us that we didn’t want any leftovers.
Good Mexican food in the Raleigh area is hard to come by. This is a bit away from where I live and had I been blown away I would be wiling to drive up there. If I happen to be in the area I would go again but not something I would make a special trip for.

Ganza has been one of my favorite restaurants for years, in fact since the date it opened. I love the fish and the steak in the chicken, the Pablano Pepper is amazing, but my favorite thing is the drinks. They have spicy mojitos and spicy margaritas that are absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is one of a kind. The owner knows everyone and comes by to say hi to every customer and make sure they’re doing well. Cannot recommend Ganza highly enough.

Ganza has been one of my favorite restaurants for years, in fact since the date it opened. I love the fish and the steak in the chicken, the Pablano Pepper is amazing, but my favorite thing is the drinks. They have spicy mojitos and spicy margaritas that are absolutely amazing. The atmosphere is one of a kind. The owner knows everyone and comes by to say hi to every customer and make sure they’re doing well. Cannot recommend Ganza highly enough.
Darn, I just downgraded my review to four stars because of our most recent experience. My friends ordered «not spicey» Mohitos, and they came out super spicy. We told our waiter and he someone from the bar brought back spicy ones again. We told them again, and it happened again. At the end of the dinner, the full drinks were sitting there, we told our waiter and he told us «yep, that’s been happening lately». Then he gave us our bill, with the drinks still on it, and we paid because we didn’t want to complain any more. What the heck? And that same night, I ordered the Chile Relleno, and asked for no cheese, and they still put cheese on it. Any of these by themselves would have not even been noticed, but all that in one meal is just not cool. Come on Ganza’s!

Great food and great ambiance. it is a bit pricey for the size of the tacos, but they are excellent.
We started with the QUESO PICOSO with jalapeños: a great, spicy cheese dip.
For the entrees we had:
1. LACKO TACO (taco special): short rib tacos with roasted corn, pablano peppers, and cream cheese. These were excellent, but the tacos are very small for them price.
2. NACHOS GABACHOS: chicken tinga, pico de gallo, and cheese. These I highly recommend. Very tasty, and a bargain for the amount of food you get. Go beyond the tacos, and give these a try.
For desert we had the TALEGA DE PLANTANO: banana cream, with cinnamon & sugar in a fried purse with a side of ice cream and caramel sauce. Delicious!

Gonza is probably the greatest Mexican restaurant in the triangle. I know, I know, that’s a big declaration, especially coming from someone who hasn’t eaten there too often. It’s not cheap and there’s usually quite a wait; those two factors right there tend to keep me away from places. But, it’s really good. They’re also closed on Mondays.
Stopped in last night for some takeout. Sat at the bar drinking a cold beer, while I waited for my order. Mexican Flag. $ 13. Three corn tortillas, one of each: steak with, chile de arbor sauce, chicken with Mexican cream, and paisa beans with cilantro and tomatillo sauce. They’re each rich in their own unique flavor. Yes, the colors from the sauces on the enchiladas kinda look like the Mexican Flag colors. My dinner also came with a hefty serving of chips and salsa. The salsa is a bit thicker than I usually like it, but very good.
Gonza is a great spot to have right next to Bottle Revolution 3 in Greystone Village on Lead Mine Road. Friends may have joined me with their Mexican goodness when we were grabbing drinks before. I envied their Mexican flags and have been craving it so was thrilled to have finally satiated that last night. The food and short service at the bar were so good that I might just have to become a regular…

Favorite restaurant in Raleigh! Amazing food– always torn between the taco dishes. Ask about the specials– they are always great!

Is it bad that I’m one of those Indy Loving Restaurant dudes and now this place has 3 locations so I’m like even though the food taste the same I don’t like it as much. Does that make me a hypocrite?

This is a great place to get Mexican food, that is real.
We went here as part of a large party for someone’s birthday. There are many types of tequilla to choose from. Also the cocktails that they make are pretty delicious. This was back when I ate meat, so the chicken nachos is what I had. They were quite delicious.
However it was very very loud. I don’t like loud places when I am trying to eat. It you need quiet places to eat, this may not be your cup of tea. I will also say this is a bar with food and not good for kids.

Absolutely a 5+star meal. Our server was phenomenal, the food was delicious and the atmosphere was fantastic.
We were visiting the inlaws in Raleigh for the weekend and found this gem on Unilocal which actually only happens to be like 3 mins from their house. We arrived at 4:57, but they still allowed us to be seated.
We asked the server for some of her recommendations and she provided a few opinions. After ordering our drinks, the server told our two daughters that she was going to bring adult cups since they seemed like they could handle it. We joked that their 9^th birthday was the next day, so they should be mature enough. Well, while we were waiting for our entrees, they surprised each of them with a signed ‘Feliz Cumpleaños’ hat, gelato with dulce de leche and a candle and a sparkler for each of them. They sang to them and it was awesome! The owner even came out and wished them a very happy birthday and told them they get to eat dessert first! It was really a nice gesture.
After hearing that our server’s favorite menu item was the Mexican Flag, 3 of our party ordered it. And we totally saw why it was her favorite! It was fantastic!!! It was 3 completely different enchiladas played so pretty. I ordered the Platano which was absolutely delightful. It was a plantain split filled with delicious steak, cheese, crema and sauce lying on a bed of delicious beans. So unique and so delicious. I’d order it again and again and again.
The table shared queso and guacamole which were very good. The portions of the dips are fair for their prices and very tasty. I will return here most definitely when we return to Raleigh!

I’ve only been here a couple of times, but I love this place. The food is very similar to Dos Taquitos as other Unilocalers have mentioned, and that’s a good thing. Most of the Mexican restaurants in the Triangle offer slight variations on the standard El Rodeo style menu. Gonza, Dos Taquitos, Centro, and The Mez offer a more creative menu, and very different atmospheres.
For atmosphere, I generally prefer Gonza because there’s better lighting and outdoor seating. Dos Taquitos is fun in a quirky way, but not everyone appreciates the low light (especially older folks who have trouble reading the menu). On the other hand, Gonza tends to attract more of a crowd, so you may be waiting a while for a table.
As for food, everything I’ve had has been great. The selection isn’t huge, but that just makes it easier to choose what to order in my book. I’m happy if the restaurant only offers items they know they can do well, and helps them keep their ingredients fresh.
I would recommend making a reservation if you mind waiting for a table, and they have a convenient OpenTable integration on their website. I’d recommend Gonza across the board, and I’m looking forward to coming here regularly.

Just got back from a fantastic lunch at Gonza. Our waiter Justin was real attentive and super helpful. He wanted to get us hooked up with some Margaritas which ive heard or great but that will have to wait for a dinnertime visit and not a work lunch :)
I got the scallop and pork belly tacos which were delicious and unlike anything ive ever had at a mexican restaurant before. I got their chicken tortilla soup which was also great, They have alot of exotic items on the menu and everything to the sauces is made fresh in house.
We also got a habanero purée when we asked for hot sauce that was REAL good.
its a bit pricey but you get what you pay for and ill definitely be back.

Is this love?
Gonza Tacos Y Tequila has a great atmosphere, fresh cocktails, and delicious food.
Given its name, I ordered tacos and a tequila drink and I wasn’t disappointed.
The salsa was to die for. So fresh and not crazy spicy. The queso and guac were good as well. And then. The tacos came.
My boyfriend said the steak tacos were better than Centro’s, which is tough to beat. The steak was so good — clearly marinated and cooked to perfection. I had the scallop and pork belly tacos and a pork and pineapple taco — the waitress was nice enough to ask the kitchen to switch it up for me since I’m indecisive.
Would definitely go back — it’s delicious! The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is I made a reservation knowing the place gets busy, and we still didn’t get seated until 30 mins after our reservation (which to me, defeats the purpose of making one.)