Gringo’s Taqueria

Really good fried fish tacos — great value if you go on Tuesday at 2x for $ 8.50. Nice and attentive but nothing fancy in terms of service. The fresh salsa is very good.

It was taco Tuesday, so this visit was fate. Technically, we were drinking at the brewery next door, so I didn’t partake in the full ambience of the restaurant, but I ordered three tacos with fairly low expectations since VA Beach has been disappointing thus far in the taco game. Disappointed no more!
I was having a fatty day so I got the fried fish taco, fried shrimp taco, and fried chicken taco. That ish was decadent! Amazing flavors, perfect filling, just the right amount of moisture so you’re not choking on dry tortilla; the whole thing really came together. My favorite was the fried fish, but I’m going to come back and go down the list. My only complaint was that there isn’t a taco Tuesday special. Or at least one wasn’t presented to me. So at $ 5 per taco, your meal can add up. but I’ll admit, it was worth it, and I’ll definitely be coming back.

Legit tacos and not too expensive either, we’ll definitely be back

Found this spot through Unilocal.The service is really good & super friendly. Their salsa & chips & guacamole are really good. The salsa is so good we took a pint of it to take. The tacos are big, filling & delicious. I would recommend the fried Baja & shrimp tacos they’re amazing. Will be back again!

They live up to the rating of best tacos at the beach! Well worth the wait! Baja fish tacos are amazing!

I’d say definitely get the fish tacos. I tried the Carne asada tacos too, but the fish was much better! The was a family friendly and fun place to have lunch. Out meal came out pretty quickly. My husband got the Carne adasa burrito. It was definitely big enough to share (unless you have a huge stomach). Overall, a pleasurable experience!

Food was amazing — lots of options! The mojitos were top notch– staff was okay — nothing to write home about but the only problem is the size– it is so tiny! I know that is cool to be small and comfy but I mean even when sitting down it is cramped! Though we will be back!

Absolutely fantastic food. Lil’ hole in the wall place with limited seating, but don’t let that fool you! This place rocks! Amazing guac, tacos that will make you want to slap your sibling… I love this place and it’s my new «go to» for fish tacos!

This plave is really costly for 1 small taco, however it is probably the best fish taco place, the food is always fresh because they make the salsa here daily. If you want to treat yourself this is the place. Its small amd quaint.

Everything’s made from scratch, and freshly made EVERYMORNING! The tacos are huge! And absolutely delicious! Best soft tacos I’ve ever had!

I was majorly craving Mexican food. Not the easiest thing to find on Virginia Beach. So, I pulled up Unilocal and made the trek from my hotel. The directions took me on quite an interesting path through a neighborhood. Certainly not the most convenient location for out of towners.
The restaurant was super busy, since it was Halloween. Naturally, the Halloween bar crawl also stopped right next door. The staff were hauling their butts. They were still super friendly, and I was really impressed with how they all handled themselves.
As for the food, it was mediocre. The salsa was okay. A little chunky and onion-​y for my taste. The pulled chicken bowl wasn’t bad, but it lacked flavor. I wish the chicken had more spice to it. I dumped a side of the spicy green salsa on it (which I am pretty sure was just ground jalapeños). That gave it some kick, but I would have needed more.
Overall, I would rather just go to Chipotle.

So this place is located in a weird little mini mall. Definitely has a hipster, hole in the wall place but don’t let that deter you or really you might be into that. The service was pretty good. One of the servers was really young and seemed a little ditsy but she was still very nice. The food was really good though. I had an amazing fish taco and my friend had the chicken burrito which rivaled Chipotle in size and was definitely tasty. We went for lunch on a Saturday which was great because the prices were low and it wasn’t too busy. It’s a small place, I wouldn’t go with more than a group of four or it will just get too hectic and cramped. I was driving so I didn’t try the alcoholic drinks but they sounded amazing (different flavored sangrias, mojitos, and margaritas) so I’m going to go back with a designated driver soon.

Stopping here on our way out of VA beach was a last minute recommendation from a local we met the night before. I’m glad we listened! I got a fish taco (super fresh– they change the fish depending on what they have fresh on any given day) and a veggie taco.
The only down side (but I guess not really)– I wish the waitress told us they weren’t the usual size– these tacos were really big, so I could have just got 1 instead of 2– but they were yummy! It’s not a bad thing that we got big tacos for the price that they were. I took my veggie one home and ate it later and it was still very good.
The complimentary chips and salsa was really good– great salsa!
The guac we paid for was OK, not the best I’ve ever had.

In town visiting family, typical beach crowd, clearly hip with the locals
Baja style tacos, personally I favor street tacos more bit decent food fresh and inexpensive, really enjoyed my meal, salsa was fresh and excellent.
Service sucked, but typical beach place hipster surfers too cool to wait on you or otherwise maybe stoned? For the price and quality of food however I can handle the lack of service, they would do better doing walk up style ordering. Kid waited on us was useless.
Small and cramped seating but part of the schtick for a taco joint.
So take it for what it is, tacos joints are rated on the quality of the taco and nothing more…
I worked in this building when is was Oceanfront Bikes in late 80’s when was a kid so was cool for me to come back, my first job !!

This is not your typical small taco taqueria — the tacos are BIG.
Fish tacos were delicious and had 2 big battered fish fillets in them. Really good. Good salsa and chips too.
Big flour tortilla that didn’t have much care put into it is why its not 5 stars.
Recommended

Gringo’s was our first stop on our first night to start our week-​long vacation in Virginia Beach. It was the perfect place to unwind after a 7 hour drive. Very casual and very, very good food. Of course, we got out the door later than planned and tried to beat the fact that they were closing at 9pm. We arrived around 8:45 and were seated immediately. I always hate showing up right before a restaurant closes, but they seemed OK with it and there were others still arriving and ordering their meals at the same time.
Our waitress was super friendly and we started off with a couple Dos Equis Ambers. She gave us recommendations on their most popular tacos and I appreciated that she was so laid back and fun. She brought us chips and salsa and the chips, despite it being right before they closed, were fresh and crisp! I ordered one of their fish tacos and their tuna/​mushroom taco and Bobby ordered the same plus a shrimp taco. We requested to have them all on corn tortillas instead of the normal flour. There was no problem making this accommodation.
About ten minutes later, our food came out. Everything was cooked perfectly and the tacos were HUGE! I agree that $ 6+ is a little steep for a taco, but these aren’t street taco sized. In fact, their servings are actually the length of two street tacos put together to make one. Eating two had me stuffed and Bobby had a hard time finishing his third! We stayed and chatted with the manager and a couple of the waitresses while they were putting chairs up on the tables and finishing closing. They didn’t mind and told us to take our time. Everything was great and I would definitely recommend stopping in for lunch or a casual dinner one night. Great find!

I don’t know what that women was talking about saying its dirty inside and cramped because gringos has been remodeled for awhile now and let me tell you, they have came a long way from being a hole in the wall! I was coming years ago, eating in the little hallway before the remodeling because their fish tacos are THE BEST. I would eat them in the bathroom for all I care. The couple that owns this place is awesome, Evie is always working and such a sweet woman. Her brother is awesome too.
I recommend the guacamole to start off and please, keep the salsa coming. Don’t forget to ask for a side of habanero cream! It’s like «white sauce» for chips. delicious. Screw what that other lady said, the prices are reasonable. 6 bucks for a taco yeah made with fresh local ingredients. Go on Tuesday Wednesday or Thursday there’s taco deals or better yet eat at home if you’re going to complain about prices.
Gringos is the only place I’ve found in va beach to have the best fish tacos seriously others can’t compete. This place has done nothing but get better and better. Even when the service is not attentive or whatever I don’t care I come back for THE FOOD.

You may be met with a crowd of locals when you get to this spot but it’s worth it.
Gringo’s is a bit far from the north end of the boardwalk so we took an Über. We heard that they expanded their space a few months ago and from the seeing the packed house now I understand why. The host (who was also serving) was running a mile a minute but still managed to make us feel welcome and accommodate our request to sit at a table rather than the cramped bar.
The chips and roasted tomato salsa was amazing! The chips were made fresh and had enough crunch to hold up that perfect salsa. My barometer for every taqueria by a beach is the fish taco. Gringo’s baja fish taco is definitely up there on the scale. Crisp fish topped with habanero cream, shredded cabbage, and roasted tomato salsa. Only in Virginia would the beer batter be made with Pabst. The salsa on the taco was unnecessary… don’t get me wrong, I love their salsa but it made the fish and tortilla soggy in some spots. Can I take a second to tell you how tasty this habanero cream is? They describe it as «white heat» and whewww is it good! That habanero gives you a subtle kick right at the end. I’ve got love for the steak and grilled onions combo on the carne asada taco but I had some extra toppings that I got into the mix somehow (romaine lettuce, shredded cheese? no thanks). I ended up eating just the carne and onions which were delicious and flavorful. The prices for each taco were a bit high but I’ll pay a premium for fresh ingredients.
Service was a little slow but that is because everything was made fresh. Each of the 3 servers checked on us multiple times and definitely made sure we ate our fill of chips and salsa plus some to go!
The locals sitting next to us sang the praises of this place and gave us a list of things to try next time around: Yubi’s taco and pork enchilada. Beach vibes + good food = guarantees another visit!

Deemed «Best chips and salsa» from a girl who grew up in the southwest.
We had walked a bit away from the beach part of VA beach to get to Back Bay Brewing. We had passed Gringos and no intention of going in until the bartender persuaded us. Remind me to thank that guy…
This place is very small. We apparently came at a good time because we were able to find a seat at the counter. It actually reminded me of a burrito joint we used to frequent in AZ. And it smelled amazing.
Living on the east coast is interesting for me. I’m from Boston, but spent a good portion of my life in the SW. So basically when it comes to chowder, lobstah rolls, and Mexican food– I judge. I judge hard. Let’s talk about the latter.
First, we were greeted w/​their homemade chips and roasted red tomato salsa. Did you read my 1^st line? So mother lovin good. I could’ve eaten just that and been happy as a clam. It is TOUGH to find good salsa out here! So much so, that I took some home (they sell it for $ 8-​WORTH IT).
We each had a chicken and a carne asada taco. My husband gets everything w/​just cheese, I go all in. The chicken taco was one of the better ones I’ve had. The chicken was nice and tender and they didn’t drown it w/​shredded lettuce. The carne though, ay dios mio. This stuff rivals some of the side of the road carts I’ve tried in SW. So flavorful and tender. And the beans, rice, grilled onions, and poblanos? Added to the flavor and didn’t overwhelm it.
This is on my must try list for VA. I never come home from the Hampton Roads area w/​out their salsa. Get some and stay for a taco or 5 too.

Very unassuming little shack of a building but inside is awesomeness. Starting off with a basket of very fresh chips. Still hot from the fryer! Served with an amazing bowl of the best salsa that I’ve had for a while. Nice and thick, easily scoopable. Yum.
The hit here is the fish taco. They’ve won several «Best Of» awards for it. I had one and I have to say, it’s really really good. Light fish, good tangy dressing, not drippy or messy. I also had a second taco and I can’t remember the name of it, but it had something to do with orange and chicken. The fish taco was better.
Yes, they have other stuff, including burritos and salads and quesadillas. Skip those. Have the fish taco.