By Taylor Jenkins

Lalo’s Pinches Tacos Bar & Grill. Photo credit: Yelp user Bobbi H.

Located just off of West Broad Street near the intersection with Parham Road, Lalo’s Pinches Tacos feels like the kind of Mexican spot you always hoped would exist somewhere in your area. It’s the kind of place you walk into and instantly know you’re in for something worthwhile. When my friends and I stepped inside, the whole restaurant was buzzing. The Winter Olympics played on one screen, NBA and college basketball on the others, and the bar crowd was fully locked in on the games while sipping margaritas and working through baskets of chips and salsa, some upgraded with guacamole or queso. The energy was high, the atmosphere was lively, we knew right away that we had picked the right spot. 

My crew—Thomas Gregory (‘26), Colin McLoughlin (‘26), and Rhodes Neuner (‘26)— were there to help me review the food. When we sat down at our booth, we were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of options on the menu: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, fajitas, and more. They have chicken, steak, seafood, and even vegetarian options, making it tough to choose just one. We were quickly greeted with a basket of warm, crisp chips and flavorful salsa. Wanting to get the full experience, we decided to add guacamole and queso to our table. The guacamole was fresh and savory, while the queso was smooth and dangerously addictive. 

Photo credit: Yelp user Stephanie A.

When it came time to order our entrees, we each picked a different plate. Neuner decided on the arroz con pollo ($15.00), I chose the rib-eye tacos ($20.00), Gregory got the Carne Asada ($20.00), and McLoughlin picked the Quesadilla Chicano ($15.00).

The arroz con pollo ended up being the table’s favorite. The chicken strips were tender and packed with flavor, layered over a bed of Spanish rice that was perfectly seasoned, with the ideal amount of melted queso. The crema salad finished the plate and provided a refreshing contrast. As Neuner described it, “This plate was phenomenal, everything about it was spot-on. I would eat this meal seven days a week.”

In the steak tacos, the rib eye was juicy and deeply flavorful and cut to perfection, served on warm, handmade corn tortillas with cilantro, onions, and lime. It was complemented by a side of refried beans and rice, which were so tasty they almost felt like dessert. After trying these, I’m not sure any other restaurant’s steak tacos will compare. 

As for the Carne Asada, as Gregory described it, “It was beautifully grilled and absolutely flawless.” It had a slight crisp on the edges, with just enough flavorful fat to make each bite rich. It was paired with Spanish rice, refried beans, and pico de gallo. It was everything he could have asked for, and more.

Finally, the Quesadilla Chicano. Despite the large portion, McLoughlin was the first to clear his plate. The grilled chicken breast, jack cheese, onions, and chipotle sauce sandwiched between two corn tortillas worked deliciously together. McLoughlin absolutely loved his meal, as he explained, “I took a risk with this plate, and it paid off big-time.” The Quesadilla Chicano would be my top choice after the steak tacos.

Tacos. Photo credit: Yelp user Bobbi H.

As Bobby Flay, renowned American celebrity chef, once said, “You can have the best food in the world, but if the service isn’t good, people won’t come back.” After our visit to Lalo’s Pinches Tacos, my friends and I agreed that even if the food had missed the mark, we would still return for the service alone. Our  drinks were refilled before we even noticed that they were low, and every staff member greeted us like they were truly grateful that we walked in. We felt welcomed, valued, and looked after from the moment we sat down. 

We decided that, despite clearing our plates, we had just enough room in our stomachs for dessert. We decided to get three desserts and split them among the four of us. We chose the flan, the churro, and the tres leches cake (each $6.50).

The flan was incredible. It was smooth and sweet, with a caramel glaze that brought everything together. It was the type of dessert that you let sit in your mouth because you don’t want your bite to finish.

The churro was warm and crisp. It was nothing short of delightful, with a cinnamon-sugar coating and a perfect crunch that covered the tender and sweet inner layer.

The tres leches cake was my personal favorite. It was sweet, sugary, airy, and rich, so much so that I almost ordered a second. 

We absolutely loved our meal at Lalo’s Pinches Tacos. The atmosphere was lively, the food was flavorful and thoughtfully prepared, and the service was exceptional. It is the kind of place you leave already planning your next visit.