Mexican restaurants

Gorditas El Gordo

A 22-seat kitchen run by Eleni & Yassine, serving the dishes their grandmothers argued about on Tuesday nights in Kreuzberg.

211 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States $10–20
4.2
402 notes from regulars
01 The story, in three paragraphs

Why everyone keeps coming back.

Gorditas El Gordo is a vibrant gem in Minneapolis that brings the heart and soul of authentic Mexican cuisine right to your table. Specializing in an array of Mexican staples, this fast-casual lunch spot masterfully blends tradition with bold flavors that capture the essence of home-cooked comfort food.

Step inside Gorditas El Gordo and you're greeted by the irresistible aroma of freshly made corn tortillas—a signature element here that sets every dish apart. Their menu is a delightful exploration of Mexican favorites, anchored by handcrafted dishes like the Sope, where thick, fried corn dough is skillfully pinched and topped with refried beans, crisp lettuce, queso fresco, creamy sour cream, and your choice of savory meat. For those craving simplicity, the Sope Cencillo offers a lighter, yet equally satisfying experience. The eponymous Gordita, a rounded, fried tortilla dough stuffed generously with fresh ingredients, showcases their dedication to texture and flavor harmony.

Don’t miss their classic burrito, wrapped in a warm flour tortilla and bursting with rice, beans, mozzarella, cilantro, onions, and your selected meat, delivering a perfect balance of hearty and fresh. Taco lovers will find joy in their small, soft corn tortillas generously filled and topped with vibrant cilantro, onions, and their signature salsa—each bite a fiesta of tastes and textures. The combo plate of three tacos served with rice and beans rounds out a fulfilling, authentic meal.

Accompany your meal with sides like the creamy guacamole and chips or the ever-popular carne asada fries, which guests rave about for their succulent meats and flavorful sauces, especially the zesty green salsa that beautifully complements every dish. Sides of perfectly seasoned rice and refried beans add the ideal balance to this culinary experience.

Gorditas El Gordo doesn’t just serve food—they serve memories. Patrons like Abid Cervera fondly recall dishes leaning close to the warmth of a grandmother’s kitchen, while others celebrate the freshness and skill behind every handmade masa and salsa. Whether you’re stepping in for a quick lunch or a comforting meal that reminds you of Mexico’s vibrant street food culture, this spot delivers with quick service, reasonable prices, and unforgettable flavors that keep you coming back.

Friendly service, authentic recipes made from scratch, and a warm, casual dining atmosphere make Gorditas El Gordo a must-visit for anyone craving genuine Mexican food in Minneapolis. It’s not just about eating here—it’s about savoring the tradition.

03 Notes from regulars

402 notes — the real pulse of the room.

4.2
Based on 402 verified notes
5 259
4 68
3 30
2 15
1 38
All Carne Asada Sope Tlacoyo Gorditas Tacos Al Pastor Huaraches Fresh Tortillas Antojitos Tortas Pozole Chicharrón Gorditas
Andrew Abi-Mansour.
2 month ago
Delicious authentic food, quick service and decent prices. I like this place. Will definitely come back.
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Alvina Lopez.
3 month ago
You will go back for more sooner than you think. Taste GREAT $$ 1 person $$$ 2 people ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ great tasting food ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ wait time to place order ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ wait time for food ready
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Abid Cervera.
3 month ago
Hands down my favorite Mexican restaurant in Minneapolis. Everything is cooked from scratch and it reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen.
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Shelby Faye.
4 month ago
We enjoyed their Carne Asada Fries, Pastor burrito, and the Gringa tacos. Would recommend all three. Carne Asada and Pastor were both very good. Their green sauce was also really good on everything.
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dulce.
4 month ago
Hidden nugget of savory flavors! Made to order corn masa which makes it authentic Mexican. All hand made to order. My favorite and a must try… Tlacoyo. Fill it up with cheese or pork chales. You are missing out!
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Ben Gorecki.
4 month ago
Great people working hard, authentic and reasonably priced. Parking can be hard to come by, Pambazo was excellent and masa on the quesadilla was good. More of a take out place, one of the better half on Lake street.
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Neil Thompson.
5 month ago
We've walked past this place a lot of times and always been interested but today we wanted a gordita. We were worried about it being small and $10 but it was the size of a whole plate. So was the quesadilla de masa and both were incredible. The cooks and woman taking our order were all super kind and bilingual. Food took a bit of time but then we realized they made our tortillas fresh to order from masa. Each antojito is plenty of food for a normal meal.
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Trypp Adams.
5 month ago
Delicious Gordito al pastor, huge Tortas, reasonable priced and delicious chips and guacamole. Picked up order to go. Parking in rear.
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04 When to visit & how to find us

Hours & the door on Bergmannstraße.

Opening hours
Monday 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Tuesday (today) 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Wednesday 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Thursday 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Saturday 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Finding the door

211 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408, United States

05 What makes this place friendly

The details you usually have to call and ask.

Service options
  • Takeout
  • Dine-in
Highlights
  • Fast service
Popular for
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Solo dining
Offerings
  • Comfort food
  • Quick bite
  • Small plates
Dining options
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Seating
  • No Table service
Amenities
  • Gender-neutral restroom
  • Restroom
Atmosphere
  • Casual
  • Cozy
  • Trendy
Crowd
  • Family-friendly
  • LGBTQ+ friendly
  • Transgender safespace
Planning
  • No Accepts reservations
Payments
  • Credit cards
  • Debit cards
  • NFC mobile payments
Children
  • Good for kids
  • High chairs
Parking
  • Free parking lot
  • Free street parking
  • Parking
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