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Virgil's Original Taqueria, Raleigh, NC

Virgil's Original Taqueria

4.0
4
165 Reviews
$31 to $50
Cocktail Bar
Hand Crafted Cocktails, Music Vibes, Authentic Mexican Cuisine, and Other Dope A$$ Things!

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


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Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Cuisines
    Cocktail Bar, Traditional Mexican
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Bar Tue–Thu 9:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 9:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (919) 833-3866
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Michelle Mathews
  • Catering
    We offer anything from light hors d’oeuvres to full menu options for functions both onsite and offsite including wedding receptions, corporate events, boxed lunches, etc. We work with a variety of budgets. <br /><br />Please see our website for more information!
  • Neighborhood
    Cary
  • Cross street
    East Hargett St
  • Parking details
    On Street parking is available. There are also a myriad(up to 6) collection of parking decks within 1 to 4 blocks of our location.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 165 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.0
4 based on all time ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 4.2Ambience
  • 3.8Value

NoiseModerate

165 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner

    Richmond

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 13, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Very nice intimate spot. I will be back 👍🏽

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  2. Vinny

    Baltimore

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 12, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fun and vibrant atmosphere, buzzy drinks and we haven't even started talking about the tacos! Word of advice, get the short rib barbacoa plate for the table, some chips, queso and guac, roll your sleeves up and dive in! Maybe throw in some elote if you are feeling frisky. After dinner ask the bartender about the Merchant! It's a speakeasy cocktail bar through a hidden door in the same building that's great for after dinner drinks.

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  3. shehawk07

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Virgils is a great experience, you do all your ordering through a QR code link which means you don't have to worry ab a forgetful server, food comes out quickly & is delicious.

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  4. AudreyL

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 15, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    I was a bit disappointed with our experience at Virgil’s. Other than the chips which are truly amazing, the rest of the food and drinks were just ok. The red salsa is overly smoky, the tacos Al pastor were largely flavorless, and the even the classic marg tasted watered down. We were in a room that felt like an annex with minimal ambiance. There are definitely better Mexican restaurants in the downtown area.

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  5. OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    3 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 14, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience4
    Food was decent but I’d pick several other restaurants for this cuisine type before going back. Not bad but not the best.

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  6. KatrinaH

    Raleigh

    5 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on October 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Very good experience and meal….definitely will be going back.

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  7. LoloB

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2022

    overall3food3service1ambience4
    Ive been here before and not had such a terrible experience. But this was truly a bad evening out with friends. They had no idea how to do restaurant week-- even though they were participants. They didn't actually ring things in as the deal. Food came out in any order-- not apps, main, dessert. One dessert actually came out frozen solid with freezer burn on it?? what?? How do you not notice your cake is frozen solid? The waitress seemed utterly confused the entire time. Its too bad- because their food is pretty decent-- but if they can't improve their service it is totally not worth it.

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  8. MaddyE

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 5, 2022

    overall2food1service4ambience3
    We were very excited to eat hear as it looked so cute and hear such great things on social media, etc. The ambiance was very trendy and cute, seemed clean, music was loud to start, but they changed the music, and not a big deal for us. We got sat at a bar hightop, even though the restaurant was empty and i requested a normal table on my reservation. Not a big deal. Service was great and attentive. Drinks were good. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THE FOOD. THe best item we had were the chips and queso. Tacos were cold and bland, or just SPICY and no other flavor to offer. The carnitas inside the Flautas dish was "crunchy" and COLD. A good cocktail/happy hour spot, but would not eat dinner here again. Checked it off the list.

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  9. Sherr

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 4, 2022

    overall2food4service2ambience2
    Totally unprepared for restaurant week. Server tried her best!

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  10. TonyKeoni

    Raleigh

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 4, 2022

    overall1food1service5ambience2
    I'm really hoping we just had a bad experience, but we went to virgils for raleigh restaurant week. They were supposed to have a fixed menu for the event, but that was not offered nor could we find mention of it at the restaurant. When we arrived it, we were immediately greeted by what smelled like burnt paella. We asked the waitress what it was and she was unsure but agreed it was not normal. We ordered drinks, a mezcal and a oaxacan old fashioned. Both tasted mildly watered down, but were otherwise okay. We ordered the chips and queso, but were not aware nor informed that they put sugar on their chips instead of salt. This was really bizarre to me, but we tried it. Not really my bag, and wouldn't order them again. Then we tried the sopes. The masa base was great, the sauce provided was delicious, but the meat was incredibly dry. The meat being this dry didn't totally ruin the plate, but it did deduct from what was obviously a great dish when the pieces were all put together properly. We had planned to eat more, possibly trying the tacos, but at this point we were just not satisfied with what was presented. At this time I wouldn't recommend, but, as I said, maybe it was just a bad experience.

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  11. Tyler

    Raleigh

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 28, 2022

    overall3food2service5ambience5
    Cold food, flat drinks. Our server was outstanding!

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  12. Eric

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 10, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience1
    My once favorite fusion taco spot seems unfortunately diminished from its pre covid iteration. I was much saddened to see them fall victim to the pandemic and shutter but was overjoyed when the Localicon decided to bring it back... Albeit with a stated goal of 'upping the experience level'. Hmm... It's a taqueria...the fare can only be taken so high without 1) messing the chill, casual, charming ambiance and 2)pricing the menu beyond the substance of the core cuisine (rice and beans used to come with entres... Now they are extra sides. Shrinkflation) You're not a churrasqueria. It's tacos, apps and cocktails. My latest experience while on a busy Saturday laid more bare some growing gaps. Service, while friendly and well intended, are inexperienced and inattentive. We took a table on the more 'spartan' expansion side where we were greated with very loud EDM music blaring to the point of hampering conversation on a 2 top. The almost nonexistent lighting forced us to use phone lights to read the menu. I'll ignore the fact a post celebratory (of some kind) party of 8 millenials came in and was seated next to us. It happens. In short my dates dish was flat cold inside (theyhaps were still frozen in the middle when dropped) and my tacos were ok but barely warm. They offered to remake hers but she didn't want to wait further. To their credit the kitchen remade the order anyway. My date said, Thank you, you can box it. After waiting for it and too ring out for awhile, my date went and found our server idle. We rang out and inquired about the box to be told it was sitting in back and she'd go get it. Not wanting to wait and wonder anymore, we left. They did comp my dates dish. So, bottom line... They don't do well in a rush and wait staff are inexperienced. If you go I recommend sitting only on the bar side and not going on a weekend.

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  13. JazmynS

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our waitress was fantastic! She was very knowledgeable about the drink menu that they had there and checked on us at reasonable times. Me and my boyfriend definitely enjoyed his birthday dinner. Drinks were good and the food was tasty. We really enjoyed the “Pescado” the Mahi Mahi was fresh

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  14. JaidenK

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 21, 2022

    overall2food1service3ambience3
    Everything was okay. Just okay the food in my opinion was rushed and not as good as it looked. I got the rice and chicken and it was pretty much soup. Not a horrible place but not my first second or third choice either. Our server was great though if that counts for anything.

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  15. Daniel123

    Washington DC

    3 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2022

    overall1food1service1ambience2
    Reservation at 7:45 7:55pm - Ordered food and drinks (drinks arrived quickly) 8:30pm - ask server if our chili con queso is coming out anytime soon. Table that arrived 20mins after us got theirs already. Assured it was coming soon. 8:45pm - ask server again; chili con queso finally arrives with burn chips 9:00pm - first plate of food finally arrives (ordered barbacoa and shrimp tacos); shrimp tacos no where to be found. Another table sat after us got their tacos within 10 mins or so. 9:05pm - ask where the tacos are. Get told again they are almost ready by the manager, who was quite annoyed with me for inquiring about my meal. Tell server that I am paying and leaving. Quite possibly one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had in Raleigh. Their kitchen is understaffed and not running properly. I’d avoid Virgil’s and go somewhere else.

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  16. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    vip
    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 20, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience3
    The service was terrible. The waitress never checked on us after we got our drinks. The apps took 40 mins to arrive and then our meal came immediately after. The table was never cleared. And everything was so spicy we could barely eat it. The menu didn’t dictate what was hot to the extent they were spicy.

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  17. YimYam

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 13, 2022

    overall5food4service5ambience5
    Food was fabulous and the staff were very pleasant and competent.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on July 27, 2022

    overall1food1service2ambience2
    The food was not good…the chicken tinga tocos were sopping wet with extra water and grease/oil… My margarita was bland and tasteless. The shrimp and beef tacos barely had any meat in them We visited this restaurant before and decided to give it one more chance… it has not gotten any better it literally was a worse experience We also ordered a side of rice which was forgotten and we had to wait a while to see our waiter before, during, and after we finished our meal

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  19. JCEatz

    Raleigh

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 16, 2022

    overall2food3service2ambience2
    The food was ok, but not great from a flavor perspective. The server disappeared for extended periods. They were out of one menu item, and when we were informed, the replacement came ten minutes after the other food items were already out.

    1 person found this helpful

  20. Jennifer

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on July 12, 2022

    overall2food2service2ambience3
    Kinda disappointed with this place. Service was pretty bad and the tacos were not good at all. Chips and quac was delicious but that was it

    1 person found this helpful

  21. OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 14, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful as always!

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  22. RhondaH

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on June 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was awesome

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  23. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 18, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an amazing experience! It was our first wedding anniversary and they made us feel very special! Delicious food and amazing service! The drinks we spectacular too. We will definitely be back soon.

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  24. CharlesB

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2022

    overall4food4service3ambience2
    We had a reservation for 2 at an indoor table which was accepted as available. Upon arrival we were told there were no available tables & were seated at a high top in the bar section. Not sure why we needed to make reservations if they were not honored. Also had a DJ playing the most god awful club music.

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  25. DMD81

    Raleigh

    11 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was our first time there and overall a great experience! They have a nice drink menu with some great cocktails! The food was very flavorful and service by Sam was great. We thoroughly enjoyed everything.

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  26. Matt

    Raleigh

    43 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    43 reviews

    Dined on April 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service. I can’t wait til my next visit!

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  27. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience3
    It was good experience.

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  28. AlenciaH

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The food there is amazing! I enjoyed being able to select a few small plates to sample many different items.

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  29. Coopaloop

    Raleigh

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent spot right downtown! Must Try. Great food, drinks and service. We were able to grab a seat at the bar and struck up fun conversations with the staff while watching the food being prepared. would recommend.

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  30. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 9, 2022

    overall4food4service5ambience2
    Very good food, empty as a church on Tuesday.

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  31. Anonymous244

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 8, 2022

    overall3food2service2ambience2
    Guac didn’t taste fresh- needed salt. The chips were cold and didn’t have any seasoning. Were not provided adequate plates to share items even though the intent of the menu is to share.

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  32. TaniaM

    San Francisco

    1 review

    vip
    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 1, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience2
    Good overall, but place was too dark. It was hard to read the menus

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  33. Bak2theBasics

    Raleigh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 11, 2022

    overall4food3service5ambience5
    Fun place for a cocktail! Food is what I’d say is Mexican fusion. Good and interesting take!

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  34. Jeremy

    Raleigh

    82 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    82 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    First time here. I can’t quite figure this place out. It’s got the bougie prices and club music, but it ends up being nothing special.

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  35. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic service and the food was so good!!

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  36. ElizabethF

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2022

    overall2food2service1ambience1
    Our experience was unfortunate. Took forever to get a simple water. Our waitress was inattentive and forgot our food. They also sat us right next to the door where it was freezing outside. For the price point we could have gone to chipotle.

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  37. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2022

    overall2food4service5ambience1
    We were seated directly in front of the door on a terribly cold evening. Employees would walk outside, hold the door with their foot and talk to the hostess but didn’t realize that by doing this, they were allowing so much cold air in and we were freezing. It honestly made us want to leave sooner bc we were so uncomfortable. It seemed your entire staff had tunnel vision and weren’t paying attention to anyone they walked by… they weren’t reading the room.

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  38. TylerY

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 13, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience5
    If you love long wait times for food and drinks. This is your place. Only time they were quick was when I asked for the check.

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  39. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 6, 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience3
    Overall, I wasn’t very impressed with this place. I like the vibe they have and the food was pretty good, but not good enough for the prices you pay and the time you wait. La Santa’s food is better, has bigger portions, and you pay just about the same prices, so save your money and go there if you’re hungry. If you want drinks in a cool place and don’t mind waiting a bit, this venue is perfect.

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  40. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    6 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    The food was ver tasty but not as hot as We all preferred.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
    • Diners must wear masks unless eating or drinking
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Diner temperature check required
    • Staff temperature check required

FAQs

Virgil's Original Taqueria does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates. Virgil's Original Taqueria also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 833-3866.

Virgil's Original Taqueria is rated 4 stars by 165 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Virgil's Original Taqueria

126 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601-2905

Additional information

  • Cross street
    East Hargett St
  • Neighborhood
    Cary
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Tue–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Bar Tue–Thu 9:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 9:00 pm–12:00 am
  • Cuisines
    Cocktail Bar, Traditional Mexican
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    On Street parking is available. There are also a myriad(up to 6) collection of parking decks within 1 to 4 blocks of our location.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Michelle Mathews
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (919) 833-3866
  • Catering
    We offer anything from light hors d’oeuvres to full menu options for functions both onsite and offsite including wedding receptions, corporate events, boxed lunches, etc. We work with a variety of budgets. <br /><br />Please see our website for more information!
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