Taqueria Talavera, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

After a rough morning, we needed a place for Mexican food in south Brooklyn and found Taqueria Talavera in Bay Ridge. It’s a bright, colorful space on Bay Ridge Parkway, just a couple of blocks from the New Utrecht subway stop. We showed up on the later side of lunch, around 2:30pm, and were seated right away in a nearly empty dining room. There were tables available outside, but it was warm and humid and not the vibe we wanted.

The vibe we did want was the sign announcing Happy Hour had already begun. Happy Hour runs from 2pm, and since I was driving, I abstained — but the ladies had $5 margaritas and they were good. A mango one (worth the extra $2) and a plain margarita were exactly what the day called for. Chips and a very spicy salsa came out next and got demolished, mostly by me.

What to order
Our entrees were straightforward: burritos and quesadillas, all $14 each and generously sized, packed with meat, cheese, and a few veggies. The chicken burrito platter comes with guac and sour cream on the side, and the steak quesadilla was easily enough for one person with leftovers to spare — though nobody had leftovers by the end. If you’re going with a group, ordering a mix of both gives everyone something to share.

The bill
Lunch for four came to under $100 at a sit-down spot — that’s rare in this neighborhood, and it’s a big part of why this place is worth the trip.

Good to know before you go

• Getting there: A couple of blocks from the New Utrecht Ave subway stop, so it’s an easy trip without a car.
• Best time to go: Happy Hour starts at 2pm — if you can swing a late lunch, the $5 margaritas make it worth the wait.
• Seating: Outdoor tables are available, but the indoor dining room has the better vibe (and the tile work is worth seeing).
• For families: Portions are big enough to split, which helps keep the bill down if you’re bringing kids.

I’m looking forward to going back — though my daughter’s already looking forward to trying her first delivery order from here instead.