Ho'Brah Introduce
Introduction / Overview
For New Yorkers searching for a vibrant culinary escape without leaving Brooklyn, Ho'Brah is the go-to destination. Located in the heart of Bay Ridge, this Mexican restaurant on 3rd Avenue brings a distinctly casual, yet trendy, vibe to the neighborhood's dining scene. Ho'Brah is far from a standard taqueria; it offers a creative, extensive menu blending traditional Mexican comfort food with unique, Californian and Hawaiian-inspired twists—note the names like "Big Kahuna Fries," "Surf City Fajitas," and the "Aloha Bowls."
Ho'Brah excels as a social spot. The atmosphere is described as **Casual** and **Cozy**, but with a high-energy environment, often featuring loud music and a buzzing crowd. While the space is noted to be relatively small, accommodating around ten tables plus the bar area, this size contributes to its intimate and high-demand popularity. It is consistently a favorite for both **Lunch** and **Dinner**, drawing in a diverse crowd that includes **College students** and **Groups** looking for a fun night out.
A significant highlight of Ho'Brah is its impressive drink program. The restaurant is celebrated for its **Great cocktails** and **Great beer selection**, making it a perfect spot to unwind. With offerings that include **Alcohol**, **Hard liquor**, and **Wine**, Ho'Brah capitalizes on the social dining experience, particularly during its active **Happy hour** for both drinks and food. If you are looking for **Late-night food** or simply a **Quick bite** accompanied by a stellar beverage, Ho'Brah in Bay Ridge is the place to be, though be prepared for what is noted to be **Usually a wait**—a true testament to its local popularity.
The menu balances reliable Mexican staples—like the classic **Nachos Plate** and various **Quesadillas**—with inventive, specialized tacos that appeal to an adventurous NYC palate, such as the **Tres Birria Tacos**, **Korean BBQ Taco**, and the famous **Cabo Fish Taco**. For families, the inclusion of a dedicated **Kids' menu** and **High chairs** ensures that Ho'Brah is a welcoming spot for diners of all ages.
Location and Accessibility
Ho'Brah is strategically situated at **8618 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA**, placing it firmly within the desirable and bustling Bay Ridge neighborhood. This location on 3rd Avenue is advantageous, being easily accessible from various parts of Brooklyn and making it a prominent fixture on the local dining circuit.
For New Yorkers relying on public transportation, the restaurant is conveniently located within walking distance of the R train at the 86th Street station, offering seamless access. The lively 3rd Avenue corridor is excellent for those looking to enjoy a night out, with Ho'Brah serving as a key destination.
The accessibility details are straightforward and typical for a busy city location. While no free parking is listed, Ho'Brah does note the availability of **Paid street parking**, which is the standard arrangement in this dense Brooklyn neighborhood. Diners should plan for the typical urban parking experience. Inside the restaurant, guests will find an **Amenities** section that includes a **Restroom**, and though specific universal accessibility features are not detailed, the restaurant strives for a welcoming atmosphere for all **Groups** and **Tourists** passing through.
Services Offered
Ho'Brah provides a comprehensive suite of services tailored for the speed and convenience required by the New York customer, whether they are looking for a lively dine-in experience or a quick meal at home.
Dine-in: Experience the **Trendy** and **Cozy** atmosphere firsthand. With **Seating** and dedicated **Table service**, Ho'Brah offers a full-service dining environment, complete with a popular **Bar onsite** that is central to their social appeal and features their celebrated cocktails.
Takeout: Ideal for residents and commuters who want to enjoy the flavor of Ho'Brah at home without the wait.
Delivery: As a crucial service in the NYC area, delivery ensures favorites like the **Big Daddy Burrito** or a plate of **Nachos** can be enjoyed anywhere in the service radius.
Happy Hour: Catering to the after-work crowd, Ho'Brah offers both **Happy hour drinks** and **Happy hour food**, making it an affordable and fun early evening option.
Late-Night Food: A vital feature in a city that never sleeps, Ho'Brah is a reliable option for satisfying post-midnight cravings for **Comfort food** and **Quick bites**.
Diverse Meal Times: Available for **Brunch**, **Lunch**, **Dinner**, and **Dessert**, making it a versatile choice for any time of day.
Features / Highlights
Ho'Brah distinguishes itself with a blend of creative menu items, a focus on drinks, and a distinctly Brooklyn atmosphere.
Signature Beverage Program: The restaurant is known for its **Great cocktails** (like the customer-favorite "Bulldog") and an expansive **Great beer selection**. The bar is a central feature, attracting crowds who enjoy their **Alcohol** and **Hard liquor** selections.
Innovative Taco Selection: The taco menu is extensive and imaginative, covering options from the traditional **Americano Taco** to global fusion items like the **Korean BBQ Taco** and regional specialties like the **Cabo Fish Taco**. The highly popular **Tres Birria Tacos** are a standout for the serious taco enthusiast.
Unique Comfort Food Appetizers: Ho'Brah puts a creative spin on appetizers, offering popular items that qualify as full meals. Highlights include the stacked **Big Kahuna Fries**, **West Coast Nachos**, and the highly praised **Loaded Elote Fries**, combining street corn flavors with their french fries base.
Dietary Inclusivity: The menu offers comprehensive **Vegetarian options**, **Healthy options**, and features many items categorized as **Small plates** and **Quick bites**, making it easy for diners to customize their experience based on their appetite or dietary needs.
Cozy, Trendy Vibe: The atmosphere is consistently noted as **Casual, Cozy,** and **Trendy**, featuring warm lighting and interesting decor (like the murals or graffiti often found in popular Brooklyn spots) that contribute to a fun, inviting feel. However, be aware that the restaurant can be **very very loud**, reflective of its high energy and popularity.
Contact Information
For directions, reservations (highly recommended due to the 'Usually a wait'), or to place a takeout order for your favorite tacos in Bay Ridge, here is the contact information for Ho'Brah.
Address: 8618 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11209, USA
Phone: (718) 680-8226
Mobile Phone: +1 718-680-8226
What is worth choosing
When you decide to brave the wait and visit Ho'Brah, a few menu items stand out as essential choices, praised by local patrons for their bold flavor and quality. You should definitely **stick to the classics and their highly-rated specialties.**
The consensus is strong that the various taco offerings are a must-try. Specifically, the **Fish Tacos** are noted as being
"amazing,"
a true testament to their commitment to specialty options like the **Cabo Fish Taco** and **Blackened Mahi Mahi Taco**. If you’re looking for a handheld appetizer, the **Consuela's Chile Pork Empanadas** (or the general **pulled pork empanadas**) are highly recommended, with one customer stating,"OMG, you gotta try the pulled pork empanadas."
These small plates are perfect for sharing or a quick burst of flavor.For a heavier, satisfying meal, the **Wikea Brisket Quesadilla** is a clear winner. It's described as
"really good,"
with brisket that is"smoky and salty"
and cheese that is"creamy and stretchy."
This dish perfectly encapsulates Ho'Brah’s ability to execute Mexican comfort food with high-quality ingredients. Complementing this, the **Loaded Elote Fries** are a popular, filling side, noted for their good taste, despite the fries sometimes being soft—they are a creative, generously topped item that is **"relatively cheap"** for the portion size.Finally, you absolutely cannot visit Ho'Brah without sampling their drink offerings. The bar is a **Highlight** and the atmosphere is fun. The **Bulldog** cocktail, for example, is highly praised, especially for enjoyment
"on a hot day."
It is important for local diners to note that while the food's flavor profiles are excellent, there have been occasional inconsistencies. For instance, the **Tropical Shrimp Bowl** was described as disappointing, with too much rice and too little shrimp, making it a dish to potentially skip. Service can also be inconsistent, with some servers being
"friendly and accommodating"
while others are less attentive. However, the consistent quality of the core menu items—the tacos, quesadillas, and appetizers—coupled with the vibrant, social **Trendy** setting and excellent cocktails, solidify Ho'Brah's status as a necessary stop for Mexican food enthusiasts in the Bay Ridge and wider Brooklyn area. Its popularity is evident in the fact that there is usually a wait, but for the flavor, many New Yorkers find the delay worth it.Ho'Brah Food & drink
Full Menu - Soft Drinks
- Strawberry Lemonade $4.65
- Mango Iced Tea $4.05
- Strawberry Iced Tea $4.05
- Cola $2.95
- Diet Cola $2.95
- Mango Lemonade $4.65
- Blueberry Iced Tea $4.05
- Ginger Ale $2.95
- Sweet Iced Tea $2.95
- 7 Up $2.95
- Blueberry Lemonade $4.65
- The Original Lemonade $4.05
Full Menu - Appetizers
- Nachos Plate $16.15
- Big Kahuna Fries $17.25
- West Coast Nachos $17.25
- Guacamole, Chips & Salsa $14.95
- Poblano Queso $12.65
- Loco Frites Plate $12.65
- Loaded Elote Fries $14.95
- Baja Street Corn On The Cob $12.65
- Baja Street Corn Off The Cob $12.65
- Chips & Salsa $5.75
- Angry Bird Chicken Empanadas $6.35
- Shrimp Empanadas $6.95
- Consuela's Chile Pork Empanadas $6.35
- Doc Gonzo QUESO $16.15
- Power Trio $18.45
- Aloha Wings $14.95
- Honey Chipotle BBQ Wings $14.95
- 4 Oz Side Of Salsa Rojo $3.00
Full Menu - Guacamole
- Guacamole, Chips & Salsa $14.95
Full Menu - Soups & Salads
- J Bay Salad $13.85
- Hobrah House Salad $14.95
Full Menu - Entrées
- Steak Chimichurri $25.35
- Banging Mac 'N Cheese Plate $16.15
- Surf City Fajitas $27.65
- Tequila Lime Shrimp $28.75
Full Menu - Aloha Bowls
- Mahalo Bowl $19.55
- Surf 'N Turf Burrito Bowl $31.05
- Tropical Shrimp Bowl $21.35
Full Menu - Tacos
- Tres Birria Tacos $21.85
- Texas Boss Tacos $26.45
- Captain Jack Taco $7.55
- Korean BBQ Taco $7.55
- Sunset Pork Taco $6.35
- Bohemian Taco $6.35
- Cabo Fish Taco $8.05
- Long Beach All Star Taco $7.55
- Thunderbird Taco $6.35
- East Coast Surfer Taco $8.65
- Diablo Diego Shrimp Taco $8.65
- The Veggie Taco $6.35
- Classic Cali Fish Taco $8.05
- Americano Taco $6.35
- Wikea Brisket Taco $8.65
- Blue Belle Ranch Pork Taco $7.55
- Blackened Mahi Mahi Taco $8.05
- Mojo Shrimp Taco $8.05
- Dirty Bird Taco $6.95
- Down With J.A.B Taco $6.95
Full Menu - Burritos
- The Duke Wet Burrito $19.55
- Mission Bay Burrito $13.85
- Holy Mole Burrito $19.55
- Big Daddy Burrito $19.55
- The Bobbo Burrito $17.25
Full Menu - Quesadillas
- Crybaby Quesadilla $20.75
- Birria Quesadilla $21.85
- Jack & Cheddar Quesadilla $11.55
- Cameron Quesadilla $20.75
- Wikea Brisket Quesadilla $19.55
- Blue Belle Ranch Pork Quesadilla $19.55
Full Menu - For the Kids
- Kids' Chicken Finger And Fries $10.35
- Kids' Ground Beef And Cheese Taco $10.35
- Kids' Chicken And Cheese Quesadilla $10.35
Full Menu - Sides and Dressings
- Sour Cream $1.15
- Half Size Guacamole $7.50
- French Fries $5.75
- Jasmine Rice $3.45
- Black Beans $3.45
- Avocado Crema $1.15
- Chipotle Crema $1.15
- Chili Lime SC $1.15
- Chipotle Ranch $1.15
- Cilantro Lime Dressing $1.15
- Homemade Corn Tortillas $3.45
- Trinity $5.75
- 4 Oz Side Of Salsa Rojo $3.00
Ho'Brah Details
Service options
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Comfort food
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Healthy options
- Late-night food
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Wine
Dining options
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Bar onsite
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- College students
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Children
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Parking
- Paid street parking
Ho'Brah Photos










Ho'Brah Location
Ho'Brah Reviews
margaritasbrunchcornflightbulldogfish tacosblueberrysunsethappy hourshrimp empanadas
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1Love this place! It’s small but fun! Love the music, the atmosphere is pretty chill. The fish tacos are amazing and OMG, you gotta try the pulled pork empanadas (sorry I don’t have a picture). If you’ve never been, that drink in the pic is a Bulldog. Very good, especially on a hot day!
February 05 · Michelle B.TLDR: Expectations from prior visit unmet, decent food, inconsistent service.The restaurant is pretty small, only maybe 10 tables or so. There is a bar. The restaurant was warmly lit and the decor was nice but it was very very loud.We ordered the Wikea Brisket Quesadilla, Elote Fries, and Tropical Shrimp Bowl. They all came out pretty fast, but we were served chips for starters. The last time I'd visited I had gotten salsa and guacamole with the chips, but this time it was only salsa. Which is fine, because maybe avocado prices have gone up? until I realized that they were serving some tables the guacamole along with the chips and salsa. So it seemed like they were picking and choosing who to give just salsa and who to give guacamole and salsa. Seemed like some of the regulars got the guacamole. Weird. Also, we ended up being charged for a refill on the salsa (2 bucks for that tiny cup?) but our server did not tell us about this. Not great.The elote fries were topped high and tasted very good. The fries themselves were a bit soggy but what do you expect. Very filling and relatively cheap. The wikea brisket quesadilla was really good. The brisket was smoky and salty and the cheese was creamy and stretchy. Came with a side of sour cream and salsa. The shrimp bowl was disappointing. It was really mostly white rice and shredded cabbage with a few dices of mango and only four pieces of shrimp. If you're charging $18 for the bowl give some more shrimp.The service was inconsistent. Our table's server was devoid of any emotion and was almost cold. But the other staff seemed in high spirits. Another server was very friendly and accommodating when I asked for hot water, even asking if I wanted lemon slices. The staff were for the most part gathered around the bar talking to each other and it was hard to get their attention at times.Overall, disappointing experience and unmet expectations. The food was decent but stick to the classics (i.e. don't get the shrimp bowl). Why so weird with the guacamole? Was super happy after last time's visit but now I'm not sure I will return.
November 24 · coreyykkCustomer service was great. I went during happy hour with a group of friends. The nachos with chicken were good, the wings, and also the elote 🌽. Frozen drinks 👍🏾👍🏾 I would definitely visit again.
August 26 · Shannel BrownMy food came out amazing ! Was really hungry and it hit the spot ! The brisket tacos and the nachos were really good ! A little pricey but worth it in my opinion! Staff was really cool and the place was laid back and looked clean. Will definitely be returning to try other things on the menu !
April 22 · MassMid-morning on a Friday. To our delight, there wasn't anyone around except the obliging barkeep.We ordered the calamari, and two tacos – Korean BBQ and Captain Jack. It’s always nice when calamari – quite possibly the most ubiquitous app there is out there – comes adorned with something a little extra: zippy lime-soaked red onions, charred corn and a creamy, piquant chipotle mayo. We polished off the tacos, which were a tad pricey, but no complaints!It’s not surprising that Ho’Brah’s is a local beloved; if you’re looking for a brunch snack, or a place to just kick back, this is the place for you. The only thing missing are some oceanfront vistas.
September 24 · Gina M
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