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El Sancho
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
44 reviews for El Sancho
Review Highlights
"The chili Verde was tasty - not overbearing spicy."
(in 3 reviews)
"The beer battered mahi mahi fish was seasoned perfectly."
(in 3 reviews)
"...where the good authentic Mexican food is lovingly prepared..."
(in 3 reviews)
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Sandy K.
9/28/2011 4 photos
A real hole in the wall dive but the Yelp reviews about El Sancho had me craving Mexican food. The parking lot is small and limited to about four cars. Inside you'll find only a couple of tables and stools along the storefront glass which gives you a view of the lake across the street.
My order the Chili Verde with beans, rice and flour tortillas. The chili Verde was tasty - not overbearing spicy. The beans were lighter in color but tasted good and the rice was yummy. I tried a few bites of the highly rated fish tacos which were large - stuffed full of deep fried mahi, shredded cabbage, white sauce and topped with a mild salsa.
The elder cashier/waitress was friendly, although she did not speak much English but the younger lady chef was friendly and sweet. I informed them of Yelp and they had no idea what that was!
Come for the authentic food and don't let the look of the place scare you off! -
Review from Jason S.
Reno, NV
12/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
I'm announcing the first Christmas Miracle of this season! I did NOT get food poisoning here. Truly, a miracle.
Don't ask me how I ended up here, or why I was forced into a situation I couldn't escape from. I had to order, and I was okay with losing 10 pounds of water over the next few days if I had to.
This place is dirty. Seriously. I was really bummed I happened to catch a peek into the kitchen. Everything is just.....unsanitary- in and out of the kitchen. I mostly stuck to the chips and salsa, but I did have a couple of tacos: carnitas and al pastore. I found both to be lacking and bland. Bits of decomposing cilantro sprinkled on the taco made it much more interesting though.
The only good thing I can say is the employees are friendly and nice. I always root for the local small guy, but this ridiculous.
I have been inside the Truckee location too, and while its newer and the employee/owner is just as friendly, it's also on its way to just as dirty. Clearly, El Sancho might (emphasis on 'might') be able to make good food based on the other Yelp reviews, but they need a serious class on food prep and hygiene.
A real kitchen nightmare. Never again. Never. -
Review from Heidi P.
Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA
1/21/2012
Twice I was served soured beans and almost every time the chips are stale. I really really want to love this place (I live a block away) but between being served food that had turned bad TWICE and the amount of lard in the super watery beans, I just can't go there again. The only reason I gave it 2 stars is because the family that runs it is super nice. But they need to get their act together....
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Review from Edward W.
Fremont, CA
3/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
The service is excellent. We went in 10 minutes before closing and he was still very welcoming. The fish tacos are good, but I ended up getting the burrito since I was starving. The burrito is a good size, but don't expect too much meat inside. I tried my friend's Fish Tacos and those were absolutely amazing. If I hadn't been so hungry, I would have also gotten the Fish Tacos. He gave us complimentary chips with salsa along with allowing us to stay after closing time.
TLDR; Service is great. Burrito was okay. Fish tacos are awesome. FREE anything is the best. -
Review from Mom E.
Sacramento, CA
6/11/2011 1 photo
What a dive-y gem! This place looks run down from the outside and even worse inside. The owner was friendly and funny. His daughter was there talking to a customer about her college classes and working on becoming a doctor - they really looked like the American dream.
We ordered our food and walked it back to our hotel next door. The food looked fairly terrible when we opened up our to go boxes but the taste? FABULOUS. I highly recommend the tostada. I think they do something magical to it! Many of their dishes have a choice of vehicle for a long list of meats (including brains and head!). Tacos, burritos, tostadas, tortas and more. My husband said the chili colorado was the 2nd best he has ever had and that is saying a lot since he tries it at almost every place it is available. The guacamole was amazing... a strong lime taste, great body, full of chunks of avocado and tomatoes and spot on flavor. The chips were fantastic.
Tons of delicious food for a great price. We will definitely make this a stop on future visits to the Tahoe area.Listed in: North Lake Tahoe on a Budget
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Review from Lars M.
Aptos, CA
8/10/2011
Order was wrong to start with, ordered a bunch of food for the family to go. tacos enchaladas, burritos, taco salad, the fish tacos were ok nothing great, my kids would not eat the burrito, I have never had them turn down a burrito form anywhere. My wife said hers was nasty and also our friend. I eat Mexican food from several places where I live in santa cruz about twice a week, this was some of the worst mexican food I have had in a long long time.
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Review from John W.
Sunapee, NH
9/19/2011
Bangin' tamales de puerco. Tacos are good too, especially lengua and cabeza. Maybe only ten seats in the place, but easy take-out accessibility makes this place a north shore must.
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Review from William B.
Palo Alto, CA
9/5/2010
After an unsatisfying sack lunch on the beach, we decided to experiment with tacos at this beachside taqueria. Man, I am glad we did.
Service was quite slow-- possibly because the kitchen was slammed with other orders as we walked in, or possibly because that's just the way they do things in Tahoe. But when our tacos arrived, they were worth the wait.
The fish taco was full of big chunks of flaky, fresh fried fish, along with crema and cabbage-- just like the California fish tacos of my dreams. The chili verde taco was spicy and full of tender pork. It bears mention that both tacos were huge (spilling out of the tortilla and overfilled) and yet also cheap ($1.95 each). I'm surprised it wasn't far more crowded than it already was.
Go here. -
Review from Oleg H.
7/12/2010
No one goes to Tahoe for burritos.
But when the weather closes in on you and your party, and you have a burrito emergency, don't settle for mediocre 7-11 microwaveable kibble.
Go to where the good authentic Mexican food is lovingly prepared just for you. El Sancho - so good you'll drive there from the Mission. -
Review from Renee N.
Alameda, CA
7/13/2010
Yelp told us to drive up a mountainous dirt road to get here. We considered doing it and pleading stupidity so we could sue, but instead just G-mapped it and wound up in the right spot. And boy were we glad we did!
Most of our eating experiences in Tahoe had been ho-hum, but not El Sancho. The server was super friendly, and the fish tacos left me wondering why I don't only eat fish tacos at all times. Bonus points for sitting out on the cute patio in view of the lake, being the cheapest meal we ate over our entire Tahoe trip, and having an El Sancho post card cut out into which Oleg and Adam stuck their faces for a lovely souvenir shot.
We will be back next year! -
Review from Tracy S.
South San Francisco, CA
5/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best damn burrito ever!!
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Review from Noel P.
Long Beach, CA
9/1/2010
For North Tahoe, great place for the price. As others have commented, it is a bit of a run down, hole in the wall. However, the food is very good and the prices are reasonable.
Loved the salsa. Wife and I liked the fish tacos even thought the meat was fried.
We will be back! -
Review from Che P.
Sacramento, CA
7/12/2011
Tucked between King's Beach and Tahoe City, this Mexican taco/burrito stand will surprise you on value and taste. Lot's of great cold Mexican beer, huge burritos and giant platters with something for everyone. Stop by and get a FREE TACO when you tell them Tahoevibe sent you (Che Perez).
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Review from Derrell P.
San Francisco, CA
6/19/2011 1 photo
It's been years since I've eaten here, but Yelp's reminding me that my photo's still used for El Sancho. Their tacos are great and they have mexican coke to go with that killer view.
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Review from Wes M.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2008
I gotta take a moment to defend El Sancho from the haters. I don't know about you, but after a hard day on the slopes I have neither the energy nor the funds left for some swanky dinner a la Spindleshanks. Plus, El Sancho was within walking distance of the hotel, meaning I could get there without taking the car into the blizzard of death.
It's a tiny little shack with colorful walls and warm lighting. I highly recommend the stools by the front window, where you can watch the snow fall by the neon light of the Dos Equis sign.
Maybe it's the post-ski hunger talking, but the fish tacos were two bites of heaven, and all too easy to devour in a flash. The chile verde burrito is an absurdly hefty piping-hot masterpiece made with pork and what looked like queso fresco (plus rice and beans built-in, yay!). A little loosely wrapped and hence messy, but still great. Best of all, it all came with hot, freshly cooked tortilla chips. Remind me never to settle for the store-bought chips again.
Indeed there can be good Mexican food in Tahoe. And why not? All you need is a good Mexican cook like the lady at El Sancho.Listed in: Tahoe
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Review from Christopher S.
Annapolis, MD
Updated - 7/25/2010
I upgraded these guys this summer. We ate at an upscale (by Tahoe standards) Mexican restaurant the other night and then had lunch at El Sancho twice and dinner once. The food was actually better. Over the three visits we sampled many of the items on the menu and they were all outstanding
One of the best beef Tacos I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Amazing freshly prepared Guacamole. The best everyone had ever tasted. There was a group of us and everyone was very impressed. I would rate this as a top dive for Mexican food.
Excellent price/value relationship. Possibly the best price/value in Tahoe.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/30/2009
I give the El Sancho tee shirts 5 stars. I bought a few of these over the last two years. Looks like… Read more »
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Review from Scott F.
Mountain View, CA
2/16/2010 9 photos
Here is the run-down (see my photos):
- chorizo sopes: excellent, great sope texture, great chroizo.
- carnitas tacos: very juicy. Cheap, too: $2 each, which is better than most happy hour deals.
- fried tilapia fish tacos: excellent. The crispiness and fish flavor really come through. You can't get fish tacos as good as these in San Francisco.
- The flan is outstanding. Super rich burnt caramel. I've had it twice, and it's consistently great.
- carne asada sopes: skip it: the carne asada is low-end: stick to the carnitas or chorizo.
- chicken tamales: meh. skip it.
- Also a downside: they only have pinto beans, no black beans.
This place is way better that Tacos Jalisco.
It's worth a drive all the way from either Truckee or Tahoe City. They have Poloze and menudo soup on Saturday / Sunday, which I intend to try out. -
Review from Adriel M.
Vacaville, CA
7/9/2011
Terrible experience we ordered burritos and nachos, burritos were just nasty tasting and the meat was real fatty the nachos had stale chips and just tasted bad and the restaurant was dirty with a lot of flys.
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Review from Paul C.
Sacramento, CA
2/17/2009
A top choice for a good cheap meal in the North Lake area. Truly great fish tacos and most everything else you would find at a *real* Mexican joint.
Reminded me of Puerto Vallarta on the inside. Small, but has four tables or so, good for a small group or take out. Not a new or shiny place - so grandma might not like, but your bros probably will love it. Great location across from the boat launch on North Lake Blvd (the Yelp map is wrong) - if you want to take some good chow out on the lake. -
Review from Yvonne M.
San Jose, CA
6/28/2011
We stopped by El Sancho on our first day here to check it out for future meal. The owner was very nice and when I described the taco's al pastor I had in Playa del Carmen Mexico last year he said "We make those too". Had them for dinner tonight and they were yummy. DH had the burritto and could only eat half. The place is worth stopping for lunch or dinner on the cheap here in Lake Tahoe.
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Review from Kristen L.
San Mateo, CA
1/20/2008
I really like this place as opposed to what others have said. I give it four stars not for the service, which is lacking (a young boy taking orders and his mom in the back cooking) but for the food and atmosphere.
I wouldn't recommend the burritos because they are kind of soupy like super burrito in millbrae and I prefer burritos from Pancho Villa. The carne asada tacos are pretty good, the meat is a little dry but good flavor and of course their homemade tortillas rock! what I recommend is the fish tacos. they're so good. I love rubio's fish tacos but these are a little better because they aren't so greasy and they have really fresh tomatoes on them. The sauce is really close to what rubios tastes like, the fish is good, crispy(the beer batter) and not too greasy and the best thing is the yummy homemade tortillas. the fish tacos come with rice (this time my rice was under cooked so it wasn't very good) and refried beans which were good. Very filling after a day in the snow or a day of hiking!
The place itself I think is so cute. It's very small and kind of like a hole in the wall but I love finding places like that so I personally like it. You have to sit at their window seating so you can enjoy your fish tacos while looking right at the lake. It's right across the street from the lake with nothing obstructing the view. BEAUTIFUL!
One warning, don't get chips and salsa. It was like 3 bucks, I had to ask for it twice and the salsa wasn't very flavorful and barely any chips...disappointing.
So to sum up this novel, if you like finding local yummy hole in the wall places, this is the place for you. If you want to sit in a big spacious comfy restaurant with four star service, this isn't the place for you. -
Review from Lisa J.
Roseville, CA
10/6/2009
I would go back in a heartbeat. Excellent shredded beef! Not shredded small and not watery. Very tasty!
Great menu choice in pork, beef, chicken, sausage, and tasty Munudo soup! -
Review from Matt C.
San Francisco, CA
12/29/2007
The place is small, brightly colored and had a menu written in spanish on poster board. What a great start.
There are neon signs for beer, but I guess they have new owners and don't have a liquor license yet - so no points off, but really they shouldn't have the signs in the window turned on.
I orderd from a friendly gentlemen who informed me that the only "choice" of beans I could have was pinto. And then I got scared.
Then the food arrived.
I have never had a more bland and tasteless burrito. The food here is so unremarkable that I wonder if the staff even eat their own food. I understand that I'm in Lake Tahoe and not on International Blvd. in Oakland, but I have to say that I've had better mexican food in Montana. -
Review from lilli g.
Oakland, CA
8/9/2009
Muy bueno fish tacos! We would ordinarily have flown right by this place but saw a few people waiting outside, always a good sign.
The beer battered mahi mahi fish was seasoned perfectly. The "special sauce" tasted a lot like mayo *warning all you mayo haters*, but I LOVE mayo so was pleased at the creamy coolness on top the warm fish. The shredded cabbage on top was super fresh and beans tasted so yummy. We got the fish tacos especial.
My only complaint was that the portions seemed a bit small although admittedly, I was perfectly satisfied at the end of my meal. The fish tacos are served in corn tortillas the size of dollar coins (slightly exaggerated), but I've never seen such tiny corn torts! The chips - I counted maybe 7. For ~9/order, I expect a little mas, especially from a divey joint. I mean divey in the best way. We'll be back to try the other 'especiales'. -
Review from Ramaswamy A.
Ann Arbor, MI
6/30/2011
tasty tacos, fair portions, friendly service, casual and child-friendly atmosphere -- all the food was above average but nothing was stupendous, which is okay at the price -- good salsa choices too
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Review from Gatsby's G.
Lemoore, CA
11/12/2009
My husband and were taking the scenic route back home from a trip to Reno on Halloween weekend. We were across the street feeding the ducks when we saw this place.
My husband is a huge fan of fish tacos, and when he saw a sign outside El Sancho proclaiming the best fish tacos, we had to try it out.
While it is tiny inside, the food is absolutely great. With the fish tacos, you also get beans, rice, and salad. The fish was a perfect, golden crispy color. The refried beans weren't greasy at all-- you can taste the beans cheese, and a hint of salsa. And I loved the rice!
Oh yeah, you can also get real Coke from Mexico with sugar instead of that fakey corn syrup stuff they give us here in America. : )
The next time we go back to Lake Tahoe, we will definitely stop here. -
Review from Steve E.
Burlingame, CA
1/29/2011
This place is highly overrated. I ordered the chile rellenos, which is one of my favorite Mexican dishes. However, I found theirs to be amazingly tasteless. My husband ordered a carnitas burrito which he found to be very bland. We don't understand all the great reviews for this place.
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Review from Rohini J.
Davis, CA
8/24/2010
El Sancho is great - good food, great price. I had the burrito which was simple but good (meat, spanish rice, cheese). The Carnitas was some of the best I've ever had. My Fiancé got the fish tacos and those were delicious as well. I was wary about getting the burrito at a place that is known for its tacos but this place seems to deliver great food overall.
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Review from Matt H.
Suisun City, CA
7/4/2010
Not only was the service horrible, the fish tacos that were "the best in Tahoe" according to a local magazine review were horrible as well. The sides of beans and rice were under par too. Maybe there are other items here that are good, but with a bad first impression, I could care less. Overall, I'd never go back here.
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Review from jasonz k.
San Diego, CA
7/21/2011
This is one of those Hole in the wall places that you normally wouldn't give a 2nd look at but we've been here 3+ times. Its a casual joint with limited seating, everything we have tried has tasted great! They have a lot of regulars that come regularly, worth a visit for good mexican food.
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Review from Jaysen H.
Fullerton, CA
8/21/2010
Right across the street from the little beach we like to go to. Pretty authentic. I enjoyed the Fish Tacos, Wifey got the Chicken Tacos and Bro-In-Law got the Carne Asada Tacos. I'm not brave enough to try them, but they do have lengua, cabeza and other more interesting choices...
Here's a Partial Menu:
:: Especials ::
Camaron Diablo (hot)....$9.95
Fish Tacos (2)................$8.75
Chili Verde Plate ...........$8.95
Empanada ....................$8.95
Pescado Frito ...............$8.95
Chili Rellenos ...............$8.95
3 Taco Special ..............$7.95
Chili Verde Burrito ........$6.95
Milanesa .......................$9.95 -
Review from Mike B.
Roseville, CA
10/24/2010
Great little place (really little - like seats 12), the food is outstanding and the owner/waiter/cook/bartender is very friendly. We started out with some chips and guac - yum, then ordered burritos and tacos. The burritos are huge (think chipotle) but delicious and the tacos were also very good. If you don't like spicy food don't get the tacos, I loved them, my wfie - not so much.
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Review from Alena M.
10/15/2007
I'll be honest: The only reason I ate at this restaurant while on vacation is because I had a BOGO coupon. However, I am not one to turn down possibly authentic carnitas burritos, so I decided to push the "Can there be good Mexican food in Tahoe?" thought out of my mind. This place is tiny, but not smaller than the 10-year old boy running the restaurant. He took orders and brought out the food, all the while watching The Disney Channel on full blast. He certainly had his own technique: he brought out the burritos one by one and then the drinks in the same fashion. My husband and I both ordered the aforementioned burritos, and they were decent. I practically rendered my coupon obselete because I placed all of my change into his tip jar. I like to think that I'm contributing to his college fund.
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Review from Karen S.
INCLINE VLG, NV
10/31/2010
We had the fish tacos and chile rellenos and a side of guacamole, salsa and chips. The fish was fresh (Mahi Mahi) and well seasoned. The guacamole and pico de gallo were very fresh as well. The proprietor was very nice and the place was clean and charming.
It was our first time tasting chile rellenos, which were stuffed with cheese. Not our favorite dish, but prepared well. -
Review from Monique T.
Incline Village, NV
1/24/2011
no no no. don't waste your time. i'm bummed at other yelpers, this place is not good. my fish taco was a complete resemblance of a fishstick! chips and guac are $6 and clearly the chips were store bought. there was no little lady behind the curtain cooking. maybe we went on an off night or she was on vacation but i don't think we will be back anytime soon. ugh bad mexican really puts me in a bad mood. by the way when they ask if you want beans and rice say no they'll put you back $4 which seems like a lot when each taco is $2. save your money i'm not a fan.
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Review from Gene J.
Roseville, CA
10/5/2009 6 photos
We loved this place. The refried beans and rice were bland, but everything else was fantastic. We will go here again.
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Review from Meredith C.
San Francisco, CA
8/17/2009
Fish tacos are their specialty. It's a hole in the wall but definitely delicious food that can be found nowhere else in the North Lake Tahoe area. Homemade corn tortillas, deliciously fried mahi mahi, and cabbage slaw to top it off w/ their special dressing. Even if you're adventurous walk across the street to the beach and eat there.
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Review from Angel A.
Santa Clara, CA
10/4/2008
We stopped here because after seven days of cabin food I was ready to eat a meal that I didn't have to do dishes for. Plus I was craving some enchiladas. This place is tiny but great. The service was friendly, and when we ordered the guy pointed out a cheaper combo that had an extra taco. Bonus! It's more of a takeout place, but we ate on the tiny little counter looking out onto the lake. The carnitas tacos were great - just the right amount of hot sauce, onions and cilantro. And the chicken enchiladas were perfect, covered in crema fresca and queso blanco instead of the usual goopy cheddar. The chicken was roasted, not boiled. Even the beans and rice and chips on the side were tasty. Wash it down with a Bohemia and you almost feel you're in Mexico. Well, the closest you're going to get in the Sierras anyway.
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Review from Jen S.
Seattle, WA
8/20/2009
It's visited by Anglo and Mexican locals alike - good sign. My husband and I went two days in a row, and the proprietor remembered us and spoke with us in Spanish. The chips are great, although the salsas are okay. The pastor is awesome - especially if you go early in the lunch hour because you get the crunchy parts. Yum. The carnitas is good; it drips with fat. The shrimp was pretty good, but it needed a different salsa because the one that works for pork wasn't working for the shrimp. Their beans are awesome - toasty and tasty. Their horchata is also excellent. I will definitely go back next year.
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Review from Janet P.
San Francisco, CA
4/4/2009
I'm from LA, where good mexican food is easy to comeby. Tahoe however, is a different story. Think of El Sancho as a "diamond in the rough." It's got the authenticity/deliciousness of a "hole-in-the-wall" joint minus the dirtiness. I wish I would have discovered this place sooner. All winter long I've been driving the opposite direction (towards tahoe city) to eat overpriced american crap. Luckily, I had the fish tacos 3 days in a row and left tahoe on a great note. Thanks El Sancho!
