El Taconazo Taqueria
- Price Range: $
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Parking: Private Lot
- Attire: Casual
- Good for Groups: Yes
- Good for Kids: Yes
- Takes Reservations: No
- Delivers: No
- Take-out: Yes
- Waiter Service: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Good for: Lunch
- Alcohol: Beer & Wine Only
11 reviews
San Jose, CA
"My hubbie and I were just walking to Mi Pueblo supermarket to buy some pork chops to cook for lunch but when we saw a Mexican lady eating a…" read more »
26 Reviews for El Taconazo Taqueria
I've never been here, but I drove by the other day and I was digging the name so I give taconazo 5 stars based on the cool name.
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I just started working about 3 blocks from this place, and someone in my office mentioned I should try it. She said it was 'okay', so I didn't have any expectations.
Here is what I liked:
Clean place, friendly waitstaff, cheap eats, attentive service, large portions.
Here is what I didn't like... ***but first my disclaimer: Since I live in SF, and frequent GOOD taquerias in the Mission, I feel I'm spoiled a bit, and can be pickier than most when it comes to Mexican cuisine.***
In short, my carne asada burrito wasn't that tasty. It was a little cold, with too much refried beans, and barely any sour cream or guac. Like the salsa, I felt my burrito tasted more like something served in some ridiculous Americanized, chain Mexican joint (i.e. Chevy's, Acupulco, etc.) rather than an 'authentico' taqueria.
If I go back here, it's only because I LOVE Mexican food, and it's close to work. Would probably try something different, too.
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El Taconazo......... what a name.
I have affectionately named them "El YumYum"
My coworker and I were so in love with this place when it first opened. Tacos, chilaquiles, horchata.... and they open super early........and they're only 3 blocks from work.......priceless.
My lunch hour is at 9am - literally, so when I find somewhere that is close, affordable, and doesn't limit me to breakfast options, I get REALLY excited.
But good things don't last forever, my love for El YumYum has waned. Only a little though. We used to frequent them once or twice a week for lunch, but due to excessive spending during the lunch hour (and a speeding ticket once), my lunch buddy and I are on a mission to bring lunch from home daily. Sometimes, you have to put yourself on a time out.
Anyway, back to El YumYum. The highlights are their salsa, soft tacos, hard tacos, and do not miss the chicken flautas! The service is very friendly and the lady who is usually working the register will not forget your face. I think her kids are there too sometimes, and they are also helpful and attentive. As an additional bonus, you can usually catch a telenovela playing if you go in the morning. I think the restaurant is a great addition to the lack luster industrial neighborhood and their food really is consistent, marked with natural highlights and lowlights (oops, that sounds like Shear Genius).
The downers.... well the steak in the entrees is not always tender enough and their prices have crept up since last year, but hey, that's the business. Every entree is not a hit, but you basically have to buy it to try it. Also, I found a toothpick inside of my taco once, but it did not pierce my palate. Yay......
So, I'm going to give El YumYum three stars because they are solid. I am debating hard between three and four.......but it's gonna be a three.
A-OK
Was in the area as my buddy was getting work done on his Mustang. While trying to decide where to eat, we came up on El Taconazo. I was skeptical until I saw the "People love us on Yelp" sticker. Love those stickers! Walked in with confidence after that and found the food to be pretty decent. I had the carne asada burrito and he had the tacos. I wouldn't say that I was blown away, but would definitely go back again if I was in the area. Service was nice and everything seemed pretty authentic. Not bad at all. Not sure about parking as we walked over from the repair shop.
Large portions, decent prices, good food.
Ask for your salsa on the side though, as they just top your tacos off without asking. I think they have different salsas for different types of meat...? Well, the one they used for my chicken taco was mild, but the one they used on top of the carne asada taco was way too spicy for me.
For a Mexican restaurant, this place was pretty clean. We went there for brunch one morning. It was relatively quiet. The staff was pretty nice, service was good and the food was pretty good. I'd definitely go back again. I'd probably give this place a 3.5 stars, getting 4 or more out of me is hard.
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This isn't a fancy Mexican place-- more just family run with all of the traditonal staples. The carne asada burrito is large, They give great chips and salsa and the service is quick.
Burrito's are HUGE! I really enjoyed my meal here... Burrito was large, and very good. They have chips that are included with a meal purchase, and yummy fresh salsa with cilantro is free to grab with purchase also.... mmmmmmmm!
Prices were very reasonable... Staff was friendly. I would go again! :)
I came here last week after reading the reviews on Yelp. Had the Carnitas burrito for lunch. I was not impressed. The carnitas were too salty and some too old and hard at the edges. My burrito barely had any beans or rice in it. It was a huge meat log...gross. I threw half of it in the trash.
Very clean inside.
Friendly staff.
If I do decide to give this place another shot I will try the enchiladas platter.
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Ever since I moved to my new home a couple of days ago, I kept on driving by this place on my way to work. I finally decided to try this place for breakfast. When I walked in the place looked like a real mexican taqeria. It was adorned with beautiful decorations and had a real down to earth and homey feel to it. I felt like I wanted to sit down with the people who worked there and have a long chat.
I love the enchiladas here. So delicous, right amount of spice, just how I like it. It comes w/sour cream, rice & beans. I wolfed it down.
I swear, I think the cook knew exactly what I was going to order when I walked through the door. I ordered a chorizo breakfast burrito, that came with beans and eggs. Two seconds later, literally, two seconds later, my food came out. I devored this big burrito. The chorizo had a nice crispiness to it that gave it an edge. This burrito certainly did not seem to have a blah and boring taste to it. The hot sauce was delicious, had lots of flavor. I didn't get any free chips or salsa, as Big J. did though. Hmph!
Got Meat! That should be there motto, I was surprised on how good there carnetas burrito was, I will be coming back soon!
Went here for breakfast and got fast friendly service.
My food was ready in 5 minutes and I got free chips and salsa in 30 seconds.
I got chorizo and eggs and it came with flour tortillas, rice and beans.
All this for 5.40. Sweet.
Everything came out hot and with some tapatio I was makin myself some little burritos that tasted pretty good.
Got a horchata to go and they asked if I wanted ice or not (big plus) and it was the perfect compliment to the breakfast.
Sure the atmosphere isn't great but I'm here for the food. End of story.
Went yesterday for the first time. Ordered chicken enchiladas. They were fantastic. Very satisfying. My husband got the chimichanga... also very good. Salsa and chips were brought immediately. Service was very fast and friendly. Food came out hot. Sodas were in cans as opposed to fountain, which is awesome. Would definitely go there again and try something new.
This place is good. I have been there twice. The horchata is better than a lot of other places (the one at El Chalateco on McKee has the best). I have only ordered the carne asada tacos and lengua tacos. The meat is tender. Overall: tasty. Better than what I have explored around the area. They put salsa on there without asking how spicy you want it so if you can't take it please tell them what kind of sauce you what. It's a good kick but not spicy enough for me.
Been here twice and really enjoyed my meals both times. First time had a carnitas burrito which was great. Second time went with some friends and had a couple of carne asada tacos and a horchata. Horchata was really tasty, and the tacos were just the right thing for my lunch. Great find, although it's in kind of a difficult area to get in and out of ( based on the traffic on Lafayette. )
Too bad HOSF is gone now but a very quick and cheap taqueria that borders on sit down place has taken over. I went here with a bunch of old co-workers from my last company. The space hasn't changed much from HOSF internally, got cleaned up a bit, but definitely has a new facade.
I got Five tacos of asada, carnitas, al pastor, lengua, and chorizo. The real winner was the lengua, closely followed by the chorizo and al pastor. I was disappointed by the carnitas and the asada was average. The free chips and salsa were good and the fact that I could get iced tea with free refills was total bonus. My co-workers liked their veggie and shrimp burritos so good marks all around.
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loveeeee it! Just tried it today for lunch. Got chicken tacos. they were BOMB diggity!! My BF got a burrito it was freakin massive. He let me have a bite it was sooo good. This place is like 2 blocks up from my work, I'm so happppy! I wanna go there tomorrow morning for some breakfast burritos!
**Update 8/28/07
dayumnnnn their breakfast burritos are GOOD :) mmm. yummy. I got the huevos con jamon very good. except the burrito fell apart and i had to eat it with a fork and knife it was messy.
They took over the House of Soul Food for over a month now. We came here on a whim thinking that this place served authentic Mexican food. I ordered my usual Super Carnitas Burrito $5.25 and can you say MEAT??!! My burrito had tons of meat as opposed to rice and beans (the carb fillers that most Mexican restaurants fill their burritos with to make you full). I was happily satisfied until the end. And of course, I had to order their Horchata. I'll be coming back to try their breakfast burritos $3.59
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I've been here three times now, and the 'ritos are delicious. I especially like the carnitas and al pastor.
Not much on atmosphere but if you go to a taqueria for atmosphere, you're doing it ass-backward.
Came in here because Michelle L. gave it a 4 star review. Came in around 4pm for a to-go order. I have to agree that the super burritos are very satisfying. $5.50 and I was good the rest of the night. I recommend parking in the back or on the side street. They are on a busy street and parking out front can be hazardous.
Great joint for cheap authentic mexican tacos. $1.10 a piece. **UPDATE 7/24/07** $1.25 a piece and they no longer serve cabeza. Never tried it but i guess it wasn't selling much.**END UPDATE** They will load it up with tons of meat and very lean too. I can only eat two for my lunch meal. The only thing i don't like is their chicken. It's not grilled. I definitely like it here cause they are quick and they give you free chips and salsa on the house. The only disadvantage coming here is the parking. It tends to fill up quickly so get there early before the weekday lunch craze. You can park around the corner too. Interior is very clean with a bright sunflower yellow hue on the walls. They open super early from 8am to 9pm everyday.
I was going to this place because I thought House of Soul food was here. They are gone... I got an Al pastor Supper Burrito here. This was one of the biggest burritos i have ever gotten. It was way over a pound..Meat had a good taste to it. Rice was falling apart inside. Did not notice the sour creme or cheese in it. Had some guacamole. I would have given 4 stars if not for the fact that there was more fat and cartilage in the meat than I would have liked. But I have noticed this same thing at other places. If you read my other posts I say that Nuevo Vallarta is better, for this same burrito. To the places credit, they were friendly and gave me a big bag of chips and nice salsa with my to go order. If I was in the area at lunch time I would go here again.
The Mexican food here is muy authentico. My husband and I have been here twice and have not been disapointed, except for the fact that they haven't received their liquor license yet so hubby couldn't wash down the amazingly spicy chile colorado with a cold one. I've enjoyed the pozole, which had the biggest and most generous portions of pork I've seen! The salsa is fresh and homemade and you absolutely cannot beat the prices here. Looking forward to a breakfast burrito sometime soon.
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got the carnitas burrito. it was solid, but nothing exceptional. the interior was a little weird. kind of dark & quiet or something and lacking a little flair. the burrito came on a plate. thats it. a burrito. if you dont like chips or salsa or anything with your burrit, its not a bad spot.
the salsa i special ordered was terrible, but the service was good.
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It's hard for me to find a place that serves Pozole and I found it here. Their tacos are so freakin good and the salsa they put on it is the bomb.
My boyfriend called in an order for his tacos and an order of pozole and I went to go pick it up. When I picked it up there was the order of tacos and 4 orders of pozole. My boyfriend told the women that he only ordered 1 pozole and the women was rude and basically called my boyfriend a liar. She gave him his money back for 3, but with an attitude. It's unfortunate that it was like that because I would go every weekend for pozole and now I don't want to go at all.
None the less the food is really good there.
When I say No sour cream, it means no sour cream.
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