Island Tacos

 

28

105

Christina H.

Sacramento, CA

I've only had their burritos but that's all I need. The chicken burrito is what I always order and I'm ashamed to admit it but I can eat the whole thing. I may take breaks to give my mouth and stomach some recovery time but like a snake eats its prey...its gone within 15 minutes gulp by gulp.

I love that they put the onion and cilantro mix in the burrito and always just enough sour cream. I've seen the tacos and they look pretty good but my precious burrito will probably be the only thing I will ever order here.

Negatives (for some): Cash only, very limited seating, no chips (that I know of?), and no fountain sodas although they do carry some bottled & canned sodas.

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6

14

Julie t.

Sacramento, CA

I saw that this place had a run in with the city about having too many signs out on the street or something. That meant I had to seek it out and support it!

Not only that, the article in the News and Review said they had chivo (goat) tacos! Could it be, finally, an authentic goat taco? What other crazy meats would they have that I would enjoy? Ever since I found I was wild about all kinds of crazy meats- goat, rabbit, game, heart, toungue maybe- I've been seeking it out.  Just the other week I had a head cheese sandwich at New Paris Bakery at 65th and Stockton (is that right?). It was the best of their sandwiches- I had the lady there give me steamed pork instead of ham on their head cheese sandwich. She was delighted to learn that I liked it.

But, I digest.

The end result is that Island Tacos doesn't look like anything exists there when they are closed, just a tiny box on the corner by Trader Joes.  When we first went there, it was closed, and I only found out it was REALLY the place because I walked up and read the name on the green county health department placard.  THEN I read the menu!
Not only did they have the standard great taco meats, they also had goat, cabeza (head or cheek), toungue, and tripe tacos! And they were a dollar forty-five!
Was I in heaven?
I wasn't yet, because darn it, they didn't have any hours posted and they were closed! Oh the waiting was the hardest part!
The next day, a Sunday, we tried again, making sure our errands took us by the tiny restaurant.
And the umbrellas were out! It was open.
We screeched in. A polite young man answered all our questions. We ordered goat, toungue, and head tacos.
I was delighted to find that they had a fine green tomatillo sauce, that was reminiscent of the kind my stepmother makes. The music playing reminded me of being in her kitchen (she was raised in Mexico City). The red sauce looked scary, but it was not all that spicy. Perhaps they had some jalapenos behind the counter or something.

In any case, after a while we got  our tacos. They were perfect. Authentic as I've ever had from the kitchen of my stepmother. The head was fatty and tender and seasoned perfectly. It melted in my mouth. The tongue was tender and succulent and had a wonderful flavor and texture that I enjoyed more than I ever expected. It's hard for me to say which one is my favorite. The goat was also perfectly seasoned and just the right kind of greasy, with that intense orange grease you can't get off of clothes, ever. I should have ordered the mega taco with all the fixins, but the $1.45 taco was so much like the ones I used to eat at the end of harvest parties as a child that I was more than satisfied. There was always some fabulous pig or goat slow-roasted in the earth overnight and a pickup truck full of ice and beer if I remember correctly. I would pile as many tacos in my face as possible, since I knew it might be years since I would have something quite like that again. Now, I could have it every day!  And so could you!
By the way, their weekday hours are 10-6pm. I think Saturday from 10-5, and Sunday 10-4.

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10

49

China B.

Sacramento, CA

I work close to this site.  Once in a blue moon I want a taco.  Not a Taco Bell or Del Taco sort.  But something you can layer on your plate and make a nice entree.  I remember how many times this place has changed owners.  No matter what I enjoy the condiments.  It has two or three tables outside the little stand type establishment.  

Come here to relax and have a nice cool soda.  Look around and enjoy East Sacramento.  Come experience food.

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Elite '08

79

211

SHANNON A.

Sacramento, CA

The burrito here is the size of a small child.  I ordered the one with carnitas and it fed me for two meals and a snack.

Some smartass said, "too much for you to handle?", when he saw me wrapping up the rest of my lunch.  I just smirked when I saw that his fat belly was too much for his belt to handle.  

Island Tacos is open for about half a day, from lunch until about 3 or 4.

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15

34

Kathy K.

Sacramento, CA

Island Tacos is a very cozy (small) taco stand on the corner of 51st and Folsom. Most of the time I order my food to go since the only seating is a couple of benches and a table outside. I think the tacos are very authentic, with your choice of meat simply placed in a soft corn tortilla with a combination of cilantro and onion on top. I really like the salsas here, especially the green. The carnitas quesadilla is currently my "Best of sacramento". It is cheesy and the carnitas here are very good (I get the carnitas taco too)...sometimes a bit fatty, but the flavor is delicious. The chicken burrito is good too. It is very cheap too, 4$ for a hefty quesadilla (I recommend splitting this with someone) and $1.75 per taco....mmmm
Fyi: This place is NOT vegetarian friendly.

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