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La Calaca Loca
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
5199 Telegraph Ave(between Claremont Ave & 52nd St)
Oakland, CA 94609
Neighborhoods: Temescal, Rockridge, North Oakland
(510) 601-8226
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 8 pm
Tue-Fri 11 am - 9 pm
Sat 9 am - 9 pm
Sun 9 am - 8 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
280 reviews for La Calaca Loca
Review Highlights
"Fish tacos were excellent, like among the best."
(in 49 reviews)
"The Baja Pescado crispy taco is awesome."
(in 20 reviews)
"Nothing hits the spot like their carne asada nachos."
(in 25 reviews)
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280 reviews in English
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Review from Melissa C.
Emeryville, CA
12/14/2011 1 Check-in Here
We decided to try this place upon seeing so many reviews on yelp. We were in the mood for some good fish tacos so this place was definitely on our radar for the evening.
It's a casual place where you order at the counter and then they bring the food to you when it's ready. We ordered the fish tacos, shared a bowl of soup with chips and salsa. Everything was pretty good! The fish tacos are definitely worth trying if you decide to come here. The size of the piece of fish is generous and was cooked perfectly. Other places where I've had fish tacos, the pieces of fish were so small, but here it's a good size.
We'll be back again when we're in a fish taco mood! -
Review from Caro S.
East Bay, CA
2/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
I wish I could say yelp led me to an amazing experience here, but that would be a blatant lie.
The only decent thing about my meal was the Horchata and the chips (which I had to pay extra and wait for). The chips & salsa, salsa was actually just pico de gallo that was spread on top nacho style and didn't taste fresh.
I was excited to try the industrial sized homemade green and red salsa but they were a total bland disappointment. Emphasis on the bland!
My Brother ordered the burrito and had the blandest most guerro friendly burrito of his life.
I had 2 tacos one chicken and one crispy fish. On the recommendation of the unenthusiastic cashier I ordered both "crispy" which as it turns out means an oily and semi crispy tortilla wrapped by a regular tortilla. What the hell is this a taco bell gimmick?
Then there was the crispy fish taco which I prayed would save my meal, but it didn't. I don't know how this is possible but the fish tasted like fish fillet, yup just like mickyDs. Which was a major turnoff.
I will never return and as an actual Mexican I do not condone consumption of this "Mexican Food."
For those of you bland Mexican food seeking individuals who still choose to give this place a try be warned it is not on Telegraph Ave it is inside the temescal shopping center (wedge between 51st and Telegraph) and faces a private lot. -
Review from michael j.
Oakland, CA
1/7/2012
Wow, what an awful experience. I was greeted by the owner of the place and was quite excited about eating some Mexican food. I tried to order nachos with guacamole and sour cream on the side.... She wouldn't let me, told me that was to many items in the side...
Hold on, I can't order the food the way I want it?!?
Do you not want my business?!?
In this day and age and as slow and empty this poor spot was how can she afford to send customers away?? -
Review from Local G.
Oakland, CA
1/14/2012
This had to be one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a so called Mexican restaurant. I arrived and placed my "dine in" order at 8:36 pm. None of the staff bothered to explain that they would be closing in a few minutes and people will start mopping floors with Pine Sol while I eat. The owner/cashier just walked past us with the register drawer, grabbed her coat, and literally just said "bye" as she left out of the back door.
The waiter stopped mopping to prop the doors wide open in the middle of January and freeze my wife and I to death. After he brought the patio furniture in and said what's up to his homeboys, he closed the door and continued to singe our nose hairs out with the full strength cleanser. The guy literally mopped all around us and didn't leave a way to exit. When I asked him how we were supposed to get out he just shrugged. I held my wife's hand as we carefully walked accross the wet floor. I assure you all that this will be the last time I set foot in this place.
I think I've had better experiences with the taco trucks in East Oakland. The homeless guys asking for money have been more courteous and welcoming than this place. The food was decent but the cold hearted, dis-engaging, service made us forget all about the food. -
Review from John M.
Vallejo, CA
11/29/2011
I enjoyed the vibe of this place right when I walked in. It sort of has a Dia de los Muertos theme, and has plently of space to sit and eat. The lady at the register wasn't very friendly but I chalk it up to it still being morning, I dunno. I ordered a beer battered fish burrito with the fixins, and it turned out to be pretty decent. Even if I had found it lacking in flavor, they offer a few different sauces to spice things up a bit.
I'd say I honestly rate this place a 3.5 but I'll go with a 4 and give the lady at the register a break, as she seemed to be very friendly with the kids who came up a bit after we ordered. -
Review from Kit D.
Oakland, CA
1/31/2012
Main reason to come is for the fish tacos. Grilled and battered, both awesome. Tortilla soup and quesedilla were also quite good. Everything else is pretty average.
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Review from Claire B.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 12/28/2011
Upon further reflection (and subsequent visits), I am removing a star based on their excessive and borderline abusive use of pico de gallo. They put it on everything. Everything.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/18/2011
This is the second Oakland taqueria I have been to in the last two weeks that did not give me free… Read more »
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Review from Josh H.
Oakland, CA
12/28/2011
Fresh food at a great price! Try the tortas, fish tacos and carnitas!
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Review from Eileen R.
Oakland, CA
12/10/2011
This is our go to place for a quick meal. It is close to home, the folks are nice and the food is good. Is it the best ever? Probably not, but it is really pretty good. Their fish tacos are good as are the salads and the chips (mmmm!).
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Review from Autumn S.
Emeryville, CA
6/20/2011
I liked this place a lot. One of the best steak tacos I've ever had.
I don't like their ordering system and the descriptions of food aren't very good. My husband was totally turned off by the chips and salsa. Instead of giving you chips and a side of salsa - they literally throw pico de gallo on a basket of chips. Hubs HATES onions, so this did not bode well with him right off the bat. I LOVED it. I thought the chips were delicious and the pico was tangy and super fresh.
I loved my steak tacos. They were generous and super tasty. They have a bunch of bottled salsas up for grabs. Very good.
I will for sure be coming back to visit La Calaca Loca in the near future...with or without my husband. :) -
Review from Dustin R.
Berkeley, CA
9/5/2011
I love this place. I eat here almost once a week.
Just double check your order.....
The best things on the menu are the tacos and nachos.
yummm. -
Review from Terran O.
Emeryville, CA
7/12/2011
Ew. I no likey.
We got two different types of burritos, both were not good - carnitas and seafood. The beans were hard, the whole place is pretty disorganized.
Ps- The hot sauce is in the fridge.
We shall not be going back. -
Review from David O.
Walnut Creek, CA
7/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
So we flew back into SFO yesterday around lunchtime from a weeklong trip back East. Both my wife and I were famished but our toddler only wanted to get out and explore, having been trapped in an airplane seat for 6 hours. I checked Yelp and this place came up pretty much right on our way home. I figured that with 3.5 stars and 200+ reviews, we should be good to go, right?
I'm starting to think that Yelpers tend to inflate the star ratings by at least a full star, at least as far as it compares to me. The food was just ok, the fish taco was decent but I have honestly had better at Rubio's. The service sucked and the staff was full of attitude. The only thing that was seriously off the hook were the chips & guacamole. Still, you won't find me back here ever again. -
Review from Yasya G.
Oakland, CA
5/24/2011
Maybe the food isn't "authentic", but it's DELICIOUS!
I've only tried the burritos, and they are some of my favorite in the area. A little pricier than other places, and no salsa "bar", but I just love treating myself to the burritos here! -
Review from Elspeth P.
Oakland, CA
3/19/2011
If liking this place makes me a fool or whatever the heck the angry people are saying about this place, then that's fine by me!
Like many perfectly acceptable and highly delicious places, you have to know what to order. Some places do a good job on everything and others do a great job on a few things. La Calaca falls into the latter category.
In my humble opinion (because hey, I'm not the queen of the world and have been proven wrong many times) La Calaca makes the meanest fish burrito (or taco) around. If you get the Especial version of the Baja Pescado burrito, make sure you grab the green and red salsa bottles and douse that baby like there's no tomorrow. It's a magical combination. That stuff is the bomb dot com.
Oh, no! That must mean I'm white? (checks skin color) Well, crap. I guess I'm an idiot for enjoying the food here.
I've tried other items here and the other decent options include the carne asada taco and nachos. Everything else is ok, but not the best or (horrors!) most authentic.
Go here if you like fish. Nom nom nom! -
Review from Rob R.
Oakland, CA
7/14/2011
We tried every single taco. Fish tacos were excellent, like among the best. The grilled fish and beer battered were A+.
The meat tacos, however, used stewed meat. This helps retain the moisture but their approach makes the meat bland. Grilling meat allows you to add spice and that wonderful grill flavor. That said, the beef tacos were grilled but not spicy enough for me. Certainly you can add salsa but nothing substitutes proper grilling.
I do recommend going and trying the fish tacos. -
Review from Raum P.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2011
I just don't get why people hate on this place so much. This is northern california. What's real mexican food? A san francisco super burrito?
The food is fresh, the salsa is awesome (the habenero will put hair on the hair on your chest). Favorites are the carne asada quesadilla and the crispy tacos. -
Review from Celeste B.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have to update this place to four stars. The food is so fresh and delicious. My favorite chicken quesidilla that I will drive out of my way to pick up and take home.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/21/2011
I absolutely love their chicken quesadilla, my favorite. Nice salads and tacos. Not truly… Read more »
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Review from Jonathan P.
Oakland, CA
10/11/2011
Good coffee, bummer breakfast burrito. I think it was just potato and egg without cheese and im sure there wasn't any meat. Step it up, BEANS BACON CHROIZO AHHHH
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Review from Lily T.
Oakland, CA
6/19/2011
I do not like this food. It's so typical, doesn't taste right. I would rather go to a burrito truck and I would spend less and have better tasting food. I don't like the service, however there was this really nice lady passing out our food and that was very nice of her(: But the lady at the cashier, she is very rude. I asked her how big the burritos were, she didn't even make an example with her hands she just said "It's a regular size" and looked the other way. I don't know what a regular size burrito looks like, they are ALL different..
I came here for breakfast with classmates and I got a breakfast burrito with chorizo, and it was so bland and did not have anything special to it. I stared at the menu, they don't have anything really special. I order a large nestea from the machine they had and it was SO BLAND. Did they water it down or something? I put sugar in there to make it taste better. What a waste of $10. I could have gotten a burrito from across the street of my school and an arizona for half the price I paid here.
Authenticity is the WAY to go, I don't care if it's not authentic, IF IT IS NOT AUTHENTIC IT IS A NO NO! The people who like this place need to go somewhere else and try AUTHENTIC mexican food. This place gives mexican food a really bad name. They use sauces to cook the chicken in and it tastes to bland.. This place is just terrible.
I will NEVER come back here. -
Review from Anthony S.
Berkeley, CA
12/28/2010
Astrid: Where are we going?
Anthony: La Calaca Loca.
Astrid: The crazy what?
Anthony: Skeleton.
Astrid: Skeleton? Why is it crazy?
Anthony: I dunno, must be the Elote.
Yes, the Elote. I can think of fewer things that have driven me this crazy in the past few months... You'd go crazy too for a HUGE ear of boiled corn slathered with mayonnaise, covered with crumbled queso fresco, drizzled with lime juice and then dusted with chili powder. For reals schizo. Like tearing into this poor ear of corn with a mad vengeance trying not to look deranged with cheese and mayo dribbling down your chin as you stare wild-eyed at the other patrons. At some point, you just give in to the kookiness and let the Elote take its course. Embrace your inner lunatic.
La Calaca has other things too, shockingly it's not just a corn store. The Baja Pescado taco was as fine as I've had in a while. Golden deep-fried fish served on a bed of cabbage with a garnish of Mexican cream. But at $4.50 it was a bit pricey. The carnitas taco, while tasty was just so-so- heavy on the pinto beans and light on the pork. There is a razor thin line between excellent carnitas and overdone carnitas. La Calaca's carnitas was just south of this imaginary line that only exists in my head. Their fresh out of the fryer tortilla chips were excellent as well. Best ever? No, but all said, La Calaca Loca is the best taqueria within a three mile radius of my house.
The only "calaca" that I saw though was the metal one by the counter knocking back a bottle of tequila. Not as much "loca" as "boracha"; though they often go hand-in-hand. Just ask your typical street alkie.
I'll definitely be back at some point to try their other delights, just to see if they drive me to the heights of insanity.
Elote.Listed in: Tacos Are Good
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Review from jennifer d.
Berkeley, CA
Updated - 3/3/2011
OK-these people are giving Mexican food a bad name.
I can say no more--it's too awful to even think about really.
Yuck!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/8/2009
OK-these people are giving Mexican food a bad name.
I can say no more--it's too awful to even think… Read more »
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Review from jen d.
8/31/2011
Pretty cheap and delicious food. They use good meat and have a variety of sauces to use. The carnitas is good but could be a little more tender at times. The melon agua fresca is delish! Wish they would give you complimentary chips and salsa but I guess you can't have it all!!
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Review from Dani P.
Castro Valley, CA
10/5/2011
The first time I came here I was ignored to the point of leaving. Second time I managed to get my order taken (after being ignored again for what seemed to be a really long time) and tried the chorizo & egg breakfast burrito. It was fine but I could have made it myself for less $, less time and less gas. I'm adding a star for the cool decor. I had plenty of time to admire it...
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Review from kni n.
Oakland, CA
2/23/2011
Shrimp Burrrito = full of beans - -TOO MANY BEANS!!
quality ingredients, soulless yet tasty Mexican food not for those seeking authenticity. If you think this place is the bomb then you can fall into one or more of these categories:
1. white (yuppy neighborhood)
2. never had real mexican food before (made at home by mexican person for their mexican family and friends)
3. starving to death from hunger
The food here has been whitetified, enjoy. -
Review from Kathy D.
Santa Fe, NM
1/27/2011
My favorite casual/to go place for Mexican food in Oakland. The fish tacos are DEVINE!!! They also have a shrimp taco special with mango salsa that is scrumptious!!! They're agua frescas are great but the horchata is better at Cactus. But they beat other neighborhood spots in every other area AND they even have elote!
I could eat a beer battered fish taco especial, an elote & a negra modelo from La Calaca, todos los dias. Delicioso! -
Review from Art O.
San Francisco, CA
1/9/2011
After finding SR24 closed for lunch (we were in the mood for sandwiches), we stopped in here to check it out. Glad we did because we got some of the tastiest breakfast burritos. I ordered mine with bacon and although not cheap, I found I got my money's worth: huge smokey chunks of bacon, tender potatoes, and fluffy eggs combined with a fresh tomato salsa - yummy!
The red sauce and salsa verde were very tasty too. Oh and I got a green agua fresca de melon for the first time - they used honeydew! So yummy.
Next time, I'll give the fish tacos a try. I haven't had any good ones since my Baja surf trips back in the day! -
Review from Andrew C.
I've been to La Calaca Loca a couple times.
The most recent time I couldn't decide bewteen the grilled and fried (Baja) fish tacos so got one of each (see pic). $4.25 per taco. Dios Mio!! Chips? Those are extra.
Order at the front and they bring out the food to your table. Some bottles of fresh salsas (see pic) are brought from the mini-fridge on top of the table with silverware and napkins.
I tried the fried Baja Pescado first. I wasn't a fan of the fish. The fish was moist, but so was the soggy batter. The baja sauce was tasty and the small amount of cilantro in the cabbage didn't bother me.
The Grilled Pescado was really good. The fish had a nice spice rub and was moist and flaky. Again the cabbage provided a nice crunch. I saw a review that said they get the Baja style taco, but sub-in the grilled fish. Sounds like the winning combo.
I've also had a Pork Chile Verde wet burrito here which has cheese and enchilada sauce on top with guac, sour cream, and pico de gallo on the side(see pic). That was just OK. There was a ton of rice and not that much meat. The pork was also a bit on the dry side.
Horchata was pretty good here.
It's a little pricey for what you get. I'd rather go to SR24 next door.Listed in: Al Pastor
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Review from angela l.
7/19/2011 1 Check-in Here
definitely not legit mexican food.. but it's not terrible.
I work nearby and always pass this place on my way home, and the other day I was starving so I decided to pop in and get a burrito. why? because you can drive and eat a burrito at the same time, and sometimes my inner fatty comes out and simply cannot wait to get home and eat. btw, my house is like a 15 minute drive from my job. don't judge me.
got a chicken burrito with all the works and it came out to $7.00 and some change. It tasted familiar, though I'm not sure how. maybe from my on campus living days at SFSU or something.
would I go out of my way to come here? HELL NO. you know how many awesome taco trucks there are in oakland that serve $5 burritos? trippen. but if I'm ever super starving and can't wait, I might come by again. -
Review from Ines C.
Palo Alto, CA
1/19/2011
Yelpers directed me to a delicious grilled spicy fish taco! Will come back just for that! Just $4.
Ordered rice and beans for my toddler and I thought the rice was dry and the pinto beans needed salt.
Tons of families and the decor of pinatas keeps the toddler mesmerized. -
Review from Jess k.
Corvallis, OR
1/20/2011
I came here with a friend one rainy night to catch up and enjoy some Mexican food. This restaurant was equidistant from both our apartments.
I ordered the Baja pescado taco, which is $4.25. It was delicious! It's a crispy, beer battered fish plank topped with chopped cabbage, a white AND a red sauce, all on top of two corn tortillas. I also ordered an order of chips and salsa for $1.50. The order was HUGE. It's homemade tortilla chips that are thick and crunchy with tons of salsa fresca on top. I think $4.25 is a little expensive for fish tacos, but these are the best fish tacos I've had.
The service was attentive, and even brought three different types of salsa to our table!
A week after meeting my friend here, I had another craving for fish tacos, and I had to go back. I placed the order to go, and it took about 7-10 minutes for them to make my order. By the time I got home (10 minutes later) my tacos were a bit soggy, but still delicious!
If you must have the Baja pescado tacos, eat them there! -
Review from Jon B.
Grilled or fried fish tacos. Different fish. Awesome habanero sauce.
Came here for dinner one night and got the fried fish burrito and shrimp tacos. We were given a big plate of guac and chips at no additional charge, which was actually pretty tasty. When does that ever happen?
Here the fish tacos are made with different fish of the day. This night happened to be Mahi Mahi.
I was unfortunately disappointed with my burrito. The fish was good enough, but it was filled with lettuce. Thats not so bad, as there was no rice or bean filler inside, but it made the whole burrito cold. I was definitely not feelin a cold fish burrito. It didn't have much flavor to it, and my burrito craving was not satisfied. The habanero sauce helped though, adding a good amount of spice without sacrificing flavor.
I had a taste of the shrimp tacos, and they were great. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, not overcooked and tough or undercooked and clammy. Perfect.
I will come back again to try something different, but my fish burrito was disappointing enough to not have me too excited about it. -
Review from Mel H.
Oakland, CA
1/2/2011
Conveniently located on Temescal "island" where there's parking. I so appreciate they use Niman Ranch beef! The horchata and chips and salsa were really good, however I found the grilled fish tacos overseasoned (too bad, I was glad they had a grilled option). Also, our orders came out at two different times despite both being grilled fish, as in he was almost half done with his when my meal finally arrived. Strange.
Still, I'll be back to try the beef version... -
Review from Jennifer P.
Oakland, CA
SG has wanted to come for awhile. So we dropped in for a carne asada burrito and a carnitas quesadilla in this little Day of the Dead themed spot. The setting was quaint and the theme was perfect for the setting.
Our food was served quickly and we were pleased with the size and style of the burrito and quesadilla. I know, style? Well the quesadilla was very unusal and the burrito was large. The quesadilla was not flat it was deep fried into a folded shape. Yum! Ok, how can you go wrong with a deep fried anything. It is good. So if you have exercised a bunch, venture on in and order this for sure!!! I liked it a lot better than the burrito, but in the spirit of marriage.... we each get half. But, my stomach and my hips will thank me for not gorging on all of it.
Overall this place was pretty good and we may even go back. But, with so many places to chose from in the area, it may be awhile. -
Review from Helen T.
Manhattan, NY
1/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
FISH TACO FISH TACO FISH TACO
I love their fish tacos! A little pricey at $4.50, but I can occasionally handle it. I think their streak nachos are a hit--they generously load the carne asada, avocado, cheese, beans, and sour cream on crisp nacho chips for 7 bucks. If you really want the fish taco but don't think it's worth the price, get the fish burrito. It's a really good alternative (more bang for your buck).
yes, there are cheaper mexican places. But, if I want Americanized Mexican fare (but not as far as Chipotle and Rubios) La Calaca Loca is a good spot. -
Review from Alisha F.
Oakland, CA
11/15/2010
CILANTRO HATERS BEWARE:
Way too much cilantro. I felt like I was eating a cilantro sandwich!!!! -
Review from Sheila S.
San Francisco, CA
7/26/2010
My kids & I tried this place out.
This was our experience:
There's so much on the menu, it was really hard to decide on what to get. My son & I concentrated on & scanned the menu until he broke the silence and blurted, "I'll try anything, Mom.......`cept for a squirrel's nuts"
So since we've never tried fish tacos, we decided on that.
Two choices: grilled or deep fried.
We went with the Baja (deep fried fish) tacos; 2 each. I ordered one Corona, and two orders of chips. Th chips don't come with, you have to pay extra for it; which is fine-- because they give a lot & it's worth it. It's the "hard" kind; not the el cheapo tasting corn-chip stuff. Do you know what I mean?
4 fish tacos + 2 chips + 1 corona = $23.00. Me likey!
As we waited for our order...here's what we noticed:
Ambiance: Mellow/chill atmosphere, colorully decorated with "Day of the Dead", Mexican Skeleton Art, a plethora of musica, friendly staff/employees, and a clean el bano (restroom)!!
We sat outside & patiently waited, as I sipped on my Corona & ignored my kids as they sat there & fought. Don't be turned off by the pawn shop & check cashing joint across the lot & the "pregnant" pandhandler who was chillin' out front.
We waited about 10 minutes for our order; which was relatively timely considering that they were pretty busy.
The Fish Tacos:
My son & I really liked the deep fried fish tacos, except-- they put a a little too much sauce on it. We tried to figure out the sauce. It had a bite to it, tangy, citrus-y, lime-ony--something.
It was good, it was just a bit too much; which made our tacos fall apart. We just dealt with it.
Overall we had a great experience & will return very soon. We are going to make it an effort to try everything on the menu... -
Review from Molly G.
Oakland, CA
11/10/2010 4 Check-ins Here
This place never fails me.
The shrimp tacos with mango salsa are way too yummy for my own good.
and Pina or Sandia agua fresca? Claro Que Si! -
Review from John Z.
11/28/2010
The "super nachos with carne asada" are the bomb. I've gone back and made a lunch of them. The chicken soup is the kind my grandmother would make, had I a Mexican grandmother.
Casual dining (order at the counter and take your number to your table). -
Review from megan s.
Berkeley, CA
9/5/2010
This place was great when they first opened, but they raised their prices by several dollars, and now you're looking at a $9 burrito, which is about as gentrify-ed as a burrito can get.
We went there last night to get food to go, cause we were in a hurry, and a little old lady cut us in line.
No worries, the restaurant is practically empty and it's just one order, right? We stood watching the kitchen staff served her and her husband's order, then proceed to make FIVE more burritos( for a phone order??). After 15 minutes (sheesh!) we asked if our order was lost, and the lady at the counter admitted it had been a long time. They then started our order, didn't say sorry, and after 20ish minutes, we were out. Kind of a bummer. Two stars instead of one because the food is decent and I like their decor.
