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Picoso Taqueria
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
1511 Shattuck Ave(between Vine St & Cedar St)
Berkeley, CA 94709
Neighborhoods: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley
(510) 540-4811
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 9 pm
Sun 11 am - 7 pm
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
86 reviews for Picoso Taqueria
Review Highlights
"...joint in the Yuppie Food Court (aka Epicurious Garden."
(in 8 reviews)
"guys make the burritos."
(in 22 reviews)
"Flavor of the Chile Verde was awesome."
(in 8 reviews)
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86 reviews in English
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Review from g p.
San Francisco, CA
8/14/2011
I love Mexican food and eat it often - having eaten in Florida, Arizona, Texas and California, I feel I can tell good Mexican food from the rest.
Good:
This place had HANDS-DOWN the BEST chips
Excellent Guac, Salsas
Warm and friendly Customer Service
Tacos were brilliant
SO-SO
Chipotle sauce was a bit mayonnaise-heavy
Orchata was a bit watery
If anyone in NorCal asked me for a Mexican food recommendation, I wouldn't think twice. -
Review from Elizabeth L.
Berkeley, CA
2/8/2012
Bomb a** chicken quesadilla with guacamole. Go eat it now. Great friendly service, the guy even gave me a discount because i just wanted the item by itself. Limited seating inside, but always great to-go :)
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Review from Jeremy G.
12/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
That's some spicy Mole sauce. And I dig it. I think this place is a little to clean looking for me to grab a burrito here, but I will constantly be tempted to enjoy two enchiladas swimming in a smoky, complex Mole sauce. Throw in some decent rice and blacks beans too. Solid value and it is, oh, about 2 minutes from my front door.
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Review from Grace C.
Updated - 7/16/2011
Was craving buenolitos but alas, they are out until next week. The owner explained that they used to make them (they made some last time for me) but now they are at the mercy of their supplier, etc. Anyway, ordered my customary veggie tacos - 2. J ordered a grilled chicken taco & picoso (stewed) chicken taco. Everything was delicious. I didn't eat the corn tortillas, though, and so was still hungry afterwards. I wish I could have more black beans in my tacos, but will just have to order a side dish of beans next time.
You can order a "super taco" for any veggie/meat taco and get guacamole, sour cream, cheese, rice with your taco.
The service is terrific and there seems to be more seating now.
The bathroom in the building is very clean and nice tiles on the wall - more like a bathroom at a 3 star restaurant than a mini mall bathroom.
We got lucky with parking - a kind person gave us his ticket with one hour left. :)2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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1/10/2011
We were the 2nd customers of the day, 11a on a Sunday morning.
The cook made Buenolitos especially… Read more »
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Review from Scott L.
8/3/2011
I went here for lunch and had the Caldo de Pollo and the Guacamole. Both were kind of bland and nothing exciting. The chips that came with the soup were probably the best part. The spicy salsa wasn't that spicy and also not that flavorful. If I'm in the area again I may have to try a burrito sometime because other reviewers have mention they had gotten corn tortillas. When I asked what kind of tortillas the burritos were at the counter the person working there said they were flour, but didn't mention any other options.
One good thing about the location is there are some seats outside so I was able to eat with my dog. There are only a couple and they are shared by all the restaurants, so I can see them filling up pretty quickly. -
Review from Ziyan C.
4/14/2011 2 photos
Really, really nice manager.. we chatted for a bit and I think he had them put extra shrimp on my taco =).
Shrimp Taco - The shrimp itself was delicious (fairly fresh, and there were like 6 of them). However I found the taco a little stale - not quite crunchy but not quite soft either. Also there was just a bad distribution of toppings - it was a little overflowing and difficult to eat. I wasn't a big fan of the cabbage they used - it's the type that's hard and rubbery rather than light and crunchy. There was way too much and I think it took away from the shrimp. I should've added the extra salsas as it only came with a little bit of an orange sauce (possibly spicy mayo?) and a couple slices of avocado. -
Review from Nikki R.
Vallejo, CA
1/26/2011
"SO FULL offa $2!!!"
Of all the times I have been to The Epicurious Garden, I have only eaten at Picoso once.
I was waiting for my "Tekka Don" sashimi bowl to be made at Kirala 2, and my tummy was GROWLING. It was NOT helping that my friend was chowing down this big ole burritto while we sat at the only chairs inside Epi, in front of Picoso.
The chef saw the mad look of hunger in my eyes! haha
He asked if I wanted him to make me something, I said " No, its ok. I'm on this diet.... I can't eat any wheat and I don't eat meat and I'm sure the fish you have is probably breaded...."
He said, "Oh! I can make for you! Fish with no bread!"
We conversed, not so much in words, but in ideas, I NOW realize, about how the lady who runs Epi is ALL ABOUT specialty food and that that has kinda tuned him onto how to cook for people with food allergies. So I asked him, "so you know how its like not suppose to touch the same places and stuff then???" Starting to get excited....
I LOVE ethnic food! But sometimes it is VERY hard to explain everything that must be gone through to make your food truly G-F without a language barrier, let alone WITH one!
So he said he would make sure the grill was clean and all that and make me a fish taco, Gluten-Free! It was only TWO dollars and came with TWO tortillas and a crapload of MANGO Salsa!!!!! (The ONLY kind of salsa I'll eat since Tomatoes play havoc on my digestive system!) It was an ENTIRE filet in my taco and I broke it into two pieces and made two tacos with my two tortillas! I had salsa leftover to take home with me! I LOVED it that much! :-) And I was SO full, I couldn't eat my $20 sashimi bowl till like 6 hours later!!!
Off a $2 Taco!!!! What?!?! This place is CRAZY GOOD!!!!!
My only regret, is for MYSELF because I have cut corn out of my diet and can no longer eat TACOS!!!!! wahhhhhhhh!
But I am going to visit Epi soon and see if Picoso would be kind enough to make me a special plate without tortillas....
They do not have plates on the menu, but HEY the non-breaded fish filet was not on the menu either!!!
The menu pictured on here and other reviewers say that they have a Vegan option, so that leads me to believe that their rice and beans are Vegan,which is GREAT, cuz that is my other new dietary restriction, no meat products!!! (Except my fish! I LOVE my fish!!!)
So my Vegan AND Gluten-Free friends, FEEL FREE!!!
These people love us! ;-DListed in: Going Out Gluten-Free!
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Review from Javier C.
El Cerrito, CA
4/13/2011
I love this place
the owner there knows me and knows exactly what i want.
with so many choices to pick from, its hard to decide what to eat sometime so she always recommends something off the menu and I have yet to be disappointed. I love their food and the prices are reasonable. I highly recommend it. -
Review from Eric C.
8/14/2010 3 Check-ins Here
Another takeout spot for me. Call in my order and by the time I walk over it's ready to be picked up! Though at times I have to wait because people in front of me waiting to order (grrr, hurry up!).
When I order here, it's the same order. Two fish tacos. Yummy. I tried their fish burritos, not so good with all the other burrito components mixed in. Chips are yummy, but order a small bag. Student discount if you show the ID. -
Review from Sunil R.
4/9/2010
The carne asada taco was very good with the refried beans. I got to try a Mexican Coca Cola with real sugar as the sign says, was good too. Makes you wonder what they put in the Coca Cola here???
Check out the 3D jello that they have in the freezer. It is a work of Art! I have been on a Mexican food binge recently and this is definitely up there. The cashier was very patient and helpful and explained some of their dishes which I did know about like "Rajas with cream". Again as with the places in the gourmet ghetto, it is pretty cheap. -
Review from Viv C.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2007
Convenient, friendly and filling. And that's about it. Authenticity? Lacking. Flavor? Mild.
I've had their veggie burritos and their veggie quesadilla. Both were forgettable. You want a really good veggie quesadilla? Go to Grilly's in Mill Valley. THAT'S how you do it.
Meh, I'm not really won over by this place. But my BF seems to love their chile rellenos so maybe that's the dish to order?
The only other plus is their fresh fried tortilla chips. But really, how difficult is that to get right? -
Review from Cris L.
Sweden, ME
11/24/2006
Yes! Finally some quality mexican food in Gourmet Ghetto! House-made tacos, salsas en everything else. OK. I admit it. I need to go back a couple more times before I can really say that the food is excellent. But so far it has been, and the open kitchen just gives that impression even before you eat anything.
There's 3 stools at the bar where you can see them make the food. Other seating is outside in the garden they share with Soop, Kirala 2 and others. This little food court can feel crowded at times, due to layout and lighting, but that shouldn't keep you away. -
Review from Kathleen W.
Albany, CA
5/2/2010
Got a huge tray of delicious nachos - sized to share. The carnitas were moist, well flavored and heaped on my chips. I made a mess and thoroughly enjoyed myself.
They have 3 seats along their counter which is where I sat and people watched. Cal students are looking younger and younger these days and I'm not sure I can pull off the "mention Yelp and get 10% off special". -
Review from matthew c.
Berkeley, CA
5/10/2009
This place started out as a taqueria of convenience for me due to the dearth of Mexican in the Gourmet Ghetto area. However, over the past couple of years I have become a fan.
In my experience, I have decided the quesadilla is the best deal on the menu and it is my usual order. It comes with a generous amount of meat and cheese and with guacamole at no extra charge. When really wanting beans, I go for the tacos which are also pretty good. The burritos are good, but not as good as you'd find at Gordo's. Additionally, they make you pay extra fur guacamole, cheese, and sour cream...it's a little irksome due to the already higher than usual burrito price (this is the Epicurious Garden, after all). I haven't had anything bad at Picoso and all the ingredients seem to be fresh and of high quality.
Service is Picoso's strong suit. Of particular note is the manager with the glasses and the tattoo on his neck. He's always friendly, always efficient, and has even hooked me up when I wanted veggies instead of rice in my burrito. I always look for him when I come.
So, if you're in the area and feeling an urge for Mexican, pick Picoso. -
Review from M F.
Albany, CA
10/21/2009
Picoso translates to spicy and it is an apt name for this wonderful place. Situated within Epicurious Garden, it does not look very exciting. Although it is neat and clean, I wondered if its food would be OK. Was waited on by a friendly woman with a big smile on her face.
One of the advertised specials were 3 corn tortilla cheese or chicken enchiladas with rice and beans. Was not starving so I ordered just one chicken enchilada with rice and beans. I opted for the pinto pot beans instead of the black beans. The women commented that on Wednesdays they have mole sauce available or I could choose the regular sauce. She gave me a sample cup and a chip. OMG! I was in heaven! The mole sauce was wonderfully spicy and I opted to have the chicken mole enchilada.
The enchilada was hot and made with a fresh and tasty corn tortilla, stewed, juicy chicken and topped with shredded lettuce and queso fresco. The rice and beans were well flavored. I was pretty much stuffed after having one enchilada, rice and beans. Cannot see how anyone could finish three.
They have quite a few items on their menu. For families with kids, they also have several items on their kid's menu. I have to come back again and also try their veggie selections and desserts such as home made rice pudding and flan. Prices are reasonable for the quality of the food and the restaurants in the area.
The downsides are sitting and parking issues. If you do not take your food with you, there is a table and a few benches in a pretty garden to the back of the building. If the weather is iffy, eating outdoors could be uncomfortable. It is great when you can get spicy food at a Mexican restaurant instead of the ho-hum bland stuff. If you carry the food home, they put the items in a clear plastic tote that does not retain heat very well. Perhaps a foam covered tray might be better. A brief microwave or oven warm up brings everything back to piping hot conditions.
Of the truth be known, I ate the enchilada the minute I got back to my car so it never got cold... -
Review from Garren L.
Pasadena, CA
7/21/2010 1 photo
Had a Chile Verde Quesadilla. Flavor of the Chile Verde was awesome. A little on the pricey side for food in Berkeley, but it is in the Gourmet Ghetto, AND there's a 10% student discount if you show your Student ID. The quality of the meat was very good and there was a generous helping of Guac that came with my quesadilla.
I'll definitely go back again if I show up at Cheeseboard on a Monday (they're closed on mondays) like I did this time. -
Review from Mark G.
Berkeley, CA
5/14/2010
Yummy yummy yummy
Good good good
Fresh fresh fresh
Never a line never a line never a line
Cheerful cheerful cheerful
Happy happy joy joy -
Review from narangkar g.
Oakland, CA
1/7/2008
I give these guys 5 stars because the owners and employees are cool as shit and the food is really good. Of course, I could eat Mexican food every day for the rest of my life, but I do have discerning taste when it comes to taquerias.
Tortas? Proper!
Flautas? Authentico.
Burritos? grubbin.
Tamales? con Manteca = proper flavor and the BEST hangover cure EVER.
Ceviche is good too.
The owner/chef is enthusiastic about his food, and both of them (a couple) are extremely friendly. I'm surprised to see so many mean reviews of this spot, as I am a loyal customer who keeps coming back for more! more! more! -
Review from Jen S.
Berkeley, CA
6/9/2007
I liked the counter guy-- he was very friendly. I wish the food would've been as pleasing. The meat didn't taste too fresh; more like it has been sitting out quite awhile or re-heated. I'm not horribly put off by this since it *is* fast food, but it definitely has the potential to be much better. Perhaps I'll give it another try someday...
$7 for a steak tostada and can of diet coke -
Review from Li-Shuan C.
Berkeley, CA
9/18/2009
I went here on a whim because of a coupon I got from http://restaurant.com. The prices weren't terrible, and the staff was very friendly. In fact, we talked about the Cal games and how we're going to ROLL USC (hopefully...).
In any case, I was feeling the super nachos, and let me tell you, they were the BEST nachos I've ever had in the bay area. They make their own nachos, sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and probably some other stuff. I had it with black beans and steak.
You can't go wrong with a mountain of cheesy goodness. You could taste the flavors individually and together at the same time...if that made any sense. Their sour cream was not very heavy and delivered the right amount of flavor to the whole dish. Best of all were the chips because they were not salted and were really thick and rectangular, so you can mix all of the ingredients together.
I would definitely recommend this place, the nachos (and the fish burrito) if you're ever around the area and trying something other than cheeseboard pizza. -
Review from Trent W.
Berkeley, CA
6/10/2007
I've tried. 3-4 times. These guys simply cannnot make a decent burrito. Weak flavor, often watery, poorly wrapped -- all of the cardinal sins of burrito making -- inflicted one after the other on the poor ingredients. I've had the fish (bland), the picoso chicken (spicy? not so much), and the chile verde (there were two giantic pieces of pork and nothing else). I saw a sign outside for best burrito in Berkeley -- I can name 8 places off the top of my head that I would rather go to.
Oh, and they're really really slow.
The location is convenient for me -- but I'm never going here again. -
Review from Heather B.
Cambridge, MA
7/6/2009
Not that impressed to be honest. I had high expectations considering this is a restaurant in the gourmet food court in the "gourmet ghetto." Seriously disappointing. I had the chicken super burrito, compared to the same burrito at Chipotle, this was doesn't even measure up. The guac was fresh but very cold, almost too cold. The entire burrito was cold and I ate it five minutes after I received it. The rice, what very little of it there was, was bland. The salsa had large pieces of onions, raw onions. Don't waste your time on the chips. For nine bucks, I could have made better on my own and I can't cook.
Seriously disappointed. -
Review from Daniel S.
9/8/2007
Kind of expensive ($6.50!), kind of boring burritos.
I've sampled all the meat fillings, and the carnitas is probably the most interesting. Unfortunately, the carnitas appear to have been completely wet cooked, and not roasted at all, so the flavor wasn't very interesting or developed.
They also provide really tiny cups for salsa, making it impossible to get enough for your burrito or your nachos. Cheapskates! -
Review from Nance H.
1/31/2010
This little taqueria is located in the heart of the gourmet ghetto.
This place does not resemble a typical taqueria. The space is small and it only accommodates a handful of people on stools.
The food is mediocre, but a bit healthier and pricier. I particularly enjoy the rice. It's fluffy and has a dominant tomato paste taste.
The service is usually good; the staff is friendly. -
Review from Dana G.
Madison, WI
5/2/2010
Derek and I went here tonight for a quick meal we could take home while we watched Space Jam. :) It was a perfect complement to the night!
I've been here a few times, and always appreciated the nice service. It's really fun to watch the two (usually?) guys make the burritos .... It's like a dance. They have it all down to an art, especially how they toss food around a pan!
The flavors were soo excellent for both of us. And the chips ... we loved them. They were freshly made in front of us and once we ran out of salsa and guacamole, we kept on eating them plain. Good sign! -
Review from Dalton C.
San Francisco, CA
4/9/2010
PROs:
+Good price.
+Good food.
+Lettuce in burritos (I don't know why I like that so much...)
CONs:
-Meh. Nothing really to complain about. They're good. Not great. But good. -
Review from Hanson Q.
Berkeley, CA
9/24/2007
I was not too jazzed with this place. I got a steak burrito, which, especially for almost $9, was nothing too special. I'd much rather go to Gordo over on Solano.
I'd like to see the Epicurious Garden succeed, but this place is not much of an improvement over the prior tenant, Socca Oven. -
Review from Meera G.
Berkeley, CA
10/2/2009
Started eating here only because it was near where I worked. Although the prices are kinda steep, I got hooked on the shrimp tacos.
#1 Shrimp tacos. Amazing. I can eat four of these at once and still want more. The blend of flavors is fantastic - freshly sauteed spicy shrimp, avocado, cabbage, and a tasty sauce
#2 Handmade, fresh corn tortillas. You can watch them make them.
#3 Very friendly staff!
#4 Freshly made horchata and rotating agua frescas
Rajas (fried chile strips) tacos are also really good, kinda spicy - great vegetarian option. The other tacos are good but not as interesting. Suprisingly, the Fish / Mango taco is not that great.
Also, Chicken soup is really tasty when I feel like I'm getting sick / want something lighter.
Not so hot: Burritos are good, not spectacular. Not too much a fan of the quesadillas. Tostada is not good for the price.
Note: Refried pinto beans has lard, but the black beans are also delicious and veggie-friendly. -
Review from Cory G.
Oakland, CA
1/9/2007
@ Epicurious Gardens. This is the new taqueria next to the soup stand. The people were very nice and I liked the little counter you can sit at and eat, it reminded me of Gregoire.
My burrito was OK, not spicy as advertised and really not all that great. The chips were oily and cold and made my stomach hurt. Sigh. -
Review from Angela H.
Berkeley, CA
5/26/2008
TRY THEIR CEVICHE. It was so good and the ingredients were very fresh. The shrimp was tender and very lime-y, and combined with the fresh tomato salsa and avacado it was delicious! And considering that it's located in a upscale foodcourt, $7.95 was an OK price to pay for something yummy and filling. I also had their orange agua fresca ($1.25 for a small) which was a good supplement, in addition to this flat churo-tasting cracker (which as I said, tastes just like a churro), for $1.
Personally, it was a great meal. Service was super friendly; the lady was very helpful and she was the one who recommended the ceviche. I'm not giving it five stars yet simply because I've only been there once and I can't say that place makes good everything (and by looking at the reviews for the other menu items I think I will most likely just order the ceviche again when I go). But definitely five stars for service and ceviche :)
*Edit* Now my one star is off because they only serve their ceviches on Fridays and weekends :( I went all the way up from Fremont to Berkeley and was craving it but oh well. Cheeseboard across the street, can't really complain. -
Review from Elon B.
Oakland, CA
5/31/2009 8 Check-ins Here
This little taqueria is in the Epicurious Garden in the "Gourgmet Ghetto." I generally get chicken or fish burritos and a horchata, or an agua fresca. All of these items are excellent, but what really makes this place stand out is their chips.
Every where I go to get burritos, they always serve chips with my burrito and I rarely eat them. Of course, I'm not generally into breads, pastas, chips and the like. I know, call me crazy.
Anyway, when I eat at Picoso, I definitely eat the chips. They're really good by themselves, or as a vehicle for the salsas.
Also, always friendly staff. -
Review from Ying W.
Dublin, CA
12/14/2007
I've came here 3-4 times because I live so damn close, and that's probably the only reason I come here.
The service is good, very nice people working the register, but the food is way overpriced. It's not bad, but for the prices they charge, I can get 2 burritos from Taqueria Cancun in SF, which is the best place (in my opinion) I've had.
Anyway if you're in the neighborhood and are looking for a burrito fix and don't care about spending 8-9 bucks for one, by all means go for it. -
Review from Kumuki M.
CA
2/13/2008 1 photo
Fresh, basic, clean with organic ingredients.
I enjoyed the roasted veggie tacos with guac. Yummy. I appreciate the attention to freshness, and handmade preparation of the corn tortillas from scratch, like the ones I used to have when I lived in Austin, Tejas. -
Review from Shaniqua A.
Berkeley, CA
3/9/2011
I guess 'location location location' really matters. I live in Berkeley and I am pretty sure I've tried all the Mexican joints now and I am convinced that Picoso makes the best tacos and burritos in Berkeley. Maybe it's the fact that Picoso is inside and folks can't see it from the street?
I eat cheap Mexican food a couple times a week. This is my favorite place in Berkeley. I am puzzled that it doesn't have a bigger following. Maybe folks ignore it cause it's in a food court, tucked in the corner, off the street?
I love Picoso's. I've tried most of the Mexi joints in berkeley that have high volume reviews on yelp . . . I try Gordo's or La Cascada or Cancun.
Maybe folks don't expect to find good cheap Mexican food in the Gourmet Ghetto? Picoso is on the same block, after all, as Chez Panisse.
For burritos and tacos, this is the spot. I keep expecting the world to discover Picoso but, nope. . . . . oh well. -
Review from Ahmad A.
Berkeley, CA
3/2/2011
Pretty good tacos, and they're well priced. I recommend this place if you're looking for tacos and are nearby/in walking distance.
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Review from Jason N.
Berkeley, CA
8/19/2011
Great food at a great price-- the dude who runs the place is super nice and he's even made food for me that wasn't on the menu that day ;-) I highly recommend the chicken caldo soup and the crispy tacos.
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Review from Reuben D.
Santa Clara, CA
1/6/2011
Clean environment great food family service will go again. A little bit pricier than a real taqueria, but the quality really shows since there isn't much good mexican food in Berkeley in the first place.
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Review from Jane S.
Berkeley, CA
1/5/2011
I love Picoso. the staff is friendly and the guacamole as good as it gets. But the clincher for me is the wonderful garden in the back where you can eat among flowers and trees -- plus "A river runs through it."
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Review from Heres J.
Oakland, CA
12/29/2010
Ordered a crispy taco at Picoso. Got a standard curved shell, the kind you can buy at the Safeway, with some shredded chicken, shreded lettuce, and bland crumbly cheese. Took one bite and abandoned the rest of it. Maybe I'm spoiled by Gordo, where, when you order a crispy taco, they stick the tortilla in the fryer and crispify it right there, and then pack it full of yummy grilled chicken and salsa and cheese. Waay better than Picoso.
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Review from Cielle T.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 9/16/2008
I thought I'd give this place another chance after swearing it off for a while. mistake! their menu is lacking, but i finally settled on a taco, asking if it came with salsa. the guy behind the counter replied "sure, we can add salsa to anything."
after I paid, I noticed he'd charged me $1 for it.
maybe this is cool for their regular patrons. i'm just as disappointed as I was before, and this time I swearing it off for real.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/15/2008
better places to go in the neighborhood! they don't even have a basic bean-and-cheese-and fixings… Read more »
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