Taqueria El Paisa

Very swift service. Very friendly staff. Quite delicious with a great variety of Mexican dishes. The portions are extremely generous ( You get your money's worth!). Better come here hungry because they feed you well!! More

IMO, one of the best and most authentic Mexican restaurants I have been to. Great tasting foods. With cacti’s leaf and what I think is traditional roasted whole onion? The food so so very good and if I am in Oakland again, I will … More

Why aren’t there more places that have suadero in the Bay Area? This is where I come to get my fix until the next visit for chilango suadero. Wish they crisped the outer tortilla a bit more or left them on the comal with the meat drippings for a bit longer, but still satisfying. The salsa bar is the best!

Over rated place, food is average, I came here cause friends sold me the idea the food here was so great, what a disappointment, I can think of at least 10 better places, what I got 2 tripa tacos and 2 suadero, just salty, no flavor, and … More

Incredible food and beautiful place to sit and relax. Lots of family out and good music on the radio. Amazing food More

Getting here right after opening is the best move if you want to beat the massive rush this place gets later in the day. Plus, I managed to snag free street parking right around the corner. There was practically no line when I arrived, so I only waited about a minute before the gentleman behind the counter took my order. The ordering area itself is incredibly festive—stepping inside genuinely makes you feel like you've been transported straight back to Mexico. They carve the meats and serve up your tacos in no time, and then you just follow the counter down a few steps to the cash register. That’s where you order your drinks before paying and heading out to find a seat. The covered patio is decked out in a heavy Mexican theme, making it a great, vibrant space to sit down and eat. If it gets packed, there’s actually a second dining area tucked further back if you need some breathing room. I’m assuming they get absolutely slammed at peak hours, which explains why the setup is so practical. A very nice touch is that they have napkin dispensers scattered everywhere—the tables further out back even have their own dedicated dispensers, which is incredibly smart when you're dealing with messy street food. They also have a fully stocked salsa bar where you can grab extra garnishes and radishes to dress up your plate. I noticed another reviewer mentioned the tacos were small, but that completely misrepresents the reality here. These tacos hold up beautifully and are incredibly substantial. The corn tortillas have a distinct, rich corn flavor and don't fall apart under the heavy meats, and every single house-made salsa tastes vibrant and fresh. Suadero Taco: Easily one of the best suadero tacos in Oakland. The slow-cooked beef is executed flawlessly, hitting that perfect balance of a deeply savory, crispy outer bark while keeping the meat underneath incredibly tender and juicy. Topped with their coarse red salsa and a whole grilled jalapeño, the bright acidity cuts right through the rich beef fat. Tripa Taco: I ordered this purely as an experiment to see how their kitchen handles it. I’ve actively avoided tripe for decades, but I wanted to push my palate a bit. Ultimately, the intrinsic flavor of tripe just doesn't appeal to my taste buds. That said, the kitchen's execution is flawless, and if you actually enjoy authentic offal, you won't find a single thing to complain about here. Lengua Taco: The tongue is perfectly poached—melt-in-your-mouth tender, incredibly clean, and a fantastic contrast to the rich chew of the suadero. All three proteins have completely distinct, defined flavors and textures. Having traveled extensively through Central and Southern Mexico, I can confidently say this is about as legitimate as street food gets on US soil. To wash it all down, I opted for a large Mango Agua Fresca. Visually, the bright orange tropical juice looks incredible sitting next to a rustic tray of glistening tacos, but functionally, it’s a brilliant palate cleanser. The crisp, sweet acidity cuts straight through the heavy fats of the beef, instantly resetting your taste buds between bites. It’s an essential part of the meal. Taqueria El Paisa puts on a textbook demonstration of authentic DF-style street food mechanics. Pairing the rich, savory meats with a massive fruit agua fresca is a flawless strategy. If you want a bulletproof, elite taco experience, this spot belongs at the top of your list. Order type Dine in Price per person USD 10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Group size Suitable for all group sizes Wait time No wait Parking space Plenty of parking Parking options Free parking lot, Free street parking

Taqueria El Paisa never disappoints. The food is always fresh, flavorful, and hits the spot every time. The tacos are packed, the meat is well seasoned, and the portions are solid for the price. My personal favorite is the tripa—crispy, … More

One of the most authentic taquerias in the Bay Area I've been to. The asada tacos were extremely flavorful and delicious. The tacos has a homemade … More

Got a burrito with just meat cheese and sour cream. So delicious! And it probably weighed 2 lb. Great value as they don't skimp on the good stuff

Best burritos ive ever had. Im from san jose, and havent had any luck finding a gem. This burrito is worth the drive! Lines are always long but go by SUPER quick. Always a great experience. Horchata is pure gold, again, I havent found … More

I’ve been looking for a good taco that reminds me of childhood. Something with flavor and salsa that actually makes my nose/eyes water. I found it at this place. Even the simple rice and beans make me think of being a kid eating at grandma’s house. A taco is $4.50 at the moment but given our economy and surroundings it makes sense. But worth it. Really good authentic food. They also have a parking lot and boy do they get really busy during the weekend. Would highly recommend and definitely coming back. Price per person USD 10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Reservation Reservations not required Group size 2 people Parking space Somewhat difficult to find parking Parking options Free parking lot

don’t often feel at home unless I’m actually back in the giant, restless sprawl of Mexico City. But stepping into Tacos El Paisa gives me a small reminder of it. The smell of meat on the grill, the shine of puddles on the pavement, the cumbia drifting through the air, and the steady chop of the cleaver on wood all pull me straight back to CDMX for a moment. I come here about once a month for the suadero with a sprinkle of chorizo. It hits the same every time: salty, rich, a little acidic, the kind of simple street food that reminds you why tacos became a national obsession in the first place. Even when the line gets long, it moves fast, and the place keeps its rhythm no matter how chaotic the parking situation is or how serious the security guard looks. But you can’t ignore what time has done here. Prices have climbed, portions have shrunk, and inflation shows its hand more clearly than anywhere else on the menu. Still, if you want a small taste of what Mexico can feel like, the noise, the energy, the honest flavors, El Paisa delivers. Smaller tacos or not, it’s worth the visit. Order type Dine in Meal type Lunch Price per person USD 20–30 Food: 4 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 5 Group size Suitable for all group sizes Recommendation for vegetarians Would not recommend Parking space Difficult to find parking Parking options Free street parking

Some of the best tacos in Oakland! Don't sleep on the chicken taco, my go-to is usually 2 or 3 tacos: chicken and carne Asada. Highly recommend taking a moment to enjoy the space and eating there, the food will be warm, fresh, and delicious. Order type Dine in Price per person USD 10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Wait time No wait Seating type Indoor dining area, Outdoor patio / terrace

I was very disappointed with my burrito and tacos. The chicken was super dry and overcooked. The beef brisket was also dry and tough. The parking lot is basically Costco and inside is hectic. The staff are incredibly nice. I was looking forward to a good experience considering online reviews but the only good part was the tortilla and grilled onions. Also my burrito had a few chopped up chicken bones. It’s been a few hours now and I just feel sick. I would recommend avoiding. Price per person USD 20–30 Food: 1 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 3 Group size Suitable for all group sizes Wait time Up to 10 min Seating type Indoor dining area, Outdoor patio / terrace

The best tacos in the bay. Friendly & fast service! + they have a salsa bar. The Al Pastor & Suadero tacos were my favorite. The horchata was also veryyyy good! Order type Dine in Price per person USD 10–20 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Group size Suitable for all group sizes Wait time No wait