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    Calafia Taqueria

    3.5 (641 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Open • 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 1 week ago

    Order Calafia Taqueria Takeout or Delivery

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    CALAFIA TAQUERIA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

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    Complimentary chips
    Vanessa P.

    Went here on a whim after checking out a Holiday Yuletide oddities market, it was right next to the market and we were feeling snackish. There was a delious smell of grilled carne asada wafting in the air so we popped in to look at the menu. Huge menu with lots of options, as soon as I saw a good looking salsa bar and a ton of orders of menudo rolling out, I knew I needed to eat here. I ordered Birria tacos and the bestie picked sopes with carnitas. Shoutout to a taqueria that provides complimentary chips and chiles toreados! We were delighted with the huge portions and was super pleased with how delicious everything was! Birria and carnitas were fork tender, flavor was on point and not too salty. It was fresh and filling! There was plenty of seating, it was a bit cold and drafty, but nevertheless we had a great time. It was a perfect setting to order menudo and I would definitely come back to try it!

    Tortilla chips
    Emily X.

    I've been getting this more often recently since it's close by and on Grubhub. The carne asada super burrito is my default order now. At $14, the price feels reasonable, especially for the portion. The burrito is filling and flavorful, with well-seasoned carne asada and a good balance of ingredients that holds up even with delivery. Nothing overly flashy, but consistently satisfying when you want something hearty and convenient.

    Arlo T.

    We tried this place when we were at Faction. The food was pretty good and for what they had for a limited space was really good. The tacos were good, but the burrito was very basic, but that's only because they had so much they can do. The tacos and rest of the food came out pretty quick. I need to visit the brick and mortar.

    Teacher special quesadilla minus the rice and beans that were supposed to come with the order.
    Courtney Y.

    I'm back to update my review. I was greeted by a gentleman that said, "Welcome back!" I let him know I didn't receive all of my food the previous visit. He gave me a free meal with 2 bags of chips and the rice and beans included with my quesadilla. The chicken was hard and tasted old. Overall I am not pleased with this location and do not plan to return

    Soda and chips
    Sun L.

    Continued customer No parking but lots of street parking Spacious and lots of seating, they even have an outdoor seating for events as well Interior was well thought out and themed School deals for teachers and students Very community involved with posters and deals Service always friendly and fast Food is amazing, always my go to spot Their spicy red sauce is HOT and delicious I will buy it by the bottle if they get a chance to do that Thank you and I will see you soon again

    Chips and salsas
    Super F.

    Not sure about the food yet! Service can be better! Ambience is loud and louder. To be continued. My wife and I wanted to try this place. Note to workers not everyone has ate here before so be more patient and try to up sale. Food for thought.

    Outside the restaurant
    Lisa C.

    Best Mexican food on the Westend of Alameda. They have a low carb burrito that I love and the chicken taquitos de pollo plate with rice and beans is so delicious. This taqueria is a local favorite and you can always see people coming and going to pick up their takeout orders. You can also expect to find a few customers enjoying their meal inside the restaurant's two large dining areas. In the main dining area you can always catch local sports games playing on their flatscreen TV near the restrooms. The staff are friendly and accommodating. They have beer and plenty of options of beverages. Their menu offers classic Mexican dishes and discounts for teachers and students if they show them their ID. They have plenty of street parking and also outside dining in their parklet and back patio.

    Storefront
    Steve D.

    1445 Webster St Alameda, CA 94501 It's Alameda Restaurant Week, so I decided to visit a place on Webster St that I haven't been to in a long time. I used to live about 2 blocks away, and used to come here for cheap eats. So on a Saturday, I dropped by to try their tacos for takeout. I was warmly greeted as soon as I walked in. Place looked really clean with a colorful decor. I ordered: - Fish Taco - Shrimp taco - Hard Shell Taco w/ Pork and beans - Super taco w/ Steak All these tacos were fresh, loaded, and looked great. But in general, they lacked flavor. I love to order fried fish tacos, but this one didn't grab my attention. I'm really sorry, but Taco Patrol got you beat for Baja Fish Tacos. Prices are in the $4-5 range. Nice to see you still in business after all these years.

    Shredded chicken tacos and chips
    Amelia D.

    Service was quick, food was generously portioned, and the sopes were freshly made. The salsas and the meat had very little flavoring. We had to add salt to the salsas we took from the salsa bar and to the meat as well. The outdoor seating is nice, but they need to work on seasoning their food. Life is to short to skimp on flavor. Hopefully the owners see the feedback and make some changes.

    Super Burrito carne asada
    Thomas S.

    Really wanted to like this place because it's next to the community art garden and wanted to support the restaurant next door. However, the food was not good. Ordered two super burritos, barely any meat in both. Waste of $28 ($14 per burrito). Also added chips and salsa for $1 because of their salsa bar. Got stale chips Better off eating elsewhere.

    Outside
    Mel S.

    I've come here twice now and both experiences have been okay - nothing special. Food: - The chips are good as they aren't frail and fragile. They hold their own. - The crispy tacos are good for this reason as well - they don't fall apart at one bite. - The pollo asado tacos and the enchiladas were a little disappointing and lacked flavor. The theme seems to be the chicken that is not seasoned well and comes across as bland. - Salsa bar: the salsa bar is good - variety of salsas, cucumbers, spicy carrots, etc. available - They have fridges for bottled beer and soft drinks. They also have horchata in a big jug Miscellaneous: - Parking is available via street parking - Order at the counter and they will call your number to come pick up your food - Indoor and outdoor dining available

    The Salsa Bar
    Wolf H.

    I met a buddy here to brainstorm some ideas over lunch. The building interior is very interesting with high ceilings and red brick in parts. It feels very unique and somehow old world. Service is friendly which adds to the welcoming atmosphere. We were greeted with a smile and a helpful attitude. The salsa bar is not what I would call attractive, but it does get the job done and offers variety. Four types of salsa, carrots, pickled onion... good stuff. The back patio is a wonderful feature. It's a quiet oasis with a very peaceful vibe. There is some clutter around in a haphazard way, but the space is comfortable and inviting. The best part- The Chips. I'm big on tortilla chip quality. Nothing disappoints me more than a taqueria using Costco chips. These guys did not do that. Great chips with good flavor, crispy crunch, and just the right amount of oil and salt. Well done. Now the bad part, and it is a biggie. I ordered two chicken tacos. I'm sorry. They were bland. Very bland. They had no flavor at all. I ended up dumping a bunch of salsa on them just to taste something. That's really a tragedy. So, will I return? I have to give it a maybe. My buddy loves the burritos so maybe I will try that.

    Taco pack to-go

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    3 months ago

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    12 days ago

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    8 months ago

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    13 days ago

    Please season your food again! All do the sudden no flavor on food, no salt! I miss eating here

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    10 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

    Love their nachos, taquitos, fish tacos, burritos and salsa. Every meal is fresh and delicious. Family owned and always friendly !

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    1 year ago

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

    I really enjoy eating their food. Service is always friendly and the salsa bar is superb.

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    1 year ago

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    3 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Excellent authentic Mexican food in a cozy, colorful eatery. Nice salsa bar too. Recommended

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    8 months ago

    Delicious food, super quick during lunch time and great friendly service! Clean and lots of seating

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    Page 1 of 17

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    La Penca Azul - Steak tacos & refried beans

    La Penca Azul

    3.4(2.4k reviews)
    2.0 mi
    •$$

    The service is amazing. They constantly checked on you. Today we came for my son's 14th birthday…read more I love this place. I Been coming to this restaurant for over 10 years. The homemade chips are addictive don't get full on them before your meal comes. They also have an extra spicy sauce for the chips but I warn you now, it is really really spicy but good. The food is always amazing. Today we switched it up and got the Super Burritos. One shredded beef and the other shredded chicken. The beef was way better. But, our normal food item is the Pescado Especial for $63.79. It feeds 2-4 adults. The ambiance is very cultural. I love the variety of alcohol that they have and yes empty it's for decorations. The few television's that they do have came in handy because the World Cup was on, Panama vs Ghana.

    Ordered guacamole. DID NOT GET IT. Ordered chips and salsa (and an extra side of salsa). DID NOT…read moreGET IT. Please do not order to go or through GrubHub, REPEAT, DO NOT ORDER TO GO OR THROUGH GRUBHUB. They will fuck it all up, and you will be left without any recourse to get the food that you didn't get or a refund of your money. If you are craving their food, then go inside and sit down and eat the food there. At least then, you will see what you got and what you're paying for. If you order to go or remotely, they will slip things in there and otherwise try to screw you. Good luck!

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    Acapulco

    Acapulco

    3.5(344 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    •$$

    We love Acapulco! The margaritas are amazing, and Alec is great. We love coming here in the…read moreafternoons and on the weekends. Classic Mexican food, good service, and a great place to relax.

    I've given Acapulco more than one chance over the years, and unfortunately I think it's probably…read morethe weakest Mexican restaurant in Alameda. The food is consistently bland, a lot of it tastes like it was prepared well in advance and reheated, and the overall quality just isn't very good. The main thing it has going for it is that it's relatively affordable. The bigger problem is that the whole place feels neglected. The exterior looks run-down, the property doesn't seem especially well maintained, and the overall atmosphere gives the impression that corners are being cut wherever possible. The service and management have also been strange enough on past visits that it has never felt like a particularly welcoming or well-run restaurant. What finally pushed me to the point where I don't really want to eat here anymore is how often I see the pest-control company servicing the property. I understand that restaurants use pest-control services routinely and that their presence by itself doesn't necessarily mean there is an infestation. But I've seen them here repeatedly, including recently with their vehicle blocking part of the parking lot, and when you combine that with the general condition of the restaurant, it's not exactly reassuring. On my most recent attempt to come here, I saw the pest-control vehicle again and decided I'd rather eat somewhere else. There are too many good Mexican restaurants in Alameda and Oakland for me to keep coming back to a place where the food is mediocre and the overall condition of the restaurant leaves me uncomfortable. I really wish they would put some money and attention back into the food, the building, and the overall operation, because in its current state this place feels like it could use a serious overhaul.

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    Acapulco - Inside

    Inside

    Acapulco
    Acapulco - April '25

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    April '25

    La Penca Azul - Guac

    La Penca Azul

    3.3(532 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    •$$

    We really like this La Penca. Tucked away on Bay Farm Island, in a mini retail area, on a lagoon…read more Great location, and unlike the Park St. one, this location is calmer, attracts a better crowd, and has ample parking. Mwah! They've extended their happy hour; I believe it begins at 2pm on most days, and goes until closing - great deal! In an era where eating/drinking out is becoming prohibitively expensive, this is one place that won't totally break the bank. Drinks are good, and strong. Many food options to choose from. Service is very good, attentive but they don't rush you. Check out this La Penca on Bay Farm, but don't tell too many of your friends.

    The service is amazing. They constantly checked on you. Today we came for my son's 14th birthday…read more I love this place. I Been coming to this restaurant for over 10 years. The homemade chips are addictive don't get full on them before your meal comes. They also have an extra spicy sauce for the chips but I warn you now, it is really really spicy but good. The food is always amazing. Today we switched it up and got the Super Burritos. One shredded beef and the other shredded chicken. The beef was way better. But, our normal food item is the Pescado Especial for $63.79. It feeds 2-4 adults. The ambiance is very cultural. I love the variety of alcohol that they have and yes empty it's for decorations. The few television's that they do have came in handy because the World Cup was on, Panama vs Ghana.

    Photos
    La Penca Azul - Stairs to the upper level.

    Stairs to the upper level.

    La Penca Azul - Tostada de Ceviche

    Tostada de Ceviche

    La Penca Azul - 4/3/24 FYI. new decor

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    4/3/24 FYI. new decor

    Taqueria Viva México - Quesabirrias

    Taqueria Viva México

    3.7(273 reviews)
    1.9 mi
    •$$

    Stopped in for a quick snack and decided to just get 1 quesabirria ($5). Noticed they no longer…read morehave a taco condiments bar setup by the counter. Still under the same owners/management after all these years. They have a bunch of combo specials with a fountain drink, and weekend specials menu too. No specials for Taco Tuesday though. Street tacos are now $3.75. The quesabirria was good. They have a 3 quesabirria with consomme and fountain drink for $15.50 which I would get next time when I have a bigger appetite.

    Been years since I last stepped foot in this spot. Used to live in Alameda and recall coming here…read moreonce or twice probably for a burrito. Fast forward to today, my son and his friend frequent this place. After a Sunday full of errands, hunger kicked in, and we were craving Mexican food. My 13 year old suggested we come here. At that moment, I had a choice...drive out to Oakland and find a solid spot or trust my teenager's restaurant recommendation. Risky move, I know lol. Walking in, the place looked just like it did years ago clean, welcoming, and with a friendly staff. The menu? Way bigger than I remember. It had so many options, I started wondering if I needed a strategy guide to order. I just wanted everything cause I was hangry lol. My son swears by their quesabirria, so I took a bite. It was... alright. Wish the shell had that extra crisp or even a cheese crust. The beef? Decent, but could've used more spice and flavor. Maybe dipping it in the consommé would've helped like a plot twist in a bad movie, it might've saved the whole thing just my opinion : ) I went for the steak fries. Now, these weren't your typical carne asada fries with thick-cut fries, sour cream, salsa, and all the toppings stacked on. These were more like shoestring fries, already seasoned, topped with cheese and steak pieces. Not bad, but let's be real I wouldn't have minded a bigger portion. And with shoestring fries, good luck trying to scoop up all the toppings without making a mess in that little food tray lol. Also grabbed a crispy ground beef taco. It was okay, but every time I took a bite, it completely fell apart like my plans to eat healthy. Could've used a bit more seasoning too (taco snob lol) Don't be shy with the flavor. I rather have it over seasoned than bland : ) Alameda doesn't have a ton of taquerias, which is probably why everyone drives out to Oakland to hit the food trucks on International Blvd (aka E-14th for the OG Bay Area folks) Yadadaimean! Would I come back? Yeah, I would. Food isn't bad, and the prices are decent like I'm not breaking the bank here. Solid 3 stars. It's good, but not quite at that 4-star level for me.....Just saying : )

    Photos
    Taqueria Viva México
    Taqueria Viva México - HOT CHEETOS BURRITO

    HOT CHEETOS BURRITO

    Taqueria Viva México

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    NIDO's BackYard - Fish taco

    NIDO's BackYard

    3.8(1.1k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    •$$

    TLDR: Immaculate vibes and friendly staff. The atmosphere and huge layout of the place are super…read morenice - maybe one of the best in the city - and it's definitely a great place to have a big party or gathering. Lots of different open sections, many open spaces and large tables covering a huge foot print. Lots of TVs, good music/sound system, and lots of plants used to split up the tables and create a great environment. Food could be slightly improved. I'll definitely be back and give it another try. Come here for the vibes, drinks, and atmosphere - which are without a doubt a 5 star experience - but if you want good authentic Mexican food, look elsewhere. Food, I'd give a generous 3.5 stars to 3.8 stars, at best. I was really excited to try their food but honestly it tasted bland, unpolished, and unrefined. I have a feeling their target audience is someone that doesn't like spice so they punish those of us that actually like them. For example, my fish tacos didn't have pico de gallo or hot salsa, my rice and beans were NOT even topped with any sour cream (a Mexican delight) or fresh grated queso fresco. These are two very simple ways to elevate the dish and was a miss in my book. Their mole dish was nicely plated but for the taste the mole was not up to par - it tasted sweet and not authentic, there was no depth in the flavor you're used to tasting for mole. Drinks were 5 stars without a doubt and I had the best Paloma I've ever had in my life. I also highly recommend the Alabama slammer super yummy and tasty it's like a punch but not too sweet. The drinks did take a solid 30+ minutes to get delivered so that was a bummer. If they were quicker I would've gotten a second round but I didn't feel like risking waiting around for another half hour for them. Parking is pretty good but it's still Oakland - I do appreciate that they hire a super friendly security guard attendant at a nearby dedicated parking lot location for a modest $5 charge. Don't forget to tip the parking lot attendant doing the lords work! The last thing I would mention is that if you're sensitive to smells, this is an outdoor place right off the bay (1-2 blocks) and near some Amtrak train tracks (which pass hourly or so), so there is a faint and occasional odor of bay water and some brake dust or diesel fumes when trains pass occasionally.

    Genuine authentic Mexican style restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Large yard for seating…read moreor even private events. Full bar with friendly bartenders and beautiful hostess and waitresses. Welcoming and warm atmosphere great for groups, gatherings, events watching over big screens, kids, casual dates and meetups. Food is simply amazing full of flavors and fresh. Reservation is recommended for large groups and off for events. Large parking area across the street for $5. Wide and flat entires and routes great for accessibility.

    Photos
    NIDO's BackYard
    NIDO's BackYard - Chilaquiles with Chorizo added

    Chilaquiles with Chorizo added

    NIDO's BackYard - Tostada de tinga

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    Tostada de tinga

    Calafia Taqueria - mexican - Updated September 2026

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