I had to try this place. After being a San Diego transplant I've been craving a taco shop w/ great flavors. I was greeted by a young lady with great energy. She had a huge smile and was welcoming. Good start. I ordered 3 tacos just to get a feel for the place. 2 carne asada and 1 al pastor. My tacos were larger than I suspected, I couldn't tell if the corn tortillas were handmade or not (good problem to have) both meats were cut larger than a normal taco shop, had good flavor and were fresh. The cilantro and salsa were awesome. The horchata was the star of the show. It was absolutely fresh with only real and top quality ingredients. I was blown away by the taste and nutrition value. It was delicious. The employee star of the show was a man who caught me outside while I was also carrying my Trader Joe bags. "Hey boss, please let me help you. Make sure to hold your tacos like this, I want you to have the best experience and I care" Blown away. For me, food can be good but it's the service that brings me back. In this case, both will bring me back, can't wait to try a burrito! Come here for great service and great Mexican taco shop food. read more

El Califas Tacos has a well-deserved 4.5 rating, and it's easy to see why people keep coming back. My go-to order is the nachos with salsa verde. The house-made cheese sauce is tasty, the portions are great, prices are fair, and the overall quality is solid. If I have to nitpick, the tortilla chips can be too hard at times, and the chicken can lean on the salty side, but these are minor, easy fixes for an otherwise great meal. To top it off, Ana (at the register) is incredibly nice, welcoming, and always get my order perfect. Easy recommendation read more

My buddy placed a large order for a get together, and we didn't receive one of the burritos. Mistakes happen - no problem. Let's give them a call to see what they can do about it. Issue is when we called back the person on the phone told him he didn't order that burrito. Had to ask them to recheck the order again (we had email receipt confirming). In fact, their own ticket on the bag had check marks on every item to make sure it was packed and the burrito was the only thing left not marked. We asked for refund and the person said the refund would take an entire week. Sounded fishy... But exactly one week later the refund went through. That was the extent of the service - no offer to remake the burrito, an apology, a credit for next time for the person I sing their meal. Lack of making things right. read more

Solid spot. Not a huge menu, but has a good variety of meats. Wife got the nachos and I got a burrito bowl. Food came out quick as well. It's kind of a no frills spot, no free chips/salsa for example, but it tasted good. read more

El Califas Tacos - Burrito bowl - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

El Califas Tacos is a relatively new place in the San Ramon Marketplace. They started as a food truck in the San Jose area and then expanded out to San Ramon. So, think "food truck" with great food when you visit. They have managed to have a kitchen and a small eating area inside that seats about 12 people. Wow. This was our first time. The staff wondered the room and asked customers how they were doing which is a nice touch. To my surprise, when we visited Saturday 2PM the place was busy. We found the last table for 4 and gladly volunteered part of the table to a family waiting for their food. Seeing a busy business several months after opening is a pleasure. The chicken street tacos were excellently prepared. They asked about spice level at ordering and we selected mild. As expected, the tacos had great flavor without heavy heat. Next time we will order a bunch to go for dinner. Give El Califas Tacos a try. read more

El Califas Tacos - Popular taco place largely takeout. Seating for about 12. - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

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Even though my husband and I loved the restaurant before this one moved in, we were excited to try this place. When we got there we received samples of their chicharrones taco which was fresh and tasty. The employees were nice and answered our questions and gave us their best recommendations. My husband got the burrito with Al pastor and chicharrones. I got the Califas tacos (had melted cheese) with chicharrones, Al pastor, shrimp and soy chorizo, and carne asada. Although the chicharrones sample was delicious it tasted different in my taco. All the meats I got tasted bland except the shrimp and soy chorizo which was the best one. They also drenched the tacos with the salsa which probably overpowered the taste.. We also got their mango horchata which had fresh mango chunks and was good but barely could taste the horchata. Overall this place was ok, I probably would come back just for the shrimp and soy chorizo. I wish they had a chips and salsa bar like most taquerias though since their prices are a bit steep for what you get (in my opinion). read more

El Califas Tacos - Mango horchata - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

I treated a good friend of mine to lunch. El Califas is one of two Taquerias that opened not too long ago so I tried both. The restaurant is on the smaller side but luckily most people ordered take-out so we were able to grab a couple of seats on the wall counter. I ordered three tacos (Al Pastor, Chicharron, Carne Asada) and my buddy ordered two (Chicharron, Al Pastor). We ordered a soda. For the 5 street size tacos and two sodas it was almost $28, so a bit on the higher priced Taqueria. The tacos are street taco size, lots of sauce so the flavor of the meat is harder to discern. I found taste a little of the carne asada, it has a nice grilled flavor. I prefer straight up street tacos that have either no sauce or a little sauce so you can taste the flavor of the meats. I plan to go back and try the tacos again and ask did the sauce on the side so I can taste the tacos without sauce or a splash of sauce. read more

El Califas Tacos - Tacos Chicharon, Al Pastor - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

Just tried this little spot beside SR Trader Joe. They are so sweet, when we asked them about which meat option is the popular she suggested Al Pastor or Chicharron. She even gave us a little sample. I ended up ordering super burrito with chicharron and salsa verde. The tortilla is soft, the chicharron she asked if I want it mild or spicy and I picked spicy. It has a little heat, I enjoyed it very much. Everything in the burrito tasted great. I also tried for the first time the Horchata Agua Fresca. It is yummy, a bit too sweet for me because I'm not used to it. But I like the taste. There are about 5 bar height counter seating and 1 small table by the window. They do charge $1 extra for credit card charges just fyi. read more

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Found this place on Yelp and it didn't disappoint. We tried the chicken super burrito which was very good. It's filled with rice, pinto beans, choice of salsa, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Inside has minimal seating but there is outside seating in the plaza read more

El Califas Tacos - Chicken super burrito - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

We've been here several times, and everything we've tried has been delicious so far...especially the barbacoa, which is packed with flavor. My daughter loves the chicharrón tacos too! The customer service is always friendly and accommodating. One time, a chicken bowl was missing from our pickup order. Had to drive back to get it and they sincerely apologized and even gave us a free taco for the inconvenience, which was a very thoughtful and unexpected gesture. We'll definitely be back! read more

Back to back nights!!! Yup! I was in town visiting one of my sons and friends....stuck my head inside and was greeted warmly...so I stepped inside...pondered the menu and decided on the chicken quesadilla. That chicken quesadilla was so good, came back next late afternoon for another to go. Great staff, friendly and each night there was a line of people. That's always a good sign. This restaurant will be around for a long time. 5 stars. read more

Solid spot for tacos in San Ramon. It's a casual counter-order setup with minimal seating, so it's best for a quick grab or takeout. I went with the al pastor and carne asada, and both hit the mark -- well-seasoned meat, good portions, no frills. Just solid tacos done right. Would definitely come back when the craving strikes. read more

El Califas Tacos - REGULAR TACOS PLATE 3x CARNE ASADA 3x AL PASTOR - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

This place is a counter service taco place that is really exceptional. They keep the place clean and bright. I have been here 4-5 times and the menus is growing a little but what is here is great. They move reasonably quickly and the tacos are the best around here. I especially liked the el Califa tacos. I will certainly keep returning. read more

3.25 stars, conflicted but giving 3 stars for now with caveats. Good quality ingredients. Can taste the freshness but there is also a faint musty aftertaste. Some of the dried herbs and spices must be stale contributing to that aftertaste. Liked the addition of burrito bowls to the menu. Easier, less messy to eat at work. First visit, got 4 tacos with 4 different fillings. Quantity of filling different for each taco. One of the tacos I purchased had the same amount of filling as the sample taco. Got to watch portion control. Consistency is key. Also wish they had the more unusual meats like lengua or cabeza. The most exotic meat offered was chicharron. Still lots of potential. Will return after things have settled down. read more

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This was so good! Been trying to find a good taqueria in the area and this is it. I got the super burrito with chicken (minus cheese.) will definitely be back. read more

El Califas Tacos - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

First time here and was looking forward to seeing it open. Menu is simple but I think that's good for their business and it makes the decision making easier on my part! We ordered a carne asada burrito and burrito bowl. I decided to get my bowl on the spicy side and whew - caliente! On the plus side, I like my heat, but I also like to have flavor. Honestly, it was better the next day. I'll definitely try it again. If you are looking for indoor seating, this is a take out only place. If the weather is good, you can always sit outside. I tried to pick up a to-go order last night but they were closed after 5pm on New Years Eve. read more

El Califas Tacos - Menu board - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

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Being new to the area, I was so excited to see a legit tacos spot nearby. They do Mexico City style traditional tacos so don't come asking for crispy! They also started doing Sonora style tacos (flour tortilla based). I've come a few times now and have loved their carne asada burrito and barbacoa tacos. Their meats are delicious and very juicy. The quality of their tortillas is A+. They even have great agua frescas! It can get quite busy during dinner time and the lunch rush, but the takeout feels like you're eating inside and were just served straight from the grill. read more

Adorable little hole in the wall place. Friendly staff, wonderful food! Nothing fancy, just good food for a good price! read more

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El Califas did not disappoint! We ordered the carne asada burrito bowl, carne asada tacos, barbacoa, and the Califas taco with chicharrón and cheese melted in between the tortilla -- and wow... everything was SO good. The flavors were fresh, perfectly seasoned, and you can tell they don't skimp on quality. The chicharrón taco with the melted cheese in between the tortilla was next level. Everything came out super fast, and they even surprised us with free taco samples to try -- such a nice touch! Definitely coming back. read more

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Finally! I great burrito and taco restaurant in San Ramon. Their food is so good. Their burritos are huge and delicious. I highly recommend the Al pastor. read more

Food was tasty. First taqueria I've been to that you have to pay extra for refried beans?!?

Fantastic! Nice location near the Trader Joe's. It's not the biggest location, but street tacos lend themselves easily to take out. I honestly went in on a whim. I was hungry and didn't want to go grocery shopping hungry, so I checked the menu online and saw very reasonable prices. The prices and convenient location got me in the door, but wow the food is going to get me coming back! The Califas style tacos are definitely the way to go. It's two tortillas with a layer of melted cheese in the middle. There's zero downside there! The one thing that I want to preface is that they're a little messy. They LOADED those tacos up, so every bite a little bit of meat fell off. There was so much flavor in every taco. I will definitely be coming back. It's just a matter of when. read more

A little under 2 weeks ago, myself, my brother and his wife stopped by this location in San Ramon in the marketplace similar to the spot where the old El Balazo used to be (if memory serves me correctly). I was disheartened to see the very simplest of menu options and no seating. They offered tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos and taquitos. Most authentic mexican places i have frequented have everything from soups (caldos), enchiladas, breakfast (desayuno) items such as chilaquiles, nopales, etc. This establishment had none of that. We still placed an order of 2 tacos and a burrito. The customer service was kind enough. While I appreciate that, Im ultimately there for the food. My brother felt it was just ok, my sister in law did not like it all. I, however, since its MY review did not like it either. I felt they were overpriced for what they were and they didnt even offer anything I wanted, ultimately. If youre going for nice customer service, I recommend visiting them. If youre going for an authentic experience with a more diverse menu, I suggest going elsewhere. It was just too minimal for my preference. read more

Came here on Cinco de Mayo and had a great experience. The service was fast, efficient, and everything we ordered was delicious. Our family tried the carne asada tacos, carne asada super burrito, barbacoa super burrito, and a chicken burrito bowl. The barbacoa was incredibly tender, the chicken tasted freshly grilled, and the carne asada was cooked perfectly. You could tell the cooks were working hard behind the scenes to keep everything running smoothly. We truly appreciated the effort. Definitely a spot we'd come back to! 10/10 read more

El Califas Tacos - Carne asada Calisonova tacos (no onions) so good!! 5/5 - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

Best Mexican restaurant in San Ramon. We had been trying different burritos and this burrito was the best Fresh ingredients and best tasting. Our new go to in San Ramon read more

This place is right next to Trader Joe's in "the marketplace" in San Ramon. They have bottled agua Frescas. The flavors were tamarind, Jamaica & horchata when I went. I ordered tacos de carne asada, barbacoa & al pastor. I also got a burrito bowl. This place is so good ! We're definitely coming back!!! Very fresh & full of flavor!! $1 fee for using a credit card They are doing a soft opening right now & their grand opening is scheduled towards the end of the month (January 2026). read more

El Califas Tacos - Agua frescas - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

I decided to try this new taco place in San Ramon after a quick trip to TJ's. Being in the Trader Joe's marketplace and no more Nob Hill there is plenty of parking . I realized it was peak lunch time on a Thursday. I noticed a lot of people in line and many them on their lunch break from nearby offices in bishop ranch . First thing I noticed was the menu while big didn't have any photos of the food but it didn't have prices which were not they expensive, a huge plus. I decided to go with only 2 tacos , Barbocoa and carne asada. They ask you spice level I chose mild because it was my first visit . They pack up your food very well and ask if you need a plastic bag for the car in case of spillage , very nice of them. There is complimentary water dispenser with cups. Inside can get real congested while you wait. Today was a very warm day but they did have 2 big fans setup for some relief. You can tell they are working hard to get orders filled . I noticed the cashier even taking phone orders in front of me. Not sure is they are on DoorDash etc apps or plan to. Service is friendly. I have wish them do well, I loved the Barbocoa and will try spicier sauce and order other things. Also lastly they do catering on site for your parties or get together s. They have great corner location next door to Trader Joe's. It used to be a Filipino place but keep in mind no tables inside as it very small area space . There is a ome umbrellad tables and seats next to cold stone creamery read more

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I really, really wanted to like this place! We need a good taco/burrito shop here in San Ramon! People are fantastic! Tacos looked good, full of meat. I tried the super burrito, it comes with 2 meats. I didn't want to mix the meats, so I just ordered pollo asado. I figured that they would put a decent amount of chicken in it since it came with 2 meats! Well I would love to tell you that their chicken tastes great! BUT there was so much rice and beans that I couldn't taste the chicken?? YEP another "where's the meat" burrito! OH WELL it is a taco shop, next time TACOS! read more

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Located at marketplace near traders joes. Plenty of parking. Came during soft opening with a simple menu. Law-enforcement friendly. Like a true taqueria, no seats. Burrito was good bang for the buck $13.95 They had red and green salsa. Didn't try the red. Green also was tasty. Had a good kick. No free chips though. read more

I was pleasantly surprise by El Califas. Initially when I saw it cost $3.50 a taco I was shocked. After ordering and trying their carne asada, Al pastor, and chicken asado I understand! The food was so good! They are quick with their ordering and prep time! Aqua Fresca is all bottle. Definitely a grab and go spot, no seating available. Very bare as it is still their soft opening. Overall I would definitely come back! read more

El Califas Tacos - Pollo asado, carne asada, and al al pastors. - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

Great new local spot. Friendly service and solid food. Good amount of options. It's a to go place so limited seating. Had the chicken tacos, one reg and Sonora/flour tortilla. Sauces can be better.. green one is spicier but better than red. Happy to have El Califas Tacos in our neighborhood! read more

El Califas Tacos - 2x chx taco - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

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Came here because we saw the ads for it and NGL, was NOT disappointed. I saw their food truck all the time whenever i drive around Mountain View and I never had the time to pull over and try it out. Today during lunch, we did. It was about $14 for a carne asada burrito. This had rice, beans, cheese, well... the typical stuff you can read on the menu pictures. My wife said "There's so much meat in it!" when she saw them roll it. I didn't see this and was worried since the first few bites had well... not much meat. Then I got half way through. Then i got to the bottom... This thing was big. Like "I should have eaten the thing in two meals" big but I'm a glutton and it was tasty so I couldn't stop. The flavors were on point. Meat was well spiced, rice was not bland but also not overpowering. The only complaint, honestly, was that there wasn't more salsa/sauce. I'm sure I could have asked for more (speculation) but the top was lacking. it wasn't until I got to the bottom that I thought it was super good. As I ate, it got progressively better. Storefront wise. They have no stables but there's outdoor seating which is very quaint and nice. Also their menu kept turning off (guessing it was a screen saver of some sort). Overall, i'd go back as it's been the best I've had in the area. (Disclaimer: i've only been to 3 mexican places in the area.) read more

I tried the tacos and it was super good! However I tried it with the mild sauce, and it had no hint of spice whatsoever, so the next time, I tried the spicy and it felt as if I swallowed fire. Super good but definitely getting mild next time. read more

I was truly excited for a taqueria closer than Dublin. It is a small place so better for take out. We ordered a bunch of tacos, burritos and a nacho online. The taco's felt greasy, chicken wasn't fresh, maybe cooked in advance in a large portion perhaps. Nachos had way too much white cheese on it. I'm always up for supporting smaller businesses but probabaly won't be back. read more

I'm so happy to see this place open so close to my house! It's a simple menu but it's done well. We've been here twice nice & each time the food was delicious! It is a small place but I'm fine with takeout so that doesn't bother me. The customer service is great as well. They gave us taco samples & my kids got free drinks. It was a sweet gesture. We will be returning. read more

Incredible food and environment! Fast and delicious tacos and options for everyone. Great price as well across the board! Have also used them for catering birthday party and a backyard wedding. Also great pricing and service for this! read more

Haven't made a review of this place yet, but I have been here at least 30 times now since it opened. Food is always good and staff is super friendly! This is my favorite place to go after a workout since they always give a perfect amount of protein! Highly recommend! read more

I didn't go in the store personally but got the takeout by my husband. Not sure what went wrong. The tacos that we got didn't have any salsa or tomato. He paid extra for the special with cheese and two taco wraps. The steak and chicken tacos are pretty dried, not something I would expected they serve everything like fast food style. Ingredients are premade. Not very impressive to me. read more

My husband got a burrito and I got 2 tacos! So delicious! Food came out very fast! There's not a lot of seating in the spot so just be aware! read more

Flavorless tacos and burritos with stale chicken. Price is fair however food is not fresh and lacks flavor. Im happy I gave it a chance though. read more

El Califas Tacos - Stale chicken - Mexican Near Me - San Ramon, California

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