I have a complicated relationship with El Sancho. First off, I absolutely hate their little green light means "come in" and red light means "stay outside" gimmick. What is this, a taco shop or an airport runway? Leftover COVID trauma? I don't know, but this building literally burned down and they rebuilt the entire thing from the ground up and STILL brought back this stupid little light system. Commitment to the bit, I guess. Then you go inside, order your food, and they ask where you want to sit like there are options. Buddy, we both know I'm ending up outside on a picnic table fighting wind gusts and temperature swings like I'm on an Oregon Trail reenactment. I hate outdoor seating. Humanity invented buildings for a reason. No bugs. No napkins flying into traffic. No "it's warm... wait now it's cold... wait now the sun is directly attacking my forehead." All you "let's sit outside!" people are completely insane. Now onto the important part: the tacos. Specifically the barbacoa tacos or whatever black magic they're using back there. These things are unbelievable. Fresh, flavorful, messy in the perfect way, and somehow worth every ounce of annoyance this place causes me. The food here is so good the staff can have a little arrogance about it and honestly? They've earned it. Every time I eat here I leave mildly irritated and completely satisfied. Crowded. Loud. Not comfortable. Absolutely phenomenal tacos. Five stars. Best tacos in Bend. Maybe the best tacos anywhere. And yes... I'll be back again and again like an idiot. read more

First off, love the patio dining. I can bring our small Lhasa Apso doggie Next the black beans and rice outstanding Tacos great variety I Order Carnitas tacos With a bowl of Carnitas for my Sarah Mexican Coke Every time well almost every time when shopping in Bend I stop in rain or shine Thank you read more

The light system didn't bother me. I think it's good that the inside order area isn't crowded. We sat outside on the very cute patio. I appreciated that each table had a blanket! I definitely enjoyed it bc it was colder than I realized. My friend and I split chips and guac and queso. I was surprised the guac wasn't very good. My friend thought maybe it wasn't fresh. I thought maybe not ripe avocados? The queso was pretty good so I mostly ate that. Our food wasn't brought out all at once and we got confused and my friend inhaled one of my tacos and we didn't realize it till our second wave of tacos came out. The waiter was so cool about it- he rapidly brought me a new carne asada taco for free! I also got a potato poblano taco which was good and different. But my fave was the carnitas taco blacksmith style. This is a secret add on of melty oaxacan cheese and omg it's so good. When I come back I'll be getting everything blacksmith style! read more

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Lunch at El Sancho Taco Shop (Lunch with a friend) They have a unique red light / green light system at the entrance that meters the flow of customers. You actually wait for the light to turn green before going in to order. It sounds gimmicky, but it works and keeps things from getting chaotic. Inside, the space is clean, airy, and comfortable. It strikes a nice balance between casual and well-kept. They offer both indoor seating and heated outdoor seating, which is a great option depending on the weather. The staff was genuinely friendly, and ordering at the counter was quick and smooth. We were assigned a table, and the food came out at a good pace. Everything tasted freshly prepared. I ordered three tacos: barbacoa, carnitas, and chipotle chicken. All three were flavorful, but the barbacoa was my favorite. Rich, well-seasoned, and just the right texture. We also ordered chips and guacamole. The chips were light and crisp, not greasy, and the guacamole was simple and fresh, exactly what you want. Nice touch having Tapatío packets available. For Bend, the price felt reasonable. Six tacos, chips and guac, and two Mexican Cokes came out to $42.75. These days, getting a sit-down lunch for two under $50 that actually tastes good is not easy. Overall, a very enjoyable experience. Nothing overly complicated, just good tacos, a clean and comfortable space, and friendly service. I would definitely go back. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Tacos - El Sancho - Bend Oregon - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

I love the atmosphere and service here! Not to mention the tacos are yummy. The brightly colored decor, and quickly made tacos (seriously how are you so fast?!) make it a fun outing with friends. The drink menu looked like it had a lot of good options as well (though we did not partake this time). We'll be back! read more

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Expensive and the vegan options are bland. The refried beans have lard. The rice has butter. I got tostadas without cheese and they had no taste. The beans are not seasoned at all. It was just beans and lettuce with a tiny bit of avocado. For $14. No thank you. Tacos are tiny. Service was slow.. Would not eat here again. read more

Get the party started. Loyal servers with a jaguar or evolved "hello kitty" style. Handmade Fresca, hangover prevention for downtown, or fuel up for a river spot joint adventure. Purr-fect flavors to treat a night right. Don't get caught in a siesta, go party. read more

We tried several different tacos and every single one was delicious. Everything was fresh and flavorful, and the queso with chips is an absolute must! Service was quick, even though they had a long line it goes by fast. Indoor and outdoor seating is great. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

If you're visiting Bend, El Sancho East Side is a must: * Great tacos * Friendly service * Red light green light system keeps ordering stress-free by letting only one group inside at a time * Plenty of outdoor seating * Small parking lot but easy street parking * Peppers & salsa plate is a must for spice lovers read more

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Okay, I used to love El Sancho. But I went in today and I think it is my last visit. Waited in line for almost 15 minutes for the green light.. (I;ve watited their for over half an hour before in a line) when there was one person ordering for ages.. . That is already annoying when you are hungry at 12pm. Then asked about the El Sancho bowl and what meats they had and their prices. The cashier was very curt with me, just gestured to the board like I should read it and not bother with questions, and then told me that prices had gone up and an extra .50cents was added to my chicken el sancho bowl... I still ordered it because it has been my favorite for a long time. But it is really unhealthy... When I got it I think the overall portion size has been reduced and it was not as good as I am used too there.. It just wasn't the same experience. Main issues.. standing in line for ages in the cold, jacked up price and smaller portions now. And why are we tipping for bussing our own table and waiting in line for ages? I tip well when I know my service is on point.. not before. That is a problem with the American tipping situation. Tip after you know your service is excellent. If they can spend money to build a brand new BBQ place that smokes out the NW neighborhood of Bend, then they do not have to raise prices. But I am still hungry after my El Sancho bowl..so maybe I'm just hangry. read more

My go-to for tacos! I love El Sancho! Glad the east location opened back up because it is conveniently located for me and sitting outside in the summer is always a blast. read more

I love sitting out in the deck and enjoying the tasty tacos. I stayed at the Campfire hotel and it was a short walk away to this gem of a place. All the tacos I had and the plantains were well seasoned and the salsa, super tasty.. read more

food was phenomenal!! tacos so delicious. even super cool place like the vibe was fun. that being said WORST customer service i have ever received or didnt receive lol. rudest people ever. i placed my order and went back up to the counter to add to my order chips queso and salsa. we then got our food but nothing of my second order i made. my friends and i waited and waited. we finished our food and sat empty plated waiting for at least 20 mins. i went to the counter to ask about it and man said oh it shouldve been sent out (blonde guy very sweet btw). that guy proceeded to go see what was going on and she just brought out chips and queso. so i went to the counter and asked about the salsa and this lady proceeded to hound me abut how we didnt pay for it and its actually not on the ticket so we didnt deserve any of it. then i did all the math and i payed for it all the whole 11$ for the chips queso and salsa. so i sat down and just left it. a lady came by not to long later brought the nasty salsa which was in a tiny paper cup that i know you dont get when you pay for an order of salsa and a receipt. then said "sorry for then confusion but you didnt pay for it" and i proceeded to try and explain there was a whole separate ticket i payed for. and she walked away me mid talking. too bad the people are so nasty cuz the food is bomb. i wont be back. read more

I was visiting from out of town when I noticed this place was highly rated. Having been raised in San diego, I'm always on the lookout for good Mexican food. When I got out of my car, I noticed an extremely long line leading from the front of the restaurant, along with a very full patio. It wasn't entirely clear if the line was for the inside or the outside. There was a sign offering beverages to those who approached the bar, which wasn't visible from where I was standing. The menus were listed outside for convenience, and the items sounded thoughtfully crafted. They also had a wide array of adult beverages, like margaritas, in the newly popularized Ranch Water. There is a stoplight at the end of the line letting customers know when it's okay to step inside and order. The ordering process was quick, and we were advised to take a seat at our table, which was numbered on the wall. There is a water bar that is self-serve. I ordered the chile and cheese taco as well as the potato taco. They were tasty, albeit small for the price. The Michelada could have used a bit more oomph in the mix (either more seasoning or more lime). I might return if someone is having a gathering there, but I don't feel like I will be back on a casual visit basis. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Tiny tacos in comparison to the lime segments. - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

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Delicious food! Friendly and energetic servers. Lovely outside seating. This location recently rebuilt and did so with a vision. Very well done! read more

Great local place with a funky vibe. Colorful decor and a funky mascot. Don't forget to score a sticker, hat, and other merch. The food: outstanding! Chips were salty and crispy, the perfect ensemble to the Sancho Bowl. Service at El Sancho is fast, but fantastic! The staff is friendly and awesome. Would 100% recommend to friends or other visitors to Bend. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Lots of outdoor seating and high turnover means you really don't wait that long. You should order a drink while you wait to order, it's a must! Friday night around 7pm and we waited maybe 20 min, and enjoyed the margaritas to pass the time. For sure a great idea. Cheers! read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - House Margaritas - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

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Came here on a recommendation and really enjoyed it! It's a fun ambiance and great for groups. Ordering was a little slow even though they weren't that busy but it was fine. I tried the mahi mahi and mushroom tacos. The mushrooms were meaty and had a nice sauce. But I especially liked the slightly-fried tortillas that gave a good structure and texture to the taco. Beautiful views too! read more

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We kept seeing a lot of taco places on our visit and we landed here our last night. Their system of waiting outside is nice because it is a small place and when you get inside you order before you go to your table. The chips and queso were good. I had 2 tacos, one green chile and cheese and one chicken. Both were very flavorful. My husband had 3 different kinds and liked them as well. My hibiscus margarita was delicious. read more

Now that I've done the rounds on taco spots in Bend El Sancho is officially my favorite. Great variety. The shrimp is cooked perfect. Great kids options. The parking lot can be a little tight so street parking is easy. The ordering and seating is very organized. Food comes out quickly. Nice & helpful staff. I love their guacamole, the queso is not my favorite, the chips are awesome. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Yum! - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

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I grew up in Bend, and though we live in PDX now, I still feel very emotionally connected to the sights, sounds, and snacks. Whenever we happen across a new restaurant, my heart races and we immediately pull over to try one of everything on the menu! Just kidding, we don't do that. But on this particular day, we were looking for lunch #2 after having spent some time up at the mountain. We happened past El Sancho, and we decided we had to see what this big mustache was all about. Per recommendations from the staff, we ordered 4 slam dunk items (the fried plantains, carnitas taco, barbacoa taco, and the chorizo beans). The restaurant is cute, has efficient seating, and is very fast. Pair that with delicious food, and this spot is a must try!! read more

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I had the carnitas, barbacoa, and chipotle chicken tacos along with the guava lime marg, with a sugar rim instead of tajin. They were all delicious and super fast service! We beat the dinner rush with the ordering line piling up quick. The chips were honestly very sturdy and crunchy and maybe not my favorite house-made chips, but they were quite good with the salsa. read more

Definitely a big fan of Mexican cuisine, but if your looking for Mexican cuisine look somewhere else. Ordered tacos, grease dripped and coated the bottom of the basket at least a 1/4 inch. Guacamole was a little too creamy for us, but lacked flavor. Definitely missing onions, tomatoes and cilantro for that Mexican flare. Chips were good, but the over service and hospitality by their staff could use a redo. read more

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I was told this is the best taco shop in Bend and despite those high expectations this place did not disappoint. Cute setting, great views from the deck, organized system of lines, seating, re-and ordering -- these people have their logistics down, I suspect due to big summer crowds. I came mid-afternoon in October so the crowd was light and the weather pleasant. I had two tacos (fried shrimp and mahi) with the toppings and both were great. I had a nice side plate or rice and (black) beans. Overall a great lunch and the service -- not only organized but friendly, friendly, friendly. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Fried shrimp taco, rice and beans, and iced tea. Yum. - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Recommended by our chiropractor, it was good. I love the tacos how they are semi hard but don't break when you take a bit, just right. The barbacoa and chicken were both good, definitely do a variety to try, we will definitely try a variety next time! read more

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We had high hopes for this taco shop due to the high reviews. Unfortunately, everything was pretty underwhelming. The tacos were very tiny for the price. I ordered 2 tacos, but should've ordered 4. My boyfriend ordered 3, but could've eaten 6. We ate our tacos in a couple minutes and said, "What's for dinner?". Our favorites were the Oaxaca cheese, barbacoa, and carnitas. We didn't care for the carne asada and lengua as much. The shell is semi fried, but I'd prefer it to be either crunchy or a soft corn tortilla, not in between. We also ordered chips and guac, which was my favorite part! Really thick, fresh chips with flavorful guacamole. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Carnitas and carne asada - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Order at the counter. Quick service. The fish was cooked a little too long but the flavor was good. The Habanero sauce is spicy! Good sized. Indoor and outdoor seating. Other tacos were worth the stop! read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Fish taco, barbacoa and carnitas - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Food was great- too bad the woman at the register was so rude - confronted us ( 6 people) as we entered made us go out and come right back in when the "light was green " for next customer even though it was green when we entered, would not wait on us until we identified the specific table we would sit at and went thru a whole thing about which table we meant , even though there was only one other family in the seating area, even corrected my partner ordering lemonade with "we don't have lemonade , we only have limeade - " eye rolls and allot of irritation with us - poor server must not get many tips read more

Listen- this was one of our most favorite places for a quick bite to eat, great quality, unique dishes, and decent value in Bend. Been at both locations several times since my original review with a 4 star. But this time around, boy was it disappointing! I mean the driest carnitas ever served, minimal quantities in both dishes ordered, and super disappointing! The workers up front still rock. I still tip 15% for a place that you pretty much have to clean after yourself. No worries if the food is good. I just hope this was a fluke and the disappointing experience was just for us on this day! I may give it another try to se for myself. Nevertheless, this dramatic lower quality experience hurt a lot! I looked hard in my Gordita sandwich to find meat!!!! Really! 10 bucks for lettuce, fried tortillas, cheese and sour cream!!! read more

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Best street tacos and sweet potatoes. My favorite Mexican food in Bend. Love to sit outdoors.

After attending a bridal shower, my fiance and I decided we needed some Mexican food. This place had been recommended by the hotel staff where we were staying, so we gave it a try. They offer to go and dine in. And we decided to do a to-go order. We quickly ordered and paid online, and waited less than 10 minutes for our order. I was quite impressed. Everything we had was delicious! The horchata is similar to what I've had in Mexico. I really enjoyed the side of rice and beans. They are not shy on portions or flavor! I will definitely be back if I'm in town. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Veggie tostadas - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

First time back since you guys have re opened and I'm seriously so disappointed:( The tacos are significantly smaller portion for a significantly higher price and the tortillas were soaked in grease it was inedible. It wasn't just a one off either between the three of us in our group we all had different protein options and all were just soaked in grease. Furthermore yall used to have the coolest staff in town and now it's all people who are rude and dismissive and act like us giving them our business is an inconvenience? So sad to see a bend staple has gone this far down hill. read more

Visited this quaint, lively taco shop in Bend, Oregon. I had three street tacos; carne asada, carnitas and green chili cheese. They were so delicious that I ate them before I thought of taking a picture. The staff was courteous and quick. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Menu - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

What a great little gem! Fantastic tacos and delicious drinks! We stayed at The Camp RV park and walked over. Super convenient. The atmosphere is funky and fun. The esquites is yummy. The carnitas was delicious and flavorful. My husband loved the Lengua taco. Don't hesitate, just go! read more

Every single person that comes to Central Oregon to visit me, experiences El Sanchos. It is a staple in my life. This is my favorite taco shop. They have amazing margaritas too. The atmosphere is super hip and chill with outdoor and indoor seating. Even the bathroom is cool. Super friendly people serving fast, amazing food. A must try for everyone!!! This picture Is one I took of my brother, in from California, trying El Sanchos for the first time. He loved them! read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Fun stop for our first dinner meal upon arriving in Bend to visit family. Definitely fulfilled the taco craving. Great flavors! We ordered a great variety between the 4 of us: mahi mahi, chipotle chicken, carne asada, carnitas. Oaxaca cheese, and Barbacoa! We also ordered the fried plantains! Everyone loved their tacos! It's a comfy place to hang out and the service was so very friendly from the cashier guy! He should get a raise!! We'll be back! read more

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This place is definitely among the best taco joints in Bend! I've been eating here for years and found almost everything I've tried to be top notch. I've tried the bowl and a few specialties over the years, but tacos are my go-to. The carnitas and chorizo are some of my favorite. The carnitas is perfectly tender and moist. The chorizo has a great flavor. I love the tortillas too. So much that we always briefly fry our corn tortillas at home now. I'm always torn between ordering 3 and 4. If I order 3, I always want a 4th. If I order 4th, I always tell myself I probably should have stuck with 3 lol! This trip, I decided to try a couple of new items: a shrimp taco and a carnitas gordita. The shrimp taco was pretty tasty. The texture of the shrimp was a nice contrast with the creamy avocado salsa and crema. I ate the shrimp taco last and the breading still had crisp to it. My friend got the lengua taco and let me try it. I've had lengua a few times before and usually like it. The lengua at Sancho was cut into fairly large chunks (1/2"-3/4" cubes) and seemed a little dried out. I'll prob skip that one in the future. The gordita was a pleasant surprise (as if I would expect anything less from Sancho!). The texture of the masa tortilla made for a fun texture to eat, with a little crisp and a little tug required to bite through. They load it up with cotija, which I really enjoy. My only complaint is that it's a little messy to eat and the ingredients are not exactly evenly distributed. Half way through and the cotija and most of the lettuce was gone. I highly recommend keeping it wrapped as you eat it and once you pick it up, commit to eating the whole thing ha! If you are only moderately hungry, I think the gordita by itself would be enough for a lighter lunch. Overall, this is a really cool spot, large patio, great service, and great food. I think any taco lover would love El Sancho. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Fried Shrimp taco. Great flavors and shrimp stayed crisp even though it was the last thing I ate - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

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Nice staff, good prices, fast service, great food. We became regulars at the Eastside location about four months ago and now it's our Friday night spot, every Friday. Definitely something we look forward to. First off, get the house margaritas. We generally do tacos, but we will sometimes branch out and have the specials, or chilaquiles. We love the charro beans and queso. Our go-to's on tacos are the barbecoa, Chorizo and carnitas. We have tried them all and there is not wrong choice. Occasionally they will even have a taco special like pork belly, or ground beef. Simply prepared, toppings of things like onions, cilantro, salsa. No problem with special orders. There's a system, wait for the green light before entering, order at the counter, they assign seating and the food comes our very quickly. To get more while you are there, you are able to go to an in-house register, no need to wait in line again. It's definitely a locals spot, but the word is out and everyone is coming to El Sancho. More good news is that in the 25 times I have been here, I have never not been seated when I ordered. They keep things moving along. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Queso Friday! - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

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Picked up three tacos and side of beans and rice to go after a nice and chilly foray to Fort Rock and this place continues to impress! The wait time was fantastic; the food was ready to the minute when they said it would be. I ordered two carne asada and one fish taco as they were out of lengua, my favorite taco meat here and in general, and the dinner was really good. The food was carefully packaged in a brown bag stamped with their trademark in the corner and when I placed the order over the phone they asked me if I needed utensils and napkins, which made me not have to remember it. I don't have a great track record with that, so I appreciated the attention to detail. read more

El Sancho Taco Shop - Tacos and a side of rice and beans to go. - Mexican Near Me - Bend, Oregon

Fun. Affordable. Delicious. Funky. Great patio. Def a favorite when we visit Bend. My go-to items are the lime-passionfruit juice and esquites - Mexican street corn off the cob. Hubby's is the carne asada tacos, lengue (tongue) tacos and bring the heat condiments. read more

Every time we go to Bend I have to go to El Sancho! The food is very delicious and their margaritas are the best! Counter service and they bring you the food which is great! Very old school in decor, heated patio, but I prefer the indoor booth or table seating. Going back to Bend soon and will definitely come by for lunch! read more