very disappointing. i have been coming here for years now, but in the past couple of years the food is just not as good at it used to be. the choriso breakfast here is an absolute disappointment! and the dinners are not much better. if you want decent mexican food, head to Delgados at the north end of town. and if you want a decent mexican-food breakfast, head to tacos-to-go in the liquor store. read more

Amazing value. Solid food. Service surpassed what I've had at restaurants costing ten times as much.

Not too bad, I'll come by and get something sometimes while I'm waiting for my laundry next door. An average hole in the wall kind of place, not great seating, bathrooms, or *elegance*, but the food is decent at fair prices. I'm a vegetarian so I can't speak for a good portion of the menu, but their bean and rice burritos, bean tostadas, and cheese enchiladas are pretty good. read more

El Taco Grande - Menu as of 5/29/17 - Mexican Near Me - Carpinteria, California

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This place doesn't really look like much when you walk in so I really wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised as the food was great and my burrito was huge. Great-tasting food, big portions and good prices. 5 stars in my book! read more

Ummmm no. I got the asada jumbo burrito after having a long day, and I wanted to satisfy my craving for some authentic-tasting Mexican food. Everything was very bland, the flavors were less than satisfying, and I lost my appetite about five bites in. To each their own, but I won't be going back. read more

I got a vegetarian burrito, regular size, and it came with a basket of chips, red salsa, and guacamole dipping sauce. all for only $7.02 ("for here" price, not take-out). I was pretty darn happy with the quality and quantity, enough for two people. It's the kind of place, that when it pops into your mind, you just have to have it *now*! Large menu with lots of vegetarian choices. I'm definitely going back, a lot. read more

One word, Bland. I used to be a fan until I tried the other mexican places in the area. Yes they have variety but everything tastes the same. When i eat mexican food i expect the whole dish to taste great, the rice and beans at this place need a lot of work. which is weird because i thought those were the easiest to make. maybe Im being to picky but if Im going to pay $10 for a burrito i would want the rice and beans to be at least halfway decent and not make me sick. If you have a weak stomach do not go here! read more

I am a local in this town, and have eaten almost everywhere in town. last weekend my coworker went to pick us up some burritos from this place and I have to say that they were the worst tasting burritos I have ever had. We had carne asada, beans ,veggies...which included cauliflower...who puts cauliflower in a burrito?? The salsa was watered down and was bland too. will not go back again. read more

I'm sad El Taco Grande used to be one of Carpinteria's best restaurants sadly they are now among the worst. the Burrito Loco is named loco, because You would be crazy to pay 8.99 for this large amount of rice and beans with a small amount of tough meat, hopefully, the pet store a few stores down is not missing any dogs or cats. Come on bring back the good food you use to cook. read more

Great eats, friendly service, fair prices for what you get. I ordered the California burrito and a crispy taco. Insane good!!! Chips served with red and green salsa, and the green is a peppery guacamole flavor. 5 stars all the way! read more

El Taco Grande - Crispy taco and California burrito. Even the chips and salsa's amazing at this Carpinteria secret! - Mexican Near Me - Carpinteria, California

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I have been coming here for years. The food is good, was better in the past, but the service now is horrible. My order was wrong, I showed the girl who took my order and she argued with me about what I said. Basically telling me what I said. I have ordered the same item there for as long as I can remember, every time! When she brought me my food, she tells me "Next time let me know before you half eat it".... YOU'RE KIDDING ME RIGHT!? I ate some of the sides and one bite of my enchilada when I realized it was wrong I showed her. I've never been spoken to like that from anyone in a restaurant. I asked to speak to the manager and they refused to assist me. I will not be coming back and I'll tell everyone about the horrible service, Rosa, provided. read more

It would have been nice if they had told us we needed to get our order to-go BEFORE we ordered our food. It would have made a huge difference in our order. Next time someone comes in near closing, orders beer and combo plates, that usually means they do not want to eat in the car... read more

Love this place! Really good, I crave their steak Jumbo burritos pretty often! Great salsa too, and they are very generous with the sizes. Service is great too! I haven't had anything other than the steak burrito, but I'm addicted!! Also they sell big tubs of guacamole too, which are delicious! Ordered for a party once , and would order again. read more

Fish tacos were gross, weirdest texured fish I've ever had. I asked a server what kind of fish she said "I think sea bass why?" it old her it was not very good and had a strange texture she offered to ask in back and when she came back she said it was "filleta bassa" I kid not. I said "oh, that's interesting, but fillet of bass" is not a species. The fish, carne asada and caritas had a slight rank grill taste like from rancid oil or grease. Off the list, and never again. read more

Love their Jumbo Carne Asada Burrito!! Delicious! You can't go wrong with a burrito!! Every time I go here is good!

The food was excellent, and the service was great! The portions in general are pretty big. I would recommend this place to anyone. DELICIOUS! read more

It's where I stop after surfing in Ventura on my way back to SB. Big fat burritos. More than once I've eaten one, and gone back for a second. . . that good! read more

It's one of the random Mexican places in life. I Enjoyed not only the food, but the warmth of the environment and the World Series opener on the TV. The burrito was fine and the chips came with salsa and guacamole sauce(?)...a thinner version of guacamole. It was a good dinner, but so much food that I had to enjoy a very long after dinner stroll! read more

First visit here for me.. From the start the ladies at the counter were genuinely friendly. Food came out fast and delicious. Inside and out tables. It is in a strip mall. She even checks up on the tables offering more chips or Togo boxes. All thumbs up!:) mandatory post surf !! read more

Back again for my annual camping trip and of course I had to stop at my favorite Carpinteria Mexican stop. This time I tried the shrimp tacos...delicious and tons of shrimp!!! Yep, I had to return the next day for another. This time I ordered it on a tostada as I thought the tortillas broke apart too easily for the filling on the first try. The salsa is still the bomb. read more

Very good authentic Mexican food. Had the beef enchilada and pork tamale. Sauce was similar to a mole. Very nice staff. Got my Mexican food fix! read more

Probably the worst mexican food in carp. Food gets worse and worse each time I come with coworkers. Chicken burritos have bone cartilage, carnitas are mainly fat and rice is bland. If you do come here order al pastor meat. Thought I couldn't go wrong with chicken, but every bite was a piece of bone, skin or cartilage. If you like hot sauce, ask for their home made diablo sauce, it's good. No salsa bar. read more

After driving 3 1/2 hours in traffic I decided to stop in here for a couple tacos. I had a little bit of sticker shock when I saw it was four dollars per crispy taco! But I said what the heck and I went ahead and ordered one crispy al pastor taco and one soft Carne Asada taco. To say I was underwhelmed is an understatement! The pastor taco was dry as the desert sun was also bland and tasteless. The Carne Asada was equally disappointing. This will definitely not be a repeat place for me as there are too many great Mexican food places to try read more

The previous reviews are correct! Thus place is inexpensive and delicious! On the way back to LA from SB and it was perfect. Had the chimichanga. Very flavorful but would have asked for less sauce next time. Would definitely go back in the future! read more

decent mexican food at a good price their carnitas tacos are delicious - service is relatively quick as well read more

This is another poor Mexican restaurant outside Los Angeles county. I ordered carne asada, but the meat was as thin as the paper! I guess I am so spoiled by the good Mexican restaurants in LA that I get surprises when I eat Mexican food outside LA. At least this place had rice and beans. read more

My wife and I love this place the people that run the place are great! Love the shrimp burritos!! all the seafood item I have had are GREAT!! keep up the good work guys!! 1 thing I would change get some better salsa for the chips!! YOU GUYS ROCK!! read more

First of all, despite its looks...this is a restaurant and not a fast food place, so if you want something to go you'll have to wait as if you're dining in. We ordered a soft taco al pastor and a chimichanga al pastor ($2.39 and $7.99 respectively). The portions are generous and the chimichanga could feed two. The food quality was fine and hits the spot if you're super hungry and budget conscious. Overall, however, it is just average Mexican food. read more

Came here when visiting carpinteria on a mini vacay, the food was great! The chimichanga was great (carnitas)and the shrimp cocktail was FULL OF SHRIMP!! I'm talking at least 18 in a small glass. The waitresses were very patient with all our pickiness, the inky reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 was because they messed up 3 of our orders (out of 9, not too bad) but it's okay, the food was good. Will come back next time I visit for sure! read more

I am usually a regular at Taco Grande but I recently bought a burrito and specifically asked for no onion. They wrote no onion on the foil when I received my burrito (it was a to-go order) and when I got home it was SMOTHERED in onion! I have even ordered it with onion before and they never put that much onion and this time it was so much! read more

I can't believe this place has not been rated. Kind of a dump - in a strip mall behind some crappy pancake chain (I don't remember which). And I admit I've never been a taco guy. But the grilled chicken and pork tacos were truly spectacular. Was full after the two tacos. read more

I love Mexican food but this was bad! I got the enchiladas combo and it was not good what so ever. Taking the first bite of the enchiladas felt like I was chewing on rubber. The rice had no flavor. My husband has the Caldo De Camaron/ Shrimp Soup and it taste like nothing but steamed vegtables with water!!! They need to change there chef or learn to make authentic mexican food. Customer service could have been better. Overall we were disappointed first and last time we will come here. read more

Since I was traveling I wanted some authentic Mexican food so I found this little place in a strip mall next to Albertson's. I wanted a combination plate and that's what I thought I ordered and I ended up with a super Carne Asada burrito. When I asked about it the attendant told me that everything was inside of the burrito. I wanted a salad but they didn't have any but that's OK because it was one of the best burritos I have had in years! It was very large and the meat was really tender! I would definitely recommend this little place for anybody traveling! read more

Good. Decent service. Food is okay but quality of proteins lacks pretty hard. Burritos have too much rice.For some reason I love the house salsa...flavor/heat its right on the money for me. Thats about it... read more

Ordered a burrito. it was cold and sloppy. tortilla was ripped and had way too much beans.

Service not met with a smile. Although they are speedy with the food I would appreciate a burrito that is wrapped...I mean wrapped. I want to be able to pick it up. Not eat it like a salad. I would go across the street for Rudy's Mexican if I ever was in the area and felt like Mexican food again. read more

El Taco Grande - The poorly wrapped burrito! - Mexican Near Me - Carpinteria, California

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Over priced burrito mostly filled with rice. Not a lot of the other ingredients it was supposed to have. The salsa was just ok. Wish they had a salsa bar. read more

Love the family here, however their customer service here is bad! Dont expect to be greeted! We are long time customers and just recently been experiencing really bad customer service! Servers are rude specially the girl with the long pony tail! Not once did they come to our table to see what we needed!!! But yet when we leave tip they come right away.... My review is based on the customer service and not the quality of food that's why I gave it a two stars! Food is great tho!! read more

If I lived here (visiting for the weekend) I would eat here every day and be fat! Very good and authentic and lots of vegetarian options. Good dive restaurant, not great atmosphere, but the food makes up for it! read more

Fiance and I agree that they have the best carnitas tacos we have ever had. I dream about them. The first time I tried them I ended going back for them the next day. read more