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    La Penca Azul - Santa Clara

    4.0 (226 reviews)
    ModerateTacos
    Closed 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    LA PENCA AZUL - SANTA CLARA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - La Penca Azul - Santa Clara

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    Wall art.
    Slava C.

    La Penca Azul in Alameda was a letdown overall. The atmosphere feels very dated - dim lighting, old furnishings, and a general sense that the place hasn't been refreshed in years. It didn't add charm, just made the experience feel a bit tired. Although the variety of booze in the glass windows gave an interesting design touch. The food was overly heavy, and not in a satisfying way. I struggled to finish my breakfast, light order meal, and my stomach felt weighed down for hours afterward. That lingering discomfort was enough for me to leave the leftovers behind, which I tent not to. Service started off well, with friendly attention at the beginning, but unfortunately, it dropped off sharply. Toward the end of the meal, it was hard to get anyone's attention, and the checkout process was a mess. They completely forgot about us, which was especially frustrating during a lunch break with limited time. There were a couple of okay moments, but overall, not a place I'd be quick to return to.

    Chips & salsa
    Nasser S.

    This has been my go to place for years and years. They have never let me down. The food is always good, they are open late, they have plenty of space for all kinds of party's. I had the birria tacos this time they were excellent. Azul is a stable for Alameda abd surrounding areas.

    chips and salsa, large margarita pitcher
    Carla G.

    First time trying this place after work & it was loud & lively on a friday night. The servers kept checking in on us, but we felt rushed. They served chips and salsa when we got seated. We ended up just sharing a meal and a combo fajita plate which worked for two people. It was yummy and had lots of flavor, even the rice and beans. We wanted to get a pitcher of margarita and had the option of a small or large, but wasn't aware how huge the large one for two people haha. I'd say that could be shared by 3-4 ppl. The bathroom was okay, needed a bit more cleaning but i understood since they were so busy.

    Top shelf margarita
    Lawrence S.

    Ok this place has taken over as my favorite local Mexican restaurant. They make the best chicken tamales anywhere. They always are well staffed with excellent service and there is always good energy in the building. I mean it's a good vibe and positive environment here. Needless to say you can't make a better margarita than they do here, trust me I've tried. Absolutely the best margaritas anywhere on the planet. You can't go wrong with their taco, tamale or enchilada.

    Tacos
    Geronimo R.

    Ducking into Azul Taco Bar for a late lunch, I was immediately drawn to their taco bar setup--there's something satisfying about watching your meal come together right before your eyes. The fresh tortilla game here is undeniably strong. Watching the masa transform into warm, pliable tortillas as soon as you place your order creates that authentic taqueria anticipation. I went with two carne asada and two al pastor, and appreciated the extensive salsa bar where you can customize to your heart's content (yes, even rice if that's your thing). The horchata deserves special mention--creamy, well-spiced, and the perfect complement to the meal. The back patio offers a pleasant escape from the midday rush with ample seating. While the tortillas are made fresh, they lack the structural integrity needed for a proper taco experience. The soft texture crumbles under the weight of juicy meats, turning what should be handheld perfection into a messy affair. The execution is decent and the atmosphere works, but at these prices, I expect more authentic flavors and better value. The fresh tortillas are a nice touch, but they can't justify the premium pricing when the overall experience feels more upscale-casual than genuine street food. Worth a try if you're in the neighborhood, but I'll be seeking out more authentic options that deliver better bang for your buck.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

    Fresh made corn tortillas
    Lisa Z.

    An Alameda gem! This taco bar is authentic delicious, fresh, at a good price and great customer service. I only have ever gotten tacos here. And I was delighted to see the guy at the taco bar wash his hands immediately before he started making my tacos.. thank you!

    Birria tacos
    Amelia D.

    Service 5/5 the staff is super nice Food 4.5 - the birria tacos were absolutely delicious and the fish and carnitas tacos had ample portions of meat. You can choose your own toppings. Drinks - 4.5/5 great price for a margarita as they share a bar with the restaurant next door. I squeezed extra lime into it Ambiance 4/5 it's a fast casual taco spot. Spacious seating in the back.

    My $10 for 3, Taco Tuesday choice: marinated brisket, al pastor, carnitas.
    Vi T.

    Stopped in for Taco Tuesday during lunch. $10 for 3 street tacos. I was surprised and impressed that they press the corn tortillas and cook them fresh as you order. You get to choose a protein with various toppings and some pickled/fresh condiments, with salsa. I chose their marinated brisket, al pastor pork, and pork carnitas as my protein. Topped them with mango Pico de gallo, cilantro, cotija cheese cubes and their medium roja (red) salsa. Asked for fresh radish, cucumber, and pickled red onions too. Comes with a few tortilla chips and salsa dip. I liked all my tacos except the al pastor tasted overly salty to me. Regardless, I will be back to try their other protein choices. They have a grilled veggies one that looks really good for vegetarians too. Patio and indoor seating available. The venue is a quick order counter adjacent to the main restaurant and bar. They also have different food specials every day of the week. So I will definitely be back to try more.

    Fresh Flour Tortillas
    Dawn L.

    We were seated right away! Not a lot of smiles or welcoming atmosphere or attention we got. They seemed busy and in a rush throughout the meal. I personally, don't like that feeling when spending time with my family and friends over a meal! The drinks are well poured and plenty of ice! Every drink was refreshing. The food was authentic Mexican! No awkward flavors, just good old Mexican food!! The rice and beans were aplenty and tasty! My taco salad had a lot of grilled chicken! Yum! I will gladly go back, but will probably order to go. I enjoyed the decor! But there is no music, which is weird for a Mexican food restaurant. Semi clean restrooms. Parking lot in the back!

    Debbie F.

    Amazing authentic Mexican food! They even make fresh tortillas right in front of you. Wonderful fresh ingredients and so many choices. Drinks are also very tasty

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    5 days ago

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    2 months ago

    Food is always fresh and packed with flavor the service is always great and i love the setting of the dinning room!

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    1 year ago

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    7 months ago

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    9 months ago

    We order burritos and tacos from the taco bar regularly. Food is excellent, service is always with a smile, the prices are great. Done.

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    2 years ago

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    1 year ago

    Been coming here for years! Food is yummy. Service is good. Place is decent inside. You can never go wrong with any item on the menu.

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    1 year ago

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    11 months ago

    I came here to travel with family. The food and service were good! We will definitely be coming here again!

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    8 months ago

    Food always good, chips and salsa are the best. Large menu selection. Street tacos are a fave.

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    1 year ago

    Hand made tortillas and all the toppings you could want. Excellent food. Great deals during the week like taco Tuesday.

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    2 years ago

    Great menu, great food, greats drinks! Friendly atmosphere & lively vibe. The chips don't stop coming!

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - La Penca Azul - Santa Clara

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    Tacos Sinaloa

    4.3
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    Best tacos ever!!!…read more I have had a lot of tacos in my life, this is the best. I can't stop dreaming about this place since I had it and I can't wait to go back. Card accepted at this location. Small parking lot. Outdoor patio seating. Quick service.

    I'm born and raised in this neighborhood on 22nd ways going here. In the early 2000s - 2015 was…read morewhen they were at their prime for me. But since then and nowadays they have tougher competition that I prefer to go to over them and recently started to develop a hate and love relationship here. It used to be my die hard go to taco truck. This truck for me makes delicious carnitas burritos and pollo tacos. And a sleeper is the al pastor burrito and suadero tacos. That al pastor isn't made from the trompo but the seasoning and juiciness of their version in the burrito is what makes it one of the best burrito options on there if you haven't tried it. Carnitas burritos is super delicious because you get that nice crispiness of the fried tender pork with the rice, cheese and sour cream. I like to ask for onions, cilantro and tomato in mines for variety and freshness to cut the heaviness of the fats and dairy. Tacos I normally would get or recommend is the Carnitas, Pollo, Cabeza, Suadero, and Asada. Carnitas are as delicious as explained with the burrito. Pollo or known as chicken tacos are super tender and juicy. It's also very flavorful, and one of my favorite chicken tacos to get here because most places don't make chicken very well and are usually very dry. The cabeza is super tender and a great option. Suadero just like the asada is just a better version of the asada cut. It's packed with more flavor and seasoning than the asada and slightly more tender which is why I prefer it to the regular steak. I tend to find the asada more dry and sometimes tough. Recently the pricing doesn't reflect on the fairness of the portion size. $4 tacos but the meats aren't as packed. Felt like they started to skimp because of rising costs but has been happening before then. $15 burrito but the sizing isn't as filling as it used to be. I started to see more rice than meat. They've also started to be very stingy with a huge attitude especially the gentleman that works on the pick up station when asking for extra pickled veggies, limes and salsa. And it happens every time for the past several years now. For example he gave me 2 limes, 4 pieces of sliced pickled carrots, 2 slices of pickled jalapenos, 3 radishes, and 1 rojo salsa for an order of a super burrito and 7 tacos. When I asked for extras the gentleman gave me an attitude and said he already did and won't give more. Only reason I still go here is because it's close to home and if my favorite spots for tacos are closed for the night.

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    Tacos Mi Rancho

    Tacos Mi Rancho

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.5 mi
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    Went in with zero expectations and left planning my next visit…read more Stopped by Tacos Mi Rancho near Lake Merritt and honestly didn't know what to expect. From the outside, it looks like a straightforward taco truck, but wow was I surprised. I ordered the Carnitas Super Taco, which came loaded with lettuce, cheese, cilantro, onions, sour cream, and guacamole. Everything was fresh, well seasoned, and packed with flavor. My only complaint? You only get one taco per order because I definitely could've eaten another. The Kid ordered the Carne Asada Super Taco and before we even pulled away, she was asking for a second one. That's usually a pretty good sign. We also tried the horchata and jamaica, and both were delicious. The horchata was creamy and flavorful, while the jamaica was refreshing and not overly sweet. What surprised me most was how quickly they got the food out, especially considering how popular this spot seems to be. A few things to know: * Cash or Venmo only * Parking can be a challenge, but it's worth it * Keep an eye out for the new speed cameras in the area Their hours are another plus: Open daily, 9:30am- midnight Overall, this was one of those pleasant surprises that reminds you not to judge a place by appearances. Definitely looking forward to coming back.

    Tacos Mi Rancho used to be my family's go to burrito spot, but after tonight we won't EVER be back…read more My kids went to grab dinner, ordered two steak burritos and an order of steak fries. They got the steak fries right, but instead of steak burritos we received two chicken burritos. We called to let them know the order was incorrect and the guy who answered insisted that we ordered chicken. We most definitely didn't. He said he would replace them and he asked that we bring the chicken burritos back. This was already an inconvenience because we live 15 minutes away, so gas was wasted getting all the way over there and back. When they were picked up, instead of owning up to his mistake, the guy still insisted that we ordered chicken. Again, we did not. While we finally had what we ordered, the steak burritos were smaller and barely had any meat in them, while the incorrect order were chock full of chicken. So, needless to say, we will not be back.

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    Side of the truck
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    Casa Revolucion Taqueria

    Casa Revolucion Taqueria

    4.0
    (208 reviews)
    0.1 mi
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    BEST D*** TAQUERIA IN ALAMEDA, IN MY VIEW. Fresh ingredients, well-seasoned meats, and not overly…read moresalty. Plus, friendly staff and reasonable prices. Everything I have had here was delicious, but I especially like the Carnitas, which are lean, sometimes a bit crispy, and have a rich, kinda beefy flavor (even though I assume they are not beef ). The restaurant is conveniently close to downtown Alameda, and I have never seen it overcrowded or had a very long wait for my food. Highly recommended!

    I hate to give a bad review. It's hard to be a small business, and even harder to be a restaurant…read more But the super nachos were bad. I'd read other reviews saying they were good, and that CRT made their own chips and had good portions. So we tried it when we were nearby. It was a "cheap" ($17) dinner fail. The chips were good. The portion was pretty good, but the nachos were bad. The salsa, separately, was also bad. You picked from tasteless pico de guyo (sp?) or overly hot salsa. No in between. Mouth on fire vs tasteless tomato chunks. The chicken was really bad. Was it old, or just NOT my flavor? Hard to tell the guacamole was thin and too lime-y. I almost wondered if it was from Costco. Cheese was also not good. We had also just exercised, and we were really hungry. This should have tasted good based on our previous exercise. But nope. I would bear loud bad music on repeat and too-bright fluorescent lights if the food was good. But you couldn't get me to go back to CRT ever again. :(

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    Taqueria El Paisa

    Taqueria El Paisa

    4.4
    (554 reviews)
    1.7 mi
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    Came here for lunch on a Tuesday around noon and it was pretty busy. We finally lucked out and got…read morea parking spot in the parking lot. We tried coming here on a Sunday and couldn't find parking for 15+ minutes so we ended up leaving. There is some street parking but we prefer to park in the lot. Once you get inside you order at the counter. If you're getting tacos they're all the same price so the cashier will write the number of tacos you bought and you take that receipt and get in the line. Once you get called up you put your receipt in the basket that the worker hands you and tell them what kind of meat you want in your tacos. Today I tried the asada, carnitas, Al pastor, and tripa. They all were delicious, my favorite was the tripa. Portions are good ($4.50/taco) and they have a variety of salsas, jalapeños, limes, etc in the seating area once you exit. I also got a hibiscus (Jamaica) agua fresca that was good. They do accept credit card but they'll charge a $1 fee so try to bring cash if you can. Definitely recommend, this is now one of my top taco spots in Oakland.

    This is certainly one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been to. Each taco is $4.50 and…read morethey load each up with meat. The meats are all juicy and cooked perfectly. The pina colada drink was perfect to balance out the salty/savory flavor of the tacos. You self serve cucumbers, carrots, and radishes which is always cool. Finally, there's live Mexican music playing and the overall vibes are fantastic. 4.9/5

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    Taqueria El Paisa
    Torta de asada!
    Torta de asada!
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    Tacos Oscar

    Tacos Oscar

    4.4
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    Amazing creative tacos with so much flavor!…read more Tacos Oscar never misses. The vibe is super casual and cute with outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a laid-back meal. We tried a variety of tacos, and everything was fresh and full of bold flavors. The standout for me was definitely the beef options and the sauces really take everything to the next level. You can tell they put a lot of thought into every component. Even the veggie tacos are incredible, not just an afterthought. Everything feels creative but still comforting at the same time. Portions are satisfying without feeling too heavy. Service was quick and friendly, and the whole experience felt easy and enjoyable. It's the kind of place you want to keep coming back to because the menu changes and there's always something new to try. Highly recommend if you're in Oakland and craving elevated tacos done right!

    Upscale taco joint with thoughtfully crafted tacos and quick service…read more Each element of each dish elevates its street food counterpart. We ordered pork shoulder, chicken, and charred broccoli tacos, as well as a tostada with elote and an agua fresca. The braised pork pulled aprt tenderly to reveal the chiles that imparted their subtle flavor. The mayonnaise spread thinly across the tostada was equal parts spicy and tangy, and almost too intense if not for the corn and squash layered onto it. (Perhaps the veggies were slightly under-seasoned to balance the mayo? I was a bit underwhelmed by them.) The agua de melon was syrupy in texture with a smoothness you don't often find. If there is one caveat, it is the price tag. Get yourself two tacos and call it a light meal, otherwise the tab starts adding up!

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    Side seating entrance
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    La Penca Azul - Santa Clara - tacos - Updated June 2026

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