great food ambiance but the staff can be hot or miss. Most of the time it is par for the course but there are a few staff that waft their entitlement read more

I was excited to try Wild taco, but the food was awful. In addition to being grossly overpriced, both the Carnitas and chicken could be best described as just some kind of random meat. It was utterly tasteless. In addition, the corn tortillas were over fried and cold , as was the stuff in the taco that they tried to pass off as chicken and carnitas. I hate to say this, but the chicken at Chipotle was substantially tastier than the chicken at Wild taco. For $5.50 for a taco, you would think you would get something that actually had some taste , and wasn't grossly overcooked. I won't be back. read more

If you're looking for a modern, hipster twist on Mexican food then this is your place. The decor is hipster with wooden benches and beach umbrellas out in the front. The inside has your usual high tables. There are a few spots in the lot and street parking available which were all free. The menu will have your typical carne asada taco and burrito. There are other flavors like lobster taco, shrimp taco, etc. I ordered two tacos - tri tip taco and shrimp taco. The tacos were bigger than your street taco. They messed up my order and gave my an al pastor taco instead of shrimp, but I still ate it before I realized it was wrong. We also ordered shrimp cocktail which was delicious! read more

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It's the small things I guess: I wish someone would have acknowledged me standing in front of the counter for 5 minutes. I wish you took my order before answering the phone and putting in their order right in front of me after I had been standing there for 5 minutes. I wish you had listened to me about not having tomatoes in my fish tacos and burrito. I wish you had included some extras like a wedge of lemon/lime for my fish tacos? Or offered me a sauce for my burrito. Better yet, just put one in the bag. How about some napkins maybe? How is it possible that my food was cold? It was a to-go order. I literally live next door, like 150 feet. For $12 for the burrito and $10 for two fish street tacos, I kinda expected it to taste better. Chipotle is literally across the street. I'll go there next time. read more

An elite spot to eat in the peninsula. Incredibly fresh ingredients prepared in creative and classic way to make phenomenal mexican food. Everything I have had here has been incredible. Guac, nachos (of all types), tacos, bowls, and elote. It's all just very very good. They recently began selling liquor which is great because the margs pair perfectly. read more

Honestly BOMB. the fish tacos were great. Service was great. We were seated immediately. Best place to get some tacos after a paddleboard cruise through the bay. read more

The food was great and service prompt. Chipotle chicken and cilantro rice taco plate & steak enchiladas. Both hit home runs. We will be back soon. read more

Excellent. Amazing. Outstanding. Today's fish of the day was Ahi and Yellow Tail. I went with the Ahi burrito and it was delicious. It comes with chips. It was around $1. It packed a ton of flavor and it was very filling. The tommy sauce is inside and it adds an extra depth of flavor. I also tried the chips, guac, and salsa for $8 and it was pretty good. And I tried the ceviche and it was vary satisfying. The place has a cool vibe and great parking but the tables are limited and seating is kind of weird but other than that it is great. It can get very noisy inside with the way the seating is arranged. I wish we would have tried the outdoor patio instead. read more

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Hadnt ate breakfast and stopped by to get a quick bite to eat. The portions are reasonable and Ernie was a pleasure to deal with. Really enjoyed the fresh food and quality Ingredients. you can also tell that they enjoy what they do because the presentation is amazing and the place is spotless. read more

Wild Taco - a bowl of rice, beans, and avocado - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

4 Stars for good tacos with handmade corn tortillas and some great outdoor seating. We were able to seat ourselves out on the patio tonight (at 8:30pm, so before last call of 8:45pm). The vibe outside is pretty great, blue adirondack chairs and wooden benches sit atop faux grass in a setting that seems perfect for small groups. Here's what we ordered: Peruvian ceviche- Normally has a spicy sauce, but they were out. This dish comes with tortilla chips, which is perfect for scooping up the fish and getting some crunch. I'll be honest, it wasn't my favorite dish and I likely would skip it next time. It was oddly dry, unlike the normally wet dish that has tons of lemon juice and spices (leche de tigre). I'm not sure if it was made much earlier in the day and if it had dried out, but I missed that tangy liquid. Trip tip corn taco- Handmade corn tortillas are always the way to go! This taco was made even better with the slices of sautéed peppers and onions, and the dollop of avocado. It added moisture and a freshness that made this my favorite dish of the night. Al pastor taco- MMMMMM! Sweet, salty, with a bit of a kick! This taco had all of the things necessary for a noteworthy bite! I'd recommend it! Carne Asada taco- the meat on this one really stood out. Tons of seasoning means every morsel that escaped the tortilla was devoured in seconds (by me, since it was my parter's taco and I'd been allotted only a bite). Mexican corn- this comes skewered which is great because I've had lots of variations on this and it is messy! I appreciated the option to have it cut in half on two skewers for us to share one piece. It's not my favorite of the Latin American seasoned, cheesy corn, but if was good. Overall, we enjoyed our meal. If they stayed open later, I'm sure they'd make even more of a killing given that most of the eateries in town close at nine. These tacos could definitely satisfy a late night craving! read more

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Considering the location in Newport Beach this place is reasonably priced and very good quality. Two tacos are $14. They make a reasonable meal if you are not a 20 year old or younger male. Beers are $4.50 Atmosphere is low rent but comfortable. So far all of the food we have had in our two visits have been very very good. Parking is limited at the site but lots are nearby. read more

Food was delicious and not overly expensive for the area. The service was friendly and menu was perfect! Did I mention lots of parking options. Quick bite with friends. Outside felt like Cabo , it was the best way to end the day. read more

I grabbed a bite to eat here while visiting a friend in Newport, it had been recommended by a few friends. Its a smaller place, but worth trying!! To start, we ordered chips & salsa as well as 3 orders of the Diablo BBQ Oysters. The chips and salsa were pretty standard- the guacamole tasted fresh and had big chunks of avocado which I loved!! They Oysters were SO FRESH, didn't taste fishy like some I've tried, would definitely order again! For my meal I tried the wild taco combo which came with two different tacos (I chose lobster & carnitas) and chose a salad as my side. The great thing about these tacos is they have an option where you can have them wrapped in lettuce instead of tortillas! The carnitas taco was AMAZING. I have literally never had such a good carnitas taco in my life-not even exaggerating!! The lobster taco wasn't my favorite, honestly didn't have a very good taste and was a little bland. The side salad was good- fresh & came with a really yummy ranch dressing. The outdoor seating was pleasant with good decor & the waitress was kind, attentive and fast! For the price I'd say it was definitely worth it, I'll be coming back for the carnitas taco every time I'm in Newport!! read more

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Man, so disappointed, this place is not like it used to be. Went in and was going to get the one taco combo, but they couldn't substitute. Didn't want the rice, but I could not get the beans and salad as a combo. No biggie. Opted instead for just an a la carte taco with salsa to go. The taco came without the salsa, which I discovered after I got home. Bit into the taco, and my first bite was a huge chicken bone. Disgusting. The taco had a little cheese, lettuce and chicken with, not one bone but two! I didn't think one taco would be so difficult. read more

I initially went in to literally try one taco ... basically a taste test to see if I wanted to have dinner there. I walked in and as soon as I heard them playing Wu I knew this was it and I was so right! Although the service could use some help, the food was so good! Went on a Monday. Monday's special is two meat tacos and a Rita for $9! Good deal. I'm boring so I got two plain asada tacos and then added cheese and sauce. Everything was fresh. I also ordered soup. Although the chicken tortilla soup was super salty, it was so flavorful and really hit the spot. When paired with the tortillas it toned down the salt a bit. I'm definitely coming back again whenever I'm in the area. read more

Wild Taco - Watermelon margarita $5 - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I visited Wild Taco on a Tuesday evening (taco Tuesday!) for a pre-beach sunset meal. I did my menu research beforehand and was looking very forward to trying the Peruvian Ceviche. The arrival and seating went smoothly - we were sat at a communal \ shared table (like a long picnic table), which is always fun because you have the chance of making new friends. I didn't catch our server's name, but she was great. I ordered a water, Diet Coke, and the ceviche while my date ordered a water, Sprite and taco plate. During this time, two men and their husky were sat at the opposite end of our table. The food was good! The Peruvian Ceviche was made with Chilean sea bass and had a very good citrus flavor. The serving size was generous and in my opinion, enough for two people. I definitely wasn't able to finish the ceviche and accompanying tortilla chips. I tried my date's garlic rice and my only "complaint" is that the tortilla chips did not taste homemade, and I am not a fan of store-bought tortilla chips vs. homemade. When you've experienced authentic, oily homemade tortilla chips... the bagged variety tastes awful. However, this isn't a deal breaker. In summary: Wild Taco offers good food, service and ambience, and I would recommend trying it! read more

Pastor tacos 10/10 Friendly service Welcoming ambience Got to wild tacos won't regret it read more

Doesn't look like much when you walk past, but it is a place I will be returning to in the future. Originally had planned to go to Mama D's on Wednesday night with a friend, but when we got there, the wait was 45 minutes. I was already pretty hungry, so I did not want to wait 45 minutes just to be seated. We couldn't make up our minds, so out of convenience, we settled in Wild Taco. I'm glad we did. Service was great. Restaurant was pretty empty that night, but still the service was prompt and on point. Both people, our female server and male host/ runner had great personalities and made us feel right at home. Drinks are from cans which is kind of a bummer, but they have amazing ice, so the trade off is worth it. When we were there, they only had coke and Diet Coke, but the menu on the table suggests they usually have more options but were out on that night. I got a mini tri-tip quesadilla, spicy asada taco, pollo asado taco, and one other but I have forgotten. All the food was great. The spicy asada taco had a flavorful kick to it. The tri-tip quesadilla was good. Next time, I'll try a spicy asada quesadilla because I think the flavor of the salsa would pair nicely with the cheese. One thing to be aware of...not all of the tacos come with the same toppings. It's not a taqueria where every taco comes with salsa, cilantro, and onions. I did not know that at the time, but thankfully, our server corrected me. All in all, I will definitely be headed back there, but next time it will be on purpose. read more

I don't think that they are aware that salt actually should be used in cooking. Bland refried beans, bland Carne Asada, bland chips, bland guacamole. Given all that I still wouldn't usually give such a low star review, but then there was an "incident". We had a party of 7. Two of our party ordered quesadillas, one with chicken and the other with shrimp. The waitress delivered the shrimp quesadilla to the guy that ordered chicken. She walked away to get more plates. He took a bite and was like, "this isn't chicken." Then when she came back and delivered something else to one of the others he told her that. She took a look and shrugged, and picked it up and put it down in front of the guy who ordered the one with shrimp, then walked off. BUT IT HAD A BITE OUT OF IT! We were all looking at each other like, WTF and laughing a little. It was kind of funny, but at our hungry friends expense. She then came back with the chicken quesadilla and gave it to the right guy. She was quickly making circuits back-and-forth to the kitchen, bringing our food. When she finished and she asked if there was anything else, I pointed out that she had just picked up a shrimp quesadilla with a bite in it, and put it in front of the other guy. She claimed she didn't see the bite. Who knows, maybe she was telling the truth, but for how expensive it is there, coupled with how bland the food is and other poor customer service stories from the same group of guys, I give two stars - and that's generous! It's almost a new year! Let's get it together people! read more

I'm not sure if this restaurant sees a lot of child patrons, as I was the only person with kids, but Dakota was SUPER accommodating from the moment we walked in the door! Along with the superb service, the food was equally amazing. I had the ceviche, guacamole and a shrimp and scallop burrito. The star of the show however, was the spicy watermelon margarita! It comes with diced jalapeños and a salt and tajin rim! Definitely check this place out, you won't be disappointed! read more

Wild Taco - Spicy watermelon margarita! - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

I have been to Wild Taco about 4-5 times and theres a reason I always make my way here when in California! The food is GREAT! Everything is authentic and fresh. There are homemade tortillas being made, fresh ingredients being chopped up and flavorful meats. They know exactly what type of toppings to top each taco/meat and I love that about this place. The flavors in everything are mouth watering. The lobster taco is very meaty along with the carne asada and al pastor. The spicy watermelon margarita was delicious and refreshing! Just enough spice to detect on your tastebuds but not over powering. The chips (I believe) are homemade which are great, along with the salsa. I recommend this place you are in the area. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. If you sit at the countertop, you can watch the cooks create your meals which is a fun experience. read more

It's been a year since I've been back here. Decided to come back for their Peruvian ceviche. Kinda sad that their menu changed but happy that they still kept the ceviche. They don't have this red/pink sauce for it anymore but you can request other sauces on the side. Ceviche is still good though. I also recommend their tri tip mini quesadilla. Really liked how it's a corn tortilla instead of flour. I wouldn't recommend their burritos though. There was more rice than protein. Probably would stop by again but for a quick snack than a meal. read more

Parking: came on a Sunday afternoon. Ton of metered parking around. Ambiance: casual, interesting decor haha. We really liked it! Service: sat at the bar, service was outstanding. Waitress was very helpful & informative Food: got the guac,salsa & chips. A bit $$, but the guac was outstanding! Highly highly recommend getting. I was really impressed with this place because of the selection of vegetarian tacos!!! Caulimex? I think & the black bean &potatoes. Very very good! They offer the tacos on wheat, corn, flour tortillas or as a lettuce wrap! Overall, highly recommend this place esp for vegetarians! read more

Wild Taco - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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My boyfriend brought me here on our first date, during the pandemic. They have outdoor seating and nice ambiance.... but the SHRIMP TACOS oh man. I'm still dating him but I think the happy chemicals released in my brain when I bit into that juicy shrimp and may have clouded my judgement. Then we went back at a later date and I discovered the elote. Jury is still out on the boyfriend, he can stay for now. But I will be loyal to Wild Taco indefinitely. Try elote off the cob. Sounds lame but it doesn't stick in your teeth and is a game changer. read more

Went here for taco Tuesday and the tacos were amazing! We were a little bummed the taco Tuesday deal only applies for their specialty taco and not all tacos. We loved the overall vibe of the restaurant. Staff was super friendly and very attentive to us! read more

Mouthwatering little Mexican spot in Newport. I love the interior with the stool seats wrapped in the traditional multi-colored serapes. There's also some seating in the front just outside the door. They have a little parking lot, which gets full, but there's plenty of street parking all around. And meter parking is free after 6pm. There's lots of delicious options, including meatless ones. They even have tofu. Many small items too if you don't want a full meal. I started with the chips and guacamole with salsa. The chips were perfectly crispy and salted, and the dips were just as good! Their chicken tacos were, same...very good and very flavorful. I added some of the guacamole to those. You can never have too much guac! I definitely want to come back with my vegan friend. It's not very often that you come across a good Mexican restaurant with actual vegan dishes. The only thing that was kind of a bummer was that there's no dessert. Nothing...nada! But I think most that come here are here for the meals, and the beer on tap. And there's a good amount of both! read more

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4 1/2 stars. I'd been craving decent fish tacos for days now so I made it a point to stop here in route back from San Diego. After finishing a hike to the pier and walking trail we sat on the patio since it was nice day outside. We stared off with the chips, salsa and freshly made guacamole that was spot on delicious, followed with the fish tacos of the day - seared grilled ahi tacos and corn on the cob - Cuban style. Everything was spot on tasty and the corn was yummy since they rolled them in grated cotija cheese. Service from the younger waitress was solid and friendly. I would definitely return here again. read more

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After all these years I finally made it to Bear Flag Fish Company only to find that it's no longer Bear Flag Fish Company. They've moved nearby and in their place? Wild Taco; same owner, same fine pedigree. If I do say so, that's a pretty tricky way to get one to try their new venture. And try it you should. It's delicious. Before I rave about the tacos let me ask: would any normal solo diner consider an ear of corn and a Margarita to be dinner? I seriously considered returning to Wild Taco this evening for just such a dinner, evidencing my strong affection for their salty, limey, Grilled Cuban Style Corn ($2.50). If this is what Obama meant by engaging in relations with Cuba I'm all for it. Don't miss that corn. Of course, you shouldn't miss the tacos either. The menu is very taco-centric with almost every taco well priced at $2.50 and a few priced at $3. During my visit there were two "wild fish of the day" tacos (Yellowtail $3, Sea Bass $2.50) These are perfect little single tortilla gems. Both were excellent; the Sea Bass was outstanding. I like what Wild Taco is offering but think the service could use a little fine-tuning. I'd been brought a drink and a menu but had started rolling my eyes before someone noticed and stepped in to take my order. It's not a deal breaker but set your expectations accordingly. For the food though, keep your expectations high. Wild Taco is a few short blocks from the oceanfront and gets everything from suited professionals on their lunch hour to sandy-footed barely cover-up clad beach bunnies. It's a nice mix but all I was doing was eyeing the food. Good place even if it's not Bear Flag. read more

Wild Taco - Grilled Cuban Style Corn ($2.50) is delicious and very well priced. - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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Maybe it's me, but I think that it depends on timing. When my bf and I got there, the place was half full. We were able to grab a seat right away and the waitress was attentive. Reading previous reviews, I thought the food would take forever to get to our table and that our waitress would forget about us, but that wasn't the case. We ordered the chicken nachos (for me) and he ordered two tacos (carne asada and chicken). When he demolished both of them, he asked the server if he could order another carne asada and chicken tacos and they happily accommodated him. The nacho chips are thicker than regular tortilla chips, which my bf enjoyed. I really liked all the layers of cheese, pico de gallo, guacamole, and chicken. The quality of the food was excellent. While we were eating, the restaurant was full and things were getting very busy. I could see how the people who came later weren't getting their orders taken right away because the waitress was doing lots of things, grabbing checks, waiting on most of the tables (inside and outside), and running orders. I did get the wrong check but it was quickly taken care of. Parking is limited and getting in and out of there is tight. It's probably better to park on the street. read more

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Strangely not as good as I remember it. Still good, but seems a little more expensive now too. The al pastor seemed a little drier but the scallops were still on point. It also no longer seems like a grab your own seat kinda deal. There's a little area in the corner for you to check in so you no longer have to fight for a table. If you're coming from the street side entrance, you have to traverse the room to find the check in area. read more

Phenomenal tacos! The meat is juicy and the fish tastes fresh! Will definitely be coming back. Especially so I can try some other entrees. *Recommended by Jules from Balboa Boat Rentals read more

Wild Taco - Carnitas taco - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Great food and margaritas! The fish of the day was swordfish so we had delicious swordfish fajitas. We also enjoyed the watermelon margaritas. The outdoor seating area was great! Very cute patio setup. There are also lots of TVs inside. I was a bit disappointed to see that we had to pay for chips and salsa. But regardless the food was great! My complaint however, is the service was terrible, and that's why this isn't 5 stars. Very unfriendly server and very slow service. Might just have been a busy Friday night, but we were disappointed about that. read more

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This used to be the old Bear Flag, so perhaps they are owned by the same people. No AC. Parking is limited. Taco tuesday meal = a steal. For the specific Tuesday I went, the deal was 2 swordfish tacos + a bottle of Stella for $8. I also ordered a carnitas tacos for good measure. The carnitas tacos was meh, but the swordfish tacos on the other hand were mind blowingly good. Nicely grilled, had good flavor, and topped with just the right amount of accruements. We also shared the chips + guac which were okay. The guacamole had a bite to it. I'd come back, but I would only stick to the fish tacos next time. read more

Wild Taco - chips + guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

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I am not one to write a review, but our takeout experience tonight was one to note. We placed an online order showing availability of all items but upon arrival were told that there were only two fish options left. Hard to refuse a dish at this point after you have paid and drove all the way to the restaurant for pickup. Also ordered a "Baja Bowl" with no meat... the way it was packed in the divided to go container looked like a cheap side of rice, refried black beans (not whole like the picture on the website), and some shredded lettuce with avocado. For $14 they could have at least packed it like a "bowl" so you felt like it worth the price. I wish I had taken a picture to help convey how disappointing it was. The flavors of their food are good, and although it was not the first choice, the red snapper burrito was fine. We have eaten here a few times as we are locals so I guess moral of the story, don't do takeout unless you are prepared for substitutions or a non bowl "Baja bowl". read more

Had the best summer day ending with WILD TACOS!! Afternoon paddleboarding on the beach and ended up here with the help of my fellow Yelpers. Came here and it was pretty packed at 6pm. There was luckily a few seats left and we didn't have to wait. Ordered the food at the bar then sat down and waited for the food. There was a foosball table in the middle of the restaurant. The waitresses/bartenders were nice and fun. Very young and lively/loud vibe. RECOMMEND!! Everything **Street Tacos: especially Loved the grilled fish & shrimp ones tasted so so good **Nachose were bomb and filling ***had to order the Mango on a stick + the Cuban style corn which made my day!! They also have a selection of fresh juice & a full bar!! Can't wait to go again when I'm in the area!! read more

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Ok - so I'm kind of bummed leaving this review. We have been going to Bear Flag forever and started going to Wild Taco the day it opened. (Same owner) We have been loyal customers since day 1. But the prices keep creeping up and the service and flavor just isn't what it used to be. We love Bear Flag and will go forever but I think we might be taking hiatus from Wild Taco ~ read more

Stumbled upon this place while in the area. It's kind of hidden off a side street, but the reward is well deserved once you find it. We came in the afternoon. Although it was pretty busy, there was no wait for a table. We were seated and given menus. I ended up ordering the Baja bowl and my bf ordered the tacos and chips and guacamole. Baja Bowl: I picked tri-tip as my protein. Very good quality meat and it comes with all the fixings-Mexican rice, black beans, lettuce, avocado. Tacos: Carne Asada, Calamari, and Scallop. Loved the different meat choices you could pick for your tacos. My favorite one was the scallop. It packed quite a bit of flavor in that taco. Note: you can order the tacos a la carte or as a combo with rice and beans. Chips and Guac: Wasn't a fan of the chips, but loved the guac. Tasted fresh and also came with a side of salsa. The restaurant has TVs all around the inside and has outdoor dining as well. Minus one star because it took awhile for our waitress to come take our order, and then only to check on us once we were already done and heading out. read more

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This is my favorite taco place in Newport! I love that they serve a fresh and different fish taco everyday. The chips and salsa are spot on especially with a cold brew :) The shrimp and scallop tacos are a must have! serisously, order at least 1 of each I love the environment, and the service. read more

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Came here as a stop off during the Santa Crawl with some friends. I had the Taco de Carne Asada and it wasn't too bad. The prices for most tacos were in the $3-4 range. The carne Asada taco had good meat and the toppings on it tasted pretty fresh. That being said, the seasoning for the meat was just okay for me, the salsa was decent but not the best I've had, and I didn't really find the tortilla to be all that good. Still the food was pretty good over all and I enjoyed it enough for the small bite in between the pub. read more

Wild Taco - Taco de Carne Asada - Mexican Near Me - Newport Beach, California

Went on a hunt for some great tacos..and that's what we got. Hypes: - Can you say delicioso 5 times fast? that's all that was going through my head as I was inhaling these tacos. - We ordered the Al Pastor (amazing), Carne asada (amazing), Fish of the day (okay), Mexi cauli (amazing), pollo asado (delicioso), carnitas (amazing). - Definitely get the grilled Cuban corn - Salsas - their house standard for the chips is fresh, refreshing, and flavorful...but don't miss out on the salsa self self station in the back. From roasted onion salsa, creamy chipotle, tomatillo...they are all mind blowing. - Kid friendly. They have high chairs, seating outside, seating in the grass, and will even adjust high chairs to accommodate your kid at the higher tables. But no changing table. Gripes: - SLOW service. We waiting 40 minutes for our tacos. They weren't really hot either, and we got our order of corn late. - I knocked off stars for the lack of organization for our order and the slow slow service for the tacos...otherwise the food here is legit and it was worth the wait read more

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