D.wight L.
Yelp
Not your typical 'taqueria'. Even though it is in their name, this is real close to sit-down Mexican food in terms of food. Now in service, then yes, maybe taqueria-ish, as you scan the big menu board on the wall, order through a register, then get a number and sit, and it will eventually get brought out.
But food wise, they've got cooks that have decent restaurant experience. Most taquerias, the food does not come out pretty, food comes out fast and usually just 'slung' in a tortilla/plate. I don't mind that, as long as the food is tasty, and for street food, I don't knock appearance. Now in a sit-down format where food is on a nice plate, I may be a bit more judge-y.
Here in the 2-3 times I've came in, food always looks way above the norm for 'taqueria' fare. But this is also Pleasanton, where there's a little money demographically, and I don't even think they have a 'lower income' neighborhood where immigrants can live.
Carnitas Tacos ($3.75/4*) I got these over a year ago and I think they were just a litle over 3 bucks then. I think this is closer to the current pricing. But good tacos, a little bigger than street/truck tacos, maybe 4-5 biters versus just 2-3. Good legit carnitas that they crisp slightly and they really dress up their tacos here, usually with a salsa for each taco, so not just cilantro and onion. They just warm their tortillas versus griddling with oil, which I prefer. And if you get any of their specialty tacos like the Tacos Al Carbon, the 3 tacos you do get will be stuffed and totally topped with lettuce, sour cream and grated cotija, quite the meal.
Carne Asada Tacos ($3.75/4.5*) They brown and season their thin meat slices here. On point.
Steak and Shrimp Platter ($26/4*) Mixed bag for me, so close to being great. Thin carne asada was money, even though totally cooked through its still juicy and flavorful as heck. This isn't sliced, it is a one piece deal, so you have to use your steak knife, which no taqueria usually has. Here you get actually nice silverware.
The shrimps were just okay to me. Good seasoning/flavor just a tad mushy to me. Nothing horrible just didn't raise any brows for me. And all these proteins came atop a generous mound of sauteed peppers and onions, so it really gave off fajitas vibes.
The beans are great, good flavor but could have been a tad warmer. Sit down Mexican places always serve this piping hot so when you dig into it there's a beautiful cheese pull. Here the cheese doesn't pull.
The red rice had good flavor BUT it was surprisingly coldish, like room temp at least. The good is the texture was fine, like it wasn't hard or stale, just not warm. At least the beans were somewhat warm. If these rice and beans would have came out nice and hot then I would have given this plate a 4.5* rating.
There were also a nice mound of shredded lettuce, salsa fresca and sliced avocado which gave it a nice freshness touch. With the warm corn tortillas on the side and a bottle of Mexi beer, I enjoyed this more substantial meal here.
Oh and don't neglect their salsa bar. The redish one is a bit more earthy with a light to medium heat and they have this orange hued one too, that taste like a pot roast braising liquid. I like to mix the 2 and slather it onto any main dish. I'll even bring one extra ramekin home to eat with whatever meal I make in the next day or so. Their chips are meh, but those salsas are the sh#%. Trust.