ran y.
Yelp
Went to this place when it first opened up, brand spanking new edition to the intersection. Delicious and filling, reasonably priced gooey/cheesy Tex-Mex from a Pinoy-staffed kitchen and salsa's hand made by ladies from Mexico City. 4-5 starts for what it was, depending on the menu selections. Order a few entree's and they had your table looking like the fold-out art on ZZ Top's Tres Hombres album. Interesting selection of things to drink for those who cared, including outstanding horchata amid an accessible and welcoming atmosphere to the community they knew they were moving into. A few TV screens for soccer, boxing and football.
Fast forward to 2-thou-and-now... Gifford Park neighborhood faces the full-brunt of gentrification and manufactured real-estate bubbles with the gentrifiyers trying to identify whos-who and how to "clean up" the area ASAP. Look no further than Cali Tacos for a suitable sty to celebrate your new adjustable rate mortgage at with fellow yuppies (when you want to slum it and eat in the hood anyway, otherwise Modern Love is there for your factory comfort zone, just on the other side of Dodge St.) doing their best Werewolves of London impersonations.
A few weeks ago, I went in after another 90s+ summer day after kicking back with a few people at the fountain up the street. I was the first to arrive so I went int the bathroom and changed my kicks/socks so I wouldn't be splashing all over the restaurants floor. I waived when I went into the RR and again when I came out but nobody was there. Grabbed a Topo Chico from the cooler in the center of the dining room and sat down at the bar to watch the fights. The gal pops up out of nowhere from behind the bar like Snoop Dog in Half Baked and sweats me about the drink "Did my cook charge you for that?" "No, I just opened it, can pay right now though if you need it" "No, I was just checking" and walks off... doesn't come back to take my order and just leaves me hanging but its an excellent fight, a thrilling 5 rounder so Im cool.
5th Round: Both men bloodied and going for broke, no quarter asked and none given as the young lion seeks to establish himself with the scalp of the seasoned vet, the ref cant keep these guys apart and then... "Can I get that money for the drink..." "Uh, yeah hold on... you mean right now?" "Yes I need it now" "Ok, its the 5th round and there are only 3 tables in here but sure, here you go..." Give her what I thought had a $20 in there, shes says it wasn't the case... I dont argue at all, but shes still salty right at the fights crescendo. Im really trying to watch the finish but shes all up in my grill, so I leave the wet $1s on the bar and walk out, not even sure who won. Ask to speak to the manager before I leave and am informed she is the manager. It shows.
The food quality and consistency has deteriorated to the point its sometimes unrecognizable for those who recall what the joint started out as, with service apparently catered to who this staff WISHES lived in the area as opposed to those whom actually DO. A staff appearing to consist of hires reflective of the owners idea regarding the new standards of the area? No more hard working Pinoy/Pinay's or ladies de Ciudad Mexico. The neighborhood people dont support as they once did and consequently, Cali Taco's apparently aint doing near the biz-levels it once enjoyed. It is what it is.
Hope its taken completely serious as a restorative restaurant project or closed and replaced with something which will value and honor the locals.