King Taco

Mexican restaurant · Downtown

King Taco

Mexican restaurant · Downtown

1

45 N Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91103

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King Taco by null
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King Taco by null
King Taco by null
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King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
King Taco by null
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Highlights

Tacos, tamales & burritos: carne asada, al pastor, lengua  

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45 N Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91103 Get directions

kingtaco.com
@kingtaco_official

$10–20 · Menu

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45 N Arroyo Pkwy, Pasadena, CA 91103 Get directions

+1 626 792 0405
kingtaco.com
@kingtaco_official
𝕏
@kingtacofan

$10–20 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 8, 2025

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Postmates Group Order Code for LA Restaurants | Eater

"It has been 50 years since the founders of this LA institution essentially created the modern taco truck. The King’s empire keeps expanding, now stretching from Long Beach to Pasadena and inland to Fontana. Tacos are a perfect Labor Day weekend dish: easy to serve, easy to eat, and easy to customize for a crowd. Order a wide variety of proteins, including the excellent al pastor, and get plenty of the salsa. Though be careful, as it’s famously spicy." - Robert Spuhler

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Rodrigo “funning”

Google
The best tacos in SoCal, still and this spot definitely demonstrates that. I just had their three taco plate twice last night. The to go one I still ate inside and even if it doesn’t look good, it’s excellent flavor, taste and quite filling. Carne asada, Al pastor, Chicharron, and carnitas were my favorite. Solid customer service and great on non busy times. Worth the wait when it is busy also. I’d definitely come back again and try their other menu items.

Евгений Авдошин

Google
I noticed that sometimes they reheat meat that was cut and cooked at another time, in general Mexican cuisine is quite tasty, but I would like to eat freshly cooked meat on a spit.

Brigs Y.

Google
This is my favorite King Taco in the LA area! I usually get the lengua tacos but recently I just discovered how freaking good the cabeza all meat burrito is!! The meat is so tender and juicy and just mouth watering good and prices can't be beat, especially with rising costs due to inflation. I love the location in Old Pasadena as well. It's a beautiful historic district with lots of other shops adding to an enjoyable experience all around. I recommend parking in the CITY OWNED structures that's only $1 for 2 hours!

Bev Lazo

Google
There’s lots of amazing taco spots in the Los Angeles area , but you can never go wrong with King Taco , it always hits the spot. I love the Pasadena location, it’s not as hectic as the ones in East Los Angeles, and Pico Rivera.

China Rose

Google
Disappointing experience & I don’t know what all the fuss is about because the food was generic, lacked flavor and was dismal. We tried the cheese tamale, sweet tamale and rice. The rice was actually decent but the customer service was dismal one of the cashiers was coughing all over the place, stepped to the side/back & blew his nose, didn’t wash or sanitize and dispensed my drink..so unsanitary. Small portions too. The atmosphere in itself was off & homeless ppl kept coming in. Never 👎 again.

Flavio Berny

Google
Well.marinated asada. Humble interior. Salsa makes you wanna dance 🕺!

Willahelm Wan

Google
Just gonna put this out there: You can't go wrong with King Taco. This place has been one of my favorites ever since a friend introduced me to it. The tacos here are affordable yet incredibly delicious. They offer an authentic Mexican taste that's not Americanized. The hot chili sauce packs quite a spicy punch, so keep that in mind. The salsa verde is absolutely delicious. Sometimes the service can be a bit slow due to its immense popularity, resulting in long lines that extend out the door. However, they have a spacious dining area with plenty of seating. It's a fantastic spot to grab some food after a night of drinking in Pasadena.

Evelyn G

Google
This was my first time eating king taco in almost a decade. The horchata was bomb salsas were great! Now the tacos the meat was well seasoned just felt like my tortillas tasted like those mission tortillas. But overall good service.

Mark T.

Yelp
Tacos are excellent burritos are not so. The tamales could be really good as well probably the best chain of taco places.
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Evangelene G.

Yelp
My work bestie has been recommending this since I visit SoCal often. I was working at my hotel and had to take a walk break. When I was walking back, I passed by and decided this is the day!! I'm not familiar with the menu or their specialty (besides tacos) and went with the chimichangas to go, sauce on the side. Went back to my hotel and shared my chimichangas. This was what we needed - well portioned and a perfect shareable! I told my work bestie where I was and she was jealous - success!!
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Brian V.

Yelp
4+ This location (in Pasadena) is a classic. Over the years, I've been here many times and they have always been reliable for solid classics at reasonable prices. This location is great because of its proximity to bars or other eateries. It's open on the relatively late side (for Pasadena) as well. My go to order is usually tacos and/or sopas. The meat differs depending on what I'm in the mood for. My last trip, I just got a suadero and a carnitas tacos with green sauce. Both available salsas are pretty spicy in my opinion, but the green is the milder of the two. The service has always been quick and friendly when I've gone and the vibe is like a beloved regional chain spot that always seems to be somewhat busy. Never had a problem finding a seat, but if it gets too buys, it's perfectly okay and easy to get a take out order. Parking in the area can pretty busy, but there always seems to be a metered spot available.
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Fazil A.

Yelp
I've never eaten anything else from here other than what i always order so I can only recommend these items. Steak burrito (add red sauce) Chimichangas Tamales (cheese or pork) If you order this you will be satisfied. Go Hamm.
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J C.

Yelp
King Taco has been my favorite place since I was a kid! Having one nearby office is a plus. Came in here many times before Yelp & any checking in. Decided to do that today! Simple and easy menu choices with reasonable price and tasty ingredients. All that makes a quick lunch worthy.
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Miori I.

Yelp
King Taco always hits the spot for me. Maybe it's the salsa. Maybe because the menu never changes and I know what to expect. No matter the location, I enjoy what I order. A late night staple for sure. My go to's are al pastor burrito, al pastor tacos, or the chicken flautas. And bonus points for serving champurrado when the temperatures drop. Love that stuff. Service is decent. They've raised the prices over the years so it's not always a fast, cheap meal. But the long lines tell you that other people still love it anyways.
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Susan M.

Yelp
I don't care what all the haters say - King Taco will always and forever be my favorite burrito & taco spot until the day I die. Carne asada burrito, tacos, cheese quesadilla, jamaica + drowning everything in red sauce = one happy SoCal girl.
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Allene A.

Yelp
Quick and open late. Parking structure across the street and hella seating. Didn't like the Al pastor but asada was good. Pineapple agua fresca was BOMB
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Chris F.

Yelp
Usually if I don't like a restaurant I simply don't review it but I had to make an exception this time. My wife and I stopped by because it was late and it was one of the few places open. We should have just gone home. We ordered an el pastor burrito and an asada burrito. Both tasted like nothing and hardly had any meat. This is also the ONLY place I've ever been to where they do not give you limes for your food. The drinks were terrible also. Tasted super artificial. If you're looking at reviews and considering coming here, go anywhere else. Or stay hungry and save yourself the unnecessary calories.
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Rish C.

Yelp
I came here for lunch with my partner! We love king taco so much! I'm not sure what they put in their food, but there's something about it that makes me crave their burritos and tacos. This specific location has us always coming back as it's located in a very popular area in Pasadena near other restaurants and shops. After a bite, you can walk around the shops or even grab dessert as there are many nearby dessert options. This King Taco is very inviting and has a decent amount of seating. I will say that this location is not as big as some of their other locations, but it also does not get as packed with customers compared to the others. As for the food, I got a carne asada burrito and my partner got the same thing with a sope. The food is very fresh and it took no longer than 10 minutes for us to receive our food! I definitely will continue to go out my way to come back to this location!
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Silvia G.

Yelp
Walking around, we came across King taco & decided to come in for a small bite. Ordered a carne asada sopé with everything & for the man, a carne asada sopé & 2 asada tacos for dine in. Service was kind & there were many interesting frames on the wall.
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Jamie C.

Yelp
Had King Taco after the gym and this hit the spot! It's loaded with onion and cilantro as well which is always a plus. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu here!
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Stephanie L.

Yelp
Bomb Mexican food with spicy salsa roja! King Taco is good for lunch or dinner, but tastes the best after a night out on the town. I've ordered everything on the menu over the years but my current faves are the all meat burrito and nachos. That salsa roja is fire and an absolute must for every bite. This location is in a nice area and kept pretty clean, compared to the other ones. Parking is available on the street or the lot next door.
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Aurora L.

Yelp
Popular for a reason! Absolutely love the food here! Chicken Burrito - the seasoning/flavor is so GOOD on its own and the red salsa they give on the side gave my tongue the kick it needed with every bite :P Carne Asada Taco - perfect, well seasoned. Chicken Chimichangas - devoured within SECONDS.
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Eric H.

Yelp
Originally opened in in 1974, this spot is one of 22 King Taco locations in SoCal. Another taco chain isn't necessarily a good thing but king taco has been around for a long time and they have a good product. Carne Asada tacos are delicious and the Carne Asada Bean & Cheese Burrito is big, and also delicious. The salsa is excellent. The service is quick and easy and the dining room is clean and comfortable. I hear that they are known for their Sopes, so next time I'm going to order a few of those! If this chain is consistent with service and quality, then I recommend a stop at King Taco!
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Aileen H.

Yelp
This place was packed on Friday night! It is located on Raymond near Old Town Pasadena. We waited in line for 10 minutes to place our order. The food took about another 15 minutes to come out. The ambiance is causal. We ordered the chicken tacos and they came out way too spicy for me! The nachos with meat were delicious and tasty! The prices are reasonable. I just wished they had regular street tacos with chicken. Maybe I ordered the wrong one or I should have gotten them without the salsa. Personally, I prefer the street tacos from a taco truck. But if you have never been, it's worth checking it out.
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Dan S.

Yelp
Food is always a great and quick stop for tacos. Hard to find real deal street tacos, unless late at night sitting in the cold. The one main thing about Kings Taco is the flavors. If it isn't broken, don't change it. The lengua tacos are always a hit. Moist meat and so flavorful. And the red sauce is a must. Not to spicy, but very flavorful.
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Super C.

Yelp
Always the best food, service and ambience. Carne asada burrito for the win. I pity the fool who don't like King Taco!!!
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MarVy S.

Yelp
King Taco in Old Town is a classic for satisfying late-night cravings, whether you're out with friends or just need a quick bite. ::Food:: I'm all about the carne asada tacos and flautas. The nachos are also a favorite. Don't forget to add the green sauce--it's a must. The red sauce is too spicy for me, but if you like heat, give it a try. The chicken tinga is pretty good too, though it's on the spicier side. ::Customer Service:: Some of the staff are very friendly and welcoming. ::M's Notes:: -Indoor seating -Parking: Street, lot, and garage
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Will T.

Yelp
Yummy and for sure will return for other items! But waited over 25 min during lunch hour on Monday!
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Michelle C.

Yelp
Wonderful service!! :D All the workers inside there are actually nice and pretty friendly!!!! The menu prices are reasonable as well!!! The atmosphere is very cozy and really nice too!!!!! I definitely will come back over there again in Pasadena, California when I get the chance to!!! Five stars is exactly my total rating!!!! Thank you guys so much for everything!!!!!! *^^*
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Joe H.

Yelp
This was one of the worse Mexican food I have had in years! I used to love king taco they had some of the best tacos back in the day ! Was driving by this and thought oh let's hit up this spot . Worst mistake this year ! The food was horrendous the quality of meats and portions was dismal at best . The only picture I got before I threw away the rest . Ordered a plate of chicken flautas 2 burritos, asada and pastor two tacos carnitas and pastor and two aguas Piña and tamarindo ! 48 dollars !! Will never ever go back to this place ... Rest in Peace King Taco ... how you have fallen !
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Michelle L.

Yelp
Thank you King Taco for the amazing food. We love your burritos and tacos. If you are a salsa lover, extra salsas are available for $.99. Laura was pleasant when we ordered our food and was thorough with explanation. 2 dining rooms available.
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Israel G.

Yelp
Pretty basic large chain taco shop. Not the worst and not the best either. All the food tasted pretty plain to me. Probably won't be back.
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Sah H.

Yelp
Food is mediocre, at best. Customer service is deplorable. Will not be returning anytime, soon. Prefer the KT in East LA.
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Pipoca C.

Yelp
Not at all good. Ordered the nachos with carnitas and guacamole and they were just barely better (maybe not?) than movie theater nachos. Service was kinda slow but at least restaurant was clean. Sorry but never again
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Nadeen T.

Yelp
King Taco is our go-to taco and all-meat burrito (with onion/cilantro) craving place. Their meats are well seasoned and tasty and always hit the spot! My wife loves the green salsa because it's easier on her tummy. I always go for the red. The red chilis have a robust and flaming hot flavor that I can never deny!
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Nancy P.

Yelp
There's always talk about the "BEST" tacos in LA, and honestly, King Taco has the best seasoning for either a taco, burrito, sope, quesadilla, etc. I've been to multiple locations and let me just say, they're all wonderful and have the best customer service with tons of dry and fun humor! Love their aguas frescas, I love their carne asada burritos especially with the green salsa and the sopes are superb, oh and their tamales are delicious! Every so often my husband will get their flautas which are great also. Love eating there also, it can be a bit cramped yet it's worth it.
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becca a.

Yelp
Whether you're at this king taco or any other location you can expect tasty food. They are pretty consistent at each location. My go to's are tacos, burrito or nachos and usually with carne or carnitas. You have to try their green sauce! Yes it's limey and spicy but they add something in it that has a floral taste to it. I tried looking it up and some recipes say it's marjoram. Whatever it is, it is so good! Parking can be a bit difficult cause it's Pasadena but if you're patient you'll be rewarded with delicious food!
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Jason S.

Yelp
Love this place. Great tamales, the best al pastor tacos in Pasadena and the salsa is great too!
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Joel M.

Yelp
I don't understand the mid Yelp reviews, because these street tacos are the real deal. We ordered cabeza, lengua, and carne asada tacos and they came out in less than 5 minutes. Authentic, delicious, and a bang for your buck with speedy service right in the heart of Old Town Pasadena - what more can you ask for?
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Dale U.

Yelp
King taco is classic, the combination burritos and the red sauce are delicious, a tad bit spicy. I like it with everything(onions and cilantro tooo). There was 5 people in line when I came in on Friday about 715pm. Got my food in ten minutes, but this place gets busy and rocking! Parking can be difficult, all nearby is meter or paid parking lot.
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Stevo O.

Yelp
The wife wanted tacos, so we came here because they are fast and authentic street tacos. The line moved fairly quickly and the service at the counter was seamless. We both ordered the carne asada street tacos, which were okay, but not as good as I remembered back in the day. Compared to other King Taco locations, this restaurant is smaller, but the staff are very nice, soI can't complain. There was a little artwork and festive flags inside, but it did not seem festive compared to other mexican restaurants I've been to. Now I'm searching for the best street tacos and taquitos for 2024, so will be exploring the streets of Boyle Heights, Carson, San Pedro and Whittier for some homestyle Mexican food!
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Tiffany L.

Yelp
This was my first time going to King Taco. Came here for late night dinner to order tacos to-go. I ordered 2, and they were wrapped in foil and rolled up like a burrito. This made eating them a bit challenging as the ingredients drenched the tortilla after being pressed together from being rolled up. I haven't ordered many tacos to-go in my life, so I found this a bit unusual. I think I would have preferred that they gave me a box and had them lie flat. Aside from the execution, the tacos were very greasy. Despite the restaurant appearing as a fast food business, I went in with some high expectations after seeing all the TripAdvisor and city of Pasadena recognition that's plastered all over their walls. Unfortunately, my experience really exemplified to set my expectations accordingly when it comes to fast food.
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Crystal K.

Yelp
Pretty good! It's cheap, quick, no frills. Very basic and if that's what you want, you won't be disappointed. Sometimes you just want a taco that doesn't cost L.A. rent prices and doesn't have some weird fusion that doesn't belong. I loved the steak quesadilla and you have to dip it in the provided guacamole! That's the only way to eat it. My so loved the steak tacos (just plain) and my hubby had raves about the steak burrito. Win-win-win! Parking is at the lot across the street and it rather cheap during the weeknights. Recommend!
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Amber M.

Yelp
The tacos are so amazing!!! It's hard to find a place that takes the time to trim all the fat and skin off the meat, and I didn't find a single piece of either, not even a bone. The meat is very tender and flavorful. The staff was super friendly while taking my order, and calling my number out when it was ready!!! Definitely will be returning again soon!
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Anthony Z.

Yelp
Credit card machine broke. No one knew how to reset the computer or just open the second register. Staff turned away customers. What a joke.
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I Know A.

Yelp
There's DEFINITELY lard in the tamales! I guess the cashiers know more about the food than the owners. At least they have honest employees.

Agustin A.

Yelp
Came here on my lunch and the old man talking orders is rude and the ppl making the food seem not to know how to make a simple burrito couldn't even wrap it correctly had my toppings coming out. Will def not come back . I RECOMMEND EVERYONE TO GO TO THE EL MONTE LOCATIONS WAY BETTER
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Ms S.

Yelp
Haven't been to King Taco in a long time. Place was clean and welcoming. I didn't know what to get and got the sopes. I did a chicken and steak sopes with an Horchata. We ordered and had our food given to us in less than 5min. The food was so flavorful but I wish I would have stuck with steak. The steak was not fatty and it was delicious. The horchata was on point.
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Charles L.

Yelp
Not sure if it's some new addition but I've never had toothpicks in my chimichangas And I ordered just two cups of green sauce but they didn't want to give any to me
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Kaitlyn L.

Yelp
King Taco has gotten worse over the years. The food portion is horrible. The burrito is so small and the quesadilla was so thin. The quesadilla was more tortilla than meat or cheese and the Al Pastor had no flavor. The only thing that made the food better was the green hot sauce. The service was great but the food is not great. The location is quite big but hard to find parking on the street unless you pay to park at a lot nearby. You can find a better local taco stand that is more worth it.
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Courtny D.

Yelp
Love King Taco!! This place definitely satisfies your late-night Mexican street food craving. In this order we had an al pastor taco and chicharron taco (with both red salsa on the side and onions and cilantro) We also ordered the combination burrito (with asada and red salsa on the side and onions and cilantro).
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jill f.

Yelp
The food was AMAZING!!!!! Service was lovely and really helpful The atmosphere is colorful and charming!

Krystle K.

Yelp
What happened? Not much of everything that was in my combination burrito. Tasted more of the tortilla than what was inside. They made this much smaller than before. I ordered two of this and both have shrunk in size.

Terri G.

Yelp
First time trying King Taco and I wasn't disappointed. I ordered two carne asada Tacos and the meat was very tender and Flavored well. Beware their sauce is very spicy. Went at night so it was packed with customers. Order took 20 minutes and because the food is good it was very loud inside. Definitely recommend
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Maddy T.

Yelp
I'm sorry but the quality of this king taco was super weird. It was very empty around lunch time on Sunday. Ordering was easy and the workers were super nice. We got a Al pastor burrito, Al pastor tacos and an asada quesadilla. The tortillas were super dry and kinda crusty. And the burrito was a lot smaller than I expected. The quesadilla had no flavor which was upsetting, the cheese had already hardened a little too. I love the location I think in Ontario which had very good seasoned food
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Brookie M.

Yelp
came here after a date night, ordered the sopes. there was quite a line when we arrived, but it moved quick. meat was fresh, salsa was perfect. king taco is always 10/10
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Wayne G.

Yelp
Normally when I come to this location It is passed 10pm and I've had some fun! (I think ya'll know what I mean) This recent trip wasn't nearly close to the times mentioned above. A friend and I went during lunch time. Its been a while since my last visit to King Taco and I gotta say that it was great! Every time I visit there is always a line which is good news. People like the food! Can't complain about that. Parking: paid lots and metered street parking VERDICT: Rinse and repeat