Rico Rico Taco

Super fast, super fresh, super flavorful. That’s Rico Rico! Absolutely enjoyed this bright, buzzing taco joint near Lake Merritt. Grabbed some tacos with my friends before a movie at the Grand Lake Theatre, and we were in-and-out in about 30 minutes. Definitely the perfect casual spot to grab dinner before a movie or walk around the park. Seating is limited for groups above 4, but there are plenty of small tables both inside and outside. Water is self-serve, and you order at the counter but they deliver it to your table. Quick service! My favorite part was how the kitchen has an open window so you can watch them prepare your meal— amazing to see how well their team works together to bring fast, fresh food. Al pastor was my fav, but both the carne asada and fish tacos held their own. Small packets of house-made sauce was more than enough for my three tacos. Be sure not to confuse this location with Rico Rico Vegano around the corner — I assume it’s the vegan branch of the restaurant, but it confused some of our party who ended up waiting at the wrong store!

The restroom was not clean and had no toiletry. Sorry, but someone spent the nite cause it took too long to obtain a key. Food is always "good" as well as portions and prices. The downfall in cafe pools is the limited sitting in/outside with its competitors.

I thought they had delicious food. We tried a little of everything. The bowl was a great portion for $12 and everyone else did 3 tacos each about $4. My favorite was the carne asada taco and their rice and beans were delicious.

I go to Rico Rico all the time for burritos and it’s great and super consistent but their catering really knocked it out of the park! Ordered 60 mini breakfast burritos and a few tacos and they were so delicious, reasonably priced and the way it was packaged up in boxes was perfect. Would definitely recommend breakfast burritos if you are hosting a party or event!

First time dining here for a casual lunch with a friend, and I was so impressed with my mushroom and fish tacos! They are medium sized at $4 each. Absolutely delicious! My friend had the crispy beef quesadilla for $11, and that was a huge meal in itself. I loved the service and ambiance too. I will definitely be back and soon!! ♥️

Great food. Things are on the spicy side. They don't spare the pepper in any of their sauces. If you're taking to-go, it's a good idea to check your order before you leave. I've had a few slip ups and it's always so annoying when you don't find out until you get home.

We did catering from here for a birthday and the delivery was superb. Tacos were delicious, as were the chips and drinks. Folks raved about them and we're very happy with the easy ordering process.

We came back to this place again for a quick lunch. I didn't notice the other menu items last time but, it is quite varied so I'll have to try the Huevos dishes (11-1) or quesadilla? The corn tortilla tastes great! Plenty of food in each taco. We went there to try out the place on a Saturday for lunch. The tasty tacos lived up to most of the review raves about the delicious taste and fresh corn tortillas. Lots of options on their menu. Small indoor seating area and decent outdoor area in an urban setting with people asking you for money. For me, another trip to Rico Rico Tacos as a destination would involve another day of the week, another time of day and being in the near vicinity of Lake Merritt/Grand Lake Theater. Allow some time to find a place to park regardless of the day and time that you drive there.

Wonderful Mexican food with simple offerings of breakfast and the usual tacos, burritos, bowls...and the reason I enjoy Rico Rico Taco...their fried fish tacos. Their fish tacos are lightly battered with pico de gallo, chipotle crema and some pickled carrots and sliced radish (escabeche). Fresh, full of flavor and varying textures which I love. The steak bowl was equally delicious and friend really enjoyed! The bowl was quite hefty with beans, rice, shredded lettuce, nicely marinated and seared chopped steak with some crema, dollop of guacamole and pickled vegetables. Their accompanying avocado sauce and salsa wasn't needed but elevated the bowl. Restaurant is modern, bright with a window to the kitchen. Service friendly and efficient for take out. Parking can be a bit tricky on the weekends (Saturday Farmer's Market, Trader Joe's and Good Vibrations...ok maybe not the last place) ;) Metered street parking. Overall, recommend this spot for delicious and fresh, modern Mexican food. No chips offered with your order and ala carte

I ordered the Classic Burrito with Cactus. Half way through my burrito I found a huge piece of plastic in it, gross! It was at least an inch long!! This put me off my meal and is definitely going to make me think twice if I go back.

Really good carne asada burritos, can't wait to get it again. I ordered thru uber eats so not sure what it looks like but I'm sure it's good

Previously I had ordered Rico Rico taco from Uber eats. Our burritos were mostly rice. Each of us grabbed 3 tacos. Asada, Al Pastor and Carnitas. I think the carnitas was the winner. Al pastor is pretty mild and had zero spice. No heat. All of the meats were tender. Habanero sauce was good but not on the same level as Maya Halal hot sauce. Radishes were great between tacos and the little pickled carrots were awesome. Overall a very enjoyable quick lunch.

This review is for take out only. Ordered on Uber Eats and was pleasantly surprised by the amazing to go containers the tacos came in as well as the portion and flavors on the Burrito Bowl I ordered. Overall was an amazing to go experience and will definitely be ordering from this place again. Keep up the good work!

Okay so let's be honest the first time I tried this spot it was just meh! So we have it some time to come into its own and let's just say it's come a long long way! The food is extra delicious now! I got the carne asada burrito and while it's not SoCal approved lol it's definitely running a close second I can't even lie. They also have delicious refried beans which I feel like is not a staple up here. You can't always find them especially not good ones. So that made the burrito even more delicious! And whatever is in that green salsa is addicting!! Writing this review has me wanting to go back right now lol! Staff is super friendly and they are really patient which I appreciate always because so many people these days are impatient. Thanks Rico Rico I'll be back again soon!

A couple of my friends and I were in Alameda for an event in the morning so we were looking for a place to eat in the area. We were feeling Mexican and saw that Lakeshore was a popular street with a bunch of shops, so decided to give Rico Rico Taco a try. The good part of this place is that it had many options for dishes and had good indoor seating So with our group of 8 we had a lot to choose from and had space to enjoy! I asked for the veggie burrito extra grilled, with some additional salsa on the side. I think getting it grilled extra gave it a nice crispy exterior, which I always love for a tortilla. The taste was good, but not amazing as it was kind of bland like some of the other reviews say. I think they add way too much rice to the ratio of other ingredients, and maybe that's possible to adjust if asked earlier? But the salsas added some of that needed flavor, although I would have preferred the burrito to have some of that already. The service was really nice however, easily accommodating us and making changes to our orders. I wouldn't go out of my way to get a veggie burrito here, but it's a decent option if you are already here. Maybe asking for less rice may make it taste better next time, and I would be curious to try some of their other options. My friends enjoyed their dishes so it was definitely a solid place for Mexican food!

I was reading the back story behind this popular taqueria, how two competing East Bay taco truck families came together through the marriage of their children, who decided to open this brick-and-mortar spot in a prime location on Lakeshore near Arizmendi Bakery and all those yuppie-drawing eateries. It was like a happy ending was pasted onto "West Side Story". Except the lovers are ethnically compatible and don't sing and jazz dance at the drop of a hat. Oh and nobody gets shot at the end. It was the first time Jamie W. and I tried this place after doing a circuit around Lake Merritt. I ordered the $11 Harina Quesadilla with carnitas, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, salsa, and crema (photo: https://bit.ly/44JN0nq). Delicious, authentic tasting. Jamie had a couple of soft tacos with all the fixings, Al Pastor, spit-roasted pork with pineapple and onion, and Pescado, fried fish with chipotle crema and pico de gallo (photo: https://bit.ly/44KYOFT). Also quite tasty with the mix of ingredients a taco truck-like delight. We were able to eat our food inside because a lot of customers were waiting for takeout orders. Definitely coming back for other menu items. FOOD - 4 stars...anything with a tortilla tasted good here AMBIANCE - 4 stars...nice set-up with several dining tables SERVICE - 4 stars...very efficient TOTAL - 4 stars...definitely a nice melding of taco truck fare...there's a place for them, somewhere a place for them RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ

Soooo good. We had the fish tacos and they are excellent. The rice and beans are worth the visit. Plus, inexpensive. They will be my new lunch takeout spot for sure.

Lovely tacos. We tried mix of carnitas, Adobe, carne asada, chicken etc. All great. Loved the taste of corn tacos! My favorite was Al Pastor hands down - loved the pork flavor and the pineapple just went so well with it! I will be back for more! Place is on lakeshore Ave close to a great happening area and has indoor and outdoor places to sit. Chilled vibes and quick service!

Great location for walkers. Auto parking is difficult but there's lots of parking meters in front. Order online if there's no additional service fees. Counter server automatically charges bag fee without asking and automatically selects bean type, whereas online u can choose from 3 types of beans. Plenty beef in the carne asada burrito but a lil dry. Good shrimp burrito, minus the sour cream next time. Interesting prepackaged salsa packed in lil plastic bags. Smoky green tomato taste, lil bland.

I must revise my prior review. At that time, it was just post-pandemic, and they didn't necessarily have it all together with the pickup system, you could only really eat outside, etc. Since then I have become a Rico Rico regular. The tacos al pastor are absolutely off the hook, Mexico City style. The fish tacos are solid too. The breakfast burrito is awesome albeit huge, and in general they toast the burritos so they're kind of crispy. It's really good and I gave it short shrift in my original review. Now I would say: Me gusto mucho Rico Rico.

Best taco I have ever had in Ca. Thrilled to death to finally come after so many in my sphere have endorsed it. Not overrated one bit. Carnitas was sooo crispy delish. Nopales full of flavor. My favorite is the absolute perfect homemade tortilla. Horchata was also home run. Coming again soon-- gonna try the vegan as well

Had Al Pastor, carnitas and carne asada tacos. Everything includes salsa, onions and cilantro with pineapple for Al Pastor. All were tasty but especially like carnitas texture and flavor. Full meal with an optional side of rice and beans for $4. Will try other dishes, burritos seemed popular. Super busy on a Tuesday during lunch hour but still able to find a seat.

Rather it's dining in or takeout this place never misses. The Mushroom burrito be burrito-in. The mushrooms are seasoned with the rice beans sour cream onions and salsa it's a classic taste but don't comprise the flavor because it's vegetarian. Staff is always helpful. Booze: the michelada is very good: it's salty and has that classic taste. It's served in a very big glass so it's worth the price. The michelada mix is made in house so it's not that store bought bs.

Always consistent and fresh. Better that Chipotle's with real Mexican flavor, home made tortillas, pico de gillo and guak that taste like it came out of abuella's kitchen.

Great food. Love the salsas. Quick and nice service. The place is a little small so if you go during peak hours you might struggle to find a place to seat. There are some tables outside which is nice.

Simple, delicious Mexican food! Rico Rico is a frequent go-to. Tacos, burritos, salad. You can't go wrong.

Homemade corn tortillas which are delicious. The chips are a little thick but not bad. I like how the sauce is individually packaged.

Yes, Rico IS Rico! A very quaint, very clean taco stop. Not much seating inside, but they do have some outdoor seating. I was there on a Wednesday at noon, and there was a line out the door. Trust me worth the wait. I had the taco Pollo Asado and shrimp taco. Excellent juicy shrimp with pico de gallo, and the chicken was perfectly seasoned and moist!! You can tell the tortillas are homemade. And YES, they have Coke in the bottle!! This is a Spot to hit, and don't be intimidated by the line!

My only complaint is they do not offer fresh avocado. perhaps it is a financial decision. When I order from Rico Rico, I always make sure I have a ripe avocado or two. I am not a fan of the avocado packets.

As much as I love their burritos and avocado sauce, the last few times I've ordered take out, they completely messed up my order. Last time we got someone else's order entirely which I figured was a one time thing. Tonight we ordered again and my carne asada burrito with black beans came with rice, pinto beans and cheese. Nothing else. No meat. What's going on over there?

The food was excellent, super fresh and really authentic but the delivery was way to slow. My food was cold (crunchy fish taco and shrimp taco) but that's not the restaurants fault I eat it and it was still REALLY good. Won't order with Grubhub anymore though

The place is good, most servers are kind and hospitable. So it's hard not to come in here and order something to eat for there or to go

A friend introduced me to this burrito & taco joint and I hate to admit that I've been head countless times already. It's at a location where there are tons of other options but the food quality and taste here is exceptional Parking: has been an issue since I'm mostly just picking up but I imagine on weekends or some evenings it can get crowded and hard to come by. If all else fails, there is a parking structure across the street next to Trader Joe's Food: Pescado burrito/bowl: if you're craving something heavier, their Pescado burrito definitely hits the spot. I often would save the other half of my burrito or burrito bowl for the next day. It's just as good heated up the next day! The salsa they provide has a huge kick but it's so good overall! I often squeeze additional lime on top of my burrito or bowl Prices here are decent for the quality you get. I appreciate the consistency of the food. Overall, I'm definitely going to continue coming back here. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone in the area. It's honestly become my new go-to spot when I need a quick & tasty meal during the week!

I have been liking Chile Rellenos lately and have been also liking them in burrito style because it is easier to eat. So I found this place while searching for something to eat on DoorDash. Let me just say the burrito was really good and one of the best ones I have had. I've only had chile relleno burritos from 2 places before and this was the 3rd place I have tried it. The cheese that they put in there was sweet and the chile was the right flavor and not that spicy. The salad on the other hand was not so good. There was tortilla in it that was soggy so I don't think it was needed, as well as the dressing that was on it wasn't that good. So I won't be getting that again. The chips were just normal nothing special. Overall I will be trying their tacos next time and will be getting the burritos again.

Don't think, just go. If you're on the fence what to eat today, this is your sign to get your ass up and get some tacos. Homemade corn tortillas, horchata sent from the gods, this food has me shaking to my core. Everyone knows the Bay Area myth that Mexican food here isn't as good as LA. This place proves everyone wrong. I could shake ass for these tacos, I would give my firstborn child. Also pretty decorations.

Carne asada Classic Burrito was perfect. Ambiance was nice. Restaurant inside seating was clean and comfy. Restroom as clean. Service was decent, they could have been more friendly but they were nice enough. I recommend, you won't be disappointed.

Came to Rico Rico after seeing them on "check, please" and it totally lived up to it's hype! Ordered two tacos (an al pastor and a carnitas) to dine in and it absolutely hit the spot! In the window right of the ordering counter, you can see the tortillas for tacos being handmade and the tantalizing al pastor on the spit. Tastebuds were definitely excited while waiting. When I received my tacos, I was pleasantly surprised by how hefty they were. They definitely don't skimp on the meat but I do wish more garnishes were provided - at least more limes and I also wish I got more pickled carrots. Between the two, the carnitas won hands down no question. The way it's pressed on the flat top grill really does make a huge difference! The play between the crispy edges and the meaty interior was just WOW. If there was a complaint, I would say that it was just a bit salty if eaten by itself but it wasn't overpowering. When it came to the al pastor, it was also very meaty and I liked the grilled pineapple on top but it lacked a little pizzazz compared to the carnitas. It wasn't bad but it was definitely severely overshadowed in my opinion. For both tacos though, I also loved how tender the tortilla was. It was different but very enjoyable! Tacos range from 3.25 to 4.50 depending on the protein choice so it's not your cheap street tacos but the quality is certainly worth the try! I can definitely see myself returning for more carnitas!!

Why did I have to find this place right before we are about to move? If you're considering a place to get Mexican food, go here! Definitely one of the best in the area. So surprised by how much I love this place. The carnitas is one of the best ever and the homemade corn tortillas really set this place apart. FOOD: Have ordered quite a bit and not disappointed by anything. The burrito has so much in it, though that the flavor of the meat doesn't shine through. But the sopes, the tacos, the rice and beans are all amazing. The carnitas and carne asada in particular are delicious. And the fish tacos are one of the best I've had. The carnitas I really have to rave about. Crispy and done right, they are still juicy and moist. How they do that when so many other places lose flavor or texture is a credit to them. SERVICE: We've only ordered delivery, but the food is well packaged and always arrives hot. The portions are particularly of a good size. And our order always gets to us quickly COST: Very reasonable for what you get. Highly recommended!!!!

Rico Rico is one of our favorite take-out dinner options. The food is always super solid. You can't go wrong with the burrito bowls. The salsas are both incredible too: we'd definitely buy them by the bottle if we could. This evening I went to pick up a takeout order, when I got there I realized I must not have actually completed the checkout on my computer (omg it was one of those days) but the person behind the counter was super kind and still took my order there even though it was past 9pm. I was fully expecting to just go home empty handed after my mistake so I really appreciate them accommodating me!! Their kindness truly made my day. As always, dinner tonight was delicious. I got the fish taco and hongo taco, my partner got the carne asada burrito bowl. Don't skip the chips and salsa either.

Love love love the food here- delicious hand made corn tortillas, creamy beans, great salsas. Just wish so so so much that they would add the vegan proteins from Rico Rico vegano. We'd eat here every night if they did. It would be *chefs kiss* to have the vegan "meats" with real cheese in the perfect burrito!

Horrible service, very rude hostess. I was about to grab the menu and she hurried and moved them near the door and told me "menus are near the door". I have restaurant experience and I would never do this to customers. This is my first time and last time spending money here.

This spot has the best Vegan food in my Opinion. Price is a somewhat high but everything is high in the Bay Area. Nonetheless give them a try you can't miss with whatever you order. Ps the Hot sauce is Hot Hot lol

Alot of hair in my burritos today and the worker act like she don't want to refund me!

I just don't get the hype of this place maybe because they got grant money from the government and was able to design it all pretty with Pretty bags and stuff but the food is terrible. You should be warned. Everything is very spicy. I will not be coming back ever again, Taco Bell is better

I order RicoRico at least once a week because it is consistently delicious! The folks working behind the counter are always sweet, and the food never disappoints. Only taking one star off because sometime the food is quite spicy, but if you can handle the heat, you are sure to enjoy your food! I recommend taking to-go, but you can certainly sit down inside or on the sidewalk for an in-house meal. 10/10 would recommend!

My boyfriend has been raving about Rico Rico since we met. It was only a matter of time before we made a trip up North to indulge in the incredible food served here. There was a fair amount of seating inside as well as at the storefront. With proof of vaccination, you can dine indoors. I opted for the carnitas, al pastor, and nopales tacos my first time around. My favorite was, without a doubt, the al pastor. Delicioso! Their tortillas are so fresh!!! You can genuinely taste the corn. Their burritos are very generously sized. It can be easily split between two people unless you have worked up a serious appetite. We made a second stop on our way home because honestly Rico Rico is truly THAT GOOD. Pro-tip: don't skip out on their aqua frescas, the pina and jicama were refreshing.

I need to try more than their tacos, but based on the other reviews and the crowded location, I'd say your chances of getting a good meal are pretty high. Staff works hard, I can tell...

This place is decent. Came here before and got shrimp burrito bowl and it wasn't good so haven't been in a while. However I came back via a Groupon. And I must say the tacos were delicious. Shrimp taco had a spice to it. You get about 4 jumbo sized shrimp in a small homemade corn tortilla. The fish is fried crispy with a nice softness/ I would say it could use a little more salt however the toppings enhance the flavor. The flautas were nice and crispy. Just chicken rolled inside with toppings on top. These were I would say 6/10 lacked flavor. Overall decent place. I don't like how you pay for chips + salsa but they do give you lots of chips for the price. Not pictured is the michelada which was cool. And a horchata with had a nice cinnamon flavor to it. I would recommend to try. Not a lot of parking but cool just to pick up

Their fish burrito is bomb!! My favorite spot in Oakland for burritos. Service is quick, sauces are good. I usually get the fish burrito bc it's delicious. But the chicken tacos are delicious too! Highly recommend.

I really want to like this place. The ingredients are always great. But every time I order a burrito, it's made really badly. I ordered extra creama, and it was all clumped together in one small pocket of the burrito. Same with the beans, same with the salsa, same with the meat. Take a little more care assembling the thing, otherwise more than half the burrito is a huge disappointment.

Whatever you do, do NOT walk into this place thinking you can make an order at the counter and get your food within a half an hour. I ordered a burrito and two tacos and waited and waited and waited. My friend showed up, got in line, ordered a taco and got it right away. The food is ok, but they obviously cannot handle the dinner rush of Grub Hub orders and feed the people that are standing right in front of them waiting. Finally got my order after 40 minutes. Cold. Cashier was nasty and rude. Also, why was it $24?? Get it together. I won't be back.

Very popular local joint. Had fish and carnitas soft tacos and they were great. Crispy and fresh with lots of tasty onions, peppers, and tomatos. Will go back next time I am in the neighborhood and can find parking.

I swear this place has an absolutely chokehold on me. My favorite burrito spot I've found in East Bay. The food is always fresh and tasty. But the salsas tho!!!! That's what it is at this joint. That avocado salsa has me by the throat. I wish I could buy it wholesale!

#500!!! POLLO ASADO BURRITO & THE CARNITAS BURRITO BOWL are our go to order.Hubby and I discovered this place through Uber Eats like a year ago and we have been coming here ever since. It's literally 5 minutes from home ! Locally owned and women owned too which is always a bonus! Freshest ingredients and the guacamole is delicious. Hubby loves the chicken and it's flavorful not rubbery and the carnitas literally melt in your mouth! Service is 5 star! Hours are catered for the community . Parking is off street parking . Highly recommend them !

My favorite taco place in the bay! The pastor is incredible with the lil pineapple piece, and I've been happy trying all other kinds as well - prescado and cactus have been regulars for me lately! Service is usually pretty quick regardless of takeout or dine-in. One of my favorite combos is getting pastor, cactus, pescado from here and the carne asada from Rico Rico vegano

Had their fried fish burrito. Love how they grill the tortilla shell. Great size for the price considering not a food truck. Delicious.

Very disappointed service , no understanding for the customers need and hope owner train their employees to be aware of their customer needs/ wants . Unfortunately they are only there to do exchange , money for food only . Bit sad that it is system for those places