JJ
Google
Popularity: HIGH
Price: HIGH
Wait Time: LONG
Overhyped? Absolutely.
We were in Tofino for a few days and, since my girlfriend loves tacos, Tacofino was an obvious stop on our list. We’d actually come by the day before for Chocolate Tofino and were surprised to see such a long lineup — the food truck is tucked away and not immediately visible, but the crowd gives it away.
From lining up to actually receiving our food, the wait was about 1.5 hours — far too long for a food truck. I’ve had food truck fare before and have waited in long lines, but this was by far the longest I’ve ever waited for any meal, let alone one served in takeout containers.
As for the food? Disappointingly average.
We tried their popular fish tacos — basically fish and chips without the fries. The crispy chicken burrito was okay, but nothing special beyond the addition of Korean-style fried chicken. A small order of tater tots with salsa and cheese set us back $10, and the 350ml pink lemonade cost $8. For these prices, especially from a food truck, we were expecting something more inventive, locally inspired, or at least bold in flavor. I’m no chef, but the seasoning and creativity were definitely lacking.
Now, about the overall experience:
Tacofino clearly knows it’s a tourist magnet. The long lineups are a given — but they’ve done almost nothing to make that wait more bearable. A few patio umbrellas or even a shaded area would go a long way. Watching people stand in the sun for over an hour, some visibly frustrated, wasn’t a great vibe. We overheard more than a few people complaining, and sadly, many didn’t seem too thrilled even after getting their food.
To be clear, this isn’t a review meant to tear down a local business — I’m all for supporting small and independent operations. But when a place charges premium prices and has a reputation like Tacofino’s, expectations are naturally higher. Hopefully the owners take this kind of feedback as an opportunity to improve both the food and the experience.