As a self-proclaimed taco connoisseur (I lived in LA for 7 years, enough said), Cali-mex is 2.5 stars at best. However, when I review, I take into consideration of local competitions, I am also comparing it against with Chipotle, America's top cali mex restaurant. And I give Cali-mex a 3.5
It must be noted that everyone's taco preference are different. I personally like my flour tacos soft (hard tacos are NOT authentic, but whatever floats your boat), al pastor or carne asada, from a grimey mexican food truck with a lot of cilantro, salsa and lime.
I ordered 3 BEEF TACOS for $78, you can pay more for higher quality meat and I believe it was $98 for ANGUS STEAK CUBES. The food came somewhat quickly but there was no line.
The tacos are HUGE. prepared to be STUFFED from 3 tacos. personally I think 2 is the perfect number for ones this size (authentic al pastor I usually get 4) So you may want to share instead of devouring it all for lunch. I also did not like how you had to order all 3 of the same meat. How difficult is it to scoop another meat? It's a bloody assembly line!
I can tell the flour was not commercial ready made, it was fresh, however, it can do wonders heating up the tortilla first. I don't understand WHY this simple step is missed. It literally takes 5 seconds but makes it taste infinitely better.
There were also no onion/coriander and cilantro (or very minimal) but they give a scooping of vegetables and some shredded cheese.They also ran out of medium salsa which was my first choice. I asked for light sour cream as I don't normally get my tacos with it, but I suppose that's how Tex-Mex does it (as does Chipotle)
Note that it is $18 for guac, I don't normally get guac with my tacos so I skipped on that. Chipotle in LA charged $2.85usd for guac so I suppose this isn't ridiculous.
***
Tips: HUGE tacos, share if you can.
Favourites: The salsa, the hottest one was quite similar to el taurino/king taco in LA, which is hard to come by!
Meh: Forced to get 3 of the same tacos. Could not adjust portions. It ain't cheap.
Last words: I've had brick house (superior but also very different) mr taco truck, (inferior). This is in all honesty a solid mexican joint in Hong Kong. BUT if you ever have a chance to head to seoul, Gusto tacos there is a definite 5. I heard they may explore HK, so watch out taco joints. Takeaway ONLY read more