Just like I remember it from my childhood of the 80s! Combo Burritos, Steak Taquitos, Quesadillas, Nachos cannot go wrong here Outdoor seating or to go read more

El Taco - Beef Taquitos & Combo Burrito - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

Always amazing!! Red quesadillas and taquitos are my go to favorite!!! Please don't close this location!! 25 plus years of amazing food I can't live without!!! read more

This place is a Downey institution! My family and I have been coming here for at least 40 years.. everything is good here! I love the nachos. The red quesadilla, the chunky beef taco. Even the sloppy Joe! Love this place. :) read more

Smaller portions and salty beans. Come on, guys! Why did things change? Not worth the money. Too expensive anymore for what you get.

I thought I wrote a review of this place. I always go to my steak taquitos, add cheese, combo burrito (ground beef, beans, cheese, and red sauce), chicken soft tacos, or green chili quesadilla, messy and delicious! No frills decor. Outdoor seating, counter service, which is always friendly. Food is made to order so the drive thru orders can take a while. Parking is very limited, and it is tricky to get in and out of the space if you park and dine. Love this place! An institution! read more

El Taco - Entrance sign on Florence - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

The food delicious and the service always on point ! its outside sitting but always clean & enough tables and seats

OMG Thank God they are still open. I have been coming here since High School. This place is loved & adore by everyone. They have the best taquerias in the world. You're not living till you have tried them. I love mine with guacamole, cheese & sour cream. And a bean & cheese burrito & an orange bang. read more

Love Love their food Red quesadilla so so yummy I've been going here for like twenty years I'm so sad that a lot of locations have closed down I sure hope that some new locations will open up Please Please continue to support the last one open in Downey CA. I pray that that the Downey location will survive for a long long time read more

This little place holds a special place in my boyfriend's heart. He grew up in Downey and was so excited to share this spot. I got some chicken flautas and he got the red quesadillas and something else that I can't recall! Everything was delicious. The guacamole on the top of the flautas was delicious. What a treasure. I'm so glad I got to experience it. read more

Old school place U remember the one in Whittier now closed. Like most places reduction due to covid and chain competition this Here in Downey is one of the left Icons of taco places 1958 it started now down to two locations. We ordered combos I got Chunky chicken and wife got ground beef. She got fries I got rice. Dude! The rice is so ol school like my mom made it. Burritos aren't mega but they are good size. Fries are crispy. Count service is great very friendly bi lingual. Outside dining patio pretty nice. Parking to some may be a little tight but it's drive thru worthy. My stars are for my taste in old school style and good food. Price to product = 7 Location = 6 Food quality = 8 Customer service = 8 Cleanliness = 7 Overall 8 read more

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I use to go here when I was in high school in the 70"s but it was on Firestone. The bean and cheese was yummy like before and maybe a little better. The taquitos were real good as before except the guacamole was spicy. It brought back good memories. The women working there were very nice. I will be back read more

Rip off. I got 2 crappy tacos and an order of fries... 20 bucks. Seriously. Either you're employees are ripping off or you need to fix your menu prices cause it says a taco was 3 bucks and some change on the menu. How did 3 items come out to 20 bucks. Then I tried to call to ask about that.... No one even picks up the phone. Never coming back here. I can get an actual meal for 20 bucks read more

Nothing fancy but good food and friendly staff. We used to go to the location on Firestone but the Florence location is just as good. Over 30 years of good memories and food read more

My husband has been raving about the beef taquitos here for a long time. I finally tried them an a they were good. The beef filling was good shredded beef and they were covered with avocado, no sour cream ! I was not disappointed, I'll be back again next time I'm craving Mexican fast food. The ladies were "en chinga" getting the orders out. I wish I had cash for a tip. I'll get getem next time. read more

El Taco - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

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The taquitos are my favorite, add cheese, and the service is always with a smile. My go to place.

I happen to be in the area and had to go since they closed the San Pedro location. A little different, but still good.

I am so disappointed in this restaurant. I drove all the way from dodger Stadium after opening day to get a quesadilla because they had amazing reviewsand I couldn't wait to try it . I arrived at 9:39 PM. It says they closed at 10 PM and they would not serve me and said they ran out of food. What a big disappointment and not only the quality of food, but the customer service read more

Food is like no other place. Their own delicious recipes - can't get any where else. For cheese lover - the BEST QUESADILLA - with verde sauce Family owned Will drive the distance anytime!!! read more

Was local hungry with a craving for Shredded Chicken Taco's. Whipped out my phone and opened my Yelp app to see what came up for the area. Eye in mind for Shredded Chicken Hard Shell Taco's. El Taco was close and the pictures and reviews looked good so ai chose. Great choice. Get there shortly after and that's exactly what ai ordered along with a Chunky Chicken Burrito. Arrive at the window (talking with the order taker) WE decided ai should try a couple more items on the menu. So ai ordered Shredded Beef Taquitos (w/Guac) and the Chunky Chicken Quesadilla just due to the genuine professional and friendly interaction that gave great business ambiance. Got my food drove off and grabbed a Taco at the light. That first bite had me pulling over into the next parking lot. Couldn't believe how flavorful and tender that Shredded Chicken was. With a real nice crunch on that Taco Shell. Hit THEEEE ENTIRRRRRE SPOT! Went back to back on the Taco's (cause ai ordered 2) and that had me curious about the Chunky Chicken Burrito. Let's just say that tender Chunk Chickens flavor along with the base? Ai am in love and El Taco's my new flavor these days. Got around to the Shredded Beef Taquitos and the Chunky Chicken Quesadilla for lunch today. Even after warming it up in the oven. El Taco just did not MISS! The crunch on the Taquito Shell coupled with the Guac (that ai reapplied once ai got it out of the oven) made me happy almost.The tender Shredded Beef almost melted with that first bite. Just totally flavorful and the Guac no different (held up well over night). Ran through the Taquito's and had the Chunky Chicken Quesadilla. Brought back fond memories of our first encounter last night. FAAFO that they just don't MISS here at El Taco! Thinking about it now makes me wanna go back. Gratitude and give thanks El Taco! Great flavorful and fulfilling experience. read more

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Tonight's Carne Asada Burrito wasn't really up to par. Still searching for the carne. It was slight. I know the price of beef is up. But really ? read more

Their breakfast burritos and salsas are the best. Too bad they stopped making these burritos after a certain time because we loved eating these at all hours of the day. Now we rarely come because of this. Please make the breakfast burritos with eggs at all times! read more

So I go to El taco and I asked for jalapeños, but they said they don't know where they put the jalapeños by the way, whole jalapeños it will be nice if you guys had any type of peppers, yellow peppers, jalapeños food is great, but I would love some peppers read more

Great food and service. Personally I always stick to a few dishes (so far) because they're always so good. These dishes are as follows: the chili relleno dinner plate, the carne asada taco dinner plate, the chicken enchiladas with green sauce dinner plate, the hard shell taco dinner plate, the fries and sloppy joes. It's a chill tiny spot so parking is limited. They also have table seating outside if you'd like to eat there . :D read more

El Taco - Chicken enchiladas dinner plate with green sauce and sides of red rice and beans included. Not shown is a bag of tortilla chips. - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

I've been coming to El Taco for well over 20 years. First on Firestone and then on Florence. The food is good and the staff has always been courteous. However, the middle age woman that works the drive thru has always been unfriendly at best, and as far back as the pandemic days. This last Sunday 06/07/26 she was down right rude and combative. I approached the drive thru and waited for my order to be taken. When addressed I placed the order, she then yelled that she couldn't hear me. I repeated the order louder and got no response, so I had to ask twice if she got the order until she decided to reply in a rude tone. When I arrived at the window I told her she was very abrasive to which she replied "the customer's too". Then in her rude tone asked me something and I replied yes, which I normally reply yes please but she had been so rude I didn't feel she deserved my usual reply and she again in a reprimand manner said "yes please". At that point I had had it and told her she was a step away from me reporting her. Got home in Norwalk and was missing the guacamole for 2 of the taquitos orders (purchased 5 and an extra side of guacamole) and she didn't give me a receipt as the others always do. On Monday I stopped by to get the missing guacamole and asked for the owner's name and if he was there. The young lady said he was not in and when I asked for the name was told Mr. Lee and said the Manager would be in the next day and gave me telephone because I asked 562.776.5212 and said his name is Alberto. I informed her I called that telephone number and it just rang. Left my name and number and told her I would try calling again on Tuesday 06/09/26 but asked if he could call me. I still have not been able to get so much as a voice mail to leave a message and no call back. If this woman is that rude to the customers, I can only imagine how she is with the other staff. read more

Amazing little place in Downey! My mom used to come here all the time in high school, so we love to come here so she can reminisce. Chicken flautas are so good! They give you a really good scoop of guacamole with it. My mom LOVES the quesadilla with red sauce. They wrap the quesadilla so it looks more like a burrito but it is so cheesy and the red sauce is sooo good! Also you can not leave without getting the cinnamon crispys! It is outdoor seating only and they have a few tables. It is a bit of a struggle to get out of the parking lot, so maybe order through the drive thru. read more

El Taco - Chicken flautas - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

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I went through the drive-through and the worker told me my total is going to be $24 when I asked for a receipt back, it came out to $23.04. Just make sure to ask for a receipt because you never if they're pocketing your money read more

absolutely love the green quesadilla..I live in Las Vegas anytime I'm in town visiting family in O.C. even though it's out of the way I drove here and get 5 or 6 quesadillas because I just love them read more

Food is some of the best around, customer service is some of the worst. Drove over an hour to make it here by 10:00 PM, the posted hours open (made it by 9:35). they would not take my order... hours on window said 10, hours on google said 10, hours on Yelp said 10, hours given on the phone when I called were 10:00. read more

Delicious food! I'm happy every time I get to eat there! Staff are hard working and provide quality food for your family.

Horribly tasting burnt chorizo that's barely scrambled with egg with chard cheese. Definitely not recommended. Stick to the green chili burrito. This lazy chorizo burrito was thrown away quickly. read more

El Taco - Burnt Chorizo and egg with chard cheese burrito. - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

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This place is Downey's best kept secret. I have been a patron over 40 years, and my favorite item is the Chunky Pork with cheese burrito. Excellent food and very fair prices. Highly recommended!! read more

The service was fine. A little slow but considering there was only 2 employees, not a problem. The issue was that they used the wrong size bags for to go orders, causing the food to be mis properly handled. Therefore, once food arrives it's a mess. And the biggest problem is that the enchiladas made me sick. Not long before finishing eating, I threw up everything! I'm not one to get sick easily with food. Actually don't remember when the last time was. Of course won't be returning. Not sure if something was wrong with the cheese or sauce...? But don't want to go back and have this happen again. read more

I have been eating here since high school when it was on Firestone and that was in the 80's. I still eat here and will be getting it tonight actually. The food is as good now as it was then. The prices are beyond excellent in today's economy and the portion size is great. Service is great, I wish they had tables inside like the old days, but it is not a deterrent. I say I have eaten at least 3/4 of what they have on the menu and each time I am more impressed than the last. I would give suggestions, but quite frankly I have not found one item that I have not LOVED! TY El Taco for all the years of great food. I would give 10 stars if I could. :) MY new thing is the taco salad add hamburger, Wow! read more

This is my first time at El Taco,I was very curious about this restaurant my wife and I drive thru Florence Ave and noticing El Taco restaurant and just a close distance to Black Bear Diner. I decided to try the food at El Taco I arrive there the parking was small it's one-way to get in the parking but you want to get out of there. There's two ways out of the parking lot you can go reverse or go through the drive thru. I walk couple feet away from to parking lot to the restaurant the menu display right on sight. I was looking at the menu and see what they have but I notice right away chili renello burrito I really enjoy chili renello I decided to order it. I got my chile relleno it was big then I torn the foil and took a bit very good lots of flavors from the chile relleno and little bit spicy from the chile. But cheese was ooze out but notice they lettuce,sour cream, and Pico de Gallo in the burrito. Some of restaurants I order chilie renello never add lettuce,sour cream,etc in the burrito this is the time I experienced overall very good I really enjoy. read more

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I love their flour tortilla Chicken Flautas! They are so good and they come with guacamole on top. They are homemade and so crispy! I also love to get their crispy ground beef tacos. They also have all the classic drinks Orange bang, Horachata and Pina colada. You can go wrong with the food here. This is my current Downey favorite place. read more

Ordered some food tonight and was very surprised at the price. They then told me they didn't include my drinks that I ordered. So I paid $30 for 2 quesadillas and 2 tacos with the rice and beans. Drove 30 min home to see they f****** forgot my sons tacos. They clearly don't care and are not paying attention. Waste of money since everything else wasn't good. Not worth the stomach ache. read more

We've been going to El Taco since the 70's (50 years .. yikes!).. often driving out of our way to grab a red quesadilla and a taco, etc. after moving out of Downey. Although it has changed over the years, we've held out hope they'd go back to square one ~ to the quality ingredients and flavors that won over countless, loyal fans. But today will sadly be our last visit. The quesadilla, (at nearly $5.00 ) was simply not good.. just mainly cheese with some bland sauce that had no similarity to that delicious flavor of the past. Taco was just okay .. again, not the same. Freshly grated cheese over dry, bagged stuff really does matter. So it's a sad farewell to El Taco for us. Will cherish the memories though. read more

very good old school fast food; has been the same quality/taste for decades. used to visit el taco in costa mesa on Harbor blvd way back in the day read more

The food is delicious but the service sucks. Every time I go the ladies seem bothered because you're there ordering. The chunky pork burrito is super bueno. read more

With the prices of everything being what they are, you should be able to order your meal without so much complication and making sure that it's correct. I spent four minutes trying to explain my order to the lady who is not listening. I finally just told her whatever give them to me, however That would be fine with old prices, but it's $47 for burritos they should be correct . Also, I had to wait four minutes to get her attention so she could give me the receipt. I get it. They are over the customer but just close. What are they doing this for? read more