If I could put ZERO stars, I would. I used to love this place. I came there at 9:45 PM, the lady at the drive thru didn't acknowledge that I was at the window and was closing out as if they were closed. I left but the car behind me honked and she still gave him no acknowledgment. Decided to try going back, and this time I got there an hour before they were supposed to close AND called them prior just to ensure the closing time was correct. I was in the drive thru line for 30 minutes with two cars ahead. The speaker wasn't working so I thought maybe they were just taking orders once you got to the same window that you would pay at. When I finally got to the window, they said their whole system shut down and by the time they get it back up and running, they would be closed. Last time I'll be going there. Great food, TERRIBLE SERVICE. And inaccurate business hours are posted on here. read more

A great Mexican food drive-through in Downey. The chile Rellenos are good. But you need to try the sloppy Joe's. Not the same sloppy Joe you used to get in school because they are made with a Mexican twist. Their cheese. Or ground beef enchiladas are great. We've tried the breakfast burritos, which were also pretty good. Drive-through line was packed. But they had quick service and we were through the line in no time. read more

This place is a favorite in Downey. I recommend their Red Chunky beef with cheese burritos. The Service is fast your orders are correct always if you read it back correctly. Unfortunately the drive thru and parking lot are a joke. Tip back into parking. Drive thru usually has a couple people that find it difficult to order and that holds up the line. The dine area is old school hard fiberglass tables and chairs. But the food is worth any inconvenience. Oh run over to KFC if you need to go pee.Because they have no public restrooms at El Taco Downey. Prices are a little steep, but what isn't these days. I highly recommend El Taco. read more

TL;DR Nachos were too soggy, the ingredients weren't spread well and too pricey ($13.90) for the small quantity. Bad preparation, but fresh tasting ingredients. The place is worth trying, but I'd pick something else. Had the super nachos with chile verde. Some of the chips on top were decent but the ingredients weren't dispersed well and the bottom was super soggy. One side was all sour cream the other all guacamole, etc. Had to use a fork to lock all the flavors in. They poured too much chile verde sauce for my liking. About 2/3 of the tortilla chips were completely wet and lost all crunch. Not the kind of texture I like for nachos. Another downside was that the super nachos didn't feel so super. They don't come with any sort of meat. With the meat added the total came out to ~$13.90. These nachos aren't huge either. Some places give you enough nachos for two meals, this wasn't the case. Felt a bit ripped off on top of the nachos not being to my liking. I didn't like the way the nachos were prepared, but the ingredients on their own were tasty and fresh. I'll be back to try something with less chances of being a wet mess, chile verde is usually a gamble overall in my experience. Staff was cool and they have drive thru which is a huge bonus. read more

I have been coming to this El Taco since I was 5. I might be a bit biased to this spot since I've been coming all of my life. My go-to order is an order of taquitos, ground beef n cheese burrito, and a combo quesadilla (red and green sauce combined into one. I pretty much get the same thing all the time, but there are other items that are good options. For instance, their sloppy Joe's, the chunky pork burrito(comes in a green sauce, and also their nachos, to name a few. Their service has been nothing but great to me over the years. I will be coming back for as long as I live, lol read more

El Taco - Steak taquitos with cheese, sour cream, guacamole - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

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Came for my usual lunch of chicken burrito and salsa on the side. When I got home and looked in the bag, I found a beef burger. The burger did not do anything to quench my desire for the chicken burrito. I'll give them a pass this time, we all make mistakes. Thanks for being in business, with all the closures we're experiencing. read more

El Taco - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

Call me crazy but I drive quite far out of my way (30-60 minutes.) It is around the corner from my grandparent's house. They both passed. My family loves the super veggie burrito and the quesadilla. My neighbor in Laguna Beach is also a fan. We both call each other when ever we go. We pick up food for each other. It's that good. I have no idea why the ratings are so low. I also was a big fan of the Anaheim location on Euclid. I was sad when that closed. We used to walk there when I was pregnant 33 years ago. There has been a very kind guy at the register lately. But I've never had anything but good service. Ask for the home made salsa. It is so much better than the packets. read more

Went for a breakfast burrito and I was at the window at 11:01 and then and the woman would not take my order. You need to go back to breakfast all day. When I walked away the car in the drive through was backing out for the same reason. I have been coming here for over 40 years and never turned down for 1 minute after 11. The owner needs to make some changes!!! read more

This is the go to spot! Delicious, simple, and fast! Service is great and food is amazing. The egg and potato burrito with bacon bits inside is legitness! And the pink lemonade is really good! read more

Love the steak flautas. Comes with guacamole which I ask for on the side and the chunky salsa is great! read more

Food has changed, is it or was it the new lady that took my order, Alma Maria Conchita Lorenzo? Not sure, but she had this attitude taking my order, I mean come on, i speeak spanish too. read more

I got the chicken flautas they were tasty but they used to be so much better in my opinion. The service was friendly

Been eating the #2 chili Colorado burritos for the past 30 years. Definitely worth the drive from Riverside.

El Taco is a Downey staple! RIP the Firestone location but I am grateful for this Florence one. Mr. Bell who started Taco Bell once owned this business before TB. El Taco has the best quesadillas wrapped up like a burrito! Yeah they shrunk since the 90s but hey at least they still are around to feed all of us who have been going here our whole lives. I miss their own sauce. Yum! Someone get them a website/IG! read more

Five Stars!! My family and I love this place. Delicious fast and affordable. The portions are great! The prices are great! Food always comes out delicious. Favorite part is the drive thru. My wife and kids love the Bean and Cheese burrito! Everything here taste amazing! Customer service is 5 stars!! Food is 5 stars!! read more

Their quesadillas are amazing. Red or Combo are the best. We never go through Downey without stopping here.

The best! My childhood favorite and still is to this day. Great service and you can never go wrong eating here. Love it!

The food here is awful and over priced for basic food. The taquitos were probably the "best" thing there

Only go here if you willing THEM determine what you can put taco sauce on. They hate giving out taco sauce, to the point that they are willing to lose business over it. Well SURPRISE, I buy the same taco sauce by the case, and I can get better food to put it on just about anywhere that isn't El Taco. read more

Service was very very slow this morning. I asked to have the burrito cut in half and lady said she would provide me with a knife. Rude and condescending service. The older gentlemen is no longer there and service is not what it use to be. read more

Good food! Consider it a Gourmet Taco Bell without the runs. Unfortunately, the Day Cashier Lady is SUPER RUDE. Seems like a common trend from previous comments. Management should consider moving her to the back. Star Rating dropped from 4 to 3 on poor customer service. read more

I had the Chile relleno burrito! So good! I highly recommend it. We ordered it for lunch at work, It was ready very quickly. read more

I've been coming to El Taco since I was 2 (I'm now 43) I've never had a bad anything at this place in the 41 years I've been eating their food. Fun fact: Glenn Bell sold El Taco to start Taco Bell. read more

Great place for drive-thru Mexican. Pretty authentic and miss the Firestone location. We do the taquitos and burritos. Get the salsa! read more

El Taco - Menu (2021) - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

We had this restaurant here in San Leandro and also in Hayward and they closed many years ago. I had to go to a wedding in San Diego and I knew there was a El taco. We ordered 20 quesadillas and I also ordered some green burritos to take home I am moving to Texas now and I will not be able to eat this food ever again. This makes me very sad because I crave red quesadillas on a daily basis. FYI, I used to work at the El taco in Hayward too bad I didn't know what that red sauce was. Goodbye read more

Hey, Jeff from two months ago. Right on about the food... Wrong about the Taco Bell! That building was over on Firestone. Happy though to see this location (which was originally a Jack-in-the-Box, they're original style) is still operating. read more

I grew up eating El Taco at the Costa Mesa location, but when we were in the neighborhood, we'd always run through the drive-thru of this location, the one my mom grew up eating at. Always love the egg burritos, quesadillas and chips w/cheese. When I was little I'd often get beans and cheese in a cup. read more

horrible service, i got there 2 mins after 11:00 for a breakfast burrito and they didnt want to make it. mind you i have been going there for lunch 5 years now. no more, no sense of loyalty. read more

Older lady working the window was so rude and slow. I go because of the food but wow. First time I have every been there and felt the SERVICE WAS HORRIBLE. Don't know who hired her but big mistake. read more

They close half an hour early on a Friday night. Two young kids working closed up early tonight 2/9/24. We arrived at 9:30 but turned us away. read more

I have been going to El taco in Downey for close to 40 years and this is the first time I have ever had less than great food. Actually, on two different occasions lately I have had their green chili quesadillas. Both times the cheese isn't even melted completely. The tortilla is dry and crumbly and there is barely any green sauce in the quesadilla. WHAT HAPPENED? The quesadillas here used to be so hot that you had to wait for them to cool down. Don't think I'll eating here much anymore. read more

El Taco - Green chili quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

I've been eating El Tacos quesadilla's, taquito's, and taco's for more than 40 years. No complaints, just fresh and very tasty. My last couple visits have not been the same. The guacamole is so spicy I can't eat it and the quesadillas have barely any sauce. What's up folks? Why change a good thing? Please go back to the simple original recipes we all know and love! read more

SHUT THIS PLACE DOWN !!! HORRIBLE PLACE RATS EVERYWHERE TOO !!!!! RUDE STAFF . They need to go take a look at this place This place is a joke , I got in like at 10:45 and didn't reach the menu til 11:03 cause the drive thru had a lot of cars . I always got a breakfast burrito from here . Now they lost a great customer.. if I was there waiting you should still take my order read more

Very expensive!!! I bought two breakfast tacos and it nearly came out to $12! The food isn't that great for the price. Also the man behind the drive-thru register was so rude!! read more

So now I'm showing my downfall. The quesadillas in this place are amazing. I remember when they were a quarter! I don't care I'll still buy them and the Spanish rice, guacamole oh my favorite chicken flaunta are amazing I know I spelt that wrong anyway, the food is just good. Make sure you bring a bib. The sauce always always lands on my blouse or T-shirt and I always take a couple of quesadillas home so good! Plus it's a drive-through on top of it that's my go to, but I have sat on the patio, one of that hungry. I've been going there since I was a teenager. Wow I was so glad when I bought a home in Downey because I'd be close to El taco. After moving to Brea, I would still drive all that way for the quesadillas and the burritos are good too. They just know how to cook the meat. Have fun. read more

So long story short one of the employees in the drive thru slammed salsa into my hand with force because I asked for extra salsa ...I get it that with Covid people are on edge and with a long drive thru line that they had they just want to get it over with but this person hit my hand with force ... I tried calling the owner 3 times and never did he return my calls over the span of 3 weeks I also visited the store twice to talk to them and they were never there ...Look I don't care how bad of a day you have been having you don't slam things into other peoples hands I will NEVER give this place another penny and I now hope this place fails like the firestone location did read more

El Taco - If you have a problem don't bother dealing with this guy - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California

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I've been coming here since I was a kid! I live for there breakfast burritos, there chunky nachos are to die for. The only thing I miss is the Old crew! I live far and the first thing I do when I come to Downey is stop and get myself a breakfast burrito, I've come by TWICE in the last 6 months and they're all rude. read more

Absolutely the best chicken taquitos I've ever had, with loads of guacamole. And the best bean and cheese burrito, simple perfection. I'm not sure why no other place in town seems to be able to get that perfect melty cheesy goodness right. read more

Let me just start off by saying that this place is more on the Americanized fast food spectrum of Mexican food. So it's not exactly a place I'd recommend for traditional tacos. I would try going to Tacos Gavilán up the block. However, El Taco has a few strong points: CHILE RELLENOS!!; Drive-thru; taquitos/flautas w/guacamole; super nachos; chunky beef burritos; breakfast burritos; and CHILE RELLENOS!!! Honestly I mainly go there for drive thru Chile Rellenos and breakfast burritos. That's all I need. read more

Absolutely disgusting. I found plastic in my taco and almost ate it. This place is NOT sanitary and the staff is very rude. DO NOT GO HERE. read more

El Taco - Plastic inside carne asada taco - Mexican Near Me - Downey, California