This is one of my works go to lunch spots! The price is great and so is the food! Downside- parking sucks. There's metered parking in front, a lot next door, and some pay parking ($1.25 an hour) down the street. Usually metered are full. Also, metered only take coins! I usually get their bean and cheese burrito and add rice. I also get their torta with no meat. I wish they would substitute meat for guacamole but they won't do that. I also love their jalapeño and cheese tamales! Their red (super hot) and green salsa are delicious! The prices are so good, too! typically there is a line but it honestly moves super fast. read more

King Taco - Bean and cheese burrito + rice! - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

Slowest king taco I've been to. I came here because it was close by but I'm definitely sticking to the ones in Los Angeles from now on instead. This one sucks big time. read more

Summary: If you're looking for the same flavors as the original KT or even the ones in South and East LA, I'd skip this place. Ambiance / Cleanliness: 2.5 Fairly clean, although the staff was super busy, no one was around to clean tables, and bus stuff that lazy patrons didn't take to the trash. Quality / Flavor: 1 Ordered 4 tacos 2 Asada, 2 Carnitas. Both the tacos and the tortillas were dry. Even with salsa added, these were dry. I remember KT tacos were greasy and good, the way you want them to be after an evening of bar hopping, and these did not hit the spot. The meats tasted under seasoned. Value: 2 Not so great for the quality - at 1.65ish for a mediocre taco, you're better off hopping in your car (with your DD!) and head back into South or East LA to one of their other locations. Service: 2 Long, long lines. read more

This place pumps out amazing tacos like nobody's business! Granite the quality could be better but the prices couldn't be any cheaper for amazing food! The carne Asada nachos are great but loved the chicken taco even more. Ask for verde sauce it's very delicious. read more

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While the food is always delicious, the service of the cashier was horrible. Upon paying I inserted my credit card to pay and she ever so rudely told me. I should follow directions. I just smiled under my mask. Then when she was dispensing the drinks she asked me to repeat my order. When I did she said, when I confirmed your order with you, you agreed. She then stopped and said oh that is what you ordered. Again I smiled under my mask. Her rudeness, along with her demeanor was just not right. read more

Long long wait. The burritos were very thin and the beans and rice were very bland. The only thing that had flavor were the very few pieces of carne asada. Grew up eating King Taco. This location is not even close to the great burritos that are served at other locations throughout East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Fontana etc... read more

Thanks to Shirly C. who helped me to eat my very first Sope... and to Schel H. for writing his review and encouraging me to eat with my hands... Yes, we don't have REAL Mexican cuisine in Hawaii where I'm from. I told John T. that all we have is Taco Bell! However... we actually DO have other Mexican restaurants, but people tell me that it's not that good. I really wouldn't know. So - trusting Shirly (because of her enthusiasm and her profession), I got what she recommended: a taco and a sope. Tim placed the order so that I wouldn't mess up. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to finish, but Shirly reassured me that the portion was small (the photo on the wall showed three tacos, instead of one). It made sense because the price was really low! PARKING: We went to this King Taco location after a Waffle Wednesday event nearby, so we were able to walk. Earlier, we had parked the car in a paid lot. We did look for street parking, but it seems like Pasadena is a popular place! SERVICE: There was a long line forming, but eventually, everyone placed their order. I didn't have any contact with the employees since I was getting an orientation (confusing, new environment for me). It's counter service, then seat yourself anywhere. FOOD: The taco was a small (about 3" in diameter), pale, circular, soft, flat disc with chopped/shredded beef, onions, and cilantro on it. Schel commanded me to grab it with my hands - I really wanted to use utensils since I'm aware of infection sources... haha! So, with ingredients falling out, I attempted to consume this unusual food item as best as I could. hmmm... interesting. I think I understand why it needs hot sauce - or something... I'll have to figure it out. I also used this same technique with the sope. It looked like it would be ingredients on top of an English muffin, but the flat, pale, small round disc was thinner than a muffin, but thicker than a "normal" tortilla. It's a stacked type of item - like a tostada, but not crunchy. I liked it because it had some cheese on it, along with the beef and shredded lettuce! I also had a Horchata - a rice water beverage, flavored with cinnamon. I had had several of these at other restaurants in Los Angeles, so, at least I was familiar with something! My LA friends told me that there are 14 King Taco locations - but when I did a search, it looks like there are 19 stores - wow. They are known for inexpensive Mexican fast food. (I think the sope was $2.99, the large horchata = $1.99, and the taco was $1.55?) I really have no frame of reference because I think I only had this type of taco twice prior to this - and I was SHOCKED the first time because I had never seen this authentic style before! Okay - I'm getting adjusted... thanks to Alana, Yuri, Schel, Tim, Val, John, Kenzie, and Shirly!!! read more

King Taco - Sope and Taco - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

I love king taco and it will always be my favorite. However I went today and they did not tell me and my boyfriend that they had no more beans. So when I bit into my delicious burrito to my displeasure I was surprised that there were no beans. You see I don't eat meat. Sometimes I do eat chicken but that is all so I was disappointed. Great place but could have at least told us. Oh my boyfriend's burrito also didn't have any. UPDATE: 07/18/20: they are on TOP TONIGHT. The wait wasn't bad honestly. It was really chill...not gonna lie I bought another burrito after get home and finishing my burrito..it was that good UPDATE: 07/28/2020: YOUR WORKER ELLIOTT IS AMAZING!!!! He is sooooo sweet and kind. Honestly I just come here a lot just to see him and interact with him when I can.( cause ya know it gets busy, don't wanna be a bother) BUT ELLIOTT AGAIN AMAZING!!! read more

King Taco - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Super busy taco spot with lots of great choices for taco fillings! There's a long line during dinner so be prepared to wait. I went with the carnitas tacos! The taco tortilla shells are the small ones so be sure to order plenty of tacos to fill you up. read more

Inexpensive, delicious little tacos. We heard really good things about this place from various lyft drivers, so we took a walk out of the way from where we were to get here. We weren't disappointed. It's a good spot to grab a small bite, or a big meal- just order more tacos accordingly. For a chain, it was all very fresh and delicious. I would go back in a heart beat! read more

King Taco - teeny but not missing any flavor. the green salsa is incredible! - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

King Taco never fails. I get my tacos plain and with green chili Mmmm mmmm totally hit the spot after a fun day at the observatory. Parking was kinda tough but managed to get a spot on the next corner and didn't have to feed the meter cuz it was after 8pm. I was surprised how small the place was compared to other King Tacos but we got our food pretty fast. Another good dinner thanks King Taco read more

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When I worked in Pasadena, I would walk to King Taco once a month. So, today when I had an errand to run in Pasadena, I thought I would swing by and grab takeout to enjoy at home. The good thing is that my temperature is taken before I entered and the number of guests are limited. After waiting in line for a reasonable amount of time, I reached the cashier. Unfortunately, the cashier to put in an on-line order rather than take mine. I told her that was uncool and unfair to in-store guests and walked out. Since there are other restaurants that serve decent burritos, I will not go back to King Taco in Pasadena. read more

It's beyond me why people rage about this place, considering how many good Mexican restaurants and taco trucks there are in LA, that offer the same, if not equivalent quality and quantity of food and price, and with ample parking. Food and price are average. Service is ok. Sauce is good. Not super memorable. Everything just tasted.. decent. Parking on the other hand, sucked at this location, even when it's close to closing, and the crowd during late night in Pasadena, is questionable. Either I'm super late to the game or I came on a very, very bad night. Maybe next time. read more

Amazing, they did NOT allow me to use the restroom, even after I asked the manager... his response was " rules are rules". Who sets those rules management? Corporate? Owner? Taco trucks have been taken out because they can't offer a restroom, unsanitary right... well what's the difference? Close ALL eating establishments that can't offer a restroom read more

Have been enjoying this King Taco location for years. Reliably tasty tacos and reasonable prices. Parking can be a challenge but worth the effort. read more

Went to this King Taco tonight for dinner and waited for 1 hr for my food! My family and I spent $60 worth of food and open the bag with not one salsa! After calling to complain your manager was absolutely no help and rude. If you are training someone and the line is so long that it is out the door you should consider taking the trainee off the register!! There was an elderly woman waiting for 1 and a half and never got her food so she left!! HORRIBLE SERVICE! read more

What happened to you king taco?! I haven't been here in about a year. Service was slow. 30-40 mins to get a couple of tacos and Sopes :/. The workers kept talking to each other and would not make food :( people were getting mad Food: Asada was not what it use to be. Dry and hard. I miss the lemon soft flavor it had before. Pastor : soft and ok. It was decent . Chicharron : I was hoping it was be crispy. But it wasn't. Lacked flavor and it was not good Ditch this place and go to ur taco trucks :/ read more

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They recently changed their menu so it no longer contains chimichangas :( BUT this locations sope is hands down my favorite of all locations PLUS the last time I came, the workers were really nice and generous with the red sauce portion when I purchased extra and asked for more. They do not have sour cream if you like adding that to all mexican food like myself, BUT definitely worth coming to for their delicious sope!! read more

King Taco - Carne asada sope (i added my own sour cream at home) BOMB - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

King Taco is essentially a to-go place for tacos. The flavor is rich and I do like the spicy sauce. I love their Al Pastor, Carnitas, and Suadero tacos. Then I just pour on the spicy sauce. I come here for a bit of that kick in the stomach and flavor I occasionally crave about once a week. Nestled among the fancy places of Pasadena, this is kind of nice. Earthy and blue-collar, if you will. I suppose it's not unlike In N Out of tacos in that it is familiar and always flavorfully reliable when you want to go back. It's not like some of the pizza places where you wonder why they've changed the recipe. At least, not yet. The line gets longer around lunch time. The parking may be harder on the street, but there are parking structures around not too far away. Interior is about medium sized, sparse in decorative elements, and a group of 4 should fit fine. read more

NEW SALSA POLICY IS SO STUPID. You are only allowed to get 1 salsa cup for every 3 tacos?!?!? They claim to be an "authentic" Mexican fast food restaurant so they should know that one salsa cup for 3 tacos isn't gonna cut it. I came here with 4 other people and we were all outraged by this stupid policy. The employee was SO rude and would not give us more. Don't they know that some people need red and green salsa?!?? Or that normal people use more than one tiny cup?!? I can use one whole salsa cup for ONE TACO ALONE. This is a new policy that is so ridiculous. Make your cups bigger then if you're going to become stingy. I actually really enjoyed my burrito and taco and I come here a lot. So I am so disappointed that they felt the need to implement a stupid rule that is driving people away. I would have given 4 stars but now I feel like giving one because the salsa MAKES the meal. PLEASE CHANGE YOUR STUPID SALSA POLICY. read more

These guys are about the slowest, incompetent workers ever. Man they're wrapping burritos not developing vaccines. Pathetic

They gave me one sauce when their sign said I should get three. Had to insist on getting what I paid for, so he gave three, but I had ask like three times. Some people get as much as they want. When did they get so stingy with the sauce. read more

i stan king taco and you should too i basically grew up with king taco and i always come back to it whenever im craving it :) read more

This is such a weird location & the customer service here is awful. Workers have been rude and look miserable each time I've come here. Maybe it's because of the area who knows. I'll stick to my usual location in Lincoln Heights because this one is an embarrassment. DONT RECOMMEND. STAY AWAY read more

If you want to experience insanity then come here. If you don't then go somewhere else. I've ordered $15 worth of food and I'm about ready to forfeit my $15 and walk out. read more

Last minute trying to figure out what to eat for dinner and J suggests this since we hadn't been in a long time. I wait in the car with the baby and just tell him to order me flautas. He texts to tell me that they don't have them. I reply..maybe they call them taquitos? Rolled tacos? I was confused since I know that's the only thing I've ever ordered there. He gets me carne asada tacos instead and carnitas nachos. The tacos are whatever, not great. The nacho chips are stale and just have nothing good going for them. I guess this is only good for drunk food when folks don't know any better, but I won't be back. read more

Not at all what i expected after the reviews! Don't thank no I'll be going again anytime soon! No guac? Not sour cream? No mild salsa? No thanks!! read more

Great food, and the red salsa is the best! Order ahead, the wait can be long especially on weekends.

Food quality at the Pasadena arroyo location is very sad. Ordered the tacos and quesadilla. The corn and flour tortillas tasted like they were day old not fresh. The corn tortilla's were flaky and fell apart! The flour tortilla was also flaky and tasted stale. On top of this, they are rationing salsa at this location!!! Wow!!! I will not return to this location!!! This would not happen if Raul Martinez sr. Was alive. Someone please tell Raul Jr. this is sad! read more

Want something to TACO 'bout? Try King Taco!! (I really want to give this place 5 stars...so just hear me out) - - l o c a t i o n - - This is in Downtown Pasadena on the corner of Arroyo and Union. So like everywhere in Downtown Pasadena, there's street parking or you can find a nearby parking garage (there are public parking garages that are free for the first 2 hours...I believe it's 2 hours). Some street parking spots are older and only take coins. So just beware! - - s e r v i c e - - You know the sloths from Zootopia? Yeah...service is at that speed. Not even joking. Alright, yes. This is a popular spot. But come on, I shouldn't have to wait 45 minutes for 2 tacos... - - t a c o s - - As much as I hate the wait, I seem to always come back because the tacos are just THAT GOOD! Their tacos are seriously HEAVENLY and just made to PERFECTION. How? I don't know. But OH MY GOODNESS. I love their al pastor, lengua and carne asada. All are great! Long story short (before I drool all over my laptop thinking about these tacos) the tacos here are TO. DIE. FOR. just keep in mind there's a loooonnnggggggg wait. Just like for disneyland: Long waits, but totally worth the wait. read more

Terrible service walk in customers were waiting outside 30 minutes post mates and DoorDash were able to walk in, had more than 12 people waiting inside then employee sitting down eating no mask on, so your whole Covid protocol makes no sense you might as well be close read more

King Taco - Zoom in you can see employee eating no mask on Wow - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

I love king taco. However now on 11/04/2020 they make you wait in line outside if you have not ordered yet. This is because they have reached maximum capacity for customers indoors. The customers are literally just waiting for their food inside after the had ordered. This makes no sense due to the fact that I have not ordered and still have to wait longer. While waiting I am also sure they are still receiving postmate orders. Now why don't they just make people wait outside after they already ordered so people who haven't ordered can order. I guess the best thing to do is order with postmates. Whats so hard about ordering and then stepping outside so another person can order? Makes no sense to me? Management needs to step up. read more

The tacos are pretty awesome but it's too much trouble for an OC girl like myself to get again. I'm used to quick service and not to mention, cheap street tacos back home and so when I had to wait 20 minutes for 3 street tacos that cost $1.70 each, I would say that I was not impressed. Maybe part of my indifference towards this shop was because I came on a weekend. Parking was already tough to find close by and by the time the wait seemed to be looking more than 10 minutes, my hangry-ness started to kick in. So this may be all conditional.... Nonetheless, the tacos were pretty delicious since the tortillas were soft and filled with a lotta meat. I had to ask for the sauce since they don't really come with it unless you ask? Green sauce was goody. Service and environment was nothing short of expectation for a taco joint. Just the price and inconvenience didn't seem to be worth it to me. Maybe I'll give another one of the dozen other locations a try but I think I'll pass on this particular one. read more

I try not to leave negative reviews for businesses, especially during the pandemic but this is now the third time I have visited this King Taco and had an issue with the attitudes of the staff. I understand they are busy, but they are consistently calling numbers out of order, skipping people's tickets, and not communicating, it feels extremely disrespectful. I definitely will be going to La Estrella instead!! read more

There are some good authentic Mexican restaurants in Pasadena. King Taco ain't one of them. The carne asada is often tough to chew, not the best quality. Their salsas are good but you'll need a lot of salsa to make up for the meat quality. Many of my friends love King Taco, I prefer some of the more authentic local spots in Pasadena like Los Primos, La Estrella or Vero's. Mi Casa on Fair Oaks and Painter is also very good. Don't let the name fool you, King Taco is not Mexican food royalty. read more

The cleanest king taco I've been too. Quality of food is good as always and pretty affordable. Came in 3pm on a Saturday and the customer service was pretty good. Got the buche (pig stomach), lengua (tongue), cabeza(head). All the meat was really tender and flavorful. I got the hot sauce and it actually was hot. Really appreciated of that!! read more

Nice selection of tacos and burritons, friendly staff, and good prices. Will come back again.

This place was pretty good. I ordered 3 tacos 2 carne asada and 1 carnitas with a Jamaica. I personally wasn't a fan of the carne asada because it was super greasy and fatty but the carnitas were delicious. The salsa rojo & verde were really good and flavorful too. Before I left I wanted to try the tamales so I got two tamales filled with cheese and jalapeños ($2.95 each) I think that was kind of expensive for tamales. My girlfriend got a carne quesadilla and it came with guac on the side which tasted soo good she didn't quite like the flavor of the cheese though kind of tasted old. The rice was pretty good too. I'll be back for more :) read more

King Taco - Inside - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

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This is the only location in the history of my whole life eating tacos at King Taco that serves half assed tacos. I bought 6 tacos and half of them were only made with one tortilla! The tacos are small enough already to serve half of the tortilla portion it should have. To make things worse, the woman taquera (the one who prepared my tacos to go) even had the audacity to tell me she put extra meat because they were about to close and wanted to leave a clean container (which wasn't true, they had just the regular portion of meat). So we get home to discover one tortilla tacos! My guess is she was too lazy to open another bag of tortillas. I understand I walked in almost at closing time but if you will do a half assed kind of service as a way to show your disgust to last minute customers, I suggest you close 10-15 min before to avoid anyone walking in right before midnight. read more

King Taco - Half of my tacos had only one tortilla! Bad service from a taquera too lazy to open another tortilla pack - Mexican Near Me - Pasadena, California

Moises and Diaz are hands down the best customer service dudes in the industry. The place is lucky to have them!