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    Taco El Lago

    4.3 (51 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Birria Tacos
    Timothy H.

    Good Mexican restaurant to try! I had 3 of their birria tacos with consume and it was good! The meat was well cooked and the consume was nicely made. The biggest issue for me was the proportion. 3 of these ($18), was definitely not fulfilling enough for me. The service was good. The server answered any questions I had and the food didn't take long to make. The ambiance was good as well. It's nicely decorated inside. The place isn't that big so it can feel a bit tight in there, but it allows more seating because of that.

    The specials that week
    Peg C.

    Been wanting to try Taco El Lago for a while and so the hubs and I went for a late lunch on a weekend. It wasn't crowded at all so we ordered at the counter and got our table right away. The ambiance is chill with some colorful decorations. THE GOOD: Our tacos were delicious and filled nicely. We tried the carne asada, birria, al pastor, quesabirria, chicken tinga, and calabacitas. All were tasty and we would order them again. THE NOT GOOD: I ordered a side of rice and they brought me fries instead. They took away the fries and eventually brought me the rice, but did not change the cost discrepancy. I didn't realize this until I got home, looked at my email receipt and noticed this, as well as being given a 3% surcharge for using a credit card. I would have paid cash had I seen a sign indicating this, but I saw no notice of a 3% surcharge on the menu or the counter area. We will return someday and this time, we will bring cash with us.

    All their tacos were generously filled.
    Marcus D.

    The colorful vibe of the place is welcoming. I tried a couple of tacos including their signature Quesabarria with consommé. It's the taco version of a French dip. The taco is filled with barria and cheese and they grilled until the cheese melts. You can dip the taco in the consommé. The consommé was delicious and after I finished my taco I drank every last drop. They are generous with the fillings in the tacos.

    Chorizo breakfast bowl
    Wisnu R.

    Deff a cool mom and pop spot you should check out. We stop by to get some breakfast and surprise by how good the food was and how cool the spot with all the decors. Service was good and the foods are very very nicely priced. We left the spot completley satisfied and looking forward to try their other offering the next time we go. What we got: Chorizo breakfast bowl (4/5) Really good bowl and big portion. Really well seasoned and have good flavors. Chorizo breakfast burrito (4/5) The burrito version if the bowl; cheaper and smaller in portion but taste just as good. We shouldve gotten something different but i wanted a breakfast burrito so thats what i got. Habanero Salsa (5/5) Get it; its spicy but so good but spicy but soooo good!!! Love it. If you're in the area; go try it.

    Chicken Tinga, Al Pastor, Asada Tacos
    Linda L.

    Think these are my favorite tacos in the Seattle area. Specifically I love their quesabirria tacos with consome it has so much flavor, very meaty, and savory. The meat inside is moist and juicy. I enjoyed the Al pastor with a nice marinade that is not too overpowering and you can still taste the beef flavor. It was also not dry The Asada meat was not chewy and not dry, I would say nothing super special about it but just a solid taco. It tasted reaaaalllly good with their green salsa and some more consome. I don't usually get chicken things outside if there are other meat options, but since they were out of Chorizo when I went I decided to give it a try. It's not too dry for being chicken though which was good. Once again when I squeezed some lime and green salsa on it to moisten it back up it was good. All of the tacos they don't skimp on the meat, it's not an overwhelming amount where I'm dropping meat every second, but I was also never wishing for more meat. It was a good ratio! Each taco was $4 except for the quesabirria with consome which was $6. Service is fast, you can order outside at a take out window or inside. After you order you're given a table number and you can seat yourself inside or outside. It was a hot day so we sat inside and it didn't feel stuffy or anything and it felt relatively clean except for some random on the table. It doesn't seem like they wipe every table after they see a customer leave but I think the people who do eat inside at least clean up after themselves

    Andrew Z.

    Came here with a big group after climbing at the nearby bouldering gym, and we were pleasantly surprised at how they were able to accommodate for a large group of ~10 people. I ordered 3 tacos and a Quesaburria. The tacos were pretty standard, and the quesaburria was good but not really as flavorful as I had hoped. The tacos were also not very large, I would definitely should have gotten 5 or 6 tacos which would have been kinda expensive.

    Dogs allowed in taco el lago. Love em, but not around my food.

    Food was good enough for Seattle Mexican cuisine. I wish I knew they allowed pets inside the restaurant because I brought my friend who is allergic to dogs. Definitely ruined the experience for her and I probably won't be returning because having pets in a restaurant is quite unsanitary.

    Various tacos
    Celia F.

    So freaking good. From left to right: Al pastor, chicken tinga, and birria. Birria was probably my favorite. There was so much depth in the flavor. The chicken tinga was a close second. The Al pastor was pretty good, but not the best I've had.

    Queso birria, squash taco and breakfast burrito with chorizo
    Sophia W.

    The birria and consommé were good, nice and juicy, good flavor combo. The squash was ok, could use more seasoning and it only has 1 tortilla v the usual 2 for street tacos. Breakfast burrito was ok, the highlight of it was the potatoes. Horchata was a little too sweet for me. Quick service and very nice staff. Plenty of parking and lots of seating.

    Squash burrito
    Payton H.

    This restaurant has such a fun and vibrant vibe inside with the decor. The food, on the other hand, is less vibrant (in flavor). I got the squash burrito and while it was made with fresh ingredients there was a clear lack of seasoning. My boyfriend got the al pastor tacos and reported a similar lack of spice.

    Chicken and birria taco
    Michelle C.

    Stopped in for tacos after a big climb day at the bouldering gym down the street, and this place hit just the spot. It's a small spot with just a few tables inside. Great family owned, casual vibe. Service was quick and tacos were reasonably priced. Definitely a convenient spot! I'd stop by again for a quick bite!

    Asada bowl and horchata
    Jiayi S.

    Such a cute little place tucked on Stone way in Fremont I got an asada bowl and a horchata. The bowl was really good with a pretty decent portion for the price. The horchata was a little too vanilla for me but that could also be because we went late and it was the bottom of the jug. Not really much service since it was order at the counter and self bus but pretty worth! The shrimp tacos were really fire! Simple but well seasoned! 10/10 would go again for a quick bite!

    Birria Burrito with a side of consume

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    11 months ago

    best al pastor taco I have had in washington. by a mile. I go out of my way go here if I am in seattle

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    6 months ago

    The best burrito and nice people. The birria is extra delicious, highly recommend. Good prices

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    1 year ago

    Always get the breakfast tacos. Simple but great. It's a cute space, and the owner is a gem.

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    Fogón Cocina Mexicana

    Fogón Cocina Mexicana

    4.4
    (2.1k reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$

    Great Mexican restaurant located in the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle…read more Freshly made chips that come with a salsa roja that has a kick to it. Not bland like in other places. The ceviche was fresh and loved that they added shredded carrots for extra crunchiness. Tacos de carne were delicious, with the meat properly seasoned. Will definitely come back for more the next time we are in Seattle. Service was prompt and courteous.

    I shared the mole enchiladas and lengua en salsa verde from this Mexican place…read more Of these, the lengua en salsa verde was my favorite. The beef tongue was cooked pretty well. Although it's naturally very fatty, the flavor and juiciness was retained after cooking - so they didn't screw it up. The salsa verde was a very nice accompaniment, as it tasted light, fresh, and a good complement to the fat of the meat. The mole enchiladas were less good. The mole sauce used leaned way too heavily on a sweet flavor - having little to no nuttiness whatsoever. It didn't taste anywhere close to some of the best moles I've had. The enchilada underneath was fine - nothing special. Both dishes came with beans and rice. Both were slightly above average, but nothing to write home about. I would say the portions were well sized in terms of overall amount, but the enchiladas were quite small compared to the beans and rice. With these two dishes we ended up around 28 per person. Overall, it's average Mexican food. 6.5/10

    Photos
    Fogón Cocina Mexicana
    Happy Hour Quesadillas Fritas
    Happy Hour Quesadillas Fritas
    Happy Hour Chips and Salsa

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    Happy Hour Chips and Salsa
    Pancita

    Pancita

    4.5
    (92 reviews)
    2.5 mi

    Excellent! The food, service and ambiance were all top notch. I love how cozy the corner restaurant…read moreis. The food was delicious- we started with the sourdough, then the Caesar, brisket tacos and finally the chorizo-stuffed trout. All of the ingredients were high quality and prepared perfectly. We loved every bite and will absolutely be back.

    I really, really wanted to like this place. We'd heard through word of mouth that they were serving…read moredishes straight out of Mexico City, so on a whim one Friday night, my partner and I grabbed a 7:45 reservation--which, honestly, might've been the first sign. I'm usually a fan of a smaller, curated menu because it suggests care in sourcing and execution. But for us, the execution just didn't land. Everything is served family-style, but the portion sizes didn't justify the price point. We started with the sourdough and butter spread, and it was a letdown right away. The bread was hard as a rock, and the butter--while sounding interesting--came slightly burnt and didn't feel worth $11 for two pieces. Next was the albacore tuna tostada. As someone who travels to Mexico City often, I was genuinely excited for this. But it leaned heavily on avocado, with barely any tuna to balance it out. For $25 and only two tostadas, it felt pretty stingy. The rapini quesadilla sounded promising but ended up tasting mostly like broccolini and mushrooms--nothing that really stood out or justified the dish. We finished with the 21-day dry-aged steak, which, at $59, felt like it should've been a highlight. Unfortunately, it missed the mark. It came out essentially raw, which I didn't mind in theory, but it was incredibly chewy and lacked flavor. It was difficult to cut and even harder to enjoy. The tortillas were nice, and the demi-glaze had potential, but overall it just didn't come together. Even the refried beans on the side were underwhelming--something you could easily find done better at a casual spot. On the bright side, the mezcal margarita with a tajín rim was excellent--well-balanced and probably the highlight of the night. And the service was warm and attentive, which I appreciated. But overall, for the prices and the hype, this place just didn't do it for me. Maybe we ordered wrong, but I've had much better elsewhere. I hate to say it, but I probably won't be back.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Grilled pork chop with pipian verde, salsa macha, trumpet mushroom, beech mushroom, charred onion, scallion, garlic scrape and cilantro
    Grilled pork chop with pipian verde, salsa macha, trumpet mushroom, beech mushroom, charred onion, scallion, garlic scrape and cilantro
    Earl Grey Horchata

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    Earl Grey Horchata
    Maiz Molino

    Maiz Molino

    4.4
    (124 reviews)
    2.4 mi
    $$

    This place WOW-ed me. My fiance and I didn't make reservations the day before Valentine's Day and…read morethought we would just try our luck. So many of our regular spots had lines out the door, which was no surprise, but we ended up getting a table here. Figured Mexican food is hard to mess up. Started with drinks- THE BEST MARGARITA I HAVE EVER HAD. It was perfectly balanced, fresh, just perfect to me. My fiance got a horchata and loved it too. They have an option where you can try ALL of their dips for $20, which I couldn't resist. It was so fun, they had like 9 different ones! I got the shrimp tacos and they were so flavorful that I almost gasped. The creamy sauce, crunchy veggie toppers, smooth avocado, and perfectly cooked shrimp...just wow. I will be dreaming about this dish for years to come. I am a pescatarian and gluten free and there were TONS of options for me. They mostly use corn for everything, not flour. The staff was gracious and kind. They seemed a little understaffed but truly made the most of it and made every table feel attended to and special, which was so lovely. Really cool vibe- lots of art and special touches. A really cool place that I can't wait to recommend to friends.

    Went back to Maiz Molino recently on a Sunday night for dinner w/ friends. I was disappointed to…read moresee that the menu has changed a lot (and not just seasonally, but just a completely different menu) since the last time I visited (maybe a year ago or so). Before it seemed like Maiz Molino was focusing on elevated, unique Mexican dishes (shown in the pics in my prior review such as short rib, and other sort of "fusion" dishes, and more seafood focused, etc.) Now, the menu seems way more generic and casual like enchiladas, tacos, quesadillas, tamales, etc. just offered w/ different proteins. They are still focusing on maiz but just a bit more generic in the preparation and offerings. Also, they had 2 separate menus which was a bit confusing. One is a generic all day menu and then another menu had brunch and dinner on it. It was around 5:30 p.m. but they were out of a particular steak dish that we were interested in. Service was friendly. We had enchiladas, a dip sampler (for appetizer) and Tlacoyos. Everything was fine but nothing really stood out, sadly. It wasn't very busy while we were there, so hoping that they are doing ok as a business. I would love to come back if they brought back the old menu w/ things that you cannot really find elsewhere, including the great cocktail menu and desserts that were offered previously.

    Photos
    Taco plate
    Taco plate
    Elote risotto at Maíz Molino in South Lake Union.
    Elote risotto at Maíz Molino in South Lake Union.
    Three Tacos plate with chicken, pork and veggies

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    Three Tacos plate with chicken, pork and veggies
    Hatch Cantina

    Hatch Cantina

    4.3
    (401 reviews)
    2.6 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Full bar

    This has been bookmarked for a while and the only regret I have is that I didn't get here sooner…read more This food is terrific, the vibe is hilarious, the servers are downright fantastic. Andrew (our server) introduced us to his sidekick, who was in training. Love that personal, hands on approach for a mew team member, and Sidekick did a great job in monitoring our table and replenishing water. Have to stop here and express my appreciation for Andrew and how he took the time to explain the philosophy and genuine team vibe of the restaurant. Oftentimes when a restaurant adds a flat 20% gratuity, you get the feeling this is not passed on to the servers. Not so here. He explained that it's shared among the servers, bar, and other staff, with only a bit retained by management, but even that finds its way into their wages. Terrific work environment and happy to see it. It definitely shows in the level of service. But we're here to eat. Didn't take a picture, but one of my dining companions ordered the burrito with red chili sauce and it was very good. Just the right amount of heat in the sauce. The Cantina celebrates Taco Tuesday, so I took advantage of this. You get the opportunity to try 5 different street tacos for the low price of $15. For another $4 you order it fully loaded which is a steal (guac, pickled onions, lettuce, giardano, crema, and another lovely sauce). Each of the tacos were really delicious and packed full of flavor. I especially enjoyed the cauliflower and the beef. Was surprised how much I liked the popcorn chicken - still juicy and not greasy in the least. Andrew treated us to a round of the hatch green chili. I was delighted because it was a dish I wanted to try. He described it perfectly: a little kick, but you can't stop eating it. He was right. A bowl of this in the winter with their cornbread (which I'm confident will be delicious) will preempt a winter cold. The sauces on the table are not to be ignored either. The green chili sauce was fruity with a little heat, the scorpion chili brings the heat, but their homemade chili oil is phenomenal. I could put this on everything. In short, the Cantina delivers. Excellent food, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and fun staff, and a cool vibe. I'll bet the cocktails will also be good. Definitely adding to the regular rotation!

    Food and presentation is meh. The neighborhood is absolutely…read moredreadful, and they tack on an automatic 20% "service charge" with or without good service giving you no choice to decide whether or not the service warrants the charge. I own an e-commerce company, just like Amazon, and could you imagine your Amazon order having a 20% "service charge" to help offset labor costs. This is becoming a trend and I'm avoiding eateries that do this.

    Photos
    Happy hour
    Happy hour
    Hatch Cantina
    Interior (4/8/23)

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    Interior (4/8/23)

    Taco El Lago - mexican - Updated June 2026

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