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Tacos Al Pastor

4.6 (53 reviews)
Closed 6:30 pm - 11:00 PM

Tacos Al Pastor Pop-Up Restaurants Restaurant Photos

TACOS AL PASTOR ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Trendy
Good for groups
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Tacos Al Pastor

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Zack W.

The Al pastor was fresh and had good flavor. Good sized burrito, rice and beans were good, onions, cilantro, cheese. $12 seemed like a reasonable price. They don't accept credit card though.

a man preparing food
Brandon L.

I ordered 12 tacos and almost all were amazing. The buche was cooked well and the texture was on point. The suadero was really tender and moist. The flavor was rich and perfectly seasoned The al pastor had a really unique and great taste. I love it when places put their own spin on the marinade. It was perfectly cooked and thinly sliced off the trompo. The outside was crispy and the inside was still moist. Definitely one of my favorites. The lengua was a little overcooked for my liking. It still had held its shape, but I like when it has a little chew to it. That said, unlike other places, it definitely absorbed a lot of flavor from the pan. The cabeza was on the mushy tender side. Also perfectly seasoned. The asada had a really nice smokiness from the charcoal grill, but the meat quality poor and was really chewy. Service is nice. The tacos here are as good as many of the better LA/SD taco spots and significantly better than any taco spot in the bay (even Oakland). It was worth the 35m wait in line and I'll definitely come back! Pretty much on par with la Better than all bay Asada chewy

"Menu"
Albert T.

This is a food stand outside of the Target that I'm not sure actually has a name. It's brightly lit and hard to miss but there's no banner displaying the name. If you navigate to it via Google Maps, they actually send you to a random building across the street, so be aware of that. They don't really have a menu or any pricing displayed. There's a banner that's tucked under the tent which the cashier stands in front of it to give you an idea of what they serve, but essentially you can ask for all the regular items that you'd find at a taco shop and they probably can make it for you - tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tortas, bowls, etc. Tacos Al Pastor ($3) - Very simple - they shave off a bunch of the pastor off the trompo and flat top it for extra crispness and char flavor. The meat goes right onto corn tortillas heated up on the same flat top. A slice of pineapple is then added on top as a finishing touch. The pork is delicious - well seasoned, moist, crisp, and smoky. They don't garnish the taco with anything - instead, the rest of the stand is basically a salsa and condiment bar - grilled onions and jalapenos, lime wedges, cilantro, onion, cucumber, pickled peppers and red onion, and three types of salsa. The creamy avocado salsa has a very small kick, barely perceptible if you have a normal heat tolerance, and then a more spicy green one, and a presumably even hotter red one. All are serve yourself, so you can add as much as you want. The plate is your limit. (5/5) Burrito Al Pastor ($12) - We shared 4x tacos but were still hungry afterwards, so we got a burrito next. I love how they build it right in front of you, making sure that you're okay with all the ingredients inside. First they fry cheese on the flat top to crisp it up, then smother the flour tortilla over it. They then shave off a bunch of the pastor and flat top it for extra crispness and char flavor. They put rice and beans in the burrito, then the pork, then cilantro and onion, and finally everything gets rolled up. They add so much cheese that it starts oozing out and almost melding to the aluminum foil wrapping up the burrito. It all works so well together, making a delicious treat. The weakest part of the burrito is the beans - they're aren't very tender and don't seem to be seasoned very well. But it's such a small part of the burrito in the first place, so the weakest link can be overlooked. (4/5) I did see someone get tacos keto-style, that is instead of the tortilla, the chef instead melts and crisps up circles of cheese to use as a base. I'm not sure how to order this, but it seems like they are very willing to accommodate. They also have a small selection of aguas frescas. There is no seating or bathrooms (come on, it's a pop up, what do you expect) and most people eat in their cars. I definitely recommend stopping by and giving this food stand a try! Freshly cooked delicious food. This is probably the best Mexican food you can get until you hit LA.

Burrito with beef, lettuce, onions, tomato, beans, and rice

This is, hands down, the best Mexican I've ever had and I'm including Mexican restaurants in that. They don't skimp on the portion sizes, you'll definitely get enough food, but bear in mind a burrito is like $15 or $16 and a taco is like $4 or $5. A drink is like $5 or $6. So yeah the costs can add up fast. I recommend everyone try this place at least once, though.

Just like home..
Michael R.

Okay, I'm going to start off by saying that these are NOT the best tacos I have ever had, they are NOT the best tacos north of the border, and they are NOT the best tacos within 100 miles. I mean, come on, LA is only 65 miles away, so let's not kid ourselves. However, what this place does have is the best tacos in Ventura County by far! Oxnard really disappoints me with so many stands, restaurants, and trucks selling Mexican food. Why are they all mediocre? I mean, really. It is just a big letdown when it comes to tacos in general. The only place I truly enjoy for its authenticity is Carnitas El Rey, but that is only for Carnitas, nothing else. Now, on to the actual review of this place. I'm pretty sure that "Tacos Al Pastor" is not their official name, but it's okay. I don't mind it. It's kind of catchy. The pastor itself is good, like close-to-Mexico good. Personally, I like it a bit more crispy and with a thicker cut, and they are happy to oblige if you ask. The Asada is very good, not great, but better than all of the boiled meat in Oxnard taco trucks! I love that they grill it right there and then, and if you ask nicely, they will even give you a freshly grilled piece. The other meats they have are: Cabeza Lengua Tripas Suadero At least these are the ones I know of. I think they also have sesos, but I'm not about that life. The entrees you can order here are: Tacos (obviously) Burritos (massive, and I really mean massive!) Mulas Quesadillas Tortas Personally, I stick with the Tacos and Mulas. Quesadillas are way too big, and I like the tortillas they use for the tacos better. They are actually made of real corn, not like the terrible white, processed tortillas that most taco trucks around here use. Now, if you just want to order your food, pay, and go, then cool, go right ahead. However, I like to eat there. It's much fresher and much better tasting. I normally stand in line the first time, and then when I want more, I just go up to the guys and ask for another. It's not cutting in line anymore if you know the proper taco-eating etiquette. The people are used to this type of ordering, and they allow you to pay after you are done. They don't really keep track of what you eat. It's kind of on the honor system, just like in Mexico. The accompaniments are all laid out very well, and the best part of all is that their salsas do not suck! This is a big deal for me because nothing can ruin a taco faster than a crappy salsa. It would be great if they could reorganize, though. The cilantro and onions are right by the cashier, and it makes it hard to get to when you have to wait for all of the people who don't know how to pay. They accept cash and Zelle, and for the love of God, if you don't know how to use Zelle, either learn beforehand or bring cash. Stop holding up the line! Anyways, I asked the guy, and they are there from Monday to Sunday, from 5:30 PM to midnight. However, they are not on a strict schedule. Sometimes they are not ready until 6:30 PM. It's a taco stand, and they have to set everything up, so don't show up being a Ken or a Karen and expect timeliness. I think I have visited them about six times now, and it has definitely satisfied my craving for real tacos. Like I stated in the beginning, they are not the best tacos you will ever have. If they are, then I feel sorry for you. But they are the best you can get in the VC.

Al pastor tacos
Michael H.

A million stars if I could. This is the most authentic taco experience I've ever had outside of Mexico. Seriously the best tacos within 200 miles. Quite possibly the best Al pastor tacos I've ever had in my life, and I try pastor tacos at every taco spot I can find. The ordering process can be a little confusing if you've never been to a Mexican taco stand. You order, they cut your meat and make your tacos, and you pay. Then you get your salsas and whatever else you want on your tacos. They don't take credit cards but they do take Zelle. $2.50 a taco is a better deal than any taco place I've been to in years and the quality of the meat and seasoning is out of this world. The char on the meat is so perfect and pineapple is fresh and thin sliced by someone who clearly knows what they're doing. Go here. You won't regret it. Park in target lot opposite target, you can't miss it, long line, but it goes very fast. I'll revise this review if I ever find better tacos, but I highly doubt anything or anywhere else can compete. They're only open 5pm-10pm.

Ella K.

Best tacos and burritos ever. Super quick line and workers were accommodating and nice. Not too bad of a price for what you get.

Mikey C.

First there is a taco stand, then there is no taco stand, then there is. This is a Pop Up restaurant. It only exists from 5-10 pm. If you drive by this location during the day there's no evidence this place exists. But if you drive by at night you can't miss it. Located on E Main, in front of the Target. The restaurant is set up right on the sidewalk, not in the Target lot. Seems like most customers park in the Target lot, get their food, and then eat in or right outside their cars. You can't miss it, mostly because of the lights, but also because of the line. I got lucky tonight, rolling up at 9pm, there wasn't anyone in line. But many times I've driven by and seen lines 20 customers long here. This place is hella popular. Deservedly so. The Al Pastor is authentic AF. The tacos are only $2.50. Yeah, they have other meats besides Al Pastor, but I haven't tried them yet. They have burritos as well as tacos. After you get your tacos or burritos you move down the line of tables and add your own condiments. There have huge containers of lemon and lime wedges, sliced radishes, cucumber slices, cilantro, chopped raw onions, grilled onions, and pico de gallo. There are also three different salsa choices. Serving up aguas frescas too. No doubt about it, I'm gonna be a regular here. The tacos are inexpensive, delicious and about three minutes from my house. LOL Mikey C says: Oh Juanita, oh Juanita, oh Juanita, I call your name

Pastor spit
Kevin R.

Best Pastor I've had in California!! If you love Pastor, this is the spot. The asada was also incredible. Great assortment of sauces, friendly people running it. I'm coming here weekly.

Asada tacos!

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1 month ago

Delicious! Al pastor is the best. Quick friendly service and reasonable prices. If there is a line, it's worth the wait.

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10 months ago

Food is AMAZING!!! Very quick and very nice people. Little pop up but absolutely worth stopping!!!

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1 year ago

This is what u Call Greatnees food...Dam is that Dam Gooood....This is spot.there taco of pastor wow ..

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2 years ago

Best Mexican food I've ever had! I go here 2-3 times a week! Burritos and tacos are my go to.

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2 years ago

I'm a fat kid and I love to eat. They make some of the best pastor burritos I've ever had.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Go. Just go. You won't be disappointed. So delicious. Al pastor tacos, asada quesadilla.. every time- so good!

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2 years ago

Best tacos in ventura, this place is so affordable and so authentic it's such a hidden gem.

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2 years ago

Brisket burritos and Al pastor tacos. You won't find that in this area done so well. Also, their salsas are fantastic.

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal. Unreal.

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Ask the Community - Tacos Al Pastor

Can someone please confirm if they are still in front of Target or if they moved? I have not seen them in a couple weeks as of July 2023?

They are but sometimes they don't get there until 6-7pm

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Review Highlights - Tacos Al Pastor

The asada had a really nice smokiness from the charcoal grill, but the meat quality poor and was really chewy.

Mentioned in 5 reviews

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Taqueria Cuernavaca Express - Regular asada tacos on homemade corn tortillas

Taqueria Cuernavaca Express

4.7(146 reviews)
3.4 mi

This is one of the newer Cuernavacas, after the initial location on the Avenue and one in Oxnard,…read morewhere Marshalls and Daiso are located. I've eaten at 3 of their locations, and perhaps this location may be slightly more geared to 'gringo' tastes. I had their breakfast burrito, and unlike most other tacquerias, they give you a lot of nice melted cheese. The beans didn't taste as salty or flavorful as some other taco places. But overall, very satisfying, just didn't have that fully tacqueria taste. I have really enjoyed their veggie Papas and rajas tacos at the Avenue location. This may be the best tacqueria for vegetarians, more options. Staff here tends to be younger (college ages), and generally very friendly. I actually sometimes just stop in for their Horchata. It's not homemade (as that is a very difficult drink to make!) but I find it satisfying. In general all the prices here are reasonable, less than some other places that are charging 15-17 for burritos. This is a strong recommendation if you are downtown and craving casual Mexican eats!

I blame my friends, Erica and Melissa, for introducing me to Taqueria Cuernavaca because I crave…read moretheir tacos a lot. Love this place. They serve really good food. Prior to me becoming a pescatarian I tried their birria tacos and loved them. Since becoming a pescatarian my go to taco is always their spicy shrimp taco. Flavors are delicious. My husband gets their papas con rajas taco and also craves it. We sometimes go out of our way to go get tacos from here because we love them that much. This location has outdoor and indoor seating. It is in downtown so you would need to park in near by parking lots or street and walk. Overall, we have enjoyed it and will continue coming here.

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Taqueria Cuernavaca Express
Taqueria Cuernavaca Express - STEAK BURRITO

STEAK BURRITO

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Taqueria Cuernavaca

Taqueria Cuernavaca

4.4(580 reviews)
4.1 mi
$$

We were honestly so pleasantly surprised by Taqueria Cuernavaca!…read more We're from San Diego, so we don't take Mexican food lightly--we're pretty spoiled when it comes to quality and flavor. But this spot completely exceeded our expectations. We ordered delivery, and even then, everything arrived fresh, well-packaged, and still absolutely delicious--which says a lot. The food was incredibly flavorful without being heavy or greasy (something that's hard to find). You could really taste the freshness in the ingredients, and every dish felt well-balanced and thoughtfully made. This is one of those places you don't necessarily expect to be that good, and then it totally delivers. We'll definitely be ordering again next time we're in Ventura!

Taqueria Cuernavaca is one of those neighborhood spots you're grateful to have nearby. Located…read moreright on the Avenue, it's easy, comforting, and consistently good. For me, one of the best indicators that the food is going to be amazing is when there are dish photos on the menu. That alone sets the tone. The fresh salsa bar is a standout, and yes, they have Mexican Coke and cervezas. On weekends, don't miss the white pozole with crunchy rolled taquitos filled with ricotta-style queso and all the fresh fixings. Add that chili oil and thank me later. I also love their tacos, especially the veggie ones. I'm not vegetarian, but they're that good. The ambiance is casual and welcoming. Clean, bright, and no-frills in the best way. It feels like a true neighborhood taquería where you can come as you are, whether you're grabbing a quick bite or sitting down to enjoy your meal. I recently learned this is their first location, which makes it even better. It's family-owned, now with four locations across Santa Barbara, Oxnard, and Ventura County, yet it still feels grounded and local. You can dine in, take out, or order delivery. The place is spotless, service is quick, and the staff is genuinely kind. A solid go-to for quality Mexican food that hits every time.

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Taqueria Cuernavaca
Taqueria Cuernavaca - Soooo good .. asada to go !

Soooo good .. asada to go !

Taqueria Cuernavaca

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Spencer Makenzie's Fish - Awesome Tempura Fish Taco

Spencer Makenzie's Fish

4.0(2.4k reviews)
3.2 mi
$$

This place might feel like a hole-in-the-wall, but it's right in the heart of Ventura -- and it…read moreabsolutely delivers. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was welcoming. Great bar setup, relaxed atmosphere, and a fun, lively environment without feeling overwhelming. The service was super friendly -- the kind of place where you immediately feel comfortable. Now the food... excellent across the board. The fish and chips were battered perfectly -- light, crispy, and packed with flavor. Not greasy, just done right. My son ordered the carne asada tacos and couldn't stop talking about how good they were. He loved the seasoning and the flavor. I had the ahi burger, and it was cooked perfectly -- great texture, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. My wife ordered the original fish tacos, and they were outstanding. Fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and great quality overall. One thing we really appreciated was the three different house sauces they offer. Each one was excellent and totally changes the experience depending on your palate. Whether you like something sweet, spicy, or slightly tangy to balance everything out, they've got you covered. It's a nice touch that lets everyone customize their meal. You can really taste the freshness in everything. It's a great family-friendly spot but also perfect if you just want to hang out at the bar and enjoy good food and good vibes. We had an awesome time and will definitely be back.

I saw the reviews and thought this place was a "must try." Unfortunately, I was not impressed at…read moreall. My clam chowder tasted like bacon, overwhelmingly so. I could not taste anything else but that. Now don't get me wrong; I love bacon. However, here it was simply too overpowering making it not taste like clam chowder. I also had grilled fish tacos. Looking at them and eating them, I was concerned that they were not grilled at all. You can tell when fish has been grilled; there should be signs on the fish but they were not here. Unfortunately, it is not a place I will go back to. Clam chowder is one of my favorites and there are many other places around with better chowder.

Photos
Spencer Makenzie's Fish - Inside pic #1

Inside pic #1

Spencer Makenzie's Fish - Tempura Fish and Chips

Tempura Fish and Chips

Spencer Makenzie's Fish - Carne Asada  Street Tacos

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Mothers

Mothers

3.8(377 reviews)
2.8 mi
$$

My wife and I were honestly hesitant to try a newer modern Mexican spot in Ventura since we usually…read morestick to our favorite hole-in-the-wall places (Los Comales). Glad we gave Mother's Tacos a shot because we were pleasantly surprised. The food and drinks were both really good. The chicken mole was excellent, and the torta was a total hit. Even our 5-year-old loved it, which always says a lot. What stood out most though was our server, Cesar. He was fantastic from start to finish. Every recommendation he gave us was on point(including his surprise tequila recommendation), and he treated us with the kind of confidence and professionalism you'd expect from someone with years of hospitality experience. Dudes got old school server vibes that's rarely seen anymore! Super welcoming, attentive, and genuinely made the whole experience better. The decor is great, the vibe is cool, and because of Cesar we'll definitely be back.

Let's start with the good, the ambiance was nice, bathroom was clean and staff was wonderful. I…read morewent for my husband bday which was also on their 1 year anniversary. I'm not sure it my visit took a turn because it was the anniversary or what but we got there around 2:30pm, the waiter told us the happy hour was from 3-6pm if we wanted wait. We left and came back at 3:15pm. I asked for the happy hour menu and the waitress told me that it didn't start till 6pm and the waiter who told me had gone home, long story short she honored the happy hour prices. Due to it being the anniversary the elote wasn't being served. I asked for more horchata which they said they were out of till later. When we got the food, most of it was over salted. The chicharróns and dirt papas were too salty to finish. Even adding the salsas didn't temper down the salt or added flavor or spice to the food. The asada taco was the best thing we had. We also got 2 churros. I feel like they were to thick an not done all of the way through. Also heard they had an Oreo churros for later that day too. I'll give it another try because I really wanted the all the Mother's smoke and am hoping what I experienced was a one time situation. We will have to see...

Photos
Mothers - Not sure this is a good omen...  at least the number is not 666 ;)

Not sure this is a good omen... at least the number is not 666 ;)

Mothers - Asada taco ribeye taco lengua taco

Asada taco ribeye taco lengua taco

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Ten Tigers - Fresh fries

Ten Tigers

4.7(93 reviews)
3.7 mi

Came on a Friday night and lovedddd the vibe. It was a perfect place for a date night and to meet…read moreup with friends for the holidays to catch up. Music not too loud and The fire pits and outside seating were dreamy and the drinks were so delicious and beautiful. Service was very friendly, they checked on us a few times and let us know when the kitchen was closing. We had the white tiger margarita, ventucky mule, and Jamaica margarita but with mezcal. All 3 were so flavorful and delicious and just the right amount of alcohol. I also ordered their fish tacos which were honestly perfect. Crispy, flavorful, fresh, no fishy taste. We will be back!

Hadn't visited in a while so it was nice to check out their happy hour. I love that this place is…read morestill a good meal & order at counter and seat yourself restaurant; makes it less formal while still offering great food and drink options. Especially with a toddler (IYKYK). We tried a couple of things and shared them. The fish tacos were better than I expected. Loved the kick of the chipotle sauce on them and the charred pineapple was a nice touch. The garlic shrimp had a nice bite. I wish the spinach and artichoke dip were a bit creamier. As it cooled down, it wasn't as smooth to spread on your chip but still good. And their beef tallow fries are always a must and delish! Service was so friendly! The woman who took our order made recommendations on the menu, was very sweet, and attentive. Servers walking around were also so nice and good about cleaning up unused plates. Great place for a quick, low stakes happy hour and dinner. Family friendly and beautiful setup.

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Ten Tigers - Beautiful indoor space

Beautiful indoor space

Ten Tigers - Cheesecake and they fortunately had a candle for us!

Cheesecake and they fortunately had a candle for us!

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Tacos Al Pastor - popuprestaurants - Updated May 2026

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