PRO: Quality ingredients. PRO: The food tastes good. CON: If you plan on enjoying both the sunshine and an ice cold cerveza or sangria - stop right now. Alcoholic beverages are only allowed inside Tacubaya, not on the patio. CON: Rude, distracted servers came within a hair of dumping hot refried beans and rice all over the two 6-month old babies at our table, then unceremoniously plunked down the various plates without asking who had what, leaving us to play an awkward shuffling game at our tiny table of 4 adults and 2 tinies. CON: Sullen cashier that took my order and relieved me of $35+ was reeking of that inexplicable bored-to-death attitude that Bay Area hipsters have down to a science. CON: $35+ for a small plate of enchiladas, a chile relleno, 2 agua frescas, and some chips? Jeebus pleebus lawd have mercy. I mean, I know it's 4th Street, and Tacubaya is a daughter restaurant to Dona Tomas, but sweet hell... All I can say is this visit brought out the cranky old lady in me, and I don't want to repeat the experience anytime again soon. read more

Two Tacos and Beer Weekday Special? Hell yes! OMG the chicken tacos were amazing crunchy, fried, chickeny tasty goodness. OOOO The fried plantain tostada? Killer. Glad I found this little restaurant. Next time I get tired from digging through crate and barrel outlet, I will high tail it to this tasty spot. 4 stars! read more

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUIZ: Tacubaya is: a) Nothing more than sustenance after enduring Fourth Street shopping b) Mediocre Mexican food at best c) Lame for only having a half-assed liquor license (indoors only) d) All of the above The Sopa de Chorizo y Papas resembles: a) A deadly hockey puck b) A bloat-inducing salt lick c) A nice effort, but meh......not so much d) All of the above The Taco al Pastor is: a) Probably the best thing on the menu b) Decent, but still better elsewhere c) Best eaten at a busy food stall in Tijuana......double-fisted (taco in one hand and a cerveza in the other) d) All of the above Answers: If you answered "d" to all of the above, well no shit, Sherlock. Aren't you an astute son of a bitch? A gold star for you. read more

Been coming here for years and still like it. Food is good but we come here as its less expensive than the other fancy places to eat nearby and we can always get a seat. The chili relleno was deep fried in a crunchy batter and it didn't work but I like the idea. The lenqua tacos were good and the meat was delicious. The vegetarian tamale was unique and delicious. read more

Waited 40 minutes for the food. First was given a number and told that they would bring the food to my table outside. After twenty minutes went back to check, was told they would announce the number. Went back a couple of times more, no announcement, no food. The place didn't seem busy (it was about 2:45 pm when we got the food). Finally god the food which was very mediocre. Tiny portion of salsa for the chips, overcooked chicken in the tacos, unfriendly staff. Avoid. read more

This is our go-to eatery when we have to be on 4th Street to browse the Crate and Barrel outlet for a piece of furniture that I'm hunting for. (God forbid I pay full price for anything) Or if we're bored and it's a nice weekend day and we're in the mood for that hour long game of "find a parking spot" and some yuppie watching. You can check out the latest strollers that cost more than my first car and the over-sized dog exhibit in front of Peets is always interesting. We always order the Chilaquiles, the breakfast torta (my personal favorite) and the chile relleno. Over the years, we've tried most items on the menu and we have found these 3 items to be the tastiest and deliver the most bang for our buck. Oh and they serve blue bottle coffee brewed to order - can't beat that. read more

Whenever I'm doing my clinical training at the nearby Kaiser Berkeley reference lab I find myself "forgetting" to cook or make lunch as I want to try out the various restaurants that line nearby 4th street, even if I have to prioritize other items on my budget to do so. If I have to spend 17 weeks doing training and doing my end-of-rotation exams here, I might as well take the time to explore this cute shopping district. I come from San Diego, the area where the Mexican-style taco is done *very* well (Tacos El Gordo and TJ's Oyster Bar). Being far away from home I appreciate that I can still enjoy a taste of what I left behind, even if I have to pay a little more. A two taco plate is enough to fill me up without overstuffing. Each taco is $3.75 and the tortilla tastes like it's freshly made - I think they make the corn tortilla to order. The tortilla is thicker and more starchy than what I'm used to back home, but the advantage is that the tortilla holds up the taco quite well. I've never had the contents of the taco fall apart on me. I tried four of their tacos and so far all of them have been delicious. My only con is that I didn't see a condiment bar for their salsas, though I don't know if this is a SoCal thing. Apparently salsa costs extra. 1. Taco de Asada: grilled Niman Ranch beef, salsa roja, onions, cilantro. One of their most popular tacos with the much of the flavor coming from the salsa roja. Though delicious any Mexican taqueria that wants to be taken seriously should know how to do an asada taco correctly. 2. Taco al Pastor: spit-roasted Niman ranch pork, adobo marinade, avocado salsa. Another popular taco, considered their "signature" taco. Unlike the asada taco much of the flavor of the taco is derived from the meat. The meat is unlike anything I've tasted for a Mexican-style taco and is more akin to gyro/shawarma/döner in Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine due to the meat being grilled on a spit. The avocado actually competes with the meat flavor. 3. Taco de Lengua: Niman Ranch beef tongue, tomatillo salsa. This is my favorite taco of the four purely because of the texture of the beef, so tender that it just falls apart quite easily should you slice a piece open. Tomatillo salsa does not add much to the meat and I could easily do without the salsa. 4. Taco de Pescado: battered & fried pollock, chile arbol aioli, shredded cabbage, cilantro. This is actually one of the 'lightest' fish tacos I've had even with the crunchy batter and the aioli sauce. This is much better than your standard Rubio's taco and is comparable and even lighter than than the fish tacos from my go-to fish taco place back home. Given a standard 30-minute lunch break if I don't come here around peak lunch times (~11-12:30ish) I'll have enough time to walk from the lab, order, eat my taco and walk back. This is also usually my celebratory lunch/dinner when I pass my rotational exams. read more

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As always paying more money than it would cost to make on my own irks the bejeezus out of me. It was good but dammit, why is the mark-up on Mexi-food so high? Do they think folks don't know any better? Well the non-Latin folks probably don't. I'll just make all these dishes at home for cheaper and grub out on dope ass homemade Mexi-dishes. I do have 90% of all the ingredients in my fridge anyway. Go Mexi-me!!! read more

When getting caught up with the masses along 4th street shopping, there's nothing quite like a quick stop over at Tacubaya for taco, some chip and salsa and a beer. Open, airy and a friend to the sun, Tacubaya feels like the colorful cafeteria Frida's Mexican-American cousin (albeit well-off cousin) opened up as a homage to her inspirational cuz. Despite its lack of affiliation to anything Frida, Tacubaya feels perfect for lunch. When you're hanging out in this often sunny part of Berkeley, perhaps because something about homewares really inspires your inner housewife like it does mine, Tacubaya offers a solid selection of gourmet Mexican bites. Punto final! read more

I've eaten here a good handful of times and have always been impressed with the quality of the food. I usually get breakfast here, and my faves are the chilaquiles, the huevos divorciados, and the breakfast torta. Their cafe de olla is also amazing; it's a giant bowl of coffee that's spiced with a big ol' cinnamon stick. Mmmm. Reviewers who complain about the prices are certainly not taking the quality of the ingredients or the ambiance of the restaurant (large, clean, bright, and colorful) into consideration. This is not your traditional hole-in-the wall mexican joint. This is berkeley, fourth street to be exact, so it's considerably more bourgois. The idea should make me cringe, but the food is good enough to make me ignore the rich hippie/how-berkeley-can-you-be scene outside. read more

If I were elected President of a very different world, the first law I would enact is one that requires there to be Tacubayas on every corner of every block of every street in every city. My administration would throw out the Starbucks or McDonald's of the world and replace them each with a Tacubaya. This is something where prevalence would actually be appreciated! Tacubaya is so damn good that I felt inspired to write a review of it because- if I could have anything in the world right now- it would be one of their tacos. They're so perfectly filled and seasoned... never too much or too little of one thing. And the fish taco is OutRaGEoUs! The battered fish is very moist, the slaw is perfectly crunchy and tangy, and the mayo inside has just the right spicy kick. I have never eaten ANYTHING less than fabulous here. I also just love the idea of Tacubaya... it's low maintenance without the grime of a low maintenance taqueria. You actually feel like you're getting an authentic product without the threat of food poisoning! It's not the commitment of a full-on meal out, yet it is much nicer than swinging by a deli. Plus- the environment is laid back... you could come here alone or with friends. Sadly, at times it can be too crowded for my taste, but I blame no one. I'd camp outside and eat here for every meal if I could. The only real complaint if you're the type to complain about these things is that -as a pretty girl- if you eat here alone, you will probably make some new friends. Yes, the staff is very "friendly" to pretty girls. Absolutely nothing that could fall under the category of harassment, but it does feel a little weird to be stared and winked at as you're scarfing down fish tacos... Nothing pretty about that, people! read more

I absolutely love their Torta de Jamon! It's the perfect breakfast crafted into an all-in-one sandwich. The torta is composed a smoky piece of ham, a fried egg, a slice of cheese, and grilled poblano chiles. The bread is so soft and you can tell they baked it that morning. All the flavors and textures blend together beautifully and it satisfies my hunger. Just the right amount. Top it with a Mexican hot chocolate - the way they're supposed to made - and you seriously have the PERFECT breakfast. read more

Love the food! Favorites include the vegetarian tostada, chile rejenllo, and ensalada de primavera. They make excellent guacamole. Great side dishes are vegetarian pureed black beans and potato and cheese fritters. We like to mix the strawberry and lemon agua frescas. And, service is very fast and free parking and lots of it! read more

I really like the chicken tacos here. I know they get knocked a lot on yelp, but I think they're yummy. I enjoy their simplicity: Just a crispy taco shell with some chicken and cheese. It comes with pickled veggies. The only other thing I've had here is the tortilla soup, which was too greasy for me. I was comparing it to all the excellent tortilla soup I had in mexico City, and it didn't come close. This is a great place to get a quick lunch or snack when you're shopping on 4th street. read more

I tried the tortilla soup, fish taco, al pastor taco, the guacamole and some kind of tamale. Everything tasted really fresh and not greasy but my favorites were the tortilla soup and the fish taco. The restaurant is very colorful. read more

A tad expensive for "order from the counter" food in my opinion, but excellent quality none the less. You can watch as they make the tortillas all day long and all the ingredients have that fresh, high quality aspect that makes the meal all that more enjoyable. Being lactose intollerant my only complaint is that many of their dishes simply aren't the same without the cheese and/or cream they put on top. read more

I have a love-hate relationship with anything on 4th Street...I worked here for many years and remember when it was a funky, cool area with homes, raised lettuce bed gardens, and 1 restaurant...so, my perspective is somewhat skewed, but here goes: I like Tacubaya despite the intense Yup-factor, the hordes of shoppers from "The Other Side of the Tunnel", and the pricey small servings. The agua frescas are always good, and there are usually 2 or 3 kinds to try, as well as horchata. They are not too sweet, and really retain the flavor of the fruit. The choices for vegetarians are really great. I especially like the quesdadillas with kabocha squash, cheese, onions and the sauce which is made of ground nuts and has pomegranate seeds on top.Pretty to look at and yummy to eat. Another staple of mine is the chile relleno - stuffed mild chile with goat cheese, and different seasonal vegetables, not too heavy of a batter. It fills me up, doesn't feel like a gut-bomb (like the traditional ones often make me feel), and it is fresh-tasting to boot! When I am being a decadent mom, I have, on occasion, allowed the boys to play hooky from school and we get the cinnamon churros and the Mexican hot chocolate...what's not to like?? Oh- and if my Yelp pal, Dan B. is reading this: A South of the Border Donut Heaven...you'll know what I mean. They have great breakfast items (eggs, beans, all sorts of good juice and coffee), so it is an easy way to begin the day. Lunch time is packed and the wait in line is not too bad. A solid choice. My only real caveat here is that it is perfect for small appetites, or just grabbing a "little somethin' to tide me over". My husband always wants lunch after we've eaten lunch here, and it is not inexpensive. Still, the quality is great, the folks who run the spot know their stuff. I like it and will return. The patio is great for people and dog watching! read more

Tacubaya is in a class by itself, neither taco shop nor fine dining, so take with a grain of salt the reviews that complain about the price. The food here is consistently excellent, richly flavorful and original. We are regulars during the fleeting hours when the transcendent chilaquilles are available: fried triangles of tortilla, soaked in spicy and smoky guajillo sauce, crowned with scrambled eggs, onions, cilantro, and queso fresco. Where to even start on the rest of the menu? The pastor is fantastic, sweet with pineapple and heady with chile. The chiles rellanos are perhaps the best in the area, fried to perfection without being greasy and with rotating fillings that keep boredom at bay. I appreciate the dripped-to-order Blue Botle, but to tell the truth, the spice in the food doesn't agree with the coffee, so save it for dessert with the tasty churros or the tamal dulce. Is there a downside? Well, you will certainly have sticker shock if you go looking for the $1.99 taquito plate. And at one time, they had a guy on staff who didn't seem to get the concept that the liquid in cups and bowls was meant to remain in those places until carefully transferred to the mouths of diners. But I haven't seen him in a while, so you should be safe. read more

Great casual eatery with tasty offerings. Thursday 7p.m. dinner time with plenty of folks enjoying their meals. Luckily, there was no line at the order counter. My friend suggested tortilla soup and horchata. She also got a torta and a carne asada taco. Nice rich flavored soup. I'll look forward to another visit when I'm hangry. I was still full from the buffet lunch at Galeto Brazilian Steakhouse in Oakland! Staff were helpful and pleasant. read more

Pretty chill place. Great for group. It is like a pub, wine bar, cafe and Mexican cafeteria rolled into one. You can get alcohol, coffee (Cafe de Olla!) and quality food (although I could only speak for the Churros and Ceviche de Calamar I had), what more could you ask for? Love the open kitchen and vibrant color theme. Had a great time hanging out with my friends at this place. Would love to come here again and sample more of their dishes. read more

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Ceviche was good. The hard shell it came on was a little odd - I ended up breaking mine up and creating a ceviche salad. Just a note - they share a space with Vino - but it is not Vino! read more

Mexican cuisine, made with seasonal, local ingredients, is served in a large, high-ceilinged space with enormous wrought-iron chandeliers. The place is a fiesta of color, with bright red, shocking pink, and flaming orange walls This upscale taqueria offers an array of dishes with Niman Ranch meat, exceptional fish tacos - an item I usually avoid elsewhere - and hand-made corn tortillas. The sopa de tortilla is as thick as a stew, loaded with chicken, avocado, spinach, and melted chunks of cheese. The bland black beans are only slightly improved by a sprinkling of cotija cheese. A mini-market sells packaged chilies rellenos, guacamole, camote (a sweet potato side dish), a variety of house-made salsas, jars of pickled vegetables, and wooden and metal tortilla makers. read more

Tacubaya - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

When I read about this place I didn't really expect too much. Mom and Pops at home can whip out some of the most authentic Mexican cusine around, but when I saw the line coming out the door I thought I'd give it a shot. Holy mother of god these people have it going on! It was so good that I went Sunday for lunch, then came again at 11:30 on Monday. BOTH days the place was B U S Y! The food is fresh, the tortillas are home made, the ingredients are amazing! While the prices aren't cheap $3.50 for 1 taco. It is soooooooo worth the money. You have to try the Sope with chorrizo and potatoes, they are ammmmmmazing!!! We tried: Sope with chorrizo and potatoes- By far my favorite. Even my vegetarian sister had a bite and had a major case of food envy. Menudo- Delicious and not chewy. Guacamole- Really tasty and fresh Tacos al pastor- They add pineapple for a surprising burst of flavor Eggs and chorrizo- I didn't know eggs could be sooo fluffy. Beans- this was okay. it needed a little bit of salt. Horchata- Not so good. Skip this one. My only complaint is it is a little pricy and you order at the counter. Other than that I can't wait to go back for another taste. YUMMY!!!!! read more

Sometimes Tacubaya is so benign that it kills me. I suppose, mincing words, a kinder way to describe Tacubaya would be "nice", à la Jake Barnes. The taqueria is... nice; it offers a surprisingly varied selection for a small-ish menu, the restaurant itself is clean, and food is served relatively quickly, even when the lines go almost out the door during some rushes. But as far as I have sampled, there is hardly any excitement within the menu, no reason to compulsively return for a taste of that somethin'-somethin' and just mere squeaks of greatness. And for me, oftentimes, in a world of countless opportunities to own any or a combination of all of the adjectives in our vast lexicon, "nice" is the greatest insult, the most searing kiss of death. If I had to recommend something, it is the fairly delicious tacos al pastor, featuring the taqueria's crowning accomplishment-- the delicious, soft, flavorful house-made tortillas-- and tasty tender and juicy pork in a deep sauce, with a side of pickled jalapenos and carrots. The pork is also used for the torta, which usually boasts dry-ish bread and two measly slices of avocado, so naturally I prefer the former hand-held application, which as far as I have tasted is that singular aforementioned squeak of greatness that Tacubaya musters. Avoid the the seriously anemic agua fresca and the devoid-of-flavor chilaquiles (such an easy item usually to prepare and one of my favorite comfort foods) like the plague. I'm still occasionally tempted by the call of the tacos at Tacubaya and quite eager to try the sweet offerings of hot chocolate and churros. I'm thinking surely Tacubaya wouldn't be able to muck up the simple perfection of the chocolate-cinnamon-fat pairing, but after going into the chilaquiles with the same assumption, I just don't know what to believe anymore. read more

I used to really like Tacubaya, but then they really used to be more flexible about their ordering policy - things like leaving cheese off the tops of beans, and so on - I'm not talking about something complicated like tamales which already have the cheese in the formed masa here! It was awesome that both my omnivorous sweetheart and I could eat here. I loved their tofu divorciados for brunch and the staff was always pleasant. Sadly now they flat-out refuse to leave cheese off of things, which is weird and irritating. Draconian ordering policies + only one vegan non-salad option for dinner = 1 star. Boooo. read more

The first place in Berkeley that I've found that brews BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE!!!! Besides the coffee, we only tried the chips and guacamole. The guac dip was good...very lemony and the chips were freshly fried (though kinda pricey for just chips and dip). Must come back to try their other items....or come back just to get Blue Bottle. read more

When it comes to Mexican food, I am extremely picky. I am 100% pure Mexican, so I know the real thing and that is what I want in a Mexican restaurant. In my 10 years living in California I never found one that appealed, the recipes and ingredients are always so Americanized, but then I found Tacubaya! This is by far the most authentic and "close to home" restaurant for me. From my favorite Tacos al Pastor, to the Cafe de Hoya (coffee brewed with spices), the hot chocolate and churros, the fresh made tortillas, the Coca-Cola in a glass bottle (it's the best) and most of all, the tell-tale sign of an authentic Mexican restaurant: The avocado and tomatillo salsa they put on top of the tacos. DElicious! I take trips to Berkeley just to eat there, and feel like I am back in Mexico at my local Taqueria or having lunch at my grandma's place. Highly recommended :) read more

Food quality at Tacubaya has deteriorated sharply since they moved next door to their old place. I ought to know because I have been a patron for years. They now have a full bar license so apparently don't give a hoot about the food anymore. Price INCREASE accompanies the decline in the food quality. read more

No, it's not the most relaxing venue to enjoy your meal... going there in the late afternoon around 4pm, the place still had a big line of people waiting to order. Then you order, get your drinks and a number for your food order, find an available table and seat yourself. However, on this particular day when I was exhausted from being on the road for 1.5 hrs and walking for 2 hours, and completely starving and in dire need of some meat and carbs without spending too much or feeling awkward dining alone in a full service restaurant or being in a shoddy taco joint somewhere being stared by random dudes, this place was just right. And surprisingly good! I ordered an iced tea, chips and salsa, taco al pastor and taco de pescado. Chips and salsa came with two kinds of salsa, one with tomatoes with a hint of cucumber, and another tomatillos. They were both interesting, refreshing and well flavored without being blatantly spicy. Taco al Pastor is to die for. I sat by the counter overlooking the guys here cube up these big chunks of roasted and marinaded pork, totally mesmerized and that's what was in this taco : ) with avocado salsa. For those who are not too into spicy foods, this one isn't spicy at all! More sweet and juicy, kind of like hawaiian ribs but a different part of pork. Taco de Pescado was also excellent. Battered and fried snapper with arbol chili aioli, some shredded cabbage and cilantro. Warm, crispy pn the outside, fluffy on the inside, but not overly greasy. Again, not super spicy... just about right to my taste. I also liked the fact that I could see a guy take balls of tortilla dough, put them through a wooden tortilla press in front of my eyes (note: but you have to be sitting at the counter to see this), and toss the fresh tortillas on the hot metal plate. You get two tortillas per taco, which sometimes can be too much dough depending on which restaurant you go to, but I've come to learn that this is generally something that I can appreciate as sometimes you get so much stuff inside a taco, that the tortilla will fall apart if it were just one layer of it. This happens to me often at Sausalito Taco in my neighborhood, which I like, but always end up making a mess. But not here at Tacubaya! : D And honestly, yes, it's fancy for a taco shop, and yes, it's considered pricey for a taco shop... and yes, you have to pay for your salsa and chips too. But compared to other venues on 4th street and the quality of food you can expect (HELLO, what Mexican restaurant uses Niman Ranch pork and beef?)? I thought the price was totally fair. I'm taking my husband back here next time we both are in Berkeley. read more

I want to start off by saying the food was tasty, the service fine, and the prices not totally unreasonable for the area. Unfortunately this was my first visit and they did something I think is really unacceptable. I asked the cashier about the spice level of the Tuna Ceviche, she said it was medium spicy. So I explained that I can't do spicy, I love the taste but due to a medical condition it causes extreme pain for me to eat it. She informed me that they could remove the jalapeños and it wouldn't be spicy anymore. So I ordered it. I get home and I take a single bite. It really was tasty but it hurt SOO much. I'm sure it was considered only slightly spicy, but I needed NOT spicy and I made it very clear that i couldn't handle spicy. I said it several times. And now I spent a lot of money on something that causes me extreme pain. And I've tried to eat it because it tastes good and I don't have a lot of money to spend so frivolously, but after doing the whole one giant chip-one tiny bite of ceviche- plus beans and sour cream, I still couldn't eat more then 1/4 of it. So all I will say is beware! If you can't do spicy, don't trust this place at face value. I don't necessarily blame the cashier because she asked a cook if it could be done mild(without the spice)and they said yes. But to me this totally sucked and sorta screwed me out of dinner and $10+ Update: Someone left me a comment saying I shouldn't have left a bad rating, but they didn't understand the review I left(I'm assuming they didn't read it throughly). I was told by the cashier that the item was medium spicy when ordered normally, but that they could remove all of the spicy by removing the jalapeños and that it'd be totally fine, so I ended up buying it. I spent $14 on ceviche that I couldn't eat. I really try not to penalize a place unfairly and I'm one of the few people who give 2 stars instead of just 1 when they are upset. If I hadn't asked the cashier and gotten something too spicy I wouldn't have rated badly at all.. because it's my fault. I've got the condition so it's on me to check. I did check and was misled. That's why to me, this place doesn't deserve a better rating.. I think it's important when someone says they have a medical condition, as a cashier if you're unsure, ask the kitchen! It wasn't busy and I used to work in the industry. I believe this is unreasonable of the commenter to think it's my fault. read more

Best Mexican food I've had in the Bay Area outside the Mission. Be warned that this is not your typical Norcal taquería. That is, it doesn't have burritos (which are barely Mexican if Mexican at all, btw), doesn't have a salsa bar (which I regret), and has nonstandard (for Norcal) menu items. Don't let this fool you into thinking that Tacubaya isn't authentic, because my experience with Mexican food, which has been inhibited by my waspy background but expanded by my longtime residence in San Diego, trips to Mexico, and sheer love for the stuff, suggests that Tacubaya is much more authentic than the standard Bay Area Mexican fare. Therefore, reading through other Yelpers' reviews of this place makes me fairly frustrated at their incomprehension that they may have had the most genuinely Mexican meal of their lives here. Particularly recommended are any dishes involving pork, which Tacubaya and all Dona Tomas's other restaurants cook beautifully. Yelpers seem complain that the food here is bland, and I assume that the restaurant's intent is that you season the un-spicy dishes to taste with the provided array of hot sauces. This isn't a perfect restaurant, but I can definitively state that it is the best Mexican restaurant in Berkeley. read more

I was going to let it slide but this stomach ache will not stand! 1. no burrito, nada. none. 2. NOT a taco shop, try american fusion with a hint of mexico 3. was that Mayonnaise on the fish taco? 4. Tortilla tastes like rubber. read more

Mehhhh. Came here randomly while in search of food but wasn't that impressed unfortunately. The menu seemed lacking a little but there were some good options. We got some tacos and quesadillas but it could have had more flavor and kick for the price. It was delightfully mediocre at best. Service was ok but the woman at the register taking orders could have been a bit more friendly and smiled. Maybe we just came in on a bad day? read more

Tacubaya - Chicken taco - Mexican Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Homemade fresh tortillas, tasty salsas, juicy meat, crispy without being greasy chips... a very easy recommendation for a cute casual daytime date read more

Tacubaya is pretty delicious. It's not all that shocking though because it's the sister resto to Dona Tomas, which is also delicious. My tacos were good and everything but I think the carnitas torta is the way to go. It's stuffed to the brim with spicy, juicy pork. On the other hand, the handmade tortillas that they use for the tacos are awesome. They're slightly thicker than the tortillas I'm used to but in a good way. The horchata is good. It isn't as sweet as I've had it at other places. It is definitely chalky at the end but that didn't bother me. Bonus for having Blue Bottle coffee. I don't care if this place is for yuppies. I came for the food. I don't mind baby strollers if I get to eat great food. P.S. Service does kind of suck. The girl who took my order looked like she was on the verge of opening gunfire on everyone at the restaurant. Yikes. read more

I wish that I would have read the reviews before I went here. I thought it was the sister restaurant of Mijitas at the Ferry Plaza. It is not. I wanted a quick lunch and I was craving a bean tostada. I got the quick lunch but not the bean tostada.You know the one...loaded with beans,cheese, lettuce, guacamole and sour cream? The counter person told me that they could not make it although they clearly had everything on the line to make one. So I had the roasted plantain tostada which was my only option. I am not saying that it wasn't good...it was delicious. It had a spicy black bean paste under the plantains . The plantains were sweet like butternut squash. Very Peruvian! It was very small . I was still hungry afterward. It cost about 8 dollars. I may go back to try some of the recommendations here if I go shopping on 4th again. read more

Don't go here if your starving and wanting beans and rice with your entree. This place is great if you want a taco and beer and or margarita. Pay separately for everything including mushy pico and chips. Overpriced yet fast and friendly. read more

This place is a joke. Looking at the menu I noticed it was expensive, but you figure you are on 4th Street, so that's par for the course. Then I asked if I could get the enchiladas with just cheese instead of beef and cheese, and the cashier said no! EXCUSE me? You've got to be kidding. That points to only one thing- the enchiladas (and who knows what else) are made ahead of time. I'm sorry, but that is just unimaginable. You are a mexican restaurant in the bay area and you don't make enchiladas to order? Shame on you. I ended up getting a seasonal special, asparagus quesadillas. They were way too small for the price and nearly flavorless. My red rice was just as bland. My lunch mate got a tiny little taco, nothing special, and the flavor was pureed out of the black beans. The only redeeming item on the menu were the churros. But I'm not sure I'd want to support this place and their lame practices just for them. This place has a 4 star rating? Come on yelpers, get it together. read more

So sad. After moving to the big space, this is just a hella overpriced Mexican place. My tortilla soup arrived cold, bland and full of tortilla chips (versus the chunk of cheese, avocado and spinach it used to have.) The papas con crema were room temperature without the nice crispy crust, just greasy, soft and tasteless. Plus, the new space is cold and service seems to have gotten much worse. read more

Overpriced. Overrated. Over it. Well, the Taco al Pastor (pork) and Agua Fresca (kiwi) were delish ... I'll give it that. One of my goonies suggested that Tacubaya had the best Chile Rellenos, so I had to bring the wifey there. Even though I was starving I should of seen the red flags ... yuppy neighborhood with yuppy stores. This can't be authentic can it? I order the Torta w/ carne asada, a fish taco, a pork taco, a steak taco, and a Agua Fresca and I swear I wasn't high. The wifey ordered the Chile Rellenos while my friend ordered steak tacos, guacamole w/ chips and a Modelo. The total was around $45 but the taste was worth about $14.92 ... like Columbus when he pillaged the natives. The steak had a foul aftertaste. The fish taco was decent. Chile Rellenos looked tasty but lacked flavor. And for the price we pay we can't get some free chips!??!?! Straight up on some Columbus sh*t. Yeah, they might use organic products and Niman Ranch meat but if it don't taste good what's the use? . read more