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    Tamaleria Azteca

    4.4 (179 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Tamaleria Azteca Photos

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    Sarah K.

    Stopped by near closing time and got a bag of delicious tamales and salsa. Don't skip the salsa, it's the perfect compliment to these tamales and has a pleasant kick to it! The veggie tamales are vegan! There is a sign that vegetarian tamales are made without lard and the woman at the window confirmed! Some reviewers have noted that the veggie tamales are filled with frozen or canned veg mix - it's true but it's stewed in a flavorful red sauce so it's the most delicious version of veg-all you'll experience. Will be my go to for a quick and delicious dinner when I'm in north Oakland.

    Thiri T.

    Hole in the wall and right in front of the F bus stop is the perfect place for some tamales! I ordered the house special with a pork tamale and added on a cheese tamale, and I was super full. I couldn't finish half of the pork tamale. The tamales here are very hefty but delicious. I loved the cheese tamale because each bite was accompanied with sharp cheddar to balance with the fluffy masa. The beans also tasted very home cooked and the rice was very flavorful. I recommend getting the house special! However beware when you come that there is basically no seating. You can stand or sit on the chairs without tables. I recommend taking a stroll to temescal lake park to enjoy your tamales there!

    Ultima M.

    I finally made it here !! I had to drive around in circles before finally being able to find parking My persistence paid off. No private parking lot Street parking only This place is a TO GO spot only. No inside or outside eating Get your food and be gone kinda of a spot lol Let's start off with the pork tamale ..... comes with a salsa roja that was very good!! I always say if the salsa is good... 10 times out of 10 the food is good !! The tamale itself is really good doesn't really need any salsa but I personally have to put salsa on everything!! Tamales are $3.50 each or 3 for $10 Tamale was a decent size Meat was flavored very well and the masa itself was really good !! Masa is soft and almost creamy (in a good way) and flavorful (Masa was not grainy ) If you know you know !!! I also ordered 2 super tacos One of asada One of chicken Tacos come with cheese, sour cream, green salsa, onion and cilantro ( I of course added salsa roja on top of them) Tacos are ok..... Customer service is friendly and fast Credit cards are accepted I definitely want to come back and try other flavors of tamales I only tried the pork because that is all they had available at the time ....

    Cheese tamale plate
    Austin W.

    I finally had a chance to try out Tamaleria Aztecs yesterday after passing by it countless times over the years driving down Market Street. What a hidden gem! My wife and I got two cheese tamales, with one being a house special which included beans and rice, and cotija cheese and shredded lettuce over the tamale. The tamales here are honestly the best tamales that I've ever had. The masa is moist and flavorful, the cheese is evenly distributed inside the tamale, and the peppers inside give just the right amount of kick to not leave you wanting more hot sauce. Though the name of the restaurant would suggest otherwise, you can order tacos and burritos here as well, not just tamales. The Yelp information around cash only is incorrect - they definitely take card (and even have VISA and AMEX stickers on the window). Definitely would recommend stopping by if you're looking for great tamales.

    Big order options
    Monique S.

    You wouldn't even really know this place was here unless you've been here before or were walking on the street. And talk about a whole in the wall!! It's a literal order window! Heard about this spot from one of the field guys at my job and it definitely didn't disappoint. I order the house special with an extra tamale. They have different filling choices which is nice, they offer chicken, pork, cheese, veggie and corn. If you want something a little sweet I definitely recommend the corn tamale! I opted for two chicken and let me tell you......... the meat was tender, flavorful, the masa wasn't dry like a lot of other places. It comes with rice, beans and all the fixings on the tamales (lettuce, crema , queso fresco) Now this isn't a place to sit down and eat but they have an outdoor counter so that's were we enjoyed lunch today. And it was beautiful out so it made it that much better

    Chicken tamale
    Ali A.

    This place is exactly what I'm looking after biking around on a beautiful Saturday. It is probably what you think of when you hear the phrase hole in the wall. It's small and unassuming, you can only get the food to go, and you better be okay eating in/on your car or finding a bench somewhere (we used the bus stop bench). I had the three tamales for $10 (two chicken and one cheese). The flavors were great, the accompanying salsa in a bag was sketchy (in the sense that it was difficult to deal with on a small bench with a bunch of wind), but it added a nice touch to the food, and the overall vibe is something I can appreciate. It's cheap and delicious, definitely come through and try them out if you're craving tamales or would like to try them!

    Pork tamale
    Tiffany Y.

    I had a frozen tamale from TJ's once and decided that I wanted to try a fresh one. These ones were 10x better and i loved how they came out steaming hot! We tried eating in the car and it was even hard to hold, which made it so much more delicious. The price is good with 3 tamales for $10. We got the pork, chicken, and cheese. The chicken was a bit dry, but the pork was delicious. I wasn't expecting much from the cheese, but it turned out to have a lot of flavor and there was even a spicy pepper in there that blew me away. Definitely eat some with the bite of the tamale and not by itself (like I mistakenly did for my first bite!). I haven't ate many tamales to make much comparison, but I thought the food was fairly priced, the service was quick, the tamales were hot, and the ratio of meat was good! Would definitely come back if I'm ever craving again :)

    Chicken tamale
    Junior C.

    Chicken tamale Standard tamale but done really well 80/100 Corn tamale More sweet than I expected but the masa was so good Pleasant surprise 85/100

    "House special" (tamale [chicken], rice, and beans)
    Brittany K.

    I'm not quite sure I understand the hype. I will say the masa is *very* good. Great flavor and texture! The fillings, however, are really bland. The chicken and pork tamales have very colorful meat that looks heavily seasoned, but both are actually bland with a very watered-down flavor. The corn tamales have an excellent, sweet masa and pleasant flavor throughout, but I found them really dry and dense in the middle. The rice dry, and the beans were okay. 3 stars at best.

    Tamale with Beans, lettuce, and Spanish rice. Apparently it is the special today.

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    7 days ago

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    4 months ago

    Fluffy masa, great fillings, tasty mole'! My go to Xmas tamale meal. You will not be disappointed!

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    11 months ago

    The chicken burrito is a revelation. So, so tasty. The tamales are fine but the burrito is amazing

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    1 year ago

    Always great food and great service. They are super responsive via text. It's mostly a to go spot so not really about the ambiance.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Tamaleria Azteca

    Are the vegetarian tamales made with pork lard (manteca) in the masa?

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    Molcajete Cocina Mexicana - Guacamole

    Molcajete Cocina Mexicana

    3.8(758 reviews)
    2.6 miUptown
    $$

    This place was walkable for my work and was good so I went there a second time grab the food to go…read moreand decided to put the lettuce on top. That was a good move to do would come back if I'm back in Oakland visiting from Southern California California grid place to grab a bite.

    I'm honestly annoyed I spent money here. Molcajete Cocina Mexicana was a huge letdown from start to…read morefinish. The menudo was completely bland and tasted like it came straight out of a can definitely not fresh and absolutely not worth ordering. The chips and guacamole were just "okay," but even that's being generous since the chips were clearly old and stale. The steak nachos were the final straw. They were straight-up gross. I ordered steak nachos and somehow got nachos covered in rice, barely any meat (if any at all), and a laughably small portion for the price. On top of that, they were made with the same stale chips. For what they charge, this level of food quality is unacceptable. I won't be coming back. The server was rude and short didn't care to answer any questions. Sinceramente me molesta haber gastado dinero aquí. Molcajete Cocina Mexicana fue una gran decepción de principio a fin. El menudo estaba totalmente desabrido y sabía como si saliera directo de una lata, nada fresco y definitivamente no valía la pena. Las papas fritas con el guacamole estaban "más o menos", y eso siendo generoso, porque las totopos estaban viejas y rancias. Los nachos de carne fueron la gota que colmó el vaso. Estaban horribles. Pedí nachos de asada y me los sirvieron llenos de arroz, casi sin carne (si es que tenía algo), y con una porción ridículamente pequeña para el precio. Para colmo, los hicieron con los mismos totopos viejos. Por lo que cobran, la calidad de la comida es inaceptable. No regresaré.

    Photos
    Molcajete Cocina Mexicana
    Molcajete Cocina Mexicana - Guacamole, chips & salsa trio

    Guacamole, chips & salsa trio

    Molcajete Cocina Mexicana - Sopes Plate

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    Taqueria El Paisa - Tacos!

    Taqueria El Paisa

    4.4(552 reviews)
    6.1 miEast Oakland
    $$

    Came here for lunch on a Tuesday around noon and it was pretty busy. We finally lucked out and got…read morea parking spot in the parking lot. We tried coming here on a Sunday and couldn't find parking for 15+ minutes so we ended up leaving. There is some street parking but we prefer to park in the lot. Once you get inside you order at the counter. If you're getting tacos they're all the same price so the cashier will write the number of tacos you bought and you take that receipt and get in the line. Once you get called up you put your receipt in the basket that the worker hands you and tell them what kind of meat you want in your tacos. Today I tried the asada, carnitas, Al pastor, and tripa. They all were delicious, my favorite was the tripa. Portions are good ($4.50/taco) and they have a variety of salsas, jalapeños, limes, etc in the seating area once you exit. I also got a hibiscus (Jamaica) agua fresca that was good. They do accept credit card but they'll charge a $1 fee so try to bring cash if you can. Definitely recommend, this is now one of my top taco spots in Oakland.

    This is certainly one of the best Mexican restaurants I've ever been to. Each taco is $4.50 and…read morethey load each up with meat. The meats are all juicy and cooked perfectly. The pina colada drink was perfect to balance out the salty/savory flavor of the tacos. You self serve cucumbers, carrots, and radishes which is always cool. Finally, there's live Mexican music playing and the overall vibes are fantastic. 4.9/5

    Photos
    Taqueria El Paisa
    Taqueria El Paisa - Torta de asada!

    Torta de asada!

    Taqueria El Paisa - Tacos de Cabeza y Campechana (Carne Asada y Chorizo)

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    Tacos de Cabeza y Campechana (Carne Asada y Chorizo)

    Tacos Oscar - chips & salsa morita

    Tacos Oscar

    4.4(298 reviews)
    1.2 miTemescal, North Oakland

    Amazing creative tacos with so much flavor!…read more Tacos Oscar never misses. The vibe is super casual and cute with outdoor seating and a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a laid-back meal. We tried a variety of tacos, and everything was fresh and full of bold flavors. The standout for me was definitely the beef options and the sauces really take everything to the next level. You can tell they put a lot of thought into every component. Even the veggie tacos are incredible, not just an afterthought. Everything feels creative but still comforting at the same time. Portions are satisfying without feeling too heavy. Service was quick and friendly, and the whole experience felt easy and enjoyable. It's the kind of place you want to keep coming back to because the menu changes and there's always something new to try. Highly recommend if you're in Oakland and craving elevated tacos done right!

    Amazing. Purely delicious, cuuute ambiance…read more They make their own tortillas, which is always a plus. The flavors of each taco were outstanding. I ordered everything on their current menu. Tostada beans gigante, the pork shoulder, barbacoa, charred broccoli, mushroom, and chicken tinga. Just a lil lime on top, and enjoy! I didn't even need to add more salsa, which I would usually add to my tacos at other places. Tostada vegan was my fave. All the meat tacos were also fantastic, all were tender and juicy. Your taste buds bout to be blown away. They have patio style seating in the front and the back. cute for a lil date night without breaking the bank, or to go out and entertain friends outta town, or just to treat yo'self real good. so happy.

    Photos
    Tacos Oscar - Side seating entrance

    Side seating entrance

    Tacos Oscar - Don't be like me. provide your tostada with a strong support system

    Don't be like me. provide your tostada with a strong support system

    Tacos Oscar - Outdoor seating

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    Outdoor seating

    Bombera - Pozole: comforting and tasty

    Bombera

    4.1(527 reviews)
    4.4 miDimond District, Lower Hills
    $$$

    From the moment you walk into Oakland California's Bombera, you feel the magic. The owner / Chef…read moreDominica Rice-Cisneros always smiles and waves from behind the kitchen, and that simple gesture sets the tone, warm, festive, and genuinely welcoming. The whole team carries that same energy; they're always happy to receive you like you're family. Let's talk FOOD. Where the culinary ways of Mexico and California intersect. Exquisite!!!! Thoughtful!!! Beautifully presented!!! The flavors are layered, the spices are intentional, and the details in every dish keep me coming back. I honestly haven't made it past ordering the roasted chicken, the signature salad with seasonal fruit, and those carrots! Listen, you may think, "Carrots? Really?" YES. Really. These carrots come surrounded by black beans in a chili sauce, topped with toasted almonds. I've never tasted anything like it. It's one of those dishes you think about later. Perfect for everything: Girls' night (like we did this past Friday), birthdays, graduations, date nights, I've even come solo. The food and service are that good. And I have to give a huge shout-out to Estilo, one of my favorite servers! He always welcomes every guest like they're his favorite person in the room. He talked us into getting the beets, and they were ON POINT. He checked on us throughout the night, joked with us, and honestly enjoyed our table just as much as we enjoyed having him. He even said, "You all look so great, let me take a picture of you!" and captured such a sweet moment. They've got indoor and outdoor seating, great vibes all around, and THE BEST tortilla chips you will ever have. I recommend making a reservation, however, they do take walk-ins. If you're in the San Francisco Bay area, it's a must! You'll definitely thank me!

    Summary: Delicious food with explosive flavors…read more Details: I can't recall how we landed on Bombera while we were looking for anniversary dinner options, but we were sure happy it did! I'll be honest: I came in to the dinner a little skeptical at the slightly lower reviews, but seeing that most of them were chalked up as service qualms (and being used to Chinese restaurants), we opted to give it a go. And boy, the food was t.a.s.t.y! Pozole and the carrots and beans were the highlights of the meal, both coming with a super smokey and fiery chili that we absolutely adored, but everything else we had was enjoyable, and not overly seasoned, which is always the concern when we go out these days. I can see where some of the service complaints might have come from because the staff seemed pretty slammed and harried, but we actually found the service to be quite friendly. Accessibility: Outdoor seating is technically accessible, not not always comfortably so. Some tables are situated on slightly-too-steep inclines, which means you may be scrunching or bracing for the entirety of your meal.

    Photos
    Bombera - Inside main room

    Inside main room

    Bombera - Carnitas: tender flavorful, added spicy carrots secret sauce made it even better

    Carnitas: tender flavorful, added spicy carrots secret sauce made it even better

    Bombera - Interior looking out

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    Interior looking out

    Tamaleria Azteca - mexican - Updated May 2026

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