Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Taqueria el Flaco

    4.5 (184 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Taqueria el Flaco Photos

    Business Info

    TAQUERIA EL FLACO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    You might also consider

    More like Taqueria el Flaco

    Recommended Reviews - Taqueria el Flaco

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Where the salsa bar used to be (8/2023)
    Dania P.

    Local Riverside gem! Have been coming here for years and the quality is always 5/5! Small mom and pop shop where you will mostly always find the owners taking your order and making your food. The chicken here is delicious definitely recommend!! Tacos are big and come with grilled onions. The authentic taste is always there and food is made to order and is hot off the grill! The salsas are so good and restaurant is always clean. Only bummer is they got rid of their salsa/condiment bar which used to be always fully stocked.

    Tacos de asada y al pastor
    Mario M.

    This is a great place for tacos. Service is quick and the place is clean. The portions are generous and it's great to have the extra lemon, radishes, and the tacos topped with sautéed onions which make a nice contrast with the spice of the salsa. The area has many taco places but this is one of the best in my opinion.

    Menu
    Marielen B.

    I ask for tacos and the Trinity's were really tasty... and pollo I really recommend this place..

    Tacos de tripas con choke rojo y cebolla...
    Nancy C.

    Tacos are probably the best I've ever had. I had tripa tacos. They were crispy and not soggy! Very spicy. Will be back!

    3 tacos with rice and beans plate and a carne asada quesadilla
    Rebecca B.

    Amazing food will be coming here when I'm in the area. Great flavor a hidden gem. 5 stars

    Cabeza, carne asada and chicken tacos with rice and beans

    See all

    27 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Delicious and authentic tacos for a great price. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Riverside area.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andrea G.
    327
    11
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Good burritos you should stop by and try them first time, first bite and right away you can tell a good flavor

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 months ago

    Most tacos around this area are not great, and too expensive, but this taqueria is good! Glad I found them.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    This is the only place we get the tortas and burritos from. It's always good we travel like 30 minutes for this place.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Joy N.
    118
    4
    0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Nancy C.
    18
    31
    10

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Kenny K.
    104
    17
    28

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    This place has my favorite carne asada burrito. so much flavor and the perfect amount of spicy !

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Food was bomb Quesadilla de maíz always smacks Horchata is also bomb. Clean restrooms too which is always a plus.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Great Tacos! I've been coming here for years, their quality is still the same. Family owned and operated taco spot

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    After living in Riverside for 4 years I finally found a great taco spot! I've only had their asada and carnitas and loved them!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mary H.
    144
    25
    0

    4 years ago

    The tacos are the most authentic we've found in Riverside. Just a small family owned place with delicious food!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jenny C.
    162
    21
    61

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Delicious and always great service! The agua frescas are homemade too not the artificial stuff!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tiffany A.
    150
    132
    29

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Osiris A.
    10
    15
    13

    4 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D J.
    0
    27
    1

    3 years ago

    the best street tacos, very tasty, great selection of meats, good salsas , all orders freshly prepared, nice atmosphere

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Taqueria el Flaco

    You might also consider

    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside - Chicharon

    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside

    4.7(338 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    I stopped by Morena's on the way out to Cherry Valley. Very cute spot!!!The chicken tacos were…read morephenomenal!!! The salsas and tortillas were all homemade and very fresh! my daughter tried the fish tacos and loved them... She said the fish was very tender and tasty! she also tried the octopus tacos which she thought were a little bit too spicy and on the chewy side. The service was amazing! I will definitely be back!

    We recently had lunch at Morena's Mexican Cuisine, and while it was a mixed experience, I think it…read morehas potential! The meal started off strong with their chips and salsa--super fresh and flavorful. For my entrée, I had the chicken fajitas. While they were cooked properly, I wish they had a bit more seasoning to really bring out the flavor. My wife had the enchiladas divorciadas, which were beautifully presented, but unfortunately, the filling was a bit cool. She probably should have sent it back, but since we were in a hurry, we didn't bother. On the positive side, my daughter had the carne asada burrito, and she said it was excellent. Service started off great with our younger male waiter being very attentive at first, but it slowed down significantly as our meal went on. By the end of our visit, I actually had to go up to the register to ask to pay. It was lunch time, and it wasn't that busy, so this felt a bit out of the ordinary. Despite the hiccups, I'm willing to give Morena's Mexican Cuisine another try, as it may have just been an off day. The chips and salsa, along with my daughter's burrito, showed that they definitely have what it takes to impress. I'll reserve final judgment after my next visit!

    Photos
    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside - Morenas Mexican Food Riverside

    Morenas Mexican Food Riverside

    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside - Chicharon appetizer (came with beans and green salsa) yummy!

    Chicharon appetizer (came with beans and green salsa) yummy!

    Morena's Mexican Cuisine - Riverside - Cucumber & chia (left) and horchata (right)

    See all

    Cucumber & chia (left) and horchata (right)

    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar - Mesquite grilled plump skirt steak fajitas

    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar

    4.0(2k reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Ancho's is one of those places I honestly don't know if it's considered a hidden gem or not, but…read moreafter living in Riverside for the past 3-4 years, I can't believe I've never been here until now. I found out about it through my cousin, who's a UCR alum, and I'm really glad I finally got to try it. The staff were super nice and attentive, constantly coming by our table to check if we needed more water, tortillas, or anything else we might want. Even with how busy it was, they still made sure everyone was taken care of, which I really appreciated. The restaurant was packed, and it actually surprised me because I don't usually see that many people at restaurants in Riverside. The energy inside felt lively but still comfortable. One of my favorite parts was the fresh tortillas. They come out hot and fresh from the oven, and you can literally watch them being made right in front of you, which made it even better. And the best part is they're free. We ordered the carne fajitas and chile relleno. The fajitas were incredible, the meat was juicy, tender, and packed with flavor, with that perfect smoky sear that comes from being cooked fresh on a hot skillet. Everything came out sizzling and stayed flavorful with every bite. The chile relleno was also really good, with a nice balance of savory and slightly creamy filling that paired well with the sauce. It was actually my first time trying fajitas, and I can confidently say I'll be ordering them again the next time I come back. I definitely plan on returning while I'm still at UCR to make up for all the years I didn't know this place existed.

    If I could rate separately for service I would give it a 5…read more This place is not lacking any help in the waiter and waitress department. We have not been here since the 90's and I have to say, it was much better back then. All in all, there is just no flavor. The salsa tasted like watery tomatoes, our waitress gave us a little side of habanero salsa to incorporate with it but that heat is the extreme for me. We ordered the Mesquite chicken and steak fajitas which were less than average. Not sure if it was just a bad day, but the taste of the protein did not match up to the wonderful smell of BBQ outside the restaurant. The tortillas were just ok, first batch was not even warm. My Michelada was good though. Bummer visit after being away for so long. Looks like the interior could stand a makeover.

    Photos
    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar - Where's my beer ?!?!?

    Where's my beer ?!?!?

    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar - Carne Asada Uncut Skirt Steak

    Carne Asada Uncut Skirt Steak

    Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar - Exterior

    See all

    Exterior

    El Patrón Downtown Riverside - Chicken flautas

    El Patrón Downtown Riverside

    3.9(1k reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    I wish I had pictures to show what my wife and I ordered for dinner and drinks. Meli, our waitress,…read morewas great. She was kind enough to change tables after we ordered our food. The sun was shining on my face. I don't know who came over to our table to recommend a tequila for our flight. Dame Mas was a very good choice. My wife is more of a tequila drinker than I am. I did hog up the Dame Mas to myself. The restaurant had a nice atmosphere for a relaxing dinner. I recommend ordering the bacon-wrapped shrimp stuffed with crab meat; it's the best. We loved the food and the drinks. I also recommend the Black Widow, a very good drink to end our dinner date.

    We celebrated my grandma's 80th bday here. My uncle rented out the outdoors patio & small room…read moreadjacent to it from 1pm-4:30pm for an affordable price with deposit paid in advance to reserve. The owner, Santiago, allowed us to come a half hour beforehand to decorate & we came in, not knowing what to expect. Upon our arrival, the birthday cake was promptly whisked away to the kitchen, we found Santiago PERSONALLY on his hands & knees fixing the electrical cords for us, our servers introduced themselves & graciously helped us rearrange the set-up to accommodate the band we brought in. Then helped us rearrange the layout yet again once we realized the band needed to be next to the electrical outlets. I was embarrassed to even ask so I started doing it myself but they jumped right in without being asked. If I'm being honest, usually I'm not a fan of buffet meals, so I wasn't expecting much. But everything served was SO delicious! The fajitas were my favorite dish, not only flavorful but also nice & moist. Not only that, but they refilled the food for us as it ran out. They brought out to-go boxes for the leftovers, & best believe my family took home every last bite! The lime margarita tower was SO yummy but also hella dangerous because it was strong!! Other restaurants will give you watered down drinks but El Patron doesn't play. We were only planning on one but it was so good, we couldn't resist getting another. From start to finish, the servers (Leslie and Cecilia) were on POINT. Their service went above & beyond expectations-- continuously checking on us, refilling drinks/food, taking photos, etc. Not only that, but also, when my young autistic nephew unfortunately got sick, they were so incredibly compassionate about it & helped clean up the mess right away. I was absolutely blown away by the attention to detail & quality of care. As my grandma is getting older, we are especially cherishing these final years with her. We spent thousands overall (venue, music, photographer, special mass, etc) but every last cent was worth seeing her happy with all of her loved ones. After many months of planning, I was super nervous about something going wrong but I can honestly say that core memories were made. Thank you to Santiago, Leslie & Cecilia for your hospitality, good food & work ethic-- it truly meant so much for our family unit.

    Photos
    El Patrón Downtown Riverside
    El Patrón Downtown Riverside - Enchiladas Plate

    Enchiladas Plate

    El Patrón Downtown Riverside - VDM sunset, rum based tropical signature cocktail

    See all

    VDM sunset, rum based tropical signature cocktail

    Tio's Tacos - I'm not sure how to convey on how bad the food is.  This is Enchiladas !!!!!

    Tio's Tacos

    3.3(1.7k reviews)
    6.9 mi
    $$

    I've read up on reviews saying some of the food is bad, etc SO I did my research on what multiple…read morereviews say tasted GREAT! Their Mojarra for one, is amazing with some corn tortillas, beans and rice, and lettuce. The lime garlicky sauce on that one, is what I've been dreaming of. It was THE star of the show. And we also got their wet supreme burrito mojado, with the mole sauce all over it Also tried their agua fresca, loved the cucumber and lime flavor! Great size for two to share, and we had a blast just eating and enjoying the sights laid out to see. Their pickled onions got a spicy kick to it! I loved the added crunch instead of just having the typical hot salsa. Service was great, with the waiters and waitresses checking in on us every now and then, and I liked that we pay first then eat, so we just leave after we're done! Excellent experience as the weather was perfect too, the outdoor seating has some mosquitoes but be sure to go when it's not molting hot outside! After food we got to go on a photo spree and it was wonderful.

    I got the vegan tacos with potatoes and even though there were only two it was loaded with toppings…read moreand salsa. Really good and a decent price. I do wish there was a vegan protein thrown in like black beans or soyrizo or something to make it more filling but I'm glad there was a vegan option on the menu. There is a salsa bar that can help add to your meal like spicy pickled carrots, cucumbers, salsa and pickled onions. My favorite part of this place is the art decor. They're all made from materials that were bound to go in the trash, most notably cans that they open for cooking. So you'll see lids and the other material from cans beautifully molded into these structures. It may seem random but I found lots of humor and play thrown into the craftsmanship of it all. Some pieces are like playing I Spy. It was funner to see than a lot of museums I've gone to actually. It's truly just packed with art. I even got to meet one of the artists as he was working on something. He was really friendly. There's a few of them who work on them together and I learned they've been doing this since the 90's! How cool. It's so nice to see all the things they've come up with to create. Go check it out! Definitely a date worthy spot too. My bf and I had a lot of fun walking around seeing what they created.

    Photos
    Tio's Tacos - Inside

    Inside

    Tio's Tacos - Alter of little chapel

    Alter of little chapel

    Tio's Tacos - Agra frescas for days! So many flavors !!

    See all

    Agra frescas for days! So many flavors !!

    Taqueria el Flaco - mexican - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...