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Tio's Tacos

3.3 (1.7k reviews)
ModerateMexican
Open 8:30 am - 11:00 pm

Tio's Tacos Photos

Business Info

TIO'S TACOS ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Tio's Tacos

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Reviews With Photos

Maryam Q.

Decor is really nice here, and service is decent. When it comes to the food and price of the food, not so good. I ordered fajita plate. It hardly came with any protein at all, and it was $25. The portion is a joke. The for was like a slither or rice. Disappointing to say the least. If you want to come for the cute decor sure, but the food nah. Spend your money somewhere else unfortunately.

Jessica C.

Had an absolute blast here for a late lunch/early dinner. Food was good, lots more stuff I'd be down to come back and try, they also have a lot of different flavors of agua frescas which we all had separate ones and they were all tasty! Employees were nice and helpful. The best part about this place though is of course all the INCREDIBLY UNIQUE artwork!!! I think we ended up spending 3+ hours there because there was so much to just walk around and see!!! You have to come at least once to check it all out and give yourself some time. I look forward to see why they add in the future!

Martha M.

Visited Tio's Tacos for the first time and all I can say is -- wow. This humble little restaurant, located right behind the owner's home, is truly one of a kind. The creativity throughout the space is incredible, with artwork constructed from recyclable materials everywhere you look. From oversized huaraches and regular sized cowboy boots to metal cans, glass bottles, and paint cans, etc., the craftsmanship and imagination are simply amazing. The patios are beautiful, especially with the butterflies, colorful mosaic tables, and unique wooden table set -- even chairs with carved sunflowers on the back that add so much charm and personality. The food was just as enjoyable as the atmosphere. Everything tasted fresh and flavorful, especially the salsa's. I highly recommend the aguas frescas -- I tried the cucumber and chia mix in and it was excellent. I visited on a weekday when it wasn't too crowded, which made the experience even better. It's easy to see why this place gets attention during holidays like Día de los Muertos and Christmas. I'm already looking forward to coming back!

Alex A.

Tio's Tacos is an interesting place -- in the best way. I love the concept and the story behind it. Walking around, you'll see so many unique art pieces made entirely from discarded materials. Definitely stroll through the space while you wait for your food; there's a lot to take in. We ordered taco plates and aguas frescas. Service was fast, the staff were friendly, and the prices were reasonable. The food was decent -- nothing standout, but not bad either. The wide selection of aguas frescas was a highlight and made for the perfect drink on a warm day as we wandered through the property. Worth a visit if you're looking for something unique, creative, and a little unexpected.

Wet burrito supreme
Jose E.

This place is so unique! The art creates a captivating atmosphere that enhances your overall eating experience. I tried the wet burrito supreme, and it was great. I visited late on a Tuesday, so the restaurant wasn't crowded. The staff were friendly and accommodating. Btw, they have great taste in music. Food:4/5 Service: 4/5 Experience: 5/5

Menu
Alma R.

Wow, talk about an amazing experience eating at this awesome find! Not only were all the food options delicious, the whole restaurant is total eye candy that will take you several visits to truly capture all the details! I will add pictures because trying to describe them won't do it justice. You simply can't beat this ambiance! The ordering was simple enough. You go to a counter and order from a menu on the wall. They have just about every Mexican food item you can think of. They also have a wide arrangement of Aguas Frescas and they will happily give you samples for you to try (and take some home!) I had their Horchata and took a StrawberryHorchata home. Their Cafe Horchata was so delicious too, I only wish I could've taken one of each home! Their service was super helpful, friendly and patient, we simply couldn't decide from all the yummy options. I had their Mole Chilequiles and the mole was a red kind. I'd never had that type but it was really good. Our friends also ordered Caldo De 7 Mares, which had tons of seafood, even a huge crab legs. There were crispy chicken tacos, fish & shrimp tacos and a side of their yummy guacamole. Everyone raved about their food. I can't wait to go back so I can try their Salmon a mojo de ajo, yum!

Kids Champurrado Ricanelas Mini Quesadilla Chicken
Steve H.

Two adults and two kids went to Tio's Tacos for dinner! It's an artistic restaurant with decor inside and outside of entire restaurant! Service is friendly, you order at front, they bring food to your table only. Champurrado Ricanelas (special hot chocolate for December only) - good but not everyone likes addition of cinnamon and other flavors. 1 Mini Quesadilla Chicken - very yummy. 1 Mix & Match Plate, Enchilada Chicken, Creamy Tomatillo, Hard Taco Shredded Beef With everything - A lot of food and good. 1 Seasoned Fries good 1 Classic Burrito Carnitas With everything - very tasty. Overall price is good, taste is authentic and environment is artistic. It's very busy, so it feels kind of touristy like in Mexico, central or South America. I will return again!

Victor E.

The menudo was my choice and our party of ordered fish and chicken salad, enchiladas beans and rice. All the meals were good We arrived before the long lines so we didn't wait long to order and the food was served in timely manner. Ambiance is crazy amazing it's just unbelievable one must visit to appreciate and enjoy the history behind it all really makes it an experience to share with everyone!!

Friday special
Ericka R.

Excellent hot food! Cooked timely, fed the many and kept restaurant clean! The service was quick and easy to return to. The ambiance was relaxing with plenty of good music. Had a great time!

Chicken taco
Jessica L.

Such an experience! The atmosphere is insane because of the art literally everywhere! So this is random but best agua Fresca I ever had- they let me try some and I tried the strawberry and woahhhh! Big chunks of berry and just the most delicious drink! The fish taco was good and the chicken taco was yummy. The service was friendly with a smile and it was very clean. Huge menu so something for everyone. Eat inside or out. They had a little self Serve station for pickled onions and salsa. Get that agua Fresca!!!

Dis de los mirrors figures.

The tacos of Cabeza were so good. Their customer service is great. And it's a fun place to take pictures.

Outdoor patio (1 of many !)
Nicole D.

Tio's tacos is a fun eclectic place to grab a meal. They have art installations covering every inch of the place. Tons of random materials are used for their art and displays. The food is also delicious!! Portions are really good too. The staff is super kind and so helpful. They have a tiny parking lot so be prepared to drive around for a spot. Lots of the surrounding curb parking spots are good for 2 hrs. There's a lot to see here to make sure you take the time to browse.

James M.

Heard about this spot from a Vender at an Oceanside Festival, told us it was a not miss spot for its unique flavor in food & art. We made the time for a stop on our trip and was not disappointed. Friendly staff, easy to read menu & so much stuff to look at we lost track of time. The Tacos were amazing !!! A very authentic flavor and the just right amount of crispy in the shells. I did a Taco Salad, it was good, but shoukd have tried a burrito. The food was good, a little pricey, but overall not bad. The ambiance is a chaotic assortment of art pieces made from all recycled materials. Very very cool, and there is so much to look at that it blows the mind. Definitely worth a visit !!!

Front patio

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Tio's Tacos Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Tio's Tacos

Do they serve alcohol?

I remember there were some alcoholic beverages sold, but don’t remember if it was more than just beer.

Can I bring my dog?

The outdoor patio in the back, do allow dogs. 🙂

Would love to plan a motorcycle group ride out here from San Diego- what's the parking situation?

Depends on when you arrive. They have on-site about 8 spots. Everything else is street parking. If you come during lunch parking is difficult

Are the nacho fries gluten free?

No. Nothing here is gluten free.

Is this dog friendly?

Yes, outside In the patio areas

Is indoor seating allowed?

Yes, there is seating inside of the outside seating is where all the beauty is!

Do you have to make reservations or is it just walk into?

I don't know if they take reservations, I think you just walk in order and then find your seat and they bring it to you. It's pretty laid-back and chill environment, and there is always a line when I go, but they move quickly.

Are you beans and rice vegetarian? Does it contain chicken broth or lard etc?

This is very authentic Mexican food, honestly that's all I know. I'm sure you could request they don't use lard or broth, but that will take away from the authentic flavor, just keeping it real. You probably have to have a cheat day to eat here, but… Read more

I have a Tuesday food group and we have picked your location for 11/12 6pm. Can your location accommodate a group of 15-25 people?

I would definitely call them.

Do you guys serve vegan tacos?

Yes there are orders or two tacos de nopales (cactus) or two tacos de papas (potatoes) they come with pico de gallo and salsa on top

Does this place have taco Tuesdays?

We know there's tacos everyday, I think there asking Taco Tuesday special !

Anything vegan here?

They have a new vegan menu with tostadas, tacos, etc. using potatoes and nopales.

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

Anchos Southwest Grill & Bar

(2k reviews)

$$

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.

I was brought here by a friend & colleague of mine whose whole family loves Anchos as it was his…read morefather's favorite restaurant. My first thought upon seeing the exterior and entering was, "OK, definitely old school", and I was right... Anchos has been around for an amazing 37 years and counting! The large open space is nice 'n brightly lit, yet somehow not too much so. As our hostess walked us to our table, we passed an enclosed tortilla-making machine where the freshest of the fresh tortillas seemed to be popping off the whirling dervish like Mexican hot cakes (which... yeah, duh). After ordering, we were quickly served a huge container of them-- so fresh, one could barely hold these 1000 degree piping hot discs. It was demonstrated to me that the classic way to enjoy the tortillas was to spread a little butter which melts almost instantaneously due to the sun-like hotness of the vessel, a quick dash of salt, and a dollop of their super freshly made mesquite-roasted tomato salsa makes for a yummy appetizer. While that was delicious, for me, the true test of a tortilla is to try it plain first. And boy, did it deliver! The style is slightly more risen than traditional, but tasty none-the-less, and I would soon find out why its actually the perfect tortilla for our main entrées-- the CARNE mesquite grilled plump skirt steak fajitas! Now I am always dubious when a restaurant calls out that one of their items is "FAMOUS" and actually prints it right on the menu, but in this case I truly get it. These thick juicy slices of mesquite grilled skirt steak are mind-glowingly muy delicioso, and YES, they are plump indeed. We ordered medium-rare, and they came out to perfection! Years ago, I wrote the steak fajitas at the Rio Grande restaurant in Boulder, CO had "the absolutely unequivocal best steak fajitas I have ever tasted in my life!", and I tell you, these really put that statement to the test. If I'm being honest, the steak itself at Anchos is truly on another level. It's not that it's the best "fajita steak" I've ever had, it's possibly the best "steak steak" I've ever had. OK, that's probably an overstatement, but it's not too far off. While I still think the accoutrements of the Rio Grande fajitas (mainly their phenomenal grilled peppers & onions) are standouts, the carne asada here at Anchos is nothing short of amazing! And those tortillas... yup, the slightly extra thickness holds up well when you fill it with with the extra thick cut carne asada, and their tasty arroz con frijoles, onions & peppers. Mi plato was WAY too much food, and I happily ate every single bite :-) All-in-all, Anchos still delivers after almost 4 decades of serving the Riverside community, and I hope it's around for decades to come because as I looked around, not only were my friends enjoying Anchos, but everyone in the restaurant seemed to be beaming with the excitement of the great food & service from this wonderful family gem.

El Patrón Downtown Riverside - Chicken flautas

El Patrón Downtown Riverside

(1k reviews)

$$

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.

The food was delicious, the service amazing, and the place is really nice. They make you feel…read morewelcomed. We went for my mom's birthday and they went out of their way to make her feel special. Fernando made sure we had everything we needed, he was amazing. Definitely have to go back!

Tio's Tacos - mexican - Updated May 2026

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