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Carson, CA

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Top Shelf Tacos

4.3 (1.3k reviews)
ModerateMexican
Open • 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

Order Top Shelf Tacos Takeout or Delivery

Top Shelf Tacos Photos

TOP SHELF TACOS ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - Top Shelf Tacos

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Carne asada burrito. Decent size with a good amount of meat. Good flavor especially with the salsa.
Mike H.

Have been on a search for the best carne asada burrito in the South Bay. Thought I'd try top shelf tacos and it's not bad. Pretty straightforward. Doesn't drastically stand out from other places but if you're local, it'll get the job done. Service was helpful and place was organized and clean. If anyone has any recommendations for a good carne asada burrito I'd love to hear it.

Anisha P.

I am so sad to say that top shelf tacos just isn't what it used to be. I used to frequent the area a few years ago and this place was my go to spot for fresh tacos. I think the biggest difference is that they stopped making the tortillas by hand and the meat doesn't taste as good as it used to. In all honesty, the quality has gone downhill. I know that they started a burger food truck that they have parked outside and maybe they are focusing their efforts on that but the change is definitely noticeable in a negative way. I was so excited to come back, but was pretty disappointed with my meal. I will say that the one good thing that they still have going for them is their amazing staff. All of the workers are extremely kind and helpful and they work very hard to keep a clean and aesthetic area. If you heard the hype of fresh handmade tortillas and wanted to try top shelf tacos, save yourself the trip. They don't do it anymore and It's just like any other taco place.

Tacos Al Pastor
Rosalina J.

If I ended up in a Moomoo dress this year, this is the place that would get me there. Wish I knew about Top Shelf sooner. My wonderful neighbors offered to pick me up tacos tonight and they were absolutely delicious. I devoured four Al Pastor tacos. The meat is well marinated, & the green salsa has the perfect amount of spice. It's tasty but not extremely spicy to the point that you can't enjoy the food. I also heard they have vegetarian jack fruit tacos, I'll be there next Tuesday to try them out.

Tori H.

I haven't had good tacos like this IN A MINUTE! Me & my girls went to Top Shelf Tacos for Taco Tuesday AND WE WERE NOT DISAPPOINTED! The Tacos were $2 (when originally they at $3.75) I got 4 tacos; asada, chicken, al pastor, and shrimp. The Carne Asada was my favorite hands down! Then the chicken came in next! The meat was seasoned so good, and both the green sauces took the drinks up a notch. The condiment bar was nice and clean and all the items looked very fresh! The green mild was very flavorful while the green fire WAS SPICY and packed a mean punch! I also got agua Fresca, I had them mix the Pineapple with the strawberry lemonade, fire! So freaking fire. My friends both got carne asada fries, they complained about the price at first but when they started eating them, they were like yea this is definitely worth it! The restroom was also clean, great service, definitely recommend.

Spicy fries
Larry M.

Top Shelf tacos in Carson is an excellent place to get tacos. The service and cleanliness is excellent. One thing that they did change and it's very unfortunate the jalapeno poppers no longer come with spicy fries.

Wet Burrito Al Pastor
Alfredo S.

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8f3Jt8K/ This link says it all. Top Shelf Tacos has been on my bucket list for some time. I finally made it, and boy am I glad I did. I was greeted by a friendly staff...ordering was simple...and the condiments bar was clean and user friendly with a delicious choice of salsa . While I waited for my order, I noticed how clean the dining area is. Kudos! Now for my order: The Top Shelf Fries w/ Carne Asada, a Wet Burritos Al Pastor and Horchata

BURRITO, GUAC AND CHIPS
Kevin P.

We ordered from Top Shelf Tacos for a team lunch at work, and overall, I'd call the experience... average. I got the carnitas burrito, which came with rice and avocado inside. While the portion size was decent, the execution was lacking. The carnitas were a bit dry, the rice didn't have much flavor, and the burrito itself was noticeably greasy. The chips on the side were also just okay--nothing that stood out. For the price point, I expected more--better flavor, fresher ingredients, and a cleaner finish. This felt more like a quick grab-and-go than a "top shelf" experience. Not terrible, but not something I'd go out of my way for again.

Carne quesadilla
Helene D.

Late night snack! Ordered the quesadilla and the meat was extremely tender and cheese was delicious but the meat needed some seasoning. It doesn't come with extra sides like guacamole or sour cream--additional cost. My friends ordered the mulita and that was HUGE! It's a double stacked with three pieces of tortilla. Ordering one would be fine lol we also ordered chicken taco and it was super plain and bland. Overall lacked in seasoning but portions were good!

Carne Asada Protein Bowl!
Nielson B.

Top Shelf Tacos lives up to its name--this place is a gem in Carson! I personally go for the Carne Asada Protein Bowl--it's filling, flavorful, and guilt-free. My business partners swear by the Carne Asada Tacos, and even our vegetarian partner is hooked on the Bean and Cheese Burrito. Don't let the simple menu fool you--every item is crafted with care and flavor that hits every time. Be sure to grab a side of tortilla chips and don't skip the salsa bar. The green sauce is offered in both mild and hot, and it's the perfect kick to any meal. Feeling thirsty? I always reach for the Cucumber Lime agua fresca, and the rest of the drink lineup is next on my list. If you're in the South Bay, make the trip. Ask for the manager, Aurea--she makes sure everything is on point, every single time. This spot is consistently top notch.

Elizabeth B.

My bf was born & raised in Carson so when we visited recently he was excited to return to his favorite taco spot and was happy it was just as good as he remembered. I was so impressed, we each got 3 tacos - al pastor, carne asada, & carnitas - each one was full of flavor & abundant with meat. I loved being able to use the condiment bar to get the right amount of toppings I wanted - the housemade green sauce is the bomb. Hands down our favorite was the al pastor as its savory rich flavor cannot be beat, followed by the carne asada, then carnitas. The staff were so friendly & kind. We enjoyed the ambiance - clean, spacious, comfortable.

Steve O.

It's rather amusing that I worked about 10 minutes away from Top Shelf for 19 years and it wasn't until I retired a few years back that I finally made it here. I was across the street at Scottsdale quite often to visit the parents of "challenging" students but never realized a gastronomic paradise was waiting across the street. Man oh man, I had been missing out. I ordered the Al Pastor burrito wet and let me tell you, it was delicious. Not a huge burrito but a generous amount of food. The sauce was flavorful and I appreciated the fact it had just the right amount of salt unlike the majority of the other places I've frequented lately. It was the best burrito I've had in ages. My wife's protein bowl with shrimp met with her satisfaction and happily had a decent quantity of shrimp unlike many other Mexican restaurants we've gone to recently. I ordered the strawberries and cream dessert but was too full to eat it so it will have to wait until later. The staff was incredibly kind and helpful. No complaints about service whatsoever. The shopping center has more than enough parking so that isn't an issue. I'm not sure I would visit at night unless you feel safe going into an area with its fair share of troublemakers in the area after dark though. Top Shelf turned out to be just as advertised. I only wish I had tried them much further back in time. I would have made better use of the time I had when I was working in the area.

South Bay Burrito
Roy L.

Top Shelf Tacos is located in a super random plaza in the middle of Carson suburbia, but the food is anything but random. It was delicious. I ordered the South Bay Burrito which is an adaptation of the California burrito with French fries. And it was juicy and super flavorful. I would highly recommend it to others. The staff there is super nice and it was a good experience. They have a salsa bar with onions, cilantro, and radishes. One of the best parts is that it's counter ordering and they don't put you through the awkward tipping process of other counter order restaurants. The lady took my credit card and zero's the tip portion and charged me for the meal. That right there is a winning statement for me, in an age where customers often feel obligated to tip. Big kudos to management here.

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10 years ago

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9 years ago

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8 years ago

Average Mexican food. The aguas frescas are very good. I wouldn't say this place is as good as people say it is but it isn't the worst

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10 years ago

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9 years ago

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10 years ago

Today was my first time coming here and my server Jocelyn was very nice and welcoming. Plus the food looks crazy delicious

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8 years ago

i love this place!!!!! best carne asada fries you can buy!!!! speaking contrary would be blasphemous.

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9 years ago

Here for the second day in a row. Tried each taco , steak fries and now the wet burrito steak. Very tasty!

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10 years ago

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11 years ago

Good authentic Mexican food. The cupcakes are killer too! Highly recommend if in the South Bay area

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11 years ago

Good place food is off the hook the salsa the green one is the best and as for drinks the watermelon water is good

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10 years ago

Bomb food! Great service! Aysslin was very nice! I love that it's so close to my house and the drinks are awesome. I will go back again soon

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8 years ago

The girl in the front and the fat guy they are both so rude we paid $30 for 2 fries and one drink.

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9 years ago

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10 years ago

Tacos were fresh, the shell wasn't broken like it can be if you go to taco bell, and the service was fast, in and out in under 15!

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8 years ago

Awesome place with the vegan tacos and all, authentic Mexican food with some very good Horchata!

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10 years ago

This a pretty bomb place! Always get the enchilada combo plate. A little pricey but worth it

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10 years ago

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11 years ago

The protein tacos are delicious!! And the smoothies are so flavorful! The employees are also very welcoming and friendly !

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Page 29 of 33

Top Shelf Tacos Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Top Shelf Tacos

What kind of oil do they use to cook the meat in?

Are they open on Sundays? Google says no, but yelp says yes. Phone line is busy. 7/17/2022

They are closed on Sundays.

What is the creamy green fire sauce made of?

Avocado, lime/lemon, cilantro, salt,garlic, onion

Do they still have taco tuesdays?

Not since the pandemic. 😭

When are the chicken enchiladas coming back?

Are there Taco Tuesday deals?

Yep! $1.25 for carnitas, pollo, pastor, veggies, or jackfruit.

When are y'all opening back up 😩? I miss loaded french fries

Their Instagram says they will be re-opening today Monday June 3, 2019. Their ig: @topshelf_tacos

Do they make the tortillas fresh in from scratch?

Yes they do! Bomb!

Do they Serve alcohol?

No alcohol

I see this place has vegetarian options, but any vegan options?

I don't think they have the vegan options in the menu yet, I'm sure you can just order the vegetarian without cheese or anything else that might go against the vegan diet.

Any discounts for the day?

No more yelp check-in discount. =/

Are the agua frescas free refills?

Too good to be free refills. Not sure though. I only have one drink with my meals... wrong guy to ask. My family and I have never had a bad experience there. None of my friends I recommended there either.

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El Baja Chef 2 - From: Google.com

El Baja Chef 2

3.8(77 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$

I was at a nearby BofA and hadn't had lunch, but saw Chile Relleno and thought it would be good to…read moregive it a shot. I personally thought that the prices for Mexican food was a bit high, but found the quality of the food to be good. I ordered the Wet Burrito with salsa verde which came out to $9. The burrito was decent size and they packed it with good tasting rice, beans, and al pastor. The plate came with a side of salad and some chips and salsa. The chips were cold, but the salsa was good. Service overall was friendly and quick. I'd say if you're in the area and are looking for a quick bite, Chile Relleno would be a good option. Just don't expect it to be really cheap Mexican food.

I was in search of a sit down Mexican restaurant in the area so I last minute chose this place. I…read morethought it was odd they close at 6pm being a place that serves buckets of beer. The vibe was really off. The place is nice and clean and appealing but there was no music playing. They had on naked and afraid and some news on their TVs. We were the only people there so the place was so quiet and boring. The lady was very polite, but it just wasn't a "fun environment". The food came out at all different times which was weird because we were the only ones there. I'm always trying to find somewhere close to go hang out and invite friends to have drinks and eat but it was just so off I wouldn't want to go back with friends. Food- I had the fish taco which was good, the calamari was very chewy and not that good, and the enchiladas were decent Service - Service was good (flys were coming in tho so I think they should keep the door closed) Ambiance- lacking. They need some fun music and give me a reason to order some beer and hangout more. I don't really see this as anything other than a takeout place unless they extend their hours and improve the vibe.

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El Baja Chef 2 - Two taco special.

Two taco special.

El Baja Chef 2 - Delicious chile relleno

Delicious chile relleno

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Blue Burro Burritos & Cantina - Surf 'n' turf rolled tacos. With shrimp?!!!!!  Yummmmmyyy

Blue Burro Burritos & Cantina

4.1(371 reviews)
2.1 mi•Harbor Gateway
•$$

I was in the area doing errands but got really hungry. This place was in the complex I was shopping…read morein so I popped on over based on the recommendation from the employee helping me at a store near by. I have been seeing them on my feed but for some reason haven't stopped in yet. As a solo diner I felt pleasantly welcomed as I walked it. The sweet gal behind the counter was very friendly and engaging when I asked her questions seeing it was my first time here. I chose the two taco combo, carne asada was my meat of choice. The two other options were shrimp and chicken. The combo comes with chips and a drink along with my choice of salsa. I have to tell you I was pretty impressed with my tacos. They were loaded with meat; which was really tasty. They had cilantro and onion and avocado. The chips were fresh and also very good. I liked the salsa as well. The two gals working the counter and who brought my food were so sweet. She even came back to ask if I needed anything and gave me extra salsa. They have numerous TVs (got to catch some of the Dodger game. ) in there and they do so alcohol as well. I will definitely be back. This was a very nice solo lunch experience..

I ordered through the kiosk because there was a line, but the experience went downhill from there…read more Three customers who ordered after me received their food before I did. After waiting about 10 minutes, I went to the counter, and it took even longer before an employee asked for my name. It turned out my order had been sitting there for over 20 minutes while takeout orders were being prioritized. When they finally handed me my food, it was still in a bag even though my order was for dine-in, and I had to remind them to give me my drinks. They also forgot to include salsa for the chips. What really frustrated me was being told that next time I should just go to the counter after ordering at the kiosk. As a first-time customer, how was I supposed to know that? If the kiosk orders aren't being monitored, that's something the restaurant should address--not something customers should have to figure out on their own. After this experience, there won't be a next time.

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Blue Burro Burritos & Cantina
Blue Burro Burritos & Cantina - Rolled tacos.

Rolled tacos.

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La Capilla Mexican Restaurant - Combination 12. Taco, Chile Relleno, Enchilada

La Capilla Mexican Restaurant

3.4(1k reviews)
3.3 mi
•$$

Checked out this local, family-owned Mexican spot on a Friday evening. We kicked things off with a…read moreChile Relleno and Margaritas, both of which hit the spot. For our main course, we had the Grilled Fish Enchiladas. The portions here are remarkably generous--we originally planned to order more, but the food completely filled us up. ​Everything was delicious, and our waitress was warm, friendly, and attentive. We'll definitely be back to explore the rest of the menu.

I haven't been back in a few years but it felt comfortable walking into La Capilla once again. They…read morehave a birthday special on the day of a birthday where you can choose from one of four 1 item combos and get a free meal and dessert by presenting your ID. They used to let you pick from more choices years ago but free is free right? I chose the number 4 which is a tamale with beans and rice. My wife ordered their chicken tortilla soup which has been a longtime favorite. The size of the bowl has diminished about 30% from what I remember but that's been a common theme the past few years in many places so oh well. We also ordered a side of chicken taquitos which came with a generous amount of sour cream and guacamole. The food was very good overall although the chunks of beef in my tamale were dry. I prefer chicken but unfortunately they were out. I should have asked for pork but didn't think about it till later. Our server was very helpful and just a sweet, thoughtful young lady. The gentleman bussing tables was also friendly and considerate. Prices have definitely gone up but those are the times in which we live. There is street parking and an underground parking garage a short distance away. There are quite a few restaurants in the area so parking can be a little challenging. With so many new restaurants in downtown Torrance, La Capilla may no longer be at the pinnacle of food choices but for longtime South Bay residents, it would be sad to see it go. It's nice to have places that bring back memories of wonderful times gone by.

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La Capilla Mexican Restaurant - Getting my free birthday promo

Getting my free birthday promo

La Capilla Mexican Restaurant - Chile Verde to go, comes with chips and salsa

Chile Verde to go, comes with chips and salsa

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Vaquero Mexican Grill - 2 Grilled Fish Soft Taco Combo

Vaquero Mexican Grill

3.5(418 reviews)
4.8 mi
•$$

After reading all the bad reviews I'm honestly don't believe we went to the same restaurant…read more I've been searching and trying many "Mexican" restaurants all over Torrance and Gardena area. None I've had have been truly what I've been looking for. Some have good meat but their salsa is tomato juice. Or 1 taco is like 5-6 bucks and then your tortilla is ice cold. I came here to continue my journey in the search for a good Mexican restaurant I can enjoy. I came in, the cashiers and waitresses were polite. I took a look at the menu and I was drawn to try the pozole. While ordering I ask what is the best meat?... the cashier recommended the chicharron taco. It sounded good so I ordered one. Once I sat down the waitress brought some chips and salsa. Let me tell you that salsa was soooooo good!! Super flavorful. Actual salsa not crushed tomato and a few onions. Real homemade salsa. Then my order came in. The pozole was nice and hot, super flavorful, full of meat and Maiz (hominy). 9/10. But when I tried the chicharron taco !!!! Let me tell you, I was in heaven hahaha. The handmade tortilla was nice and hot, the meat was steamy, then they added onion and cilantro and their red taco salsa. It was sooo delicious I had to order more. I am happy I don't have to drive far for really good tacos. If you like spicy salsa and fresh tortillas come here!!! Don't get discouraged on the bad reviews about uncomfortable booths, or styrofoam plates cut in half like I read. You're not going to eat the plate or stay in the booth all day. This place is about real Mexican food. Real flavors. The fancy booth and fancy plates can come later. This place just started after the pandemic. Let's support local businesses..... this review is so long I got hungry again... see y'all later at Vaquero's

This place SUCKS, food is poorly made and has no taste, salsa tastes like from a bottle and the…read moreservice is extremely bad. NEVER EVER AGAIN I only rated this place with One star only because I had to in order to make this post

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Vaquero Mexican Grill - My dinner date

My dinner date

Vaquero Mexican Grill - Theyre supposed to carne asada nachos

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Top Shelf Tacos - mexican - Updated October 2026

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