El Gran Amigo Taqueria
| Address: | 2448 Cabrillo Hwy, Moss Beach, CA 94038, USA |
| Phone: | +1 650-728-3815 |
| Rating: | 4.3 |
| Working: | 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM 10AM–10PM |
Location
Photos 64
Reviews 12
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Chris Romero
Summed up as: Gritty local place with plain-average quality food. Was out all day on the coast with nothing but a coffee, water, and vitamins for go energy, I was ravenous for anything that would be was thrown in front of me. Likely with a stellar review afterward. Driving back home I spied El Gran Amigo Taqueria one again. Ive consider it before and now was the time on this wonderful Friday night around 9 PM. I pulled into the front of the place and was met with mud and pooled water. If you are going here after some rain pull into the back. The front will stay muddy for days on the moderate to cool California coast. A quick walk to the back confirmed the read is paved. The front is still wild west style comfortable for coastal riding. The rule here seems to be Sunday shoes, park in back, Sneakers and boots, park in front. When I walked I immediately noticed horses were not the only things comfortable here. Just about anyone would be. Its typical shack-style decor with a nod to surfing in the area. That includes the lack of table cleaning. Every table was dirty when I walked in. That includes the the three tables people per sitting ate. Lots of left over crumbs to feed the squirrels along with the humans. Some nice latin music playing also set the mood. Since it was my first time here I opted for a standby of Super Burrito with Carne Asada meat and extra toasting of the tortilla. If you have never had a toasted tortilla for the burrito you are missing out. In any case the El Gran Amigo Taqueria Super Burrito is: Flour Tortilla, meat (choice), rice, beans, sour cream guacamole, cheese. Overall the burrito was,,, average. Plenty of meat. But fairly tasteless meat as far as carne asada style goes. It was tender to the bite and good quality. No problem with the amounts of the other ingredients. Plenty of cheese and rice and guacamole. The salsa was more potent that other place around here. Ask me a couple of years ago and I would have passed on t he salsa. But now I find the spiciness of the salsa served here to fit nicely with the burrito.The tortilla toasting was perfect! The staff also provided limes wedges when I went back and asked them for some. About the lime wedges and other things normally seen in the front of a Taqueria there is nothing but the pickled items. The rest is behind the counter. Good because of the greater likelihood they would be kept clean and fresh. The chips and salsa provided was below average. More specifically, the chips. On the food front I rate the overall value provided by El Gran Amigo Taqueria to be just slightly below average. You can find the same quality for less money elsewhere. And you can find greater quality for the same price elsewhere as well. But for the people of Moss Beach I would say its probably acceptable since its a local place. And truth be told, I have had worse food at high priced places on the coast. In case you are wondering the price for the Super Burrito is $10.50 before tax. Remember what I said about the music setting the mood. At least it did for the people working here because no one every came to clean up anything during my visit. Not for the table people were sitting at. Not for any of the empty tables either. At this point I count the extra layer of "stuff" on the table as sticky-shellacy kind of protection from the elements. The deteriorating and nearly unreadable menu on the wall echoes the condition of the tables, and really, the rest of the place. The experience is same as you will find at most Taqueria shacks similar to El Gran Amigo Taqueria. You live with it because the table grit and the rest because (not in spite of) it is part of the "gritty" nature of the visit experience to a coastal taco shack, In the end my ravenous hunger did not result in raving review. But so far El Gran Amigo Taqueria somewhat solid place for plain food fit to give your body energy. Ill probably be back at least one more time to check out a plate experience before putting a more final judgment out a about El Gran Amigo Taqueria in Moss Beach.
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Robin Greenbaum
We just tried this place for the first time and were very impressed! Our super tacos were DELICIOUS and huge. The lengua was melt-in-your-mouth tender with a wonderful sauce. The flavors were great and the prices were very reasonable. We cant wait to go back. The service was great too. UPDATE: Weve been several more times and Ive added a star to the rating. The ordinary tacos are an even better value. Weve been getting about six to eight tacos and splitting them. Each taco meat has a unique flavor and comes with a great sauce.
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Timothy C
This place is fantastic. Its worth a drive from San Francisco to Moss Beach just to have a meal at El Gran Amigo. The structure is essentially an overgrown utility shed with picnic tables inside, and a gravel parking lot . But the food is spot on. This place is the real deal. (And the 25 minute drive down the coast is just icing on the cake....or sugar on the churro...or, well, you get the gist...)
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Michael Klear
Perfect low-key Mexican joint. Prices are incredible considering the location and the food is consistently high in quality. Portions are generous. The red sauce is a must-try, but you need to ask specifically for it. Its mildly spicy with (i think) carrot juice and goes wonderfully with everything on the menu, or just with tortilla chips.
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Lauren Reed
I love this little restaurant. It makes me feel like Im in Mexico with the big wooden tables and chairs. Its hard to find a resturant that can make a good asada and pastor, and they have done a great job on both. Their tortillas are also delicious and clearly made in house.
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Andy Perry
Its just a little Taqueria near the beach, but I guess that night driving south from the city and wanting to be near the coast, this little roadside place was a nice place to stop by and sit outside at a picnic table and have some fairly priced, decent Mexican food.
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melissa meadows
I love el gran. The food is great. I love everything that Ive had from there. UPDATE: I used to come here all the time. I dont know what happenend, but I havent gotten a correct order in months. Makes me sad this place was my super favorite.
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Bob Sage
16 years of coming here and we love it more now than ever... Great Pico de Gallo. Ask for the homemade orange sauce. Best Al Pastor I have ever had. House fried chips that turn the bag transparent. Veggie nachos come w rice and beans!
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Ivan Evfimiou
Had a steak and shrimp super burrito. Ingredients are fresh, but it is soooooo bland. Needs more salt, more sauce, more something. The place would also be much improved if it had a salsa bar.
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A Private User
I just found THE BEST taco in the Bay Area...!!!!!!!!!!! its the chorizo taco at El Gran Amigo. Holds it own against Julia Childs pet place in Santa Barbara called Superica.
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A Private User
Disgusting. Much better food at Happy Taco a few miles away in HMB. The orange salsa is gross & guacamole is whipped into a cream. Meat is flavorless. Place is filthy too.
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Amy Meyer
Weve journeyed down highway 1 on multiple occasions just to enjoy the delicious, fresh (and inexpensive) tacos at El Gran Amigo Taqueria.
