Los Cantaros Restaurant & Taqueria
| Address: | 336 Grand Ave, Oakland, CA 94610, USA |
| Phone: | +1 510-834-4300 |
| Rating: | 4 |
| Working: | 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–10PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–9PM |
Location
Photos 100
Reviews 13
HE
Heliana Mano
Why people complain about this place I have no clue. It has good service, clean environment and good food for good price. I still feel this place is underrated. Enough with the 3 stars and below please! This is our neighborhood spot for mexican food. Nuff said. We usually pig out after long hikes around Redwood Regional Park in Oakland or Tilden in Berkeley. After hiking over 8 miles you do get hungry for some burrito you know what I mean? ;) Between the two of us we shared: - spicy steak burrito - 2 veg tamales as side dish We always share the spicy steak burrito. Its a must try people!!! Its saucy and delicious. Not too light and not too heavy if you share it. Not enough for two people but too much for one so we usually split it and order a side dish like tamales and it works out great. The veg tamales were lovely. We ordered 1 red sauce and green to try. Both were unique and lovely. Recently people had complained about change in service and ordering so was surprised to find out their service is still great as it used to be. No mess ups no confusion, no lateness. Friendly, fast and efficient.
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A Private User
Similar to Isaac below, only mexican food close to the house but it isnt a mexican place I really like. Typically we get chicken or steak burrito which is a bit pricey but the chicken is tender and moist and the steak is fair. The shrimp tacos can actually be pretty good. The nachos are ok but tend to be too oily. My standard is Farolitos on 24th in the Mission, and no they dont do everything perfect but most of the time the price and taste cant be beat, and Los Cantraros isnt in the same league. Typically if we order more than 3 things something will get screwed up. Like a chicken burrito will come with the extras while the steak wont even though we ordered it the other way around. The sangria is good! And most likely we will continue to go back but only in a pinch. Interested in their soups though, have yet to try those.
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A Private User
Los Cantaros combines hostile service, bland food, obnoxious atmosphere, and high prices. Its a trifecta of fail. (EDIT: "Isnt a trifecta only three things?" "Yes, thats how much fail it is, it even fails in the number of fails.") Ive gone back many times, hoping it was a fluke. Its so close to my house, and I love mexican food, but its just too terrible. The last time I was there, they gave me the completely wrong order, then refused to correct the mistake, because "You didnt get charged for that, so why are you complaining?" I cant overemphasize how hard Ive tried to like this place. Ive had everything on the menu. Theyre so close, it would have been good to find something that works for me. But its just so terrible. They even manage to do quesadillas badly.
GW
Gwenhwyvar Rua
This a nice restaurant, easily viewed from the street if youre driving by. I had the taco salad with chicken. It tasted fresh, meaty and the dressing had a very pleasant tang. The chicken was very good quality, juicy and flavorful. I also had the horchata and it was light and creamy with lots of cinnamon. I noticed that they have beer choices in bottles and they have a childrens menu. I think I spied some high chairs as well. I dined al fresco as it was a gorgeous day in Oakland and lake Merritt was looking especially fetching. Parking is on the street but dont let that deter you. It seems fairly easy and plentiful. A very nice, no frills, local Mexican place with good food and fast service.
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Shawn Clover
This is hands-down the best burrito place in Oakland. And its one of only a few counter-service taquerias open for dinner. The burritos are big and delicious. They dont skimp on the guacamole and the burritos arent greasy, resulting in a respectable guac to grease ratio--one of many factors in my burrito rating algorithm. The place is always busy, the employees are friendly, and you can usually catch whatever game is playing on one of the TVs. The margaritas arent fantastic, but what can you expect for $4? On my go-to list to get my burrito fix when in Oakland.
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Bruce H
Los Cántaros on Grand is flat out one of the best taquerias anywhere. The food is family-recipe controlled and delicious. Its also very inexpensive. They do a spicy chicken burrito to die for. They have daily specials that mixes up the usual for the adventurous, and Ive never been disappointed. The beef taco salad is plentiful and superb. Service is variable depending upon crowds, but they usually bring the food quickly and are good at bringing extras when requested. You will not be disappointed.
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ALEXANDER ANG-ANGCO
They are the sole Mexican restaurant in the neighborhood - so they have a monopoly on this flavor. Been coming here for years when there was a Korean(?) contingent running the kitchen and ordering. Since theyve left wait times for food are awful, quality has dropped and this is hardly the best Mexican restaurant outside of Fruitvale - if you live in the area you would find La Catarina food truck on Broadway/29th. Go there coz thats where the Latino folk outside of Fruitvale go.
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A Private User
The prices may be are a tad high for mexican food, but its worth it. Loses two stars because the burritos arent that good. They are too bland. But, the tacos are fantastic and their entrees are great. And its nice to not have to eat at Whole Foods all the time. The service is also usually pretty quick, even when it gets crowded. The seating up front is very limited, but in back it opens up. I have also heard the bar is really good. But, I havent tried it yet.
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Andrew Harris
Not what it used to be. The staff is indifferent at best and seem kind of tense, "thank you " seems to have been lost from their vocabulary, and the food has gone to mediocre, at least the last two times I was there. Tonight I got through half a super burrito and still didnt find the sour cream and precious little guacamole. Ill give it one more shot and then go elsewhere.
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I Cross
Meh... they charge for most things that you usually have included in a meal at a Mexican restaurant (sour cream, etc)... and while the flavors are delicious, it doesnt seem like you get what you pay for, compared to other restaurants... my friends like it though... might just be that its not my taste, maybe I just didnt enjoy what I ordered last time around.
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Michelle Chan
One of the better Mexican joints around the lake. Portions are huge and their meats are good - juicy and flavorful. My go to are the carnitas and chicken. From tacos, burritos, and nachos, they havent failed me yet. Free salsa and chips (not self serve), and they serve a variety of drinks from the bottle and frescas. A spot to check out if youre in the area.
JO
John Paul DeCuir
Great prices, good healthy food, but the dishes seem to lack in flavor where they gain in healthy quality. I would guess that they arent using the traditional lard that many authentic Mexican restaurants use in most of their entrees. Its not bad, just sort of a watered down version of the delicious Mexican food I grew up clogging my little arteries with.
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A Private User
i have had consistently good results w/ this place. they seem to care about the quality of food they are serving. good burritos and an above average carne asada plate (thin and well seasoned). seems to draw some savvy locals - have seen of duty cops, firemen, etc. very family friendly. but they also have a bar, tv, etc.
