oChef » Tacos El Flaco – San Francisco

Tacos El Flaco - San Francisco

Mexican Restaurant Tacos El Flaco in San Francisco
Photo from Tacos El Flaco
How do the guests rate it?
Tacos El Flaco at a glance
San Francisco Dogpatch
$$
Price per Person $11–$20
mentioned by 9 of the guests
#1399 out of 2403 places to eat in San Francisco
#73 Mexican Restaurant out of 134 in San Francisco
Good
7.3 out of 10
7.5
Food
8.7
Service
6.3
Ambience
5.4
Value
66

Reviews

74.2%

Satisfaction

Often praised
  • Great Service
  • Tasty Food
  • Easy Access
Frequently criticized
  • Price Concerns
  • Meat Inconsistency
  • Shifting Spot

The restaurant Tacos El Flaco is a vibrant Mexican spot nestled in San Francisco’s lively Dogpatch neighborhood. You’ll discover a wonderfully casual atmosphere here, perfect for a quick bite during your busy day.

This is where you can enjoy authentic flavors in a relaxed setting, making it an ideal choice for a laid-back lunch. Whether you’re craving classic tacos or exploring new favorites, you’ll find a welcoming experience waiting for you.

Overview: Introducting Tacos El Flaco

Tacos El Flaco offers a straightforward experience where the focus is clearly on the food and efficient service. Many appreciate the clean truck and the convenient location which makes stopping by quite easy.

You’ll find a generally positive atmosphere, with customers often highlighting the friendly people working there. While the overall experience leans positive, some aspects might give you pause.

The fast service and often reasonable prices are definite draws, but there have been shifts in their usual spot and some concerns regarding value. Still, the core offerings tend to satisfy those looking for a quick, tasty meal.

Good
7.3 out of 10
66

Reviews

74.2%

Satisfaction

12

negative

5

neutral

49

positive

Tacos El Flaco holds a good overall Restaurant Score of 7.3 out of 10, with Customer Satisfaction sitting at a solid 74.2%. This positive sentiment is built on 66 customer observations, with 49 positive remarks outweighing 12 negative ones.

The standout here is clearly Service (8.7), which customers consistently find to be excellent, often noting the speed and helpfulness of the staff. The Food (7.5) also scores well, indicating a generally satisfying culinary experience.

However, Ambience (6.3) registers as average, reflecting its nature as a taco truck with practical considerations like parking. The Value (5.4) score is more of a mixed bag, suggesting that while some find the pricing fair, others are starting to question it, especially with recent adjustments.

What people like
  • Excellent Service
  • Flavorful Tacos and Burritos
  • Convenient Location
What people don't like
  • Rising Prices
  • Inconsistent Meat Quality
  • Location Changes

With a Recommendation Score of 7.7, Tacos El Flaco is certainly worth considering if you’re in the mood for quick, flavorful Mexican fare. It’s a solid choice for those prioritizing efficient service and tasty tacos or burritos, especially if you appreciate a no-frills, convenient setup.

However, be mindful of potential fluctuations in value and occasional inconsistencies in certain meat preparations. If you’re seeking a reliable spot for a satisfying, fast meal and don’t mind a casual setting, Tacos El Flaco generally delivers.

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Verdict: Our expert take on Tacos El Flaco

Food (7.5 out of 10)

mentioned by 94% of the guests

When it comes to the food, you're generally in for a treat! With a good score of 7.5 and a good customer satisfaction of 82.1%, many diners rave about the delicious offerings. Out of 39 comments, 32 were positive, highlighting items like the Al Pastor Super Burrito with its perfectly balanced mix and 10/10 included sauces.

Guests also appreciate the fresh ingredients and good quality of their burritos and tacos, often noting the great taste of the meat. However, there are a few areas where the food could improve, as noted in 6 negative remarks. Some experiences mentioned unfresh meat and a badly made burrito.

A couple of comments pointed out that the Al Pastor and Carne Asada sometimes lacked that desired griddle crisp finish. There were also a few concerns about portion size not always feeling generous.

7.5 Food

39

Reviews

82%

Satisfaction

6

negative

1

neutral

32

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Balanced burritos
  • Excellent sauces
  • Fresh ingredients
What people don't like
  • Unfresh meat
  • Lacking crisp finish
  • Small portion size

Often praised

  • food
  • tacos
  • Al Pastor Super Burrito
  • Food
  • Meat
  • burrito
  • burritos
  • burritos and tacos
  • carnitas
  • carnitas tacos

Frequently criticized

  • al pastor
  • bad meat
  • badly made burrito
  • carne asada
  • meat
  • portion size

If youre looking for a spot with generally tasty burritos and tacos, especially with great sauces and fresh ingredients, this place is definitely worth a try. Just be aware that some specific meat preparations or portion sizes might occasionally miss the mark, but overall, its a solid choice for a quick and flavorful meal.

Service (8.7 out of 10)

mentioned by 50% of the guests

When it comes to service, this place truly shines! Based on 10 glowing opinions, customers are absolutely thrilled, giving it an impressive 100% customer satisfaction. Youll find folks raving about the "quick service" and "friendly people" who go the extra mile, like the time they kindly helped someone who was a dollar short.

The overall score for service is a fantastic 8.7, firmly placing it in the good to excellent category. Whats even better? There isnt a single negative word to be found about the service!

It seems the "staff quality" is consistently top-notch, ensuring every visit is a pleasant one. So, if youre looking for a spot where the service is always on point and genuinely caring, you're in for a treat.

8.7 Service

10

Reviews

100%

Satisfaction

0

negative

0

neutral

10

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Quick service
  • Friendly staff
  • Kindness shown
What people don't like

Often praised

  • service
  • people
  • Flaco
  • Service
  • Venmo
  • food
  • staff quality

Frequently criticized

No complaints so far.

If excellent service is high on your list, you absolutely cant go wrong here. With consistently quick and friendly staff, this spot promises a truly pleasant and hassle-free experience. Its definitely worth checking out for service alone!

Ambience (6.3 out of 10)

mentioned by 38% of the guests

When it comes to the vibe, customers really appreciate the effort put into keeping a clean truck, which is always a plus! The location is also a big hit, especially since its surrounded by convenient parking. These positive aspects, noted in 3 out of 8 total observations, contribute to an average score of 6.3, though customer satisfaction sits at a rather low 37.5%.

However, it seems theres a bit of a snag for regulars: the truck is sometimes no longer at their usual spot. This single negative comment suggests a minor inconvenience that might catch some off guard, indicating room for improvement in consistency.

6.3 Ambience

8

Reviews

37%

Satisfaction

1

negative

4

neutral

3

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Clean truck
  • Convenient location
  • Ample parking
What people don't like
  • Not usual spot

Often praised

  • clean truck
  • location
  • parking

Frequently criticized

  • usual spot

If a clean, conveniently located spot with ample parking is your priority, this place has some good points. However, be prepared for the possibility that it might not be in its usual spot, which could be a minor hassle. It's a bit of a mixed bag, so checking ahead might save you a trip.

Value (5.4 out of 10)

mentioned by 50% of the guests

Many diners appreciate the prices here, finding the food affordable and offering good value, especially for items like tacos. Based on 4 positive remarks, it seems the price per person is often seen as reasonable. While customer satisfaction for value is a rather mixed 44.4%, the overall score for this aspect sits at an average 5.4.

However, with 5 negative observations, some guests have noted that super burrito prices are increasing, making it harder to justify the cost. The cash only policy is also a pain point, leading some to feel it's not a good deal anymore, with some items becoming a bit expensive.

5.4 Value

9

Reviews

44%

Satisfaction

5

negative

0

neutral

4

positive

Rating distribution
What people like
  • Affordable tacos
  • Reasonable overall prices
What people don't like
  • Cash only payment
  • Rising burrito prices
  • Value hard to justify

Often praised

  • price
  • price per person
  • prices
  • tacos

Frequently criticized

  • price
  • cash only
  • good deal
  • super burrito prices

So, is it worth it? If youre eyeing those affordable tacos and dont mind paying with cash, you might find some decent value. But be aware that prices for certain items are on the rise, which could make it a less appealing deal for others.

How are the prices at Tacos El Flaco?

You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 9 diners. That puts it in the $11–$20 category. For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, it’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.

Looking at what people usually spend, prices really cluster around that $11–$20 mark, showing a pretty consistent experience. While we only have 9 reviews, it gives us a good feel for the pricing.

Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 9 reviews. It gives a good indication of typical spending, even with limited data.

A look at how this restaurant’s value for money compares to similar spots in San Francisco.

For a Mexican Restaurant in San Francisco, we think the pricing feels pretty fair. It hits that sweet spot for a good meal without breaking the bank.

Customer Reviews: what people think about Tacos El Flaco

Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Ian M.
Review date: 09/18/2025
9
Excellent Burritos and Green Sauce!
My experience at this truck was fantastic! I had their burritos and tacos, which were consistently of good quality. The green sauce was particularly solid. They also conveniently accept Venmo. The atmosphere was rated a 3, service a 5, and food a 5. It's a walk-in only spot with an outdoor patio, perfect for lunch.
  • burritos and tacos9
  • good quality8
  • green sauce9
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Yang C.
Review date: 11/08/2024
9
Legit Street Tacos - Better Than Others!
My experience at this restaurant was fantastic! It's a legit street taco place with tons of food. I found it to be better than any other places I have been. The food quality was rated a 5 out of 5, and the recommended dish was Tacos. The service was also excellent, receiving a 5 out of 5. I visited for lunch, and the price per person was between $10–20. The atmosphere was rated a 3 out of 5.
  • street taco place9
  • tons of food9
  • food10
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Meal Type
  • Lunch
jason C.
Review date: 04/16/2024
9
Best Carnitas Tacos Ever!
My experience was fantastic! I had the best extra crispy carnitas tacos ever. I believe the negative reviews might come from burrito eaters who probably prefer places like Chevys. The grilled serrano was a nice touch. I even experienced a time when I was short a few bucks, and they kindly said I could pay next time. The people are very nice! It's worth the trip if you appreciate a solid taco.
  • carnitas tacos10
  • grilled serrano8
  • people10
Visit Type
  • Food Exploration
Service Type
  • Dine-in
Christopher C.
Review date: 08/13/2023
3
Mediocre Tacos, Missed Crispness
My experience at the restaurant was centered around the tacos, which were unfortunately mediocre. The al pastor and carne asada lacked the crucial final, griddle crisp finish, resulting in a consistency similar to stewed meats. While the camarón tacos were decent, they were not particularly memorable. A positive note was the complimentary grilled Serrano Chile, which was a nice addition.
  • camarón5
  • grilled Serrano Chile8
  • al pastor3
  • carne asada3
Price per Person
  • $11–$20
Visit Type
  • Quick Meal
Service Type
  • Takeout
Meal Type
  • Lunch
Brandon S.
Review date: 03/06/2023
9
Super Burrito, Amazing Service!
My experience was super nice! I was a dollar short, and they kindly gave me my food anyway. The burrito was super tasty. The restaurant is in an industrial location on a busy street, so it's probably more of a take-out situation. However, I really recommend it for a solid burrito in a pinch.
  • burrito9
  • food10
  • location6

What Tacos El Flaco offers

Children

  • Good for kids

Popular for

  • Lunch

Offerings

  • Quick bite

Dining options

  • Lunch

Service Options

  • Dine-in

Atmosphere

  • Casual

FAQs

What kind of atmosphere can you expect at Tacos El Flaco?
At Tacos El Flaco, you can expect a wonderfully casual atmosphere. It’s the perfect setting for a relaxed meal, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite or settling in for lunch.
Absolutely! Tacos El Flaco is considered good for kids, making it a family-friendly destination where everyone can enjoy a delicious Mexican meal.
Tacos El Flaco maintains a good overall **Restaurant Score** of **7.3**, driven by strong **Service** (8.7) and **Food** (7.5), though **Ambience** (6.3) and **Value** (5.4) are more moderate.
Many customers praise the **tacos** and **burritos**, specifically mentioning the **Al Pastor Super Burrito** and **extra crispy carnitas tacos** for their flavor and balance.
Some customers have noted rising **super burrito prices** and occasional issues with **meat** quality, such as **al pastor** and **carne asada** lacking a crisp finish or being described as not fresh.
Loading map…
Location
1508 Illinois St, 94124 San Francisco
Opening hours
Monday
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Tuesday – Friday
9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed