Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
oChef » Taco Del Mar – Seattle
Taco Del Mar - Seattle
Photo from Taco Del Mar
Taco Del Mar at a glance
Seattle Ballard
- 🌮 Mexican Restaurant
€€
Price per Person 11 – 20 €
mentioned by 34 of the guests
#786 out of 858 places to eat in Seattle
#46 Mexican Restaurant out of 48 in Seattle
Average
5.4 out of 10
Food
Service
Ambience
Value
157
Reviews
46.5%
Satisfaction
Often praised
- Great service
- Fresh food
- Affordable quick
Frequently criticized
- Uneven food
- Dirty areas
- Small portions
The restaurant Taco Del Mar in Seattle’s vibrant Ballard neighborhood is your go-to spot for authentic Mexican flavors. If you’re craving a quick bite or looking for delicious vegetarian options, this casual eatery offers a welcoming atmosphere.
You’ll find it perfect for a relaxed lunch or dinner, whether you’re dining in, grabbing takeout, or enjoying the convenience of delivery. It’s a fantastic choice for a satisfying meal in a laid-back setting.
Overview: Introducting Taco Del Mar
Taco Del Mar offers a quick and convenient option for those seeking a casual meal. Many appreciate the `friendly and good service` and find the food to be `fresh and delicious`, often served with `generous portions`.
It’s often seen as a solid choice for a fast, satisfying bite. However, the experience isn’t without its drawbacks.
Some patrons have noted `inconsistent food quality`, with occasional issues regarding flavor or temperature. Concerns about the cleanliness of `dining patio` and `eating area` have also surfaced, suggesting room for improvement in the overall environment.
Average
5.4
out of 10
157
Reviews
46.5%
Satisfaction
72
negative
12
neutral
73
positive
Taco Del Mar registers an overall restaurant score of 5.4, placing it squarely in the average category. This is supported by a customer satisfaction rate of 46.5%, which also falls into the mixed range.
This indicates that while many find their visit acceptable, there’s a notable portion who leave less impressed. Looking closer, Service stands out with a score of (6.4), suggesting staff interactions are generally positive.
However, Food (5.2), Ambience (4.8), and Value (4.6) all hover around the average mark. These insights are drawn from 157 customer opinions, with 73 positive remarks balancing against 72 negative ones, highlighting the restaurant’s mixed reception.
What people like
- Excellent customer service
- Fresh, flavorful food
- Quick, affordable option
What people don't like
- Inconsistent food quality
- Unclean dining areas
- Small portions for price
With a recommendation score of 5.7, Taco Del Mar presents itself as a decent option, particularly if you prioritize quick service and a generally pleasant interaction with staff. It’s a place that can satisfy a craving for fresh, fast food, especially if you’re looking for a convenient and affordable meal.
However, be mindful that the experience can be a bit of a gamble, especially concerning food consistency and the dining environment. If you’re seeking a consistently high-quality meal or a pristine dining space, you might find yourself wanting more.
It’s a practical choice for a casual stop, but perhaps not for a special occasion.
Similar Restaurants in Seattle
- Mexican Restaurant
9.1
out of 10
out of 10
617
95.5%
- $$
- Westwood
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
561
90.6%
- $$
- University Heights
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
93
91.4%
- $$
- Brighton
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.8
out of 10
out of 10
170
89.4%
- $$
- Northgate
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.7
out of 10
out of 10
203
90.1%
- $$
- Georgetown
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
- Mexican Restaurant
8.6
out of 10
out of 10
98
87.8%
- $$
- Lake City
- Food
- Service
- Ambience
Verdict: Our expert take on Taco Del Mar
Food (5.2 out of 10)
mentioned by 98% of the guests
Alright, lets dig into the food! Many customers have found the burritos and burrito bowls to be quite satisfying, often praising the generous portions and how fresh and delicious the ingredients are. With 40 positive remarks among 94 total comments, theres definitely a good buzz around some of the offerings, contributing to an overall food score of an average 5.2.
However, its not all rave reviews. Some diners have expressed disappointment with the portion size, finding certain items tasteless or soggy, and raising concerns about the overall food quality. With 44 negative comments, and customer satisfaction sitting at a mixed 42.6%, it seems theres a noticeable inconsistency in the dining experience.
Food
94
Reviews
42%
Satisfaction
44
negative
10
neutral
40
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Delicious fresh food
- Generous portions
- Great burrito options
What people don't like
- Small portion sizes
- Bland, soggy food
- Questionable food quality
Often praised
- foodAll food establishments require hand washing
- portionsgenerous portions
- deliciousfresh and delicious
- freshIt's our go-to spot because the people who work here are the nicest. The food is so delicious, served so fast, and always so fresh.
- HORCHATA shakeNEW HORCHATA shake!!!! It's Soo good!!!
- burrito bowlsas far as fast food burritos and burrito bowls go, this one is a win
- burrito jointsone of the best burrito joints I have ever been to
- burritosas far as fast food burritos and burrito bowls go, this one is a win
- choicesplenty of choices so you get just what you want
- cilantroI like ordering extra cilantro
Frequently criticized
- portion sizeA full-size portion doesn’t make me “normal,”
- food poisoningMy experience at the restaurant was a mixed bag. While the food itself did taste good, the overall experience was significantly marred by a mild case of food poisoning. This is a serious concern that overshadows any positive aspects of the meal.
- food qualityfood quality was inedible worst of the worst
- rice and beansa ton of rice and beans
- Taco Del Marthis place dont come close to that
- amounthad a very small amount
- baja bowlI ordered enchiladas, a baja bowl, and a quesadilla. Unfortunately, the food had almost no flavor, and I ended up throwing it away after just a few bites. Even the tortilla chips were stale and tasted like cardboard.
- bland tasteless cold bad foodserve bland tasteless cold bad food
- burritoyou could probably find a better burrito
- burrito bowlthe burrito bowl is more like a burrito cup
If you're craving potentially fresh and delicious options with generous portions, this spot could hit the mark. Just be mindful that some experiences have been less than stellar due to small portions, blandness, or food quality issues, so it might be a bit of a gamble.
Service (6.4 out of 10)
mentioned by 52% of the guests
When it comes to service, many customers rave about the staff being incredibly friendly and good service. With 22 positive remarks out of 35 total, its clear that many appreciate the attentive and polite team, especially for pickup orders where things are often ready and well-prepared. The service score sits at 6.4, reflecting a generally positive experience with a customer satisfaction of 62.9%.
However, its not all sunshine and rainbows. Some customers have noted concerns, particularly around hand washing practices where employees reportedly just put on gloves without proper washing. There are also complaints about poor phone communication and a perceived lack of effort from some staff members, leading to disappointing experiences like soggy meals.
These issues contribute to the overall average score and mixed customer satisfaction.
Service
35
Reviews
62%
Satisfaction
13
negative
0
neutral
22
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Staff is friendly
- Service is attentive
- Efficient pickup orders
What people don't like
- Poor hygiene observed
- Bad phone communication
- Lack of effort
Often praised
- serviceAlthough the service was the best part.
- staffThe staff is always super polite
- attendantThe attendant was kind and answered any questions I had
- customer serviceExcellent customer service
- employeeThe Employee was extremely nice, knowledgeable, and very personable.
- fastIt's our go-to spot because the people who work here are the nicest. The food is so delicious, served so fast, and always so fresh.
- friendly and good serviceFriendly and good service
- labeling everythingMy experience at this restaurant was outstanding, especially with my to-go order. They went above and beyond in prepping the tacos, ensuring the sauces were separated to prevent sogginess, and meticulously labeling everything. Compared to other locations in this franchise, this spot is my number one!
- main female employeemain female employee being nice
- nice and professional staffthe staff is really nice and professional
Frequently criticized
- ask everytime to scoop moreI have to ask everytime to scoop more
- effortput as little effort as possible
- girl at counterI had a soggy meal that was a mess. The girl at the counter seemed bothered and put minimal effort into making my meal. I ordered dos tacos (crispy), but they were soggy.
- glovesAll they did was put a pair of gloves on
- hand washingThe staff were very friendly, but they did not seem to be properly trained. A crucial aspect of any food establishment is hand washing, and I observed that the employee did not wash their hands for any customer while I was there. Instead, they simply put on a pair of gloves.
- male employeemake employee who put 3 single cilantro leaves
- ownersMy experience at this restaurant was disappointing due to the greedy owners. They charge expensive prices and serve very small portions.
- phone callscalled 10 times, person on the phone seemed to not speak english
- phone communicationI called 10 times, and the person on the phone seemed to not speak English. They hung up the phone after 5 minutes. I called back 10 more times.
- phone is answeredAnswer your phone
Overall, the service here is a bit of a mixed bag. While many find the staff friendly and efficient, be aware that some operational inconsistencies, especially with hygiene and phone communication, might pop up. If you value friendly interactions and quick pickups, it's worth a try, but manage expectations for perfect consistency.
Ambience (4.8 out of 10)
mentioned by 23% of the guests
The ambience here gets an average score of 4.8, though customer satisfaction is quite low at 36.4%. Still, some guests appreciate the overall convenience and the available parking. Many also enjoy the covered outdoor seating, finding it a nice spot for a quick bite, as noted in 4 positive remarks out of 11 total.
However, there are definitely areas for improvement. With 6 negative remarks, guests often point out a significant lack of seating, especially for larger groups. Issues like potholes in the parking lot, an eating area needing cleaning, and concerns about the dining patio and weeds around the property were also mentioned.
Ambience
11
Reviews
36%
Satisfaction
6
negative
1
neutral
4
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Covered outdoor seating
- Convenient parking
What people don't like
- Lack of seating
- Dirty eating area
- Unkempt outdoor areas
Often praised
- conveniencethe convenience
- covered outdoor seatingcovered outdoor seating which is nice
- parkingThey have parking too
- placeVery nice place for a quick, cheap bite.
Frequently criticized
- dining patiodining patio and outdoor window sills of all the garbage and bugs...that is real bad!
- eating areaThe eating area needed some cleaning
- lack of seatinglack of seating for our group of six
- outdoor window sillsoutdoor window sills of all the garbage and bugs...that is real bad!
- parking lotThe fish tacos are always great. The parking lot has pot holes everywhere, so be careful pulling in.
- weedscutting down the weeds at the phone pole
If youre looking for a quick, casual bite and dont mind a potentially unkempt outdoor space or limited seating, this spot might work. However, if a clean, comfortable, and spacious dining environment is a priority, you might find it a bit disappointing.
Value (4.6 out of 10)
mentioned by 36% of the guests
Many diners appreciate the value here, often finding the prices to be quite reasonable for an affordable quick bite. Out of 17 total opinions, 7 lean positive, highlighting that it offers a solid value for what you get, sometimes even better than competitors. Yet, the overall value experience is a bit of a mixed bag, with customer satisfaction at 41.2% and a score of 4.6, placing it in the average range.
There are 9 negative opinions, with some feeling they charge more for extras, leading to surprisingly expensive meals, like a 20 dollar meal or overpriced nachos.
Value
17
Reviews
41%
Satisfaction
9
negative
1
neutral
7
positive
Rating distribution
What people like
- Reasonable prices
- Affordable quick bite
- Solid value
What people don't like
- Hidden extra charges
- Expensive for portions
Often praised
- pricesprices are way better than taco bell
- affordableGreat affordable fresh
- priceMy experience at this restaurant was comparable to Chipotle, offering a non-pretentious dining option. While the ingredients might be slightly better at Chipotle, this place is overall just as good for the price. It provides a solid value for what you get.
- quick biteVery nice place for a quick, cheap bite.
Frequently criticized
- priceI went there today and forgot why I was avoiding this place. There are better tasting and fulfilling options for the same price around. The Taco Bell right opposite them at least gives you more protein for less bucks.
- 20 dollar mealdisgusted with this 20 dollar meal
- charge me a dollarcharge me a dollar
- charge me moresometimes they want to charge me more
- enterpriseThe Taco Bell right opposite them at least gives you more protein for less bucks. A really bad and cunning enterprise. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone.
- extrassneaky bout asking about "extras"
- nachosNachos are way too expensive
- pricescharge you expensive
This spot offers decent value for a quick meal, especially if you stick to the basics. However, be wary of add-ons, as they can quickly inflate your bill and make it feel overpriced. Its worth trying if youre looking for an affordable bite, but don't expect gourmet for the price.
How are the prices at Taco Del Mar?
You’re looking at roughly 15 per person – reported by 34 diners. That places it squarely in the 11 – 20 € category. For a Mexican Restaurant, that’s comfortably mid-range: not a steal, but not bank-breaking either.
The pricing clearly clusters around this sweet spot, with most guests spending between 1 – 20 €, showing a strong focus on accessible options.
Here’s a quick look at what guests spend per person, based on the latest 34 reviews.
How this restaurant’s value stacks up against similar spots in Seattle.
Overall, we think the pricing here feels quite fair for a Mexican restaurant in Seattle. It offers good value without breaking the bank, making it a solid choice for a casual meal.
Customer Reviews: what people think about Taco Del Mar
Service Intent
- Regular Visit
Visit Type
- Dine-in
10
A Decade of Deliciousness and Great Service!
My experience at this restaurant has been consistently wonderful for over a decade. It's our go-to spot because the people who work here are the nicest. The food is so delicious, served so fast, and always so fresh.
- nicest people10
- delicious10
- fast10
Price per Person
- 11 - 20 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Couple
Group Size
- Couple
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Noise Level
- Quiet
9
Great Lunch with Attentive Service
My experience at Taco Del Mar was great! We had a wonderful lunch, and our server was incredibly kind and attentive. He truly made our visit exceptional.
- server10
- lunch9
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Visit Type
- Takeout
2
Horrible Soggy Meal and Poor Service
My experience at Taco del Mar was horrible. I had a soggy meal that was a mess. The girl at the counter seemed bothered and put minimal effort into making my meal.
I ordered dos tacos (crispy), but they were soggy. The rice and beans were cold. I also ordered queso and was asked if I wanted chips, but they were never provided.
The drink tasted like syrup. I am disgusted with this $20 meal and wish I had never purchased it. Taco del Mar, do better smh.
- meal1
- girl at counter1
- effort1
Visit Type
- Dine-in
2
Frustrating Experience with Portion Policing
My experience at this restaurant was frustrating due to what felt like a power struggle over my food choices. Restaurants weren’t designed with women in mind, and I felt that my needs were not being met. I’m not asking to eat less—I’m asking to eat what I need.
A full-size portion doesn’t make me “normal, ” and asking for a bowl instead of a tortilla doesn’t make me “difficult. ” I just want the right to nourish myself without a power struggle. I wish the establishment would stop policing women’s orders and start respecting our bodies, our choices, and our hunger.
- portion size2
- women's orders1
Price per Person
- 1 - 10 €
Service Intent
- Quick Meal
Group Type
- Friends
Group Size
- Large Group
Visit Type
- Dine-in
Meal Type
- Lunch
Wait Time
- Short (6–15 min.)
8
Quick, Tasty Lunch with Seating Issues
We stopped here for a quick and easy lunch while passing through after a few days of traveling. We were glad we chose this place! We ordered at the counter, and the food was tasty and quick.
Our only complaint was the lack of seating for our group of six, which meant we had to split into two groups to eat.
- food10
- quick lunch10
- lack of seating3
What Taco Del Mar offers
Crowd
- Family-friendly
- Groups
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Kids' menu
- Good for kids
- High chairs
Popular for
- Dinner
- Lunch
- Solo dining
Amenities
- Restroom
Offerings
- Vegetarian options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Dinner
- Seating
- Lunch
- Catering
Service Options
- Outdoor seating
- Dine-in
- Takeout
- Delivery
Pets
- Dogs allowed outside
Parking
- Free street parking
- Free parking lot
- Usually plenty of parking
Atmosphere
- Casual
FAQs
What parking options are available when you visit Taco Del Mar in Ballard?
When you head to Taco Del Mar in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, you’ll be pleased to find convenient parking solutions. There’s free street parking available, along with a free parking lot. You’ll usually find plenty of parking spots, making your visit hassle-free and easy to access.
Is Taco Del Mar in Ballard a good place for families with kids, and is it accessible?
Absolutely! Taco Del Mar is good for kids, offering a dedicated kids’ menu and high chairs for your little ones. Plus, the restaurant is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, parking lot, seating, and restrooms, ensuring a comfortable experience for all guests.
How does Taco Del Mar generally perform?
Taco Del Mar has an overall score of 5.4, indicating an average experience. While Service (6.4) stands out, Food (5.2), Ambience (4.8), and Value (4.6) are closer to average.
What do customers appreciate most about Taco Del Mar?
Many customers highlight the `friendly and good service` and the `fresh and delicious` food, often noting `generous portions` and `plenty of choices`. The `convenience` and `affordable` options are also frequently praised.
What are some common complaints about Taco Del Mar?
Some patrons have raised concerns about `inconsistent food quality`, with mentions of `bland tasteless cold bad food` or `small portion size`. Issues with `unclean dining areas` and `perceived high prices` for certain items like `nachos` are also noted.