Cactus Taqueria
(510) 658-6180
5642 College Ave
Oakland,
CA
94618
37.8437
-122.2515
Neighborhood: Rockridge
Last updated 6.25.09
What People Are Saying About Cactus Taqueria
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
The Scene
Long a favorite with families and college students, the cafeteria-style service is quick and kid-friendly. The place has a festive air, with wooden chairs and tables lacquered in primary colors, and the open kitchen lets you watch the cooks power-chop an assembly line of tomatoes. Mealtimes are almost always busy, and the noise level increases accordingly.
The Food
A massive menu of fast-food renditions of Mexican dishes offers plenty of variety for big and small appetites. Fat foil-wrapped burritos are loaded with a choice of beans (black, pinto or refried), salsa and nine meat, seafood or vegetarian fillings. The nutty, spicy pollo con mole rojo is one of the more inventive choices. Messy, overstuffed tacos are served in soft, warm corn tortillas. A deserving favorite, the sweet husk-wrapped corn tamales with fiery poblano chilies are surprisingly authentic. Enchiladas, tostadas, nachos--whatever you order, count on fresh ingredients and generous portions.
User Reviews
alingane
January 12, 2009
The food is unique, but also authentic. They serve a wide range of burritos, enchiladas, plus tamales, chile rellenos and more of the platos tipicos that you'd expect from a sit down restaurant in a fast environment.
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Anonymous
July 30, 2007
Pro: Fast, Delicious, Reasonable, family friendly Con: parking, (could possibly be) long line. Try their Mole sauce, as well as crispy chicken taco.
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g_peters
October 14, 2006
this place attracted my attention one day when i was getting off the BART. it was justs remodeled and it had the look of a really nice fast food place. naturally i had to try it but i was sadly disappointed. their food was mediocre and salsas were so inauthentic they could barely pass for mexican... very gimicky. the decor was the only saving grace. although it was confusing since it looked as if the food should taste good since it looked so nice on the outside but it was a big let down. they claim to use Niman Ranch meat but the way they cook and store their meats really doesn't do Niman Ranch justice. you're better off spending a little more somewhere else to get a nice Niman Ranch Pork loin so you can enjoy it the way it's supposed to be enjoyed. we ordered a chicken salad, two tacos, and a burrito and two drinks between two of us and our bill came out to be almost thirty dollars! the tacos had BEANS in them which in my opinion is totally weird. all i could taste was the beans. the salad was decent and the burrito was just average at best, if that. the only good thing was that i could wash the bad taste it left in my mouth with their draft beer! i hate to say it but this place is really deceiving from the outside in. when i logged on city search to write this review i read all the other reviews for this place and i can't tell you how shocked i was to see such a poor inaccurate representation by a city search editorial... and coming from the other reviews on bad service, and declining quality, i should have read those first before spending my hard earned money at a place that is all bark and no bite.
read full reviewThe Details on Cactus Taqueria
What to Drink:
The generous selection of beverages includes sodas, domestic and imported beer, coffee and tea, but aguas frescas (traditional Mexican fresh fruit drinks) are the way to go.
Where to Sit:
Snag a table in the back of the restaurant, behind the salsa bar, for a quieter seat away from the main dining area.
Category:
Restaurant Special Features:
Family-Friendly Dining, Lunch Spot, Cheap Eats
