Taqueria El Paisa
A no-frills Oakland taqueria celebrated for its authentic, flavorful Mexican grub, especially its wide variety of tender meats and vibrant salsa bar.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Taqueria El Paisa
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A no-frills Oakland taqueria celebrated for its authentic, flavorful Mexican grub, especially its wide variety of tender meats and vibrant salsa bar.
"IMO, one of the best and most authentic Mexican restaurants I have been to. Great tasting foods."
Try unique meats
Venture beyond the usual and try less common, flavorful meats like glassy tripas or chewy buche for a unique taco experience.
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid long waits, consider visiting during less busy times, especially on weekends.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Mexican
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(510) 368-5403
Address
4610 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94601, USA
Website
taqueriaelpaisa.shop/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic & Flavorful Tacos
Experience genuine Mexican flavors with a wide variety of succulent meats like suadero, tripa, and lengua, all served on warm, fresh tortillas.
Expansive Salsa Bar
Elevate your tacos with a generous salsa bar offering diverse spice levels and fresh toppings, including radishes and cucumbers.
Generous Portions
Enjoy incredibly satisfying and filling meals, from massive burritos to tacos loaded with tender, flavorful meats.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Try unique meats
Venture beyond the usual and try less common, flavorful meats like glassy tripas or chewy buche for a unique taco experience.
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid long waits, consider visiting during less busy times, especially on weekends.
Consider takeout
If parking is a concern or you prefer a quicker meal, takeout is a convenient option.
Don't miss the suadero
The suadero tacos are highly recommended, known for their authentic flavor and tender, well-simmered meat.
Tips
from all over the internet
Try unique meats
Venture beyond the usual and try less common, flavorful meats like glassy tripas or chewy buche for a unique taco experience.
Visit during off-peak hours
To avoid long waits, consider visiting during less busy times, especially on weekends.
Consider takeout
If parking is a concern or you prefer a quicker meal, takeout is a convenient option.
Don't miss the suadero
The suadero tacos are highly recommended, known for their authentic flavor and tender, well-simmered meat.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Taqueria El Paisa is widely praised for its authentic and exceptionally flavorful Mexican food, particularly its wide array of tender, well-seasoned meats in tacos and burritos. Diners also appreciate the generous portions and the extensive, fresh salsa bar. While the atmosphere is decidedly no-frills, the quality of the food often overshadows this, making it a beloved spot for genuine Mexican cuisine.
"Excellent tacos here, very flavorful and well seasoned. Beef head and beef tongue tacos I ordered and there is a large selection of meat to choose from. I also bought the super burrito steak to go and It was delicious, so huge. I like the spicy guacamole salsa too. Great authentic mexican food here everyone should try this taqueria."
Beasteastbay
"Dine here with pals for a swift meal, and we each select something to take away. The flavors are genuine. We only tried a few items, but they were flavorful and delightful."
Cole Trible
"I’ve been looking for a good taco that reminds me of childhood. Something with flavor and salsa that actually makes my nose/eyes water. I found it at this place. Even the simple rice and beans make me think of being a kid eating at grandma’s house. A taco is $4.50 at the moment but given our economy and surroundings it makes sense. But worth it. Really good authentic food. They also have a parking lot and boy do they get really busy during the weekend. Would highly recommend and definitely coming back."
Jasmin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Customers highly recommend trying the suadero, tripa, lengua, al pastor, and carnitas for their authentic flavors and tender textures.
Yes, they offer a well-stocked salsa bar with various spice levels and fresh toppings like radishes and cucumbers.
The restaurant is known to get very busy, especially on weekends. It's recommended to visit during off-peak hours.
They have a parking lot, but it can get busy. Consider takeout if parking is limited or seems unsafe.
Taqueria El Paisa is a no-frills establishment, focusing on authentic food and business. Casual attire is perfectly fine.
Yes, they serve large and delicious burritos, with steak and carnitas being popular choices.
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The 25 Best Restaurants In Oakland - San Francisco
There’s no shortage of exceptional taco spots in Oakland, whether you want to scarf down al pastor from a late-night truck like Tacos Mi Rancho or load up on crispy carnitas at Rico Rico Taco. El Paisa is the queen bee. The East Oakland spot—complete with picnic tables under a covered patio and a meat assembly line—is serving fall-apart lengua, perfect suadero, and juicy carnitas atop impossibly moist corn tortillas.
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Hailed as the temple of tacos, Taquería El Paisa is (unsurprisingly) all about the business of tacos. Food is the focus of the counter-only Bib Gourmand spot where different types of meat are used to create the most sumptuous bites.
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Yes that is the name of this place, and no, we don't know how to say it out loud (a lot of locals just call it 'El Paisa'). Honestly, we would call this…
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El Paisa.com not to be confused with El Paisa Taqueria, located on International Blvd in East Oakland is respected/well-known for its authentic Suadero style taco. Pay at the cashier, grab your ticket and the taquero awaits you. Behind the serving counter, is a huge metal pot for suadero, where meats are simmering in their own natural fats and juices, which provides amazing flavor to each bite.
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Taqueria El Paisa, located just a short distance from Oakland International Airport, offers a truly satisfying taco experience. Known for their flavorful meat, fresh tortillas, and delicious salsa bar, this spot is a must-visit for any taco lover. The tripas and asada tacos come highly recommended, with the tripas receiving accolades as one of the best in Oakland.
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Taqueria El Paisa serves delicious nachos that stand out for their crispy texture and generous toppings. Customers rave about the delicious flavors and ample portion size, making it one of the best spots for nachos in a long time. The nachos at Taqueria El Paisa are a crowd favorite, featuring a perfect combination of crispy chips and flavorful toppings.
The best tacos in Oakland, Berkeley and around the East Bay
One of the Bay Area’s most beloved taquerias has still got it. El Paisa lives up to its reputation of being one of the Bay Area’s best taquerias with its hot tortillas and tender proteins. Tacos here come filled with less-common meats like glassy tripas or intestines and chewy buche, or pork stomach.
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While Taquería El Paisa may be the very definition of ‘order at the counter’ with zero frills attached, the food itself is considered to be the holy grail of tacos in Oakland.
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One of two Richmond burrito finds, Taqueria La Bamba looks like a 1950s drive-in. Once inside, the atmosphere is oddly sedate, with bad lighting and no music.
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