The Original Taco Factory
14455 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA, 92780
The Original Taco Factory Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Tustin for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Tustin for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
14455 Newport Ave
Tustin, CA, 92780 - Phone (714) 731-1111
- Website https://originaltacofactory.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :9:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : Yes
Categories
Mexican Cuisine
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
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Jeremy L.
Authentic and very well priced.
(4)N Z.
The best tacos I have had in socal. They're so good. The carne asada meat is the best part. Not the greasy type where you go to the bathroom and come back and your tacos are drenched in oil and water. No sir, and they have really good salsa. My fav!
(5)Fausto Z.
Had a Torta con asada. It was good but it wasn't amazing. But what's important is that when I finished it, I was satisfied. Like others have mentioned the Salsas are good and so are the vegetables. The chips where really good and I liked that my Torta came with chips on the side. They were fresh and well kept. I would come here again especially since it is close to work.
(3)Brad T.
I've been here several times since my previous review. This definitely warrants a 5-star yelp rating. This place is even better than Japapenos (except for chips and salsa). Try the chilaquiles at breakfast - they come with 2 eggs and steak, for under $5. It is enough for two. Went here this last weekend and got the asada torta and a chicken taco - way too much food. Wife got the chilaquiles. I felt bad throwing away so much food, but mexican is not good leftover, IMO, plus we had other errands to run and weren't going straight home. I love you Tacos Al Carbon, correction - Taco Factory!!
(5)Rachelle F.
I like this place. Big portions, good price. I've only been here a few times, but I already have a favorite, chimichanga. It's huge, and delicious and totally worth the wait, which is sometimes pretty long. There tends to be a lot of people but not really a long line. Mainly it's for the wait for food... but again, worth it =]
(4)Maybe Milan B.
For cheap Mexican food, this place is the best. Their quesadillas are sinfully full of cheese and their salsa bar is fantastic - mild medium and hot, full of whole chunks of veggies...hot carrots and radishes too. The lady who owns the joint is always there and she focuses on quick service and freshly cooked food. It's not a high brow place but it blows most other Mexican-food holes in the wall out of the water.
(5)Jason P.
Gotta come here for their Taco Tuesdays, but expect the lines to be crazy as well. This place is a popular lunch spot for whomever works nearby, and I can definitely see why. There is plenty of parking in the plaza that its connected to, and plenty of indoor and patio/outdoor seating. The indoor area is small, but they have most of the wall saved for their salsa and other tasty condiments. You really can't go wrong with either getting tacos, burritos, or if you're really hungry, fries. The portions here are very big and the meats here are well marinated, full of flavor and juicy. I highly recommend trying their California burrito.The burrito is huge, and is full of meat and fries. The sauce included takes it to another level, but its good that they salsa bar has different types of salsa, depending on your spice level, to change up the pace. Overall, you can't go wrong with anything that you order here. The service is pretty good here. Expect a little wait as they can get pretty busy around lunch time, especially during Taco Tuesday. The workers there are polite, kind and courteous. Definitely a good lunch spot and would be perfect for late night if it decided to extending their hours to late night.
(4)Thuy-Vy N.
what to order: carne asada tacos, carnitas tacos, quesadilla tip: bring your own Tapatio!! it makes the tacos next-level delicious CARNE. FRICKIN. ASADA! They should rename it to Carne Danksada! I have never had such flavorful carne asada... I don't know what it is or how they cook it but it is dank. Their size is also on point, about 3 will fill you up- these are bigger and more filling than the street tacos. We also order the greasy quesadilla because I love cheese and just tearing off small pieces and adding it to my tacos is awesome. Kudos to their huge, clean, fresh salsa bar! I have never seen a salsa bar like that. I wish their carrots were softer though. BRING YOUR OWN TAPATIO! I wish they supplied you with some but its okay, you can't have it all.
(4)Raymond L.
They have $1.39 taco Tuesdays, with tax comes out to be $1.50 They have a weird name- on the store it does not say Original Taco Factory, it's Taco al Carbon, so don't get scared if you don't see it at first. You can tell because they advertise their Taco Tuesdays on the wall. Ordered their asada and their pescado/fish tacos. Fish tacos- not deep fried. It's marinated with some weak sauce to give it flavor rather than have it be plain, but not really a fan of it. Like at all (2/5) Carne asada- Better. They had soft tacos here and they just put some of the meat in there. It's a good thing they put big pieces/ a lot in there, otherwise the rating would be even lower. The meat at least tastes good but of course does not do a soft taco justice by itself... ..which brings us to the huge salsa bar they have. Their saving grace. They have 3 sections + an additional section (cilantro, etc). One for mild , medium, and hot. Oh wait. I forget. X-Hot? Hmmm. But anyways got mild salsa and just put that in the taco. Meh. Not really a fan. They do give free chips with your order, so that's a plus :3 I guess, add and utilize that salsa bar well! Otherwise you're not gonna be too too happy with your meal :/ I'd suggest going across the street to Hole Mole.
(3)Dana K.
Great spot for taco Tuesday - go in order, find a table, if it's for here, the employee will bring your food to you (by calling out your number) assuming you're outside, if it's to go, the employee will call out your number inside. If you go around 12PM it'll be packed so try to sneak in a little beforehand or wait a little bit after 12PM to snag a seat. The tacos are not pre-filled so you'll have to grab your stuffing from the inside bar (which is actually good if you are picky about certain ingredients). I usually get the al pastor, it's tender, juicy, and they're generous with their meat. What this taco is really missing is some cotija cheese or something salty. Otherwise great spot to satisfy your Mexican food cravings.
(4)Cheryl S.
It's been a long time since I've been here, because I no longer live in Tustin. I do stay in town once a week though during the school year and it was convenient to go here today. The extra star is because, in addition to what I have previously written, they now have a bowl of whole, grilled jalapenos next to the salsa bar. Win!
(5)Risya L.
I guess I just don't get it. I've had dinner here and it was okay and even two star worthy, but breakfast was a total disappointment. So for that only one is acceptable.
(1)Rachelle B.
4 stars? Seriously? I was very disappointed in this place. I should've known better, though, 'cause there were more white folks in the joint then there were Mexican. I ordered 2 carne asada taco with a side of rice. The tacos have hardly any seasoning, but props for the massive amount of meat. You add your own salsa, onions and cilantro if you like. My BF ordered the carne asada burrito. It was better, but I just couldn't take another bite. The rice is dry and bland as hell. Parking is a pain in the ass, since there are like 6 spots out front. I didn't know there was more parking out back. Definitely won't go back, even for taco Tuesday.
(2)David W.
This place is the carnivore's dream because their dishes are loaded with delicious meat: chicken, carne asada, or carnitas. The quesadillas are big so even the small one makes a good meal with R&B.
(4)Sam S.
Taco Tuesdays are the bomb!!
(5)Frank V.
Great Carne Asada. There is some thing to be said about flame grilled Carne Asada. No prestaged boiled variety here. A great assortment of fresh salsa from mild to x-hot. Tacos, burritos, quesadillas, tostados, tortas are all generous portions with chips included. All food is cooked to order. Tip: Avoid waiting in line during lunch hours and call your order in advance.
(4)Linda Y.
I came here the first morning after I moved into my new apartment in Tustin by the recommendation of a coworker. Good choice! I was a little confused by the Vietnamese lady taking my order at first haha. I ordered the loco breakfast burrito. Beans, guacamole, salsa, eggs, sour cream, and french fries. Yes, I did say french fries. I was so full eating half that Joe ate the other half for me. It was good. It came with chips too. Yay, chips for breakfast! Haha. Joe got the chorizo and egg burrito. It was pretty good but I think my loco burrito was better. It was only like $4 for that huge burrito too. I can't wait to come back and try the other non-breakfast food items.
(4)Yralla L.
I was introduced to this place by my brother who would have lunch here a few times a week. The carne asada and carnitas are flavored so well. The food is reasonably priced and very flavorful. Every time I craved Mexican food, I would go here. This little fast food joint is worth a visit.
(4)Paul C.
Despite the fact that Taco Factory recently raised their prices, they remain a regular lunch spot for me. For about $7, you can get two tacos, beans, rice, a handful of tortilla chips, and a drink. There's a salsa bar with a variety of salsas, onions, cilantro, limes, etc that you can use to finish off your tacos. I won't pretend that it's great food (even for mexican), but it hits the spot for lunch.
(4)Helen H.
so yummy! grilled fish burrito was spot on. the bbq pork burritos had a great flavor, but was greasy. Will definitely try again, a great find.
(4)David B.
its the taco combo plate. 2 tacos for under 6 bucks with rice, beans, and chips, plus a delicious assortment of salsas in the salsa bar. highly satisfying and highly delicious. I tried a carne asada burrito here, and i wasn't that impressed, kind of soggy and cheesy, stick to the tacos, thats why they're the taco factory :) definitely will come back when i'm in town.
(4)Sarah C.
I am mixed on this place. I LOVED the 'mexican nachoes' but after one look at the meat on the grill i was ready to call the health department. so gross! thank goodness im a vegetarian. reasonably priced, horrible parking (at least at lunch time), but very friendly employees =) It's okay, wouldn't drive too far to go but wouldn't mind stopping for lunch a few times a month.
(3)Geoff S.
goodness. so much food for so little cash. salsa is top notch, meat is tasty and fresh, service is quick and pleasant. the perfect taco stand with many options and great prices...
(5)Susannah R.
Three words: Dollar Taco Tuesday, that's all you need to know (I order them in a crunchy shell). And if it's not Tuesday then it's special burrito: carne asada, guac, cheese and salsa. Also has a respectable salsa bar. Make sure to order their black beans as a delicious side.
(5)No B.
This little Mexican 'Taco Shop' is an amazing place. First off if you show up early, 9:00 am or so, 90% of the folks eating here are Hispanic and they are here because the food is the real deal. There is nothing on that menu that is not top notch true to Northern Mexico, Mexican food. What these guys pump out of the little kitchen is amazing. The other great thing is they actually have a little Salsa Bar that is actually a Salsa Bar! From a slightly hot Pico de Gallo to Salsa's that you will not only tear up on the way down you will be reliving the experience a day or two later. Their refried beans are authentic, made the correct way, with lard. This place is the real deal, no BS Faux-Mexican/American crap that is served and called Mexican Food here. The interior is rough, but clean, seating is limited on the inside, but there is an outside open patio. You are not coming here for the furnishings or the dining experience, this is great real Mexican food, cooked to order with all the REAL trimmings you would find in a Cantina in Mexico that is off the beaten path and with little influenence from American tourists. This place is a go to authentic Mexican Taco Shop, in Tustin...so you don't have to drive 2 hours South of the Boarder to find the same thing.
(4)Rick L.
looking back i was wondering why i was so stinking cheap. dude this place is awesome. as i sit in my hong kong apartment, craving and salivating over the thought of mexican food, this place comes to mind. its a real good deal and its really good.
(5)Terry B.
super friendly service, big fatty tacos, good salsa bar.
(4)Floyd B.
go for the carne asada tacos or nachos. Great carne asada. The sides are decent. Not wild about the salsa bar. Overall a decent place for quick quality mexican food. Not a nice place to eat. The outside patio has a rustic feel.
(4)michelle n.
This place is amazing! Their burritos are simply delicious and very filling. Try their carne asada fries-they're delicious!
(5)Linda B.
been here once. carne asada burrito great, but carnitas burrito wasn't so great. not bad, just dry. if i want a good burrito, i think rubios is even better.
(3)Brian B.
Tacos are great, clean "hole in the wall" place that seams to be quite fresh.
(4)Mr X.
Best Mexican restaurant EVER. Mexican food made in Actual Mexico isn't even this good. My father recently introduced me to this restaurant for he use to eat here in the early 80s. So its been this good for a while. I will recommend hand held foods served like tacos, tortas, and burritos for the plate foods aren't as good. The Taco Factory does not top my home made carne asadas and other delicious mexican cuisines but it is nearly there.
(5)Pearl C.
I love this place! I've only been here once but I have been waiting to go back ever since. As a native san diegian i always believed that the closer to the border the better the mexican food. Its so hard to find a place with good carne asada in OC. But, taco factory rates as my number one!
(5)Diane V.
Taco Tuesday on Cinco de Mayo! What timing! I came in on a Tuesday night around 6:15 PM, and this place was pretty packed, though there was plenty of outdoor seating available. The windows of this shop boasts $1.39 tacos on Tuesdays. How could I say no? And on Cinco de Mayo no less? I ended up ordering 3 carne asada tacos and one carnitas taco. The wait was about 15 minutes long, but mind you, this place was pretty packed, so it made sense. My order came out to $6 even with tax. Score! There is a $5 purchase requirement for credit cards if you do not want to get charged a 50 cent fee. Otherwise, stick with cash. I tried the carnitas taco first. It was very good, but a little too dry for my taste. The carne asada taco, however was REALLY good! It wasn't as moist as I would have hoped, but it was well seasoned, big, and packed full of meat. When you added pico de gallo, onions, and cilantro to it, the moisture level was not even an issue anymore. I love that it came with complimentary chips, and you can go crazy at the self serve salsa bar, which had a mild, hot, and super spicy version of the pico de gallo, lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, onions, salsa verde, beets, and a bunch of other stuff I never use for my tacos. They had a lot of other good stuff on the menu that I think I'll come back for, such as their Famous Burrito (choose your meat), and it was only $5.99. They have a small indoor section for eating on bar stools, but you're better off eating on their outdoor patio. It wasn't too bad, and the cashiers come out there once in a while too so you don't miss your number being called. I would definitely come back here for more Taco Tuesdays and other non-taco days too!
(4)Cat N.
I went here with 9 other yelpers for taco Tuesday at about 8pm and it was pack. One taco was only about $1.50 and they were pretty large. I went for their fish taco. I thought the fish was good but a little too fishy for my liking. Also didn't think it was anything special. I heard their other meats were much better. Some of my friends loved the pollo and carne asada here. I want to come back and try those. The tacos here were prepared much more simple then other taco places. It basically comes with the taco shell and meat only. You put on your own cilantro, lettuce, onions, and sauce. Their salsa bar is pretty intense. They have all types of sauce from mild to extra hot. Oh and your tacos do come with some chips on the side. The portions are large. The ordering area along with the salsa bar is pretty small. The dining area is large. Our food took a while to come out. This is a good alternate place for tacos if you want to try something new.
(3)Josh L.
I ordered crunchy tacos and they used store taco shells. I thought they would at least make it fresh. The meat was solid, the sides were good as well. The whipped orange and pineapple drinks were very good. I would go back and order something else next time which might be in November.
(3)Joe R.
Delicious steak burrito. Don't even think about driving past! ig: #letsfindK ....
(5)Ryan M.
The essence of So Cal TaquerÃa. The salsa bar is fantastic and offers something for everyone. You don't like it too spicy but your best friend likes it hot? They have you covered. The menu itself is diverse and tasty. Your eyes look around the pictures and say "Hey, I want all of this. How many weight watchers points will this cost and can I put the points on lay away?" I recommend trying something different every time. Live like a crazy person. Wait, I'm talking about food here right? Right. My personal favorites are the tacos al pastor, the carne asada fries and the steak burrito. The food is a great value and affordable for almost any budget but if you spend less than five bucks you will be charged fifty cents. Bring cash if you don't want the charge or buy an extra taco. You won't regret it. Trust me. Taco Tuesday can be extremely crowded from 4 till close. When ordering tacos make sure you specify if you want the crunchy tacos. I personally prefer the torilla style but to each their own. The outdoor patio is a nice place to chill out and devour your comida. Relaxed and welcoming, a nice covered patio area awaits. Try some of their specialty drinks while you relax outside with some friends. If you are in the Tustin area or not and just want some quality Mexican food, do yourself a favor and head on down to the Taco Factory in Tustin. You wont regret it.
(4)Sean M.
Loved it; Great Burritos, Quality. Old school setting with picnic tables under covered patio. Good ambience as several employees made eye contact and wished me well. Very welcoming.
(5)Tammy S.
Just discovered their 1.39 taco Tuesday. The line was long so I was really excited. We ordered nearly one of each. I was especially excited about the Al pastor. Here's my review of their tacos. Pros: *Good amount of meat. *1.39 on Tuesdays (2.10 all other days) *Great salsa bar....loaded with onions, cilantro, radishes, limes...and of course, salsa. Cons: *The tacos were alright, some were better than others. If I had to again, I would pass on the Al Pastor. It wasn't that great and you will just walk away hugely disappointed, so just dont put yourself through it. Asada was even worse - the meat was dry and not the best cut. I would recommend either the grilled chicken, shredded chicken, shredded beef and fish tacos. I was debating between 3 or 4 stars. I wish there was 3.5. My 4 stars is because there were enough PRO's and if you choose the right meats, it can be a 4 star experience.
(4)James N.
This is my go to place for tacos. Literally the definition of a whole in the wall. Parking sucks here during lunch. Cheap food, amazing salsa bar with awesome sauces, and actually hot carrots! Food comes out relatively quick. Check the window before you enter if you want to see the special for the day!
(4)Erin T.
Maybe we didn't order the right thing... I had the chicken soft taco and the steak soft taco. They were large in size, and definitely a value for the price. I felt like the chicken was kind of dry and it really doesn't come with anything other than the meat and 2 tortillas. we also ordered the fajita plate. The meat was tender but could have been more flavorful. Love the salsa bar though! It has everything! I'd still come back if i were in the area...maybe the carne asada fries are better? The food is better than any mexican place in Irvine but Lake Forest has some way better choices.
(3)Joel Christian A.
Came in for Taco Tuesday where they have tacos for $1.50 for each. They have a variety of meats (Carnitas, Carne asada, Al Pastor and Fish) with more that I haven't indicated. I bought 6 tacos with fish carnitas and carne asada with a half order of California Fries. Needless to say we ordered way too much food and had leftovers, mainly the fries. We seriously underestimated the taco sizes which were huge. They had a huge selections of salsas from mild to extremely hot which appeased me and my gf, who loves spicy food. While the fish tacos were not great, all their other meats were delicious. They had a great dining space which could be updated but the food came out quick and the food was good. Taco tuesday is a must for you taco lovers out there.
(4)Erik P.
Came to check out this lil corner joint place with good reviews. Ordered 4 tacos (2 al pastor, 2 asada). When I got my order I was shocked on the size of the tacos (big), and how well packed they made them. The taste was great and they provide you with a large selection of condiments. Would definitely come here again, but wished they served beers, and had better parking.
(4)Nina B.
This is a good place to find authentic-style Mexican food. Everything is great from the tortillas to the meat to the toppings. Nice value as you can get a filling meal and drink for under $10! I've had asada tacos and the asada burrito and plan to try something else next time.
(4)Allison K.
The food here is always so good! I love getting the daily specials, which are an amazing value!! Today the special was a taco and enchilada with rice and beans and a drink! So yummy!
(5)Schel H.
Such a high rating had me very disappointed after I tried it. Either I was here on an off night or I think all of you don't know chit about tacos. I did a typical trio of tacos so I could try multiple stuff on this trek... only one item struck me as decent errr average. I did like that they had a build your own taco toppings bar, but it is without cheese. Not surprising as it is more expensive than the other stuff that they had here. None the less, onions, cilantro, lettuce, salsa's of multiple types. It is all here. So the taco meat was not good except for chicken which was decent... sadly the al pastor and asada were both bleh. But so it goes. I cant pinpoint why, but the taste seemed off on both of them. Perhaps they have a different marinating style that changes the flavor or as it was a Taco Tuesday, perhaps they just tried to hurry up the process and some of the meat suffered as a consequence. I don't know, I just know that for a joint this full and with a short line inside, I was let down horribly. The salsas were average to me as well. Nothing in the salsa counter/toppings bar jumped out at me as super tasty and or exciting or uber delicious. Honestly I think its a place to pass on and not head back to. I have no reason to grub at a joint like this when there are so many good places around.
(2)Erik R.
Ive lived in Tustin for decades and seen taco joints come and go. Hands down this place serves the best tasting tacos in the city. Quick service and good salsa selection.
(5)Natalie B.
Taco Factory on Tuesday's is the business. I love eating here because the meat is good, especially the Asada. I really like that they have their own salsa bar with different salsa's, etc. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a fast & yummy meal that's affordable. Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because one con is that its so small inside and everyone rushes the salsa bar so unless you push your way through you cant get anything. I am also somewhat claustrophobic so maybe to some that won't matter. Still overall a great taco spot!
(4)Anita C.
I've been trying so many new places that this place was not memorable at all. I had The Original Taco Factory 3 or 4 days ago, and I only remember trying this place out when looking at my camera roll. I had the carne asada burrito. The meat was a little too salty, it was all I could taste in the burrito. The only good thing about the burrito is the portion, it was large enough for two meals or to share with another girl.
(2)Edward E.
Pretty good food here, it wasn't the most amazing but really good and you get alot for what you pay for (which is always a plus) will be coming here again.
(3)Monair T.
When I first came here a couple years ago, the tacos were pretty good but I came here recently for Taco Tuesday and I didn't enjoy it as much as I did before :( it's no wonder Hole Mole's line is out the door on Taco Tuesday and this place isn't as crowded The Al Pastor had a weird taste to it and I thought the fish for the fish tacos would be a little be more fried The chips are pretty good & they have a salsa bar (which is always a plus) but that's about it
(2)PJ D.
Great food.. I Tried the cheese enchilada and chicken taco plate with black beans with no spicy ness and it was yummy! The prices are reasonable.. The salsa bar comes with toppings you grab yourself to fill your tacos, burritos , or whatever plate you order! The enchilada sauce is tasty and much more authentic than some other taco places I have been to which is great! It gets busy on the weekdays early dinner.. So that means great food!
(4)Gretchen L.
We are now on our third generation falling in love with this place. We would bring our kids here for Taco Tuesday back in the 80s when the base was open. Now we are bringing our grand kids. Same excellent flavor. Same friendly smiles. Great portions. Amazing salsa bar. I love this little OC icon. Glad it's a part of our family history!
(5)Adriana P.
Not the best tacos in the world and the salsa's are pretty good but their carne asada fries is where it's at. I think their other food options other than the tacos is a reason to come here. I wished they offered a better horchata sadly theirs comes out of a machine, sometimes I won't come here cause they don't have good horchata.
(2)Chad S.
Excellent food at good price. It's been a while since been here. We had the Torta and the wet burrito (green sauce), both with carne Asada. They have an excellent salsa bar with carrots and radishes - get both. They also have grilled peppers.
(4)Alizabeth I.
Disappointed We shared steak quesadilla plate, friend had a carne asada taco and I ordered the fish taco My fish taco had absolutely nothing on it but two huge pieces of grilled fish but I wanted it fried. Didn't even touch it but my friend ate it. The quesadilla was nice and cheesy and the meat flavorful however I stumbled upon some dry pieces. I would never come back. Would rather have the tacos from hole mole.
(1)Joseph E.
I usually come here for the all steak burrito. But now I have my new favorite. Steak Torta, no lettuce, no beans, and with two over easy eggs. Simply The BEST!
(5)Ryan P.
I went back here a year ago to buy lunch for my uncle to thank him for helping me move my bed...the food was downright bad. I haven't been back since.
(2)Greg F.
I am surprised to see negative reviews of this place. Best Carne Asada tacos around. Best salsa bar as well. Food is 5 stars. You'll get more meat in 1 taco than the chains will put in an$8.00 burrito. Deducted 1 star for seating area, which needs an overhaul. Overall, I love this place and drive many miles for their tacos.
(4)Christopher H.
Ventured here not too long ago as of review date. Anticipation was high, expectations was mediocre and satisfaction was below expectations. Initially gave them three stars but they are really one star. The service was atrocious, somewhat unexpected from an establishment like this... I had got a carne asada burro. The asada was just salt flavor. not much else to it. I think they rely on their salsa/chile a bit too much to cover up the subpar flavors that transpired. I like to think i eat food at a purist level which means to enjoy the natural ethos and flavors of food translation... eat things as if seasoning didn't exist. Basically if u like salt this place is perfect. If you are like ED from Tustin who prefers dog food since he is a b*tch (literally) or cat food then you will love this place. There was nothing distinct about these folks establishments except for the unfriendly and unwelcoming atmosphere beginning with the owner and/ or representatives. The food was quite affordable but will not return. Ive been giving sole proprietors the benefit of the doubt. Those who follow me understand this! Yet when i give mom/pops places a one star. Think about it? I discourage people from eating at this dump with so many alternatives in nearby sants ana.. Ohhh and btw. The ground beef is most likely the same as taco bell. First of all we dont know what it is but it wouldnt matter cause of the overkill on spices. I guess i could have summed it up by saying... This place just sucks! Have a nice day everyone. Hope someone steals your car ED, but your pathetic mother will just buy you another one.
(1)Andrew D.
I've been coming here for years and it still my favorite Mexican food place in Orange County. My go to item from here is the famous burrito with steak. It's loaded with cheese, guacamole, salsa and carne asada. It is beyond delicious. Another thing that makes this place insane good is there taco Tuesday deal. Sure it used to be 99 cents for any taco, but even at its new price of $1.29, it can't be beat for the quality of the food you get. It's super simple: two tortillas with your choice of meat (I usually go with carnitas, carne asada, and pollo). Also they have one of the best salsa bars ever. They make all their own salsa daily and it is always fantastic. The salsa verde is spicy, but so good! Next Tuesday, make sure you head down here and give them a shot. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Richard R.
My first time here. Amazing!!! Tacos are huge. I recommend the carne asada tacos. Salsa bar is amazing. Everything is fresh and so good. Come check it out.
(5)Chris R.
this place has great value, and the only freshly made chimichanga that I can think of anywhere locally. from what I can tell, everything is made fresh except for the drinks (I would add a 5th star for fresh horchata btw.. hint hint). they never skimp me on anything that I've had. expect at least a small crowd during lunch
(4)Daisy R.
My mom found hair in the food and the ladies response is to just show the cook and they both laugh. Yep never coming here again it's exactly 9pm 7/1/2015 and now we are leaving feeling very humiliated and unhappy thanks for nothing :/ the least she could have done is apologize also they weren't very helpful or nice they didn't curse or tell or ignore us but the they way they carried themselves and how they asked questions was rude every time we asked something they looked confused or annoyed or like they were going to laugh at is. Customer service is EVERYTHING then the food. Again this is my experience and personally the food is not delicious I as a Mexican know what good Mexican food is and this wasn't even meh it is was poor quality everything yuck I don't consider chipotle authentic nor do I like it but I rather eat that then ever come here again. Usually I don't eat out but after a long day at work then errands I wanted to be lazy and not cook horrible call on my behalf anyways when we got home we were trying to get passed the poor costumer service but everything was soggy and the avocado/ guacamole was not fresh it looked like it's been sitting in a container for days rather then making new guacamole every few hours and the sour cream wasn't either. What happened to this place maybe I went on a shitty day because a month ago an Asian woman helped us with our order and was super nice and the food wasn't as nearly as bad.
(1)Emmanuel E.
OMG... I had the "Famous Burrito" is was big and it came with chip... sorry I didn't take a picture - it was good.
(5)Alison M.
I decided to stray from Hole Mole for Taco Tuesday because my curiosity and fellow Yelpers decent ratings of the Taco Factory piqued my interest. This was a tough decision for me because you can't go wrong with Hole Mole's fish tacos. I'm glad I finally tried it because I now know this is not my kind of taco joint. There was a decent amount of people ordering and eating here which felt encouraging. We stood in a small line to order $1.29 tacos. They had a couple varieties of beef and chicken, plus fish, carnitas, and al pastor. I noticed that it was grilled fish rather than battered so I passed on that, I knew it wouldn't compare to the awesomeness of the fish tacos across the street. I guess it's ok if you want to go the healthier route though. I decided to try the asada, al pastor, and carnitas. My boyfriend got the same but added a fish taco and ordered his beef shredded. When I got my basket of tacos, it was nice to see that it came with complementary tortilla chips. They don't do that across the street! There is a variety of salsas to choose from at their salsa bar as well. The size of the tacos were pretty generous and the tortillas were fresh. I tried the asada first. It was alright, it was a little grissly but tolerable and the flavor wasn't bad. Next I had the al pastor. It tasted nothing like the al pastor that I've had elsewhere. There was something about the smell that reminded me of an open can of dog food. I couldn't bear it nor finish it. Lastly, I had the carnitas. They were extremely bland and tasted as if they were cooked in boiling water rather than roasted. The tortilla chips were my saving grace because I couldn't finish my tacos. My boyfriend didn't care for his tacos either, including the fish. My conclusion is this: stick to what I know at Hole Mole, they have amazing fish tacos. Their other meats are ok, and if I want real al pastor, I shall end up at the Alebrijes truck on Cubbon in front of the Northgate Market in Santa Ana. No need for a Tuesday to enjoy everything they have there!
(2)Chris V.
It was the worst taco shop I have ever been to the service was bad and the food was worse I will never return to this shitty taco place
(1)Gary S.
I LOVE THEIR CARNE ASADA!!! Carne Asada tacos, nachos, burritos, torta!!! I'll drive 30 miles out of my way to get them!!! Damn they are good!!
(5)Fred P.
Came back here to try the machaca plate. The steak and eggs were delicious. The plate came with a fairly large side of beans w/ cheese, rice, chips, and your choice of corn or flour tortilla. Large portions for a good value!
(4)Amy M.
The carne asada tacos were to dry for my liking.
(2)Dana W.
If you've never been to Orig Taco Factory before, it's super small. It's right on the corner of Walnut and Newport Ave. with literally 3 parking spaces in front. There's more parking along the strip mall if needed, but not a lot. We got a Loco burrito al pastor and quesadilla with pork. The burrito is really good and it was big... (Actually ate half and save the rest for breakfast fried with eggs and it was even better.) The quesadilla was good but the pork was kind of dry. Both came with chips. There's plenty of condiments if you need salsa, extra cilantro, etc.... Overall it had a feeling of fast food Mexican food but more authentic than the typical drive thru type places. There's not much seating inside...maybe a few stools overlooking the busy intersection. There's plenty of seating outside but probably best to order to go. I would visit again to try a few more things.
(4)Douglas R.
I have loved this place for years. It's awesome so I figured that I would throw a review their way. No better bang for your buck for Mexican in Tustin. Come hungry. There are no small items on the menu. I love the carne asada just by itself and regularly get the carne asada plate. Huge chunks of meat, seasoned and cooked perfectly. I substitute the rice and beans for salad and extra chips and guac and I still have trouble finishing it. The loco burrito has everything they have in the kitchen thrown in, including french fries. It's big enough to kill a small mammal but too good to put down. My favorite is al pastor. I have tried almost everything here - breakfast, lunch and dinner - it's all amazing. Chorizo and egg breakfast burrito, chicken quesadilla, taco plate, tortas, etc, I have never been disappointed. Ask for a doggy bag cuz you probably aren't finishing it. I am not looking for decor when searching for good food. I enjoy the outside seating and would rather have them spend the money on quality ingredients than remodel.
(5)Ish R.
Awesome friendly costumer service and the food was hot and fresh I has the 4 taquitos with rice and black beans, everything tasted delicious and fresh. Well be back more often keep up the good work thanks :)
(5)Matt D.
Awesome ! Good food and good prices. Chilaquiles breakfast burrito torta. Busy and a little slow but worth it.
(5)Linda C.
Two words: Taco Tuesday. $1.29 soft tacos on Tuesdays! My favorite part about this place is the salsa bar! The salsa is good and doesn't taste cheap-o. The salsa bar here ranges from mild to x-hot. You can add your salsas, peppers, onions, cilantro, radish, and everything you need to complete your food. What I like is that they're constantly refilling and cleaning the salsa bar. Although it's 30 cents more than Hole Mole right across the street, the tacos are a lot bigger and fill you up way more. I can get full off of 3 tacos here, and it takes me about 6 tacos at Hole Mole to get filled up. I recommend the carne asada tacos! TL;DR: Pros: -Tacos come with a side of chips -$1.29 Taco Tuesdays -Yummy and clean salsa bar Cons: -Small seating area inside -Hard to find parking -$5 minimum to use card
(4)BCB G.
Food was decent but bland. Setting is ramshackle and grungy. A taco dive. Salsa bar and spicy carrots were the standouts. I ordered the carne asada tostada and was surprised at the lack of flavor. There are so many other Mexican places around. Won't hurry back to this one.
(3)Darren E.
Good food, small place, lots of people, but surprisingly quick to get your food. I ordered a famous beef burrito and a small cheese quesadilla. Too much food. I should have either gone with the quesadilla or the burrito but not both. The burrito was beef and had great flavor. I would definatly go again. They have a great salsa bar.
(4)Jessica L.
I think I found my new spot for Taco Tuesday! They have a GREAT salsa bar, stocked with fresh made salsa ranging from mild to spicy. You also get toppings to put in your tacos in here - onions, cilantro, etc. They even have grilled jalapenos that are just delicious (if you can handle the spice). They're nice and hot even though they're chilling on the salsa bar. Seriously, 4 stars just for having such a freaking awesome salsa bar!! I've only had their al pastor and carne asada tacos. I really enjoyed the carne asada. The al pastor was pretty bland and not great. It doesn't live up to the great adobado tacos that I've had. Regardless, I came here after eating 9 tacos at hole mole.....and definitely regretted not trying this place first.
(4)Albert W.
You want a solid taco place. This place is solid. You won't feel that you go ripped off and you feel that you meal worth what you paid for. If you don't know what you want, get the combo. Also try not to go at busy times like lunch since there is very little parking (i'd park across the street and walk over). Lots of sitting area.
(4)Alma G.
Best tacos ever.!! Fresh ! I been going there for years sence i was in middle school my dad use too take me there for lunch. They have awsome choices good menu to choose next time i go visit my home town i must go here for lunch sometime.
(5)Shawna C.
This has been one of my favorite places to frequent on Taco Tuesdays so far. We had been searching on what seemed like forever for a good taco place to go to. We tried a good three or four places before a co worker recommended this place to us. I'm sure glad that he did. This place is not only one of the cheaper ones (Since most places aren't really a $1 Taco Tuesday place anymore unless it is a silver dollar taco), but it is also a very tasty one. Although I do like the chicken and carnitas as well, I love their steak tacos. Both my husband and I will get two steak tacos for $1.29 and he will usually add a side of rice. They also come with chips. They have a small little bar to get your salsa, onion, cilantro, limes, etc. We have also gotten other various items such as a steak torta, steak quesadilla, etc. Everything seems reasonably price. They also have lunch specials on different days, for different items. We came here for quite some time every other week, but it has been a while. I will need to stop in this week and satisfy my steak taco craving.
(5)Evan R.
Good food for a good price. Seasoning is proper and portions are good. Great place for a lunch break. Prices are good.
(4)Angela L.
Located at the busy intersection, small place, hard to find parking, good carne asada, many condiments, reasonable price, good service, yeah..we will be back if we happen to be in the area.
(4)Sherree B.
I really enjoyed this restaurant! It was nice sitting out on the covered patio. The food was very tasty. I had two Taquitos that were crispy, hot, covered in cheese, guacamole, shredded lettuce and also came with beans, rice and chips. Yummo! I liked it better than Hole' Mole. I've been there too. The people behind the counter were friendly, there was plenty of parking. What is not to like?
(5)Ramon U.
Been coming here for years! The best thing they offer here is the carne Asada. Just about any item that comes with carne Asada is really good. Can't go wrong with Asada tacos, burritos, or chimichangas. But can't say the same for the rest of the meats. The fish is bland with no flavor, Carnitas is ok, Chicken I'll pass on, I expected better. The Alpastor isn't rotisserie style Alpastor, which sucks. The nachos here are really big, recommend you share with someone, same goes for the Asada fries. The Quesadillas are really good, especially if you add Asada to them. I've tried the enchiladas here and they were alright, didn't taste as good as a traditional mexican enchilada. The salsa bar is solid which is a huge upside to this place. Salsa's are made fresh and have a variety from mild, hot, and extra hot. Can't go wrong with chips and salsa here. The guacamole is also very good here. The breakfast here is also good. I've had the chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and the chorizo in a burrito and breakfast plate, both ways it was really good. I definitely recommend this place for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
(3)Chelsea B.
Got the 2 taco plate. Great carne asada tacos, beans and rice were good too. & it was cheap so that was a bonus. The chicken tacos were a little dry but all around my meal was delicious. OH also the salsa bar was awesome, a bunch of different salsas, toppings, and sauces!
(4)Tim O.
I had to check the pictures to make sure I got the right place here...I don't remember any of their signs saying "Original Taco Factory". A few highlights: the food feels authentic with a good amount of meat in the tacos and the prices are low. There really is little else for me to say about this place to drive you to come here. If you like actual Mexican food (or rather actual Mexican food according to a gringo who is born and raised SoCal) then you will get a good deal here. Their seating is mostly on an outdoor patio, which is fine except flies were a bit of a problem at times. Nothing much they could do about that though. Also they brought the food out to us since we were dining in, which considering the overall feel for the establishment was a welcome surprise. The major downside for us was the parking. The lot apparently has a tendency to fill up fast, and we ended up parking at a center behind the restaurant and walking back. Not really out of the way but a little annoying. Will be back someday.
(3)Steven C.
We were recommended to this place by a gentleman we worked with who lives in the area and we have never been disappointed with the service or food at this small little hole in the wall. The Original Taco Factory has been here for many years has become sort of a local staple for Tustin. They run great Taco Tuesday specials, the flavor of the Carne Asada is the best I have tasted in and around the area and the service is pretty good. The only areas of concern for this restaurant are the parking and seating. The inside seating is confined to 2 small counters while the outside has around 8 tables seating from 2-6 people each. This place does get very busy at times however and it often seems that seating and parking (which is a fairly small and poorly setup lot) fill up quickly. It does appear that they recently gained some more competition as the Tustin location of Hole Mole recently opened across the street (I still need to try this place and have read good things) so not sure how much this has affected business as its been a couple months since we've been here. All in all this is one of my favorite spots we have found so far for carne asada tacos, quesadillas, burritos in the area. They also run several specials which come with rice, beans and a drink which change daily which is always a plus. Definitely give them a try and let me know what you think.
(5)Steve M.
I've been going to Original Taco for years. They have two signs in front. One says Tacos El Carbon. There's a great patio for eating outside. Really simple food stand style taqueria, but great food for a bargain.
(4)Ric E.
All one can do is sit here and envy the line across the street at Hole Mole. The Original Taco Factory fell short of so much. They do have a fresh salsa bar, but that's about it. The food was just " whatever". Trying to avoid the usual analogy by saying this was just a step above Taco Bell, but.... guess that's inevitable. For the many great reviews that this place has received, I don't understand it. Maybe I missed something. I guess whatever I missed I will never receive has I am not willing to give this place a second chance. Yeah...they did have the "bang" machine. Maybe if I had dipped my taco in that, it would have made it taste better.
(2)Robert B.
The chili verde plate is pretty kick hind. Sometimes its on the "fire in your mouth" side but always tastey and always enough to take some home. Black beans done right are hard to find, they have excellent black beans and serve heavy portions so you will never leave hungry. I like the salsa bar and being able to pick just the right level of heat and the ammount I want is awesome. The salsa is always tastey too. I always mis time the parking and wind up walking from the lot behind them, but just remember that lot and its not too far. Id recommend trying this place out, you will be glad you did.
(5)Ann M.
Went here for dinner one night. Was actually looking for Hole Mole but couldn't find it so we ended up here. The service was whatever. Kind of like fast food order at the counter. I got two al pastor soft tacos and my friend got the carne asada nachos. Can't say we were impressed with either one. The nachos were meh, nothing to write home about. My al pastor was disappointing. It had the color but had absolutely NO flavor. The salsa bar is ok I guess but since the "restaurant" is wide open, theres flies hanging around. We also sat at the tables outside and had to swat at flies the whole time while we were eating. Definitely NOT going to go back ever again........
(1)Hank C.
I found this kinda-hole-in-the-wall place in Tustin because it's near a cheap haircut place that I like to frequent. The food is great - I love the Loco Breakfast burrito! The prices are very good and you get a lot of food for what you pay for. The owner there (I think she's the owner) - she looks Asian but speaks fluent Spanish. Very impressive. The food takes a while to cook but it's hot and fresh, and you can load up on your salsa while you wait. Free filtered water machine which is good for customers like me who try to stick to a paleo but inevitably can't resist a delicious tortilla wrapped meal. The decor is nothing to write home about (it's kinda-hole-in-the-wall, like I mentioned earlier. There are a few seats inside, and there is a shaded outdoor seating area.
(4)Samantha F.
Quick service expecially on a 30 minute lunch break. I'm a huge fan of their chicken, it is to come back for every time I crave Mexican food. :) tostada, burritos, wuesadillas, tacos, you name it. It will be one of the best! My local neighborhood and work taco shop:)
(5)Menuka G.
Amazing food friendly service .if you looking for authentic Mexican food this is the place be . Very good salsa and home made tortilla chips . Don't miss taco Tuesday ... Under 7 bucks You can get 4 big tacos and side of rice yummy
(5)Brianna J.
We're like the first customers in the restaurant, and all the tables are dirty. Hardly any napkins in the place and very cheap about giving you more. I asked if they had any specials, and the answer was everything is special. Way overpriced for the sparse amount of food that you get. I paid $5 for a crappy tostada. Tacos weren't any better. How in the world they've received 4/5 star reviews beats me. Maybe they had a bad day but either way they're not getting a second chance. THIS PLACE IS A JOKE!
(1)Diana Y.
Came here and got a carne asada burrito. The burrito is loaded with meat and a smear of guac. I kind of wished it had a little more guac and some cheese or something, although I can't complain about the copious amount of meat. The tortilla was nicely crisped on the flat top and they have a nice salsa bar with the roasted whole chilis that was a nice apptizer for me while waitng for the food to come out. You also get a small serving of chips with the burrito and those were of good quality too, slightly thicker and perfect for scooping salsa. I would come back and try some more items from their menu next time.
(4)Abbe W.
I remember this used to be pretty good. Carne Asada was my favorite meat. My sister got take-out from here: breakfast burrito with carne asada, carne asada wet burrito, and carne asade plate. With the exception of wet burrito because of the sauce, the other two dishes were pretty bland. Meat is pretty flat with marinate. At the same time, it's a bit dried. I was disappointed by it.
(3)Melissa R.
This is one of my favorite restaurants in Tustin! The food is delicious and grilled fresh. I recommend the carne asada in particular. They are very generous with the amount of meat that they include in tacos and burritos. The only downside is that the premises only allow for limited staff so the wait time can be long during peak hours. However, in my opinion, the quality of the food is worth the wait.
(5)Jon C.
I ordered the Famous Burrito with carnitas. The meat was good and juicy. However I'm not sure what they use for the salsa but it causes the burrito to be very soggy. Seems like they don't drain the salsa before putting it in the burrito so every time you take a bite your hands get wet and you hear a nice squish. I'm pretty spoiled by San Diego burritos so this was a complete let down. Not sure what all the hype is here.
(2)Danielle B.
I've been coming here with my family since I was a kid, and the food is great. I will say that the food during the week is much better than on the weekends; the crew is different on the weekends and the food is never as good.
(4)Nancy M.
Can't complain about the price, a wet burrito and steak nachos for $13 is pretty fair. At the same time I can't compliment the food in any way. The wet burrito (ironically) had too much sauce. Maybe it's their preference but their sauce tasted like enchilada sauce as opposed to the the red sauce I've had at other places. The steak nachos were loaded with sour cream and beans. I had to search for my uneven sized pieces of dry steak. I gave one star alone for the plethora of sauces, but in the end I don't think I'll come here when I want good Mexican food.
(3)Phil Y.
I've been coming to The Original Taco Factory for years. Each time I come here, I am amazed that a Asian woman runs this place. Shouldn't she be making pho instead? The answer to the question is a resounding "NO!" The tacos here are ginormous compared to other taco places that I have been to. But, size is not the only factor here. Their carne asada is normally good and flavorful. Well, except for today. I thought it was overcooked. They will also give you chips to go with whatever you order. Like everyone else, I also like their salsa/condiment bar. They have mild, medium, hot and extra hot salsa. They have spicy carrots, jalapenos and onions. The spicy carrots are really good here. They are crispy, not mushy like at other places. I wish more taco places would learn from the Original Taco Factory. It is my go to taco joint.
(4)Janis B.
Love their black beans! And their salsa bar selection is awesome!
(5)Sarah K.
Had the Famous Burrito with Pastor meat on a Tuesday night. The parking lot is packed but there's movement so you just need to either wait it out for a bit. As people said, the salsa bar is clean and fresh. Loved it. The Famous Burrito (with pastor meat) was a-ok. I guess the higher reviews come from those who tried the Famous Burrito with steak. I didn't dislike the burrito but I just wasn't too impressed. It was filling though and the chips were crispy too.
(3)jonathan s.
loco breakfast burrito was a burrito filled with mush. terrible consistency and bland. good size for $4. Also tried a carne asada burrito. I think I got the last of the batch. it was cold. real juicy, finely chopped, but very chewy. all in all a pretty bad meal.
(2)Daisy A.
OMFG this is delicious! I will come here more often for my lunch breaks. I will call first. That is a must. Lines can be ridiculous.
(5)Jennifer L.
Definitely not a King Taco but I guess it will do. Carnitas Plate -- Comes with rice, beans, chips, and guac. Since I didn't want beans, they doubled up on the rice for me. They definitely aren't shy about giving a lot of meat here. I must've finished all the meat in 3 different sittings! The meat wasn't overcooked so it was juicy and tender. Not all that salty like most other places flavor it. What sets this place apart is the beefed up condiments bar. It's self-serve so you are free to go crazy and load up on everything. They manage the bar very well, as items are frequently refilled and the bar itself is wiped down from accidental "droppings." They have everything from chopped onions, cilantro, spicy carrots, lime, etc. My advice is to phone ahead so you don't have to wait around. Their parking stinks as they share it with other shops in the strip mall. Access is rather difficult. They also have a large seating area just outside of their shop so don't let their little storefront dissuade you.
(3)Kathy C.
after comparing all the reviews for The Original Taco Factory and Holy Mole which is across the street, we decided to eat here and we were glad with our decision. I had the 2 taco plate 1 shredded chicken, 1 shredded beef with rice and chips and a drink which was the lunch special. My husband had a burrito and my daughter had a beef quesadilla. The best thing about this place is the amazing salsa bar! They have the most variety of fresh salsas, lime, cilantro, lettuce, radish, fresh tomatoes, carrots etc. everything you would want to enhance your meal. And we love the guacamole too. Great for take out.
(4)Akiko I.
- Gluttony Expedition - Carne Asada Tostada: It's like less than $4. If you want to add more lettuce, salsa, other toppings, you can get those at the salsa bar. Good. Machaca plate: "Machaca" was like a steak egg. The scramble egg had a small chunk of bee
(4)Jay N.
The place is what you want from an everyday Mexican food joint. Nothing fancy, really good food, cheap, and fast. The bean and cheese burrito was great, as was the steak burrito.
(5)Heather O.
Their taco Tuesday specials are the best in town. Great quality, great price. My mom has brought these home for years and years on Tuesday nights, never disappoints. Parking kind of sucks, but it's worth it!
(5)Joni W.
I've eaten here probably well over a hundred times in the last 10 years and I have had delicious food and great service every single time. You gotta come on Tuesdau for their Taco Tuesday specials! :-) the tacos are $1.29 and medium sized. They have a good selection of salsas and they also have the authentic corn syrup horchata, not the weird healthy "rice drink" watery Americanized version.
(5)Steve C.
Yum-O! First of all love the salsa bar! What I love here is the tacos of carnitas and pollo asado. Asada is weak. Breakfast burrito is also good!
(4)Adriana M.
I'm not sure if this place had undergone a change in ownership or if the quality of the food is just a poor decision that's been made. I've been coming here for some time now & the last 3 times have been nothing short of disappointing...the quality of the carne asada is dismal at best. I know everyone has bad days, hence why I kept trying it, but after the 3rd bad experience, in which the food was barely edible I can assure you that I will no longer be going back. It's a shame.
(1)Kevin K.
I've been going to this little shack for years now. Absolutely great food. The tacos and salsas are amazing. the food is always fresh. If you enjoy Mexican food i would tell you to come here.
(5)Laura L.
If you are going to try one thing here, you must try the chimichangas. Delicious in all its fried goodness. Another one of my favorites is their chorizo breakfast burrito, it's packed with chorizo, just the way I like it. I like that their salsa bar is packed with all sorts of salsas so you have a wide range of salsas to choose from. Their mild is even mild enough for people like me, who can barely handle hot Cheetos. The service is good and their workers are always nice and polite. They have a decent amount of outside seating too and if you're dining in, they'll bring your order to your table.
(5)Casey M.
I love this place! Only go here in the morning and afternoon though. The staff sucks in the night, but the morning employees are fantastic. It's cheap here and very good tasking. They use fresh ingredients for the salsa and fresh avocados.
(5)Gaby M.
I seriously LOVE this place!!! All of their food options are sooo good and their Pico-De-Gallo is delicious!!! One of my absolute favorite spots!!
(5)Jason L.
Not really worth the prices or the wait, go to hole mole across the street and you'll be happier. Soggy tortillas not that good of meat, and horchata from a soda machine...no thanks. For claiming to have the original tacos del carbon, they're nothing short of del taco. Save your money and go elsewhere.
(2)Anna S.
This place is located in a ghetto place but it sure is ghetto good. My indication of a good mexican place is the carne asada burrito. We weren't too hungry even after walking over an hour at a park so we split a burrito and brought it home. Glad they also included some fresh tortilla chips. I did notice a pickled veggie and salsa bar at the side. My gosh, the way those guys were attacking the bar, like it was their meal! It's only pickled carrots. I can make that at home! Anyways, when we brought it home and split between the two of us, it was really packed with just carne asada, guacamole and tomatoes. No fillers. Mostly meat. So good! Totally brought me back to El Cotixan in San Diego. For a great price too! I would definitely swing by if I was around the area. Cash only FYI.
(4)Steve R.
Had lunch there today. You have to take this place for what it is, good, fast-food, style Mexican. Outside seating (covered) only and was crowded at lunch time; shared a table with a stranger. I had the wet carne asada burrito and it was good. The salsa bar is interesting as it has X-Hot, Hot, and Mild sections. The hot was hot. I would definitely go back. Can't really give it five stars because it is a fast food joint and not a fancy, sit down spot. Staff is friendly and fast.
(4)Maddy B.
My go-to Taco/Burrito place! Their food is amazing and service is pretty good. For a small, hole in the wall type restaurant, I was VERY impressed, and tell everyone to go.
(5)Ryland C.
Best breakfast burritos I have found in Tustin so far. Still looking for a burrito that blows my mind in the OC.
(4)Brian K.
This place has authentic mexican food! If you want cheap mexican food this is your spot. I had the pastor torta. The chips were kind of stale, but they did have a salsa bar. In my opinion the food was not as good as other places I have been. The meat was low quality and very greasy, overall the food didn't taste very fresh.
(3)Stephen P.
A grungey taco eatery. After all its called "factory". Sitting outside in the open patio area on a warm evening was better than the cramped restaurant area. It's Tuesday, so it's $1.29 tacos for dinner. But this place serves up dry, tasteless chicken, al pastor and fish tacos :( Don't come here for tacos. Others were eating burritos etc. I was wondering why. .. it's Taco Tuesday! Now I know. Go across the street to Holy Mole for tacos.
(2)Charles H.
I have been going here for close to 20 years and they have never disappointed. The food is always great and their salsa bar is awesome (even though they do go a bit over the top with the X-hot sometimes). The people that work there are always really nice and the outside patio makes it the perfect place to go on a nice day.
(5)Klo L.
Just went and picked up some fish tacos. I was concerned based off another review that it might be mostly batter and less fish. Glad I took the plunge! All four tacos were very good. I didn't have the mostly batter problem. Will definitely be back. I gave it four stars because I would need to go several times and see consistency in food before I could rate it a 5. I recommend.
(4)Maggie N.
This place seriously has the BEST salsa bar ever... They have 20 different sauces and things to choose from and it ranges from medium to xx-tra hot. I come here for taco Tuesday and it's a pretty good deal...I think like 1.29 or something for a taco but it is big with a lot of meat. Also, when you order tacos, they give you chips to go with it! The pork tacos are bomb and some other good ones but the fish one is not that bomb here. The sauce variety definitely makes the tacos....it's a must try. You eat outside in a nice little patio they have out front, pretty chill spot to eat and talk w friends. I recommend this place to taco Tuesday goers!
(4)Esther L.
We decided to try this place because hole mole was closed. What a huge disappointment. Carna asada meat was really tough and the fish tacos... Well... Basically it was a couple of tortillas with a few pieces of fish in them. No cabbage, no sauce...etc. And the order wasn't cheap either. $30 wasted. Never coming back here.
(1)Andy N.
I love me some tacos. I drove by here at 7pm yesterday and pulled in to grab some tacos. It's a really small place with extremely limited seating. They have a cool salsa bar with a lot to play with. The prices are pretty cheap and the food comes out fresh. I ordered 1 carne asada hard taco, 1 asada soft taco, and 1 soft egg taco. At the salsa bar I grabbed radish, green onions, white onions, pico de gallo, salsa verde, and lemons. My plate of food came with complimentary nacho chips as well. Carne asada soft taco - A hot corn flour freshly made with lots of asada meat. It's 2 bucks for a taco but it's a big taco. The meat is not dry. It's pretty chewy in a good way. My favorite item of the evening. Carne asada crispy taco - the hard shell was flavorless. They also sprinkled cheese on top of the asada taco. This one was okay. I basically ate the meat and tossed the shell. Egg taco - A fried egg with cheese inside of the soft tortilla. It was pretty good. Recommendation - Carne asada soft taco and have fun with the salsa bar.
(4)Matthew M.
I gotta say I was thoroughly disappointed by this place. Passing by it about 3 times we finally made a point of coming here and trying it out. With a name like "The OG Taco Factory" I would say you're setting the bar kinda high wouldn't you say? Ordered: Steak Quesadilla - Steak was under seasoned which made it taste like a vegan quesdadilla which is an absolute horror to think of. The only thing good was the Horchata.
(2)Lena M.
I love The Original Taco Factory! I have been coming here for years. I tried the Chilie Steak Colorado Burrito. Oh it was so dam good! I usually get the Famous Burrito which is the bomb. $1.29 Taco Tues isn't bad at all. Very generous with the meat here. It's all about steak N pico de gallo in my beautiful eyes :)
(4)Angel C.
This place comes highly recommended by my coworkers, pretty close to the office and a quick & delicious lunch! I like the carne asada here, I've only tried the taco plates, but I loved it and will definitely be back to try the rest of the menu. They also pile free chips on top of all your plates - LOVE that! I'm one of those people who likes to get one of each (okay, or most) of the sauces at the salsa bar so this place is perfect for me! Lots of options, take as much or little as you want. They even have roasted/grilled jalapenos (at least I think they are) onion, cilantro, and pickled carrots along with salsas at various levels of heat. And they're all clearly marked from mild to hot. They don't skimp out on meat here either. My little taco was filled with so much meat that I had to take some out. Not a bad problem to have! The Asian lady taking orders and bringing out the food to the outside seating area (awesome btw) is sooo nice and reminded me to make sure and grab salsas for my to-go food.
(4)Larry Z.
First time here, even though I've seen them forever. Overall, I thought the food was solid but the cleanliness and variety of the salsa bar sold me. The person taking orders was very efficient. I had ordered a pastor burrito plate, Asada nachos (off menu), taquitos, and chicken quesadilla. What can I say, I was hungry! Just kidding. The pastor was ok, I've concluded that I've been overly conditioned for Alberto's. The taquitos are 'fresher' and has more gooey cheese on them. Nachos did not have any beans and a little smaller than Alberto's. The salsa and sauces were out of the world. Salsa roja was good and spicy. The jalapeño salsa (with a little tomato/onion) was painfully addicting. The mild and medium tomato salsa were ok. I liked how the containers for the salsa was larger than normal. A lot of customers ordering to go, so the patio/seating area was empty. They had about 10 tables that could seat 4, more if you can get them side by side. The best part if the meal was the Bang, orange to be precise. Love it when a mexican place does it right with an Orange Bang dispenser...
(4)Kristy S.
The tacos aren't the tastiest tacos I've ever had (al pastor was disappointingly un-spicy and lacked the flair I'm used to from places like King Taco, but the carnitas was nice and juicy) ... but for the cost and size of the lunch deal, it makes it worth it to go to if you're in the area. It was really busy when we went at lunch time, but we got our food quickly. So those of you who might only have 30 minutes for lunch, you can get your tacos, rice, beans, and chips in about 5 minutes. Not too shabby. Their salsa bar has a nice assortment of red and green salsas, onions, cilantro, and roasted peppers. The tacos definitely need a pick me up from the fixings, so get a lot! They also have my favorite drink in the world: Orange Bang! BUT, it's always a little different everywhere I get it... sometimes it's more creamy, sometimes it's more tangy/tart. This place leans towards the tangy/tart side, and I actually prefer it creamier. I'm not too sure I'll be back, but if I'm ever low on cash and in the area, I'd probably give it another shot.
(3)James W.
This place is everything a casual Mexican restaurant should be. They work hard, keep it tidy, and serve satisfying food. They also have a large, stainless steel Salsa Bar. There tacos are delicious. Their chicken is good, but the beef and carnitas are outstanding. They are very careful to trim the fat of all of their meats, which is a rarity at this price point. The Chimichangas are to die for. I always look forward to going.
(5)Darren T.
I've been going to the original taco factory for several years. The food is authentic, great and has always been consistently good. This is my hands down pick for Mexican food in Orange County.
(5)Armine G.
Priceir than your average authentic mexican food place, and the food was mediocre. The asada taco meat was chewy and carne asada fries were blah..not coming back
(2)Vivian W.
Great food for what you pay for. Way better than Albatross in Lake Forest or most other cheap Mexican restaurants. Everything comes in huge quantities, too! The Original Taco Factory is my favorite place to get cheap but satisfying Mexican food in this area as of right now.
(5)Vern G.
Good tasting food but after going there frequently we found the meat quality to be a little low. Not on our current list of favorite restaurants...
(3)Brit M.
Silly good, like finished everything on my plate even though I was stuffed. I got the carve asada chimichanga, my hubs got the wet burrito, almost the best burritos we've had. It may not look like much from the outside but the food is phenomenal
(5)Rene N.
Beef taquitos... More like mystery taquitos. Beef isn't shredded, reminded me of bologna/roast beef. I don't know what the hype is all abt. I gave this place a 2nd chance after a horrible chile relleno experience and I definitely regret it. Save your money, or go to Hole Mole across the street. ;)
(2)Steven E.
This place is so good!! I come here about once a week. Employee are friendly, food is delicious. It never disappoints me. Horchata is great too!! Just add Ice
(5)Aaron Y.
I've been going here for over a year now, but the most recent visit was the first time I got a burrito. I usually go for taco tuesdays and get a bunch of carnitas tacos! The fill each one with meat and only meat. That's almost all you need! Their salsa bar is fully stocked and there's a big selection. OK, back to my recent visit. I decided to get the Loco burrito. It's similar to SoCal's favorite California burrito since there are bean, meat, cheese and fries, but with a ton of guac and sour cream! It was super delicious! I'm not going to bore you with puns like "you've gotta be 'loco' not to try it" because that would be cheesy....mmmmMMMMmmmm cheeeeeese....
(4)Michael C.
This place is amazing! The service is out of this work, they are so kind. Everything is a yes. You ask for something to go and they say can we give you sour cream togo, or salsa or chips....so so kind. Honestly I found this place through a friend for a quick lunch, in the year I have been coming I have brought my mom, brother and tons of friends. Its a great spot. The only reason I gave it 4 stars vs. 5 is due to no AC. Every other aspect is a 5++++
(4)Ashley K.
I had been here once before, but forgot to review it so I thought it only fair to get a fresh taste in my mouth before reviewing so I went today for lunch which seemed perfect for me because I was severely hungover and in need of greasy Mexican. Fortunately, and also sort of unfortunately, Taco Factory hits the greasy part right on the head. After skimming reviews, my mouth started watering at the sound of the Al Pastor (I'm normally a carnitas girl but I love barbacoa and anything pork really). Thankfully I only ordered one taco because it was ginormous (I did add the cheese and guac as per recommendations) and I also ordered a side of chips and salsa which was pointless because the taco came with a whole big bag of chips; wish the lady would have told me that, but whatever it was 0.99 cents for a paper lunch sack full of piping hot and perfectly salted chips so no huge waste of money. On to the taco...unfortunately this was a big disappointment for me. The meat was cooked well and was perfectly tender, but there wasn't a whole lot of flavor. The grease dripping from this thing made it so I was unsure if it was salsa or grease for the first several bites...definitely grease. SO MUCH CHEESE and a thin smear of shitty guacamole. Not impressed at all. I prefer the hot ingredients to be hot and the cold ingredients to be cold and easily distinguishable from the hot...i.e.: meat and tortilla should be hot, lettuce, tomato, guacamole and cheese should be cold. This taco was just a giant mess of meat and grease and cheese and sadness. The place is small and pretty much what you would expect from a taqueria...BUT it is extrememly, extremely clean and organized. The drink fountain and salsa bar are clean, fresh and stocked and that's a huge plus for me. The green salsa beats the red salsa in my opinion, and they also have the standard onions, cilantro, peppers, pickled carrots, etc. They also had Orange Bang which is basically a beverage of the gods, so they honestly get more points from me just for that. I would come back here to try the carnitas taco, but so far, I prefer Las Cojitas #2 in Tustin much more. Side notes: Breakfast is served all day Credit Card purchase $5.00 minimum Parking not an issue, they are in a lot shared with several other businesses
(3)Pawl E.
I came here with a mission: to try the chimichanga. The closest I've ever come to eating a real chimichanga was in those packs that you buy in the frozen foods section of Albertsons... soooo not at all. I came to this place and immediately noticed how busy it was, so that made me a little excited. I finally get to the front of the line (and because I noticed the customer in front of me speaking Spanish) and I decide to practice my Spanish with the lady taking my order (I'm studying Spanish btw). She noticed that I was trying to practice and was very patient and super nice! so I appreciated that. but anyway, I get the chimichanga and the first thing I notice is that it's really just a crispier burrito. Coupled with a fresh Jarrito de Piña, I chowed down. I enjoyed it, but it didn't stand out too much. It was definitely a good size, as I was full after finishing it, but it was not too different from a regular burrito, just greasier. Would buy again, but the other things on the menu looked rather Dee-lish. - pawl e.
(4)Martin A.
I love their TACO TUESDAY! Extremely affordable, delicious and you get free chips with your tacos. If you're cheap like me, you pay attention to the Mexican restaurants that offer you something extra. This place will give you, on Tuesday, 4 hard shell carne asada tacos and some chips for under six bucks! Good carne asada too, not the shredded beef type. Chicken is OK, shredded with onions mixed in. But it's worth it for the steak! Keep this between us, the line is long already!
(4)Charles L.
Breakfast burrito is super dank. Generous portions, fast service, great taste, and hot fresh salsa!
(5)Sabrina F.
Loved how they have a small quesadilla size! 3 pieces for $4 something and only $1 for beans and rice. Large quesadillas are way to big for me to finish and even though the small lasted me for lunch and breakfast the next day, it was the perfect size. AND THEY HAVE THE BEST SALSA BAR IN THE WORLD. endless radishes, carrots, jalapenos, salsa verde, smoky hot salsa, pico de gallo of all spicynessess, cilantro, onions, green onions, seriously. best salsa bar ever. parking's not too fun though.
(4)Maite H.
We were in the Tustin area and hubby suggested that we try the Taco Factory for lunch. The restaurant is a tiny no frills Mexican joint with a very friendly Asian lady working the counter. It was cloudy and cold today so we decided to order take out which included: (1) Taquitos - $3.69 Four corn tortillas rolled with beef, deep fried, topped with melted cheese, and served with guacamole and sour cream. Hubby ordered the taquitos for our ride home. The taquitos were served right out of the fryer and were hot, crispy, and tasty. The guacamole was fresh and homemade. 3.5 Stars (2) Two Soft Tacos Plate - $5.49 I was in a "Taco Factory", so I ordered some tacos. One asada and one carnitas taco with rice and pinto beans. The tacos were big...each taco was made with 2 store bought corn tortillas filled with lots of meat. They looked great but were just "ok"....needed more seasoning. The rice and beans were fine. 3 Stars (3) Chili Colorado Plate - $5.99 Choice of asada steak or pork in a red enchilada sauce, topped with melted cheese, served with rice and beans and 3 corn tortillas. Son said he's had better but it was "alright". I sampled the dish and it was delish in comparison to my 2 tacos. (4) Combo Burrito - $5.29 Asada steak with cheese, guacamole, salsa, and choice of black or pinto beans. Hubby said it was good but not great. (5) Salsa Bar - Free Good assortment of condiments to compliment your meal. Mild, Hot, and Very Hot Salsas...pico di gallo, red and green sauces. Pickled carrots & jalapenos, radishes, onions, cilantro, green onions, and lemons. All were fresh and kept cold. The nice lady at the counter gave me a 2nd large to-go container for the pickled carrots. Nothing spectacular in the salsas and the pickled carrots were too firm and lacked flavor (i.e. not pickled long enough). The Taco Factory serves plentiful food at low prices. If I'm ever in the area again searching for a cheap meal, I would stop by again for the chili colorado or maybe try the fish burrito. 3.5 Stars
(3)Paul T.
The BEST carne asada burritos here! Very tender beef and it's chopped up in fairly small chunks so you almost feel like you don't even have to chew it at all. I've bought burritos here and sat in my car eating them because I couldn't wait to drive home.
(4)Earl S.
The menu looks good, the condiments look good. There is nothing on the surface level to indicate that this place is so mediocre. But it is. Not terrible, but boring. No reason to return.
(2)Karen R.
I love their loco burrito its so delicious
(5)Linda N.
Terrible parking situation. There are literally two spots designated for this place so dont go here for lunch or dinner! (might as well not go at all). Tacos are mediocre. I asked for El Pastor tacos and twice they gave me carnitas!! Its ok but I wouldnt recommend it to anyone. I would go to Super Antojitos instead on 1st street in Tustin.
(1)Peter P.
Decided to check this place out for the Taco Tuesday specials. Tacos are just $1.29 as opposed to $1.99 normally. You can add guacamole and cheese for a small surcharge. The al pastor (called barbecue pork on the menu) was excellent. Great slightly sweet flavor, juicy inside and slightly crispy texture outside. I highly recommend it. Everything else was unimpressive though. The carnitas (pork) was super dry and flavorless. The same goes with the asada (steak). Neither of them tasted fresh as they were probably sitting in the meat containers for a while waiting to be scooped. The tacos were pretty big though. About the size of 2 street tacos. They are generous with the amount of meat they give and wrap it in 2 corn tortillas so you could easily split 1 taco to make 2. They have a great salsa bar, but the tortilla chips were less than spectacular. Also, their horchata was way too sweet. And this is coming from someone with a sweet tooth. Needless to say, I would only come back if I had no other choices. Unfortunately, there's definitely a lack of choices in the Tustin/Irvine area.
(3)Ariana L.
I'm not sure how original the tacos are here but I came to try this place on taco tuesday. Turned out to be a pretty good place to eat tacos! The taco's are 1.29 on taco tuesday for all meats offered at the place (carnitas, shredded beef, chicken, fish, al pastor i believe as well). I ordered the fish and shredded beef tacos while my boyfriend ordered fish, chicken and steak tacos. We also ordered Horchata, beans, rice and chips. And of course salsa from the amazing salad bar(my favorites were the cooked jalapenos and pico de gallo!) It came out to about 10 for the both of us. I'm not sure if it is like this for all orders, but there isn't a need to order chips because they give chips when you order tacos anyway. Although filling, the food is a little bland. Most importantly, DO NOT order the fish tacos. They're horrible. They taste fishy and bland at the same time. I'd especially prefer going to hole mole for those! If the meats were juicier and seasoned better this would probably get 5 stars. The place is small as well. For the price, it's a good and filling deal.
(4)Rolf V.
In 20+ years of coming here, I have had maybe 3 meals that were not up to what I would consider Taco's Factory's standards (hence the 4 instead of 5 star review). I think those odds are damn good. I order (not at the same time): Burrito Loco (steak, pinto beans, hot salsa) Carrne asada tocos (I prefer these personally to the chicken and carnitas) Cheese quesadilla (sounds boring, but it's perfect) Mexican Nachos with or without carne asada. Salsa bar here rocks, the chips are fresh and delicious. This has been one of my favorite places in Orange County to eat since high school.
(4)Anastasia S.
Been here MANY times. Always delicious. Ample amounts. Amazing salsa bar. Very reasonably priced. Check out their new asada fries on the menu, a recent addition.
(5)John D.
First time here but was very impressed. They have a good variety on the menu and definitely will return to explore more of the menu. The location is very lean & easy to find, but parking may be difficult due to the popularity. I ordered Carne Asada tacos. The tacos were a double tortilla good size bigger than the street taco size. There is a full salsa bar so you can add cilantro onions, red & green chile. Pico de allo and carrots. The meat was lean, flavorful & not greasy.
(4)Mr. H.
This place rocks if you like Mexican, i have never been disappointed. Obviously the meat isnt really high end but for the price this place brings home the bacon, and the Heo. Heo Out...
(3)Vi N.
This place never disappoints! Came here after my workout; felt I deserved to eat some tacos after burning all those calories! Got a carne asada taco and a carnitas taco ($1.29 for Taco Tuesday). Exactly what I wanted. Salsa bar was great! Even had the radishes and pickled carrots, which I love. Things I love: - Carne asada fries - I'm a fatty and I don't deny it. Everything about it is awesome - Carne asada tacos - Delish, great flavor, can't beat the price - Burrito ranchero - Very tasty, oh so good - Fresh salsa bar, especially the pickled carrots - Great taste, and not too soggy like some places Things I like: - Carnitas tacos - Good flavor, solid - Enchiladas - Also good, but enchiladas aren't my thing usually - Tortas - The bread is so good! Things I don't like: - Fish tacos - the flavor is meh, kind of too bland for me - Al pastor tacos - very greasy, but not in the good way. Not enough flavor, for al pastor I'd rather go to Hole Mole across the street - Parking is so annoyingly difficult to find. So if it's really bad, I just opt to go to Hole Mole. Overall, love this place. Good food, good prices. Oh and FYI, it's owed by a Chinese couple. How random is that?
(4)Jeff L.
Awesome deal for taco Tuesday. Taco's were huge and packed with high quality meat. Had one of each and every one was excellent. The shredded beef was had a wonderful spice to it. Watch out for the roasted jalapenos, they are SPICY...it will linger with you for a while Salsa bar rocks, lots of choices and good sized containers for getting your salsa. Two people, completely full for $12, great food for good prices.
(5)john s.
Best dish: carne asada combo plate (or faj. Real beef, huge portion, less $8 plus something (including tax). I have to split and finish it in two meals. When I said "real beef" I mean real, good meat. Other Mexican places give you chopped, secondary meat. You sometime find tendon, or some un-recognized part. Forget about mexican chain stores. They serve processed or heavily grounded "beef" with "pink slime" added. (Google "pink slime and beef" to find out what it is.) I also tried fish combo plate. It is also large portion and good (also $8+). But a bit salty. I guess fish factory added more salt to extend the shelf life, common to all mid-, low- price restaurants. It serves 4 kinds of horchata (among other common soft drinks). It tastes good but a bit too sweet for me. One suggestion: For take-out, I wish they can put chips in a small paper bag, separate from main box. Serving chip in the take-out box just doesn't cut it. By the time you get home, it is all soggy. I disagree with the comment that some other have, that the meat (chicken or beef) is under-flavored. Too much salt is not good for you. Less salt makes you appreciate more the great salsa bar they have.
(4)Minsey L.
I found my new favorite Taco Tuesday joint. The deal is $1.29 for a taco. And these are quite sizable tacos as well. I got 3 and a side of chips, which turned out to be a noob mistake. Even though they have chips for a dollar on the menu, each meal already comes with a handful of chips. So I was given a monstrous portion of chips. Also, I was full after 1.5 tacos. They really stuff that thing with meat. I got the steak, pork, and shredded beef. I wouldn't recommend the shredded beef. It's very difficult to eat and is really tough to chew as well. Their salsa bar is extensive and this is where you get all your taco dressings. They label them as mild, spicy, and extra spicy, but FYI, mild = no spice at all. Literally just tomatoes, onions, cilantro. The spicy salsa is about the same spice you would get at a standard Mexican restaurant (medium hot).
(4)Josh L.
5 star review criteria. +1 star for fresh food and condiments. +1 star for fast service and efficient staff. +1 star for taste particularly the steak burritos. Not too heavy and not too light. +1 star for salsa bar with lots of variety and consistently fresh with a high turnover. -1 star for difficult location to find parking during lunch hours.
(4)Tim C.
First time here, came about 15 mins before closing. I ordered four tacos to go, two carne asada and two al pastor. They really pack in the meat with these tacos and the flavors were pretty good. However, my first disappointment was that there were no onions and cilantro in the tacos. Second disappointment was that the tortillas were soft and almost soggy. The salsa bar was awesome though...made me almost wish I scarfed down the tacos there to make use of it. Also, orange whip. that is all.
(3)Lai T.
Okay, this place is near my work and so I've gone here sporadically over the years. The staff is friendly and the food comes out quick. I was craving a breakfast burrito yesterday and ordered the breakfast burrito (eggs, melted cheese, guacamole, hot salsa in a flour tortilla)...pretty good, except I missed the meat...wish I had added some carne asada or something to it. Also ordered a huevo taco, which is essentially scrambled egg and melted cheese...It was a bit disappointing but I guess I should have known better. Luckily I was able to add some salsa, cilantro, and chopped onions to it so it wasn't too bad. They were re-roofing the building yesterday and I was so hungry that I chose to ate my to-go packed food there...in the end the fumes left me wanting to vomit. Can't they fix the roof when the place is closed? BTW, there is a $5 minimum for credit charges.
(3)Eric V.
Always satisfied when leaving this place!! Their carne asada is one of the best i've had! All of their items, the burritos, tortas, carne asada fries are all super cheap and big and delicious!! Really i recommend anything with their steak in it. It never disappoints. And if you like carne asada fries like i do, then this place definitely serves one of my favorites. Their salsa bar is also yummy! Great salsa! The seating isn't too great though. Its a small location but doesnt get too crowded so theirs always a seat. Parking sucks though.
(4)Danny T.
Juicy shrrrreeedddeeedd beef burrito. Been here been back and will be back. Lunch time is crazy though. It's hard to find parking during lunch. Just be there a bit before lunch hour or a bit after unless you carpool with someone may be best to take out. Deep fried asada is great too.
(5)Matthew F.
For a seamy, dingy, over-greased Mexican joint, this place is a delight. There's so much that seems wrong about The Original Taco Factory - starting with the sign that screams TACOS AL CARBON when the name of the place is written in miniature below. But they get so very much right. Since it's a short list, I'll start with the wrong: It is, at the heart of it, cheap Mexican food. Don't expect Gordon Ramsey here, folks. You may even get a tiny bit of gristle in your meat. It's been known to happen. Also, parking can be obnoxious given that the lot is too small. That's it. Now on to the "right" list. Delicious food. Quality ingredients. Diverse menu. Outstanding selection of salsas and other condiments. Gallery of Mexican beverages. Affordable prices. Cozy picnic seating. Swift, responsive service. And quantities that meet the standard of a lusty eater like myself. It may look like a dud, but when it comes to cheap Mexican, this place is the bomb.
(4)Aa A.
I really like this place for the torta I ordered. Was really good and cheap. My go who is Mexican however, didn't like it as much. But for me it lived up to the hype. I'll go back to this place for some tacos next time without my gf. :P
(4)Anne G.
We recently used the Taco Factory for catering a gathering at our home. They delivered on time (actually a little early) and were very, very nice. Our guests were extremely happy with the tacos and all the "fixings" that came along with the tacos, rice and beans. I would definitely recommend to others and we will use again, as well. Thank you.
(5)Bernice C.
Is it just me or does everyone get food-induced coma after Mexican food? We kept missing the place (darn you, google maps) because it was right on the corner, and it looked like a run-down shack. But usually the grimier the place looks, the better the food tastes, right? First thing I saw when I walked in was an asian lady at the cashier, and i thought "daaaaamn, this place isn't authentic." However, the rest of the workers looked mexican, so I was put at ease. HUGE salsa bar!! and for a salsa lover like me, i attacked it like a chinese family at a buffet. I even had to ask the lady for an extra bag just for my salsas, plural....SALSAS. I decided to get the chimichanga because I LOVEEE the Costco chimichangas. I got the chicken and my friend got the steak. HUGE chicken chimichanga...insert that's what she said joke. In my opinion, the chicken was better because I had jalapenos inside mines. The chicken is shredded as opposed to chunks, and i recommend eating it there because the bottom gets soggy. Compared to the costco ones, it's not as cheesy and that was my favorite part about eating a chimichanga.....dragging the cheese out and seeing how long it could get before breaking off. Sorry, Original Taco Factory, but I think i'm just going to stick to my cheezee chimichangas from Costco. chicken chimichanga w/ guac sour cream & chips = $5.67
(3)T N.
Chili verde plate is delicious! I get it every time. You know it's good when the local fire department stops by at least once a week.
(5)Terry O.
I haven't been in the OC long, but so far, this is my favorite taco place. I've had all of their tacos (beef, fish, pork, etc.) and no complaints. Prices are reasonable too, so it's hard to complain. I still haven't found anywhere as good as Lily's Tacos back in Pomona, but I don't think I ever will.
(4)Jeff W.
This place is BOMB! The food is really cheap, and comes in really big portions, and not to mention so delicious The steak burrito was literally the best burrito I've ever had in my life. Not only that, they keep the salsa bar so much cleaner compared to other Mexican food places. The chips are perfect, and they come with almost every dish as far as I know as well!
(5)JJ f.
I've been here a zillion times and have never been disappointed. we always get some variation of a burrito or carne asada plate. I'm not a big meat eater but their carne asada is high. quality. Love the condiment bar and the spicy carrots are to die for
(5)Mike P.
This place is very good. I'd recommend just getting the normal tacos. They make it authentic like how a taco should be, just meat and two tortillas. And just because it's a taco doesn't mean you get a little bit of meat, they give you a generous amount which I don't see too often. You then take your awesome tacos to the to the salsa bar and self serve yourself to onions, ciltantro, and a variety of salsa ranging from mild to xxx spicy. There are some other condiments as well. The reason for 4 stars and not 5 was that I tried 4 different meats, with only the carnitas being amazing and wowing me. The rest were whatever or extremely dry, especially the steak. The best thing about this place is that they take card! My favorite place to get tacos is El Toro Bravo in Costa Mesa which is priced basically the same as here but they take cash only. The tacos are 2 dollars each. Nice to know I have go to spot in a different area.
(4)Chris C.
First off, I have no idea why this place is called Taco Factory Inc. since the ginormous sign clearly says Tacos Al Carbon, and since Taco Factory Inc. is another taco joint (actually a chain) in OC. I stopped here for lunch after reviewing some of the reviews. I was a bit wary when I walked in and the lady behind the counter was Asian, but then perked up when I saw they had a special for $5.39 (plus tax) that included a quesadilla with your choice of meat, beans, rice, chips, and a drink. I ordered the asada quesadilla, and got an horchata. They have all the Bang brand drinks as well as a Coke machine that includes the regular stuff plus Cherry Coke! The food came pretty quickly (they'll even deliver it to your table), and I went over to the extensive salsa bar and added some salsa, onions, and cilantro. Funny enough, they list their salsas as mild, hot, and extra hot, but I didn't see any that were medium. Oh well, someone else can try and figure out that problem. There is a tiny counter in the establishment with most of the seating in a covered patio right next to the main building. The seating area has ample room to fit even a big crowd. On to the food: - Beans - Pretty standard fare. Some shredded cheese was on top, but it didn't have much flavor. - Rice - Not bad. I liked them more than the beans. - Quesadilla - Filled with lots of cheese and asada. The meat was tasty and had the right amount of chewy-ness. There was a ton of cheese, but like the cheese on the beans it just wasn't that flavorful. The plate came with guac and sour cream. This was real sour cream. The thick stuff that will probably take a year off your life. It was very good even though I used it very sparingly. - Chips - I could see them frying the chips when I arrived, and they certainly tasted fresh. All in all, a pretty good experience for the price point. I certainly would not go out of my way to stop here, but if you are in the area and craving Mexican food it is worth a try.
(3)Melissa H.
The staff was friendly and I really wanted to love it but.... it was only okay. The best part is the price - everything seems relatively inexpensive. The nachos were pretty good but the tacos were only okay (huh? But they are the Original Taco Factory!). Maybe I got the wrong thing, but my tacos weren't seasoned well and were a bit dry. My husband liked his burrito, but it might not be enough to go back there again. There are so many other places to try that I was hping my search was over here... Alas, it is not.
(3)Ellie N.
I don't get what the big hype is about. I have come to this place 2x and both were a big disappointment. The first time I had chile relleno it tasted so bland (total fail). So the second time I decided to to get their taquito plate with beef taquitos, beans and rice. I figured "OK it's called the taco factory maybe that's what they are known for". BIG MISTAKE, I was so grossed out when I opened the taquito and it looked like bologna. YES, Bologna which I now call "Mystery Meat". My stomach started hurting soon after that. The place is always packed with people, I really don't get what the hype is all about.
(2)Ehr R.
What's there not to love. Legit tacos. Legit salsas along with lemon, radish, spicy pickled carrots and all the fixings that are meant for a taco. For OC, this is the best. Stop eating that taco bell sh*t. Seriously. If "hard or soft" tacos are even a choice, you are NOT in a true taco place. Only place that tops this is King Taco or Tacos El Gordo who deserve a million stars each, IMO.
(5)Kunney T.
Holy heart attack! Don't come here for the tacos. I mean - they're big and filling but the taste is just so so. Come here for the chimichangas - a pound's worth of deep fried burrito. It tastes like a cronut with guacamole and carne asada. No joke!
(4)Poe H.
food is very bomb, cheap, and the portions are pretty big. what more can you ask for?
(5)Memo P.
This was our 2nd visit, my wife and I, to this place as our first was a Taco Tuesday. Best bang for your buck, plus good full of meat tacos and an unlimited salsa bar. Seating inside is limited, but outside covered seating area is available. Tuesdays are crazy busy, rightfully so.
(4)Amne N.
Taco Factory for Taco Tuesday here I come!! Recently moved to OC from Seattle and there definitely is no shortage of decent taco places, so how do you just pick one?? This place gets a solid 4 star review based on the convenient location (close to work), cozy outdoor patio area and most importantly they serve legit tacos with a full blown salsa bar! If you are in the area and looking for a quick bite, don't hesitate to stop in here and expect to leave happy.
(4)Fernando A.
This place, yeah, I'm going to have to give it 3 stars. Asada, pastor and 2 carnitas all average. I guess I'll just have to keep looking for a local taco joint.
(3)Michael C.
This is a great place for Taco Tuesday ($1.29 tacos). They put in a good amount of meat (shredded beef, pork or chicken) and you do your own condiments. Onions, celantra, pico de gayo, three types of salsa, jalapenos, etc. They also have radishes and hot carrots. All made fresh daily, just like mom used to make in Oaxaca. Regular prices on burritos around $5, again with a good amount of meat. Run by a nice Asian lady.
(4)Marcus N.
I am willing to give this place another chance, as I've heard good things from other people. However, I ordered two of the wet famous burritos with pork and I was very disappointed. The sauce was not particularly tasty. The meat was dry, and the burrito was extremely gummy. I usually love the jalepenos and carrots, but the carrots seemed to be raw. I've heard the tacos are good, and it seems this place gets mostly good reviews, so perhaps I'll try something other than a burrito. I usually can give a place a second try.
(2)Jeff K.
omg, this is one of the best mexican joins i have been to in a while.... let me list out the reason why. 1) they have mother fucking orange bang here... on tap. i can drink as much and that makes jeff happy! if i were to drown, i would love to drown in orange bang. uhhh, so good! 2) their carne asada fries are really good. they top it off with sour cream, guac, black beans and salsa. it really hits home. and its really filling! also its decently priced, roughly 7$. 3)their salsa bar is legit. its very comprehensive! they have the carrots with onions, raw onions, cilantro, 3-4 different styles of salsa, 2 different types of sauce, and whole fried jalapenos. 4)they have bigger sauce cups... which means more time to enjoy your food and less time to walk back to the bar and refill. 5)ample seating room outside. the only downfall is the parking lot is shared with other businesses in a strip mall so you might have to park further away. its a shame i work out in newport beach, otherwise i'd come here like every other day for lunch. i highly recommend this place! PS: instead of water coolers at offices, they should install an orange bang cooler. lol
(5)Emily C.
It's a great value. A ton of food. Many different kinds of salsa. The chile verde is very good. Great place for lunch, the food comes out fast and the service is friendly.
(4)Annbriel B.
I feel I should write an update, considering I originally gave only 3 stars and then proceeded to become the duchess. LOL. I still stand by my claims of the portions being too big, inconsistent, and the tacos aren't my favorite. But over the past year or so My bf has converted me to a Famous Steak Burrito lover. What we do is order one burrito and a side of black beans, which is huge, and I cut off about 1/4 of the burrito for myself and eat the beans. It's delicious, it's probably on the healthier side, and I'm obsessed. I still cant give 5 stars because of the inconsistency. Sometimes the extra hot salsa is super hot, and sometimes not so much. Sometimes the burrito is nice and crisp, and sometimes it's soggy. Sometimes it's big, sometimes it's medium. It's all just so inconsistent. Oh, well. We are obsessed. Oh, and the workers are super friendly, the service is fast, and they remember us! I like that. :)
(4)Brandon K.
I ordered the carne asada fries, and it was a gigantic portion. Lots of meat on top, but the fries were so so. My friend go the asada tacos, but they were pretty plain.
(3)Erika M.
My husband and I were in the mood for some good Mexican food. I am 100% Mexican and grew up on the real stuff. When I saw this place had great reviews and was nearby we decided to give it a try. Honestly, I'm not quite sure why there are such amazing reviews. Between my husband, brother-in-law and I we had fish tacos, shredded beef tacos, carnitas tacos and carne asada tacos. None of them were really that great. My husband had to douse salsa and toppings to make his fish taco decent. The rice and beans were bland and there really wasn't anything about this place that would make me go back. I'd save your money and try someplace else.
(1)Melissa W.
In town for only a few days and have been here twice already. When we pulled up it looked like a joint and we almost pulled away. So happy we stayed!!! I'm in love with the salsa bar. Salsas are labeled mild, hot , extra hot and are all wonderful. Also On the salsa bar are fresh pickled carrots and peppers. My favorite on the bar however were the roasted hot peppers, they were absolutely wonderful. I ordered the chili verdes with pulled pork. I had the choice of black beans or pinto beans. They are both tasty and fantastic. Were also offered corn or flour tortillas and nacho chips. Food was fresh, the best Mexican I've ever had!!!
(5)Scott W.
love this little place. steak burrito mmmm!
(4)Dawn C.
I give five stars because the food was reallly delicious I've tried famous burrito, everything taco, and meat quesadilla I love their salsa bar! AMAZING This place is cheaper than other places i've been to, which is great. I recommend this place if you are in the area.
(5)Harsh K.
youll never go wrong on the carne asada butritto, they cook this on flames hence the smoky taste of burnt meat!
(5)Chuck F.
The place always seems packed so I decided to check it out. The food didn't really seem all that special. It was good, but nothing I haven't had any other mexican place, except this place seems to be a bit more pricier. So good food, just feels a tad bit over priced for it.
(3)Mercy C.
I tried their carnitas and asada taco. It was decent... but I wouldn't call it amazing. The portion size is very generous. Honestly... I'm used to my tacos being a lot smaller. I felt like there was too much meat, and not enough room for the other stuff. Maybe their quesadillas or burritos would be better? But I'm not a big fan of chipotle sized burritos either.... The salsa bar is pretty decent too. I might go back again.... but I kind of doubt it. **Edit** I went there again. I tried one fish taco. It tasted like a bland sponge. Low quality fish... texture was like a sponge... and flavor was non-existent. Will not return. If Taco is in your name... then your tacos should taste good right???
(1)John N.
Went a few times for taco Tuesday and the quality just hasn't improved. Thought maybe it was an off night but after three tries you've struck out on me returning. Can get better tasting tacos and meat from the local taco trucks.
(2)Worker B.
$7+ for wet burrito plate. Asada. Yumm. Meat tender and not tough/over cooked. Xtra spicy salsa has a good kick. Not too spicy. Will come back next time to try a chimichanga :)
(4)Eliseo B.
Great food, great prices. Live the Carne asada nachos. Their burritos are so good, Carne asada ofcourse
(5)Jamie W.
I was craving some great Mexican food, and came across high reviews for this place. 1st off parking is a joke. I parked in the other strip mall BEHIND the building cause their parking lot (shared with the strip mall) was chaotic. Second they do accept credit cards. I called in an order to a very friendly lady, she even repeated my name back to me which I like, sounds silly but yea. I ordered a Shredded beef burrito LOCO style (Beans, Fries, sour cream) and a taco salad with Al Pastor( bbq pork on their menu). The burrito which traveled about 10 minutes down the road was a mess. The fries were thin and NOT crispy, the black beans were good but pretty much filled the whole burrito, the shredded beef was decent, but i ended up eating the bay leaf which was used to flavor the meat. How does one miss a bay leaf? After 2 bites (literally) the burrito completely pooped out everywhere causing me to get a fork and knife at home. The taco salad fared much better, although I did NOT try a bite..it looked good. I will come back to try either the chimichanga or Nachos since their Tortilla chips were Delicious!
(3)Bryan G.
Bought a fish burrito. Was $5.38 with tax. Not bad. The burrito was piping hot, the fish was of a lower quality but nevertheless it was delicious. Will come back to try other stuff.
(4)Mahesh S.
Fried anything is good, and so was the fried steak burrito, chimichanga?I might have consumed my entire weeks worth of food intake in that one meal, but it was good and is worth it! their salsa bar wasnt anything crazy fancy but with the mild/hot x-hot. the extra hot honestly wasnt that extra or hot. Someone was ordering the steak quesadilla, which looked absolutely divine!!! i might go back just for that next time!. PRices are very very reasonable. I paid like 5.25 or something for the chimichanga, which also came with guacamole and chips.
(4)Shyla L.
Oh my lord YES! We have found it; our new Mexican Food Provider!!! In my travels I have come to the realization that the more run down and low key a Mexican restaurant looks, the flavor and overall taste of the food goes up, and The Original Taco Factory is no exception to this rule! Such a small, confined space with limited seating, but my lord is their food absolutely great! Everything we have gotten here has been amazing, and I love that they will make you fish taquitos if you want! The salsa bar is phenomenal, and they always have a great selection: onions, green onions, chives, diced tomatoes, tons of salsa, and jalapeños/carrots/onions! My new goal: to try everything in the menu at least once! Wish me luck!
(5)Zared I.
I have been coming here for years my favorite is the Famous burrito steak densely packed with meat cheese and guacamole.
(4)Jayson O.
Not quite the "hole-in-the-wall", but pretty darn close. Menu is relatively simple, and sometimes simplicity makes for the best lunch secret in town. Shoe-horned onto the corner of Newport and Walnut, this little place packs the lunch crowd in with it's taco combination platters (fish, chicken, pork, carne asada & carnitas) served with rice and beans. You can also get hand rolled toquitos, various quesadilla's and torta's as well. Meats are flame broiled over an open grill, crispy tortilla chips are made on site, and most ingredients are brought in by local delivery farms. It's very common to see someone drop off fresh tomatillos (and husk them right there), onions, carrots, and more. A huge salsa bar is inside with at least 8 different varieties ranging from mild to x-tra hot (although as a heat-head myself...I found the x-tra hot to be not so much). But you can tell that all salsa is made daily and fresh, including the diced onions and cilantro. And they have 'real fresh brewed' Ice-Tea (big win). While there is little counter top bar seating oustide, you'll want to relax on their nicely covered, yet open patio which they keep pretty clean. Food is served on paper plates, paper baskets, and styrofoam cups. So how's the food? Nice amount of fresh meat in the tacos, rice is fluffy and moist and you can choose between black or refried beans. I recently had a chili-verde burrito, and it was so moist and flavorful, although again, I like a bit more zip. This would be the perfect place for those afraid of too-spicy mexican fare. Get there before noon, because the lunch time line can be upwards of 10+ people deep at times, and parking lot is pretty tiny and cramped.
(4)Ronny L.
-1 star for not having Lengua!! This place is a small shack that seats about 5-6 indoors. I liked that they have a torta special. +2 I think it was 5.85 with drink. The torta was HUGE. +2 for portion. I could only finish half of it. I took the other half
(3)Amy Y.
Best tacos around! LOVE this place! I've been going here for almost 20 years and love the tacos, rice and burritos! Love the salsa bar! Carne asada tacos are fabulous.
(5)MiYun C.
The Taco Factory is Orange County's destination for some awesome tacos and burritos. My brother loves Mexican food and thrives on tacos and burritos. Whenever he visits the OC, he has to have some Mexican....it's in his blood. We order an asada plate that comes with your choice of rice, beans (pinto or black), corn or flour tortillas and chips (thicker than your average chip) with some guacamole and sour cream; wet burrito and some beef tacos. They have a great salsa bar to accompany your meal. My brother, a professionally taught chef, is a bit of a snob. He asked the cashier what cut of meat is used in the beef tacos and she replied, "cow". I almost choked on my piece of cow when he told me. My brother attracts the crazies. Hence, the neighboring guest decides to spark-up a conversation with us - his language was unintelligible as he only had a few teeth. I tried to be as cordial as possible, but really? Cheers!
(4)Michelle M.
Color me Unimpressed! After reading wonderful reviews of this place via my good friend, Yelp, I thought I had picked a winner when I chose this place for my friend and I to have lunch at today. I am sad to report that I'm not that impressed of this place. To me, it's just A-OK at best. We came in to Taco Factory today at noon. Place was busy, but not crowded. After scanning the menu, I decided on their special of the day -- which was one taco, one enchilada, beans, rice, chips and a drink for $6.19. Reasonable priced, so I ordered it. Food came out about 5 minutes after we ordered. My chicken taco just had chicken in it. Really? Since when is that a taco? No other fillers were included in it, except for the salsa that I put in myself. I felt like I was eating mostly tortillas. Fail. My chicken enchilada was a fail too. It was soaked in red sauce -- too much for my liking. There was hardly any chicken in it or cheese. Again, I felt like I was eating mostly tortilla that was soaked in red sauce. Chips were decent. Beans were ok. Rice looked inedible, therefor I didn't touch. My friend complained that the steak in her tacos wasn't that good. She didn't seem too impressed with the place either. All in all, I don't think I'd be coming back to Taco Factory. Unless I'm majorly hungover on a Saturday or Sunday morning and need some cheap tacos and I wouldn't care to know the difference, than I'd come back. But, in a sober state of mind, I don't think I would. Cheers! Kinda. Actually, bring your own alcohol to this place and I bet it'd be 100 times better! Until than...I'm trying out other taco places.
(3)ryan j.
Yummo! My bean and cheese burrito was fresh and once I smothered it in a salsa that I mixed together, it was even better.
(5)francisco R.
chilakiles salsa verde are the shiet!! Carne asada on point best in oc. Carne asada burrito o yeah.. habe not tried the carne asada frieslooking.forward to that soon as next visit.. been coming here since age five never dissapoints;)
(5)Judy L.
I gotta say MMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!! I would drive across town for this place~!! I really love small family owned businesses that are successful and this one of the best in OC~ With very friendly staff~ Look for the sweet asian lady!!! She's such a sweetheart [: Amazingly FRESH salsa bar~ It's probably the best salsa I've tried. I love the cute shady patio seating~ Carne Asada is super loaded !!! Come in hungry~ This place really gets the attention it deserves C:
(5)Jacklyn G.
so good!! you get your money's worth!
(5)Jen L.
I ALWAYS order the same thing here: 2 Carne Asada Tacos w/ Rice and Beans. I have had their hard tacos, as well as pork and chicken tacos. Carne is the BEST! Best Rice and Beans in my opinion too! Oh and let me not forget to mention... their AMAZING salsa bar! 3 or 4 different salsas to your liking along with pickled carrots, jalapenos, onions, cilantro and lettuce! Parking can be quite difficult during lunch hour but this place is THE BOMB and well worth it my friends!
(5)Bryan N.
Need I say more? The food was delicious :) wish the place was a little bigger but the wait was worth it.
(4)Jeffrey J.
HOLY CRAP! ORIGINAL TACO FACTORY! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN IN MY ENTIRE TIME IN IRVINE?!? This place is straight bomb.com as my girlfriend's roommate quoted so eloquently. This is a true authentic Mexican hole in the wall restaurant right off the 55 freeway and borders Tustin and Santa Ana and Irvine. I'm not messing around when I talk about legit Mexican food, I grew up in East L.A. and have been to all the taco places everywhere including taco stands, Michoacan Carnitas, various no name super dirty taco shops, and Original Taco Factory is GOOOOD! My first impression was whoa why is an asian lady running the cashier? Lo and behold, the grill guy was Mexican and this is where the magic happens! I got the Loco Burrito (Carne asada steak, guac, sour cream, fries, black beans, rice, grilled salsa) which was $6.17 and came with chips! This burrito is HUGE (Refer to my yelp pic)! It's probably the same size, if not, bigger than Chipotle burritos! Not to mention cheaper AND it comes with a side of chips! In addition, the salsa bar is topped with various spicy levels "X-HOT, Medium, Mild" which makes it great for people with differing preferences. The food is not your typical Albatros style food where everything is fried and greasy and heartburn inducing but this place is juicy, fresh tasting, and made with true Mexican blood, the way Mexican food was supposed to be enjoyed. I came at about 6:30, still full at 10:30! I must warn everyone that this place is in the GHETTO part of town so if you are coming from Irvine, make sure to pack some heat. There are no street lights and its in the corner of a janky street with all this random restaurants and utility stores. Luckily this place is light up with a sign on the corner BUT THE SIGN SAYS "TACOS AL PASTOR" with a smaller font that says Original Taco Factory up on top. Place does TAKE CREDIT CARD, open somewhat late (until 9pm), and DOES NOT HAVE A DRIVE THRU. If you're in town and you really are looking for a legit Mexican taco/burrito place, check out ORIGINAL TACO FACTORY! nom nom (:
(5)Luis D.
I lost count on how many times I have been here. I always try to order a different a dish and not once have I been dissapointed. Large portions and tasty food. You can tell btw it get's packed during lunch. Fast service too. Love love love it. Order the chimichanga or a wet burrito. Parking sucks but I dont come here to review the parking, I'm reviewing the food.
(5)Hannie T.
I come here for their salsa bar.. A M A Z I N G. The tomatoes, onions, carrots and jalapenos are always fresh and crisp! Beware their level of hot. Don't let the extra hot salsa fool you with its tomatoes and other non chillies ingredients. That extra hot is SPICY & I love it!
(5)Belle N.
3/27/2011 The BF has driven by this place on the way to Kean coffee and always wanted to try! Lo and behold its been rates by fellow Yelpers at 4 stars so this was a must try! Loved the open space outside seating area... They had me at "X-Hot" when I saw the salsa bar! Love it....The food was really good!! Can't wait to go back again!
(4)Jackie D.
I came across this spot through yelp and decided to give it a try with my sister. Based on the reviews of their raving carne asada, we decided to make sure to get something that has carne asada in it. When we first walked in the cashier literally screamed at us "Can I help you guys". I was kind of thrown off by the yelling. My sister walked up to her first and made her order. My sister got carne asada tacos and I ordered a carne asada quesadilla with a side order of chips and cheese. While I was filling up my drink with soda there was an elderly man waiting for his food. He was just standing in the lobby area waiting like any other person would. The girl yelled at him "I'll give you your food when it's ready!" and the elderly man just sat in the nearest chair that was available with a distraught look on his face. After she walked to the back and told the cook in Spanish "Geeze that old man can't understand that it takes time to cook food". Now, this offended me because: A. I speak Spanish and I could understand her and B. She should respect her elders. It just upset me that she thinks that type of behavior is okay because she assumes he can't understand Spanish. Not only that, once I walked over to the sauce area everything was literally gone. There was hardly any sauce and it was only 7pm. I didn't complain to the cashier as I noticed her behavior and didn't want any spit in my food. The food was below average. The quesadilla had no flavor and my sister couldn't even enjoy her carne asada tacos as there was no sauce for her to add to her tacos. Overall, I will not be coming back to this location. I have always been one to say that I do not like to go to Mexican restaurants because I can cook Mexican food at home since I am Mexican and this experience has re-assured me to continue with my motto.
(1)Eva S.
I was pleasantly surprised with this place. The carne asada fajitas were tender & flavorful, the tortillas were fresh and the salsa bar was the bomb! I could not believe how reasonable the prices were. I would have given it another star if they had better seating. Most the seating is outside in a covered patio area so it was rather cold.
(4)Nasser D.
Not bad. Got a burrito and since they are called a Taco Factory, I had to get one of those too!. First...I'm not around there so upon finding this place early...parking was almost impossible but it was well worth it. I don't mind coming to this place again when I'm town again. They have a nice salsa bar with many choices.
(4)Christopher B.
This is a little place on the corner of a busy intersection and it's always packed. I haven't had a chance to dine in but they're super about getting orders together quickly for take out! I've only had the carne asada tacos and they're really good. It doesn't get any simpler- they load up the tortillas with tons of carne asada and then it's up to you to fill in the rest. The quality of meat is good and if you're a carnivore then a few of these will do the job!
(4)alex l.
wow the chili colorado it's the bizz! bomb.com
(5)Edwin H.
Big portions but flavorless and cheap meat. Go somewhere else for tasty mexican food.
(2)Elle C.
I enjoy the marriage of flavors in their generous-and-satisfying Famous Burrito (ordered with steak, and made spicy on request); the fresh salsas (ranging from mild to extra hot) are also quite tasty (and I appreciate that the salsa bar is regularly replenished and cleaned); I only wish that they offered even slightly larger containers for the salsas and fresher and crisper chips to accompany their entrees. The casual, outdoor dining conditions aren't what I'd consider ideal; however, OK on a nice-weather day. Their prices are quite reasonable, and the service has been consistently friendly and efficient.
(4)Denise W.
Tried them for the 1st time today. PARKING IS HORRIBLE!! Who wants to back out of the lot ON TO busy NEWPORT AVE?! Anyhooo. I ordered Carne Asada fries, which by the way are NOT on their menu. It came up 3 hairs short of $8. The cashier was friendly, the cook, not so much. Moving along. I got my fries with meat, cheese, sour cream and guacamole. Had mild and hot salsa from their salsa bar on the side. Back to the office (5 min away), open up my carne asada fries and they are soggy. I proceed to pour my salsa over and mix it and the first few bites were ok. The more I ate it, the better it taste. BUT...I have to say Alberto's Carne Asada Fries are better. Even though you pack on meat, cheese, sour cream, etc. the fries are tasteless. They also didn't put a lot of cheese and I like cheese. I'd give them another shot, but with something else from their menu. (About an hour later) Now my stomach is cramping and I have to go to the bathroom...YIKES! Ha!
(3)Richard P.
Taco Factory offers good Mexican food at affordable prices. A friend and I ended up at Taco Factory after having tried two other restaurants which were closed (Peter's Gourmade Grill and Japonaise Bakery & Cafe). Since we were starving we decided to use our handy yelp mobile app. Yelp did not let us down. The food at Taco Factory was very good. They offered a daily special which was about $6 which included 2 tacos (choice of meat), rice, beans and a drink. That is a great deal. The quality of the food is very good. Far from the cheap ground beef found at other Mexican Restaurants. They have steak, carnitas, chicken, etc. The staff is also very nice and they have a relaxing patio area to sit in. Taco Factory was a great find! Thanks Handy Dandy Yelp Mobile App! =)
(4)Gino H.
Been coming here since the early 80's and never had a bad experience or meal. I like their steak and pretty much anything they put that in. Tacos, "Famous" burrito or by its self . Tortilla chips are hot, crispy and good. They have a really nice salsa bar to get your salsa, sauces, pico de gallo, onions and more. Parking sucks at lunch time. You might have to make a few passes to get a spot. Worth it though. I take the Harley whenever possible. Service is quick so you can get in and out pretty fast.
(5)Kelly H.
My family is now eating here on a regular basis. Delicious salsa bar, amazing tacos, chimichangas & tortilla chips. Incredible food & friendly staff. Love it
(5)Julie L.
A small establishment located on the corner of Newport Ave and Walnut Ave, Taco Factory is a free standing Mexican restaurant with the best salsa bar in town. I always come here when I'm craving carne asada fries-- I am never disappointed by their freshness and taste, and I always have leftovers to enjoy later. Their portions are large and their salsa bar offers everything you could want, from three different salsas to toppings like freshly cut cilantro, radish, and onions. The owner is also always very friendly. Overall, Taco Factory is a great restaurant that not only turns out affordable, delicious dishes, but also has that hole-in-the wall, local business feel.
(4)mr j.
This place looks so rundown and it's very tiny. Only a small outdoor place to eat.. However, the original taco factory is hands down THE BEST mexican food I have ever tasted. Honestly, it's all about the salsa. Their salsa is fresh and absolutely delicious.
(5)Karen R.
Great place to dine after a football game! Got there about 10 minutes before they closed. i would highly recommend the carnitas tacos. Lots of meat and very juicy. I didn't much care for the rice but I wonder if it's because it was late and it was all they had. Definitely going back for the tacos.
(4)Kristin B.
i've come here many a time during my UCI days to nurse a hangover haha but recently came here for a regular non-hangover kind of lunch and the food was just as satisfying haha. the hole in the wall kind of mexican restaurants are seriously the best! i usually get either a taco plate or one of their burritos with rice and beans and at like $7 its a great and filling meal. one of these days i will have to try their asada fries and one of their breakfast burritos though - cant wait to be back hangover or not! haha
(4)Jaqueline Y.
Nam P. and I came on a Tuesday night in search of Taco Tuesday deals. The place is very small; it's quite easy to miss if you're not looking for it. We got 4 tacos ($1.29 each) with a fried carne asada chimichanga. It all came with a side of chips (that tasted kinda stale). We waited about 10 minutes after placing our order, which was fine since we were perusing the salsa bar. There were so many options--spicy, medium, mild, onions, cilantro, etc etc! We got some pickled jalapenos, but they didn't have much flavor, just very very spicy. The tacos were humungo as was the chimichanga. The chimichanga came with a huge side of guacamole, lettuce and sour cream. Yum! It was crazy greasy though, I felt like I was gonna gain 5 pounds after eating the thing. Personally, I didn't care for the tacos much. The meat was a bit rubbery and it wasn't all that flavorful. Meh. Considering all the reviews, maybe I just caught Taco Factory on an off day.
(3)Duke D.
Been coming here since spring of 1994 or for 20 years... Oh I had crush on that Asian lady at the counter back then and she still looks pretty. :) I come here whenever I'm in OC/SD on business. I used to order 2 carne asada plates - eat 1half as dinner on the plane to SF (sorry passengers nearby and especially Indian couple who sat next to me while I was chomping down on tasty carne asada - ah the smell of you know what I mean). 2 weeks ago I ordered 3 to go with only meat and the lady at the counter said why don't you get 2lbs for $24? So got 2 lbs last week and yesterday. So why do I come here for tons of meat? 'Cos my 4 month old puppy loves the carne asada! We give it to her as treat for going potty in the backyard and she literally goes crazy when we take it out of the refrigerator (got at least 5 lbs stored in freezer). PS - how they stay in business is beyond me for charging so little when meat prices have been going up as $8 carne asada plate is worth at least $15!
(5)Teresa P.
I don't know what happened. I came in on a Sunday evening - which means a special trip all the way down here. Ordered a carne asada chimichanga. Took a moment to admire the shiny new menu board with its higher prices, then got some of the excellent pico de gallo. Got the chimichanga. It was easily less than half its former size. Not much filling. When I cut it in half, I saw a small portion of meat, and a whole LOT of tortilla. Way too much tortilla. The tortilla overwhelmed the little bit of meat that was there. I am baffled as to why they would raise the price while making the chimichanga smaller.
(3)Paul T.
Amazing tacos! Great price especially on tuesday at 1.29 each. Some of the best quality meat I have ever had in a taco. Salsa bar is well stocked too. My favorite lunch stop by far.
(5)Alice L.
Great Mexican food!! My family loves grabbing lunch-to-go here. Simple, flavorful entrees, reasonable prices, variety of salsas. Apparently there are other "Taco Factory"s in Irvine, but those are not affiliated with this one. I've heard that you can't compare the two. This one is just that much better and the amount of people ordering food here definitely proves that. Sometimes there's quite a wait during lunch peak hours. My brother always gets the famous burrito (carne asada) combo. Comes with a side of rice, beans, and chips. Very tasty for about $5-6. Everything in that combo is really good, even the rice and beans. I like to get the torta, which is pretty much like a Mexican sandwich that's filled with carne asada, beans, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese. It's pretty big and tasty as well ($4-5). We've had a few of their other entrees, but nowadays, we find ourselves always getting the same thing each time ;) Btw, they also have taco tuesdays, where each taco is $1.29 (you save about 60 cents or so per taco). They're pretty decent-sized (2 is good enough for me). Lots of fresh salsa to choose from with varying degrees of spiciness, which makes the tacos even tastier. Look for their specials on combos! I believe it changes every day!
(4)Alan W.
This is a really hidden gem, it may not look like much from the outside, but the food is good and not expensive. I always get the daily special which is usually some entree dish with beans/rice and a drink. I remember it being pretty cheap like 7 or 8 bucks. Last time it was 2 taco's with meat of your choice, I got the carne asada, delicious! There is outdoor covered seating area which is great place to sit when the weather is good, which it usually is in so-cal. Oddly enough this joint is ran by some asian lady, she's nice, and the food tastes pretty authentic, I guess as authentic as so-cal mexican food can get!
(4)SC N.
Been coming here whenever I take the 5 freeway. Everything here is good. My favorite is the steak burrito. This thing is loaded with grilled steak, avocados, salsa. My mouth is watering just by writing this review. I always eat one there and take one to go. It'll still be good if it's in the frig for a couple of days. Just pop it in the mircrowave and it's almost like it's fresh off the grill.
(5)Chris M.
This place is Amazing! The BBQ pork quesadillas were sooo good!! Everything is fresh and authentic. Great prices, great value. EAT HERE!
(5)John H.
I knew it was legit Mexican food when I had to go to the bathroom 10 minutes after eating my meal (juuust kidding, I don't have a gallbladder, so I have to go to the bathroom pretty much after every meal -- tmi?). My go to Mexican restaurant in Tustin. Anything with their carne asada is amazing and their salsa bar is great. They even have a taco Tuesday! $1.25 a taco!
(4)Carmen A.
Ok this place is pretty good , the avocado is bomb !!! I had a grilled chicken burrito and it was very delicious ...the salsa could be a little more spicier but they have a big selection on the salsas ...
(5)Marie V.
I have been coming to this joint since I was little. I have never had a bad expirience here. Everthing is amazing! They are consistent and friendly. Love this place for tasty, quick, and filling mexican meals at a decent price!
(5)R. D.
Pros: Carne Asada TACOS!!!! Price Plenty of Seating in their patio Friendly Service Great Salsa Bar Cons: Parking I have to confess the only thing I get here are the Carne Asada Tacos. So worth the drive! My mouth is watering just thinking of them. The carne asada is the dry kind, perfectly seasoned, wrapped in a tasty corn tortilla. They aren't stingy with the meat either so that is a big plus. Must try!
(5)MyThy H.
Want yummy carne asada tacos? How bout a salsa bar where there's no limit to how much you can take of hot/medium/mild salsa, cilantro, lemon and pickled carrots/radishes? Taco factory has huge carne asada taco's that's just corn tortilla and meat. You dress it any way you like w/ cilantro and salsa. Two tacos = comfortably full, 3 tacos if you're starving! I've been back several times so this review covers everything we've had. -Vegetarian Chimichanga: Yummy crispy outside but doughy flour tortilla on the inside. Not greasy at all. It's so big you can eat half for lunch and half for dinner. They totally customize any burrito you want. I got my veggie filled with pinto, black beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and sour cream. It came with lettuce, guacamole and chips. -Carne Asada Burrito: You guys have all had the carne asada burrito's from the various -Lerto's. According to DF, Taco Factory's meat is more flavorful and less rubbery/chewy. It was filled with meat, tomatos, onions and rice. DF ordered it "wet" smothered in enchilada red sauce and topped with cheese. He finished his in one sitting! Also served with a side of lettuce, guac, and chips. -Taquitos Plate: Best friend said they were crisp and not chewy. Meat was flavorful and it came with guac and a side of pinto beans and rice. The beans were a little bland but rice was yummy. Tomatoey, soft and tender, not dry. -Chilaquiles: Not just for breakfast or a hangover! Torn corn tortillas smothered in red enchilada sauce with 2 eggs over easy. You can order w/ or w/o steak. I got mine w/ pinto beans and it was awesomely covered in cheese and a scoop of sour cream. For spicy you can order the green sauce. They gave me a side of it and it wasn't that hot. I loved this esp when I don't feel like bread to sop up my runny yolk. -Soft fish taco: Not my fave. I like the breaded and fried fish taco's like Los Cotija's. For grilled tilapia fish taco's I'd rather go to Wahoo's. It came topped with lettuce and diced tomato. Nyeh, nothing to write home about. -Vegetarian taco: Comes with either black or pinto (I got both), rice, lettuce, tomatoes, green onions, cheese, sour cream and guac. It's substantially bigger than the other meat taco's. -Crispy fish taco. Same as above but crispy shell. The shell is pretty crisp, but not super hard shell like Taco S(m)ell. It does get soggy b/c they foil wrap it. I'm def gonna be back for the breakfast burrito to compare to Nate's Korner. Taco Factory's comes with eggs, cheese, guac and your choice of hot/mild salsa in flour tortilla. You can order it with your choice of meets: chorizo or steak but no bacon and they'll even stuff it w/ french fries too. I'll definitely be back for a non-meat version, hot, and w/ FF. Tips: Taco tuesday gets busy at $1.29 each. Call ahead and pick up (714) 731-1111 so you don't have to wait. Even so, it's only about 10 mins.
(4)V.L. S.
I think their theme for tonight was soggy. I got chicken tacos and rice for for dinner. The rice was good but the chicken was so soggy that my tortillas busted while I was trying to eat my tacos (I HATE when that happens), so I scooped the chicken on top of the rice and skipped the soggy tortillas. My husband ordered a quesadilla, which was really soggy. He also ordered a carnitas burrito, which was soggy. He opened it up, and tried to eat it that way but that didn't quite work out. He took one bite and that was it. I tasted it and figured out why he didn't want to eat the thing. The burrito was cold and the carnitas was rubbery and tasted fishy. Maybe we just went on an off night, but we tossed most of our food into the trash. Gosh, I hate wasting food!
(1)YJ L.
I knew it was gonna be a good night when I walked through the door and saw a whole array of salsas, sauces, radishes, jalepenos.. I think there are like 12-16 different bowls of salsas and other fixins! are you kidding me? sauce queen's heaven! then I look to my right, what do I see?? ORANGE BANG!!! oh yeah, tonights gonna be a good night~~ I got the enchilda taco combo and the burrito loco ( carne asada, fries, guac, sour cream, veggies) SO FREAKING GOOOD!!! from what I hear stick with the carne asada. With every bite, I put cilantro/onions salsa, then drowned it with the red hot sauce. my mouth is watering just writing about it. My mouth burned but burned in a good way you know?? I extinguished that lovely burn with some nice cold sweet ORANGE BANG. ugh perfect. I think in my past life I must have been part mexican because I freaking cant get enough of good mexican eats! Just call me YJ "Maria Guadalupe Hernandez" L from now on. ok Just kidding. dont. But feel free to tell me about any GOOD mexican places espppecially if they have orange bang!
(5)George V.
fast and cheap! Flavors was average
(3)Vivian M.
First off this is definitely a hole in the wall. The place itself is a sweet little mexican joint with plenty of salsa and main Mexican items to choose from. I got the special of the day, which was a quesadilla with my choice of meat, some chips, rice, beans and a drink for around $5.50. Very inexpensive and the ladies working were very sweet and nice. I didn't know what Orange Bang Whipped was, but it's basically like an orange julius soda. That was pretty awesome too. My dilla was pretty tasty with a ton of steak and cheese. Honestly the food was good and extremely cheap. Maybe not the best Mexican food I've had, but still good.
(4)Trissia W.
randomly stopped in here 1 day, late for work, cruising through Tustin, no time to yelp. I tried the ranchero burrito which is salsa cooked together with whatever meat you pick and it includes guacamole. OH MY GOD, maybe it was the freezing cold and windy day, but this burrito tasted like the best I've ever had. I love that the salsa was cooked in with the meat, the way my dad used to make. I tried chicken and they have 2 choices shredded or grilled. Of course I went with grilled and it was a winner. Burrito only $5. Very fast service and convenient to jump right back on the freeway. can't wait to go back!
(4)Doc M.
Don't be fooled suckas... this is it... the one and ONLY Taco Factory... don't go to the other ones... this is the ONLY one to go to that's named Taco Factory... it's the one right here on Newport Ave that looks like a run down shack with crappy seating outside... The main reason to come? Al Pastor!!! AL PASTOR!!! AL PASTOR!!! Chant it with me.... their Al Pastor is so sublime, soft stewed, not too salty, like someone really loved that pig... It's like the Kobe Beef of pork... get 3 Al Pastor tacos a la carte and it's done man... I could eat like 10 of these tacos...
(5)John W.
This is Southern California, and that being the case, there is crappy Mexican food EVERYWHERE. Taco Factory Inc is NOT one of those places. Hard to give this 4 out but based on their menu, selection of sides and fixings, oh and the kick ass outdoor seating they got this instead of a 3 and 1/2 rating. People working there were pretty chill just doing their jobs and all. One thing that was cool was they offer a fresh water dispenser instead of drinking junk from the tap. Cherry Coke on tap, weird Mexican Colas on tap too.Ah, and they offer those huge Snapples for like $1.79 or something... :D Food is very tasty and fresh. Chips on the side were fresh and warm. Carne Asada was different than I am used to but still very good. Had a burrito with all the rice and beans or whatever and it was damn good. Would give the burrito a 3 on its own but the drinks, seating, environment, and service own them an additional star. If you are in the area you should plan to hit it up. If you drive on the 5 to work and home, it's like right off the freeway so worth a stop to let the traffic die down. Recommended.
(4)Bryan F.
This place is legit. You won't go wrong with any carne asada or al pastor item on the menu (no disrespect to the carnitas as they are delicious too). I go here at least once a week, usually for taco tuesday. Parking is troublesome at times but it speaks to the greatness of the Taco Factory. The salsa bar is a high traffic zone but the x-hot salsa is worth it. For newcomers, carne asada burrito will set you straight.
(5)MaryandVin S.
This place makes some goooood carne asada. Not all places can do that. Salsa bar is fresh and delish....we will be making this a regular spot.
(4)Kathlyne L.
The parking isn't great and the seating is outside and when it's hot it can be uncomfortable but the food is AMAZING every time. Never disappointed in anything when I come here.
(4)Zavala I.
foods good... pretty bland... a little overpriced for some things on the menu..theres alot of salsa available...but the lady at the counter was kind of rude..... probably wont be back.
(3)Victor G.
This place is the bomb. Definitely coming back.
(5)Minh N.
I finally got the chance to try this taco place by my house. And it was GOOOOOOOOOOOOD. Kinda funny that the lady taking my order looks Korean, but all the cooks are Mexican. The prices are cheap, the food is tasty, and it's so much closer than the drive out to Alerto's on Brookhurst. PLUS, they have ORANGE BANG WHIPPED. The real deal...with unlimited refills! The chicken enchilada was just ok...but what I loved was there carne asada (aka steak). So juicy and flavorful, instant hit. They've got an awesome salsa bar too. They also take credit card (min $5). They've got a cool little outdoor covered patio to eat at. Perfect for those warmer summer days to enjoy the weather and eat a taco. Downside is this place closes at 9pm...so no late night drunken taco runs :(
(4)Rose Mary i.
This is a hidden gem. The place is small but everyone is friendly. They are cool about making things to your specifications and they always have lunch specials that are fantastic. The salsa bar is probably one of the best around. I have had the vegetarian burrito with black beans and their cheese enchiladas before. It gets a bit packed during the weekday lunch hour but I have never had to wait very long for anything. Oh, and try the guacamole, totally worth it. ;)
(4)Dr. O.
I discovered this place about a month ago and have been back several times. I usually order the steak tacos, especially on Tuesday when they are $1.39. I love their salsa, and you can help yourself to a variety of salsas at the salsa bar. The salsa bar in probably my favorite aspect of this place. The food is great and the price is cheap. It doesn't get any better than that.
(5)Justin C.
The best in OC for quick Mexican food. But only this location, I've tried other taco factory locations and they must be owned by different owners because no other taco factory comes close. I usually opt for whatever the daily special is. All of their meats are grilled right behind the counter. Pollo is the best but the carne I great too. The beat part is the salsa bar, it's expansive and contains radishes, the true sign of a great salsa bar. They also have a soda fountain that has Orange Bang which is a great way to cleanse your pallette
(5)JT L.
The Taco Factory rules. I ate at this dive so many times that I have carne asada and Horchata Bang (blech) permanently embedded in my intestines. Their Mexican Nachos are HUGE and so cheap; two people can share and not finish it. Super authentic carne asada, carnitas, etc. I've tried almost everything on the menu and never came away disappointed. Great salsa too. My vote for best taco stand in OC.
(5)Judy F.
I don't like mexican food but my fiancee is a fan so I have no choice. The food is actually really good. The meat alone is very flavorful and the amount of food is just right. The condiment bar is always full and clean. The parking can be pretty crowded during lunch time but this just means a lot of people really like coming here. I don't mind so much anymore when my fiancee feels like mexican food.
(4)Christine D.
good 'n cheap. If you've already grown tired of your new year's resolution to lose weight, order some of their nachos loaded with beans, meat and condiments. it's a greasefest! The burritos are very good too, if you're looking for something less artery-clogging.
(4)Skippy T.
3.5/5 pretty good. enjoy the food. typical mexican place. lil better than the average. not much to expect. everything is predicatable
(4)Peter B.
Woa! Deep fried carne asada burrito aka the chimichanga. After one bite I bowed my head and tebow'd, hehe. I'm a niner at heart but Tebow is a homie in the Lord. It was that good i tell ya! So as my friend says the chimichanga reminds him of one giant egg roll! I told the lady at the counter this was my first time here and if this place is as good as I hear it is in my terminator voice I says, "I'll be baaack." I'm sold, this place made me one happy customer. Snaps i say, I'm coming back with sarah connor and john connor. I gave a negative 1 star for parking.
(4)Vicki C.
super delicious closest to authentic mexican food ever! LOVE their chimichangas, pinto beans, rice, chips, everything!
(5)Martha M.
My friends and I had read some pretty good review of this place, so one Sunday morning, after some very heavy drinking the night before, we were in a mood for Mexican food and decided to give this place a try. The place wasn't difficult to find, but parking was. It only had two parking spots and is located in the corner of a very small shopping plaza, so there isn't much in parking there either. We got really lucky that someone was pulling out of a spot in the plaza or we were going to have to either park across the street or go somewhere else. This is a mom and pop shop, so the restaurant is small, with only about 8 tables outside with a roof, but it wasn't completely enclosed. The lady who took our order was really friendly and helpful. They had a salsa bar with about 6 different salsa's to chose from along with peppers, jalapeno's, onions, cilantro and spicy carrots! I ordered a carne asada wet burrito and a carne asada taco to see what they were like. The Burrito wasn't bad, but the red salsa used for the burrito was a little bland. I used a lot of salsa from the bar, lemon and salt to give the burrito some flavor. The taco wasn't any better. The meat was tough and flavorless. I like giving restaurants the benefit of the doubt. I might come back to give the place another shot ... maybe I was there on an off day? ....
(2)Arnold D.
After about ten more trips to T-Fac, I was let down with another lukewarm steak burrito. Once again, I came in when the place was dead and was served less-than-fresh tasting food. Luckily I was splitting the burrito with my sister, and still got to enjoy 1/2 of an extremely delicious chorizo and egg burrito. If I had dined in, I'm sure I could have gotten a replacement burrito for the lukewarm one. The lady there is always super, super nice. Alas, my order was takeout, and I was too lazy to drive back (even though I only live a 2 minute drive from the place). So why 5 stars? Well, while I was there, they were frying up their own tortilla chips. I had no idea that they prepare their own stuff and I'm super impressed. I asked about the salsa and they make that all in house too. I guess what to take away from this is if it's your first time there, and you don't know how amazing it is already, don't get takeout. You might catch them on an off day at an off hour and choose to never return to some of the best tasting Mexican food in Orange County.
(5)Vanessa R.
This place has, what I think, is the best Mexican food, this side of Santa Ana. In the Irvine/Tustin area, there aren't that many "hole in the wall" good Mexican places. I ordered the 4 taquitos plate (with rice and beans). The taquitos were good and the rice and beans weren't bad either. The beans were still a bit firm, which is nice compared to other places that overcook the beans. What really makes this place stand out is the awesome Salsa bar they have. They actually label the different salsa so you don't destroy your tastebuds.
(4)Brian B.
first tried this place when work brought some random dishes in for lunch. food was above average. went back on my own when i discovered it's one of not-enough-places that offers chilaquiles. got an order of the mild and an order of the spicy. mild was bland and flavorless. or maybe that's just how it seemed next to the far superior spicy version which was delicious. be warned: it's hot. maybe not for all but i imagine for most. if you can get around the heat or if that typically doesn't bother you then this dish is excellent. side note: i wish they opened earlier than 10. there have been several times i've been unable to eat there because of this.
(4)Jason B.
GREAT food. The factory burrito is awesome. My only complaint is that I feel it's a little pricey for the portions. The service is great and they're pretty quick with your order.
(4)Joanne C.
You would never know such delicious food would come out of this place. Love this place! Quesadillas are my favorite here. I also like the rice, guacamole, chips, salsa and tacos. My work usually get food catered from this place, and it's such a nice treat! :)
(4)andy m.
Daily specials are where its at! Oh and the Salsa bar!!! we cant forget about that... I recently had the breakfast burrito, no meat, just egg, cheese, pico de gallo, beans, and guacamole. Awesome!
(4)Jonathan N.
I am a strong believer that a Mexican food restaurant's potential and worth is strongly dictated by how delicious its salsa is. If the salsa is crap, then the establishment is not worth your time. The original taco factory, however, is WELL WORTH your time and money! Situated in an awkward intersection, the OTF is small and quaint. I personally really like the chimichanga here because it is absolutely monstrous. The chimichanga is fried to crispy perfection and isn't very oily when it reaches your hands. It's ready for you to bite into it and have its melted cheese just ooze out as you chew on the juicy meat. BUT everything from the giant chimichanga to the refreshing orange bang would be nothing without the salsa bar. Their salsa is made daily and you can taste the freshness of the tomatoes. I seriously thought of boycotting perserved salsas because OTFs salsa just makes you not want to settle for less! All their salsas are refreshing and delicious. I love mixing the spicy salsas and making a salsa juggernaut that can make my mouth burn with pleasure. I honestly sit at OTF sometimes just wondering how to effectively steal their salsa. Great place for lunch ! Be careful of dinner because it does close a bit early IMO. Also park in the lot adjacent to OTF because their parking is very small and can be a bit hard to get out off when it's crowded.
(4)Timorei A.
I absolutely love The Original Taco Factory! Whenever I come home from college it is one of the first places I go out to eat. It's a cheap little Mexican dive with huge portions, perfect for takeout. Staff is very friendly, helpful, and speedy. I could live of the breakfast burritos with black beans :)
(5)Steve J.
Hard working staff. Great prices. Food has a delicious authentic south of the boarder favor and along with an outside seating atmosphere. Grilled steak items are the best in OC for these prices. Busy little place. Always the same ... Always great!
(4)Bo B.
I literally watched a cook compact 3 different trash cans with his bare hands, walk inside, not wash them and go straight to the grill and start handling raw tortillas and raw meats........disgusting I will never be back and warn everyone coming here. If they don't wash their hands after touching trash, do you think they wash their hands after touching themselves going to the bathroom!? I called the owner outside to the patio and let her know what my 2 co-workers and I just witnessed. She gave me my money back but said he washed his hands. After he walked inside I was able to watch him because there is a window to the kitchen from the outside patio. I got up and watched because I gave him the benefit of the doubt but he went straight to the grill and did not wash his hands. So, she also called me a liar after 3 eyewitnesses all said the same thing! Enjoy the Trash flavored Quesadillas topped with sour cream and pubes!
(1)Martin I.
Walked in looking for some lunch, staff was pleasant but the food wasn't what I had hoped for I ordered the carne asada fries and although it looked great, the fries were horrible the only good part of the whole platter was the asada and the guacamole and the horchata isn't very good either. Not going back
(2)Joanne K.
I was first attracted to the place by the yummy smell. I have been back many times since and recommended the place to friends and colleagues many times. Their food is delicious and I love their steak tacos and steak casadia. The complimentary tortilla chips are freshly fried like they do at burger places. Burrito can be bit salty because they put sauce inside. If you are not sure ask for no sauce and just enjoy it with salsa. Salsa bar is fresh and gets frequently restocked. Depending on the day, hot salsa can be really hot. The portions are generous and price is reasonable. You can have a meal here for about $5-7 per person. Even though lines can be long, your food is usually served pretty quick.
(5)Tiffany N.
If you're looking for a quick, CHEAP Mexican food meal, this is your place. Not only is it cheap, but it's very tasty. I miss Tex-Mex but this place in OC with suffice. Love the variety of the salsa bar. { ORDER } * Guacamole (small order should be sufficient between 2 people) * Cheese enchilada + rice * Any tacos * Carne Asada plate { ENVIRONMENT } * Don't expect fancy smancy. The inside is pretty small. There's bar stool seating only along the window or there's outside seating, picnic-bench style. It's definitely a good lunch spot. Pretty legit Mexican fast food considering this place is ran by Koreans. The owners are super nice.
(4)Sh F.
I really love this place. Everything Ive had is delicious. Their everything tacos are soo big i could eat one and be full. Their quesadillas are great and so are their taquitos. My favorite is their bean and cheese burrito. I add carne asada and make it wet, its great. Their salsa bar is ALWAYS clean and refilled. I dont think theres been a time that i was there and someone didnt come out and tidy up the salsa bar. Totally recommend this place.
(5)William P.
Tried this place out for the first time a few days ago. The california burrito was delicious! The portion Was as big if not bigger than chipotle burritos! Their carne asada is flavorful and juicy! Not to mention they have extensive salsa bar! This place looks unassuming but is definitely worth a try!
(4)Jill M.
Great little hole in the wall style Mexican restaurant. Don't get me wrong by the 'hole in the wall' comment...this place isn't gross and dirty by any means. Just a small mom and pop restaurant serving the classics, in good portion sizes and great prices. May look a little iffy to some when you first walk in, but it's fine and you see all types there--I saw a guy in a business suit, someone in construction garb, and a beach go-er--it's loved by all. I had the four taquitos (they contain beef, which the menu doesn't tell you, nor did they give me a choice) with rice and beans. Slap on some of their yummy salsa from the salsa bar and you've got a kick a$$ meal! I actually took it home and added some Cholula as well for extree spice and flavor. Very filling, basic Mexican food, no frills, and very cheap. Definitely recommend! Always crowded (a good sign) so be prepared to wait.
(3)Chris W.
This place has great food been coming here for over ten years I am just so busy enjoying the food that I always forget to check in. Wish that it had a real indoor seating area for comfortable dining.
(4)Ana L.
200th reviewer !!! :) This place was a hole in the wall. Like, no joke. It took us a while to search for this place. Amy, Jeff and I were just thinking about what to eat. What's better than Mexican food on a Sunday night? But in Irvine, it's hard to find. So we hit up the next city, Tustin. We came here today and didn't really know what to order. I ordered a Famous Burrito with steak. It was AMAZING. I wish I could've took pictures :| The burrito came with chips (I actually think all their orders do). They have a salsa bar where you can choose your sauces for your chips. They range from Mild, Hot, and X HOT! I got the X HOT jalapeno sauce & their pico de gallo. The burrito was cooked to perfection. The steak didn't taste as marinated as I thought it would. You know, that carne asada taste. Maybe next time, I'll ask for "carne asada" instead of "steak". Parking is a b*tch though, they have indoor/outdoor seating. It was cold so we sat inside. My total was $5.35. $5.35 FOR A WHOLE BURRITO + CHIPS !!! I have slight food coma while writing this so pardon me if I ramble. ANYWAY, it's at the CORNER and you should see "TACO AL CARBON" as the bigger sign. So don't look for "Original Taco Factory" because it's hard to find. Look for "taco al carbon" and you should find the sign! :) It's yellow & you can't miss it. Definitely will be coming back :)
(4)NayeLy A.
I LOVVVE this place!! Their Carne Asada burrito is the best. With green salsa instead of pico de gallo.
(5)Tariq A.
I went here since reviews on google and yelp were good. I have been craving mexican food for a few days now so I was really looking to get a good place. The first thing I noticed was that the salsa bar was very untidy. I looked past that and anticipated the food. We tried a few things: 1. soft taco's w grilled chicken - very bland, no flavor to the meat 2. hard taco's with shredded beef - these are probably better eaten at the place since the hard tacos fell apart by the time we got home. again, very bland underseasoned meat 3. Chicken enchiladas - enchilada sauce was bland.... you know what....ill make this easy, it was probably the most bland mexican food i've ever had. I was disappointed because I love small fast food places since they pay more attention to the detail and authenticity of their food.
(2)Jesse D.
My buddy Jason M and I always seem to be at odds related to what goes into making great Mexican food. However, neither of us seem to be smart enough to intimate to the other which exact elements we believe to be factors. I think Taco factory may just be somewhere upon which we both agree. Decent prices, a great salsa bar, and quick quality food! The other great thing about this places is that they accept credit cards. Usually places of this caliber are cash only. I've said it before I understand the logic and reasons for not accepting them but, those reasons and excuses don't make it less a pain in my ass. So... Thanks Taco factory! I appreciate your acceptance of my credit cards!!! Next time Brittany P and I are in your neck of the woods we will darken your door and sit out on your quaint little covered patio while we eat your delicious grub and look at the pictures within the pages of "La Opinion" which invariably lie around on misc. tables! See ya soon!!!
(4)Robert L.
I don't eat Mexican much, but I had a craving for carnitas. This place popped up on Yelp -- 4 stars and only 5 minutes away! We ordered and sat outside where there was a decent number of people, couples and families. After the first bite of my carnitas burrito, I was disappointed. First of all my burrito wasn't even hot. It was luke warm, and since it didn't take that long to get the burrito, the contents of the burrito must have already been luke warm before putting it in the tortilla. The pork was bland. Ok maybe not bland -- it was salty, and that was about the only flavor it had. The texture and flavor of the whole thing was just so unappetizing that I literally took only a few bites and gave up. I ended up getting innout later because I was still hungry :(. Sorry Taco Factory. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing here, but all I really wanted was a good carnitas burrito!
(2)O G.
I haven't been here in a while. Usually it's a 4 star rating but today's visit was only a 3. I had the 2 carne asada taco plate. The rice and beans are pretty good. However, the carne asada was a bit dry and flavorless. The corn tortilla was also a bit dry and greasy. The chips were great. They were nice and crispy. The salsa bar was wonderful but sadly enough, it didn't help the tacos much. I'll be coming back as I'm pretty sure it was an off day, but not anytime soon. Service was friendly.
(3)robert B.
This is a potentially great hole in the wall type restaurant, the menu is typical Mexican fare with lots of combination selections. The tacos were really good, not the typical street taco size but a full size taco. I had the wet burrito with carne asada, the meat and filling was very good but the "wet sauce" over powered the burrito. I personally do not like the heavy smoke taste of roasted peppers so for me it was something I would not try again, but if you like that flavor then you will probably like it. Limited indoor seating but ample outdoor seating is available. The combo plates are rather large and you will leave very full.
(3)Lorraine G.
I had the carne taco plate,paid about $8. I'm not sure what the excitement is about, so I'm going to have to go back again.
(3)Kendra M.
A friend took me here and I have been raving about it ever since. It doesn't look like much. But it's delicious. I love Mexican food, and this is one of my favorite stops. Plus it's awesome prices! Not the best seating.... But it's so good.
(4)michael n.
Steak chimi was finger licking good. Would offer a photo but i ate it too..
(4)Marian B.
Cheap. Quick. Easy access... Get your mind out of the gutter, I'm talking about the Taco Factory! ;p You just walk in, order your food, get your salsa while you wait then leave. No fuss and the food is pretty plentiful. It tastes pretty good too. I think there are other places that are better but this is just really convenient for me if I want good Mexican food in a hurry.
(4)Cel J.
good mexican food...i always come here when I'm in the area... got the special of the day... two tacos, rice, beans and a drink...$6.19- it was very good and fulfilling! ...satisfied! parking still sucks!
(5)Anita L.
Boy.... I'm not sure if I really want to write a review about this place because I had expected it to be so much better due to the reviews I had read (a long time ago though). We didn't feel like driving to El Gallo Giro or El Campeon for that matter, so we just stopped into this place. Now, I wish we hadn't. The food was reasonable, but only in price ... hubby got the special which was 2 tacos, beans and rice and a drink for $5.95. I got 2 tacos (al pastor and fish) while lil guy got the carne asada quesadilla and a Jaritos. Total was $17. The food didn't take long to arrive and there is a self-serve salsa bar with a pretty good condiment selection. When the food arrived though, I was seriously underwhelmed by it. The fish in the fish taco tasted like it was previously frozen -- no flavor and the texture was very mushy. The al pastor was hella greasy and the meat wasn't seasoned or seared enough giving it a less than appetizing taste. Hubby, who ordinarily would eat any Mexican food even left one taco untouched (which is a rarity). His carne asada was grisly and flavorless even with a heavy dousing of the salsa roja. Lil guy enjoyed his quesadilla though. Should've driven to El Campeon where we usually eat for $15 and it is seriously fabulous. I'm giving Taco Factory 2 stars cuz the beans and rice were pretty good -- the best thing we ate actually. I doubt I'll ever return again.
(2)Cheryl D.
Tacos El Carbon also know as the Taco Factory is great part of Tustin. A bit like travel out of the country on Newport Blvd. Supper authentic Mexican street food! Great salsa and pickled carrots. Most of the seating is outside in a covered poach area. There is a reason there is always a line at lunch. It is worth the wait!
(5)Joey J.
This place is super awesome! They have the best carne asada tacos i've ever had. They have taco tuesday here and it's so great. The tacos usually come with just two tortillas and meat. Their salsa bar has all the condiments like onions, cilantro and a variety of delicious salsas.
(5)C L.
The best mexican / tacqueria type place in Orange county. The salsa bar is amazing and has a great variety. I'm a huge fan of the carne asada torta (best I've had), but everything on the menu is good. They're also really good about calling ahead and being able to pick up your order. I find the staff there to be friendly and polite. Only suggestion is to get some more high chairs for the limited seating area.
(5)Glen L.
This is my backup spot when Sushi Wasabi is closed across the street. Yeah I know Mexican food is a far cry from Sushi, but the food here is pretty good and you don't have to spend a lot. So I just enjoy the food here and think about all the money I saved for the next time I go to Sushi Wasabi.
(4)Jenny H.
3.5 stars. This place is my brother & I's straight up go-to place for comfort food when we're craving Mexican food. Their salsa bar is pretty good. I always get their carne asada tacos. It's affordable, quick, and easily accessible.
(3)Nicole K.
Extremely friendly owner, fully equipped salsa bar, low prices, and delicious food. Lacking a bit in ambience and parking spots, buy I'm definitely coming back for more, especially on Tuesdays
(4)Dan H.
This is one of those places I hesitate to write a glowing review as it is already too crowded with the week day lunch crowd. But In the proper yelper spirit, I am relenting. The food here is really really good! Have taken many people here of various ethnic backgrounds and all have loved it. A Mexican friend says the carne tacos are almost as good as his Madres, and he is normally hyper critical when it comes to the Motherlands comida. Has all of the standard Mexicano fare with an awesome salsa bar in addition to lettuce, cilantro, marinated carrots etc. It is a no frills place in the truest sense; tiny shack with some picnic tables under an awning adjoining the shack. Cheap cheap cheap too, especially on Taco Tuesdays, when the snug parking lot becomes a nightmare. Tip; have been at night and there are no crowds.
(4)Vie M.
I ate at Taco Factory today for lunch on a taco tuesday my coworker had hyped up the tacos there so I was excited to try them I got 1 chicken (which I recommend you get of you like tasteless boil chicken tacos I mean season the chicken A LITTLE) then I got 1. Carne Asada nothing bad to say there I normally get a burrito with carne Asada ....and 1 of the al pastor ? Um? It was ok but I'm use to mine being spicy not sweet and CRUNCHY???? But of these float your boat go for the tacos PERSONALLY I recommend a burrito!!!
(3)Lane T.
Bomb burritos here. There burritos are really good and aren't expensive. I really like their daily deals which is around 7 or 8 dollars and it comes with an entre, drink, and usually rice and beans. Parking during lunch or any busy time is the only down side, other than that, great place.
(5)Jenelle G.
Delicious. Reminds me of the good ole authentic mexican taquerias back home [East Bay, CA]. Taste like real legit mexican food, which can sometimes be rare for Orange County! Well the Irvine-area, at least.
(4)Dan Q.
My friend and I just finished a 10 mile hike when we needed something to eat. Tustin was on the way back so here we gooo... [fish burrito] The fish burrito is grilled and not deep fried. Basically the burrito has melted cheese, some type of sauce, guacamole, but note, no rice or beans. I typically am very wary of grilled fish burritos because it is typically too mushy. But this burrito was delicious. It was hot, the cheese was melty, it was salted just enough, and had some spices (I couldn't pinpoint all of them). A caveat is that if you are ordering the fish burrito you need to eat it immediately because the flour tortilla gets a bit mushy from the heat. [horchata] It really sucks here. Too cinnamony and I think it comes from the standard ole machines. [salsa bar] Amazing. All the salsa is pretty fresh and salted just enough. [spicy carrots] too firm. I loooove the spicy carrots at albertacos in cypress. [price point] About 5 dollars a burrito [overall] Basically if you are around the area, this is a great place. I don't know if I would drive across town for it, but it definitely is good. Just avoid the horchata.
(5)Mike N.
I recently bought a condo diagonally across the street for this place, I can literally see the sign from my kitchen window (look at the picture of the sign, I live in one of the unit you see in the background). Since the kitchen remodeling is still slowly in progress (we are it doing ourselves) we've been eating out majority of the time, with that or microwave food. I was pleasantly surprised by their steak burrito, the steak was perfectly seasoned, the tortilla was a little under "burned". but the filling was ohhhh so good. Their salsa tasted fine but the color was a light in color because of the tomatoes. I will definitely be back since it's about a minute walk away! I do have to say that Alertos in Fountain Valley and Westminster is still better, I can just eat their plain tortilla all day! yelp.com/biz/alertos-mex…
(4)Dave T.
Had a Machca Burrito wet - very dry and over cooked. Disappointed for sure.
(1)C L.
We went to The Taco Factory for lunch today. We come here often. Today it was no exception; the restaurant and the parking lot were crowded. I ordered the 2 taquito platter and the Taco with Everything. The taquitos were crispy and the guacamole was homemade. Be prepared to eat the Taco with Everything with a fork. They piled everything on the taco and it is more like a tostada with a soft tortilla. I finally ate part of the taco until I could pick it up with my hand. Everything was yummy. If you want to eat at the outside dining area, be prepared for flies and it was a cool day. This is a real "hole in the wall." But the food is pretty authentic. They always have some kind of special for the day.
(4)Katie L.
i'm taking a star away for the inconsistent service and food. I ordered the carne asada fries and SO DISAPPOINTED!!! The chips were old and soggy, not crispy. I paid close to $6-7 for it and it's just bad. Next, the service, they do have a great salsa bar but when you order more than $20 worth of food, I expect to get the big container for salsa FOR FREE! What's this charging for bigger container??? Yes, if I'm one order but I ordered more than $20 worth of food. GIVE IT TO ME! DAMN!!! I've also seen the lady behind the counter just give it away without charging? WHAT? Cuz I'm asian? You gotta charge me? RIDICULOUS! I will not be going back for a while!!!
(2)Lisa Z.
Good Lord my mouth waters when I think about Taco Factory and I'm not even hungry. I've been here twice now and it is just super fantastically yummy. The first time, I went with what I think a place called Taco Factory should be judged. Tacos. One al pastor and one asada. After a trip to the much Yelped salsa bar, it was time to dig in. The tacos were generous on the meat, not gristly and very flavorful. My friend Cliff C. had the steak torta and you can read his review as well, but lets just say I was coveting my neighbors food. Second time, I ordered the carnitas burrito. Stuffed with large chunks of porky goodness. It was large and I was in charge. The only reason I can't give this a five star is because even though I thoroughly enjoyed every bite, I felt like I was eating my monthly allotment of salt. Chips come with every order, they have specials every day and of course, Taco Tuesdays. Yum.
(4)Johnal L.
Taco Factory had a nice variety of salsas and condiments to choose from, but even with that and their low prices, the quality of the food I had doesn't earn more than a three star rating at this time. Since I've only been here once it's difficult to really give the place a thorough review - I only had the Famous [Chicken] Burrito (listed as being extremely popular), a Beef Taco, and a Pina Colada beverage. While sitting on the barstools waiting for my food I really felt as though I had found myself an authentic little Mexican taco joint. The salsas were all pretty good, and at the recommendation of the woman working the counter I tried adding different amounts of lime and salt to bring out the flavors. The prices were also very reasonable and I could see this place being the kind of place a person might crave when dealing with a hangover. Unfortunately, as a frequent visitor of Baja Fish Tacos in Santa Ana, I feel as though I've been spoiled by the quality of their burritos. Taco Factory's burrito wasn't inedible by any stretch of the imagination, but when I unwrapped the burrito the ends were already soggy and the chicken wasn't that appealing. In some sort of burrito paradox, the soggy burrito somehow managed to encase chicken that had a very dried out texture. It kind of reminded me of opening a can of tuna and then pushing down on the lid really hard until the water had completely drained out - the tuna is still technically moist but tastes dry. ANYway, the service was great, the salsa bar was great, but until I get a chance to go back and try out different meats with their burritos, I've gotta stick to a 3-star rating since their burritos were not really up to par. P.S. Please keep in mind that I almost never give 5-stars or 1-stars until I've had the opportunity to try out a variety of menu items. Even then, I usually give my favorite places a four-star rating on the off chance that I come across a vastly superior restaurant.
(3)Sophia N.
I AM SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS PLACE THROUGH YELP!!! thank you yelpers for helping me find this amazing place. the food is great here and the service is just WONDERFUL! treated my mom out to lunch and shes a huge fan of quesadillas. just her luck....they had their quesadilla with your choice of meat, rice, beans, and a drink special for 5 dollars. i had the carne asada chimichanga. LUNCH FOR TWO FOR 12 DOLLARS?! what a steal! i cant wait for tuesday to come around... TACO TUESDAY! haha.
(5)Sarah C.
Their salsa is sooo good and the service is always fast. Unfortunately some of their food is bland..
(3)Zieben L.
YES MY TUMMY LOVES THIS PLACE!!! OK, I often passed by this place because no one told me about this joint til recently a coworker of mine insisted on recommending this place to visit. So upon my arrival I immediately saw already a decent crowd waiting for their food, which to me looked to be a good sign. Their menu board got a nice variety listings of Mexican taco, burrito, chimichanga, and combo plates, and all looked mouth-watering..... Since I am a semi-vegan with an inclination to seafood, I naturally ordered their fish burrito with stuff black beans. Their condiment was excellent, got lots of generous kind of salsas, radishes, vegetables, and hot sauces. I got my food about 10 minutes' time, which was pretty quick..... Now to the food, man, I could've sworn, their fish burrito was big in size and very tasty. The content was juicy and I just couldn't stop eating it til it's all gone. In compare to other joints that I have been to like La Salsa and Baja Rubio, this place rocks ten fold!!! Yeah Taco Factory Inc. had made me a convert the 1st time around. I would return to this place again, it well deserves further investigations.......:D
(4)JJ W.
Hearty Mexican fast food that doesn't leave you wanting more. Expect to be in a glorious food coma! But of course, it's not perfect. Carna Asada is good but it's cut into way too small pieces. Parking is tight especially during a weekday lunch run. If you're from South Orange County, you'll be reminded of Pedro's Tacos.
(5)Johan M.
HOLY JESUS. FINALLY, FINALLY. I HAVE FOUND GOOD MEXICAN FOOD IN TUSTIN. A city filled with Taco Bells, Del Tacos and Chipotle, my home town of Tustin lacks of great Mexican Food places unlike neighbors Santa Ana and Orange. Until I finally decided to visit that little taco shack on Newport and Walnut... My roommate once brought home tacos from Taco Factory before, and they were pretty decent, typical tacos, so when I walked in the place, I had already declared that it was going to be typical Mexican food, another average transplant of neighborhood taco shop from Santa Ana that landed a few miles away. I decided to try the hyped chimichanga and chose carne asada. I got this FUCKING HUGE chimichanga, it was probably the best burrito I've ever had. It's this giant burrito and it's only stuffed with meat and cheese, they deep fry it so it's nice and crispy on the outside and when you bite in, it has this great crunch and all the carne asada juices leak out because it's freshly made. It has this huge portion of guacamole, sour cream, salsa and lettuce and it takes up a whole plate. And the best thing? It's $4.75 plus tax. I will return and eat more of this. 5 STARS FOR SURE
(5)j s.
This place is pretty good. They have a wide variety to choose from. I do agree it is a tad crowded, but honestly that's a good thing. Why would I want to dine at a joint that was empty, because surely it's a sign of the food quality. Great carnitas, excellent carne asada and their stuff quesodillas are massive. They have no problem customizing a burrito for you. I love taco bell, but I'd say if you're headed there, drive one more block. You won't be disappointed.
(4)George A.
Still the most authentic mexican food I've found around Orange County without heading into questionable parts of Santa Ana. I've been coming here for 20+ years and it's been the same, excellent food the entire time.
(5)Chris P.
First thing I noticed when walking in was the salsa bar to the left. I'm a huge fan of salsa and this place definitely delivered! This alone already made my trip down Newport Avenue worth it. I ordered Carne Asada Fries with hot salsa and pinto beans. I'm not a huge fan of beans at all because they ruin the texture of food for me. Most restaurants that serves dishes with beans in them add way too much so I end up getting mouthfuls of beans. I was surprised at how the beans complimented the fries really nicely. They did not overpower the texture of the food nor did I get mouthfuls of beans. As for the fries, they give you a lot of fries so you're not left with just the condiments or carne asada. In the salsa bar they have extra hot, hot, and mild. I've had my fair share of salsa so I figured I would try the extra hot, hoping that it would have a kick to it. I definitely underestimated how hot the extra hot salsa would be. It was probably one of the hottest salsas' I've ever had. What amazed me even more was that even though it was super hot, didn't overload my tastebuds where I could no longer enjoy my food. This made me crave more and more carne asada fries. I'm definitely coming back here when I want carne asada fries. The price is very reasonable. They also have unlimited refills on Orange Bang/Pina Colada/Horchata just like the Omega Burger nearby. I recommend this over Albatros. The price for fries at Albatros + gas can probably get you 2 orders of the fries at the Taco Factory. However, I don't advise parking right in front of the store during heavy traffic hours. The restaurant is situated on the corner of a block so the entrance to the street is right outside. You can end up backing into the street when backing out of the two parking spots right in front of the store.
(4)Jay C.
This is the best steak tacos ever. The Chile verde is delicious and the tortas are massive. Ive been ordering these three things for over 20 years.
(5)Arnold W.
If you're looking for a filling mealing, you must come here! The only reason it deserves a 3, rather than a 2 is the amount of food you get. Otherwise, I'd give it more of a 2.4 If you look at my picture of the nachos, look how stuff it looks. Now the important stuff...the taste. It lacks "flavor" it was a bit bland. Way too much toppings and not enough chips (they also do fries instead of the chips for the same price, I would've done that if I had known). I ordered half asada half chicken. The chicken didn't have much texture or any taste at all. Pretty bad in fact. The The price is a bit misleading. I live walking distance, so I might stop by whenever I'm on my run. Come here if you're starving!
(3)Jaclyn S.
I absolutely love this place! The best Mexican food for your money for sure! Kind of a hole in the wall type of place, but really great food. My boyfriend and I come here for breakfast every month or so for the huevos rancheros. So good! Only $5 and it feeds both of us easily. Breakfast burrito is delicious and filling too. As for lunch, great tacos. Love the rice here and they have a great salsa bar! Glad it's pretty close to my house!
(5)Andrew C.
Taco Tuesdays are great here! Tacos are huge and full of flavor. I prefer the Al Pastor over everything else as it's probably the best compared to the Carne Asada, Carnitas, and Chicken...
(3)Royce Y.
OVERALL RATING = 9 / 10 The EATS: Chicken Chimichanga (mild) = 10 Homemade tortilla chips = 7 The DRINKS: Orange Bang = 9 The ATMOSPHERE = 7 The SERVICE = 6 ---COMMENTS--- Went w/ wife & friends on several occasions. I've been coming back here for years for the best chimichanga around. The tortilla isn't over fried like most other places so you'd still have the doughy-ness of the tortilla, but tastes better cause its fried. It's stuffed with fresh chicken meat, tomato, peppers, and melted cheese (almost creamy). Comes with a bit of lettuce, sour cream, and guac on the side. They also have a stacked salsa bar that you can complete any entree with. I don't think I'd ask for anything more. If you know of a place with better chimichanga around here, you better let me know. Oh yeah, and AYCD Orange Bang. The APPEAL = 10 I've been meaning to try their tacos and Famous Burrito, but who am I kidding... I'll just order the chimichanga again. i'll just have to be super famished one day and order everything at once... or two chimichangas. Orange Bang!
(5)Tiffany W.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. 1) Super cheap taco Tuesdays. 2) Carne asada ANYTHING (tacos, burritos, quesadillas) 3) The marvelous salsa bar, especially the "xtra hot" pico de gallo (which isn't actually as hot as I expected, but it's amazing.) 4) The portions they give you are massive. Huge! Save the leftovers for lunch tomorrow. 5) The chips they serve are warm and crispy. Five stars.
(5)Kevin D.
I've come here twice for their taco tuesdays and I've been very satisfied both times. I tried the fish, beef, and chicken tacos, and will say that the beef is by far the best. The fish is a little fishy, and the chicken is moist, but not very flavorful. They have a HUGE salsa bar with everything from lettuce to homemade salsa. The people working behind the counter are pretty friendly and can find the time to make a joke or two even during food rush hours. Seating limited, but I find that most people just order togo anyway. The first time I came here, my wife and I missed it twice because we were looking for a sign that said "Taco Factory." If you refer to a picture jf c. posted for the review ( s3-media2.px.yelpcdn.com… ), you'll notice that the huge sign reads "Tacos al Carbon" and there is a smaller circle above it that reads "Taco Factory." Parking is limited because it sits on the corner of a small strip.
(4)Kat G.
I miss you and your breakfast burritos. The awesome goodness of eggs and pico de gallo and eggs and cheese and beans and salsa and warm tortilla and happy and amazing and yummy and and and and and everything that is good. Thank you, thank you taco gods. Thank you.
(5)Elizabeth D.
I ordered 30 tacos (call ahead) for a party I was going to, all carne asada. I got there and only had to wait about 10 minutes, they had already prepackaged all the cilantro, onions, guac and TONS of salsa for me. Great service, great price!
(5)gene d.
I was going to give this place 2 stars, but their hottest salsa bumped them up to 3. - The carnitas soft taco was not bad, but the fish taco was lacking that flavor you seek when eating. No, it didn't taste like cardboard or paper, but then, how could I tell? All I tasted was the onions, cilantro and the salsa. The fish was flavorless. Perhaps I went on a day when one of the cooks wasn't feeling too well and it being taco Tuesday, the mad lunch rush threw his mojo off? Sitting inside is extremely limited (and a little uncomfortable) with a few stools to sit at the narrow counter facing the outside. Better to get your meal to go. Oh, and make sure you tell them, or they'll assume it's 'for here'. The tacos are nothing to woo and aah about so if you live beyond a mile or so from this place, I'm sure you know of a better taqueria than this place. BUT, if you love Del Taco, drop those nasty things they call 'taco's and try this place out!
(3)MJ B.
VALUE: A+ QUALITY OF FOOD : (surprisingly) A+ SERVICE: A Let's just say, every time I hear "taco" I think of the carne asada tacos here. Oh, and I can't go without noting the fresh salsas, and amazing burritos. This is real Mexican food without going to somewhere "authentic" and feeling like you are off somewhere off in TJ. Goooood eats!
(5)Paul H.
Used to work near here and ate here about once a week. Since I haven't worked out this way in years, I probably go back about once a month. Their daily specials are good, have tried several of them over the years. To me, their Loco Burrito is the best. I get carne asada, pinto beans (you can get black beans if you prefer), hot salsa. It also comes with french fries inside the burrito (that's the LOCO part, gringo). This burrito is big enough that I always get 2 meals out of it! The lady that takes your order has been there since I started going there in the mid-90s, so that's something!
(4)Nhi Thao N.
I visited Taco Factory for the first time to have lunch with my best friend. We were looking for a new place to try, and this restaurant had very good ratings on Yelp. The restaurant is small with outside seating. It's colorful, but not especially clean. I decided to order three soft steak tacos, fries, and a small Coke. The tacos were ok - the steak was a little dry, in my opinion. Steak is usually a hit-or-miss with me; today, it was nearing a miss. The fries were just ok, as well. Overall, I was not too impressed with the food, but I had a good time there with my friend catching up on what has happened in each of our lives over the past month.
(3)Goose R.
Nice little shack, affordable prices, food is ok, I got the chile reyeno and enchilada plate, will give it a 7.5. Can't ask for much about a little shack. They used to have a promotion that you would get a free lunch on ur bday. The promotion was long gone but the nice Korean lady gave it to me anyways, free drink too (horchata). For this you get 5 stars!
(5)Sophia L.
DELICIOUS DELICIOUS DELICIOUS I'm so lucky to live so close to this place. My boyfriend and I go here probably at least once a week or at least once every two weeks. Everything is delicious. Top Fave would definitely be their burritos. Breakfast burritos and their regular Carne Asada Burrito. Even gripping the breakfast burrito with 2 hands, it dwarfed my hands. it's some kinda of crazy illusion. The deliciousness is off the charts and if you can finish the full thing, you won't be hungry for at least another 6 hours (yes of course i ate the whole thing! lol) I dunno why I ordered a Chicken Burrito one time but I couldn't believe how juice the chicken was! It was by far the most juciest chicken I've ever had from anywhere, any top restaurant or anything. It was amazing. Go here. You'll enjoy it. the only thing that sucks is parking, especially when you're waiting for a spot and then some chick in an SUV decides she'd like to steal it from you and then sit in her SUV until we've drove around again to find further parking and walked inside. I SAW YOU LADY! oh, did I mention how delicious the food is?
(5)Teak L.
Final Decision: You crave a wet burrito, this is the place... So I was waiting for my friends to get out of work twice on the similar occasions waiting for either a dinner party or a party in general, I craved a carne asada burrito with a red tomato sauce but couldn't decide where. Thanks to the yelp app, here I am. Got in and got out in minutes. Apparently after talking to a customer ahead of me that this spot gets pretty busy at times especially at night. Got the wet carne asada burrito and engorged myself with that marinated steak, beans, rice, sour cream, fresh made tortilla chips, and pico de gallo. If this combination doesn't make you salivate, I'll salivate enough for the both of us. The funny thing, I didn't order what this place specializes in, the street taco, a good note to try this place once more for this.
(4)Ikescent I.
The staff is patient and friendly, Is always a treat to dine in this place, Is a little expensive for my liking but the quality of the food make's it worth the extra cents I pay, you can't go wrong with anything in the menu is all delicious "more chips and salsa please"
(4)Karen T.
I have been wanting to try this place after reading all the reveiws. My family made our way there last night and ordered a variety of items...overall I'm sad to report that we were VERY dissapointed. 1) AL Pastor was garbage. I took one bite and was done. No flavor and fatty. My husband took a bite and was confused. I have no idea how they call that Al Pastor. Taco Al Gordo in Vegas or Jalapeno's in Tustin know how to make Al Pastor. Not this place. 2) "Original Carne Asada" was chewy and dry. I just don't get it. 3) Chiliquiles were good. VERY SAUCY and VERY SPICY. But it was my favorite part of our order. The sour cream was a little funky. Had a freezer burn taste. 4) Rice and beans are pretty good. My 2 year old could not get enough of the rice. Mild seasoning and prepared well. 5) Salsa bar was eeeeh. You could tell they use canned tomatoes. Overall, it seems like a very "gringo" greasy spoon. Far from authentic. We will not be back.
(2)Liz B.
I've only tried their carne asada burrito w/beans and the chimichanga, but that's enough for me to make this one of my top places to go for a burrito. Their carne asada is amazing and their salsa bar is very yummy. I love their hot salsa verde. Along with a burrito you get a side of WARM chips which are also good. For $5.70 I bought just a burrito and got chips and about 4-6 cups of salsa. A pretty great deal if you ask me. I've spent more at other places for the same thing and it's not as good. The only reason I don't give this 5 stars is that it's super small and there is hardly any close parking. Also because it's located outdoors you'll see flies swarming around when you're eating(even inside). I usually just take this to go. I haven't tried too many Mexican food places in Tustin, but for me it beats Albertas and Super Antojitos for a carne asada burrito.
(4)Cliff C.
Came to Taco Factory with fellow Yelper Lisa Z. to try something new for lunch. Ordered the steak torta and was a happy camper. That thing was a glorious hot mess of awesome awesomeness -- a softball-sized sandwich filled with your choice of meats (I chose a nicely seasoned skirt steak), shredded lettuce and jack cheese, guacamole, onions and a choice of pinto or black beans. My only complaint is that I wish I had a second stomach so I could eat another one right then and there. As it is, I'll have to wait for the next time I get over to the Taco Factory, which hopefully will be soon. Think I'll try the carnitas torta.
(4)Geoffrey L.
I have to tell you..they make one heck of a carne asada taco. Price is great and their salsa selection is amongst the best I've seen.
(5)Paul T.
Used to live right around the corner from this place and it's become my go-to place for enchiladas. I always get them without the lettuce and sour cream on top. They also make great black beans and I get those instead of the regular refriend beans. Rice is ok but a little on the dry side. You can eat at the small counter or on the patio. I recommend the patio since the ordering area is on the small side and gets crowded around lunch and dinner time. Salsa bar is great and they have a soda fountain with free refills.
(4)M.E S.
Ate there and had food poisoning!!! And the salsas are crap!
(2)Judi S.
I love Taco Factory because the quality of their food is like an Abuelta's good home cooking. Yesterday, after my long drive home from work, I swung by and picked up a two taco with carne asada, beans & rice plate to go for $5.64 with tax. Topped off with fresh salsa from the salsa bar, additional chopped onion and cilantro and a squeeze of lime, the meal was quite satisfying and delicious. You truly get your money's worth eating here.
(5)Kevin C.
This place has made the cut of our weekly lunch locations for me and my coworkers. The tacos here are amazingly good, not the best I've had, but definitely tasty. I think what keeps drawing us back to this location is that they have an amazing salsa bar that just blows Rubios' away. Pros - Tasty food - Takes AMEX - Fast - Cheap - Salsa Bar! Cons - Ghetto shopping center - Not the cleanest restaurant - Dirty bathrooms - Only outdoor seating That being said, I still give it 4 stars cause let's face it - "it's all about the food."
(4)Sandra P.
OK they have good taco Tuesday but you have to ask them about it because there is no sign or anything. The tortillas are huge and pretty good. The meat on the other hand is either dry or under seasoned. I had a fish taco (way to dry and i added alot of salsa) and a pork (it needed more seasoning again with more sauce) and a chicken (again dry like no other) I got a drink thinking i would get some decent horchata. OMG i think i became i went into sugar coma it was way to sweet and disgusting I mean horrible. The same with there pink lemonade and the other 2 drinks they had. They don't have a thing for water to dilute so I had to do 3/4 tea with 1/4 pink lemonade and i still thought it was way to sweet. I have had better tacos. These are OK. nothing to get hyped about. Not sure if I would come back I think I would rather try out another location for taco Tuesdays. The chips are good though and they got the carrots in vinegar.
(3)Eunice L.
Sigh, I've been here twice and I decided to give it a second chance the second time because of all the great reviews, but, this place again let me down. The first time I came here, I got the chimichanga, which halfway through the burrito, I wanted to end my eating fest - which is rare. It might have been because it was a chimichanga- deep friend goodness, but what I took from it was that it was just average made mexican food. My boyfriend had the tacos, which he said he LOVED, so I basically thought that my judgement might have been in error that night. The second time I went, was for breakfast- can't go wrong with a breakfast burrito right?! Well, they don't have bacon as a meat choice for the breakfast burritos - only steak, chicken and chorizo, which you have to add $1.50 more for. They don't have potatoes in the breakfast burrito - you can add fries for an additional cost, I'm sure. So, since my normal choice is bacon, I decided chorizo would be a part of my breakfast delight that morning. My burrito came out as this chorizo orange mess, drenched in cheese, and continued as a mix of dull flavors. I could only eat half, and by the time I got to the end of the half of the burrito, I couldn't take the last bites - and those are usually my favorite :( So, lesson learned. Next time I come here, I will only get the tacos.
(3)Bryan K.
They have the best carne asada I've found. Their meat is almost always very tender. I'm not a fan of a grizzle taco, which is what you get at just about every other place that serves carne asada. Here you nicely flavored tender pieces of cow on the cheap. Go for the taco, burrito, or my favorite the chimichanga (with hot sauce inside) all with carne asada of course! Their refried beens, guacamole, and spicy carrots are also very good.
(4)Jason P.
I stopped by here for lunch which probably wasn't a good idea. I sit now on my office chair experiencing a food coma and wanting to be home laying in bed. They aren't kidding about the amount of food they give here. I ate 3/4 of my burrito but I was way game over before then. This place is reasonably priced considering the amount of food they give. A decent sized salsa bar is also at your disposal which you can also tell is very fresh. I would try their salsa verde, it actually has some kick. They have an indoor bar table to eat as well as good sized outdoor seating area, probably about 700 sq ft, under a canopy. The wait time was decent considering it was lunch time and there was a long line to place an order. An asian lady, which I'm assuming is the owner from previous posts, was very on the ball and tentative to get orders out as quick as possible. I ordered a carnita burrito which wasn't bad. As far as taste is concerned, nothing really extradorinary about it but still tasty. The meat was not dry and not too greasy. Overall it was an acceptional carnita burrito. Id have to say the horchata here is a little too thick and sweeter to what I'm used to having. Maybe the fountain machine wasn't working properly... but eh. If you're on a tight budget but want a lot of bang for your buck, this place is worth your while. Ill definitely have to check this place out again and try their carne asada tacos.
(3)Scott S.
They have the best carne asada within a 15 mile radius, and I don't like to drive too far. My favorite breakfast is chilaquiles, which they make but unfortunately they don; open early enough for me to have it for breakfast. They only take cash but it is worth the cheap price.
(4)Del C.
I wanted to say this place is really authentic, but as written by Anthony Bourdain, "What IS authentic cuisine? And to whom is it authentic?" Any way you slice and dice it, this place has good Mexican food and it is cheap. $1.85 for a taco. And I'm not talking about these little whimpy Del Taco lame butt tacos. I'm talking a double corn tortilla, loads of carnitas tacos. $1.85!!!! A freakin' soda at BJ's is $2.99!!!! And it probably cost BJ's about $.02 to bring that to your table. Regardless of the authenticity [tastes and feels authentic to ME :)], good food, cheap prices, great portions and friendly staff. I'll be coming back for sure.
(4)Brianna L.
I love this place, the tacos are great as are the taquitos, burritos, nachos and the salsa bar. I haven't had anything here I haven't liked, though I do end up with a little bit of indigestion after I eat here. Great food though and the staff is always super friendly.
(4)Antoine T.
Place is amazing. I find that their carne asada quesidillas (spelling) and tacos. Burritos are still good but meat quality isn't as good. I always get combo of 2 carne asada tacos with rice and beans and unlimited pina coladas or orange bangs. I love their salsa bar and unlimited bang drink thing. Pretty legit place, the asian woman is so chill.
(5)Brian V.
Can you say Taco Tuesday + Orange Bang!!?? So gooos mang I usually go here for Taco Tuesday after work at like 3 so its not so crowded :) I've tried the steak burrito, carnitas taco, carne asada tacos, and taco al pastor. My favorite so far is probably the taco al pastor because the sauce that it comes with is so flavorful and it doesn't make the meat taste dry at all, unlike the carnitas taco. The salsa bar is fantastic. They have around 6 type of salsas, limes, sweet carrots + peppers, diced onions, cilantro, lettuce, tomatoes.. All that good stuff. The horchata tasted more watered down than what I was used to, but the orange bang was sweet and very good. I had 3 refills + 1 to go of these drinks. So worth it. Despite how crowded it was, the service was still very spectacular. We chose to sit down on the patio and they delivered the food to us manually. They even had those misty sprinklers coming down like the ones you see at universal studios while waiting in line at Jurassic Park. :) I recommend parking in the back lot since the front is usually full.
(4)nicole m.
This place is pretty easy to miss if you aren't attentive! I LOVE mexican food, most drunken nights lead me to molcasalsa, no matter where the festivities took place. But this time, we were just looking for a quick bite to eat. The first thing I noticed was their prices are cheaper than the more popular taco shops like molca and other -ertos. I ordered a carne asada burrito with mild sauce and a small drink. They have orange bang!!!!!! my faav! try mixing orange bang with a little bit of horchata and lots of ice cus maaan is it sweet. T hey have an extensive salsa/condiment bar! I found out that this is because my burrito only had meat, guac, and an almost unnoticeable amount of cheese. The burrito was a good size, not too small and not too big it came in a box with room temperature chips. The carne asada was good, not too salty and tender chunks, but well into my burrito, meat juice started streaming out the bottom! We tried wrapping napkins to soak up the juices, but eventually we decided to open them up and the meat with chips. While some just could not eat the oil drenched bottom anymore. After, we had that greasy face feeling.. but what do you expect from an authentic taco stand? If you decide to eat here, make sure you grab plenty of napkins and a drink to wash the grease away.
(3)Nathan L.
I wish that I could give this place two reviews. The first review would be for those who have never been and will never go to an authentic taqueria. If you are one of these people, you will love this place. Its safe, clean with a wide variety of meats and salsas. (With the caveat that the tortilla to meat ratio is less than desirable) If however you are looking for well made tortillas, tender/flavorful carne asada/carnitas and excellent salsa, then this place is merely satisfactory. I will give this place props for their Chile Verde, the salsa definitely gives the carnitas some flavor. I also appreciate their salsa bar; you are free to regulate the amount of cilantro and onions placed on your tacos.
(3)Jemi A.
The best carne asada taco I have ever consumed is from a small, unnamed taco stand near one of the banos (restrooms) at La Bufadora in Ensenada (Baja Mexico); it had flies buzzing around the condiment stand and everything. I know, doesn't sound very appetizing at all, but it was the BEST taco I ever had the pleasure of eating. Since then, I have been searching for the best carne asada taco here in So Cal, alas to no avail... until I tried the carne asada tacos from The Taco Factory, a small, unassuming taco stand that looks about as divey as dives can go. It seems that the owners have put all their effort into the quality of the food rather than spending tons of money on a better building. The place serves its purpose: it's clean, has a covered patio area available for seating, and serves excellent tacos. Though the tacos are not as great as the taco I tried from Ensenada, they definitely come close! They use high quality meat that is marinated and cooked to moist and tender perfection. But the best thing about this place is their fresh and tasty salsa bar! You can hear them constantly chopping fresh ingredients to refill the various items. They have many different selections that range from mild to very spicy. Yum! Yum! I can't vouch for any other item at The Taco Factory, but the carne asada tacos loaded up with goodies from the salsa bar have definitely made me a fan of this place. The diversity of patrons at this taco stand also attest to the quality of the food. Young and old alike, from different ethnic and seemingly diverse socio-economic backgrounds... they all seem to congregate here, most assuredly because of the quality and taste of the food! I mean, what would anyone expect from a Taco Factory, if not excellent tacos? This place certainly delivers!
(4)Jenny Chika O.
I love tacos, and what I usually order from them are chicken and fish tacos with chips, they taste sort of plain but that's how I like it, they are boiled and not fried. The portion is good, and I love their salsa. I live am only 5 minute walk away, so sometimes if I crave for Mexican food this is where I go.
(4)Brandon H.
Came here for taco tuesday today and I enjoyed the food. id only order the tacos on taco tuesday because they are plain, we got one adobada and one carne asada but the choices of salsa is awesome. I was really impressed with the beef fajitas combo plate. The fajitas came hot as hell and the beans rice and guac with the chips tasted good. I liked the outside seating area alot it wasnt nice just pretty low key. Ill be back again forsure
(5)Melody C.
I just love this place. It's a great value, very yummy food... their carnitas are outstanding, carne asada is amazing, rice is really really good, and it's been around forever ;) not the biggest fan of their beans, and their chicken quesadilla is not so kid-friendly. When they assure you it's just chicken and cheese, it's not. There's always "stuff" in it. The salsa bar has a great variety, and their "X-Hot" really meets up to the title. My husband is a heat-seeker, and LOVES it. I pretty much always come back. Love it here!
(4)Alan H.
I wonder who created their street sign. All I see is Tacos Al Carbon. Shouldn't Taco Factory Inc be more prominent? Anyways, look for the red and yellow Tacos Al Carbon sign. It's a cool little place. There's inside and outside seating. I don't know why but at a hole in the wall place like this, the food magically taste better outside. Since it's the Taco Factory, I had to get a taco. I also had to get a burrito because the overhead menu said "famous". Anything famous I must try even if it's pseudo famous. What a sucker I am. For my meal, I ordered a carnitas taco ($1.85) and a steak burrito ($4.49). Both came with chips so don't bother ordering more. Two average size taco flour tortillas were used for the taco. You can save some calories by not eating one. Or you can actually make 2 tacos out of 1 order. They certainly give you enough carnitas for that. It actually seems like you're eating more. The carnitas was flavorful and tender. Together with some onions, cilantro and lime juice, this taco tasted really good. Their famous steak burrito was average in size. It was packed tight with steak, guac, salsa and cheese. The steak was juicy and well seasoned. The salsa was refreshing and the guac added a creamy texture. It really hit the spot.
(4)Neil J.
Been going to this place for years as it is just about a mile from work. I can usually get an overall feel for a place when I take people from my work and they end up becoming fans as well. This is one of those places. Everyone from my work goes here now. There isn't much more I can add that others haven't already covered ad nauseum. The Carne Asada is the tops. Amazing! And yes, the parking sucks big time, especially at lunch. But, the food is so good that I am willing to park around the corner and walk the rest of the way. Just had their daily special today. How can you beat an awesome Carne Asada burrito, rice, beans, chips and a horchata for $6? Give this place a try!
(4)matthew p.
one of the best Mexican restaurants i have gone to in orange county taco Tuesday is a great deal $1.25 tacos i think it is its no king taco, but for orange county its delicious
(4)Kay D.
BREAKFAST BURRITOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally came here for breakfast, oh my GOD!!! I had the chorizo and egg burrito with guacamole...HEAVEN WRAPPED IN A TORTILLA!!! Oh goodness, if you want a delicious and unhealthy breakfast burrito for CHEAP, then this is the place to be!! YUM!
(4)Mauricio A.
I had better.....Alertos on Brookhurst n McFadden its a lot better
(3)Edrees H.
Like some of these other reviews said, this place has an amazing salsa bar. This is something that means a lot to me at Mexican restaurants. I like to try all the salsas and a lot of them. It's also important that there is a really spicy option, which there was! I got two carne asada, two fish, and two tacos de pollo. They were pretty substantially sized tacos, and very good. The lady who owned/was managing, or whatever at the time was SUPER FRIENDLY. She was cracking jokes and being really nice. I loved her! Definitely coming here a lot, especially considering I can literally walk here from my place. But if I was that active and energetic, I probably wouldn't be eating tacos in the first place, so nyah, I'll still drive. Full meal will cost ya about 5-6 bucks, maybe 7-8 if you are a bottomless pit like myself. Oh and there's not much seating inside, but outside there's a lot of spots to sit. Doesn't work in the rain so watch out if you plan to eat here when it's raining outside. Oh one more thing, breakfast burritos served anytime the place is open.
(4)Marifi D.
I can't believe I use to live near this place and never went. I'm a huge fan of their carne asada and salsa bar. This place gets pretty packed and there isn't much in terms of seating/parking. Best part... FREE birthday lunch (excludes carne asada and carnitas plate)!!!
(5)Bella G.
When here this week and order a wet burrito and a torta of carne asada...Hubby and I got sick and ended up going to the restroom more than normal (diarrhea)after we finished eating. We are not going back for sure.
(1)Sarah G.
No thanks. I've gotten take-out here on two occasions, mainly because my coworkers rave about their DAAAANK MEXICAN FOOD. The first time I went, I got the carne asada platter...pretty average to below average, with stringy, almost tough beef. The rice was dry and bland. The next time, I got 3 tacos - one steak, al pastor and chicken. OKAY - the chicken is as flavorless as it is unattractive. There was nothing al pastor about the al pastor; I just felt like i had a mouthful of bland meat. The steak was the "best" of the three...its only saving grace was the juiciness and semi appealing texture. Seriously. I tried to save my tacos by putting on some pico de gallo, but even the pico was just flavorless. The portions are huge, but who gives a crap about quantity when you're shoveling poor quality food down your gullet? I want my $8 back.
(1)Steven S.
How can you say no to this place. It brings me back to living in SF and being surrounded by taquerias. I have always been a fan of their Huevos Rancheros. It's only $4 and it easily feeds two.
(5)A P.
I love this place! Great cheese enchilada, fluffy rice, black beans and the BEST salsa bar ever. My boyfriend absolutely loves the carne asada.
(5)Darran J.
Been coming here for over 25 years. Long past due writing a review but there are so many already. This is the go-to Mexican food place for me and my family. This is not fancy food, just salt-of-the-earth daily great food. All of your favorites are here. You can order anything they have and it will be good. One of the gems on the menu that I do not see a lot of people ordering is the Chile Verde Plate. Tons of food done just right, meat is tender, sauce is excellent. I wish that they had Shrimp Tacos but that is their only drawback. The secret on Taco Tuesday is to call ahead for your order, walk past the LONG line when you get there, go to the front, pay for your food, smile at the people in line and get the heck out of there while the people in line look at you with envy as you walk out.
(4)Heina D.
I came here for Taco Tuesday and, on a whim, ordered fish tacos. Now, normally, fish tacos, especially ones that are cheap, are kind of gross. Not at all at this place -- the fish is clean-tasting and delicious with none of that gross odor so common in inexpensive seafood. Apparently, they offer a free meal on your birthday. I am so coming back in a few weeks!
(4)Hip C.
Love this place.....a great salsa bar and great food. I have never had a bad meal and their black beans are awesome as is...well almost everything, Was there for lunch today and got the steak burrito special..loaded with chopped steak, guac, and cheese it was bliss....especially as some of the steak was well done and had just a very very subtle burnt flavor-Im being serious in that it was awesome. Like some of the BBQed carne you get off the grill. I also love the fact this place is the epitome of the great American melting pot-Its owned and ran by a nice Korean Lady and all of the cooks are hispanic. Thats a cant miss combo for a restaurant.
(4)Tim M.
Some of the best tacos around, every chance I get when I am driving through the area I stop in for a carnitas taco.
(4)Lydia K.
Came here after work in the area and saw that it got some good reviews and decided to give it a try. I left with poor service. The lady who took my order rushed me. I understand it's a taco Tuesday but there weren't even people behind me. Then I had to wait for my order because they couldn't understand I had a to-go order along with a eat in order so I waited 20 minutes which is a lot considering 3 other people who ordered before me got their much larger order earlier. I had a carne asada taco which was bland and the al pastor was pretty tasteless and mush too The one thing I think beyond everything is the fact that this place has a lot of people from different ethnicities come in. I felt a bit under serviced because of my race? Seemed like they were much nicer and took their time taking orders when the customers were white. I'm a huge fan of tacos and this place was okay but and the end the service was what left a bad aftertaste. If you don't care about the service I guess it's a place to try out if you're in the area.
(3)Chuck H.
Was served undercooked meat that made me sick! Enough said!
(1)Mike M.
I first ate at this place in 1986. That's when I got a job in Tustin and the guys would say we were going to Tacos al Carbon for lunch. It took me about a year to figure out that the name of the place was actually the Taco Factory. Back then I would typically get the wet burrito which is one hell of a great lunch item, making dinner almost unnecessary. It's odd that I've forgotten about this place over the years, considering I still live only a short drive away from the place. But we stumbled back in about a month ago; I got fish tacos, the wife had carnitas and I'm back to being a regular. Sneak out for lunch a couple times a week now and am likely to give the huevos rancheros a go today. Great salsa bar, good prices, fast service and the stuff is fired up right in front of you. I may be wrong, but I think the head chef dude was working there when I started going 23 years ago.
(5)Sherry S.
Not bad, fulfills my cravings when I want a Mexican fix, but it's not that great. Everything's just okay, but my stomach gets happy after eating. Kind of oily for some foods, but nothing unexpected!
(3)Jack A.
This place is actually good and affordable.. All my friends like eating here even though it's about 30 minutes away. I normally order the "burrito al pastor with no sauce". I add some salsa while I eat it. If you order it with the salsa, you will have a very messy burrito. Even the tortilla chips are good.. That should tell you something.
(4)Al S.
I had a friend tell me to always order the "daily special"...whatever it is...because everything is really good. They were right!!! I've been here 3 times in the past 2 weeks. And all three times, I've ordered their daily special. The daily special always comes with your choice of pinto or black beans, spanish rice, tortilla chips, and a drink. The black beans are delicious!!! The rice is very flavorful. And the best part is they offer a self serve salsa bar with mild to very hot salsas and sauces to complement the tortilla chips. 1st visit: Wet Burrito with al pastor (marinated pork) daily special. The al pastor was very flavorful and tender (a must try). The burrito itself is a good sized portion and they actually put tons of meat on the burrito. 2nd visit: Carne asada quesadilla daily special. Good sized portion with tons of meat. I loaded it up with the shredded lettuce, chopped onions, and cilantro from the salsa bar. Topped it off with some extra spicy green salsa....mmm heaven on a styrofoam box!!! 3rd visit: 2 tacos (carne asada & al pastor) - daily secial. The tacos had tons of meat. Each taco was wrapped with 2 tortillas each. There is so much meat, you can spread it amongst the 2 tortillas from each taco....therefore, getting 4 tacos (hope that made sense). Helpful hint: Unless you want sour cream and guacamole in your taco, there is no need to ask for the "everything on it" style. You can use the free salsa bar to kick it up a notch. By the way, parking is limited in front of the restaurant. But don't let that stop you from coming here. There are plenty of spaces in the main lot of the shopping plaza. Highly recommended. Will be back....maybe later today. haha.
(5)Dee Dee X.
Thought about going to Chipotle but this was closer so I figured I'd give it a try. I was a little hesitant because it looks totally ghetto from the outside with their yellow and red sign and all of TWO parking spots... As soon as I walked in, I got weird "WTH is this little Asian girl doing at this legit Mexican joint" looks. That's when I knew it was going to be authentic. I got the steak burrito and it was SO DELICIOUS. The meat was tender and juicy and the tortilla was SO GOOD. It's not like the tortillas at Chipotle which taste like the ones you can buy in a pack of 12 at the market. They were so much better! Tasted homemade and fresh! The burrito came out so fast, I hadn't even finished collecting little containers of salsa! My mouth was on fire after dumping a ton of the extra hot one all over my burrito, but I loved it! I don't care if I get weird looks and the place looks hecka ghetto. I'm so coming back! OH and it was under $5 and came with chips! Good Deal for REAL.
(4)Scott B.
Food: I've had both the Carnitas and Carne Asada on several occasions. Both are tough and under seasoned consistently. This is not to say they are terrible, just a far cry from what great Mexican food can be. I'd skip this place as Mexican food is not in short supply here in OC. Service: Competent Price: Slightly more than average
(2)Gary Royale T.
You gotta love the specials they post everyday on their window. Unlike most places where they find the cheapest item on the menu and call it the special, this place actually switches things up on you. You can be dinning all week at this joint, order a special each day and never get the same thing! Well I wouldn't recommend it if you are health conscious because the proportions are astronomically huge and filled with plenty of sides. I was introduced to this place by a Tustin resident, and I have been making the extra mileage trip from Irvine to this location multiple times. I highly recommend their enchilada or burrito special. You get your main entree with a full serving of rice and beans. Also the special includes a DRINK! Name a Mexican combo joint that include drinks in their combos now days? I don't get that..but they have fresh horchata on tap. All their combos average from $5-6. One thing I do have to gripe about is their parking. If you park in their front lot like most people do, you will have hard time finding a good spot. Its recommended that you drive around the building and park in the 'back lot'. Also the rice never gets cooked right almost 70% of the time. I feel it tastes a little bit under cooked. Maybe its because of all the orders and they just need to throw it down in a hurry. Even with this small mishap, I will be coming back for more Taco Factory tacos.
(4)wes f.
If you're here reading this because you're trying to decide where to eat a taco, well that says something, doesn't it? But if that is you, just go to the Taco Factory, order some carne asada tacos, tip the cooks and drink some horchata. The place gets 5 starts for the simple fact that I get excited as the dickens when the clock strikes midnight on Mondays because then it is officially taco Tuesday and I will be at the taco factory soon. The tacos come with only meat (oh god so good) and two torts--an open invitation to double down and load up with trimmings from the salsa bar.... The salsa bar is pretty authentico--love the radishes. Cilantro and tomatoes are fresh and plenty of lime wedges... The green salsa is AWESOME when they make it spicy enough, and it's never worse than 'good.' But disregard all that I said and go eat at del taco because I don't need more time between me and tacos bliss.
(5)Edmund I.
--4.0 Stars-- HUMONGOUS! That was the size of my dinner. It was 7pm and I decided to get a breakfast burrito with steak. it was yummy goodness for roughly $5. Not bad eh?! I was satisfied. The staff is helpful and pleasant to talk with...which makes the f
(4)Cuong V.
Why did I entertain the idea of the best soft tacos from other locations? I finally found the place to have the best soft tacos. I went here for Taco Tuesday and a several things makes this place the best to eat at. 1) It is cheap, $1.25 for a taco. I know it is not the cheapest price, but it is pretty darn good if you look at my reason #2. 2) Tacos are big. Most street tacos you eat is usually gone in 2 or 3 bites. These tacos are stuffed with meat and takes several bites to finish. You can easily get full off 2 tacos, 3 if you are super hungry. 3) The asada is super flavorful, great smokiness and not over-cooked or dry. 4) Not greasy, I noticed how other places would place their corn tortillas in the drippings of the cooking meat. This usually makes the tacos, albeit flavorful, messy. Their tortillas are moist and are not soaked, so I do not have to use so many napkins. 5) They have a great salsa bar, I think they had 10 different kinds of salass ranging from mild to "x-hot". I can't wait until next week to go again!
(4)Jaclyn D.
The food is great, service is fast and friendly, and the salsa bar has a great range of spice. This was the first Mexican food place I tried when I moved to Tustin and I don't see a point in trying anywhere else.
(5)Troy W.
Great prices, great value and terrific food. Consistantly for the 15 years I've been going there. The steak for tacos, and meat in general, is of outstanding quality and has little fat. Fantastic salsa bar. It's an authentic mexican experience and a hole in the wall, very casual. That being said, they are the best in their class.
(4)Ms. M.
Yummy yummy for my tummy!!! love this place, prices are very reasonable and food is fresh and very authentic. They offer various options on salsas. My only complaint is on my 1st visit I placed an order to go and assumed that they would include all the salsas, limes, and so forth and they do not! You have to make sure to grab all your salsas yourself.
(4)Cliff B.
The Ranchero Burrito was the best. No Parking, so get there early for lunch.
(4)Austin S.
I'm so freakin full.... I came here on the recommendation of David L., after I told him I would be going some place else that he had reviewed in Costa Mesa. He said this place was better and I trust his judgement. Just like I trust the judgement of the Governator. Actually, I don't really trust Arnold that much... I'd trust David as our governor than Arnold.... Anywho, I pull up to this place and the covered outdoor patio appeared to be full. I parked my car and went inside. To my surprise, an Asian lady (Korean?) was the one taking orders. I figured it'd be a larger than life Mesican woman. Instead I get Ms. Swan. No, she didn't talk indistinguishably like Ms. Swan. I like a little variety when I try a new place. I ordered a carne asada burrito and 2 carnitas tacos. Oh, and a large drink, to which I got Orange Bang. Had I looked to my right 4 seconds earlier, I could have snagged an apple soda, which is almost IMPERATIVE for me to drink with mesican food. I had no idea the tacos came as naked as the day I was born. It was just the meat on a corn tortilla. But I wasn't complaining. The carnitas was pretty good and tender. Not succulent and a tiny bit greasy like perfect carnitas should be, but it was still good. The burrito was good too. With runny (but in a good way) pico de gallo and guacamole. It reminded me of the Baja Burrito at Baja Fresh, which yes I know that's not real Mexican food, so this was MUCH better. The asada was tender and juicy. I'm a little disappointed that I never knew about this place while I was actually living in Irvine. Would I come back? If I'm ever in the neighborhood and I'm craving hole in the wall Mesican food, yes. I'm freakin full....
(5)Daniel M.
I have a fond addiction to Taco Factory. I have to make this place a weekly stop or else I will go through withdrawls. The carne asada is delicious and I highly suggest the steak quesadilla. The beans are very tasty and the salsa bar is delicious. Warning when you get hot salsa it is extremely hot! You get your food fairly quickly and it use to be cheap until the recent price increase ::cringe:: The staff is really friendly and fast to serve you. I highly suggest this place if you are craving some greasy Mexican food.
(4)Marie S.
Best quesadilla I've ever had. I had the carne asada quesadilla and it came with guacamole, sour cream, chips, beans, and rice. You definitely get more than what you pay for and there's a salsa bar that you can scoop your desired salsa from! Cheap + Yummy + Fast = makes everyone happy :) I need to try the other things on the menu soon! There's so many to choose from!
(4)H L.
This is probably the best Mexican place in Orange County. I've been coming here for over 15 years, and even with the changes in ownership, it has been consistently great. Back when I used to eat meat, I craved the steak burritos. Now, I crave all of the vegetarian items, and the salsa bar is very impressive! It is far from fancy, but great for a to-go order, or a quick lunch on the benches
(4)David L.
I went for lunch. This time I had the torta with carne asada. It was pretty good too. The placed was packed with people. Luckily I found a place to sit and eat. They have newspapers around for you to read so I took a copy of the OC Register. Then some guy stole it from me as I went to get a refill on my orange bang...stupid! I got the paper back and enjoyed my carne asada torta with chips and some really great tasting salsa! I threw my trash away and sat there for a bit, sipping on my o-bang deciding whether I should get a carne asada burrito. It was so good at breakfast and I wasn't stuffed for lunch so I contemplated for a bit. I walked out thinking I should just save myself the money. Then halfway to my car I turned back. Then I stopped myself and said, "you'll be too tired for work if you eat it." I hate when I'm right. So sadly I walked to my car and went back to work. --------------------------------------------------Â------------------------------------------------ I came in for breakfast and ordered the carne asada burrito. Omg, one of the best carne asada burritos I've ever (yes, I said EVER) tasted! The meat was so good. What made it even better was the variety of salsas they have here clearly labeled from mild to extra spicy. My burrito plus my drink was under 7 bucks and it came with chips. You have to get the salsa from the bar. Best part is the Orange Bang and Horchata. Free refills....MMmmMMmm!!! I sat there with my burrito and coke, reading the paper about how McCain did on his speech. All I could think about with each bite is, "wow, this is good. I'm coming back for lunch!" The owner of this place is very nice. Since it was my first time here she told me the ingredients of each order. It all sounded so good. At first I ordered the breakfast burrito, but then quickly changed it to carne asada burrito. It was a tasty decision! I've heard that the breakfast burritos are pretty good too. I'll have to try it out soon. This place is very small. There are only 2-3 parking spots. I go the last one closest to the entrance. There are more spaces around the corner though so no worries. Everything looks very fresh and smells amazing. Once you've received your order you can bring it to the dining area located outdoors, but under a canopy. It's nice and clean here. I'm definitely glad I saw this place and I can't wait for lunchtime!!!
(5)W. N.
I work right down the street. I tell all my partners from out of town this is the place to get get your taco stand fix. The chow is always reliable. Never had a bad meal here. I always get the two taco carne asada combo plate with extra cheese and horchata. Ah yes.....like the bad ol' days growing up in the barrio. It may not look like anything fancy, but the staff and the price can't be beat. Between 11:00 and 12:30, the place is just packed. The salsa bar has all sorts of spicy vegetables and house salsas. For a 7 dollar lunch, can't beat it.
(4)Si O.
I really like the salsa bar. The salsa doesn't look a day old and taste like its made daily. The combos are reasonably priced and the portions are great. The black beans are the best I have tasted in a while at a Mexican restaurant. Parking is limited.
(3)Joe U.
Great food. It can get very crowded at lunch time so be prepared. If you are not eating there, call ahead. It could save you a lot of time. My favorite is the carnitas burrito. So good! The salsas are nothing special but the food is great and the price is cheap. Great place.
(4)Marvin H.
Came here tempted by friends promising $2 tacos. First off, I love the city-vibe this place gives, like a little piece of SF/LA food culture in quiet Tustin. I ordered the famous burrito with steak and 3 tacos (fish, steak, and chicken). The burrito was delicious, quite easily the best $5 burrito I've ever had in my life). Definitely bang for your buck, very filling. To be honest can't really remember what was in it besides the meat and guac but take my word for it it was good. I was under the assumption that a $2 taco would be some weaksauce tiny tortilla with a tong's pinch of meat, but I was so very wrong. The tacos are a solid tortilla with a generous helping of meat. The rest you'll have to fill in from the salsa bar with a wide selection of salsas, onions, lettuce, and other fillings. Needless to say my large appetite was overwhelmed and I had to take a taco home. The meats here are generally hearty and well cooked. The steak and chicken I had were delicious, although the fish was somewhat questionable looking. They are generally grilled to a degree that may be a little too dry for others, but I personally didn't mind. I also got a horchata from the machine, which was honestly kind of bland tasting and a little gross. I can't speak for the other specialty drinks (which are from a seemingly generic brand) but I'd say go with a soda. The lady working the counter was very friendly. There's a few stools inside and a picnic-type area outside for seating. Overall a great experience. I just wish this was closer to UCI =[
(4)Jeff R.
I call this Bryan's place in memory of a friend that I used to go there with
(5)Huy N.
Been coming here since I was like 11 years old. I stop here every once in awhile now whenever I'm in the area since I'm not local anymore.Food is amazing and the price is super cheap. My favorite thing on the menu is their steak fajitas. Probably one of the best salsa bar I've had too.
(5)Alena V.
If you want to get tacos and don't want to spend a lot of money GO TO TACO FACTORY!! The carne asada taco is the best. They load it up with really delicious, lean meat and then you can add your own salsa and tons of lime and cilantro- by far my favorite. And they have Jarritos. And very simple, bare bones burritos that are sooooo tasty. So if you need simple, yummy mexican food on a tight budget- go to Taco Factory. Just do it.
(5)BrookeandOwen C.
Carne Asada Nachos are my boyfriends absolute favorite... No other restaurant high end or low can match the amazing-ness of Tacos al Carbon's carne Asada Nachos. Personally I like the Tortas and black beans here super delicious!!
(4)Thy W.
Me and my boyfriend really wanted good authentic mexican food for dinner and stumbled upon this restuarant through yelp. Everyone else's reviews were pretty right on. The food is delicious and the portions are huge. I ordered a vegetarian burrito that left me full with with the other half to take home. He ordered a carnitas plate that came with a decent size serving of shredded meat, rice, beans, and tortillas. We also had a beef taco to share, which we loaded with salsa, cilantro, lettuce, and onions from their salsa bar. The only downfall, the hot salsa was pretty hot and the mild salsa was barely mild.. wish there was a middle ground. All in all..we had a very satisfying meal for about $15.00 bucks. Definately worth a try.
(4)Earvin F.
After two visits (1 take-out, 1 eat-in), I will suggest ordering to-go when getting food from this place. Quality of food is great but the potential downfall is the flies when eating on the tables outside. Inside are a possibly 8 stools along the window for eating on the counter. Aside from that, you'd be tight squeezed with people waiting for the food to-go. I highly advise to avoid the noon-hour lunch time as its high peak for this place for locals. As this place is a hole-in-the-wall, their food is pretty good. On the first visit, I had ordered three tacos (2 El Pastor, 1 Carne Asada) and a drink which brought the total of $7. I recommend ordering carne asada tacos or burritos as i think its has the right amount of flavor. The el pastor was a bit bland. Order took approximately 15 mins as it was right at noon-time. On the 2nd visit, I had ordered their special for the day (1 taco, 1 enchilada, rice and beans, and drink for $5.79) Not a bad way to go than to go for the special. I ordered the carne asada for the taco and chicken for the enchilada. Chicken was also a bit bland. Chose black beans over pinto beans and I wasn't too thrilled about the beans. Tasted funny if you ask me. Ambiance I say is nil. Service was ok / decent for lunch peak time. Could possibly be better as the staff is choatic getting orders, phone orders and getting orders to the customers. However, you know this place is good because this place never seems to lose customers or die down. On a diet, I recommend elsewhere. Good food, I'd say I'll recommend this place for now.
(4)Melanie S.
Cheesy...messy...oily...just how i like my Mexican food. I ordered the carnitas wet burrito. Huge chunks of pork with melted cheese in a delicious sauce of love! This place is small but they have a couple of seats inside and a bunch of tables in the back. This is ideal comfort food when you're just craving something unhealthy in your belly. The horchata is really really sweet. Half it with water...fer real, it's like syrup...eeks!
(4)Alejandro C.
I'm only rating their Famous Carne Asada Burrito. Since I found this place, this is the only thing I get every time I go there. I like the fact that they don't put rice and beans on it(unless you want to) and they put guacamole.
(5)J hugh P.
For someone that doesn't necessarily seek out Mexican cuisine, I sure find myself going here a lot. The food is good and the prices are good. I get the famous burrito almost every time. When something works you stick with it!
(4)Young Y.
after hearing all the hype about this taco joint, i decided to give a try. I ordered 2 taco w/ rice and beans and my friend ordered carne asada torta. from outside, the building is about go down soon. anyways, the place is crawded.. the food tasted.. average. our torta felt missing.. later on i found out that there is no sour cream! what kind of torta without sour cream.. also the meat was so so... oh another thing i noticed was that taco factory uses asian rice instead of spanish rice. that must be why the rice tasted good. i would go back if i lived near by.. but it's too far and not worth the drive from where i live..20 mins away.
(3)Jon M.
This place is THE best Mexican food I have ever eaten. I compare all other Mexican food restaurants to this place... and all pale in comparison. The only problem with The Taco Factory is that their Loco burritos are so big and good, I cannot stop eating them. Due to my lack of self control and the size of these burritos, I could not eat there everyday unless I purchased larger pants. I have eaten a lot of things on their menu. The Loco burritos are the best. The Loco burritos come with either carne asada, chicken, carnitas, el pastor and/or egg. Whichever filling you choose, you will not go wrong. I personally get the egg Loco burrito, regardless of the time of day. I really enjoy the Chile Relleno at the Taco Factor as well. They have a wide variety of salsas that are all very tasty. If you are like me, salsas make or break a restaurant. After all of the praise above, I do want to acknowledge that I believe the Taco Salad is mediocre. It is still better than most Taco Salads though.
(5)Andy L.
Always delicious! I have been going there for years and I when I've been traveling I'm always happy to return! The ruggedness of the location makes it a bit more authentic :-)
(5)Mary T.
Best wet burrito EVER!!!!! And price.... Why so cheap? I paid 6.45 for steak wet burrito, chips, side of rice and beans, plus small drink - today's special. I wish I lived in OC just so I can have easier access to Taco Factory!!!!! Yum.
(5)John G.
2 steak tacos rice and beans. It's all i ever order. The fresh salsa is amazing
(5)Kim Y.
1.5 stars. the extra half for the carne asada ranchero burrito & blk beans. Just ordered a famous carne asada burrito, carne asada ranchero burrito and pork chili verde. That was the worst chili verde I have ever eaten. It was salty and watery. The pork was super dry and had a fishy aftertaste. The burritos were ok. Honestly, the best thing were the black beans. The salsa bar was aite. Yea, there were a lot of options but none of them were really good. I most likely will never go back again. The girl who took our order was not a happy camper. A smile can go a long way ppl. FYI: it says "taco factory" in smaller type on the circle part of the logo.
(1)W K.
I don't understand why this place gets so many good reviews. Are you serious? These people need to go get some real taste buds or get tongue transplants. This place was one of the worst places that I have eaten at. It wasn't just uneatable but salty as crap. Why would you over salt the steak? This place isn't the cleanest either which to me is a big turnoff. If you like eating over salted and bland food in a slum environment then be my guest. Just don't tell me I didn't warn you!
(1)joe s.
the previous reader said it all. i had the carnitas torta, and it was really good. think next time ill try the carne asada torta. everything looks good and there is a line out the door for lunch. working in santa ana has its benefits when there are places like this nearby.
(5)SETH W.
Had not been to this place is years and decided to hit it up for lunch with my new co-workers. Parking lot was full and busy= Good sign. Line to order= Also good sign. Asian lady manning the register=Hmmmm, but wait! She quickly took my order with an heir of ownership in English then responded to the lady behind me in Spanish, awesome! I ordered a carne asada burrito and carne asada quesadilla to set a benchmark. The carne asada was delicious. The sign says "al carbon" and they do not disappoint. There was enough char on the meat that it enhanced its flavor without being burnt or dry. The salsa bar has a salad bar's worth of choices many of which are fresh salsas that you can scoop into nice, 4oz paper cups to bathe your food with. My only minimal complaint is how congested the salsa bar gets when patrons take up residence filling their masses of tiny to-go cups. They stand there stacking them up like checkers with no sense of urgency. This is more of a inconsiderate-people-complaint then a strike against TOTF, but I felt it merited mention. In summation, go get your Al Carbon on but hurry the hell up at the salsa bar!
(4)Quan P.
Good, cheap eat (lunch for two on Tuesdays can be had for around 10 bucks). Awesome salsa bar. Friendly owner and staff. Carne asada and carnitas dishes are good for me. Can't go wrong here. Their catering is also good. It does get pretty crazy at lunch on Tuesdays.
(4)Nissan S.
If I could, I'd give this place a 3.75. Chorizo burrito fantastic, steak taco was "eh". The loaded up on the beef for the steak taco but there wasn't anything else to it. Seems like a popular place given that people were walking in the entire time we were there.
(4)Moises M.
3.5 stars*** love this place because its so close to me, come for the carne asada tacos, the al pastor burrito, or if i just don't care it's fajita time with a bottle of sangria soda. lol Buy my absolute favorite thing is the large tub of guacamole you get for 4 bucks, i get a TON of radish chips from their salsa bar and just go at it. My place for a taco run.
(4)Rebecca G.
Second time I've been here and still not disappointed. Got the same thing - chicken quesadillas. First, they give you a generous serving of guacamole, sour cream, and nachos on the side at no extra charge. Second, the small (as opposed to the large) is a decent size on its own. Third (and best), they use chicken BREAST meat!!! I appreciate that small gesture. As always, I left feeling full and satisfied, but not greasy.
(4)Howie T.
I just recently moved to the OC from Northern California and am always on the lookout for a good burrito joint. I would expect the farther south you go in California, the better their burritos should be. WRONG. Orange County disappoints. Not here though! I've been to a few taquerias in my 3 months of living in the OC and this has been my favorite of them all. On top of that, it's literally down the street from where I live. I can't decide whether this is a good or bad thing. The good: i can literally satisfy my burrito craving within 10-15 minutes upon first salivation. The bad: temptation is always lurking every time I leave from or come back to my apartment. Really now, ask yourself this: is it smart for a crackhead to live down the street from a crackhouse? (Then again, I guess it depends who you're asking) This place is real small. They have outside seating and some stools inside, but I personally wouldn't even bother trying to sit inside. When I'm eating a burrito, I need a lot of elbow room. If you're a minimalist when it comes to burrito-eating, you can probably manage to eat inside. I on the other hand, i must follow this particular workflow: squeeze lemon, put hot sauce, bite burrito, bite jalapeno, chew, dip chip in pico de gallo, chew and repeat. My suggestion - eat in the patio area. If there aren't any available seats - eat in your car. Time is of the essence! Yes, it's called Taco Factory, but no, I have not tried their tacos. Their burritos are large, especially for the price. A combo burrito will run you about $5. Chips and salsa included! I've tried their carne asada and chicken burritos. I liked the carne asada over the chicken, then again, I always do. The carne asada is flavorful. Nice and tender, and sometimes crunchy from the grilling. They aren't stingy with the sour cream and cheese - always a plus. You can choose between pinto or black beans, which is nice. You also have the option of having your beans and rice on the side! What's great about this place is that it has a full salsa bar: Salsa Verde (very good), red hot sauce, Pico de Gallo (in mild, medium, or hot), lemons, cilantro, pickled jalapanos, tomatoes, onions, and radishes. Can't ask for anything more than that. In conclusion, come here because the burrito place you swear by probably sucks :)
(4)Carolyn C.
I went here for Taco Tuesday last night. Their tacos were ok, nothing out of the ordinary. The best one was probably carne asada, but the fish taco was downright nasty. It definitely wasn't seasoned, grilled, battered, or anything like the many fish tacos I've had before. I basically took one bite and threw it out. I have to say, Rubio's 99 cent fish tacos on Tuesday are MUCH better. I did appreciate their fresh chips and large salsa bar. The pickled carrots tasted kind of bitter though. Also, pretty cool that you can get refills on any drink you want including Horchata, Bang!, Pina Colada, etc.. I'll probably give this place another try in a few months to see how their Mexican breakfast is.
(2)Edgar M.
This is a "can't miss" hole in the wall that serves up great food at a good price. Their TacoTuesday's are legendary around town so its the best way get a good meal for a steal. The cooks never skimp on anything so be prepared to eat and get full. You can't go wrong with any of their menu items but of course, their carne asada is the best choice. Don't expect a fancy dining area... Think picnic tables under a dark and covered patio. It's usually packed so just opt for take out. This a place that I will continue to patron for as long as they stay open!
(4)Lusciuos Y.
The place i work is near this restaurant. and i've been coming here for many many years. and to this day, i still sometimes dream about their carne asada burrito. You may be thinking, "that's crazy, i know so many better places, this place can't possibly be THAT good." but dont take me wrong, im sure there are really amazing taco places everywhere else. but if you're in THIS area, you have to come dig your teeth into one of their burritos. you won't regret it. But on to the review! they always have fresh grilled meat (they grill it in front of you), great variety (go and see their menu), huge help yourself salsa bar (see photos), AND super reasonable price. what more could you possibly ask for? I always see to find myself ordering the same thing over and over again. Its always their Burrito R & B (rice and bean) and their Taco with Everything. Yes. "Taco With Everything" is a menu item. and yes. it has EVERYTHING.
(4)Oliver T.
These folks are great. Always have my take out ready on my lunch break and recognize my face.
(3)Selina M.
Really expected "spicy" with the extra hot salsa... The carne asada is OK. Expected better with all the excellent reviews.
(2)Mark A.
Name says it all, Taco Factory has good tacos. Their combos are a great bang for the buck and they give you a generous portion of rice, beans, and chips. What I really like here is the giant salsa bar, with around 10 different salsas ranging in heat and taste. Great local joint to get your grub on with a budget.
(4)Kathryn G.
Their tacos al pastor and homemade guacamole have made me a patron for life. If you only get one item on their menu - get the tacos al pastor. Soooooooooooooooooooooo good. The carnitas, on the other hand, are a little on the dry side - but smothering it with salsa helps that. Make sure to swing by the salsa bar to stock up on cilantro, onions and salsa - because the tacos come plain.
(4)Tiffany L.
I have had the chance to try this place out several times while out in the Tustin area. I found the food to be sub-par and not very authentic Mexican fare. I've tried the quesadilla and found it to be super greasy and not very tasty. My friend ordered one of the tortas and the wrapping around it was translucent due to the huge amounts of grease. On my last visit, I ordered a fish taco and found it almost revolting. I was expecting it to be the traditional fish taco that consists of a battered fish with cabbage and white sauce, but the one I ordered from the Taco Factory was nothing like what I expected. First off, the fish tasted like crap and you could tell it wasn't even close to being fresh. It also wasn't fried and it arrived plain...only the fish on a tortilla. On the plus side, I had the opportunity to try the steak fajitas and found it to be delicious but it still can't make up for the other sub-par items. Another thing...the place takes credit cards with a $5 minimum purchase. If coming here for lunch, try to come a little before the lunch rush because parking can be kind of difficult since the lot is small.
(2)S M.
Inconsistent, tried the bbq pork burrito. That was yummy. The carne asada can be dry and super awesome at other times.
(4)Kenny B.
Oddly enough, my mom wanted to eat here for Mother's Day. But when Mom says she wants to go somewhere on Mother's Day, you say "yes ma'am" and go with a smile. I thought this place was decent, but honestly, I enjoy Alberta's down the street more. There was a lot of variety, including breakfast served all day (for some reason, restaurants that do this are always on my good side). The food comes out quite quickly, and there are the standard varieties of salsa and other sauces available. But nothing that we ordered and shared really knocked my socks off. But the horchata was good, and I could've been happy just drinking a gallon of it. I will come back here again and maybe I'll enjoy other offerings, but for now it was a decent place, but nothing too great.
(3)Johnny O.
Parking: Difficult! Small lot. Staff: Friendly Food: Awesome! I got a wet chicken burrito with spicy sauce. I ordered this to-go and waited 10-15 minutes in the restaurant. Was it worth it? Yes! Very good taste, unbelievable sauce, and came with some tortilla chips. I also ordered a side order of rice. I killed it all! Highly recommended! I will be back.
(4)Jennifer L.
So a friend found this place off yelp.com and we met there for dinner last night. It's definitely a very casual spot to get some decent Mexican food. I had the 1 enchilada and 1 taco, beef and chicken respectively. It came with rice and beans and some chips. Not bad. It only cost $5.39 or so. Our 2 other friends got burritos and said they were good. My bf got the 2 taco plate. Both my bf and I think it's good, but believe we've had better. I'd go again if I were in the area, but it's nothing to write home about.
(3)Sarah S.
Came here for the first time yesterday morning when I was craving breakfast tacos. Had to wait 15 mins for them to open since they don't open until 9 (which is odd to me for anyplace that serves breakfast on a weekday), but it was well worth the wait. I opted for simple egg & cheese, but they were very good. I'd like to try more things on their breakfast menu. Went back again for lunch today, and got a veggie taco that was piled high. Plenty of guac on it too. There were two tacos worth of fillings in there, and it was very good, though I had to knife & fork it as it couldn't be closed. I also got a small cheese quesadilla, which was not very small, but very good. Love their salsa bar too. They have some good hot sauces. I'd say you get a lot for your money here, and it's tasty. Will be coming back. Often. Just wish they opened earlier for breakfast on the weekdays. FYI, there's a $5 min for credit/debit cards.
(5)Cody L.
I am a weekly patron due to Taco Tuesday. The lines are long around lunch time but well worth the wait. The Tacos are huge and delicious. The salsa bar is well stocked and cleaned regularly and filled with amazing salsas varying in spiciness. I like to mix the chunky pico de gallo with the salsa verde and some cilantro for dipping my chips. All I can comment on are the tacos and salsa because that's all i have ever eaten there but they are good enough to keep me coming back every week.
(5)Stephen U.
Taco Factory is cheap protein, free refills (of Orange Bang!), decent salsa, and good times. I'd stay away from the chicken, as it's been rather dry in my experience, but the asada is decent and the al pastor is tops. I've also found the burritos to be a better meal than even several tacos, since the tacos in their natural state lack fix-ins. You have the option of sitting either indoors at a bar area or outdoors in a patio area; food gets brought out to you, so long as you hear your number and flag down your server. I recommend the loco burrito; nothing says, "I'm awesome" like a burrito filled with savory meats (ever so savory!) and french fries. Oh, and watch out for the parking; avoid parking next to the patio, lest you get double-parked inside.
(3)Harry N.
great service (friendliness, speed, accuracy), clean restaurant, great food (taste and size), and shockingly low prices. I definitely recommend this taco factory
(5)Mok K.
When you go to get tacos and the joint feels like you just landed in the heat of some Mexican city, it's probably a good thing. Heck, it might be a great thing. This place sure feels that way. I ordered a shredded beef chimichanga burrito under $5 and I had a hard time finishing. It could have used a little more flavor, but it was still quite good. They deep-fried the whole burrito so it was hot and crunchy on the outside. The tacos my friends ordered were huge. Plenty of salsas and pickled carrots and peppers at the self-serve bar. Staff is friendly and it's a good place to practice some Espanol. Hola amigo donde esta el bano?
(4)howie w.
Cheap but good eats here...my fav off the menu order is the machaca plate with chicken and egg whites. They don't charge extra for the substitution and I get to eat semi-healthy. Their regular beef machaca plate is just too good but i gotta watch the cholesterol level these days. Taco and burritos here are good too. Love the Asian lady cashier that works there sometimes....she is fluent in Spanish and has that awesome asian-spanish accent...very cool.
(4)Daniel w.
My god... So I was in search of a new mexican place and stumbled upon this place via yelp. Their carne asada is top notch. I'm not even a big fan of beef, but this place may change that. I tried both their chicken and carne asada tacos, and the beef by far is the better of the two. They also offer refried black beans, which are way better than the pinto (although, both are amazing). On top of all of this, they have a nice little salsa bar (if you're a fan of spiciness, like myself, beware that their "spicy" salsas are not spicy at all... go for the spiciest salsas). Taco Factory, you're my new fav.
(4)Ashley M.
I have only been here for Taco Tuesday. For About a $1.25 you can get a good chicken taco. This is your standard hole in the wall Mexican place, but it is legit. I really like this place because of the salsa bar they have, everything from hot carrots, lettuce, cilantro, 3 or 4 types of salsa! I would definitely recommend coming here if you want classic quick Mexican food.
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