Taqueria Arandas

Great customer service but the food is average. Maybe even a little less than average (maybe I am biased because I’m used to LA tacos), my boyfriend and I had a Torta and a Burrito. My torta de pastor was lacking flavor and missing that Al Pastor taste. The burrito was basic, nothing to make you want to come back. The tacos were not bad. I’d only come back if I was starving and nothing else was open. Overall more flavor is needed but the staff is nice and attentive.

CASH ONLY BUT
Fast service, great service, delicious tacos, great price!
My mom got the asada tacos and I got the chicken tacos. Only 1.25 each and so worth it.
I want to try the pupusas and chorizo tacos.
I’ll definitely be back here for my taco fix.

I have eaten at the Aranda’s taqueria for the last five years. Their food and service have always been great. In particular, I like very much their carne asada torta, their carne asada tacos, and their tasty menudo. Prices are very good for the qualty of their food and friendly service. I like that they stay open until late in the evening. The place is always clean and accessible. Great place to have a healthy and tasty authentic mexican treat when you crave for this type of food.

Tried this place out today after trying out some neighboring «Mexican food» places. This tiny restaurant is as close to a taco from East LA as possible! Let me say tht it’s affordable! $ 1 tacos, $ 5 tortas and $ 5 burritos! After reading all the reviews, they are old and or written by folks that don’t know street tacos like someone from ELA would. Hahaha with that said, drop by and give them a shot. New favorite joint for a quick taco fix!

Been to this hole in the wall a bunch of times while running late to different Boy Scout events at OCBC over the last 5 – 6 years.
Observations, the place still has the same crappy green interior, don’t think its ever been painted. The food has gone down hill too. The tiny place is a haven for low life’s and panhandlers. Lock your car. Dirty floors and tables. And forget the bathroom.
Food:
The once great carne asada now comes in two styles greasy or rubbery. Never know witch one you’ll get. A true crap shoot!
The carnitas was OK the last time I had it 1 yr ago, but who knows now.
The pollo wasn’t bad but a little dry for my tastes. Only tried once.
Over priced quesadillas that are nothing special.
The salsa has never been the greatest and it lacks heat. You have to ask for it too.
Never tried the sopes or fish.
Do yourself a favor, pass this place up

I pick up tacos for lunch. usually carne asada and al pastor. I always like them both. The owner is super friendly and yes the place is a quite little hole in the wall joint but that’s what makes it good. I actually found this place by accident while i was looking for a taqueria de ande chain. glad i found it too cause it closer and i think better in some ways.

Good place for quick and cheap tacos. The pastor is decent and chorizo as well. It’s a small taqueria, if you don’t expect fine dining you’ll be satisfied.

I like this place.
The owner is friendly.
The quesadillas are good.
and the fried jalapenos are a must-​have.
The chicken tacos were not as good as the asada, in my opinion.

Like many of the previous Unilocalers I was innocently filling up my gas tank at the Chevron adjacent to Taqueria Arandas. When the smell of fresh tacos was too much to resist! The first thing I noticed about this place is that its small, VERY SMALL. It can probably sit a max of 20 people and doesn’t give you much space to maneuver around. The menu is also very limited, they only have tacos, burritos, tortas, and quesadillas as well as a few weekend specialties like menudo. I don’t mind If a restaurant only limits itself by serving a few items as long as they put love into what they are serving.
So when I took my food home and unwrapped my carnitas quesadilla and took my first bite into one of the soggy, wilting, proportionally-​too-​small-​for-​the-​amount-​I-​paid slices of quesadilla, I was very disappointed. The salsa not only had no kick to it but lacked any sense of flavor and the cilantro was mute in flavor as well. The carnitas was decent but all the excess oil from the cheese and meat was so overwhelming the tortilla couldn’t even soak it all up.
Now on to my carne asada burrito. After being disappointed with the carnitas quesadilla I was eager to get on to the burrito. The burrito looked a little more appetizing, at least it wasn’t dripping oil, and it was a pretty decent size as well. However just like the quesadilla I was sadly disappointed in the taste. On the plus side there was plenty of meat in the burrito. On the downside, the meat wasn’t of grade A quality and it tasted a little rubber.
So in closing if you want quality food then I wouldn’t suggest coming here because honestly its not worth it.

decided to try this place out for an after dinner taco when I was getting gas. I got just one carne asada taco to test it out. It was just ok. It wasn’t bad, but not great either. A little bit on the bland and greasy side.
3 stars is based on food btw, not on my experience there.
Others commented that they got ripped off by the owner, however he did charge me the correct amount. I should note though that he was a bit on the sales-​y side. He tried to push some extra tacos a few times in a joking manner. I didn’t mind it, but I could see other customers getting easily annoyed.

THE SKINNY:
Alre H. and I were at it again. I’ve looked at this place so many times since the Chevron right next to it is where I usually fill up my car. Finally gave it a shot and it was alright. Not the best, nor was it the worst I’ve ever had.
THE GOOD:
The Tortillas were nicely toasted on the flat iron. Thats always a plus. Tried the Al Pastor, Carne Asade, Carnitas, and Pollo. They were all decent. I would have to say that the best one was the Carnitas. I have had plenty of Carnitas Tacos before and I would have to say that this was one of the better ones. It was pretty tasty and not bland like the others I’ve had. The Al Pastor was decent. In my opinion, Taco Boy on Euclid and Ball has set the bar pretty high for Al Pastor Tacos. You guys should check that place out.
THE BAD:
The Salsa Roja they had just wasn’t kickin’. Usually the salsa gives the tacos a nice spicy, kick. Nah, not this one. I usually order an Horchata with my Tacos because it usually does a pretty good job of neutralizing the super spicy salsas I’ve had, but their Horchata was pretty Watery. I like a nice rich milky cinnamon flavor. This one was clearly diluted with too much water. The place really had no ambiance. Cleanliness can usually be an issue with most taquerias. This one was no exception. In my opinion, it was just an average experience.

This is the best mexican food I’ve ever had. The tacos are exactly 1 dollar. Yes ONE dollar.
Don’t listen to the naysayers. Is it hole in the wallish? Of course, but hole in the wall places are known for great food.

I’ve been driving by this place for more than a year. It’s right next to the Chevron gas station I always use on the corner of Broadway and Brookhurst.
Finally decided to try it since I just filled up my gas tank and since I’m always looking for a good Carne Asada tiny taco. I didn’t find it here.
The meat was rubbery, it made me wonder if I was eating Carne Asada or the lengua.
Tacos were $ 1.30 a piece. I wasn’t over-​charged (maybe since I spoke Spanish to the guy).

Seems like once a month I get a craving for a good neighborhood mexican place, and obviously I’m still looking. My previous methods hadn’t been working (brightly lit areas, clean-​looking facilities, good Unilocal reviews etc.) hadn’t been working, so I turned to a local dive that I see almost every day but have never tried: Taqueria Arandas.
It’s a dump in the middle of a nasty shopping center that hasn’t been repaved since asphalt was invented. It’s barely wider than the door and perhaps 15 feet long. There are about 6 tables inside. The place seems to be a family establishment.
I ordered a carne asada burrito and a carnitas taco. The young girl at the counter asked me «con everyting?» and I said sure, not even knowing what that meant. It means beans, onions, cilantro, rice, lime, and salsa. It’s very good and super hot. You watch them grill the tortillas (or bread if you get the torta) right in front of you, because, well, there’s nowhere to hide. Tiny ass place.
The food is 4-​star Unilocal but the place is 2 stars, hence the 3 star rating. It’s dirty there, so I’ll never be able to take my wife. They don’t take cards which I can understand in a small place, BUT they have an ATM right there on the cramped premises, so it’s just a cash grab. Boo.
Finally, like another reviewer mentioned, the cashier (an older gentleman) tried to rip me off. Asada burrito plus carnitas taco plus large coke = $ 5.50 + $ 1.50 + $ 2.00 = $ 9.00. He asked for $ 11. He didn’t ring it up on the register but used a calculator. When I asked him to check he repeated, $ 11. I insisted, and he relented, but only when I spoke Spanish to him. I’m somewhat used to people who think I don’t speak their language trying to steal from me so I can handle it, and if you’re a latino you may not have this issue, but everyone should beware. There are always crooks out there, even in nice little neighborhood places. The food is good enough that I’ll go back, but I’ll definitely be doing the math in my head.

i don’t know what their deal is? change of ownership, economy mumbo jumbo, or what? But their prices have gone up, taco’s have gotten smaller and the food is just like ground up pussygato-​Yuck! With every bite you get some kind of bone or cartilage. I’m super bummed because this was like my go to, street taco, neighborhood joint. Not even their beans are good anymore. BOOOOOOO_​come back to me Arandas! Come back to meeeeeeeeeeeee

definitely a one-​timer. place was empty, located in a VERY run-​down strip mall. i tried their fish taco. fish was just chopped and diced fish patty. and not appetizing either. i would not recommend this place at all.

The best FISH TACOS I’ve ever had. So good they literally melt in your mouth and unleash an orgy of goodness. Upon ordering I was informed to say the spanish description instead of the english one. I’m not sure if this is because of a language barrier or it’s customary there but I’m going to assume the earlier. The selection can be separated into 4 categories. Tacos, Burritos, Tortas, and Quesadillas. Separated into sub-​categories of different meats. With tacos having the most variation ranging from the typical Beef, Pork, Marinated Pork and Fish with also more ‘exotic” meats such as Head and Tongue which I hear is quite good. The taco is your typical small silver dollar-​esc taco and they’re $ 1.50 a tad steep but well worth it in my opinion. Oh and did I mention they’re open late on weekends…

THIEVES!
The food is overpriced and on top of that, they have the nerve to overcharge you. After I complained, the guy pulled out a calculator, checked his math and saw that I was right. He gave me back SOME of my dollars but refused to give me back the rest. I was through arguing so I just said «whatever» but decided that his blatant thievery was something I would not keep to myself.
Even at the correct price, the tiny tacos were a rip-​off! Don’t go there!

Ever want taco truck food, but not from a taco truck? Well, this place is for you!!!
Located on the very end of a very Latino shopping center, Taqueria La Cienega shines bright, with it’s green neon colored lights framing it’s teeny take-​out space.
It’s very much a family place during dinner hours, however… it’s one of my favorite spots to hit up on the way home from a night in downtown Fullerton. Open until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays, this joint hooks it up with those halfway drunken Mexican munchies after a long night.
They have tacos, burritos, quesadillas, oh my!
A buck a taco, and a little more for the others… this place serves the usual pollo, carne asada, chorizo, and other deliciously sliced up meats your beautiful mouth can desire. Topped off with yummy cilantro and onions, and a sprints of lime juice… this stuff satisfies any craving my tummy can think up.
Bring some cash, buddies… credit cards are a no no.