La Bonita Taqueria

I have eaten here a few times. They are a cash only business and that’s fine, no worries there. However, they do allow you the opportunity to fiddle with the menu a little. I love the vegetarian and or the vegan burritos. I ask for NO rice on them and every time, I get it, I take it back to the office and open it and it is full of rice. They even hand it to me and say, burrito, no rice. LOL.
If the grilled veggies and the tortillas weren’t so perfect, as well as the staff really nice, I probably would not go back. But, what are you going to do.
The salsa is very interesting as well in flavors. Very smokey and I always ask for two of the small little containers they give you one of already with your order. It is so smoky and has a great fresh flavor.
I know I am giving them a 3 and honestly, if it were my first time and they messed up my order, I would have given a 4, but I have been there 3 or 4 times and at least 75% of the time, my order is done incorrectly.
I will be back however. The food is really good.

I like breakfast burritos, but not the ones w/​hash browns. I like beans rice and cheese and then scrambled eggs instead of meat. They would make it, but every day the price was different.
A steak burrito is about $ 8 but they would charge me over $ 9 for a burrito w/​eggs. Ok, I would pay it. Last time I went in and they wanted to charge me $ 10.50. I had to decline.
I won’t go there anymore.

Not impressed. When I saw a big pot of meat stewing on the range, I was hopeful, but nah. The first thing that bothered me was cash only. I don’t mind that that’s how they do business, but they need to let people know; I don’t tend to carry cash on me, and I almost didn’t have enough.
Do I care that their chips taste like they’re store bought? Not really. What I care about is the carnitas super burrito that dripped grease through the foil bag, and napkins. Is the grease factor bad? Not necessarily, but it is in this case because the meat still managed to have no flavor. And they threw in so much sauce and onions and tomato that those were the dominant flavors, not to mention that half the burrito was warm and half was cold. I mean, yeah, it was huge, but it was still below average.
2.5 stars.

This little hole in the wall is yummy. They even have vegan options here. I ordered an enchilada and a taco with beans and rice. The food was perfectly portioned, in fact, I left a little bit on my plate. The prices are reasonable and the staff are friendly.
You can sit at the outdoor tables or inside.
This is a good place to stop if you’re looking for something quick.

I just ordered a grilled veggie taco plate — all i got was rice and beans in a taco with schmutz on top and rice and beans on the side = $ 8. Very disappointing…

I like the salmon tacos special. But too bad the service there sucks! One reason why I don’t really go there is the service is never welcoming. Especially the cashier. Just because they have customers don’t mean they want to come back… not the best Mexican restaurant but it’s ok.

First time trying this place out. I ordered two breakfast burritos from the person behind the counter that saw me waiting. When I get up to the counter to pay — it’s cash only. But, where’s the sign?
Anyway, go get cash. Get home. Eat the burritos. Not very yummy. Like, I didn’t finish it. I’ll give two stars because it was a lot of food for $ 5 — but not going back.

Meh, it’s A-​ok. I had the sopes with no meat. Good, but also unmemorable. Chips that came with were eh also. Enough for two meals! There were probably better options for lunch around this area.

Bomb! I’m not from the area and the only reason why I was here is cause I’m attending a class across the street. I was in a hurry and wasn’t able to bring cash with me. I lost my ATM card couple days ago and hasn’t been replaced yet, so lately I only have my credit cards and doesn’t even have a single cash with me. I was starving and went to this place cause the sandwich store right beside it had a pretty long line that would probably take an hour just to get served. I was hoping they would accept my credit card. Instead they served me my food and told me to just come back whenever I have the cash. I was so surprise how genuinely kind and trustworthy the owner is. Not only their food is awesome but the service and the staff are way cool! It’s a must try!

Made an effort to look around to see if there was a sign stating cash only. There isn’t. Order vegan burritto, go to pay, its cash only.
Walk to atm, leave, walk 2 blocks and my burritto FALLS OUT OF THE BAG as I’m crossing the street. Why do you ask? Because grease is leaking out of the foil like a faucet. On my clothes, on my purse, EVERYWHERE. good thing i was only walking 10 more blocks home.
Taste test: vegan burritto. 2 stars for being insanely huge and thats it. The veggies have zero flavor, and the rest of my burritto is currently swimming in grease on my plate.
*sigh*

The cashier lady has that bitchy look on her face. I’ve ordered a wet burrito with carne asada at La Bonita, but honestly the carne asada was cold!!! I recommend people to try the taco trucks and other Mexican restaurants in East Oakland. Fruitvale district has the best Mexican restaurants in Oakland!
This a Mexican restaurant for these gentrifying Hipsters!

Went in on my lunch break and got a no-​frills steak burrito that came with some chips and salsa. Good price and was made reasonably quick considering the lunch rush hour.
Staff was friendly and very nice. Would eat there again!

I tried to eat here today and I was really excited because this was the first taqueria I experienced for lunch since my office moved to Oakland. I had seen La Bonita during my other lunch excursions and planned out a special trip just to try this place out. I arrived early (about 11:30) so I could take my time and check out the menu before the real lunch craze hit, but when I walked in, there were people standing everywhere and there was almost no way to tell where to order. Finally, one of the cooks called me over to order from him and it was then that I noticed the upside down sign that said «Order Here.»
Being my first time, I ordered the soft taco plate with an extra taco so I could sample a few different flavors. One chicken, one carnitas, and one carne asada. I waited to pay, but apparently you don’t pay until you receive your food? Other people had already paid and were waiting. It was uncertain.
Another gentleman that seemed like a regular asked if they had Chile Verde today. The cook said yes and the man ordered it. Once the meal came out, they tried to serve it to me. I said it was not mine and he went to the next guy over who had ordered it. The dish looked like Chile Colorado or Rojo. The customer asked the guy who served it to him if it was chile verde and he said yes, but we all knew that was bs. The customer’s co-​worker comes in right after that and says «They out of chile verde today?» The customer obviously received the wrong item and did not want to send it back because he told his co-​worker «I don’t know, I’ll just eat it.» This totally supports all of the reviewers that said their orders were incorrect. The restaurant seemed more interested in turning as many orders as possible rather than accuracy.
The cook also didn’t ask whether I wanted to eat it there or take it to go, so they plated it up, which was fine, but every taco was covered in the same sauce and didn’t look appetizing. I was somewhat apprehensive at this point, but when I go to pay, the cashier tells me they are cash only, so I tell her «I’m sorry, I don’t have cash» and walked out to find someplace else to eat.
I was excited to try this place, but after the initial confusion, the scene I witnessed with the incorrect order, and the cash only thing, it’s three strikes and I’m out.
My advice to the business: Invest in a way to take cards. It’s 2015.

I eat here for lunch when I do decide to treat myself. I’ve tried their burrito and super nachos here before. When you get the super nachos make sure to get it with their fresh chips! They’re located on Broadway and 22^nd. Right next to the hipster sandwich spot. The workers are very kind in there. They’re also helpful when you have any questions or concerns.
I really like their burrito as well. They put a lot of stuff in there. They definitely hook you up with a lot of food. You get what you pay for here. They’re very busy during lunch but they’re so fast with orders, it doesn’t even bother me that they’re busy. They also bring out the food to you as well if you’re eating inside. Which is really nice of them. Sometimes they also serve fresh watermelon juice, which is BOMB.
**CASH ONLY PLACE***

Very very greasy. Like pools of grease dripping through the burrito foil. Also, the rice is really plain, doesn’t taste like anything, and the chips are awful. Luckily I found a better Mexican place up the street!

This was my first time at La Bonita and I gave 5 stars because of the service. Being a first time customer, i did not know this place was cash only. That being said, i ordered, went to the register and told her I didn’t have cash after she stated it was cash only. She gave me the burrito and told me to just pay them later! I was obviously surprised and thrown back by this. Wish there was more good people like this in this world. I will not only be a repeat customer, but i am a true promoter of this establishment.
The chicken burrito was on point, way bigger than what i was expecting. Oh yea, immediately walked to the closest ATM, got some cash, came back and gladly paid for my meal.

This place is just okay… I guess being from LA I’ve been spoiled with Mexican food. I wouldn’t come here if I was craving Mexican food.

Ordered the breakfast burrito with chorizo. It’s a large burrito. It has chorizo, scrambled egg, potato, and salsa. It’s filling burrito. The carbs are overload but what do you expect from a breakfast burrito. The taste is good. More starchy than meat but it gets the job done. If your in the O and want a big burrito, this is your place, SON!

AMAZING!!! AUTHENTIC!!! Just a couple words to describe La Bonita, I was a frequent visitor as I worked next door. The monster burrito and Fish Burrito were two of my favorite items, both of them were very large burritos filled with all of the yummy authentic ingredients. The homemade pineapple drinks were to die for as well. They also always have soccer games being shown on the TV.
I would highly recommend this place for anyone looking for authentic Mexican food.

Just a quick warning … BRING CASH (Cash Only)… NO CREDIT CARDS

Time: 9:46am/63°F partly sunny
Purpose: My regular Friday easy bay rounds. This place came up for next week on list but I was in area so did it early.
Ambiance: It’s a taqueria alright mainly average size enough to get downtown workers in/​out quickly. Couple of stackable chairs/​tables outside with 7 – 8 counter high chairs facing window, people watching. 3 – 4 tables inside the rest are equipments strewn around here and there. Ordering counter connects to the cook area as well. 48’inch RCA flatscreen (turn off). Ventilation might be a problem when it get crowded. My choice phone in order, run in pay quickly and eat outside no trap aroma on clothing.
Staff: One guy and two girls. Warm welcoming but quick to rush you to order. The guy kept mumbling to a point that I can’t understand. For all I know maybe to a song or saying his morning ritual prayers. The cashier was nice thanking me twice making sure I had all the necessary utensils. I mean do I really need a fork and spoon to eat burrito wrap in foil?
Cleanliness: Grade C, not bad or good just clean enough to squeak by. Some areas near the counter needed 409 all purpose degreaser. Salt and pepper debris on table top indicating table perhaps wasn’t wipe previous night.
Eats/​Drinks: La Bonita signature breakfast burrito $ 6.80 after taxes comes with a whole sausage slither in half, eggs, potato, salsa, cheese. Pretty good, hot and fresh was the ideal way of going here, sadly the sausage was the only thing in it that I went after first. I really like the eggs scrambled and season with herbs/​spices but the sausage is tops. The rest just average eats can be had anywhere. Thing weights in about 2+lb, definitely no skimping here.
Products: Breakfast items, burritos, fish/​shrimp/​veggie tacos, sides/​extras, sopes, fajitas, enchiladas, flautes, quesadillas, nachos, sammies, scrambles hot link, omelettes, red snapper taco/​burrito (special of day).
Punch Lines: Average place, welcoming, basic, seating in/​out, food wait time average 5 min max, opens early, breakfast items all day, commercial grade ingredients. Uptown Oakland, B-​Shuttle (free) check listing for time and days of operation, nearby cafes/​restaurants, financial institutions, near Bart, AC transit transbay, Lake Merritt, pub/​bars, condos, lots/​structure parking.
Tradeoffs: Their burritos whether it’s for breakfast or lunch, good portions. Come early this way you’ll get better selections.
Final Thoughts: I have no problems here at all, just wish they didn’t show the items of store brand label out in plain view. By seeing the labels and knowing how much it cost puts a cringe on my face. Feels like getting rip off and slap in the face before leaving. Example of this would be their nachos, bag nachos from smart & final private store label brand. Overall yes I will come as long as it’s early enough to beat the rest.