Taqueria El Grande

Yay! I’ve been looking for good Mexican food in Seattle since my SO and I arrived here a few months ago and this has temporarily filled that hole. Unfortunately, it is appx 51 miles from my house but I happened to be in the area for work and looking for some really good Mexican food. This place has good reviews and one even mentioned how it reminded them of some of the very popular Mexican places in Vegas (where we moved here from) so we were sold.
As we pulled into the somewhat small parking lot, I could smell deliciousness. At the time, we didnt know exactly what the smell was but we soon found out after my boyfriend ordered a chicken plate. I, being the obnoxious vegetarian that I am, threw my plant-​based biases to the wind and replaced that with CHEESE. GLORIOUS CHEESE. I ordered the Chile relleno combo.
The total came out to $ 19 or so with my combo that came with a drink and my boyfriend’s plate. I noticed that they had horchata and Jamaica on tap so I had to try the Jamaica (hibiscus tea). Honestly, I do not recommend it. Very artificial tasting. I couldn’t finish the glass so I replaced it with Pepsi.
When getting my drink, I saw the salsa bar to the right and filled UP! There were quite a few to choose from and they even had bbq sauce in a squeeze bottle if you wanted some. I don’t know what they had there that goes with BBQ sauce but nice to have the option anyway: P along with the salsa bar I was bringing back to my table, I also grabbed some pickled carrots&jalapeños. Love the variety!
We sat down and waited less than 10 minutes before our food was ready and we saw that the portions were on POINT! The chicken plate is such a great bang for your buck too. It was half of a chicken with 3 tortillas, either corn or flour, rice, beans, and a salad with ranch dressing. My Chile relleno combo came with two egg-​battered Chile’s with CHEESE and sauce, rice, beans, 3 tortillas, and a drink. Not as much food as the chicken plate but still delicious and not too pricey.
Their rice and beans were pretty damn good and the chicken had a beautiful crust on the outside that reminded me of the crust fried pork chops get. My Chile relleno was pretty damn tasty and the tortillas were delicious. All things considered, this place is awesome! I only wish they had better Jamaica/​horchata. :)

I love this place and I’m updating because
This is the 3^rd time I come in later in the day 1hr til closing and the employees (cashiers) family and kids all come in to visit the parents
I’ve worked in a small family owned restaurant and I get it but it just is so unprofessional. I hate eating places and there’s kids running around everywhere .
Also the over powering smell of pinesol whilst I eat.
The cooks also have an attitude when you ask for more limes
(Which in the 8+ times I’ve been here they’re always out of)
Love the food but the environment and attitudes aren’t great .
I think I’ll order Togo from now on
Therefore 3 stars –JUST because the food is good.

My wife and I first time trying this place out and it is amazing! Flavors are out this world we got the tacos 3 chicken, 2 fried pork and 2 beef tongue! This reminds me of home and the taco trucks in the Bay Area! Different found 2 new customers!

On par with the millennia of fast Mexican food restaurants with the standard back lit menu. The tacos were made right away and were very good. I ordered some ceviche to go with my two al pastor tacos. It was OK but tasted like it had been on the shelf for a few days and was a little too chewy for me. The cook was nice enough to dress it up with some avocado slices. No salsa was offered with my to go order.

Great food! Very consistent. I’ve been coming here for many years and it’s always great!

Best mexican food I’ve had in my life. We go here all the time, haven’t had a bad meal yet. Good portions, reasonable prices, and friendly people. We usually order the taco or burrito plate for take out but dine in service is good too. Very casual and you feel right at home. Awesome neighborhood joint it has been great to see it grow up.

If you are looking for great prices and great taste Taqueria El Grande is your place. The staff is super friendly. And their plates taste great. It reminds our family of taquerias in Southern California. The portion sizes are perfect and the even do take out. Stop by and I know you won’t be disappointed with the overall experience.

I ordered some simple nachos to go. They obviously heated them in a microwave, inside the Styrofoam clamshell as there was a large hole in the container and the cheese along the outside was burnt and hard, while the cheese under the toppings was unmelted. It was inedible. I won’t visit again.

Best mexican place in town hands down don’t even waste your time going to big chain restaurant they don’t compare whatsoever !! Prices are great too! … and they have breakfast !!!

I never write reviews but it is necessary for this place. I came in with my boyfriend and ordered our food and waited by the door since we were wanting our food to go. A few families came in right after us and ordered their food as well. The families that came in after us got their food first, and the wait for it was too long especially since we should’ve gotten our food first. The food was absolutely terrible, I had the carne asada burrito and my boyfriend got the French slam. The burrito had «carne asada» but it was so dry and flavorless… It tasted so stale, and the beans and rice were way too salty. On the French slam, the bread was mushy, bacon wasn’t cooked thoroughly, and the sausage was mediocre. I would only recommend coming here for the horchata.

Love this place. They have good Mexican food, but they also make American breakfast and pancakes. That means my elderly parents are happy too. Good salsa. Staff is very friendly and helpful.

I am very picky when it comes to Mexican food especially if it is not my mom or wife cooking the food. This place changed my mind it is great food and great prices. I was coming here when they were just on the bus. My kids loved their food as they always wanted to go to the «taco bus.» I don’t live near here anymore, but remember this place and miss it.

Food was okay. Still prefer Taqueria El Antojo better. The prices on the menu board were a little deceiving. Listed the burrito as $ 4.99 and the torta as $ 5.25 with the addition of guac and a med agua fresca… ended up being like $ 18.
The burrito was big and filling but just okay. My friend who stops here from time to time to get his torta fix since he lives close by says the torta is okay but he has had better.

I’ve been stopping at this place every time I can since it was a converted bus in the parking lot of the gas station. The food is so good they took over the empty gas station about 6(?) years ago. Cleaned it up, painted it bright colors and kept serving up the goods. But what about the food? It is consistently good and frequently awesome. I have to admit, I order the carnitas — either tacos or burrito– 90% of the time so I can’t speak to the whole menu. I can tell you that the carnitas are always at least as good as I can find anywhere else in South Puget Sound area and Sometimes They Are Insanely Good. Crispy in parts and melty in others. Well seasoned, nicely portioned, and skillfully prepared. I don’t know what the grill guy does when he puts it together but it works. I get cravings for them. The beans are smooth and creamy; the rice fluffy. The rest of the accoutrements are fresh. The staff are friendly, the place is clean, and most of the time the salsa bar has a nice selection of fresh options. I love this place.

I have tried this place out a few times and have been pleased with each visit. I tried the tacos the first time and the steak was quite flavorful. The second time I chose the regular burrito with guacamole and sour cream. It was roughly $ 7 for a fully packed burrito.
Next door is the Park Ave Tavern. So if you’re in the mood for a burrito and a beer head on over there.
Definitely will be back to try more on the menu!

LOVE THIS PLACE! I moved here to Tacoma about five years ago and been searching for a good Mexican joint I’ve finally found it this place has the best tacos! And their gaucomole is delicious! So far I’ve tried their taco plate, carne asada quesidila, breakfast burrito and plan on trying more this place is seriously so good if your looking for good authentic Mexican food this is the place to go!

My husband and I got takeout from here the other night. Husband LOVED it.
We both got the steak taco plates, and he gulped his down in 10 minutes I swear. I could tell that the quality was good, and the tacos were authentic, my only issue was that I had no clue that the meat itself was mixed in with the green sauce — AKA too spicy for me. I asked for my tacos with no onions or cilantro, add cheese, like always. I know it’s my fault for not asking but I think that that is something that should be advertised! We go to taqueria’s all the time and this is the first one I’ve had that had the tacos pre sauced.
I’ll definitely come back again, I’ll just be sure to ask for no sauce!

We were visiting Tacoma & didn’t have any ideas where to eat. Unilocal to the rescue, found Taqueria El Grande! OUr group ordered a variety of items — ALL were delish! As others mentioned, it looks a bit rough on the outside, but clean, affordable & tasty. I only wish it were located in my city! Will def. go back when in town.

This place had amazing tacos, and the prices were great too! I would recommend this place to anyone.
Passing this place usually 10 times a day I decided to try it out. When we ordered and there seemed to be a language barrier, I knew this place was legit. Actually I believe she was new, but still… the food was really fresh and came out as soon as it was done cooking. And it was hot! The only problem we had is the drinks. It took the whole time we were eating to get it fixed, but when it was, the drinks were perfect tasting.
I would rate 5 stars, and I might if everything is in working order next time. Not really their fault, just a minor inconvenience. Everyone should give this place a shot. I am sure I will be back very soon to rate this 5 stars. The tacos were really delicious.

Best little Taqueria in town, I’ve been coming here for at least 3 years and every time I come Mmmmmmmmm the best food ever! I’ve been to larger places but this place is a little quant place and the food is cooked fresh every time!!! I love this place, the food is amazing!!! If you haven’t been there, you don’t know what you’re missing!!! I’ll certainly be back!!!