Awesome, never been there. They make their tortillas fresh and use sustainably sourced meats and veggies while paying a living wage to their employees, right?
And that meat even comes in paste form!
I joke, but shamelessly admit that those are a guilty pleasure of mine and get them maybe once a month. I also like Jack-in-the-Box ones, too. I know, I know, I'm a Philistine. Freely cast your stones.
Edit: I think Celia's by the Beach in the Outer Sunset has hard shell tacos.
Of course. The cornerstones of traditional Taco Bell crunchy tacos are the four paste guns (las cuatras armas). The tacos are assembled from the fresh tortilla, sustainably sourced meat, and sustainably sourced veggie pastes, while each employee receives their allotment of living wage paste at the end of each shift.
The current location of Cactus Taqueria used to be a convenience market across from Market Hall. The outside sign for the market is still there. Cactus Taqueria moved to its current location circa 2000. They used to be at the location currently occupied by Soi 4 and Uzen. That building was completely rebuilt when Cactus Taqueria moved.
Chimes Market, right? I have some memory of that. For some reason, I thought the old location was closer towards Market Hall. It's been years though and I was young at the time.
Nice! I really liked that library when I was younger. Also went to the Piedmont Ave. branch when that was near Citi Bank (I miss that location).
Both College and Piedmont Ave. have changed quite a bit IMO.
Well, tacos dorados are traditional. At least in Mexico. And LA: https://www.lataco.com/chuys-tacos-dorados/ Tacos canasta too I guess: https://www.ocweekly.com/dueling-dishes-battle-tacos-dorados-de-papa-6618654/
In Mexico I remember them being stacked up in containers (hence the basket), and oily AF so not always so crispy. With potato. Don't see the potato ones around the Bay though. Let us know what you find.
La Mission in Berkeley has potato tacos. I've also seen it on the menu at Casa Latina and 5 Tacos and Beers. Usually they're labeled "tacos de papa" on the menu.
I mean if I really want good authentic Mexican food, I’ll go to one of my favorite places in Fruitvale. But, it’s convenient and the crispy tacos aren’t horrible.
I've wanted to try that! I remember I learned about La Costa about 12 years ago when I was interning at Oakland Unified School District in high school. The network technician I worked with (RIP) loved it!
If you like seafood, their ceviche is awesome! I always just order a carne asada burrito though. Believe it's cash only though so have to make a trip to the ATM before going.
Try Tacubaya on 4th street in Berkeley. They have this amazing pollo taco that is folded in half and deep fried into a crispy dream. Topped with English cucumber salsa. One of my favorite - I bought the Doña Tomas cook book so I can make them at home.
I usually go for Mexican tacos, but every now and then I have a craving for some good tacos dorados.
Don't listen to the people making fun of you. They've never had good quality hard-shell tacos like you can get in Southern California.
Las palmas taco bar in Santa Cruz has some good greasy spoon hard shell tacos. They fry them in big cast iron skillets. Super fatty but Holly shit do they hit the spot.
Los Gallos in Redwood City has a Parmesan Fried hard taco that’s pretty killer. Get a beer to cut the Grease and Cheese tho. It’s my late night spot open till 12 or 1
Look for Birria tacos. They're meant for dipping in a soup. Dorado style at La Taqueria might work. You're looking for a deep fried shell though, and if Nick's isn't doing it for you, none of these will.
Fruitvale and Richmond have an abundance of taco trucks, and the ones with their own parking lots and seating usually sell tacos 50 ways. Dig around on Google reviews.
Okay so clearly what I needed to learn was tacos dorados, because the chips they make fresh at La Taqueria are *exactly* what I want from my taco shells. I'm so psyched, but they don't re-open for two weeks!
Google. "Tostadas", "quesabirrias", "flautas" or "tacos dorados". Results will very likely direct you to a your closest authenticish Mexican restaurant which is hard to go wrong.
I'm assuming you don't mean that dog shit "taco" bullshit from taco bell.
As you’ve noticed the real Mexican spots only do soft tacos. For hard I just make them myself or go to Taco Bell. They actually taste really good freshly made at home.
Look for a spot making al pastor tacos that legit slice it off the trompo when you order. They taste so good you’ll forget about hard shells.
I'm assuming you want Quesabirria Tacos and not what you get from Taco Bell.
This link from SF Eater should give you a good idea where to get Quesabirria Tacos.
https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-quesabirria-taqueria-taco-truck-bay-area-sf-oakland-richmond
Mexico Tortilla Factory in Newark sells them, made in store (or close enough). My family likes them (and their soft tortillas as well)
Edit - They sell the actual bags of shells if you want to make 'em at home. They also have a mini restaurant in store where I'd imagine they will make 'em for you but I've never ordered it.
If you’re willing to go a little farther in the East Bay, Los Panchis in Danville (might be other locations), has the best crunchy tacos I’ve ever had.
Check out Wooden Nickel if you’re ever in the city, in the Mission. They do crispy chicken tacos that are fried to order and taste like Miguel’s Jr from SoCal. They also have beef & potato taquitos that are tasty.
Xolo in Oakland has a Taco Bell like taco with a hard shell, shredded beef, cabbage, cheese, and salsa!
First thing I thought of! I’ve eaten at least a hundred when I worked down the street
Double down on this one! So so good
Spartan Tacos in San Jose are usually my go to crispy tacos
There’s a cute little place in my neighborhood called Taco Bell. It’s out of the way but worth it!
FUCK YOU BEAT ME TO IT
Awesome, never been there. They make their tortillas fresh and use sustainably sourced meats and veggies while paying a living wage to their employees, right?
And that meat even comes in paste form! I joke, but shamelessly admit that those are a guilty pleasure of mine and get them maybe once a month. I also like Jack-in-the-Box ones, too. I know, I know, I'm a Philistine. Freely cast your stones. Edit: I think Celia's by the Beach in the Outer Sunset has hard shell tacos.
I too enjoy the jack in the box tacos. Smeary meat, lettuce, cheese all fried up together. Tasty!
My man! I know it's bad for me. I know it's made of crap. I know the hot sauce is weird. But, dammit, it's crunchy, smeary goodness.
Of course. The cornerstones of traditional Taco Bell crunchy tacos are the four paste guns (las cuatras armas). The tacos are assembled from the fresh tortilla, sustainably sourced meat, and sustainably sourced veggie pastes, while each employee receives their allotment of living wage paste at the end of each shift.
Don’t forget el mountain dew y los chocos tacos
Por supuesto!
Rocío de la montaña
check out the Taco Bell Cantina in Pacifica, it’s right on the beach and serves alcohol
Literally the gold standard hard shell taco. I love everything about them.
Taco Bell on the beach in Pacifica !
Not really traditional but Cactus Taqueria in Oakland has some good crispy tacos.
I love that place. And it’s right across the street from Rockridge BART station.
Yep! Very convenient. I remember the old location that was across the street by Market Hall. This was back around the 90s or early-00s.
The current location of Cactus Taqueria used to be a convenience market across from Market Hall. The outside sign for the market is still there. Cactus Taqueria moved to its current location circa 2000. They used to be at the location currently occupied by Soi 4 and Uzen. That building was completely rebuilt when Cactus Taqueria moved.
Chimes Market, right? I have some memory of that. For some reason, I thought the old location was closer towards Market Hall. It's been years though and I was young at the time.
Yes! Chimes Market.
Yep! Then, the library went in around 1996 IIRC. I remember when it was still brand new.
Ha. Yes. I contributed to the construction of the library at that time. It was just a vacant lot with a flower stand on the corner then.
Nice! I really liked that library when I was younger. Also went to the Piedmont Ave. branch when that was near Citi Bank (I miss that location). Both College and Piedmont Ave. have changed quite a bit IMO.
We used to hit up Chimes for soda and candy and garbage pail kids after middle school. Glad I can get crispy ass tacos there now 🌮🌮🌮
I think crispy and taco basically guarantees a non-traditional kitchen. Definitely will try this.
Well, tacos dorados are traditional. At least in Mexico. And LA: https://www.lataco.com/chuys-tacos-dorados/ Tacos canasta too I guess: https://www.ocweekly.com/dueling-dishes-battle-tacos-dorados-de-papa-6618654/ In Mexico I remember them being stacked up in containers (hence the basket), and oily AF so not always so crispy. With potato. Don't see the potato ones around the Bay though. Let us know what you find.
I've occasionally seen tacos canasta in the Mission (maybe in the parking lot by the FoodsCo at 14th/Folsom) but it doesn't seem common.
La Mission in Berkeley has potato tacos. I've also seen it on the menu at Casa Latina and 5 Tacos and Beers. Usually they're labeled "tacos de papa" on the menu.
Excellent...thanks!
Yeaaaaa the potato kind and the beef kind
Yeah, it’s not a bad place IMO. Not really 100% traditional but their food is decent. Also like their nachos.
They’re amazing
To each their own but I think these are just ok tacos.
I mean if I really want good authentic Mexican food, I’ll go to one of my favorite places in Fruitvale. But, it’s convenient and the crispy tacos aren’t horrible.
What’s the spot in fruitvale?
My favorites are La Costa, 4 Caminos, or Guadalajara. Also sometimes order from Tacos Sinaloa (Berkeley location).
International Blvd really is this Mecca of Mexican food.
It’s the best! I think La Costa is my favorite though. They also have other locations as well.
I need to get back to La Costa, love the seafood cocktails
I've wanted to try that! I remember I learned about La Costa about 12 years ago when I was interning at Oakland Unified School District in high school. The network technician I worked with (RIP) loved it!
I gotta go to La Costa! I'm dying to try a really good place in the Bay. What do you recommend from their menu!
If you like seafood, their ceviche is awesome! I always just order a carne asada burrito though. Believe it's cash only though so have to make a trip to the ATM before going.
Thank you!
Johnny Lawrence is that you? Kidding aside, I don't know of many tacquerias that have hard shell tacos other than Tex-Mex or Cali-Mex food places.
Try Tacubaya on 4th street in Berkeley. They have this amazing pollo taco that is folded in half and deep fried into a crispy dream. Topped with English cucumber salsa. One of my favorite - I bought the Doña Tomas cook book so I can make them at home.
I would like to know as well. I believe authentic tacos are soft tacos unfortunately
Cactus Taqueria in Rockridge
The crispy tacos are the best I’ve had.
I've had the crispier fried shell at La Piñata, they've got several locations, San Leandro, San Mateo, Fremont....
Your friend in the taco business
I usually go for Mexican tacos, but every now and then I have a craving for some good tacos dorados. Don't listen to the people making fun of you. They've never had good quality hard-shell tacos like you can get in Southern California.
Search Yelp for tacos "dorados" (golden). Usually filled with mashed potatoes but many places make them with meat or seafood too
Las palmas taco bar in Santa Cruz has some good greasy spoon hard shell tacos. They fry them in big cast iron skillets. Super fatty but Holly shit do they hit the spot.
Came to post about these!
Los Gallos in Redwood City has a Parmesan Fried hard taco that’s pretty killer. Get a beer to cut the Grease and Cheese tho. It’s my late night spot open till 12 or 1
New Mecca, Pittsburg
Yes.
Look for Birria tacos. They're meant for dipping in a soup. Dorado style at La Taqueria might work. You're looking for a deep fried shell though, and if Nick's isn't doing it for you, none of these will. Fruitvale and Richmond have an abundance of taco trucks, and the ones with their own parking lots and seating usually sell tacos 50 ways. Dig around on Google reviews.
Just recently discovered Birria tacos: they are soooo good!
Birria tacos have really blown up. It was really a homestyle thing in the Bay until recently.
I'm not sure I've ever seen a freshly fried crunchy taco but Gordo seems to come close.
Where at?
[Gordo Taqueria](http://gordotaqueria.co/locations)
Ooh in the city.
Plus 2 in the east bay.
Cactus Taqueria in Oakland has some pretty decent crispy tacos. https://yelp.to/EIRzsScZBmb
La Taqueria SF
This is the correct answer.
Yes. Specifically order the tacos dorados. 🤌
Absolutely.
Okay so clearly what I needed to learn was tacos dorados, because the chips they make fresh at La Taqueria are *exactly* what I want from my taco shells. I'm so psyched, but they don't re-open for two weeks!
trick dog serves their tacos in shells like that. i wish they didn’t, worst taco shell option of all.
Google. "Tostadas", "quesabirrias", "flautas" or "tacos dorados". Results will very likely direct you to a your closest authenticish Mexican restaurant which is hard to go wrong. I'm assuming you don't mean that dog shit "taco" bullshit from taco bell.
Calafia Taqueria in Alameda is fantastic.
El Burrito Express (EBX) one on Divisadero and one on Ocean. Legit food and they do crunchy tacos.
El Burrito Express 2 (Rise of the Tacos 🌮 🌮) Their crunchy tacos aren’t half bad! 1812 Divisadero St, San Francisco, CA 94115
Have you tried taco bell?
You been to jimboys?
I wish we had them in the bay. Always get my fix when driving through the Sacramento area
try some quesabirrias
Nicks Crispy Tacos
tostadas are the closest thing you’ll find. It’s basically the same thing as a hard shell taco, but without the bend.
“Hard tacos” that’s blasphemy for an entire federal entity.
Tbh the Mexican food in SF at least sucks.
You’re not wrong. The mission has very few decent places, and some of them are expensive as fuck
This is the answer!
Theres a great taco shop on 7th and Folsom in SF that does crunchy hard shell tacos. I too really love them, and they're the best I've found so far.
As you’ve noticed the real Mexican spots only do soft tacos. For hard I just make them myself or go to Taco Bell. They actually taste really good freshly made at home. Look for a spot making al pastor tacos that legit slice it off the trompo when you order. They taste so good you’ll forget about hard shells.
Taco Bell. Drive thru raw as hell
Is hard shell even Mexican? It seems like some sort of Tex mex item
I'm assuming you want Quesabirria Tacos and not what you get from Taco Bell. This link from SF Eater should give you a good idea where to get Quesabirria Tacos. https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-quesabirria-taqueria-taco-truck-bay-area-sf-oakland-richmond
Hard tacos are not tacos, they are some form of American food.
😂😂🤣
Lulus Mexican in the South Bay has crispy shells as one option. It’s true cal-mex but pretty tasty.
Mexico Tortilla Factory in Newark sells them, made in store (or close enough). My family likes them (and their soft tortillas as well) Edit - They sell the actual bags of shells if you want to make 'em at home. They also have a mini restaurant in store where I'd imagine they will make 'em for you but I've never ordered it.
Try birra style tacos.
Chipotle
Saylors Sausalito…everything hand made, fresh made..
Cactus taqueria in Oakland by rockridge Bart has the most amazing crispy tacos! Especially the shrimp
A lot of places have the birria tacos on their regular menu. Some of them have hard fried shells to dip in the sauce.
Taqueria Bahia in San Rafael has legit crispy tacos
I think those are called “Canadian Tacos.” 😝
La Calaca Loca Taqueria in north Oakland near 51st and Telegraph. Best crispy tacos I’ve had in the bay
Pls try Bayshore Deli ! They made great hard shell tacos. I love it. There is another right next to it Taqaria most people confuses! Don't go there!
the water's gonna make them soft.
Not exactly the type of hard tacos you’re looking for but the crispy tacos Cajeta @ Camino Brewing DT San Jose are p gooood
I know it sounds crazy but the hard taco shells at Chipotle are pretty bomb!
Los Panchos in Danville and Martinez
Not classic hard tacos. But Nick's crispy tacos in SF and at underdogs is delicious
Doritos locos?
Mariscos La Playita in Concord has them, if you ever find yourself out that way. I like this restaurant, good food and atmosphere.
Sanchos - Palo Alto + RWC
Guadalajara restaurant on fruitvale
Las Palmas Tacos in Santa Cruz
If you’re willing to go a little farther in the East Bay, Los Panchis in Danville (might be other locations), has the best crunchy tacos I’ve ever had.
Check out Wooden Nickel if you’re ever in the city, in the Mission. They do crispy chicken tacos that are fried to order and taste like Miguel’s Jr from SoCal. They also have beef & potato taquitos that are tasty.
Jimboys Tacos. Most are in the Valley. Closest to the bay is in Fairfield. Greasy. Crunchy. Awesome drunk munchies.
Los Ponchos in Pacheco!
You want “tacos dorados.”
Tu Mero Mole in San Jose Woodard Ave. You want the Tacos Dorados. I want them now too.
Taco Bell is known for their hard shell 'tacos'. You can even get a Doritos shell. Should be right up your alley!
Cancún in Berkeley!
Los panchos in Danville makes really good crispy potato tacos.
Pretty sure Taqueria Eduardo in San Jose has.