On this taco trip I got a chance to visit El Mezcal Taqueria in San Lorenzo, California.
I first noticed this taco spot while driving down Hesperian Blvd on my way to Kennedy Park. Driving by, the first thing that stood out to me was the sign outside for their 99 cent Taco Tuesday promotion. I immediately checked my calendar and realized that it was not Tuesday 🙁 but that little voice in my head reminded me “Tacos are for everyday.” So, with that, I decided to make a stop. Walking up to the building, it looks like an old school Taco Bell. Then I noticed the active drive through window and it made me think about chalupas, gorditas, and Doritos locos tacos.
When you walk in, you see a huge kitchen behind the counter. As far as seating, there is both indoor and outdoor seating available: a couple of booths and tables inside, and four or five tables with umbrellas on the patio. It definitely feels like a nice place to sit out and enjoy the tacos on your lunch break or in the early evening hours.
The menu at El Mezcal includes classic taqueria options: tacos, quesadillas, tortas, etc. Choices of meat for tacos include: Asada, Pastor, Pollo, Carnitas, Chile Verde, Lengua, Cabeza, Chorizo, and Cammarones. Regular tacos are $2.10 and super tacos are $4.25. Chips and salsa are free with your order. You also have the option to add two red salsas, one green salsa, and some pickled jalapenos and carrots.
I got 4 tacos: Asada, Carnitas, Chorizo, and Pollo. First off, the tacos are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. There’s the almost golden color of the tortillas, the the nice browning on the all the all the meats, plus the green cilantro, red salsa, and white onion almost looks like a Mexican flag on your plate. Not only were the tacos well plated and well presented, they taste good. The chicken has a lot of nice flavors – it was obviously marinated for several hours before getting on the grill; the chorizo had hints of spice that you can take up or down with your choice of salsa; the carnitas was nice and crispy like I like it, while keeping the distinct pork flavor; and the asada was solid as well.
This is definitely a place to check out if you’re ever in the area. Quality food, good presentation, and good construction of a taco. With the indoor and outdoor seating, this place could easily handle a group of friends.
This review has been for the Hesperian Location. El Mezcal also has 2 other locations listed below.
El Mezcal Taqueria Hesperian 18502 Blvd Hesperian Blvd San Lorenzo, CA 94580
El Mezcal Taqueria Lewelling 5 E Lewelling Blvd San Lorenzo, CA 94580
El Mezcal Taqueria Harder 194 Harder Rd, Hayward, CA 94544