Taqueria El Gran Taco — Restaurant in California

I started visiting El Gran Taco last year after getting a tip from a family member, and what a tip it was! Not only is the food inexpensive, but it's the ONLY place in the Napa Valley area I'm aware of that offers true, authentic Mexico style Al Pastor tacos, whats so special about that? The pork steaks used are slowly cooked in a vertical rotisserie spit, over an open flame (propane) and small chunks (or a slice on each taco on request) of pineapple are mixed into the meat of each taco, along with grilled onions.

These tacos are only available in the evening at around 6 PM, when the cooks set up the cooking tent outside in front of the restaurant. Remember, you must ask for pineapple in your taco if you want a "true" Al Pastor taco. I recommend asking for a thin slice on top rather than the chunks mixed in, ask for "rebanadas de piña" for the tacos.

There is three Chile sauces that are made daily, the standard Chile Verde (made with green peppers, and tomatillos), Chile Rojo (guajillo peppers), and the Orange Sauce (Habanero). Try each sauce before spooning them onto your food, as sometimes one sauce is much more spicy than another.

I highly recommend the Al Pastor tacos, as well as the Carnitas. I've also had great experiences with the grilled chicken Enchiladas, as well as the "Flor de Calabasa" (squash blossom) Quesadillas, keep in mind these quesadillas are only available seasonally, or when squash blossoms...

I'm Mexican from Mexico, I live in San Francisco, and I'm passionate about well-constructed tacos. In the US, it's rare to find tacos that offer the right level of flavor complexity / heat and the right proportion of ingredients. Taquerias tend to Americanize their offerings, "super sizing" tacos by putting too much meat, including extraneous ingredients that are unnecessary, such as sour cream, and serving it with salsas that barely have chile.

We were on our way to a winery, realized we were very hungry, and stopped here for something fast. Of course, we ordered tacos. I was SO pleasantly surprised! Great proportions, salsas were bomb, and the meat was well cooked. Much better than the average taco in the Mission and so affordable. I can't wait to come back on our next trip...

FIRST AND LAST TIME IN THIS PLACE

I CAME TO TRY THE QUEZABIRRIA. THE GUY WHO TOKE MY ORDER DIDN'T EVEN SAY HI OR THANKS FOR COMING OVER. NO SMILE.. YES KIND OF WHAT DO YOU WANT! C'MON MR BUSINES OWNER WHEN YOU SEE A NEW FACE IN YOUR BUSINESS SMILE SAY SOMETHING TO LET THE NEW CUSTUMER THAT HES WELCOME IN YOUR PLACE. WE ORDER QUEZABIRRIA NOT BAD. THEY DIDN'T OFFER US THE CONSOME TO COMPLEMENT THE DISH. WHEN WE ASK FOR HE GOES LIKE THAT'S AN EXTRA CHARGE! WHO CARES!! NEXT TIME ADDIT AND CHARGE FOR IT!!WHO CARES FOR AN EXTRA BUCK IF YOU HATE CUSTUMER SERVICE HIRE A HAPPY FACE AND KEEP YOUR PLACE A BIT MORE...