El Tako Nako — Restaurant in Charlottesville

Much better than I ever excepted. Make no mistake, El Tako Nako is a taco dive.

They have shared parking with their State Farm neighbor. I had no problem locating a spot. The lot was clean, but unfortunately customers were smoking just outside the door.

The dining room utilizes bar seating along the exterior walls. Plus it has a center table for large groups. They were busy with customers picking up and dining in. Things may look old, but I found the eating area clean. They also have a restroom that was also clean.

The menu is simple. They offer six items. Tacos, quesadillas, burritos, tortas and quesabirrias. From their is build your own from different types of proteins, starch etc. Bottled beer, soda, water and other flavored items are offered.

The older gentleman who may have been the owner was super helpful navigating the menu for a first timer. The prices fair.

I ordered a bowl with pork, beans, rice, lettuce and tomatoes. A white sauce is applied unless you say not to. You can add other types such as avocado sauce and a spicy sauce. Also got a chicken cheese quesadillas. To drink a bottle water from the cooler.

The food cranked out in 5 minutes and was brought to me. I was shocked how much food was in the bowl. It was so good, but the quesadillas my fave! Probably one of the best I've ever had. Everything seemed qualify.

They are open until midnight and someone said they are also food truck. 4.5 rounding up and will return and...

I'm just going to state the tacos are the best for many miles around. I'll bet they are some of best real Mexican tacos in VA. You're going to read "authentic" in every review about El Tako Nako and they are correct. It's a bit amusing when a reviewer comments about the "shells" or tortillas not being harder or crunchy. Just stop reading those reviews. They have no idea what Mexican food is about. They are correct in that the corn tortillas that El Tako Nako uses are doubled, very tasty and much larger than most street tacos but they definitely shouldn't be "hard" or crunchy 🙄. The meats, sauteed onions, fresh chopped onions, cilantro and all taco sauces are very very good. The hipster taco taco stops are not in the same league. Of course no one will notice, or care about, your new AirPods, iWatch, iPhone combo while you enjoy El Tako Nako's good food on their nice eating pavilion. Truly a must stop when passing by. Or a great out of the way trip for very good food! Try a Mexican Coke if you've never...

Run, don’t walk, to El Tako Nako. These tacos were SO GOOD and that’s coming from someone who not only loves Gomez tacos, but I was also born and raised in the Bay Area so I’m superrr picky with my Mexicana food. I had cabeza, lengua and birria tacos. My partner had chorizo and we ate them up quick. The tortillas are firm so they don’t easily fall apart, and delicious. You can get onions, cilantro, grilled onions and cheese, which we did. They have hot, mild and guacamole sauces, which were even more delicious on the tacos. They were filling and so worth it. Plus, 8 tacos for like 38 bucks?! Not too bad in my book.

We will be coming back, you best believe. Pleaseeee make this joint go popular,...