California Tacos — Restaurant in Eau Claire

Last year, I shared my honest opinion in a local food group: California Tacos was decent, but in my view, there’s better Mexican food out there. I’m from Mexico, I’ve studied Mexican cuisine, and I’ve tried a lot of restaurants so I gave my opinion respectfully, like everyone else in the group.

Fast forward to yesterday—I was back in Wisconsin visiting friends and decided to give the place another try. At first, everything was fine. The woman at the counter was kind. But when I was done asked for a to-go box, what must a been the owner suddenly asked, “Are you Mel?” I said, “Yes… why?” She looked upset and said, “No reason.”

It became clear she recognized me from my review. That’s what bothered me. The comment was made over a year ago in a busy Facebook group where profile pictures are small and easy to forget. Yet she remembered me clearly with some resentment.

I’m not saying she did anything to my food, but as someone with anxiety, the whole interaction left me uneasy. I ended up sick for most of the day, and so did my mom who doesn’t even have anxiety. We’re better now, but still, take that as you must.

Let me be clear: I don’t make it a habit to post negative reviews. I’m fair. If the food is good, I say so. If it’s not, I say that too. I even run a TikTok account reviewing food and products, with nearly a million followers but I’m not uploading this experience because I’m not out to ruin anyone’s reputation. This wasn’t a professional review. It was personal.

I support small, especially Latino-owned businesses. I want to see them thrive. But I also believe in the right to honest feedback without being singled out for it. If a customer gives criticism, take it in stride or improve. Don’t hold a grudge for over a year.

I won’t be going back. And I hope other business owners can learn from this: not every review is an attack sometimes it’s just an opinion. I just believe people have the right to share honest feedback positive or negative without being made to feel...

Did a lil Hawgin n Dawgin yesterday, just under 200 miles each way to go check this lil Jernt out.... Worth it.

Upon arrival we were greeted by nothing but smiles and a welcoming friendly atmosphere. Let's just say... they loved the fuggin bikes in E.C..... The cashier asked if we've ever been there before and gave us a little run down of their most popular items.... When we let her know we just hawged out from 3 hours away specifically for the Birria Pizza, she couldn't believe it and had to know how we heard about the place as it's her family's place, But we just have big back buddies that like to eat.

The pizza came out about 5 mins later, not too shabby of a wait time for a pizza if ya ask me .... And lemme tell ya hwhuat boys. ... That bish SLAPPED! Meat was noice n fall apart tender, nicely seasoned. Cheese pull like a fuggin Chicag-oh deep dish. Toss a lil rojo or Verde sauce on her, cilanto n onion...Dip that ish in the consome, now is it a pizza.... Is it's a Birria taco..... Oh my fawk boys it's both, best of both worlds right here! I'm in fat boy heaven Baybeee 🥴🤌🏻

Coming in at $28 for the Birria pizza, it was definitely enough to fill these 2 fat guys up for the ride home without feeling too swamped out or needing to grab anything else on the 3 hour ride back.

But we big Backin.... so ya boy grabbed a Burrito con Pollo for later, chicken was nicely seasoned, rice was nice....red salsa and chili oil added the heat factor jusssst right. Not too shabby dab on them burritos either Boyz

Price was nice, service was excellent, they even gave us an extra consome and strawberry tres leches cake for riding down. If your ever in the area of downtown Eau Claire, I definitely recommend stopping in at California...

I really don’t want to make this review but sadly it has come to this. I placed an weekly order Asada fries and tacos with a drink for delivery. $48.66 to be exact. I understand small business but don’t offer delivery if your not doing it in house. Using a third party vendor, DoorDash to deliver the food leaves too much space for things to go terribly wrong. My food arrived cold and tampered with. When calling the restaurant the Owner’s Manager’s refused to give me my money back for a dasher whom lied about how my food was delivered. The dasher never even seen my face nor handed me the food. Dasher Harrison dropped the food on the ground outside of my door after I told him through the door that I asked for no contact delivery. Yes I called door dash whom refuses to give my money back as the restaurant only uses their delivery service not their ordering platform. Long story short I’m out $48.66 with no food that is edible I will not be back this is why small businesses will continue to lose out. I will keep my money in my pocket. Revamp how you offer delivery service. No more chances to...