Los Cantaros Taqueria — Restaurant in Emeryville

I work near this place and have gone a few times. It's not bad but not the best Mexican food either. But I go here from time to time. I always call ahead to order since I only get a 30min. lunch break and I dread seeing a line when I pick up my food order.

Today I ordered my food five minutes before I went on break. Got there and the line was long, about five people ahead of me . 25min left. Only one cashier. I already ordered might as well wait. Slowly, very slowly, each person orders. Only one person ahead of me now. 15min. left. Now there's a gift card issue with the person in front of me, cashier and customer going back and forth, perfect. 10min. left. I finally pay, say I called ahead to order, cashier calls out my order to the kitchen. At this time the line is out the door and another customer that called ahead goes up and tries to pay, cashier says we don't do that for call ahead orders and certainly not when there's only one cashier. Back in line they go.

After I pay I wait for my order that should've been ready. Nope. As I'm I waiting, other customers are asking about their orders but they get blank stares followed by rude remarks. 5min. left. I ask where my order is and they ask if I ordered over the phone, I did. Yet another blank stare and the employee says I have to pay first. I show them my receipt. 0min. left. I'm now late from my lunch break. Cashier notices I'm still waiting and asks them to get my order. Finally. -5min. late now. Employee brings out food, not mine, someone else that ordered when I got there. What was the point of ordering ahead? -10min late.

Left without my food. Late to work....

Update: I've tried more of their menu and it may have been a fluke for the mole. Everything else I've had there so far has been quite good!

I just started working nearby and have been stopping by every so often for lunch or breakfast. Breakfast is usually great and their burritos are usually on point. I decided to try the chicken mole today. I am sad to report that it was underwhelming. The chicken was super dry and tough to pull apart. The outside of the chicken has no skin so the outside was dry and I couldn't eat it. The mole was a bit thick as if it's been on the heat too long and was too sweet for my liking as if they were really skimpy on the chiles when making the mole. I was hoping for it to be less thick and more flavorful. Sadly, I recommend la penca azul or la piñata for mole over this mole. I ate the rice, beans and salad in the container. I threw the rest of it away after trying a little bit if the chicken from different pieces...

We stopped by around 6:30 pm on a Tuesday and the options are so many. We ordered the big carnitas burrito and a few tacos. I noticed the big tub of Horchata and I order two of the large ones.

Food took about 10 minutes and they came to our tables to serve the food after we order it at the register.

They give you tortillas chips with green sauce and red sauce while you wait for your food.

Their customer service is impeccable. They played my favorite Latin music in the background. Romeo santos bad bunny and so on. Took me back to New York.

The place became super busy after we ordered like around 6:45pm the line was long and the tables were almost all taken.

If you need extra items like utensils they will get it for you.

I will come back almost daily to buy the Horchata then food on my super...