Cactus Taquerias #1 — Restaurant in Los Angeles

It had been quite awhile since I had last eaten at Cactus Tacos #1 and I had been hearing from friends that they were not as good as they used to be. I decided I needed to find out for myself so I headed on over there on a Friday evening with high hopes that my friends recent experiences were just an anomaly. Let me first state that my past visits to Cactus Tacos #1 always made my taste buds and stomach very happy little campers. Everything I had ever tried was either very good too great. What really made the quality and taste of their good stand out is that Cactus Tacos #1 is basically a shack in the front corner of a strip malls parking lot. There is a window right at the sidewalk were you place and pick-up your order and they then have some tables and benches that are some what inset into their shack and have two walls and a roof but are open to the sidewalk and the parking lot where the other two walls are missing. In other words, this is a no frills, walk up taco shack. The food was always really really good though. They also offer up more than just tacos. Their menu includes a variety of both wet and dry burritos and quesadillas. You can also choose between different types of beef, chicken or pork to create a Mexican inspired meal that is perfect for you. So it is with high hopes that I paid another visit to Cactus Tacos #1 after being away for too long of a period of time. I ended up having very mixed feelings after my last visit. The food was good but it did not quite live up to my memories of past meals. There seemed to be something missing or lacking this time around but I couldn't quite put my finger on what it was. It has now been 3 days since I ate at Cactus Tacos #1 and I finally think I know what was different from my last visits. There was a lack of love/caring/enthusiasm in there dishes. While it would be foolish to expect a great presentation when ordering good from a taco shack, I also did not expect my good to look as if it was just plopped down on a plate in one big old mess. While the food tasted okay, the complete lack of caring and perceived "just going through the numbers" attitude by the cook and person working the window was echoed in the overall taste and quality of the food. While my food tasted good, I ended up walking away feeling disappointed. The Cactus Tacos #1 of today simply does not live up to my memories of the Cactus Tacos #1...

For those seeking vegetarian and vegan options, be wary. If I come to your place seeking vegetarian options and I’m willing to pay $10 for a bowl that consists merely of a little bit of Taco Bell-esque “guacamole”, rice, lettuce (more lettuce than rice in this instance, didn’t know I ordered from the salad menu), and I simply ask to swap out the beans to chips (each of which cost $2.75 a la carte as sides) and I’m told no on such a simple request, swapping out beans for an item that most restaurants give away as an appreciation for your patronage. I’m going to leave a negative review and I will remember that next time I’m cruising down La Brea. Best wishes to this business on another 29 years of service but I will not be recommending this place to anyone. PS: it should be noted, also, that this place serves a rice that tastes like a very common premade rice out of a package. I do not recommend this place for either service or quality. To Angelenos, ask more of your local staples. There’s no reason such poor service and food quality should be tolerated at $10 a plate when just less than a quarter mile up the street is a popular counterserve chain establishment that offers vegetarian bowls that at least feature an option for corn, peppers or cheese all for $2-$3 less than this. It’s unfortunate that we are required to shop at chain restaurants for the same items all because these “local staples” are okay with offering such a poor level of service and food quality. Just go to either Taco Bell or Chipotle and eat both of them side by side and tell me which one “Cactus Taqueria” tastes more like and then tell me how great you feel about going back there to pay $10 for a plate of the cheapest lettuce and tomato mix that can be thrown on top of some...

HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE... Came here to order for a family member that was visiting from out of town. I asked the guy at the register for a "burrito with rice and beans on the side". He asks "do you want rice and beans on the inside of the burrito?" I said yes. So, ladies and gentlemen, in all we have a burrito with rice and beans on the inside AND rice and beans on the side. I never said to scratch the side of beans and rice..👀 But what do I get? A burrito... that's it. Where's the "side of rice and beans" I asked for?!!! After receiving a bit of sass from the guy, I just asked to add on the beans and rice. I would have had enough cash if he charged me correctly to begin with BUT I had already used all my cash on the burrito AND tip. So, as I proceeded to pay with a Visa, the guy tells me that I can't use a card on anything less than $5 (which, by the way, is illegal). After asking if he could make an exception due to his mishap, he continued to deny my request. At this point his utter carelessness and subtle sassiness was too much. I didn't want to argue. I just turned and left. I went in here preparing my heart for the rudeness that I've always experienced here, but this was the last straw. I will never go to any Cactus chain, or suggest it again. I will tell people to steer clear. HORRIBLE...