Taco Star — Restaurant in Northglenn

Taco Star belongs in the category of San Diego Style "-bertos" clones which originated in Southern California, and which have a fairly minor role to play in the Mexican Cuisine landscape that is Denver, which is as wide ranging as the Green Chile infused Tex Mex most people know, to Taquerias and more Southern American fare and your Baja and Yucatan inspired joints that pepper the metro area. The San Diego Style is famous for Carne Asada Fries and Burritos, the name originating to the OG foundational business (Roberto's Taco Shop) that started the trend and the seemingly endless list of clones ending in "-bertos".

But enough of that. My review of this place can be summed up as follows. My brother and I went here on 4/7/2025 and when we got home, my brother confessed he would rather go to Tamale Kitchen just a stone's throw away from this place. And I agree. Unlike many patrons who have ordered from this place and left a bad review, we didn't order anything complex or custom, just two Carne Asada burritos and two Horchatas. They were awful, I barely finished mine. On previous occasions, we might get two carne Asada burritos and split a Bean and Cheese burrito.

Here are the problems with this place:

Cost. You will pay a LOT for a single item. The cost of the Carne Asada burrito (at least for me) serves as the unofficial price index for this place, followed closely by the bean and cheese burrito. The Carne Asada is 9.50 now, which is ridiculous. These were maybe 5 dollars when I was a kid, and 7 before the pandemic. The Bean and Cheese is seven dollars, and I have clear memories of it being 3.99 at one point in my youth.

Do you have any idea how many bean and cheese burritos I can get at Taco bell for seven dollars? Probably 3-4. Yes, they are smaller, but it is still a slap in the face as you stand there dreading what you're going to pay, which is definitely how the ordering experience is for me. Price shock. Drinks cost a fortune, and God help you if decide you want to have a more authentic experience and get Mexican botted drinks, which, though delicious, have no refills. The saltiness of the meal will leave you begging for more drink.

Flavor. So these people charge an arm and a leg for a burrito. Is it any good?

No. Simply no.

The meat lacks any flavor or depth. It is dry and sad, and seems to have gotten cheaper. it's also cooked well done, so it's basically rubber. The guac is runny, not thick like it used to be. the pico de gallo was old, and the tomatoes runny. The hot salsas they have (yes, they brought the salsa bar back, but it doesn't make up for lack of any spice) barely register as hot to me, and I can take some heat.

Service: Awful. the fact that they have a tip jar with cash makes me laugh. The absolute gall. There's plenty of times I've stood at the counter for upwards of four minutes before someone decides to actually come help out. The drive through is not much better. "What do you need?" Is the phrase that is used. "Welcome to/Thank you for choosing Taco Star, what would you like to order?" A difficult thing to say? Otherwise, expect your conversations to be short and simple with staff. If you have specific dietary needs or preferences, it may be difficult to sus out what you want from the staff.

Inside: Generally clean, but otherwise unwelcoming. Seats are tiny, booths are not correctly aligned to the tables. the Granite tables do not impress me at all. In the winter, it is extremely cold in the place, and the TV is a bit loud for my tastes.

TL:DR, go to Tamale Kitchen and get more food for less money because it tastes better. Or if you have time, head to a proper Mexican Restaurant, because in the end, you'll spend close...

I went here tonight to get food. I ordered 5 chicken tacos. Menu in the drive through says CLEARLY 2.50 per taco. When I arrived at the window the lady says 17.70. I know how to do simple math in my head, the 5 tacos are 12.50, plus sales tax Thata to 1.45 extra. the lady insisted that the additional was sales tax. I paid it and asked for a recipet. She brought me a bag that felt a little light, but no receipt and closed the window. I looked for the receipt, but it wasn't there. So I waited in the window till someone came back and insisted on a receipt. I finally got one. After I arrived home and opened my box it was short 2 tacos. I called the store and she told me to go back to get the others. At this point I've also inspected the receipt and discovered that they added .75 cents to each taco as a miscellaneous charge. After waiting 15 mins in line AGAIN, I got to the window with the same lady and asked her to explain why I was being charged an additional .75 cents for each taco, when it's not posted on the drive thru menu board. When I asked her for a manager, she told me no one was available and didn't know when one would be. They refused to refund the bogus charges and tried to cut me off at every corner. I made it clear that they are false advertising, and commiting customer theft. What she don't know is I recorded the entire exchange on video. I will be filing a report with the AG office of consumer protection, and considering that taco star has a history of involvement in criminal matters (see Denver post about money laundering for sinoloa cartel) the theft there does not surprise me. I will not be back there and I advise you to check your bag, and receipts carefully if you do. You will likely be a victim of theft if you don't!...

BEWARE Along with the new cast of employees, there's a credit card thief among them. I've been a regular customer for years and the credit card I always use there never leaves my hands anywhere, except when I hand it to them through the drive through. Well, yesterday I had discovered two fraudulent charges on my credit card. I was quickly able to get them removed by calling my credit card company and subsequently the actual business the card was used at. The person who used my credit card number was "smart" enough to actually pay off a lease/loan account he had at a major retailer. So not only do they have all his info, they removed the payment he made with my card and will be closing his account while making his entire balance due in full immediately. He'll also be facing credit card fraud charges for using my card for over $1,100 after the company turns over all the information/evidence to the local police department where he lives. I did call Taco Star to express my concerns, but the girl I talked to (Supposed Manager) didn't seem too concerned at all. So whatever...

On a side note, that "temporary" price increase they've had for the past 6 months seems to be permanent also. Not to mention, along with the new employees, the burrito sizes have been getting smaller and smaller the past month. This alone would probably be reason enough to not go there anymore. But having my credit card info stolen, makes the decision to no longer go there...