Taqueria La Fortaleza — Restaurant in Porterville

This is a must stop for me and my family. The food tastes HOMEMADE!!!! It’s good and they offer a lot more dishes than your typical Mexican restaurant.

Taqueria La Fortaleza in Porterville is a vibrant, family‑owned Mexican gem nestled at 244 W Olive Avenue. With its bold orange façade and welcoming neon sign, it exudes an inviting warmth that mirrors its hearty, flavorful cuisine. Open seven days a week—greeting early risers with breakfast burritos at 7 am (Sunday/Saturday) and 8 am (weekday)—this spot is a reliable local favorite from morning through the evening .

Inside, the atmosphere is casual yet cozy, with a clean, well‑maintained dining room that comfortably accommodates families, solo diners, and friends grabbing a bite. Notably, the establishment is wheelchair accessible, featuring minimal curb access and roomy seating . The owners and staff are known for their friendly, efficient service, offering an experience described by one diner as “a mom‑and‑pop establishment… well‑kept & very attentive” .

The menu offers a satisfying range of authentic Mexican comfort food and barbeque fare—highlighting classics like carne asada, barbacoa, chicharrón, carnitas, and more. Tacos filled with tender carne asada and barbacoa are particularly well‑rated, as are hearty burritos and asada fries . The refried beans, described as creamy and savory, and the stuffed jalapeños are especially praised by regulars .

Value is another major draw: prices are reasonable, everyone’s portion is generous, and the quality rivals larger chains. One Yelp review touts the “wet burrito” and refreshing horchata as standout items . While most guests rave—with a commendable 4.2‑star average from over 100 reviews—there are occasional notes of inconsistency, such as a burrito heavy on beans or occasionally missed drink orders .

Overall, Taqueria La Fortaleza delivers a warm, unpretentious vibe and reliable Mexican flavors that keep people coming back for breakfast tacos, family dinners, or a...

As a lover of Mexican cuisine, especially the iconic quesabirrias, I was excited to try a new spot that promised to serve up these delicious tacos. Unfortunately, I left feeling disappointed.

Let’s start with the quesabirrias: while the concept was spot on—tender braised beef tucked inside a crispy, cheesy tortilla—the execution fell short. The tortilla was not executed to perfection, leaving the taco feeling more like a regular taco than the indulgent, cheesy treat I was hoping for.

Now, as any good Mexican meal goes, it’s important to have a great drink to wash it all down. I opted for the horchata, a classic. Sadly, it lacked the rich, creamy sweetness I’ve come to love. The flavor was flat and overly watery, with very little cinnamon or vanilla to balance the sweetness. It almost tasted like a diluted version of horchata, which was a real letdown considering how refreshing and flavorful it can be when made right.

All in all, this was not the quesabirria experience I had hoped for. The flavors didn’t quite hit the mark, and both the tacos and the horchata felt more like a missed opportunity than a satisfying meal. If you’re a fan of the classic quesabirria, this spot may not be...

After a long day of hiking at Sequoia National Park we were on our way to Bakersfield for the night, but first...in desperate need of some food. We Googled "tacos" and this place came up. I'm so glad we stopped here, it was late in the day and some of their options were limited, but the asada and barbacoa tacos were incredible! We also got a stuffed jalapeño which really revitalized us! Definitely looking forward...