Hecho Al Carbon — Restaurant in Riverside

It's been a while since I've found a taco spot that has not just one or two good meats, but all the meats that Hecho Al Carbon made were delicious, flavorful, and distinct!

I went in for dinner so there was already a line out the door but, surprisingly, it moved fairly quickly and we were able to snag a table just as another group was leaving.

[ ORDERING ] Ordering was easy, simply walk up to the counter, peruse their digital menu board, and order there. The cashier will then give you a number. Take your number with you and find a table to sit in. Once your entire order is ready, they will bring the food to your table and collect your number.

With the menu font being so small, I would suggest to the owners possibly making the font larger and having the menu display switch out every few slides so that people in the back of the line can view the menu -or- when business has picked up, buy additional TV monitors to have the menu displayed near the back so people entering will have an idea of what they want to order. The latter would make for quicker transactions at the counter.

[ FOOD & DRINKS ] As I mentioned in my intro, the meats were delicious and they all had a different flavor, which I appreciated. In order to get a good idea of their food, we ordered a little of everything:

Surf & Turf Burrito with Arrachera - The Arrachera (skirt steak) was paired with juicy shrimp wrapped in a burrito. There was no need for additional sauce.

La Papota (Baked Papota) with Adobada - The marinated pork (Adobada) meat was more seasoned than the Arrachera. It had some coloring to it as it came out red but it was very bold in flavor. Just delicious. This was shared between our group and had to take most of it home. It's very heavy and easily shareable. We topped it with cilantro, onions, salsa, and guacamole (separate order). What a great value!

Guacamole and Chips: The guac here was more of a paste made to top tacos. It was still good but it's not the usual chunky style guac that I'm used to. Still great though!

Arrachera Taco - The meat was chunky and really tender. No hard pieces at all. It was delicious and it wasn't over salted. I topped it with the guac and salsa, cilantro and onions and lime juice. So good!

Chicken Tacos with Cheese (extra) - While the cheese cost extra, it enhanced this taco like a mini quesadilla. It would even be fine without the extra taco. The chicken was good. It wasn't dry either. It had a good grilled flavor to it.

Refried Beans - I'm picky with refried beans and these were really delicious. Great consistency and it wasn't dry. It had good color to it too. It is really creamy.

Cucumber Lime (Pepino con Limón) Agua Fresca - I enjoyed the chunks of cucumber and this was very citrusy. I liked that it wasn't sweet like others make them. Definitely a great cup of limeade!

[ ATMOSPHERE ] The atmosphere is casual but lively. There’s music playing in the background but you can still hear people within your table. Looking around, everyone seemed to be enjoying their food and company.

[ SERVICE ] Our orders came out pretty quick and the gentleman who brought out our food was really nice. The cashier was friendly. And the workers were quick to clean up tables.

[ LOCATION ] They are located near the Walmart and WaBa Grill on Canyon Springs Parkway, just west of Day Street in Riverside - borders Moreno Valley.

Overall, this is a solid taco shop with quality meats and delicious eats! Great food, worth the wait, and decent prices, and...

I came to try them out after seeing an Instagram post about this spot. The promo video looked good. I came on Monday. Cashier was a bit rude. I asked how big are the tacos? Just to gauge how many I would need to buy. She said they were pretty small and made a shape with her hand. When the actual tacos came they were bigger than expected. Which is a good thing. I just wish she would have showed me how big they were because we ordered too much. I got some vampiros and a surf n turf burrito. Burrito was like $24 and was very small. 2 of the vampiros they burned the tortilla so we had to scrape the meat off and just eat it with a fork. Maybe that's where they get their "carbon" name from. The tacos come plain just meat and tortilla. You have to put the toppings yourself which is limited. The meat has no flavor. Salsas are pretty good though. The funniest thing is I made a comment on a social media post about my experience and the business blocked me lol. They can't take constructive criticism about their business which is the worst part. Honestly for the price, quality, and customer service i would have preferred to go to Jose's on Pigeon Pass Rd. This spot is just another overhyped place with midrange overpriced food. Don't believe the social media buzz about them. Just go off of the honest reviews people make on here which the business can't delete...

Hecho Al Carbon Taco Shop is a hidden gem for taco lovers seeking authentic flavors and a warm, inviting atmosphere. From the moment you step in, the aroma of sizzling meats and fresh ingredients sets the tone for a delightful dining experience. The menu offers a variety of traditional Mexican dishes, but the standout for me was the ribeye tacos.

The ribeye tacos are simply outstanding. Each taco features tender, perfectly grilled slices of ribeye, seasoned with just the right amount of spices to enhance the beef's rich flavor. The meat is juicy and flavorful, complementing the fresh toppings like crisp lettuce, diced onions, and freshly chopped cilantro. The tortillas are soft yet sturdy enough to hold all the fillings without falling apart, adding to the overall satisfaction.

What truly elevates these tacos is the balance of flavors—savory, smoky, and zesty—creating a harmony that keeps you wanting more. The portion sizes are generous, making it a great value for the quality you receive. The friendly staff and quick service make the experience even better. Overall, Hecho Al Carbon Taco Shop’s ribeye tacos are a must-try for anyone craving authentic Mexican street-style tacos with...