Taco King — Restaurant in San Luis Obispo

Sadly, this place has gone downhill this year. I was a huge fan of their service and food early in the year. The last three times I have been here (all in the last two months) I have been very, very disappointed.

Tonight was the last straw. I was served a meal that looked horrible and tasted just as bad. I have had this exact meal at Taco King in the past (10+ times) and know how it is supposed to look and taste. The gorditas were burned in places, raw in other places, soaked through with grease and totally broken. I couldn't even pick them up.

When the food runner asked how things were, I said that I was not at all pleased. I explained that I had ordered these many times in the past and these were not right. He went away saying he would talk to the kitchen.

A few minutes later the person who took my order came over and looked at the meal. He said they didn't look great but that the cook had a little problem getting them off the griddle because the meat was greasier than normal. I replied saying they have never looked or tasted like this in the past and then he said, "well there are more than one person who cooks here and I think they are just fine."

Again, I said that they were raw in parts and burned in others. He then said, "well I think the kitchen did what they could with the greasy meat". Then he just walked away.

Couple of more details. We have been very good customers of this place. My wife and I were there with our two children (6 and 10) and we have had good conversations with this cashier in the past. We have always tipped 20% or more and always have bills between $80 and $120. We have never complained about a meal there in the past.

Two weeks ago, I went to Taco King with a friend for lunch. We ordered a $65 lunch including extra appetizers and some beers. We ordered two hot cheese appetizer that comes with chips. We ordered two additional appetizers and two full lunches. We received a single basket of chips when we sat down. We are for another basket and was told we needed to buy more chips - that they weren't free. I said "but we each bought a cheese appetizer that comes with chips and we should reach get a basket." The waiter said "no. Not anymore. The policy has been changed and now they need to be purchased". I asked to speak to a manager and the manager came over. Once hearing the story, he said that we should get additional chips and that the new policy was only meant for people who came in, bought a taco, and then ate a bunch of chips. He further stated that the owner was sick of "homeless and poor" people eating all the chips. Ugh.

The time before the lunch experience I saw bird feathers floating around the place. Turns out they have caged birds back in the kitchen area. I personally think this is totally gross. I was willing to overlook a little gross, but not when the service has gone completely downhill and the food has gone the same direction.

It's okay to make mistakes as long as you fix them. Based on experience - and other reviews I have read on here and Google - Taco King is not interested in fixing their mistakes. And they are not interested in customer service either.

I recommend you go to one of the other Mexican places in town. There are better places right down the road in three directions that will provide a much better experience - and the food is better.

Too bad. I had high hopes for this place. Good for the first few months it was open but now a total loss.

Skip it and save your time, money and frustrations.

The way I was treated tonight was totally and completely unacceptable - and based on my reading of other reviews, this was not an isolated incident. It's never okay for a restaurant to not fix an obvious and correctable mistake. This service was the worst I have experienced. Again, make a stand against this kind of behavior and go somewhere else. SLO has plenty of...

Title: A Memorable Family Dinner at Taco King, San Luis Obispo. Ca.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

During a recent visit to San Luis Obispo, my son Luis, who resides there, took us to Taco King for a family dinner. The experience was fantastic, with each dish standing out in its own right. Here's a breakdown of our delightful evening:

Albondigas Soup: I opted for the Albondigas Soup, and it was a comforting choice. The broth was rich and flavorful, filled with tender meatballs, fresh vegetables, and aromatic herbs. It felt like a warm hug in a bowl, perfect for a relaxing evening. The soup was hearty and satisfying, making it an excellent starter.

King Burrito: My son JC. chose the King Burrito, and it lived up to its name. This massive burrito was packed with a generous filling of seasoned meat, rice, beans, and fresh vegetables, all wrapped in a perfectly soft tortilla. Each bite was a burst of flavors, showcasing the quality ingredients and expert preparation.

Enchiladas: My son Luis tried the Enchiladas, and they did not disappoint. The enchiladas were smothered in a rich, savory sauce and topped with melted cheese. The filling was flavorful and well-seasoned, making each bite a delight. The accompanying rice and beans were equally delicious, rounding out the dish nicely.

Carne Asada Plate: My wife Yuri opted for the Carne Asada Plate, which was a standout. The carne asada was cooked to perfection—tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. Served with rice, beans, and fresh tortillas, it was a hearty and satisfying meal. The grilled onions and peppers added a nice touch, enhancing the overall taste.

Burrito Bowl: Our teenager Jared went for the Burrito Bowl, which was a healthier yet equally tasty option. It was loaded with fresh ingredients, including seasoned meat, rice, beans, lettuce, and salsa. The bowl was well-balanced, and the flavors melded together beautifully. It was a hit with our teen!

Drinks: The margaritas were perfect—refreshing, tangy, and just the right amount of kick. The Modelo Michelada was also a highlight, providing a unique and flavorful twist on the classic beer. Both drinks complemented our meals wonderfully.

Service: The service at Taco King was excellent. The staff were friendly, attentive, and efficient, ensuring we had everything we needed for an enjoyable dining experience. Despite the busy atmosphere, our orders were served promptly, and the staff's genuine hospitality made us feel right at home.

Our family dinner at Taco King in San Luis Obispo was a memorable experience. With a diverse menu offering delicious options like the Albondigas Soup, King Burrito, Enchiladas, Carne Asada Plate, and Burrito Bowl, there's something for everyone Coupled with perfect margaritas, a great Modelo Michelada, and outstanding service, Taco King is a must-visit for anyone in the area. We left with full bellies and happy hearts, eager to return on our next...

This is hard to write because there is one guy at Taco King who is super nice and very kind. He gives you advice on what to get and never makes you feel rushed - I really appreciate him. He's the kind of person that makes you think "Well, that food wasn't very good but that guy is cool - I'll give them another shot!"

However, my girlfriend got a Vegetarian Burrito there two days ago and they put bacon in it. Bacon - in a vegetarian burrito.

Far be it from me to tell anyone how to do their job - and I have worked in a number of different restaurants from Chinos rock & tacos to Koberl at Blue - but if you're putting bacon in a vegetarian meal then you are really, really messing up.

Now, a one-time experience doesn't warrant a one-star review so I'll further explain my rating by saying that I have had a burrito, 2 tacos, and 3 different kinds of nachos from Taco King - none of them were worth the high price tag. I do, however, love the atmosphere.

Suffice it to say that we will not be going back to Taco King unless the owner would like to verbally apologize and make up for this experience by giving my girlfriend an awesome free veggie burrito.

Update:2/21/2019 In my previous review I said that the only redeeming thing about taco king is the one guy there (his name is Omar but when he's in trouble he says his name is Ernesto) is super cool. But of course this place keeps getting worse and worse- Omar is a dirtbag. He made my girlfriend cry tonight by calling her a liar, making her argue with him for 15 minutes while he played dumb, and generally behaving in an unprofessional manner. She went in to get her money back for a vegetarian burrito that had bacon in it- I mean... how do you even mess that up? She called a couple days ago and asked if it would be okay to come in and get her money back and the woman on the other line said yes. Don't go to taco king out of principle, people. They are mean and demeaning and their food is not worth...