Jalapeño's Taqueria — Restaurant in South Lake Tahoe

Let me explain. Visitng from the bay area. My brother has eaten here for years and never had a problem. So I gave it a try. I ordered a chicken super burrito with no sour cream to go. The people there seem nice, the price is reasonable, the wait wasn't long, and the interior is beautifully decorated. We went home and I could tell the order was correct because there was no sour cream like I asked. It tasted pretty good.

About 3 hours after eating most of the burrito I had horrible cramping and diarrhea almost every 30 minutes for the rest of the day. Pepto Bismol did nothing. By morning the cramping was unbearable and I was completely dehydrated. I could barely move without feeling nauseous and I couldn't eat or drink anything without dry heaving so I had to go to the emergency room at Barton Memorial. The IV re-hydrated me for a few hours but after getting back home with some anti-nausea medicine I still had horrible cramping and eating or dinking anything was a struggle for the entire day. The diarrhea slowed down but it was still there every 2 hours or so. Finally the next morning (as I'm typing this) I'm generally fine.

To be fair, my brother and my dad both ordered different things and were fine. Their food didn't have chicken, pico de gallo, or guacamole in it, so I'm guessing it was either of those that was contaminated. Whatever the culprit was, that was one of the worst experiences I've had in recent memory. No restaurant should be allowed to serve food like that with no consequences. I've worked in food service before. I know just how grueling and difficult it is, but how hard is it to wash your damn hands before handling food? Take extreme caution if you want to eat here. I sure as hell will never waste any...

Jalapeño's Taqueria – A Mexican Food Surprise in South Lake Tahoe

It was a pleasant surprise to find a traditional Mexican taqueria right in the heart of South Lake Tahoe. Conveniently located near the city center on Emerald Bay Road, the main avenue around the lake, it’s hard to miss with its big red sign inviting drivers to pull over for a bite.

The menu is abundant and varied, offering not only tacos but also burritos, quesadillas, birria tacos with soup, and special combo meals. Among the tacos, you can choose hard shell, soft shell, or street tacos, all at reasonable prices with a wide selection of proteins. I went for three street tacos—lengua, pollo asado, and adobada. Each came with a generous portion of meat: the lengua was tender and cut into hearty pieces, the chicken was juicy, and the adobada had a nice crispy texture. The staff also provided plenty of fried onions and a jalapeño on the side, a great extra touch.

The salsa bar is well-stocked and clearly labeled from mild to spicy, making it easy to choose. A fountain drink station is also available and works well for a quick refill. Inside, the restaurant is decorated with Mexican-inspired touches, including artwork from Coco and displays showcasing the scenic beauty of Lake Tahoe—a charming blend of food culture and local flavor.

Overall, Jalapeño's Taqueria is a solid stop in Tahoe for flavorful Mexican food, generous portions, and a casual, welcoming vibe. Perfect for locals and...

Have eaten at JALAPENO'S Taqueria numerous times and have tried a variety of food from their menu. Initially I was excited to experience this "new" business in S. Lake Tahoe when they opened since it was off the "beaten-path" and closer to Emerald Bay, where we spend most of our time while @ Lake Tahoe. After numerous disappointments and attempts to give JALAPENO'S the "benefit-of-the-doubt", I have actively decided to NOT eat there again for several reasons. 1- the quality of the food is VERY low...especially the chicken used (rubber pellets) 2- the SALSA is tasteless and the graduations of "heat", as labeled as "MILD" and "HOT" has NO significance. I have a low tolerance for spicy foods and had to learn that ALL the salsa is not acceptable for me. I brought this to their attention, but nothing changed upon several subsequent visits. 3- their prices are fair, but the overall food, salsa and service...