Taco Loco- a little taco shop with Mexican food- in Santee

Thanks for reading mmm-yoso!!! Cathy is blogging today.  Kirk is very busy and ed (from Yuma) is busier.

In an obscure location on Fanita Drive just past the first signal light South of Mission Gorge Road (one block North from Goa Way, a private street) next to an unimaginatively named Liquor Store in Santee, this small building has always housed a taco shop.  The latest incarnation, Taco Loco, is, by far, the best.

  
Yes, that's the building... behind the drive thru menu.

You can park and walk inside and will find five tables and 14 chairs. The tables are covered with happy colored table cloths and there are some interesting (a few Mexican) beverage selections in the cooler, although homemade aguas frescas are also available.  Specials are written on a white board, there is a menu behind the cash register.
Also are some more specials on the wall to your left if you are standing at the cash register.

After seeing the sign, I had to try the cabeza and lengua tacos ($2.45 each)(cabeza is on the left, lengua is in the front in this photo). If you eat in, your items are brought out to your table on a tray with a real plate.  The tacos are each served with two corn tortillas which are topped with meat, cilantro and onions.  Nothing more was needed, even though a green and red hot sauce were offered and salt packets are on the table.  The cabeza (meat from the head of the cow) was more game-y tasting, almost like goat.  There was a nice, sticky fat on some of the diced pieces; carnitas-like fat is a good description.  The meat was chewier/had more texture in comparison to the lengua (beef tongue) which was very smooth in texture and had milder hut distinct flavor. Both taco meats still were more flavorful than even carne asada/marinated meat.  I suppose I should have tried a carne asada taco to compare further but these two tacos filled me up.

As mentioned in the title and signage, Taco Loco  serves Authentic Mexican food.  Above is Camarones Culichi ($7.99) Shrimp (plump and good tasting) served in a green sauce with cheese along with rice and refried beans (good and made with lard). Culichi is a traditional Sinaloan sauce made with poblano chilis and cheese and is a flavor I crave. The preparation here is great.

 
Well.  This sign is on another wall.  One day I had to.

This is the large Shrimp Cocktail ($7.99). It is served in a large salad bowl. Bowl.Of. Fresh. Shrimp. Cocktail. The photo is a bit perspective challenged.  I counted 23 shrimp, but think I may have miscounted and probably 24 were in this large bowl which included lime juice,  tomato, onion, cucumber, cilantro, avocado.  Wonderfully perfect and so fresh. [The small cocktail is $6.99; I haven't bothered ordering one to see the size difference for only $1.]

 
Of course, Taco Loco is a taco shop and burritos are on the menu. Large burritos. 

Cross section of the chile relleno burrito ($4.69). This was an excellent fried chile relleno. A fresh poblano chili filled with melty cheese, battered in an egg-flour mix and fried light and crispy. The burrito included beans, lettuce, sour cream and salsa.

 
The carne asada burrito ($4.69) is very good in its simplicity.  The meat is tender, mildly flavored and wrapped in the giant tortilla with guacamole and pico de gallo salsa.  Not as good as the other meats here, in my opinion, but not horrible.

The chile verde plate ($7.59) also is substantial and topped with a very, very good home made tomatillo sauce.  The carnitas meat was tender and flavorful. This is served with tortillas, rice, beans, guacamole and some lettuce.

 

The shredded beef taco salad ($4.69) is a good meal.  The shredded beef has an excellent stewed flavor which is complimented by the beans, cheeses, salsas, guacamole and crispy cold lettuce.

Here's a good size comparison photo of a plain cheese quesedilla ($3.19) and a chicken adobada taco ($2.59). The marinated chicken is moist, flavorful and, as you can see, a substantial serving size, simply served on two corn tortillas with guacamole.

Taco Loco is an exceptional hole in the wall that you may want to seek out if you are in the neighborhood. Try some of the items that aren't served at your regular taco shop.

Taco Loco 8667 Fanita Drive Santee 92071 (619) 562-6060 (Call ahead for faster service) Open 8 am-10 pm Mon-Thurs, 8 am-11 pm Fri-Sat and 9 am-9 pm Sunday 

Website

The little note under the drive thru menu?  "When ready to order, move forward please."

Comments

[ed (from Yuma)]

That place looks real enough to be in Yuma.

I'm not familiar with camarones culichi -- though it could well be on the menu at Mr Choby's across the border. I will look for it.

[ed (from Yuma)]

Oh, I gotta add that right now Kirk is busy. Me, I'm just lazy.

[Carol]

Looks like some good eats! ha, wonder what else people have tried to use that bottle opener for to warranty a sign.

[Alyssa]

The California burritos were my husband's favorite when this place used to be called Bertha's. Not authentic Mexican cuisine, but they didn't contain any filler, so he said they were the best he's had. That chile relleno burrito is very unique!

[Cathy]

Oh ed! I had culichi once and now am on the look out for it when out and about. It isn't quite a craving, but is appreciated each time I have it. This little place has surprised me on each visit-In a good way. {I gave you laziness credits in the next post.}
Really good food, Carol. I think the sign was for the bucket. The trash can is all of one table length away...
We loved Bertha's, Alyssa! I mentioned it, with a photo, in the middle of one post in 2006...the pound of carne asada nachos for less than $5 was a regular habit. I love a good chile relleno burrito, and the version at Taco Loco is particularly tasty.