Tako Factory (San Diego near La Mesa) OMG (Original Mexican Gourmet)

mmm-yoso!!!, a food blog.  Today, Cathy is writing; Kirk is enjoying some time off from work and from blogging.

El Cajon Blvd at 73rd.  The signal light.  SouthWest corner.  Since 2013.  Not your average Taco Shop.  A bit fancier of a menu.  Much more quality. A lot of people told me about it.  I should have visited sooner. 

Walk up, order, pay, find a seat and your food will be brought out to your table, inside or outside.  
 You'll get some fresh, crispy, thin, salted chips along with three salsas in a cut bag.  The green salsa- mild and lime/tomatillo based.  The center is a hot salsa-a habanero finish.  The salsa on the right is this traditional recipe I saw on Pati's Mexican Kitchen; Chipotle (smoked jalapeño) with sesame seeds and peanuts.  Yes, the salsas-each unique, each fresh made, each wonderful. 
 Our shared light lunch. 
The shrimp tako ($4) is very good.  Four large grilled shrimp along with grilled bell pepper and onion and topped with cheese and sour cream on a fresh, warm corn tortilla. 
The adovada tako ($4) is served with onions, cilantro, tomato and topped with roasted jalapeño sour cream.  The marinated pork is lightly grilled and has crispy bits.  The marinade has garlic in it as well as a great red chile.  The flavor is a new craving. 
 The asada tako ($4) is served with guacamole and pico on two tortillas.  Quite a lot of food. The meat is wonderful- moist with a great marinade. 
 All day Tuesday, the chicken, asada and adobada takos are $2 each.  The chicken is grilled white meat (moist and flavorful) with onions, bell peppers, topped with cheese, pico and sour cream.  {These same three choices are available during 'Happy Hour' (3-5) each weekday, also $2 each. This isn't advertised anywhere.} 
 The asada alambre ($10) traditionally skewered meat and vegetables (alambre means 'wire'), this version is grilled asada, bacon, green peppers and onions...along with cheese and is served with four corn tortillas.  Sort of a fajita (with bacon!), sort of just wonderful, quite enough food to share for another light meal. 

Way above average; quality and service. 

Tako Factory 7287 El Cajon Blvd San Diego 92115 (619)741-4502 Website Open Daily 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., Closed Sunday

Comments

[Caninecologne]

Bert and I need to try this place. It's right next to Marleez Koffee which we love as well as Sunshine Pancake House (which we also love), but since we go so early, the Tako Factory isn't open yet. We'll definitely have to go during happy hour or on Tuesdays to take advantage of their specials. Great post!

[kat]

when I saw tako, I thought of octopus...lol

[Sandy]

I also thought of octopus when I saw tako! Sounds like a really interesting taco shop.

[Soo]

Good looking tako shop!

[Cathy]

Yes, you must try this, cc. Go for the specials but then try everything else; the menu is unique, high quality and every person working is so friendly.
That was my first thought too, Kat...kind of a unique concept actually. A client told me about it and explained but it still took me a year to stop in. Should have stopped in sooner.
It's so interesting, Sandy. Not at all what you would expect...it's original (actually real Mexico high end food original) and without any of those 'hipster' vibes.
A great place to visit, Soo.

[Sang]

They also have a nice selection of Baja craft beers with usually, but not always a couple on tap.

[Cathy]

The beer list on the wall inside did look quite interesting, Sang. My visits here have been early afternoon on weekdays, so I haven't tried any...but I will make the effort...soon. For a corner 'taco shop', everything here is quite high end; unexpected.