Should have 10 stars! This place is better than places like tacos el gordo. They always take care of me here. Love love this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Waiting4Waldo
If you want authentic street tacos like you get in Mexico, this place is doing it right 🙌Best tacos in the area!!! Steak and al pastor were delicious! Owner is a real nice guy carrying on the family tradition, he told us. Homemade Jamaica too 😍
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tony B
Delicious tacos must try Will visit again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Al Pastor, Steak
Adriana Banuelos
Best tacos I’ve had. I’m from Dallas, Texas and we need a spot like this in our home town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrew V
Surprisingly bad mexican food for San Diego county. Low quality beef in the carne asada burrito. Prices were also too high, but a lot of places have doubled their prices these days. Just can't believe what they're serving for the price. Salsa game was lame, too.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Seth M
Great authentic food, I ordered the adobada fries and as a local fry connoisseur I have to say these are a favorite, my girlfriend got the rolled tacos and enjoyed them as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Josephene Alvarado
Had the rolled tacos and adobada fries! Both very yummy, especially the adobada fries! Service was quick and they were very nice. Would recommend the adobada fries if you’re starving! It’s a good size portion and super delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
J J
Family owned and operated small business taco shop. They were friendly and the food was absolutely delicious. Fresh authentic flavors. There is a variety of beverage choices- homemade horchata and jamaica pre bottled, jarritos, even Modelo! Tacos and quesadillas were AMAZING- handmade flour tortillas. We tried a variety of meats- carne asada, pastor, tripa, cabeza. I will absolutely be revisiting when I take so cal adventures
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Asphalt Anarchy
There’s something special about Tacos El Gallo on 2nd Street in El Cajon—something you can feel before you even take your first bite. It’s more than just a place to grab food; it’s a family-run spot that radiates warmth, pride, and pure love for what they do. And nowhere is that more clear than in their adobada fries.
I’ve had them twice now, and both times felt like rediscovering comfort in a plate. The fries come loaded—golden, perfectly crisp on the outside, soft inside—piled high with that rich, flavorful adobada that’s been marinated and grilled to perfection. Every bite hits that perfect balance: smoky, tangy, a little spicy, and absolutely packed with soul. The cheese, guac, and crema tie everything together like a family recipe meant to bring people closer.
I got to try a bit of their birria as well while I waited on my order. Tacos El Gallo’s birria is melt-in-your-mouth tender and packed with deep, bold flavor. The consomé is rich, savory, and addictive—perfect for dipping or sipping straight. Easily one of the best in El Cajon and San Diego.
You can tell the people behind the counter care deeply about what they serve. There’s passion in every detail, from the way they plate the food to the easy smiles they share with regulars. The atmosphere feels like being invited into someone’s home—filled with good energy, laughter, and the smell of something cooking just right.
Tacos El Gallo isn’t just serving adobada fries—they’re serving connection, pride, and a genuine sense of community. When food this good is made with heart, you can taste it. And trust me, once you do, you’ll find yourself coming back—just like I did.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lidia Adame
Ridiculous. Omg I can't even. I always get tacos de cabeza. Stupid good. Reminds me of tj
The best tacos I’ve had in El Cajon. Service is great and quick. Recommend the New York strip taco and Al Pastor. Always my go to spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anisha Ward
10/10 flavorful Birria, Carne Asada Fries, Al Pastor was amazing as well! These people are amazing and they’re so welcoming and patient. We ordered 4 birria, 2 Al Pastor Street Tacos and we only got in Al Pastor and the kind man brought us 2 extra Birria tacos and another Al Pastor! We have been so so many different types of places for tacos this is definitely our new #1!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
T. MH
Just go don't hesitate!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
T MH (T)
So damn good! I've driven past this spot for 6 years and one day last week I decided to stop in- so glad I did! I ordered the cactus tacos 10/10 highly recommend. I've been back twice to get them again. I'm vegetarian and these tacos hit the spot- everything is made to order and although it came with hot sauce I didn't need it- my beans had so much flavor it was perfect! Don't sleep on a cactus dish it hits the mark everytime!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Alexis Maya
1st exp. Paid with a 20 dlls bill to the guy in the counter, then he said I didn't pay. I said check your cameras please. Then he said, sorry I dropped the bill on the floor. He tried to stole my $$ in my face, but did not work buddy. 2nd exp. Called for 8 harina tacos. Each one is $ 4.20 (8 x 4.20= $ 33.60). The guy I talked to said: it will be $49!!! I said; that is incorrect (even including taxes). He asked me; do you want them or not? I said yes, but I am not paying 49, please do the right math. He hunged up. I called again asking for the manager to get my order right and paid the right amount. A lady said; no manager here, we only take orders and serve!
Worse costumer service ever. They try to steel every time. Not coming back for a third exp.
Should have 10 stars! This place is better than places like tacos el gordo. They always take care of me here. Love love this place.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
If you want authentic street tacos like you get in Mexico, this place is doing it right 🙌Best tacos in the area!!! Steak and al pastor were delicious! Owner is a real nice guy carrying on the family tradition, he told us. Homemade Jamaica too 😍
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious tacos must try
Will visit again
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Al Pastor, Steak
Best tacos I’ve had. I’m from Dallas, Texas and we need a spot like this in our home town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Surprisingly bad mexican food for San Diego county. Low quality beef in the carne asada burrito. Prices were also too high, but a lot of places have doubled their prices these days. Just can't believe what they're serving for the price. Salsa game was lame, too.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 2
Great authentic food, I ordered the adobada fries and as a local fry connoisseur I have to say these are a favorite, my girlfriend got the rolled tacos and enjoyed them as well.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had the rolled tacos and adobada fries! Both very yummy, especially the adobada fries! Service was quick and they were very nice. Would recommend the adobada fries if you’re starving! It’s a good size portion and super delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Family owned and operated small business taco shop. They were friendly and the food was absolutely delicious.
Fresh authentic flavors. There is a variety of beverage choices- homemade horchata and jamaica pre bottled, jarritos, even Modelo! Tacos and quesadillas were AMAZING- handmade flour tortillas. We tried a variety of meats- carne asada, pastor, tripa, cabeza. I will absolutely be revisiting when I take so cal adventures
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
There’s something special about Tacos El Gallo on 2nd Street in El Cajon—something you can feel before you even take your first bite. It’s more than just a place to grab food; it’s a family-run spot that radiates warmth, pride, and pure love for what they do. And nowhere is that more clear than in their adobada fries.
I’ve had them twice now, and both times felt like rediscovering comfort in a plate. The fries come loaded—golden, perfectly crisp on the outside, soft inside—piled high with that rich, flavorful adobada that’s been marinated and grilled to perfection. Every bite hits that perfect balance: smoky, tangy, a little spicy, and absolutely packed with soul. The cheese, guac, and crema tie everything together like a family recipe meant to bring people closer.
I got to try a bit of their birria as well while I waited on my order. Tacos El Gallo’s birria is melt-in-your-mouth tender and packed with deep, bold flavor. The consomé is rich, savory, and addictive—perfect for dipping or sipping straight. Easily one of the best in El Cajon and San Diego.
You can tell the people behind the counter care deeply about what they serve. There’s passion in every detail, from the way they plate the food to the easy smiles they share with regulars. The atmosphere feels like being invited into someone’s home—filled with good energy, laughter, and the smell of something cooking just right.
Tacos El Gallo isn’t just serving adobada fries—they’re serving connection, pride, and a genuine sense of community. When food this good is made with heart, you can taste it. And trust me, once you do, you’ll find yourself coming back—just like I did.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ridiculous. Omg I can't even.
I always get tacos de cabeza.
Stupid good. Reminds me of tj
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
The best tacos I’ve had in El Cajon. Service is great and quick.
Recommend the New York strip taco and Al Pastor. Always my go to spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
10/10 flavorful Birria, Carne Asada Fries, Al Pastor was amazing as well! These people are amazing and they’re so welcoming and patient.
We ordered 4 birria, 2 Al Pastor Street Tacos and we only got in Al Pastor and the kind man brought us 2 extra Birria tacos and another Al Pastor! We have been so so many different types of places for tacos this is definitely our new #1!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Just go don't hesitate!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
So damn good! I've driven past this spot for 6 years and one day last week I decided to stop in- so glad I did! I ordered the cactus tacos 10/10 highly recommend. I've been back twice to get them again. I'm vegetarian and these tacos hit the spot- everything is made to order and although it came with hot sauce I didn't need it- my beans had so much flavor it was perfect! Don't sleep on a cactus dish it hits the mark everytime!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
1st exp. Paid with a 20 dlls bill to the guy in the counter, then he said I didn't pay. I said check your cameras please. Then he said, sorry I dropped the bill on the floor. He tried to stole my $$ in my face, but did not work buddy.
2nd exp. Called for 8 harina tacos. Each one is $ 4.20 (8 x 4.20= $ 33.60). The guy I talked to said: it will be $49!!! I said; that is incorrect (even including taxes). He asked me; do you want them or not? I said yes, but I am not paying 49, please do the right math. He hunged up.
I called again asking for the manager to get my order right and paid the right amount. A lady said; no manager here, we only take orders and serve!
Worse costumer service ever.
They try to steel every time.
Not coming back for a third exp.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
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