Made a stop here after a stop at the SAP center based on the reviews and they do have good tacos. But come on...cash only...it is 2023...who carries cash anymore. They conveniently have an ATM machine inside which charges a premium if you need access to cash.
Red Last Name
Rude Rude RUDE staff! Overpriced, slammed my beer on the counter and then asked for my ID TWICE!!! Between that and the freak show of homeless outside I will never set foot in there again
Walt F.
Love this spot. Loaded burrito with a side of escabeche made hot to order. Got carne asada, which was well seasoned and moist. It's part of a convenience store. No frills but great food and service.
Sonia C.
We were in town for an event at the SAP center and there was about a 2hr intermission and we wanted lunch somewhere within walking distance. I found this place on yelp and wanted authentic Mexican food since we were in the bay. I saw the great reviews and decided to try this place. It's in a mini mart or liquor store so there's no way to dine in and they accept cash only, FYI. There is some seating near by at the Amtrack station across the st with benches only and no tables. But if you don't feel comfortable staying in this area, then maybe try finding a park. I know there were a couple near the SAP Center but, near this business, I'm not sure if there are any other parks within walking distance. I had the cabeza taco and a cabeza meat torta and added beans. Cabeza meat isn't always available like authentic Mexican places, so it's great that you can order it here. That had to be the best torta I've ever had and again, I added beans and the employee made it exactly how I ordered it. The way she grilled the bun for the torta, it's soooooo good! The cabeza meat is stewed in a soup like broth like it traditionally is in Mexico, yum. The taco was awesome delicious too. If I knew I could finish it, I would've ordered a carnitas taco but already was so full with the torta. My dad ordered a carne asada burrito with just meat mostly and said how great it was. He also noticed that the flour tortilla looked like it had been made fresh or at home. I'm not sure if the corn tortillas are made fresh or not? But the food here is awesome and authentic so it's worth venturing to this part of town and ordering togo, although the area isn't probably the safest? lol the food is awesome so just plan accordingly and that's usually where the best Mexican food is.
Tavi Jones
Prices are never consistent. So don't go into the store again getting the same stuff u gou last visit and assume the total will be the same as last visit. In one day you can buy the same exact stuff visiting 3 times and be charged a different amount each time. Sometimes the last payment you are charged will be less than the prior to. I once was charged 60 cents for a bag
Jose A.
Got back home and we were missing a whole order of 3 tacos very frustrating, the food is good but more attention is needed. Paid for 3 tacos and didn't get them.
juan c.
From The original taco shop in San Jose, started back in 1980 at Imperio Liquors at San Antonio and King Rd. They a truly East Side San Jose landmark. Used to go as a kid with my family and continue the tradition.
Nancy G.
Iv been working down the street from this hidden gem for about two years. I kept hearing everyone talk about how good their burritos were. . Finally I decided to go find out for myself. They have plenty of parking in the back. I went in around noon on a Friday. There was no one there which was great because I was starving! I ordered the super burrito. It comes with rice,beans,sour cream ,avocado, cheese and your choice of meat. Also got tacos. 1 steak 2 Carnitas and 1 lengua (tongue), I got the salsa on the side. They have two salsas, red which is spicy and the green which is very mild. It all came out to around $30. That's not including drinks. A bit pricey but so worth it!! The burrito was delicious! The meat was full of flavor, I haven't had a good burrito in such a long time. The tacos were great as well. I would get the lengua and steak again. This is going to be my go to burrito spot.
Julia Y.
Highly recommend! The SO and I come here and he does not even like burritos. He gets the quesadillas. Their meats are delicious. We've tried several:1. Camaron (shrimp) is juicy and delicious,2. CARNITAS (Pork) super flavorful and tender,I like their regular burrito to their super because it's spicier! Their sauce are delicious, but unlike a lot of places I like their red sauce more than their green! The SO likes their carne asada in his quesadilla. Love this place! Cash only. Have been here several times now!
Maritza's Perspective
Their tacos de asada are great. Friendly customer service. It is a quick mini market- order to go always. A 5 minute walk from the train station.
First of all, this place doesn't look like a taqueria from the outside. It looks like a liquor store - which is basically what it is, with an authentic, high-quality taco-truck Mexican food experience inside. Close to the Shark Tank and to numerous downtown San Jose office buldings, Imperio (otherwise known to Adobe employees as "LST" or "Liquor Store Tacos") is guaranteed to please. Tony is the guy you will find there during the day. Always friendly, he will build whatever you want to order. I'm partial to carnitas tacos and they are served up simple, hot and tasty. But my co-workers have tried pretty much everything else and are always happy we dropped by. I don't think there is any place to sit at Imperio, so consider it "to go" food. There is parking on the Delmas Avenue side and the service is always speedy.
Petra Jung
Last night, after a little too much drinking, I stopped in for tacos. Not only were they fabulous and legit as hell, but the woman who made them for me was beautiful. I sincerely thank her! Support this vibrant and strange local business.
榮佩 Petra Jung
Last night, after a little too much drinking, I stopped in for tacos. Not only were they fabulous and legit as hell, but the woman who made them for me was beautiful. I sincerely thank her! Support this vibrant and strange local business.
Frank R.
Not familiar with this area so choosing where to get a burrito from was a gamble. Happy that I decided to get one here. Their Carnitas are soft and good. Got the super burrito, overall a good. Will definitely stop by here again to try their other meats.
Made a stop here after a stop at the SAP center based on the reviews and they do have good tacos. But come on...cash only...it is 2023...who carries cash anymore. They conveniently have an ATM machine inside which charges a premium if you need access to cash.
Rude Rude RUDE staff! Overpriced, slammed my beer on the counter and then asked for my ID TWICE!!! Between that and the freak show of homeless outside I will never set foot in there again
Love this spot. Loaded burrito with a side of escabeche made hot to order. Got carne asada, which was well seasoned and moist. It's part of a convenience store. No frills but great food and service.
We were in town for an event at the SAP center and there was about a 2hr intermission and we wanted lunch somewhere within walking distance. I found this place on yelp and wanted authentic Mexican food since we were in the bay. I saw the great reviews and decided to try this place. It's in a mini mart or liquor store so there's no way to dine in and they accept cash only, FYI. There is some seating near by at the Amtrack station across the st with benches only and no tables. But if you don't feel comfortable staying in this area, then maybe try finding a park. I know there were a couple near the SAP Center but, near this business, I'm not sure if there are any other parks within walking distance. I had the cabeza taco and a cabeza meat torta and added beans. Cabeza meat isn't always available like authentic Mexican places, so it's great that you can order it here. That had to be the best torta I've ever had and again, I added beans and the employee made it exactly how I ordered it. The way she grilled the bun for the torta, it's soooooo good! The cabeza meat is stewed in a soup like broth like it traditionally is in Mexico, yum. The taco was awesome delicious too. If I knew I could finish it, I would've ordered a carnitas taco but already was so full with the torta. My dad ordered a carne asada burrito with just meat mostly and said how great it was. He also noticed that the flour tortilla looked like it had been made fresh or at home. I'm not sure if the corn tortillas are made fresh or not? But the food here is awesome and authentic so it's worth venturing to this part of town and ordering togo, although the area isn't probably the safest? lol the food is awesome so just plan accordingly and that's usually where the best Mexican food is.
Prices are never consistent. So don't go into the store again getting the same stuff u gou last visit and assume the total will be the same as last visit. In one day you can buy the same exact stuff visiting 3 times and be charged a different amount each time. Sometimes the last payment you are charged will be less than the prior to. I once was charged 60 cents for a bag
Got back home and we were missing a whole order of 3 tacos very frustrating, the food is good but more attention is needed. Paid for 3 tacos and didn't get them.
From The original taco shop in San Jose, started back in 1980 at Imperio Liquors at San Antonio and King Rd. They a truly East Side San Jose landmark. Used to go as a kid with my family and continue the tradition.
Iv been working down the street from this hidden gem for about two years. I kept hearing everyone talk about how good their burritos were. . Finally I decided to go find out for myself. They have plenty of parking in the back. I went in around noon on a Friday. There was no one there which was great because I was starving! I ordered the super burrito. It comes with rice,beans,sour cream ,avocado, cheese and your choice of meat. Also got tacos. 1 steak 2 Carnitas and 1 lengua (tongue), I got the salsa on the side. They have two salsas, red which is spicy and the green which is very mild. It all came out to around $30. That's not including drinks. A bit pricey but so worth it!! The burrito was delicious! The meat was full of flavor, I haven't had a good burrito in such a long time. The tacos were great as well. I would get the lengua and steak again. This is going to be my go to burrito spot.
Highly recommend! The SO and I come here and he does not even like burritos. He gets the quesadillas. Their meats are delicious. We've tried several:1. Camaron (shrimp) is juicy and delicious,2. CARNITAS (Pork) super flavorful and tender,I like their regular burrito to their super because it's spicier! Their sauce are delicious, but unlike a lot of places I like their red sauce more than their green! The SO likes their carne asada in his quesadilla. Love this place! Cash only. Have been here several times now!
Their tacos de asada are great. Friendly customer service. It is a quick mini market- order to go always. A 5 minute walk from the train station.
Restaurantji Recommends
First of all, this place doesn't look like a taqueria from the outside. It looks like a liquor store - which is basically what it is, with an authentic, high-quality taco-truck Mexican food experience inside. Close to the Shark Tank and to numerous downtown San Jose office buldings, Imperio (otherwise known to Adobe employees as "LST" or "Liquor Store Tacos") is guaranteed to please. Tony is the guy you will find there during the day. Always friendly, he will build whatever you want to order. I'm partial to carnitas tacos and they are served up simple, hot and tasty. But my co-workers have tried pretty much everything else and are always happy we dropped by. I don't think there is any place to sit at Imperio, so consider it "to go" food. There is parking on the Delmas Avenue side and the service is always speedy.
Last night, after a little too much drinking, I stopped in for tacos. Not only were they fabulous and legit as hell, but the woman who made them for me was beautiful. I sincerely thank her! Support this vibrant and strange local business.
Last night, after a little too much drinking, I stopped in for tacos. Not only were they fabulous and legit as hell, but the woman who made them for me was beautiful. I sincerely thank her! Support this vibrant and strange local business.
Not familiar with this area so choosing where to get a burrito from was a gamble. Happy that I decided to get one here. Their Carnitas are soft and good. Got the super burrito, overall a good. Will definitely stop by here again to try their other meats.
Food was dry and he didn’t wear any gloves .