Tacolicious

    Claimed
    $$ Caterers, Tacos
    Closed11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

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    Inside

    145 photos

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    Outside

    33 photos

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    1108 photos

    Services Offered

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    Catering

    Vegan catering

    Gluten-free catering

    Vegetarian catering

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    Location & Hours

    Map

    632 Emerson St

    Palo Alto, CA 94301

    Mon

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Tue

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Wed

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Thu

    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Closed now

    Fri

    • 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Sat

    • 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

    Sun

    • 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM

    Amenities and More

    About the Business

    Business owner information

    Photo of Samantha  L.

    Samantha L.

    Tacolicious is a Cal-Mex restaurant with a San Francisco point of view. Today, Tacolicious has three Bay Area locations (Palo Alto, Marina, Mission) as well as one in the sunny LA town of Manhattan Beach. The restaurant is as San Franciscan (see: Marina Girl salad) as it is Mexican (see: guajillo-beef tacos de guisado). And yes, we do have a private room and also cater! Email us at events@tacolicious.com.

    Ask the Community

    • Q:

      How do I order the al pastor especial online :(? Also can the Papi Hemingway be made to go?

      A:

      So do to covid we reduced our menu and the especial was one of those items. As far as the papi we are selling batches of our top three margs but if you do a window order it can be possible.

      Zach M., Business Manager 
    • Q:

      Is the full kitchen open until closing time?

      A:

      Don't know. Would highly recommend that you call the restaurant directly.

      Rosquete B. 

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    Overall rating

    974 reviews

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    • Photo of Pallavi K.
      Pallavi K.
      Presidio, San Francisco, CA
      1
      22
      16
      Mar 28, 2024

      Wow! most amazing taco experience so far. This is my new favorite after Pedro's and puesto in Bay Area.
      Quinoa salad love love love and I also tried veggie tacos one with tofu and one with sweet potato and kale. Hats off to chef ‍
      I definitely see myself coming here many times.

      Quinoa salad bowl
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    • Photo of Makena S.
      Makena S.
      San Francisco, CA
      21
      317
      254
      May 19, 2024

      $13.25 for a small portion of queso, $17.50 for a Cadillac margarita, $7.50 per taco.

      Gulp.

      Service was good outside on the patio and the food came out quickly. The carnitas tacos were so salty but the shrimp tacos were tasty. We miss their cheese and nopal tacos!

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    • Photo of Mary F.
      Mary F.
      Menlo Park, CA
      11
      96
      185
      Mar 26, 2024

      I've been to Tacolicious a few times, and recently went back for the first time in over a year to pick up a takeout order.

      My friends and I ordered a variety of 10 tacos, guacamole, queso, salsa, veggie chips, and refried beans. I placed the order online and it was very easy! The order was ready when I arrived (and I'm going to be honest, I was very glad about this because I had double-parked and was trying to get out of there ASAP lol). Everything was packaged very well and held up through the 30-minute drive to my friend's house!

      We really enjoyed all of the food- especially the carne asada, chicken, and carnitas tacos, and the queso! We also loved how they provided plenty of chips to go with our dips. I also really liked the veggies they have available as chips- it was actually really delicious and refreshing, especially with the guacamole.

      During my previous dine-in experiences, we have ordered margaritas, and we always order pitchers because they are so good! The ambiance inside is very cozy and fun, and there is also outside seating available which is nice on a day with good weather.

      Overall, a great place to meet friends, or great for takeout!

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    • Photo of Shea H.
      Shea H.
      San Bruno, CA
      3
      42
      115
      Aug 11, 2024

      What a nice place for lunch on a Sunday! It was my first time eating here since I've always seen it in downtown Palo Alto when I've been walking around and finally decided to try it. Their Mucho Gusto drink was so so refreshing, I'm usually not a tequila girl but this drink might've changed that. Their pork tacos were juicy and had a good amount of meat. Service was quick and efficient, overall a wonderful experience and I'll definitely be back with friends :)

      Mucho Gusto
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    • Jul 22, 2024

      Went to taco licious for a happy hour. The Happy Hour menu itself was not a great value to me. The only thing that was decent was the pre-fix meal thing. I believe it was 14 bucks for one taco a shot of tequila and a tecate. The tacos came with three different salsas and it was all good. I wish the salsas came with the free chips at the beginning, but such as life. Recommend the spot for happy hour. Otherwise the menu is quite expensive. Will be back for happy hour.

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    • Photo of Belinda H.
      Belinda H.
      San Jose, CA
      0
      25
      Aug 21, 2024

      What's great about this place are the Spanish style churros and the "special" and "cool" flavor tacos.

      I've eaten from taco trucks, and honestly, the best ones are from the taco trucks, especially one near Santa Clara U. The tacos here are very heartless, cold, sopping, and edging on overly sophisticated. The churros were AMAZING.

      The customer service was pathetic. In general, East Asian waiters will give poorer service to me or glare at me based on skin color, and again, it happened. Another waitress had to eventually get my order done, because I'd decided to wait it out instead of going up and following the waiter so it took 25 minutes until someone helped me with my order.

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    • Photo of Jonathan B.
      Jonathan B.
      Walnut Creek, CA
      372
      194
      684
      Mar 24, 2024

      TL;DR: Solid, fancy taco spot with something for everyone. A tad bit on the pricey side, but fun atmosphere and tasty food (don't sleep on the $13 guacamole) to justify a 4 to 4.5 star review.

      Came here this weekend to watch March Madness and was able to sit immediately at the bar. Make sure to have a reservation for a Saturday night if you have a big party unless you want to wait an hour. In addition to the free chips and salsa we splurged on the guacamole, which was more than good enough to justify the price. Perhaps the beat guacamole I've had in the Peninsula.

      After stuffing ourselves with chips, we ordered 6 tacos (pictures attached). They are quite filling; two were enough for my girlfriend, and I was full by the time I finished my third (and I can eat a decent amount). The carne asada tacos were definitely my favorite.

      Overall, this is a fun spot to check out on a date night or with a group of friends. We spent just under $100 for the two of us, which would have easily been more had we both ordered a drink. If the food was a bit less expensive this would merit 5 stars, but I think Tacolicious is in the same quality and price class as a Puestos.

      From left to right: pork chile colorado, carne asada (x2), traditional carnitas (x2), and baja-style fish tacos
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    • Photo of Susan J.
      Susan J.
      Fort Wayne, IN
      27
      202
      506
      Jan 15, 2024

      It's been a long time since I've had such a delicious meal. We stopped in as Happy Hour was beginning. Superb tacos, and the soup was a highlight. For non-alcoholic delight, try the Mia. Spicy and flavorful, hit the spot. Service is attentive and prompt. Lots of Gliten Free available too!
      Parking was easy on the street.
      Eat inside or Al fresco near the heaters.

      A+ in every way.

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    • Sep 21, 2023

      My colleague and I grabbed dinner after work during a weekday around 8 p.m.

      Ambiance
      There is a good amount of outdoor and indoor seating--a modern, vibrant, and relaxed vibe with the decor and furniture.

      Service
      We were seated quickly since we arrived an hour before closing. The staff were attentive and quick.

      FOOD
      -Margaritas x2
      -Guacamole
      -Four tacos (Baja fish x2, spicy shrimp, chicken tinga)

      The complimentary chips and salsa were good. The guacamole was fresh, albeit lacking onions and lime. It was pretty bland.

      The tacos were disappointing. The Baja fish had no flavor whatsoever. The only thing you could taste was the heavy-handed cumin crema, albeit you could not taste a trace of cumin at all. The spicy shrimp was overcooked and dry. It was not spicy or even a hint of mild spice. The only taco that tasted decent was the chicken tinga.

      Overall, the food was presented beautifully, although very mediocre and lackluster. This is a solid 3-star place to catch up with a friend over appetizers and drinks. Pass on the tacos.

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    • Photo of Celia G.
      Celia G.
      Alum Rock, San Jose, CA
      0
      7
      Aug 6, 2024

      Sat at the bar, bartender was super nice and the food was amazing! My favorite are the vampiro tacos, and of course all their salsas are really good.

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