Welcome to Tacos El Bandido Express
At Tacos El Bandido Express, we celebrate authentic Mexican cuisine with passion and flair. Nestled in Tustin, California, our story began with a desire to bring the bold flavors of Mexico to the heart of the community. From our signature tacos filled with perfectly seasoned meats to our flavorful burritos and handmade quesadillas, each dish combines tradition with quality. We thrive on providing a casual, inclusive atmosphere—complete with a salsa bar, outdoor seating, and vibrant décor. Whether dining in or enjoying takeout, our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction makes every visit a fiesta for your taste buds. Join us for a memorable meal!
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13812 Newport Ave Tustin, CA 92780 United States Hotline: (714) 553-3320
Welcome to Tacos El Bandido Express, a vibrant taco haven nestled in the heart of Tustin, California. Known for its authentic flavors and casual atmosphere, this restaurant is perfect for taco enthusiasts craving a quick yet delicious meal. With its friendly service and bustling ambiance, Tacos El Bandido Express is quickly becoming a must-visit spot for both locals and travelers.
Located at 13812 Newport Ave, Tustin, CA 92780, you can easily spot it in a cozy plaza with convenient street parking nearby. This eatery has not only made a name for itself with its exquisite tacos but also with an extensive menu that caters to a range of tastes, including a few vegetarian options. Tacos El Bandido Express walks the line between fast casual dining and authentic Mexican cuisine, embodying the spirit of a classic taqueria.
- Food Highlights: The taco menu shines with options like Asada, Pastor, and the famous Cabeza. On Taco Tuesdays, you can indulge in these mouthwatering delights for only $1.50 each—a steal for such quality!
- Birria Bliss: Don’t miss out on their birria dishes, especially the soft tacos and quesadillas served with a side of flavorful consome. They are a definite highlight, praised for their rich flavors that leave diners wanting more.
- Affordable Indulgence: Customers rave about the generous portions and fair prices. Tacos are priced at just $2.25 each, with plenty of options for combos that include rice and beans—making it a great choice for a satisfying meal.
- Custom Condiment Bar: Enhance your taco experience with their salsa bar, featuring a selection of fresh toppings like diced onions, cilantro, lemon slices, and a spicy red salsa. This allows you to tailor your meals to your personal taste.
But it’s not just the food that draws you in. The atmosphere at Tacos El Bandido is lively, often complemented by the sounds of authentic Mexican music, which transports you to the vibrant streets of Mexico. The establishment is equipped with wheelchair access, gender-neutral restrooms, outdoor seating, and even a drive-thru option, making it accessible for everyone.
In summary, Tacos El Bandido Express is more than just a taco restaurant; it’s a community gathering spot filled with the rich flavors of Mexican cuisine. Whether you're grabbing tacos to-go, enjoying outdoor seating with friends, or indulging in their scrumptious birria, every bite is a testament to their commitment to quality and authenticity. With a friendly staff who are always eager to help, your visit is sure to be a rewarding one. So, the next time you're in Tustin, treat yourself to the delightful offerings at Tacos El Bandido Express!
$1.50 taco tuesday I got asada, cabeza and pastor. Can't go wrong on a $1.50 taco! All the meats were good there is one like maybe that was the cabeza different texture of meat it was so good! I like the authentic Mexican music feels like I am in Santa Ana. Lots of Mexicans eating so you know it is legit!
I came by here on a Saturday for lunch with a friend after taking an art class nearby. This is located in a small plaza where parking can be challenging. There is street parking available located the block after the plaza. Soft birria tacos 4/5, ok so the birria was good, you should also order the consume so you have extra sauce and I regretted not ordering the crunchy tacos for this as I was worried they'd be hard shell tacos that I'm not a fan of but my friend got them and they looked amazing. I was full after just 2 tacos so maybe order 2 and see how you feel since they stuff these up with birria meat.
Other than Tacos Manuel we love coming here to get our Mexican food fix - especially for the street tacos! For the quality and price this is a very affordable spot. All protein offered is charged at the same price, unlike other places. All Except for newly added "Cecina for + $1." A month ago they updated their menu and pricing. They took off some items to condense the menu. The taco pricing used to be $2 each and now it is at $2.25. Despite the increase it is still cheaper than most taco spots in this area. This is not full service restaurant but a fast/casual one. When you walk in you'll see the menu board up behind the counter. When you're ready just place it with the staff at the cashier. They'll call out your number when your order is ready. All staff have been pleasant and courteous. The wait time hasn't been bad at all. I think the longest we had ever had to wait was about 15 minutes for take-out. We never dined in before but perhaps one day for the birria ramen! Reasons we love this spot: (1) Yummy tacos are topped with guacamole! Asada & carnitas is our fav. Flavorful meats! (2) Delish handmade corn quesadilla. (3) Burrito is packed full. Generous on the protein. (4) Condiment bar where you can grab/add your own toppings! - Cucumber slices, chopped onion/cilantro, lime, super spicy red salsa, and delish creamy Jalapeno salsa (FYI - I noticed the past 2 months it is spicier than usual) Taco Gobernador is good but IMO could use one more shrimp instead of 2. The item I would avoid getting here is the Fish Taco.
New favorite for Taco Tuesday just dropped, and it's a gem in Tustin. I initially ordered 4 before realizing my grave mistake and ended up chowing down 6 tacos with gusto. The salsas? Impeccable. The guac? You can taste the avocado. The meats? NOT DRY. No notes. Just amazing. My friend ordered a torta, and she's been craving it ever since. You also get an ample selection of cucumbers, lemons, and salsas. The guy at the front was friendly, and I appreciated the wanted posters on the walls. If you're in the area, this is a must try.
Sunday lunch, a few people dining in but plenty of seating. Ordered the carne asada fries and 2 tacos. All the meats are seasoned well and this place is overall a great value. The carne asada fries were 10 and the tacos were 2 each. I was surprised to see these prices in the area given everywhere else would charge more for the same amount of food. Would definitely recommend.
tl,dr: Exquisite! Taco Tuesday galore Likes: + Scrumptious tacos. Highly recommend cabeza (head) and asada (grilled beef). + On Taco Tuesday, tacos (originally $2 each) are marked down to $1.50 each. I got full off of $10 worth of tacos. Delicious money-saver! + Splendid sauce bar. They've red sauce, green sauce, fresh diced onions, cucumber slices, and lemon slices. + If you order in Spanish, the staff respond in Spanish. I greatly appreciate any genuine opportunity to practice my Spanish. + Pleasant ambience. Sufficient amount of seating inside. Non-likes: - Limited parking. I heard Tues evenings can get crowded. - If you come late, they may run out of their signature cabeza tacos. So I recommend coming for lunch than dinner.
Solid taco spot in Tustin. I ordered a 3 taco combo ($12), which comes with 3 larger sized tacos, rice, and beans. I tried the chicken, carnitas, and cabeza tacos. The standout was definitely the cabeza, followed by the chicken. Carnitas are normally my favorite, but it was kind of dry here. Alternatively, if you order tacos a la carte, they're $2 each and are the smaller sized street tacos. There's also a salsa bar with the standard salsas and onion/cilantro mix. They offer sliced lemons here instead of limes. Service was friendly and food came out fresh and fast.