I always come back for the suadero tacos, big portions of meat and flavorful!!! Tacos are tacos!!! Food is amazing!!!

Important clarification: There are two taco spots in Oakland with "El Paisa" in their names, leading to frequent mix-ups online. The place I'm reviewing here really is named "Taqueria El Paisa@.com" (no joke!) at 4610 International Blvd. Yelp and Google incorrectly call it just "El Paisa," which causes even more confusion. This one, at 4610 International Blvd, is the famous location with a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, and that's the key way to distinguish it from the unaffiliated El Paisa Taco at 2900 International Blvd. Taqueria El Paisa@.com might be the most authentic taco spot I've ever visited. While I've never lived in Mexico, I've visited enough and eaten enough tacos to confidently say this place feels like a home away from home if you enjoy Mexican-style tacos. Specializing in Guadalajara-style tacos, El Paisa@.com absolutely deserves its Bib Gourmand award, though you'd know it's amazing without any recognition. They offer an incredible selection of meats including suadero, asada, lengua, pollo, carnitas, cabeza, camarones, buche, pastor, chorizo, and tripa. If you're looking for something easy and delicious, go for pastor and asada. For adventurous eaters, buche, tripa, and cabeza are fantastic options. Each taco is perfectly seasoned and expertly prepared by skilled taqueros. Definitely in my top five taco places in Oakland. A few pro tips: --Park on International Blvd, not Bancroft. When ordering, simply tell the cashier how many tacos you want. You'll specify the meats later when you reach the taqueros. -A bit of Spanish can go a long way. If you require detailed explanations or prefer 100% English, expect a bit of a wait during busy times for an English-speaking cashier or taquero. Don't let this deter you--just decide on your meats beforehand. -The salsa picante is incredible but deceptively hot, especially the salsa that looks like guacamole. I ruined a perfectly good taco with too much salsa picante

Los Tacos de El Paisa son una excelente opción. Sus tacos están bien servidos, con carne tienen un gran sabor, ya sea de asada, o cualquier otra opción del menú. Además, el personal es amable y atento. La salsa está en su punto. Sin duda, un lugar que vale la pena visitar si quieres disfrutar de unos tacos bien preparados.

Food is always outstanding and one of the only places where I can get good Suadero. I didn't really have any experience with the customer service because I didn't order for myself. This place is a true hole in the wall, it is extremely tiny but food is amazing nonetheless.

This spot was recommended specifically to me when I asked for delicious Mexican eats in Oakland, and the time finally came where I found myself in the area. We stopped by on a Wednesday evening for dinner and the place was less busy than usual. I got three tacos, one suadero, one lengua, and one cabeza, as I had read these other reviews ahead of time and had a good idea of what I wanted to order. The cashier was very efficient, both in writing up the order and pointing me towards the salsa bar. The taquero had our order ready within a minute of us handing over the ticket, and while we didn't manage to find an empty table in the same section as the salsa bar there was plenty of open tables in the further adjacent rooms. The suadero was my easily my favorite out of the three that I got, highly recommend it! I appreciate how the tacos were served with a side of cactus pad and mini onions, they were both a nice touch of something a bit different. I heard that the salsas were particularly spicy, and I do remember them packing some good heat. The parking lot isn't the biggest, I imagine it fills up during busier times but there were a few open spots when we pulled in. The security guard gave off good vibes, I don't frequent the neighborhood here but we felt safe about ourselves and our car. Overall, a solid recommendation and one that I will continue to pass on.

The food is 10/10. I tried the tacos pastor and also asada, the meat is very well seasoned. On your tacos you can also beans which is a good addition to your food. My boyfriend got an asada burrito and it was also very good. The burrito comes with a side of chips. To order you wait in line to pay first and then after you wait another line, then they will make your food. They have indoor eating and outdoor eating as well and a salsa bar. Everything is very clean. The parking lot does get full very fast so you might have to park in the street.

Wow these tacos are pretty close to the best in Mexico! They have a wide variety of selection for taco meats, salsas, and even other entrees! I love how efficient they are for ordering tacos: you order the number of tacos you want and drinks then you go to the next station with your receipt and ask for the type of taco meats you want! The ambiance is super Mexican, with papel picado banners, a collection of skeletons in various outfits along a high shelf, and an altar with tons and tons of bouquets for la Virgen María.

Food was 10/10. The lengua was my favorite, suadero and cabeza I tried for the first time and also so tender and amazing. So authentic and reminds me of all the taco trucks I used to go to in high school and cdmx. Area is not the best but the parking lot of fenced with an armed guard. Came here mid day and did not feel unsafe.

If you're looking for tacos that are a cut above the rest, this might be the spot for you. At least a couple of youngish local YouTube vloggers cited this as the best place to get lengua (tongue) tacos in the Bay Area. I knew they were serious because they kept saying "hella" a lot like "hella good" and "hella awesome". I am truly a lengua aficionado, and I can assert that the $4 Lengua Taco was one of the most meltably delicious tacos I've ever had. Truth. I got two (photo: https://yelp.to/OVO2BYkmWT). Not nearly enough. The next best tacos were the Suadero (carnitas-like beef, slightly chewy) and the Cabeza (means 'head' but actually beef cheeks). Both were savory treats with unique textures and carnivorous flavors (photo: https://yelp.to/HQOeTubueY). The last set of tacos were predictably good. Who doesn't like Carnitas (pulled pork) and Pollo (chicken) Tacos (photo: https://yelp.to/r-83VtA4TZ)? I love how each taco came with a couple of delicious grilled pearl onions unpeeled. Now for all the tacos I bought, it did require an extended stay at the salsa island to scoop up the different kinds in mini-cups. There's quite a bit of seating in the enclosed patio and out on the terrace. Crowded AF. I have to admit the ordering process here threw me. I was supposed to submit my order to the woman at the register before telling the guys behind the counter. Clear as mud, I'm telling ya. FOOD - 5 stars...it's the power of the lengua cooked right AMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...pretty busy and not well organized SERVICE - 4 stars...I got my tacos quickly TOTAL - 5 stars...it's all about the lengua RELATED - Exploring Oakland? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2ObVcpQ

Can say this is my #1 place for tacos in the bay. Not located in the best of areas but this place is popular especially with locals. There's a small parking lot and ample seating. It's pretty quick to get your food as you order first, go to the counter where they make it right in front of you, then find a seat. They have a self serve condiment bar with sauces (love the spicy!) and other pickled veggies. Flavorful, juicy, large tacos - nothing like their suadero, lengua, asada, and other meats! There's sometimes live music as well. Highly recommend this place!