Albertaco's Mexican Food

(Above is embedded slideshow. See below for direct link.)

Review Type
Full

Taco Shop Name
Albertaco's Mexican Food (aka: Albertaco's)
NOTE: This is NOT Alberto's!

Taco Shop Address
Suite 26, 28171 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
(949) 365-0695

Date of Review
3/3/2009

Food Selection and Price
Combo #2 (2 tacos, rice, beans), $6.30

Video Review on YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_m6jOaAXwM
Same as video embedded below, but higher quality.

Images at Picasa Web
Albertaco's Review Images
Same images as those above, but higher quality.

Review
Albertaco's is special to me. Albertaco's has been my favorite taco shop in south OC for about 6 years now. I have favorites in other cities and counties, but while I've lived in south OC, I've been coming to Albertaco's at least 1 or 2 times per month, yet I live a good 10 minutes further south on the 405 fwy. It's an honor to review Albertaco's Mexican Food. My favorite food at Albertaco's has always been the carne asada burrito. The guys do an awesome marinade, the burrito is jam-packed, and the price is good. But, here at the Taco Shop Review, I only review one specific combo at all reviewed shops: 2 tacos, rice, and beans. Although I have a great affinity for Albertaco's, I hereby vow to keep my future reviews fair, ubiased, and impartial.

I always like the Albertaco's beef taco for two main reasons: it's real shredded beef, and I think the whole taco is cooked in a deep fryer. The shredded beef is important because today, almost all places only offer carne asada tacos (when it comes to beef), and I'm kind of tired of that. The deep frying is key to the overall flavor of the taco. I think they make the tacos a bit ahead of time by placing the shredded beef in corn tortillas. Then, when you order a taco, they grab the taco with tongs (you'll see the depression marks if you watch the video), and dunk in the fryer for quick bit of time. Then, after they pull it out, they load it with cheese, lettuce, and whatever else.

The deep frying aspect results in some heavy grease. But, I don't eat this stuff for health, I eat for pleasure, and the Albertaco taco always pleases me.

As for the establishment itself, it's kind of a case of diamond-in-the-rough, but in reverse. I say this because Mission Viejo is kind of a nice, middle-to-upper-middle class city. The city has stores like Nordstrom's, Sak's, Land Rover, etc. Yet, Albertaco's is not your high-end eatery. I sometimes wonder why there is a hardcore taco shop here (Albertaco's), and not a lame place like Chipotle? I'm thankful that Albertaco's is where it is. No need for more chain-based crap-slinging pseudo taco shops. Albertaco's is the EPITOME of a true taco shop. It's the real thing, from the food they serve to the physical store characteristics. Sparse interior, white linoleum floor, red and yellow formica everywhere, and fiberglass booths. The kitchen is about 8'x8'. They take no pains to make you feel like you're in a Mexican restaurant with cliche Mexican decorations. Keep it as is.

There is rarely a time when there are no customers. Also, the clientèle runs the gamut from well-heeled Mission Mall shoppers to straight-off-the-job-site contractors going to or coming from the nearby Home Depot (I fit in this category, though I'm not a contractor). Sunday mornings are kind of interesting, when it seems like families just out of church line up for breakfast. At any given mealtime, whether it be desayuno, almuerzo, o cena, expect a bit of a wait.

One thing I never noticed before this review was that Albertaco's must have a location (or more) in Colorado. You'll notice that the styrofoam food container says "California and Colorado" on it. Well, I've been to Colorado once in my life (Denver, it was really nice). Guess I'll have to go again.

So, that's it for this review. Take time to watch my video review of Albertaco's. When you're in Mission Viejo, make sure you stop by Albertaco's.

Below is embedded youtube video. See above for direct link.