Tacos Por Favor

(310) 392-5768

1406 Olympic Blvd (Olympic & 14th)
Santa Monica, CA 90404 34.0198 -118.4805

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Pico, West LA

Hours:

Mon - Sat 8am - 8pm

Sun 9am - 5pm

Price:

$

Last updated 1.19.12

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Food Delivery, Cheap Eats, Hidden Find

Cuisine:

Mexican

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Tacos Por Favor

Featured Review

Aram Brazilian

Contributor

This place won't win any awards for cleanliness (or for spelling ... got that, "costumers"?) but that doesn't stop folks with a hankering for Mexican food from flocking to this concrete-floored, no-frills joint that's known for serving up tasty tacos. (Hint: the hard-shell potato versions are standout). No lard is used in any of the dishes, which range from breakfast burritos to carne asada entrees to vegetarian-friendly enchiladas. Free parking along this stretch of Olympic is hard to come by, and the the neighboring pool hall is sort of grimy, if not authentic, but who cares when you can get…

Editor's Tips

What to Order:
Like seafood? Order the shrimp tacos. Don't eat meat? There are plenty of vegetarian options like the spinach burrito.
ambiance
50.0% positive
  1. “It's not the best atmosphere, it's kinda like a cafeteria, but the food is so good it doesn't matter.”
drinks
50.0% positive
  1. “Nothing fancy here, just some concrete floors, salsa bar, beer banners, and just great food.”
  2. “taco's with guac and a cold beer.”
food quality
92.65000343322754% positive
  1. “this place DOES has amazing food, but NEVER get delivery!”
  2. “Inside you'll find excellent and spicy carne asada burrito's.”
  3. “The food is fast, tasty, and settles well, if you know what I mean.”
  4. “Nothing fancy here, just some concrete floors, salsa bar, beer banners, and just great food.”
  5. “had the Chile Relleno Burrito which I had never seen before on a menu but was fantastic for fast Mexican food.”
  6. “Cheap prices & really good food!”
  7. “the food is really excellent.”
  8. “The shrimp tacos are absolutely outstanding.”
  9. “This place has great food and serves pretty big and filling portions.”
  10. “pretty good tacos.”
  11. “The carnitas tacos are amazing.”
  12. “Tons of great vegetarian options and he'll make it as mild or as spicy as you like it.”
  13. “It's in a strange industrial part of Olympic, but the tacos are seriously incredible.”
  14. “Their dedication shows in the quality food, fast service, a large delicious portions of hot, tasty food they serve, not to mention the fresh salsa and creative recipies such as the spinich burrito.”
  15. “The food is ALWAYS COLD!”
  16. “You can also wash your food down with a cold horchata!”
  17. “It's not the best atmosphere, it's kinda like a cafeteria, but the food is so good it doesn't matter.”
  18. “Is the the best Mexican food in town and prices of affordable for a big family feast.”
  19. “Fresh mahi mahi soft tacos are to die for.”
  20. “There's something about a casual, neighborhood joint that has reliable, good food that makes you want to keep that business around, i.e. by writing a review for it.”
  21. “Good food.”
  22. “As a Die-hard enthusiast of authentic Mexican food, I can say that I was thoroughly disappointed.”
  23. “but if you have a mexican restaurant you better have good tacos.”
  24. “Also the steak and the shrimp tacos are great, too.”
  25. “I've never had a bad meal there and I crave it all the time.”
  26. “I'd definitely recommend Tacos Por Favor to any food lover looking for a great bargain in Santa Monica.”
  27. “also tried the carne asada burrito (~$ 4.50), which was as good as any taquiria's I've had in town.”
  28. “The food was served at the perfect temperature, the service was with a smile and best of all it won't put a dent in your pocket.”
  29. “haven't tried anything other than the tacos, which are so good I can't seem to order anything else.”
  30. “Best fish tacos I've ever had”
  31. “Great food for a Great Price”
  32. “This is a watered down, Americanized misrepresentation of culture similar to chipotle or la salsa/baja fresh.”
  33. “Stick with a combo plate or a burrito plate and you're set for a good meal.”
  34. “The vegetables are fresh.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “had the Chile Relleno Burrito which I had never seen before on a menu but was fantastic for fast Mexican food.”
  2. “Tons of great vegetarian options and he'll make it as mild or as spicy as you like it.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a great mexican restaurant in the middle of a commercial zone.”
  2. “great place”
  3. “Tacos Por Favor is a great little local Mexican place.”
  4. “If you want good Mexican, with a nod towards less fattening and healthy preparation, TPF is your place.”
service
100.0% positive
  1. “Best Mexican Food in LA served by great people”
  2. “The service is fast even when there's a good crowd, so it's perfect if you've only got an hour to spare for lunch -”
  3. “Why people think this place is so great, I have NO clue.”
  4. “The food was served at the perfect temperature, the service was with a smile and best of all it won't put a dent in your pocket.”
  5. “Their dedication shows in the quality food, fast service, a large delicious portions of hot, tasty food they serve, not to mention the fresh salsa and creative recipies such as the spinich burrito.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “This place has great food and serves pretty big and filling portions.”
  2. “Cheap prices & really good food!”
  3. “Their dedication shows in the quality food, fast service, a large delicious portions of hot, tasty food they serve, not to mention the fresh salsa and creative recipies such as the spinich burrito.”
  4. “Good prices”
  5. “Is the the best Mexican food in town and prices of affordable for a big family feast.”
2 Star Rating: Below Average

11/23/10

No me gusta

by LeahBee at Citysearch

Okay, for a dive Mexican place with average food... this place should at least be cheap.. and it's definitely not. Why do I see celebrities every time I go here? I'm not quite sure... but I don't care enough to try it again. Now, it wasn't HORRIBLE... it was just absolutely nothing special.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/04/10

Good food. Good prices

Contributor at Citysearch

So far I've tried several burritos and they've all been really good. Little on the spicy side just the way I like. No lines at 2pm.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/12/10

best mexican

by Dfox23 at Citysearch

not sure if a dive atmosphere is a con - considering it's kinda cool. I just love this place. taco's with guac and a cold beer. What could be better?

  • Pros: healthy, fresh and tasty
  • Cons: dive atmosphere
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/04/10

They can't fool me

by Mexicanfoodlover at Citysearch

As a Die-hard enthusiast of authentic Mexican food, I can say that I was thoroughly disappointed. This is a watered down, Americanized misrepresentation of culture similar to chipotle or la salsa/baja fresh. Perhaps the most bland, least seasoned beef and chicken ive ever payed 3 dollars a taco for.... and the surplus of cream and guacamole did not comprimise. I strongly advise mexican food lover's similar to my self to stick to places like Gilbert's El Indio and Pancho's Tacos. -Mexican food lover

  • Cons: Pricey, Bland, Unfair Portions, and lack of authenticity.
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/04/09

This place SUCK'ETH

by WORX4FUDE at Citysearch

I went here due to repeated suggestions by my one friend. I couldn't have had a worse experience.

First off, the line at this place is ridiculously long for sub-par food. Second, the line snakes between tables, leading, inevitably, to people bumping your chair or arm, as they pass you by. Being LA, nobody knows how to say, "Oh, sorry I bumped ya, man."

Thirdly, the sopes were a mess and the tacos held together with the integrity of a wet paper towel. Gross. I left this place bloated and unhappy. The rice was mushy and the beans tasted like they were pulled from a can.

Why people think this place is so great, I have NO clue. I'd rather eat at Baja Buds or La Playita, ANY DAY. I want my money and the time I wasted in line BACK.

  • Pros: People watching
  • Cons: Low quality food, Absurd lines, Bloatfest, Parking Challenge

The Details on Tacos Por Favor

Place Categories:

  • great mexican food
  • great little local mexican place
  • good fish tacos
  • favor perfect lunch spot
  • definitely recommend tacos por favor
  • favor great mexican eatery
  • good prices
  • great people
  • good mexican
  • excellent carne
  • never bad meal
  • great shrimp tacos
  • amazing guacamole
  • fresh salsa
  • fast service
  • good crowd
  • great mexican restaurant
  • favor gem
  • fresh mahi
  • fresh salsabaja
  • cold beer
  • good taqueria
  • affordable feast
  • perfect casual dinner option
  • not best atmosphere
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