Local Finds: Best Mexican Food in Oakland, California

Oakland, California has a lot of really great, elegant, upscale, fine dining restaurants but if you are looking for awesome Mexican food at great prices Oakland is the place to go. When in search of hearty, authentic Mexican food, taco trucks and tiny mom and pop restaurants can usually deliver the goods but with so many to choose from where do you begin? Here is a list of 5 can't miss spots.

El Taco Zamorano Restaurant in East Oakland serves up huge portions for low prices. There is a to-go counter in the front of the restaurant and a handful of tables for dine-in customers. If you are eating there, just walk in and sit down. Pretty much everything on the menu is delicious but if you are taking kids or finicky eaters you can't go wrong with the chicken burrito. It tastes like the best chicken soup you have ever had. On weekends, breakfast Menudo will cure even the worst hangover. Not vegetarian friendly.

Good to know: The neighborhood is not the best but there is a parking lot right in front
Address: 4032 Foothill Blvd Oakland, CA 94601

Santo Coyote is a mom and pop restaurant in East Oakland offering amazing, traditional Mexican food. They offer waiter service or you can take your meal to go, how ever you do it do not miss the $2 pupusas or hand-made corn tortillas. If you eat there, you get scrumptious cheesy bean dip along with the obligatory chips and salsa. Santo Coyote also has some vegetarian options like mushrooms and bell peppers along with their meat options. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Good to know: Street parking only and the neighborhood is a little bit scary so leave your diamond encrusted loafers at home.
Address: 4806 International Blvd Oakland, CA 94601

Guadalajara Restaurant is open till 3am making it a popular late-night spot. They have a full bar featuring over 50 tequilas, happy hour margaritas for under $5 and a live mariachi band so you can begin and end your Friday night there. The fried fish is fresh, flaky and delicious. Guadalajara Restaurant is one of the few large sit-down Mexican restaurants in Oakland that offers a full bar and feels relatively safe making it a must visit.

Good to know: BART accessible via Fruitvale station.
Address: 1001 Fruitvale Ave Oakland, CA 94601

Taqueria San Jose in the Fruitvale district is a very casual lunch and dinner spot featuring standard Mexican fare: burritos, tacos and combination plates. Order at the counter and take your number to the back patio and wait for your meal. The chicken tacos here are amazing and the super burrito can easily feed two plus imported beers are only $3. Come during the Christmas season to witness one of the most epic nativity scenes not found in a church.

Good to know: Street paring only and it can be scarce.
Address: 3433 International Boulevard Oakland, CA 94601

Mariscos Sinaloa & Tacos Sinaloa are two taco trucks permanently stationed in the parking lot at 22nd and International Blvd. Mariscos Sinaloa is the seafood truck while Tacos Sinaloa is the meat truck however you can get meat tacos at the seafood truck, go figure. Every type of taco they offer is delicious and has the perfect amount of spice. The tacos are $1.25 each and 3-4 are plenty for one person. The fish and shrimp are fresh, go for the ceviche, you will not get food poisoning and it is amazing. There are some benches in the lot if you choose to eat your food there but you may get aggressively pan handled.

Good to know: On weekends and after dark, ladies should go with a buddy. Pull right into the lot and park wherever you can. Cash only.
Address: 2138 International Blvd Oakland, CA 94606