Tacos Manuel

Mabury St, Santa Ana, CA 92705, United States
+1 714-720-0889
$$$ Taco restaurant , Fast food restaurant
(525 Reviews)
Price Range $1–10

Tacos Manuel is a no-frills taco spot tucked into Mabury St in Santa Ana, serving up straightforward Mexican fast food with a focus on classic tacos and grilled specialties. The vibe here is casual and unpretentious, attracting a steady stream of locals who know their way around tacos that come fast, fresh, and packed with punch.

The standout is definitely the variety in tacos — from al pastor and carne asada to more adventurous options like lengua and cabeza — all priced affordably between $1.50 and $2.00 per taco. Expect authentic flavors where the balance of seasoned meats, onions, and cilantro hits just right, especially when brightened up with a squeeze of fresh lime. Quesadillas, mulitas, and breakfast burritos round out the menu, making it easy to grab a quick handheld meal any time of day.

The atmosphere feels straightforward with a bit of the bustling energy typical of a fast-paced taqueria. Ordering can take a few minutes during busy lunch hours, but that also means this spot is a hangout for regulars who appreciate consistency. The service is friendly and bilingual, and while the outdoor setup includes the occasional background noise from nearby equipment, the environment suits those who want a no-nonsense, flavorful bite without the trappings of a sit-down restaurant.

This place works best for anyone craving authentic Mexican street food-style tacos without the wait or formality. It's ideal for lunch breaks, casual dinners, or a late-night taco fix in Santa Ana. Credit cards are accepted but note there might be a small fee, so it’s good to come prepared.

Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves comfort food
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has catering
Parking
Free street parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

525 Reviews
Shanelle S

06 Jan 2026

Mexican food truck on 14th St with standard Mexican fare. Came here on a Saturday for lunch and there wasn’t a line to order; it took a little over 20 min to get our food. There seems to be quite a few regulars. Credit cards are accepted but there’s a small fee. They’re still operating during covid. The generator by the order window is a bit loud, so be sure to speak up. They unfortunately didn’t have tripas or cabeza available so we couldn’t try those. You receive a number and they call you in chronological order, although a couple people who ordered after us got their food ahead of us. The burrito was a good size and had plenty of cheese and a good amount of meat. I had carnitas in mine, which was a tad dry (carnitas are only available on weekends). The chorizo was the best meat; I liked the asada and the pastor. They all came with a side of roasted pepper and sautéed onions. The green salsa was pretty spicy while the red salsa tasted very dusky. Overall, the prices are very reasonable and it’s family-owned, so it’s a good option for a quick stop when you’re in Santa Ana.

Albert Oliva

25 Nov 2025

This spot is beyond me. The meat, tortilla, onions and cilantro work together perfectly. Every bite I took had me hyped for the next one. Do yourself a favor, if you find yourself in Santa Ana? Make a stop here, and enjoy heaven in a tortilla.

Mitchell Millan

24 Oct 2025

I visited Adam's Tacos tonight (formerly Tacos Manuel) to pick up tacos for the family and had a great experience. Adam was very friendly and gave me some recommendations to bring home. We had the carne asada, carnitas, al pastor, cabeza, and lengua tacos. Everything had great flavor - our favorite was the carne asada. We loved the grilled onions! Not sure how they're seasoned, but they were good! Also, the prices were very reasonable. My experience with food trucks has been that they are generally overpriced. Not the case at Adam's Tacos. We fed our family of 5 under $40 which is not very common these days. If you're looking for good tacos in the area, I'd recommend you give this place a shot.

Jonathan Palmer

23 Oct 2025

I'd like to start this off saying that I definitely recommend you stopping by if you're in the area. The staff here is very friendly, bilingual, and helpful. I've tried all their meats, and while they're all very tasty, I prefer the al pastor. Just the right amount of spice and flavor, make sure you top it with lime to really make it pop. Their tacos are a good price for what you get and their burritos are a generous portion to say the least. All in all this place is a great value. They're quick too! I'll be coming back from time to time for sure.

Isaac Alan

08 Oct 2025

Very flavorful tacos. The seasoning was elite and the tortilla was phenomenal. The meat itself was slightly dry. The portion size is about what you’d expect for $2. The only issue I had with the service was that they did not do a good job of labeling the packages for the other guests in my party.

Irma Estrada

21 Sep 2025

The best tacos around , love the owner he's a very nice guy good customer service thank you Manuel

Tatiana Torres

21 Sep 2025

Decided to try something new and swung by Tacos Manuel. Before we get to the food, the service was amazing. Super friendly, super helpful. We ordered asada, pastor, and chorizo tacos as well the pastor huarache. Overall thr flavor was good, and the meat portions were hefty! You can get "to go" with everything all wrapped up in plastic wrap. Would recommend!

Lala L.

20 Sep 2025

One of my favorite taco restaurants! It’s a famous food truck! All menus are yummy and reasonable price. Every time I order every menu and share it with family.

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