I'm being very generous with the one star. I have seen this place a lot and decided to stop in after my son's football game. Lets just say, when you see one of the workers leave on lunch and bring back subway...theres a problem. lol Seriously, this place is probably one of the worst representation of Mexican food.
Review Source:This weekend was my first trip to San Clemente, CA. I took the 5 south, to exit 76 Avenida Pico, and visited Chronic Tacos, conveniently located in a right side shopping center a short distance from the freeway exit. Look for the back of the restaurant. It features a huge Chronic Tacos painted sign above the rear door. I entered the store from the front, located next to Burger Junkies. This Chronic Tacos is small, but has ample seating along the wall, and also with numerous tables, both inside the restaurant, and in front for outdoor dining during a warm and sunny day. My carne asada taco was positively perfect. It was warm, savory, and exploded in my mouth with fresh, meaty taste. The friendly Mexican sales lady was generous, giving me ample portions of their delicious homemade salsa, and my own bottle of Gringo Bandito to season the meat with spicy hot sauce just right. The walls of Chronic Tacos, San Clemente are painted with decor from the great artist Aggy, dating back to 2006. The waves, and seagull are colorful, clever, and tasteful. San Clemente is one of the earliest Chronic Tacos in business, with only Newport Beach, and Huntington Beach being older. I was impressed with this fine Mexican eatery, and can easily see why it has been in business, and successful for so long. Try it today!
Review Source:Wasn't really as amazed by this place as I expected to be, considering all of the buzz around it lately. I saw the sign as I was road tripping to San Diego, and thought that it would be a nice pit stop on my drive, so popped in.
The service was... brusque. I wasn't exactly sure what I wanted, so after I was silent and thinking three seconds, the server grunted and walked away. Um... okay. Finally, deciding what I wanted, I had to flag someone down and that took a minute or two. Okay, off to a rocky start, but... no big deal.
Placed my order and waited a few minutes for it to come up. When I grabbed my tray, it was short an order of chips and salsa, which was supposed to come with the combo. I walked up to the counter to correct this minor glitch, and when I said "I ordered the combo" she grabbed a new cup and started pouring me a new soda, which wasn't what was missing at all. Explained and she grabbed chips and salsa, sort of slapped them on my tray unceremoniously without as much as a word, and walked away.
Okay, so zero points for congeniality. What about the food? Honestly, average. I don't know if I'd have been less content with Del Taco or Taco Bell, but at least I'd have paid less and probably received more polite treatment. Pass.
I was in the mood for some mexican food and popped in here. I had the carne asada burrito and it was not that great. The burrito is huge but all I tasted were beans and overcooked beef. The person behind the counter was also kinda pushy...trying to convince you to get a combo and guacamole (and then not telling you it's extra). Overpriced for what it is. At least the chips and salsa were good.
Review Source:I've only tried this location for Chronic Tacos and the food was yums! large servings of everything except the salsa but you can always ask for more of that. Â plenty of parking. a great place to grub if you're just heading to the area to visit the Rainbow Factory Store. Â The staff is very friendly!
Seating for about 10 inside and a couple of tables outside.
Pollo Asado Burrito assembly line style...Yus. I love this place and I stop by every time I'm on the way to Orange County. I can get exactly what I want on my food without having to ask them to leave off all the extras...I hate lettuce, raw onion, etc. I'm picky...what can I say. The food is super tasty too. Last time, I totally got jipped on the filling. I think the kid was new. I forgive him though...still tasty if a little on the skinny side. Definitely recommend this place. Tip: There's not much seating especially on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Maybe get it to go.
Review Source:Imagine the assembly line setup of Subway and combine authentic Mexican ingredients. That's what you get after ordering a burrito at Chronic Taco.
At first I was thrown off like "yo, why are you asking me what's inside? I have some say in this?" Qué sorpresa! That's a winning situation if you ask me. My wife is somewhat picky and it saves pulling out ingredients.
For around $6.50 for a Carne Asada, bean, and rice burrito with all of the fixings it exceeded my self-imposed lunch budget of $5. After years of eating at La Tiendita I figured I couldn't go wrong breaking my own rule on some Mexican food. I had some high expectations for the price (+$1 for guacamole).
After driving a mere 5 minutes with my food wrapped in paper and aluminum I figured it would survive the trip. De veras? It was cold for my first bite, the meat was overcooked and the promised hot salsa tasted like supermarket blend. I have been told that is not the norm but it made my visit a flop. It filled my up for lunch but I guess I should have just ordered some tacos since they are not called "Chronic Burrito".
If your looking for a place with actual flavor in the meat, and are willing to spend a little more for your food than fast food. this is the perfect place.
Specifically the San Clemente Chronic tacos is the top notch among the other locations. I used to frequent here, they have friendly service, quick and made to order food (especially anything battered).
MUCH BETTER THAN CHIPOTLE. It has similar concepts of the build your own burrito but with 100% better execution and tastier options. I've opted CHIPOTLE out of my radar completely since Chronic came into business.
They're asada and carnitas are much more delicious than most any mexican food chain.
They would often just give us free chips and salsa with our meals too!
I went there on a whim while meeting a friend half way, which happened to be San Clemente. Â I tried this place out simply because I love tacos. Â They are like the subway of tacos. Â They basically build your taco for you the way you want it. Â I had the taco threesome and chose carne asada, carnitas, and fish. Â I wasn't disappointed in any of them and this is coming from someone who enjoys San Diego Mexican food regularly. Â Too bad this place is so far away from me because I would definitely eat there again.
Review Source:Love Chronic Tacos.  The portions are generous and the taste is just right.  It is not the cheapest but you get what you pay for.  It should not be compared to Pedros or other  late night San Diego taco shops.  It is more in  line with other mid range quick service restaurants in the mexican category which average meals are $5 to $9 per person.  I especially like the carne asada fatty taco.
Review Source:Giant, giant burritos. Â Kind of set up like a Subway (or Chipotle, better analogy) where you tell them what ingredients you want and they pile them into your tortilla.
I was a bit disappointed in the al pastor because it was just meat which was sitting in a metal tin and kind of tasted a little, well, dead. Â The breaded fish was at least cooked to order and tasted much fresher and livelier.
Good, fresh chips and decent guacamole. Â The place is very funky inside and the music is loud. Â It's on the pricey side but you get a lot for your dough. Â Watch the extra charge if you add guac to your burritos. Â It adds a lot to the total price.
Yum! I think I still prefer Pedro's but that might be because of how inexpensive they are. Good Carne Asada burrito, friendly and super fast service. Little spot, we will be back. Oh, pricey though, nearly $7 for a burrito...that's a lot...considering its a taco shop and not a sit down restaurant :)
Review Source:I'm from San Diego and am so disappointed in SC taco shop Mexican food. Â With that being said, Chronic is the best I've had w/o going into Laguna Hills. Â It's WAY WAY better than Pedro's tacos which some how people seem to love. Â Pedro's tacos doesn't sell chips?!? and there hot sauce is taco sauce packets like taco bell (see my full review on them). Â
Anyways the prices are a bit high for a taco shop and the service can be a tad slow, but the food is pretty good and the staff friendly. Â I would recommend the fish tacos or the carne asada quesadilla. Â The breakfast burritos are iffy. Â I never leave thinking it was the best Mexican food ever, but am always satisfied. Â
I would reccomend Baja Fish Tacos or Albatros in Laguna Niguel.
Give it a shot if you want taco shop in SC.
I hate to say this... but these are the best tacos I've found in San Clemente. Â Why do I hate to say that? Â Because Chronic is a chain, and I'm a support-your-local business kinda guy; if all things were equal I'd give my business to the local taco joints every time.
But all things aren't equal: Chronic's tacos are significantly better than the other places around here, even the (dare I say it?) much-vaunted, world-famous Pedros (which frankly isn't that amazing). Â The salsa is better, the ingredients seem fresher and, for what it may be worth to you, the service is friendlier.
I usually order the carnitas and the chicken tacos with everything on them. Â I've also tried their bean and cheese burrito, which was okay; but I base my recommendation on their tacos, which is definitely their specialty and well worth the visit.
I came here the other night and felt like I was walking into a place similar to wahoo's, but I think the food is better here. Â The taquitos were really tasty, cooked with just the right amount of crunch. Â And the beef was yummy. Â The potato taco was greasy but good. Â And you can never do badly with a quesadilla and salsa. I really liked how they do it subway style and let you pick whats on whatever you are ordering. Â Then they wrap up the goodness and ring you up! Â The prices were very fair. Â I really liked this place and I will be returning!
Review Source:Stopped by here on the way back from the OC, got a carnitas taco as a snack, and couldn't have been happier with the food! Very tasty carnitas and good guac to go with it. I wish San Diego had this chain. Of course whatever that Dr. Dre song from the 90's is was going through my head after..."Give my butt the cronic, I gots to get f*cked up"!
Review Source:Chronic Tacos gives big portions for a fair price. Â Taste is average, but is made up by volume.
The menu is based around the "meat" selection: Carne Asada, Carnitas, Al Pastor, Pollo, etc. and all the dishes: tacos, burritos are prepared "Chipotle" style; you tell the server what you want and he dishes it into the tortilla right in front of you. Â He then hands off to the sauce/toppings lady, who finishes off your preparations and wraps it up.
The line can become a little long (6 customers in front of me), but moves quickly. Â They offer your standard soda fountain beverages and agua frescas.
Bottom line: this place is good for a satisfying meal, with good value to boot. Â Not the best Mexican food in the world, but worth a stop every 3 months.
Total bill? About $8.00 for a burrito.
I ordered their carne asada burrito with spanish rice, black beans, guacamole (extra $1.75 or something for it), onions, cilantro, hot/mild salsa. Â The burrito came out huge. Â And that was it, just huge. It was not as flavorful as I was expecting it to be. Â Sorry to say but, I liked Chipotle's burrito over their's = Maybe I should have stuck to their tacos as my friend's order of tacos looked more appetizing ..
Bought flip flops at the Rainbow outlet and came here to grab a bite to eat. Nice little hole in the wall with a really chill staff. I had a chicken enchilada combo meal and the bf had a carne asada quesadilla. I was a little disappointed in my enchilada, but my bf's quesadilla was yummy!
While we were eating our food, we saw some people order burritos. Those things are MASSIVE! And you get to customize it with whatever you want! All for $7 or less. Sweet!
Next time... Next time.
P.S. I like their tortilla chips.
Fresh ingredients make any meal that much better. Â Fresh ingredients in the amounts and ratios that you choose is even better! Â Much like Subway Sandwiches, wherein you walk along the glass counter, pointing and ooh-ing and ahhh-ing as your delicious taco or burrito appears before your eyes, this place is great - I don't know why more Mexican places don't go this route of customization??? Â Also, all items have a flat rate, as in you don't pay more for guacamole or sour cream, which is nice. Â Burritos weigh in at about 6 pounds (I am exaggerating, but they are HUGE), so one, or two, tacos is a more reasonable meal option for most. Â Their Carnitas are awesome, same for Carne Asada. Â I love meat, but when I want something a little lighter the Veggie option is also great. Â I am not a seafood person, but those that are will love the grilled shrimp that they don't start grilling until you place your order. Â $2 Tacos on Tuesday, can't be beat!
Review Source:Mistake #1, ordering the burrito AND a taco... I'm used to LA burritos which often are smaller than bigger. Here it was literally the size of a baby. Filled with meat, rice, beans, sour cream and guacamole amongst other things, lord its huge.
The carnitas looked good in the steam table but was not as good as the al pastor.
This place is sorta like a wahoo's, but more like a subway... One guy cooks up the tortillas and puts the meat on, and then to the lady who puts on the fixins. Kinda funny.
All in all, a pretty good place to grab a quick meal, and a decent taco if you're in the area.
Ew. Â Sorry guys, I love Mex food as much if not more than the next guy but...the "grilled" fish is more like "soaked in oil", the beans taste like lavender (I know, weird) and the salsa and guac are pretty tasteless. Â But I am pretty picky.
On the up side, if I was a huge, non-picky, bottomless-stomach guy, I would worship this place. Â The girl in front of me got a carnitas burrito that she filled to the gills that wouldn't even fit in the foil container...they do it up right as far as quantity is concerned. Â Plus, the people were really nice.
Maybe I am just spoiled with Baja Fish Tacos (FISH, not FRESH) in Laguna Niguel.
Oh, by the way, I went to the Dana Point location - maybe the San Clemente one is different?
Veggie burritos the size of your head for 5 bucks. I don't do meat, but the men in my household swear by the carne asada- this has become a bi-weekly tradition for us. The ingredients are fresh and you watch as they prepare your items assembly line style so you can customize your experience with phrases like; more cilantro! Â no onions! Â heavy on the baja sauce (recommended)! I've come in a few times with huge take-out orders and they always accomodate quickly and efficiently. Friendly folks here, too.
Review Source:
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