Sancho's Tacos Bakersfield

Tri-tip and sauces set the direction

At Sancho’s, a taco name identifies a whole preparation. The OG uses tri-tip with onion, cilantro, sour cream and Chubbie sauce. Federale replaces the beef with slow-roasted carnitas; Yard Bird uses grilled chicken breast. For a diner choosing between them, the shared dressing is as important as the meat.

Seafood is divided more carefully than a single fish-taco heading suggests. Flounder Pounder is grilled marinated fish with cabbage, cilantro, sour cream, salsa verde and Chubbie sauce. Pounder’s Carnal is beer-battered fish on a flour tortilla with cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle and sour cream. Shrimp also comes grilled with butter and garlic or beer-battered, while Surf & Turf combines shrimp and tri-tip.

Flaco Taco brings together artichoke hearts, mushrooms, spinach, avocado and salsa verde. The lunch burrito has a specifically offered vegan adjustment using black beans and cilantro-lime rice. CaliGuey is a more substantial alternative: tri-tip, fries, guacamole, cheese and sour cream in a grilled flour tortilla.

The brand began in Huntington Beach in 2010, after backyard taco competitions among friends; the founder’s wife Erika helped open Newport Beach in 2013. Bakersfield belongs to that family business, rather than being its original restaurant. Its art-filled identity accompanies a menu with breakfast tacos, egg-and-potato burritos and quesadillas.

Downtown, with an early weekday start

Find it at 700 18th Street; 661-348-4572. Hours are Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–9 p.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.–8 p.m. The linked ordering system offers pickup and delivery by location; this phone reaches the restaurant and is not a separate delivery line.

Choose Bakersfield for pickup or delivery.