Rico Rico Taco Oakland

Two taco-truck families meet on Lakeshore

Rico Rico Taco brings together Ricardo and Marisol Montero and two established East Bay taco-truck families, Tacos El Gordo and Taqueria Sinaloa. Their Lakeshore restaurant was documented in 2019 as a meeting of those traditions. The connection is useful background for a menu that gives spit-roasted pastor and carnitas distinct places, rather than treating every pork taco as interchangeable.

Pastor carries pineapple, onion, cilantro and salsa. Carnitas emphasizes crisp fried pork; carne asada and flame-grilled chicken follow a simpler onion-and-cilantro construction. Fish is fried and dressed with chipotle crema, cabbage, pico and pickled onion, while shrimp is sautéed. Mushroom and cactus tacos carry queso, so the main taqueria's vegetable menu is different from the separate plant-based concept.

Fresh tortillas are central to the restaurant's presentation. For a fuller meal, the huarachito uses an oval fried corn base with refried beans and a filling; burritos add rice, beans, crema, cheese and salsa. Two- and three-taco combinations with rice and beans make the meal's size easier to plan. Family orders and catering are available separately.

The Oakland addresses

• Rico Rico Taco, Lakeshore: 3205 Lakeshore Avenue; 510-922-8262. Monday–Wednesday and Sunday 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Thursday–Friday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Rico Rico Vegano: 677 Rand Avenue; 510-350-8821, as listed in the merchant's current ordering directory. The plant-based menu uses hibiscus pastor, wheat-protein asada, soy chicken and konjac shrimp. Its own dishes and ordering schedule are separate.

Direct ordering offers delivery and pickup for Lakeshore. Both published numbers are restaurant contacts; no separate delivery-only phone was verified. When selecting the Rand Avenue concept, note that the ingredient list identifies wheat gluten and soy in several substitutes. A plant-based name alone does not establish suitability for a specific allergy.

Order pickup or delivery from Lakeshore.