Papi’s Tacos Al Carbon

Ok, so I read the reviews for Papi’s Tacos and we went to have a bite to eat, and the reviews are accurate.
I have lived in Riverside for the last 16 years and have seen Papis for the last 16 years but it just didn’t draw me in. The place look like it hasn’t change since it was first opened, judging by the 80’s look but thats all good, because is good, I guess they have to be good if they are still in business after 30 years. Needless to say, we will be back for sure.

Nice little place. Pretty big menu. They serve breakfast and have daily specials. They serve beer and have a small salsa stand. Pinto beans or black beans. They also have Horchata, Jamaica and Lemonade. $ 1 refills. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. They also have a coupon on
where you buy a $ 10 Gift Certificate for $ 20 worth of food. Great deal! The people are nice. The food is fresh. The chicken is tender, but my favorite is the cheese enchilada platter. They have a television for your viewing pleasure and music playing simultaneously. This place has been open forever. They must be doing something right. =)

Had a chicken taco salad last Thursday that gave me food poisoning. I’ve been throwing up for the last 36hrs. I used to like this place, but getting so sick has taught me to go elsewhere.

Pretty good chips

Roach in my tacos. No joke.
I was so excited to have real tacos. This place was suggested to me by my girlfriend’s brother. Needless to say, I went hungry.

Good flavor, made fresh, very good char grilled taste which I love, my cousin husbands fav … RIP

I have eaten here for years and it’s the only reason I look forward to going to Riverside. The food is good and cooked to order. Salsa bar is fresh, the workers are nice and prices are good. Patio are is nice and relaxing.

The have the best meatless nachos! You can also get meat on them but I recommend the mini nachos (good sized portion for 2) black beans, guacamole and sour cream. A+

Simple review !! I ate a carne Asada quesadilla and I got sick … Pay for something that make me sick. Not good place.

Great food… I’ve been coming here for 20 plus years… Carne Asada burritos are really good!

This place should be renamed Papi’s tacos al Roach! My husband and I came to order some food and within the 20 minute span we were there we saw numerous roaches both dead and alive. There was one kicking back on a chair just staring at us like he was looking for a free meal. Gross!!! I didn’t see any mention of this in the reviews so I don’t know if this is a new problem or not. The A rating on the front is a big lie!

Papis is a Riverside gem. Can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Always fresh. Always great.

My husband and I have been coming to this restaurant for 12 years. It is our most favorite place.
The Monster Nachos are AWESOME!
We used to come there before children and share one nacho. Now we have two small children of our own and have to get 2 monster nachos and tamales. Its family run and the same people have been working there since we have been coming there. I highly recommend you try this place if you haven’t yet.

Not the best or the worst I’ve had. The total was made with I think a sub roll and just beans and meat. All the rest was on the side. Just lettuce and a few onions and two slices of tomato. OK now that I think about it the tort a was the worst I’ve had.

Best tacos in riverside! Highly recommend the crane asada anchor too! Will eat here more than I probably should!

Rolled in here looking for a taco fix after a long day walking around the auto auction. At first glance it’s your typical taco joint — old, tired interior, outdoor patio, bathrooms outside. The food is decent, but nothing to get excited about. I nearly flipped out when I heard three tacos and a coke was $ 8. The carne asada was piled on and it had good flavor, but I still thought it was a little overpriced.
People working here are nice, and I didn’t see any obvious issues with food handling or cleanliness. It’s just surprising to spend $ 8 for a 3 decent tacos and a soda when I’m used to paying $ 4 – 5 in OC for the same thing.

Where do I start about this place? I have been coming here since I was just a wee lad and have hung this place as the best mexican food around you can ever get! I have tried many things over the years here but wanted to give you my top 3 dishes that you cannot go wrong with.
1. If you love burritos then you have to get the Chicken Ranchero Burrito! You can ask for the dinner plate to get a side of beans and salad (or rice) and if your a carne asada lover then the meat here is pretty hard to beat. Make sure you hit up the salsa bar to get all your toppings (salsa, cilantro, onions, pico de gallo, etc.) I personally cut the whole thing up and then slap all my condiments on it and BA-​BAAM!
2. If you are a nacho fan then get the large order of nachos with either chicken or carne asada on it. Spice it up with all the toppings and you cannot go wrong with this one!
3. Lastly if your a sope lover then go ahead and get these as well. My wife absolutely loves them and the bread they use is amazing for them.
Once you got your order in go ahead and order a side of onions. They are the best here and are seasoned to perfection!
I have recommended this place to all my friends and family and have converted many people over the years. If you love great Mexican food then go ahead and give it a shot and you will be a believer also.
Aside from everything else they have recently re-​modeled the inside with paint, blinds, fans, etc. so its definitely a clean place to eat in. This is a family owned business and they are all friendly and the service is great. Happy eating everyone!

My boyfriend aka Le Pug and I were reluctant to come here after going to the other location of Papi’s Tacos Al Carbon. I had originally gone a few years ago and really enjoyed the food, but since then the restaurant space has been bought over by another owner. With the name change, the food has changed also… but not for the better. Before we went to this location, I was hoping the food would be at least as good. But it was better!
The other location was more catered to an Americanized audience (from my memory) and this location is more «Mexican» in taste. I am half Mexican myself and grew up eating home cooking, so I think I know what I’m talking about.
I ordered the Pollo Adobada plate (it is Chicken Fajitas) and comes with a small salad, beans, rice and tortillas.
It took a little while for my fajitas to come out because they are cooked to order, but it was worth it because the chicken was very tender and not dry.
My Boyfriend ordered the Carne Asada burrito and he thought it was above average. I personally though the meat could have been more tender, but it was overall quite nice.
We shared their Macho Nachos (Is that what is is called?) the large nacho plate, and I cannot press how AMAZING IT WAS. You have to order this when you go. We chose the Al Pastor (best Al Pastor I have ever eaten. EVER) and got pinto beans instead of black beans, I filled up on this and barely touched my fajitas. I would definitely go back here, if just for the nachos alone. I LOVE them.
The restaurant size is quite small and has a patio that you can smoke at. The salsa bar is decent as it includes cilantro, which many salsa bars unfortunately don’t have.
For good Mexican cuisine in Riverside, Papi’s Tacos Al Carbon is one of our new favorites.

Oh my goodness, how we’ve come full circle.
This is another grub spot my husband so fondly speaks of and brought me to try their famous asada burritos. I skipped out on it and got an enchilada suiza instead. I pleasantly enjoyed my meal despite the store bought thousand island dressing on my salad. The option of black beans or pinto was a nice touch and they were kind to offer additional chips for my kiddo without having to purchase a full order.
Yes, the place is run down and grungy but they serve delicious food and all made to order which surpasses most other Mexican restaurants nowadays.

I don’t have a particular reason as to why I’ve never eaten at Papi’s before. I’ve driven by the restaurant hundreds of times, but I never felt compelled to pull into the parking lot.
I was working in Riverside on Friday and I was looking forward to my lunch hour. I had a hankering for Hawaiian, but the closest restaurant was 15 – 20 minutes away. Plan B was Mexican; my co-worker’s preference, so Papi’s was the first restaurant that popped in my mind.
I’ve pretty much exhausted all of the option on Van Buren, except for the chains, Goody’s and Papi’s.
We walk in at about 1215p, and the place is dead. Their special’s menu is located prominently in several locations and after taking a few seconds to review it, I decide on the Adobada Sandwich combo.
The sandwich was tasty but the fries could’ve used a few extra minutes in the fryer. The combo also came with a mini salad and a soda with free refills. The side bar was well-​stocked with all of the usual suspects – no surprises.
My co-​worker ordered two carne asada tacos. She mentioned that they too were tasty.
Although I had a positive experience at Papi’s, I’ll probably never eat here again.
Why?
Because Tiajuana Tacos is only a few minutes away. Why would I eat a 3-​star restaurant when I could eat at a 5-​star? But when you’re a Unilocaler, you feel compelled to try every restaurant/​bar! Parking is very limited and where the heck are the restrooms?
Membership has its privileges…