Seemor
Tacos Chidos
Venice, CA 90291
· Mexican restaurant
· 4.7/5 Google (468 reviews)
Takeout · Outdoor seating
Destination-worthy al pastor from a busy sidewalk stand, with great value for tacos but inconsistent service and rising burrito prices.
Restaurant Summary
A lively Venice sidewalk stand that feels warm and bustling most nights, Tacos Chidos draws lines for trompo-cut al pastor and quick counter service. One fan summed it up: "Mandatory stop for pastor when I am in town." Be aware of ambiguous pricing reports tied to card surcharges and occasional brusque interactions at the register. The cooking is classic street style rather than flashy—charred pastor with pineapple, simple salsas, and foil-wrapped burritos. It suits anyone who craves no-frills tacos with real smoke and quick turnaround. Quality peaks with pastor; asada and burritos can vary from juicy to just okay depending on the night. Families do fine here thanks to simple, familiar bites like chicken or asada tacos and quesadillas. Seating is makeshift and outdoors, so plan for a quick, casual meal. Vegetarian choices are limited to quesadillas and rice/beans despite the broad taco list.
At a Glance
- Al pastor stands out with smoky trompo flavor and pineapple
- Convenient Whole Foods lot location with quick counter service
- Price increases and possible 10-15% card surcharge reported
- Service can feel brusque; cashier attitude mentioned repeatedly
- Limited vegetarian options beyond quesadillas and rice/beans
What Sets It Apart
- trompo_al_pastor_focus
- convenient_parking_lot_location
- late_night_availability
What People Love
- Smoky, pineapple-topped pastor
- Fast-moving line even when busy
- Generous salsa and toppings setup
- Cold horchata and aguas frescas
Points of Concern
- Burrito prices have climbed to roughly $12-17 according to recent reviewers
- Multiple reports of a card surcharge and unclear posted pricing
- Cashier attitude and occasional rudeness dampen the experience
- Inconsistent asada quality and occasional greasy prep
Service & Dining Experience
Service StyleCounter With Seating
Average Cost$16-26 per person
ReservationsNot required
What to Order
- Prioritize pastor tacos over asada if quality varies
- If vegetarian, plan on quesadilla or rice/beans only
- Consider cash to avoid card surcharge and confirm prices before ordering
Perfect For
- Late-night taco runs after the beach
- Quick weeknight bites with parking
- Out-of-towners chasing a pastor fix
- Solo snack stops on the go
Location Insights
Area: Busy, beach-adjacent Venice zone drawing locals and visitors; casual late-night energy with parking-lot convenience.
Safety: Generally busy and well-trafficked; standard urban parking-lot environment with typical late-night street-stand conditions.
Nearby: Located at Whole Foods entrance area; other taco stands and casual eateries within a few blocks; heavy foot traffic.
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Monday17:00–00:00
Tuesday17:00–00:00
Wednesday17:00–00:00
Thursday17:00–00:00
Friday17:00–00:00
Saturday17:00–00:00
Sunday17:00–00:00
Available: Takeout, Outdoor seating
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