Aranda’s Tacos

Nothing clever to say here, and no need to.
Been coming here for many years, and never a duff meal.
Never screwed up an order.
Never had to wait long for my take-​out order, even when the place was slammed.
Their red and green salsas they throw in the bag are exemplary.
But here’s the tip!
If you dig HOT, and I mean Yellow-​Jacket sting on the Tongue hot.
Go over to the little buffet bar thing adjacent to the kitchen window. It’s not a buffet, but a little stand with condiments. You gotta have condiments with Mex food.
Look for the yellow-​beige stuff with Orange shards in one of the trays.
(there are also Radishes, and Cucumbers in other bins)
This is the elusive «Garnish» I was introduced to by the Siren Waitresses at Lalo’s years ago. When I asked them what the Spanish name of this incendiary preparation was, I got a blank stare.
” ‘Garnish’ is what we call it.” said the assembled Marias, much to my chagrin.
I’ve asked for «Garnish» at countless Mex joints, and have gotten a plate of parsley, a leaf of lettuce, and I won’t be surprised if I get a tiny paper umbrella one of these days. But NEVER the real deal. Imagine my surprise finding again here.
What «Garnish» is: Thinly sliced spanish onion and slivered habañero chiles in a watery creamed dressing, that may or may not have some vinegar in it. Also a smattering of
what seems to be Mex Oregano and other herbs (but not much).
There must be some synergy between the chiles, onions and vinegar that ramps up the heat factor. I can withstand Hot food well. I’m a big fan. But «Garnish» is like a napalm lozenge. With outstanding flavor. I mix it in my Guacamole, I put in on my Tacos.
I cry like a whimpering little bitch, all the time reaching for more.
There are no covers for the little styrofoam cups on hand to put your condiments in, so while you’re waiting for your take out, go grab a cup, and hand it to the attendant as you pay your bill, they will wrap it up in tin foil.
(I know it’s stupid, I know it’s not the case, but each time I bring «garnish» home, I expect the Styrofoam to be melted or degraded. It’s a slight neurosis, but I laugh at it.)
the epilogue: I’ve asked each attendant there what they called the preparation I call «Garnish». I got blank stares. They did NOT say «Garnish». In fact I got shrugged shoulders and blank stares just as I got at Lalos. I looked to the apparent Boss-​guy and HE didn’t have anything to say-​he shrugged his shoulders again and said «Habañeros?» Like he was aksing ME what the hell its name was.
Garnish…

Authentic Mexican food with unbelievable service. It’s a local «hole in the wall» favorite family friendly restaurant. All the employees were happy and very nice. We ordered several things such as flour tacos– beef, tongue, pork, shredded beef, steak, chicken quesadilla, and chips and salsa. All were flavorful and fresh. Our waiter was very nice. He was so patient with us and suggested certain items on the menu. The rice water and tamirand pop was also a favorite.
Thank you for great food, service, and the second tongue taco on the house!

One of my favorite authentic Mexican restaurants. I’m a big fan of the hard shell tacos with shredded beef. I also order the al pastor tacos and put their homemade hot sauce on it. Use the hot sauce that is by the salad bar by register. It’s a dark red and taste awesome. Very tasty and affordable!

Food is amazing and has home cooked taste. Always busy but never a long wait. They might need a bigger place soon. I get the hard tacos I recommend them.

The tacos here are pretty good
Chips and gucamole is the best I love eating here when I get a chance too

Great menu options, lots of different meat choices. Got the combo plate with a burrito, taco, & tostada, all with different fillings. The salsa is authentic and has a kick. The restaurant is small and narrow, but the food was excellent. Each table gets bottles of red and green salsa, along with a bowl of fresh lime quarters. Great service, great place.

Definitely a Cheap Eats winner. Probably more 3−½ stars than four but I didn’t want to deny them a half-​star by rating it a 3. I eat here more than any other Mexican place in the area as it is close to home. While there may be better taquerias in and around Aurora/​Montgomery/​Oswego, this place consistently delivers tasty food that’s served quickly and at very reasonable prices.
Favorites include the Tacos Al Pastor (I prefer them with cilantro & onions, a squeeze of lime and one of their excellent salsas). Chicken and steak tacos are also very good. My niece likes their guacamole and nachos. I prefer to order tacos ala carte, but have ordered the taco dinner with rice and beans a couple times. The rice and beans are fine, they’re just, well, rice and beans. I’d rather order an additional taco if I’m really hungry.
FYI, soft drinks are served in a can; no fountain drinks. If you dine in they provide a styrofoam cup filled with ice. Have not tried the horchata that everyone raves about since I’m not a fan. Also note that if you dine in, a server will take your order but you pay at the register. (I’ve also noticed that a check may not always be brought to your table, but you can just go to the register and tell them where you were seated and they’ll ring you up.)
Plenty of parking (it’s located in the shopping center anchored by Jewel off Rte 30). It won’t win any awards for décor, but it’s still a pleasant place to dine in. Although it can get crowded at times, I have always been able to find a seat. TVs around the dining room are tuned to Telemundo soap operas most of the time, while at other times traditional Mexican tunes are played. Because of the volume, it can get a bit loud when crowded, but that just adds a lively vibe to the experience.

Solid taqueria. Horchatas here are good. Tacos de asada are quality and are as cheap as it gets outside of Mexico. Their salsa verde is good. They know what’s up with Torta Milanesas de res (steak) some of the best I’ve had here.

My husband and I love this place! Authentic fresh quick food. Awesome guacamole, salsa, green hot sauce and tortilla chips. I really don’t like chicken, but their chicken tacos are really good! Our toddlers love the rice, beans and cheese quesadillas. Other great tasting items: Avocado tostada, rice, tortillas. Refried beans are ok, nothing special and just fine. Is a small very very very very casual restaurant. Husband said pork in burrito was good, not great. Cheap — big dinner for 4 = $ 25. Nice people, speak English. I just need to remember to not talk as fast as I normally do when ordering :-).

I visit Arandas every time I’m in town for their Desabrada tacos dorados. Absolutely delicious and I can’t find anything like them in California (Jalisco in Aurora has similar, as does Taqueria Muniz)

I loved their food and they got rid of a rude waitress that used to be there all the time which is great but these past few months they have been dropping the ball with their food. I usually get the steak tacos but lately I got a lot of nerves with my meat which are inedible. I can pick through them but then I barely have any meat left.
The place can also get cramped so most of the time I order to go, if not, I end up in the back tables; smelling the bathroom in the back throughout my entire meal.
I have stopped going here and plan to give them some time, hopefully they get their stuff together again.

We moved to the Oswego area about 8 months ago and our favorite go to restaurant is Arandas Tacos.
Normally my husband and I order the nachos as an appetizer. You can definitely split them between a few people. Sometimes we will order them and the one combo platter, other times we order them and two meals and take the leftovers home :)
The combos are great because you can try a few different things and get rice and beans. I order at least one tamale because I am addicted! They are so moist and delicious, definitely the best I’ve had in a long time!!!
I would describe Arandas as fast, delicious, and cheap. The perfect combination for a quick date night! It isn’t the prettiest place, but the food is awesome!

Tacos made fresh while you wait, which is not that long. The crispy tacos are my favorite. Workers are friendly and polite, get the order right every time. You can call in order ahead and just pick up or eat in.

I have always loved coming here, but the last couples of months have been disasters. Their pork (pastor) used to be very savory, browned with crisp bits. Now its tough rubber bands of pork with a new red sauce. Their steak (asada) has been hit and miss – sometimes great (browned well) but other times look like boiled grayness.
They started strong but I believe the locals acceptance of lower standards has made Aranda’s go down a cheaper route. There will be a point it will hurt business.

My wife got the nachos with out meat and the cheese was from a can like you would get at 7 – 11. Why would they even have a can of cheese? I Got the steak burrito and it had ZERO seasoning … 2 words to rate this restaurant bland & bad!

I really hate giving bad reviews, but the first and only time I ordered from here there were small pieces of bone in my chicken enchiladas. It was so unappetizing that I threw most of it away. My boyfriend’s meal was very blah and nothing stood out. They also forget to put our $ 6 container of guacamole in the bag… that’s a day ruiner.

great service!!!
great horchata!!!
al pastor amazing !!!
baaaaad carne !!!
the beef meat is not good!!!

The foods really good! But if you order to go make sure everything’s in the bag! Also the price seems to be going up!

My husband and I went there last week. I had the pastor taco combo and my husband did as well. They were great! We order a side of chips and salsa and the salsa was flavored nicely. I think it could have had more heat but my husband loved it.
Smaller place but totally well worth it!

A quick nice place to grab lunch. You can get the combo plates or just a bunch of authentic tacos. Of course the world cup was on. Their guacamole is also creamy and to die for. Check it out. Its hidden in the strip mall with the Jewel Osco. Pick your own seat and wait for the watress!