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Chronic Tacos
Category: Restaurants Mexican Mexican [Edit]
1812 W 4th StVancouver, BC V6J 3H3
Neighbourhood: Kitsilano
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
20 reviews for Chronic Tacos
20 reviews in English
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Review from D. F.
Vancouver, BC
5/4/2012
I first went to Chronic Tacos because I had a couple different 'social shopping' type coupons.
Now sometimes, I've felt that places treat you a little differently (ie. worse) when you pull out one of the coupons. Not these guys though. They were super friendly!
So they got me as a fan now and I've been back without coupons several times since.
I usually get a couple of the soft tacos. Chicken and/or steak typically. Only one time the meat was a tad cold, but the other times it was deee-lish. Good salsa too.
I haven't done take out yet as it's a cool spot to just chill and consume tacos and beer (especially the Granville location, but I'm at the 4th ave one more often).
Hmm...craving a taco now... -
Review from Melissa C.
Richmond, BC
I've always heard about this restaurant but I never had the chance to go. Fortunately I bought a Groupon and that finally gave me enough incentive to go. I went on a weekday night because of what fellow Yelpers said about busy times on the weekends. Luckily, it was pretty empty.
I decided on the Baja beer-battered fish taco and Carnita taco. The fish was fried to order so it was hot and crispy and the batter had a pleasant taste but the fish was quote small. The ingredients added were pretty fresh and they had a good variety of choices. The only downside to my order was once the taco soft shell cooled down, it became hard and flakey. My boyfriend had the baja fish burrito. Everything was good but the rice that was added was like hard, tasteless hamster pellets. The rice was so difficult to eat, I had a bite and the rice got stuck between my teeth! I would've complained but my boyfriend braved through it.
Staff were really nice and patient. Plus they kept the place tidy.
All in all, I think if you're in the area and you're looking for a fair mexican fix, this place will fill your stomach... but probably not that authentic mexican yearning. For that, I can only think of crossing the border to Chipotle. -
Review from Joel K.
1/1/2012
Here's my suggestions for improvement:
1. Get a simpler menu. Your menu is way too complicated for your fare and it was inaccurate and confusing. Do a study group. Put up some clear signs.
2. Your staff is unenthusiastic about the food, slow at making it, and made too many mistakes. But, it's not entirely their fault. It might help if they actually loved what they were making. I'm channeling Chef Ramsey, I know.
3. Your ingredients were sub-par and it showed. I want fresh, quality meats, veggies, and shells/tortillas. Most of what you had was greasy and of poor quality. I know Vancouver has better.
I could have made better at home for less money! I also felt slightly ill after eating it. Vancouver needs a Chipotles, or a Holé Molé. Take some cues from those places if you ever get of of town. -
Review from Sam W.
3/16/2012
what the -- this isn't a mexican restaurant (as previously thought) so much as another Chipotle. Line up style with casual, skater decor (as expected of w 4th) and average food. Would I go again? naaaaah. but that's just cause i'm a food snob/ beeyotch and i love love LOVE my mexican food. For the people with less discerning tastebuds, prices are standard/ cheap!
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Review from Luisa D.
9/15/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Went with my Groupon in hand. Apparently most of Vancouver bought the same Groupon. It was packed in there!
The staff are chill (despite being super busy) and the food was as expected - decent but nothing to rave about.
I can't say the decor or cleanliness were anything to write home about. -
Review from Emily H.
Vancouver, BC
11/17/2011
As a California transplant I long for quality burritos in Vancouver, but they're hard to find, yada yada. I had high hopes for this place, but after trying a few times, I've been left unsatisfied. I would have to recommend La Taqueria over this place. Hands down.
The big let down was in terms of flavour. I've had the al pastor burrito, and it was weirdly sweet and otherwise uninteresting. I got carnitas today and it was also quite bland. And, I'm just remembering now, I got the SPICY salsa! It doesn't taste BAD, but it isn't a lot better than the Annie's frozen burritos I hoard at home...
The decor is inoffensive, despite what some reviews say (?!?). I mean, it's a lot of black and the light is weird, but who cares. The service has always been fine, and today it was exceptional-- super friendly. I was the only one there so I didn't mind the guy being slow, which he definitely was. It's so funny-- the burrito artists in California work so fast, it's like a magic show. Watching this guy clumsily and slowly assemble my burrito was kind of hilarious in comparison; I didn't really mind.
So, in the future, if there's nothing better I will go here... unfortunately there often is better, so they best start amping up the flavour. -
Review from Linzi M.
7/22/2011
Well smack my ass and call me a burrito convert. Two days running! Damn, Vancouver has turned me. I was a burrito-hater and now I'm all up in their business like an ex-nun at a Chippendales show.
London is known for having spectacularly disappointing Mexican food and Vancouver apparently isn't any better. BUT I guess that closer proximity to the west coast notches Van up another few levels, because the burritos here are the best I've had. I stopped in at Chronic Tacos for lunch, and got in the little queue. The tattooed chick taking my order was friendly and obliged my 'not too big, I can't eat that much' request. Instead of all filler rice, she gave me extra grilled fish*. Winning. Sadly, they charge extra for guacamole. Hmm, I was feeling cheap and didn't want to pay $1.49 for it. Also I like their Spanish rice over cilantro rice any day.
I didn't even wait till I got down the street, I tore into that burrito and destroyed it. Bam. Burrito baby in my belly. It wasn't even that messy.
Chronic is the perfect lunchtime spot, enough seats to comfortably hangout, a good menu of choices and cool staff working the place. I could get Mexican fat here. I know it.
* Maybe Vancouver is winning in the burrito stakes because they offer grilled fish or battered fish options, instead of just steak, chicken or crappy vegetarian. Get some imagination, London. -
Review from Veronica D.
Vancouver, BC
8/24/2011
Every day when I walk by this place I shudder at my gross burrito experience and vow NEVER again.
For such a new place isn't it disturbing how not fresh and tasty their ingredients are? Yikes...
Not so tasty if you're vegan and want a veggie burrito. My husband and I got 2 the other day after they just opened.
Couldn't have the seasoned rice, it has chicken stock in it. Skipped the dairy cheese and dairy sour cream too.
So we got white rice, beans, guacamole, lettuce, tomatoes.
Blah it didn't taste like anything. I think the beans need to be seasoned. Maybe they could offer some vegan daiya cheese for veg people and those allergic to dairy.
Tell me, who likes to eat plain black beans? I love black beans, love them, but they taste like dirt if you don't season them. And these sucked.
It's right by our place, and I can't say that I want to come back. It's pretty expensive but I did not enjoy eating it. It's all white rice and tortilla with almost no flavour. I can make better at home with seasoned beans and vegetables.
Even if I was starving I would never come back for some bland, non fresh crap burrito. -
Review from Kasimir K.
Vancouver, BC
1/16/2012
Uninspired food. Went twice and neither visit stood out as tasty. The microwave was broken on one occasion. The rice was flavorless and perhaps from the previous day. Very slow service as well. Would definitely choose La Taqueria any day over this.
Listed in: Restaurant
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Review from Amanda F.
10/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
This place is delicious & decently priced. Love being able to get fresh, yummy mexican takeout a 2 minute walk from my workplace. I could easily eat their taco bowl everyday for the rest of my life.
Why not 5 stars? Slow service, y'all. The queue moves at a snails pace. -
Review from Danielle B.
Vancouver, BC
6/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
So I finally made it to Chronic Tacos! I have a friend who frequents the Broadway location and has been telling me I need to check it out. I ended up going to the new location on West 4th for my inaugural visit and let me tell you, I was not disappointed!
When I walked in, I looked around and noticed that there were a few tables occupied and that there were only a couple of people at the counter. I heard the Broadway location gets super busy, so I was happy to see a minimal line up here. I took a few minutes to decide, but finally settled on the carnitas (pulled pork) burrito.
They start with a humungous flour tortilla and they put it in a tortilla press to heat it up. You get a choice of meat, rice and beans and then you move on towards the "topping" section. I added Spanish rice and black beans to my pulled pork and then went with the works. Guacamole (extra $ - but worth it!) cheese, salsa, hot sauce, cilantro, lime and lots of LOVE went into my burrito. It was so big that I thought there's no way they can wrap the tortilla around all those toppings - yet somehow, they made it work.
I stayed there to eat my burrito, as there was no way I could walk around with this monster in my hands and not lose half of it down the front of my shirt. Luckily, I managed to finish it with my clothes free of spillage and only half a dozen napkins lost their lives in the process.
I was impressed by the attitudes of the employees here - they were all very friendly and helpful in explaining the different options available. They seemed really happy to be there and enjoying what they do. Attitude makes such a difference to me as a customer.
I will definitely go back to Chronic Tacos to try the Baja Fish I've heard so much about. -
Review from Liza B.
Vancouver, BC
10/6/2011
Pretty good stuff! Though hard to come by solid, real, authentic Mexican food in Canada, this place will do in a pinch. Though it's not entirely authentic it's still a hell of a lot better than Taco Time or Taco Bell. WAY better. Pretty fresh but I do find it rather pricey.
I do like it. Yes. Yes I do. -
Review from Rich E.
7/18/2011
You can read read the other reviews on how ordering works, so I won't beat that subject over the head again. We got a beef steak burrito meal and the thing looks like a burrito on steroids. The staff are helpful and friendly but $16 (inc tax) for a single meal? I guess that's ok by Vancouver standards. The burrito "meal" fed both of us and we still had left-overs.
Summary: Large portions, large price, ok flavour and a bit of runs to the washroom gives it a 3 rating. -
Review from Esther P.
Toronto, ON
12/27/2011
Excellent for a fast meal on the go. Surprisingly, Chronic Tacos' burritos are much better than burritos I've had in Toronto, where burrito places are a dime a dozen and also very delicious. The fish burrito and bean burrito are solid choices. I especially enjoy the addition of the lime; it really adds something.
Two (minor) things from my last visit-
- Rice was a tad dry
- I got a white tortilla when I wanted whole wheat. The white tortilla is a little too thick/chewy, if that makes sense. -
Review from Nicole L.
Vancouver, BC
10/24/2011
This menu looked like a little like Chipotle, so I was hoping it was going to taste like it too. WRONG. It was bad and I don't think they got anyone's order right (they botched the people before me, my, and two people after me's order). Taste wise, it was bleh. I had two tacos- fish and chicken. The fish was better than the chicken.
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Review from Neville I.
Vancouver, BC
8/22/2011
Walked in on a Saturday evening and the place was surprisingly deserted. The staff here are super friendly and helpful (possibly due to severe boredom) and waved hello. They then helped a very confused me select something and explained what all the options were for ways of having it prepared and toppings. My fish burrito turned out to be very tasty and filling, although slightly overpriced at close to $10 for just the burrito.
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Review from Carmen C.
7/23/2011
Good, friendly service. Great for drinks. Very loud though. Food was mediocre. Perhaps a tad bit overrated.
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Review from Gelsey B.
7/15/2011
I've been there twice in one week! Chronic Tacos makes one great burrito... tasty, flavorful, and generous. The guacamole is fantastic, as well as their "pico de gallo" tomato salsa. And the rice... yummy! The taquitos/flautas were a bit bland (they only contained chicken... I thought they were going to get stuffed with something else aside from chicken, like cheese or tomatoes or beans)... regardless, I devoured them. I like having a fast food Mexican place in the neighborhood.
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Review from b p.
Vancouver, BC
7/27/2011
to 4th/Burrard & Broadway/Cambie locations for takeout, both great food, huge portions, cost is appropriate to quality! Have had beef tacos and chicken chimichanga, both excellent. Co-workers swears by (and at later) the burritos.
cons - must drive there and not enough lunch break to eat it all! -
Review from Lee E.
Scarborough, ON
10/19/2011
I went with a friend yesterday and absolutely loved it. I'm vegetarian and had veggie tacos, 3 of them and they were very fresh and tasty. My friend had one of the burritos and we both looked at our food and thought we'd need more later that night but we were stuffed by the time we finished. The guys behind the counter were very friendly and got our food pretty quick. No complaints, and if lived in Vancouver I'd go back in a heartbeat.
