Rubio's Baja Grill - Sadly I haven't had them in quite a while since I no longer live in L.A.

For a chain taco my vote goes to Jimboy's even though it's nowhere near an authentic Mexican street taco. In my younger days these were good hangover tacos... :D

Fortunately we have a lot of mom-and-pop taquerias around Sacramento. And many Mexican tienditas and carnicerias often sell tacos on the side. There's one near our house that usually has a portable taco stand set up, just like in Mexico. Just had some tacos de lengua there the other day. Good stuff.

+1 When in Southern California, I look for Rubios.

At home, I like qDoba.

Though of course, neither option beats a good hole-in-the-wall taqueria.

Another vote for Taco Caba~na
 

Do they exist anyplace but Texas? I haven't seen them elsewhere but would love to. Wouldn't go there if I had real mexican food available but it's great for fast food.

Had some superb fish tacos from Santana's @ 2am this morning, I tend to prefer really crispy fish and these didn't disappoint. Gonna hit up Los Primos today for lunch :)

When in Socal skip the chains and walk into any gas station that has a mexican restaurant or a strip mall. Every strip mall has one.

Is there a "Charco de las Ranas" somewhere in California..??? Now those are good tacos... :D ^

Not a chain, but if anyoen finds themselves in Back Bay Amtrak station in Boston, there's an awesome authentic taco/burrito cart right near the entrance to the station--you walk right by it going to the platforms and the ticket booth. Excellent tacos (beef/chicken/pastor) made with 2 soft corn tortillas (no, real tacos do not have fried shells!), nice blend of flavors, hint of cilantro, etc. Better than anything I've had in a while except maybe for the local Marianne's Tacqueria chain in Boston.

Jimbos in California

Finally went to Chipotle in Las Vegas and really enjoyed the spicy shredded beef burritto. I could barely finish one but the guy in front of me polished off two of them!!!

Didn't realize that they served tacos until a couple years ago... the thought :eek:

However, since md endorsed it, I may have to have a ceremonial one next time I'm in the lower 48...

For ANC:

We have a decent local chain called Taco King and they have the most funny radio ad right now- with a driver named Pedro who says "Taco King Deelevers" :D

For this far north, not bad ^

This is why, in my opinion, people like Chipotle. Quantity. The burritos are mainly rice...LOTS of rice. With LOTS of salt.

Pass.

Umm, they weren't. I assume the poster was joking, because the word used by the Eagles was "colitas," not "carnitas." For an interestig discussion of what "colitas" are, see here: http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...s-colitas-mean

Who knows if the theory is true, but they definitely are not saying "carnitas."