Three generations of family recipes, stone-ground masa, and meats marinated for 24 hours — served from our kitchen on State Street to your table.
Rico Taco began when Abuela Elena traded her recipe cards for a rolling cart outside the Redlands citrus exchange. Her al pastor marinade — passed down from her mother in Oaxaca — drew lines around the block within the first month.
Today, her grandson runs the kitchen on State Street. The recipes are unchanged. The masa is still hand-pressed at dawn. The wood-fired pit still smolders through the night. We don't chase trends; we honor the patience that makes Mexican food worth waiting for.
Every chile is toasted by hand. Every salsa is ground on the metate. Every tortilla is folded by someone who learned from their grandmother's hands. That's not marketing — it's just how we've always done it.
A glimpse into the moments between prep and plate — the sizzle, the fold, the first bite.
"The birria here is unlike anything I've had in Southern California. The consommé alone is worth the drive. My family comes here every Sunday now — it's become our tradition."
"I ordered catering for my daughter's quinceañera and every single guest asked for the restaurant name. The mole tacos disappeared first. Honest to god, the best Mexican food in the Inland Empire."
"As someone who grew up in Guadalajara, I can say with confidence this is the real deal. The nopales taco reminded me of my abuela's kitchen. Finally, a place in Redlands that gets it right."
From birthday parties to corporate lunches, our catering menu brings the same handmade quality to your event. Call us to build a custom package.
615 W State St
Redlands, CA 92373
Call ahead and we'll have your order ready. Walk-ins welcome, but calls get priority on busy nights.
Call to Order