Padre

Rustic but charming Mexican style taco place. Food is good. Some things I liked more than others. For instance, I thought the salsa that came with the tortilla chips was a little heavy on the vinegar. Add I wasn't sure about the pork belly, onion, and pineapple chunks taco. Just a bit odd for me. The beef skirt tacos were awesome. Easily the best part of the meal was the bread pudding and ice cream dessert. Waitress staff were lovely and really friendly and helpful. So why four stars? Why would a trendy eating place in Long Beach put a person at the front door on 'meet and greet' duties who possesses less personality than my shoelace? It beggars belief. Utterly devoid of any interest in the guests. Mopes back to the front door with iPhone in hand checking social media for a better life.... Sigh

I ordered the Aguachile, which was so good, had a strong flavor of mint which I’m not use to but I just avoided big bites if the mint. The Guacamole was good but the salsa was soooo good! I ordered birria tacos and chicken a pastor and my son ordered chicken a pastor and didn’t really like the pineapple on top but I didn’t mind. Meat was soft and marinated delicious. I did have to add salt and lime to my meat but that’s just me. The tortillas weren’t too Special. By the looks I was expecting more fresh home made taste. Overall the vibe and decor was a vibe!

Padre seems to be a busy-lively eatery (at least during my visit on a Friday night though in walking by other times at night, I recall seeing a line or two out the door, particularly about the weekend), I stand outside for about ten minutes before getting in. During my visit, customer service is good: being alone at a table is different than being alone at a bar, the employees behind the bar all seem ready to help everyone, so whenever a customer is ready, an employee is ready (a table, in my experience usually has a different type of employee directly catering to a table). The Vegan Gyro is delicious and filling. Initially, I'm not a fan of the price though after half of the meal fills me, I can be a bit more understanding. The cherry tomatoes, onions, and every other (if any other) vegetables are most flavorful to me. The bites with rice and the Vegan meat are decent though I find each much tastier with the hot sauce (which is more so flavorful than hot with each bite, to me) and squeezes of lemons available. The meal holds/travels well; a few hours later (about three hours without refrigeration), I eat the other half of the Vegan Gyro though find myself very full going to bed.

We were at Padres last night. It was such a fun evening! We sat at the bar all night. Brendon, Taylor, Jake and Josh are so much FUN and extremely accommodating. The carnitas tacos were so delicious!!!! We had 9 of them!!! LolWe had them on their housemade corn tortillas, they were so yummy. I'm gluten-free too so that was awesome to have such a delicious choice. The Cadillac margaritas were so so yummy!!!! Everyone was so friendly. Thank you!!!! I would give them a higher rating if it would let me 😁