Restaurant in La Puente, United States
4.9-rated taquiza stand, walk-in only.
Tacquizas Gilberto holds a 4.9 Google rating and earned Pearl Recommended status in 2025 — a strong result for a taquiza-format stand in La Puente's competitive Mexican food corridor. Run by David Selman on Francisquito Ave, it is the right call for casual group dining and straightforward, well-executed Mexican food without the fine-dining price tag.
A 4.9 Google rating across 37 reviews is a meaningful signal for a neighborhood taquiza stand in La Puente — not a fluke, not a padded number, but a consistent pattern of diners leaving satisfied. Tacquizas Gilberto, run by David Selman out of its Francisquito Ave location, earned Pearl Recommended status in 2025, which puts it in a small category of casual Mexican spots the platform considers worth a specific trip rather than just a convenience stop. If you are in the San Gabriel Valley and want serious taquiza-style Mexican food, this is worth building your evening around.
Taquizas are the Mexican tradition of taco stands set up for gatherings — the kind of format where tortillas are pressed or warmed to order, proteins are cooked in plain view, and the operation runs on speed and repetition done well. At its core, this is not a sit-down restaurant with a cocktail program or a tasting menu. It is a food stand where the quality of execution is the entire value proposition. That clarity of purpose is actually an asset: there is no weak link in an overextended menu, no service inconsistency from an undertrained floor team. You show up, you order, you eat. The 4.9 rating suggests that process is being executed at a level well above the category average.
Given the editorial angle here, it is worth being direct: Tacquizas Gilberto does not have a documented bar or cocktail program in the Pearl database. For a taquiza-format stand, that is entirely expected , the drink pairing to think about is a well-sourced agua fresca or a cold Mexican beer, which fits the format far better than a crafted cocktail list. If drinks are your primary focus for an evening, pair this stop with a visit covered in our full La Puente bars guide. If food is the point, Tacquizas Gilberto is the right call.
This venue is the right choice for a food-focused explorer who wants to eat well without paying fine-dining prices, and who values the authenticity of a family-run taquiza operation over the polish of a full-service restaurant. If you are in La Puente for a larger gathering or a casual group meal, this format is built for exactly that , taquizas are, by tradition, a communal eating experience. If you need a formal setting, a wine list, or a private dining room for a business dinner, this is not the venue; look instead at options in our full La Puente restaurants guide.
For Mexican cuisine at the opposite end of the price and format spectrum, Estero in Playa del Carmen represents what the cuisine looks like when pushed toward fine-dining territory. And for Mexican dining in Los Angeles proper, Los Dorados LA is another Pearl-tracked option worth comparing. Tacquizas Gilberto is not competing in that tier , it is competing on value, consistency, and the kind of direct flavor execution that taquiza format rewards.
La Puente sits in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, a part of Los Angeles County with a dense and well-regarded Mexican food scene. The competition in this corridor is real , there are many taco and taquiza operations within a short drive , which makes a sustained 4.9 rating more credible, not less. Diners in this area have strong reference points and will not give leading marks to mediocre execution. If you are coming from outside the area, the neighborhood also has options like Manohar's Delhi Palace for Indian cuisine, and you can browse the La Puente experiences guide and La Puente wineries guide to build a fuller visit. For accommodation planning, the La Puente hotels guide covers nearby options.
Reservations: No booking infrastructure is listed in the Pearl database , walk-in format is standard for taquiza stands. Booking difficulty: Easy. Address: 16023 Francisquito Ave, La Puente, CA 91744. Budget: Price range is not listed in the Pearl database; taquiza format typically runs at a low per-head cost, but confirm on arrival. Dress: Casual is entirely appropriate for this format. Groups: The taquiza format is well-suited to groups , this is the tradition the format was built for.
| Venue | Cuisine | Price | Awards | Booking Difficulty | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacquizas Gilberto | Mexican Cuisine | Pearl Recommended Restaurant (2025) | Easy | — | |
| Le Bernardin | French, Seafood | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Lazy Bear | Progressive American, Contemporary | $$$$ | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Atomix | Modern Korean, Korean | $$$$ | Michelin 2 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Atelier Crenn | Modern French, Contemporary | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
| Benu | French - Chinese, Asian | $$$$ | Michelin 3 Star, World's 50 Best | Unknown | — |
A quick look at how Tacquizas Gilberto measures up.
Yes — the taquiza format is built for groups. Taquizas as a tradition are specifically designed for gatherings, so larger parties are the natural use case here, not an exception. For any group of 6 or more, this format will likely serve you better than a conventional sit-down restaurant at similar price points. Coordinate directly with the stand for large-event needs, as no booking infrastructure is listed in the Pearl database.
No advance booking is required for a standard visit — walk-in is the standard format at Tacquizas Gilberto on Francisquito Ave in La Puente. If you are planning a private event or large gathering, reach out directly, as no online booking system is listed. Booking difficulty: easy.
Specific dietary accommodation details are not listed in the Pearl database for this venue. Taquiza-format stands typically build around a core set of proteins and toppings, which gives some flexibility for meat-free or allergy-sensitive eaters, but confirm with the stand directly before visiting with strict dietary requirements.
La Puente sits within the eastern San Gabriel Valley, one of LA County's densest corridors for Mexican food, so alternatives are plentiful. For a comparable walk-in taquiza experience in the same neighbourhood, explore other stands along the Francisquito Ave corridor. If you want a sit-down format, the broader SGV offers a wide range of regional Mexican options — but for outdoor taquiza-style eating with a 4.9 Google rating, Tacquizas Gilberto is among the stronger options in the immediate area.
It works well for casual celebrations — birthdays, family gatherings, or neighbourhood parties — which is exactly what the taquiza format is traditionally used for. This is not a white-tablecloth occasion venue, but a Pearl Recommended 2025 standing and a 4.9 Google rating across 37 reviews make it a credible centrepiece for a food-focused outdoor gathering. For a formal anniversary dinner, look elsewhere in the SGV.
Specific menu items are not listed in the Pearl database for Tacquizas Gilberto. The taquiza format typically centres on made-to-order tacos with a selection of proteins, fresh tortillas, and house salsas — order across the protein options to get a read on the kitchen's range. The 4.9 Google rating from 37 reviews suggests consistency across the menu rather than one standout item.
Keep this venue in your Pearl passport, rate it after you visit, and track it alongside every other place you collect.
