Welcome to Cali Spartan Mexican Kitchen
At Cali Spartan Mexican Kitchen, we celebrate the vibrant flavors of authentic Mexican cuisine in a casual, welcoming atmosphere. Located in San Jose, this beloved spot is renowned for its mouthwatering crispy tacos, infused with a unique orange sauce that keeps customers coming back for more. Our story is rooted in creating a community hub where friends and families gather over incredible food and refreshing horchata, whether for brunch, lunch, or late-night cravings. With both indoor and outdoor seating available, along with a commitment to quality service, we invite you to experience the essence of Mexico right here in the Bay Area!
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515 S 10th St San Jose, CA 95112 United States Hotline: (408) 899-2755
Cali Spartan Mexican Kitchen, located at 515 S 10th St, San Jose, CA 95112, is a vibrant culinary destination that brings the heart and soul of Mexican cuisine directly to the Bay Area. With a casual atmosphere, this restaurant has become a beloved staple for locals and visitors alike, known for its delicious staples, friendly service, and energetic ambiance. Whether you’re in the mood for brunch, lunch, dinner, or a late-night feast, Cali Spartan caters to all craving a taste of Mexico.
The menu is a celebration of traditional Mexican flavors, with a special focus on their renowned crispy tacos—a crowd favorite that has the locals raving. Patrons exclaim about the savory perfection of these tacos, often highlighted by the addition of their famous spicy orange sauce, which elevates each bite with its smoky, tangy balance. If you’re looking for something heartier, the quesabirria and the super soft lengua tacos are must-tries, enveloped in a warm tortilla and bursting with flavor.
One of the distinguishing attributes of Cali Spartan is its inclusive and casual dining experience. The restaurant welcomes families and groups, making it an excellent spot for gatherings. With both indoor and outdoor seating, guests can soak in the vibrant San Jose atmosphere while enjoying their meals. The establishment takes pride in providing a relaxed ambiance, although it can get a bit lively, particularly during peak hours.
- Accessibility: Accessible parking near the entrance for convenience.
- Dining Options: Offers outdoor seating and a drive-thru for those on the go.
- Payment Methods: While the restaurant operates on a cash-only basis, they accept Venmo, Android Pay, and Apple Pay, making transactions easy.
- Special Features: Catering services and options for large groups are available, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the flavors of Cali Spartan.
Reviews from enthusiastic patrons reflect a consistent quality of service and food. Many highlight the peanut butter horchata as a unique and delightful beverage addition; its richness complements the savory menu perfectly. Regulars often share their excitement about the toppings bar, where you can customize your tacos with fresh ingredients.
Even though prices have seen a slight increase, the flavors and quality remain unparalleled, affirming that Cali Spartan is worth every cent. Jalene Q. asserts that it’s the go-to spot for a taco fix, while Nikki T. emphasizes it’s a must-visit destination whenever in the Bay Area. With outdoor seating, gender-neutral restrooms, and a commitment to reusable tableware, Cali Spartan Mexican Kitchen serves not just food but a truly flavorful experience.
If you’re in the area and craving unforgettable tacos, look no further than Cali Spartan Mexican Kitchen. With its warm atmosphere, delightful dishes, and the essence of Mexican tradition, it's a culinary adventure that should not be missed!
The food - Cali Spartan is the spot to go when you need that taco fix, they bring the flavor and that orange sauce that compares like no other! I'm always in the mood for their super soft lengua tacos and mango cali mimosa! The service - they're generally pretty busy but most of the staff is cool. The ambiance - Cali Spartan is pretty nice, they provide indoor and outdoor seating, they could use more parking with how much business they get, but it works out. It's a cash only/venmo spot but they have an atm inside and a restroom also. This place has definitely been a staple for me and my friends and will continue to be the spot I rave about when they ask where my favorite tacos are from! But don't just take my word for it, try it yourself!
First time being here and it was a 5/5. Service was quick and friendly, food was delicious. Had the peanut butter horchata, strawberry horchata, Cali fires, birria torta, and crispy tacos. Will be coming back.
If you're in the Bay Area, this spot is iconic for their crispy tacos. Locals hype up Spartan, which can set very high expectations. There is indoor and outdoor seating but parking can be hard to find during peal hours. The crunchy tacos are the highlight, crispy and savory. The orange sauce is spicy but adds amazing flavor. I gave a 4/5 because the prices have definitely gone up, which I understand from inflation, but flavor is still there. Overall, definitely a spot to try when in the Bay.
Placed an order on March 9, 2025 and it seems as though the prices went up significantly. 3 big crispy tacos are now $16! that's a little over $5 per taco not including tip or tax. i ordered over the phone so didn't take a look to see if the menus had been updated with the new price yet, but going based off a review that was posted 8 days ago the menu still showed $12 for 3. so im not quite sure when the price change was made or if i may have gotten overcharged. in total we paid $32.88 (cash) for 6 big crispy tacos. paid $35 and left the remainder as tip.
Sparcos is a must if you are in San Jose. It is a San Jose staple and classic. The tacos are amazing and if you get the regular tacos it can come out pretty affordable. I always get the quesabirria and super soft because I love the warmth of the birria soup. The avocado in the super soft taco helps balance all the flavors. The service is always really good and they are always quick to sit you down at a table. Make sure to bring cash though because it is cash only. The inside is a classic and standard restaurant. They also have outdoor seating. I do not have it pictured but their horchata is REALLY good
They have the best crispy tacos ever!! We always have to get the chips too every time because they have this powder on it that makes it so so yummy! They also have a sauce/toppings bar on the side in case you want to add more to your tacos! It is cash only but they do have an ATM inside the restaurant. Food does sometimes take a while to come out so I'd highly recommend looking at the menu before you go in and order as soon as you can!
THE MOST DELICIOUS TACO--I think on earth. Simply perfect and delicious. Spartans crispy tacos are just the most perfect bite every time. They're almost like little tostadas with the freshest n crunchiest topping on every bite. And that orange sauce--perfectly smokey and tangy and balanced. Wish I could eat here everyday. Always our go to every time we're back in the bay.
Such a night time classic! I came here with a party of three and we were immediately seated, the vibes here are very self serve/get up and get your own water and napkins. I ordered three crispy tacos asada, a peanut butter horchata, and Cali fries to share with my friends. The food here is so filling and comes in decently sized portions, the orange sauce is always a hit and we love putting it all over our tacos/fries! The fries come loaded with jalapenos, sur cream, avocado, tomato, and meat. The peanut butter horchata here was nuttier than it typically is at the truck, where it's more reminiscent of regular horchata. Depends on what you prefer, I suppose! I was definitely eyeing their birria tacos since the table next to me placed an order that looked and smelled divine, I'll have to stop by some time after work and try them out.
BEST TACOS EVER!!! i come from socal & regularly get tacos in san diego, but i still always crave spartan tacos!! whenever i visit norcal, i make sure to stop by!! everyone says i can literally get crispy tacos anywhere, but no one does it like here! my order: 3 big crispy tacos al pastor, side of grilled onions, and a medium agua fresca!!! perfection they no longer serve mango salsa (which is the best thing ever) but our server made a cup for us in the back!! so sweet orange sauce here has a kick but is so delicious THEYRE CASH ONLY but they accept venmo!!!