At This California Taco Truck, Burritos Are So Big They’re Legendary Every Fall
Last fall, I found myself standing beneath a flickering streetlight at Lake Merritt, clutching what could only be described as a burrito the size of a small child.
My friend joked that I’d need a forklift to finish it, but I was too focused on deciding which end to tackle first. The masterpiece in question came from Tacos Mi Rancho, a bright-green taco truck that’s become an Oakland institution.
For years, it’s been serving up late-night happiness wrapped in foil—massive burritos, perfectly grilled tacos, and enough flavor to keep locals coming back, hungry and smiling, night after delicious night.
A Bright Green Landmark You Can’t Miss
Picture an old-school taco truck painted the color of fresh limes, parked on a busy Oakland corner where the smell of grilled carne asada drifts for blocks. That’s Tacos Mi Rancho, sitting at 1434 1st Ave near Lake Merritt like a culinary beacon.
Locals know it by heart; visitors spot it instantly. The truck has become a neighborhood fixture, serving up hefty burritos and late-night tacos to everyone from joggers finishing a lap around the lake to night-shift nurses grabbing dinner at midnight.
It’s the kind of place where regulars greet the staff by name and newbies leave with full bellies and big smiles.
Open Every Single Day, Rain or Shine
Nothing ruins a burrito craving like finding your favorite spot closed. Good news: Mi Rancho operates seven days a week, roughly from 9:30 in the morning until midnight.
City listings and recent customer reviews confirm daily service, and their Instagram bio proudly declares they’re open all week long. Whether you need breakfast machaca on a Tuesday or a post-concert feast on Saturday night, the window is ready.
I’ve swung by on random Wednesdays and busy Sundays alike, and the grill was always sizzling. That kind of reliability builds trust—and a loyal following that keeps coming back season after season.
The Fifteen Inch Super Burrito That Defies Physics
Most burritos fit in one hand. This one requires two hands, a sturdy table, and possibly a game plan. Mi Rancho’s signature fifteen-inch Super Burrito is a double-tortilla monster stuffed with your choice of meat, beans, rice, pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream, salsa, and guacamole.
It’s part of Oakland’s unique oversize burrito tradition—a local style that stretches to fifteen or sixteen inches and weighs a couple of pounds. When you unwrap the foil, you’re staring at what looks like a rolled-up sleeping bag made of carbs and protein.
Finish one solo and you’ve earned bragging rights for the week.
Fall Festival Crowds Make It Legendary
Every October, the Autumn Lights Festival transforms Lake Merritt into a three-night wonderland of glowing art installations and live music, drawing thousands to the waterfront. Tacos Mi Rancho sits right in the festival zone, making it the perfect pit stop before or after the show.
Lines snake around the truck as festivalgoers fuel up for the evening or grab a late-night snack on the walk home. That seasonal surge has cemented the truck’s reputation as a fall tradition—people plan their festival route around it.
I’ve watched friends coordinate meetups at the green truck like it’s a landmark on the map, because honestly, it is.
Menu Variety Beyond the Big One
Sure, the fifteen-inch Super Burrito steals the spotlight, but regulars know the menu runs deep. Carne asada and al pastor tacos are crowd favorites, each one piled high with fresh cilantro and onions.
Super quesadillas ooze melted cheese, and the steak-and-cheese fries are a guilty pleasure worth every calorie. Seafood fans order the shrimp or shrimp-and-steak versions—yes, even in the fifteen-inch format, because why not go all the way?
I tried the al pastor tacos on a whim and now I order them every time, proving that even at a burrito-famous truck, the supporting cast deserves applause.
Prices That Reflect Serious Portions
A regular burrito at Mi Rancho runs around fifteen dollars, while the famous fifteen-inch Super Burrito clocks in near twenty-three fifty. Specialty seafood combos in the jumbo size cost a bit more, topping out higher on the menu board.
It’s not bargain-bin pricing, but you’re basically buying dinner and tomorrow’s lunch in one foil-wrapped package. I’ve stretched a single Super Burrito into two full meals without even trying, which makes the math feel a lot friendlier.
Quality ingredients and portions that could feed a small village justify every dollar, especially when you’re standing lakeside with leftovers for breakfast.
Pro Tips for Navigating Peak Times
Evening crowds and late-night surges are real at Mi Rancho, especially on weekends and during festival season. Ordering at the window is the norm—no app, no reservations, just good old-fashioned queueing under the glow of the truck’s lights.
My move is to arrive around dinnertime on a weekday or right after the lunch rush to dodge the longest lines. Once you’ve got your foil-wrapped feast in hand, walk it over to the Lake Merritt shoreline and claim a bench with a view.
That waterfront backdrop turns a simple meal into the best dining room in town, no reservation required.