2013 Update
Over the years we’ve gone to Los Pericos #5 and the original Los Pericos pretty indiscriminately. Unfortunately, they removed all the nice tables and chairs from #5 and replaced them with the same formica booths that theyhave at the man restaurant. They definitely don’t encourage lingering. But they still have a couple of high tables with chairs and the one large booth in the corner.
Personally I prefer to go to this Los Pericos because it’s still a bit nicer/more intimate but also because they have s “small super quesadilla” which is twice the size than the small quesadilla at the regular Los Pericos, but still smaller than the giant one. It’s the perfect size for lunch.
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2005 Review
When we first moved to San Leandro, Pedro’s was our taqueria of choice. We liked their burritos, the small surroundings and leather backed chairs by the window. Alas, they got our orders wrong too many times, so we stopped going there and started going to Taqueria Los Pericos instead. Los Pericos offers a special quesadilla, which is just like a burrito but with cheese instead of rice and beans, just how I like them.
Apparently other people preferred Los Pericos too, as Pedro’s has now become Taqueria Los Pericos #5. Their menu is the same than at Los Pericos, including burritos ($2.50 for a bean & cheese to $7.25 for a “shrimp super”), tacos, nachos and quesadillas in addition to Tex-Mex dinner plates ($7-11). The food is all taqueria style, however, don’t come here for regional specialties. Meat selections, however, are wide and they include beef tongue, chitlins and intestines, in addition to more common meats.
As we discovered in our visit to Los Pericos #5, the quality of the food and the service are also like those of its parent restaurant. We ordered a small grilled chicken super quesadilla for Mika ($3.50). This consisted of a tortilla covered with melted cheese, grilled chicken and sour cream (guacamole also available, but Mika doesn’t like it) and topped by another tortilla. The whole thing was very good, but the grilled chicken is particularly tasty and a favorite of mine.
Mike and I both ordered the giant special quesadillas ($5), which are rolled like a large burrito and include melted cheese, guacamole, sour cream, lettuce, salsa and the meat of your choice (Mike went for the carne asada and I for the pastor -a saucy BBQ pork). Once again they were both quite good, the carne asada, cut into very small slices, is flavorful and juicy, though it can be fatty at times. The pastor was somewhat spicy, but tamed by the sour cream and guacamole. I’d order it again if I didn’t like the grilled chicken so much. The special quesadillas are large enough that you can easily take half home for later.
Los Pericos is known for its fast and friendly service, this tradition continues at Los Pericos #5. Indeed, we recognized some of the workers from the parent restaurant. As in the other restaurant, you order your food, you are given a number that you then put at your table. The waiter then delivers the food to you. You can find complimentary chips under a heat lamp at the counter, and a tray table offers different kinds of salsas, pico de gallo, beets (don’t ask me why), pickles and lime wedges. The chips are crispy, thick and not too oily, good though a bit tasteless by themselves.
The restaurant itself has not changed much since its Pedro’s days. The Mexican murals are still there, as are the dark wood chairs and tables (the leather back chairs had disappeared years before). There are TVs at two corners and a jukebox, but the music and sound weren’t as loud as in the parent restaurant. In all, it’s a more “elegant” atmosphere than that at the super-casual parent restaurant. It’s also considerably smaller. I think that if I was going to eat there with another adult, I’d chose the #5 location, while I’d go for the main location if I had the kids alone. The space and the video games gives them stuff to do while we eat.
Note that its hours are briefer than the main location.
Taqueria Los Pericos #5
1389 E 14th St.
San Leandro, CA
510-895-0660
Daily 8AM – 10 PM
I highly recommend the Los Pericos at the corner of E. 14th and Stoakes (two blocks north of Dutton). It’s not the same owner, but it’s in the family. It’s the brother. I like it better than the Pelton Center one. Usually bigger portions and lower prices, although prices just went up and might be the same as Pelton Ctr. now. Marga, you’ll love the pollo asada. Better salsa bar; they have about 6 salsas, plus fresh jalepenos, habaneros, limes, radishes, and pickled jalepenos/carrots/onions. The salsa bar used to be good at Pedro’s and I haven’t been there since it became Los Pericos. I hardly go to any other taqueria anymore, other than the Stoakes/E. 14th one. Fast and friendly service. Good market, too. A bit expensive but well-stocked. Market and taqueria close at 10, so I have occasionally gone to Pelton if I “needed” food after 10:00.
Thanks for the rec!
I just went to Los Pericos #5 again and had a very satisfying chicken quesadilla (I forgot to ask for roasted chicken). It wasn’t as tasty as grilled chicken, but it blended very well and felt very homey. I’ll definitely order it again when I’m looking for some comfort food.
If you like Lor Pericos, also try Taqueria Los Gallos in San Lorenzo. It’s located in the Black Angus & Albertsons shopping center on Hesperian. Los Gallos is owned by the brother of Pericos. The food is great! (P.S. there’s another one in Hayward on Foothill Blvd – south of Industrial Blvd, also in a shopping center with Albertsons… Have you been to Pericos is Dublin?) I am a huge fan & I miss it so much since I moved to the east coast 4 years ago. I do make sure that I get in at least one visit every year
Marga – In Aug 2006 I recommended Los Pericos at Stoakes and E. 14th, but I see no indication that you’ve tried it. Check it out; it would be great to read how you think it compares with Pelton Center’s Los Pericos and “Pedro’s” Los Pericos.
Even though Stoakes location is VERY convenient for me, I’m meeting a friend tomorrow at #5 (AKA “Pedro’s”) because the ambience is a little more inviting than either Stoakes or Pelton. Less hectic and not fluorescently (if that’s a word) lit. They all have great food, prices, and service.
If you don’t know where the Stoakes Los Pericos is, just head toward Oakland on E. 14th St, and watch for it on your left about 4 blocks past city hall. If you get to the monument (and San Gaspar), you’ve gone too far.
I actually went to the Stoakes location of Los Pericos, and I blogged about it, but I realized that I didn’t link it from my website. The blog is at http://www.marga.org/food/blog/2006/09/los_pericos_the_market.html