Food+Drink Expansion

California Tacos Moves Into Larger Space, Expands Menu & Hours

still calling Water Street home, the popular Mexican eatery now offers a bigger space, bigger menu, and longer hours

McKenna Scherer, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

TGIF! California Tacos celebrated its move to new location 329 Water St., Eau Claire, with a mariachi band and specials on Friday, March 22.
TGIF! California Tacos celebrated its move to new location 329 Water St., Eau Claire, with a mariachi band and specials on Friday, March 22.

Locals had one more reason to cheer “TGIF!” on Friday, March 22, thanks to California Tacos. Celebrating its move into a larger space – 329 Water St., Eau Claire – the food truck-turned-restaurant welcomed patrons to its new location with an expanded menu, ice-cold beer, $2 street tacos, and a surprise musical performance.

Birria Ramen.
Birria Ramen.

The mouthwatering smell of birria and fresh cilantro greeted customers as they stepped into California Tacos’s new location, formerly housing Burrachos and Fast Fuel, which not only offers additional indoor seating, but fenced-in patio seating for when the Wisconsin winter finally shakes off.

Known for its extended birria offerings – 16 birria menu items! – and other flavorful items, the family-owned eatery is now utilizing the line-style system in place thanks to former eateries leaving it behind, and its expanded menu is all the better for it. Television screens rotate images near the register, displaying the full menu, which is also home to a six-item nachos section, a seven-item tortas section, a 16-item tacos menu, sides and drinks, and meat options.

The interior was given a fresh re-do when Fast Fuel moved into the spot in early 2022 before closing prior to the end of that year, California Tacos adding its own flair to the roughly 11,000-square-foot location. Plus, the six-piece mariachi band that filled the space with music and energy in the late afternoon didn’t hurt either!

Indulge in California Tacos’ regular favorites and new grub and drinks at 329 Water St., now open seven days a week: 11am-8pm, Sunday-Thursday and 11am-2am, Friday-Saturday.

Birria Tacos.
Birria Tacos.
Flautas.
Flautas.

Street Tacos.
Street Tacos.

Keep up with California Tacos on Facebook • Visit their website to order online and more information • Call to order (715) 514-1172