🍽️ Products & Services

Recommendations based on quality, value, and visitor feedback

Item Price
Al Pastor Tacos (house trompo)
Jalisco-style sliced pork from the trompo; regular order served with onion, cilantro, and house salsas
 $2.25–$3.00
Carnitas (crispy option)
Charcoal-finished pork; ask for "crispy" to cut grease
 $2.25–$3.00
Three‑Taco Plate
Three tacos with choice of meat; typical combo with rice/beans at many comparable spots
 $9.00–$12.00
Bottled Mexican Sodas & Horchata
Grab-and-go bottled sodas and fresh horchata made daily
 $2.00–$3.50

Shopper Favorites

Dietary Accommodations
They handle simple swaps: swap proteins and omit cilantro/onion on request without extra charge. No dedicated GF fryer noted, but corn tortillas are standard and staff reheat tortillas on the comal for better texture if asked.
Counter Service
Order at the counter and wait to be called; pickup from the side entrance is fastest for large orders and they’ll bring food out to customers waiting in the back lot.
Popular Item
Al pastor from the trompo is the standout — regulars order it with extra pineapple and a drizzle of the chilled house green salsa for a bright finish.
Sourcing & Brands
Tortillas come from a local Madison tortillería; meats use family marinades from Jalisco and are charcoal‑grilled or trompo‑sliced for authentic flavor.
Payment & Policies
Accepts cards and cash; regulars bring cash to speed pickups. Tip jar by register used for small staff items; 10–15% card tips are common for counter service.
Special Services
Pickup for groups: large orders (6+) should be placed 45–60 minutes in advance during peaks; they provide curbside pickup from the back lot on request.
Returns & Exchanges
Food is final sale; for incorrect or missing items staff will fix the order promptly but there is no formal refund policy posted.
Value & Portions
Tacos priced around $2.25–$3 each; a 3‑taco plate (~$9–$12) fills most people for a meal — bring $10–15 per person for a satisfying order with a drink.
Takeout Quality
Tacos travel well if you request tortillas wrapped separately; al pastor and carnitas keep their texture best when eaten within 20–30 minutes.
Insider Tip
Ask for extra pineapple on al pastor and a squeeze of lime; pick the tiny back patio for quieter seating on warm nights.

✨ The Experience

🌡️
Atmosphere & Comfort
Small, compact interior with counter service and a mural of a cat with a taco on the east wall. On warm evenings the tiny west‑facing back patio is shaded later and noticeably quieter than the front lot seating.
⏱️
Service & Staff Reality
Staff are hands‑on and friendly; counter orders take about 10–15 minutes at lunch and 15–30 minutes during dinner/late‑night rushes. For big pick‑ups ask for curbside pickup from the back lot — they’ll bring orders out when ready.
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Food & Portions
Tacos are small street‑style portions (about 2–3 bites each) priced around $2.25–$3, so a three‑taco plate is the usual filling option. The trompo al pastor and charcoal carne asada are the flavors that draw repeat visits.
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Hidden Practical Intel
Front lot has ~20 spaces and fills first; secondary employee lot behind the building is where regulars snag late spots. Bike rack at the entrance is visible from the counter — use a U‑lock due to occasional thefts reported after dark.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Worth the late‑night detour?
Yes — the trompo al pastor and charcoal carne asada deliver authentic flavor at budget prices, and late‑night crowds mean you’ll get fresh sliced meat rather than reheated leftovers. Expect a 15–30 minute wait on busy late nights.
What will I actually spend?
Plan $2.25–$3 per taco; a three‑taco plate runs about $9–$12 and with a bottled soda you’ll be around $12–$15 per person for a filling meal.
Actually good for kids or just kid‑tolerant?
Kid‑friendly and calm — families visit early evening or weekend afternoons and staff are used to small orders. Restroom is small and there’s no changing table; many parents walk next door to the grocery for larger family needs.

📖 About El Gran Taco Gato

El Gran Taco Gato opened at 5266 Williamsburg Way in 2017 as a small, family‑run taquería focused on Jaliscan‑style tacos and late‑night hours.

The unit sits in a mid‑1990s strip center developed during Fitchburg’s suburban growth; before 2017 the space cycled through small food operators and a compact deli that fit the plaza’s original flex retail footprint.

Operations center on a compact kitchen with a vertical trompo for al pastor and a small charcoal grill for carne asada, sourced to create authentic flavors in a tight footprint.

The owners brought family recipes from Guadalajara and partnered with a local tortillería for daily fresh tortillas, building a reputation for late‑night tacos and community ties like food donations and small events.

The location added a small patio and an east‑facing mural in 2023, and today operates primarily as counter service with an emphasis on takeout and affordable, authentic tacos.

🛡️ Area Intelligence

Safety & Crime

No location‑specific crime stats available here, but visitors report occasional bike thefts from the rack late at night and recommend using a U‑lock. The strip plaza is generally busy during business hours; practice standard caution after midnight when foot traffic thins.

Parking & Transit

Small customer lot directly in front with about 20 spaces; if full use the secondary lot behind the building past the nail salon. Madison Metro Route 31 stops at Walgreens on McKee/Williamson (6–8 minute walk); buses run roughly every 30–45 minutes on weekdays and less often weekends.

Walking & Infrastructure

Site sits in Williamsburg Commons, built mid‑1990s; sidewalks exist but the plaza is car‑oriented. Bike lane improvements nearby on Lacy Road help cyclists, and a visible bike rack is at the entrance (bring a strong lock).

Area Demographics

The surrounding corridor shifted younger and more diverse after 2015; the business draws nearby families, shift workers, and students commuting from Madison and Verona for affordable late‑night food.