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All the United States California Riverside Tio's Tacos
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

Tio's Tacos

Mexican food and folk art.

Riverside, California

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Tio’s Tacos. (Press Photo)   http://tiostacos3.com/
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Tio’s Tacos. (Press Photo)   http://tiostacos3.com/
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“Pretty Lady,” made of crushed tomato paste cans   Avoiding Regret
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Monarch butterfly walkway   Avoiding Regret
Sculptures of reclaimed materials   Avoiding Regret
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Tio’s Tacos   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
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Tio’s Tacos   ccesare / Atlas Obscura User
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Exterior wall of glass bottles   kirstenalana / Atlas Obscura User
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About

This taqueria is located in the heart of historic Downtown Riverside. The food is that of your average Southern Californian fast-casual Mexican eatery; however, the incredible collection of folk art allows patrons to experience something completely unique to Tio's.

Martin Sanchez, the owner and artist, has been expanding and maintaining the property for a decade. The courtyard features old appliances re-purposed as decorations, bicycles cemented straight into the ground, and fountains constructed from scrap metal and glass. The perimeters are adorned with spectacular statues fabricated from chicken wire and stuffed with bottle caps, children's dolls, utensils, and just about everything else you can think of.

A path toward the back of the property leads you to a collection of small buildings. Among them is a chapel constructed of concrete and glass bottles, complete with a hand-painted mural on the domed ceiling. Next to the chapel stands a teepee-shaped structure with water continuously flowing down its side, creating a beautiful maze of streams flowing through carvings on the floor. Tio's is a great place to stop by for a quick meal and a fascinating look at the product of one artist and a lot of trash.

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Outsider Art Statues Shops Unique Restaurants & Bars Taco

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TiffanyAnn

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Avoiding Regret, Erin Johnson, kirstenalana, Heather Arment...

  • Avoiding Regret
  • Erin Johnson
  • kirstenalana
  • Heather Arment
  • jondi letnap
  • Collector of Experiences
  • ccesare
  • chasepopt
  • SoCal Creature
  • MtnLady
  • DJ BAHLER
  • casinoskunk

Published

May 27, 2011

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Sources
  • Yelp: Tio's Taco Restaurant: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tios-taco-restaurant-riverside
  • Unusual Life: Riverside California Folk Art: http://unusuallife.com/riverside-folk-art-installation/
Tio's Tacos
3948 Mission Inn Ave.
Riverside, California, 92501
United States
33.984319, -117.376808
Get Directions

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