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El Oasis

Mexican restaurant · East Lansing, MI · reviewed since 2011

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%66+36Reliability 24%68+16.5Value 14%83+11.7Replies to reviews 7%18+1.3Experts Score= 65Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.65SCORE
BGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#26 of 42 food trucksPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 39%
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,541 Google reviews · 24 photos
81%five-star reviews
4.72★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
5.2%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
5%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

El Oasis at a glance

Google reviewers rate El Oasis 4.7 out of 5 based on 1541 reviews, frequently praising the quality of authentic Mexican dishes like tacos and burritos, along with reasonable pricing and quick service. The restaurant offers online ordering and catering, though some customers report errors in catering orders, incorrect food preparation, and slow wait times. Recurring criticisms include inconsistent service interactions, such as staff refusing to replace contaminated drinks or blocking phone numbers, as well as complaints about portion sizes and local loitering issues.

  • Google rating: 4.7 out of 5 from 1,541 reviews (81% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 1,541 Google reviews (913 with written comments, 65 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 5% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 22, 2026.
  • Service: Food Truck serving East Lansing, Michigan.

Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.

Score profile vs other food trucks

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: craft & service and momentum; weakest: replies to reviews.

Satisfaction66Reliability68Craft & service100Value83Momentum100Replies to reviews18Satisfaction: 66 (median 76)Reliability: 68 (median 73)Craft & service: 100 (median 100)Value: 83 (median 83)Momentum: 100 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 18 (median 35)
El OasisFood Trucks median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.El Oasis: 66/100 on this factor. Category median: 76.B
66
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.El Oasis: 68/100 on this factor. Category median: 73.B
68
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.El Oasis: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.El Oasis: 83/100 on this factor. Category median: 83.A
83
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.El Oasis: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.El Oasis: 18/100 on this factor. Category median: 35.F
18

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

1,541 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars1,24181%
  • 4 stars17611%
  • 3 stars544%
  • 2 stars302%
  • 1 star403%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 913 written reviews

  • Praise33989%
  • Complaints4111%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Price & value11731%
  • Staff & attitude9425%
  • Speed & response6918%
  • Would recommend5113%
  • Quality & results3710%
  • Honesty & trust92%
  • Communication31%

What customers talk about

We read 913 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “They have a decent variety of food and as far as food trucks go I would consider it to be reasonably priced.”
    “Why are the beans liquid🤷‍♀️ Why is the rice dry🤷‍♀️ Why are tacos so expensive and have very little meat in them🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️ Why do I have to wa…”
  • “Great food, quick service with friendly and respectful staff.”
    “Got our order wrong and was rude when they were corrected.”
  • “The staff is always lightning-fast and friendly, even when there's a line.”
    “The owners are really friendly on slow days; I even went to a few cities in Nicaragua one of them had recommended.”
  • “Would totally recommend anyone looking for good tacos, especially biria to stop by here.”
    “Every time I order a nacho they always messed it up and I always try to give them another chance never again I will not be back!”
  • “I’ve always loved el oasis; great food with top-notch flavor.”
    “No amount of stars or words can describe how awful she was.”
  • “I genuinely enjoy this taco spot over ANY spot in lansing.”
  • “The food was delicious, service was excellent and they communicated with me well, and all the guests had nothing but positive things to say.”

People customers mention

  • Mexican 164 reviews
  • Tacos 9 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Recent reviews

HeinzLocal Guide · 207 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 days ago★★★★★

I came for breakfast burrito and it was perfect! Will come again. They use real ingredients here and you can taste the difference. Skip McDonald's and come here.

Tonya6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited a week ago★★★★★

Always exactly what I need... Delicious, filling, fresh ingredients... SO so good!

AnashLocal Guide · 30 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★

Fantastic tacos, chicken was really good, green and red hot sauces are spicy but great taste. Wet burrito was awesome, best Mexican rice I've ever had.

Patty2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★

Awesome and authentic Mexican food . Will definitely stop again when I go thru this town. Very reasonable and affordable

JaegerLocal Guide · 33 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · Edited 3 weeks ago★★★★★

The best tacos I have ever had! Incredibly juicy and flavorful. They have a decent variety of food and as far as food trucks go I would consider it to be reasonably priced. It's a good truck so outdoors which means it's cold in the winter which can kinda suck, but the wait isn't too long and when I went it wasn't…

Francisca3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 4 weeks ago★★★

They were the only place I could find to cater within a couple weeks of an event so I appreciated their flexibility, but even with everything written in email, there were so many errors. The person delivering our food didn’t know he was supposed to deliver so our food was over an hour late. We got the wrong kind of…

Photos

Customer reviews

4.7 ★★★★★ 1,541 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Jobs customers hired them for — from Google's service tags and the review text
Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Heinz KirkpatrickLocal Guide · 207 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Heinz has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I came for breakfast burrito and it was perfect! Will come again. They use real ingredients here and you can taste the difference. Skip McDonald's and come here.

  • Order type: Take out
  • Meal type: Breakfast
  • Price per person: $10–20
  • Group size: 1 person
Maria Baldwin2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Maria has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Amazing and delicious! I am a new customer and will be ordering again!

  • Meal type: Lunch
  • Price per person: $20–30
Tonya McCourt6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Tonya has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Always exactly what I need... Delicious, filling, fresh ingredients... SO so good!

  • Meal type: Breakfast
  • Price per person: $10–20
  • Recommended dishes: Burrito
  • Noise level: Quiet, easy to talk
  • Wait time: No wait
Joel OsbornLocal Guide · 42 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Joel has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Two words: Steak Tostadas!!! Just try them and you'll be in love

Lydia KrebbsLocal Guide · 46 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Lydia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Very good!!!!

Melissa Thouvenin6 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Melissa has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Consistently great!

  • Order type: Take out
  • Meal type: Dinner
  • Price per person: $10–20
  • Recommended dishes: Rice & Beans, Tacos, Birria Taco - Single Taco, Taco Dinner
  • Noise level: Quiet, easy to talk
  • Wait time: No wait
  • Seating type: Outdoor patio / terrace
Anash PersadLocal Guide · 30 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Anash has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Fantastic tacos, chicken was really good, green and red hot sauces are spicy but great taste. Wet burrito was awesome, best Mexican rice I've ever had.

  • Order type: Dine in
C CLocal Guide · 105 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews C has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Girl that works there blocks customers phone numbers and prevents people from ordering. Was in line when she began arguing with the cashier and asking why he was staring at some girl. Then proceeded to say she’s not making her food and she can leave. Not sure how long the lady waited or if she even got her food. He began to assist an older man in front of me no issue. Then when I went to pick up my pick up order she began flipping out about him staring at me now. Never even said anything other than did I have a pick up order I said yes and my name. Said it wasn’t ready. I waited 15 mins to be told it still wasn’t ready. And they weren’t even busy. So I left. Called today and my numbers blocked from calling lol. Frequented here for years weekly until this last month. Seems to have really diminished lately. Between the tacos getting smaller basically bitesized to now outrageous wait times and psycho customer service, I won’t be back . Very disappointing.

  • Order type: Take out
  • Meal type: Brunch
  • Price per person: $10–20
Patty K2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Patty has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Awesome and authentic Mexican food . Will definitely stop again when I go thru this town. Very reasonable and affordable

  • Order type: Dine in
  • Price per person: $10–20
  • Recommended dishes: Tacos, Chicken Pollo Tostada
  • Noise level: Quiet, easy to talk
  • Parking space: Plenty of parking
  • Parking options: Free parking lot
Jaeger GolischLocal Guide · 33 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Jaeger has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The best tacos I have ever had! Incredibly juicy and flavorful. They have a decent variety of food and as far as food trucks go I would consider it to be reasonably priced. It's a good truck so outdoors which means it's cold in the winter which can kinda suck, but the wait isn't too long and when I went it wasn't all that busy. I plan on going again just for the amazing tacos

  • Order type: Take out
  • Meal type: Lunch
  • Price per person: $1–10
  • Recommended dishes: Tacos, Burrito
Response from the owner · 2 years ago

Jaeger thank you for the review and feedback! Pastor tacos are my personal favorite!

El Oasis on Google Maps →

Business details