A British conservative running in California's high-profile gubernatorial race was blasted on social media after misidentifying a taco from a fast food chain as authentic 'street' food. 

Steve Hilton, 56, faced intense voter backlash on the campaign trail Saturday after calling the Original Del Taco in Barstow a 'street taco' during a trip with lieutenant governor candidate and Barstow native Gloria Romero. 

In a video shared to X by his campaign team, Hilton stood on the side of the road holding an overflowing hard-shell taco wrapped in yellow paper as the sun beat down on his face.

'We just did a great town hall here in Barstow,' the political strategist said to the camera, before making a major blunder that led voters to label him 'instantly disqualifying.'

Hilton confidently announced that he was holding a 'Barstow street taco' purchased from what he described as a 'historic location,' specifically, the 'original Del Taco.'

The spot’s 'Barstow Taco' does in fact exist, consisting of ground beef, a few strips of lettuce, a generous layer of yellow cheese and a thick tomato slice stuffed inside a hard taco shell. The word street, however, is not mentioned.

The camera then panned to the side of the road, where Hilton pointed to a large red sign in the desert along Route 66 marking the site as 'The Original Del Taco.'

'My Barstow street taco, I’m going to enjoy,' he concluded in his English accent, giving a thumbs-up to California residents. 'See you soon.'

Meanwhile, the taco remained untouched in his hand throughout the clip, with no bite ever taken. 

The video, which gained more than one million views, drew immediate backlash, with one state voter declaring that it 'might be the single worst ad he could’ve done for himself.'

For one, Hilton made a pit stop at the Del Taco location off 1st Avenue in Barstow, one of three Del Taco locations in the desert city still owned and operated by Ed Hackbarth, according to The Los Angeles Times.

While two of them feature the word 'Original' on the sign - including the location where the candidate stopped - the designation is considered historically inaccurate. 

Harkbarth actually opened the first Del Taco in nearby Yermo in 1964, a fact that was later pointed out publicly by a Los Angeles Times columnist. 

'The first Del Taco was in Yermo, and that’s DEFINITELY not a "street" taco. Signed, the guy who wrote the book about the history of Mexican food in the United States,' Gustavo Arellano wrote.

Many said they were angered by the mistake, arguing that tacos are closely tied to California culture and widely considered an unofficial state dish. 

'I don't know who you are but you just lost the election lmaooooo,' a comment read. 'A British guy running for California governor who got Del Taco and called it a "street taco." This is an SNL skit.' 

Another said: 'How do you make such a blunder. In Iowa, you memorize crop prices to the day, New York City, you ride the subway. And in California you eat tacos off a truck.' 

'Imagine being so disconnected not just as a candidate but as a campaign that you think Californians would relate to you cause you called del taco fast food chain a "street taco,"' a user added. 'Someone on your team needs to be fired.' 

'Notice he never actually takes a bite,' one comment read. 'All show.'

Another wrote: 'Steve Hilton eats one taco and thinks the Latino community in California accepts him,' accompanied by a laughing-face emoji. 

'Del Taco isn't "street tacos." Painfully lame video,' said another critic. 

The Republican even fired back at two comments himself, including one that read: 'He calls it a Barstow street taco." Instantly disqualifying!'

'It's what they call it!' the gubernatorial candidate declared.

In another post, someone accused him of supporting corporate chains rather than local mom-and-pop shops, while Hilton said he only visited because Romero had once worked there.

'Not everything in life has to be turned into a political argument!' he replied.

Hilton, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, has been a frontrunner in the governor’s race, though UK political veterans have described him as an 'ideologue rather than a doer' and 'not a serious politician,' according to The Guardian.

Hilton is among the leaders in the race, trailing Democratic frontrunner Xavier Becerra by only two percentage points, according to Emerson's latest polling. 

He has pledged to reduce taxes and address affordability, while arguing that Democratic 'one-party rule' has failed the state. 

The former Fox News host and adviser to UK Prime Minister David Cameron has also positioned himself as an outsider focused on addressing housing, energy and the homelessness crisis in the state.