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The 50 best tacos in America, ranked
Between perfectly seasoned meat, fresh salsa, and flavorful cheese, a great taco can be hard to find.
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So we asked our friends at Foursquare to dig through their troves of user data and compile a list of the best taco joints in the US.
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Because the site allows users to save and favorite venues they love, Foursquare was able to track down which tacos diners are raving about most across America.
To create this list, Foursquare included the top-rated location of various chain restaurants in the US — subsequent locations were removed.
From a Pittsburgh food truck to Austin's famous Torchy's Tacos, here's where to find the best tacos this side of Mexico.
Fear not: Just because Fuel City is a gas station doesn't mean you can't trust the tacos. This pit stop at the intersection of I-30 and I-35 is open 24 hours and home to some of the best tacos in Dallas, serving up authentic Mexican flavors, including barbacoa, chicken fajita, and picadillo. It's cheap, too — only $1.40 a pop.
Start your morning off on the right foot with a breakfast taco from Juan in a Million. Foursquare users exalt the Don Juan: Brimming with potato, egg, cheese, and bacon, it's the perfect mix of protein and flavor to keep you full — and happy — all day.
Tucked into a strip mall behind another strip mall, Taco Bamba is truly a hidden gem. The spot's namesake taco is a must-try: steak and chorizo loaded with grilled guacamole and crispy chicharrones. But don't be afraid to try the lengua or tripa (beef tongue and small intestine, respectively) either, though. Foursquare users praise them as some of the best choices on the menu.
The tacos are the first thing on the menu for a reason at Seattle's Tacos Chukis. The small street-style tortillas mean you can sample all four choices — carne asada, grilled cactus, pollo asado (chicken) and adobada (pork) — without filling up, and the authentic flavors mean you'll be glad you have room for more. Savor them topped with a generous serving of guacamole and a slice of grilled pineapple.
Spend your lunch hour walking on the wild side at Illegal Pete's, where the only thing that should be criminal is the enticing flavor. The classic tacos are completely customizable: You choose the type of shell, meat, and toppings.
And before you leave, you've gotta try a plate of Pete's famous nachos.
Suffering from a lack of Mexican food? Fuzzy's Taco Shop has just the prescription: Take two tacos and call back in the morning — at least, that's what their cups proclaim. The extensive menu offers no shortage of options to cure your ailment, including everything from grilled shrimp to crawfish to beef fajita tacos.
Various locations across Austin
Chi'lantro might have gained fame for their loaded Kimchi fries, but the Korean BBQ-inspired tacos steal the show. Start with a base of ribeye bulgogi, spicy pork, spicy chicken, soy-glazed chicken, or marinated tofu and top with cilantro, onions, salsa, and lime on corn tortillas.
It might be a chain, but Plantation residents can't get enough of Lime Fresh Mexican Grill. Take your meal out to the porch and enjoy the Florida sunshine alongside one of their signature tacos. Locals love the "I Wanna Tijuana," which features a soft tortilla filled with refried beans wrapped around a crunchy shell. For a more beachy vibe, order the "Surfer," abounding with fish, pico de gallo, and spicy ranch.
You can't make a bad choice at L'Patron Tacos, where everything is fresh, authentic, and delicious.
"Best tacos I have ever had in the city — bar none," one Foursquare user exclaimed.
The prices are great too: Fill up for about $2 a piece. The carne asada, fried tilapia, and veggie tacos all come highly rated.
Though the traditional options at Antique Taco, such as pork carnitas or crispy fish, remain delicious, it's the spot's more offbeat menu items that let it stand out. From the cumin lamb tacos topped with jalepeños and peppercorn yogurt to the rosemary margarita, Antique's flair for reinventing classics makes the place worth a visit.
Seafood takes center stage at Spencer Makenzie's Fish Company, where specialties include ahi tuna, shrimp, and calamari. But the true star is the famous fish taco, of course. The enormous taco comes topped with cabbage, cilantro, bell peppers, and their special Spencer sauce.
Despite Tacolicious's trendy, upscale vibe, its motto remains "Fingers, not forks!" Don't be afraid to get messy as you dig into a taco stuffed with juicy carnitas or housemade chorizo and potatoes. Wash it down with a drink off the spot's extensive tequila and cocktail menu.
You're in for a bargain at El Camión Adentro, where tacos cost only $1.45 apiece. Load up on all your favorite taco fillings, including chicken, spicy pork, and chorizo topped with pico de gallo. Or "splurge" on the $2 fish tacos, which come smothered in creme agria especial and cabbage.
Taqueria Cancun prides itself on its fresh ingredients and a welcoming family atmosphere — and customers agree. Come hungry and try the highly rated carne asada or al pastor tacos. Foursquare users recommend making it a "super," which includes cheese, avocado, and sour cream in addition to the standard cilantro, onions, and salsa.
Don't expect anything fancy at Tehuitzingo Deli — it's in the back of a bodega, after all — just quality tacos and potent flavor. Its simple tacos feature an extensive variety of meats, from sausage to pork ear to chicken to goat. It's cash only, though, so come prepared.
From the "Crispy'cado" stuffed with fried avocado and tomatillo salsa to the "Flaming Lips" brimming with hickory smoked tongue and pico de gallo, Big Truck Tacos packs in big flavor. Feeling lucky? Try the "5th Amendment," which is kept secret and changes daily, so you never know what you're going to get.
Though it might seem like an unlikely place to find killer tacos, McBob's Irish pub routinely hits it out of the park. Stop by Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday for beef or chicken tacos topped with pico de gallo, avocado, black olives, and southwestern ranch. We guarantee you'll be pleasantly surprised by the Mexican food offerings of an Irish pub.
There's a taco for everyone at TacoLu, from the ever-popular banging shrimp taco served with cabbage and chipotle crema to the vegetarian-friendly avocado version topped with pico de gallo and cotija cheese. The "$10 taco" — which goes for only $4.99 — is also a crowd pleaser, chock-full of filet mignon. Be sure to wash it all down with a drink from Lu's selection of more than 100 tequila and mezcal varieties.
Marination Ma Kai blends Korean flavors and Hawaiian cuisine for a unique take on the classic taco. Fill up on their miso ginger chicken, kalbi beef, spicy pork, "sexy" tofu, or fish varieties. Situated on Alki Beach, Ma Kai also boasts gorgeous views of the water and the Seattle skyline.
Show up early for one of District Taco's breakfast tacos, stuffed with eggs, cheese, bacon, and/or chorizo, and you'll want to stay for every meal of the day. Nothing wrong with that — the al pastor and fish tacos are must-trys. Pack on extra heat with the habañero salsa, a favorite of regulars.
You'll feel like you stepped right into Tijuana at this Chula Vista spot that boasts the best tacos in town. Each one comes overflowing with perfectly seasoned meat cut straight from the spit, street style. Choices range from carne asada to sesos (beef brains), but you can't leave without tasting at least one of their famous adobada (spiced pork) tacos.
La Esquina, which translates to "The Corner," features a taqueria, cafe, and hidden brasserie in New York City's SoHo neighborhood. For the best deal, stop by the taqueria outside, where tacos run about $3.50 apiece. Foursquare users rave about the bistec and grilled fish options.
Two words: fish tacos. A favorite of locals and tourists, Coconut's famous tacos are worth the splurge — even at almost $12 an order. Fresh grilled fish sleeps atop a corn tortilla, topped with a blanket of 17 different ingredients, including cheese, homemade salsa, and mango.
Great for a quick lunch with coworkers or a casual family dinner, El Metate serves up fresh, flavorful tacos all day. Simple toppings like cilantro, fresh onions, and pico de gallo let the meat's flavor speak for itself. Foursquare users rank the shrimp, carnitas, and fish tacos among the most popular options.
Al fresco dining, frozen margaritas, and cheap, delicious tacos — what more could you want? Grab a seat in the backyard at chilo's and order from their on-site taco truck. The protein options range from traditional to eccentric: duck carnitas, pork belly, chorizo, cactus, and octopus all appear on the menu.
No matter what you order, it's guaranteed to be fresh at Bear Flag Fish Company. In addition to a restaurant, it's also a seafood market. For a quick appetizer before digging into an order of Panko grilled fish tacos, Foursquare users rave about the poke salad.
Bar Amá puts a fresh twist on Mexican cuisine with inventive dishes like fried squash blossoms or enchiladas topped with peas, pesto, burrata, and cashews. But insiders know the off-menu puffy tacos are the real magic. Ask your waiter which protein options are available.
St. Petersburg's not known for it's Tex-Mex scene, but locals are crazy for this quirky taco chain.
"Just so much FLAVOR! Since we found this place, food from other Mexican places seem so bland," one Foursquare user commented.
The carne asada taco, chock-full of steak, grilled onions, and oaxaca cheese, is always a crowd pleaser.
First and foremost, Taco Mamacita's main goal is to provide the best customer service possible. Beyond that, it's all about the food. Stop by for one — or many — of their creative tacos, such as the "General Homeboy," filled with Panko breaded shrimp and a Thai chili sauce, or the "Oy Vey," stuffed with chipotle beef brisket and Mama's ranchero sauce.
Whether you want a classic fish taco or something more offbeat — think mole spiced carrots topped with pumpkin seeds and almonds — Big Star is sure to be a hit. The lively spot's outdoor patio is also ideal for dining al fresco while it's warm out, but it's cash-only, so be sure to come prepared.
Branch out at Red Mesa Cantina and add an unexpected protein to your tacos. Foursquare users cheer the duck confit tacos, which come topped with grilled pineapple and goat cheese, as well as the ahi tuna option, which includes soy orange coulis and wasabi aioli. If you'd rather go the traditional route, the pulled pork, steak, and chicken tacos are all solid standbys.
This no-frills spot in San Francisco's Mission District serves up huge tacos and even bigger flavor. The $6 super taco features a soft tortilla wrapped around a crispy taco shell, a hefty serving of meat, and plenty of avocado, sour cream, and cheese. From chicken to veggie to beef tongue, no option will lead you astray.
You've been warned: Hankook Taqueria's Korean barbeque tacos will keep you coming back again and again.
"It only takes one visit to develop a strong addiction to their food," a Foursquare user noted.
And at only $2 to $3 a pop, you can afford to sink your teeth into everything from the shrimp taco topped with hoisin tartar sauce to the beef bulgogi marinated in a Korean barbeque sauce.
It might be found in North Carolina, but Paco's Tacos & Tequila prides itself on its big Texas flavor. Get your Tex-Mex fill with smoked brisket or crispy shrimp-filled tacos, and be sure to indulge in a side of Paco's famous "unholy guacamole." Wash it down with a margarita made from one of more than 100 different tequila options.
Between house-ground chorizo tacos smothered in crema and queso, al pastor tacos topped with pineapple, and carnitas brimming with salsa verde, it's nearly impossible to choose what to order at ¿Por qué no?
The good news: It's all tasty.
"I have yet to have anything that disappointed here!" one Foursquare user exclaims.
So go ahead and try them all — why not?
Simplicity is key at Guisados, where the street-style tacos aim to mimic the flavors of traditional Mexican home cooking. Stop by for a quick bite and order the sampler platter — for $7, you can choose up to six different tacos to try.
Creativity sits front and center at White Duck Taco Shop, where unconventional fillings, such as Korean beef bulgogi and lump crab meat, dominate. Foursquare users can't get enough of the duck mole, Bangkok shrimp, and Thai peanut chicken varieties.
Crispy cornmeal breading and spicy arbol chile mayo blend flawlessly with pickled cabbage and cucumbers in El Pelon Taqueria's perennially popular fish taco. For those who prefer land-dwelling protein, the joint's "carmelos" taco, filled with grilled steak and pepper jack cheese, and "Americano" taco, which is packed with grilled chicken, also shine.
Get to La Superior early, as the small space fills up quickly with diners craving the joint's trademark street-style tacos. Choices include carne asada, roasted poblano peppers, carnitas, chorizo, and chipotle shrimp.
But if you're feeling adventurous, go for the taco lengua — beef tongue.
Adorned with paraphernalia from the eponymous sport, Lucha Libre's atmosphere is just as thrilling as its hefty tacos. For a taste of California, try the surf-and-turf taco, filled with steak, shrimp, and avocado. In the mood for cheese? Order the queso taco, packed with fried cheese and steak, chicken, or French fries.
Step out of New York City and into Mexico at this Nolita taco joint that brings street food indoors. Begin your meal with a serving of ceviche or homemade guacamole before digging into one — or a few — crispy fish, barbacoa, or pork belly tacos.
When it comes to cheap late-night eats, no one does it better than LA's El Chato Taco Truck. It doesn't open until 9 p.m. and the line usually wraps around the block, but El Chato's authentic $1 tacos, mouthwatering al pastor, and smoky chipotle sauce are well worth it.
No matter what flavor you're craving, Velvet Taco likely has a taco version of it. Serving up everything from buffalo chicken with bleu cheese to falafel topped with tahini crema to shrimp and grits, this taco joint is a treat for the taste buds.
Though the restaurant was born in Dallas, its Houston location earned the highest ratings on Foursquare.
Not only are Tacos Tierra Caliente's tacos cheap at $2 a pop, but they're as authentic as they come: loaded with well-seasoned meat and topped with cilantro, onions, and avocado on either a flour or corn tortilla. Foursquare users frequently call the bare bones truck "the best tacos in town."
The PGH Taco Truck is always on the go, so follow along on Twitter to see which Pittsburgh neighborhood is eating their creative tacos at any given time. The menu constantly shifts as well, but usually features standard options such as spicy jerk chicken with avocado cream sauce or pork chorizo with queso fresco.
It's hard to go wrong at a place who's name literally means "more tacos, please."
Foursquare users agree: "Delicious! If you're looking for quick, authentic, and tasty Mexican — come here," one commenter said.
Try the chicken or pulled-pork tacos, and wash everything down with a glass of their touted horchata.
Tucked away inside NYC's Chelsea Market, this quaint stand serves up authentic Mexican flavor straight from the proprietors' family recipes. The no-frills menu includes only four taco choices — steak, chicken, pork, or cactus — their quesadilla counterparts, chips, salsa, guacamole, and drinks. Simple, but delicious.
From smoked sausage to fried avocado to poblano ranch salsa, Capital Tacos puts a spin on traditional taco fillings without losing any of the flavor. "The Austinite," filled with carne asada, cheese, and caramelized onions, and the "Ranger," stuffed with barbecue pulled pork and spicy slaw, are both crowd pleasers. Freshness is key here, too, and every ingredient is made from scratch daily.
An Austin staple, Torchy's Tacos serves up tacos in every form, from the "Dirty Sanchez" bursting with scrambled eggs and a fried poblano chili to the "Crossroads" filled with smoked beef brisket, grilled onions, and jalepeños. Ask them to "make it trashy," and get any taco doused in warm queso.
You can't beat the grub at Tacodeli, where the quirkiness of Austin flawlessly melds with classic Tex-Mex to bring you creations like the "Tacoloco" filled with adobo braised brisket and caramelized onions and mushrooms, or the "Pollo Fantastico" stuffed with chicken in a roasted green chile sauce. It gets crowded, though, so be sure to call ahead if you plan to stop in during peak hours.
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