North on Gallatin Road is El Jaliciense — a casual yet homey taco spot frequented by those on the east side of town. Highlights here include asada, chorizo, lengua, and pastor, not to mention delicious, dripping birria grilled tacos.

You’ll find Southwest-style tacos at this East Nash destination, where Bryan Lee Weaver’s house-made flour tortillas envelop chopped brisket, pulled pork, and even whipped feta, with plenty of margaritas and Topo Chico to wash it all down. But the star of the show here is the four varieties of the Redheaded Stranger’s Crunchwrap — a riff on the Taco Bell classic in original, pork green chile, xmas style (a mix of pork green chile and red chili), and veggie.

Teresa Mason parlayed her success with one of Nashville’s very first food trucks into a wildly popular East Nashville restaurant. Mas Tacos Por Favor serves affordable tacos and some of the best soups in the city, as well as interesting daily specials (think Mexican hot chocolate whoopie pies and pickled cactus tacos with chorizo) and delicious drinks.

James Beard Award semifinalist Julio Hernandez caught the attention of the culinary world with the house-made tortillas he slings from a truck that’s now permanently parked outside of Chopper Tiki in East Nashville. He nixtamalizes, grinds, and presses heirloom corn tortillas that can withstand the heft of fillings ranging from green chile chicken to cobia in a Topo Chico batter. But the true standout is his quesabirria tacos, ready to be dipped in a rich consomé and devoured alongside Chopper’s decadent tropical cocktails.

Brian Riggenbach and Mikey Corona of downtown’s the Mockingbird have ventured into the Buchanan Arts District with a cheery little bungalow featuring an assortment of tacos including marinated chicken thighs, Norteno-style skirt steak, and, for a truly vegan experience, shredded jackfruit (homemade flour and corn tortillas are both available as options). If you’re packing an appetite, opt for Mikey’s Super Taco, a plate-sized flour taco brimming with eggs, beans, potatoes, and cheese, paired with one of the agua frescas or margaritas on the menu. Tio Fun is also opening a second location in downtown Franklin this May.

This unassuming orange building in the Nations serves some of Nashville’s top tacos. Owners Jose and Maria Cepeda also welcome diners (he takes orders, she cooks) with solid pupusas and tlayudas (a traditional Oaxacan dish served on a toasted tortilla loaded up with toppings) that only add to the appeal. Ask for the chili and the verde sauces; both are nicely spicy. Just remember to bring cash.

Casual, affordable Tex-Mex is the name of the game at San Antonio Taco Co., a Midtown institution known to most as Satco. Long-time locals and many a visiting chef have formed an affinity for the low-priced bean-and-cheese tacos and fish tacos. Plus, the patio is a great spot for sipping a beer and taking in some serious people-watching.

Tempo is owned by Texas-born percussionist Javier Solis and his family, who opened the shop in 2018. And if there’s one thing most Texans know well, it’s breakfast tacos. The Nolensville Pike shop offers nine true Texas breakfast taco iterations, including chorizo and egg, bacon and egg, sausage and egg, and potato and chorizo. Catch ‘em Thursday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Nadine Moore operates this birria stand on wheels (it’s festooned with hearts — you can’t miss it), but she’s anxiously anticipating her first brick-and-mortar location at the soon-to-open Cyanide Cider in South Nash. Until then, you can follow her whereabouts on social media and nab some of her fan-favorite crispy birria tacos oozing with cheese as well as her quesatacos and birria ramen.

Just to get this out of the way: El Tapatio has three locations on Nolensville Pike. One is a bit farther south at 4801 Nolensville Pike, and is essentially a permanently parked food truck with a small dining room right next door. Across the street from the truck is a market called El Tapatio Super Mercado. And this one, sometimes called El Tapatio 2, is a more fully realized brick-and-mortar just north of the Nashville Zoo. They all offer similarly simple, straightforward tacos. No frills, just good food, and always a solid takeout option.

Situated in a former gas station, El Amigo has been a favorite taco stop for those in the know for years. The brightly colored space on Nolensville Road offers nearly a dozen choices including carne asada and steak. Pair them with an order of horchata and house-made guacamole for a truly outstanding taco experience