1. La Taqueria – San Francisco, California
You’ll find most of the best tacos America in small little restaurants and food trucks all over California. It’s a state that truly knows how to do tacos. However, when it comes to the best tacos, you’ll want to start at La Taqueria in San Francisco.
Even though you’ll find numerous little Mexican eateries peppered all throughout the Mission, few of them are able to craft a carnitas taco that melts in your mouth like the ones at La Taqueria.
Online, you might find a few different taco joints with similar names. The place with the best tacos in America is located at 2889 Mission St.
2. Veracruz All Natural – Austin, Texas
Honestly, Texans are so serious about their tacos that it’s nearly impossible to find the best taco in the entire state. So, when we say that Veracruz All Natural serves up some of the most delicious tacos, we mean it.
The sisters behind Veracruz All Natural, Maritza and Reyna, have been serving locals some of the best authentic Mexican tacos for years out of food trucks.
Recently, they’ve upgraded to brick-and-mortar stores, which we’d definitely put on our list of unmissable things to do in Austin if you’re ever in the area for a visit.
3. Birrieria Zaragoza – Chicago, Illinois
If you’ve never tried goat tacos, then get ready to book a plane ticket straight to Chicago in order to taste this place’s famous birria tatemada. This 100-year-old recipe uses roasted goat meat to create a delightful concoction that you’re sure to try more than once.
Family-owned and operated, Birreieria Zaragoza serves authentic food in a super authentic setting. While the tacos here are certainly the best in Chicago, we fell that they pretty easily rank at the top of any list of the best tacos in the United States.
4. Los Tacos No. 1 – New York, New York
Los Tacos No. 1 is one of the best Mexican restaurants in New York, and their tacos truly set them apart. The recipes are authentic family recipes, as the owners hail from Tijuana, Mexico and Brawley, California.
From the expertly prepared salsas to the red chile-marinated pork, it sometimes seems as if there’s almost too much flavour here to handle. However, we never find that to be a problem.
5. The Shed – Santa Fe, New Mexico
The owners proudly state that they’re all about creative cooking on the Santa Fe Plaza. And, creative is exactly what they achieve. The Shed is famous for their chicken tacos with green chile, which they source from Hatch, New Mexico and bring in fresh daily.
The difference can be felt, seen, tasted, and enjoyed in their tacos. They’re deliciously fresh and absolutely addicting.
6. Pancho’s Mexican Taqueria – Atlantic City, New Jersey
Unpretentious and authentic, Pancho’s is the perfect pit stop for flavourful tacos in New Jersey, if not the entire East Coast.
The tacos al pastor here are incredibly savoury, but what really sets Pancho’s apart from the other best tacos in America are their handmade tortillas.
7. El Vez – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Upon stepping foot inside of the Philly location of El Vez, you’ll feel as if you’ve just stepped out of a cab and onto the bright and vibrant streets of Tijuana.
The food is just as enticing and exciting, with rich flavours that seep out of their world-famous tacos like candy falling out of a piñata. Do yourself a favour and try their grilled shrimp tacos.
8. Coyo Taco – Miami, Florida
There’s no denying that the city of Miami is overflowing with top-notch tacos. While this makes it hard to rank the best tacos in Florida, visitors seem to love the variety of choices that Coyo Taco offers their guests.
Not only is Coyo located in some of the trendiest neighbourhoods in Miami (we prefer the Wynwood location), but they’ve got one of the most varied taco menus on this list.
Choose from grilled cactus or even charred octopus. No matter what you get, make sure to top it off with their crisp duck and serrano salsa.
9. Mas Tacos Por Favor – Nashville, Tennessee
Another food truck-turned-brick and mortar success, Mas Tacos Por Favor pretty much gives it all away in the name of the restaurant. You’re literally not going to be able to stop from asking for more and more tacos, they’re that good.
The cosy, cantina-like setting feels super welcoming, and the tacos will warm your soul just as much as the smiles on the faces of the people who work here. Don’t forget to order your tacos with guacamole as it’s some of the best in the state.
10. El Rey del Taco – Atlanta, Georgia
Strong margaritas and large platters of tacos are two things we can definitely get behind. El Rey del Taco serves up both to hungry eaters that come from all over the country to try their tortilla-wrapped goodness.
Here, they really are the kings of tacos, and they specialise in unique flavours and toppings. Interested in trying the pork stomach, tongue, or head? You can do so here, and we highly recommend it.
11. White Duck Taco Shop – Asheville, North Carolina
What’s not to love about a quaint little taco shop in one of the cutest cities in America? What’s so special about White Duck is that their menu changes more than the weather.
They offer everything here a la carte, which keeps their prices low and their flavours plentiful. However, in the past, they’ve offered options such as Peanut Chicken, Korean Beef Bulgogi, Lamb Gyro, and even a unique watermelon and mint side dish.
12. Bajamar Seafood and Tacos – Las Vegas, Nevada
If you love seafood tacos, then you’ll want to head to Sin City and make your way to Bajamar. This unsuspecting, land-locked restaurant might not seem like they’d serve up some of the best seafood tacos in the country, but trust us, they do.
Locals and tourists alike consistently rank this place as home to the best tacos in all of Nevada, but we think the taste extends far beyond state lines. Their fish tacos taste as if they’ve just pulled the fish fresh out of the sea and served it straight to your table.
13. Xicamiti La Taquería Bistro – Golden, Colorado
Family-made street-style tacos are often the best, and this little taqueria in Golden, Colorado is the perfect example of that.
The aroma of Xicamiti La Taquería Bistro is really what draws you into the restaurant. It smells of warm, freshly-made tortillas and homemade horchata. The flavours are complex and layered, making it seem as if you’re devouring tacos at a five-star restaurant.
14. Cocina Madrigal – Phoenix, Arizona
Cocina Madrigal specialises in hand-crafted tacos and made from scratch specialities. Head Chef Leo hails from Oaxaca, Mexico and has brought his hometown recipes with him.
Guests describe the tacos here as having a “roller coaster of flavours,” and they’re pretty right. If you’re interested in going on the taco journey of a lifetime then head here for dinner. Then, end the meal with their sugary churros.
15. Lane’s Quickie Tacos – Fairbanks, Alaska
You might not think of Alaska as having stand-out tacos, but it’s actually one of the most taco-filled states in the country. The chef at Lane’s had some formal taco training in San Antonio and now serves up quality Tex-Mex to locals in Alaska.
If you make it all the way to Fairbanks, try the Alaskan, which is modelled after a tac at the famous Torchy’s Tacos eatery in Austin, Texas. It’s delightfully authentic and perfect for the Alsakan cold.
16. 167 Raw – Charleston, South Carolina
167 Raw serves seafood of all kind, and while you should definitely explore their impressive menu, we went for the tacos and stayed for the tacos.
Their taco menu is inspired by their travels around the world, which is evident in the unique and savoury tastes of each one. Try the carnitas, fish, or shrimp tacos. Better yet, try them all.
17. Coconut’s Fish Cafe – Maui, Hawaii
When you think of food in Hawaii your brain probably automatically thinks of fresh mahi-mahi, doesn’t it? Us too. Why even visit Hawaii if you’re not going to try the fish?
Coconut’s Fish Cafe is famous on the island for cooking up the best fresh-grilled mahi-mahi tacos ever. Even better, they top their tacos with wasabi-coconut milk coleslaw and mango salsa. Is your mouth watering yet? Because ours sure were.
18. Tacos Chukis – Seattle, Washington
The Capitol Hill location of Tacos Chukis has become a Seattle staple, offering high-quality tacos in a no-frills setting to locals and tourists alike.
The owner once rode his bike all the way from Seattle to Tijuana, which is where he first began to receive inspiration for his taco-filled menu. Try the adobada, as it’s a fan favourite. Or, if you’re vegetarian, then definitely check out the vegetarian nopales.
19. Oyamel – Washington, D.C.
Headed to the capital city of the United States of America? Before heading out for a day o sightseeing, you have to fuel up on the delectable handmade tacos that they serve at Oyamel.
Their tortillas are made fresh daily from the corn that they grind on-site. While their entire menu is pretty great, we suggest ordering the carnitas Michoacán. They slow-cook shredded suckling pig and top it with green tomatillo salsa, onions, cilantro and pork rinds.
20. Guerra’s Krazy Taco – Springfield, Ohio
With a 5-star Yelp rating and a dining culture that locals rave about, Guerra’s Krazy Taco in Columbus, Ohio certainly deserves a spot in the list of the best tacos in America.
Their menu features a unique selection of tacos combining all kinds of fresh ingredients. While the eclectic interior might call your attention, it’s the taste of the tacos that’s going to make you stay all night.
Order a few cold beers and settle in, because you’re going to want to try more than one dish.
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