Opinions abound on what makes the perfect taco. Perhaps it’s a homemade corn tortilla, tender fire-roasted meat, or a generous dousing of salsa verde. For some, cheese is out of the question, while for others it makes all the difference. Whatever one’s preference, it’s undeniable that there are infinite ways to enjoy tacos, and every taqueria serves them up with a distinctive flair. (Take a look at the best Mexican restaurant in every state.)
24/7 Tempo reviewed Yelp’s list of the 100 best taco places in America. We included the Top 30. Yelp curated the list of the best taco spots across the U.S. based on member’s ratings and reviews. The list includes some of the most popular restaurants, taco trucks, taquerias, and cantinas, but also hidden gems known only to locals.
As Southern California is arguably home to the most authentic tacos in the country, it’s no surprise that 11 of the 30 best taco spots are in California. Other prime taco establishments in the South and Southwest are in Dallas, Las Vegas, Key Largo, and Santa Fe.
The best taco spots overwhelmingly feature corn tortillas as the norm, with the exception of Granny’s Tacos in Austin, which is famous for its Tex-Mex style breakfast tacos on house-made flour tortillas. Some locations specialize in birria tacos, which are made with tender beef cooked in a deep red, chile-infused stew and served with a side of the rich consomme for dipping. Others excel at seafood tacos and are known for their fried fish, shrimp, or grilled octopus. (Here are 30 easy ideas for shrimp.)
30. Porque No? Tacos
> Location: San Leandro, California
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (617 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Super tacos lunch
29. Str8 Up Tacos
> Location: Lakewood, California
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,158 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Crispy potato tacos
28. Del Seoul
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,316 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Kalbi tacos
27. Tlaolli
> Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (238 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Chipotle chicken taco
26. Taqueria Pollo Asado
> Location: Lynnwood, Washington
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (245 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Tacos special
25. La Bamba Mexican Grill Restaurant
> Location: El Mirage, Arizona
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (477 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Bamba tacos
24. Tacos Aya Aya
> Location: Lafayette, Colorado
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (239 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Carne asada tacos
23. Chicali Tacos
> Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (79 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Chicken and carne asada
22. Edgewater Tacos
> Location: Chicago, Illinois
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (358 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Fish tacos
21. Cocina Madrigal
> Location: Phoenix, Arizona
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,640 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Pomegranate flavored beef tacos
20. Birrieria Little Tijuana
> Location: Riverside, California
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (438 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Beef birria
19. El Chile Toreado
> Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (216 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Street tacos
18. Tranky’s Tacos
> Location: Garland, Texas
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (377 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Beer-battered fish tacos
17. Tacos Jalisco
> Location: Key Largo, Florida
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (191 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Fresh fish tacos made on handmade corn tortillas
16. Street Tacos and Grill
> Location: Los Angeles, California
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (206 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Grilled street tacos
15. Mariscos Mi Gusto Es
> Location: San Diego, California
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (399 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Crispy fried shrimp tacos
14. Taqueria El Asador
> Location: Pensacola, Florida
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (875 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Smoky grilled meats
13. Jazzy’s Kitchen
> Location: Kihei, Maui, Hawaii
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (01 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Fish tacos
12. Deckhand Dave’s Fish Tacos
> Location: Juneau, Alaska
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (405 reviews)
> Popular menu item: The 3 Fish Sampler Tacos
11. De Cabeza
> Location: Chula Vista, California
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (681 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Cabeza tacos
10. Mami Coco
> Location: Dallas, Texas
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (336 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Street tacos, served on corn or flour tortillas
9. Shaka Tacoz
> Location: Captain Cook, Hawaii
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (707 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Fish tacos
8. Bajamar Seafood & Tacos
> Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,027 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Spicy octopus taco
7. El Primo Tacos
> Location: Venice, California
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (387 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Small street tacos for $1
6. Tacos Sinaloa
> Location: Oakland, California
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,179 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Spicy al pastor
5. Los Tacos No.1
> Location: New York, New York
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,660 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Tijuana-style tacos, quesadillas, and mulas
4. Granny’s Tacos
> Location: Austin, Texas
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (526 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Chilaquiles tacos aka “soggy tacos”
3. Taqueria Mi Ranchito
> Location: Sylmar, California
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (496 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Carne asada and al pastor tacos
2. Taco Nazo
> Location: Bellflower, California
> Yelp rating: 4.5 / 5 (4,585 reviews)
> Popular menu item: Ensenada-style seafood
1. Ed Fernandez Restaurant Birrieria
> Location: San Diego, California
> Yelp rating: 5 / 5 (832 reviews)
> Popular menu item: The Quesataco Extremo