Every day is Taco Tuesday if you want it to be, and we’re calling all taco aficionados to celebrate. We don’t care if you think flour or corn tortillas are the best (psst – it’s corn) or if the sacrilegious hard taco shell should be allowed. We’re just simply asking you to check out these 27 quintessential Orlando taco spots that include both authentic and experimental taco spots.
Gallery by Melissa Perez-Carrillo
4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck
Food truck, 1486 Buena Vista Drive
The 4 Rivers Smokehouse is responsible for yet another successful restaurant venture, as they serve “gourmet street food” seven days a week. Must-try eats include their new birria tacos and dulce de leche churro balls.
Photo via 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck/FacebookReyes Mezcaleria
821 N. Orange Ave.
Michoacán native Chef Wendy Lopez and the Reyes Mexcaleria team aspire to represent the food, spirit, and culture of Mexico. Their tacos go perfectly with their esquites or fried yuca.
Photo via Reyes Mezcaleria/FacebookSan Jose’s Original Restaurant
Multiple locations
San Jose’s was founded in 2000 by five brothers who learned to cook from their grandma. Two decades and four restaurants later, the restaurant continues to serve fresh and flavorful food.
Photo via San Jose’s Original Restaurant/FacebookLa Eskinna
Food truck, 1826 Saturn Blvd.
La Eskinna’s specialty includes their version of tacos de birria, a pan-fried corn tortilla that’s filled with melted cheese and braised meat. To dip or not to dip? We’ll leave that up to you..
Photo via La Eskinna/FacebookMr. Margarita Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
995 N. State Road 434, Altamonte Springs
Mr. Margarita is known for its vibrant tacos and refreshing margaritas, but foodies keep coming back for their great deals. Check out their daily happy hour specials.
Photo via Mr. Margarita Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar/FacebookF+D Cantina Lake Mary
1125 Townpark Ave., Lake Mary
This eatery is an OG member of the F+D chainlet. Their menu features classic and inventive tacos, including the puffy taco and the Floridian fish taco.
Photo via F+D Cantina Lake Mary/FacebookBest Birria
Winner: Agave Azul Cocina Mexicana
Runners-up: Hunger Street Tacos, Don Julio Mexican Kitchen and Tequila Bar Credit:Photo via Agave Azul Cocina Mexicana/FacebookPig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa
1326 N. Mills Ave.
Since 2013, Pig Floyd’s has been combining several global influences to create its vibrant BBQ. Some notables include their butter chicken, Korean kim-cheeze, and classic al pastor tacos.
Photo via Pig Floyd’s Urban Barbakoa/FacebookTacos My Guey
13526 Village Park Drive
It’s hard to beat Taco My Guey’s taco Tuesday deal with any five tacos, a non-alcoholic drink, and chips and salsa for $12.99. There’s plenty of vegan options as well!
Photo via Tacos My Guey/FacebookLa Herradura
12701 S. John Young Parkway
La Herradura provides guests “an experience that will delight all your senses” with live music every weekend and authentic Mexican dishes, including their fish and pork carnitas tacos.
Photo via La Herradura Mexican Restaurant/FacebookCafe Tu Tu Tango
8625 International Drive
Guests have been enjoying this tapas-style restaurant for over 30 years. Enjoy live music and resident artists, while eating pibil-style (i.e. cooked underground and spiced with achiote) cauliflower tacos and street corn.
Photo via Cafe Tu Tu Tango/FacebookPepe’s Cantina
120 W. Church St.; also 433 W. New England Ave., Winter Park
Pepe’s Cantina has daily specials for all margarita and taco needs. Their menu features classic barbacoa-style tacos, including al pastor and carnitas tacos.
Photo via Pepe’s Cantina/FacebookEl Patron Restaurante Mexicano
12167 S. Apopka Vineland Road
Modern meets traditional at El Patron Restaurante Mexicano. Enjoy unlimited artisan tacos during their taco Tuesday special.
Photo via El Patron Restaurante Mexicano/FacebookHunger Street Tacos
2103 W. Fairbanks Ave., Winter Park
Born out of a husband’s desire to quell his wife’s food cravings, Hunger Street Tacos gives Orlando a small taste of Mexico with its art, music, and food. Check out their al pastor, fried avocado, or grilled cheese taco.
Photo via Hunger Street Tacos/FacebookGringos Locos
Multiple locations
With five locations and late-late-night hours, it’s hard to get away from this local taco chain. There’s plenty of signature tacos to choose from, but you can also build your own with your choice of meat, tortilla, and toppings.
Photo via Gringos Locos/FacebookTacos El Rancho
Multiple locations
This family-owned restaurant was founded in 2008 by the Tamayo Villasenor family. With three locations in the Orlando area, there are plenty of spots to indulge your taco cravings.
Photo via Tacos El Rancho/FacebookDon Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
Multiple locations
According to their website, Don Sacramento Rodriguez founded one of the first Mexican restaurants in the United States in 1975. His son continued the family legacy by opening Don Julio’s in 2014.
Photo via Don Julio Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar/FacebookBartaco
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
Bartaco serves “upscale street food”, inspired by the beach culture of Brazil and Southern California. Their refreshing juices, signature cocktails, and tasty tacos are the perfect vehicle to indulge without breaking the bank.
Photo via Bartaco/FacebookFrontera Cocina
1604 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Seven-time James Beard Award winner chef Rick Bayless opened the Orlando-area location of Frontera Cocina in 2016. The restaurant serves contemporary Mexican dishes, including carne asada, chorizo con papas, and grilled chipotle chicken tacos.
Photo via Frontera Cocina/FacebookTako Cheena
948 N. Mills Ave.
The beloved “fresh not fancy” Tako Cheena is the perfect late-night taco spot with plenty of pan-Asian flavors, including their Asian-braised beef taco and char siu BBQ pork belly.
Photo via Tako Cheena/FacebookEl Potro
Multiple locations
El Potro’s patrons cannot get enough of their fast service and delicious food. You can’t beat their combination dinners that allow customers to try a little bit of everything from the best of Mexican cuisine.
Photo via El Potro/FacebookBlack Rooster Taqueria
1323 N. Mills Ave.; new Curry Ford location opening summer 2021
This farm-to-taco restaurant was founded by husband-and-wife team John and Juliana Calloway. Black Rooster prides itself on its high-quality ingredients and its vibrancy, which can be felt in its food and decor.
Photo via Black Rooster Taqueria/FacebookBorder Grill Fresh-Mex
5695-A Vineland Road
Border Grill Fresh-Mex fans keep coming back for more with the grill’s low prices and large portions. This hidden gem has food full of flavor and authenticity.
Photo via Border Grill Fresh-Mex/FacebookTin & Taco
Multiple locations
Established in 2017 by Rob Bair, Tin & Taco has quickly sprawled across Central Florida’s taco scene with seven locations (and counting). Each location has different menu options, so make sure to order your favorite signature taco from the right location.
Photo via Tin & Taco/FacebookAzteca D’Oro
Multiple locations
Since 2007, Azteca D’Oro has prided itself on being “ambassadors” of Mexican culture by serving tasty and authentic food. With six locations in the Central Florida area and daily specials on tap, it’s hard to miss this classic eatery.
Photo via Azteca D’Oro/FacebookMX Taco
207 N. Bumby Ave.
MX Taco’s chef bases his menu on ancient Maya, modern Oaxacan, Puebla and even Tex-Mex cuisines, tfor a contemporary spin.
Photo via MX Taco/FacebookTortas El Rey
6151 Orange Blossom Trail
This no-frills taco spot is known for its cheap prices and authentic Mexican street food. There’s even a drive-thru available for those who just want to grab a quick late-night bite.
Photo via Tortas El Rey/Facebook
