Ryan F.
The border town of El Paso, Texas, is full of wild country, culture, and some of the best tacos in the United States. Of course, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that El Paso has some excellent Mexican food. After all, this border town has had plenty of influence from our southern neighbor since it was first founded in 1850.
El Paso is the boot capital of the planet and routinely gets more sunshine than any other place in the United States. It’s also a highly historic town, so if you love U.S. history, you will definitely want to put it on your “must-visit list.”
One of the more surprising things about El Paso is that it has a vibrant art scene. Visit the El Paso Museum of Art and see an astounding collection of work from Europe and the Americas. Entrance to the museum is free, although donations are accepted. You can also check out Franklin Mountains State Park, a total of 27,000 acres of nature trails perfect for biking, hiking, and trekking. You can even set up camp there.
Of course, no visit to El Paso is complete without sampling some of the local cuisines. El Paso tacos are the closest thing you can get to authentic Mexican food this side of the border, so make sure you check out these 11 best taco spots in El Paso.
Best Tacos in El Paso
- Tacos Chinampa
- Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant
- Little Shack
- El Toro Bronco
- Chico’s Tacos
- Don Taco
- Tacotote
- Tacos Don Cuco (Clark)
- Doggos – Tacos Burritos Juarez Hot Dogs Tortas
- Tacos 915
- Amores Fingidos Food Truck
- El Taquito
- Rivas Taco Shop
- Los Tragones Taqueria
Tacos Chinampa
Multiple locations
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With locations spread across El Paso from Northwest to East, Tacos Chinampa serves up some of the best tacos in El Paso. It’s especially famous for its savory and delicious al pastor tacos. The meat is expertly seasoned, cooked to perfection, and served with fantastic toppings like their homemade salsas. At Tacos Chinampa, they offer a variety of different salsas, as well as queso fundido and fresh tortillas.
Quality ingredients are really what sets Tacos Chinampa apart from the rest. You won’t find commercial products here. Instead, you’ll snack on tacos piled high with meat, fresh herbs, radish slices, and a twist of lime. Your tacos come with baked potatoes, tortilla chips, and a hearty portion of bean soup.
Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant
2719 N Piedras St, El Paso, TX 79930
Phone: 915-565-6713
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Located in Grandview just east of the southern tip of Franklin Mountains State Park, Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant serves some great Mexican food, and their service is second to none. You’ll get your meal fast and with a smile. Their tacos are the star of the show, but their other menu items are great too. Try the chicken mole enchiladas or chile Rellenos. Their salsas are fresh and homemade, and you’ll find something to suit every taste and spice preference.
Other favorites include the chicken machaca with green sauce and cheese and caldillo. Kiki’s Mexican Restaurant is a pretty popular place that tends to get pretty busy, but trust me—it’s entirely worth it. You’ll walk away satisfied.
Little Shack
Multiple locations
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With locations ranging from Northwest to East El Paso, Little Shack has traditional and inventive takes on tacos. Their fish tacos are out of this world, and the steak ones are hearty enough to keep you full all day. If you want something on the lighter side, try their veggie tacos. Of course, adventurous eaters can always go for the alambre or octopus tacos. The seafood at Little Shack is fresh and perfectly seasoned every time.
Every taco comes with homemade salsa. Occasionally they’ll run specials on their menu, offering chorizo, shrimp, or bacon tacos. As the name suggests, Little Shack is relatively small, so there might be a bit of a wait during busier times. The tables are pretty close together too, but the ambiance is lovely, cozy, and fun.
El Toro Bronco
7689 N Loop Dr, El Paso, TX 79915
Phone: 915-775-0087
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At El Toro Bronco in Mission Valley, you can enjoy superb tacos with just about every type of grilled meat that you can imagine. All of their offerings are great, including al pastor, chicken, pork, and beef. You certainly won’t go hungry at El Toro Bronco because their portions are enormous, and you can get tasty sides like baked potatoes or chilis.
If you’re more adventurous and want to experience a whole new level of deliciousness, try their tripitas tacos. As with their traditional tacos, these meals come with chile toreado, lemon, cilantro, avocado, onions, and thinly sliced radishes. Wash down the whole meal with some fresh lemonade or cantaloupe juice.
Chico’s Tacos
Multiple locations
Chico’s Tacos is a cult favorite in El Paso, and it’s even been featured on the Food Network. Its multiple locations range from central to East El Paso. Their signature offerings are Chico’s tacos, deep-fried rolled tacos full of ground beef and cheese and served with addictive sauce. You can also get additional salsas and sauces to go with your meal.
Although Chico’s Tacos is a famous restaurant chain in El Paso, the prices are relatively reasonable. You can easily get your fill of deep-fried goodness without breaking the bank. If you’re feeling a little extra spicy, try their jalapeno sauce.
Don Taco
1757 George Dieter Dr #116, El Paso, TX 79936
Phone: 915-591-0222
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Don Taco is on the corner of Trawood and George Dieter Dr. in Vista Hills. It is famous for its Asada and al pastor tacos. Expect generous portions and excellent service when you visit this restaurant. Don Taco prides itself on perfectly marinating their meat, and this attention to detail comes through in every single bite.
Visit Don Taco with a group of people and dig into their family pack of tacos. You can also add on baked potatoes with cheese and beans. Top the whole thing off with one of Don Taco’s homemade salsas, and you certainly have a meal to remember.
Tacotote
Multiple locations
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Tacotote has locations spread throughout El Paso and is firmly rooted in the communal family values of Dora “Abuelita,” who taught her children how to respect and love family dinners. Eventually, she invited the whole community to take part in the festivities, and the concept that would ultimately become Tacotote was born.
Today, Tacotote features plenty of homemade food, including fresh corn tortillas, salsa, and delicious fillings of chicken, beef, and beans. Get your taco with all of the toppings and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for a real treat. The prices and right and their staff is friendly and accommodating.
Tacos Don Cuco (Clark)
Multiple locations
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The Tacos Don Cuco Clark branch is in East El Paso just outside the center. Tacos Don Cuco offers a wide variety of different tacos, from traditional steak and chicken to tripitas and alambre. You can even customize your taco with varying mixtures of each meat. One of the key fan favorites at this restaurant is the barbacoa tacos. They’re expertly seasoned and served in a soft tortilla for maximum deliciousness in each bite.
Every taco comes with heaps of toppings, including freshly-prepared salsa, cilantro, limes, and cheese. Other notable dishes include shrimp and Asada tacos. Of course, you also can’t go wrong with the tacos, al pastor. Although Tacos Don Cuco is a fantastic place to go for lunch and dinner, they offer breakfast burritos packed with potato and chorizo.
Doggos – Tacos Burritos Juarez Hot Dogs Tortas
Multiple locations
If you’re wondering where to get tacos in El Paso, Doggos is an excellent choice in the Northwest. There’s plenty of different menu items to choose from, reasonable prices, and a comfortable atmosphere that will make you feel like you’re right at home. One of the best things about Doggos is its authenticity. The tacos are fresh and come with a variety of different salsas and sauces to appeal to every taste.
One of their standout items is the burrito a la Mexicana. This flavorful meal comes with different meats and generous toppings for a real treat. Don’t miss out on their signature drinks, either. The hibiscus drink is refreshing, and their Horchata water is excellent too. Try their Barbacoa beef, chile rellenos, and asado de cerdo.
Tacos 915
11345 Pellicano Dr, El Paso, TX 79936
Phone: 915-234-8989
Tacos 915 in East El Paso specializes in shrimp tacos and fresh, delicious corn. They definitely have the Mexican flavors down pat. You can even get Keto-friendly tacos if you want. Get individual tacos, or opt for their 4-taco mini pack. Make sure that you don’t skimp on the sides and load up your taco with all of the fixings for a real treat.
Tacos 915 has a great atmosphere too. Everything about this place is warm and welcoming, and you’ll feel just like family from the second that you sit down. It does tend to get a little crowded on the weekends, so you might have to wait a little bit for your table.
Amores Fingidos Food Truck
11701 Montwood Dr, El Paso, TX 79936
Phone: 915-317-9218
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Everyone knows that gourmet food truck cuisine is some of the best on the planet, and Amores Fingidos Food Truck does not disappoint. If you want to sample some of the greatest tortas and tacos in all of El Paso, get to Amores Fingidos Food Truck, officially located northeast of the airport. Their tacos are fresh and filled with generous toppings like grilled onions, limes, salsas, and cilantro.
Try their campechano for a real treat. The flavors are fiery and on point without being too spicy or overpowering. Their quesa birria tacos are excellent, too, with just the right flavor balance between the meat and cheese. Their bistek tacos are packed with meaty goodness, and the portions are big enough for sharing.
El Taquito
1422 Airway Blvd, El Paso, TX 79925
Phone: 915-778-7170
El Taquito in East El Paso serves up excellent home cooking in a cozy, comfortable atmosphere that will make you want to sit down and stay awhile. It will no doubt become your go-to place the next time that you’re in El Paso. The beef tacos are a local favorite, topped with tons of fresh salsas and plenty of cheese.
You can also try their quesadillas served with red sauce. At El Taquito, their quesadillas are always crispy and packed with a combination of delicious cheeses. Their soups are great too; authentic Mexican offerings with plenty of meat, vegetables, and rice. El Taquito can be a little bit difficult to find if you don’t know where to look. Just find the Lone Star Laundry on Airway Boulevard and El Taquito is a few doors down.
Rivas Taco Shop
1342 North Zaragoza Road S-A, El Paso, TX 79936
Phone: 915-307-2922
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Rivas Taco Shop in Mission Valley has been serving El Paso incredible food since 1984. Although the restaurant has undoubtedly grown since then, it’s kept its neighborhood, family atmosphere and is now a local favorite. If you are a true taco connoisseur, you should definitely give Rivas Taco Shop a try. All of their ingredients are fresh, and their meats are marinated and grilled to perfection.
Try the carne asada taco, or the burrito. Both are packed with flavor and come with a generous helping of chips, salsa, and beans. Their pico de gallo is exceptional, and their green salsa will satisfy people who want a little kick with their meal but aren’t interested in something too spicy.
Los Tragones Taqueria
3830 N Piedras St, El Paso, TX 79930
Phone: 915-317-4824
If you happen to be in Summit Place, you should definitely make a point to check out Los Tragones Taqueria. This small restaurant might look unassuming and humble, but the food is exceptional, and the service is too. You’ll get free lemonade with your meal and hearty helpings of delicious, inexpensive tacos. Sometimes Los Tragones Taqueria runs buy-one-get-one specials on their tacos, too, so make sure that you check ahead of time.
The tripitas tacos are flavorful and tasty, and the tacos al pastor are a local favorite. You might actually think that you’re across the border in Mexico.
Final Thoughts
El Paso is a fantastic option if you want to get a bit off the beaten path in Texas and experience culture and cuisine that you won’t find anywhere else in the world. This border city has it all; plenty of natural wonders, high-end museums and exhibits, and of course, the food.
Once you taste the tacos in El Paso, you’ll never be satisfied with imitations ever again. This city is bursting with fresh food, authentic flavors, and prices that simply can’t be beat.
Not in the mood for tacos? Check out these El Paso steakhouses instead!
Did we miss one of El Paso’s iconic taco restaurants? Let us know in the comments below.
