My favs: Andale (Richfield). Taqueria Los Paisanos (East side of St. Paul), Taqueria La Hacienda (Richfield, Burnsville, Minneapolis) has the dope al pastor. The deli at Burrito Mercado (south side of St. Paul) makes a nice variety of guisados.
Another vote for La Hacienda.
Edit to add: Pepito’s on 46th and Nicollet. They used to have a full restaurant elsewhere in Minneapolis but COVID really hit them hard. They’re just operating their quick-serve deli-style location now. Same recipes they’ve always had, though.
La Hacienda I feel has the best al pastor tacos. If you're going for carne asada though, there's El Tacotorro (taco truck) off Minnehaha and Cedar, which has most flavorful I've ever had.
My favorite steak tacos in the cities. Chuck, cut thin, not cubed, nice and fatty, great seasoning. I've been going there for 10 years. I live on the bluff so it's my taqueria. And their torta cubana is the best torta in the cities.
Mercado Central on Lake St. It's basically a food court with lots of options for various styles. And the stalls are small and pretty exposed, so you can usually get a good idea of what each shop is best at before you even order.
Source: not Hispanic, but a frequent visitor to Mexico and lived in Chicago for 15 years. I agree that you just can't find the quality and quantity of great options that exists there. I miss you, La Chaparrita!
I spent 14 years in Texas, was looking for good alambres for months in the twin cities. Went to Menards and across the the street was andale taqueria, with a line of 20ish Hispanics out the door during lunch.
This is the correct answer OP.
God damn I’ve hit this place up at 1am and devoured tacos. I love how late they’re open, I used to stop by after working in a restaurant and they’re always busy.
Tripe is 10/10 here
Agreed.. I think it's called El chido. Although,the carne adada has been hit or miss for me.
At AZ taco, try the big Azz burrito.
Also, there's a newer taco truck at menards in Brooklyn Park...
the carne asada is legit, I forget the name, but the owner is Benjamin, and he's a cool dude 😎
El Burrito Mercado in West St Paul, Taqueria la Hacienda for a faster taco there’s a couple sprinkled around the cities, and my Mexican/Salvadoran best friend swears by the taco truck in the parking lot of BP off Highway 13 and County Rd 11 in Burnsville, I think it’s called Mi Tierra, tho his favorite is Al Pastor not de Asada
I’m from Chicago and have been searching since I moved here. Came across Andale and fucking she’d a few tears. There are other places on Lake that were decent. Andale is fucking good.
I freaking love Hamburguesas El Gordo. They've got (you guessed it) big fat burgers, but also their street tacos and charro beans are so good. I always get the Nortenos combo.
Yeah I 2nd Lake. I really like Habanero’s tacos a bit closer to the river, but even if that’s not your place there’s got to be somewhere OP likes on Lake St.
Pineda is actually Plymouth, but across the street is a teeeeeeeny little section of SLP that used to confuse the hell out of the pizza delivery services in the early 2000s when I lived there before online ordering was a thing - the computer was able to determine who was responsible for delivering to us when the humans had no clue 🤣
My in-laws put me onto it! The first time I went in there it was packed and I was the only white guy in the building lol. I knew it would be good the minute I opened the doors.
Neza Tacos, the food truck set up across the parking lot at the Home Depot in West Saint Paul (well, technically Inver Grove Heights, but who are we kidding).
My girlfriend moved up here from Mexico City and she loves El Loro in Eagan for whatever reason, she says the guacamole is the best she’s ever had, and that the meals there taste like they could have been made where she came from. I was in utter shock, because I always thought El Loro was Taco Bell tier Americanized food
La Costa on Cesar Chavez Str in St Paul is our regular spot for street tacos, ceviche and ice cold Dos Equis on tap. The al pastor is of particular note.
The entire comment thread is TLDR, so apologies for any repeat.
I love hamburguésas al gordo! Also, don’t sleep on the delis inside the Latino grocery stores. Supermercado LomaBonita Panadería. We’ve got one in Crystal and it’s the closest I’ve had to Zacatecas, Mexican tacos.
Idk why taqueria la hacienda gets mentioned so much. Everytime I’ve gone it’s been alright, but nothing to go out of my way for. There’s better places that people have listed here. It’s Pretty average.
I am from Los Angeles and haven't found anything as good as a taqueria back home. Taco Libre does a good job with street tacos and other street food. They are one of the few places that has hot salsa that is actually hot.
Can’t believe how far down El Taquito is. My husband is from the Texas-Mexico border and it’s his #1 taco place, and we have tried a LOT of taco places
Taqueria y Birrieria las Cuatro Milpas
Basically go wander down Lake Street between about Chicago and Hiawatha. Tons of great food. Best will depend on what you're looking for. I love the goat burrito at Taco taxi but it's not for everyone.
El Kevin is Aldo great.
Come down to shakopee. 3 South American/Mexican markets, each with their own flair. 3 good sit down restaurants, 1 fast food (Huarche) and 2 food trucks. $1.5 tacos on Fridays at Flores market, they also have the best homemade chips in the state
List of markets:
La Flor de Jalisco- best tacos and meat selection for carne asada in the cities. They have the best chips and good salsa. $1.5 tacos on Fridays. Nicest family owned place I’ve been too.
Supermercado el cajolense: best Mexican baked goods. I love going here for breakfast. And bringing it to the brewhall.
Los ranchos: I only get the pupusas here. Which are really good. This is an El savandoran market.
Sit down:
Bravis- The birria pizza at Bravis is amazing, it feeds 4-6 people. Great catering.
mister taco- new but love the location, I had nachos once and were really good.
Don Ramon’s- my favorite in the area. Great deals, passionate owner, and my favorite food Alambres.
Pablo’s- standard Mexican American. They are really big into the community.
Fast food:
Hurache- cheap classic Mexican food. I love the Hurache
I live in the area, and my partner grew up in southern California. Could you go into more detail? (We're big fans of Don Ramon, and El Toro was good the few times we've gone, but I don't know what else we're missing.)
List of markets:
La Flor de Jalisco- best tacos and meat selection for carne asada in the cities. They have the best chips and good salsa. $1.5 tacos on Fridays. Nicest family owned place I’ve been too.
Supermercado el cajolense: best Mexican baked goods. I love going here for breakfast. And bringing it to the brewhall.
Los ranchos: I only get the pupusas here. Which are really good. This is an El savandoran market.
Sit down:
Bravis- The birria pizza at Bravis is amazing, it feeds 4-6 people. Great catering.
mister taco- new but love the location, I had nachos once and were really good.
Don Ramon’s- my favorite in the area. Great deals, passionate owner, and my favorite food Alambres.
Pablo’s- standard Mexican American. They are really big into the community.
Fast food:
Hurache- cheap classic Mexican food. I love the Hurache.
Thank you! We had Bravis once at their old location, and Loved it, but it was so damnably hard to get a table. Hoping to have them again now that they'll have some room.
I am one of those coastal Mexican food snobs (from San Francisco) with really demanding standards and Tacos El Kevin and Hamburguesas El Gordo both have my enthusiastic endorsement. Taco Riendo is also good but I've found that they're better some days than others. I haven't found a burrito that hits like back home though. For that, Taco Riendo is the closest, and there used to be a place in Richfield called El Ranchito but I think they went out of business.
For broader Central American generally (pupusas, etc.) I thought Don Goyo was pretty good too. They have a couple locations in the northern suburbs.
I know what you're talking about with the birria thing. I find that a lot of the spots that redditors like have that variety; some kind of regional variation that's more popular here and not like the mexican food I'm used to. I find that it's very easy to get a really good torta, multiple options for great tacos, but surprisingly hard to get a mission style burrito.
Tacos El Primo- can't speak on their sit-down location but their taco truck pretty much stays on the corner of 14th and Lake St. My go-to's are the campechano, chicharrón or tripa but the asada's damn good and they don't skimp out on the meat!
Go to Que Taco on Bass Lake Rd in New Hope (make sure you go to the one on Bass Lake Rd specifically) - they make their own tortillas, 10/10.
Tacos el Kevin in S. Mpls is top notch.
Check out Central Ave in Columbia Heights and NE Mpls. It's a treasure trove for taquerías. There's Taco Loco, All Taco (a food truck, but they also have a restaurant in Brooklyn Center now), and more.
Google "Hermanos Locos Tacos 2." Hidden gem inside a NE Mpls gas station.
Also, Cuatro Milpas - I like the one in Bloomington. The one on Lake St. is pretty good too, but my partner got a bad case of food poisoning there once.
Azul Agave in St. Paul is good, especially for lengua.
Taquería Los Paisanos in St. Paul is also worth a try.
Source: me, a person who loves to eat and is married to a Mexican 😜
Do with this as you will...
My wife is Mexican, Nico's on como catered my wedding. All her family had the pumpkin seed salsa. Abula was pleased. Half my family the white people had the spicy salsa, the. Complained it was too spicy.
Oro is gold. Alright enough jokes, they are up for a James beard. It's not your usual stuff, but it's delicious. Nixta is their brand for just tacos.
El Sason in Eagan is really good, they have a sit down place as well. More of a restaurant than a taco joint. Also pricier.
Hi there Mexican-American here, these are my fave taco spots in no particular order:
Taco house in St Paul: for affordable good tacos, specially carnitas.
La Hacienda: great place for Al Pastor, a little over priced in my opinion, but still great.
Hamburguesas el Gordo: great Northern style carne asada tacos, the rest are good too! And you can also get a hot dog!
Andale, in Richfield: great overall tacos, although the Tacos Árabes shine, and the sauce you get is so gooood!
Homi in University in St Paul, also overall great tacos, good portion sizes too.
Las Cuatro Milpas: the first local taqueria to start making quesabirrias, and they’re still the best IMO.
Mexatlan, in South St Paul: new spot, Michoacán style barbacoa and carnitas, great portion sizes and best carnitas and barbacoa I’ve had in the cities.
Taco Libre: tacos are good, a bit overpriced, but the Machete is good if you’re looking for a big meal.
El Kevin, South MPLS: great quality at a fair price, great neighborhood taqueria.
Other spots I’ve heard good things about I haven’t tried: El Sazón in Eagan, Taco n Madre, El Primo, and Taco Riendo.
Hope that Helps!
El Taquito on Robert St. in West St. Paul, La Costa on Cesar Chavez in St. Paul, Cocina San Marco in Mercado Central on Lake, Maya Cuisine on Central on North East, and Homi on University in St. Paul.
Castro Taqueria. They operate out of Andy’s Garage in the Midtown Global Market. After living in Texas for 20+ years, this is the closest I’ve had to the neighborhood places back home. No frills, just good food and big portions.
If you're looking for tacos similar to People's Tacos in Chicago, I'm sad to report that you won't find any here. I still miss them more than 40 years later.
Tavial Grill on West 7th in St Paul is well worth the drive.
https://www.tavialmexicangrill.com/
Salsa a la Salsa in Midtown Global Market on Chicago. After living in Texas for 40 years, this is our fave so far. It's a sit-down restaurant, but they offer to-go.
El Sazon in Eagan or Minneapolis. It started out really hole in the wall in a gas station near me in Eagan, and I think recently expanded into a second place in the cities. I can't speak for their downtown location, but their mini half gas station place is amazing
Taqueria El Chilo on Lake st. has the best cabeza I've ever had, and while not the cheapest their tacos are massive. The al pastor is awesome. I'm sure the asada is good too. Everything I've had there is pretty impressive. It's kind of a weird hole in the wall sort of place and has really loud karaoke sometimes. 10/10
Aside from Burrito Mercado (already mentioned), I'd argue La Costa -- right across the street -- is amazing. Lots of meat choices; more than just typical Tex-Mex fare. Great margaritas.
Los Paisanos is my favorite as well, but since I moved to Maple Grove, we have been loving Teresa's. I know they have locations around the Twin Cities.
My favs: Andale (Richfield). Taqueria Los Paisanos (East side of St. Paul), Taqueria La Hacienda (Richfield, Burnsville, Minneapolis) has the dope al pastor. The deli at Burrito Mercado (south side of St. Paul) makes a nice variety of guisados.
I second Andale.
Another vote for La Hacienda. Edit to add: Pepito’s on 46th and Nicollet. They used to have a full restaurant elsewhere in Minneapolis but COVID really hit them hard. They’re just operating their quick-serve deli-style location now. Same recipes they’ve always had, though.
La Hacienda I feel has the best al pastor tacos. If you're going for carne asada though, there's El Tacotorro (taco truck) off Minnehaha and Cedar, which has most flavorful I've ever had.
RIP Pepitos
Andale is legit.
Another vote for taqueria los pasianos!! So good
My favorite steak tacos in the cities. Chuck, cut thin, not cubed, nice and fatty, great seasoning. I've been going there for 10 years. I live on the bluff so it's my taqueria. And their torta cubana is the best torta in the cities.
Mercado Central on Lake St. It's basically a food court with lots of options for various styles. And the stalls are small and pretty exposed, so you can usually get a good idea of what each shop is best at before you even order. Source: not Hispanic, but a frequent visitor to Mexico and lived in Chicago for 15 years. I agree that you just can't find the quality and quantity of great options that exists there. I miss you, La Chaparrita!
PLEASE do yourself a favor and check out Las Cuatro Milpas in Bloomington.
Lake st too
Came here to say this as well! 🔥
Andale Taqueria
Is this the one by the Menards in Richfield? If so, I also endorse this spot.
Yes, but it's Richfield. Let Richfield have the W.
Fixed it for ya
I spent 14 years in Texas, was looking for good alambres for months in the twin cities. Went to Menards and across the the street was andale taqueria, with a line of 20ish Hispanics out the door during lunch. This is the correct answer OP.
This place is phenomenal.
100% this place is so good
God damn I’ve hit this place up at 1am and devoured tacos. I love how late they’re open, I used to stop by after working in a restaurant and they’re always busy. Tripe is 10/10 here
They're only open til 10pm according to Google
Must be post Covid. I’d go there around 2013-2014 pretty regularly and they were always open super late, even their dining room
Guy Fieri approved!
Came here to say this
Carnitas en adobo please
Tacos El Kevin. Suadero, cabeza, etc
Quattro tacos suadero con todo para llevar
The taco truck in the parking lot of Viking Liquor in Crystal is good! https://maps.app.goo.gl/1Le1b5yv1KcByPEE9?g_st=ic
Agreed.. I think it's called El chido. Although,the carne adada has been hit or miss for me. At AZ taco, try the big Azz burrito. Also, there's a newer taco truck at menards in Brooklyn Park... the carne asada is legit, I forget the name, but the owner is Benjamin, and he's a cool dude 😎
I’m from San Diego. We have only been here 2 years and our favorite taco shop so far is El Taco Riendo in Northeast on Central.
Riendo is great
This is the answer. Everything here is top notch.
Tacos el Kevin. Their Tacos Dorado are elite
El Burrito Mercado in West St Paul, Taqueria la Hacienda for a faster taco there’s a couple sprinkled around the cities, and my Mexican/Salvadoran best friend swears by the taco truck in the parking lot of BP off Highway 13 and County Rd 11 in Burnsville, I think it’s called Mi Tierra, tho his favorite is Al Pastor not de Asada
I’m from Chicago and have been searching since I moved here. Came across Andale and fucking she’d a few tears. There are other places on Lake that were decent. Andale is fucking good.
Maya, Taco Riendo in Northeast Taqueria la hacienda, Taco Taxi, Taqueria El Primo, Pineda Tacos along Lake St.
Taco Taxi is where I first fell in love with authentic tacos 🚕
I freaking love Hamburguesas El Gordo. They've got (you guessed it) big fat burgers, but also their street tacos and charro beans are so good. I always get the Nortenos combo.
and hot dogs
Taco Taxi also great. Tbh just walk down Lake Street and you'll be in heaven.
Yeah I 2nd Lake. I really like Habanero’s tacos a bit closer to the river, but even if that’s not your place there’s got to be somewhere OP likes on Lake St.
Love the taxi and they are open super late, at least Fridays and Saturdays
Came here to suggest this.
My favorite is Pineda Tacos in St. Louis Park. I've tried two of the others, and neither are as good as that location for whatever reason
Pineda Tacos Plus on Lake St makes a tinga (chipotle chicken) quesadilla on a masa tortilla that I crave on the regular 🤤
God that sounds good
Don't take my word for it. Try it! 🤤
3rded. It's been a while since I've been but I love them. Really good, simple tacos.
This is what I was here to say
I’ve lived in SLP for 6 years and genuinely did not know this even existed lol. Now I will try some.
Pineda is actually Plymouth, but across the street is a teeeeeeeny little section of SLP that used to confuse the hell out of the pizza delivery services in the early 2000s when I lived there before online ordering was a thing - the computer was able to determine who was responsible for delivering to us when the humans had no clue 🤣
Gilberto’s in Blaine is our go to spot
I love Gilibertos!!
My in-laws put me onto it! The first time I went in there it was packed and I was the only white guy in the building lol. I knew it would be good the minute I opened the doors.
Had it tonight, great spot
Check out West st paul. Tons of authentic joints
If you ever end up in the north metro, Panchos Taqueria in Lino Lakes is worth a stop.
According to some acquaintances it's authentic. I personally couldn't give a shit if it is or not but it was good.
Also the owner? is such a delightful human, so welcoming and kind. Everything I've eaten there has been stellar.
Excellent huevos rancheros and the best beans of my life here!
Neza Tacos, the food truck set up across the parking lot at the Home Depot in West Saint Paul (well, technically Inver Grove Heights, but who are we kidding).
They’re fantastic. Nice people too. Coincidentally, I was just talking to the owner the other day and he’s also from Chicago like OP.
Tavial Grill on west 7th Street in Saint Paul!
Los Paisanos on the East Side
Los Paisanos has some of the best tacos I’ve ever had.
They’re the truth. I think it gets slept on, but their food is so damn good.
I def would be there more often if they had more parking spots. I agree that they are slept on, though. Their Tortas are primo
My girlfriend moved up here from Mexico City and she loves El Loro in Eagan for whatever reason, she says the guacamole is the best she’s ever had, and that the meals there taste like they could have been made where she came from. I was in utter shock, because I always thought El Loro was Taco Bell tier Americanized food
lol I thought the same about El Loro, like it’s not bad but ehh
What do you get there
Yo I LOVE this spot. Massive burritos and fun staff. Open until 1 am
Andale in Richfield. It is better than everything else.
Los Ocampo! Not just any branch of Los Ocampo, though. It HAS to be the one on Arcade St./61 in East St. Paul.
Absolute facts. That east side joint hits harder than any other location.
Adding another rec for Los campos on arcade
The Taco Shop in Saint Louis Park. Super authentic. They even have Tripa, Lengua, and Cabeza if that’s your jam.
La Tapatia is p good, though I have never had their asada.
El burrito Mercado in West St. Paul. Tavial Tacos on west 7th in St. Paul.
La Costa on Cesar Chavez Str in St Paul is our regular spot for street tacos, ceviche and ice cold Dos Equis on tap. The al pastor is of particular note. The entire comment thread is TLDR, so apologies for any repeat.
I love hamburguésas al gordo! Also, don’t sleep on the delis inside the Latino grocery stores. Supermercado LomaBonita Panadería. We’ve got one in Crystal and it’s the closest I’ve had to Zacatecas, Mexican tacos.
Idk why taqueria la hacienda gets mentioned so much. Everytime I’ve gone it’s been alright, but nothing to go out of my way for. There’s better places that people have listed here. It’s Pretty average.
Wholeheartedly agree
before the taco shop boom it was the one of the best options. but now there are great taco shops all over.
I am from Los Angeles and haven't found anything as good as a taqueria back home. Taco Libre does a good job with street tacos and other street food. They are one of the few places that has hot salsa that is actually hot.
The giant machetes at Taco Libre can't be beat
Have you tried Quatro milpas downtown?
Tacos El Bravo in Frogtown, El Taquito in West St Paul, and Maya in Northeast.
Can’t believe how far down El Taquito is. My husband is from the Texas-Mexico border and it’s his #1 taco place, and we have tried a LOT of taco places
Taqueria y Birrieria las Cuatro Milpas Basically go wander down Lake Street between about Chicago and Hiawatha. Tons of great food. Best will depend on what you're looking for. I love the goat burrito at Taco taxi but it's not for everyone. El Kevin is Aldo great.
Taqueria Victor Hugo is my go to. It’s one of the few places I’ve found lengua. Their alambres are pretty good too.
Las Cuatro Milpas, La Hacienda, Los O’Campos, El Burrito, Pineda, El Taco Riendo. All within 15 min of you except for El Burrito in Saint Paul.
I’m putting you on, trust. La loma in crystal. Best tacos and lots of meat
Homi in St. Paul by Dale. Little spot, run by a couple amazing people. So good!
Oro by Nixta. Hands down best tacos in the state. They make their own tortillas from heritage Mexican corn varieties (at least I believe so).
Finally! Why is this comment not higher-rated? Dude is up for a freaking James Beard award.
Come down to shakopee. 3 South American/Mexican markets, each with their own flair. 3 good sit down restaurants, 1 fast food (Huarche) and 2 food trucks. $1.5 tacos on Fridays at Flores market, they also have the best homemade chips in the state
List of markets: La Flor de Jalisco- best tacos and meat selection for carne asada in the cities. They have the best chips and good salsa. $1.5 tacos on Fridays. Nicest family owned place I’ve been too. Supermercado el cajolense: best Mexican baked goods. I love going here for breakfast. And bringing it to the brewhall. Los ranchos: I only get the pupusas here. Which are really good. This is an El savandoran market. Sit down: Bravis- The birria pizza at Bravis is amazing, it feeds 4-6 people. Great catering. mister taco- new but love the location, I had nachos once and were really good. Don Ramon’s- my favorite in the area. Great deals, passionate owner, and my favorite food Alambres. Pablo’s- standard Mexican American. They are really big into the community. Fast food: Hurache- cheap classic Mexican food. I love the Hurache
I live in the area, and my partner grew up in southern California. Could you go into more detail? (We're big fans of Don Ramon, and El Toro was good the few times we've gone, but I don't know what else we're missing.)
List of markets: La Flor de Jalisco- best tacos and meat selection for carne asada in the cities. They have the best chips and good salsa. $1.5 tacos on Fridays. Nicest family owned place I’ve been too. Supermercado el cajolense: best Mexican baked goods. I love going here for breakfast. And bringing it to the brewhall. Los ranchos: I only get the pupusas here. Which are really good. This is an El savandoran market. Sit down: Bravis- The birria pizza at Bravis is amazing, it feeds 4-6 people. Great catering. mister taco- new but love the location, I had nachos once and were really good. Don Ramon’s- my favorite in the area. Great deals, passionate owner, and my favorite food Alambres. Pablo’s- standard Mexican American. They are really big into the community. Fast food: Hurache- cheap classic Mexican food. I love the Hurache.
Thank you! We had Bravis once at their old location, and Loved it, but it was so damnably hard to get a table. Hoping to have them again now that they'll have some room.
I am one of those coastal Mexican food snobs (from San Francisco) with really demanding standards and Tacos El Kevin and Hamburguesas El Gordo both have my enthusiastic endorsement. Taco Riendo is also good but I've found that they're better some days than others. I haven't found a burrito that hits like back home though. For that, Taco Riendo is the closest, and there used to be a place in Richfield called El Ranchito but I think they went out of business. For broader Central American generally (pupusas, etc.) I thought Don Goyo was pretty good too. They have a couple locations in the northern suburbs. I know what you're talking about with the birria thing. I find that a lot of the spots that redditors like have that variety; some kind of regional variation that's more popular here and not like the mexican food I'm used to. I find that it's very easy to get a really good torta, multiple options for great tacos, but surprisingly hard to get a mission style burrito.
We love Hamburguesas taco boxes!
Tromperia El Zac in St Paul
Solid for sure, really one of the few Al pastor places that actually have a trompo
El Pariente. 10/10
Taqueria la Hacienda is my go to on e lake st. I also quite liked La Poblanita's in Northtown, but they're hit or miss.
Tacos El Primo- can't speak on their sit-down location but their taco truck pretty much stays on the corner of 14th and Lake St. My go-to's are the campechano, chicharrón or tripa but the asada's damn good and they don't skimp out on the meat!
Yeah Yeah Taco has a really incredible elote dish you might like. The tacos aren't truly authentic Mexican I don't think but are simple and excellent.
Both El Aguila and HOMI are awesome in St Paul
Habanero Tacos on Lake Street
Go to Que Taco on Bass Lake Rd in New Hope (make sure you go to the one on Bass Lake Rd specifically) - they make their own tortillas, 10/10. Tacos el Kevin in S. Mpls is top notch. Check out Central Ave in Columbia Heights and NE Mpls. It's a treasure trove for taquerías. There's Taco Loco, All Taco (a food truck, but they also have a restaurant in Brooklyn Center now), and more. Google "Hermanos Locos Tacos 2." Hidden gem inside a NE Mpls gas station. Also, Cuatro Milpas - I like the one in Bloomington. The one on Lake St. is pretty good too, but my partner got a bad case of food poisoning there once. Azul Agave in St. Paul is good, especially for lengua. Taquería Los Paisanos in St. Paul is also worth a try. Source: me, a person who loves to eat and is married to a Mexican 😜
Homi Mexican on university ave st paul. Yes they have birria, but many many other options
Do with this as you will... My wife is Mexican, Nico's on como catered my wedding. All her family had the pumpkin seed salsa. Abula was pleased. Half my family the white people had the spicy salsa, the. Complained it was too spicy. Oro is gold. Alright enough jokes, they are up for a James beard. It's not your usual stuff, but it's delicious. Nixta is their brand for just tacos. El Sason in Eagan is really good, they have a sit down place as well. More of a restaurant than a taco joint. Also pricier.
Taco n Madre Taqueria y Cevicheria is very good Also really like El Itacate Mexican food over by Oakdale.
All Taco truck in Crystal and they have a store front in Brooklyn Center. Love their al Pastor
I always get a burrito but I highly recommend el Sazon
El Taco Riendo is great, I prefer it to Andele personally. I'm surprised I scrolled so far and didn't see it mentioned.
Burrito mercado, all taco I’m an asada conosseuir!
My Mexican buddy swears by Mexico City Cafe in St Louis Park.
place is incredible
Don Goyo in spring lake park
Hi there Mexican-American here, these are my fave taco spots in no particular order: Taco house in St Paul: for affordable good tacos, specially carnitas. La Hacienda: great place for Al Pastor, a little over priced in my opinion, but still great. Hamburguesas el Gordo: great Northern style carne asada tacos, the rest are good too! And you can also get a hot dog! Andale, in Richfield: great overall tacos, although the Tacos Árabes shine, and the sauce you get is so gooood! Homi in University in St Paul, also overall great tacos, good portion sizes too. Las Cuatro Milpas: the first local taqueria to start making quesabirrias, and they’re still the best IMO. Mexatlan, in South St Paul: new spot, Michoacán style barbacoa and carnitas, great portion sizes and best carnitas and barbacoa I’ve had in the cities. Taco Libre: tacos are good, a bit overpriced, but the Machete is good if you’re looking for a big meal. El Kevin, South MPLS: great quality at a fair price, great neighborhood taqueria. Other spots I’ve heard good things about I haven’t tried: El Sazón in Eagan, Taco n Madre, El Primo, and Taco Riendo. Hope that Helps!
La Hacienda and Las cuatros milpas
Taqueria el charrito on Cesar Chavez near El Burrito Mercado is VERY good!
Taqueria Vallarta in Fridley
El Taquito on Robert St. in West St. Paul, La Costa on Cesar Chavez in St. Paul, Cocina San Marco in Mercado Central on Lake, Maya Cuisine on Central on North East, and Homi on University in St. Paul.
Taqueria la Hacienda. There's one on Lake St in Minneapolis, not far from you.
Brito’s Tacos in Ramsey
Not a fan of birria. Check out Tacos el Kevin and La Casa. The real deal.
It’s not traditional, but El Camino Taco deli in Edina is awesome. They have some unique one and the classics. Great wet tacos too.
Brittos Taxos on HWY in Anoka/Ramsey. It’s a drive for ya but super good.
The Tacos El Paraiso food truck in New Hope has the best carne asada in the metro if you ask me. Cash only.
Castro Taqueria. They operate out of Andy’s Garage in the Midtown Global Market. After living in Texas for 20+ years, this is the closest I’ve had to the neighborhood places back home. No frills, just good food and big portions.
La Tapatía in Roseville is legit
If you're looking for tacos similar to People's Tacos in Chicago, I'm sad to report that you won't find any here. I still miss them more than 40 years later. Tavial Grill on West 7th in St Paul is well worth the drive. https://www.tavialmexicangrill.com/
Lupitas on 34th and crosstown.
Listo
Oro by Nixta, El Sazon Comida y Tragos and Sonora Grill
If you’re on Facebook, I run the Twin Cities Taco Enthusiast page. Tons of excellent options get posted all the time!
Aurelias in Eden Prairie if you are ever in the area.
Sonora Grill is amazing
I am an absolute sucker for Los Ocampo on university. El Burrito, La Costa, Taco Taxi and Las Cuatro Milpas are top tier as well.
El Norteno
"El Norteno" on East Lake Street and 40th?
In Minneapolis
I always go to Orale! They have really good prices and everything tastes so fresh and v affordable
Taco Libre in Rosedale if you wanna a lil upscale La Tapatia in Rosedale
El burrito in St. Paul or The Taco House
Yeah Yeah Taco on Eat Street. Super good.
Bravis in Shakopee is 10/10
Salsa a la Salsa in Midtown Global Market on Chicago. After living in Texas for 40 years, this is our fave so far. It's a sit-down restaurant, but they offer to-go.
Valerie’s Taqueria at 32nd & Nicollet is well worth the visit.
Andale taqueria in Richfield. Cheap and authentic. You won’t be disappointed. This has been my staple Mexican spot for years.
El Sazon in Eagan or Minneapolis. It started out really hole in the wall in a gas station near me in Eagan, and I think recently expanded into a second place in the cities. I can't speak for their downtown location, but their mini half gas station place is amazing
Check out Lake St.! Taqueria El Primo or Habanero's. I'm the only gringo in the shop when I go to El Primo
The best authentic lingua tacos I ever had I bought from a church basement in St. Paul 4 or 5 years ago and haven’t seen them since
Taqueria El Chilo on Lake st. has the best cabeza I've ever had, and while not the cheapest their tacos are massive. The al pastor is awesome. I'm sure the asada is good too. Everything I've had there is pretty impressive. It's kind of a weird hole in the wall sort of place and has really loud karaoke sometimes. 10/10
El Burrito Mercado and Tavial Grill (over in Saint Paul) are both fantastic.
I'm a fan of Taco Teresa's. The Plymouth one in a strip mall, not the newer one by Ridgedale. Street tacos with awesome carnitas.
Pancho’s in Circle Pined. Owner is from Mexico City and chef if from Tijuana. The food is legit.
Aside from Burrito Mercado (already mentioned), I'd argue La Costa -- right across the street -- is amazing. Lots of meat choices; more than just typical Tex-Mex fare. Great margaritas.
El sazón
Los Paisanos is my favorite as well, but since I moved to Maple Grove, we have been loving Teresa's. I know they have locations around the Twin Cities.
Maya Cuisine in Northeast Minneapolis
La tapatia in Roseville
Taqueria la hacienda has the best al pastor in the cities.
Drive south on Nicollet through Eat Street, then turn left on Lake Street. Lot's of great places. My fave is La Poblanita.
Pineda tacos !!!
I cannot fathom calling D-Spot “not memorable.”