The Tastiest Tacos in Raleigh

Crafted

★★★★☆ 4.1 (50)

"We have been going to crafted in Greensboro for years and had no idea a location had opened up in Mebane! We were finishing some shopping at the outlets and saw this as an option nearby for dinner and knew we had to stop. Started with the queso and chips which are always good. You can get both corn and flour tortilla chips which is a nice change from other restaurants. For the main I got my go-to's the Big Truck and the Honky Tonk tacos with a side of fries. The big truck is a pulled pork mac and cheese taco, but the flavor combo is top tier. Always have and always will be one of my favorites. I also got the Honky Tonk, which is a Nashville hot chicken taco. I love the flavor on this taco because it's the perfect level of spice but still enjoyable. We will definitely be stopping back in when in the area from now on!"

No Bull StreeTacos

★★★★★ 4.5 (14)

"I love that they have quesabirria tacos - I don't love that 4 of them cost $13, but that's the Los Angeles taco truck snob in me talking. The texture is right, oily and crispy but still pliable. The meat could be more flavorful, and it would be nice if the salsa packed any heat at all."

Gym Tacos

★★★★☆ 4.4 (127) • $$

"Gym tacos has very good tasting food nice counter help and clean tables.I ordered a chicken burrito and split with my daughter it was big enough for two.I am glad we ordered the burrito after seeing someone else's order- the tacos were very small."

Catrinas Tequila & Taco Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (265) • $$

"When you walk into the restaurant the first impression is, there is lots of decorative details. They have an alter and decor for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, the celebration of life and death. There are Latin celebrities on walls, Mexican decorations that entertain you as you wait for a server to take your order.The food is as detailed as the decor. I had the best plantains ever. The guacamole was very different, not bad, but surprisingly different. The street tacos had developed authentic taste. Everything was good, except our server. She could be a bit more curtious.Since I have had worse servers and much worse food, I will just hope she was having a bad day.Will I be back? You betcha!"

Tacos Neza

★★★★★ 4.9 (19)

"Don't judge a book by its cover. The Tacos Neza food truck (technically, a food trailer, hauled by an SUV) visited our apartment complex in Chapel Hill this past Tuesday. While not as fancy and polished-looking as other food trucks (it was also relatively loud because of their generator/compressor), Tacos Neza has it where it counts -- the food and service. I'd put Tacos Neza's food up against any other food truck's food. It's that good. These guys can definitely hold their own.Tacos Neza offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and tortas. During our visit, there were about a dozen different taco varieties and over a half-dozen torta options. The friendly lady at the order window told us they were selling special 3 for $10 taco plates with special tacos $1 extra each. We got one of the plates with two special tacos, so $12, and doing math backwards, that meant the torta, which we also got, was $8, since our total bill was $20 after tax, but before tip.Here's what we got:* Three Taco Plate ($10) - marinated pork (pastor), beef tongue (lengua, +$1), and mixed steak (asada) and chorizo sausage (campechano, +$1) tacos* Niurka Torta ($8) - milanesa de pollo (breaded chicken steak), sausage, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, jalapeno, and mayo with a side of friesAll of our food was made to order. There was only one couple in line ahead of us so our order was cooked up relatively quick. The tacos and torta were packed in foil-lined foam containers, each including spicy red salsa on the side. The food smelled great and as soon as we got back inside and opened the boxes, we knew it was going to be good. The food looked terrific. Portions were generous and the presentation was better than expected.The tacos were served the traditional Mexican way, on corn tortillas with plenty of chopped white onion and cilantro. Also included was lime, cucumber, radish, a small block of queso fresco (a welcome surprise), and a chile toreado (a seasoned and fried jalapeno). The torta was stacked high and they made sure to include packets of ketchup for the fries. Yum.Everything was delicious. All of the ingredients were fresh and flavorful. The hot sauce and chile toreado brought the heat, particularly the latter. The taco meats were nicely seasoned, tender, juicy, and tasty. The lengua was exceptional in terms of both taste and texture. The quality was good and they cooked it just right. The pastor was marinated well and the campechano was finely mixed (probably the best mixed campechano I've had). Also, I really enjoyed the accoutrements. That was an extra touch that set Tacos Neza apart from other taco food trucks I've tried.The Niurka torta was wonderful. I highly recommend it. I asked the lady behind the counter which torta came packed with the most stuff and she steered me towards the Niurka, describing it as their Mexican version of the Cuban sandwich. Sure, a Cuban on steroids. Just take a look at my pictures, especially the cross section. My favorite parts of the torta were the crispy ends of milanesa, the sizable portions of sausage (essentially plain hot dog), and the fresh, ripe pieces of avocado. Simply put, this was a savory and filling sandwich, consisting of several delectable ingredients, that left me feeling very satisfied.Service was great. I'd order everything we had again. Some improvements Tacos Neza can make:1. Allow online ordering. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, this option is more important than ever.2. Put prices on the menu. That way, customers don't have to ask how much different items cost.3. Provide itemized receipts. The automatically-emailed receipt I received from Square simply showed a "Custom Amount" of $20.On its trailer and business card, Tacos Neza uses an image of Bart Simpson holding a taco and a torta. If the business gets too popular, they might have to remove Bart due to copyright infringement.You can find Tacos Neza on the following social media platforms:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TacosNeza919/Twitter: https://twitter.com/TacosNezaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacosneza919/Enjoy."

Street Tacos Cantina

★★★★★ 4.6 (64)

"I really wanted to like this place because the ambience is cool. Ordered take out before but never been inside thought I would give it a go . They play Spanish music. It's all fun and colorful with lots of art and an outside patio in the front. However, I've tried plenty of tacos in my life and these did not hit the spot. The meat was great. It was just missing a glob of good guacamole and sour cream. It was missing flavor. The nachos supreme were $14 and they were trash cold cheese and not enough of anything my kids left it .chimichanga was huge worth the money according to my husband . The service was a bit slow waited 10 min for our drink because they had to make a new batch of horchata The cashier was nice and the system asks you for a tip in advance . The restroom is for 1 person and it had pee all over the seat . To close at $5 a taco I expected more and the nachos could have gone to Taco Bell for more ."

Taqueria La Vaquita

★★★★☆ 4.3 (273)

"Awesome place in Durham. Great place to set outside and enjoy the weather. Food is authentic and great. $3 tacos"

Gym Tacos

★★★★★ 4.6 (168) • $

"We went to Gym tacos yesterday for lunch and the food was great! They had very large portions and quality meat in the quesadilla. I ordered the asada quesadilla with a side of chips. The quesadilla was really tasty and was such a large portion! The chips also came with a side of queso, which was a nice addition! It only took about 5 minutes to get our food, which was very quick! We really enjoyed Gym Tacos and would come back if we were looking for a quick lunch in Raleigh again!"

Beto El Poblano

★★★★☆ 4.3 (9)

"Just had dinner here and it was pretty great. Super fast, nice server. I had the enchiladas mole and I really liked the mole sauce. I lot of places it's just "spicy brown", but this one had some flavor. also, the rice was not just plain white rice. It was well cooked and high quality with a light flavor I couldn't put my finger on. They don't have their liquor license as if this review, but it's definitely worth checking out."

Lola's Beach Bar

★★★★☆ 3.8 (70)

"It was packed last night. Not a very spacious place, yet they have food, cocktails and beer. We got there late so the kitchen had already closed for the night. The relaxed ambiance was inviting and perfect to enjoy a drink to catch up w friends."

Costa Azul Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 3.9 (20) • $$

"Ok, boys and girls. Are you hungry? Are you looking for a refuge from so-so-tex-mex. Arrive here. I went today and ordered takeout, since I live in Chapel Hill and work here in Durham (NCSSM), and my wife does not drive. We got a beef entree and a shrimp entree. Wow. Incredibly tasty. Yeah, you want to try this place. Surprising tip: wine to accompany was a nice Macon, a white burg. It stood up well and complemented this very tasty food. Want to step out of the ordinary? come to this place and be very pleased. I shall return.Now get going and give it a whirl."

Tacos Oaxaca

★★★★☆ 4.3 (210)

"This restaurant is FIRE! (Hard stop) It's giving amazing taco truck, in dine-in restaurant form and I love that for me. The food and service were great, and they probably need more staff as the locals have spoken-- they love it and are continually streaming in! I tried the beef tacos, queso fundido (the star) , and Guac. All were tasty and should be noted by me forgetting to get a photo before devouring. Again, I'm all in on this spot and will return as soon as possible."

Death By Taco

★★★★☆ 3.8 (6)

"Fantastic flavor combos! The crispy fish taco doesn't disappoint with a large piece of fish on a corn tortilla with cabbage and some secret sauce. The fried avocado taco was out of the park! Spectacularly balanced flavor with a bit of a kick against the gorgeous creaminess of the avocado. If you pass on this food truck, your taste buds may never forgive you."

Evelyn’s Tex-Mex BBQ

★★★★★ 5 (5)

"Huge & Spacious Gravel Parking Lot!!!! Frank (server + preparer) was absolutely amazing + fabulous! It was Taco Tuesday and I wanted to try Brisket Tacos. I'd heard about Evelyn's Tex-Amex BBQ on IG so I gave it a shot. The Brisket was very well prepared, juicy, and honestly Done To Perfection!!!!! Side Orders were Mac&Cheese and Rice&Peas. Got an order of Chicken Quesadillas with the same sides for my wife, but didn't take any pictures (). She did however brag about her order and that everything was delicious! Most Definitely will be making another Taco Tuesday with Evelyn's Tex-Mex BBQ"

El Chapin - Wake Forest

★★★★★ 4.9 (18)

"This place was great. As soon as we walked in we were immediately greeted. The menu had many options. The food came out and it looked phenomenal. The portion sizes are big, come hungry. I had chorizo sausages with rice beans and a salad. Hubby got steak with the same sides. Our toddler got corn dogs and french fries. The food was amazing. Even the rice. Yes, the rice. It was so flavorful. The beans as well. The steak and sausages were flavorful. You can tell hard work and talent went into preparing these meals. They also have a store inside and we tried Guatemalan snacks. We will be back."

Taco Bamba Raleigh

★★★★☆ 4.2 (81) • $$

"So I just started a new job in town and it happens to be 2 minutes away from Taco Bamba. My boss took me there on my first day and wow! From the outdoor seating, to the salsa bar, to the creativity in tacos, it was such a cool experience.I had to get a carne asada taco, one of them had to be simple. It had steak, cilantro, and onion on a corn tortilla, nothing fancy needed. I was so impressed with the steak, the meat wasn't too small or too stringy. You could see it was actually cooked medium rare, not just to the point of being done. The Queen Bee with the spicy fried chicken, house slaw, hot honey, pickled onions, etc was an awesome blend of flavors. And I loved the Sweet Baby Jesus with Cheerwine bacon carnitas, pickled fresnos, crispy onions, crispy pork skins, etc etc. I don't know how they came up with these combinations, and yes, it's a lot of ingredients, but they are amazing tacos that you can't find at just any taqueria.The chips were fine too, just a little salt, thin cut and hot. They also have a small, but nice bar, I just hope they have Casamigo Reposado. I'll definitely be coming back, I want to try more!"

The Pickled Pub

★★★★☆ 4 (24)

"I found it strange that one of the Pickled Onion locations was so close to The Pickled Pub. We decided to stop in here to watch a game and to grab food and beers. It was a round of beers and the fried pickles and philly cheese steak egg rolls to start for our party. For our entrees it was the mile high man burger with fries for my husband and 9 boneless wings in the bourbon BBQ sauce for me. Our friend ordered the wings in the buffalo hot sauce but the sauce was lacking. I really wanted carrot sticks with the wings but we only got celery. The table favorite was the egg rolls, the rest of the food was just okay."

Don Ramon's Taco Shop

★★★★☆ 3.6 (121) • $$

"Absolutely awesome, real Mom & Pop southern Mexican style food! Their homemade tamales are like no place in town, various taco are plenty full and great too . Pasole, awesome soup and my go to place!"

Crazy Tacos

★★★★☆ 4.3 (61) • $

"Ok, I hope you're ready about the deliciousness I'm about to share with you. This place knows exactly what they are doing! This delicious creation you are looking at is a Cuban Torta. I didn't realize how packed full this giant sucker was. What's in this mouth watering monstrosity you ask? I'm not even completely sure. There was a hot dog, chorizo, ham, jalapeños, lettuce, tomato, avocado, sour cream (I think), and some other things. But let me tell you, ever bite was phenomenal! This little shack got it going on!Unfortunately, I didn't get to try the tacos. A certain boyfriend got to them before I did, but I heard they were delicious as well!Don't let the appearance of this little place fool you, they know exactly what they are doing!"

Don Beto El Poblano

★★★★☆ 4.4 (17)

"I have been here countless times and everytime the quality level remains the same no matter what type of tacos I get. The carne Asada, al pastor and chorizo are standbys. I really need to try sopes next time im there. Its a bit of an odd setup with a small dining room in what looks to be an old car garage that is kind of in the open so expect it to be hot in the summer or cold in the winter because youre essentially eating outside. Parking is limited but I have never had a problem."

Toros Tacos Y Tequila

★★★★☆ 4.3 (43)

"We had a lovely dinner here! We ordered a taco bowl, shrimp tacos, ACP, steak tacos and chipotle fries. The shrimp tacos were a bit too spicy for me, but my hubby loved them. Mexican corn was sooooo good. Our food was served very fast! All good was very good and tasted fresh. We also ordered two beers and two mixed drinks - everything was delicious! $40 for booze, pricey but the mixed drinks were very good and not watered down. Lots of parking and the employees were all so friendly and cheerful. Three different employees came by our table to check on us during our meal. Ambiance is casual and very inviting, decor is nice, ladies room was spotless. The outdoor patio will be where sit next time! Side note - by the time we left, this place was hopping!"

Speed's Grill and Deli

★★★★★ 4.7 (19)

"Very good food, good service and much less greasy than many Tex-Mex and Mexican restaurants. Tried the empanadas - very good. Tried a breakfast platter one morning after my procedures at the local hospital - also very good. So far, good for both breakfast and dinner, I have not been disappointed."

The 13th Taco

★★★★☆ 3.9 (27) • $

"I've been able to try The 13th Taco a few times now so it is time to update my review for this food truck. Taco Fusion Menu: Porky Asia, the best tacos on the menu (imo)! Pork belly tacos are topped with salsa prieta, apple relish, cabbage and queso fresco which makes these extra delicious. Vegged Out, another solid choice. This vegetarian option does not disappoint. Red Bird Cubano, just okay. I prefer the other taco options over these. Marinated chicken topped with a yukon hash, cabbage and queso fresco. Moo Moo, my least favorite tacos. Must like spice, the salsa brava gives these tacos extra heat that is extremely hot. A few of the pieces of filet were tough, I did not think that these tacos were worth $14. *Each order contains three tacos with a small side of chips and salsa. Mexican Street Corn: I love corn, there is no denying that fact. However, this corn is overpriced. Half an ear is topped with crema and cortija cheese for $4. For that price I would definitely expect an entire ear or for them to lower the price."

Crafted - The Art of the Taco

★★★★☆ 4.1 (999) • $$

"Great place to grab a quick bite before a show at the Tanger center....just a few blocks down on Elm. Great fun atmosphere, great varied menu of tacos and burgers. Lots of fun drinks, especially seasonal flavors. They have a lot of margaritas on then menu, but I went with the red blend wine and my friend had a beer. Decided to go with tacos as it was also a Tuesday! I chose the Bollywood ! A nice riff on Indian flavors . Tandoori style chicken, mint chutney, cilantro lime rice, tamarind, cilantro, pickled onions and puffed rice. Also comes with a side , I chose the cilantro lime rice not realizing there was some in my tacos! Honestly i didn't detect any cilantro lime in the rice, it actually had a red tint to it, no idea what was going on with that and was kinda over cooked . The tacos on the other hand were amazing! Great little spice pockets and I could make out every ingredient in it as I ate it. You chose flour or corn tortillas, mine came with two corn on each tacos (you get 2). My friend had the fixie tacos with sweet potato fries. Hers had braised beef, grilled pineapple, sweet spicy chilli sauce, coconut aioli , cilantro and scallions. Nice cross of sweet and spicy. She loved them and yes those fries are amazing! I should have gotten those! Service was ok, little slow, but we also had a trainee, so she was fine! We had plenty of time to get to our show. Nice casual eatery, I loved the variations on the tacos and the same on the burger menu, definitely hard to pick!"

Tacos Abarca

★★★★☆ 4.4 (36)

"Located off of Glenwood Ave in Raleigh! Per usual, I got 3 tacos: Asada, Barbacoa, and Pastor! I also got their agua de Jamaica (hibiscus) Tacos were good, Jamaica came in a giant cup, and the salsa roja was lowkey fire"

Taqueria & Pupuseria, Fiorentine Cafe

★★★★★ 4.7 (3)

"On my was from VA to FL, wanted a taco and stopped for lunch! Much to my delight, they had lingua! I ordered one lingua, one beef and one pork. So good I had to order more food - got a pork and cheese papusa. Delicious! Super friendly owner and very affordable. Turns out They weren't even open to the public on Sundays but served me anyhow! What a great place! Highly recommend! :)"

Tacos Azteca

★★★★☆ 4.4 (22)

"Great place! This is a great spot for authentic Mexican food. The tortillas on the tacos are handmade and the guacamole & salsa are freshly made. The aguas frescas are huge and delicious. The agua de Fresa tasted unnatural but the agua de tamarindo was definitely natural. Birria tacos, asada tacos, tripas tacos and al pastor tacos etc. the cubana torta was very yummy! I definitely would return. The staff seemed friendly and answered all our questions respectfully."

Garnachas Rivera

★★★★☆ 4 (11)

"This is hands down one of my favorite food trucks! I have only ever had their tacos but they are my favorite. My go to tacos here are the cabeza and lengua tacos, but last time I came they were sold out :( I got the asada instead which were still delicious. I also decided to try the tripa taco which I have never had before. Definitely add it to your list because it is made to perfection. It has a crunchy, salty, delicious flavor to it. They give you grilled onions, lime, and a red and green sauce. If you want even spicier, they have an orange-red sauce that is REALLY spicy. In terms of the atmosphere, there is a wonderful outdoor seating area where they play music on the speakers. The service is also always amazing and everyone is always so nice! Great local spot."

Leroy's Taco Shop

★★★★☆ 4.2 (13)

"Recently visited the newest addition to Boxyard RTP, Leroy's Taco Shop and it was a fun experience. This eatery specializes in quesabirria tacos (brisket, cheese) which are griddled on a flat-top and served with consomme for a dipping sauce. Brought to you by the folks from Lawrence Barbecue, it's a small space with a smattering of seating inside and decked out in a quirkly 90's motif. There's and old-school tube television up front with the menu which is pretty tight: tacos, salad, hominy, chips, and salsa. Quesabirria tacos are $7.50 each and nicely crisped up without much grease. Dip it into the broth for a tasty treat that's crisp, cheesy, chewy and savory! It's a good bite but a touch pricey. There's a second window inside the dining area which I believe will be serving beer but I don't think they have their ABC license yet! Overall I like Leroy's Taco shop but given I live right near Birreiria El Patron 323 which has been doing quesabirria tacos for years, it wasn't quite as special to me as it is for other first-timers. Definitely worth a visit and meal if you're at Boxyard RTP!"

Lil Hombre

★★★★☆ 3.7 (18)

"Small place, a bar, a couple of indoor tables and outdoor seating. Very simple menu of fantastic tocos and yummy frozen margaritas both are $5 each. Service is decent, they do it all! Take your order, make you tacos, and poor your drinks."

La Montana

★★★★☆ 4.3 (64)

"Want a beautiful & chic spot for date night or a night out with friends, come to La Montaña! This recently opened and when I tell you, the vibes are grown and sexy! The service was top tier and the staff pays great attention to you and your needs. We opted for their tequila flights, but we will definitely be back to try out their cocktails. Chose the La Familia tequila flight because I don't care much for Mezcal which was part of the other flights. Great way to start our night. The food was full of flavor, presentation was beautiful, & the head Chef/owner came out to speak to everyone in the restaurant. He was very pleasant to talk to & was very welcoming. We will be back to try more tequila & try other dishes!"

bartaco North Hills

★★★★☆ 4.3 (664) • $$

"It's been a while since I've written a review on Yelp, mostly because I have Celiac and once I've found a good 5 or 6 restaurants, I have just stuck with them to preserve my health. That said, I was in Raleigh for a weekend and wasn't feeling my usual options, and I love tacos, so decided to give it a go.--Food: I ordered delivery twice and ate in once. I ordered a crispy shrimp taco kit and a chorizo taco kit the first night and was blown away at how flavorful everything was. Having Celiac, eating Fried food is almost impossible, but their entire menu minus quesadillas and desserts are gluten free, and you couldn't tell. The shrimp had an amazing crispy corn breading and the slaw was super flavorful. I think the Chorizo was my favorite with a great spice and made it into my second take out order along with Baja Fish. The Baja fish was so crispy as well, a little spicy, and the lemon slaw amazing. Flavorwise, for sure 5/5 for all of them.If you eat in, you can order just one taco (you can't do this take out, you can only order 4 or 8 pack tacos), so I tried most of the ones I hadn't tried. The duck was good, but perhaps my least favorite of the lot. Still excellent though. Lobster, while tasty, was confusing as a taco filling (and a bit expensive, but it's lobster so yeah.) I really liked the Pork Belly and was way crispier than expected. The shrimp and chorizo tacos still probably my favorite, but it's fun to have a myriad of tacos to choose from.If someone is looking for advice on how many to get, I say probably 4 (or more!), even if you usually can't eat more than 2 or 3 tacos. I say this because they're not normal corn tortillas, they are small and are 2/3 bite tacos.They also have rice bowls, which I meant to try, but was too obsessed with their tacos that I never got around to it!--Price: A little on the pricier side, but it's upscale cuisine I feel. The lobster taco was $8, but the rest were around $4 a taco I think. For something so delicious *and* safe for me to eat though, I would (and did!) happily pay it.--Service: Everyone is super helpful, super nice, and inviting.--Environment: Feels a bit upscale in a really fancy shopping area. Parking was difficult, but I'm not a fan of those kind of complexes. If I go to Raleigh again I'm tipping even more for delivery because for someone not great at driving, it's difficult. Very nice area though.--Overall: Hmmm... Probably my new favorite restaurant. It might not be the most cost efficient, I can't vouch for group orders, and I haven't tried the non taco items, but I absolutely loved everything I ordered. Will be getting bartaco anywhere I go that has one, and I'm crossing my fingers for a Richmond VA location to open."

Tacos Don Vargas

★★★★★ 5 (12)

"The freshest Tacos you'll find anywhere. It's located inside the grocery store, so when I ordered guacamole they literally took avocados and lime from their grocery store to make it! The owner is pleasant and helpful."

Chido Taco

★★★★☆ 4.3 (293) • $$

"Returned for dinner and had another great experience. Forget the fish tacos - the new move is the braised beef quesabirria. Queso is still fire, too."

Hank's Downtown Dive

★★★★★ 4.5 (90) • $$

"So it was pretty good. The tacos are 7 dollars a taco. The fried chicken meal is MASSIVE. So many fries, but the sauce that it's baked with is amazing. The beef and broccoli was just okay. I'd come back again but it's a little bit on the pricey side for the quality. Still good though. Nice atmosphere outside as well as inside."