Taqueria Picoso

Arrived here on Sunday around 3pm. This place is located in a strip mall so parking was plentiful; we actually got a spot right in front of the store. We walked into an average size establishment that was extremely clean, well lit from natural sunlight and lively although it wasn't overly crowded inside. There was a football and soccer game on the TV's at the bar and the bar patrons were definitely into them. We were greeted with a very warm welcome and were given a choice of table, then menus and was then explained the ordering process which takes place at the counter. We go over the menu, and my husband goes up to place our order. When he places my drink order, the young woman tells him that ordering drinks (alcoholic anyway) is done separately w/the bartender but that she would let her know what we wanted (he also wanted a different drink for himself but the machine wasn't working to make it so he landed on a hibiscus drink). That process seems strange to me because first, why does the patron have to order separately at the bar, and second why does the bartender then have to bring a tab to the customers in the main dining room and still have to manage everyone at the bar. Seems so unnecessary and even archaic to a degree. But that is what happened. The bartender brought my drink over (which was phenomenal by the way) asked me if I wanted to keep an open tab or close out, then a bit later she brought the check over to the table. For anyone wondering, I ordered a strawberry basil margarita. Ok..onto the food. Overall, it was good. Not mind blowing, not inedible..just...okay. The tacos come with a variety of proteins and for the most part, you get your toppings and sauces from a toppings bar..I liked that concept. We ordered birria, beef tongue, shrimp, shredded lamb and carne asada tacos. The proteins were plentiful in each taco, but they individually lacked flavor although they were all extremely tender. It was my first time having beef tongue and it was very tender and had an appropriate amount of fat. But if not for the toppings, these tacos would not be anything special to talk about. Again..they had little to no flavor at all. They all also come on a corn tortilla which isn't a con necessarily, but we have been to places that give you an option (corn or flour) and while I recognize that isn't a common thing at most restaurants, we have kinda grown to expect it..that's just a personal thing though lol. Corn tortillas just aren't our preference but we will eat them. Maybe we should've asked. The two tacos that we were dissatisfied with overall were the shrimp tacos and the birria. The shrimp come with a slaw and as someone who loves tangy and fermented foods and even drinks, this slaw was so slimy and tangy that it overpowered the entire thing. I don't even remember how the shrimp tasted..just the slaw. It was the one taco that I looked forward to eating the most and it was my least favorite taco because of that slaw. The slaw had no texture, no crunch-which signals to me that it was overdressed and sitting too long (possibly pulled from the refrigerator because it didn't appear nor taste freshly made) before it was added to that taco. And honestly outside of vinegar, I'm not sure what else was used to dress the slaw. I tasted nothing but vinegar. The consume for the Birria was dismal at best. No flavor, no viscosity, no bits of onion, nor cilantro, nor meat was anywhere in sight. I judge new taco spots by their Birria and this for us was such a fail. All in all the customer service was great and the establishment was very clean. The food left a lot to be desired but the drinks (both alcoholic and non alcoholic) were extremely tasty, and I'm on the fence as to whether or not I would return. Part of me is thinking maybe it was a one off; we were coming out of a snow storm this week, and maybe that threw things off for the staff in some way. Yet with so many great taco spots in this area and our own (we were an hr away from home), we just wouldn't think of returning here again. The mood for tacos hits us all the time tho so who knows...maybe we could return in the spring or summer to see if our experience would be better.

Stopped here for happy hour.Classic margarita not stored, all alcohol at the bottom.Chicken Tinga taco, water dripping. Not as tasty as before. Brisket taco, swimming in oil. Had to use about 4 napkins to pat the oil out, tasted a bit strange.Ive eaten here so many times. It used to be so good. The topping bar is awesome. Hopefully things will improve.

Taqueria Picoso is a must-visit for taco lovers! The tacos here are packed with flavor and generous portions. I had the vegetarian taco, which was fantastic--loaded with peppers and perfectly seasoned. The chicken taco was also a winner, with lots of tender, flavorful chicken in every bite. One of the best parts of the experience was the salsa bar, offering a variety of options with different spice levels, so you can customize your tacos exactly how you like. Plus, the pickled vegetables are a great touch and available in unlimited amounts--perfect for topping off your tacos or munching on with some chips. The chips and tortillas are made in house and super fresh, I wanted to eat all the chips myself!The staff is super friendly, and the place has a chill vibe with a few TVs if you want to catch the game. There's plenty of seating at tables, so it's a great spot to hang out with friends. They offer a nice variety of tacos and other Mexican dishes, all with the perfect balance of spices.

The previous review saying these are the best tacos in Alexandria is Spot On! I cannot count how many times I've come here, and I always get the same thing now. The guac and chips is incredible with a huge portion and the VEGAN CHORIZO TACOS.... Dead! I always get three and never tire of the flavor. We always sit at the bar, and Jose always gives us the absolute best service. Come for happy hour and enjoy some discounted food and margaritas as well! And don't forget the fresh salsa, onions, limes, and cilantro bar!

Great service. Great food. Amazing atmosphere! I love all the items on the menu that are very authentic and prepared with care. My favorite are the chicken wings, yes, they make some very tasty wings that have you coming back for more. The frijoles charros is also one of my favorites. Cooked to perfection and taste. Tacos are very filled with protein and toppings and the salsa bar gives you an option to add more to your tacos. Staff is personable and very happy while working. You can feel their vibe even while enjoying your food. Great selection of margaritas and drinks. Best of all? I can walk to the place!

Not a bad experience but I have mixed experiences with this place. It's in a little strip mall with free parking so that's a positive. Like other fast food places you drop an order with the cashier, who is very friendly. The setting is what you would expect, and comfortable tables inside and out. The food is the hard one. We all got the Sonoran hot dogs, which is what we wanted to try, and horchata. The hot dogs and horchata were great. It's the other dishes that left me less than impressed. I got a Al pastor taco, which I found dry and lacking flavor. My wife got a tamal de cochinita, which also was not very good. My son got a taco nopales, which was pretty decent. So it's worth a try but I would think about what you get.

Some of the best and most varied tacos I have had in quite some time. Reasonable price; knowledgeable, courteous, and prompt service; good ambiance; and low-key location make this a choice venue for your next taco outing.

Love the tacos. I like the bar area as well. Good for watching sports games. The staff is friendly and.

came for the ladies night $3.50 margs but stayed for the food! the tacos were very yum and seemed authentic to me, and I am a sucker for a good fish taco with beans and rice. Def reccomend!

BEST TACOS IN ALEXANDRIA!!! I wish I could give more stars. Hands down this is my favorite place for tacos and margaritas. I'm not vegan, but their Vegan Chorizo and potato taco is one of my favorite thing here and I always have to get more then one. Their Al Pastor has the perfect blend of pineapple and the Chicken Tinga is a great classic taco. Plus they have a great Sala Bar to boot! I've never had anything bad here, so do yourself a favor and check them out! You won't be sorry you did