Tacos to try
These 10 eateries can expand your taste horizons
Acapulco Tacos & Burritos
840 San Mateo Blvd. SE, 505-268-9865, 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Closed Sunday.
This walk-up Mexican restaurant on San Mateo just south of Zuni opened in 1972 in the building that housed the first Lotaburger. It doesn’t provide any indoor seating but has picnic tables and a small patio shaded by trees and shrubbery. They offer large tacos stuffed with either asada, shredded beef or chicken for $2 each, making this place easy on the pocketbook. There are two additional locations in the Heights and Cedar Crest.
El Paisa Taqueria
820 Bridge Blvd. SW, 505-452-8997, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
This cash-only, South Valley favorite is almost never empty. It offers seven different types of street tacos including lengua, al pastor and asada. With a $1.50 price tag, customers can probably afford to try one of each. The aguas frescas in six different flavors are a fan favorite. Cokes are sold in glass bottles with the bottle opener mounted on a post in the middle of the dining area.
Perico’s
10401 Golf Course NW, 505-792-5255. Call for hours.
This local, family-owned New Mexican business got its start in 1982. They are known for being the “Home of the ½ lb. burrito” but customer reviews say their tacos are also some of the best in town. COVID-19 has limited their in-person dining but they are still open for carryout. They have three locations, two on the West Side and one near the University of New Mexico. Tacos come with shredded beef, chicken, fish or papas con carne. They also have daily specials.
Taco Mex
5201 Fourth St. NW, 505-344-1466, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily.
Don’t be fooled by the drive-thru window. The food is fast but completely authentic. The tacos are small but only run about $2 each. The restaurant is located in the North Valley and also offers other traditional Mexican dishes. Orders can be called ahead of time or at the drive-thru.