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July 16, 2021
The city’s most underrated tacos
11 taco spots — both authentic and Americanized — share the tacos they wish more diners ordered
The al pastor tacos at Three Amigos. Kristen Wile/UP
By Jenna Aurelius
Beef, chorizo, and shrimp tacos are typically what comes to mind first when thinking of tacos. What tacos are we passing over in favor of the classics? We asked servers, chefs, and owners of 10 local Mexican restaurants to share the tacos they wish diners wouldn’t overlook.
Cabo Fish Taco, NoDa
Most underrated taco: Honey-soy glazed salmon tacos
What’s in it: Grilled salmon tossed in honey-soy glaze with mixed greens, guacamole, tomatoes, cheese, and honey wasabi sauce
Chilito Tacos, Pop-up
Most underrated taco: Barbacoa tacos
What’s in it: Slow cooked shredded beef, egg, bean, potato, and cheese
El Valle Mexican Restaurant, Mattthews
Most underrated taco: Taco Grande
What’s in it: A large flour tortilla, chicken, lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese sauce served with Mexican rice
Hot Taco, South End
Most underrated taco: Pizza taco
What’s in it: A flour tortilla with pepperoni, mozzarella, and marinara sauce
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila, SouthPark
Most underrated taco: Tanked Up Taco
What’s in it: Masa and beer-battered mahi, shredded cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle ranch, and Cholula
RuRu’s Taco & Tequila, Myers Park
Most underrated taco: Fat Guy in a Little Coat
What’s in it: Cilantro-marinated skirt steak, lettuce, queso fresco, cilantro, and avocado aioli
Sabor Latin Street Grill, multiple locations
Most underrated taco: Chimi shrimp
What’s in it: A flour tortilla filled with grilled shrimp, lettuce, tomato, cotija cheese, cilantro, and chimichurri
SouthBound, South End
Most underrated taco: Smoked carne asada taco
What’s in it: Sirloin marinated with achiote paste, garlic and spices that’s char-grilled, then sliced and finished in the smoker with hickory wood, served in a tortilla with chipotle crema, diced onions, and chopped cilantro.
Taqueria Los Altos, Sardis Woods
Most underrated taco: Birria tacos
What’s in it: Braised beef, cilantro, lime, and onion in a flour tortilla
Three Amigos, Plaza Midwood
Most underrated taco: Tacos al pastor
What’s in it: 24-hour marinated pork in a guajillo chile and onion sauce with grilled pineapple
Taco Mama, Dilworth
Most underrated taco: Alabama redneck
What’s in it: Roasted pulled pork, ancho chili slaw, pickles, and Mama’s chipotle barbecue sauce
