Philly has good tacos if you know where to look. I lived in Mexico for a bit and organize an annual taco crawl, so you can take my word for it. Skip the famous places and go here instead
Map
Sections
3
Taquería
Taco Adjacent
Taco Truck
Taquería
Places to sit down and eat tacos
The cochinita pibil taco at la llorona is the best taco in Philly, and I will die on that hill. Also this place is a great vibe for bringing someone from out of town. Good margaritas and music.
La Llorona
Birria tacos are amazing when they’re fresh. Sometimes they aren’t fresh but it is a coin flip worth the risk
Mexico Lindo y Que Rico
Tacos are very good, and the pizza is excellent
Tonalli Philly
For a true strip mall hole in the wall experience, open late with good tacos
La Catrachita
They make the tortillas in house and they are so fresh. A great spot. They are often closed when you least expect it though, so I always call before going
El Molino
All around great vibe with excellent tacos. They have solid cocktails, a bar, and typically bump reggaeton also.
El Purepecha
This is a vibey and elevated spot with a bit of flare put into the tacos. Well respected restauranteur behind the scenes and a good date spot or celebration night. It is a little more expensive than you’re traditional spots.
El Chingon
Taco Man is exactly the kind of Philly taqueria I love. It is an unassuming space with an old school pizza shop layout. The tacos are amazing, especially the asada and al pastor. Arguably the best asada tacos in the city
Taco Man
Strong recommend for the shrimp tacos specifically. Quesabirria is solid good. Unassuming but well kept place in South Philly.
Wakamole
Blue Corn is in the Italian Market area and is awesome for a Friday night hangout or date night. It’s a bit elevated and has a liquor license. The tacos are good but the plates in general are a can’t go wrong kind of vibe.
Blue Corn
This is *not* the place to go to for amazing tacos, it’s a place to go for acceptable tacos with an incredible happy hour. Perfect for a Friday afternoon when the people are out and about.
Mission Taqueria
Good spot. Byo. Quaint. Particularly a fan of the lengua tacos
Taquería Morales
I know this place is essentially a knockoff Chipotle but hear me out…the carnitas tacos are good and the value for the price is great! Great for delivery or take out. There are a few locations too
TACODELPHIA
Taco Adjacent
Places that aren’t exactly Mexican or aren’t exactly tacos
The tacos are good, the chocolate is the real deal
Café y Chocolate
Honduran spot, which is worth mentioning because Philly has a lot of Honduran cuisine and this spot in particular has great papusas.
Donde Quieras
Cute little spot with great tres leches and churros. Taco truck outside is great
Catrina's Cafe
Classic little Mexican bakery in South Philly that I like
Amigos Bakery
Taco Truck
Places to stand up and eat tacos
Food truck with delivery option. Big tacos for cheap. Always fresh and nice folks running the show. It’s a top spot especially if you’re outside the standard South Philly Mexican neighborhood spots
La Marqueza
Simple food truck with great al pastor tacos. Deep in South Philly near the stadiums.
El Manzano
Food truck. Good tacos. Easy location in South Philly. Don’t overthink it.
Tacos El Rodeo
Great tacos al pastor and asada, outside of the cute Mexican cafe by the same name
Catrina’s Food Truck
Strongly recommend this place for a delivery order or quick pickup in South Philly. Big fan of their campechanos and asada but you can’t go wrong. Standard tacos done right.
Update: last asada tacos I had were dry. Trying again for a second chance. ...
