Taco Guide

Antojitos Carlota

The tacos at Antojitos Carlota in Bartlett are no ordinary tacos. They’re made with full-size, homemade corn or flour tortillas—bigger than your typical taco shop offerings. The menu focuses on tacos, gorditas, and soups. Their stewed meats are extra juicy and delicious, and they have a squash and potato vegetarian option. You can also buy their tortillas by the dozen to take home.

4970 Raleigh LaGrange Road, Suites 4 & 5

Bosco’s Squared

The ever popular grilled mahi mahi tacos are perfect when you are looking for something a little different, a cold pint of craft beer, and/or a stellar patio experience. Each order has three tacos topped with mango avocado salsa and red cabbage slaw.

2120 Madison Avenue

Chile Verde

You’ll find the Chile Verde truck parked outside the BP at Mt. Moriah and Park Avenue. In the mood for a taco? They recommend fish and shrimp tacos with habanero salsa. Other options include Mexican corn and what they say is “the best muy grande chimichanga”!

4971 Park Avenue

Las Delicias 

You can find bags of their flaky, crispy chips in stores around town, but you’ll have to go to one of their two restaurants to try Las Delicias tacos. But they’re worth the trip! Each taco is served on two small corn tortillas and topped with fresh onions and cilantro. Choose from meats like chicken, chorizo, and even pork chops. Don’t forget to try their delicious guacamole!

4002 Park Avenue
5689 Quince Road

El Colibrí

This cute little truck is parked next to the Exxon at Summer and White Station near I-240. The tacos el pastor are so delicious you’ll have them eaten before you leave the parking lot. Other tasty taco options steak, carnitas, barbacoa, chicken, and chorizo. Enjoy them with grilled onions and fresh salsas. And if you prefer your tacos with lettuce, tomato, and cheese, they can do that too.

5158 Summer Avenue

Elena’s Taco Shop

At Elena’s Taco Shop’s two locations, you’ll find Cali-style tacos, burritos and more. Options include fish tacos, street tacos, and even deep-fried rolled tacos. Try Elena’s Taco—featuring grilled chicken or steak, guacamole, pico de gallo, and “Elena’s famous seasoning.”

6105 Summer Ave
8610 Ricky Bell Cove

El Palenke Express

You’ll find the El Palenke Express food truck in the Valero parking lot at Summer and Highland. Taco meat options range from beef tripe to Mexican sausage to chicken and more. And the pickled carrots, cucumber, and radish add a tasty crunch. Palenke also has a delicious mild red salsa and spicy green salsa to take them up a notch.

3487 Summer Avenue

Fuel

Fans of the Fuel food truck will be glad to know they serve tacos. You’ll have three options—bison, chicken, or veggie. Whichever option you choose, they’ll be made with all-natural ingredients. Follow them on Instagram to see where you can find them.

Various locations

Global Cafe

Among Global Cafe’s many delicious offerings from around the world, you’ll find traditional Mexican street tacos. Choose from grilled chicken, picadillo (ground beef, peppers, onions, and potato), or black beans—all topped with cilantro, onion, and salsa verde. For a little something extra, add avocado or cheese. Round out your meal with hibiscus tea or a Global margarita.
1350 Concourse Avenue, Suite 157

La Guadalupana

Whatever your Mexican food craving, this Summer Avenue staple has you covered. Choose from meats like beef, pork, chicken—and even goat or tripe. Order your tacos a la carte or with rice and beans. Not in the mood for tacos? You’ll find tortas, soups, seafood, breakfast, and many traditional Mexican dishes.

4818 Summer Avenue

Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana

When Jose “Pepe” Magallanes moved from his native Mexico City to Memphis, he saw a need for authentic Mexican food. After retiring from the strip mining industry, he opened Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana with the goal of sharing with his friends the delicacies of Mexican cuisine. Favorite tacos include the fresh fish taco and the tacos de carnitas, both served with cilantro, onions, green salsa, and avocado. Try them with fruit juice or limonada.

1215 South Germantown Road
6300 Poplar Avenue, Suite 115

The Liquor Store

No matter the time of day, you can get your taco fix at The Liquor Store. Their soft-shell breakfast tacos have eggs, your choice of meat, spinach, red onions, and pico de gallo—served with a side of tasty home fries. For lunch or dinner, try the street tacos, made with cuban pork or chicken, queso fresco, and cabbage and jicama slaw, all topped with pico and mojo sauce.

2655 Broad Avenue

Maciel’s

With locations downtown and in Midtown, you have plenty of chances to satisfy your taco cravings at Maciel’s. Whichever spot you choose, you’ll find fast, friendly service and indoor and outdoor seating. The taco options are many—including street tacos, fried tacos, seafood tacos, and fajita tacos. If tacos aren’t what you’re after, you’ll find soups, tortas, huaraches, and much more.

45 South Main Street
820 South Cooper Street

Mexico in Memphis

The Mexico in Memphis food truck specializes in Memphis-smoked meats with fresh Mexican flavors. Try the Tropical Trio of tacos, which includes a Paradise Shrimp Taco, a Smoked Pastor Taco, and a Smoked Cochinita Pibil Taco. In addition to tacos, Memphis in Mexico serves BBQ nachos, quesadillas, and street corn. Follow them on Instagram and Facebook to see where to find them.

Various Locations

El Mero Taco

Whether at their Cordova brick-and-mortar location or their food truck around town, you’ll find fresh and tasty tacos at El Mero Taco. Taco options range from smoked habanero shrimp to veggies with green mole. At their Cordova location, be sure to try their lunch specials and check out their mezcaleria, a bar focused on mezcal spirits.

8100 Macon Station Road, Suite 102

Mi Tierra Restaurante

Looking for a tropical escape? You’ll find it at Mi Tierra Restaurante on Summer Avenue. This Colombian restaurant is decorated floor to ceiling and features a full bar and two patios. It’s also open late! Enjoy their tasty tacos alongside an award-winning margarita. While you’re at it, try the tostones and chicharrones, and chip-and-dip your cares away.

5883 Summer Avenue

Molly’s La Casita

A longtime fixture near Overton Square, Molly’s La Casita was bought by Jessica Carnell in 2021. You’ll still find old favorites, along with some changes, like vegan-friendly substitutes in many meals. If it’s tacos you’re craving, try the fish taco—featuring red snapper with garlic and spices. Other taco options include chicken, beef, refried beans, shrimp, and pork. Don’t forget to order guacamole and margaritas too!

2006 Madison Avenue

New Wing Order

You may know them for their award-winning hot wings, but—whether you’re a carnivore or vegan—New Wing Order has tacos for you. The buffalo chicken taco features crispy chicken tossed in buffalo sauce with lettuce, shredded cheese, pico and jalapeño ranch. The avocado taco is big on flavor with fried or raw avocado, red cabbage, pico, pineapple, cilantro, and bang bang sauce. Check their website or follow them on social to find out where they’ll be each week.
Various locations

Picosos Mexican Restaurant

Picosos Mexican Restaurant gets the details just right—like perfectly crisp tortillas, hot-off-the-grill chicken, pull-apart carnitas, and chorizo with a kick. Taco options include asada, pastor, pollo, carnitas, barbacoa, and chorizo. Feeling adventurous? Try the lengua—beef tongue—taco. All tacos are served with cilantro and onion.

3937 Summer Avenue

Riko’s Kickin Chicken

At Riko’s Kickin Chicken you can get your tacos filled with beef, chicken, fish, or shrimp—and those can be fried or grilled. They’re topped with lettuce, tomatoes, ranch, and jalapeño and seasoned to perfection, with just a little kick! While you’re there, be sure to check out some of their many flavors of wings.

1329 Madison Avenue

Rumba Room

When the pandemic temporarily halted the Rumba Room’s vibrant club scene and salsa dancing, owner Edgar Mendez and his sister Lesvia, who’s now the chef, created a menu highlighting the South American flavors of their youth. Their many delicious options include two taco flights. One flight features grilled chicken, roasted pork, and churrasco. Their vegan taco flight includes crunchy chickpeas, carrot tinga, and sautéed mushrooms. Enjoy their indoor and outdoor seating and full bar.

303 South Main Street

Slutty Salsa

This is the food truck you didn’t know you needed. They specialize in Mexican cuisine with a Memphis twist. With menu item names like Ooo I’m Halfway Meal, Meat ‘N’ Between, and Soft Smack Tacos, Slutty Salsa will have you ready for a good time. Their tacos feature spicy sautéed chicken, spinach, onions, jalapeño, and cheese. They’re guaranteed to have you licking your lips!

Various locations

Situational Cravings

Got a craving for birria? Jessica Scott of Situational Cravings has you covered. She offers both birria tacos and birria pizza. Other tacos on her rotating menu include chicken, seafood, and veggie. Round out your meal with one of her mixed berry lemonades. Thanks to the Alcy Ball Development Corporation, Jessica is serving out of a commercial kitchen while her food truck undergoes repairs. While she’ll continue serving out of the kitchen, also look for her pink and purple food truck out and about soon!

1672 East Alcy Road

Soul Fish Cafe

When you think of Soul Fish Cafe, tacos may not be the first thing that comes to mind—but maybe they should be! At Soul Fish, you’ll find fried crawfish tacos and blackened or grilled shrimp tacos. For catfish or chicken tacos, you can choose from blackened, fried, or grilled. All tacos are served with picante, guacamole, and your choice of side. If you’re not up for tacos, choose from their full menu of Southern favorites.

862 South Cooper Street
4720 Poplar Avenue
3160 Village Shops Drive
8413 Highway 64

Sun of a Vegan

At Sun of a Vegan, everything on the menu is vegan-friendly—and so tasty that, even if you’re not vegan, you’ll be glad you came. Sun of a Vegan sets up inside Esporta Fitness in Lakeland every Tuesday evening for Taco Tuesday. They have both mushroom and vegan ground “beef” tacos with black beans and rice on the side. Choose between corn cheese stuffed tacos and flour quesadillas. Look for their new location, opening soon inside the Hickory Ridge Mall.

TacoNganas

TacoNganas has four truck locations. At the Perkins location, you’ll need to take your food to-go, but the others have plenty of seating. In fact, you’ll feel more like you’re at an outdoor restaurant than a food truck. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure menu. First, select your meat from choices like al pastor (marinated pork in various spices and pineapple) and camarones (marinated grilled shrimp). Then choose your preparation style—from the house specialty taconganas to street tacos, tacos de canasta, and more. Try the consomé on its own or as a taco dipping sauce.

2120 Central Avenue
1080 North Germantown Parkway
2760 Perkins Road
4255 Summer Avenue

Taqueria El Sazon De La Tia truck

Searching for tasty tacos? Just look for the red food truck near Getwell and American Way. If elote—or grilled Mexican street corn slathered with creamy mayo, Cotija cheese, lime and chili powder—is your thing, then head over to the Taqueria El Sazon De La Tia truck. Try the steak, chicken, al pastor, or chorizo tacos. The menu also features hamburgers, hot dogs, and hibachi!

2756 Getwell Road

Taqueria El Burrito Express

You can get your birria taco fix at Taqueria El Burrito Express. Birria is stewed meat seasoned with chili peppers. At Taqueria El Burrito Express, their birria tacos are made from corn tortillas filled with meat and Oaxaca cheese and pan-fried in the fat that sits at the top of the birria. Consomé is served on the side for dipping. Pop in to this fast and friendly spot for lunch or dinner. When you’re out and about, look for the El Burrito Express food trucks on Madison and Jackson.

286 North Cleveland
4076 Jackson Avenue (food truck)
1675 Madison Avenue (food truck)

Taqueria Express (a.k.a. Superman Taco)

Taqueria Express is a longtime Memphis favorite and fondly known to many as Superman Taco because of its location in front of the Superman Discount Market. This taco truck has been operating daily at Perkins and Summer for close to a decade. Customers can expect a delicious, affordable meal every time. Choose from tacos, tortas, quesadillas, burritos, and more. If you’re not sure what to order, the chicken taco is a great place to start. Bring cash and be prepared to eat in your car if you’re too impatient to take it home!

4590 Summer Avenue

Taqueria Hay Jalisco

The Hay Jalisco food truck has an extensive menu filled with burritos, quesadillas, sopas, and tortas. But be sure not to miss the tacos! The pollo tacos and asada tacos are great choices. They come topped with grilled onions and peppers and pickled carrots. Need your taco served with melted cheese? Try the quesabirria taco!

3985 Summer Avenue