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New Yorkers 1st Choice
Local picks

Taco spots in Central San Jose

Mexican street food that captures the complexity of the original recipe instead of a simplified version.

Based on 579 Opinions
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Updated May 2026
01
Chingadazos Taqueria & Bar image 1
Chingadazos Taqueria & Bar image 2
Chingadazos Taqueria & Bar image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Mexican restaurant with a colorful, vibrant environment and a family-friendly atmosphere. Music varies from pleasant and quiet to loud and energetic, with a bar featuring TVs for watching games. Drinks often come with floral garnishes, and large, well-crafted cocktails like micheladas and mimosas stand out.

Mole enchiladas and chicken mole stand out with rich flavors. Tacos come in substantial portions and offer good value, with options like fresh fish tacos and beef super tacos. Horchata mazapรกn and Moletes Oaxaqueรฑos add unique tastes to the menu.

Tacos come with substantial portions and a mix of meats like beef and shrimp in the surf and turf options. Fish tacos taste super fresh, and the overall flavors are very flavorful with good value for the price.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and authentic."

"The molcajete is loaded with flavorful proteins and comes with everything you need."

"The molcajete was loaded with flavorful proteins and came with everything needed."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday offers $2.50 regular tacos, making it a great deal.

2

The restaurant has a large party service charge of 18% for groups.

3

Parking is available around the back with an additional entrance.

02
Mr. Shrimp Marisqueria y Birrieria Food Truck image 1

Food truck offers comfortable outdoor canopy seating with laid-back atmosphere and background music. Seafood dishes, especially handmade shrimp tacos, stand out for their fresh, exquisite flavors. Hot sauce bar allows for customizable spice levels, enhancing the casual dining experience.

Shrimp tacos stand out with fresh, handmade tortillas and a special sauce that highlights the fried shrimp filling. Birria tacos bring strong, spicy flavors, while the horchata offers a smooth, sweet finish.

Shrimp tacos feature fresh, handmade tortillas and delicious fried shrimp with a special sauce. A hot sauce bar lets you customize flavors, and birria tacos offer a spicy, flavorful kick.

People are saying

"I thought the seafood tacos were the best I had in my life."

"I thought the shrimp tacos were the best Mexican food I'd ever had."

"I thought the shrimp tacos were the best I had in my life."

Good to know

1

The food truck allows customers to BYOB.

2

Prices are affordable, making it a budget-friendly option.

3

The menu features both seafood and non-seafood options.

03
Tacos Chencho image 1
Taco restaurant

Colorful decor creates a lively Mexican street vibe with outdoor seating and a self-serve salsa bar featuring pickled vegetables. Limited seating and cash-only payment with Zelle option shape the experience, attracting those seeking varied meat tacos in a casual, vibrant setting.

Tacos come fresh and made to order with a great variety of meat options like carne asada, al pastor with pineapple, suadero, and buche. The quesadillas and street tacos stand out for their flavorful, authentic taste, often paired with solid salsa and a notable orange sauce.

Tacos come fresh and made to order with a great variety of meats like carne asada, al pastor, suadero, and buche. The street tacos pair well with solid salsa and a distinctive orange sauce, delivering authentic flavors reminiscent of Mexico.

People are saying

"These tacos are the best I've ever had."

"I found the burritos delicious, especially with the orange salsa."

"I thought the tacos were the best Mexican food I've ever had."

Good to know

1

Tacos Chencho accepts only cash payments and Zelle.

2

The truck closes at 11 pm on Sundays.

3

Prices for tacos start at $2.72 each.

04
Lopez Taqueria 2 image 1
Mexican restaurant

Outdoor seating on a sunny patio creates a casual, breezy atmosphere with a welcoming, family-like vibe. Indoor space feels small and sparse, while the quiet street adds to the calm setting. The place offers a wide variety of authentic Mexican food in a clean environment.

Super tacos come with double wrapped tortillas and piping hot fillings like chili verde. Burritos offer fresh flavors with beans, rice, and cheese, while tacos feature authentic ingredients like avocado instead of guacamole and melted cheese with tender pork or fish.

Super tacos come with double wrapped tortillas and are served piping hot. Tacos feature melted cheese, avocado, beans, and tender pork with authentic flavors, complemented by green and red salsas.

People are saying

"The lengua tacos here are tender and flavorful."

"The Mexican food here is amazing, especially the tacos."

"The patio seating is plentiful and a nice place to enjoy the sunshine."

Good to know

1

Ordering and paying happens before sitting down; no reservations needed.

2

The restaurant offers all-day breakfast options.

3

There is plenty of seating available both inside and outside.

05
Restaurante El Conrro image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican restaurant with live music and laser lights creates a lively atmosphere. Al fresco dining in the back offers a relaxed option. Menu includes huarache de al pastor and Michelada cocktails praised for flavor and low alcohol content.

Fresh and flavorful dishes stand out, especially the huarache de al pastor and super carnita burrito with perfectly cooked meat. The menu features a dedicated torta selection with large, filling sandwiches packed with meat and cheese, complemented by salsas that add a spicy kick.

Tacos feature tripe and head fillings that stand out for their quality. Prices run around $6 each, reflecting a slightly higher cost.

People are saying

"The food here is really good and satisfying."

"This Mexican food, especially the burrito, is huge and satisfying."

"I found the tacos to be extremely good."

Good to know

1

Parking is available in the plaza behind the restaurant.

2

The menu offers a dedicated torta section along with various other items.

3

Prices are fairly reasonable for downtown, with tacos costing around $6.

06
Taqueria Lorena's image 1
Mexican restaurant

Old school seating contrasts with a clean, modern order area in this laid back Mexican spot. Families and kids create a friendly neighborhood vibe, while high-quality meats define the food. Limited decor and later hours add to its straightforward, practical feel.

Super Tacos with Shrimps pack a lot of protein and fill you up with just two. Menudo, tamales, and carne asada chimichangas come at decent prices and taste great. Quesadillas de asada and Al Pastor tacos stand out, along with Super Burritos served with house-made spicy carrots and jalapeรฑos.

Tacos come with shrimp, barbacoa, tripas, and al pastor options, each packed with flavor. The Super Tacos with Shrimps offer a protein-rich meal, and toppings are generous on tacos de barbacoa.

People are saying

"I thought the tacos here were the best Mexican food in the area."

"The super burritos here are delicious, especially with the spicy carrots."

"I thought the tacos here were the best I had found anywhere."

Good to know

1

Parking is limited, but street parking is also available.

2

You will need a key to use the restrooms, available upfront.

3

They open late until 11pm for late-night diners.

07
Mariscos Costa Alegre image 1
Mexican restaurant

Outdoor dining under a large tent creates a Mexico-by-the-sea vibe with vibrant colors and festive decor. Live mariachi music fills the space, often loud enough to dominate conversations. The atmosphere buzzes with energetic, lively spirit centered on authentic Mexican seafood.

Fish soup, brazier tacos, and octopus ceviche stand out with flavors that differ from typical Mexican food. Dishes like birria quesadillas and Michelada Modelo with shrimp add variety to the menu.

Shrimp and fish tacos stand out with fresh, flavorful ingredients. The camarones and brazier tacos offer distinct, memorable tastes.

People are saying

"The seafood here is delicious and incredibly flavorful."

"The Mexican food here is delicious and incredibly flavorful."

"The fish taco here is excellent and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Arrive before noon on sunny days to avoid long wait times.

2

Expect over 30 minutes wait to be seated on weekends.

3

Parking can be difficult to find in the area.

08
Tacos Autlense image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small spaces with four chairs per table create an intimate setting. The atmosphere is warm and casual, with an open door and no air conditioning. Late hours attract those seeking authentic Mexican dishes and cash-only convenience with an on-site ATM.

Carne asada tacos come in generous portions and reasonable prices. The wet super chicken burrito offers a large, satisfying meal. Service is pleasant and fast, with chips and salsa served to start.

Carne asada tacos stand out for their size, quality, and reasonable price. The Al Pastor super taco and other varieties like carnitas and pollo come with generous portions and consistent quality.

People are saying

"This Mexican food's burritos are so large and satisfying."

"I found the food to be authentic and really good."

"I thought the carne asada tacos were the best I've ever had."

Good to know

1

Tacos Autlense is cash only, but there is an ATM available on-site.

2

The restaurant is open late, making it a good option for night owls.

3

You can order online through Doordash for convenience.

09
TOSTADAS image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small space with colorful retro Mexican decor creates a warm and lively atmosphere. Music adds energy without overpowering conversation, while staff often bring a party-like vibe at the bar. The place stands out for its beautifully crafted cocktails and tasty Mexican food without fuss.

Birria tacos come with a rich consume, and the birria tostadas offer a delicious crunch. The green chilaquiles are well-seasoned and perfectly cooked, while the tostadas ranchera feature fantastic chorizo and crispy tortillas.

Birria tacos stand out with juicy, amazing flavor even without dipping. Chicken tacos come with delicious seasoning, and tostadas like Tinga add variety.

People are saying

"The Mexican food here has such bold, fresh flavors."

"The Mexican coffee here is fire."

"The birria tacos were so juicy and flavorful."

Good to know

1

Expect long lines during peak hours, especially on weekends.

2

Arriving early helps to avoid crowds.

3

The Tuesday special includes 4 tacos and margaritas for $15.99.

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Central San Jose, San Jose

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