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Local picks in Des Plaines

Taco spots

You are looking for a taco that hits the mark every single time.

Based on 579 Opinions
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Updated April 2026
01
Sofia's Taqueria image 1
Sofia's Taqueria image 2
Sofia's Taqueria image 3
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Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican spot offers authentic decor and a cozy vibe with lively music. Tacos shine with perfectly seasoned meats like Al Pastor and Birria, paired with fresh toppings. Casual chic setting makes it ideal for enjoying traditional dishes in an intimate space.

Tacos feature perfectly seasoned meats like Al Pastor, Birria with consommรฉ, and Asada, all served on tortillas that hold up well. Fresh toppings and flavorful salsas complement each bite, making each taco taste home-cooked and delicious.

People are saying

"This Mexican food is seriously delicious and a 10/10."

"I found this place to be a hidden gem with authentic food and taste."

"I thought the tacos were super delicious and fresh."

Good to know

1

Taco Tuesday special is available every Tuesday.

2

Each taco costs $1.99, but some tacos are priced at $4 each.

3

The restaurant offers catering and takeout services.

02
Los Chapines Tortillerรญa image 1

Small Mexican spot shines with big asada tacos and fresh, thick tortillas. Cozy booths with high backs offer privacy despite loud TVs. Menu blends authentic Guatemalan flavors with Mexican classics, making it warm and inviting.

Big, delicious asada tacos stand out here. Chicken tacos and enchiladas also appear on the menu and hold their own.

People are saying

"The Guatemalan food, especially the corn atole, is delicious."

"The Mexican food here is huge and full of flavor."

"The asada tacos here are big and delicious."

Good to know

1

Expect wait times of 25 to 50 minutes during busy hours.

2

The restaurant offers a combination of Guatemalan and Mexican cuisine.

3

Portions are large and reasonably priced.

03
First Watch image 1
Breakfast restaurant

Bright, modern farm-style design creates a calm, welcoming vibe with a covered patio perfect for families or solo visits. Breakfast tacos feature flavorful carne asada that pairs well with drinks like the Morning Meditation. Outdoor seating offers a breezy space with views of planes overhead.

Breakfast tacos stand out with carne asada that is flavorful and fresh. They come perfectly prepared and pair well with drinks like the Morning Meditation or a kale tonic.

People are saying

"The breakfast tacos here are fresh and flavorful."

"I found the place to be clean, bright, and modern."

"These breakfast tacos are flavorful, fresh, and amazing."

Good to know

1

The wait time at First Watch is typically excellent with no long waits.

2

There is plenty of parking available at First Watch.

3

First Watch offers a variety of healthy breakfast options.

04
Taqueria El Gallo de Oro image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican spot shines with Queso Birria tacos and Al Pastor flour tacos that pack bold flavors. Detailed decor and loud music create an energetic vibe while limited seating keeps it intimate. Friendly staff add warmth to the authentic experience.

Queso Birria tacos stand out with tender, perfectly grilled steak cut into small pieces. Street tacos, including Al Pastor flour tacos and shrimp options, offer delicious, satisfying flavors.

People are saying

"I thought the Mexican food here was the best I ever had."

"The burrito is packed with tender, juicy steak."

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

Good to know

1

Expect a wait for seating during busy times due to limited space.

2

Prices are reasonable, especially with the lunch special available.

3

The lunch special includes only two tacos, which may not be enough for some.

05
Mariscos La Isla Dorada image 1
Seafood restaurant

Open, decorative space sets a clean, inviting tone. Pastor tacos shine with bold flavor, alongside seafood like shrimp cocktail and mussels. Service is prompt with added gratuity and clear closing signals.

Pastor tacos stand out for their flavor. The menu includes beef tripe and fish tacos, plus tacos de legua and burrito de asada, all rated highly.

People are saying

"I thought the food here was delicious."

"You have to try the tacos; they're a perfect 10."

"I found the pastor tacos to be delicious."

Good to know

1

They added a 15% gratuity despite the service being poor.

2

I was charged an additional 3% fee when paying with a card.

3

Soon after we ate, I saw three big brown roaches crawling on the wall.

06
Arandas Taqueria image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican spot shines with authentic tacos like al pastor and birria under $3. Open kitchen adds warmth and trust. BYOB and wheelchair-friendly, it suits small groups seeking affordable, genuine flavors in a cozy setting.

Tacos come with authentic flavors like al pastor and birria, served with consome. Prices stay under $3, offering affordable, no-frills options including chile relleno and tongue varieties.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious, especially the tongue in green sauce."

"The Mexican food here, especially the tacos, is exceptionally good."

"I found the tacos here to be delicious and authentic."

Good to know

1

The restaurant is BYOB, so bring your own drinks.

2

Expect reasonable prices for all menu items.

3

Parking is available and convenient for visitors.

07
Mariachi's Tacos image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican spot shines with authentic southern vibe and family-friendly energy. Tacos boast rich flavor and generous stuffing in small tortillas. Outdoor seating is basic but lively and often crowded.

Tacos come with small tortillas but are packed with rich flavor and generous stuffing. Varieties like al pastor, chicken, and steak stand out for their delicious taste and authentic style.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and always well prepared."

"This is a great lunch spot for authentic street-style tacos."

"I found the tacos here to be extremely delicious."

Good to know

1

Pozole is available on Fridays and Saturdays.

2

Mariachi's Tacos is a BYOB restaurant.

3

The specials are clear and easy to read, making ordering simple.

08
Ostras image 1
Restaurant

Modern, artsy decor sets a relaxed vibe with colorful design and upbeat Latino music. Tacos shine with chicken and steak options, plus a tasty birria dinner. Large space includes a private salsa room and a speakeasy bar for lively nights.

Creative menu includes flavorful tacos alongside sushi and oysters. Chicken and steak tacos stand out, with the birria dinner also offering a pleasantly good option.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious and outstanding."

"I had the best oysters I've ever had here."

"I thought the quesibirra tacos were amazing."

Good to know

1

Salsa lessons start at 9 PM on Saturdays, followed by a lively dance party.

2

Happy hour runs from 4 PM to 7 PM with special drink and food prices.

3

There is a $10 cover charge for salsa night, even for dinner guests.

09
Los Sombreros Taqueria image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small Mexican spot serves 100% zabiha halal dishes in a cozy space with 6-8 tables. Tacos like Birria and Al Pastor shine with fresh toppings. Free chips and salsa add to the Muslim-friendly vibe.

Tacos here feature authentic flavors and careful preparation. Varieties like Birria and Al Pastor stand out with fresh toppings like lettuce, cilantro, and onion.

People are saying

"The food here is delicious, fresh, and flavorful."

"I thought the gyro tacos were unbeatable and amazing."

"The Mexican food here, especially the tortas, is amazing and huge."

Good to know

1

The entire menu is zabiha halal, making it Muslim-friendly.

2

Expect generous portions, especially the BBQ beef nachos.

3

Prices are reasonable for the quality of food offered.

10
Restaurant Bar Mexico 2000 #3 image 1

Simple Mexican spot shines with authentic tacos like Tacos Al Carbรณn. Cozy vibe and loud music fuel lively nights with singing and dancing. Prices stay reasonable, making it great for families and fun crowds.

Tacos come in good size and are very tasty, with options like Tacos Al Carbรณn (De bistec) standing out. Taco Tuesday offers tacos for $1.50 each when requested.

People are saying

"I found the food here to be delicious and outstanding."

"The Mexican food here, especially the tacos, is so tasty."

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

Good to know

1

Karaoke sessions are family-friendly and happen every Thursday night.

2

Taco Tuesday offers tacos for $1.50 each, but you must request the deal.

3

Expect a lively environment with singing and dancing on karaoke nights.

11
Las Asadas Fresh Mexican Grill Taqueria image 1

Cozy spot with a family-owned atmosphere and clean, simple space. Enjoy authentic steak tacos grilled to perfection with bold, spicy flavors. Outdoor seating adds charm to this mom-and-pop gem known for flame-grilled steak dishes.

Tacos here feature fresh meat cooked on the grill with very flavorful bites. Options like Al Pastor, Barbacoa, and steak tacos offer authentic, spicy, and melt-in-your-mouth experiences.

People are saying

"I considered this the best burrito I had ever eaten."

"I found the tacos here to have great flavor and freshness."

"I found authentic Mexican food here, the real deal."

Good to know

1

Parking is available on-site for customers.

2

Expect to pay around $4 per taco.

3

The establishment has limited indoor seating.

12
La Marina Mariscos image 1
Mexican restaurant

Spacious interior buzzes with live mariachi music and a DJ spinning videos. Tacos shine with plump shrimp and great deals like $2 Taco Tuesdays. Colorful decor and many TVs create a lively social scene perfect for fun nights.

Tacos come with plump shrimp that taste great. Weekly deals like $2 Taco Tuesdays and half-price happy hour drinks make them a solid choice.

People are saying

"The seafood here, especially the oysters and octopus, is amazing."

"The cocktails were refreshing, flavorful, and had the right amount of liquor."

"The shrimp tacos here are excellent and plump."

Good to know

1

On Wednesdays, $5 margaritas are available all day with Hornitos tequila.

2

Taco Tuesday features $1.99 tacos, including shrimp.

3

Happy hour offers half-price drinks from 5 to 7 pm Monday through Thursday.

13
COCINA EXPRESS image 1
Mexican restaurant

Small seating creates an intimate, quiet vibe with authentic Mexican flavors. Tacos shine with spit-roasted pork on doubled corn tortillas, paired with fair prices and quick service. Perfect for a casual, unhurried meal with huaraches and refreshing horchata.

Tacos feature spit-roasted pork with a bit of char, served on doubled corn tortillas with onion, cilantro, and lime. Prices stay fair, with three tacos and a horchata around twelve dollars.

People are saying

"The food here is amazing, especially the tamales."

"The Mexican food here is great; the staff is super friendly."

"I thought the tacos here were the best ever."

Good to know

1

Expect a wait time of only 5-7 minutes during peak hours.

2

Prices are reasonable, with three tacos and a horchata costing about $12.

3

A torta, rice, beans, and a soda cost around $12.

14
Mexico Restaurant image 1
Mexican restaurant

Enjoy fresh steak tacos with bold flavors in a quiet, family-owned spot. Spacious patio offers a relaxed vibe and pleasant outdoor seating. Good tequila selection complements several vegan options for diverse tastes.

Steak, chorizo, and al pastor tacos come fresh and flavorful with made fresh ingredients. Mini tacos as appetizers lack seasoning, and individual tacos are kinda pricey.

People are saying

"I tasted the tradition and passion in every bite of their Mexican food."

"I enjoyed the tasty chicken enchiladas."

"I enjoyed the chorizo and steak tacos; they were delicious and made fresh."

Good to know

1

The restaurant offers vegan options for many dishes, including enchiladas.

2

Generous portions are served, but some dishes may seem pricey.

3

The restaurant is family-owned and has been a local staple for decades.

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Des Plaines, Illinois

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