Bellingham United Way’s taco fundraiser is underway; see the offerings from all 10 restaurants

Inside Look is a Bellingham Herald series where we take readers behind the scenes at restaurants, new businesses, local landmarks and news stories.

Last week we announced a fun, city-wide fundraiser that involved sampling tacos from 10 Bellingham restaurants.

The Tastiest Taco 2024 Competition and Fundraiser is hosted by United Way of Whatcom County, an organization that works to “invest donations into vetted local nonprofits to create lasting change,” according to the organization’s website.

The competition and fundraiser invite participants to purchase a “Ticket to Tacos” booklet for $30, which can then we redeemed for one free taco at 10 Bellingham restaurants. The event runs from June 4 through July 16. Participants will then be able to vote for their favorite, which will be announced the week of July 21.

The Bellingham Herald visited the 10 restaurants to give you an inside look at each restaurant and their offerings.

Black Sheep

Black Sheep at 211 W. Holly St. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
Black Sheep at 211 W. Holly St. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving a chicken tinga or a mushroom kale taco.

211 West Holly St.

A taco at Black Sheep at 211 W. Holly St. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
A taco at Black Sheep at 211 W. Holly St. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Ay Chihuahua Cantina

Ay Chihuahua Cantina at 1415 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
Ay Chihuahua Cantina at 1415 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving an al pastor or potato taco

1415 Railroad Ave.

A potato taco at Ah Chihuahua Cantina at 1415 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
A potato taco at Ah Chihuahua Cantina at 1415 Railroad Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Tadeo’s Mexican Restaurant

Tadeo’s Mexican Restaurant at 207 E Holly St.​ in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
Tadeo’s Mexican Restaurant at 207 E Holly St.​ in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving a fish or veggie taco

207 E Holly St.

A fish taco from Tadeo’s Mexican Restaurant at 207 E Holly St.​ in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
A fish taco from Tadeo’s Mexican Restaurant at 207 E Holly St.​ in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Lilias Mexican Cuisine & Cantina

Lilias Mexican Cuisine & Cantina at 190 E Bakerview Rd. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
Lilias Mexican Cuisine & Cantina at 190 E Bakerview Rd. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving an adobada or veggie taco

190 E Bakerview Rd.

An adobada taco from Lilias Mexican Cuisine & Cantina at 190 E Bakerview Rd. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
An adobada taco from Lilias Mexican Cuisine & Cantina at 190 E Bakerview Rd. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

New Mexico Tamale Company

New Mexico Tamale Company at 4151 Meridian St.​ in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
New Mexico Tamale Company at 4151 Meridian St.​ in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving a chorizo potato taco

4151 Meridian St.

“Fried krispy quesadilla potato tacos” at the New Mexico Tamale Company at 4151 Meridian Street, Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
“Fried krispy quesadilla potato tacos” at the New Mexico Tamale Company at 4151 Meridian Street, Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Birrieria Tijuana

Birrieria Tijuana at 3040 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
Birrieria Tijuana at 3040 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving a birria or veggie taco

3040 Northwest Ave.

A birria taco at Birrieria Tijuana at 3040 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
A birria taco at Birrieria Tijuana at 3040 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Tecalitlan Mexican Restaurant

Tecalitlan Mexican Restaurant at 3207 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
Tecalitlan Mexican Restaurant at 3207 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving a pork or veggie taco

3207 Northwest Ave.

A pork taco at Tecalitlan Mexican Restaurant at 3207 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
A pork taco at Tecalitlan Mexican Restaurant at 3207 Northwest Ave. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

El Gitano

El Gitano at 1125 E Sunset Drive in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
El Gitano at 1125 E Sunset Drive in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving a vegan al pastor taco

1125 E Sunset Drive

A vegan al pastor taco at El Gitano at 1125 E Sunset Drive in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
A vegan al pastor taco at El Gitano at 1125 E Sunset Drive in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Sol De Mexico

Sol De Mexico at 1120 Lakeway Dr. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
Sol De Mexico at 1120 Lakeway Dr. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving an adobada or potato taco

1120 Lakeway Dr

An adobada taco at Sol De Mexico at 1120 Lakeway Dr. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
An adobada taco at Sol De Mexico at 1120 Lakeway Dr. in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

The Burrito King

The Burrito King at 505 32nd Street #102 in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
The Burrito King at 505 32nd Street #102 in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Serving a shredded beef or potato taco

505 32nd Street #102

A shredded beef taco from The Burrito King at 505 32nd Street #102 in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald
A shredded beef taco from The Burrito King at 505 32nd Street #102 in Bellingham, Wash. on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Alyse Smith/The Bellingham Herald

Want to try the tacos for yourself? Each “Ticket to Tacos” booklet costs $30 and can be purchased online and then received by mail or picked up in person.