A Complete Guide To The Best Taco In Every State
Nearly every state has its own unique twists on classic dishes. New York's pizza is thin and crispy, while Detroit has fluffy rectangular pies. And just with the age-old pizza debate, your taco preference is probably different than your best friend's or parents' (your crispy and they're soft shell). But now, America has spoken: these are the best tacos in every state. Yelp published an expansive new list that ranges from traditional tacos to fusion styles and everything in-between.
"As long as the business served tacos, they were considered," a Yelp spokesperson told Food & Wine. "This list includes everything from traditional Mexico City-style tacos to innovative tacos that buck tradition, and spotlights the diversity of taco spots nationwide."
The data-science team weighed a ton of different factors, beyond the number of positive reviews (though, yes, those were obviously considered too). And while they didn't reveal the exact methodology behind the ranking, Yelp did confirm that there was an emphasis on relevant keywords in the reviews, as well as the overall volume and ratings between January 1, 2019 and July 1, 2024.
The best tacos in each state, according to Yelp:
Deckhand Dave's Fish Tacos, Juneau, AK
Antojitos Izcalli, Tuscaloosa, AL
La Tapatia Taqueria & Birria, Little Rock, AK
Just Tacos and More, Phoenix, AZ
Birrieria Little Tijuana, Riverside, CA
Tacos Aya Yay, Lafayette, CO
Los Garcia Mexican Fusion, Waterbury, CT
Chicatana Fine Mexican Cuisine, Washington, D.C.
Stop N Go Taco, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Tacos Jalisco, Key Largo, FL
Tacos Del Chavo, Kennesaw, GA
Shaka Tacoz, Captain Cook, HI
Flame The Taqueria, Johnston, IA
Bronco Tacos, Boise, ID
El Tragón Taqueria, Chicago, IL
Chris' Ice Cream, Indianapolis, IN
Taco Naco KC, Overland Park, KS
Cravings Byanca, Crestwood, KY
Birria & Barbacoa de chivo Los Compadre's, Baton Rouge, LA
Taqueria El Amigo, Waltham, MA
DMV Taqueria, Columbia, MD
Bird & Co, Portland, ME
Que Pasa Taqueria, Sterling Heights, MI
Bravis, Shakopee, MN
El Jarocho Mexican Store And Taqueria, Valley Park, MO
Chukis Deli Mexicano, Olive Branch, MS
Jalisco Cantina, Whitefish, MT
13 Tacos & Taps, Raleigh, NC
Tacos Trompo, Fargo, ND
Mula Mexican Kitchen & Tequileria, Omaha, NE
California Burritos, Nashua, NH
El Alebrije Mexican Food, Wildwood Crest, NJ
El Chile Toreado, Santa Fe, NM
Aroma Latin American Cocina, Henderson, NV
Los Tacos No. 1, New York, NY
Los Agavez Taqueria, Columbus, OH
Taco Nation, Oklahoma City, OK
La Pachanga Mexican Food, Aloha, OR
Comalli Taqueria, West Reading, PA
Casa Azul Taqueria, Providence, RI
Tacos Nayarit, Columbia, SC
El Sombrero Mexican Restaurant, Rapid City, SD
Maciel's Tortas and Tacos, Memphis, TN
Cuantos Tacos, Austin, TX
Holy Taco, Orem, UT
La Tingeria, Falls Church, VA
Mojo Cafe, Ludlow, VT
Xochi, Issaquah, WA
Lazo's Taco Shack, Milwaukee, WI
Maria's Taqueria, Shepherdstown, WV
Streetfood at the Stagecoach, Wilson, WY
As part of their findings, the recommendation site also uncovered a few taco trends. For one, there's been a rising number of specialty menus across taquerias nationwide. At Southern California's Birrieria Little Tijuana, you'll get slow-cooked beef birria, while Holy Taco in Orem, Utah serves up al pastor. Popular NYC haunt Los Tacos No. 1, meanwhile, has a simple menu of four street tacos: grilled chicken or steak, marinated pork, or nopales (cactus).
Holy Taco is also right on trend with its al pastor. According to Yelp, there's been a major rise in the marinated pork taco, which is slow-roasted on a trompo (vertical spit), hand-carved, and topped with pineapple. Los Garcia Mexican Fusion in Connecticut, Tacos Trompo in North Dakota, and La Tingeria in Virginia are just a few hotspots that boast the best al pastor tacos in the country.
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