Six tacos. One city. And an unreasonable amount of salsa.
There are few questions in Memphis more important than: Where should we get tacos?
So we went looking for answers — from food trucks on Summer Avenue to strip malls in Germantown — eating our way through tortillas, various cheeses and all manner of glorious mess. (The amount of napkins we used is unfathomable.)
The result: six standout tacos, each with its own particular magic. Some are messy. All are magnificent, each earning its place on the Mid-South's taco short list.
And some good news if you’re dining on a budget — and who isn't in this economy? After all our exhaustive research, we learned tacos are actually a great choice if you're looking to pinch some pennies without sacrificing
quality and taste.
Many of the tacos below can be purchased à la carte and for around $4 apiece. And two tacos can actually be quite satisfying.
Maciel's Tortas & Tacos: Quesabirria Tacos
45 S. Main St. in Downtown, 820 Cooper St. in Midtown and 3108 N. Germantown Parkway in Bartlett | macielstn.com
The quesabirria tacos at Maciel's in Memphis are crispy, crunchy, cheesy and packed with bold, yummy flavor and just a little bit of heat. The combination of the pan-fried tortilla, savory beef and gooey, melted cheese makes for a seriously engaging cheese pull — and every bite is worth the chaos.
Maciel's quesabirria tacos are also an incredible choice if you're searching for something a little different: a delicious, hot griddle alternative to the more traditional tacos we're used to in Memphis. Overall, the golden-browned tortilla and grilled cheesy, meaty insides put a unique twist on a familiar favorite.
Taco-N-Ganas: Al Pastor Taconganas
Multiple locations across the Memphis area | taconganas.com
When asking friends and family about their favorite tacos in Memphis, Taco-N-Ganas came up more often than not. Locals love these tacos, and with more than 10 locations across the Mid-South, it's a good thing they're so easy to find.
Taco-N-Ganas is a go-to for flavorful, no-frills authentic Mexican fare in Memphis, with a variety of tacos that pack plenty of punch. The menu offers a fulfilling mix of classic and specialty options, but the real draw is the bold seasoning, generous portions, reasonable prices and laid-back neighborhood feel.
Among the most popular signature taco choices is the Al Pastor Taconganas, our "usual" order featuring a tortilla dipped in house oil, then grilled crispy with melted cheese and marinated pork with pineapple. The result is both lightly sweet and packed with intense flavors. One more note: We always request extra lettuce for some fresh iceberg crunch.
A few bites and you will quickly learn what all the fuss is about.
Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana: Filet Mignon Taco
6300 Poplar Ave., #115, in East Memphis and 1215 S. Germantown Road in Germantown | delimexicana.com
Does anything sound more indulgent than a filet mignon taco? Actually, the better question: Is there anything more delicious than a filet mignon taco?
The answer: not really.
According to the staff, the filet mignon tacos — along with their Carne Asada Prime Ribeye Steak tacos — are two options consistently singled out by customers as favorites.
Considered a must-try by anyone who encounters them, the filet mignon taco features a generous 7 ounces of grilled filet tucked into warm corn tortillas and finished with sweet onion, fresh cilantro and the single most substantial helping of avocado you'll ever lay witness to.
With two locations, Las Tortugas Deli Mexicana has been a Memphis-area crowd-pleaser since 2002, serving up satisfying Mexican food with an emphasis on fresh ingredients and homemade flavor.
And did we happen to mention the filet mignon tacos?
Taqueria Express #5: Chicken Tacos
4590 Summer Ave.
We can't talk Memphis tacos without mentioning the many iconic taco food trucks along Summer Avenue. There appears to be one at every corner, and one of our favorites is Taqueria Express #5.
This taco hotspot has a well-established following in Memphis. Located at Summer Avenue and Perkins, Taqueria Express #5 has been serving the area for years, earning a stellar reputation for flavorful, affordable Mexican street food.
Its popularity is reflected in the hundreds of complimentary customer reviews it has received, with many longtime regulars returning for taco favorites such as the pastor (spicy pork) and pollo (chicken). The latter is our go-to order.
Served on soft flour tortillas, these tacos are loaded with seasoned chicken, mild verde green sauce, onions and cilantro, plus extra cheese — which we're always happy to pay the additional 10 cents for.
You can even order them ahead of time via DoorDash and pick 'em up just a few minutes later when they're ready.
Chukis Tacos #2: Carne Asada Tacos
3445 Poplar Ave., Suite 1, in Memphis | chukistacos2tn.com
Located near the University of Memphis off Highland, Chukis Tacos #2has developed a serious fan base among Memphis taco lovers, and a quick scan of social media and local Reddit recommendations makes that pretty clear.
The tacos al carbon get plenty of attention, but don't overlook the meaty asada tacos — simple, satisfying and topped with the classic combination of onion and cilantro. Whereas some of the other tacos are prepared and cooked a bit more unconventionally, the beauty in these tacos is from their straightforwardness.
Pair them with one of the many salsas from Chukis' famously extensive salsa bar, and you've got a taco stop that feels distinctly built for people who take their tacos seriously.
Swanky's Taco Shop: Shrimp Tacos
4770 Poplar Ave. in East Memphis | swankystacoshop.com
Though some locals swear by the Yardbird Special tacos at Swanky's — crispy fried chicken tender slices, coleslaw and chipotle aioli on flour tortillas — we always go straight for its signature Shrimp Tacos. Three grilled shrimp tacos, piled high with cotija cheese, cabbage, lettuce, cilantro, pico de gallo and garlic sauce, all served on warm flour tortillas. They are light, fresh and provide major flavor without all the heaviness you may encounter with other varieties of tacos.
A favorite family hangout for years, Swanky's is also home to one of my favorite culinary hacks: the Build to Taste taco bowl. Order a mixture of romaine and spinach, add ground beef (USDA Choice) as the protein, then pile on cheese, black olives, roasted corn, diced tomatoes and tortilla strips for some extra crunch. It's so satisfying you don't even need a dressing. And trust us, we rarely say: "No dressing needed."
Brian Strickland is the Food & Dining reporter at The Commercial Appeal. Contact him at brian.strickland@commercialappeal.com.
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: 6 tacos that belong on every Memphis food bucket list right now
