Things people are most passionate about in Columbus:
- The Buckeyes.
- (Leaving this space blank because nothing else really comes close.)
- We'd have said pizza, until we asked Dispatch readers a couple of weeks ago to share their favorite places in town to get tacos.
We asked, and you answered. With multiple exclamation points and fire emojis. By vouching for places 100% and even 1,000%. With promises that the birria here or the carnitas there are THE BEST EVER!!!!!
Thanks for sharing, and thanks for the new places on our list.
La Casa de la Birria
Birria tacos of stewed beef and melted cheese served in crisped-up tortillas with a side of richly seasoned consommé give the Franklinton food truck its name. But fans also recommend La Casa de la Birria's other tacos (steak, chicken and marinated pork with pineapple), which require far fewer napkins.
And just as taco choices aren't limited to birria, the food truck's birria options aren't limited to tacos. Birria at La Casa de la Birria is
also available in burritos, quesadillas, soup, sandwiches, burgers and even pizza and ramen.
Details: 1102 W. Mound St., Franklinton; 614-360-4237; linktr.ee/LaCasaDeLaBirria
AJ's Tacos
The two-time winner of Best Birria honors from Facebook's Birria Connoisseurs of Columbus opened its first standalone restaurant in November 2025. Said one fan in her recommendation to The Dispatch: "I just told my husband I want them as my first meal after I give birth in November."
AJ's, which started as a food truck and still maintains that part of its business, serves an entire birria menu of tacos, grilled cheese, sliders, soup, ramen, pizza and loaded fries. Tacos options also include chicken, shrimp, tripe, tongue and vegetables.
Details: 3307 Sullivant Ave., The Hilltop; 614-897-5661; ajstacos.com; the AJ's food truck is at Echo Spirits Distilling Co., 985 W. Sixth Ave. in the Fifth by Northwest area of Columbus.
Los Guachos Taqueria
One of the few non-mobile taco spots to get multiple recommendations from our readers got its start as a food truck. Now, Los Guachos has grown to four restaurants in Columbus and the suburbs. It's best known for its al pastor, the pork that's stacked, grilled and shaved off a rotating spit like gyros is done in Greek eateries.
Los Guachos' al pastor cooks underneath a whole pineapple, and its al pastor tacos are served under pineapple slices with onion and cilantro. The pork also is served in quesadillas, tortas, salads and on top of nachos. Other taco options include beef, chicken, chorizo, fish, tripe and tongue.
Details: 5221 Godown Road, Northwest Side; 1344 Cherry Bottom Road, Gahanna; 1121 S. Hamilton Road, Whitehall; 7370 Sawmill Road, Far Northwest Side; 614-538-0211; losguachostaqueria.com
Taqueria El Guero
Customers of the taco truck stationed south of Polaris Fashion Place are in disagreement. Some say Taqueria El Guero's tacos are the best in Columbus. Some say they're the best in the world.
Here's what can be quantified: The tacos, as well as its quesadillas, sopes, tortas and sandwich variations such as ahogada, sincronizada and pambazon are stuffed with meats, cheese and other ingredients.
Details: 8260 Sancus Blvd., Far North Side; 614-668-9722; Facebook: Taqueria El guero
Xochimilco Taqueria
A favorite of acclaimed Columbus chef Avishar Barua is also a favorite of Dispatch readers, one of whom said: "[It's] cash only but absolutely worth a trip to the ATM." In a 2024 visit for a story in The Dispatch, Barua held up Xochimilco as prime evidence to counter recurring online gripes that Columbus lacks decent Mexican food.
"The food is hot, and it’s fresh," he said at the time. "They make tortillas fresh, which is what all good places should do. But they don’t have to advertise it, because it’s just automatic."
Xochimilco's extensive taco menu includes steak, chicken, pork, chorizo, chicharron, tongue, tripe, mushrooms, cactus and more.
Details: 2632 Morse Road, Northland; 380-300-5943; xochimilcotaqueriaoh.com
Follow Dispatch dining reporter Bob Vitale on Instagram at @dispatchdining. You can reach him directly at rvitale@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Who serves the best tacos in Columbus? Here are five local favorites
