Second, any Asian cuisine really. Where I was from in AZ we had really good Thai(not too common in AZ). The town had a long history of a Thai community.
It’s funny how a lot of folks dis Tacovore but their style of tacos are actually what people find when they go to Mexico and get presented a “good” taco. Instead this thread gravitates to the standard run of the mill street taco. They are good because they are a dollar logic or the owner is an asshole logic, not are the tacos actually good. To defend my position I just got back from traveling all around Mexico eating tacos for a month and a half. I am prepared for the impending down vote, par es usual. Haha
Lol. No. Been to Mexico many times. Work, play, and break bread with actual Mexicans my whole life. They aren't authentic at all. Whatever resorts you ate gringo tacos at are not relevant. Are they yummy? Yes indeed. Are they close to someone's aubelita making you dinner? Nope. Nope. Nope.
Someone from the desert southwest isn't going to think fargin tacovore's $12 taco is legit.
Lol but yeah they aren’t cheap either.
I call them hipster gringo tacos. Good for what they are, not bad, but not authentic. And that’s fine lol
Their margs are great!
Idk, I was just in Mexico. You order shrimp tacos, you literally get a few shrimp on top of some corn tortillas. I actually think tacovore’s are betters.
My husband is Mexican, I go to Mexico all the time. The similarities between Mexico's tacos and Tacovore is that Tacovore has a variety of self serve salsas. However, I've never had tacos in Mexico served on yellow corn tortillas that fall apart, or with such bland fillings. The salsas I've had in Mexico have never been insipid and sweet, like the salsas at Tacovore. Sure my husband balks at paying $3 for a taco, but that's because of what you get for $3. He'll gladly pay $3+ for a good taco, and Tacovore isn't it.
A+ The best tacos have well- seasoned ingredients. Slow cooked meats, seasoned ground beef, seasoned/grilled fish. And hot is not a seasoning. I don't know why so many chefs here seem to think "hot" is a replacement for proper seasoning. Just because you put in habanero in everything doesn't mean it's good.
There are so many varieties of fillings for tacos, not just meats. I love potato tacos with salsa verde, there's mushroom tacos, different vegetables, asada which is grilled/fast cooked meat, all kinds of seafood tacos, and slow cooked fillings, like birria and probably many, many more fillings that we haven't heard of. I usually don't associate ground beef with tacos, but people have to work with the ingredients they have, and it's definitely a staple in US tacos.
The condiments allow for personal preference in regards to picante/heat. I do prefer chile based red salsa to the tomato based salsa that is the predominant salsa here. I also prefer green salsas with more chile and more cilantro than what I find at taquerias around here. People have different tastes and different tolerances for heat. I find some heat can be part of what makes food so good.
I feel like I just got eugsplained what asada and salsa are. Our poor asses were not eating expensive cuts of meat in California, and working people don't have a whole day to cook down a pork shoulder. A lot of the stuff you are talking about comes from the southern/eastern part of Mexico, and it's not all the same. The OP was literally talking about someone from Arizona, so the styles of food near the border would likely be more recognizable. But I'm so happy for you that you like salsa?
You're the one describing good tacos being made with slow cooked meats, so I don't know what your point is about not having all day to cook down a pork shoulder. I wasn't talking about California tacos. I was talking about the huge variety of tacos because they are such a regional thing and also now ubiquitous across most of North America.
Been to Mexico A LOT. I mean all over the fucking place. Never once have I had a taco with a slice of orange or tangerine or whatever the fuck they do.
It's super weird to assert what a "Mexican taco" is, when there are like ... I don't know, probably more than a dozen styles of tacos in different areas of Mexico.
Lots of comments responding: price = good tacos. You’re making my point. Again, the price has nothing to do with taste, that is value. You can value price over taste, and that is absolutely 👍
I'm not seeing many price = good posts. If that were the case everyone would assume Tacovore must be the best because they charge the most.
I've certainly not seen anyone else who's been to Mexico say Tacovore is the most Mexican Taqueria in town.
Best I've found in Eugene:
[El Nopalito](https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-nopalito-no-title)
Best I've found in Springfield:
[Carniceria y Taqueria mi Tierra](https://www.facebook.com/CarniceriayTaqueriaMiTierra/?locale=es_LA)
Ohmyglob I can't stop thinking about their puerco tacos. Holy mamacita I hope that place keeps making those here for the rest of my life!
I went in and tried the chicken taquitos and they were so tasty I had them the next time too. I'm so lucky I decided to try the puerco though - heavenly!
IMHO if the taco isn't made on a fresh tortilla, it cannot achieve greatness no matter how good the fillings are.
With that in mind, here's my list.
Azul Latin Kitchen, food truck, corner of 1st Ave and 99 across from Guaranty. (This is my go-to and overall favorite in the entire area. Everything they make is phenomenal)
Lupita's Tacos, restaurant, Silver Lane, near North Eugene HS
Eva's Taqueria, Food truck, Barger food cart pod, corner of Barger and Echo Hollow (you have to pay extra for fresh tortillas here, it's optional.)
1960 Cocina, restaurant, corner of 18th and Willamette. Absolutely EXCELLENT Mexican food. Kind of fancy, kind of pricey, 100% worth every penny.
Umm if your friend is from AZ don't get her mex food here. I'd take her to the coast and do seafood. Eating mex in Eugene is like eating oatmeal at Ruth Chris steak house
This! Just moved to Eugene this month after 25 years in Tucson.. can’t stop eating fish.. tried a highly rated taco spot and was just disappointed. AZ has a very limited number of good fish places unless you pay out the nose… hardly any fresh wild fish places at all. And depending on where your friend is from in AZ …. you’ve got better Thai here than we do in Tucson.
I doubt we'll have a ton that compares to what she'd be able to get in Arizona, but my top three are La Estancia Taqueria (it's a taco truck), Panditas (it's on/near campus), and Carnicieria Y Taqueria Mi Tierra.
Go to Salem, which has the largest Latino population, mostly Mexican, in the state. There are some good taco joints there. Not really impressed with many in Eugene.
Mexican here ✋🏽 I like Taqueria Moctezuma in Junction City. And I enjoy Taqueria El Rancho’s (Eugene) carnitas tacos. Need to go try out some of the restaurants others are commenting. They are new to me.
Okay, look. There isn't a "best," because there are too many styles of taco for any one person's opinion to exactly match any other one person's.
But as a rule, here's what to expect from Eugene's taco scene:
- You will not find good tex-mex or southwest-style tacos
- You will find some good LA-style tacos, but they won't be as good as LA
- You will find quite a few good Mexican-style street tacos, but they won't be EXACTLY the same or quite as good because the ingredients are verrrrrry slightly different and that really does have an effect
All the good tacos come from carts or holes-in-the-wall. In this town, if a place has a full bar, it probably has terrible tacos. I don't know why, but for some reason no one can put together a good bar with actual good tacos.
Places that I enjoy:
- The food counter inside El Torito (the Mexican grocery store on 7th)
- Las Morenas on River Road (they actually had cabeza last time I was there, which is hard to find here)
- Taqueria Mi Pueblo, a truck at the corner of Prairie and Maxwell
- El Rancho, 6th & Blair
- Tacos Mex Birria, a cart in the pod at 6th and Fillmore
- Tacos Maria, a cart on River Road and Thomason (full disclosure, I've never actually eaten from that cart, but they set up a popup stand at my kid's soccer game so I assume the food from the cart should be at least as good)
- Literally any other food truck or cart. Honestly, they'll all be pretty good. The more sketchy, the better. People need to be less picky.
Credentials: am part Mexican, frequently get tacos in town with Mexican friends, have spent between 7 and 30 days in actual Mexico (Guadalajara and Mexico City, mostly, not resorts) almost every year for the past 8ish years.
All these choices sound great. You might consider also trying some local foods less likely to get in Arizona, like sea food. I'm thinking a clam chowder cannonball. Smoked salmon, Dungeness crab dish. I hear truffles are in season right now. Winery tour?
El taco taco food cart. Chad drive. St vinnies.
That being said. I would imagine your friend is surrounded by Mexican food all the time, if this is her first time to the pnw I would maybe venture into cuisine’s with a local flair, rather than food she could go get at any time.
There is a new Mexican joint that just opened up in the 5th Street Market at the beginning of February. I had their chicken enchiladas last night, and they were pretty damn good. Personally, I like the food truck La Guadalupana on Portland Rd in Salem. They have some of the best Mexican food I've had since I moved to Oregon. I've driven to Salem \*just\* for their street tacos, which I like to get with the lengua and cabeza, which just melts in the mouth.
If you go to Salem to get tacos, you might want to try El Taco Melon. They are open Friday, Saturday and Sundays 5pm to 2 or 3am. They have a big selection of taco fillings and a really good condiment bar with a variety of delicious salsas, nopales, pico de gallo, grilled onion, and jalapeno.
authentic mexican tacos with tortillas homemade to order: a family sets up on the weekends in front of cafe mi. its by the liquor store around 11th and washington. also the carnitas at nelsons is really good
Jalisco has some great plates you can make your own tacos from, their mole plate is especially great but their chili colorado is also delicious. They come with a few tortilla but I usually order extra and can make 3-5+ tacos from one plate.
head on over to Denver because that's the closest Chuy's where they actually make their own tortillas and salsa and everything is fresh. everything Mexican in Eugene comes out of a can
Right next to the Mexican meme market downtown is a restaurant and they use all the ingredients from the Mexican market hands-down the best place I’ve been to
Super Taco on w 11th. (Chile Relleno plate is my favorite.)
The truck on the corner of Prarie Rd and Maxwell. (Asada tacos there + open late!)
The truck parked in front of PetSmart on Chad 12-2 on Saturdays. I think it's called Super Tacos Mexico. I think I have also seen them parked on 7th/Blair. I have asada tacos or a asada burrito bowl here (with the green salsa) most Saturdays, if they are there.
Mama Myra's on Blair. (Chile Verde is my favorite.)
Reference: I'm actually from California, not here. So someone from AZ would probably appreciate these suggestions more than people in town who think Tacovore is good.
Yo there's a guy who sets up his stall outside the horse head, he has AMAZING tacos and elotes 🤤 I don't think he named it but definitely try it out. Then of course the Cuban restaurant on Broadway is a MUST HAVE
Nelson’s in the Whit has rad birria tacos on Tuesdays and Fridays and all their other tacos are reasonable and delicious. Most taco trucks I’ve been to are pretty solid too.
I had some really shitty chilaquiles in Mexico city. My Cunado concurred. Despite Mexican cuisine deservedly being a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage cuisine, shitty food can be found everywhere.
Interesting. I lived in Bend for 18 years. Which Mexican restaurant would you be referring to? We have always loved El Rodeo. It was our family meeting place when we lived there. We were thrilled when ended up moving a couple of blocks away from it! I miss their perfect margaritas.
You guys giving your opinion are Mexican or have actually had tacos in Mexico(Northern Mexico does not count)? You really cant say what are good tacos if you don't have these qualifications.
I'm glad the culinary gatekeeping on this sub has reached a point where it's not enough to say the tacos here aren't as good as they are in Mexico, you have to specify "northern Mexico doesn't count."
Just what we say in central/south Mexico. Its a cultural thing I wouldn’t expect anyone thats not from there to understand. North Mexican food is basically Texmex. Compared to the rest of the country its honestly boring as fuck. Youd only know this if you have actually lived in Mexico for a long time and travel. I stand by my opinion.
Part of the beauty of Mexican food is that it is very regional. How can you discount Northern Mexico tacos, when they are just another regional variation of a street food sold all over Mexico. similar to hamburgers in the US. People can say tacos are good based on what they like. That counts too.
Just what we say in central/south Mexico. Its a cultural thing I wouldn’t expect anyone thats not from there to understand. North Mexican food is basically Texmex. Compared to the rest of the country its honestly boring as fuck. Youd only know this if you have actually lived in Mexico for a long time and travel. I stand by my opinion.
Interesting, my husband is from Veracruz. I've never heard him, or anyone in his family, or his friends talk poorly of Northern Mexico food. And food is a major topic of discussion. He's talked about some variations in language. Like how Sinaloans use "plebes" instead of "ninos.".
Veracruz has some truly amazing food. Name a restaurant here that even comes close to traditional Comida Jarocha in a place like Catemaco or Orizaba ? I dare you
I was responding to your comment about tacos and Northern Mexican food. Orizaba is where my husband is from. Of course there's nothing like that in Oregon, or most of the US, for that matter. That doesn't mean a good tasting taco is not a good tasting taco because it's not from Orizaba.
I haven't found any restaurant I'm crazy about here, compared to being able to get an out of this world torta with tiny little chiles and salsa macha, or amazing sopa de elote from a street vendor at 11:00 at night, or early morning pambazos and atole, before a hike. My husband's family is not wealthy, so we never visit fine dining establishments, just home cooking and street food.
We have a couple of places we go to in Salem. It's not Veracruz, but it's good.
I will definitely have to try. Been living here for 14 years and go back to Mexico once a year and as much as I love the food scene in Oregon ive been very disappointed in the Mexican food its not that hard to cook and flavor just like Mexico, I am from Morelos and also have family from Veracruz . Whats your fave Salem spot?
For tacos, El Ta'comelon. It's only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5pm to 2 or 3am. There is always a line, but they are super efficient, so the wait is not long. The other place we like, that you probably wouldn't like because it's Northern style and a chain, is Don Pedro's. I just like their caldo de res. My husband likes it because they serve generous portions. The clientele is 90% Mexican.
I will def try them thank you for the recommendation. Lol Tacos norteños are tasty I like them but lack the variation of Central/southern Mex. Even Sinaloa (North Pacific) has truly amazing tacos especially seafood. Or legit Tacos al Pastor from Morelos. Never once ive tried ones that even came close to the OG Pastor. Wish we had those they are so easy to make. I feel cooks want to cater to US palate when we all want authentic. Thank you for sharing
I'll be curious to find out what you think of El Ta'comelon. I hope you like it, and my apologies if it doesn't meet your expectations. They do not offer al pastor : (.
Don’t take her for tacos in Eugene if she’s from AZ. Best advice.
This is the only real answer. We have no great Mexican food here. Expand her horizons and introduce her to something she ain't gonna get back home.
Get thai food or fisherman’s market instead of tacos
Second, any Asian cuisine really. Where I was from in AZ we had really good Thai(not too common in AZ). The town had a long history of a Thai community.
Im from Arizona. I'm dying here, slowly dying. Filbertos where are you.
The flour tortillas in AZ are so freaking good. I think it might have to do with the hard water there… chewy powdery sweet floury goodness.
We fill a suitcase full of tortillas anytime we visit and freeze them. You just can’t get good tortillas here
I always think about buying a few dozen at Carolina's on the way to the airport. Never have though. Sadness.
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yup ive been there. not the same but it scratches the itch sometimes
😆Filiberto and taco mich 👌👌👌
God I love Filbertos....going back home in July and they are definitely in my list of cravings...
bring me back some please lol
Ehhh, Xicha might do it! Good thing they ain't from a El Paso
It’s funny how a lot of folks dis Tacovore but their style of tacos are actually what people find when they go to Mexico and get presented a “good” taco. Instead this thread gravitates to the standard run of the mill street taco. They are good because they are a dollar logic or the owner is an asshole logic, not are the tacos actually good. To defend my position I just got back from traveling all around Mexico eating tacos for a month and a half. I am prepared for the impending down vote, par es usual. Haha
Lol. No. Been to Mexico many times. Work, play, and break bread with actual Mexicans my whole life. They aren't authentic at all. Whatever resorts you ate gringo tacos at are not relevant. Are they yummy? Yes indeed. Are they close to someone's aubelita making you dinner? Nope. Nope. Nope. Someone from the desert southwest isn't going to think fargin tacovore's $12 taco is legit.
Devils advocate, their tacos are not $12
Ok. That part may have been a slight exaggeration.
Lol but yeah they aren’t cheap either. I call them hipster gringo tacos. Good for what they are, not bad, but not authentic. And that’s fine lol Their margs are great!
I agree......most people giving their opinion have never had a real taco from centra/south Mexico.
Yes, I am sure you found the gringo tacos in Mexico. They are there for you.
Idk, I was just in Mexico. You order shrimp tacos, you literally get a few shrimp on top of some corn tortillas. I actually think tacovore’s are betters.
I was just in Mexico as well and I ate like king. Tacovore can’t even compare
A lot of kings through history ate some really gross food.
You went to the wrong taco place then. Did you not see the condiment bar for Salsas?
Love this.
They are 100% not what is considered a good taco in Mexico. WTF are you smoking?
My husband is Mexican, I go to Mexico all the time. The similarities between Mexico's tacos and Tacovore is that Tacovore has a variety of self serve salsas. However, I've never had tacos in Mexico served on yellow corn tortillas that fall apart, or with such bland fillings. The salsas I've had in Mexico have never been insipid and sweet, like the salsas at Tacovore. Sure my husband balks at paying $3 for a taco, but that's because of what you get for $3. He'll gladly pay $3+ for a good taco, and Tacovore isn't it.
A+ The best tacos have well- seasoned ingredients. Slow cooked meats, seasoned ground beef, seasoned/grilled fish. And hot is not a seasoning. I don't know why so many chefs here seem to think "hot" is a replacement for proper seasoning. Just because you put in habanero in everything doesn't mean it's good.
There are so many varieties of fillings for tacos, not just meats. I love potato tacos with salsa verde, there's mushroom tacos, different vegetables, asada which is grilled/fast cooked meat, all kinds of seafood tacos, and slow cooked fillings, like birria and probably many, many more fillings that we haven't heard of. I usually don't associate ground beef with tacos, but people have to work with the ingredients they have, and it's definitely a staple in US tacos. The condiments allow for personal preference in regards to picante/heat. I do prefer chile based red salsa to the tomato based salsa that is the predominant salsa here. I also prefer green salsas with more chile and more cilantro than what I find at taquerias around here. People have different tastes and different tolerances for heat. I find some heat can be part of what makes food so good.
I feel like I just got eugsplained what asada and salsa are. Our poor asses were not eating expensive cuts of meat in California, and working people don't have a whole day to cook down a pork shoulder. A lot of the stuff you are talking about comes from the southern/eastern part of Mexico, and it's not all the same. The OP was literally talking about someone from Arizona, so the styles of food near the border would likely be more recognizable. But I'm so happy for you that you like salsa?
You're the one describing good tacos being made with slow cooked meats, so I don't know what your point is about not having all day to cook down a pork shoulder. I wasn't talking about California tacos. I was talking about the huge variety of tacos because they are such a regional thing and also now ubiquitous across most of North America.
Proby the reason I like Tacovore. I have zero tolerance for heat, 22 years with GERD. Can't take the meds for it, raises blood sugar to a high level.
Their pork carnitas are damn delicious
Tacovore's owner assaulted an employee in 2019 and swept it under the rug. That's why we don't like them, not because of the food.
Anytime when anyone leads with "not" this it give me pause. I immediately wonder what kind of grudge they are being controlled by.
We could make a rule where you can say, anything but X but only if you had a projectile vomiting experience. Haha
I have never been disappointed in ANY taco I've had from Tacovore
Been to Mexico A LOT. I mean all over the fucking place. Never once have I had a taco with a slice of orange or tangerine or whatever the fuck they do.
It's super weird to assert what a "Mexican taco" is, when there are like ... I don't know, probably more than a dozen styles of tacos in different areas of Mexico.
Lots of comments responding: price = good tacos. You’re making my point. Again, the price has nothing to do with taste, that is value. You can value price over taste, and that is absolutely 👍
I'm not seeing many price = good posts. If that were the case everyone would assume Tacovore must be the best because they charge the most. I've certainly not seen anyone else who's been to Mexico say Tacovore is the most Mexican Taqueria in town.
Love Tacovore, the herbavore and the carnvore. Whatever the seafood one is.
Not Tacovore
Tacos Mex Birria food truck. Absolutely legit.
get the strawberry horchata! so damn good.
Quesa tacos at el trenecito. Literal hole in the wall
That place gives salsa in dime bags. Love it!
and anything from fuego burrito like right around the corner
Fantastic tacos. Also one of the few places that will let you choice the spice level of your burrito.
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Gotta try this out, haven’t heard of it before
I was going to say this! I live near by and it always smells so good and is busy. I have yet to go try it but I’ve heard great things.
just looked at them on google.... this may be the answer for good mexican takeout in the area :)
Where is this located?
Springfield, main st and 15th
Best I've found in Eugene: [El Nopalito](https://www.yelp.com/biz/el-nopalito-no-title) Best I've found in Springfield: [Carniceria y Taqueria mi Tierra](https://www.facebook.com/CarniceriayTaqueriaMiTierra/?locale=es_LA)
Carniceria y Taquiria mi Tierra has amazing tacos, reasonably priced, and fast service. Also their grocery side has a great selection of hot sauces.
This person here is well versed
Yes the only one with common sense it’s seems!
Xicha brewing. Cauliflower empanadas. You are welcome.
Pork belly tacos.
Ohmyglob I can't stop thinking about their puerco tacos. Holy mamacita I hope that place keeps making those here for the rest of my life! I went in and tried the chicken taquitos and they were so tasty I had them the next time too. I'm so lucky I decided to try the puerco though - heavenly!
I've loved everything I've had from Xicha!
IMHO if the taco isn't made on a fresh tortilla, it cannot achieve greatness no matter how good the fillings are. With that in mind, here's my list. Azul Latin Kitchen, food truck, corner of 1st Ave and 99 across from Guaranty. (This is my go-to and overall favorite in the entire area. Everything they make is phenomenal) Lupita's Tacos, restaurant, Silver Lane, near North Eugene HS Eva's Taqueria, Food truck, Barger food cart pod, corner of Barger and Echo Hollow (you have to pay extra for fresh tortillas here, it's optional.) 1960 Cocina, restaurant, corner of 18th and Willamette. Absolutely EXCELLENT Mexican food. Kind of fancy, kind of pricey, 100% worth every penny.
As a southern californian, this post hurts my soul. I miss tacos so much. These guys have came pretty close Tacos Mex Birrieria
Umm if your friend is from AZ don't get her mex food here. I'd take her to the coast and do seafood. Eating mex in Eugene is like eating oatmeal at Ruth Chris steak house
This! Just moved to Eugene this month after 25 years in Tucson.. can’t stop eating fish.. tried a highly rated taco spot and was just disappointed. AZ has a very limited number of good fish places unless you pay out the nose… hardly any fresh wild fish places at all. And depending on where your friend is from in AZ …. you’ve got better Thai here than we do in Tucson.
Got any extra Filbertos on you by chance?
Never really dug Filbertos when I drove up to the PHX, give me some red chile pork from Anita Street Mkt and we’re talking.
I doubt we'll have a ton that compares to what she'd be able to get in Arizona, but my top three are La Estancia Taqueria (it's a taco truck), Panditas (it's on/near campus), and Carnicieria Y Taqueria Mi Tierra.
Naw, there are a lot of good taco joints here, just have to seek them out. Definitely not as abundant as the Southwest but more than people realize.
Go to Salem, which has the largest Latino population, mostly Mexican, in the state. There are some good taco joints there. Not really impressed with many in Eugene.
I do love Pandita. Less for "authentic" and really just for something unique and special. Also the daily marg specials are top notch.
I love Mama Mayras
Their tortillas are the best
Quack Taco (Springfield) El Fuego Burrito (Springfield) Taqueria Oaxaqueña (Springfield)
I love quak taco!
El Fuego is legit
This person tacos.
Excellent Tacos and also Papusas!
Since opinions here are so divided, you should take her to all the top recommendations so she can tell us what she thinks is the best!
Yes! Taco tour!! Wait now I want to so this...
Dooooo it! Then tell us what you think!
Plans are in the works!
El nopalito in the whit Xicha brewing
El Nopalito
How the hell has no one said el buen sabor
Because it's not that good.
Mexican here ✋🏽 I like Taqueria Moctezuma in Junction City. And I enjoy Taqueria El Rancho’s (Eugene) carnitas tacos. Need to go try out some of the restaurants others are commenting. They are new to me.
Pandita is a cool fusion spot if you’re interested in that
There are dozens of family run places scattered around eugene and springfield
A little ways out of town but 2 Many Tacos food truck on Hwy 58 at the Chevron is legit delicious.
Unless you aim to disappoint I would 86 the taco idea.
You are more likely to find good tacos than you are to find good bbq!
That’s 100% true. The BBQ is embarrassing in this town.
Not Tacovore
El Taco Taco food truck. Their Al Pastor tacos are very good.
Arizona isn’t near an ocean. I’d lean into the advantage we have with fresh seafood and take her to Fisherman’s Market or Newman’s for fish tacos.
I’m sorry to tell you, but you aren’t getting tacos in Eugene like you would in Arizona or Mexico.
Okay, look. There isn't a "best," because there are too many styles of taco for any one person's opinion to exactly match any other one person's. But as a rule, here's what to expect from Eugene's taco scene: - You will not find good tex-mex or southwest-style tacos - You will find some good LA-style tacos, but they won't be as good as LA - You will find quite a few good Mexican-style street tacos, but they won't be EXACTLY the same or quite as good because the ingredients are verrrrrry slightly different and that really does have an effect All the good tacos come from carts or holes-in-the-wall. In this town, if a place has a full bar, it probably has terrible tacos. I don't know why, but for some reason no one can put together a good bar with actual good tacos. Places that I enjoy: - The food counter inside El Torito (the Mexican grocery store on 7th) - Las Morenas on River Road (they actually had cabeza last time I was there, which is hard to find here) - Taqueria Mi Pueblo, a truck at the corner of Prairie and Maxwell - El Rancho, 6th & Blair - Tacos Mex Birria, a cart in the pod at 6th and Fillmore - Tacos Maria, a cart on River Road and Thomason (full disclosure, I've never actually eaten from that cart, but they set up a popup stand at my kid's soccer game so I assume the food from the cart should be at least as good) - Literally any other food truck or cart. Honestly, they'll all be pretty good. The more sketchy, the better. People need to be less picky. Credentials: am part Mexican, frequently get tacos in town with Mexican friends, have spent between 7 and 30 days in actual Mexico (Guadalajara and Mexico City, mostly, not resorts) almost every year for the past 8ish years.
Coco Loco El Nopalito El Super Burrito - Willamette Xicha Brewing
El NoPalito
In Corburg they got the best tacos in the area. Closest to a taqueria. tacos el paisa
The best tacos around here aren’t around here. Luis’ in Woodburn is worth the drive.
La Paisanita
All you sleeping on la paisanitas best Mexican food in Eugene hands down
All these choices sound great. You might consider also trying some local foods less likely to get in Arizona, like sea food. I'm thinking a clam chowder cannonball. Smoked salmon, Dungeness crab dish. I hear truffles are in season right now. Winery tour?
Pupuseria Juanita's on W 1st is always my go-to
El taco taco food cart. Chad drive. St vinnies. That being said. I would imagine your friend is surrounded by Mexican food all the time, if this is her first time to the pnw I would maybe venture into cuisine’s with a local flair, rather than food she could go get at any time.
I haven't been to 1960 Cocina in a long time! It reminded me of my abuela's cooking last time I went. So good! I hope their quality hasn't gone down.
I was there last week. It hasn't :)
That's a relief! Thank you.
Go to El Taco Melon in Salem.
Dos hermanos I'm from socal and they're comparable to places I would go there.
Tacovore!!! *ducks* /s
Holy shit, it took me a sec to see the /s. lol
Lupitas!
Panditas crispy tacos
El nepolito is also amazing and for you tacovore lovers they started it it’s there recipes tacovore has fucked up.
Dos Hermanos Taqueria on Hwy 99 if she’s into lengua tacos. They are so generous with their portions and I love their salsa verde.
Mami's on West 11th
Mami’s!!!!
Eva’s Taqueria
El quetzal food truck! There might be one in Eugene but mostly Junction City beer station! Try them and you’ll thank me
Following
Can’t speak for Arizona but the only taco truck around here that I’ve found does tacos close to what I used to get in California is Don Miguelito.
Moreno's on river rd
El Taco Express is pretty good, and if you want more of a sit down restaurant Ranchito Grill
I really like Mamis on w 11th! Not sure if it has been mentioned but it’s good. 🙂
There is a new Mexican joint that just opened up in the 5th Street Market at the beginning of February. I had their chicken enchiladas last night, and they were pretty damn good. Personally, I like the food truck La Guadalupana on Portland Rd in Salem. They have some of the best Mexican food I've had since I moved to Oregon. I've driven to Salem \*just\* for their street tacos, which I like to get with the lengua and cabeza, which just melts in the mouth.
If you go to Salem to get tacos, you might want to try El Taco Melon. They are open Friday, Saturday and Sundays 5pm to 2 or 3am. They have a big selection of taco fillings and a really good condiment bar with a variety of delicious salsas, nopales, pico de gallo, grilled onion, and jalapeno.
Next time I'm up there on a weekend, I will check them out!
El Rancho, Too Many Tacos on 58
Just don’t go to Mamis on west 11th. Ever since the kids took the restaurant over, it’s cold and expired food. SO BAD
Tacovino and El Patron in Corvallis are worth the drive 😊!
Try cunados on hwy 99 by putters. My personal fave.
authentic mexican tacos with tortillas homemade to order: a family sets up on the weekends in front of cafe mi. its by the liquor store around 11th and washington. also the carnitas at nelsons is really good
Jalisco has some great plates you can make your own tacos from, their mole plate is especially great but their chili colorado is also delicious. They come with a few tortilla but I usually order extra and can make 3-5+ tacos from one plate.
head on over to Denver because that's the closest Chuy's where they actually make their own tortillas and salsa and everything is fresh. everything Mexican in Eugene comes out of a can
Salem is a lot closer. It has the largest Mexican population in the state, and lots of places that have tortillas hechas a mano.
morelos food cart downtown square had my favorite street tacos.
That place across from Mandys
Go to nelsons in the whit!!
Formerly from Ventura. El Super Taco on 11th is your very best bet as far as I can see.
Louches to go on river rd hands down the best in town. Best green sauce on planet earth.
Taco Mogo. Freaking fantastic Korean BBQ tacos.
Right next to the Mexican meme market downtown is a restaurant and they use all the ingredients from the Mexican market hands-down the best place I’ve been to
Meat market *
Super Taco on w 11th. (Chile Relleno plate is my favorite.) The truck on the corner of Prarie Rd and Maxwell. (Asada tacos there + open late!) The truck parked in front of PetSmart on Chad 12-2 on Saturdays. I think it's called Super Tacos Mexico. I think I have also seen them parked on 7th/Blair. I have asada tacos or a asada burrito bowl here (with the green salsa) most Saturdays, if they are there. Mama Myra's on Blair. (Chile Verde is my favorite.) Reference: I'm actually from California, not here. So someone from AZ would probably appreciate these suggestions more than people in town who think Tacovore is good.
Yo there's a guy who sets up his stall outside the horse head, he has AMAZING tacos and elotes 🤤 I don't think he named it but definitely try it out. Then of course the Cuban restaurant on Broadway is a MUST HAVE
Sorry but drive up to Salem and go to Lonchera La Guadalupana. Nothing in Eugene even gets close. Huge tacos for $2.
I agree about Tacovore. Does anyone know of another place that has crispy tofu tacos?
Planktown nachos with pork
The birria tacos from Nelson's are pretty top notch
Nelson’s in the Whit has rad birria tacos on Tuesdays and Fridays and all their other tacos are reasonable and delicious. Most taco trucks I’ve been to are pretty solid too.
He's nice, but his consume taste like Knorr caldo de pollo. Not the hearty red consume I expect with birria.
Take her to Bend. Mexican food is so much better there.
If youre gonna go out of town for authentic tacos, might as well go to Salem, it's closer and has way more options.
Yeah but Bend is way more fun than Salem lol
If someone is looking for more Latino ambiance. Bend is not it, and Salem is, by a long shot.
Oregon has shitty Mexican food its just the truth. We have awesome Thai food tho
I had some really shitty chilaquiles in Mexico city. My Cunado concurred. Despite Mexican cuisine deservedly being a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage cuisine, shitty food can be found everywhere.
In a city of around 22 million someone has to be a shitty cook
In Eugene? Nah….
And probably about equal number of crackheads
I agree.
Interesting. I lived in Bend for 18 years. Which Mexican restaurant would you be referring to? We have always loved El Rodeo. It was our family meeting place when we lived there. We were thrilled when ended up moving a couple of blocks away from it! I miss their perfect margaritas.
My girl takes me to a different place each time. Sorry not good on names. The taco food trucks are amazing there too.
El Sancho is pretty solid from what I remember but it’s been a few years.
Tacovore is delicious, just expensive is the issue. Super taco Express off of centennial is top notch. Hole in the wall, delicious tacos
You're in luck. There are hole in the wall taco shops and food trucks all over eugene and springfield and nearly all of them are delicious.
I dunno, I really like Nelson's.
You guys giving your opinion are Mexican or have actually had tacos in Mexico(Northern Mexico does not count)? You really cant say what are good tacos if you don't have these qualifications.
I'm glad the culinary gatekeeping on this sub has reached a point where it's not enough to say the tacos here aren't as good as they are in Mexico, you have to specify "northern Mexico doesn't count."
Mexican food sucks in Oregon sorry
Go to Salem.
Just what we say in central/south Mexico. Its a cultural thing I wouldn’t expect anyone thats not from there to understand. North Mexican food is basically Texmex. Compared to the rest of the country its honestly boring as fuck. Youd only know this if you have actually lived in Mexico for a long time and travel. I stand by my opinion.
Part of the beauty of Mexican food is that it is very regional. How can you discount Northern Mexico tacos, when they are just another regional variation of a street food sold all over Mexico. similar to hamburgers in the US. People can say tacos are good based on what they like. That counts too.
Just what we say in central/south Mexico. Its a cultural thing I wouldn’t expect anyone thats not from there to understand. North Mexican food is basically Texmex. Compared to the rest of the country its honestly boring as fuck. Youd only know this if you have actually lived in Mexico for a long time and travel. I stand by my opinion.
Interesting, my husband is from Veracruz. I've never heard him, or anyone in his family, or his friends talk poorly of Northern Mexico food. And food is a major topic of discussion. He's talked about some variations in language. Like how Sinaloans use "plebes" instead of "ninos.".
Veracruz has some truly amazing food. Name a restaurant here that even comes close to traditional Comida Jarocha in a place like Catemaco or Orizaba ? I dare you
I was responding to your comment about tacos and Northern Mexican food. Orizaba is where my husband is from. Of course there's nothing like that in Oregon, or most of the US, for that matter. That doesn't mean a good tasting taco is not a good tasting taco because it's not from Orizaba. I haven't found any restaurant I'm crazy about here, compared to being able to get an out of this world torta with tiny little chiles and salsa macha, or amazing sopa de elote from a street vendor at 11:00 at night, or early morning pambazos and atole, before a hike. My husband's family is not wealthy, so we never visit fine dining establishments, just home cooking and street food. We have a couple of places we go to in Salem. It's not Veracruz, but it's good.
I will definitely have to try. Been living here for 14 years and go back to Mexico once a year and as much as I love the food scene in Oregon ive been very disappointed in the Mexican food its not that hard to cook and flavor just like Mexico, I am from Morelos and also have family from Veracruz . Whats your fave Salem spot?
For tacos, El Ta'comelon. It's only open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 5pm to 2 or 3am. There is always a line, but they are super efficient, so the wait is not long. The other place we like, that you probably wouldn't like because it's Northern style and a chain, is Don Pedro's. I just like their caldo de res. My husband likes it because they serve generous portions. The clientele is 90% Mexican.
I will def try them thank you for the recommendation. Lol Tacos norteños are tasty I like them but lack the variation of Central/southern Mex. Even Sinaloa (North Pacific) has truly amazing tacos especially seafood. Or legit Tacos al Pastor from Morelos. Never once ive tried ones that even came close to the OG Pastor. Wish we had those they are so easy to make. I feel cooks want to cater to US palate when we all want authentic. Thank you for sharing
I'll be curious to find out what you think of El Ta'comelon. I hope you like it, and my apologies if it doesn't meet your expectations. They do not offer al pastor : (.