In We Trust

Ask any taco aficionado and they will likely tell you that tacos are the perfect food. They are affordable, they come in an array of types and flavors to suit any palate, they are portable and they are relatively healthy compared to other quick food options. Plus, they have history, they are aesthetically pleasing and they are just plain cool. While Pensacola isn’t known as a taco hotspot, we do have quite a few tasty taquerias for a city our size. From brick-and-mortar taco shops to taco trucks, we’ve rounded up a sampling of some of Pensacola’s most delicious taquerias. ¡Buen provecho!

Taqueria El Asador

7955 N Davis Hwy., Pensacola (Behind the Shell gas station) elasadorpensacola.com

This family-owned taco joint is one of the most popular food trucks in town. Most known for its authentic street tacos and smoky Mexican fare, El Asador has been recognized as one of the top taco spots in the country, with national rankings from Business Insider and Yelp. The truck offers its famous tacos three ways: Taco Regular (meat, cilantro, onion and lime), Taco Supreme (all the regular toppings plus queso fresco, lettuce, tomato and avocado), and Taco Pirata (all the regular toppings plus avocado and melted cheese). Customers can choose from flour or corn tortillas and a variety of proteins such as asada, pastor, pollo, chorizo, campechano and lengua. All meats are grilled over Mexican-imported charcoal. In addition to their authentic Mexican tacos, El Asador also serves other Mexican dishes like burritos, tortas and more. They offer several specials; for Taco Tuesday, the truck offers three tacos for $6. A variety of other specials can be found on their website, including deals for families and students.

Tacos Mexicanos

Locations in East Hill, Downtown & 1014 Underwood Ave (across from PSC) facebook.com/tacosmexicanospensacola

Loved by locals, Tacos Mexicanos is an authentic Mexican taco spot that has grown to include three locations across the city. As one may assume from the shop’s name, Tacos Mexicanos is most known for its tacos. At each location, they serve a variety of tacos from simple street tacos with meat, cilantro and onion, to the popular “Awesome Taco” that has all the fixings. In addition to their beloved tacos, the restaurant serves up burritos, dips and a variety of other Mexican fare. Whether you’re looking to grab something on the go or prefer a sit-down dining experience, each location offers the same delicious menu options.

Gaby’s Taqueria

104 E Gregory St., Pensacola gabystaqueria.com

Established by the owners of Pensacola’s popular Tacos Mexicanos, Gaby’s is a quaint taqueria that’s new to the downtown area. This taqueria is most known for its California-style Mexican dishes including seafood street tacos and tasty breakfast tacos. In addition to the tacos, Gaby’s also offers burritos and fresh-grilled Mexican street corn. Gaby’s breakfast tacos are served all day and include eggs, your choice of meat or veggies, potatoes and cheese. Options for their regular tacos include tasty fish, shrimp, chorizo and chicken tacos.

Mex-N-Go

4454 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze mexngofoodtruck.com

This small family-owned and -operated food truck is located in Gulf Breeze and prides itself on serving up delicious authentic Mexican food. The Mex-N-Go food truck is open for both breakfast and lunch, offering specialty tacos, burritos, tamales, fresh salsas and much more. Locals line up in droves for their tasty lunch tacos, and the $3 breakfast tacos are the talk of the town. Mex-N-Go is open Monday through Friday from 6 am to 7 pm and on Saturdays from 8 am to 3 pm.

Mama’s & Papa’s Tacos Deliciouso

2256 East Olive Rd., Pensacola mamasandpapastacos.com

Most known for their tasty street tacos, this laid back taco joint dishes up delicious authentic Mexican street foods. In addition to the authentic Mexican fare, Mama’s & Papa’s also offers a number of drink and food specials throughout the week, including $2 street tacos on Taco Tuesdays and two for one margaritas (with your choice of flavor) all day on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. This family-friendly establishment offers both indoor and outdoor seating options, along with live music on Tuesdays from 6 to 9 pm.

Tacos El Amigo

6201 Tippin Ave., Pensacola facebook.com/Tacos-El-Amigo

Grab a taste of Mexico, El Salvador and Chile all from the tiny counter of the Tacos El Amigo taco truck. Parked in a lot on Tippin Avenue, this establishment also features a spacious outdoor seating area for you to enjoy your meal and soak up some sun. Pair an al pastor, asada taco or a steak quesadilla with their revered, homemade red and green sauces. Tacos El Amigo serves lunch and dinner 11 am to 8 pm, 11 am to 5 pm on Sundays and is closed on Tuesdays.

Rika’s Tacos

(formerly Tacos Del Ray)

5080 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze facebook.com/RikasTacos

Formerly known as Tacos Del Ray, this family-owned and -operated food truck serves up some of the tastiest tacos in town. They offer a wide variety of proteins to choose from, including barbacoa, chicken, al pastor, fresh fish and more. Although Rika’s is most known for its authentic Mexican tacos and flavorful Birria, be sure not to leave without trying their scrumptious street corn. You can visit Rika’s food in Gulf Breeze Monday through Saturday from 10:30 am to 7 pm.

Nomadic Eats

9 E Gregory St., Pensacola nomadiceats.com

Don’t have the time or the expenses to travel? Nomadic Eats provides their customers with the experience of backpacking across Latin America and Southeast Asia without them having to go anywhere but their food stall. This fusion food truck’s specialty, aside from its chicken and cauliflower tacos, is its unique rice bowls that feature an array of different proteins, veggies, beans, grains and tantalizing sauces. Don’t forget to also grab one of their original bottled “Jet Lagged” hot sauces for Taco Tuesdays at home.

Taqueria Olgy’s

Restaurant: 5222 North W St., Pensacola

Food Trucks: In Cantonment & Gulf Breeze taqueriaolgyspensacola.com

Serving authentic Mexican cuisine since 2006, this family owned taco stop is a local favorite most known for its flavorful tacos and mouth-watering mulitas. With a stand-alone restaurant in Pensacola and food trucks located in both Gulf Breeze and Cantonment, you don’t have to drive far for a taste of this flavorful fare. Enjoy daily specials at the restaurant and at both food trucks locations, including three tasty tacos for $7 on Taco Tuesdays.

Tacos El Fluffy

707 N Pace Blvd., Pensacola facebook.com/people/Tacos-El-Fluffy

Tacos el Fluffy, is a family-owned authentic Mexican restaurant. Its casual atmosphere as well as its homemade-style flour and corn tortillas will make you feel right at home. Protein options include chicken, pork, and steak, as well as vegan options, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Restaurant doors are open from 9 am to 6 pm from Tuesday to Friday, 9 am to 9 pm on Saturdays and 9 am to 6 pm on Sundays. From tacos, to burritos, to tamales and even soups, the staff at Fluffy Tacos guarantees that you will leave full and feeling like family.

Tacos Rock

913 Gulf Breeze Pkwy. (Unit 20), Gulf Breeze tacorockgb.org

Enjoy a tasty culinary fusion of Mexico City, Nogales and California at this easygoing, family-owned restaurant located in the Harbor Town Shopping Village in Gulf Breeze. This popular local spot is well-known for its delicious puff tacos and their authentic street tacos, which are sure to have you coming back for more! Each dish is homemade and the portions are sure to satisfy even the hungriest of eaters.

Taco Agave

200 S Palafox St., Pensacola agavepcola.com

This bustling establishment with an open tequila and taco bar sports a modern air that appeals to the frequent trotters of Downtown Pensacola. Along with their popular Mexican street tacos, Taco Agave offers more than 80 different tequila-based drink options, which are best taken advantage of during Happy Hour, which is from 4 to 7 pm. Be sure to try their Nashville Hot chicken taco if you like a little spice or the Adobo Lime Shrimp to indulge in an array of unique flavors. The restaurant also has $3 tacos and $5 margaritas on Taco Tuesdays.

Taqueria El Guero

2704 W Avery St., Pensacola

This family-owned and operated food truck serves tasty Mexican staples on-the-go for an affordable price. You can find the mobile restaurant parked in one of Pensacola’s Latin Markets on Avery Street, and can expect to enjoy delectable tacos, tortas, asada fries and more. Taqueria El Guero also offers a specialty menudo dish on the weekends. You can give Taqueria El Guero a taste from 10:30 am to 8 pm Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 am to 8 pm on Saturdays and 9:30 am to 7 pm on Sundays.

Calavera Tacos

501 S Palafox St., Pensacola thegardenpensacola.com/kiosks/ calavera-tacos

Calavera dishes out delicious streetstyle tacos and Mexican cuisine. Located in The Garden at Palafox + Main in downtown Pensacola among a collection of other food trucks, enjoy locally loved meals on wheels such as their Paco Taco, which is piled with deep fried Mexican-spiced Mahi Mahi and topped with serrano cabbage, pickled red onion and their famous southwest cilantro white sauce. Another local favorite is their tasty ceviche tacos, which include Mahi and gulf shrimp marinated in lime juice, pico de gallo and avocado with habanero sauce on a corn tortilla. This location provides a wide selection of proteins, and each taco is loaded with an abundance of colorful toppings that are sure to delight your eyes, taste buds and wallet. Calavera is open 11 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday and 11 am to 6 pm on Sundays.

Tacos La Mixteca

7144 Mobile Hwy., Pensacola

Located off Mobile Highway next to the RFM gas station, this Female-owned and operated food truck dishes up authentic street tacos and tasty Mexican fare. Most known for their scrumptious street tacos and authentic Mexican elotes, this is one taco truck that’s sure to satisfy just about any taco craving. Their tacos come with your choice of protein with fresh and color toppings. Fill up on their large (and cost-effective) portions while you fill up your tank Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm; look for the red and white kitchen with a motor engine.

Taco Rock 29

5454 Pensacola Blvd., Pensacola facebook.com/tacorockpensacola

Visit the family-owned local favorite Taco Rock for authentic and California-style Mexican cuisine. Though the restaurant is drive-thru only, the food quality along with the friendly staff compensate for the lack of an indoor dining experience. Cars wrap around the building for the chance to try their Birria Tacos, the Puffy Tacos, and their fry-filled Cali Burrito. Taco Rock was established in 1997 and is one of Pensacola’s oldest taco shops. They are located in the heart of the city and the building’s colorfully painted exterior makes it difficult to miss. Stop by Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner and give this Best of The Bay Award recipient the chance to rock your world with their killer cuisine and customer service.

The Happy Taco

1803 County Rd. 95A, Cantonment facebook.com/happytacopensacola

You can find yummy Mexican classics at this family-friendly Cantonment taco joint, including chimichangas, their “Mind Blowing Fajitas," shrimp tacos, whopping beef burritos and the favored fluffy tacos, which are served in house-fried tortilla shells. This restaurant offers dine-in, takeout and delivery options and 3 for $5 tacos on Taco Tuesday. Visit the Happy Taco any time between 11 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday; they’re sure to make you happy too.

Lupita’s Mexican Fast Food

Locations at 6890 Pensacola Blvd., 7815 N Davis Hwy. & 8620 Pine Forest Rd. lupitas-mexican-fast-food.business.site

Lupita’s Mexican is a small, locally-owned string of Mexican restaurants located throughout the Pensacola area. At each of their three locations, Lupita’s serves up authentic Mexican food and delicious tacos. The restaurant offers a variety of meats including barbacoa, lengua, camarón and more. They also serve up birria tacos, which are sometimes called “dipping tacos,” as they come with delicious stew to dip the tacos into. Lupita’s also serves breakfast all day long.

Taqueria Emmanuel

1709 North W St., Pensacola facebook.com/people/Taqueria-emmanuel

The authenticity and freshness of the dishes this location serves has locals raving and brings the south of the border directly to your taste buds with their carnitas, lengua tacos and beef soup, which are all made to order. While bargain shopping at the T&W Flea Market be sure to stop in for fresh and filling food that is also just as affordable. You can visit Taqueria Emmanuel from 9 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday, and 9 am to 5 pm on Tuesdays.

La Barra del Taco

3811 W Navy Blvd., Pensacola labarradeltacos.com

Head over to the freshly revamped La Barra del Taco for an equally refreshing dining experience. This location prides itself on their in-house made meals, sauces, condiments and mixed drinks and their large menu and servings are sure to satiate. Give the La Barra del Taco team a visit on Navy Boulevard for a delicious and affordable chicken fajita, their carne asada or their two-for-one margaritas. Restaurant doors are open from 10:30 am to 10 pm on weekdays, 9 am to 11 pm on Saturdays and 9 am to 9 pm on Sundays.

Latin Markets

Want to try your hand at cooking your own authentic tacos and other Latin fare at home?

You’ll find everything you need for your culinary adventures at these local Latin markets.

Tienda San Pablo Mexican Store and More

6013 Tippin Ave., Ste D, Pensacola (850) 741-2376

This newly established Mexican grocer is family owned and operated and has several locations spanning across the Gulf Coast. The Pensacola location has a great selection of foods, spices, desserts, beverages and personal supplies from beloved and reliable Latin and Hispanic brands. They also prepare their own specialty hot and freshly made tortillas on the weekends.

La Mexicana Supermarket

9101 Pensacola Blvd., Pensacola (850) 479-2815

The La Mexicana Supermarket provides local Latin cuisine lovers with a trifecta of Mexican delights. Operating as not just a grocery store, but a restaurant and a bakery as well. From fresh produce and Mexican seasonings to freshly baked bread and other highquality, imported Mexican goods, La Mexicana has it all.

El Chavo Mexican Store

5428 US-90, Pace (850) 910-4243

Located in Pace, this authentic Mexican grocery retailer has quickly become a local favorite. The store carries a large variety of specialty and imported candies, Mexican drinks and sodas, unique home goods and more. You’ll also find an amazing selection of unique Mexican and Cuban chilies, spices and freshly cut meats.