The Ultimate Cincinnati Taco Truck Guide to the 275 Loop

Taqueria Valle Verde

Stop N Go, 141 W. McMillan St., Clifton; 6711 Vine St., Carthage
There’s a new dining option for hungry students at the University of Cincinnati: the Taqueria Valle Verde food truck. They have a brick and mortar location on Vine Street, but the truck is usually in the Stop N Go parking lot on W. McMillan St. They even have two tables set up on the sidewalk for sit-down dining in between classes. Their tacos ($2) come with a meat option, onion, cilantro and lime, but their vegetarian version is the best of the bunch. It has grilled red peppers, mushrooms, green peppers and ooey, gooey, melted cheese on top. And if you’re in need of adult beverages, they carry six packs of Sol and Pacifico.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Taqueria Valle Verde

Stop N Go, 141 W. McMillan St., Clifton; 6711 Vine St., Carthage
Photo: Hailey Bollinger

Taquitos Urapan

7591 Fields Ertel Road, Sharonville
Aside from a margarita (or two), a mango Jarritos ($2.50) is my next favorite thing to wash down some Mexican food. Taquitos Uruapan has several flavors kept in their fridge ready to be cracked open and enjoyed alongside their freshly prepared tacos ($2.50 each). Protein options range from chorizo to chicken to barbacoa, but the toppings are kept simple with cilantro and onions. In colder weather they enclose the dining area — a low wooden deck — and have a heater going, but the deck is open to let in the breeze now that it’s summer. They share a parking lot with a car wash, but you can’t hear it due to a large TV playing channels like Video Rola. There’s a wealth of seating with several fold-out tables, so you’ll have no problem securing a spot. And if you need a place to walk off any subsequent food babies, Sharon Woods is less than 5 miles up the road.
Photo: Lauren Moretto

Tacos El Joven

2157 Queen City Ave., Westwood
When you make your way to Tacos El Joven, know that you are also en route to taco nirvana. Once you see the sign for Merkato Market on Queen City Avenue, swing into the gravel parking lot. Permanently parked there is a red-and-white food trailer with tacos ($2-$2.50 each) that are worth braving the hellscape of road construction you have to go through to get there. Tacos El Joven doesn’t have much seating on-site, but you can also take your spoils to go. Two painted signs showcase their protein selection. You’ll see both what you would expect (chicken, shrimp, etc.) and more daring choices like beef tongue, brains and huitlacoche. The latter is a fungus that grows on corn, but it’s considered a delicacy and has been utilized by civilizations as far back as the Aztecs. If you desire something less intimidating for your first visit, the barbacoa is my favorite. It’s tender and juicy and soaks up the juice from the accompanying lime wedge beautifully. This place really piles on the meat, too, so four tacos is a hearty meal.
Photo: Lauren Moretto

Taqueria Yolandita

1881 Westwood Ave., Westwood
Formerly located on Queen City Avenue in Fairmount, this taco trailer is the stuff of local legend — in 2010, a CityBeat reviewer called it their “secret favorite Mexican eatery.” Now located in Westwood, Taqueria Yolandita is an excellent option for people who want a lil’ more pizzazz when it comes to their taco toppings. They have a three-taco meal ($6) that comes with cilantro and onions, but they also have another trio ($7) loaded with sour cream, cheese, tomato, lettuce, cooked onions, cilantro and hot sauce. This makes them a tad messy to eat since the tortilla isn’t very big, but dirty fingers are no issue since you’ll be licking them clean. I’d suggest their shredded chicken or steak with green salsa poured on top.
Photo: Lauren Moretto

Tacos Locos

6135 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge In Pleasant Ridge — just a stone’s throw away from the Overlook Lodge (that bar styled after the film The Shining) — sits Tacos Locos, which has whipped up Mexican fare since 2011. For taco protein options, they offer chorizo, chicken, steak, pork (all $2.50 each), beef tongue and shrimp ($3 each). You can customize your order with a copious selection of toppings: guacamole, cheese, sour cream, lettuce and jalapeños — but keep in mind they all cost extra (50 cents). This mobile truck is usually parked in the lot of a BP gas station, but I’d suggest checking their Facebook page before heading out, as they weren’t there the first time I tried going.
Photo: Tacos Locos