Every year, CityBeat publishes the Best Of CincinnatiĀ® , wherein readers and staffers alike pick which bars are the booziest, which people are the coolest and which shops are your best bet for dropping a pretty penny. When that Taco Tuesday feeling hits (whether it is actually Tuesday or not), you need to know where to go in Cincinnati to find the perfect tacos. From places where you can pair classic, mouthwatering tacos with refreshing margaritas to those with more out-of-the-box options, these are the taco spots in the Queen City our readers can’t stop talking about.
No. 10 Best Tacos: Frida 602
602 Main St, Covington Photo: Hailey Bollinger No. 5: La Mexicana Restaurante Cantina and Tienda (642 Monmouth St., Newport) // No-frills in dĆ©cor, but all serious with the cuisine, La Mexicana is deemed to be one of the most authentic Mexican restaurants in the area. From asada to bistec to milanesa, they’ve got the meats. But they also serve up a host of veggie options. Photo: Hailey Bollinger No. 8 Best Tacos: Gomez Salsa
107 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine (walk-up window); 2437 Gilbert Ave., Walnut Hills Photo: Patty Salas No. 7 Best Tacos: Texas Joe Tex-Mex Food Truck Photo: facebook.com/TexasJoeTexMex No. 6 Best Tacos: OLLA Taqueria GutiƩrrez
302 W. 12th St., Covington Photo: Hailey Bollinger and Mary LeBus Bakersfield OTR
1213 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine
Season 21, Episode 6
Bakersfield, which started in Cincinnati but has locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit and Indianapolis, among others, serves up tacos and other Mexican-style dishes with lots of margaritas to go along with them. On the show, Fieri especially loved their killer short rib tacos and chicken torta. Photo: Hailey Bollinger Tortilleria Garcia
5917 Hamilton Ave., College Hill; 11774 Springfield Pike, Springdale; 4200 Aero Drive, Mason
Popular Springdale Mexican eatery Tortilleria Garcia has opened two additional locations in College Hill and in Mason. Omar Garcia, the restaurant’s’ owner, grew up on a family farm in Michoacan, Mexico and learned how to make corn tortillas the old fashioned way from his mother and grandmother. Garcia has committed to honoring his family’s culinary history and his restaurants uncompromisingly follow the family recipe for fresh tortillas — never using flour or preservatives. Garcia’s menu consists of straightforward Mexican classics like tamales, burritos, housemade salsas and rotisserie chicken, in addition to tacos, plus his classic tortilla shells are available in two-pound packs so you can make your own inspired creations at home.
Photo: Paige Deglow Photo: Paige Deglow No. 3 Best Tacos: Condado Tacos
195 E. Freedom Way, The Banks; 3329 Vandercar Way, Oakley; 7877 Beechmont Ave., Anderson Township; 5070 Deerfield Boulevard, Mason Photo: Condado Tacos Agave & Rye
Multiple locations
Diners flock to Agave & Rye to enjoy its vibrant murals and funky decor while chowing down on unique tacos, with proteins including kangaroo, duck, crab cakes, lobster, crispy cauliflower, fries and crispy chicken ā in addition to more familiar bases like steak, pork carnitas and mahi mahi. Try the Crown Jewel, a double-shelled taco with butter-poached lobster, shiitake mushrooms, mac and cheese, truffle oil and shaved green onions if youāre in the mood for a unique flavor combination. Photo: Hailey Bollinger No. 7 Best Takeout: Mazunte
611 Main St., Downtown; 5207 Madison Road, Madisonville
Mazunte has been long-hailed as a “hidden gem,” but hopefully this will finally put it on the map as a Cincinnati institution. Their Madisonville and Downtown Cincinnati restaurants mix casual order-at-the-counter dining with authentic, high-quality Mexican cuisine. Mazunte offers pork tacos, chile relleno, tamales and margaritas, and while both restaurants offer carryout, they have another Madisonville location specifically for takeout, delivery and catering.
Photo: Hailey Bollinger Photo: Hailey Bollinger
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