17 Best Street Tacos in Seattle According to a Local

I went on a mission to find the best street tacos in Seattle. This obsession started because I saw so many taco trucks and was overwhelmed why which ones to try. So I set out on a research mission to try as many as humanly possibly in a two week time frame. I revisited some of my tried and trues, plus tried some new ones known for serving authentic street tacos with meat, white onion, cilantro, salsa, and that’s it.

I’m happy to report back that Seattle is an incredible spot for street tacos. You just have to know where to look. To make it easier, here is my list of the best street tacos in Seattle, many off the radar and hard to find. Get ready for an epic taco crawl through the city!

17 Best Street Tacos in Seattle

Save this to Pinterest for later, as I’ll add more to this list of the best street tacos in Seattle as I discover them!

El Taco Loco

website | 2840 NW Market St (Ballard) | price: ~$3.35 per taco | what to get: carnitas and barbacoa tacos

El Taco Loco is a recent discovery that we happened on accidentally. We were panicking one day about what we’d eat for lunch so I searched Yelp. I discovered this spot inside the Ballard Liquor Store and was surprised I hadn’t heard of it. Obviously, we went.

We were blown away by how good these tacos are. They also serve barbacoa, a rarity. The meat on both this and the carnitas taco are so juicy and have perfectly balanced flavor. They focus on traditional tacos without many fixing besides onion and cilantro, so you can really taste the meat.

Maíz

website | 1914 Pike Pl (Downtown) & 2325 6th Ave (Belltown) | price: ~$7 per taco | what to get: tinga tacos

Maíz is a small taco shop tucked in the busy Pike Place Market. Despite their size, they’re one of the best Pike Place Market restaurants thanks to their dedication to preserving traditional Mexican cooking techniques and native corn.

They do this by supporting farmers who grow non-GMO, heirloom, artisan-produced Nixtamal corn and using it to create their handmade tortillas. You’ll see jars of corn varieties at the restaurant so you can learn about the different style while you dine!

I’m usually a beef, pork, or fish fan when it comes to tacos, but Maíz is making one of the juiciest chicken tinga tacos in the city. So often chicken can be dry, but they’ve somehow figured out how to retain its moisture without losing flavor.

Pro tip: Maíz Molino is their fancier sit-down restaurant in Belltown that has a larger menu!

Birrieria Tijuana

website | multiple locations | price: ~$4 per taco | what to get: cheese taco

I’ve only been to the Birrieria Tijuana location in Burien, but they have locations all over the greater Seattle and Tacoma area. The one in Burien used to be inside the Guadalupe Market, a Mexican grocery store, but it’s since moved into its own brick and mortar across the street.

Birrieria Tijuana serves Tijuana-style tacos, which you’d think are like the best tacos in San Diego. But they’re quite different. The tortillas are served crispy and often have more stuff in it, like cheese, onion, etc.

The Dorados taco with birria is the must get here. It’s larger than most street tacos and fried to the point that the cheese is like the burnt bits on a lasagna…aka the best part. It has really flavorful beef, which they also serve in their tacos de birria, but the cheese absolutely makes it.

Carnitas Michoacan

website | 2503 Beacon Ave S (Beacon Hill) | price: ~$3 per taco | what to get: al pastor taco

Carnitas Michoacan is across the street from Musang, another one of the best restaurants in Beacon Hill. A bunch of people told me they have weird hours, but I’ve never had an issue going in when Google says they’re open.

The taco to get here is al pastor. This is a great taco served with chunks of pork instead of shredded like carnitas. It has a chili rub and is typically marinated or served with pineapple.

I’m extremely picky with al pastor because it’s so easy to be light on the spice and overcooked. However, Carnitas Michoacan serves one of the most flavorful I’ve had. The spice marinade is pronounced and, while not served with pineapple, you can really taste it.

El Camión

website | multiple locations | price: ~$4 per taco | what to get: carnitas and fish tacos

El Camión is the first street taco place in Seattle I fell in love with. I discovered it years ago when they used to be parked in the Mud Bay parking lot in Ballard on 15th and Market. That location is no longer there, but they’ve since expanded to multiple areas. The easy access to their tacos from all over the city makes them one of my go-to restaurants in Seattle when the taco craving hits.

Up until recently they always made the best tacos in Seattle in my book. I would always get a plate of two carnitas tacos and one grilled fish taco. The carnitas are extra juicy and you get some of that crisp from frying it after it slow cooks. And the fish tacos come with an irresistible spicy salsa that is hard to pass up.

Good Morning Tacos

website | popup roaming around Seattle breweries | price: ~$6-8 per taco | what to get: brisket or egg & bacon taco

Good Morning Tacos serves breakfast tacos reminiscent of Matt’s BBQ Tacos, one of the best places to eat in Portland, but with less barbecue. Instead you’ll found Tex-Mex flavors like smoky poblano, chorizo, and migas. They also often do collaborations, such as the one they did with Jeff’s Texas Style BBQ to create a brisket taco.

If it’s available, definitely get the brisket. The fat from the perfectly-cooked meat goes beautifully with the zingy salsas and toppings. If that’s not available, the egg and bacon option is a great choice because it lets you really appreciate the broiled cheddar melted onto exceptional tortillas.

Tacos Chukis

website | multiple locations in Beacon Hill, Central District, Capitol Hill, and South Lake Union | price: ~$3 per taco | what to get: taco chukis taco

I used to come to Taco Chukis for lunch at work because it’s one of the best restaurants in South Lake Union. It’s the only street taco spot in Seattle that serves an actual grill pineapple on their signature house tacos.

These tacos are a spin on the traditional al pastor. It includes Adobada pork, grilled pineapple, melted cheese, onion, cilantro, salsa, and guacamole on a soft corn tortilla. I love the sweetness that the pineapple adds to each bite and wish more places added it to their street tacos!

El Chapulin Oaxaqueno

website | 4451 California Ave SW (West Seattle) | price: ~$3 per taco | what to get: carna asada taco

Chapulin is Spanish for grasshopper. I’m not sure what this has to do with this taco truck in West Seattle since I didn’t see any of those on the menu, but this is a hidden gem right off California Ave SW. It’s tucked in the parking lot in the back of LuLa Coffee. Just follow the insane amount of cars driving through to pick up coffee and you’ll find it.

Like al pastor, I find that carne asada can be really tough and flavorless. Not El Chapulin though. It’s still juicy and really compliments the incredible salsas served with it.

Taqueria la Fondita

website | 9811 15th Ave SW (White Center) | price: ~$2 per taco | what to get: carnitas tacos

Taqueria la Fondita is an unassuming food truck in White Center that serves some of the best street tacos in Seattle. It’s carnitas tacos are flavorful and served with the perfectly-sized diced white onion.

They also have a location in Tacoma. Grabbing a few of their street tacos is one of my favorite things to do in Tacoma, WA to kick off exploring the city. It’s some of the best food in Tacoma!

El Moose

website | 5242 Leary Ave NW (Ballard) | price: ~$17-20 per taco plate | what to get: carnitas or machaca tacos

El Moose (previously known as Señor Moose) is my favorite Mexican brunch spot in Seattle. I love it so much, in fact, that I include it as a stop on my Ballard self-guided food tour. But it’s only recently that I discovered they make some mean tacos.

Unlike most of the best street tacos in Seattle, they only sell plates with 4 tacos. This is slightly inconvenient if you want to try a bunch of different meats, but I’ll make it easy for you: get the carnitas or machaca. Both are really tender and packed with flavor.

If you’re not familiar with machaca, it’s shredded beef. I used to always get their machaca con huevos for breakfast when it was on the menu, so I can attest it’s good!

Carmelo’s Tacos

website | 3 locations in Capitol Hill | price: ~$3 per taco | what to get: asada or al pastor tacos

Carmelo’s Tacos started in an unassuming window in Hillcrest Market, a convenience store most people would blow right past. But insiders know this is the place for some of the best street tacos in Seattle. In fact, they’ve become so popular that Carmelo’s has opened 2 other locations.

The must get here are the carne asada beef tacos or al pastor pork tacos. The latter is interesting because it’s served with chunks of pineapple the balance perfectly with the umami-rich meat.

La Cuadra Tacos

website | 7301 15th Ave NW (Ballard) & 24602 36th Ave S (Kent) | price: ~$3 per taco | what to get: al pastor tacos

La Cuadra Tacos went viral on Instagram when they first opened for their guerrilla pop-up style on unassuming street corners in north and south Seattle. Since then they’ve opened up 2 brick and mortars, but you’ll still see them serving a line of hungry eaters from their pop-up tents late into the evening.

Definitely get the al pastor taco. The juicy meat is cut off the spit and has crunchy bits around the edges. If you don’t like spice, avoid the pineapple because wowzas is it unexpectedly spicy! You can use the station at the end of the ordering area to customize your salsas, lime, and pico de gallo, etc. to your taste level.

Tacos & Beer

website | 9211 Holman Way NW (Ballard) | price: ~$5-6 per taco | what to get: birria, al pastor, and fish tacos

Tacos & Beer announces in their name that they make great tacos. This colorful restaurant and food truck has a large menu, including almost a whole page dedicated to tacos with the most meat variety I’ve seen in Seattle. You’ll find classics like carnitas, carne asada, and the like alongside less-common preparations like pork pibil, pork with mole, chicken poblano, and more.

The must-gets here are the birria, al pastor, and Baja fish taco. The birria is so flavorful and moist, while the al pastor has a pleasant sweetness thangs to the pronounced pineapple and sweet crema. If you’re looking for crunch, the fish taco is for you. It’s crunchy and well seasoned, something I’ve noticed many of the fish and chip restaurants in Seattle can’t even get right!

Hatch Cantina

website | 200 Bell St (Downtown) | price: ~$19.50 per taco plate | what to get: beef in chile Colorado tacos

Hatch Cantina has the most expensive tacos on this list, as only 2 come per plate, but they’re larger than your typical street taco and worth the splurge. They’re also a little different since they’re southwestern in style vs. purely Mexican.

If you’re not familiar with southwestern cuisine, it’s a fusion of cooking techniques from Mexicans, Indigenous Peoples of the Southwest, Spanish colonial settlers, and cowboys. It often involves meat that’s been smoked or braised for hours in chiles, particularly the Hatch chile.

Hatch Cantina makes blue corn tortillas not only in house, but fresh to order. While I wish they allowed you to mix and match tacos vs. committing to 2 per plate, but it’s worth having two shredded beef in chile Colorado. This super juicy taco has an earthy, cooked-all-day heat and a layer of crisp pepper jack cheese on the tortilla. When topped with Hatch Cantina’s table-side homemade salsas, it’s heaven in a bite!

El Sueñito Brewing Company

website | 106 N 36th St (Fremont) | price: ~$12 per taco plate | what to get: carnitas tacos

Another one of the best street tacos in Seattle, another spot that only serves 2 per plate. But El Sueñito Brewing Company needs to be on your list.

You wouldn’t think a brewery would have great Mexican food, but by the name you probably guess this is a Mexican-owned spot. That means you’ll find interesting beers using Mexican ingredients alongside excellent versions of Mexican food classics. In fact, El Sueñito was opened by the owners of Frelard Tamales! They now operate their tamale business out of the brewery.

El Sueñito’s Jalisco-style carnitas street tacos are my go-to order. They’re made with tender pork carnitas that include pork rinds topped with pico, salsa, and chipotle sauce. They’re served on organic corn tortillas from Three Sisters Nixtamal Company out of Portland, Oregon, which holds up beautifully against the fatty, juicy, and deeply-flavorful pork. Get it with a side of their amazing queso for a truly decadent feast!

La Chingona Mexican Cuisine

website | 2940 SW Avalon Way (West Seattle) & 29 148th St SE (Bellevue) | price: ~$6-7.50 per taco | what to get: Baja fish tacos

La Chingona is a woman-owned Mexican restaurant with a brick and mortar in West Seattle and a permanent food truck in Bellevue. They’re serving some of my all-around favorite Mexican food in the city, with bright and deeply-flavorful dishes that somehow feel light despite being classic comfort food belly bombs. That’s because they make everything in house using quality ingredients so it feels brighter instead of heavy.

One dish where this really stands out is La Chingona’s Baja-fried fish taco. It’s hands down one of the best in the city. HUGE, crunchy, acidic, and perfectly seasoned…everything I like in my fish taco!

Centro Neighborhood Kitchen

website | 643 SW 152nd St Suite A (Burien) | price: ~$6.75-8 per taco | what to get: fish tacos

As the name implies, Centro Neighborhood Kitchen is a lively neighborhood joint serving great Mexican food. I knew I’d love them even before I took a bite because they’re one of the few spots that has margarita flights (why don’t more places do this?!). But after trying their tacos, I’m hooked.

CNK makes an excellent carne asada and carnitas taco, but the fish taco is where they truly shine. It’s sweet and almost reminiscent of Asian flavors thanks to the acidic sweetness provided by hibiscus pickled onions and habanero honey. The texture is a mind bender because it’s somehow crispy despite being grilled. We can thank the panko crust and expert technique of the kitchen staff for providing that addictive crunch without the extra oil in a Baja-style fish taco.