Pop quiz. What’s a delicious food that is often referenced in Instagram captions and is also consumed by the billons in America every year? If you guessed tacos, you’d be correct.
However, the American version, while still delicious, is a pretty far cry from auténtico. Here’s where to find traditional tacos in the Magic City.
The Great Taco Debate
Tacos are so pervasive in the U.S. that people have developed all kinds of incredible and creative versions. Some love a good crunchy “taco” with lettuce and cheese—and no shade, I mean, it’s still undeniably amazing.
I grew up in a place with a ton of Mexican and Latin American influence, so my stance on the staple is pretty established. If you want to truly count as a taco in my book, you have to meet the following qualifications:
- Soft corn tortilla, usually hot of the tortilladora and double-stacked
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced white onion
- Lime wedge
- Marinated, not seasoned meat. Generally marinated overnight in oregano, cumin, paprika, lime juice, and chilies. Carne asada is my personal favorite.
- Want to get fancy with your toppings? Throw on some fresh pico de gallo, salsa verde or guacamole.
Is your mouth watering yet? Mine too. I’ll be hitting up one (ok, all) of these taquerías across Birmingham—see you there.
Tacos La Tia Paisa
- Address: 406 W Valley Ave, Homewood, AL 35209
- Hours: Open daily 8AM-8PM
Los Valedores Taco Truck
- Address: 301 Oxmoor Rd, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Hours: Mon-Tues 10AM to 5PM | Wed, Thurs, Sun 10AM to 11PM | Fri-Sat 10:30AM to 12AM
The Taqueria Tafoya
- Address: 9917 Parkway E B, Birmingham, AL 35215
- Hours: Mon-Fri 10AM to 7PM | Sat 9AM-7PM
University Tacos
- Address: 2009 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233
- Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30AM to 6PM
Taco Morro Loco
- Address: 417 41st St S, Birmingham, AL 35222
- Hours: Mon-Fri 11AM to 9PM | Sat 11AM to 9:30PM
Tacos Dos Hermanos Taco Truck
- Address: 50 14th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203
- Hours: Tues-Fri 9:15AM to 2PM
Los Gordos
- Address: 433 Valley Ave, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Hours: Open daily 8AM to 9PM
Mi Pueblo Supermarket
- Address: 228 Green Springs Hwy, Birmingham, AL 35209
- Hours: Open daily 7AM to 9PM
Taqueria Mexico
- Address: 3724 Lorna Rd, Birmingham, AL 35216
- Hours: Open daily 11AM to 10PM
Mr. Taco Taco Truck
- Address: 1435 Gasden Hwy. Trussville, Alabama 35235
- Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs 10AM to 8PM | Wed, Sat 10:30AM to 5PM | Fri 10:30AM to 8PM