Tuesday, May 5, is Cinco de Mayo and a Taco Tuesday, which means double the reason to celebrate the day with some good tacos.
Cinco de Mayo marks the day of a 19th-century military victory that occurred decades after Mexico gained independence from Spain.
It is not one of the country’s official nationwide holidays requiring a day off work, so both Americans and Mexicans have to use their lunch hour to get some tasty tacos or wait until after work.
To change things up, here are the top recommendations for Taco Tuesday/Cinco de Mayo from the El Paso Times staff.
Little Shack Seafood, Drinks & More
If you’re on the West Side and looking for tasty seafood tacos, you can count on the Little Shack Seafood, Drinks and More at 2701 N. Mesa St. or 5360 N. Mesa St.
If you have an adventurous palate, try the fish and pulpo (octopus) tacos. They also have veggie and steak tacos.
Other locations: 1300 Airway Blvd., 865 N. Resler Drive, and 12380 Edgemere Blvd.
Taco Tote
Taco Tote is my personal go-to for tacos for several reasons. First, it’s consistently good, no surprises. The corn tortillas are made in house, and the sirloin is soft and tasty. They have other fillings, such as barbacoa and fish.
And even though it’s not a cheap taco, you can get your free appetizer at the salsa bar. A little bowl of tostadas with your favorite salsa and some cucumbers, and the first course is done.
Lastly, it doesn’t take long to get your meal and the servers bring it out to you. Thank you.
Locations: 1000 Magruder St., 3480 Joe Battle Blvd., 1461 N. Zaragoza Road, and 12208 Eastlake Blvd.
Tacos Don Cuco
Tacos Don Cuco is on our Times list of best tacos because it offers classic Mexican street-style tacos, including al pastor, tripitas and arrachera at reasonable prices at locations across El Paso. And it’s been getting the job done for more than 20 years.
On a recent trip, we got well-stuffed al pastor tacos with plenty of pineapple pieces (optional). You just have to eat them pretty quick as the warm corn tortillas start to tear with the weight of the protein.
They also have a salsa bar, so you can add as much spice to your tacos as you want.
Locations: 12430 Edgemere Blvd., 1504 N. Zaragoza Road, 8140 North Loop Drive, 115 S. Americas Ave., 5901 Alameda Ave., 1916 Montana Ave., 100 Horizon Blvd. #2620, 6190 Doniphan Drive, 6415 N Mesa St. and 9581 Dyer St.
Chico’s Tacos
At least one member of the staff has to stay loyal to El Chuco and pick Chico’s Tacos as one of the best. First, you have to be OK with calling a rolled ta.co a taco.
Once you get past that, you can’t deny that Chico’s tacos are addictive if you are a true fan. Every few weeks, you have to go back and get an order of those messy, tomatoey tacos with plenty of green salsa on each one.
And you can either pass your fries through the cheesy sauce before every bite or dump them in the leftover sauce at the end and finish them off. Of course, no pictures please.
Locations: 1365 George Dieter Drive, 11381 Montwood Drive, 4230 Alameda Ave., 3401 Dyer St.
Chilitos in Las Cruces
The boss man gives a shout-out to Chilitos Restaurant and Cantina at 3850 Foothills Road in Las Cruces, N.M. It’s a locally owned restaurant in Las Cruces since 1997. Restaurant staff stand by their fresh ingredients and use supplies from local farmers.
When it comes to tacos, our boss says he likes a good crunchy taco and Chilitos eats. He’s hip on the trendy terms, too.
You can get a taco on any of the combo plates or order a plate of carne asada tacos ($14.99), which come with onions, cilantro, rice and beans.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Times staff picks top tacos for Cinco de Mayo, Taco Tuesday
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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