Food & Drink

The Best Tacos in Seattle

In a city with so much great food, we wanted to know: What really takes the prize? Our critics tasted dozens of the very best tacos to find out

By Naomi Tomky August 24, 2018

1_50

This article originally appeared in the September 2018 issue of Seattle magazine.

This article appears in print as the cover story of the September 2018 issue. Read more from the Best of the Best Restaurants feature story hereClick here to subscribe.

Best of the Best: Taco Street

San Buenaventura, a Mexican town about 180 miles south of El Paso, Texas, is known for red chiles, pecan trees and beef. Thus, now that Martin Perez, who hails from that Chihuahua city, and his wife, Elonka, have finally acted on their dream to open a Mexican restaurant, those ingredients feature prominently.

That’s particularly evident in their barbacoa taco ($2.75): beef marinated in the famous red chiles they import directly from San Buenaventura, cooked and wrapped up in their locally sourced flour tortillas. The tortillas do equal justice to the rest of the menu, too, in dishes discovered by the couple during their years in Los Angeles, and which other Golden State transplants are thrilled to find in Seattle: California burritos and Texas-style breakfast tacos.

Columbia City, 7136 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S, No. 102; 206.659.0583; tacostreetseattle.com

OTHER FAVORITES

Taqueria La Fondita No. 2
White Center, 9811 15th Ave. SW; 206.551.0529

Rosticeria y Cocina el Paisano
White Center, 9615 15th Ave. SW; 206.763.0368
TIP: Stop in around the corner at the sibling butcher shop to pick up fixings to make your own tacos or for some of their tamales to-go.

Ambakity Cocina Mexicana
South Park, 8515 14th Ave S.; 206.257.5483

 

Follow Us

Uncommon Thinkers: Jane Park

Uncommon Thinkers: Jane Park

Founder and CEO, Tokki

When Jane Park goes on business development missions for her reusable gift wrap product company, the very mention of the word “Seattle” immediately opens doors. #UncommonThinkersWelcome

Uncommon Thinkers Welcome

Uncommon Thinkers Welcome

Seattle's Korean American innovators are shaping communities and forging global connections

In partnership with Greater Seattle Partners, Seattle magazine is honored to recognize our region’s boldest “Uncommon Thinkers” — the inventors, artists, leaders, and entrepreneurs who are transforming communities and driving positive change throughout the world. #UncommonThinkersWelcome

Fave Five: Skate, Drink, Walk, Shop

Fave Five: Skate, Drink, Walk, Shop

The holidays are over. Reward yourself.

CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve survived the holiday season and landed safely in the new year. If you feel that pesky impulse to make a list of self-improvement resolutions, ignore it. You’re wonderful. Instead, here are five ways to enjoy the start of 2024 and perhaps find a sense of renewal without doing a seven-day cleanse or cutting

Shop Seattle 2023

Shop Seattle 2023

Seattle Magazine's Holiday Gift Guide: A curated selection of fun gifts from small businesses

As we jump into the holidays, take a walk with me through the city of Seattle and beyond to find the best local shops for perfect holiday gifts. Whether you’re searching for a family member, friend, or co-worker, there’s no shortage of great gifts in our beautiful city. Treats Who doesn’t love sweets? Let’s tackle…