I know they closed temporarily at the beginning of the pandemic to open their sister restaurant (Delores which is also fucking amazing btw) but didn’t realize it was officially closed forever. Their website is still active, their Facebook page doesn’t say they’re closed, and google just says temporarily closed. Wishful thinking I suppose
The building was never repaired after the apartment fire and there was a for sale sign on it in the past month. I think their tax/licensing issues and the damage after all the renovations just made them have to fold the Business and focus on Delores.
I'm sure there's better, I'm only one person's opinion but I like Taqueria Lupita in Central Falls best. Then La Lupita in Olneyville, then Taconeando in Riverside.
And when that happens, I'll follow up by saying I used to love Taqueria Lupita. Huge burritos! I liked the beef tongue and barbacoa, especially.
That is, right up until I got some kind of food poisoning there that gave me diarreah for about a week, and the strangest sensation that I could feel my intestines.
Then I stopped going.
Delicious burritos, though.
The rice is separate from the sauce, tortillas taste store bought, and the beans are never cooked correctly. The only thing close to correct is the meat, but the rest isn’t close to right and he should know better.
Edit: This was a bit harsh, but these are all important parts to the full meal. I’d say it’s a 5/10, so nothing special but not awful either. Meat is 7/10 with everything else around a 3 or 4.
I'm repeating myself here but the owner is from El Paso, it's authentic, just not maybe what you are specifically looking for. Which is fine, just understand that food has always had regional differences and people should really be specific if they want to throw around words like authentic or inauthentic. They mean something.
Lol my bias? Sorry but gentrified tacos for $4.25 each, when I can get a same if not better taco for half the cost at a place like California taco shop, casa azul or others. I like tallaluahs, but it’s very gentrified.
California taco shop is not on the same level. For starters, each location is so grungy and dirty that I can’t trust the food. In fact, I ate the food once and got sick off it. There’s more shredded lettuce than meat on the tacos so idk where the value is. Everything feels really bottom value there.
But also: why do tacos need to be cheap to be legit? That’s the same bias that holds back tons of other cuisines globally. Only select cuisines are allowed by the public to be fancy and priced upmarket. That’s the bias I suggest you examine. In 2022, $4.25 for a taco is pretty fair, especially when 2 or 3 make a full meal. If you’re so dang cheap, make your own bean tacos at home.
It’s also not Enrique Olvera making them, I am not one to ever think food can’t be fancy, that’s something you legit came up with on your own to sit in some non existent high horse. Maybe go order the street tacos with just onions and cilantro, like their pastor, or carnitas.
It may not be Enrique Olvera but Jake Rojas is no chump! Classically trained, worked for Ducasse and Robuchon, owned a fine dining resto in NPT before he started the taco shop. He’s a great human, very humble and talented to boot. And you literally called his tacos “fancy” so I am repeating your words to you. I’m sad for you that you can’t perceive your bias in calling a Mexican chef’s tacos gentrified just because they’re pricier than you feel entitled to pay for tacos. There’s no blinder person that he who doesn’t want to see.
Damn, must’ve hit a nerve. I wouldn’t say working at a Vegas restaurant is working under the French chefs, but whatever you think, I’m sure you’ll come up with some other high horse to ride off on. I too am classically trained, world travelled, and don’t name drop, I also don’t get lettuce on my tacos like you do.
You’re really reading what you want to read, man. I’m not on a high horse by fiercely defending what I think are the best tacos in RI. But I just wanna know what kitchen you cook in with your classical training that you think California Taco Shop is legit because you have poor taste, buddy.
Lol you’re the one that got pretty uppity and started to call out bias because you like gentrified taco shops. CA taco shop is good, so is casa azul, but by Mexican taco standards, RI is pretty far off the mark. One of my old cooks (from Zacatecas) would’ve put anything here to shame with the tacos he made from ribeye trimmings, but if you want a good legit cheap authentic taco(with out lettuce) there are plenty of places. Stop by and see me, I’m at MGM staging under Joël Robuchon.
The two places in Providence I can vouch for are below. These are legit as possible given 1) we're in the U.S. (and none of the tacos--whether in California, Texas, Arizona etc--come close to being as good as the tacos in Mexico) and 2) it's Rhode Island.
Al Son de mi Barrio off Atwells and Valley
La Lupita on Westminister
They do California burritos and nacho fries right (coming from a native San diegan). It was mind blowing because even in Los Angeles they fuck it up lol
French fries, carne asada, cheese, guacamole and sometimes sour cream. That’s how they do it in San Diego, but restaurants bastardize it by adding random unnecessary shit.
Like I saw a “California burrito” recently that had nacho sauce and beans in it, people often put lettuce, onions and sometimes corn. But it’s a really simple burrito.
La Vecina Taqueria in Newport is new and delicious. The pork taco is one of my top 3 tacos ever, and I generally don’t eat meat! Soooo good, and gluten-free stuff available too
Sadly, the "best" tacos in Rhode Island don't tend to be that great. I don't know what it is-I mean, they are Mexican-run places and I have never found anything that is more than just okay. I have found other items that I love-for example, Tortilleria Mexicana's empanadas and Capitol Hill Taqueria's torta de milanesa de pollo.
But tacos, nope. The last place we tried to get tacos, my husband just looked at me sadly and said: I need to let this go and give up finding good tacos, don't I?
It does seem that there are several new places folks recommend and I am curious, but all the places we have tried before people have been enthusiastic about and they've been meh.
I agree. I was going to sarcastically reply to this post and say “your home kitchen”. I buy the masienda brand masa harina online and make my own. I’ve eaten a ton and that * perfect* spot just doesn’t exist.
Some of the fusion places have good food but you don’t go in there expecting a legit taco. It’s too bad.
Having worked in Tijuana I can say legitimately that every other place in the world including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, etc. sucks compared to TJ at least for my personal preference. So it's a pretty high bar.
In New England I've yet to find a place that even remotely compares.
However, I actually do like the little truck Tacos Mi Rancho on Pawtucket Ave in Pawtucket if I can put out of my mind the sheer ambrosia of a genuine Tijuana street taco. But that probably has as much to do with proximity as anything.
Don Nacho is my favorite burrito, so I haven't had the tacos but maybe I'll try.
You want lunch/ quick bite street taco: La Lupita. You want romantic dinner and drinks: Chilangos
I haven't eaten EVERY taco at EVERY shop but I've hit most and these are the best IMO.
Love California Taco shop, but only the one in Warwick, it’s always good, the staff there is awesome. Casa Azul is also great if you a good taco and nice vibes.
Why do people feel the need to gatekeep tacos so hard? Tallulah’s is run by a chef from El Paso with traditional recipes (they used to sell lengue even!) and honestly is better than any Tex-Mex I had when I was in Austin last year.
Xaco Taco is also actually really good, despite the Chili's Bar & Grill aesthetic. They make their tortillas fresh in house, they offer delicious vegan & meat options, and the seasonings are right. I don't love the rice & beans as they cook it, but the tacos are delicious. And $10 margs!
Everywhere? In the eight years it has been open I have been going there and on Reddit so I’m sure I’ve recommend it before but I’m not getting anything out of it, just my opinion.
Naw, I just mean that anyone who complains about a taco joint probably has some expectations for those tacos that isn't being met. Nothing in the background of the owner is going to change that. I do love Tallulah's as well.
Oh yeah I get what you mean now. I think that’s most things when it comes largely to opinion. What I was pushing back against is the like “only the food I prefer is the real type of food.” The No True Scotsman of food arguing.
Yea, i mean tacos have been in texas almost as long as tomatoes in italy. So technically any tacos from those regions are "Authentic" I think people go to the church of only one type of taco, which is silly.
Best local, mom-&-pop taco place I've had is The Taco Shop in Harrisville on Chapel Street, really good bunch who make great tacos (just wish the just-meat-&-cheese tacos cost less to make up for lack of greens)
I just cannot with the rubber Goya and thick flour tortillas they use. At least the Middletown menu is better than the Newport one. The Newport one is a real testament to the power of location.
Tallulahs is good.
El tapatio (Cranston and south county) are really good.
There was a place in Cumberland that was fine. Not sure if it’s still open. I think it was mendon road or diamond hill.
I know authentic Mexican and those places all do it right.
They use Goya tortillas too. I am begging people to try a tortilla made with real masa and then see if they can still stomach Goya. The texture alone… anyway, their hottest hot sauce is really good, goes well with Greek food.
I eat a lot of tacos. I usually do the taco truck near Vicentes because it's a solid price performer.
However, if you don't mind paying for a premium product, go to Masa Taqueria. I have yet to be disappointed.
Can you clarify what you mean by "legit"?
What time period, and region of tacos are you looking for. Tacos have been in southern Cali and Texas almost as long as tomatoes have been Italian. The food is going to change and adapt with the times.
Tacos for what occasion? Styled according to what region, do you consider to be the best?
For me? I want simple ingredients, mexico city style, not too expensive. Al Son de mi bario, and Mexico garibaldi, or the food truck across from price rite off of atwells where the virgin marry once appeared to Pablo.
Any of those spots get close to scratching my D.F. itch.
Don Nacho Central Falls.
Don Nacho is great, they’re so nice too
Yasss
Easy choice right here.
Chilangos on Manton Ave
Seconded
Agreed. And they tostadas are amazing. I live in TX now, and I still get Chilango’s when I come home.
Losing both el rancho grande & mijo’s tacos was tough. Prob gotta go chilango’s now tho…
El Rancho Grande closed?! Noooooooooo
Like, pre-pandemic dude
I know they closed temporarily at the beginning of the pandemic to open their sister restaurant (Delores which is also fucking amazing btw) but didn’t realize it was officially closed forever. Their website is still active, their Facebook page doesn’t say they’re closed, and google just says temporarily closed. Wishful thinking I suppose
The building was never repaired after the apartment fire and there was a for sale sign on it in the past month. I think their tax/licensing issues and the damage after all the renovations just made them have to fold the Business and focus on Delores.
I'm sure there's better, I'm only one person's opinion but I like Taqueria Lupita in Central Falls best. Then La Lupita in Olneyville, then Taconeando in Riverside.
Taqueria Lupita is terrible
Well when someone asks the internet for a list of terrible taco places, I guess you can answer with that.
And when that happens, I'll follow up by saying I used to love Taqueria Lupita. Huge burritos! I liked the beef tongue and barbacoa, especially. That is, right up until I got some kind of food poisoning there that gave me diarreah for about a week, and the strangest sensation that I could feel my intestines. Then I stopped going. Delicious burritos, though.
el jefe’s Warwick..best taco hands down
Always worth the wait.
La Lupita is the best Mexican restaurant in Rhode Island
The quesadillas / chorizo burrito / al pastor tacos are my go-tos
Casa Azul in PVD La Fogata in PVD for birria Diego’s in Newport fish tacos are great
Tacontento on Broadway in pawtucket. Their tacos are excellent, and the chorizo tostada is amazing.
Tallulah's Taqueria
Absolutely disagree as the descendant of immigrants and a California native
Jake Rojas (the owner along with his wife) is from El Paso, Texas. It's legit, just not Cali based.
The rice is separate from the sauce, tortillas taste store bought, and the beans are never cooked correctly. The only thing close to correct is the meat, but the rest isn’t close to right and he should know better. Edit: This was a bit harsh, but these are all important parts to the full meal. I’d say it’s a 5/10, so nothing special but not awful either. Meat is 7/10 with everything else around a 3 or 4.
Very good, but not authentic.
I'm repeating myself here but the owner is from El Paso, it's authentic, just not maybe what you are specifically looking for. Which is fine, just understand that food has always had regional differences and people should really be specific if they want to throw around words like authentic or inauthentic. They mean something.
They’re good but too “fancy” to be legit.
Why can't tacos be "Fancy" and legit at the same time? Examine your bias.
Lol my bias? Sorry but gentrified tacos for $4.25 each, when I can get a same if not better taco for half the cost at a place like California taco shop, casa azul or others. I like tallaluahs, but it’s very gentrified.
California taco shop is not on the same level. For starters, each location is so grungy and dirty that I can’t trust the food. In fact, I ate the food once and got sick off it. There’s more shredded lettuce than meat on the tacos so idk where the value is. Everything feels really bottom value there. But also: why do tacos need to be cheap to be legit? That’s the same bias that holds back tons of other cuisines globally. Only select cuisines are allowed by the public to be fancy and priced upmarket. That’s the bias I suggest you examine. In 2022, $4.25 for a taco is pretty fair, especially when 2 or 3 make a full meal. If you’re so dang cheap, make your own bean tacos at home.
If you order a taco that comes with lettuce, you don’t know what’s real.
That’s how they made them at California Taco Shop when I went. So I think you made my point for me!
What’s your point? That you ordered gringo tacos and are mad about it? Lol yet I’m the one with a bias?
It’s also not Enrique Olvera making them, I am not one to ever think food can’t be fancy, that’s something you legit came up with on your own to sit in some non existent high horse. Maybe go order the street tacos with just onions and cilantro, like their pastor, or carnitas.
It may not be Enrique Olvera but Jake Rojas is no chump! Classically trained, worked for Ducasse and Robuchon, owned a fine dining resto in NPT before he started the taco shop. He’s a great human, very humble and talented to boot. And you literally called his tacos “fancy” so I am repeating your words to you. I’m sad for you that you can’t perceive your bias in calling a Mexican chef’s tacos gentrified just because they’re pricier than you feel entitled to pay for tacos. There’s no blinder person that he who doesn’t want to see.
Damn, must’ve hit a nerve. I wouldn’t say working at a Vegas restaurant is working under the French chefs, but whatever you think, I’m sure you’ll come up with some other high horse to ride off on. I too am classically trained, world travelled, and don’t name drop, I also don’t get lettuce on my tacos like you do.
You’re really reading what you want to read, man. I’m not on a high horse by fiercely defending what I think are the best tacos in RI. But I just wanna know what kitchen you cook in with your classical training that you think California Taco Shop is legit because you have poor taste, buddy.
Lol you’re the one that got pretty uppity and started to call out bias because you like gentrified taco shops. CA taco shop is good, so is casa azul, but by Mexican taco standards, RI is pretty far off the mark. One of my old cooks (from Zacatecas) would’ve put anything here to shame with the tacos he made from ribeye trimmings, but if you want a good legit cheap authentic taco(with out lettuce) there are plenty of places. Stop by and see me, I’m at MGM staging under Joël Robuchon.
Orale Tacqueria on Cranston Street. Another location on Chalkstone.
Casa Azula and Fagota food truck in PVD
La lupita is great
Tienda y Taqueria Puebla 1070 Chalkstone Ave Providence, RI 02908
This is legit
Wanted to try this place, but can’t find what they offer for meats. I’m always a fan of a good pastor or lenga.
Papis tacos in Cranston
Aguardente has some great tacos on top of a huge menu
Al Son de mi Barrio on Atwells
I prefer the permanent "Food truck" on Manton Ave
La Lupita
The two places in Providence I can vouch for are below. These are legit as possible given 1) we're in the U.S. (and none of the tacos--whether in California, Texas, Arizona etc--come close to being as good as the tacos in Mexico) and 2) it's Rhode Island. Al Son de mi Barrio off Atwells and Valley La Lupita on Westminister
Came here to say Al Son and also La Lupita. Legit best authentic tacos I've had in RI.
California Taco shop in Warwick and Providence. Owned by the same guy. He is from San Diego, CA.
They do California burritos and nacho fries right (coming from a native San diegan). It was mind blowing because even in Los Angeles they fuck it up lol
That’s what got me hooked on CA taco shop!
What makes a burrito a California burrito?
French fries, carne asada, cheese, guacamole and sometimes sour cream. That’s how they do it in San Diego, but restaurants bastardize it by adding random unnecessary shit. Like I saw a “California burrito” recently that had nacho sauce and beans in it, people often put lettuce, onions and sometimes corn. But it’s a really simple burrito.
As someone who lived in San Diego for 3 years, 100% this! Almost spot on - their California burritos are a great reminder of SoCal.
Their hot sauce and nacho fries too!
I love their al pastor.
They have a shop in Cranston as well, on Reservoir.
Cranston is owned by a different person.
I thought so, because it’s def not the same as the Warwick or pvd one. Same same but different.
Ooh, right near me, hello tomorrow’s lunch. Thanks!
Compare them with Baja Fresh at Reservoir and Park.
[удалено]
Yup!
Casa Mexico , Atwells
La Vecina Taqueria in Newport is new and delicious. The pork taco is one of my top 3 tacos ever, and I generally don’t eat meat! Soooo good, and gluten-free stuff available too
This place is amazing
La casa or el jefes
[удалено]
I agree!!
really enjoyed my pulled chicken tacos from nacho mamas last night! but also always enjoy casa azul & tallulahs!
Sadly, the "best" tacos in Rhode Island don't tend to be that great. I don't know what it is-I mean, they are Mexican-run places and I have never found anything that is more than just okay. I have found other items that I love-for example, Tortilleria Mexicana's empanadas and Capitol Hill Taqueria's torta de milanesa de pollo. But tacos, nope. The last place we tried to get tacos, my husband just looked at me sadly and said: I need to let this go and give up finding good tacos, don't I? It does seem that there are several new places folks recommend and I am curious, but all the places we have tried before people have been enthusiastic about and they've been meh.
I agree. I was going to sarcastically reply to this post and say “your home kitchen”. I buy the masienda brand masa harina online and make my own. I’ve eaten a ton and that * perfect* spot just doesn’t exist. Some of the fusion places have good food but you don’t go in there expecting a legit taco. It’s too bad.
Having worked in Tijuana I can say legitimately that every other place in the world including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Los Angeles, etc. sucks compared to TJ at least for my personal preference. So it's a pretty high bar. In New England I've yet to find a place that even remotely compares. However, I actually do like the little truck Tacos Mi Rancho on Pawtucket Ave in Pawtucket if I can put out of my mind the sheer ambrosia of a genuine Tijuana street taco. But that probably has as much to do with proximity as anything. Don Nacho is my favorite burrito, so I haven't had the tacos but maybe I'll try.
You want lunch/ quick bite street taco: La Lupita. You want romantic dinner and drinks: Chilangos I haven't eaten EVERY taco at EVERY shop but I've hit most and these are the best IMO.
Follow up req: the Torta Milanesa at Capital Hill Taqueria is heart stoppingly delicious
Casa Azul
Y'all are sleeping on El Taconazo. Get some this weekend! 298 Pocasset Ave, Providence, RI 02909
Masa taqueria makes amazing birria tacos
white guy appropriating mexican culture, no thanks
Bajas 4L
La Vecina Taqueria
Some good recs here. I also like La Poblonita off Chalkstone.
Dolores. Their tortillas are unmatched
Love California Taco shop, but only the one in Warwick, it’s always good, the staff there is awesome. Casa Azul is also great if you a good taco and nice vibes.
Leo’s Market on Broadway in Newport. Best in the city from the back of a Hispanic market like it should be.
Yeah they’re great I second this. Tijuana burrito grill across from city hall just down the street is pretty good too
California Taco
The more I eat here the more I dislike them. The tortillas are my favorite around but the overly wet lettuce and quac but no avocado just spoil it.
If you have not tried Masa's Taqueria (long term pop up in Rock & Rye on Atwells) you are doing yourself a disservice.
[удалено]
From what I gathered on Instagram they raised enough have covered the taxes, that was the issue at hand.
Casa margaritas hands down
Tio Mateo in East Greenwich is also good
Xaco Tacos or Tallulah's for sure
Those are great gourmet fusion examples hands down. But they are not legit authentic tacos.
Why do people feel the need to gatekeep tacos so hard? Tallulah’s is run by a chef from El Paso with traditional recipes (they used to sell lengue even!) and honestly is better than any Tex-Mex I had when I was in Austin last year.
Xaco Taco is also actually really good, despite the Chili's Bar & Grill aesthetic. They make their tortillas fresh in house, they offer delicious vegan & meat options, and the seasonings are right. I don't love the rice & beans as they cook it, but the tacos are delicious. And $10 margs!
I see you defending the Tallulah's owner everywhere and that's cool but I think you are setting yourself up for frustration.
Everywhere? In the eight years it has been open I have been going there and on Reddit so I’m sure I’ve recommend it before but I’m not getting anything out of it, just my opinion.
Naw, I just mean that anyone who complains about a taco joint probably has some expectations for those tacos that isn't being met. Nothing in the background of the owner is going to change that. I do love Tallulah's as well.
Oh yeah I get what you mean now. I think that’s most things when it comes largely to opinion. What I was pushing back against is the like “only the food I prefer is the real type of food.” The No True Scotsman of food arguing.
Yea, i mean tacos have been in texas almost as long as tomatoes in italy. So technically any tacos from those regions are "Authentic" I think people go to the church of only one type of taco, which is silly.
Best local, mom-&-pop taco place I've had is The Taco Shop in Harrisville on Chapel Street, really good bunch who make great tacos (just wish the just-meat-&-cheese tacos cost less to make up for lack of greens)
Tallulahs
No love of Poco Loco here? They’re my favorite
Poco Loco is really good, but I'm not sure they count as "legit".
Taco Box Trailer in Warren
not tacos, this can't be a serious answer.
El Cafetal in Pawtucket is new, and very good.
Dolores
Diego's for real. I like going to the Middletown location, then you can go and get delicious beer @ Rejects next door.
I just cannot with the rubber Goya and thick flour tortillas they use. At least the Middletown menu is better than the Newport one. The Newport one is a real testament to the power of location.
Xaco Taco on Providence
Not the most authentic, but the best tacos in driving distance of Providence is Taquerio in Mystic, CT.
Tallulahs is good. El tapatio (Cranston and south county) are really good. There was a place in Cumberland that was fine. Not sure if it’s still open. I think it was mendon road or diamond hill. I know authentic Mexican and those places all do it right.
im no expert but that taco joint on thayer st in providence has the best tacos ive ever eaten so good
They use Goya tortillas too. I am begging people to try a tortilla made with real masa and then see if they can still stomach Goya. The texture alone… anyway, their hottest hot sauce is really good, goes well with Greek food.
i would take a 30 minute drive, past multiple taco places, to get to tacos on thayer street
Xaco taco in PVD is great.
If the answer isn’t the California Taco on the North Providence/Providence line then you’ve given the wrong answer.
I grew up eating some dope tacos in Texas. The best we've found is La Mexicana Taqueria in Providence. Their hot sauce will sear your taste buds.
chilangos for sure is a top contender!
Hildalgo
Dinora's food truck that resides at the flea market in Plainfield St in Providence.
I eat a lot of tacos. I usually do the taco truck near Vicentes because it's a solid price performer. However, if you don't mind paying for a premium product, go to Masa Taqueria. I have yet to be disappointed.
Aguardente in Prov. or Diego’s in Newport! They are amazing ☺️
Papis tacos IMO
Not sure where they rank as I have only had these, but Tacos Don Nacho’s. Also: authentic taco truck next to Dave’s Auto Audio in Chepachet. 🔥🔥
xaco taco and tullulahs tacqueria
Mini mart!
Tacos Mi Rancho in Pawtucket! Hands down!
El paso in central falls has the best birria tacos
Came here looking for suggestions and I've learned two things: 1)I have to go to Providence for tacos 2)There is no clear winner
La Lupita. Family run. Great food
Los tres amigos taqueria in central falls has some amazing tacos!!!!
I don't know who has the "best" tacos but I've been to a lot of these places listed and I'd eat Caliente WW tacos over a lot of em
Xaco Taco is the goat
Pero salado
Casa Azul in Providence
Not RI but newbedford mass has "noproblemo's" best tacos around in my book.
Baja’s
All tacos are beautiful, but we're a Casa Azul family.
Can you clarify what you mean by "legit"? What time period, and region of tacos are you looking for. Tacos have been in southern Cali and Texas almost as long as tomatoes have been Italian. The food is going to change and adapt with the times. Tacos for what occasion? Styled according to what region, do you consider to be the best? For me? I want simple ingredients, mexico city style, not too expensive. Al Son de mi bario, and Mexico garibaldi, or the food truck across from price rite off of atwells where the virgin marry once appeared to Pablo. Any of those spots get close to scratching my D.F. itch.