Best Tacos in San Jose from “San Jose Taco Crew” [photos]
Our amiga ‘Darlene Tenes’ from The Taco Crew has completed its 2022 journey to find the best taco in San Jose! We got hundreds of recommendations and visited the locations with the best ratings and the most personal recommendations.
It was impossible to narrow it down to one location so we listed our Top 5 spots. If you want to go on the taco journey and weigh in on your favorites drop-in at the locations below. #SJTacoCrew source: Casaq
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TACO CREW GUIDELINES
Be open. Be open to trying new and different foods, going to new places and meeting new people.
Be kind. Food operators are having a difficult time with the pandemic, staff shortages and rising food costs. Be patient and kind.
Be generous. Show your appreciation for their skills by leaving a tip, a kind word or positive social media post.
Be prepared. Check out the weather and location online beforehand to see if you need to bring cash, a coat or a chair to sit on.
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HOW TO JUDGE
1) Judge the Tortilla, Fillings and Salsa and/or Toppings on their own and together. Also, note the atmosphere, presentation and.or whatever else is noteworthy.
2) It is best to order a minimum of two tacos at each location. The first taco should be your favorite type of taco that you will try at every location. The second taco should be the restaurant or food truck’s specialty item.
3) At the end you are going to choose the best restaurant taco, best food truck taco and best overall location to hang out.
4) You can visit the locations in any order you wish but you must visit a minimum of 15 locations and tag us at @CasaQbyDarlene with #SJTACOCREW to earn a Taco Crew mug or glass.
Photos of Tacos judged:
DARLENE’S TOP 5 FAVORITES
EL HALAL AMIGOS
1100 Lincoln Ave, San Jose, CA 95125 >>
Restaurant w/indoor & outdoor seating
elhalalamigos.com I 408-645-5571
As you might guess this is not a place for pork lovers but you’ll never miss it when you try the brisket. It’s a comfy, good vibes spot for families and friends.
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EL PORTAL COCINA
2108 Story Rd, San Jose, CA 95122
Restaurant w/indoor & patio seating
669-284-3990. I Instagram
This was one of our favorite finds! Located in the heart of the East San Jose it a cool spot that combines traditional cuisine with chef inspired dishes.
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TACOS BUENROSTRO
Truck w/outdoor seating
Best messiest, greasiest (juicy?) Quesabirria tacos in town! Not the healthiest but the tastiest. The service is friendly but as slow as a sloth.
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TACOS A LA PARILLA
2970 Aborn Sq, San Jose, CA 95121
Restaurant w/indoor seating
408-270-6220
Grumpy service, indistinct decor but the tacos are tasty! Go here when you’ve been running errands all day and need to fill your tummy.
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ZONA ROSA
1411 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126
Restaurant w/indoor & outdoor seating
zonarosadining.com I 408-275-1411
Everything is good here the food, customer service, atmosphere are all top notch including the cocktails! Great place to meet up with friends.
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HOWEVER DARLENE MENTIONS…
There are so many great spots in town for different reasons.
For instance if I am craving carnitas I’m headed to Carnitas El Ricon. This is all they do and they do it well. For a fish taco, I love Rosy’s Fish City. If you want something creative and flavorful chefs Anna Zamora-Pizzo (Zona Rosa), Genaro Mendez (El Portal Cocina), Marshall Reid (Acopio) have elevated the simple taco into an art. For people in East San Jose the battle between Tres Reyes and Chenchos Taco Trucks is like siding between Ford and Chevy.
For vegans I have never seen a more extensive menu that at Adelita’s Taqueria. Then you have the lengua (tongue) and tripe (stomach lining) taco fans who need to visit the most authentic homestyle restaurants or taco trucks to get their fill. Let’s not forget Super Taqueria, which for some reason people don’t like to admit they love, but the lines out the doors of their many locations tell a different story. The point is everyone has different tastes and preferences but these spots listed below are some of San Joseans most recommended spots with 4+ star ratings.
¡Buen Provecho!
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