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Whether you like soft or hard shell, satisfy your taco cravings at one of these great Mexican restaurants around the Main Line.
This article was originally published in April 2019 and updated in June 2023.
Who doesn’t love a good taco? When fillings run the gamut from chicken and shrimp to beef, birria, and mushroom, there’s truly a taco for every kind of eater. Around the Main Line, local restaurants do tacos right, enticing diners with soft-shell and hard-shell iterations that will keep them coming back for more. Here’s where to savor the handhelds in the Philly suburbs:
La Rancherita Mexican Taqueria
Savor La Rancherita’s handmade tortillas, wrapped around savory fillings. Chicken fried tacos are a favorite and sure to satisfy your hankerings. The bright, colorful atmosphere makes for a fun setting, too.
323 E. Gay St., West Chester. (610) 918-6221
El Tio Mexican Restaurant
Red booths and orange walls give this Berwyn joint a bright atmosphere. The authentic Mexican offerings include flautas (fried corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken), tostadas and taco varieties like shrimp, pastor and beef tongue, for those more adventurous eaters. Finish your meal with sweet, caramel-drizzled churros.
680 Lancaster Ave., Berwyn. (484) 329-7717
Taco Mar
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Known for serving some of the top Mexican cuisine across the Main Line region, Taco Mar is a delicious spot for taco lovers. Its variations include al pastor, chicken and beef, the latter which which can be made original or Americano style. The eatery also has made-to-order seafood tacos with fish, shrimp and even octopus.
122 E Gay St., West Chester. (610) 455-1400; 49 W Lancaster Ave., Downingtown. (610) 233-1515
Guatemalan Kitchen
This hole-in-the-wall eatery offers mouth-watering Guatemalan cuisine like steak tacos and the intriguing pork and pineapple tacos. The menu boasts other options like pollo frito and ribs.
6 Main St., Phoenixville. (484) 924-9069
Hidalgo
This BYOB’s traditional Mexican dishes, outdoor seating and festive décor make it the perfect place for date night or a friends dinner. Bring along a bottle of wine to accompany Hidalgo’s flavorful flautas, complete with fresh queso and homemade salsa. If you’re in the mood for something spicier, try the tacos Haustecos—freshly made corn tortillas topped with marinated steak, onions, cilantro and the chef’s secret hot sauce.
30 W. State St., Media. (484) 443-8945
Jaco Juice and Taco Bar
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This trendy spot, which has locations in Media and West Chester, has fresh juice perfect for pairing with tacos. The Tijuana street taco is stuffed with braised beef, chicken or pulled pork topped with sweet white onion and hot sauce. There’s also the slow-cooked pulled pork taco, which gets finished off with a roasted poblano crema and tomatillo salsa. There’s even a vegetable option of potato, kale, white bean and cotija cheese for those looking for a meat-free meal.
21 W. State St., Media. (484) 444-2839; 8 W. Gay St., West Chester. (610) 436-417
El Limon Taqueria
El Limon has been a Main Line staple for many years, with over 20 locations in just about every town outside of Philadelphia. Of course, there’s a good reason for the numerous locations; the food is top-notch. The eatery offers 13 different taco variations, but the tacos Dorados, crispy corn tortillas wrapped with potatoes, marinated chicken and Mexican accoutrements, are a must-try.
103 Spring Mill Ave., Conshohocken. (610) 567-0120; 61 W Lancaster Ave., Ardmore. (484) 413-2999; 845 Lancaster Ave., Bryn Mawr (484) 222-6929 and many more
Taqueria Amor
Right in the heart of Manayunk, Taqueria Amor has some of the tastiest margarita and taco pairings across the whole metro area. Its fish tacos and al pastor offerings are both excellent, while the amor margarita is a classic. With over a dozen fantastic margaritas to choose from, you might have a hard time deciding with which drink to kick off your weekend.
4410 Main St., Philadelphia. (267) 331-5874
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