Taco Mecca: Tai Lopez's Bold Bite Through Mexico City's Street Food Icons
TL Team Apr 08, 2025
When Tai Lopez touched down in Mexico City, he had one thing on his mind: tacos. Not just any tacos—the tacos. The kind that keep chefs humble and foodies obsessed. This wasn't just a bite-and-go trip. Tai set out on a mission to sample the city's greatest taco offerings, from polished taquerías to gritty, fire-kissed taco counters that barely register on Google Maps.

This guide is your front-row seat to Tai's taco crawl, starting with the glistening pork of Orinoco, winding through the chili-battered seafood of El Pescadito, and landing on the spicy-slick midnight legends of Los Parados.

Welcome to the ultimate taco tour of Mexico City. Vamos.



Stop #1: Tacos Orinoco (Condesa)

Address: Av. Yucatán 15, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX 06100

If you're a first-timer to CDMX and don't want to dive too deep into the wild, sizzling underbelly of taco culture just yet, Tacos Orinoco is the perfect entry point. With its bright interiors, squeaky-clean tables, and friendly, rapid-fire service, it's basically the Shake Shack of tacos—but in a good way.

What Tai Ordered:

Chicharrón Taco – crispy, juicy, outrageously rich. "¡Que rico!," Tai said after the first bite. This was the best of the bunch.

Trompo (Al Pastor) – Spit-roasted pork with sweet pineapple, this is CDMX’s signature taco. Juicy, smoky, classic.

Bistec de Res Taco – Simple, beefy, flavorful.

Pirata – A flour tortilla folded over cheese and steak—basically a northern-style quesadilla known as a 'Pirata'. Not traditional to CDMX, but absolutely addictive.

Sides: Salsa selection heaven, roasted potatoes, and cold cerveza.

This was the most polished taquería Tai visited—multiple types of tortillas (including flour, which is less common in Mexico City), an immaculate presentation, and salsas that looked like they were plated for a photoshoot.

Tai’s Ratings:

Food: 9.1 – Chicharrón is the MVP.
Service: 9.5 – Super attentive staff.
Ambiance: 8.7 – Clean, modern, buzzing.
Location: 9.0 – Right in the heart of Condesa.
Value: 8.8 – Great bang for your peso.
Overall Experience: 9.1



Stop #2: El Pescadito (Near Parque España)

Address: Atlixco 38, Hipódromo, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX 06100

If Orinoco is the taquería equivalent of a well-oiled startup, El Pescadito is the unpretentious, flavor-first local spot that stays true to its roots—and that's a very good thing.

This no-frills brick-and-mortar taquería delivers pure, no-apologies flavor. It’s mostly self-service here, so you’ll need to know how to build your own taco masterpiece.

What Tai Ordered:
  • Chile Relleno Taco – Stuffed, battered chile pepper in a taco. Tai doubled back for another. Game changer. Pro tip: Add shrimp. You can and absolutely should—the combo is legendary.
  • Shrimp Taco – Juicy, fresh, and pairs perfectly with house salsas.
  • Tuna Taco – Big miss. Fishy, red tuna with a strange texture. Possibly a wrong order.
  • Michelada – Very refreshing. It’s always a good idea to ask if the ice is filtered in Mexico City. Tai was told it came from 7-Eleven, which he took as a win.
Tai’s Ratings:
  • Food: 8.2 – Hits and one very memorable miss.
  • Service: 7.0 – Self-serve setup.
  • Ambiance: 7.5 – Barebones, authentic.
  • Location: 8.5 – Walkable, near beautiful parks.
  • Value: 9.0 – Super cheap.
  • Overall Experience: 8.0
     


Stop #3: Taquería Los Parados (Roma Sur)

Address: Monterrey 333, Roma Sur, Cuauhtémoc, CDMX 06760

Located at Monterrey 333 in Roma Sur, Taquería Los Parados is the late-night taco spot of legend. Though Tai went for a quiet weekday lunch, you can tell this place slaps after midnight.

What Tai Ordered:
  • Chile Relleno Taco – Massive, cheesy, basically a two-taco experience in one.
  • Bistec Taco – Solid and satisfying.
  • Al Pastor – Straight off the trompo. Served to-go, but still excellent.
  • Salsas: Fire. All of them.
This spot straddles the line between street and sit-down. Perfect for post-bar cravings or a mid-day taco stop.

Tai’s Ratings:
  • Food: 8.9 – Classic CDMX.
  • Service: 8.0 – Efficient, friendly.
  • Ambiance: 8.1 – Chill, local.
  • Location: 8.8 – Roma Sur never misses.
  • Value: 9.2 – Legendary late-night value.
  • Overall Experience: 8.6
A Taco Lover’s Guide to CDMX: History, Culture, and Pro Tips

Why Mexico City is the Taco Capital of the World

CDMX is the epicenter of taco culture. A true street food haven, the city offers everything from taco carts with two-dollar lengua to Michelin-starred versions of tacos you’ve never heard of. The taco here isn't a snack. It's a religion.

What is Al Pastor?

Originating from Lebanese immigrants who brought shawarma to Mexico in the 1920s, Al Pastor is spit-roasted pork marinated in chilies and spices, often with pineapple on top. It's now a must-try staple across CDMX.

Types of Tacos You’ll See:
  • Trompo/Al Pastor – Spit-grilled pork with pineapple
  • Bistec – Thinly sliced grilled steak
  • Chicharrón – Fried pork skin or belly
  • Lengua – Beef tongue, tender and rich
  • Cabeza – Head meat (cheek, etc.)
  • Ojo – Yes, that’s eyeball
  • Cactus (Nopal) – Tart and juicy
  • Cochinita Pibil – Yucatán-style marinated pork
  • Tripa – Beef intestines, crispy on the outside and soft inside
  • Suadero – Thin cut of beef between the belly and leg, smooth and fatty
  • Chorizo – Spicy Mexican sausage, often red and greasy in the best way
  • Campechano – A mix of meats, usually including bistec, longaniza, and sometimes chorizo or tripa
  • Canasta – Soft, steamed tacos kept in a basket and usually sold street-side; filled with potato, beans, chicharrón, or adobo
How to Properly Eat a Taco:
  1. Choose your salsa wisely (start mild, then build).
  2. Add lime, onion, and cilantro to taste.
  3. Eat in 2-3 bites max. Tacos are not sandwiches.
¡Warning!:

Or, rather, cuidado, some salsas will nuke your mouth. Always test with a finger dip before going all in.

Street Food Side Quests
  • Canasta Tacos – Steamed tacos in baskets, sold outside football matches. Tai tried these at a Cruz Azul game and loved them.
  • Tlacoyos – Blue corn pockets stuffed with beans or cheese.
  • Chicharrón Preparado – Giant fried pork skin topped with lettuce, cream, and salsa.
Other Taco Joints to Try in CDMX:

Mexico City is bursting at the seams with top-tier taco joints that didn't make Tai’s crawl this time—but easily could have. Here are a few more worth bookmarking for your own adventure:
  • El Vilsito – A mechanic’s garage by day, a legendary Al Pastor stand by night. Their spit-roasted pork is flame-kissed perfection, especially after a few mezcal cocktails.
  • Taquería Los Cocuyos – A tiny stand in the Centro Histórico serving tacos de cabeza, lengua, and other delicacies. Anthony Bourdain was a fan, and for good reason.
  • Taquería El Califa – A sleek, modern option for those wanting a slightly elevated taco experience. Try the “Gaona” (thinly sliced beef) and their charred green onions.
  • Por Siempre Vegana – A plant-based powerhouse slinging vegan versions of pastor, chorizo, and tripas. A must for vegans—or skeptics looking to be converted.
  • Taquería El Turix – A Polanco staple famous for its cochinita pibil. This slow-roasted pork from the Yucatán is savory, juicy, and deeply spiced. Get it in taco or torta form.
  • Los Güeros de Boturini – A local’s favorite known for their suadero and long nighttime hours. Pull up late and join the crowd.
  • Tacos Manolo – The go-to for flour tortilla fans. Try their campechano (mix of meats) with a squirt of lime and a dollop of avocado salsa.
  • Tizne Tacomotora – A modern taquería using smoked meats and inventive twists like brisket tacos with pickled onions and habanero mayo.
Whether you want traditional or experimental, plant-based or carnivore heaven, Mexico City's taco scene has a flavor for every mood and moment.

Tips for Visiting Mexico City
  • Ice & Water: Only drink filtered or bottled. Always ask.
  • Cash is King: Most taco stands don’t take cards.
  • Uber Over Taxis: Safer and cheaper.
  • Street Smarts: Keep your phone in your front pocket.
  • Where to Stay: Roma, Condesa, and Polanco are food heaven.
Perfect For:
  • First-Timers: Tacos Orinoco is the gateway drug.
  • Late-Night Cravings: Taquería Los Parados is open into the early hours.
  • Seafood Fans: El Pescadito’s chile relleno is a sleeper hit.
  • Adventurous Eaters: Try lengua, ojo, and cabeza at local stalls.
  • Food Photography: Orinoco’s presentation is next-level.
Tai's Final Thoughts

"Mexico City is a taco jungle. And if you’re not exploring it, you’re doing food wrong," Tai said while polishing off his second chile relleno taco at El Pescadito. Each stop offered something special—Orinoco for polish, Pescadito for soul, Los Parados for flavor. CDMX isn’t just a taco town. It’s the taco capital of the world. Come hungry. Leave transformed.

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