Tacos. Ahhhhhh Tacos, how can we adequately express our love for you? There are no words, so we’ll give you the 12 best tacos we’ve tried in Contrac Costa County.
5 Tacos & Beers
This vibrant restaurant in the heart of the downtown is always a good time thanks to its colorful decor, outdoor patio, craft brews, creative cocktails, and delicious tacos. You can’t go wrong with a “Tabla de 10 Tacos” which comes with a platter of seasonal specials such as snapper, portobello, and carne asada.
Los Panchos
For 33 years, this Contra Costa classic has remained a favorite for its flavorful, authentic Mexican food. With two locations in Pleasant Hill and Danville, the crispy chicken and ground beef tacos are a solid bet, but the soft spicy pork are hard to pass up. Los Panchos is also a go-to for burritos and chimichangas.
Tacos Walnut Creek
Grilled, stuffed, and tortilla-wrapped tacos are a three-bite delight at Tacos Walnut Creek, a casual family-owned downtown cantina. Super burritos, quesadillas, and chicken, beef, pork, chorizo, or veggie tacos.
Taqueria Extra
Tucked away on a stretch of Mt. Diablo in Olympia Place is Taqueria Extra, a no-frills diner-style restaurant with tasty food at good prices. The expansive menu includes everything from crispy chicken and beef tacos to super burritos and grilled veggie bowls.
Taqueria Los Gallos Express
Marinated meats are drizzled with smoky salsas on soft or crispy shells then topped with guacamole and sour cream at Taqueria Los Gallos. A Pleasant Hill mainstay serving authentic Mexican food for 30 years, other locations include Concord and Antioch. Salsa bar, shrimp fajitas, and breakfast burritos.
Tacos El Patron
This is the place to get your taco birria fix—braised beef and melted cheese folded into corn tortillas and served with a side of consommé for dipping—but call ahead to order takeout and avoid the long lines. They also serve burritos, enchiladas, ceviche, and refreshing sangria from their Monument Boulevard location.
La Mordida
This tiny taqueria touts soft shell carnitas tacos made with tender slow-cooked pork, cilantro, diced onions, and salsa verde. For vegetarians, there’s tasty potato tacos and refried beans. They also do huevos and burritos at breakfast.
Tortilleria El Molino
A Concord gem, Tortilleria El Molina gets raves for its savory carne asada and crispy carnitas on tortillas made from scratch. Bags of fresh tortillas, still warm from the pan, are available to take home with whole rotisserie chickens.
Dulces Antojitos
If it’s Tuesday, tacos are $1 all day at Dulces Antojitos, a solid spot at The Orchards in Shadelands for carne asada, birria, and al pastor tacos, as well as a nopal tortas. Order online for pickup or delivery.
Taqueria La Plaza
Tucked away in Walnut Creek's Palos Verdes Mall, Taqueria La Plaza, churns out expertly fried Baja fish tacos dressed with lettuce, red onion, and a squirt of cream on grilled corn tortillas. Crispy chicken tacos, al pastor topped nachos, and enchiladas. Carryout and delivery.
Tzunun Restaurant
A modern Mexican restaurant from the family behind Wence’s all the tacos are made with fresh house-ground masa and filled with seafood, meat, or mushrooms. Interesting starters include a shrimp and pulpo ceviche and a mixed green salad with roasted corn and habanero cream dressing. Weekend brunch, lunch, dinner and happy hour.
El Aguila
Meats are locally sourced from Mary’s Chicken and Homestead Farms at Pleasant Hill's El Aguila. Plenty of veggie standouts and healthy taco twists also on the menu. Indulgent fillings like potato or poblano are seasoned with signature spices and wrapped in fresh corn tortillas.
Taco’bout 12 great reasons to love Contra Costa!
This article originally appeared on Walnut Creek Magazine.
