If you’re looking to blow through a ton of money in a short period of time, well, first let us tell you about a great multi-level investment opportunity. Next, let us tell you about Edinburg’s taco spots serving everything from barbacoa-stuffed tortillas drizzled with avocado crema to crispy carnitas finished with pickled onions and cilantro. Expect to spend anywhere from $2-$15 per taco at each of these spots, plus whatever horchata or margarita you decide to go with. It can add up quickly.
But that’s why we have this guide.
Vargas BBQ
$ | (956) 278-0094 | WEBSITE
There aren’t many spots that are more welcoming than a family reunion, serve great smoked meats, and let you choose exactly how much you want to eat. That’s how it works at Vargas BBQ: Tell the friendly staff exactly how hungry you are. From there, you’ll receive a proportional amount of things like well-seasoned pork riblets, smoked chicken, flavorful sausage, creamy potato salad, delicious mac and cheese, and that noteworthy green spaghetti.
Whether you go for the Tejano plate with three meats and two sides or the Edinburg plate with four meats and two sides, Vargas BBQ makes going out for barbecue easy, which is why we come here for family meals or casual gatherings with friends.
Taco Burger Daniel
$ | (956) 457-9725 | WEBSITE
The tucked-away taco joint in Edinburg has been serving up mouthwatering dishes for years—so expect a straightforward and reliable operation. Throughout the meal ($12-18 per plate), staff will bring out plump mollejas and bistec tacos with grilled onions in front of you without fuss. By the time you finish the last bite, you’ll be so satisfied you might need to loosen your belt. But a visit to this hidden gem is always a solid option for a quick lunch or a once-a-month type of treat.
Grab a seat at one of the simple wooden tables.
Taqueria Peque´s Burgers
$ | (956) 750-0817 | WEBSITE
All of the casual taco joints can start to blur together, but this unassuming Edinburg spot stands out by including inventive twists in their classic menu. Pull up to the friendly counter and you’ll soon be biting into burgers praised as amazing, or hot dogs “especiales” that are also a hit. Aside from the more creative items, the rest of this dining experience is pretty straightforward: fresh and high-quality food, professional service, and extremely friendly and helpful staff.
Despite the occasional longer wait time, the great food, service, and prices make it well worth the visit.
Kitchen La Katrina
$ | (956) 533-4375 | WEBSITE
Taco-obsessed Edinburg residents are lucky to have Kitchen La Katrina. The family-owned spot is a destination for casual dinners, weekend cravings, and quick meals with friends who just want authentic flavors. Opt to order the shrimp and fish plate for the best experience (and a special Katrina sauce only available with certain dishes), and a menu that mostly consists of fresh tacos, plus options like birria tacos packed with meat and juices or spiro papas with freshly made tartar sauce.
Taqueria La Herradura Edinburg
$ | (956) 603-8007 | WEBSITE
Taqueria La Herradura Edinburg serves three perfect tacos—like carne asada, al pastor, and carnitas with fresh cilantro and onion. The non-taco items are just as satisfying, including generous portions that you can fill up on like a hearty meal. Go for the $12 three-taco plate that shows the kitchen’s full generosity. Just note that the counter service has a busy pace that blocks a view of the taco-making process and limits interactions with the staff.
La Taquiza
$ | (956) 270-4210 | WEBSITE
This unassuming Edinburg taqueria (by the La Taquiza team) is a 10-taco feast that you won’t want to end. You can’t logically camp out at this clean, casual spot forever, but you can enjoy the made-from-scratch extravaganza of authentic tacos and generous, delicious sides, like buttery potato tacos and yummy charro beans, which really set this place apart. Come here when you want to feel 20% more satisfied than you would at other decent taco spots.
Keep the chips and salsa coming and maybe you’ll start to hum along to the friendly, efficient service buzzing through the reasonable-priced space.
Loredo’s Tortillería
$ | (956) 513-1001 | WEBSITE
Loredo’s Tortillería, that small pick-up-and-go spot in Edinburg, has a flair for the authentic. The space is bright, the tortillas are hand-crafted right there, and the scent of fresh masa will greet you like a warm welcome from an old friend. The authenticity is matched by their barbacoa tacos ($3.50 each) that are so clean and flavorful you might forget you’re actually supposed to share them.
The sprinkle of onions and cilantro that tops each taco, from the savory barbacoa to the hearty bistec ranchero, all shine with that made-to-order freshness. Come here when you want to treat yourself to a genuine breakfast taco, or the next time you feel like going simple on a truly satisfying meal.
Taco Fish
$ | (956) 620-4874 | WEBSITE
You probably aren’t picturing a simple counter in a strip mall when you imagine incredible seafood tacos. But that’s exactly where you’ll find Taco Fish, a small Mexican spot in Edinburg where keeping it fresh is the appeal. That, and the fantastic fish tacos made with care. Here, you’ll also chat with the friendly staff while smelling the grill and eating incredible pulpo braseado and amazing ceviche camaron.
When Taco Fish opened, they hooked us with very reasonable prices, like individually priced Pulpo tacos. Some items have crept up—but, thankfully, the flavorful dishes and welcoming atmosphere haven’t gone anywhere.
Taqueria El Paisano Truck
$ | (956) 513-5471 | WEBSITE
Taqueria El Paisano Truck is one of the few spots on this list where you can get top-tier lonches for under $10. Their signature lonch plate is $9 and includes three generously stuffed lonches with your choice of fillings, plus a side of house-made salsa and pickled vegetables. Beyond not breaking the bank, everything that comes out of this modest food truck window is consistently delicious and impressively fast.
The $9 plate is a perfect starting point, but they also have a larger combo for $12 with five lonches, plus a vegetarian option for $8 featuring fillings like grilled peppers or seasoned potatoes. Whatever you order, just note the salsa portions are on the smaller side, so consider adding an extra side, like guacamole or queso dip.
Taqueria 39 Edinburg
$ | (956) 270-4344 | WEBSITE
This spot made our must-try taco list ($12-16 per plate), and for good reason. During a meal of mostly tacos, you’ll get up close to flavorful, tender meats and tightly packed, chef’s choice fillings. The tortillas are warm and lightly toasted allowing the savory pastor, juicy fajita, and smoky trompo to shine. The fact that there are clean tables, good music, and eye-catching wall art certainly adds to the pleasant atmosphere.
And somehow, the generous portions and tasty food always make us more satisfied than when we walked in.
Taqueria Y Birrieria Los Compadres
$ | (956) 789-1610 | WEBSITE
Midway through a meal at Taqueria Y Birrieria Los Compadres, the server will bring out a steaming bowl of consommé. In will go a birria taco for dipping, and suddenly you’ll find yourself in the midst of a delightful flavor experience you won’t want to end—just like the rest of dinner. From a clean, kid-friendly booth, you’ll be treated to consistently delicious food including some tacos made with care right in the kitchen.
And despite being a bargain ($12), you should still confidently call ahead for takeout—this is one you’ll be thinking about long after it’s over.
Taqueria D’Patty’s Tacos y Mas
$ | (956) 609-9371 | WEBSITE
Technically, Taqueria D’Patty’s Tacos y Mas serves tacos, but it’s such a fantastic deal that it felt right to put this family-owned spot in this guide. For $12, you’ll get a lineup of three perfectly seasoned tacos that don’t require any detours to a cup of salsa (plus you’ll usually get a bonus taco or two). To get closer to that authentic experience, nab one of the four counter seats to chat with the two older ladies who run the restaurant.
Taqueria El Super Taco
$ | (956) 888-8888 | WEBSITE
Taqueria El Super Taco is another of Edinburg’s essential taco truck experiences ($8 for a combo with beans and a drink)—but this one also happens to feel like the world’s most casual late-night hangout. The chef and staff will joke and chat with you, and covertly sneak you an extra dollop of that amazing green salsa.
And throughout the loose night, you’ll make friends with the strangers waiting next to you and share stories over pastor tacos, tripa tacos, and buttery, perfectly griddled campocheco. From start to finish, a visit to Taqueria El Super Taco just feels like a party.