[Ed. note: There’s a new Tacos, Brews & Jams this Thursday, July 26, 2018 in Fresno! Get all the deets here.]
How did you guys do with that last list of Five Tacos to Try in Fresno? Eat your way through that already? Good, because I’m back with another.
Oh, I’m Mike Oz, by the way. You know me from me Taco Truck Throwdown and Tacos, Brews & Jams (*ahem* it’s happening tonight, aka April 20, at Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co., so come on out). I’m always on the hunt for great new taco places and luckily, FresYes.com is letting me pass on some of the findings to you.
The goal is that you’d explore and enjoy your city a bit more in the pursuit of tacos. Which, ya know, is a noble pursuit. If you’re hungry for tacos after eating this … well, at least you know where to go.
1. LOS TORITOS
True story: This is one of my favorite places in the entire valley. It’s a taco truck that’s permanently parked in front of the Selma Flea Market on Mountain View Ave. right off Highway 99. The carnitas are amazing — they’re crispy and flavorful, almost like bacon. That paired with the red salsa? Flames. This was my go-to spot between Fresno and Visalia when I’d go back and forth for concerts. Luckily, they’ve been coming into Fresno a little more often lately. In fact, you can find them at Tioga-Sequoia on Wednesday, April 26. Wherever you find them, Los Toritos is fantastic.
2. MARIA’S TACOS
If crowds are a good indication of quality, then you might not find better tacos in Fresno than Maria’s Tacos, a taco trailer that sets up at Kings Canyon and Clovis avenues, behind the strip mall with Supercuts and Sunnyside Pizza. Drive past Maria’s Tacos on a Friday or Saturday night and you’ll think you’re missing a street party. It’s poppin’ out there. And the food is delicious. One note: This is a nighttime-only spot. They’re open seven days per week at 5:30 p.m., closing at midnight Sunday-Thursday and 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
3. TACOS TIJUANA
Tacos Tijuana is probably the most Fresno “mainstream” spot on this list. It’s pretty famous. Bernie Sanders went there, after all. But I don’t get to Tacos Tijuana enough. I went there recently and was reminded how great it is. Two notes here: The red salsa is amazing; I’d drink it if I could. Ask them to give you handmade tortillas for your tacos. It costs a little bit more, but totally worth it.
4. DON TACHA
Don Tacha is a funky little place at the corner of Blackstone and McKenzie nearish downtown Fresno. It’s a walk-up window, basically, but they’ve given the place some character by building a little courtyard around it. The tacos are pretty damn good too. They’re plump with meat and the salsa is good and hot. The meat is better quality than a lot of places use. And the tacos are pretty huge. If you’re looking for a place that has some hipster cred and some unique character, look no further.
5. LA ELEGANTE/VEGA BROS STREET EATS
As I told you up top, my April installment of Tacos, Brews & Jams is tonight (April 20) at Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co, 745 Fulton St. It features a good combination of old and new. You may have heard of La Elegante. They’re Fresno taco royalty, recognized recently by Food Network and owners of out-of-this-world adobada tacos. If you’ve never had them — which is possible since they’re a lunchtime-only spot — this is a good chance.
This month’s TB&J also features Vega Bros. Street Eats, a newer taco vendor in town that’s growing quickly. Everything they make looks delicious, but you should definitely be aware that they make al pastor like THIS:
TB&J is free to attend and open to all ages. It also features live music from Saltwater and For the Record, vendors and, of course, Tioga Sequoia’s delicious craft beer. It runs 5-10 p.m.
Mike Oz is a Fresno-based journalist, taco fanatic, and all-around chill dude. When he’s not covering baseball for Yahoo Sports, he organizes Tacos, Brews & Jams and Taco Truck Throwdown. He also hosts Ozmosis on New Rock 104.1, Sunday nights at 9 p.m. Follow @mikeoz on Twitter and Instagram or follow @TacosBrewsJams and @TacoTruckThrowdownfor taco updates.
- TTT8 is this week! Here’s everything you need to know - July 17, 2018
- 5 Tacos in Fresno You Need To Try This Month - April 20, 2017
- 5 Tacos in Fresno You Need to Try This Month - February 15, 2017
can we get an installment of taco time with mike oz featuring fish/seafood tacos?
I got you next month, Ed.
Los Toritos @ the Selma Flea Market is on Mountain View Ave, not Avenue 12…
You are correct, sir. Just a brain fart by me.