National Taco Day is October 4th, which means it’s time to take your ordinary Taco Tuesday to the next level! To help you celebrate this delicious day, we’ve picked seven of our favorite spots in the ‘Burgh where you can chow down on a taco or two (or three, or four…):
Gordo’s Tacos and Tequila
Mount Washington
Located on Shiloh Street just a block back from the best views in the city, Gordo’s Tacos and Tequila features a menu of Mexico City-style street food from elote and queso fundido to smoked meats and nine varieties of tacos on scratch-made tortillas! The grilled mahi-mahi tacos are a popular pick and are arguably some of the best fish tacos in the city, but don’t sleep on the roasted carrot tacos – perfect for vegetarians who like a touch of spicy mole!
täkō
Downtown
Looking for something different from our usual taco? Try täkō! The menu at this popular downtown spot combines Mexican cooking styles and dishes with Asian fusion flavors, resulting in unique flavor combos like their signature “Tako” taco with grilled octopus with harissa aioli and fried chickpeas. The Korean taco with flank steak and peanut salsa is also a favorite, and the classic carnitas taco is your best bet for a straight-up, can’t-be-beat taco.
Round Corner Cantina
Lawrenceville
Lawrenceville hot spot Round Corner Cantina is an amazing spot for tasty cocktails and satisfying burritos, but not as many visitors know about their delicious taco menu! The beef birria tacos seen above with savory consomme for dipping are perfect, and you can also enjoy grilled chicken, shrimp, mahi-mahi, chorizo, carne asada, and carnitas for the meat lovers! Round Corner also offers two vegetarian tacos: seasonal root veggies or setas with crispy mushrooms. Yum!
La Palapa Mexican Cuisine & Mezcal Bar
South Side
Sizzling South Side spot La Palapa has been the go-to spot for delicious Mexican food in Pittsburgh for years, and if it’s been a while since you’ve grabbed a taco plate, it’s time to pop in again! Plus, at $10 for three tacos, it’s one of the better deals in the city. Three veggie and five meat fillings come standard, or you can order speciality tacos like al pastor, grilled chicken breast, campechano (ribeye and chorizo), or even beef tongue for an adventurous, tasty plate that’s unlike tacos you’ve had before!
Duo’s Taqueria
East Liberty
We wrote about Duo’s Taqueria when it opened earlier this year, and if you thought this taco stand-slash-language learning hotspot is just a publicity stunt, think again! We’ve heard that the tacos at Duo’s Taqueria are actually very legit and delicious, with flavors like suadero brisket, nopales cactus, al pastor spit-roasted pork, and cachete beef cheek on el menú. Plus, you can save a little on the cost of your order by learning a little Spanish on the spot and taking a quick quiz!
Totopo Cocina & Cantina
Mt. Lebanon
It feels like Taco Tuesday every day at Totopo! Hearty signature tacos like their featured portobello and asparagus taco shown above as well as favorites like the cilantro lime chicken and barbacoa plates are colorful and tasty. Totopo also offers three-taco combos of birria, Americano-style (aka the most delicious Taco Bell taco you’ll ever have) and “skinny” tacos in a lettuce wrap.
Baby Loves Tacos
Bloomfield
Baby Loves Tacos is a great Bloomfield spot for grabbing some street-style tacos that are packed with flavor, with four options each for the meat lovers (chicken, beef, chorizo, or one of each) and the veg-heads (cauliflower, BBQ mushroom, sweet potato, or one of each). But, did you know they also have make-your-own taco kits available? If you want to enjoy a special Taco Tuesday at home or celebrate with your crew, pick up a taco kit that serves three in a variety of tasty flavors!
This content was provided by a local, independent contributor to Made in PGH, a lifestyle blog.