Locals' Guide to Grand Rapids' Taco Scene

Now that we have your attention – let’s “taco bout” tacos!

We asked our social media followers and staff to share their favorite local taco joints with us, and these are the eight that got the most mentions (listed in alphabetical order). When you get a craving for a mouthwatering burst of handheld goodness, head to any or all of them for sweet relief – on Taco Tuesday, and any day.

Cantina Mexican Grill

The longest-running taco destination on our list – founded in 1976 –  Cantina Mexican Grill is still one of the area’s most popular. “Street side” tacos, made with your choice of eight proteins plus green jalapenos, diced onions, avocado and pico de gallo on a soft corn tortilla, have a special place on the menu (and in guest’s hearts). You can also order a three-taco dinner with beef, chicken, pulled pork or fish, served with Spanish rice and refried beans. There are also taco lunch specials, taco combination plates, and a la carte tacos, featuring a choice of five proteins on hard or soft corn or flour shells.

You’ll find all sorts of other Mexican favorites on the menu if you’re not in the mood for tacos, and you can enjoy your meal with a wide variety of adult beverages (including some of the area’s best margaritas). With a main dining room, downstairs lounge, seasonal patio and drive-thru window, Cantina offers multiple ways to satisfy your taco fix.

Cantina Mexican Grill is located at 2770 E. Paris Ave. SE in Kentwood, close to Woodland Mall and many famous-name retail stores. It’s open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and the downstairs lounge is open until 2am Fridays and Saturdays.

Cinco de Mayo Mexican Grill & Bar

One of two downtown Grand Rapids destinations on this list, Cinco de Mayo is a bright and cheerful restaurant/bar that has been delighting center-city office workers and visitors since 2010. Fresh-made Mexican flavor is the calling card here, and Tacos De Lengua – featuring beef tongue on a corn or flour shell, served with rice and beans, cilantro and onions – is an authentic handful of south-of-the-border bliss.

You can also get grilled tacos, fish tacos, veggie tacos, hard tacos and soft tacos, and even choose the fillings to create your own tacos. Other menu favorites include burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, and a variety of side dishes and desserts. Full bar service includes a choice of seven margarita flavors.

Located at 114 Monroe Center St. NW, just a few steps from Rosa Parks Circle and the

Grand Rapids Art Museum, Cinco de Mayo is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

El Globo Restaurant

El Globo specializes in traditional Jalisco-style food from a central-western state of Mexico. (Jalisco is home to Puerto Vallarta.)  The array of taco choices here is dazzling and delicious: asada (steak), barbacoa (cow cheek), carnitas (fried pork), chicharron (pork skin with salsa), chorizo (Mexican pork sausage), carne molida (ground beef), pollo (shredded chicken), arroz y frijol (rice and bean), papa (potato), al pastor (marinated pork) campechanos (steak and chorizo), birria (goat), Jamaica (hibiscus leaves) and lengua (cow tongue). True taco aficionados keep coming back to try them all.

El Globo also serves a pair of breakfast tacos made with mini pancakes – one filled with berries and whipped cream, the other with scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese , ham and bacon. There are many other breakfast, lunch and dinner choices, too, many featuring the rich, hearty flavors Jalisco is known for. The beverage menu features authentic Mexican coffees and cold drinks in addition to American mainstays.

There are two El Globos in town: 2844 East Beltline Ave. NE, close to Celebration Cinema North and Robinette’s Apple Haus & Winery, and 2019 Division Ave. S., not far from Garfield Park and its disc golf course. Both are open Tuesday-Sunday. Only the East Beltline location serves breakfast. 

El Granjero Mexican Grill

El Granjero is on our list of restaurants with great vegan options, but meat lovers also rave about this family-run eatery. It’s no secret why: taco filling choices include expertly prepared steak, chicken, ground beef, carnitas, adobada, al pastor, chorizo, barbacoa, lengua and shrimp in addition to vegan chorizo and grilled cactus. Both corn and flour shells are available.

There are lots of other authentic dishes on the menu, all prepared under the watchful eye of owner/chef Mercedes Lopez and daughter/business partner Paolo Mendivil. From chimichangas and quesadillas to assorted camarones (shrimp dishes) and molcajetes (house specialty dishes served in a traditional hot molcajete bowl), guests will find plenty to love. Beverage choices include Mexican sodas.

Open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, El Granjero is located at 950 Bridge St. NW, about a half mile from the Bridge Street Entertainment District. It’s well worth the walk, drive or bus ride!

Iker’s Tacos

Generous portions, affordable prices and a friendly atmosphere greet guests of Iker’s Tacos, a quaint, family-run restaurant offering a range of Mexican favorites. You can order a single taco, two-taco lunch special or three-taco dinner special with steak, chicken, spicy pork, shrimp, chorizo, ground beef or cactus filling. Enchiladas, fajitas, flautas, barbacoa, nunilas and other authentic dishes round out the menu.

To say Iker’s is beloved by the community may be an understatement. When the owners’ previous restaurant, La Huasteca, lost its lease, customers and friends donated time, money and even labor to help open Iker’s in a close-by location.

You’ll find Iker’s at 1634 Coit Ave. NE, in GR’s Creston neighborhood, not far from beautiful Riverside Park. Iker’s is open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner.

Supermercado La Victoria

Supermercado La Victoria is a Mexican grocery store stocked with a wide variety of Mexican and American goods, including fresh meats, produce, baked goods and ready-to-eat meals. Outside, a food truck promises “El mejor taco en la ciudad!” (the best tacos in town!) and many local fans agree.

The food truck serves up delectable tacos (and other dishes) made with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes that transport customers to Mexico with each bite. Don’t miss Taco Tuesday for great deals.

Located at 4907 Division Ave S. in Wyoming, between 44^th St. and 52^nd St., Supermercado La Victoria is open daily

Tacos El Cuñado

There are several Tacos El Cuñados in Grand Rapids, but our social media followers singled out the Grand Rapids Downtown Market location for particular praise. It specializes in authentic Mexican street food, including tacos, burritos, tortas and quesadillas. Taco filling choices include asada, pollo, al pastor, chorizo, shrimp, rice and beans and two vegan options: nopales and tempeh. You can also order such “mods + hacks” as a cheese crust, avocado, jalapeno and sour cream. A non-GMO corn tortilla is standard but flour tortillas are also available.

Make it a full meal experience with a Mexican coke, a rainbow of jarritos, fresh-made guacamole and the self-serve salsa bar.

While you’re at the Downtown Market, check out the other on-site restaurants and artisan food vendors. They’re all open seven days a week at 435 Ionia Ave. SW.

Taqueria Chilango GR

Taqueria Chilango is the newest destination on this list, opening as a food truck on Wealthy St. (near Uncle Cheetah’s Soup Shop) in 2024. That venture proved so popular that Broad Leaf Underground Bar in the Bridge Street Entertainment District partnered with Taqueria Chilango to provide food for its guests. Broad Leaf Underground is a taproom for Kentwood-based Broad Leaf Brewery + Spirits, and the craft beverage producer’s beer and spirits are a scrumptious match for the Taqueria Chilango’s Mexican specialties.

Tacos are available with marinated pork, chopped beef steak, beef tripe, ground pork sausage, flank steak, chorizo, marinated beef shoulder, marinated ribeye steak, tinga chicken, mushrooms, potatoes or pickled cactus with mixed vegetables as filling. All tacos are served on a corn tortilla with onion, cilantro, and seasoned radish and salsa on the side. Other favorites include chilaquiles, a traditional Mexican breakfast dish, as well as  tostadas, quesadillas, and chips with homemade salsa.

The Taqueria Chilango food truck is open during warm-weather months at the intersection of Wealthy St. and Visser Place SE, across the street from Pinkie’s Ice Cream & Desserts. Broad Leaf Underground Bar is open Tuesday-Saturday at 443 Bridge St. NW.

Other Popular Taco Places

If you’d like to add more stop to your taco tour, considers these restaurants that placed high in previous polls of our followers:

7 Mares. A relaxed family-run joint serving the city’s Boston Square neighborhood since 1999. 1402 Kalamazoo Ave. SE. 

Adobe In & Out. Serving up delicious Mexican food since 1969, with locations in downtown Grand Rapids (617 Fulton St. W), Grandville (4410 Chicago Dr. SW) and Walker (3970 Lake Michigan Dr. NW).

Beltline Bar. Famous for creating the wet burrito, it’s also a taco lover’s dream. 16 28^th St. SE.

City Built Brewing Co. A downtown GR brewery whose Puerto Rico-inspired menu includes five different kinds of tacos. 820 Monroe Ave. NW.

Condado Tacos. This Midwest chain has locations in the Bridge Street Entertainment District (449 Bridge St. NW) and Breton Village Mall (1874 Breton Rd. SE).

Donkey Taqueria. Award-winning taqueria and tequila bar in GR’s Uptown neighborhood. 665 Wealthy St. SE.

El Arriero Restaurante Mexicano. Family-owned restaurant close to Woodland Mall serves a variety of traditional dishes. 2948 28^th St. SE.

F’n K Tacos. Casual Rockford eatery serves up an array of street-style tacos on fresh corn tortillas. 110 Courtland St.

Lindo Mexico Restaurante Mexicano. Female-owned Wyoming restaurant/bar boasts an extensive menu including tacos. 1742 28^th St. SW.

Luna GR. With locations in Ada (7471 River St. SE) and downtown GR (64 Ionia Ave. SW), Luna offers a hip, modern approach to Mexican cuisine.

Maggie’s Kitchen. Opened on Cinco de Mayo Day in 1982, Maggie’s Kitchen specializes in authentic Michoacan recipes from owner Luiz Ramirez’ mother. 636 Bridge St. NW.

Mega Tacos. “Authentic Mexican food at a very affordable price” is the promise at this Wyoming joint. 3585 Clyde Park Ave. SW.

Poncho’s Tacos. Local chain includes Grand Rapids (7727 Division Ave. S) and Wyoming (1874 28^th St. SW) stores.

Quick Time Burritos & Tacos. Fast-casual restaurant in Wyoming does both its specialties exceedingly well. 509 44^th St. SE.

Taco Boy. Fast-food restaurant has been serving northeast Grand Rapids since 1967. 3475 Plainfield Ave. NE.

Taqueria Manriquez. A Mexican restaurant and supermarket in Coopersville, about 20 minutes from downtown GR. 4 East Randall St.

Tamales Mary. Serving Veracruz-style favorites in Uptown (1551 Wealthy St. SE) and Wyoming (1253 Burton St. SW).

Note: Restaurant menus are subject to change without notice. Check websites and social media pages for the latest menus.