Windermere Professional Partners

The Best Mexican Food in Tacoma

December 20, 2016
Last updated May 5, 2022

On the hunt for some authentic street tacos? Craving homemade tamales and a happy hour margarita? Believe it or not, Tacoma is home to some absolutely delicious (and we hear pretty darn close to authentic) Mexican fare!

When your taste buds are ready to head south of the border, you’ll want to be sure to have these Tacoma Mexican food recommendations on hand:

Vuelve A La Vida: #1 Recommended

Located at 5312 Pacific Ave Tacoma, WA 98408
Hours: Open Monday - Saturday 10:30am - 10pm + Sunday 11am - 9:30pm

Located in South Tacoma right on Pacific Avenue, Vuelve A La Vida is the absolute favorite Mexican restaurant of several of our real estate agents. “The most authentic Mexican is supposed to be Vuelve A La Vida in South Tacoma!” says REALTOR® Marguerite Martin. REALTOR® Brandy Brazeau agree—the food is so good and rumored to be the most authentic Mexican around town.

REALTOR® Sharon Benson can vouch for that: “Vuelve A La Vida on Pacific is the most authentic Mexican and very, very good… [and that’s coming] from a Southern California girl! You won’t get chips and salsa or margaritas… but you can get a bucket of Coronas & homemade tamales!”

At Vuelve A La Vida, expect a menu with all of your favorites, including a long list of tacos made in “the traditional way,” several types of burritos, tortas, and soups, an impressive seafood menu, and even Mexican breakfast.
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Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant & Tequila Bar: Happy Hour Galore!

Located at 4102 South 56th Street Tacoma, WA 98409
Hours: Sunday - Thursday 11am - 10pm, Friday - Saturday 11am - 11pm

Moctezuma’s has a few locations in the area (including one in Gig Harbor), but we’re lucky to have one in the heart of South Tacoma! REALTOR® Linda Solheim highly recommends Moctezuma, and raves about their carne asada and incredible happy hours. Enjoy $5 margaritas on Monday, $2 tacos on Tuesdays, all-day happy hour on Sunday, and more deals—see ‘em all here.

Check out their menus here (including a gluten-free menu + cantina menu) but be careful—if you’re not hungry now, you will be after seeing their long list of tantalizing dishes!
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El Toro Mexican Restaurant & Cantina: High-Quality Ingredients & Atmosphere
See all locations here

With a few different locations in the area (including Lakewood, Westgate, Parkland, University Place, and Puyallup) El Toro is a local favorite. REALTOR® Kelli Jo Hjalseth loves their food (see the complete menus here) and says they have the best margaritas!
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Taqueria El Sabor: From Taco Truck to 3 Restaurant Locations
Located at 1636 S. Mildred St. Tacoma, WA 98466 (see all locations here)

Back in 1997, Taqueria El Sabor started out with a taco truck in Kent, and little by little they were able to expand into their current locations. They’re all about serving the best Mexican food, and have been praised as authentic AND affordable!
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El Zocalo Tortas & Bakery

Located at 701 S 38th St, Tacoma, Washington
Hours: Open Monday - Wednesday 9:30am - 10pm, Thursday 11am - 10pm, Friday 9:30am - 10pm & Saturday - Sunday 9am - 10pm

“You know I'm all about the hole-in-the-wall places!” says REALTOR® John Douville. John recommends El Zocalo Tortas & Bakery on South Tacoma Way for fabulous Mexican cuisine. Tacos, sandwiches, burritos, windows filled with baked sweets and much more are all on the menu here!
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A photo posted by @aroundtacoma on

Memo’s: Open 24/7

Located at 1703 6th Ave, Tacoma, WA 98405 (see all locations here)
Hours: Open 24/7

“My son Colton and his buddies love Memo's,” shares REALTOR® Michael Robinson. “Looks like a hole-in-the-wall place to me but they swear by it!” Located on Tacoma’s hoppin’ 6th Ave in Central Tacoma, Memo’s uses all-natural ingredients in their huge menu that shows off 20 burritos and some very reasonable catering options.
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