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    Axel's Taco Shop

    3.9 (37 reviews)
    Open 6:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    Salsa bar
    Baltazar R.

    A Tacos Trip! The Carnitas Tacos Let me taco 'bout the carnitas tacos--these bad boys are the real fiesta in a fresh corn tortilla! As a globe-trotting, México-born taco connoisseur, I can confirm the deliciousness of these carnitas, each bite had us saying, "¡Ay, mamacita!" They're tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor--so much so that you might start dancing around the super nice salsa bar in the restaurant with your taco plate in hand. If these tacos were any more loaded, they'd need their own passport stamps! The Environment Axel's Taco Shop is a vibrant, quirky corner of México right here in Salem, OR. The walls are adorned with colorful murals and beyond that, the staff makes it even better--think "Taco 'bout a party!"--that make the atmosphere as festive as a street carnival. Whether you're on a quick lunch run or planning a full-on taco marathon that includes buñuelos, the ambience here is as refreshing as a chilled cerveza Corona on a sunny August afternoon. Amazing Service! Now, let's address the real twist in this tale: our dear Axel--the brilliant college student who, by a hilarious twist of fate, shares his name with this taquería. Axel doesn't work here, doesn't own the place, it's just destiny that brought us together. The staff served up friendly, attentive service that made our visit as memorable as Axel's quirky college antics. Thanks to his accidental nudge, our culinary journey turned into a full-blown fiesta! In short, if you're roaming Salem or on your way to-from Corvallis and Portland, with a hankering for killer carnitas tacos and a side of laughter, Axel's Taco Shop is your destination. Grab a taco, toast with some horchata or jamaica drinks, and enjoy the ride--while giving a nod to our namesake hero, Axel, for the unforgettable referral!

    Roasted onions, jalapeños and yellow peppers as sides

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    2 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    6 months ago

    Amazing!!! Best burritos and salsa ! Customer service very good . They are also open late which is great .

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    2 years ago

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    6 months ago

    i've stopped by a few more times and the food has been consistently fresh and delicious!

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    11 months ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Dependable, fast, fresh & delicious! Great service and it's awesome that they have a drive-thru.

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Carne asada is flavorful and tender - good portions for the price - salsa bar is well supplied

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Delicious food! fast service !! Everyone that works here is very polite , good customer service. all the salsas have a good flavor

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    2 years ago

    The best Mexican food I've found so far in Salem. Great customer service. Orders are out fast.

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    3 years ago

    I got the number 10 and my husband got pollo Ashdod burrito and it's delicious. We recommend it.

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    Review Highlights - Axel's Taco Shop

    Now that I've had their carnitas tacos, I don't know if I'll be able to bring myself to order anything else.

    $6.99 Carnitas Taco

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    La Hacienda Real - 2 taco plate

    La Hacienda Real

    3.9(317 reviews)
    3.5 mi
    $$

    Excellent tortilla soup! You know your food is made with love! Everything is fresh. Your…read moreappetizer is always fresh. Your serve is prompt. I would give you 10 stars if I could!!!!

    Two-Star Review for La Hacienda Real (A poetic saga of…read morechips, dips, and unmet dreams) I walked into La Hacienda Real, hungry and bold, But those chips were stale not warm, not gold. The bean dip tasted canned, the salsa was bland, Not a spark, not a kick, not a mariachi band. Chips and salsa should sing, make your taste buds feel alive But this batch barely whispered, "Hey... we tried." I ordered chicken enchiladas, beans joining the ride, Asked for salsa or hot sauce, hoping flavor would collide. They brought a tiny sampler cup, small but supreme That little shot of fire? Man, that stuff was the dream. Serve that as your house salsa big bowls, not petite Quit hiding the only thing that actually brings heat. Then came the bill cheap enough to shock, Like bargain-bin prices straight outta the clearance stock. So if you're a senior citizen, avoiding spicy thrills, Or you're rolling on a budget and just want full plates and refills, La Hacienda Real hits "cheap," but it misses the taste You'll get fed, sure, but man... it feels like a waste. I wanted to love it truly, with all my heart But those chips didn't crunch, and the salsa had no spark. I've had legendary dips, heroic salsas, chips steaming hot and great This was none of that... just a budget-friendly plate. So is it crappy, or just cheap? I'm honestly torn But next time I'll chase flavor somewhere better reborn.

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    La Hacienda Real
    La Hacienda Real - Reasons to Not Not like La Hacienda! Pollo a La Diablo! Fresh Tortillas and a Cadillac Margarita on the rocks!

    Reasons to Not Not like La Hacienda! Pollo a La Diablo! Fresh Tortillas and a Cadillac Margarita on the rocks!

    La Hacienda Real

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    El Padrino Taqueria - Chicharrón tacos

    El Padrino Taqueria

    5.0(3 reviews)
    2.6 mi

    Yum! This little stand on the side of the road has a little seating area and no menu, just a sign…read more Ask the chef what meats he has, and order some tacos/quesadillas etc and you will not be disappointed. He is very kind. It is obvious he puts care into having his meat ready to cook and marinated and seasoned greatly. They are seasoned so well that we just added some lime and didn't even get to try the salsa. The tripa is perfectly crunchy and soft and has great flavor. The chicharrón is soft and so delicious. Will be back and they're open until like 5am!!!

    As one of the more noticeable taquerias in Salem, I'm genuinely surprised there aren't more reviews…read morefor El Padrino. (#1) For years when this taco cart operated along Portland Road (#2) it was low on the radar but known in the community. Fast forward a few years, it's not quite a brick & mortar, but a space for patrons to sit inside to enjoy their food while everything is cooked outside on a cart. The format isn't for everyone (#3), but it's right up my alley. Beyond the colorful murals along the interior and spacious seating, this is still very much a dive. The place is open typically at night and the cloud of grease that permeates the room from all the fatty meats being grilled up. The ventilation is questionable and the seating (fold up chairs and plastic tables) is hardly glamorous. I don't know if I'd have it any other way. For some folks, seeing certain taco meats sitting in a pool of lard / fat / questionable liquid might be an eyesore but once the grilling begins it's a new ballgame. I enjoy almost all the meats, whether it's their famous al pastor sitting on a tromp with a pineapple on top, or their variety of cecina, carnitas, cabeza (cheek, mainly), barbacoa, and asada. There's no guarantee of what they'll have on any given night, so I'm usually good with whatever they have available. The charred grill is also the same place for their tortillas, which are also fried in said lard, and give off this smokiness that might not be everyone's cup of tea. I think their barbacoa, which is chivo (#4) style, is really the best thing they have. The meat is incredibly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. It completely encapsulates their namesake in "ricos tacos" as one of their signature items. As always, it is cash only and speaking Spanish is a must. I'm not saying it's the best taqueria in the city, but for late night eats, it's certainly one of ones to beat. __________ (#1) Aka "The Godfather" (#2) Twas another time: https://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-el-padrino-salem (#3) Real talk: Most folks in Salem will likely never go to a place like this. That's really too bad. (#4) Goat, my amigos.

    Photos
    El Padrino Taqueria - Outside

    Outside

    El Padrino Taqueria - Tripa and chicharrón tacos

    Tripa and chicharrón tacos

    El Padrino Taqueria - Inside

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    Inside

    Abiertos

    Abiertos

    3.5(297 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $

    Driven past Alberto's for years and finally decided to stop in. After seeing it so many times…read morewithout trying it, I went in more curious than expectant. I left pleasantly surprised. My first impression was positive. The establishment was clean, brightly colored, and filled with natural light. The dining area is relatively small, with a modest number of tables and chairs, but it felt comfortable rather than cramped. The atmosphere was casual and welcoming. The employees were friendly, and the service was notably fast without feeling rushed. I ordered the chicken burrito for $8.99, genuinely unsure what that price point would translate to in size or quality. The answer was immediate. This was a substantial burrito, roughly 10 inches long, and packed from end to end with filling. Not one of those burritos that gives the illusion of size but turns out to be mostly tortilla. Once opened, the cross-section told the story clearly: generous meat, a good mix of fresh ingredients, and a burrito that looked thoughtfully assembled rather than carelessly thrown together. The flavor matched the appearance. It was hearty, satisfying, and exactly what one hopes for in a burrito. The chicken was flavorful, the ingredients worked well together, and nothing about it felt skimpy. The tortilla had a light browning to it, which added both texture and visual appeal. Just as important, it was wrapped exceptionally well. For a burrito this full, that matters. It held together while eating, keeping the filling where it belonged rather than turning into a mess halfway through. Another detail worth mentioning was the sauce selection. Having multiple options from mild to hot allowed for some customization, and they were worth sampling. They added another layer to the meal rather than feeling like an afterthought. What stood out most was the overall value. Quality, quantity, speed, and price do not always align this well, but here they did. For $8.99, the portion was generous, the food was flavorful, and the service was efficient. Add in the fact that Alberto's is open 24 hours a day, and it becomes even more appealing. In the end, what impressed me most was not simply the size of the burrito, but the fact that the entire experience felt solid across the board: clean setting, friendly staff, fast service, fair pricing, and food that delivered. After driving past this place for years, I can say it was worth finally stopping in. I would return.

    Stopped by here as a pit stop & a must by my friends as they road trip south on the 5 frequently!…read moreThe menu (so affordable too!) is such a delicious experience reading the menu options as well how you can have them prepared for you. We had the california and oregon burrito toasted, w the additional options to have the guac & sour cream within the burrito. It was so nicely prepared and dense! A huge portion - it looked like I barely made a dent in it, it was impressive! lol Service is great, the salsa bar was fun, especially a girl that likes things w spice. Restrooms are out back w a key. The vibe is vibrant and familiar which is always welcomed too :)

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    Abiertos
    Abiertos - The nickel I found in my Supreme Burrito

    The nickel I found in my Supreme Burrito

    Abiertos

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    Axel's Taco Shop - mexican - Updated May 2026

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