A hole in the wall taco bar in downtown Norfolk, but with plenty of charm. A decent bourbon selection and icy cold beer. Everything was very good and it was a very chill place to hang out read more

Small local dive bar with just tacos and taco bowls on menu. Nothing fancy. Chicken tacos are best if you like chicken. Wednesday nights are comedy nights if you are into up and coming comics. Owner nice guy. Bar staff friendly. Lots of regulars. Can be very noisy when busy. Behind old fire station (now a church) at va beach blvd and Monticello. Always clean. read more

This was such a pleasant surprise! The ambiance was eclectic and really nice. The restaurant was tucked away and hard to find but it was a great time once we got in. We were greeted by the bartender, and provided an explanation on the handwritten menu card. The food was really good. The pulled pork taco and the beef taco were really good! The BBQ chicken taco was not my favorite, only because the chicken literally tasted like I was at a BBQ spot and that taste mixed with taco fixings was a bit off. Offers great drink options and was informed about Happy hour from 4-8 pm. Will definitely be coming back read more

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Taco food truck meets Norfolk dive bar with contemporary art and nostalgic tunes. Order via paper à la carte menu/ballot. I enjoyed my tacos, all with hard and soft shell w cheese in between but mixed proteins (bbq chicken, black beans, shrimp). Server was Norfolk sassy, just how I like it ("if you want chips and salsa, bring it yourself"). Draft beers were great. House lime margaritas were different, more like a Mountain Dew w tequila; unexpected but drinkable. read more

Sanctuary - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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While my friend and I were at a nearby flea market, we stumbled upon Sanctuary since we were looking for a quick bite to eat. As soon as we walked in, we headed to the back and asked for menus. To our surprise, we were given a small sheet that was their "menu" and were told to select what we wanted to order by checking off whichever taco or taco bowl we wanted. Very interesting concept. As we looked over the options, I decided on the soft shell Pulled Pork Taco, the BBQ Chicken Taco and the Mahi Taco. After ordering, we were able to sit wherever we wanted and they would bring our food to us so we decided to sit at the bar. While there, I ordered the Mango Honey Habanero Margarita and unfortunately it was extremely sour. My friend and I could barely get it down. The bartender was very sweet and attempted to fix my friend's drink to make it taste better but it still tasted pretty sour to us. The tacos were brought out about 20 minutes after we ordered. All of the tacos were pretty good but my favorite was the Mahi Taco. It was seasoned very well and was absolutely delicious. Since I'm a sauce girl, I added some of their Honey Habanero Taco Sauce to it and it enhanced the flavor even more. Unfortunately, the only downside was the soft shells were a bit hard, my friend didn't even eat all of hers. Overall, this place seems to be nice for folks that want a quick and simple taco. I did see they have a small area where they sell fudge as well. The music they were playing was definitely a vibe and they have a couple of foosball tables for anyone wanting to have some fun. I'm not sure if I would return but if you're in the area and want a decent taco, definitely check them out. read more

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A friend and I stopped by Sanctuary while out at the Norfolk Night time flea market for a bite to eat and cocktail and loved the laid-back, fun vibe of the space. The atmosphere is super cute with TVs, foosball, and a great outdoor seating area--definitely a nice spot to catch a game or hang with friends. I tried two tacos: the BBQ chicken and the ground beef. The BBQ chicken taco was definitely the standout--flavorful with a tangy sauce and a perfectly soft shell. Unfortunately, the ground beef taco fell a little flat in comparison--it lacked seasoning and the shell had dried out a bit, which took away from the experience. I also tried the mango habanero honey margarita. It had a fun kick but leaned a little too sour for my taste. I asked for extra agave to balance it out, which helped. Overall, Sanctuary has a cool vibe and seems like a fun bar hangout, especially for drinks and games. I might come back for the atmosphere, but probably not for the food. read more

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Literally our fav taco place and we talk about going often (even though we live in VB). Went for the 1st time when I was pregnant and we just took our son back and we loved just as much! Especially fond our the mountain of cilantro they put on the tacos. Drink menu has excellent & fun options. Has an edgy vibe but everyone that works there is the biggest sweetheart. Definitely driving out again sooooon read more

Sanctuary - Best taco eva - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Highly recommended if you're a taco fan! $4 tacos!? And they're super stuffed! I recommend the BBQ chicken tacos and make sure u add Cole slaw or at least get the slaw as a side... so good! Sanctuary is a local bar.. definitely gives neighborhood bar vibes. This is a small establishment but there is indoor and outdoor seating! The staff is super nice and attentive. There was a good mix of people here - all ages and race. I love a good culture mix wherever I go! I could come here alone after a long day for some me time or a group and enjoy myself either way. Good vibes! Will definitely be back! read more

Sanctuary - Pulled pork, beef, and bbq chicken tacos - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Lets TACO about it! (Like what I did there? ) I love Sanctuary and if it was appropriate, I would eat here every day! They have reasonably priced street tacos and great drinks. The vibe of the establishment is amazing! The workers are very nice and great to talk to. They get you your food extremely fast. I need to catch them on a day where they have the shrimp tacos but my favorite is the pulled chicken. 1000000/10 recommend. read more

Location: This spot is in a good location for people who have children. I wouldn't recommend this place during the winter because indoor seating is limited. However, there's a playground just outside that can be utilized during the summer. Vibes: The Sanctuary definitely has its own vibe. It's very baresque, and there are a variety of alcoholic drinks you can choose from. It's dark inside with list of canvas art, that all have a similar look. It's not very busy during the day especially in the winter, so you can get away with eating inside. Food: As far as food goes, this place wasn't expensive at all. I ordered a taco bowl which was filling. I will say it's bar food and not anything compared to a Mexican restaurant taco. However, you're given a menu which you can choose what you want in your taco or bowl. This can be protein and toppings. The food was fresh, and that made it feel light and nutritious. It was missing some flavor was a little lackluster for seasoning. The hot sauce at the table were good, but not a personal favorite. Overall: This place had cheap food and alcohol. It will fill you up, and you can enjoy yourself and have a quick drink if you have kids. I would not come back, but it was a nice experience to try. read more

Sanctuary - Sanctuary Shell Taco - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Went with a group last night, large group, busy place: slow service expected. Placed our orders, 14 of us. I ordered directly from the Menu, nothing substituted or special. Within the first hour, 12 of my party received their order. At 1 hour 20 minutes, the 13th Dude received his. At 1hr 30 mins, I still don't have mine. Went to the counter, asked my server. She replied "well we told you it was going to be a wait" and rudely dismissed me. The owner was there, cool dude, and said "I got you" but I requested to cancel my order. As I'm speaking to him, same server rudely interrupted multiple times. I told her to cancel my order. Owner comped my Coke. Very disappointed read more

Very enjoyable grunge bar and taco stop this Tuesday for lunch and beers. We sat at the long and narrow bar. There are benches and parking out back. I went with two ground beef tacos and my wife had two taco bowls, one bean and one ground beef. Food was average, but I thoroughly enjoyed the vibe, the music and the four wide screen TVs, showing silent YouTube videos. My wife was not as impressed as I was with the venue, but this is my review and, hence, my rating. BTW: service was attentive and friendly. read more

Sanctuary - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Had an OK experience here. We decided to just grab tacos, as we were interested in the brewery across the street (and it wasn't immediately obvious to me what the bar had on draft). The ordering process was a little unusual in that we had to fill out paper forms with details on the tacos we wanted. I guess this kind of thing isn't totally unconventional but I do think it would have been faster if the server had just taken our order normally, since she had to explain how to fill out the form, one of my friends screwed up and wrote down the wrong information, etc. :) The tacos weren't bad! Pretty tasty and reasonably priced, although I can't say they were incredible. For example, I'm pretty sure the server mentioned that the taco shells were store bought - they tasted just fine but it would have been awesome if they were fresh. Not sure I'll be back here but it's maybe worth a visit, especially if you like foosball (it's apparently a hot spot for that!). read more

Great tacos and service. We have been here multiple times and they never disappoint. Get the tacos with the sanctuary shell. Ground beef and bbq chicken are my go to meats. read more

Looking for a quick bite before the opera, Sanctuary hit the spot! The taco bowls were the best I have ever had in my life! That chili lime sauce was divine! All the ingredients were so fresh! The service was fast, friendly, and an atmosphere of belonging! 80s music and incredible margaritas topped it off! Thank you, thank you thank you read more

Loud music and great tacos. Waitress was really knowledgeable about the limited menu and all the hot sauces.

For a hole in the wall taco restaurant that I've never been to, I give it 5 stars! The owner is extremely involved with people dining in. He introduced himself and made sure we were happy and well taken care of. The vibe was chill, the bar tender was a sweet girl. Drinks were good. Their happy hour runs late wooohoooo! Until 8pm every day. We had the tacos and they were super yummy. The ONLY food they have is tacos. If you don't like that then this place isn't for you, but I love tacos and my boyfriend does too, so this was a great place for us. Cool vibes with great artwork, which I believe the owner does himself. Right in the middle of neon district. This place is HIDDEN. But I loved it. Easy and quick. There is a nice sized parking lot and friendly faces. Going to have a Halloween party and we will be attending woohoo! :) read more

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If you want tacos and I mean ONLY tacos, this is the place to be! It gives a cool dive bar vibe. The customer service is amazing. They have a decent happy hour. You can't go wrong with Sanctuary! read more

Friendly people, great food, had a Buck Cherry or two. Small inside- but adds to the vibe!

Cheap scrumptious tacos served by a very friendly owner in a hole in the wall. The vibe is 80's rock so I had zero cares about licking my fingers to ensure I got every morsel & ounce of sauce. Bf & I ate our 4 tacos, 1 cocktail, & coleslaw for $27. I was full after 1 taco honestly but the tacos are so delicious I just HAD to eat the 2nd one too on the spot. My bf was just as thrilled with the experience. read more

Great tacos tucked away in Norfolk's Neon district. Worth a visit for a quick bite and a cold beer.

The tacos here are really good! We ordered to go and realized when we got home that one meal was missing. I called right away, and they were already waiting for my call to make it right. They sincerely apologized, fixed it on my bill, and had my meal ready for pickup. Just a simple mistake, but it was handled with incredible customer service. Mistakes happen everywhere -- what matters is how they're handled, and they absolutely nailed it. That's why this is still a 5-star review. The food is absolutely delicious, and the people here are kind, attentive, and genuinely care about their customers. Highly recommend! read more

I've been here every time I visit Norfolk and it never disappoints. The vibe, the staff, the food and drinks are all simply amazing. If you haven't been here before. This is your sign TO GO! I love how simple yet flavorful the tacos are. Let me know if find this helpful and what you decide to get from here! Hot sauce lover?! Well they sale their hot sauces. Make sure to ask about it! You're welcome Wishful add: I wish they had chips, salsa, and guac as well. That would be read more

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Authentic hole-in-the-wall bar with good food.. Stopped in to have a couple of BBQ tacos. Tacos were very good. I had the lime sauce on them. I thought they could have used a bit of heat (probably should have added jalapeños). I liked the "Choose Your Own Adventure" ordering. I opted for the "Sanctuary " shell for an extra $1.00. Pretty good. To drink I had a house margarita. It was average. + The atmosphere - good ol' Rock-n-Roll bar. I would eat here again, and I might. read more

Sanctuary - BBQ tacos with the "Sanctuary" shell. Yummy - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

If you didn't specifically know where this was, you could walk right past it and miss the little local gem. It's a small, narrow, taco bar with off the wall art! We came by on a Saturday afternoon and the bar was full of seating, so we found some seats and got to work. The menu is a "fillable sheet" which was pretty cool! They were out of hard shells, tomatoes, and jalapeños, so I didn't get to try the famous Sanctuary Shell but we ordered a few soft tacos and a bowl. We also ordered a margarita and stoned mule! I really liked the mule. The food was good, the pulled pork taco was easily my favorite. I sampled the house House sauces and all of them were tasty but the chili fire was the best! I wish they had some chips and dip or guacamole as a side, but the it was still good ! read more

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The atmosphere is great with music and great service and the food is amazing!!! And the owners are just super nice and fun people and this place was just amazing! read more

Went twice, disappointed both times. first time we waiting an hour for food with literally no other customers in the restaurant. tacos tasted like dog water, I could cook unseasoned meat at home and make better food. On the second trip got I over charged on food and food did not taste good again even though i had basically every addon check off for the taco. read more

If you're looking for some good service and most importantly tacos in a Tuesday. Sanctuary is the spot to go. I can only imagine what it's like here once the summer begins to hit. It's off the cut of Granby street. If you blink you will miss it. Definitely put in your gps so you don't miss it. Service was fast and the food and margarita were flavorful. I will definitely be back. read more

Sanctuary - 2 beef tacos and 2 bbq dry rubbed chicken tacos in sanctuary shells. - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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The beef taco was delicious! I gave 4 stars rather than 5 stars because it is expensive ($5 for a basic taco). It took a little long to receive the food, and there were only 2 other customers there. The server was polite and attentive. They offer unsweetened tea, but do not offer any artificial sweeteners. The atmosphere is outstanding with the art work, red picnic tables, and high ceilings. It's a little off the beaten path and pricey, but worth the visit. read more

Let's taco about this place. This is a fun spot located on Addison right off of Granby St right when you enter the Neon District. On this particular day I was in the mood for tacos and wanted to try a place new to me. So happy this was the spot I picked. They have two small decks outside of their restaurant and you can smoke on the deck if you like. Inside is a rather long accommodating bar as well as two tables. They have a huge drink selection but I don't drink when the sun is up. The menu is limited, but perfect if you are looking for something delicious and filling. I had a pulled pork taco and a ground beef taco. Both were on a Sanctuary Shell, micro greens, shredded cheese, sour cream, cilantro, lime chili sauce, lime wedges and topped with a generous serving of avocado. The Sanctuary shell is a hard taco, layer of melted cheese and then nestled in between a soft shell taco. The shredded cheese is two different kinds of cheese. Both proteins were cooked and seasoned to perfection. They had a good selection of sauces to try on your tacos. My favorite was the tomatillo mixed with the roasted red pepper sauce, heavenly. Every bite of this meal was d-e-l-i-c-I-o-u-s!!!! I can't stand it. My only regret about this place is that I could only finish 1 1/2 tacos. They were so flavorful and filling. The staff was beyond friendly and even made recommendations. I will definitely be back for rounds 2-infinity. Sanctuary, you are definitely doing your thing. Oops, almost forgot to mention that they have recently opened a new location in Norfolk by Old Dominion University. I was told that the new location serves shrimp and mahi tacos. They also serve brunch on Sundays and are currently working in a steak recipe. Check them out, you won't be disappointed. read more

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Hands down, no contest, the best dive in the city. On any given day at Sanctuary, you'll find an eclectic congregation of seasoned alcoholics, businessmen, navy folks, hipster weirdos and moms/dads out for a quick drink. The staff here is top notch and the vibes are always immaculate. I've since moved to California and I think about this bar at least three times a week. If you're looking to be a regular somewhere, this is the place to be. Grab some barbecue pork tacos and a few margs. Catch a movie, or chat with your bartender. Take a deep breath. You're home. read more

The stars were definitely aligned the way I found this place! I was actually headed to Culture Lounge to meet a group of friends for Happy Hour. A truck was blocking the street to the parking lot so I had to go around the building to get to the street, and that's when I saw it. There was a sign outside that mentioned "Happy Hour" and "Tacos" and you can't go wrong with either. I quickly checked Yelp to see the reviews and made an executive decision for us to take a trip there first. The outside doesn't look like much, the inside was a bar so I wouldn't recommend to bring kids unless you plan to eat outside. My group of 6 ate outside on the patio. It was nice and clean. The waitress brought over our menus which was a piece of paper and you check off what you want. I got a pork bbq taco and a chicken taco. We were all surprised with how stuffed they were! It was well worth the $4 each. They were very flavorful and delicious! This has definitely been added as a happy hour staple! read more

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Oh man these were some of the best hard tacos that I've had. They have soft, hard and combo shell options along with your choice of beef, chicken or pork. The drinks are strong and the music is loud so if you're not ready for a lively atmosphere go to Taco Bell. This is an awesome joint and well worth the price. The location of the beaten path and is literally a hidden sanctuary to the uninitiated. Unfortunately I took some bad pics of the tacos, but take my word the tacos are seriously on point. read more

Sanctuary - Menu - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Quick,easy no frills taco joint. I recommend doing the sanctuary taco shell. American taco place. Good for a quick bite read more

Sanctuary - BBQ, Groundbeef, pork tacos - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I had the pleasure of checking out Sanctuary yesterday with a group of friends. I honestly would not have seen this restaurant or even known where it was located if it wasn't for them checking out the taco night. This restaurant is tucked away off Granby Street. We ate outside on the back patio. I was running a little behind schedule, so the rest of the party had already ordered. When I got there, the server was quick to bring me the taco list. I was a little confused at first, because you get a small form and check off what you want on your taco. From the meat, shell, the toppings, and how many. They take that form and bring you exactly what you ordered. It's actually kinda cool and probably lowers the risk of errors. I ordered a drink but unfortunately it did not come in a timely manner. I had eaten my tacos already and did not receive my drink, so I decided to take the drink off my order. No worries. All in all, it was a cool experience. read more

Sanctuary - two tacos with shredded cheese and lettuce - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

I will start off by saying do not be fooled by the humble appearance of this place. There aren't a lot of staff members but they do a great job a servicing everyone within a reasonable amount of time...you more than likely have to order at the bar though. We sat at the bar, so it wasn't an issue. About to the food! I am not a fan of American Tacos -the ones with the crunchy shell, flour tortillas, and toppings like lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. However, this place completely elevated the American taco with fresh ingredients and the right kind of seasoning on the filling. We tried different variations on the shells with chicken and pork. The pork was definitely better than the chicken, but both were very tasty. I must admit they changed my mind about the American taco...so yummy! read more

Sanctuary - 2 sanctuary tacos and 1 soft shell (chicken & pork) toppings: lettuce, tomato, cheese, jalapeño, creamy lime sauce, and avocado. - Tacos Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Super friendly and accommodating staff with great recommendations. Soft tacos were excellent and were out before I was halfway done with my first mule. The dim light added a great ambiance and made it feel like a warm hug welcoming you to a drink. Best bar food I've ever had. Definitely a new favorite for me in the Norfolk area. read more

Small and intimate just like I like. Great drinks, great staff and the bbq chicken tacos made by Thomas were everything the soul needed! Can't wait to go back and check out their comedy night! read more

One of my favorite dive bars. This place is always chill and has great music. I usually go during happy hour and get a Stoned Mule. The drinks are amazing and the bbq chicken tacos are delicious! They seriously never disappoint. Never really busy, mostly bar seating, the bartenders/servers are always welcoming and kinda hang out with the customers. Always good vibes. They are working on a second location but I hope this place stays around forever read more

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Felt very unwelcome, the service was not great and the tacos were okay but not hot. Tried to interact with the bartender but it seemed like we were being irritating to them. read more