Cancel

Open app

Search

Taco Bar El Guero

4.4 (1.3k reviews)
InexpensiveMexican
Updated over 3 months ago

Order Taco Bar El Guero Takeout

Taco Bar El Guero Photos

TACO BAR EL GUERO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Classy
Outdoor seating

You might also consider

More like Taco Bar El Guero

Recommended Reviews - Taco Bar El Guero

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

beef tongue and pork tacos...DELISH!!!!!!
Bill T.

Awesome food and consistently everything! Noting else to report but go there and enjoy some authentic food!

Menu
Connie C.

I've been coming to Taco Bar in Gaithersburg since high school--over 20 years now--and it's still one of the best spots for authentic Mexican food in the area. The tacos are always fresh and flavorful, with generous portions and a great selection of meats. The lengua (beef tongue) is a must-try--tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. I also love their al pastor--perfectly seasoned with just the right balance of sweetness and spice. Their salsas add the perfect kick, and everything tastes homemade. Located right by the gas station, it's a hidden gem that never disappoints. There's outdoor seating if you want to enjoy your meal on-site, and you can also pick up beer and wine here, which is a nice bonus. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or craving a late-night taco fix, this spot is always a solid choice!

Jeff T.

Coming from LA and some of the best tacos, this place is certainly up there. Especially the lengua aka tongue, tender and juicy. The al pastor and chorizo were also good. You have the default option of corn tortillas or to pay a little extra for flour tortillas, both hot off the grill. Service is friendly. The atmosphere is inviting.

Ben D.

A hidden gem in Gburg awesome tacos hidden in a gas station. I got the al pastor, langua, and shredded beef. All were good definitely utiliaze their taco bar. I got roja sauce which was perfect. Langua was a bit too chewy. This place is also beer and wine shop. Doesn't have many tables. It is no frills but great food. Service is good and the restaurant looks very clean.

James L.

My friend and I were feeling a bit hangry after walking the bucolic grounds at the nearby Glenstone Museum (https://www.yelp.com/biz/glenstone-potomac) and my handy Yelp app suggested the Taco Bar El Guero. TBH, I've had this place bookmarked for over 5 years, and as I was in the area, this was the perfect time to finally check this bookmark off my list. If there is almost one universal truism when it comes to food establishments connected or are near gas stations, the food is usually ah-mazing! Taco Bar El Guero is located behind a Shell station (although locals tell me this has been other branded gas stations in the past), so be forewarned that parking is limited. TIP - there is another smaller overflow parking off to the side when pulling in...just be on the lookout for it. Luckily, we were able to find a spot near the front door, and walking in, you can be forgiven if you think this is a liquor store, since there are rows of wine as well as several fridges with full beer displays. But walk in further, and you'll see the counter to order food. The menu is extensive, so my advice is to snap a pic, step off the side to review, and then order when ready...so as to not block the usual long line of patrons waiting. We decided on a trio of tacos (Lengua, beef short rib, and the bistec), as well as the beef asada platter. The tacos were HUGE and overflowing with meat. The condiments/toppings are simple: onions, cilantro, and lime off the side. A green salsa verde also accompanies all dishes. Previously I wasn't a fan of lengua, but their version was fatty and didn't have an off putting "gamey" flavor with excellent seasoning. Bistec was also good, but a bit on the dry side. The short rib was the best of the trio. Tender braised beef was melt in the mouth tender. There was plenty of meat to use the extra corn tortillas to make 2 or 3 tacos. We were already getting full, but sampled the beef asada platter. For $11 (at the time of this review), it's a bargain. Three lean pieces of beef are seasoned and cooked on the flat top with a nice sear. When hot, the meat was tender enough to slice with a plastic knife. Take a few strips and stuff a tortilla with the beans/rice/lettuce/tomato, and you have a great build your own taco. With tax and a Jarritos soda, the total came out to approximately $26; I'd say this classifies as a cheap eat for two ppl especially since there were plenty of leftovers for the next day. If this place wasn't an hour away, I would for sure by stopping by here weekly. IMHO, Taco Bar El Guero is one of the better taquerias in the entire DMV.

Tacos de lengua, Jarrito, chips and guac
Patricia O.

This place is always busy. Delicious tacos de lengua but $6 per taco is a bit much for me. Still I should say they fill the tacos with meat to the point that you could make a baby taco with all the meat you spill. Guacamole and chips never disappoint either. The lime included with each taco is always very juicy. The ladies working here are extremely fast and nice. A few tables to sit inside and a couple more outside. There's no music playing but it doesn't need it as all the noise from those working in the kitchen and the customers getting their orders keeps this place active.

Liyang S.

Forgot I reviewed this place before! This is still a delicious taco joint in the Rio Gaithersburg area. They still served tacos at incredible prices and loaded with meat, but I don't mind the salt content now. They also have other food as well, all really tasty. And the latin music they play just makes me want to dance. The downside is that they can be slow since lots of ppl come here. Parking is also challenging because they share a parking lot with a gas station, Lube Center, and a car wash. Also, I still think their tacos could use more veggies, but that's really minor. Nom nom nom!

Burrito Classic Burrito - pollo
Tammy J.C. D.

This is a family favorite spot. Simple but quick, delicious, and great prices! This small, unassuming restaurant is co-located with a gas station. Very few tables inside (maybe 2 small ones) and a few more bigger ones back. Orders come out quick and are always correct. Chicken quesadillas are so flavorful, burritos are stiffed, quac is on point, and tres leches is a perfect finish.

Taco Pick Two Combo
Lisa X.

Year later and this place still is crushing it. Definitely still king whenever I crave tacos. I love their loaded nachos! Make sure to try this place at least once! The ladies are super efficient and friendly.

I just thought the signage was amusing here. "Beer Wine Taco Bar", lol. But accurate!
Thembi S.

Was NOT prepared to have tacos THAT good out of a gas station, but here we are. I visited the Taco Bar with a friend who's a longtime patron. He assured me the tacos were official and he was 100% correct! The Taco Bar is to the back of a gas station, past refrigerated beers, wines, and other beverages. It's pretty unassuming, just a counter and a large menu hanging overhead. It takes up very little space and there are about 4 small tables nearby that can seat 2. I ordered the "Pick 2" platter option. I went with 2 steak tacos and the platter came with sides of rice and beans, and a drink. We sat outside on a fairly large patio with 4-5 tables with chairs. It was a nice day, so totally worth it! Our food was delivered and we dug in, and OMG! Those steak tacos were fuego!!! Well seasoned, moist, and no skimping on toppings. The beans were much the same, super tasty and great over the rice. I was wholly pleased and filled up by my meal. And the prices were super reasonable/affordable. Next time I'm in the area, I'm definitely returning here!

Jenna I.

Alright, though the reviews looked great, I was skeptical of this little hidden gem once I saw it was near a gas station. On one hand, it could be just that: a hidden gem. On the other, if I got sick from there, I'd assume it's because it was near a gas station. Luckily, it was the former. I ate every last bite of my tacos and my quesadilla was gone in less than five minutes. Everything tasted super fresh and the colors of all the (non-pictured) food looked amazing. Definitely recommend - 10/10 would come again.

Al Pastor Taco
Jordan N.

Finally found a legit taco spot in the DMV. No BS, great street tacos! You might miss this place because its tucked next to a gas station but it worth the search! The service was pretty quick to be as busy as they were. We got al pastor tacos, chicken empanadas, and taquitos. Everything was absolutely delicious! The season/cook was perfect and the amount is generous! Best tacos weve had up here so far! Definitely will be frequenting this spot!

Back patio 10/10
Marshall S.

Best Burrito! Hands down. . Salsa 10/10. , Best Guacamole 10/10. New location coming soon

Menu (11/10/23)

See all

1 year ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Jeff T.
1672
387
1787

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 10
Thanks 2
Love this 6
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 2

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of MiMi N.
1
258
7

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 1

9 months ago

Best food! I can't wait for it to reopen! They have amazing tortas & tacos!!! The guacamole & chips are amazing as well as their salsas!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 1

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Josh M.
3
37
33

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 34

Taco Bar El Guero Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Taco Bar El Guero

Does your outdoor seating area have heaters?

As of the last time I visited, about two months ago, they did NOT have heaters.

My mom isn't a fan of corn tortillas (I like them). Do they offer flour?

Yes, they do!

What's the best thing to order from here?

My favorite Taco is the Lengua, although they are all excellent . Each taco comes with 2 tortillas so you can easily make 2 from 1. The avocado topped gazpacho with shrimp is wonderful!

How much taco meat and the sides do I need to feed 130 people?

You will need 130 taco meat and sides in order to feed 130 people

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

You might also consider

Uncle Julio's Gaithersburg - The wonderful lunch

Uncle Julio's Gaithersburg

3.3(1k reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$

Came back here recently for dinner and it was pretty good. Ordered lemonade for drink and then the…read morecarne asada and Guadalajara trio for entrees. The carne asada was solid. Juicy thin steak with great flavor. My trio entree was solid for 2/3 items. The chicken and steak fajita pieces were great, but my bacon wrapped shrimp was burned which caused it to be slightly bitter. Also, the lemonade is just from the fountain I think. I wish they made it in house so it tasted more refreshing. The overall rating is closer to 3.5 than 4, but I rounded it up. Service was pretty great, our server was on point. And I love the decorations inside, and they are at a prime spot in Rio so it feels a little lively. Glad I came to check em out again.

Oh Uncle Julio's, you always seem so inviting, you make me think this is a good idea, and yet; time…read moreand time again, I find myself disappointed. While exploring the Rio Boardwalk I saw Uncle Julio's sitting off to the side, beautiful views, inviting patios, a great aesthetic and I was lured in. There is ample seating, but being it was such a beautiful night, the waterfront patio was packed, so I opted for indoor seating. My server was friendly, but when I asked for recommendations, was rather underwhelming and did not really sell me on the options I was inquiring about. With them not making the Veggie Fajitas seem like an appetizing option, I went for a spread of apps and dips: queso, guacamole, chips, salsa, and tortillas. Food came out rather quick and everything was fresh and hot. Was it anything special or spectacular? No. Was the experience anything that left me wanting a repeat visit? Again, no. It served its purpose, I was no longer hungry, but at the same time, I was not satisfied. In future, if/when I am tempted by Uncle Julio's, I hope I can recall the underwhelmingness of this visit and it saves me from taking another forgettable trip to Uncle Julio's and inspires me to take advantage of other options in the area.

Photos
Uncle Julio's Gaithersburg - 10.22.25

10.22.25

Uncle Julio's Gaithersburg - Quesadillas

Quesadillas

Uncle Julio's Gaithersburg

See all

La Mexicana - 2025 enchilada with pupusa.  Yummy 11 months ago especially the pupusa.

La Mexicana

3.4(146 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$$

Great Atmosphere, Great Staff. Next time I'll try the comedy show Live…read more Good bar nice pours

Representing 2022 in alphabet series, L is for La Mexicana. I went here a few times for a couple…read moreof events, comedy show, & birthday party. They have a nice private back room for private events or their comedy shows. The main restaurant has a nice bar area and TV's for football or whatever sport. I always got the same thing, the enchiladas. Food is solid. Prices are reasonable here, which was a nice change in the 2020's. What I realized in 2024 was the enchiladas and plates are kind of on the smaller side. When I think of sit-down Mexican restaurants, I think of hearty meals, but this wasn't so hearty. I was hungry several hours later that night in 2024. In January 2025, I was here for a friend's birthday party and remembered that the portions are smaller than typical Mexican restaurants, so I added a bean pupusa to my enchilada plate, which was excellent, even better than the enchiladas, which are solid. It was a little chaotic with the number of people there, and the awkward table setup. It would've been better having that backroom, but there was a comedy show or something happening that night in there, so we made do with the long high tables put together in the middle of the restaurant. Service has always been good here overall in terms of friendliness, but a couple of times when things ran a bit slow. Also, beer pitchers were cheap too. I remember the couple of events where people split including at the January 2025, my friend's brother & his wife split beer with me. Overall, it's a good local business in the area. In spite of a few flaws, mostly good & would return again in the future.

Photos
La Mexicana - 11.1.24

11.1.24

La Mexicana - 2022 enchiladas.  Yummy then

2022 enchiladas. Yummy then

La Mexicana - 2024 enchiladas.  Yummy more than a year ago

See all

2024 enchiladas. Yummy more than a year ago

La Viña Mexican Grill - Plato Gordo for two

La Viña Mexican Grill

4.0(157 reviews)
1.5 mi
•$$

Love it here! I like to start off with their big Sangrita drink. It sounds like it is: a mash up of…read moresangria & and margarita & the large is pretty big. Deelish! The food is amazing & you really can't go wrong ordering whatever you like. I've had the enchiladas the 1st time I went as they're pretty safe & they were really good. My friend got the salmon & believe it or not it was incredible! I had serious entree envy. Other friend ordered the shredded chicken burrito & he said it was one of the best he's had- juicy chicken, just enough veg. The service is fantastic here. Very friendly and welcoming. Our server was our friend but the end of the meal. Love this place! As of June 2024 the strip mall they are in is undergoing renovations- it looks dark but they are Open!

I ordered some birria tacos for takeout with my sisters. They took foreverrrrr to come out, even…read morethough I ordered ahead of time. Inside was big and spacious. There were about two tables occupied so I didn't understand why the tacos took as long as they did. The employees were really nice and apologetic for the wait. I tried them as soon as we got home, which was shortly after, and they were already really cold. Although I'm a cheese lover, these were just too much for me. The cheese was an overkill and took away from the actual steak. I instantly got nauseous and couldn't enjoy them.

Photos
La Viña Mexican Grill
La Viña Mexican Grill - The delicious Shredded Beef Burrito w/ sides.

The delicious Shredded Beef Burrito w/ sides.

La Viña Mexican Grill - Steak and Chicken Fajita Plate...awesome!

See all

Steak and Chicken Fajita Plate...awesome!

Laredo Grill - Cinco de mayo platter

Laredo Grill

4.0(116 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$

the food was great ESPECIALLY THE BEAN AND CHEESE PUPUSAS AND MANGO DRINK the service was fast…read morequick and very efficient these workers are great! and I feel like this place should get bigger they are great they have success coming also I love this places vibe it has Mexican and Central American music with chill vibes and the workers really make you feel welcomed.

1/5 Unfortunately,…read morethis place was a huge disappointment. Honestly, the customer service made the entire experience worse. We came in smiling, excited, and ready to spend money trying a new Mexican spot. Instead, we quickly got the impression that our business was an inconvenience. Let's start with the prices. I ordered a maracuyá (passion fruit) drink for $4.19, and my husband ordered a cranberry drink for $4.19. Neither is refillable, which I normally wouldn't even complain about, but that's over $8 for two basic non-alcoholic drinks. For perspective, I buy the maracuyá drink mix at the Mexican market for less than $5, and that one package makes at least FIVE drinks this size. I'm saying this mostly because they were making money off of us. They brought us chips and salsa when we sat down. Most Mexican restaurants around here offer unlimited chips and salsa, so when we finished the first basket, we asked for another. He brought it. After bringing our drinks, however, the man helping us took forever to come back to take our food order. Another staff member repeatedly walked around us like we were invisible. Eventually, we had to WAVE HIM DOWN just to place our order. We ordered chile con queso WITH BEEF, exactly as it was labeled on the menu, along with chile relleno with beef. The queso arrived WITH NO BEEF. We very kindly pointed out that the beef was missing. Instead of simply saying, "Oh, sorry about that," and correcting it, he seemed confused and started going back and forth with us about it. We asked for the menu because we knew what we had ordered. He took the cheese dip away, went toward the kitchen, and then YELLED across the restaurant to us that it would be $9.36. My husband responded that was fine because THAT WAS WHAT WE ORDERED. Then somehow the chips became another issue. When our almost $10 queso dip came back, there were NO CHIPS brought with it. When we asked about chips, he responded with an attitude that he wasn't going to give us any more. My husband, genuinely confused at this point, asked how exactly he was supposed to eat the queso. With a spoon??? Well, apparently so, because the man came back with another basket of chips... AND A SPOON. You seriously can't make this stuff up. And that really sums up the experience. Restaurants make mistakes. That wasn't the problem. It was the attitude, the lack of attentiveness, having to wave someone down just to order, arguing over something clearly listed on the menu, yelling a price across the restaurant, and then acting bothered over providing chips for a nearly $10 DIP. We walked in happy, friendly, and excited to try somewhere new. We left knowing we will never come back. My advice? There are more than enough Mexican restaurants in the Muddy Branch/Gaithersburg area to choose from. Try one of the others. Based on our experience, this place clearly has enough business that making new customers feel welcomed and valued isn't a priority.

Photos
Laredo Grill - Don't go here!

Don't go here!

Laredo Grill - Combo Fajitas

Combo Fajitas

Laredo Grill - Beef Enchiladas

See all

Beef Enchiladas

Taco Bar El Guero - mexican - Updated October 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...