I love Taco E! I've been enjoying it since I was a kid, when my dad would stop to pick up burritos on our way home from a day on the river. I moved away, but every time I come "home" this is the 1st place I come for lunch or dinner. The ambiance is authentic Mexican and the service is always amazing, even when slammed with customers out the door! But...the food is just the best! There's a reason they've been in business as long as they have! read more

Incredible meal! I had the combination dinner with chunky beef. It was super tender and really delicious! Very friendly service and reasonably priced.0 read more

I've been coming here since I was a little girl and always lived the fried shell tacos the have their food has always been consistent in taste and quality and yummy. I'm so glad the survived covid! Because so many family owned businesses have not. I highly recommend giving this Mexican restaurant a try their prices are rather good as well compared to others. read more

See all

One of my favorite Mexican restaurants in the downriver area. They are always pleasant & the food is always great. Dine-in seating is available, but they do not serve alcohol read more

Taco Especial - Mexican Sandwich w/ chunky beef - Mexican Near Me - Ecorse, Michigan

Best damn food around! Excellent service! Atmosphere is cute. To bad I don't live close by or I would be ordering every weekend. read more

Great Food. Great service. It's a little place but worth it. I recommend the Steak Fajita. And the taco dinner is very good.

Great food , great people! We have always been happy with our carry out orders! Everything has been ready when we got there!

Great food, service, and fast. Friendly people! Calling ahead is fast and easy. They always get the order right. The food is hot never cold or lukewarm read more

A woman at work was going gonzo "They have the best Mexican pizza ever!" and I recalled this when I got out of work late a couple days later and starving. She was right! The tostada inside gave it a firmer consistency when using a knife and fork, so much that I wondered, "Could I pick it up and eat it like I would a pizza?" But I didn't. The pico de gallo garnish tasted so fantastic and fresh tasting , I think it was the lime juice- which the gal in the kitchen said is what they use. I noted her expression of, "That's why ours is the best" when she said it and I say, "Go ahead and toot your horn!" it's no lie. My guacamole was delicious and just right: smooth but chunky, fresh onion bites and great texture. Their salsa is smooth but thick enough to amply coat both sides of the chip you dipped. The staff are friendly and attentive to all diners, even if not primary server, making sure everything is good and any need attended to. About 4 people in the kitchen from where I could see and all hustling to get orders prepared and out to the customers but taking time to greet or speak to you making eye contact. Inside is pleasantly decorated in traditional colors and style. Tables and chairs only but space to put tables together if you had a group with plenty of room to get around. I'd guess a capacity for maybe 24 people? There are 2 doors to enter: 1st has approximate 4" threshold with 2nd door 3-4 ft ahead and slightly inclined for next 10 ft; if mobility is an issue it could take some effort to access. But, I will add, there are so many people in and out with carry out orders I'm sure someone would assist in anyway needed. The Ecourse community has always been very friendly and helpful when they notice somebody might need help. (I had a flat tire on the way to work and was in a school parking lot changing it. A man yelled over from across Southfield Road, "Hey! You need a hand over there?" which I was surprised and comforted that someone noticed And actually took a moment to check on me. I thanked him and continued as I was almost done.) But enough about me! If you're craving a Mexican meal that tastes like homemade and not a lot of flash, I highly recommend this humble but thriving local business. They have their own small parking lot (10-12 spots?) plus some parking in street on Southfield. read more

Great food great prices and always good service. Have been going there for years Everyone is the restaurant is always nice. We haven't had any bad meal or service there.They always get the order right. read more

The food is authentic, Mexican food and the service is amazing! I love the traditional decorations and the area.

Quick service food was fresh and delicious. Server was very nice. Love the quaint atmosphere. Will always come back. Such a great small hole in the wall that has great food. read more

Taco Especial - Chicken Melinsa - Mexican Near Me - Ecorse, Michigan

I've been going to Taco E since I was a little girl. I haven't seen Maria in a longtime but I will definitely never forget my memorable experiences especially because of her and her Maria sauce. I remember Maria would have to authorize that I ate at an authentic Mexican restaurant for my HS Spanish class and how I hated taco shells and she would always make 3 beef tacos with no shell on a plate basically a taco salad lol (now, older and wiser, I love the hard shells). But, let's get real here the cheese and onion enchiladas are where it's at. This is probably my favorite dish of all time. Whatever they dip the tortillas in is just insane delicious . It's not like most places who have a red and a green sauce. This is like perfection and not overbearing so you really get to taste that amazing I believe it's Muenster cheese and the crunch of the onion. Out of this world! Number one thing I recommend. Their cheese is my favorite, don't ever change that! I can go to tons of restaurants but it's the cheese that sets it apart. Taco E is my favorite restaurant, hands down. Also the Botana and just a basic beef hard taco (extra crispy). The cooks are good people keep it up guys! read more

Downriver Classic Mexican restaurant since 1979 Yes 43 Year's packin them in everyday. Original owners just reopened dining room it's really nice. Had a great fun lunch last week. I ordered one of each Taco Style a Deep Fried Puffy Taco, Corn Tortilla style and Flour Tortilla so a choice for all your favorites. She had a marvelous Double Chicken Fajitas OMG fantastic. A order of Shredded Tinga Chicken Enchiladas n Salsa Verde Sauce WOWED some of the very best ever eaten. A bowl of Charro Beans n Queso Fundidio along with the New Mexican Pizza. You gotta try this Unique Burger Cheese filled creative Mexican Pizza. It's a flavor overload in each Bite. Fast fun friendly service and greetings from owner and chef. They do a tremendous amount of take out orders. Show them some Love easy to find on Southfield road in Ecorse Mi. Find them on Facebook Yelp and Google follow for daily Specials. #tacoespecial @tacoespecial #mexicanpizza #chickenfajitas #chickenenchaladas #puffytacos #mexicantown2 #downriverclassic #downriverfriendseat read more

See all

Another great place to open a restaurant! Let me explain ... It was 12:35 on a Saturday. Their neon sign was 'on'. The inside lights were 'on'. The OPEN sign was in the front window. The kitchen has a window on the front sidewalk ... and there were people working in the kitchen. They have a Myspace page that does not reveal their hours. Ditto for their Yelp page. The front door was locked. The hours are not listed on the front door. One of the kitchen workers pointed to the OPEN sign in the front/kitchen window ... and waved. I pointed at the front door. He waved again. I tried calling the phone number listed here ... ring, no answer. Anyone know the days & hours that the serve customers? read more

Back in 1996, my dad took my brothers and I here for the first time, and it was love at first bite! I've been eating here ever since! The chimichangas, burritos, burrito grande, tostadas, and super nacho are my absolute favorite meals in the world! The customer service is great, the Garcia's are wonderful people, and I dare say their food is the best in the state! The city wouldn't be the same without them. read more

This restaurant has been a popular one among my boyfriend's family, so I've always heard great things. My first visit (early 2015), I tried the chimichangas (my go-to Mexican restaurant dish) and they were not very good. Can't remember exact details, but I've definitely had better. For this visit, I ordered the enchilada dinner as I've heard they are the best in the area. I tried 2 beef and 1 chicken. Yummy cheese and onions throughout. The menu states they are "dipped in red sauce" and I told the waitress I did not want any red sauce. She was confused, but wrote it down. I found out later that the red sauce is actually their salsa, which comes on the side with chips and not in their enchiladas. Rice and beans were good, I liked the salsa, chips were decent. I'll definitely visit again! read more

Taco Especial - Enchilada dinner - Mexican Near Me - Ecorse, Michigan

Love the the renovations! The food is fresh and fantastic!!! The staff is friendly and attentive. Definitely returning regularly!!

This is the Mexican food I grew up eating. I still go there when I come back to down. The food is always well prepared. The ingredients are fresh. The food is what I consider authentic Mexican. It has not changed much in the last 20 years. I normally get take out and haven't been inside in about 4 years, but when I have ate inside the service has always been good. The time for the take out is always reasonable. My go to is the burrito grande with chunky beef and cheese. It comes with a side of rice (very good rice) and refried pinto beans. If you are in Ecorse or Lincoln Park and are looking for some good Mexican food then I highly recommend. read more

I moved away from Detroit in 2000. Taco E's food and salsa haunt me in my dreams. If someone could tell me what is in the salsa so I can try to recreate it here in Texas, my life will be complete. read more

I love this place! Definitely the best Mexican food downriver!! Great food! Very nice staff. They recently remolded the dining room so everything is nice, bright, and festive. I love ordering their chunky beef burritos or the tostadas. Awesome stuff! read more

My coworkers and I ordered lunch from Taco Especial. Assortment of tacos, enchiladas, rice and beans. Food was fantastic. Georgina is very friendly and creates a fun family atmosphere. So nice, especially during this time when you can't dine in. Highly recommended. read more

Fantastic Mexican food in a unique and quite dingy and dumpy setting that makes me glad I don't live nearby b/c I would eat here all the time. Chimichangas were some of the best I have ever had... read more

Great variety, decent price for all the food you get We order from here when we want to treat ourselves to a big dinner and are too lazy to cook and you get to enjoy leftovers for days they are great about adding extras and what not so you can personalize your burritos or whatover service is nice and friendly even though they forgot my mexican cookies last time read more

I am currently sitting here waiting for the waitress to reappear. I walk in and am blocked by a line of people trying to pay their bills. there are no signs to seat yourself or wait...so I make my way through and seat myself. The server comes to my table with chips and salsa. No good. I read mainly positive reviews of this place but there was a bad one that commented on the salsa taste and deep down I had a feeling he was right. He was. I ordered the lunch special of two steak tacos and rice and beans. The rice looked like it came straight from the "mexican rice" lipton packages. It was also hard :/ the beans were okay. The steak tacos were in a fried corn tortilla. I was given the option of flour or corn. I took a bite and grease poured out of the bottom. The steak was good but had a similar taste that can be made at home, which is not necessarily bad but something Ive ever had at a mexican restaurant. All in all; salsa no bueno. Rice no bueno. Everything else okay. Waitress abandoned everyone as soon as her son came in. I cant believe this place has so many good reviews!! Los Arcos market off of Fort and Southfield is sooo much tastier and a lot less money. read more

Poor service, I came in with a group of people to dine in and i have not seen such bad customer service. They got orders wrong and some of what my party ordered never got it. If you plan on eating from here I would advice try the to go option. The place tries to be a restaurant but it fails in service for customer, I do see that the waiter that attended us did try to give us a good service but in the end I felt uncomfortable during my dine in. read more

I want someone to explain why did I place a bonata order and three steak tacos at 8:18 p.m. and tried to order a drink but the girl said have my husband tell her the drink when he arrives. Mind you y'all close at 9:00 p.m. I live two blocks over and you mean to tell me my husband gets there at 8:35 p.m. and they closed. NEVER WILL YOU SEE A PENNY FROM ME!!!! Mexican town it is!!! Sad part y'all own the Taco truck. I only put a start Judy to post the review BADDDDDD ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC read more

I've been coming here for over 15 years and it is the best Mexican food in the world! (I've been to several places in Mexico lol) I've enjoyed everything on the menu and they have the tastiest rice and beans. Staff is friendly and prices are good. The only cons are they don't serve alcohol, so no margaritas, and they neighborhood is a little rough read more

Taco Especial - Delicious burritos - Mexican Near Me - Ecorse, Michigan

Stopped in for lunch, first time here. Nice enough small place that has a sad table for one! Ordered ground beef taco, steak taco and ground beef fried taco. Ate chips and salsa while waiting, the mild has decent flavor and hot is medium to me, not hot. The tacos were good, preferred the ground beef over the steak, it had better flavor to me. Also preferred the fried flour shell, personal preference. All in all a good lunch and cheap, under $7 for what you see in the picture, can't beat that. read more

Taco Especial - There tacos chips and salsa for under seven dollars. - Mexican Near Me - Ecorse, Michigan

See all

Taco Not So Special is what they should call this dump I cant believe all the raving reviews from the people on here about this place. But I guess if you live in the Ecorse area, anything is good, especially if you arent getting shot or stabbed during dinner. I think I would have rather been shot than have to eat here.. it was just that bad. Taco Bell would have been better than this. Thats not saying much since Taco Bell is pretty much garbage in a tortilla. First sign of it going to be a bad meal was when they brought out the chips and salsa. The chips were stale... not just one of them but the whole basket. I would have asked for new chips if the waitress was more attentive, but that's another story altogether. The salsa were god awful. I think they must have used the juice from canned tomatoes and put it into a bowl and called it salsa. It was watery and tasteless, sorta like if they put Miley Cyrus in a bowl. The hot wasn't any better, I didn't know heat was a flavor, but to them it is. It was just spicy tomato water. I would like some texture to my salsas, not something I should sip through a straw. I wasn't sure if it was salsas or mini bowl of gazpacho. The meal was equally as bad. I asked what meat they had for fillings. They said ground beef (should have known it was going down hill after hearing that), chicken, beef chunks and pork chunks. What the hell are chunks? is that a new Mexican cooking technique that hasnt been discovered here, sorta like like Sous Vide, but with chunks? I asked if it was Al Pastor and the waitress looked dumbfounded. She is a Mexican working in a Mexican restaurant. She looked at me like I was speaking mandarin to her. I went with the ground beef, since I couldn't clearly get a straight answer out of her what the chunks were and how they were cooked. The meals came and they were nothing more than TacoBell on a huge plate with twice the price. The enchiladas were dry and tasteless. Didn't they teach the cook what salt is? I asked the waitress again, I thought the enchiladas were covered in a red sauce. She replied back that they were dipped into the sauce. I looked again and wondered... dipped where? I don't see any sauce. They must have just hovered the tortillas over the sauce and hoped that some flavor would jump on them. It was dry and covered in cheese. I really have a thing against Mexican food that is covered with cheese. Its just not right and it just covers up what flavor the meat (fillings) does have. Dairy products aren't used in Mexico like they are here. We waited around for the check, but she never came. I guess she was too busy with all the local yokels who were there getting their regular stuff, since they refused to look at a menu. I guess those people don't know what good Mexican food is either, when they order the same crap over and over again. My suggestion is, avoid this place like a leper hemophiliac with HepC and just go down to the taco truck a few blocks down the street. They are cheaper and way more authentic than this place. At least they have Al Pastor and Cabesa. They use cilantro too.. something that Taco Especial seems not to know what it is. How can you have real Mexican food and not have cilantro? read more

I had the beef and bean burrito dinner. The portions were very big! I split them with my daughter and it was a perfect amount with the beans and rice on the side. My wife and other daughter split the chicken fajitas and said they were really good! read more

Taco Especial (or "Taco E." as it is lovingly called by locals) is the best Mexican food outside of Mexicantown. With regards to some items on the menu, Taco Especial is even better than those Detroit restaurants. I would recommend anything on the menu except the enchiladas, which for some reason don't taste quite as good as you'd expect. Highly recommended are the tacos, chicken chimichangas, burrito grandes, and Mexican sandwiches. The environment is really friendly. The decor might be cheesy, but recent renovations have been making the place look better than ever. There are even TVs to watch the games while you eat. More notable than the decor is the service. Everyone in the store, from the wait staff to the cooks to the owners, are absolutely wonderful. I have been eating carry-out from this restaurant my whole life and dining in since 2004. The staff knows exactly what my group likes to eat and also shares many jokes with us. I have noticed that every other person in the restaurant also shares similar good rapport, whether they're regular faces or not. Another recent addition is the dessert menu. I've tried three of these dishes and they were all good. Try out the pina special next time you go! read more

I love this place!!! My Ex-wife turned me on to it. Just good food and consistent. I only get the Burrito Grande, but she would get a few different things. Good, clean, quick and affordable. read more

Server with the long hair and braces was probably the worst service I've ever had in my life. No personality, didn't get the items I had to ask for 3 times. Thanks for the horrible experience and even worse the lack of knowledge about anything. I don't say this about many places. I give a few chances. Food was less than mediocre. Had the Chile releno - no spice to it. Chips were stale. Thanks? read more

I have to say this is one of the best mexican restaurants I have eaten at. It is a small place with great food and staff. I usually order cheese and jalapeños quesadillas with rice and beans. Their rice is so moist and tasty. I normally don't eat beans but their beans are so good. I have had the chicken fajitas and would order them again. Very creamy and tasty. If you like Mexican food, I suggest you try here. You will like it. They do not serve alcohol. read more

Low price, authentic Mexican. If only they delievered it would be everything I ever wanted.

It's been a while since I've been here. I used to live in Wyandotte and Lincoln Park. I went back last night and had the tamale dinner. Such great flavor and the portions are pretty big. I've eaten at a lot of places even in Mexican Town in Detroit and but Taco Especial is way better than anything they have down there. No wonder this place has been around forever. read more

Definitely one of the better choices for Mexican food in the downriver area, and by far the nicest staff that use really fresh ingredients with their food. The chicken burrito dinner is absolutely a surefire hit if you have a taste for burritos. read more

If your hungry for some Mexico can food, this is the place to get it. Great portions and friendly staff.

Can't really be objective, been a staple of my dining for years. Literally been coming here 20yrs so I guess that's a review in and of it's self. Obviously there are things I don't like such as their salsa and their rice but their carne asada and their enchiladas can't be beat. Well perhaps they can be but not consistently that I've found. read more