Growing up in Southern California, I've chased real tacos through enough dodgy alleys and late night backyard taco stands to know authentic when I taste it. Somehow that same soul has landed in the unlikeliest spot: Foster Street, in downtown Durham. Pulpo tacos, legit goat birria, bright ceviche mixto, a killer torta milanesa, and that sneaky chipotle aioli that steals the show. All washed down with ice-cold Modelo Negra on draft. Unpretentious, soulful flavors done right, prices that feel like a steal, and food that tastes like your nana cooked it with attitude. read more

I came here on a Saturday around 6 and was able to be seated right away. We chose to sit outside and their tables are right along the sidewalk. The atmosphere could be better but I still give 5 stars because of the food! We were skeptical about goat cheese and guacamole going together but wow! It was really inventive and delicious. Flavors I had not tried before. I also really liked that the free chips came with bean dip-/ yum! The gringa steak quesadilla I got was open faced. A little different than I was used to, but the flavor was 10/10. Overall I thought the food was unique and I would totally come back for more read more

Tataco - Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The food is the real star here. The seafood enchiladas were outstanding, the chips and salsa were great, and the taco sampler my date ordered was excellent. I usually gravitate toward fish tacos, but the carne and octopus variations were a fun change of pace. Already eyeing the Mega Tuna Tostada for next time. The interior is modern, energetic, and festive -- as a friend aptly noted, the tequila is definitely flowing. That probably also explains why it gets loud. If you're sensitive to noise, a quieter lunch hour or the patio might be a better option. One real downside: this place is consistently packed, and the wait situation feels a bit disorganized. On busy nights, the default seems to be standing outside regardless of the weather, which feels a little rough considering the price point. Parking isn't available, and it's all street parking in a VERY lively corner (with fun shops and bars around), so planning ahead and walking a couple of blocks is smart. Pro tip: If you're on a date, drop her off first. :) The food alone makes it worth it, though. I'll definitely be back. And if I were still drinking, I'd be getting one of the tasty looking margs read more

Delicious meal, the guacamole is especially good. Servings are large and the service is great. The music was a bit loud and made conversation for our group a challenge. Still, nice joint! read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The restaurant is nestled on a cute little street. Everyone was friendly and the waiter (Cierra) was knowledgeable about the menu. When you walk in the vibes are perfect . The cocktail bar sets the whole mood. The food was so DELICIOUS! The flavors were amazing! The portion size was great too! The food was served on the cutest clay plates that were large enough for all your food. I will definitely be back! read more

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Delicious! Great twist on Mexican. Everything was delicious- from the bean dip, guacamole, and my entree. The house margarita was good as well. Service was friendly and helpful. Place was clean and new. I will be back! read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Ordered the guacamole, and let me tell you, it was amazing. The pickled onion and radish gave it a fresh, crunchy twist and a beautiful presentation. It was a simple dish that really stood out. Highly recommend! read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The shrimp fajitas looked more like tacos but needless to say they were delicious. Parking is a problem and not cheap read more

My sweet cousin took the fam and I here for lunch, and it was such a treat! She knew I was craving Mexican food, and let's be honest, Angelenos really know their Mexican cuisine. The vibe and atmosphere of TaTaco are beautiful, reminiscent of the popular restaurants in Mexico City, authentic, lively, and inviting. We started with the Ceviche Mixto, and the chips and salsa were hot, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. For our main dishes, I ordered the lunch-style bowl with pastor, while my partner enjoyed her two hard-shell tacos. My Aunt got the pescado and loved it, my cousin had a delicious-looking gordita, and my uncle went for the taco flight. Every bite was incredible, and we savored each flavor, fresh, vibrant, and truly authentic. This spot would be perfect to kick off you're evening with mezcal, great food and a lively atmosphere! Great service! read more

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This has become one of our regular to to's for a couple reasons. It's in a great location downtown near Durham Food Hall, has great ambiance especially for my toddler who loves to people watch through the massive glass windows and their great outdoor seating, and their food is great. We love their complementary chips and bean dip and always get the taco sampler of 6 tacos with rice which is sufficient for my wife and I. Our favorites are the octopus (flavorful and tender) and the azada (which has a great smoky flavor)! read more

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Service - 10/10 Food - 10/10 Portion/price - 10/10 Ambiance - 10/10 Came to this spot for lunch as a family of 5 for the first time, and it was AMAZING all around. First, they give free chips and bean dip that is so delicious. Next, their portions are huge, even for lunch! And everything was fresh and well-flavored. Our favorite and must have was the chicken soup - who would've thought chicken soup could be so delicious!! It was the favorite on the table. We also got the goat birria tacos, ceviche, and mahi tacos. All were so good and fed us well. Would hands down come back again! read more

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Looking for a quick, tasty, affordable Mexican lunch? Look no further than Tataco. We visited a Friday afternoon, found low cost parking next to the restaurant and were promptly seated. Without any blinds, you're sure to get as much natural sunlight as you want! Complimentary chips with a yummy bean sauce Food (4/5): delicious chicken soup with a side of quesadillas that comforted the soul, birria tacos, and fried mahi tacos were all exactly what we needed. Price (5/5): in this economy, the $13 tacos were welcomed. we also ordered the yummy lunch ceviche (not pictured), about the size of a usual guacamole serving. Service (5/5): attentive and prompt If I lived around here, I'd be back ASAP! read more

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The most incredible take out Mexican I have ever eaten. From the presentation in the container, so the flavor and perfect cook of the steak, I was blown away. Will 1000% be back to visit the restaurant in person. read more

Tataco - L Fajita Asada - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We dined in with friends before a show and had no problem getting a table. You start off with chips and instead of the traditional salsa they give you a warm bean dip. We also ordered the goat cheese poblano guacamole. I ordered a beer then had the Trakaas margarita for my drinks. For our entrees it was the Enmoladas Enchiladas for me and the La Verde Enchiladas for my husband. The drinks, food and service were all really good. I recommend coming very hungry because the portions are huge. On a side note - The reviews do not lie. If you are dining in a a sunny evening then prepare to have "fun" in the sun. This spot could benefit from installing curtains or shades. read more

I don't often leave reviews, but the tacos here were unfortunately terrible. Overcooked, oily meats that required teeth of steel to break down, and overly salted vegetables to the point of not being able to finish the meal. The only redeeming point was that our waitress was very kind and offered another taco for a replacement, but that ended up being the too salty vegetable taco. Disappointing given the reviews. read more

We've been wanting to try this place for a while and stopped in for lunch during Triangle Restaurant Week. Unfortunately, we were not offered the TRW special so maybe they were only offering it at dinner. We ordred off the menu and decided on ceviche mixta (always enjoy seeing ceviche on a menu) and chicken flautas. We were also served chips and salsa although we couldn't quite figure out the ingredients of the salsa. Seemed like there were only 1-2 front of house staff working at the time so it took a little while to pay our bill. Overall a good, reasonably priced experience and we'd come back. read more

Tataco - Ceviche mixto lunch - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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It was our first time here. We were going at 5:30 so we decided to risk it and go without a reservation. No problem getting in at that time, but it did fill up by the time we were heading out. Our sever was very attentive. Instead of salsa they start you out with a bean dip and chips. It was tasty! We did also end up ordering some salsa too, which was good. Our friends ordered the goat cheese guacamole and it was really good! I was having a hard time deciding on what to eat and went with one of our servers go tos - the Durham Hot Fried Chicken Tacos. I was worried they might be super spicy, but they had just the right about of heat to them. They were good but I think I would have liked a little more sauce or something on them. Bring your sunglasses if you're coming in around dinner time on a sunny day. The sun was coming in through all the front windows and there are no curtains. read more

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I came in after a work event and this place was close. Located in downtown Durham it is a cute spot but only street parking and paid parking to be had all around. I foolishly ordered a size T house margarita thinking it would look like the margarita I saw a woman holding when I walked it. Turns out T stands for "taller than your head". This baby was HUGE like wow. And only $16.99. The chips they serve you come with a bean dip that was tasty. I ordered the birria tacos which came with 3 and were delicious. $21.99 felt steep for the food and it also was just okay tacos. I would definitely come again and bring friends (and a DD). read more

Tataco - House margarita (size T) - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I really enjoyed this place! Lovely service from the host to the server- super attentive, friendly, and joked around with us (specifically about my gringa spice-averse taste buds lol). I loved the goat cheese guacamole- I could have made a meal of that! My husband enjoyed his fajita ACP and had enough to bring home for lunch the next day. My mahi tacos were really good. The ambiance is attractive. They must have read other reviews complaining about how the sun comes in, because they had umbrellas outside creating a much more private and comfortable space. I feel bad for them that they can't take advantage of their floor to ceiling windows, but such is the direction of the sun. It was a little loud in there. I had to ask my husband to repeat himself a lot. I could see it being really frustrating trying to chat with a large group. All in all, a fun date night! read more

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TaTaco, a recent addition to Durham's food scene by Chef Oscar Diaz and the Mezcalito Group located on Foster St, was a hit! In true brunch-fashion, we tried two items, one sweet and one savory: - Flan cakes (fluffy pancakes, flan, mascarpone butter, berry compote): Super rich, very sweet but delicious- the portion size is huge too. - Al pastor tacos: This was their lunch deal so you get 2 tacos, rice, beans, and salad for a great price. The al pastor was tender and probably the most flavorful I've ever had. Also really liked that they gave a tasty bean dip with chips (so quickly after seating too). Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance is so nice- very modern and elegant. 10/10 would recommend! read more

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When looking for a reservation on Opentable before a DPAC show, there was a 5:30 time slot. I didnt have Tataco on my list, so thought it may be fairly new. It's definitely not what you would consider a traditional Mexican restaurant. The food has a great flare and good flavor. I wanted to try something 'different' so I went with the Beef Tongue tacos. I wasn't quite sure how it would be, but it reminded me a little of pork belly. It was really good. The rice is yellow and the beans are white. You get bean dip with the nachos. The large Margarita is huge! Hubs got the carne asada which was very tender and good. The service was excellent. It is a large room, so I can imagine it could get loud, but it was normal while we were there. We were there early, but by the time we left it was almost full. Definitely recommend giving it a try. read more

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Durham just got a little more delicious with the opening of TaTaco, the latest venture from acclaimed chef Oscar Diaz, and it's already a hit. Spacious, airy, and beautifully designed, the restaurant offers plenty of seating for diners both indoors and on its inviting outdoor patio, making it a perfect choice for everything from casual dinners to group outings. The food? Outstanding. We started with the complimentary corn chips paired with a warm, creamy bean purée topped with queso fresco, simple, satisfying, and a great preview of what was to come. The La Verde enchiladas were rich and flavorful, packed with tender chicken and drenched in a velvety crema poblana, topped with queso fresco, radish, and onions, and served alongside perfectly cooked rice and beans. The Chingones Tacos with Mahi were a standout, fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor, accompanied by rice, beans, salad, and all the right garnishes. The drink menu is extensive with something for everyone, but the watermelon margarita stole the show, absolutely massive and refreshing, it was basically three drinks in one and worth every sip. We ended the meal with a smooth, well-balanced flan that was the perfect sweet finish. All in all, TaTaco delivers on flavor, ambiance, and value. Chef Oscar Diaz has added another gem to Durham's growing food scene, and I can't wait to go back. Highly recommend! read more

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The latest concept from Chef Oscar Diaz, Tataco offers up a bright and refreshed take on Mexican cuisine. A prime location across from Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Tataco sits in a long space at the Geerhouse Apartments. Inside the space is fun, pinks and greens with a large bar to the right with a raw bar along with a large kitchen to the left. Lots of ceramic tiles are used at the bar at the bar for a slick, modern feel. The menu here surprisingly, doesn't have tacos front and center. They occupy a small part of the menu along with ceviches/raw seafood, enchiladas and a handful of large plates. Entrees are in the $16 to $35 range. Note that the menu seems pretty authentic and in espanol, I needed some help interpreting some of the items! And you definitely don't want to miss their cocktails, there is definitely some love and creativity there. I nommed on the tuna tostada and seafood enchilada which were both solid. Overall I'm curious to see how things evolve at Tataco, I enjoyed my visit but prefer Aaktun out of his three restaurants. But I'll be back to try more off of that menu and cocktail list! read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The ceviche & seafood options here are all so yummy. My wife craves it all the time so we've visited here a few times now from Cary. The bowls are also great.. the chicken is particularly delicious as seasoned so well. They give you chips with a bean dip that is topped with a tad of cheese. The salsa is fresh tasting, but will run you $4. We've always been sat fairly quickly tho going around lunchtime on weekends is smooth as it gets. The space is wide open & half of it is a huge bar. Outdoors I notice they have heaters for folks that like to stay out. read more

Tataco - Sunlight through the front door - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Super cute decor and vibes. Our server was great! The bean dip that they serve with the chips feels unique and is really tasty. I had a killer steak torta and it was HUGE. My girlfriends got a wide variety of dishes (verde enchiladas, steak street tacos, barbacoa street quesadilla, steak bowl) and everyone was really happy with their meals! Our favorite drink at the table was the watermelon mezcal drink. I'd definitely go back again. Also very close to other bars and fun activities downtown. read more

Another hit in Durham! TaTaco has a great vibe & the severs were so welcoming! Zeek was the best bartender! He was very knowledgeable about the tequila on the wall and was super friendly! We will be back for the food, shots & drinks! The vibe is chill and exciting! We only had the chips salsa bean dip and goat cheese guacamole but they were all good! Especially the guacamole! We will definitely be back to try their entrees! read more

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Service was great. Menu was fantastic. Presentation was beautiful. Mahi tacos were delicious. Great selection of drinks for everyone (including the kiddos). Will definitely be back for round two! read more

Apparently, it was my good fortune to be in Durham during the soft opening of this new gem! Nestled off the main drag of downtown Durham, I found Tataco to be an excellent addition to the city's food scene. Bright, airy space flooded with tons of natural light. Beautiful & expansive bar offering an impressive array of spirits. Visually interesting menu--oysters at the taco spot???!!!--that did not disappoint at all on taste. I opted for the shrimp tacos--perfectly crisp, wonderfully seasoned & encased in a deliciously fresh corn tortilla--and accompanied by some of the best rice & beans I've had in a while. Pro Tip: Go HUNGRY, as you'll not want to miss out on the complimentary chips & beans appetizer--that's right, a delightful deviation from the more standard salsa. I see many more trips here in my future. Cheers! read more

Great new restaurant in Durham with fantastic service and authentic Mexican food. The service was the highlight. Our waiter was so sweet and knowledgeable about the vast menu. I had the clam Birria soup and the taste was as authentic as it gets. Huge portions and good, tasty food. It's a must try! read more

Tataco - Clam Birria - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Really cute Mexican restaurant in Durham (adorable decor and a beautiful long bar inside). Sat outside though because we brought our fur child- and it's dog friendly! I ordered the queso dip (white queso), which was smooth and creamy, chips were salty; and the chicken fajitas- the chicken was a large portion, fresh, and flavored well. I tried my partner's carne asada tacos and was disappointed- the steak was VERY fatty (almost too fatty to eat). My only recommendation would be to add flour tortillas to the menu (not just corn), and elotes (street corn). Service was great- we loved our waiter, Antonio! He was friendly, had great and honest suggestions, and was really funny. read more

Antonio was the best waiter EVER! The food was phenomenal, but Antonio made our evening.

Checked this place out after going to Boxcar Arcade across the street. It looked very lively on a warm Saturday night. We were able to grab a seat at the bar right away! The food we ordered tasted authentic and fresh. Although there were limited vegetarian/vegan options. A bit on the pricey side as well. Would recommend to friends though! read more

Mezcal Monday is a great deal: $8 for a giant beverage. The passion fruit/pineapple one was very tasty and not overly sweet (the smashed berry was a lot smokier and the flavors didn't meld as well). The ambiance is open and inviting. Our waitress was nice but sort of disappeared after our meal came out. The biggest disappointment was the food. There were limited vegetarian/ pescatarian options. My grilled fish was so dry that I had to drown it in salsa to eat it, and even that didn't save it. The rice and beans were tasty, though. read more

Most bland Mexican food and quesadilla I've ever had in my life. Same bland flavor for beans and rice as well! Sorry but plz add some Mexican seasonings. read more

Tataco - Ordered vegetarian quesadillas. - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Excellent portions for the price. And it tasted fine and fresh. Service was slooooooowwwwww and the restaurant was freezing. Food was nothing to write home about, but it was refreshing to feel like you actually got your money's worth in terms of quantity. read more

My first time at Tataco and I'll certainly be back. The flavor in everything was amazing. Antonio our server took the time to explain options on the menu and encouraged us to try menu options outside our comfort zone! I'm I love tacos Al pastor and these did not miss. The asada was A1 as well! It's hard to find steak cooked well in a taco and they did not miss! I'll definitely be back. Thank you for the experience. read more

Good location in downtown, close enough if you want to go down to central park after having a few drinks. Good mix of latin american cuisine fusion options from the menu including taco combos with rice and beans (pictured). They have a full bar and seafood options so you can dine casually or celebrate with something more special from the menu. The bar can actually make the drinks you want also as long as you're polite and explain what you would like. Ambiance is bright and inviting, should have enough seating for downtown unless there's a big event. Overall worth a visit! I'm going to return and get a few other plates and will update the review accordingly. read more

Tataco - Free chips - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Tataco is such a cool spot with trees inside that make it feel fresh and lively. Service was a little slow, but they just opened, so that's totally expected as the team is still finding their rhythm. Everyone was friendly and welcoming. The drinks were delicious and generously sized, with the freshest fruit. I really appreciate that they bring bean dip to snack on as soon as you sit down, such a nice touch. Food-wise, the chicken quesadilla stole the show. The chicken was so flavorful, and the portion was perfect for sharing (or not, if you're like me). Can't wait to come back as they settle in, I think this place is going to be a favorite. read more

Tataco - Watermelon Mojito and a Pacifico - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I had high expectations for this place, based on the chef and reviews I saw on social media. The ambiance is terrible - it's a loud cafeteria/warehouse. There's nothing on the walls or the floor to absorb the noise. You cannot hear the people at your table. There are no curtains to block the blinding sun. The menu drinks are very weak and sweet. The guacamole is excellent. The tuna tostada is inedible because it's so hot and there is no warning on the menu. The 3 taco plates are $22 which is... unacceptable given the environment. Finally, one of our party found a bug in their food and we were made to sit there for another 20-30 minutes while the manager sorted out what to do. We were offered more food or more drinks but ended up with just half off two appetizers. I would not recommend this place. read more

Tataco - Shrimp tacos, con bug - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I just woke up from a food coma caused by lunch at Tataco. Wow! I had the Goat Birria Taco plate, which included three soft shell tacos, rice and beans, and a small salad. Everything was off-the-charts delicious. I'd be tempted to order the same thing again the next time I go but there are a lot of interesting items on the menu. I can't say much about the drink menu because I'm not much of a drinker, but my buddies all praised their margaritas. My only complaint is that they didn't have sweet tea. The service and the atmosphere are great. I'm a fan! read more