Taco Bell sells the most tacos. Hands down!
But popularity doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best.
And let’s face it…
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
There are tons of great options out there nowadays.
And plenty of chains whose fans would claim that they beat Taco Bell hands-down.
So without further ado…
Here are six super-loved fast food tacos who have a legit claim to being “the best” taco. Starting with:
Shutterstock
Where to find them: The rare restaurant chain based out of Wyoming! But don’t worry, it has almost 400 restaurants across more than 20 states (largely spanning out of the Midwest).
Taco bona fides: OK, it really is best known for its delicious Potato Oles (think McDonald’s hash browns if they were quarter-sized), but its cooked-daily Crispy Taco gives Taco Bell’s Crunchy Taco a run for its money for “crispiest, crunchiest” hard shell.
Shutterstock
Where to find them: Baja Fresh is in 13 states, with the vast majority of locations in California and the West Coast. (But they do have a handful of locations in Northern Virginia and Maryland, and even one in Tennessee!)
Taco bona fides: My favorite taco at Baja Fresh is their Baja fish taco for sure – the battered fish is just so great with their salsa. You’ll also love their shrimp tacos. I’m personally a big fan of the double-wrapped corn tortilla method of tacos – very SoCal – so you’ll enjoy just about anything you get there.
Shutterstock
Where to find them: Branching out of food truck in Austin, Texas, Torchy’s now has over 100 brick-and-mortar locations in 16 states…and growing!
Taco bona fides: Their “Damn Good Tacos” are properly named. Their fresh, from-scratch soft-shell tacos feel more luxurious than any fast casual experience should feel.
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
Where to find them: Well over 2,000 locations, mostly in the West Coast (but there are some in Ohio and Carolinas, East Coasters!)
Taco bona fides: When you want a Big Mac, nothing else will do. It’s the same for Jack in the Box’s hard-shell tacos. Melted American cheese gives this greasy delight its unique flavor. And they’re super-cheap (e.g. 2 for 99 cents). Not bad for a burger joint, huh?
Shutterstock
Where to find them: About 600 stores in 16 states. Mostly West Coast, but some locations in the Midwest and Southeast.
Taco bona fides: Variety is strong at Del Taco. The “Del Taco” is a hard shell but you can go soft shell as well (either corn or flour), which is great for their beer-battered crispy fish taco. Guac’d up tacos are also an option!
Shutterstock
Where to find them: 3,000 locations across every state in the continental U.S.
Taco bona fides: If you make fun of how “low-end” Taco Bell is, Chipotle’s focus on “real” foods is likely your jam. Chipotle’s known for its burritos, but you can order the taco equivalent with either a corn hard shell or a flour soft shell.
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Shutterstock
Where to find them: El Pollo Loco is in seven states, with the vast majority of their roughly 500 restaurants found in California.
Taco bona fides: Beautiful double-hulled tacos (two tortillas), fresh ingredients, colorful presentation – make sure you get chopped onions and avocado on everything. (I’d tell you to make sure to try their chicken, because it’s great, but really you can’t avoid it – it’s in the name!)
Shutterstock
Where to find them: TacoTimes can mostly be found in Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. Plus one location, randomly, in Winchester, Virginia.
Taco bona fides: Great pork carnitas, get either the soft taco or the “super soft” taco for a real treat. Their ultimate burrito is also, for sure, the ultimate breakfast. (But get the breakfast quesadilla if you’re not quite so hungry.)
Shutterstock
We couldn’t leave without giving some love to the patron saint of late night munchies, Taco Bell!
Where to find them: Every single U.S. state! (Over 8,000 locations)
Taco bona fides: Unless you’re a total hater, you have to admit that the signature crunchy taco scratches that itch.
It’s my personal favorite but others feel very strongly about the other tacos we’ve listed.
And let’s face it:
Shutterstock
Based on conversations with friends and family, I KNOW most people disagree with Taco Bell being the best.
So what do YOU think?
Who’s got the best taco?
Make the case for your favorite taco in the comments section!
Follow The Coconut Mama
• For fun lists, healthy living tips, and bar conversation topics, make sure to follow The Coconut Mama. Click here to access The Coconut Mama’s profile page and be sure to hit the Follow button here or at the top of this article!
• Have feedback? Add a comment below!
Leave a Comment