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    Balcon Express

    4.7 (173 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    BALCON EXPRESS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Combo #2
    Rene D.

    I didn't feel like cooking today so we came here. So nice to have instant delicious food to eat in. I had the #3 - 2 tacos carnitas .... Oooo so good!! Hit the spot!! Hubby today had the #1 mixed meat on 2 and then carnitas on other 2. Mmmm. But as usual he still hungry. He went back up and is trying the Putaco! Papusa fried then opened up stuffed with mixed meat ( his choice). The helper came around to see if everything was ok. That's nice. We asked for more green sauce! Yum. It wasn't busy when we came in but got busy after that. Table were filling and orders to go. Busy busy.

    Tacos and Pork and Cheese Pupusa
    Shannon W.

    I'm so happy to finally have tried this restaurant! We were greeted warmly and lively music was playing. It wasn't too busy and we were able to get a seat after we made our order. My husband got park and cheese pupusas and I got a taco plate of three with chicken, asada, and carnitas. I loved how flavorful it all was and the presentation was great! The pupusas were piping hot with melting cheese, and although my husband ordered 3, he was pretty full after one. We had a good time and will definitely come back!

    2 - 2 Tacos (carne asada), 1 Pupusa (pork and cheese)
    Pearl L.

    My boyfriend picked out this spot from my list of bookmarks in Tacoma and said he was craving papusas. I've had this place on my list for a while too so I was happy to agree and we were able to find parking nearby luckily. The exterior looks very vibrant and festive which was nice. However when you go inside, the vibes are even more festive with appropriate volume festive Latin music. The inside has a modern vibe with the wooden interior and adorned with different masks, murals, and text on the walls. There was a few tables taken and a few people ahead of us and this was consistent throughout our visit as there were people were coming to dine in or take out. Despite their small size, they are pretty spacious in terms of seating inside. The menu is concise and clear in what you will receive making it very easy to order. My boyfriend got the combo with two tacos and papusa and I got the papusa with a small rice and beans as well as a agua fresca to share. The salsa that came with the small rice and beans is spicy, even to make me feel burns on my mouth but the flavors and burn was so good. I need to ask them what that is next time cause I gotta learn the recipe and ask if other restaurants offer it. The other salsas that you usually get were okay, nothing really memorable or spicy. They do have a fridge with different glass bottled sodas, Jarritos, and much more. The service here is phenomenal too, the cashier was very friendly and courteous. The person who delivered our food was also friendly and to let them know if we needed anything else. They offered that same warm service to all those before and after us. We were really happy to get our food as we were hungry and the smell of the food was smelling so good. The papusas as well as the curtido was some of the best I've ever had. It was packed with the right amount of ingredients for both the pork and cheese and revueltas papusas. The rice and beans were plentiful for a small order of it. The aqua fresca was a watermelon lemonade (if I heard the cashier first) and the jamaica was pretty good. My boyfriend said the carne asada tacos were delicious too, not the best he's had but pretty good. The prices are super affordable and it is clear that this spot is a crowd favorite among its' community. I want to come back to try out the bowls and eat more papusas.

    Putaco
    John Allen Z.

    It's hard to walk by this place without being taken-in by the aroma ... definitely as good as it looks in the pictures. A hidden gem and worth a visit

    Primary seating area
    Jordan A.

    Out of this world good. And when adjusted for the fact it's in the PNW it's even better. The Quesadilla was crisp and flavorful, the kids burrito was highly acclaimed and the house red and green sauces were sensational. To top it off the service was warm, friendly and accommodating. Lastly, the aqua fresca was fantastic. Flavorful, friendly and affordable. 10/10 would dine here again.

    Ryhden A.

    First time here and the experience was nothing short of amazing. The customer service was personable and the food was next level. I will say it was a slow time for them so the gentleman at the front had more time to connect with each customer, but nonetheless the service was A1. I had the Putaco I believe a (Pupusa Taco with Carnitas) side of rice. Id return for the rice alone thats how flavorful the food was. The Salsa was the perfect amount of spice, the Taco was a great balance between crunchy and chewy.

    Pupusas
    Lan V.

    One of the best taco/ Salvadoran food places I've tried. Very nice ambience and excellent friendly staff. Prices are decent but the quality of food is great. Highly recommend to check this place out!

    veggie quesadilla
    Teresa M.

    No frills, just great food! There was a discussion about the best burritos in Tacoma and Balcon came up multiple times. I wasn't hungry enough for a burrito when I came in so I opted for a quesadilla - it's kinda the same thing, right? I showed up a little after noon and apparently that was the perfect time since there were only 2 tables left! Not to mention there were a lot of people waiting for their takeout orders. This is a fast casual place where you can order at the kiosk if you want or you can speak with a friendly employee. There was a little bit of a wait on food, but that's due to volume and you could tell that they were hustling. The quesadilla wasn't fancy or anything - just simple, tasty food. I'll have to do some research to see if I agree with others that this place is the best, but I definitely see myself coming back here!

    2 - 2 Tacos, 1 Pupusa
    Jeff G.

    Set on a street corner off of 6th Ave, this tiny little venue draws your eyes in from the big spacious windows and mural painted on the side wall outside. The smell of mouth watering food in the air competes with the sounds of Latin festive music. Clean looking inside, with personable hostess ordering or self-ordering kiosk. The food is flavorful and delicious, the perfect serving size to sate your hunger, without weighing down your stomach. The 3 Agua Fresca varieties are interchangeable and limitless. Highly recommend for a quick easy lunch.

    Pork and Cheese Pupusa
    Erin C.

    Wow! What a great find! Love the pupusas...but the putaco??? What?!? It's creative and tastes amazing. The cortido is yummy too! The service was fast and friendly! The ambiance is casual and clean. What a great find and definitely a must try!

    Papusa tacos  and "Mix burrito"  DELICIOUS!
    Mary W.

    Food was DELICIOUS! Service was friendly and quick. We came in on Saturday evening around 630ish - ordered And got our food maybe in 10 min! Will definitely be coming back here for more food!

    Outside of the restaurant from the side street.
    Maria B.

    A friend and I went there looking for a spot to eat and catch up with one another. The inside is really neat and clean, and the decor is simple and beautiful. There was a kiosk to order, and you could order at the counter as well. The food is extremely reasonably priced! The taste? Out of this world! We had pupusas and tacos and drinks. What a treat! And the salsa is amazing! I was so upset when the meal was over! The staff are very friendly and service is fast! I can't wait to go back. Probably today!

    Two papusas, one steak taco

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    The mini burritos!! Such great flavor in every choice of meat

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Super tasty and great for people who avoid gluten. Pupusas are gluten free and delicious. Tacos are very good. Well priced too.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    4 years ago

    I was too busy stuffing my face to take pictures. Y'all need to get down there ASAP and order the pupusas. They are heaven.

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    4 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Amazing food and kind service! And the best part: affordable!! The chorizo tacos are to die for

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Best tacos in Tacoma! Super yummy and authentic. Exceeded our expectations! Definitely a must try!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Simple cute restaurant for a quick bite, delicious food and great attitude from employees.

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    3 years ago

    Transcendent! So easy to order. Putacos are amazing. Great vibes and excellent music.

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    3 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Great food! Great people! Thank you for taking over the milwaukee cafe.

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    3 years ago

    Super good food, low wait time, good service. Nice place inside. Price is definitely worth it

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    4 years ago

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    Page 4 of 5

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    El Pulgarcito III

    El Pulgarcito III

    4.4
    (187 reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $

    I had written a review on the original location. I heard they sold the place. We stopped by here…read moreafter many years of being away... and wishing, missing this food badly. This is the best burrito in all of Tacoma/Lakewood!!! I tell everyone to try them. People don't know what they are missing, because they are just getting pupusas. Who would think they would have great burritos. So, these are not like any other burritos, because they are not Mexican. They use their delicious black beans, their white rice with a few little veg, sour cream, onions, cilantro, you can get really good chile sauce if you want it spicy. The sauce is so good. No cheese... can you believe it? Cheese is not even needed. You can get chicken or carne asada, or like we got, no meat and they will add avocado slices. I really wanted no meat, and platano frito added. This is what we used to get, and it's great. They should add a no meat option to the menu, and also the platano option. Everyone that loves unique delicious burritos, come check this place out. The guy that took my order was friendly, and even made our burrito half no cilantro. Thanks! They get busy.

    Pupusas tasted great and the staff was nice when they took down my order, but genuinely :/ because…read morevery little napkins given and only a plastic fork in my bag? I ordered to-go, and I am genuinely surprised that they do not have more condiments available, especially with the salsa as I got 4 pupusas. No wet wipe, which may be asking for a lot, but at least make it up with the paper napkins. I love that it is near base, but u might as well order to eat-in the restaurant. That way u get all that u need. Better inspection on my end could have been done, but just :o at the...stinginess. That sounds like a harsh word, I know, but how else do I describe it...?

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    Steak burrito
    Steak burrito
    Molcajete mixto $29.99 (as of July 2022)
    Molcajete mixto $29.99 (as of July 2022)
    2 compadres

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    Antigua Guatemala Restaurant

    Antigua Guatemala Restaurant

    4.3
    (79 reviews)
    13.9 mi

    I thought this place had shut down but when I sent my husband to buy tamales, he came here. He said…read morethe place was up and running with customers. He only came here because he thought that if the tamal cost $6 then they had to be good. They were not. When I asked him where he got them and he said here, I looked it up on Yelp, who was saying they were permanently shut down. Little to no flavor. Traditional Guatemalan tamales have a slice of red bell pepper, and an olive in it, giving it more flavor but this one just had the meat and let me add that the amount of bones that were in the tamale was just absolutely unacceptable. Everyone knows that you don't put bones in tamales. The amount of times I bit into a bone or had to spit them out, made the eating process so unpleasant. I had told my husband to not come here anymore since it's so overpriced but I guess he forgot. It was just another reminder why I don't come here anymore

    When we walked in we weren't exactly sure of the process, but it was clear we were supposed to…read moreorder at the counter first. The restaurant is big, spacious and super clean. We ordered the churrasco chapin (grilled steak with rice, black beans, sausage and house salad) and dobladas (tortillas with beef, cabbage and onion and homemade tomato sauce). The dobladas were yummy and hefty but not too heavy. The churrasco wasn't bad, lots of food. Food comes out relatively fast and is a little more on the pricey side.

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    Antigua Guatemala Restaurant
    Enchilada guatemalteca
    Enchilada guatemalteca
    Tamarindo

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    Tamarindo
    Las Palmas

    Las Palmas

    3.9
    (132 reviews)
    14.4 mi
    $$

    I love this place. I used to go here more often when I worked near the border between SeaTac and…read moreDes Moines WA. Customer service is always great and I love their 3 tacos and rice and beans plate. I order the same thing every time and no change in quality over the last 6 years. I had a large appetite for tacos and I went alone today around 11am and was greeted with a nice smile as usual. If you order the tacos, get the steak and barbacoa. It's so good! They also serve you chips and salsa prior to your meal and what makes them different from others is that their chips are warm and the salsa has just the right spice level.

    This review is mainly for the service instead of the food like all of my other reviews. I…read morespecifically wanted to laud this establishment as we dropped in after our flight to Taipei was cancelled. We got a couple of food vouchers from the airline and since Las Palmas uses Toasttab as their payment processor we were able to order food here. Even though we technically weren't dining inside, they let us sit and eat while we were trying to figure out what to do to rebook the flight and hotel near the airport. We ordered a Pollo al Grill and a bunch of different pupusas. Honestly I was way too stressed to really pay attention to the food, but here are some notes that I jotted down while eating: Pollo al Grill Chicken ($20.49) - Rice is good. Chicken has a nice grilled flavor and plenty of spices added, but the interior is kind of dry Pupusas ($3.89 each) - Las Palmas is generous with fillings. Every single pupusa is very tasty and cooked perfectly. Las Palmas gives a lot of sides and sauces/condiments with the order. The curtido has good acidity and there's a very savory salsa roja to pour on top of the pupusas. There's also a small container of beans, very smooth and full of lard, guac, and sour cream. I really need to revisit in the near future!

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    Interior
    Interior
    Parrillada Tropical
    Parrillada Tropical
    Exterior

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    Exterior

    Balcon Express - tacos - Updated July 2026

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