Moving up here from Texas it has been difficult to find good Salvadorian food. But this is the place!! Small, clean, authentic, great ambiance. Very kind staff! The food had lots of flavor and the salsas are also great. Unfortunately they didn't have carnitas ready when I ordered, but I guess that means I'm coming back! I will be back for dinner tomorrow night and many more. read more

Balcon Express - Chicken and Asada street tacos, pork and cheese pupusa. - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Food is fantastic! The side room is much quieter, but also colder. The quesadilla was a hit, as were the vegie tortas.

If you have any specific questions about the traditions for their food, be sure to ask the kitchen staff, as *some* of the hourly at the register may not have an answer, in general, as I found out. Relevant or not to whom it may concern, I tasted a pork Torta, and I was impressed by the efficiency of the item more than the taste of it was anything special. Very fun to think about, as I am rarely blown away by mediocrity--truly an interesting experience. read more

Ok. The self order kiosk is pretty cool! Really streamlined the process. The place is cute and the music is perfect. I could see sitting down for some pupusas or tacos. I was picking up a combo #2, a combo #3, and mixed burrito, and an extra pupusa. The pupusa menu is a little confusing if you look online because it's really cheese + whatever else. My ordering friends wanted cheese so I had to make a decision about what the + was. The mixto in the tacos and the burrito was great. The chorizo, asada, and pineapple combo was tasty. The pollo tacos were also very good. The cheese + spinach pupusas appeared to be great (I didn't get a taste, myself) and are pretty large. I would recommend Balcon for some tasty Salvadoran food! read more

Been looking for a new Taco place since Moctezumas has been going downhill and Balcon X is that place. Everything we've tried here is delicious. Mix Tacos, asado tacos, burritos, papusa tacos, were all amazing. Only thing I'm not a fan of is the self service. You grab your own drinks, utensils, use a self service kiosk, and you practically clean up after yourselves. So expect much service other than them bringing out your food. So come here for the food but not for the service. read more

Delicious food and service! It was a great lunch spot during our drive to Olympic National Park. The tacos were filled with delicious meats and toppings as well as the pupusa was something new we hadn't had before. Would definitely recommend trying this location! read more

Balcon Express - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Decided to give Balcón Express a try after driving by several times down 6th Ave. We ordered pick up through Door Dash- food was hot and fresh! I ordered the two taco with pupusa plate- so yummy!! I will be back. I love pupusas! read more

Balcon Express - Two taco and pupusa plate - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

FINALLY I made it to Balcon Express! I have been wanting to try their pupusas since they opened. They did not disappoint. The service was friendly and the food was fresh and cooked to order. I tried the bean pupusas and veggie taco. I liked them both for different reasons. I'm excited to go back and try the spinach and cheese pupusa, and I will definitely get another veggie taco! Another plus- My 10-year-old daughter really enjoyed her food, which makes life easier for me! read more

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A-ma-zing! WoW, I went today and ordered 2 combo plates with 2 tacos & pupusa on each and it was the best tacos & pupusa I've had since I moved to WA state in 2015! My husband asked me to go back tomorrow. I thought about the food all day, it was THAT good! read more

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Food was excellent but small portions. Staff were friendly. Service was quick. Restaurant was clean. Hopefully in the future for those dining in they will switch to dishes and cutlery that can be reused or recycled. read more

Good food. Their salsa is good and burritos are good portioned, but irregular hours during holiday weekends.

They just opened up on 6th & very dangerous since it's close to home. Stopped here on our GNO & we enjoyed the Pupusas & tacos. There isn't much seating space but they were able to accommodate a table for 5. read more

Balcon Express - Combo #2 two tacos & 1 pupusas - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This is the best taco in Tacoma. Simple and delicious!! We go here at least once a week. Mario and his brother are so friendly and make us feel like family every time we walk in. The bean and cheese papusa with two chicken tacos is a perfect meal!! Highly recommend!! read more

Went today for a late lunch. Newly opened and family owned. The staff is so nice! Is everybody in El Salvador that nice? The place is geared twords take out orders but they do have a few tables and chairs for dine in. Ordered the combo #2 which consists of two tacos( one pork, one steak) and a papusa. All three were delicious. I even went back for 2 more steak tacos; they were that good. Choice of three salsas, my favorite was the red. The papusa came with this pickled cabbage slaw that was awesome! Had a nice spicy kick to it. I even put it on my tacos. My only suggestion would be to have some salt and pepper available. Radishes definitely need salt. Definitely will be back and highly recommend. read more

Balcon Express - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Fantastic! The food was amazing. We ordered beans & rice, a variety of tacos with sauces, pupusas with curdito and Jarritos to drink. all of it was delicious. Party of 5 including a 2 yr old & a 2 month old. Perfect table for us along the side window out of the way, ordering & paying at the kiosk made the whole dining experience very easy. The 2 year old loved the beans & rice & the spinach & cheese papusa. The adults could not pick a favorite, it was all excellent. read more

In the heart of 6th Ave District this place is a gem. So many wonderful flavors to smell and taste. Their Pupusas are easily the best in Tacoma. If you enjoy Salvadoran foods you can't go wrong. read more

Balcon Express - Pupusas that will rock your world. - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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All I have to say is to try their pupusas & anything MIXED meat. Everything is delicious!

My wife and I went hunting for a high yelp rating place on a Friday and we arrived here. We both got 2 taco/1 papusa combos. While the portions aren't huge, the price point is good and the flavor was great. The pupusas, especially, were amazing. Service was friendly as well. I ordered pick up, got there a touch early and my order wasn't quite ready. The dining area was full and I didn't want to hover near people's tables waiting, so I went outside. The cashier was nice enough to bring my food out to me when it was ready. read more

New spot on 6th Ave that I have heard only great things about. It definitely lives up to the hype! I had a hard time deciding what to get as everything looked amazing and settled on the Asada and "mix" tacos plus a spinach and cheese papusa. It was delicious and I will be back soon to try a burrito and their tortas. Prices are totally reasonable and the inside is small but cute and very clean. A great spot to grab takeout from or stop in for a fast and delicious lunch. read more

Balcon Express - Two tacos and papusa - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

Please correct your hours of operation as we tried stopping by today and you guys were closed. Thank you

These are the best pupusas in town in my opinion the masa is perfect the fillings are the right amount cooked to perfection . I also really like the cabbage they serve with it . The tacos are good too but because they use the right kind of cheese instead of what the other places use that taste like cheap American "cheese food" .. I could not ask for more I am a regular read more

I've been meaning to try this place and I'm so glad I finally did. We ordered the carne asado tacos (4) and combo plate with carne asado tacos (2) and a pork/cheese papusa. Both red and green salsas are good, the green is mild and the red has a little heat to it. There wasn't a long wait for the the food to be ready and it was served hot and fresh. The staff is friendly, and place is nice and clean. Definitely recommend! read more

Balcon Express - Carne asado tacos and combo plate with pork/cheese papusa and carne asado tacos. - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I got Hubby and I two of the two taco with one Papusa and it was perfecto they give you lime and radish on the side which I appreciate with my tacos but you HAVE to order the curtido on the side. I'm going to take my Suegra here, I know she's going to enjoy it as much we did. read more

Balcon Express - I'm pulling the Papusa apart in this picture and yes cheese pull I missed with my camera - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

I ordered the mixed meat burrito (carnitas, carne asada, and pineapple), with a side of curtido (lightly fermented cabbage relish); and, after eating my burrito, I am convinced that it was prepared by wizards who are highly skilled in food magic. This was easily one of the best burritos I have ever had, and, whether they are wizards or not, I was treated to exceptionally friendly service in a clean and relaxed environment. There are good, flavorful options for those who don't eat meat, the portions are appropriate for the price, and the food is appropriately satisfying for the stomach. When you do come and try Balcon Express, I recommend putting some curtido on your food for extra flavor harmonies, your taste buds will love you for it. read more

Amazing street tacos. Will be coming back again soon! Partner really enjoyed their Papusa. read more

I debated between 4 and 5 stars for this restaurant and I landed on 5 because I consider it a fast food lunch option. So in that comparison of a fast food lunch I think it is excellent, the food is all made from scratch and really flavorful. The star of the meal for me was the steak taco, the carne asada was cooked perfectly and it was moist and packed with flavor. We spent about 16$ per person and that included beverages. It's a great spot for lunch break mid week or if you just want to grab some delicious food without making a big outing of it. Interior of the restaurant is small but we were able to find seating no problem and everything was very clean and welcoming. Their customer service was excellent, my wife and I will definitely come here again. read more

Balcon Express - Steak taco, chorizo taco, bean cheese and pork papusa - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

This place is awesome! Food and service, no complaints!! I've been here twice, 1st for the pupusas, then for the mini burritos and tacos. Everything I've had there has been flavorful and the price is very reasonable. Mini burritos for around $4.50 and tacos for around 3.50 (including tax) depending on you option. So good!! read more

Balcon Express - I got a steak and pork burrito. Pork not pictured, but both packed with protein and great flavor. Cilantro in particular which I love! - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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I've been here 5 times now, getting the carnitas putacos (pupusa/taco hybrid) each time. It's an indulgence - super flavorful and plentiful ingredients. Paired with agua fresca, this is now my go-to taco spot. Everyone who works here is super friendly, too. I also like that I can find a table and watch the goings on on 6th Ave. Casual and scrumptious! read more

Heard great things about this place. Husband and I wanted a low-key date night. The first thing you notice when you walk in is how clean everything is. Immaculate. We ordered two of the #2 specials, two tacos and a pupusa. When you order you can see the kitchen. Once again, immaculate. Now to the food. I am very picky about meat. I had chicken tacos. They were absolutely perfect. No gristle or fat on it. Perfectly seasoned. I had the bean pupusa for the first time. It was like a perfect bean stuffed pancake. Husband tried the meat trio and carnitas. He said they were delicious. Glad we tried and will definitely be coming back! read more

Very goof veggie burriyo here with aguas frescas. These guys know what theyre doing. Friendly staff. will be coming back

The food here is super good. Flavorful and juicy, and the burritos are great for a snack / leftover for later. Friendly service, clean environment, and street parking is available around the business. Looking forward to going back! read more

Delicious food - yelp was right! Pupusas, vegetarian options, right on 6th Ave in the central area of Tacoma. Will be back,

This place rocks. The food is absolutely amazing and I have never had anything but lovely service experiences here. The inside is not the coziest vibe, but if it's not your thing you can still grab your pupusas and tacos to go with zero regrets. Where else in Tacoma can you get a delicious, filling meal for under $15? Don't any unfamiliar menu items scare you, this spot is definitely a must try. read more

Y'all. Take my word. I was born in Santa Ana, California where arguably some of the best taco vendors in the world exist, raised in the taco capital of Texas (San Antonio, Texas), I lived and ate every taco I could find in Mexico for 6 months, and now live in another city known for its tacos (Austin, Texas). This is to say that I live and breathe on this planet simply to find, appreciate, and enjoy the next best taco and/or burrito. And I do not discriminate. Cheap, bougie, traditional, nontraditional? I'll take them all. This is THE spot. I took one bite of my carne asada (steak) burrito and was completely stopped in my tracks. Firstly, the carne asada (steak) was actually carne asada and NOT fajitas. I still can't figure out why people confuse the two. The carne asada (steak) and the carnitas (pork) were perfectly seasoned and juicy. My pet peeve is biting into a taco or burrito that has carne with too much fat and that didn't happen once! The grade of meat they use is quality and the wizard in the kitchen took care to ensure that there was a perfect balance of ingredients in my burrito and on my family's tacos. Sometimes you find places that just throw ingredients in there and completely undervalue the importance of balance in a taco or burrito. I told you I was serious about tacos and burritos :P Oh! Oh! And the rice was just like someone's tía made it back home! So so tasty. Too many places don't even put effort into their rice and beans anymore. It makes me sad, but not this place. This place? This place made me feel wonderfully nostalgic. Ambience was clean, cozy, vibrant, and typical of a taco joint with multiple tables for people to stop by and have a quick bite. Large parties might be a challenge. They had awesome music playing and the doors open to invite in the summer breeze. I even noticed they had a self-checkout option, which I would imagine could be really convenient during a lunch rush hour. The staff was fantastic. They were all super friendly, inviting, and made me want to come back :) If you like delicious food and friendly faces, please go and check out and support this local spot! You can't find flavorful, quality, and affordable Mexican food like this in many places anymore let alone in Tacoma. The residents around here are so lucky! My family lives right down the street and I am so excited to come back and visit just to enjoy this gem again! I'll be back before I leave back home to try the Salvadoran pupusas too! Muchas gracias para la comida rica! read more

FOOD IS SO GOOD! I tell everyone I can about this place. We needed an authentic taco type spot for a while around here and I am so happy they're here! Taco's are our families FAV and now we always have a go to spot that never disappoints. I've never tried a pupusas before until here and they are delicious, a must try! Super clean and has such a family vibe in there. Great customer service. We love it! read more

Balcon Express - Steak Bowl - Tacos Near Me - Tacoma, Washington

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I'll admit this. Balcon Express is a top contender for their pupusas! The filling was generous and packed with flavors ready to excite your taste buds. Their cabbage slaw on the side was yummy and not super acidic like some places. Salsas are added in your bag if doing take out, but next time I will ask for a couple more. I also ordered a small side of rice and beans. When I consumed the beans and rice, it had a smokey taste. Almost a burnt taste if that makes sense. I am assuming that it may have been at the bottom of the pot. I was unsure, ate a few bites and quite the beans and rice. OR maybe that's how it was prepared? I'm not too sure, hence the 4 stars. My fiancé ordered a steak torta. He was very pleased with his torta as it had a good amount of steak to bread ratio. The service was good and the wait for the food was not very long. The kitchen staff sure were executing in a quick and sufficient manner. This location doesn't offer large tables but has a handful of tables inside for 2 or 3 people. They don't have horchta here, which couldn't complete my cravings, but that's okay. Parking can be a pain, but do-able in this area. You may have to circle around a couple of times, but you'll eventually find a spot. They are off 6th and Cedar. I will definitely return for their pupusas! read more

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These are honestly the best tacos I've had in Washington State. Recently relocated to Washington and have had a difficult time finding good tacos and was pleasantly surprised. read more

DELICIOUS!! The pork burrito, steak tacos, and papusa with everything were AMAZING! We were introduced to Salvadoran papusa's in California. This place made better papusa's and the burrito was made fresh by hand. The staff was friendly, helpful and kept things very clean. Seating is limited with small tables. Great takeout if it's too busy. Family friendly for all ages. read more

You better run , skip , jump maybe even run a red light and try this place out! Lol. Balcon express is a fusion of Mexican & El Salvador that serves the BEST tacos, papusas, and burritos in town! The food is made fresh to order with the freshest ingredients and you can taste it in every bite. They're lil literally making everything from scratch daily. From SCRATCH , hand made, all of that. You can tell they make their food with love & can't forget the great customer service. Made me feel like I was part of the family. Lol The vibes gives I'm going to my grandma's house for a home cooked meal made with love. I highly recommend the mini burritos, pupusas & mix tacos. Overall, I love it here! If you think I'm bluffing about this being the best spot in town, you should definitely show this place some love and try it out. read more

We REALLY wanted to love this place. After following them on insta and seeing their name come up on local food Reddit threads, we went for dinner tonight. We wanted to try it all so We order a papusa, tacos, mini burrito and a regular burrito. The first thing we noticed as an off taste in the meat, it was grisly and generally had an unidentifiable flavor. Next, I went to bite into the mini burrito that was filled with a creamy red sauce. The sauce might be good to some, but it wasn't listed on the menu, is not authentic and was pretty unappealing to me. None of our group finished their food and decided to find a place for second dinner. Maybe it was just an off day, but this was simply not good food. read more