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    Balcon Express

    4.7 (173 reviews)
    Closed 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!

    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.

    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!

    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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    2 years ago

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    Kristin S.

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    3 years ago

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    Kristin S.

    Thank you Rachel! Hope to see you again soon at Balcon Express!

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    1 year ago

    Food was great! Loved how clean the restaurant was and the staff were very friendly. Will definitely recommend to friends!

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    1 year ago

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The salsas have no taste and the food is bland. Very small portions and expensive. Expect to pay over $20 for one item.

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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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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    2 years ago

    Fast food joint with friendly service. Putacos is all you need to know. Absolutely delicious!

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

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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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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    I had the 2 tacos and pupusa. Both were good. But I really liked the tacos. I will definitely be back.

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    The tacos are amazing! We tried pupusas for the first time and they were unique and delicious. We will definitely be back

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    2 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    ¡Qué Delicioso! Wonderful to have excellent pupusas so close to home. Can't wait until my next visit.

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    Kristin S.

    Thank you! We look forward to serving you pupusas again soon!

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Amazing pupusas!! Definitely will be a repeat customer. My favorite are the pork and cheese.

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    Taqueria El Sabor

    Taqueria El Sabor

    4.4
    (603 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Speaks Spanish

    I've frequently go to the Kent one, and never visited the Tacoma one until yesterday. I cried…read morebecause it holds the same standards, quality and customer satisfaction. It is a bit smaller, but food wise I will be back! We went for a dinner and it did not disappoint. Lines for the drive through are long, so we went inside to dine. Loved how sweet and patient the ladies were taking our order. You order your food first, and then they will bring it out for you. Little salsa bar, Coke drinks, huge flavorful portions will make you happy that you visited. I ordered the birria, and although I wished for more consommé, I think if you ask they would have given it. The burrito is epic. Overall so happy to have gone and enjoyed it!

    Finally tried this taqueria after hearing so many good things about it and I was a little…read moredisappointed. We had adobada, asada and chicken tacos, added a side of fried onion and serrano pepper. The adobada meat was ok, chicken was good and our favorite was the asada. I didn't like the default salsa they put on the tacos, would've preferred just onion and cilantro. In fact I didn't like any of the salsas they offered, the green salsa was the only decent one and I'm sure the orange looking salsa was on its way out, it tasted and smelled funky. Customer service was great. We might come back just for asada tacos but maybe not.

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    Taqueria El Sabor
    Burrito
    Burrito
    Taqueria El Sabor

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    Red Star Taco Bar

    Red Star Taco Bar

    4.1
    (358 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    My visit isn't complete with the chips and guacamole and you can't beat the prices. The last time…read morewe were there, the AC was blasting, so being a sweater. The service was just okay. We walked in and the host was having a conversation with one of the wait staff and instead of greeting us and asking us to hold one for a second while they finished up, they ignored us, and continued talking for probably a full minute before acknowledging we were there. O get needing to finish a thought or tell someone something important about something going on that night, but at least greet your guests and ask them to wait a minute. Feels like common courtesy.

    I am going to bump up a star for Red Star Taco Bar. They have the Sunday Sip here which is a drag…read morequeen show along with brunch. Sunday Sip's were previously at a different venue but just recently it started here and it's a great place for this event. I have always liked the food here and we have gone here twice now in recent times not only for the Sunday Sip but also for a meal with friends. The mixed cocktails are great as is the food which I have always been partial to. Out of the recent visits I had an amazing torta, something I haven't had in a long time and a bowl with their tequila chicken for the meat which was also excellent. The more I come here the more I like it having it come at five stars at this point and time.

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    Quick tacos at Red star!
    Quick tacos at Red star!
    Taco plate
    Taco plate
    Red Star Taco Bar

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    The Church Cantina

    The Church Cantina

    4.5
    (340 reviews)
    3.3 mi
    $$

    Back with a review update yearrrsss later and happy to report a five star upgrade! We'e been back…read morequite a few times but our most recent visit was with a larger group and we had an awesome time. First off, service here is always great. Bartenders are always nice and food always comes quick. We started off by sitting in one of the larger booths and kicked our visit off with some drinks and an app. They have a great local selection of beers and tasty sounding cocktails. I tried a sip of my friend's spicy marg and it was TRULY spicy but it was absolutely delicious. For our app we tried the Corn Queso and it was super good! Definitely recommend. My husband and I split a couple of entrees to try something new as we always get the same stuff. This time we got the Holy Burrito with steak, and the Monster S'Mash Burger. The Holy Burrito is MASSSIVE. Easily able to share this and only this between 2 people. Stuffed with all the same usual goodness of a burrito, but topped with a luscious chorizo gravy, pico de gallo, and guac. Absolutely superb, can't recommend enough. The burger was also good but I wouldn't quite call it a smash. The fries are super crispy and yummy! After we wrapped up eating we went into the other half of the building where they have pinball machines, a pool table, and a photo booth. It's a fun spot to vibe and wrap up with another drink. If you haven't been to this Tacoma icon yet, you're seriously missing out.

    Visited on a Saturday around 8pm and walked in just before the rush. As a first timer, I really…read moreenjoyed the food and drinks. I ordered the mojo pork bowl and every part of it was flavorful! I think I can speak for my group, that they really enjoyed their food and drinks too! The ambiance is moody and gothic, don't let the name fool you. The bartender and waitress were very friendly, and while ordering at the bar was way, the central area did get pretty crowded later in the night. After reading other reviews, I see I missed out on the photobooth :(. Oh wells, I'll try it out next time!

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    Love the Halloween vibes!
    Love the Halloween vibes!
    The Church Cantina
    Ecto cooler slushy

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    Balcon Express - tacos - Updated June 2026

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