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    El Taco Market

    4.1 (64 reviews)
    InexpensiveMexican
    Closed 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

    El Taco Market Photos

    EL TACO MARKET ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Amazing tripe tacos bathed in habanero salsa
    Evan D.

    Despite being tucked away in the far northeast corner of Raleigh (almost in Knightdale), Taco Market is worth the drive. It is in a space that was either an Arby's or a Bojangles but has been decorated cheerfully. Order up at the counter from a huge menu both in front of you and to your right and wait for your food. When your food comes out, make sure to ask for some little plastic containers to fill with sauces and other accouterments in the super fresh and absolutely amazing salsa bar. Seriously I could go on and on about the salsa bar -- fresh pico de gallo, onions, radishes and cilantro as well as 4-5 different hot sauces (though only the bright red arbol/habanero is really intense). After scoping out the cold side of the salsa bar, make sure to notice the two covered dishes to their right. The larger container contains tasty blistered onions and jalapeños and the little one contains this insanely hot oil with toasted dried peppers that kicked my butt. As to the food itself -- the tripe is the best I've ever had, served crispy while not a bit tough or chewy. If you're a fan, it's outstanding. The carne asada is also good, the 'puerco' (basically carnitas) is roasted really nicely and the al pastor is really good though it's actually de trompo style (not sweet at all and drier). Have tried those in taco, huarache, torta and sope formats and loved all of it. Overall one of the best Mexican restaurants in the Triangle or even Alamance County, even if it's almost in Knightdale

    Taco Trio!
    Gessica P.

    Authentic Mexican! Yes! Having El Taco market was a perfect way to spend and celebrate Cinco de Mayo! First things first, this place is so affordable!! I got the #5, taco trio and it came with a drink and chips and salsa for like $7. I tried the barbacoa, pastor, and carnitas!! The carnitas and barbacoa was my absolute favorite! So much flavor! I got crunchy tacos but I will be back to try the corn tortillas.

    David T.

    Authentic Mexican tacos that are the same style as taco trucks. Very cheap tacos with a salsa bar. Fair warning, their salsas can be very spicy. So proceed with caution on the salsas. Food was 5 out of 5 stars. I am giving it a 4 mainly because the inside wasn't the best looking. Service was fine and fast. Restaurant is located in a very unassuming neck of the woods. Food was fantastic and sauces were great.

    John P.

    Certainly a step above Taco Bell, you can tell what meat you're eating and they use fresh ingredients. They also fry their shells by hand and you can definitely tell the difference. And the price is on par with Taco Bell anyway so I really don't have any reason to go back to Taco Bell. I'd suggest going to check them out, even if the location is a little out of the way.

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    9 days ago

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    29 days ago

    Literally the best tacos in raleigh. Been going here for 8 years and never had a bad taco. Only straight gas.

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    4 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Don't let the exterior throw you off. If you want a really good taco or burrito stop in! Friendly staff and great food!

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

    Very good tacos for a cheap price. Got plenty of options! Very kind staff. Has good combinations deals for the whole family or squad.

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    4 years ago

    Food is so good this restaurateur cooking style is different then other Mexican restaurants

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    5 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Love their Carnitas tacos! Their steak tacos are also pretty good! Be sure to get the salsa Verde!

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    10 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Great Authentic food. I always get the Tamales when I come here. The pricing is very reasonable and portion size s filling.

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    9 years ago

    This is by far one the best Mexican food places I've been to. Will be coming back as often as I can!

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    9 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    9 years ago

    Very good authentic tasting and fresh. I've had 2-3 different things from the menu. All have been above average. Love the salsa bar!

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    Carajillo's Mexican Kitchen - Tres leches

    Carajillo's Mexican Kitchen

    4.3(142 reviews)
    6.8 mi
    $$

    Nice place plenty of parking…read more Very friendly and attentive server- Chips, salsa and queso fresh and delicious. We got the fajitas for two and have leftovers for tomorrow. Meat was cut super thin- worked well to put in the tacos. Plenty of seating, well lit and not too noisy.

    I don't usually leave reviews, but this was an all-around frustrating experience from start to…read morefinish. Right off the bat, we asked for a highchair and were told it would be brought over. It never came. After waiting, we had to flag down a server walking by, who eventually brought one--only for it to be broken. It then took another 10 minutes before we finally got a functional highchair. Throughout the visit, the staff seemed far more interested in talking amongst themselves than actually paying attention to guests. The overall atmosphere felt disorganized, inattentive, and unprofessional. The worst part came after we left. I realized almost immediately that I had left my wallet behind and called right away. Instead of any sense of urgency or willingness to help, the host who answered was incredibly rude and dismissive. Before I could fully explain the situation, she cut me off and told me to "call back tomorrow." When I tried to quickly describe the wallet--color, contents, anything that might help--she hung up on me mid-sentence. Considering I called almost immediately after leaving and was brushed off so quickly, it raises serious concerns about whether any real effort was made to locate it. I would hope any establishment would take something like that seriously. Between the lack of attention, the disorganization, and the way a simple, time-sensitive situation was handled, this place clearly has serious issues with customer service. I won't be back.

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    4.2(69 reviews)
    6.0 mi

    Food: 4 Service: 4.5…read moreAmbiance: 5 Date/Time: 5/15/2026 7pm Order: ACP, Pollo Tropical, No Manches 'Rita, Ojitos Lindos 'Rita Crowd: 1/3 full I think this place has gone through a couple of mgmt/name changes since first going there, but the place looks the same inside and the food is just as good but seems to be more variety. The service was very good with what seemed to be a newer server. She checked in quite often until it was time to bring the check. Had to ask her for that after about a 10 minute wait after she cleaned off the table. Outside of that, very friendly and attentive. The ACP had very thin slices of chicken which was nice, but not as much cheese as you typically see in other restaurants. According to the server, you do have to ask for some flour tortillas on the side if you want them as they don't come by default. The Pollo Tropical had a nice thin layer of chicken breast covered in cheese.... tasty. The margaritas were good and have a smear of taijin on one side of the rim which gives the drink a little spice. Prices are in line with other restaurants in the area. Definitely would recommend it.

    Came out to dinner with friends and it was wonderful. Not very busy since it is a Wednesday. They…read morehave a $10 mezcal deal, so I got a mezcal margarita and it was delicious. We also got the guacamole, which was yummy and made table side. Then I ordered a quesadilla fajita. Typically quesadilla fajitas have melted cheese in line but this one didn't. Our waitress was amazing! She was sweet and attentive. I'll definitely go back but will likely order the burrito which I've found to be delicious.

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    Spacious dining area

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    El Taco Market - mexican - Updated September 2026

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