Taco Casa

When me and mi familia were driving through Birmingham, we stopped at El Barrio for dinner. We had…read morea great experience! The food here was great. For starters, we got chips and queso. They were really good. After enjoying the starters, I ordered some chicken tacos. They were great! The guacamole was definitely my favorite part. I really enjoyed my meal. The service here was great! Our waiter was super kind and helpful. The inside was super clean. The bathrooms were very clean too. This place had a good Ambiance to it. Overall, great Mexican restaurant and I highly recommend trying it if you are ever in Birmingham.

This is a great spot for dinner, especially if you're planning to enjoy the nightlife afterward. I…read moredo wish they stayed open a little later given the location, but it still works well as a place to grab a meal before heading to nearby bars. I haven't tried an entrée yet because my group usually orders a few dips to share, and they've always been a hit. That said, the dishes I've seen at other tables have looked delicious. The outdoor patio is one of my favorite features--it's a great place for people-watching, enjoying the atmosphere, and having a daytime drink. The service has been solid on every visit. Nothing extraordinary, but friendly, efficient, and with no complaints. Overall, it's a place I'd happily come back to.

The bar

Carbone tacos

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Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant

3.8(184 reviews)

4.8 mi

Today was my first time ever visiting Los Amigos. Never knew about it before but troed today as it…read morewas close to where I was going. Since I got take-out, I can only speak to their take-out. However, I do feel that if they can get 5-stars for take-out, then their dine-in is surely 5-stars! First of all, they took time and care in packing the take-out. I got a lunch combo and they packed the Taco and the salad separately. I love it!! Secondly, they also included salsa and chips even though it was a take-out order, which I appreciated. Service was quick. I called in my order, showed up about 10 minutes after that, paid, and my order was ready a couple of minutes later. Employees were very nice. Food was good! Still warm when I opened it up 15 minutes after pick up, which tells me they were fresh and hot when packed! Tomato and lettuce in the guacamole salad were very fresh, which isn't always the case at some restaurants. I really liked their chile relleno as it wasn't fried. Really good. I will definitely visit again!!

Service is always good, even for large groups, and the food is always delicious! Favorites include…read morea margarita with either tamales, enchiladas verdes, or a taco salad with shredded chicken. The queso is usually a must. Good ambiance, and much more space than their old location on Clairmont. Still one of my favorite Mexican places YEARS later!!!

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SALUD

4.5(91 reviews)

4.6 mi

I heard alot of great things about Salud…read more Salud reminds me of the taqueria's in Mexico, with the Jarrito sodas, pineapple and mandarin Try them with a tequila shot! Also the guacamole, the cheese dip and the tacos. They do have a full bar and can do frozen drinks. I loved that you can add your own toppings to your tacos. The tacos come with just meat. You can add onions, limes, cilantro and pickled onions and pickled jalapeños as well as sauce. They had a Verde sauce as well as regular salsa, and a Salsa Borachja sauce with onion, garlic and Mexican beer. It was spicy and delicious. They have plenty of counter seating, a few tables inside and several tables outside. This is a tapas bar more than a testaurant.

Kind employees but not all condiments were available such as pico de gallo. Sour cream was a $1…read moreextra. I had a steak quesadilla which was delicious and a happy hour margarita. The inside was clean and decorated nice.

Inside

Fries

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Al Pastor

Mexico Lindo

3.5(119 reviews)

3.5 mi

Good. But why did LeBron not go to the pelicans. I mean we are still gonna win a ring but I mean it…read morewas the obvious decision

Nice server. Good margarita…read more But, dear God, maybe the worst tamale I've ever eaten in my life. I couldn't even finish the thing. And I'm not even a snob when it comes to Mexican food. But, holy smokes, it's like they're not even trying.

Chips & salsa

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Arroz Con Pollo

Maya Mexican Restaurant

4.3(196 reviews)

1.1 mi

One of the classic Mexican spots in Birmingham. They have the scrumptious thin, white cheese dip. I…read morehad the steak fajitas and thought the price was fantastic. Normally an order of fajitas is over $20, but it was closer to $16/17 here. I had a prickly pear margarita that was pretty dang good. I will say, service seemed to take a while. A couple of my friends barely got their drinks before our food arrived. This place was hoppin' on a Friday night, though. Definitely family friendly.

Maya is a regular part of my lunch rotation…read more Always great experience and I have liked every dish I have tried. Pretty typical Americanized Mexican restaurant but it is worth a visit if you are in the area and need to get your Mexican fix for Taco Tuesday.

Yelp loves this place huh #10

Chips are good with added salt.

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Frida's Cocina & Cantina

4.2(70 reviews)

4.0 mi

It was a nice day and I decided I wanted a patio and some margaritas. I have yet to try Fridas so I…read moregave it a try. I love the sunken patio which is perfect for relaxing in the shade. When we got seated outside by the friendly staff, we were given menus and free chips and salsa. As I nibbled on the chips and salsa which were just okay I browsed the drink menu. There's a full bar here and plenty of options. Over the course of the afternoon I tried the Frida's Rita and the wonderful rabbit. Both drinks weren't in your face with the tequila mezcal, they were mixed nicely and had a well rounded flavor. I much preferred the Woderful rabbit though as it tasted less watered down and the ginger beer paired with the mezcal was almost quenching. Overall if you're looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy Mexican cocktails this is a good spot! We did feel rushed to get out of there, and maybe it was because we weren't ordering food. Overall good experience however.

Frida's was pretty empty for an early lunch which I enjoy! Parking isn't great in that area so…read moregoing before peak hours helps a lot. We originally sat inside, but the air was blowing directly on the table so we moved outside. Their patio is actually very beautiful so it was very enjoyable. The food was actually pretty good. It was fresh and came out quickly. I would definitely give them another try.

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University Tacos

4.4(112 reviews)

4.1 mi

This quesadilla was so fulfilling and yummy! Made a visit while at UAB hospital and so glad I did…read more I've passed by a million time but never had it. That will definitely change now. Parking maybe a little challenge but worth it. The restaurant was very quiet and my service was great. It was fresh and cooked to order.

Tacos were great. Meat was seasoned well, salsa was fresh and hot, chips were light and crispy. So…read morethe food was awesome, but the tacos were priced higher than what I normally pay for street tacos. $3 per taco is what I usually pay for a taco truck.

Black bean burrito

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Menu as of 3/19/26

Rojo

4.1(439 reviews)

4.6 mi

This place is just a great vibe. Walking up to the patio is a nice touch on a warm sunny afternoon…read more The large trees providing a nice shade and a cool breeze. The menu provides plenty of choices for Mexican style dishes and American food. Great wine list with a full bar. Today was a good margarita day after a nice hike, along with a great meal of a vegetarian burrito bowl. The price was reasonable as well. I will definitely be back.

We arrived 8:30pm on a Wednesday and it was hard to find street parking. Everything right outside…read morewas full. There was some open spots at the end of the street. There are lots of outdoor seating, but we chose to sit inside because of the heat and it was quieter inside. We ordered at the counter. The menu is huge! Lots of options because it's double sided with a Latin side and American side. We opted for the Burrito bowl (no cheese to modify for vegan / plant-based diet), Summer Burrito, and Pepper Quesadilla. They were all delicious and flavorful. The employee who took our order was super friendly. There is a cash discount (vs paying with credit card).

Restroom, unisex.

Stepdaughter's husband's sandwich

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Restroom, unisex.

Adios

4.6(51 reviews)

4.8 mi

Adios is a fun time! Specialty cocktails, particularly tequila based, although they have all kinds…read moreof liquor. When they're busy, weekends, there's usually a bouncer at the door to check IDs and guide you in to either a table or open spot at the bar. The service here is very efficient, not like other bars where you could stand and wait and they wouldn't know you needed something. We were here on a Saturday, and they had a DJ spinning the latin tunes. I totally would recommend here for a date on a weeknight. The booths are really nice and its a fancy, intimate vibe.

Stopped by Adios for happy hour on a Friday and had a great time! Their happy hour is 4-6 pm! It…read morewasn't crowded, which made it perfect for a relaxed Friday evening. The atmosphere was laid-back, the drinks were good (the $8 marg is PERFECT), and the service was friendly. Definitely a nice spot to grab a drink and unwind to kickoff the weekend. I'd definitely be back!

Offrenda

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Little Donkey - Homewood

3.8(682 reviews)

3.0 mi

So Thankfull this Location is still open, we Love us some Donkey…read more Burrito Bowl with Brisket is a go too dish. Black Beans, Rice, Quack, Pico, Corn, Queso & Brisket. I know I left something out, it has all while not being I one flavor dish. Husband went for the standard Burrito with smoked chicken, he can eat gluten, smothered with Queso and Crema. Very good he said with his mouth full. You can have a conversation with a full house. Service was pleasant and accommodating, We will make the drive again.

We showed up at 8:30p (30 min before closing) after a day of traveling, they were very hesitant to…read morelet us eat. They let us know the kitchen would close at 9:00p, so we needed to order quickly. That was fair enough, but we ordered at 8:45p and didn't get our food for over 30 min. One of our party of 7 didn't get his food for 45 min. Our waitress never refilled any of our drinks the entire meal. We all ordered the 2 taco plate. All the tacos were dry and below average. It felt like an upscale attempt at Mexican food that missed the mark slightly. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful inside with great vibes, that was a standout plus. I really wanted to like this place, but I just can't recommend it.

Inside

La Cocina

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Firing Squad- sub house tequila for Don Julio

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11 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Charlie S.

294

17 years ago

For mexican fast food that is. This place has the best HOT sauce. It is a taco sauce not a salsa. If you know me you know I classify salsa as hot sauce because when I grew up you ate chips and hot sauce and that did not FUCKING mean chips and Louisiana sauce it meant chips and HOT SAUCE. However this actually IS hot sauce here at TC. OK so that out of the way the burritos are sent in plastic and warmed up as such in a microwave. They are piping hot and the meat looks like tube mush, however it tastes great. NOW FOR THE BEST PART The Tacos. They are super crunchy filled with meat cheese, shredded cheddar, and tomatoes and lettuce. I know this sounds typical but it is fast food but WAY better than taco bell or any other place like that. read more

Edward S.

10 years ago

I simply do not understand it... this obsession with Taco Casa. I think they must have an inside man at UA's freshman orientation who sprinkles some kind of pixie dust over the punch bowl and all these kids end up addicted to it and vote Republican. Well, all those kids grow up and graduate, and enough of them move to Birmingham to warrant a local franchise. So there you go. This food is what Donald Trump thinks about when someone suggest "Mexican Food". It's overcooked, wrapped in plastic, stale, tasteless (unless you count the salt) and tends to get soggy before you get home to eat it. I cannot recommend it enough to people I don't like. read more

Noah W.

12 years ago

This is a great local chain with fresh ingredients and a unique take on Mexican food. It's fast food/casual dining, but way better than taco bell. Chicken tacos are really good! read more

Briana B.

13 years ago

The food is good, I use go to the one on 280 but it close. The food is not quite the same but I still like it. The price is great and more reasonable then most places. read more

Bailey M.

4 years ago

One of my favorite affordable lunch places! Super fast service! The employees always have the best attitudes and food never disappoints

Crystal T.

5 years ago

Love love love their food!!! I would eat anything here. Never had a bad experience since I've been going here for a couple of years.

Brett M.

875

9 years ago

the most disgusting experience of my families life! i'd rather eat gravel than go back to this hell hole

Chad A.

8 years ago

Best "fast food" restaurant out there. Wish there were more locations in Birmingham area...

David D.

13 years ago

This place is the only "fast food" I eat! Please, put more around Birmingham! read more

Hannah D.

Elite 20

110

11 years ago

Great food. Great staff.

Tim W.

282

287

13 years ago

excellent

Taco Casa - mexican - Updated September 2026

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We stopped by Taco Mama a week or so ago. It was pretty busy inside on a Saturday afternoon…read more Ordering did not take long though. I ordered their La Playa margarita... $12 for a margarita that I didn't love or hate. I definitely would not order it again. My mom ordered Build Your Own nachos ( to- go) She enjoyed them for the most part. The portion was enough to share or have leftovers. The service is cool. The atmosphere is casual and lively.

Alright alright... don't judge me--yes, I'm at Taco Mama again. Different location though, so…read moretechnically this counts as branching out. I'm currently on a "doctor-inspired" diet (aka I had some dental work done yesterday), so no burgers, no corn on the cob, no tearing into anything that fights back. If it's not bite-sized, it's not happening. So I played it smart and went with the trusty burrito bowl--this time with steak. And let me tell you, that was the right call. That steak? Tender, fresh, and seasoned exactly how it should be. No surprises there... Taco Mama doesn't really miss. Now every few bites, you catch one of those jalapeños sneaking in, and it hits your taste buds with just the right little Southern kick. Keeps things interesting. Then you get that perfect bite where the queso decides to make an appearance--next thing you know it's dripping down your chin like you forgot you were in public. No shame. Atmosphere still holds up too. Strip mall location, but they've got those big garage doors rolled up so it feels halfway outside, halfway inside. Patio's open, music's going, lunch crowd doing their thing--it just sits right. All in all, solid choice... again. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a full stomach and a date with a nap.

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Pleasant Grove would not be the same if Speedy wasn't around! This restaurant is a classic that has…read morebeen around many many years. I love the huge taco salad and the quesadillas. The drive thru service can be a little slow but worth the wait. I didn't visit inside this trip but it is nice and clean when I have in the past. The portion sizes are big so it's always leftovers.

The taco salad is simply delicious. It has been a while since I had one of these salad s. I was not…read moredisappointed . There was literally no wait for the taco salad.

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Delicious!! First time here and it didn't disappoint. Highly recommend this hidden gem. Food was…read moredelicious and service was excellent!

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SO GOOD get the chorizo breakfast taco!! just like the ones…read morein texas lavender limeade was also good, very much like cava's (if you mix with lemonade, like i do) but better blended free sauces to try as well - all were pretty good

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My favorite Mexican restaurant. Been on a Taco cruise…read morelately, ran upon them years ago. Loved the El Pastor. Today made the special trip for tacos. The soft shell beef is good, the tortilla held together:) Tried the Sopes with chicken, I think am in love. Great corn tortilla, chicken done right, creamy salsa so good. I might substitute my tacos for Sopes. Can't Finnish without mentioning the famous bowls of bean soup. I'll travel just for the bean soup. A nice homey, comfortable place with good service.

Honestly, it may have been the best Mexican food that I have eaten and seemed to be pretty…read moreauthentic. The building is not fancy but the interior is nice and clean and the staff are super friendly and helpful. They started with bean soup for everyone in lieu of chips and we all enjoyed that. I can highly recommend the chimichangas. The chicken was beautiful and it was cooked perfectly. It's about a 30 min drive from my house and I will be returning.

Taco Mama - Vestavia

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Never mind they are awesome. They are super fast with great food. Their queso portions are huge and…read morewe love their chips. This is a go to for our family.

One of the best spots in Vestavia! Perfect for outdoor dining. The margaritas are delicious and the…read morefood portions are huge. Staff is always friendly and efficient.

Unos Tacos

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(37 reviews)

We love this place! The tacos are amazing, and we love the queso. Our order got a little messed up…read more We ordered several tacos and an order of chips and queso and 3 drinks. We didn't realize it, but we were charged for 3 quesos. They realized it when they offered us 3 quesos, and they let us keep the quesos and refunded my card. These tacos are absolutely delicious! We were in love and will definitely be back. We ordered both flour and corn tortillas, and we ordered variety of tacos. The chicken was absolutely delicious. We loved the asada and chorizo, but the real star was the Al pastor. We will absolutely be back for more!

I ordered from here on a visit to the Sidewalk Theater. I ordered the chicken nachos. I must say…read morethat they certainly fill your tray up with lots of food! My chicken was very bland though. In fact, the whole dish was subpar. I would not order this again. Maybe the tacos are better. Try them out for yourself!

Los Arcos

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Los Arcos is still a great place to go! The portions seem a little smaller but the prices are…read moregreat! On Tuesdays, they have $0.99 hard tacos. They even added popsicles with lots of flavors.

This used to be my favorite Mexican restaurant. Over the years, the taste isn't the same. The…read moreservice is still good, the pricing is still fair but that's where the good times end. The salsa lacks flavor and is often watery and full of stems. The chicken is often dry and lacks seasoning. No salt, no pepper...nothing. The ambiance is typical-festive and upbeat. But until they get better cooks, I may have to take my money elsewhere. I am trying to limit eating out to 2 times per week, so when I do, I want it to be enjoyable, not a waste of money and calories. Please do better!

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