Growing up in Southern California, I've chased real tacos through enough dodgy alleys and late night backyard taco stands to know authentic when I taste it. Somehow that same soul has landed in the unlikeliest spot: Foster Street, in downtown Durham. Pulpo tacos, legit goat birria, bright ceviche mixto, a killer torta milanesa, and that sneaky chipotle aioli that steals the show. All washed down with ice-cold Modelo Negra on draft. Unpretentious, soulful flavors done right, prices that feel like a steal, and food that tastes like your nana cooked it with attitude. read more

I came here on a Saturday around 6 and was able to be seated right away. We chose to sit outside and their tables are right along the sidewalk. The atmosphere could be better but I still give 5 stars because of the food! We were skeptical about goat cheese and guacamole going together but wow! It was really inventive and delicious. Flavors I had not tried before. I also really liked that the free chips came with bean dip-/ yum! The gringa steak quesadilla I got was open faced. A little different than I was used to, but the flavor was 10/10. Overall I thought the food was unique and I would totally come back for more read more

Tataco - Quesadilla - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The food is the real star here. The seafood enchiladas were outstanding, the chips and salsa were great, and the taco sampler my date ordered was excellent. I usually gravitate toward fish tacos, but the carne and octopus variations were a fun change of pace. Already eyeing the Mega Tuna Tostada for next time. The interior is modern, energetic, and festive -- as a friend aptly noted, the tequila is definitely flowing. That probably also explains why it gets loud. If you're sensitive to noise, a quieter lunch hour or the patio might be a better option. One real downside: this place is consistently packed, and the wait situation feels a bit disorganized. On busy nights, the default seems to be standing outside regardless of the weather, which feels a little rough considering the price point. Parking isn't available, and it's all street parking in a VERY lively corner (with fun shops and bars around), so planning ahead and walking a couple of blocks is smart. Pro tip: If you're on a date, drop her off first. :) The food alone makes it worth it, though. I'll definitely be back. And if I were still drinking, I'd be getting one of the tasty looking margs read more

The food here was delicious. We came during a rush hour so it took a little bit to get seated and also took a long time to get our drinks. Overall, the vibes were good. We got the chips and queso and it was awesome. All the drinks were splendid as well. read more

Tataco - The Caribbean - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I have been to Tataco a few times and I always get the Birria tacos. They are so yummy!! Juicy, flavorful and perfect every time!! I'm obsessed! They always bring out a complimentary dip. I believe it's a cheese/bean dip. Idk what's in it but it's so tasty. Eat it while it's hot. The drinks are yummy and strong. I had the peach please this visit. It's perfect for people that love sweet drinks. It's so refreshing. The restaurant is very colorful and has an inviting atmosphere. All the staff is super nice. Antonio was our waiter and he was super fun and made the experience memorable. read more

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I had a really delicious experience here! I was not a fan of free salsa that comes with the chips, so I did have to order a separate salsa, however, my partner really enjoyed it. I thought that the oyster happy hour was an excellent deal, 1$ oysters were fresh, and delicious! My partner got tacos, and also really enjoyed those. Would definitely be back. read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This place was very cute and has a very fun setting! Service was great and very attentive. Extensive drink and food menu. It has something for everyone. read more

Tataco - Chef Picnic for two - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The restaurant is nestled on a cute little street. Everyone was friendly and the waiter (Cierra) was knowledgeable about the menu. When you walk in the vibes are perfect . The cocktail bar sets the whole mood. The food was so DELICIOUS! The flavors were amazing! The portion size was great too! The food was served on the cutest clay plates that were large enough for all your food. I will definitely be back! read more

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Delicious! Great twist on Mexican. Everything was delicious- from the bean dip, guacamole, and my entree. The house margarita was good as well. Service was friendly and helpful. Place was clean and new. I will be back! read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

My sweet cousin took the fam and I here for lunch, and it was such a treat! She knew I was craving Mexican food, and let's be honest, Angelenos really know their Mexican cuisine. The vibe and atmosphere of TaTaco are beautiful, reminiscent of the popular restaurants in Mexico City, authentic, lively, and inviting. We started with the Ceviche Mixto, and the chips and salsa were hot, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned. For our main dishes, I ordered the lunch-style bowl with pastor, while my partner enjoyed her two hard-shell tacos. My Aunt got the pescado and loved it, my cousin had a delicious-looking gordita, and my uncle went for the taco flight. Every bite was incredible, and we savored each flavor, fresh, vibrant, and truly authentic. This spot would be perfect to kick off you're evening with mezcal, great food and a lively atmosphere! Great service! read more

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This has become one of our regular to to's for a couple reasons. It's in a great location downtown near Durham Food Hall, has great ambiance especially for my toddler who loves to people watch through the massive glass windows and their great outdoor seating, and their food is great. We love their complementary chips and bean dip and always get the taco sampler of 6 tacos with rice which is sufficient for my wife and I. Our favorites are the octopus (flavorful and tender) and the azada (which has a great smoky flavor)! read more

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Service - 10/10 Food - 10/10 Portion/price - 10/10 Ambiance - 10/10 Came to this spot for lunch as a family of 5 for the first time, and it was AMAZING all around. First, they give free chips and bean dip that is so delicious. Next, their portions are huge, even for lunch! And everything was fresh and well-flavored. Our favorite and must have was the chicken soup - who would've thought chicken soup could be so delicious!! It was the favorite on the table. We also got the goat birria tacos, ceviche, and mahi tacos. All were so good and fed us well. Would hands down come back again! read more

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Looking for a quick, tasty, affordable Mexican lunch? Look no further than Tataco. We visited a Friday afternoon, found low cost parking next to the restaurant and were promptly seated. Without any blinds, you're sure to get as much natural sunlight as you want! Complimentary chips with a yummy bean sauce Food (4/5): delicious chicken soup with a side of quesadillas that comforted the soul, birria tacos, and fried mahi tacos were all exactly what we needed. Price (5/5): in this economy, the $13 tacos were welcomed. we also ordered the yummy lunch ceviche (not pictured), about the size of a usual guacamole serving. Service (5/5): attentive and prompt If I lived around here, I'd be back ASAP! read more

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We dined in with friends before a show and had no problem getting a table. You start off with chips and instead of the traditional salsa they give you a warm bean dip. We also ordered the goat cheese poblano guacamole. I ordered a beer then had the Trakaas margarita for my drinks. For our entrees it was the Enmoladas Enchiladas for me and the La Verde Enchiladas for my husband. The drinks, food and service were all really good. I recommend coming very hungry because the portions are huge. On a side note - The reviews do not lie. If you are dining in a a sunny evening then prepare to have "fun" in the sun. This spot could benefit from installing curtains or shades. read more

Amazing drinks and great food, the only downside was we had to wait a bit for our drinks on a busy Saturday night. To be expected though! read more

Tataco - Mango Tamarindo - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Really a great place with large portions. We sat outside where the music was. Perfect for summer time! The food was good, you get plenty for your money (most plates were $16-$23), and the service was great. Just before choosing the Torta Cubana Sandwich, make sure you're really really hungry. It is huge. The ACP is always a good choice! I highly recommend! read more

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It was our first time here. We were going at 5:30 so we decided to risk it and go without a reservation. No problem getting in at that time, but it did fill up by the time we were heading out. Our sever was very attentive. Instead of salsa they start you out with a bean dip and chips. It was tasty! We did also end up ordering some salsa too, which was good. Our friends ordered the goat cheese guacamole and it was really good! I was having a hard time deciding on what to eat and went with one of our servers go tos - the Durham Hot Fried Chicken Tacos. I was worried they might be super spicy, but they had just the right about of heat to them. They were good but I think I would have liked a little more sauce or something on them. Bring your sunglasses if you're coming in around dinner time on a sunny day. The sun was coming in through all the front windows and there are no curtains. read more

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The most incredible take out Mexican I have ever eaten. From the presentation in the container, so the flavor and perfect cook of the steak, I was blown away. Will 1000% be back to visit the restaurant in person. read more

Tataco - L Fajita Asada - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Delicious meal, the guacamole is especially good. Servings are large and the service is great. The music was a bit loud and made conversation for our group a challenge. Still, nice joint! read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I came in after a work event and this place was close. Located in downtown Durham it is a cute spot but only street parking and paid parking to be had all around. I foolishly ordered a size T house margarita thinking it would look like the margarita I saw a woman holding when I walked it. Turns out T stands for "taller than your head". This baby was HUGE like wow. And only $16.99. The chips they serve you come with a bean dip that was tasty. I ordered the birria tacos which came with 3 and were delicious. $21.99 felt steep for the food and it also was just okay tacos. I would definitely come again and bring friends (and a DD). read more

Tataco - House margarita (size T) - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I really enjoyed this place! Lovely service from the host to the server- super attentive, friendly, and joked around with us (specifically about my gringa spice-averse taste buds lol). I loved the goat cheese guacamole- I could have made a meal of that! My husband enjoyed his fajita ACP and had enough to bring home for lunch the next day. My mahi tacos were really good. The ambiance is attractive. They must have read other reviews complaining about how the sun comes in, because they had umbrellas outside creating a much more private and comfortable space. I feel bad for them that they can't take advantage of their floor to ceiling windows, but such is the direction of the sun. It was a little loud in there. I had to ask my husband to repeat himself a lot. I could see it being really frustrating trying to chat with a large group. All in all, a fun date night! read more

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We've been wanting to try this place for a while and stopped in for lunch during Triangle Restaurant Week. Unfortunately, we were not offered the TRW special so maybe they were only offering it at dinner. We ordred off the menu and decided on ceviche mixta (always enjoy seeing ceviche on a menu) and chicken flautas. We were also served chips and salsa although we couldn't quite figure out the ingredients of the salsa. Seemed like there were only 1-2 front of house staff working at the time so it took a little while to pay our bill. Overall a good, reasonably priced experience and we'd come back. read more

Tataco - Ceviche mixto lunch - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Needed a place to watch the World Cup games. The food selection was good and service was excellent despite being her first day. I wish the chips came with salsa and not the cheese dip. I would return again but my gf didn't like her chicken tacos. She says it wasn't very flavorful. She is too scared to ever complain but still ate most of it. read more

Tataco - Pulled Chicken street tacos - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Ordered the guacamole, and let me tell you, it was amazing. The pickled onion and radish gave it a fresh, crunchy twist and a beautiful presentation. It was a simple dish that really stood out. Highly recommend! read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

From the very fresh, delicious food (the steak was so tender!), to the service (Antonio was personable, knowledgeable of the menu, and so kind! He was the best!!), to the fun ambiance, TaTaco did not disappoint! We'll be back and tell our friends to ask for Antonio! read more

Tataco - Sign of TaTaco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

TaTaco, a recent addition to Durham's food scene by Chef Oscar Diaz and the Mezcalito Group located on Foster St, was a hit! In true brunch-fashion, we tried two items, one sweet and one savory: - Flan cakes (fluffy pancakes, flan, mascarpone butter, berry compote): Super rich, very sweet but delicious- the portion size is huge too. - Al pastor tacos: This was their lunch deal so you get 2 tacos, rice, beans, and salad for a great price. The al pastor was tender and probably the most flavorful I've ever had. Also really liked that they gave a tasty bean dip with chips (so quickly after seating too). Service was fast and friendly. Ambiance is so nice- very modern and elegant. 10/10 would recommend! read more

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When looking for a reservation on Opentable before a DPAC show, there was a 5:30 time slot. I didnt have Tataco on my list, so thought it may be fairly new. It's definitely not what you would consider a traditional Mexican restaurant. The food has a great flare and good flavor. I wanted to try something 'different' so I went with the Beef Tongue tacos. I wasn't quite sure how it would be, but it reminded me a little of pork belly. It was really good. The rice is yellow and the beans are white. You get bean dip with the nachos. The large Margarita is huge! Hubs got the carne asada which was very tender and good. The service was excellent. It is a large room, so I can imagine it could get loud, but it was normal while we were there. We were there early, but by the time we left it was almost full. Definitely recommend giving it a try. read more

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Love the decor and service! Natalie was an awesome server and helped make our experience this week. Drinks & food were delicious! This is a definite must try if you like tacos and margs! read more

Durham just got a little more delicious with the opening of TaTaco, the latest venture from acclaimed chef Oscar Diaz, and it's already a hit. Spacious, airy, and beautifully designed, the restaurant offers plenty of seating for diners both indoors and on its inviting outdoor patio, making it a perfect choice for everything from casual dinners to group outings. The food? Outstanding. We started with the complimentary corn chips paired with a warm, creamy bean purée topped with queso fresco, simple, satisfying, and a great preview of what was to come. The La Verde enchiladas were rich and flavorful, packed with tender chicken and drenched in a velvety crema poblana, topped with queso fresco, radish, and onions, and served alongside perfectly cooked rice and beans. The Chingones Tacos with Mahi were a standout, fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor, accompanied by rice, beans, salad, and all the right garnishes. The drink menu is extensive with something for everyone, but the watermelon margarita stole the show, absolutely massive and refreshing, it was basically three drinks in one and worth every sip. We ended the meal with a smooth, well-balanced flan that was the perfect sweet finish. All in all, TaTaco delivers on flavor, ambiance, and value. Chef Oscar Diaz has added another gem to Durham's growing food scene, and I can't wait to go back. Highly recommend! read more

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The latest concept from Chef Oscar Diaz, Tataco offers up a bright and refreshed take on Mexican cuisine. A prime location across from Boxcar Bar and Arcade, Tataco sits in a long space at the Geerhouse Apartments. Inside the space is fun, pinks and greens with a large bar to the right with a raw bar along with a large kitchen to the left. Lots of ceramic tiles are used at the bar at the bar for a slick, modern feel. The menu here surprisingly, doesn't have tacos front and center. They occupy a small part of the menu along with ceviches/raw seafood, enchiladas and a handful of large plates. Entrees are in the $16 to $35 range. Note that the menu seems pretty authentic and in espanol, I needed some help interpreting some of the items! And you definitely don't want to miss their cocktails, there is definitely some love and creativity there. I nommed on the tuna tostada and seafood enchilada which were both solid. Overall I'm curious to see how things evolve at Tataco, I enjoyed my visit but prefer Aaktun out of his three restaurants. But I'll be back to try more off of that menu and cocktail list! read more

Tataco - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The ceviche & seafood options here are all so yummy. My wife craves it all the time so we've visited here a few times now from Cary. The bowls are also great.. the chicken is particularly delicious as seasoned so well. They give you chips with a bean dip that is topped with a tad of cheese. The salsa is fresh tasting, but will run you $4. We've always been sat fairly quickly tho going around lunchtime on weekends is smooth as it gets. The space is wide open & half of it is a huge bar. Outdoors I notice they have heaters for folks that like to stay out. read more

Tataco - Sunlight through the front door - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Another hit in Durham! TaTaco has a great vibe & the severs were so welcoming! Zeek was the best bartender! He was very knowledgeable about the tequila on the wall and was super friendly! We will be back for the food, shots & drinks! The vibe is chill and exciting! We only had the chips salsa bean dip and goat cheese guacamole but they were all good! Especially the guacamole! We will definitely be back to try their entrees! read more

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Super cute decor and vibes. Our server was great! The bean dip that they serve with the chips feels unique and is really tasty. I had a killer steak torta and it was HUGE. My girlfriends got a wide variety of dishes (verde enchiladas, steak street tacos, barbacoa street quesadilla, steak bowl) and everyone was really happy with their meals! Our favorite drink at the table was the watermelon mezcal drink. I'd definitely go back again. Also very close to other bars and fun activities downtown. read more

The shrimp fajitas looked more like tacos but needless to say they were delicious. Parking is a problem and not cheap read more

Apparently, it was my good fortune to be in Durham during the soft opening of this new gem! Nestled off the main drag of downtown Durham, I found Tataco to be an excellent addition to the city's food scene. Bright, airy space flooded with tons of natural light. Beautiful & expansive bar offering an impressive array of spirits. Visually interesting menu--oysters at the taco spot???!!!--that did not disappoint at all on taste. I opted for the shrimp tacos--perfectly crisp, wonderfully seasoned & encased in a deliciously fresh corn tortilla--and accompanied by some of the best rice & beans I've had in a while. Pro Tip: Go HUNGRY, as you'll not want to miss out on the complimentary chips & beans appetizer--that's right, a delightful deviation from the more standard salsa. I see many more trips here in my future. Cheers! read more

I don't often leave reviews, but the tacos here were unfortunately terrible. Overcooked, oily meats that required teeth of steel to break down, and overly salted vegetables to the point of not being able to finish the meal. The only redeeming point was that our waitress was very kind and offered another taco for a replacement, but that ended up being the too salty vegetable taco. Disappointing given the reviews. read more

Great new restaurant in Durham with fantastic service and authentic Mexican food. The service was the highlight. Our waiter was so sweet and knowledgeable about the vast menu. I had the clam Birria soup and the taste was as authentic as it gets. Huge portions and good, tasty food. It's a must try! read more

Tataco - Clam Birria - Mexican Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Really cute Mexican restaurant in Durham (adorable decor and a beautiful long bar inside). Sat outside though because we brought our fur child- and it's dog friendly! I ordered the queso dip (white queso), which was smooth and creamy, chips were salty; and the chicken fajitas- the chicken was a large portion, fresh, and flavored well. I tried my partner's carne asada tacos and was disappointed- the steak was VERY fatty (almost too fatty to eat). My only recommendation would be to add flour tortillas to the menu (not just corn), and elotes (street corn). Service was great- we loved our waiter, Antonio! He was friendly, had great and honest suggestions, and was really funny. read more

Mezcal Monday is a great deal: $8 for a giant beverage. The passion fruit/pineapple one was very tasty and not overly sweet (the smashed berry was a lot smokier and the flavors didn't meld as well). The ambiance is open and inviting. Our waitress was nice but sort of disappeared after our meal came out. The biggest disappointment was the food. There were limited vegetarian/ pescatarian options. My grilled fish was so dry that I had to drown it in salsa to eat it, and even that didn't save it. The rice and beans were tasty, though. read more

Excellent portions for the price. And it tasted fine and fresh. Service was slooooooowwwwww and the restaurant was freezing. Food was nothing to write home about, but it was refreshing to feel like you actually got your money's worth in terms of quantity. read more