Mazatlan has a lot going for it. Great beaches, a beautiful historic center, the best Pacific sunsets you'll find anywhere. But the taco scene... it's dreamy. There's good places everywhere, from streetside to upscale restaurants
. I have so much nostalgia from late night walks with friends in hunt for tacos. And man did we score.
One thing to know, Carne Asada is king here. Sure, you'll find al pastor on plenty of menus, and depending on the place it can be worth ordering, but the thing Mazatlan does better than almost anywhere is a great grilled steak taco. Fresh tortillas, house-made salsas, and portions that actually fill you up.
If you're visiting and want to know where to go, here's my short list.
I don't want to overwhelm with options. These are the four places I keep coming back to.
Carnaval #901, Playas del Sur, Mazatlán
MX$100-200
Taqueria Playa Sur is one of the most impressive taco operations in the city, just in terms of the sheer volume of steak they are constantly producing. Fresh tortillas, house-made salsas, and a staff that moves like they've done this a million times, because they have. It is a well-oiled machine! The service is fast and completely predictable in the best way.
What I love most about this place is that the portion sizes are always genuinely generous. Every taco, every quesadilla is just mounted with meat.
I've brought a lot of people here over the years and nobody has ever gotten sick, which tells you everything about how seriously they take their process. The staff are kind, the energy is good, and you can bring your whole family/team and have a flawless experience every single time.
This is the first place I take anyone visiting Mazatlan if I want to show them what an insanely good, memorable taco actually looks and tastes like here.
What to order for the first time:
Quesadilla. You may just need one, they are literally that stuffed with steak. Order it "con todo" if you want it with the diced veggies and spicy salsa. Order it "sin picante" if you can't handle the fire.
They come in either Harina or Maiz tortillas. I prefer the maiz, as the flavor and texture is dreamy. Harina (flour) is more buttery and soft.
For around $5 USD each, that is a cheap meal. Other places have less expensive tacos/quesadillas but you need several to get full (ends up being more expensive). Not here.
Av Camarón Sábalo 111, Zona Dorada, 82110 Mazatlán, Sin., Mexico
MX$100-200
There are actually two locations in the Golden Zone now, and they are my favorite in the city for al pastor. The steak tacos are great too, but if you want to see what a well-executed al pastor setup looks like, this is where I'd send you first. Clean, fresh, epic.
The setup is fast and no-frills: they give you the plain taco, and then you go build your own plate at the salsa bar. Be careful with the bright red and green salsas....
Lots of different salsas, veggies, and an avocado sauce. One thing worth knowing before you go: their pastor always comes with pineapple on top, which is traditional and lovely.
They offer parking in the back, don't miss that. Ask for their aguas frescas, their pineapple one is gas.
What to order for the first time:
A few tacos al pastor. If you want them crunchy, add "tortilla dorada" to the request. It's a nice add on.
3. Tacos Hector
(Click for Google Maps)
Av. Zaragoza 719, Centro, Mazatlán (just off Plaza Zaragoza)
MX$100-200
If you're looking for a really family-style, side-of-the-street, get-to-know-the-whole-family kind of vibe, Tacos Hector is where I'd take you next. The grandfather is Hector. His son is also Hector. His wife is Lupita, and their whole family works the operation together.
It's right off Plaza Zaragoza in the heart of Centro, and it feels like exactly the kind of place you came to Mexico hoping to find. As local as it gets.
OG Hector has been at the steak cleaver dicing up taco meat for many a years. Ask him how long.
What to order for the first time:
I'd highly recommend getting their vampiros here specifically. These are crunchy, cheesy tacos. Squeeze the lime on the tables, add the caramelized onions they add to the plate. Take a bite of the chili on your plate if you dare.
You sit at tables and benches under the evening sky with neighbors and locals all around you, and it is just a treat. Probably a random nature channel playing from the tv that sits next to the pickup truck. It's that kind of vibe.
This is the kind of experience that reminds you why street food culture in Mexico is so special.
One day Hector asked if I wanted to join the team. Apron and all.
4. Totem Barrio
C. Heriberto Frías 1504, Centro Histórico, Mazatlán
MX$200-300
Totem is a different kind of taco experience. The steak tacos are served on a rooftop terrace in Centro Histórico, and the whole setting is completely dialed in: great views, a solid cocktail menu, a coffee program that holds its own, and a kitchen that really does the tacos well. I've tried a lot of tacos all over the city, and these guys consistently deliver on quality of meat and overall experience.
This is the spot when you want great food and a great atmosphere at the same time. Come for the evening, get some tacos, split some nachos, and let it be a proper night out.
The views over Centro are perfect. It's a different energy than a taqueria stand, but it absolutely earns its spot on this list.
Mazatlan has many treasures. Go enjoy the spicy kind.
Homework: Pick one and go tonight. Let them know Josh says hi.
More of Mazatlan:
Best Coffee Shops in Mazatlan: My Top Picks for Nearby Coffee