Sometimes, nothing hits the spot quite like a taco. Classic, convenient, and always delicious, these cantina treats are a favorite for a reason — but who serves up the best tacos in Arlington VA? In this week’s Neighborhood Spotlight, join Peter Applegate, Caitlin Kamerman, and Drew Carpenter of the Keri Shull Team as they take you 3 of our favorite taquerias in Arlington!
Recent years have seen a lot of new additions to the tex-mex landscape in NoVA, including high-profile places like Don Tito — but are these newer spots the best place to get a taco in Arlington?
Do you have a restaurant, bar, or entertainment spot that you’d like for us to highlight in a future Neighborhood Spotlight post? Just let us know in the comments — we’d love to check it out!
Now, let’s get right into it and talk about the contestants!
Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita
Located on Columbia Pike — just down the road from Bob & Edith’s Diner and right next door to the Arlington Cinema & Drafthouse — is a hidden gem for authentic tacos in Arlington VA. Tortas Y Tacos used to be a food truck in the area, but they opened up a storefront about 3 years ago and have been slinging salsa there ever since.
In addition to their authentic tacos, Tortas Y Tacos also serves — as the name implies — torta sandwiches, as well as quesadillas and other iconic street fare.
If you are looking for the classic Mexican taco, with soft corn tortillas, a variety of tender meats, and a zesty squeeze of lime on top of cilantro and onion, then this might be the spot in Arlington.
Tacos El Chilango
There’s no simpler taco experience than the one you get at Tacos El Chilango. The unassuming food truck is parked in Rosslyn, right by Arlington Boulevard. When you approach (with cash in hand — no plastic at this spot!) the menu might seem surprisingly simple.
Just tacos. Take your pick of beef, pork, chicken, sausage, lengua, or a mix. It’s $2.50 per taco, and they come to you on a paper plate to eat there or as you walk.
And they are absolutely incredible.
Just like Tortas Y Tacos, this food truck boasts truly authentic Mexican tacos, with tender meats double wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with onions, cilantro, and your choice of salsas. The accompanying radish slices and hollowed cucumber chunks are a perfect way to curb the bite of the perfectly-spiced tacos!
Plus, with plenty of room to space out, sanitizer options from the owner, and its prime location near Rosslyn and Court House, Tacos El Chilango is a great option for takeout food in Arlington VA — especially on a lunch break!
Taco Rock
If you are craving a unique twist on the classic cantina formula, then you should stop by Taco Rock, just a few blocks away from the Keri Shull Team’s office near the Rosslyn Metro stop.
Taco Rock absolutely blows away the competition when it comes to menu size and presentation. The eatery offers 23 varieties of tacos — including speciality items like sushi-inspired tacos and a cubano sandwich inside a tortilla — as well as a wide selection of empanadas, ceviche, burritos and other tex-mex offerings.
With distinctive, blue corn tortillas and colorful fillings, the tacos at Taco Rock are as artfully presented as another of our favorite spots, Palette 22. These treats are truly a feast for all of your senses!
If you stop by Taco Rock, either to dine in or take out, make sure to try one of their signature drinks, too! In particular, we loved their speciality margaritas, which pair perfectly with the unique flavors of the tacos.
The Verdict
The truth is, it’s hard to compare these places! Tortas Y Tacos and Tacos El Chilango lean heavily on tradition and authenticity, whereas Taco Rock tries its hand at innovation with unique fillings and attractive presentation.
When it comes down to it, though, our agents selected Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita as the top taco in Arlington. The combination of biting hot sauce, perfectly crafted tortillas, fall-off-the-bone tender meats, and authentic flavor is simply unbeatable in our eyes!
When it comes to tacos, you trust the experts, right? Well, the same is true when getting ready to buy or sell a house now … and no one has more expertise than the Keri Shull Team! So if you are interested in living in Arlington, Washington DC, or anywhere else in the DMV, just click here and schedule a time for a free Consultation with one of our local experts!
