10 Essential Taco Stops in the Lowcountry

Note: Map points are not listed ranked.

If you like the food truck experience, but hate chasing down the mobile kitchens, then stop by El Alteño in Summerville. The taco truck parks permanently next to the no-frills dining room for easy access to carnitas, lengua, longaniza, and other traditional meats sprinkled with onion and cilantro on a fresh tortilla.

Consistently rated as some of the best tacos from a truck around, Taqueria Espres gathers an almost cult following in North Charleston. The doubled up tortillas are stacked with perfectly seasoned meats, onion, and cilantro. Each order comes with a few pickled carrots and a jalapeño.

North Charleston stop La Nortena may look like a normal chain Mexican restaurant, but they make real-deal tacos. Order lengua or tripe and soak the tortillas in the homemade salsas they put on the table.

“Sometimes a man just wants a taco,” writes the one Yelp review for North Charleston taco truck Taqueria La Jarocha — but at $1.25, order a few of the warm corn tortillas stacked with peppery salsa and your choice of meats.

The sign outside Las Lupitas states, “The Best Mexican Food in Town,” so it’s worth a trek to sample the traditional tacos like the barbacoa or tripe. The small space has a roadside diner sort of feeling with booths to slide into after ordering from the massive menu. Remember: It’s cash only here.

Santi’s outdoor patio is the place to be when the weather is nice. Order a giant margarita and then decide if you want Mexican or American-style tacos. The chips and salsa are free.

Mex 1 feels like a surf shack, even if you aren’t technically at the beach (though there is a second location at Sullivan’s). Try the Baja fish tacos or the crowd-favorite “Bangin’ Shrimp.” Fans also love the free chips and the creative tequila drinks.

A visit to Taco Boy is all about the experience. The interiors are open and full of fun details. They have a long list of tacos with unexpected fillings. Korean beef tacos are stuffed with kimchi and grilled flank steak and the sautéed shrimp tacos come with ancho chile yogurt sauce and cabbage. On a nice day, enjoy the patio with a few friends and a frozen screwdriver to go with the other selections.

Minero comes from celebrity locavore Sean Brock. The menu items take on Mexican and Lowcountry flavors, like the fried catfish tacos with pickled green tomato tartar. Brock spent months perfecting the tortillas for the East Bay eatery and the result comes with high praise from locals.

The owners of Carmen y Juan’s relocated to Charleston from East L.A. and set up shop in Park West. Reviewers rave about the food and service. Those in search of cilantro-speckled tacos may not need to chase taco trucks for the authentic fare — try this Mount Pleasant restaurant instead.