April 24th, 2009 by bpmccullough – Comments (25)
Ever since I fell in love with my first Baja taco in Rosarito Baja, California I have been on a quest to find the best carne asada tacos in Tulsa. Last weekend, I believe, was the end of my quest. If you didn’t know this Tulsa has a taco stand row where you can get tacos that are one of my favorite foods on the planet, carne asada tacos, made the same way that you can get them off a taco stand in Baja. I tried two different taco stands on my taco quest last weekend and both of them had delicious, albeit, decidedly different tacos. What I love about this is that it is similar to my many trips to Baja. The best way to eat is to walk from taco stand to taco stand.
The first place that I went was Mr. Taco’s. Mr. Taco’s served up traditional carne asada tacos, placing each on two corn tortillas. As you can see below it was served traditionally with chopped onions and cilantro. As I was sitting there talking with some of the locals I heard that they have one awesome burrito on the menu that was worth mentioning as well.
The second taco stand was just down the road, from the first, in the parking lot of Las Americas Supermarket, on Lewis (not to be mistaken with their across parking lot competition which is another similar looking taco stand). I am sure that Las Americas has amazing carne asada and other Mexican ingredients that you can purchase to make these tacos for yourself. These tacos were served a bit different with a spicy red sauce and a few essential goodies on the side. It is important to remember that a lime and a roasted jalapeno on the side is a must. This taco stand has a view of downtown that you can enjoy whilst you enjoy your taco. To get the whole experience I recommend going to at least two taco stands on one trip if you have time.
The third taco stand that I went to was right next door to the Warehouse Market Dollar Store. I later found out was one of the best, but unfortunately I couldn’t fit two more tacos in my belly. But you better believe that I will be back sooner rather than later.
I know that this might not be everyone’s favorite part of town but I encourage all you taco lovers to jump out of the box and give it a shot for one afternoon. For me, my trip to west Tulsa resembled the countless food adventures I have had in Mexico. I hope it is for you as well.
- Let me know if you visit one of these places!!!!
Enjoy – Brian
Tags: Best of Tulsa · Downtown · Hole in the Wall · Lunch · Mexican Food · Pictures
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25 responses so far ↓
Heather Apr 24, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Great post! I will have to check that out. The best tacos I have ever had was at a taco stand in Tijuana, right up the road from Rosarito!
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Debbie Apr 25, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Interesting. I never would have tried a place like this but it makes me curious.
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Petunia Bloom Apr 26, 2009 at 9:05 pm
That is just scary!!
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Sean Apr 26, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Can you give more info on the location? Cross streets at least for those of us unfamiliar with that side of town.
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Brian Reply:
April 26th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Mr. Taco – 130 N Lewis Ave, Tulsa, OK 74110
View Larger Map
Second Taco Stand in the parking lot of Las Americas
View Larger Map
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admin Reply:
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Nice!
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JJ Apr 27, 2009 at 12:41 pm
If you are into another mexican crawl, try 21st and Garnett. Not quite as “interesting” of neighborhood, but at last count there were at least 8 mexican places to eat between stands, restaurants, mexican mall and the supermarkets serve food as well.
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Clint Apr 29, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Great little taco truck east of the retail supply store near 11th and Lewis. Tacos for $1.50.
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amy May 3, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I like the third one you talked about. Right at the corner of Lewis and 2nd street, I think. Facing the Post Office they are getting ready to close.
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Clint May 5, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Mr Taco is the bomb taco I cant wait to try the rest!!
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joiei Jul 3, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Los Unicos is the name of the taco truck at 2nd and Lewis next to the Amazona laundromat. Excellent tacos, several different meat filling and a killer hot dog, the best to be found in Tulsa.
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admin Aug 3, 2009 at 1:35 pm
Can’t wait to get some more tacos!!!!
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Rachel Aug 3, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Tacos Los Hermanos at the corner of 31st and Garnett (AutoZone parking lot) is my favorite! Delicious tacos for $1, always a crowd waiting or eating at the tables in front. Friendly folks and KILLER beans. Mmmm…
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Sherri Reply:
January 29th, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Rachel! Yes! That is the taco wagon that my husband and I go to most often. We love them! (And they are still open now, even in Winter!)
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Rachel Jan 30, 2010 at 4:42 am
I’m in France for the year and those tacos are by far what I miss the most. As soon as my flight lands in July a beeline will be made for 31st and Garnett. They’re also really friendly folks. I just love it.
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OU Fan Jan 31, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Mr. Tacos is the real deal…they have the best “Tacos de carnitas” (pork) tacos in town. I grew up in Southern California and let me tell you that these are true tacos. I was a bit leary myself, but it is now one of my favorite spots. I drive from South Tulsa to this place…the food is great.
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Terri Jan 31, 2010 at 7:49 pm
I finally got to try the one at 11th and Lewis, I got three tacos and a Dr. pepper. I got the steak, marinated steak, (pastor) and the head (cavesa) all three were delicious, but my favorite was the pastor, served with a hot salsa. I can’t wait to try one of the other places mentioned above.
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Dan Feb 10, 2010 at 11:52 am
I have tried both taco stands and they are both great. The word “whilst” should never be used in a review of these taco stands white boy.
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Russell Mar 22, 2010 at 10:18 pm
This is a pretty superficial review. Anyone who eats a lot of tacos would have paused to discuss Mr. Tacos in more detail. The others are extremely typical taquerias that don’t really offer anything special.
Mr. Tacos carne asada is very special.
This flank steak meat is first boiled to mostly done, then sliced on a deli slicer until it is the size and shape of philly cheese steak meat. This alone is far different from most carne asada tacos, which are square chunk shapes of meat. But the special part is how they cook their meat. This stand used to have glass front where you could look right in and watch the experts in action. The cut meat is put on the grill and cooked, but at Mr. Tacos they cook it to crispiness. YOU WILL NOT FIND ANY TACOS LIKE THIS IN TULSA AND YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND TRY MY FRIEND! This meat acquires a richness of flavor, when the meat is crisped and carmelized, that is absolutely crack-tastic and instantly addicting. I eat tacos everywhere I go, I am fluent in Spanish, and I am definitely an expert about tacos and carne asada in particular. I am telling you, Mr. Tacos is very special. If I had $50,000 I would buy their trade secrets and open a franchise of this place. Mr. Tacos also serves great burritos and chicken, but the carne asada is magical, mythical, it is taco-ness in the Kantian sense, unbelievable and it is an emotional experience.
One note: having eaten Mr. Tacos for quite a few years, I have noticed in the last year or so, the meat began to be less crispy and the outrageously soul-crushingly delicious nature of the tacos began to be mildly compromised. I inquired. Apparently they have had a lot of white people complaining about the tacos being over-cooked and they have drifted away from the crispiness of the good old days. However, they are aware that the connoisseurs need their crispy meat. All you have to do, to ensure you receive the real-deal authentic crisped carne asada is ask for your meat crispy, or “que la carne este bien tostada por favor!” They are going to view you with new respect when you ask for their food the way they really like to prepare it.
Please, don’t continue to live your boring life with no gusto, no joie de vivre, wake up from your dull and boring existence of average tacos, and go to Mr. Tacos as soon as possible. Get the TACO PLATE DE CARNE ASADA CON TODO, BIEN DORADO O TOSTADO, ME ENTIENDES, BIEN CRISPI POR FAVOR! Do me one last favor to enjoy this the way it is supposed to be. They will give you a red and a green sauce. Take the red sauce. Throw it in the trash. Remove all your tortillas from under your meat. Set them aside. Open the green sauce and dump it on your meat. Mix it. Peel the tortillas apart so you are only using one tortilla per taco. Scoop meat into tortillas. Place in mouth. Live life for real, like you mean it. You will find yourself achieving higher levels of excellence in all areas of your exisxtence. Let me know how it goes!
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Topher May 24, 2010 at 7:51 pm
I work the Tulsa fair every year, and no visit is complete without several trips for these sorts of tacos. I have 2 favorites, perhaps owned by the same folks. The first best is Taqueria El Ranchero, located on 31st near Sheridan. It is almost directly across from the Quik Trip, right next to a big sign advertising Surety Finance. Super yummy! I like my food very spicy and they are happy to accommodate. Rather than jalepenos, they serve with serranos. I think these are a little zippier than jalepenos, myself. They offer any sort of taco you may desire, though I prefer the asada tacos. I have gorged myself to bursting here many times.
A few years back, we stayed at the La Quinta on 41st, near Mingo Valley Espressway. Directly across the street is El Ranchero, in the gas station parking lot. A variety of tacos are served here as well, but I always choose asada. Also very tasty, and they serve jalepenos here. Both places offer the red and the green hotsauce, lime, and radishes.
Typical, by Russell’s standards, but most satisfying for me. Try them both, tell me what you think. I definitely need to seek out Mr Taco, it sounds fabulous. Tx for the detail, Russell!
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Alisa May 27, 2010 at 10:35 am
Perhaps Anthony Bourdain can put in a good word for food trucks/carts and the appeal of great street food. Tulsa is trying to expand, change and become more cultured but it won’t work so well if a large part of our population stays close-minded!
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April Brooks May 27, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Here’s a link to Anthony Bourdain eating tacos at taco stands. http://www.tacomatrix.com/?p=70
I love this post! I still haven’t been to any of these places, but I’m making it my mission to go this very weekend. I lived in Playa Del Carmen on the opposite coast of where you enjoyed your Baja taco stands, but I can tell you that Playa had some fantastic ones as well. Lots of Mayan influences. One delicious variety was covered in a sauce that looked like it was made of charcoal! I still have no idea what was in it, but it sure was tasty!
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Kate M. May 27, 2010 at 1:30 pm
This makes me so happy!! Tacos are my favorite food group… I’ve been hearing about the taco trucks ever since Anthony Bourdain visited one in San Francisco a few years ago on No Reservations.
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jeanie May 31, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Mr taco rocks. I go to church at Redeemed by grace church near there and its a must stop at least once a month. The flavor is outstanding and the people are so nice. I wish i could make them as good as this place.
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Russell Jul 1, 2010 at 10:55 am
I feel forced to update my comments about Mr. Taco. Unfortunately, they have drastically changed their carne asada, and not for the better. Its still pretty good but it is nowhere near as delicious as it used to be. Now it is soaked in some kind of red sauce and has a mushy texture compared to the former crispy meat you would get. The red whatever it is takes over the flavor and it takes on a sort of mexican barbecue sort of character. This meat used to be flawless, crispy, carmelized and delicious. Why they have decided to dumb it down is beyond me, but I am not feeling the love any more. It is like losing a close friend to an insidious disease. Maybe I’ll go out there and have a chat with them, but I don’t want anybody to think the red mush they serve now as carne asada is what inspired my comments above. This is just a tragic loss for all of Tulsa. My condolences Mr. Taco. You put tiles on your building and changed your fundamental most staggeringly awesome dish into a mediocre rendition of tacos. Why?
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