Which Mahoning Valley eatery makes the best tacos? Vote in Round One of our poll
From dippable birria with onions and melty queso to authentic fried fish with coleslaw, there’s no wrong way to enjoy a few tacos. But which Mexican restaurant in the Mahoning Valley can serve the best tacos in town, hands-down, every time?
For this poll, Mahoning Matters is focusing on local, sit-down Mexican restaurants (and one bar that got its start making tacos) known for serving top-notch tacos with tasty toppings in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
Help us pick the best-tasting tacos in the Mahoning Valley from this list of 16 restaurants selected using Yelp reviews.
The 12 restaurants with the most votes will move on to Round 2 and the winning restaurant will be featured on our website.
You can vote as many times as you like until Round One poll closes on Sunday, June 7 at 12 p.m.
With two restaurant locations in the Mahoning Valley area, Los Gallos is a go-to for authentic Mexican tacos when in North Lima, Boardman and Bedford in Cuyahoga County. Los Gallos Mexican Restaurant has been open since 2004.
At the end of March, El Vallarta celebrated its 12th year in business with locations in New Middletown, Boardman and Hermitage. There’s another El Vallarta expected to open at 619 W. Liberty St. in Hubbard. Before coming to northeast Ohio, the family behind El Vallarta launched their first restaurant in Iowa in 2003.
The couple behind Frediberto’s started serving street-style tacos in Arizona 35 years ago. The first Ohio-based location opened in Trumbull County in 2024. In 2026, the restaurant has expanded to four locations in Niles, Austintown, Girard and Cleveland.
Boardman customers at La Casa Mexicana recommend trying their birria tacos. The family-owned-and-operated restaurant is at 7334 Market St. close to the Southern Park Mall.
According to Norma’s Casa de Tacos Facebook page, the tacos are made following homemade recipes sourced from three generations of Norma’s family native to San Gabriel, Jalisco. Norma’s Casa de Tacos is at 8051 Market St. in Boardman.
Añejo/El Tapatio
Añejo Mexican Restaurant first opened in August 2023 at 5000 E. Market. St. in Warren. If you’re in the Mahoning County area, stop by Añejo’s sister restaurant, El Tapatio, at 3632 Belmont Ave. in Youngstown.
Founded by Mexico City native Jorge Carreno, El Hefe serves street tacos at 30 N State St. in downtown Girard.
Recipes are deeply rooted in family traditions at Tequila Jalisco in Canfield, open at 583 E Main St.
Did you know there’s a bar in downtown Warren that began as a taco truck? Brothers Matt and Jerry Dietl own Bushwick at 446 South St. where they’d often park and sell tacos. Now set up in a brick-and-mortar restaurant, their kitchen is open between 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Known for its freshly prepared, made-from-scratch Mexican dishes and family recipes, Gordo’s operates out of the former Burger King building next to Dave Grohl Alley.
While eating at Mexico City Bar and Grill, guests can dine on the patio or take a breather inside the restaurant adorned with sculptures and hand-painted murals. The locally-owned restaurant is located in the Firestone Farms development in Columbiana.
Try tacos that fuse together flavors from Mexico and Guatemala at family-owned-and-operated Taqueria Don Julio in Salem.
Enjoy tacos on the patio at Rancho Viejo which is open at 377 South Ellsworth Ave. in Salem.
For bold Tex-Mex flavors, visit El Cowboy Tex Mex Grill & Saloon at 1739 S. Raccoon Road in Austintown.
Described as authentic Mexican food with a modern twist, Austintown customers have been coming back for more at El Jalapeño 2 for over a decade. Owners are getting ready for the summer with a patio remodel at 4626 Mahoning Ave. in Austintown.
Plaza Azteca Canfield opened its doors in 2023, serving award-winning margaritas paired with discounted tacos on Tuesdays.
