North Carolina has plenty of Mexican restaurants, but a true taqueria is a different kind of stop. These are the counter-service spots where tortillas get pressed in-house, al pastor comes off a spinning trompo, and the salsa bar can take up half the room.
The eight places on this list stretch from the mountains of Asheville to the sandy stretch of Kill Devil Hills, so there is a good chance one sits within reach of your kitchen table. Each one earns its spot for a specific reason, whether that is birria with a cup of dipping broth, a tortilleria and bakery under one roof, or a menu that sticks to just three proteins and nails every one.
Save this list for your next road trip, lunch break, or weekend craving, and pass it along to the friend who always asks where to find a real taco.
1. Taquería Muñoz, Asheville, NC
Asheville is known for fancy food, but some of its best bites come on a paper plate in West Asheville. Taquería Muñoz sits on Patton Avenue and keeps things simple with counter service, a big salsa bar, and corn tortillas made by hand…