What’s better than tacos? Getting two tacos for the price of one, am I right? Well from now until Cinco De Mayo you can enjoy 11 of the best taquerias in Vancouver for 50% off – and get some especially good prizes – by using the Vancouver Taco Ticket.
The TacoTicket was created by The Real Beef Buddies ( makers of the Vancouver PattyPass), who aim to help promote local restaurants making great tacos. The TacoTicket costs $15 and holders get 2 tacos for the price of 1 at 11 different restaurants around Vancouver from now until May 15, 2022. Plus, $1 from each TacoTicket sold goes to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.
The TacoTicket wants you to rate which ones are your favourite and tag them on social media for the chance to win prizes. Since we love a good marg and taco, we decided to go on an adventure to each restaurant and rate which ones are our favourite. Consider it the perfect way to spend a Taco Tuesday date.
Bandidas Taqueria
Head down to the corner of 12th and Commercial Drive to find Bandidas Taqueria, where you can enjoy any of their 7 delicious taco options. Bandidas features handmade vegetarian food in the heart of East Van.
The Real Beef Buddies recommend trying the Wolf & Goat and the Horace “Lefty”. Bonus offer: if you make a second visit with your TacoTicket and buy 4 tacos, you’ll receive a free Hibiscus Lemonade, Hibiscus Iced Tea, Ginger Beer, or Horchata or get $2 off any Boozy Lemonade, Horchata, or Margarita!
Bored in Vancouver’s favourite? The mix & match tacos give us life. Try the Ronny Russel with roasted yams, guacamole, black beans, salsa verde, purple cabbage & toasted pumpkin seeds.
Budgies Burritos
As you wander south on Main St in Mount Pleasant, veer left at the Kingsway fork and you’ll end up right in front of Budgies Burritos. Budgies is a vegetarian, Tex Mex style, dine in or take out restaurant. They make all their food from scratch with fresh ingredients every day.
Budgies serves up 5 different kinds of tacos and The Real Beef Buddies recommend trying the ‘KTB’ and the ‘MJB’.
Bored in Vancouver’s favourite? The KTB is loaded with fresh veggies and refried beans, which is colourfully awesome.
Chancho Tortilleria
Head down Seymour and roll into the heart of downtown Vancouver. Don’t get confused with the sign outside their old location and make the turn onto Davie to find Chancho Tortilleria. At Chancho, the tortillas make the taco. Their tortillas are made fresh daily using only the best non-GMO corn imported directly from small, independent Mexican farmers. Chancho serves up 4 different kinds of tacos to accompany their freshly made tortillas (including vegetarian options).
The Real Beef Buddies recommend the Campachano: a mix of the Panza (Pork Belly) and Maciza (Pork Shoulder). Use your TacoTicket at Chancho to get 50% off 1/4 lb of tacos of your choice.
Bored in Vancouver’s favourite? The verduras taco is simply sweet with grilled squash and those handmade corn tortillas are just splendid.
La Catrina
Go deep into the West End and find some authentic street tacos at La Catrina along Denman St, right near the beach. La Catrina likes to say they are voted by “100 Mexicans as Vancouver’s Best Mexican Tacos”. There is no better spot to pick up an authentic Mexican picnic on your way to English Bay!
The Real Beef Buddies recommend the Pastor and the Rajas tacos.
Bored in Van’s favourite? Our fav to walk around the sea wall with is the unbelievably good Tinga de Pollo. Filled with chicken, chorizo and chipotle sauce, and topped with cheese and sour cream.
Las Autenticas
Blink and you might miss it, but don’t worry, the hungry crowd at the corner of Fir and 5th in Kitsilano will be the surefire sign that you’ve found Las Autenticas. Las Autenticas’ mission is to bring the most authentic, delicious, and mouth watering Tacos & Tortas Ahogadas (salsa-drowned sandwiches) from the heart of Guadalajara, Mexico to the beautiful city & people of Vancouver. Las Autenticas is a take-out only location and serves up 4 different styles of delicious tacos.
The Real Beef Buddies recommend the Barbacoa and the Pastor.
Bored in Van’s favourite? You have not LIVED until you try the crispy Birria tacos, layered with melted cheese, topped with braised beef, and served with a dish of consommé for dipping.
Lucha Libre
Once a humble food truck, the team at Lucha Libre Taqueria is now dishing out the authentic flavours of Mexican street food from their brick-and-mortar taco shop on Nelson Street in Downtown Vancouver. Enjoy the super fun atmosphere with Luchador-themed wall art and hot pink tortillas.
The Real Beef Buddies recommend the Suadero and the Tinga de Pollo. You can use your TacoTicket at either the restaurant or the Lucha Libre Food Truck!
Bored in Van’s favourite? You can’t leave without trying one of their distinctive pink tortillas and Suadero beef brisket. Very flavourful.
Originals Mexicano
Hop on your favourite mode of transit and make the journey out to Port Moody for a hidden gem tucked inside a beautiful, bright yellow heritage home, just steps away from the legendary Brewery Row. Everything about Originals Mexicano is worth the trek. Original’s has been offering up authentic Mexican dishes since 2013 and their goal is to bring a slice of Mexico to your table, as they strive to make each recipe the real deal, making sure they stand true to their motto: “Nothing Beats the Authentic”. Original’s serves up 10 different kinds of tacos so you may need to go back more than once.
The Real Beef Buddies recommend the Suadero and the Chilorio (and their extremely refreshing Michelada to wash it all down).
BIV’s favourite? It’s all about the beef with the Ojo de bife tacos. Rib-eye steak chopped in squares served on corn tortillas, side of guacamole & rice, salsa roja and cilantro salsa on the side!
Popina Cantina
Head to picturesque Granville Island and stroll into the Net Loft building just across the street from the Public Market to find Popina Cantina (not to be confused with their sister restaurant on the island, Popina Canteen)! The team at Popina are taking their undeniable love for tacos and making them their way. With their years of diverse cultural and cooking backgrounds, they make tacos that expand on their personal styles and experiences while paying homage to the beautiful culture and food of Mexico. Popina Cantina serves up 6 unique styles of Cantina Tacos and surely have some for everyone.
The Real Beef Buddies recommend the Char Sui Pork Shoulder Carnitas and the Chupacabra Roasted Beef Belly.
BIV’s favourite? mmmmmmm chickpeas never tasted so good on the the Dizi Lamb Shoulder and Chickpea special with hot sauce. Swoon.
TacoKat
If you’re coming at night, look for the red light. Just off Main St at 3rd Avenue, you’ll be greeted by this hidden entrance into one of the city’s favourite watering holes. Grab your favourite cocktail or a delicious PBR while you wait for your old school, hard shell tacos from TacoKat, located inside The Narrow. A very wise person once said “keep it simple stupid” At Taco Kat they claim to live stupid every day. All their amazing tacos are made with a basic combo of the easy flavours that you love the best. Nothing fancy, just all the goodness to feed your pie hole. These are the tacos you crave when you want cheap and easy and it’s past midnight.
Your TacoTicket can be used at TacoKat for take-out orders only.
BIV’s favourite? The cheesy wrapped crispy tacos harbours my childhood TacoBell memories. Plus, make it vegetarian with Beyond Meat option.
Tacos Jorge
Tucked away in an unassuming spot on Industrial Ave in East Van, you’ll come across a sandwich board menu next to a nondescript metal door. Trust us, you’re in the right place. This commissary kitchen is where you’ll find the street tacos of your dreams from Tacos Jorge. These guys offer 5 different types of tacos in 2 styles: Classic or Volcán (Crispy Tortilla with Cheese).
The Real Beef Buddies recommend the Volcán Carne Adobada and the Classic Campechano.
BIV’s favourite? If you’re ok with fried food then taste the sublime Tacos de Canasta for a truly authentic street taco experience.
Top Rope Birria
You’ll have to work just a little harder to track down the deliciousness that is happening inside the big, beautiful Top Rope Birria truck. Keep an eye on their Instagram account to find out where they’re going to be, and get your ass over there because you don’t want to miss these! Priding themselves as Vancouver’s OG Quesa Birria joint, Top Rope Birria’s tacos are made from juicy, tender, and flavourful braised beef and cheese. Top Rope Birria offers beef, vegetarian, gluten free and keto options, ensuring that everyone will leave this truck happy!
The recommendation from The Real Beef Buddies is simple: get two tacos, drench them in that delicious consommé and GET THE CHEESE SKIRT. Second visit with your TacoTicket? Buy four tacos you get a chips and salsa or pickled veggie salad side for free! Third visit with your TacoTicket? Free hot sauce with your taco order.
BIV’s favourite? Another Birria fav! I’m not sure what makes Oaxaca cheese so delish but it oozes gooeyness in this braised beef quesabirria taco with limes and consommé for dipping.
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