Tacos: everyone has a favorite, and there are probably a couple dozen places in the region to enjoy them—and that's not even counting taco trucks. Just in time for Cinco de Mayo and outside dining are these local neighborhood faves, the kind of hidden gems that don't do a lot of advertising. These are places whose popularity is based on foot traffic, word of mouth, social media buzz or those who are on a quest for “authentic” Mexican fare.
Aqui Es: A Taste of Mexico
Aqui Es translates roughly into “here is” and with that says, here is your new favorite spot in Bethlehem for tacos. Everything is fresher than fresh and served with a smile in this tiny, cheery spot, which husband-and-wife team Daniel Flores (Chef) and Paula Zumas opened in 2015. You know a place is full of good stuff when it serves house-made tortilla chips and salsa—they make their own sauces, too. The rotating specials can get creative; a recent mashup of Pennsylvania and Mexico resulted in a pork roll quesadilla. Folks love the chorizo and al pastor tacos—those are best sellers. The house-made horchata should definitely be ordered—If you've never had this sweet, cinnamony rice drink, you can't beat Aqui Es's well-balanced, not-too-sweet rendition.
Insider Tip
Bring cash. Aqui Es does not accept cards. Tacos are three for $5.
821 Linden St., Bethlehem | 610.419.4901 | facebook.com/AquiEsRestaurant
La Perla Tapatia
La Perla, as it's often referred to, is the dream that became a reality for Alejandro Ramirez, a native of Guadalajara, in 2012. The space is known for its consistently friendly service, fresh food and house-made corn empanadas, which they fill with cheese and chicken and garnish with lettuce, salsa and Mexican cheese. Everything's made to order, whether it's tostadas, flautas or quesadillas—or, of course, the tacos. La Perla offers eight different types of meat for tacos, ranging from steak, shredded chicken and pork with pineapple (al pastor), to cabeza, lengua and chorizo with potato. However, La Perla possesses a following for numerous items on the menu, including some hearty platters such as the barbacoa—a marinated pot roast in a homestyle guajillo sauce.
Insider Tip
Order the house-made flan. Tacos start at three for $6–$7.50, depending on garnishes.
1126 Northampton St., Easton | 610.252.1289 | laperlatapatia1126.weebly.com
Santa Fe Taco
As the name suggests, Santa Fe Taco is influenced by the Southwest and can be best described as Tex-Mex. This cheery spot, opened in 2007 by mother-and-son team Gail and Mike Tatasciore, ships in green chiles—the famous hatch chiles—straight from New Mexico, which is where the family lived for five years. You can have all manner of fillings in your tacos, ranging from traditional choices such as pork, beef and chicken, along with fish and black beans. Mike says through the years, they've come up with more than 50 types of tacos. But you'll also get more unorthodox choices, such as the BLT taco (a best seller), a cheesesteak taco, a chicken bacon ranch taco (another popular choice), a Greek taco (lamb and beef) and a totally vegetarian one—roasted veggies with sweet potatoes, carrots, garlic potatoes and sweet onions. Bonus: For a taco joint, there's a fair bit of seating, including outdoors. And Wednesday night means free margaritas from 5–8 p.m.
Insider Tip
Everything's prepared mild, so be sure to request the heat if you can take it. On Taco Tuesday, buy three tacos get one free.
2022 Main St., Northampton | 610.261.4970 | santafetaconorthampton.weebly.com
Don Juan Mex Grill
Don Juan Mex Grill is the brainchild of Juan and Melanie Martinez, a husband-and-wife team who love fresh, flavorful Latin American food. Don Juan started in 2011 with its College Hill location in Easton and added a location in Emmaus in 2016; the Bethlehem spot will open this month. Bright, colorful and lively, Don Juan's three locations pipe in Mexican music and serve a variety of tacos along with three homemade salsa selections. Tacos and burritos drive the menu, although fruit smoothies are possible, too. Tacos are available in pork, steak, veggie, chicken and tofu, and, like many places, Don Juan does that double-decker thing with a hard corn shell and soft flour tortilla. Local bonus: The Martinez family sources the latter from Fresh Tofu in Allentown.
Insider Tip
Whatever you do, say yes to the house-made chipotle dressing on the tacos. Tacos are two for $6.50.
518 March St., Easton | 5540 Crawford Dr., Bethlehem | 1328 Chestnut St., Emmaus | 610.438.5661 | donjuanmexgrill.com
