Burrito Gallery is a local favorite for those looking for large portions and consistent flavors. With four locations around town, one is close to all the city’s prominent neighborhoods. The keto-friendly tacos stand out, where melted cheese shells get seared to golden brown perfection and filled with various proteins and toppings. Even people who don’t follow a keto diet enjoy the cheese shells — because what goes better with cheesy tacos than more cheese? 

Food lovers around town know Dos Vatos Tacos is the spot for experimental tacos. The menu is divided into two sections, a land section with fillings like brisket or duck confit and a sea section with items like blackened Mahi and seared scallops. For a taste of New Orleans, try the fried crawfish and andouille jam taco, which is slightly spicy, but the andouille does not overtake the delicate crawfish flavors.

What started as a small taco stand is now one of Jacksonville’s top taco places, Corner Taco. Located in the Five Points neighborhood, tucked behind the main strip of restaurants, this small locale is dishing out some of the most creative tacos in the city with fillings like sour cherry tenderloin Asada, General Tso’s chicken, and Southern fried catfish. The Wednesday specials change weekly and are entirely up to the chef, which keeps locals returning frequently. A recent favorite has been the Smashburger taco, which is precisely what it sounds like, made with a thin burger patty and cheese loaded into a taco shell. 

Traditional Tex-Mex is on the menu at El Jefe in Jacksonville’s hip Murray Hill neighborhood. The restaurant is known around town for its puffy tacos, which start with a fresh taco shell fried in hot oil, so the taco expands, making it puff up. At El Jefe, the puffy tacos get filled with adobo braised chicken, refried beans, or picadillo, then topped with shredded lettuce, tomato, and cheese. Wash the tacos down with one of the many margaritas on the menu. 

Lola’s Burrito and Burger Joint is a must-try in town with a solid mix of more traditional and eclectic tacos. The restaurant’s menu is a mix of Mexican cuisine with a Southern twist, like its popular gator taco made with Cajun fried gator pieces loaded into a soft taco shell and topped with tomatoes, cabbage, cheese, and Cajun Ranch.

Tacos and brunch at the same spot? That’s the draw at Iguana on Park. Start with a blackened shrimp taco overflowing with perfectly cooked shrimp, zesty ginger, purple cabbage slaw, spicy chipotle aioli, and sweet mango pico. This taco hits all the flavor notes; just grab a few extra napkins before diving into the meal. For a truly indulgent taco, consider the Dirty South, which starts with a fried green tomato inside the taco shell, then topped with black-eyed “peaco” de gallo, peppery baby arugula, and melty queso sauce.