1. TAQUERIA GUANAJUATO
The Hamilton-based, family-owned business opened in 2016 at 752 NW Washington Blvd. and prides itself on its authentic “street-taco-stands-in Mexico” tacos. They arrive in a soft, double layer corn tortilla, with one’s choice of meat grilled to order and topped off with cilantro, onions and a choice of salsa, according to co-owner Victor Carrillo.
Carrillo and father-in-law Claudio Valdivia launched the business as a food truck in April 2015, then opted to open a brick-and-mortar location after brisk business and positive feedback from customers.
MORE: Taco truck opens Hamilton dine-in location
2. FIESTA CHARRA
Oxford-based Fiesta Charra opened offers dine in and delivery until 30 minutes before closing time. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., the restaurant at 25 W. High St. offers several taco options for lunch, plus a “Speedy Gonzalez” item of taco, enchilada and rice or beans and a fajita taco salad with beef or chicken or, for a dollar more, shrimp.
The all-day menu feature five taco bowls, including taco salad, grilled chicken, poblano salad, fajita and charro (sliced grilled steak)..
3. EL RANCHO NUEVO
Mexican-food franchise El Rancho Nuevo can be found at 9229 Floer Dr. in West Chester Twp. and 6752 Cincinnati-Dayton Road in Liberty Twp.
The restaurant offers street tacos served with rice, beans, cilantro, onions and salsa on a corn tortilla. There are 11 options for the main dish, including grilled steak, grilled chicken, steak & chorizo, Mexican sausage, marinated pork, pulled pork, grilled shrimp, grilled tilapia, fried fish, grilled vegetable and cactus leaves.
Tacos a la carte are served as hard-shell or soft tacos with a choise of ground beef or chicken and topped with lettuce and cheese.
Lunch specials are offered between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and include a taco salad, a Speedy Gonzalez (chicken or ground beef, one taco, one enchilada and choice of rice and beans) among other specials.
4. TRES AMIGOS MEXICAN GRILL
Monroe-based Tres Amigos at 1012 Lebanon St. in Monroe offers “flavor, spice and something a little different than everybody else,” according to general manager Gerardo Sainz Rodriguez.
Taco options for lunch (11 a.m to 2:30 p.m.) include Speedy Gonzales (taco and enchilada with a choice of beans or rice), Burrito & Taco served with rice and Taco Salad, among other specials. Tacos also are available on their own or via a Create-Your-Own Combo.
MORE: New restaurant in Monroe offers wide variety of Mexican cuisine
5. ACAPULCO AUTHENTIC MEXICAN RESTAURANTE
Mexican restaurant Acapulco at 5953 Boymel Drive in Fairfield and 916 Columbus Ave. in Lebanon offers Baja Tacos, which are corn tortillas filled with grilled chicken, fresh tilapia or shrimp and stuffed with cabbage, carrots and pico de gallo and served with rice and special sauce. Authentic Mexican Tacos come in four forms — Tacos de Carne Asada, Tacos al Pastor, Tacos de Carnitas and Tacos de Chorizo — and are served inside corn tortillas with onions, cilantro and and tomatillo sauce.
Tacos Locos are two flour tortillas filled with grilled chicken or steak, plus pico de gallo, sour cream, shredded cheese and tomatillo sauce. Taco-based lunch specials include taco salad and a taco bowl.
6. EL CAPORAL MEXICAN BAR & GRILL
El Caporal Mexican Bar & Grill at 7206 Towne Centre Drive in Liberty Twp. and 6011 Tylersville Road in Mason offers Tacos De Carne Asada, three soft tacos filled with a large portion of grilled skirt steak or chicken. The dish is served with rice, beans and pico de gallo sauce (diced tomatos, onions and cilantro) and your choice of flour or corn tortillas.
Traditional tacos also come in several varieties, including ground beef, shredded beef, shredded chicken, fish taco and pork tips.
Lunch specials are served between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and include at least four taco-based dishes, including Speedy Gonzales, which is one beef taco, one cheese enchilada and a choice of rice or beans.
MORE: New Liberty Twp. eatery features Mexican cuisine from family recipes
7. EL RANCHO GRANDE
The Mexican-food chain has a location in Middletown at 6601 Terhune Drive, as well as other locations in the Cincinnati and Dayton areas.
The restaurant offers taco salad, numerous combo dishes and a la carte options of hard-shell and soft tacos. Lunch specials (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) include the Speedy Gonzalez (one taco or beef taco, one enchilada, and choice of rice or beans).
8. LA PINATA MEXICAN GRILL & BAR
La Pinata offers locations at 500 Wessel Drive in Fairfield and 35 East Church St. in Oxford, as well as Centerville, Colerain and Ft. Wright, Ky. The restaurant offers chicken, steak, pork, shrimp, chorizo, fish and al pastor tacos. A lunch menu features at least three taco-based options, among others.
About the Author
