Are you looking for the best tacos in the Woodlands area? We’ve assembled a guide to the restaurants that serve the best we’ve found in the Woodlands area.
Our criteria is simple: Who makes the most delicious tacos? Our guide is based around the Woodlands, but we’ll venture outside the immediate area if the food is worth the drive… and we found some that is.
In each section, restaurants are listed in alphabetical order; they are not ranked within the section.
( Updated April 2024. Originally published in 2022.)
The Best
West Coast-style tacos and burritos in a sleek, family-run space
Califas Tacos & Beer
🌟 — Notable in the Woodlands area.
🥇 Best Tacos🥈 Recommended Mexican
Tacos and Burritos are the thing at this family-run taqueria. Excellent housemade tortillas are crafted into craveable signature tacos; we were particularly impressed by the Poblano, bursting with grilled angus, slices of grilled poblano peppers, jack cheese and their tasty poblano sauce. These are definitely Cali-style tacos, with different flavor profiles than found in Texas or Mexico. The Pastor was quite good as well, and was pretty much what you’d expect of tacos al pastor, with the addition of a mild guacamole with the onion and cilantro. Must be a California thing; the result was tasty. Friendly service from Mom, Dad, and the two kids.
$$ | Mexican and Tacos
Family-Run Small Business, On the Radar, and Outdoor Dining
1500 Research Forest Dr #100 | Shenandoah 77381
281-466-2075 |
Map
Full Info
| Website
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| Order Online
Creative Mexican food and Tex-Mex favorites
Julio’s Mexican Grill – Magnolia
🌟🌟 — Among the best restaurants in the Woodlands area.
🥇 Best Mexican🥇 Best Tacos
The original location of this growing restaurant empire (Julio’s Sawdust, Red Flame) is still packing ’em in. They’re drawn in by the impressive Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, which goes beyond the typical fajitas (although Julio’s are outstanding) to superb creations like the El Sabroso (lightly breaded chicken breast covered in a shrimp/poblano cream sauce). The menu is strong from top to bottom – street tacos are a don’t miss, and their al pastor may be the best on Houston’s north side. Service is friendly and professional.
$$ | Mexican and Tacos
Family-Run Small Business, Full Bar, Happy Hour, and Outdoor Dining
33418 Egypt Ln #2759 | Magnolia 77354
281-259-4522 |
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Creative Mexican food and Tex-Mex favorites
Julio’s Mexican Grill – Sawdust
🌟🌟 — Among the best restaurants in the Woodlands area.
🥇 Best Mexican🥇 Best Tacos
The best Mexican restaurant in Magnolia has opened a second location on Sawdust road, and savvy locals are already converging. They’re drawn in by the impressive Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine, which goes beyond the typical fajitas (although Julio’s are outstanding) to superb creations like the El Sabroso (lightly breaded chicken breast covered in a shrimp/poblano cream sauce). The menu is strong from top to bottom – street tacos are a don’t miss, and their al pastor may be the best on Houston’s north side. Service is friendly and professional.
$$ | Mexican and Tacos
Family-Run Small Business, Full Bar, Good Desserts, and Happy Hour
544 Sawdust Road | The Woodlands 77380
(by PetCo)
281-419-5441 |
Map
Full Info
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| Order Online
Great Tacos and Mexican dishes from a hidden gem
La Cocina de Roberto
🌟 — Notable in the Woodlands area.
🥇 Best Tacos🥈 Recommended Mexican
A hidden gem at the far west end of Sawdust (and now with a second location on I-45 just south of Woodlands Parkway), La Cocina de Roberto began as a cozy little taqueria, serving the Timber Ridge neighborhood. But the savvy owners have added more full-fledged entrees to the menu, making it one of our favorite Mexican restaurants in the Woodlands. Tacos are still delicious: Carne asada and camerón are the standouts. Don’t miss the bargain faijta / shrimp combo, or the excellent chicken enchiladas.
Alcohol is BYOB – bring your own liquor, and Roberto will provide setups. You can’t beat a bargain margarita made with premium tequila.
$ and $$ | Mexican and Tacos
Catering and Family-Run Small Business
26817 Interstate 45 N | The Woodlands 77380
832-813-8030 |
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Full Info
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Serious tacos in an unpretentious spot in Conroe
La Palma Taqueria
🥇 Best Tacos🥈 Recommended Mexican
La Palma has been a hidden destination for Woodlands foodies for years. In this nondescript little building are made some of the best traditional tacos you’ll find around these parts. We are draw to the al pastor, but we’ve not had a bad taco here. Late hours make this the perfect retreat when the chains are all closed; don’t let the slightly sketchy neighborhood scare you off from some amazing tacos. And don’t pass up the grilled onions on the hot plate.
$ | Mexican and Tacos
Family-Run Small Business and Late Night
309 W Avenue G, Conroe | Conroe 77301
936-539-6792 |
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Authentic Monterrey-style tacos in a cozy strip-center shop
Mirrey Tacos y Mas
🥇 Best TacosTacos as you’d find in Monterrey are the thing at Mirrey Tacos y Mas, a small, family-run taqueria tucked away off Cypresswood. The outstanding tacos al pastor are the star; the meat is cooked on a vertical trompo, in the traditional style. Cozy, clean environment, and they close early after the lunch crowd.
$ | Mexican and Tacos
Family-Run Small Business
727 E Louetta Rd ste 120 | Spring 77373
281-362-5224 |
Map
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A hidden gem known for outstanding breakfast tacos
Sofy’s Taqueria
🥇 Best TacosBreakfast tacos are what keeps in-the-know locals coming back again and again to Sofy’s, a taco truck tucked away off I-45 in Oak Ridge North. This small, family-run business creates authentic tacos using family recipes, and the results are delicious. Outdoor, covered seating.
| Mexican and Tacos
Family-Run Small Business, Food Trucks, and Outdoor Dining
25403 Oakhurst Dr | Spring 77386
832-257-2609 |
Map
Full Info
Destination Mexican Dining from an accomplished team
Xalisko
🌟🌟🌟 — Notable on a statewide level.
🥇 Best Mexican🥇 Best Tacos
Chef Beatriz Martines and her husband Juan have brought a destination Mexican restaurant to the Woodlands. Chef Beatriz bring world-class experience (from Hugo Ortega’s kitchens to the legendary Can Roca in Spain) and it shows in her cuisine. We were seriously impressed by her tableside trompo service of Tacos al Pastor; these are easily the best version we’ve found in the Houston area. Modern, upscale setting with numerous touches that reference Mexican culture. This isn’t your dad’s favorite Tex-Mex spot; its something far more interesting.
$$$ | Mexican
Catering, Family-Run Small Business, Full Bar, Good Desserts, Happy Hour, HRW2023, On the Radar, Private Room, Romantic, and Upscale
1335 Lake Woodlands Dr | The Woodlands 77380
281-323-4092 |
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| Review
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Recommended
Outstanding tacos from a local truck
Antojitos Junior Taco Truck
🥈 Recommended Tacos
The Woodlands area has a great taco truck located in the parking lot of the HEB on Sawdust. Antojitos Junior serves a variety of Mexican and Honduran specialties; the family that runs it is Honduran. We sampled several different tacos. Skip the trendy birria and go straight to the classics; we were very impressed by the Tacos de Pastor (seasoned and marinated pork, with onion and cilantro) and the Tacos de Carne de Res (marinated beef with onion and cilantro). It’s a taco truck, so no seating. Cash only.
$ and $$ | Mexican
Family-Run Small Business and Food Trucks
130 Sawdust Road | The Woodlands 77380
(In Sawdust HEB parking lot)
281-203-7787 |
Map
Cali-Mex Cuisine in a festive spot on Waterway Square
Baja Cantina
🌟 — Notable in the Woodlands area.
🥈 Recommended Mexican🥈 Recommended Tacos
Baja is the region of Mexico south of California, and Baja Cantina brings California’s spin on Mexican food to the Woodlands. A talented team has come together to bring this lighter take on Mexican cuisine to the business types who congregate at lunch, families at dinner, and the millennial party crowd on weekends. We think all groups will enjoy such specialities as the spectacular tuna soft taco, the huge nacho tower, and the unique pork belly and mint salad. Cocktail program looks promising; their margarita was smooth and flavorful, with unique herbal accents that aren’t usually found ’round these parts. House made aqua frescas will keep the designated driver delighted. Â Just don’t come looking for Tex-Mex; Baja Cantina is a whole different state of Mexican food.
$$ | Brunch, Mexican, and Tacos
Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Dining, and Scenic View
24 Waterway Ave Suite 160 | The Woodlands 77380
Waterway Square
832-432-2252 |
Map
Website
| Menu
A broad array of modern comfort food in a sleek setting
Black Walnut Cafe
🌟 — Notable in the Woodlands area.
🥈 Recommended American (New)🥈 Recommended American (Traditional)
🥈 Recommended Brunch
🥈 Recommended Burger
🥈 Recommended Happy Hour
🥈 Recommended Sandwiches
🥈 Recommended Tacos
The secret is out: The Masked Chef who’s been making over the menu at Black Walnut is none other than Chef Austin Simmons, mastermind behind the award-winning Tris, Cureight, and the Kitchen. The result: Black Walnut has been seriously upping their culinary game. New menu items are appearing regularly, and they show a new viewpoint and a very skillful touch. We’ve been very pleased to see an established brand elevate their offerings like this, and can’t wait to see what’s next.
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Black Walnut is perhaps the biggest success story for restaurants originating in the Woodlands. Founded by serial restaurateur George Pallotta, the organization has spread statewide under the Black Forest Ventures umbrella. Why? Big portions of chef-created comfort food, served in an upscale, fast-casual setting. Sandwiches are a big deal here, and the broad menu offers something for everyone. We’re especially fond of the terrific pasta dishes; some proven recipes that have been popular for years, and some brand new ones. These rival pasta dishes at dedicated Italian restaurants; they’re that good. Tacos are another surprise; the expanding menu of tacos (including some impressive new birria tacos) is also worth exploring.
Don’t skip brunch; it’s very popular. And save room for dessert.
$$ | American (New), American (Traditional), Burgers, Sandwiches, and Tacos
Brunch, Full Bar, Good Desserts, Happy Hour, HRW2022, HRW2023, Outdoor Dining, and Private Room
9000 New Trails Drive | The Woodlands 77381
Also at the Conroe Airport
281-362-1678 |
Map
Website
| Menu
| Order Online
A taco truck near the original Corkscrew BBQ location
La Hacienda Taqueria
🥈 Recommended Tacos
La Hacienda serves very good Mexican tacos from a truck located on Budde Road. Birria is very popular here, as are breakfast tacos and more traditional offerings.
$ and $$ | Mexican and Tacos
Food Trucks and Outdoor Dining
24930 Budde Road | The Woodlands 77380
832-403-9335 |
Map
Authentic Mexican cuisine in a cozy Alden Bridge corner
Uli’s Kitchen
🌟 — Notable in the Woodlands area.
🥇 Best Mexican🥈 Recommended Tacos
Uli’s Kitchen brings authentic Mexican cuisine to the residents of Alden Bridge. This cozy neighborhood spot features an interesting menu that offers both upscale versions of Mexican tacos, as well as pricier plated entrees. Menu looks promising, but the tacos we ordered were a mixed bag; Birria Tacos were beautifully presented but flavor was very mild; the signature Uli’s Tacos were bursting with medium rare ribeye, chicharron and veggies. We’ll give ’em another try soon. Friendly service, comfortable neighborhood setting. Full bar.
$$$ | Mexican and Tacos
Family-Run Small Business and Full Bar
8021 Research Forest Dr suite a | The Woodlands 77382
281-323-4853 |
Map
Modern, multicultural tacos in a hip, energetic environment
Velvet Taco
This successful chain of hip, multicultural taco joints has pulled into the Woodlands, and locals are buzzing about all the different taco options. Influences range from India to England to Lebanon, with lots of sources of inspiration in between. Unlike some other hip taco joints, food and sauces are created in-house, and hungry customers can taste the difference. Open late, a rarity ’round these parts. Friendly, energetic staff.
$$ | Tacos
Catering, Late Night, and Outdoor Dining
9120 Gosling Rd | The Woodlands 77381
346-386-6424 |
Map
Website
Restaurant Listings
Baja Cantina ■
$$ ■
Brunch, Mexican, and Tacos
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Waterway
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Black Walnut Cafe ■
$$ ■
American (New), American (Traditional), Burgers, Sandwiches, and Tacos
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Outside the Bubble: Conroe and Research East
☎ CALL
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Califas Tacos & Beer ■
$$ ■
Mexican and Tacos
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Research East
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Julio’s Mexican Grill – Magnolia ■
$$ ■
Mexican and Tacos
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1488 West
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Julio’s Mexican Grill – Sawdust ■
$$ ■
Mexican and Tacos
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Sawdust
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La Cocina de Roberto ■
$ and $$ ■
Mexican and Tacos
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I-45 Corridor and Sawdust
☎ CALL
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La Hacienda Taqueria ■
$ and $$ ■
Mexican and Tacos
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Sawdust
☎ CALL
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La Palma Taqueria ■
$ ■
Mexican and Tacos
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Outside the Bubble: Conroe
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Mirrey Tacos y Mas ■
$ ■
Mexican and Tacos
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Outside the Bubble: Spring
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Sofy’s Taqueria ■
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Mexican and Tacos
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I-45 Corridor
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Uli’s Kitchen ■
$$$ ■
Mexican and Tacos
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Research West
☎ CALL
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Velvet Taco ■
$$ ■
Tacos
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Research East
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