Tortillaphilia

Bite-sized Mexican food reviews in the Pacific Northwest!

Taqueria Tehuacan: Tacos

Price Point

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Score

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Taqueria Tehuacan shares many similarities with Taqueria Potrillos. They’re trucks focused on traditional tacos, both located in gas station parking lots—and only a block apart at that.

Where they differ, at least in reputation, is Potrillos sitting comfortably on Seattle-Times top 30 tacos in Western Washington list. Tehuacan does not, though a case can be made that they at least should be a contender.

Four tacos on a plate
Not quite up to Potrillos’ standard, but still close.

Because there is nothing wrong with Tehuacan’s tacos—quite the contrary. Their carne asada has a good char without tasting burnt or being chewy, while the salsas taste nigh identical to those of Potrillo’s. Onions and cilantro—the exact same toppings. These are solid tacos and other than not coming with a serrano pepper on the side, the two spots’ offerings are nearly indistinguishable.

Nearly.

Potrillos wins out by generally being more generous with its flavoring. While you obviously cannot directly compare carne asada and carnitas (how gauche), I have had enough variations of both spots’ tacos to find a throughline. And maybe that pinch of extra depth is what puts Potrillos on the top 30. Or, it could be as simple as a preference for Potrillos’ more finely pulled carnitas.

Still. It’s a close game, and I don’t see why any self-respecting tortillaphile wouldn’t frequent both places. You owe yourself that much.

What To Order: Tacos, burritos—the usual suspects.

— Remi A. Olsen