Inside: A solid list from local taco lovers- where you can find authentic tacos in Greenville, SC and across the Upstate.

Are you looking for tacos in Spartanburg, SC or tacos in Greenville, SC? We’re right there with you. We’re big taco fans around here, and we’ve tried several restaurants in Spartanburg and Greenville searching for that perfect taco. Here’s our list of authentic taco qualifications and restaurants where you can find them! Buen Provecho!

Check our list of the places readers say are their favorite Mexican Restaurants in Greenville

I recently saw where a national poll declared a fast-food chain as having the best tacos in the country. After some reflection, I realized that this poll result was (most likely) because of the fact that it’s a national chain with a location in every town. I also recently saw where that same chain won runner-up in the local newspaper’s Best Mexican Restaurant Category.

For this, there is no explanation. I can’t understand, or explain it.

That’s one of the many reasons I decided to seek out the best authentic taco in the Upstate. My search was also a quest to relive the tacos of my childhood. As a kid I spent quite a few weekends working at the flea market with my dad, enjoying tacos from a taco truck before it was a trendy thing.

My search in Spartanburg and Greenville is just beginning, but I have some places I’ve tried and some I’m excited to try.

What Makes an Authentic Taco

Before I get to the list, let me just clarify what an authentic taco means to me.

• It’s got to be on a soft corn Tortilla. ALWAYS. Don’t get me wrong, I love flour tortillas and hard shell corn tacos. But for the purpose of my quest, only this type of corn tortilla will do
• Next and most importantly, is the meat. Save the ground beef for the burgers, we’re looking for grilled meats. Ideally, pork or beef.
• The tacos are then completed with a simple topping of cilantro, onion, and a squirt of fresh lime juice.
• Occasionally the tacos will be served next to a salad of lettuce, tomato, and cheese – but surprisingly these are not meant to be piled on top of your taco. 
• NEW to the mainstream (American) Mexican menu – Birria tacos! These are not new to Mexican cuisine; they’ve just become trendy. Now the tacos that were invented to use up the small bits of meat left on the bones after stewing them are expensive. I find this hilarious, but I’m super excited that more of our Mexican culture is being embraced. Have you tried these insta-popular tacos yet? They come with a cup of consume broth for dipping and with or without the melted cheese.

Where to Find Authentic Tacos in Greenville, SC

Papi’s Tacos

I love their tacos, but I also love the story behind this taco joint neatly tucked away next to the Reedy River. Jorge “Papi” Barrales worked his way up from dishwasher at Soby’s to having Carl Sobocinski, the owner of the Table 301 family of restaurants, invited him to work on a concept. The result is Papi’s Tacos and some of the yummiest authentic tacos you’ll find downtown.

If you stop in for their taco Tuesday happy hour, tacos are just $2 each. Pair your tacos with a cold horchata, Jamaica drink, or a Jarritos Mexican soda, and you have an instaworthy meal, with the beautiful Reedy River as the backdrop. My son and I like to have mother & son dates, catching a show at the Peace Center. This is our favorite pre-show meal.
300 River Street, Suite 123, Greenville SC | 864.373.7274

Chuchos Taco Grill

New to the taco scene in Greenville is Chucho’s Taco Grill. They exploded onto the scene by offering the frequently sought-after quesa-birria tacos. The menu includes a great set of kid’s options too, as well as a drive-thru for contactless pickup. They have Greenville’s BEST Elote too if you like street corn.
3111 North Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville 29609 | 864.568.5133

Greer Tacos

After this article was originally published, readers encouraged readers to head over to the Barnyard Flea market. I was told that the tacos sold from the stand there were insanely good. Guess what? They were right! Plus, due to the low overhead of being located at the flea market, the tacos are inexpensive. I made the mistake of mentioning the taco stand to my dad, a native of Mexico. Let’s say they were a hit. So much so that he was there every weekend eating tacos, weeks in a row.
2000 Highway 101 South, Greer

Las Meras Tortas

When you walk in, be prepared to hear the sounds of a telenovela on the TV in the corner. In my opinion, it just makes the experience all the better.

We usually order an assortment of tacos from the menu. They are cooked to order and while that happens you can help yourselves to the freshly made salsa, from the salsa bar. I usually grab a salsa selection and some of the pickled onion/jalapeno mix. Those are for the people who like the heat that makes your sinuses open up, and your eyes water. The tacos were served simply, Just the meat, onions & cilantro. It’s like heaven on a corn tortilla.

Make sure to get an authentic Mexican soda when you stop in. The Senoral Sangria is one of my favorite sodas and it’s non-alcoholic! If you’re planning on eating dinner there, go early. They say they close at eight, and they will politely make yours a to-go order if you get there too close to closing time.
3058 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Taylors | 864.991.8888

Comal 864

Dayna Lee is a Mexican-American transplant from Texas, and she’s bringing the flavors of her childhood to life with pop-ups around the Upstate! You can find her most nights at local breweries, offering up traditional items and fun and creative dishes, like her nachos with a flaming hot Cheeto base, “Flaming Hot Nacheetos”.
Follow Comal 864 on Instagram to see where they will be slingin’ tacos next.

Asada

Although the tacos at here come with melted queso in them, I think they still warrant being on the list. The tacos here are served in a boat with meat piled high, on two tortillas. So, some assembly is required, but worth the work. I’ve never had a taco here I didn’t enjoy.
903 Wade Hampton Boulevard, Greenville | 864.770.3450

Where to Find Authentic Tacos in Spartanburg, SC

The following places are just some of the places around town you can find such a taco.

Burrito Hub

Conveniently located in downtown Spartanburg, Burrito Hub has quickly become one of my favorite places to grab tacos in the hub city. The tacos are reasonably priced, they have the best Elote in Spartanburg, and they have margaritas! Follow them on social media to know when they have specials.
2601 East Main Street Street, Spartanburg | 864.274.3077

El Pariente

This restaurant is very popular in local foodie groups, with good reason. The food is authentic, reasonably priced, and good. I enjoy the carne asada and al pastor tacos, with a side of scratch-made refried beans. There’s a salsa bar to customize your tacos if you’d like to add some heat. Conveniently located next to I-26, don’t let the Roebuck address deter you from trying the tacos here.
6198 Highway 221, Roebuck | 864.913.1500

Chips and Cheese

One glance at online reviews and you’ll be ready to head to Wellford to enjoy some tacos here. The portions are generous and reasonably priced.
105 B Little Mountain Road, Wellford | 864.336.5008

Uncle Bertos Burritos

Already a favorite with readers in Greenville. The newly opened location in Roebuck is turning diners in Spartanburg into fans. Their yummy authentic tacos and awesome kids meal deals are a reason Uncle Bertos is a favorite with my family. For residents on the westside of Spartanburg, the Simpsonville location might be closer to dine at.
2509 Stone Station Road, Roebuck | 864.586.3973
100 Batesville Road, Simpsonville | 864.234.6501

Carlitos Tacos

This super popular taco truck can usually be found in the parking lots adjacent to the national taco chain, near I-26 and W.O. Ezell Boulevard. You can call in your order so it’ll be ready when you pull up.
7785 Warren Abernathy Highway, Spartanburg | 864.279.7527

Tacos & Bla Bla Bla

Tacos & Bla Bla Bla is a brick-and-mortar restaurant that serves up delicious, really affordable tacos. And on Taco Tuesdays, tacos are only $2! With multiple locations across the Upstate, there’s likely one near you.
Multiple Locations

A Few More Tacos to Try in Spartanburg

Other taco restaurants in Spartanburg that have been recommended to me by readers, that I have yet to try are:

Delicious Pasteleria
I’m excited to try the tacos this bakery serves up, it comes highly recommended! Plus their baked goodies look really tempting!
106 South Blackstock Road, Spartanburg SC

El Burrito
3614 Parris Bridge Road, Boiling Springs | 864.814.0770

Taco Grill
3614 Parris Bridge Road, Boiling Springs | 864.814.6770

There are plenty of awesome Mexican and taco places that are not on the list. I hope this inspires our readers to head out and explore the little tucked away restaurants, with awesome authentic offerings.

Looking for other fare? We’ve got your Ultimate Guide to Restaurants in Greenville, SC and the Upstate.

There are plenty of awesome taco joints and Mexican restaurants that are not on this list, and for that, I apologize. I hope this list inspires our readers to go on their own search for authentic tacos.
Where do you go for authentic tacos?