October 4 is National Taco Day, and Las Vegas has no shortage of places to celebrate. Last year, Americans ate 4.5 billion tacos on National Taco Day, which roughly equals two times the weight of the Empire State Building. If you’re out to beat the record, here are several Las Vegas neighborhoods where you can count on top-notch tacos full of flavor and originality.

Downtown

Family walking through Downtown Las Vegas near Fremont Street

As it is, Downtown is virtually a culinary village of its own and known for its high volume of locally-owned small businesses that make it their mission to serve authentic food.

Tacos El Gordo

Known for their Tijuana-style tacos, Tacos El Gordo’s Las Vegas location serves up handmade corn tortillas with fresh guacamole and salsas. Popular menu items include Adobada, a spiced pork dish served on a corn tortilla, and Suadero, a brisket with your choice of toppings like sour cream and salsa.

Bomb Tacos

Bomb Tacos serves up memorable tacos with toppings like cabbage, guacamole, and pineapple. Enjoy a glass of sangria with your tacos in this high-energy, bright space with tin walls, Mexican artwork, and colorful furniture (many of the design elements are made by the owner). Serving over 15 types of tacos, Bomb Tacos even offers veggie and vegan options, and there’s another location on Durango Drive.

Pinches Tacos

At Pinches Tacos on Fremont Street, you’ll find nine types of tacos like the Nopal, which includes cactus. Unique offerings include fried quesadillas and the “Little Estiffy,” which includes two chimichangas with ground beef, chipotle cream, and queso fresco. 

Paradise

University of Nevada photo by Shutterstock

Because the area enjoys close proximity to both The Strip and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Paradise is both a great place to retire and a cool place to find a party or some amazing food.

Tacos & Beer

Tacos & Beer is not only a laid-back place to hang out, it’s also a great restaurant with one-of-a-kind tacos like the Baja Fish Taco, which includes beer-battered fish, slaw, chili-lime crema, guacamole, and pico on a flour tortilla or the Lengua, which features slow-cooked beef tongue with salsa verde, pickled red onion, and cilantro.

Tacos Tijuana

Located on Tropicana, Tacos Tijuana is an authentic experience you won’t want to miss. With carne asada and al pastor tacos alongside menu items like campechana fries and mulitas, customers enjoy the variety of menu offerings.

Taco Y Taco

Go for the street tacos and stay for the self-serve salsa bar at Taco Y Taco on Tropicana. On Taco Tuesday, al pastor tacos are only $2, and sides include radishes, limes, and lettuce. The eatery is also known for its vegan Friday, late night happy hour, and other regular deals. 

Southwest

Aerial view of Enterprise in Southwest Las Vegas

Southwest may contain other unincorporated areas like Enterprise, but the character of this area is unique because it’s a largely suburban area that’s not directly bordering The Strip.

Tacotarian

Tacotarian may be among the most unique taco shops in town. As a plant-based taco destination, Tacotarian gets high marks for its fresh guacamole with tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and limes. The taco shop is also known for its Tacotarian Salad, which includes corn, poblano peppers, cheddar, cilantro-lime dressing, black beans, tortilla strips, and pico on a bed of romaine lettuce. Meanwhile, dessert options include churros and the Concha Loca, an ice cream sandwich with almond or coconut milk-based ice cream.

Bruno’s Taco Bar

Bruno’s Taco Bar may serve the tacos that customers have come to love, like the potato chorizo taco topped with spicy crema or the calabacita taco that’s made with zucchini ribbons, corn, and queso fresco. But they’re also known for churros. These churros have rapidly become a favorite for locals who enjoy toppings like Fruity Pebbles and ice cream on a bed of two churros alongside an agua fresca with new flavors daily.