Everyone has their go-to neighborhood taco shop, and spirited debates over who serves the best burritos, tacos and salsa are a family tradition.
After years of exploring Sonoma County’s dining scene, I’ve gathered a list of Mexican restaurants and taco trucks that never disappoint. Next time you’re planning dinner with friends or family, you’ll have some excellent suggestions with my personal seal of approval.
Santa Rosa
Los Tres Chiles: Family-friendly Mexican classics keep this Bennett Valley restaurant packed. The giant bacon-wrapped chimichanga dares you to eat it. 2765 Yulupa Ave., 707-304-5724, lostreschiles.com
Taqueria Las Palmas: No-frills street tacos and burritos that consistently impress. 415 Santa Rosa Ave., 707-546-3091
La Texanita: Stellar Mexican antojitos (snacks) like stuffed sopes and the Torta Texana with chorizo made this a Guy Fieri favorite. 1667 Sebastopol Road, 707-527-7331, latexanita.com
Delicias Elenita Taco Truck: Stationed in front of La Fondita, this truck is a mecca for elotes, or steamed corn on the cob slathered with mayo, cotija and chile powder. 816 Sebastopol Road, 707-575-7021, deliciaselenita.shop
Mitote Food Park: This is real Mexican food, including rare finds like chapulines (crickets) occasionally. My favorites are Los Magos, Yucamami, Lucha Sabina and Pezcow. Weekends offer the widest selection, including churros from La Churroteka. 100 Sebastopol Road, mitotefoodpark.com
Taqueria Molcajetes: This neighborhood spot gained national attention when Guy Fieri’s TV crew stopped by for their signature sizzling molcajetes, but locals have long known it as a go-to for hearty, flavor-packed plates. 1195 W. College Ave., 707-544-8280
Taqueria California: The carnitas, carne asada and al pastor tacos have made this humble taqueria a darling of the delivery scene. Caramel-filled churros and sweet Jamaica agua frescas end the meal on a delicious note. 750 Stony Point Road, Suite A-155, 707-595-3363
Cielito Lindo: The list of add-ons to the super burritos is impressive, from al pastor and shredded chicken to soy chorizo, shrimp, potatoes and skirt steak. 52 Mission Blvd., Suite 110, 707-978-2070, instagram.com/cielitolindosantarosa
El Fogon Taco Shop: Quesadillas are nice, but a machete — a super-sized quesadilla with extra goodies inside — is what you’re here for. Mexico City street food like pambazo (a torta dipped in red pepper sauce) is also spectacular. 623 Fourth St., 707-575-0574; 6576 Oakmont Drive, Suite A, 408-872-9953, elfogontacoshopca.com
Rohnert Park
Don Julio’s: The focus is on Salvadoran food, but the tiny pupuseria also offers a full menu of Mexican dishes, including burritos, tacos, enchiladas, tortas and sopes. 217 Southwest Blvd., 707-242-3160, donjulioslatingrill.com
Petaluma
Quiote: The menu at this family-owned Petaluma restaurant features regional touches from Jalisco, Mexico City and Oaxaca. “The cochinita pibil taco is particularly wonderful, overstuffed with at least double the meat of most tacos,” wrote Carey Sweet in a Press Democrat review when it opened. Chef Julio Ortiz rolls and shapes the blue corn tortillas by hand. 121 Kentucky St., 707-774-6130, quiotemx.com
Tacos Don Pepe: This farmers market favorite is popping up at Grand Central Petaluma Friday through Sunday. The menu includes birria, al pastor with pineapple salsa, shrimp with chipotle honey aioli and several vegan options (plantain, lion’s mane mushroom) plus quesabirria with consume, agua frescas, made-to-order tortillas, jarred salsas and corn ribs with miso butter. 226 Weller St., 707-774-6131, Instagram.com/tacosdonpepefamily
Sonoma
El Molino Central: Tortillas are made from scratch while you wait. Beer-battered fish tacos with avocado lime mayo, ahi tostadas and tamales are best bets. Pick up mole enchiladas in the cold case to heat up at home. 11 Central Ave., 707-939-1010, elmolinocentral.com
Juanita Juanita: There’s no shortage of great taco trucks and taquerias around town, but we love the locals-only vibe at this offbeat cantina where you can grab a cold one and enjoy al pastor and carne asada tacos. Going solo? Try their Garlic Garlic Burrito with pungent garlic-walnut paste and all the other fixings. 19114 Arnold Drive, 707-935-3981, juanitajuanita.com
If you need a late-night gordita or burrito, hit up La Bamba Taco Truck at the Mike Larbre Automotive lot in Boyes Hot Springs (but expect a wait).
Healdsburg
El Milagro: The longtime Cloverdale restaurant has relocated to Healdsburg, offering many of the same dishes that put it on the map. A signature is their four unique moles — red, mango, pumpkin seed and peanut. Also great is polla en crema, chicken breast with mushrooms and pineapple, and fish in garlic butter sauce. 241 Healdsburg Ave., 707-473-8119, elmilagrohealdsburg.com
Agave: Mole, a rich dark sauce made with more than 20 ingredients, is the signature of this family-owned restaurant. A large selection of imported mezcal is also a star attraction. 1063 Vine St., 707-433-2411, agavehealdsburg.com
Gallina D’Oro (formerly El Farolito): Owned by the same family as Agave (and several other great Mexican restaurants), you can get their signature mole Oaxaqueño, tacos ahogados and quesabirria, plus tasty mezcal-infused cocktails. 128 Plaza St., 707-433-2807, gallinadoro.com
Guerneville
Guerneville Taco Truck: Hands down, one of the favorite taco trucks in the region. Burritos and tacos are best bets. Find them in the Guerneville Safeway shopping center. 16405 Highway 116, guernevilletacotruck.com
Three Cultures Kitchen: Two former chefs of Guerneville’s Boon Eat + Drink have reopened the former Road Trip restaurant with a trio of cuisines — Mexican, Salvadoran and American. Expect elevated takes on familiar favorites like al pastor baby back ribs, corn quesadillas with squash blossoms and huitlacoche, pupusas, braised pork belly with plantain mash or chicken mole for dinner and hearty brunch options, including mole negro chilaquiles, pastelitos and smashburgers. 16218 Main St., 707-604-7031, threecultureskitchen.net
