Whether as fuel for the crushpad, for a hike or for harvesting in the garden, tacos are a classic. Narrowing down a list of Sonoma’s best tacos feels like a near impossibility, but here’s a great first try for the warmth of early fall.
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Best of the Best
Quiote Mexican Restaurant
These handmade blue corn tortillas — topped with fresh rock cod, cochinita pibil with pickled onions, or al pastor and salsa verde — are at the top of my list. Add a side of guacamole with serrano chiles and crispy raspadas or brothy Rancho Gordo beans. 121 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707-774-6130, quiotemx.com
Best Fish Tacos
El Molino Central
Beer-battered fish tacos with salsa de arbol and avocado-lime mayo are the best around. Crispy beef brisket tacos with sour cream, avocado and pickled escabeche are also a can’t-miss. 11 Central Ave., Sonoma. 707-939-1010, elmolinocentral.com
Community Spirit
Galvan’s Eatery
Seeing the long lines for these brothers-owned food trucks is always heartwarming because they truly believe in the food they’re sharing with the community. My favorites are the messy, gooey quesabirria and crispy carnitas. Weekly stops listed online at Instagram.com/galvanseatery.
Oaxacan Style
Sonoma Eats
Chef Efrain Balmes makes the best Oaxacan food in Sonoma County, infused with his heart and soul. Best bets include Baja fish tacos and potato tacos. 18133 Sonoma Highway, Sonoma. 707-343-1141, sonoma-eats.com
All Together
Mitote Food Park
You’ll be hard pressed to find a bad taco at this Roseland collective. Favorites include quesabirria from Gio y Los Magos, mushroom tacos from Lucha Sabina, huitlacoche at Antojitos Victoria and cochinita pibil at Mami’s Panuchos. 100 Sebastopol Road, Santa Rosa. mitotefoodpark.com
On the Road
El Roy’s
Between their multiple food trucks and a Petaluma brick-and-mortar, these tasty tacos are practically everywhere you need them to be. Convenient and always a good bet on the run. 602 Elsa Drive, Santa Rosa and food trucks in Petaluma and Santa Rosa. eatelroys.com
Street Food Classics
El Fogon
Though not technically a taco, the epic Machete — a forearm-length corn tortilla filled with meat (al pastor!), cheese, sour cream, tomato and cilantro — is a favorite. The focus on Mexican street classics makes this a great lunch stop or casual dinner. 623 Fourth St., Santa Rosa, 707-575-0574, elfogonca.com
Heavenly Al Pastor
Cielito Lindo
The very best versions of al pastor feature a pineapple atop the rotisserie, dripping sweet juices onto the meat. There are no shortage of local options, both spit-grilled or griddled, but Cielito Lindo is one of the best. 52 Mission Circle, Santa Rosa. Instagram.com/cielitolindosantarosa
You can reach Dining Editor Heather Irwin at heather.irwin@pressdemocrat.com. Follow Heather on Instagram @biteclubeats.