I tried the best tacos in the Triangle (and feasted for under $25)

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited for The News & Observer’s Best Taco contest to end — solely so that I could get a taste of the top taco spot around town.

As a newbie to the area, I’ve quickly learned that there is a long list of Mexican food trucks, fast-casual concepts and full-service restaurants in the Triangle. Nearly 50 fan-favorite spots went head to head in flavor-fueled competition— with Chido Taco and Gringo A Go Go ultimately coming out on top. 

I’m a sucker for a street-style taco, and I was pleasantly surprised just how much I was able to get on a budget at both restaurants. From the mouthwatering tacos to the sweet and savory sides, here’s everything I ate for under $25 at each spot.

Chido Taco

Locations:

• 555 Fayetteville St Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27601
• 2330 Bale St #100, Raleigh, NC 27608
• 151 SE Cary Pkwy, Cary, NC 27511

Chido Taco, which opened in 2019, has three locations across the Triangle. On Monday, I grabbed lunch at its OG location on Bale Street — in the McNeill Pointe shopping center off of Wake Forest Road. 

With it being peak lunch rush hour, of course there was a long line of hungry 9-5ers and even some families, which I actually appreciated so that I could fully take in all my options.

Along with burritos, quesadillas, and bowls, Chido Taco offers 16 different tacos, which can all be spiced up with cilantro, onions and other toppings at the fresh salsa bar.

According to the restaurant’s general manager, Johanna Castro, their most popular is the Quesabirria tacos, made with shredded beef cooked with chilies and melted cheese served in a crispy corn tortilla. So there was no question about getting that — and luckily I got to get three to split with my colleague Robert Willett, a N&O photographer who tagged along with me and reporter Martha Quillin.

Here’s everything I was able to get for $24.46 (before tax and tip):

• Quesabirria combo,made upof three barbacoa quesadillas, cilantro, onions and consome to dip with rice and beans on the side ($13.99)

• Taco Al Pastor,made with marinated pork on a corn tortilla topped with cilantro, onions and salsa ($2.99)

• Taco Campechano,made with steak and chorizo on a corn tortilla topped with cilantro, onions and salsa ($3.99)

• Jarritos Pineapple Soda ($3.49)

Gringo A Go Go

Location: 100 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Similarly, I was able to also stretch my budget pretty far at Gringo A Go Go in downtown Raleigh too. 

The tiny white cantina, which was formerly known as a gas station and then a bar, is minutes from the State Capitol building near Raleigh’s Oakwood neighborhood. 

In the sunny spring and summer seasons, its patio is a hot spot for those who want to enjoy a nice cold margarita outdoors. But during my lunch date with N&O reporter Renee Umsted, we opted for a table inside the vibrant colored restaurant, covered with bright paintings and succulents lining the windows and walls.

Most of the entrees are $15-$17. 

But I got the most bang for our buck ordering a few tacos and an appetizer for us to split, spending $21.96 (before taxes and tip): 

• Fresh corn tortilla chips and two homemade salsas, we picked picked pico de gallo and jalapeno salsa ($6)

• Al Pastor pork tenderloin taco, marinated in a three-chili paste blend with fresh pineapple chunks ($3.99)

• Asada steak taco, marinated in a secret blend and grilled to order ($3.99)

• Chicken taco, seasoned with Mexican rub and grilled to order ($3.99)

• Vegan Nopales taco, made with Grilled cactus in the style from Guerrero ($3.99)

Best restaurants in the Triangle

Best of the Triangle: Biscuits | Breweries | Brunch | Burgers (Raleigh) | Chicken Wings | Coffee Shops | Doughnuts | French Fries | Fried Chicken | Hot Dogs | Pizza | Sports Bars | Steakhouses | Sushi

A few notes: 

• This contest was not a scientific poll or survey — just for fun! Readers were able to nominate their favorite spots and vote as many times as they’d like by refreshing the webpage. 

• We only considered local recommendations, so chain restaurants with more than 25 locations were excluded. 

• Editor’s note: If you reached your free article limit from The News & Observer, you had to subscribe to nominate a restaurant (and later, cast votes). 

This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 9:31 AM with the headline "I tried the best tacos in the Triangle (and feasted for under $25)."

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription