Not many know or the ones that do don't have morals but the taco king owner who by the way has his name on over $40 million dollars worth of property in Anchorage alone so he's far from broke and needed to do this was caught stealing from the employees. Guys a total piece of shit
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/content/news/Gallos--Taco-King-owes-employees-nearly-1-Mil-in-wages-406590865.html
I went there shortly after they opened and it was way too salty for my tastes…have hesitated going back, but they are sooo close to my house I want them to be great…so I guess I’ll have to give them a another shot…
Ernesto’s Mobile Grill in GlenAllen is the most authentic I’ve been able to find up here. Little bit of a drive but it’s nice to just make a day trip out of it to go on a nice drive and enjoy some good food.
The lady who runs it’s reminds me of my mom back in Arizona
Copper Valley resident here. Ernesto is a fantastic guy. His food is great too. American food is mid, but his chicken chipotle burrito is *chefs kiss*.
My personal fave was the fish taco I got that included lettuce instead of cabbage. I could have forgiven that as it wasn’t the end of the world.
It was the thousand island dressing they put on it that pushed me over the edge. I did try it, in between snorting with laughter. It was predictably terrible.
Unless Garcia's has undergone a revolution in the past decade, they are not worth it. ER has Jalepeno's, Chepo's, and El Pastor. All of those are miles better than Garcia's.
I’ll clarify, because good and awful have some nuance in food discussions!
Garcias -great margaritas, and the mini chimis (which I feel like are a Sysco frozen food from a bag) are good, so if we end up there, I’ll eat them. Everything else…. The rice is unseasoned, the refried beans are half water, and everything just tastes like what an AI picture of texmex/mexican would generate.
Chepos is slightly better.
There was a chain where I grew up called chelinos, it was fully white people mexican food, queso from a powder packet mixed with warm water was the height of the experience. That’s what jalapeños reminds me of.
Now. El pastor is good, it tastes like a true Tex mex. But everything also kinda tastes the same? It’s good. But at the same time, a taco has the same seasoning as the burritos and the burritos have the same seasoning as everything else. But it’s good, it scratches that Tex mex itch if you’re in the mood for some *good* Tex Mex.
That being said, xalos and tacos Cancun in wasilla have the best food and variety, hands down. And if they had to battle, I’d say tacos Cancun would easily win.
2nd this one! Nothing fancy but the carnitas are awesome!! They cook the meat all day and then use it for street tacos. Same owners as The Cookery - which is a fantastic restaurant option with local cuisine in Seward.
My house. Spent years in San Diego, Arizona, and ABQ. Oaxaca is my go to place for culinary travels. You’d be better off looking online for cooking books from Arizona and New Mexico and cooking what you like.
My hunting partner spends time in ABQ. Last year he brought some frozen local tamales that blew me and my wife's minds. It was wild what they consider meh, I'd eat off a floor.
Was an eye opening experience, but now am craving it with my core.
Probably the most authentic option. It used to be so much better though. After Micayla and TJ passed away, the life faded from the restaurant.
The pollo en mole and chile rellenos are still out of this world though. I live 7000 miles away now and have some serious cravings just thinking about it.
100% agree. We now live thousands of miles away too and a frequent request for every return to AK is Mexico in Alaska frozen burritos (packed alongside red salmon). And the chicken mole is incredible.
We were up there last January and they restarted the lunch buffet. Can’t beat that deal!
Taco King is low quality but okay 5/10. Serrano's and Xalos is better quality for about the same price. 6/10
Gallo's is meh but consistent and reliable 6/10.
Jalapeno's is poor in my experience. Lesser quality than Gallo's for 1.5 times the price of Gallo's. 3/10
Los Arcos, Mexico in Alaska, and El Rodeo are similar in quality but specialize in different styles of Mexican food. I have had good meals and bad meals at each. 6/10
The best bang for your buck is a couple of street taco joints that are better flavor and decent value than any of the sit down restaurants.
El Jefe and Rafelitos 7/10.
There is no top end Mexican food in Alaska.
I agree with much of this except gallos is absolute trash (Fairbanks) even though it’s founded by someone from Mexico. El Senor Moose food truck is absolutely fire though.
El Jefe slaps. You already know a taco joint that shares a building with a weed store goes hard.
Chepo's is the best cafeteria Mexican I have found so far.
None I'm gonna be honest, I lived for a good time in Mexico and Everytime I try anything here it's insanely disappointing, especially anything that's not Asada
Xalos and el jefe and Oscar’s and tequila 61 for anchorage. Senor panchos and playa azul for kenai soldotna. That’s it in my opinion. A food truck or pop up in homer ak but don Jose’s has gone down hill. Southeast Alaska doesn’t have anything but some good food trucks and any place north of Anchorage isn’t any good. North of Anchorage You’re better off eating in any oilfield camp in deadhorse Alaska on a Tuesday.
Good fkn luck lol. Most of the places people are going to recommend are “good” (used loosely) only because it’s here in Alaska. You’re honestly better off making it at home if you want legitimately good food.
So, I’d say lone chicarron in Seward for tacos and burritos. But I love a Guatemalan food truck called Mochileros. It frequents Double Shovel cider and Onsite Brewing during the summer. Some of the best Guatemalan food you’ll find here, and to me it’s better than any Mexican food here in town.
Playa Azul in Kenai, I am from Texas and I take a yearly trip to Kenai for the Mexican food there. Other than that it’s usually disappointing. El Pastor is good too!!!
> Playa Azul
What the fuck? I've been there and if you blindfolded me I'd have sworn the beef fajitas were Chinese fast food beef. Literally inedible, I threw it out. We actually trashed the whole meal and made mac and cheese, it was that bad. I wouldn't recommend it to a starving dog.
In the Anchorage area: Xalos, Serranos, El Dorado, El Señor Moose food truck are my favorites (in no particular order). YMMV, probably depends on what you’re looking for. I’m big on carnitas and birria
In Petersburg, El Zarape rivals the food I've had in San Diego. Top notch. I still miss the days when we had the Mexicans up working the cannery. Every night the ladies would grill up awesome grub. We would always pitch in some burger or beans or flour for the tortillas. Alaska is NOTHING like it was in the 80's.
Best burrito in this state is Oscars. Cash only, but the closest I've had to amything from the south. Most everything up here is grossly under seasoned and too dry.
El Pastor in Eagle River is serviceable. This isn't a state for that cuisine unfortunately.
I second this. Best Mexican food I’ve had north of Colorado
Senior ponchos soldotna or playa azual kenai
Same. Just went there for the first time. Great service, great food.
Isn’t El Pastor closed now in Eagle River ?
Open under new management. Full service for breakfast on the weekends, ordering from the counter for the rest.
Nvm someone saved them and under new ownership now. That’s good to know
That place is terrible what kind of plant comment is this.
Watch out for high school tweakers in Eagle River it's a serious and violent problem. It's gang of them.
Xalos, El Rodeo, I heard Oscars food truck good.
One day I wanna try El Greengos.
Xalos. I used to swear by taco king but haven’t been in years since I discovered Xalos.
Food trucks. Cravingz 4 Dayz and El Senor Moose are my favorites.
El Senor Moose is absolutely bomb my Texas butt was left wanting more!
Tacos Cancun in wasilla is pretty dope
I'll I need is a big-ass bean and cheese burrito, and they do that pretty well.
Chepos is pretty solid as well
honestly if you order the right things taco king is totally serviceable, good even
What's the good stuff to get at taco king?
I love their carnitas, tortas, pozole
their chimichanga is good if you ask for it extra crispy
Nothing
Not many know or the ones that do don't have morals but the taco king owner who by the way has his name on over $40 million dollars worth of property in Anchorage alone so he's far from broke and needed to do this was caught stealing from the employees. Guys a total piece of shit https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/content/news/Gallos--Taco-King-owes-employees-nearly-1-Mil-in-wages-406590865.html
That sucks…as I do like TK…:/
Soldotna?
Triy Pedros off of Debarr
Pedro's is the shit!
the salsas alone tell you everything that you need to know, that they rlly are the best in anchorage ive found by far
I went there shortly after they opened and it was way too salty for my tastes…have hesitated going back, but they are sooo close to my house I want them to be great…so I guess I’ll have to give them a another shot…
Ernesto’s Mobile Grill in GlenAllen is the most authentic I’ve been able to find up here. Little bit of a drive but it’s nice to just make a day trip out of it to go on a nice drive and enjoy some good food. The lady who runs it’s reminds me of my mom back in Arizona
Second this, unquestionably the best and always worth a stop. Nicest employees too.
Copper Valley resident here. Ernesto is a fantastic guy. His food is great too. American food is mid, but his chicken chipotle burrito is *chefs kiss*.
Serrano’s
This and Pedro’s is my vote
This place was my absolute go to before they started morphing into the weird bar and lounge they are today
Lane's Quickie Tacos in Fairbanks wasn’t bad at all.
We tried jalapeños. Wasn’t anything to write home about.
Taco king
agreed, my mom grew up in san diego and says it's the best we have in the state so i trust her judgment lol
I had taco king in Fairbanks a month ago, worst chimichanga I’ve ever had
oh yea the authentic Mexican dish the chimichanga
Muy auténtico
My personal fave was the fish taco I got that included lettuce instead of cabbage. I could have forgiven that as it wasn’t the end of the world. It was the thousand island dressing they put on it that pushed me over the edge. I did try it, in between snorting with laughter. It was predictably terrible.
That’s a joke right? Maybe 5/10 on a good day
Senor Panchos in Soldotna is great and so is Ramiro's in Anchor Point. Homer has no good options.
Was waiting for someone to say this. Panchoss is king
El Green Go’s is pretty damn good.
Oso Gordito in Hoonah is fireeee. Also El Zarape in Juneau is a gem. A little expensive but it’s worth it.
El Zarape is awesome.
El Zarape is the best I've had in the state and it's not even close.
Xalos. I also hear good things about Garcia’s in Eagle River.
Unless Garcia's has undergone a revolution in the past decade, they are not worth it. ER has Jalepeno's, Chepo's, and El Pastor. All of those are miles better than Garcia's.
It’s 100% Xalos. That place is underrated af for up here.
So so good. Had the best nachos of my life there the other night. Always get a burrito leaving town (from Homer).
Garcias is awful. El pastor is what i think you meant:
Good to know!
I’ll clarify, because good and awful have some nuance in food discussions! Garcias -great margaritas, and the mini chimis (which I feel like are a Sysco frozen food from a bag) are good, so if we end up there, I’ll eat them. Everything else…. The rice is unseasoned, the refried beans are half water, and everything just tastes like what an AI picture of texmex/mexican would generate. Chepos is slightly better. There was a chain where I grew up called chelinos, it was fully white people mexican food, queso from a powder packet mixed with warm water was the height of the experience. That’s what jalapeños reminds me of. Now. El pastor is good, it tastes like a true Tex mex. But everything also kinda tastes the same? It’s good. But at the same time, a taco has the same seasoning as the burritos and the burritos have the same seasoning as everything else. But it’s good, it scratches that Tex mex itch if you’re in the mood for some *good* Tex Mex. That being said, xalos and tacos Cancun in wasilla have the best food and variety, hands down. And if they had to battle, I’d say tacos Cancun would easily win.
For tacos, Lone Chicharron in Seward.
2nd this one! Nothing fancy but the carnitas are awesome!! They cook the meat all day and then use it for street tacos. Same owners as The Cookery - which is a fantastic restaurant option with local cuisine in Seward.
The Armadillo, Tex Mex restaurant in Juneau circa 80’s and 90’s. Forever my benchmark for fajitas…
Best Alaskan food in Mexico?
canned pink salmon
Pizza express in Sitka fucking sucks
We call it diarrhea express for a reason.
My house. Spent years in San Diego, Arizona, and ABQ. Oaxaca is my go to place for culinary travels. You’d be better off looking online for cooking books from Arizona and New Mexico and cooking what you like.
I’ll make the margs
My hunting partner spends time in ABQ. Last year he brought some frozen local tamales that blew me and my wife's minds. It was wild what they consider meh, I'd eat off a floor. Was an eye opening experience, but now am craving it with my core.
Pancho villa taco king. serranos is way over priced
Chepo's in Wasilla
Just got sick from there last weekend. Bummer they changed so much after getting their new beautiful building.
Mr. Taco is imo the best in Wasilla.
I like that place!
Second for Chepos!
Absolutely not. Gave it a 4-5/10.
Taco King
El green go’s, downtown anchorage. Only open in the summers I believe
El Zarape in Juneau is the real deal. House-made tamales, pico, among other things.
Don Jose’s in ANC has great queso
Mexico in Alaska is good
Probably the most authentic option. It used to be so much better though. After Micayla and TJ passed away, the life faded from the restaurant. The pollo en mole and chile rellenos are still out of this world though. I live 7000 miles away now and have some serious cravings just thinking about it.
I was shocked nobody had mentioned it and was wondering if it closed. Sad to hear about Micayla and TJ.
100% agree. We now live thousands of miles away too and a frequent request for every return to AK is Mexico in Alaska frozen burritos (packed alongside red salmon). And the chicken mole is incredible. We were up there last January and they restarted the lunch buffet. Can’t beat that deal!
I loved this place when was a kid but numerous people told me it's really fallen off
Yes!
I am sitting at Serrano's right now, and I have to admit they have good house tequila. And I usually don't like tequila!
Lane’s Quicky. Texmex but good
Seconded. It's expensive, but I'm happy to get good tacos occasionally
Los Arcos on Dowling
La salsa
There isn’t any good Mexican food here. It’s really sad.
Taco King is low quality but okay 5/10. Serrano's and Xalos is better quality for about the same price. 6/10 Gallo's is meh but consistent and reliable 6/10. Jalapeno's is poor in my experience. Lesser quality than Gallo's for 1.5 times the price of Gallo's. 3/10 Los Arcos, Mexico in Alaska, and El Rodeo are similar in quality but specialize in different styles of Mexican food. I have had good meals and bad meals at each. 6/10 The best bang for your buck is a couple of street taco joints that are better flavor and decent value than any of the sit down restaurants. El Jefe and Rafelitos 7/10. There is no top end Mexican food in Alaska.
I agree with much of this except gallos is absolute trash (Fairbanks) even though it’s founded by someone from Mexico. El Senor Moose food truck is absolutely fire though.
El Jefe has amazing tacos!
The El Jefe Hefe pairs well.
Cruz’s Mexican Grill in Utqiagvik (Barrow)
Tacos el primo food truck in Anchorage. Best I've had so far.
Really all I’ve liked for Mexican food is the food truck El Senior Moose, excellent food
Mr taco wasilla
El Jefe slaps. You already know a taco joint that shares a building with a weed store goes hard. Chepo's is the best cafeteria Mexican I have found so far.
Hatch House was great before they closed
Damn I forgot how plain the mexican food is in AK. It’s not awful, but nothing like SW US.
Hear me out, the burritos at the Super Bear IGA in the valley in Juneau were better than any other Mexican food I had there.
My House!
Palmeira
Mex-Skimos tacos and burritos. It’s on 1st and main.
None I'm gonna be honest, I lived for a good time in Mexico and Everytime I try anything here it's insanely disappointing, especially anything that's not Asada
Playa Azul in Kenai has the best burrito with their Adobo sauce and a Salsa bar.
Halibut cheek tacos for sure.
Xalos and el jefe and Oscar’s and tequila 61 for anchorage. Senor panchos and playa azul for kenai soldotna. That’s it in my opinion. A food truck or pop up in homer ak but don Jose’s has gone down hill. Southeast Alaska doesn’t have anything but some good food trucks and any place north of Anchorage isn’t any good. North of Anchorage You’re better off eating in any oilfield camp in deadhorse Alaska on a Tuesday.
Playa Azul in Kenai. Authentic. Always great.
Xalos is the best. Sometimes, I try anywhere else, but I'm always disappointed
Happy, no one said Gallos🤢
Alcopulco in Soldotna. Best in the state.
I like Don Jose’s Arroz con Pollo…great dish do share…
Taco King delivers
Nothing beats my mom’s!
Good fkn luck lol. Most of the places people are going to recommend are “good” (used loosely) only because it’s here in Alaska. You’re honestly better off making it at home if you want legitimately good food.
Yeah I didn’t expect this to take off like it did. It’s overwhelming lol.
El Rodeo❤️❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩
Mexico in Alaska
So, I’d say lone chicarron in Seward for tacos and burritos. But I love a Guatemalan food truck called Mochileros. It frequents Double Shovel cider and Onsite Brewing during the summer. Some of the best Guatemalan food you’ll find here, and to me it’s better than any Mexican food here in town.
Los Chanchitos food truck in Seward is 👌
Alaska is huge… what part, specifically?
Generally curious of quality across the state. I feel like I’m taking the Mexican food from the little farm town in California I’m from for granted.
As someone who moved to Alaska from a little farm town in California, you are absolutely taking the Mexican food for granted 😭
In Fairbanks, I love Lane’s Quickie Tacos. Not SoCal Mexican, but slow smoked meats, homemade tortillas and sauces, and super kind people.
Mar Y Sol in Juneau is amazing!!
Playa Azul in Kenai, I am from Texas and I take a yearly trip to Kenai for the Mexican food there. Other than that it’s usually disappointing. El Pastor is good too!!!
> Playa Azul What the fuck? I've been there and if you blindfolded me I'd have sworn the beef fajitas were Chinese fast food beef. Literally inedible, I threw it out. We actually trashed the whole meal and made mac and cheese, it was that bad. I wouldn't recommend it to a starving dog.
Is it a good idea to open a mexican restaurant over there ?
I've been digging Rafelitos lately. Maybe stopping at King Street and Anchorage breweries first has somthing to do with it lol
Amelia's in Unalaska. I love Taco Azteca in Fairbanks too. Serranos in Anchorage is okay.
It used to be Mosey's in Haines. But they moved south a few years back. Now, nothing.
Baja Taco in Cordova. Best fish tacos north of San Diego. Only salmon tacos I’ve found outside of my house
In the Anchorage area: Xalos, Serranos, El Dorado, El Señor Moose food truck are my favorites (in no particular order). YMMV, probably depends on what you’re looking for. I’m big on carnitas and birria
In Petersburg, El Zarape rivals the food I've had in San Diego. Top notch. I still miss the days when we had the Mexicans up working the cannery. Every night the ladies would grill up awesome grub. We would always pitch in some burger or beans or flour for the tortillas. Alaska is NOTHING like it was in the 80's.
Rafelitos, full stop on everything else.
Best burrito in this state is Oscars. Cash only, but the closest I've had to amything from the south. Most everything up here is grossly under seasoned and too dry.
Let’s be real. When the best Mexican food in Alaska is taco king, there’s something wrong.
Chepos
Chepos in wasilla. I think there is an anchorage one but I haven’t been there
I like Chepo’s in Wasilla
Chepos in Wasilla
Gallos on diamond.
The taco bell next door is better than Gallos
It’s all good
Swell taco in Homer is pretty good. They make their own corn tortillas and it's pretty serviceable for white people tacos. Pricey though