Taco Zone

Tacos are the way to my heart, so a first experience with Taco Zone is more like going on a first date than a restaurant experience… Giddyness getting ready for it, anxiety hoping it’s good enough, excitement when you see the menu.
We walked in and the service was super positive and friendly, allowing me to peruse the menu and take my time figuring out what I wanted. Local, cool without trying too hard, and a cozy little shop. We were off to a great start.
For what it’s worth, I have a type; Tacos Al Pastor. I fall into old habits every time I’m around those and had to order one. I also tried a green chile chorizo because that combo sounds delicious. I also split some chips and pico, and both appear to be house made and delicious. The chips and I had legit chemistry.
I was starting to feel bold here and wanted to change it up and ordered a house made horchata. Props to them but not my thing. The ground up almonds (?) make it too grainy for me, but I think it beats having a fake powder mix.
Taco time. They came out and I have to say they looked a little small. I’m not so superficial that I would ever judge my tacos from the outside, it’s the chorizo, pork and hot sauce on the inside that counts.
They were both really good. The chorizo and green chili had potatoes and was totally stuffed, making it a bit tough to eat but delicious nevertheless. The pastor was good but different than the norm I’m used to, so the search may continue on that one.
I gotta admit, mid-​way through my meal my eyes wandered over to someone else’s order of the Royale Nachos. They looked insanely good just hanging out at the taco bar. Maybe next time in I need to just go over there and order them.
All in all, a pretty good first date, I mean first experience at Taco Zone and I’m glad Lawrence continues to have so many good options for food.

If you’re on Mass and need tacos, these are the tacos you need (no offense to Fuzzy’s). If it’s your first visit, you can sample 3 different amazing fillings on 3 tacos for $ 7, $ 5 on Tuesdays.
I usually get nachos with lengua and roasted peppers, and it’s usually nearly perfect: pico, crema, garlic queso, and chips that at least don’t appear to be poured from a bag. Honestly might get some now. Why are you still even reading this? Go get tacos.

Green chile chorizo taco is the best one. The tacos weren’t notable and the horchata was gross. The tacos were too soft. They need more crunch and brightness. The pickled veg were lovely.
My verdict… Try the nachos they look yummier.

There’s a reason why this place is rated so well. I have not been to every Mexican or Latin American restaurant in town, but I think I’ve seen a good cross section. Since food south of the border is much more varied and less monolithic than most Americans realize, it’s natural that different places will do well with different emphases, and that’s what has happened here.
It might help to explain briefly what Taco Zone is not. It’s not another Chipotle knockoff; it’s not set up that way and it doesn’t serve quite the same thing. It’s not a slightly fancier downtown-​ified «better fast food» of Taco Johns or late-​nite «drunk food» glory of Burrito King; the whole approach is different. It’s not a direct competitor of La Parrilla or Port Fonda; it’s not a table-​service, fancy décor, three-​course-​meal kind of place.
What Taco Zone is: The kind of place where a person really can eat every week, and the best taco joint in town. The space is small but bright, cheerful, and clean. The prices are reasonable.
I can see why some people don’t like the portions, but honestly portions at most restaurants in America are just too big, because that’s what we’ve come to expect, or worse, restaurants sometimes substitute quantity for quality. When they do it right they don’t need to do that. You can be satisfied with quality over quantity, and this is a fat guy telling you that. Eat there, wait ten minutes, then ask yourself if you’re really not satisfied. If you really need to you can always split an order of nachos or chips &am

Very good joint! Small, low key and keeps it simple. I had the tacos (3 tacos for $ 7). I had chicken, pork chop, and something else… so good. The nachos looked like the bomb. I had chips and queso. The queso was meh, but the chips were crunchy heavily fried deliciousness without being greasy. I also had the housemade horchata. It wasn’t as sweet as I’ve had at Mexican joints and it had an extra texture at the bottom (maybe rice granules – IDK). I wouldn’t order it again, but I would definitely try another one of their aqua frescas.
Oh yes, and half price margs on Fridays?! Genius!

Taco Zone is in its own space now (much better than its humble — yet creative — beginnings, inside the Replay). The space is minimalist and nothing special, but it’s the food (and drinks, actually) that make it worth the trip.
Taco Zone has far and away the best tacos in Lawrence! I would even reach a bit and say that it probably has some of the best tacos at least in the Midwest. The fillings involve slow-​cooked meats that you can tell are roasted and simmered with love. And the vegetarian tacos (always at least one, usually 2 on the menu) have the same rich flavors and some really interesting and satisfying combinations.
There are also burritos and quesadillas that incorporate the same fillings as the tacos, so if that’s more your game than tacos, go for it. I stick to tacos because I love tacos, but also the place is called Taco Zone, ahem.
There is a small bar with beers (Mexican, obvs) and solid freshly made margaritas. Also, the aguas frescas are a surprising treat, and my kids love them. Definitely worth downing with your food.
I have heard people knock Taco Zone for smallish portions. I hear that and can’t say I completely disagree. But when the food is real food and served in a non-​super-​size American way, it’s more filling than you would think.
I can’t wait for my next tacos!