Good tacos are not hard to find around here, which makes sense in a region ringed by the Salinas Valley. The farmworker communities that feed the country also built a deep bench of taquerias, and the best of them are not chasing anybody’s trends.
Seaside and Marina carry a lot of the weight, with counters and trucks that do one thing well and do it all day. Salinas takes it further, a short drive inland for the kind of spot where the salsa is the tell and the tortillas are made close by. Even downtown Monterey has held onto a few honest options between the tourist blocks.
The rule of thumb is the usual one. Look for a short menu, a line of locals, and a salsa bar that means it. Trucks and taquerias are cash-friendly and quick, and the best meal of your week can run you a few dollars.
Weekend mornings bring the birria and menudo crowd, and a few spots run specials you will only find if you ask what is on that day.
New spots and openings turn up in our Eats coverage, and food events land on the events calendar. For a wider list across the county, See Monterey is a good starting point.
