Memphis Celebrates Its Diverse Taco Culture

Memphis, September 3, 2025

News Summary

Memphis is showcasing its vibrant taco culture, featuring a range of flavors from traditional to contemporary dishes. Local eateries offer various taco options, including unique ingredients like huitlacoche. Prominent food journalist Joshua Carlucci highlights the city’s culinary scene, which has drawn increased visitor interest. The recent 901 Day celebration further boosted local pride and offerings, while the thriving taco truck scene adds to the variety of experiences available for residents and tourists alike.

Memphis is currently embracing its taco culture, showcasing a wide array of flavors and styles offered by local eateries. The city’s taco scene is notably diverse, featuring various options from traditional to contemporary dishes. Recent events have further amplified this culinary celebration, with an increase in visitors eager to explore the local taco offerings.

A prominent figure in the Memphis food landscape is Joshua Carlucci, a food journalist with substantial expertise in both writing and culinary arts. He has contributed to numerous food-related publications and holds qualifications from institutions such as UC Berkeley and the Institute of Culinary Education. Carlucci has been influential in shaping the discourse around Memphis’s food scene, particularly through his editorial roles and writing contributions.

Memphis boasts a wide range of taco varieties that exemplify regional and stylistic diversity. Popular options include tacos customized with protein choices like beef, chicken, pork, or veggies, complemented by fresh ingredients such as cilantro, pico de gallo, and optional queso. Among the unique offerings, the delicacy huitlacoche, derived from black mold on corn, is gaining attention for its distinctive flavor.

Local taco-centric establishments are scattered throughout the city, each bringing unique character to the taco experience. Notable locations include:

• Downtown (45 S. Main St.) – Offers chicken tortilla soup, garlic shrimp tacos, quesadillas, and made-to-order guacamole.
• Midtown (825 S. Cooper St.) – Known for its relaxing atmosphere and robust taco options.
• Bartlett (3108 N. Germantown Pkwy. #104) – Features a variety of Mexican cuisines along with authentic taco selections.
• University District (4002 Park Ave.) and East Memphis (5689 Quince Rd.) – Home to ceviche and fajitas in addition to traditional tacos.
• Elena’s on Summer Ave., which is notable for its Carne de Asada fries and an array of sauces.
• Global Café located at 1350 Concourse Ave. Suite 157 – Delivers cultural dishes representing regions like Venezuela and Syria.
• Additional spots include 2757 Getwell Rd. which pairs tacos with an ice cream shop and 286 N Cleveland St. known for budget-friendly chicken tacos.
• Locations in Germantown (1215 South Germantown Rd.) and East Memphis (6300 Poplar Ave. #115) are popular for spicy pork tacos and natural juices.
• Finally, 3896 Macon Rd. allows patrons to enjoy baked goods alongside their tacos from a high-end bakery.

This culinary spotlight coincided with 901 Day, an event celebrating Memphis’s local pride, during which restaurants offered special deals to entice residents and visitors alike. The taco truck scene in Memphis is also thriving, further enhancing the variety of taco experiences available to those in the area.

As the taco culture continues to grow, so will the opportunities for locals and tourists to enjoy diverse flavors and culinary creativity. The restaurants and food trucks across Memphis not only serve food but also represent the city’s vibrant culture and community spirit.

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Additional Resources

• Choose901: 10 Places to Get Authentic Tacos in Memphis
• Commercial Appeal: New Memphis Restaurants – Taco Cabana
• Fox13 Memphis: Federal Agents Take Workers from Taco Truck
• CNN: Taco Truck Federal Agents Raid in Memphis
• Wikipedia: Taco

Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER

The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.