- Attraction: El Taco Riendo
- Location: 2412 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
- Industry: Mexican Restaurant
- Website: https://eltacoriendomn.com/
Every great city needs that one authentic Mexican spot where locals swear by the flavors and out-of-towners discover something truly special.
El Taco Riendo, translating to “The Laughing Taco,” delivers exactly that experience in Northeast Minneapolis.
This family-owned gem brings the vibrant culinary traditions of Mexico City directly to Central Avenue, creating dishes that transport your taste buds thousands of miles south.
Owner Miguel Cruz arrived in Minnesota from Mexico City in 1984, spending decades perfecting his craft at upscale establishments like Santorini’s Taverna and Oceannaire Seafood Room before opening El Taco Riendo in 2009.
His vision was simple yet ambitious: create a place where he could prepare authentic Mexican food his way, at fair prices, while sharing a piece of his homeland with the local community.
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Keep Exploring →Menu Highlights
The Legendary Chimichanga: You’ll discover why this dish has earned such devoted fans across the Twin Cities. The massive flour tortilla gets perfectly crisped while encasing your choice of tender meats, rice, and beans.
Each plate arrives with generous portions of fresh pico de gallo, creamy guacamole, lettuce, and sour cream at no extra charge. The combination of textures and flavors creates a satisfying meal that can easily feed you for lunch and dinner.
Authentic Street Tacos: These aren’t your typical American-style tacos. You’ll find corn tortillas topped simply with onions and cilantro, allowing the quality of the meat to shine through.
The al pastor stands out with its vibrant red color, tangy marinade, and traditional pineapple garnish. The tinga de pollo features shredded chicken saturated in smoky chipotle sauce that earned recognition from City Pages as the best taco in 2011.
Birria Tacos: Three crispy tacos filled with tender birria meat, melted cheese, onions, and cilantro arrive with rich consommé for dipping and fresh lime on the side. The meat falls apart effortlessly, and the cheese creates perfect strings with every bite. This trendy dish gets executed with the authenticity you’d expect from a Mexico City native.
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Discover MoreMassive Burritos: The restaurant playfully calls them “Burrotes” instead of “burritos” – the suffix indicating their enormous size. These substantial creations come loaded with your choice of meat, rice, beans, and fresh vegetables.
The lengua (beef tongue) burrito particularly impresses adventurous eaters, while the vegetarian option satisfies plant-based diners with equally bold flavors.
Tortas and Quesadillas: The torta cubana showcases the kitchen’s ability to layer flavors, combining breaded steak, ham, chorizo, guacamole, beans, lettuce, tomato, onions, jalapeños, and cheese into one monster sandwich.
The quesadillas arrive generously stuffed with mozzarella cheese and your choice of meat, accompanied by fresh lettuce, pico de gallo, sour cream, and guacamole.
Specialty Drinks and Sides
Perfect Horchata: This creamy rice-based drink achieves the ideal balance between cinnamon and sweetness, complementing spicy dishes beautifully. Made fresh daily, it’s become a must-order item that keeps customers coming back specifically for this cooling beverage.
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Keep Exploring →Elote (Mexican Street Corn): The corn on the cob gets smothered in butter, Mexican cheese, and spices, creating a side dish that surpasses anything you’ll find at the State Fair. The combination of creamy, salty, and slightly spicy flavors makes this an addictive treat.
Authentic Salsas: The restaurant offers multiple salsa varieties at their salsa bar, ranging from mild to fiery. Each sauce gets made fresh with different pepper combinations and spice levels to complement various dishes.
Atmosphere & Décor
Casual Counter Service: You’ll order at the counter in a subway-style setup, watching as your food gets prepared fresh in front of you using authentic Mexican ingredients. This casual approach keeps prices reasonable while maintaining food quality.
Clean Family Environment: The interior maintains a spotless, welcoming atmosphere that feels comfortable for families and solo diners alike. The space strikes the right balance between authentic Mexican décor and practical fast-casual dining.
Outdoor Seating Available: During pleasant weather, you can enjoy your meal outside, adding to the relaxed neighborhood vibe that makes this spot feel like a true local hangout.
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Discover MoreLively Touches: Occasionally, the restaurant features live mariachi music on Sunday afternoons, transforming the dining experience into a festive celebration that captures the joy implied by the restaurant’s name.
Other Considerations
Exceptional Value: You’ll find the prices remarkably fair for the generous portions and quality ingredients. Most tacos cost around $2-3, while combination plates with rice and beans stay under $10. The value proposition rivals any fast-casual chain while delivering far superior authenticity and flavor.
Efficient Service: Despite the made-to-order approach, you’ll receive your food quickly without sacrificing quality. The preparation system allows for fast service even during busy periods.
Parking Convenience: The restaurant provides its own parking lot, eliminating the street parking challenges common in many Northeast Minneapolis establishments.
Multiple Locations: While the Central Avenue location represents the original, El Taco Riendo has expanded to include an Express location, demonstrating the concept’s success and community acceptance.
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Keep Exploring →Catering Available: The restaurant offers catering services and even has a food truck available for events, making it possible to bring these authentic flavors to larger gatherings.
El Taco Riendo
📍 2412 Central Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
