As the Rochester culinary scene has grown in the last several years, we’re happy to see so many local food trucks pop up. The taco truck in particular is a local favorite. It’s hard to resist the urge to stop at a taco truck. The food is delicious and authentic, the venue is local, and the price is right. And if you’re ever in the mood for a savory, spicy, late night bite, you’re in luck! Most of these taco trucks are open late.
Maybe you’ve already found your favorite lunchtime taco stop. Or, even better, you like to do a little taco truck hopping for a bit of variety. They have easy to read menus, nice staff, and most trucks will offer more than tacos. Here are a few Mexican food tidbits to help you make your decisions:
Taco Meats
Barbacoa (slow cooked shredded beef)
Carnitas (diced, fried pork)
Chorizo (mexican sausage)
Asada (grilled/charbroiled)
Pollo (chicken)
Lengua (tongue)
Chicharron (pork rinds)
Tripa (tripe)
al Pastor (made with spit-grilled pork)
If they offer beans, they’ll be happy to substitute them for a meat-free option.
Beyond the Burrito
Torta – A Mexican sandwich filled with your choice of meat and the works (lettuce, tomato, avocado, and salsa) on a buttery toasted bun.
Pupusa/Gordita– A thick corn tortilla filled with your choice of add-ins and toasted or fried.
Tamales – When it’s pumpkin-spice-everything season here, it’s tamales-are-everything season in Mexico. They’re pockets of corn masa filled with spiced meat or cheese and peppers, wrapped in a dried corn husk and steamed. Remove the corn husk before eating.
Some trucks will not offer rice and beans as tacos are their specialty.
Salsa
Most salsas will have an onion, garlic, chile pepper, cilantro and tomato base. Salsa roja is red and made with tomatoes. Salsa verde is green and made with a small, tart tomato called a tomatillo. Spiciness will vary.
Aguas Frescas
Aguas frescas translates to “fresh waters.” This refreshing blended drink is served cold. You will find melon (cantaloupe), sandia (watermelon), pina (pineapple), and horchata (sweet rice) among others.
We’ve rounded up our local taco trucks below. They’re all great and we hope you enjoy the awesome food and friendly faces as much as we do.
Corona’s Tacos
In addition to tacos, Corona’s offers unique options such as elote (loaded corn-on-the-cob) and tres leches cake (extra sweet and moist sheet cake). They close for a winter break in January and February.
Location: 7 12th St SE (Off of 12th St. SW & Broadway)
Phone: (507) 513-3464
Hours: SUN (11 a.m. to 11 p.m.), MON & TUE (5 p.m. to 11 p.m.), THU (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.), FRI & SAT (11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 12 p.m.), closed WED
Francis Tacos
Francis Tacos provides great specials throughout the week They advertise pozole on Thursdays, Chile Rellenos on Fridays, and mole on Sundays. While their regular hours are Tuesday – Sunday, if you’re lucky enough you might just catch them when they are open in the mornings with tamales and menudo.
Location: 517 12th St SE Rochester, MN 55904
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM (closed Mondays)
Lucy’s Tacos
Lucy’s is a local favorite, offering a variety of taco truck staples. She’s open all year!
Location: 1880 Broadway Avenue N, Rochester MN 55906 (AutoZone Parking Lot)
Phone: (507) 398-5163
Hours: SUN (12 p.m. to 12 a.m.), TUE – THU (12 p.m. to 12 a.m.), FRI & SAT (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.), closed MON
Linos Taqueria
Their food and setup are great. There’s ample seating space which is well lit at night. If you don’t have the tamales, don’t leave without ordering some to go, you won’t regret it.
Location: 706 N. Broadway (Great Harvest Parking Lot)
Phone: (507) 213-4081
Hours: MON – WED (2 p.m. to 12 a.m.), THU (12 p.m. to 12 a.m.), FRI & SAT (2 p.m. to 2 a.m.)
Taco Lab
A newcomer on the #rochmn taco truck scene, but don’t miss it! Taco Lab specializes in finding new flavor combinations and experimenting with different cuisines…inside a taco!
Main Location: 1510 5th Place NW, Rochester MN, 55901 (across from Barlow Plaza)
Hours: Monday – Saturday 2:30pm -10:30pm // Sunday – 2:30 pm – 8pm
Lunch Location: The Berkman Apartments – 217 14th Ave SW, Rochester MN, 55902 (across from St. Mary’s Hospital)
Hours: Monday – Sunday 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Brunch Location: The Berkman Apartments – 217 14th Ave SW, Rochester MN, 55902 (across from St. Mary’s Hospital)
Hours: Saturday & Sunday 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Taco Moreno
Tacos are their specialty and #rochmn always seems to come back for more.
Location: 1451 12 St. SE
Phone: (507) 358-9036
Hours: MON – SAT (6 p.m. to 12 a.m.), closed SUN
Tacos Barajas
According to their Facebook page: “tacos, burritos and tortas, steak, carnitas, chicken, and barbacoa, rice and beans, everything fresh every day!” Sounds good to us!
Location: 2017 S Broadway, Rochester MN, 55904
Phone: (507) 319-5006
Hours: Wednesday – Friday: 3 PM – 10 PM, Saturday – Sunday: 9 AM – 6 PM. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Taqueria El Kora
They sell tacos, quesadilla, tortas, tortas cubanas, burritos, nachos, alambres, and more! El Kora is located on 3rd Ave across from the fairgrounds. Check their Facebook page for hours!
Location: 1432 3rd Avenue Southeast, Rochester, MN 55904
Phone: (507) 923-9189
Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Sunday: 4:30 PM – 11 PM. Closed on Tuesdays.
Taqueria El Sueno
El Sueno started as a taco truck and is now a restaurant. It’s a small, cozy place with an authentic vibe. And GREAT news…their taco truck is back open!
Location: 1203 7th St. NW
Phone: (507) 322-0202
Hours: MON – THU (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.), FRI & SAT (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.), closed SUN
The Compadres
They’re known for their authenticity and presence in the community. Recently relocated to Byron, you can also find them downtown and at various events.
Location: 505 Frontage Rd NW, Byron Minnesota
Phone: (507) 319-9050
Hours: MON – THU (11 a.m. to 10 p.m.), FRI (11 a.m. to 2 a.m.), SAT (3 p.m. to 2 a.m.), closed SUN
Three Banderas
3 Banderas is bringing a new concept of food truck to downtown Rochester MN. They will be alternating their menu to introduce you to our traditional Mexican recipes, American favorites, and a taste of Eastern European Street Food.
Location: 325 South Broadway, Rochester MN, 55904
Phone: (507) 358-7049
Hours: 11:30 AM – 2 PM and 4:30 PM – 11 PM Monday – Saturday.
*All Taco Truck Hours are subject to change due to weather and scheduling.
Some things to consider:
Have cash on hand
Some are to-go venues and will not have seating
Call for catering and event requests
1 comment
Do any of the taco trucks serve old-school tacos? Just the standard crunchy shell, spicy ground beef, shredded cheese and lettuce. I know they are not authentic but sometimes I just want a taco like the ones I had growing up.
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