When it comes to fast-food taco chains, it goes without saying that Taco Bell leads the pack in terms of nationwide popularity. And to be fair, the Doritos Locos Taco is a culinary triumph worthy of accolades.
But if you prefer a convenient and quick taco experience with often higher-quality ingredients, these 10 fast-food and fast-casual chains across the US are worth a visit.
FOLLOW US: Insider is on Facebook
The state of California takes its tacos seriously, so a chain like Baja Fresh, founded in the Los Angeles area, tends to inspire consumer confidence. Said confidence is well-placed in Baja Fresh's case, as customers across the US head here for top-notch ingredients and dishes prepared in real-time.
Baja Fresh gives taco seekers plenty of options, from snack-sized grilled taquitos to three-taco platters with rice and beans, with fillings ranging from grilled chicken and steak to fried wahoo fish.
If you ask people in the Midwest and the Western Mountain states for their favorite fast-food taco picks, you'll likely hear one name above all others: Taco John's.
This regional chain serves a sizable menu of crispy and soft tacos, but it's best known for the Taco Bravo, which combines both styles by wrapping a warm flour tortilla spread with refried beans around a crunchy, hard-shell taco packed with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, and salsa.
With over 2,500 locations worldwide, Chipotle has become synonymous with the design-your-own, quick-dining model, and the chain prides itself on its use of organic produce and naturally-raised meats.
Taco enthusiasts can opt for hard-shell or soft-shell versions filled with proteins like carne asada, tofu sofritas, and carnitas. You can then get your tacos topped with garnishes like salsas, fajita veggies, shredded cheese, and Chipotle's iconic guacamole.
Although not quite as widespread as Chipotle (but quickly growing), Moe's Southwest Grill is a consistent favorite among Tex-Mex fans for its fresh and flavorful burritos, nachos, quesadillas, and, of course, tacos.
Taco orders at Moe's include three corn tortillas stuffed with your choice of protein and topped with pickled onions, queso fresco, cilantro, Moe's signature avocado-lime crema, and a squeeze of lime.
Also, to its credit, Moe's offers up complimentary chips and salsa with every order.
New York City-based Dos Toros now claims 21 locations in the NYC and Chicago areas. Devotees of the chain keep coming back for the San Francisco-inspired burritos, hearty nacho platters, and soft tacos, which can be purchased individually.
At Dos Toros, you'll find pollo asado, pork carnitas, carne asada, and Impossible beef. The chain starts each taco-building process by melting a slice of Monterey Jack cheese on the tortilla, which helps the fillings bind to the shell for clean and satisfying bites.
Toppings like pico de gallo, house-made guacamole, lettuce, and sour cream are all available, as are Dos Toros' highly-regarded hot sauces, Smokey (mild), Verde (medium) and Habanero (super hot).
If your taco tastes run toward the inventive and eclectic, then Torchy's Tacos is the spot for you. The beloved fast-casual chain offers locations in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
Torchy's specializes in unique tacos like the Trailer Park (fried chicken, green chiles, pico de gallo, Cheddar Jack cheese, and poblano sauce on a flour tortilla), the Crossroads (beef brisket, grilled onions, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado, Jack cheese, and tomatillo sauce on a corn tortilla) and the Mr. Orange (blackened salmon, corn & black bean relish, cotija cheese, cilantro, lime, and avocado sauce on a corn tortilla).
Being a Texas-based operation, Torchy's also offers a plethora of breakfast tacos and an impeccable green chile queso dip.
Like Torchy's Tacos, Taco Cabana calls Texas home. Although the majority of locations are found within the Lone Star State, the company also has a presence in Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Taco Cabana's menu includes Tex-Mex dishes like quesadillas, flautas, burritos, and nachos, but its namesake tacos are especially popular. All Taco Cabana tacos come in soft tortillas (flour or corn), and proteins include applewood-smoked brisket, steak, black beans, and fajita chicken.
Don't skip the salsa bar, which offers toppings like pico de gallo, salsa de fuego, and salsa ranch.
As its name suggests, California-based chain El Pollo Loco is best known for its chicken. More specifically, for its fire-grilled half chicken served with side dishes like Spanish-style rice, seasoned pinto beans, and corn-and-pepper salad.
But if you're craving tacos, you can grab one of El Pollo Loco's Chicken Tacos Al Carbon, which consists of two corn tortillas wrapped around El Pollo Loco chicken, diced onion, and cilantro (with optional guacamole and cheese). They're available for just $1.99 each.
A West Coast staple for Mexican-inspired, fast-casual eating, Rubio's now has locations throughout the Southwest and even in Florida.
The restaurant embraces its California origins by exclusively serving seafood-based tacos, with varieties like Mango Mahi-Mahi with fresh guacamole, Salsa Verde Shrimp with avocado and melted cheese, and The Original Fish Taco with beer-battered Alaskan pollock, salsa, cabbage, and white sauce.
What's like Taco Bell, but with fresher ingredients, slow-cooked meats, and a cult following on the West Coast? Del Taco, a fast-food taco chain dating all the way back to the 1960s.
Here, you can get the classic Del Taco with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, and lettuce and tomato, or you can upgrade to the Street Taco, the Beer-Battered Fish Taco, or one of Del Taco's other unique creations.
