I Traveled Across Northern California To Taste 9 Taco Trucks (And 6 Were Absolute Hidden Gems)
Northern California is packed with amazing taco trucks hiding in plain sight, serving up flavors that rival any fancy restaurant.
I spent weeks driving from city to city, sampling everything from traditional carne asada to creative fusion tacos that blew my mind. Some trucks were popular spots with long lines, while others were quiet treasures tucked away in parking lots.
Here are the best taco trucks I discovered on my delicious journey through Northern California.
1. Tacos Mama Cuca
Walking up to Mama Cuca’s truck feels like getting a warm hug from your abuela. The bright colors painted on the side instantly catch your eye, and the smell of sizzling meat makes your stomach rumble.
Their specialty is Sonoran-style carne asada and mesquite-grilled meats served on handmade flour tortillas, with several house salsas made fresh daily. The meat is juicy, slightly charred, and topped with fresh ingredients that add a perfect balance of flavor. Each bite delivers layers of taste that dance on your tongue.
Mama Cuca operates Thursday through Sunday in East Oakland and has become a local legend since reopening as a fully permitted truck in 2024. The prices are super reasonable, and the portions are generous enough to fill you up without emptying your wallet.
2. Delicias Taco Truck
Delicias proves that the best food often comes from the most unexpected places. This unassuming truck sits in a gas station parking lot, but don’t let that fool you into driving past.
The carne asada here is grilled to perfection with crispy edges and tender centers. They use fresh cilantro, diced onions, and a squeeze of lime that makes everything pop. Their handmade tortillas are soft and warm, holding together beautifully without falling apart mid-bite.
Located at 6919 Stockton Blvd in Sacramento, Delicias is family-run and known for its authentic asada, pastor, and carnitas tacos. Lines get long during lunch, but the wait is absolutely worth it. Note: they’re typically closed on Tuesdays, so plan your visit accordingly.
3. Takeiros Taqueria
Takeiros operates primarily as a taqueria in Sacramento, not a roaming food truck, but it’s still beloved for its creative taco menu. Their Korean BBQ taco combines marinated beef with kimchi and gochujang sauce in ways that’ll make your taste buds sing.
The truck itself looks modern and Instagram-worthy, attracting a younger crowd looking for something different. But underneath the trendy exterior lies seriously good cooking skills and quality ingredients. Each taco is carefully assembled with attention to texture and flavor balance.
While fusion tacos like the spicy tuna option rotate on and off the menu, the focus remains on inventive, high-quality combinations that honor both Mexican and Asian flavors.
4. Santacos
Santacos brings coastal flavors inland with seafood tacos that taste like the ocean kissed them goodbye. Although Santacos operates multiple locations around the Sacramento area rather than directly on the coast, their Baja-style seafood tacos are some of the freshest you’ll find. Their fish tacos feature crispy battered cod topped with cabbage slaw and a tangy white sauce that’s addictively good.
The shrimp tacos are a customer favorite—plump, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. You can actually taste the quality of the seafood, which sets them apart from other spots.
The casual beach vibe extends to the friendly staff who treat everyone like regulars. Prices reflect the premium ingredients, but you’re getting restaurant-quality food from a truck. Grab extra napkins because these tacos are messy in the best possible way.
5. Locos Only
Locos Only is a newer Bay Area fusion truck known for its creative taco mashups, though its schedule and location rotate often. This isn’t your traditional taqueria, it’s where culinary rules get broken in the tastiest ways.
Their signature “Loco Taco” is loaded with three types of meat, cheese, guacamole, and their secret spicy sauce. It’s massive, messy, and absolutely worth the napkin carnage. The flavors are intense and unapologetic, designed for people who like their food bold.
Despite the crazy portions, everything is surprisingly well-balanced and never feels like too much. The energy here is electric, with music bumping and customers clearly enjoying themselves. This spot turns eating tacos into a full-on experience you won’t forget.
6. Canasta Kitchen
Canasta Kitchen specializes in something you rarely see: traditional canasta-style tacos that are steamed instead of grilled. The tortillas come out soft and slightly moist, wrapped in cloth to keep them warm and tender.
In reality, Canasta Kitchen is a Bay Area food truck and catering company (with a small restaurant) serving modern Mexican dishes, though they occasionally offer canasta-style tacos at events. The fillings are simple but flavorful—potato with chorizo, bean and cheese, or shredded chicken with green salsa.
The humble presentation might not wow you at first glance, but one bite transports you straight to Mexico City. These tacos are perfect for breakfast or when you need something gentle on your stomach but still satisfying and delicious.
7. Tacos Hecho en Mexico
Tacos Hecho en Mexico is a low-profile truck in the Sacramento area that locals praise for its authenticity, though it’s not widely listed online. Authenticity runs through every single taco here, where recipes come straight from different regions of Mexico.
Their barbacoa tacos are slow-cooked for hours until the beef practically melts in your mouth. The consommé served on the side is rich and flavorful, perfect for dipping your tacos or sipping between bites. Everything tastes like it came from someone’s home kitchen rather than a commercial operation.
The handmade tortillas are pressed fresh throughout the day, ensuring you always get them warm and pliable. Service is friendly and patient, especially if you’re not familiar with regional Mexican dishes and need recommendations.
8. Taqueria Los Gordos
Los Gordos earned its name honestly—these tacos are fat, stuffed, and gloriously overfilled. The tortillas can barely contain all the meat and toppings they pile on, which is exactly what you want.
Their carnitas are crispy on the outside and tender inside, seasoned with just the right amount of spice. The lengua tacos surprise people who’ve never tried beef tongue before, converting skeptics with their incredible tenderness and flavor. Every protein option is cooked with skill and care that shows in the final product.
The atmosphere around the truck is always cheerful and buzzing with conversation. Regulars know to order the “super” version for extra everything, turning an already generous taco into a full meal that requires both hands.
9. Taqueria La Barca
La Barca brings the flavors of Jalisco to Northern California with recipes that have been perfected over generations. While not a confirmed mobile truck, Taqueria La Barca in Arcata is celebrated locally for its birria tacos and friendly service.
Their birria tacos have become legendary among locals, featuring tender goat meat in a rich, complex sauce. The quesabirria variation adds melted cheese and gets griddled until crispy, creating textural magic. Dipping these tacos in the savory consommé is a requirement, not a suggestion.
What really sets La Barca apart is the consistency, they’re excellent every single time you visit. The family working here remembers regular customers and their usual orders, creating a welcoming community feeling that keeps people coming back repeatedly.