At This Maryland Taqueria, Crab Cake Tacos Are So Legendary They’ve Become A Chesapeake Bay Favorite
I thought I had tried every possible way to eat Maryland crab until I pulled up to a taco spot in Prince George’s County and saw something that stopped me mid-order: crab cake tacos.
Tacos a la Madre has taken the state’s most beloved ingredient and stuffed it inside a tortilla, creating a handheld mashup that sounds wild but tastes like pure genius. Locals have been quietly obsessing over this thing for a while now, and after one bite, I understood why.
The truck rolls around to festivals and pop-ups, but you can also track them down at their two storefronts in College Park and Beltsville. This is not some gimmick menu item that disappears after a month.
It has staying power, a fanbase, and a spot on every delivery app worth opening.
Meet the Truck Behind the Hype
Tacos a la Madre runs two storefronts in College Park and Beltsville, giving Marylanders a reliable home base and a steady way to chase favorites. They also appear at occasional pop-ups and campus-area events announced on social media.
I first spotted them at a weekend market, and the line snaking around the stand told me everything I needed to know. They have figured out how to be everywhere at once without losing quality.
The storefronts give you a reliable place to grab lunch, while pop-ups keep things exciting. You never quite know where they’ll show up next, which makes catching one feel like a small victory.
The Headliner: Crab Cake Taco
The signature bite layers creamy slaw, a crisp crab cake, pico de gallo, and the shop’s A La Madre sauce in a warm tortilla. It reads like Maryland on a taco, and it is explicitly listed as Taco de Cangrejo (Crab Cake) on delivery menus.
My first reaction was pure skepticism. Crab cakes belong on a plate with fries, not wrapped in a tortilla. But one bite flipped my entire opinion upside down.
The crab cake stays crunchy even under all that slaw and sauce, which is a minor miracle. Every ingredient pulls its weight, and nothing gets lost in the shuffle.
Why Locals Call It a Chesapeake Favorite
Neighborhood diners and reviewers keep pointing to the crab cake option alongside the usual taco hits, which is rare enough to feel special in the region.
Menu listings and local roundups keep that crab cake taco on people’s radar, helping it build a loyal following around the Bay.
Maryland takes its crab seriously, so when something new involving crab sticks around, people notice. This taco has earned its place in the rotation, not just as a novelty but as a legit contender.
I have heard regulars order it by name without even glancing at the menu. That kind of loyalty does not happen by accident.
Where To Find Them Today
Check College Park and Beltsville for regular hours, then watch social feeds for pop-up announcements, campus runs, and weekend specials.
The locations page confirms both Maryland shops, while Facebook and Instagram posts are the quickest way to spot any special appearances.
I have learned the hard way that showing up without checking their socials first is a gamble. The truck moves around enough that you need to stay plugged in if you want to catch it.
The storefronts are your safe bet for a guaranteed fix. But if you see a post about a pop-up near you, drop everything and go.
How They Build the Flavor
The playbook is simple and smart: crunchy crab cake for texture, cool slaw for contrast, fresh pico for brightness, and a signature sauce to tie it together. That balance is what gets shouted out in app menus and fan posts.
What impressed me most was how nothing overpowers anything else. The crab cake is the star, but the slaw cools things down just enough to let you taste every layer.
The A La Madre sauce adds a creamy tang that makes you want to lick the wrapper. I am not ashamed to admit I have done exactly that.
What To Order With It
Line up a tray with fries, Papas a la Madre, birria quesatacos for the table, or elote if you want something sweet and smoky on the side. The apps and bundles make it easy to mix classic tacos with the crab cake star.
I always grab the loaded fries because they are messy, indulgent, and pair perfectly with the lighter, fresher crab taco. The birria quesatacos are a crowd favorite if you are feeding more than just yourself.
Elote is my wildcard pick. The charred corn with lime and spice balances out the richness of everything else on your tray.
When The Lines Form
Lunch into early dinner is the sweet spot. Posted hours for both shops run from late morning through evening most days, and any pop-ups typically mirror event schedules.
I’ve shown up at noon on a weekday and still had to wait, which tells you how popular this place has become. The line moves fast, so don’t let it scare you off.
If you’re chasing a special appearance, expect event hours to stretch into the evening. The storefronts keep more predictable schedules, which is helpful when you’re craving that crab cake taco on a random Tuesday.