There’s An Ohio Spot Where Birria Tacos And Their Dipping Broth Steal The Whole Show
Tucked into a plaza in Norton, Ohio, this taco spot has built the kind of reputation that gets people willingly driving 40 minutes for a table. The menu jumps across bold global flavors, every bite lands with real punch, and the birria tacos arrive with a rich dipping broth that easily becomes the star of the whole meal.
I had been hearing about this place for months before finally making the trip, and it absolutely lived up to the talk.
This article walks through what to know before your first visit, from the standout dishes to the smartest way to order, so you can skip the guesswork and get right to the good stuff.
The Story Behind the Funky Name and the West Coast Vibe
Some taco places use a playful name and then serve a completely ordinary meal, but this one actually earns its personality. The Funky Truckeria started with food truck roots, and that origin still shows up in the way the menu feels fast-moving, creative, and built around bold flavor instead of safe routine.
That background matters because it explains why the taco lineup feels broader and more inventive than what many people expect from a small Ohio plaza spot. You can feel the food-truck mentality in the variety, the energy, and the sense that the kitchen wants every order to stand out.
The inside also leans into that identity with colorful decor and a playful visual style that helps the place feel memorable right away. It does not read like a chain, and that is a big part of the charm.
Why It Matters: The food truck origin helps explain the menu’s range, because this is a place built around movement, variety, and flavors that keep people curious.
Quick Snapshot
Before your first visit, here is the practical rundown that makes the whole experience easier to plan. This is a compact, counter-service taco spot, so knowing the basics ahead of time helps you order smarter and avoid unnecessary waiting.
Expect a small dining area, a menu with more range than the storefront suggests, and a steady flow of customers who clearly know this place is worth the stop. If you like flavor-first local spots with a little personality, this one makes a strong case for itself quickly.
Name: The Funky Truckeria.
Type: A fast-casual taco restaurant with food truck roots, known for creative tacos, bold flavor combinations, and made-to-order meals.
Location: 3200 Greenwich Rd, Suite 113, Norton, OH 44203, inside Norton Plaza.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Friday through Saturday, 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM, closed Sunday.
Phone: (330) 208-0560.
Ordering: Dine-in, carryout, and online ordering are all available, and ordering ahead is often the smartest move during busy periods.
Seating: Indoor seating is limited, so smaller parties usually have the easiest time.
Best first order: Start with the birria tacos and consomme, then add one fusion taco or a starter if you want the full experience.
The Birria Tacos and Consomme That Are The Headliner
If one item put this place on people’s radar, it is the birria tacos. They arrive with the kind of rich dipping broth that instantly turns lunch into a much bigger event, and once that first dunk happens, the whole table usually understands the hype.
The tortillas come crisped and flavorful, the meat is deeply seasoned and tender, and the broth ties everything together with a savory richness that makes each bite feel bigger than a standard taco order. It is the type of dish that gets people quiet for a moment, which is always a very good sign.
What makes it work so well is the balance of texture and depth, because the tacos bring crunch while the consomme adds warmth and richness without making the meal feel heavy. That combination is exactly why this order keeps showing up in conversations about the restaurant.
Quick Verdict: If this is your first visit, the birria tacos are the clearest must-order item on the menu.
Best Move: Add the birria quesadilla if you want to lean fully into the same flavor profile and build a more memorable first meal.
Korean BBQ And Fusion Tacos Keep The Menu Interesting
The fusion side of the menu is where The Funky Truckeria really separates itself from more predictable taco stops. The Korean BBQ options, along with other globally influenced combinations, make the board feel more playful and much less repetitive than the average taco lineup.
The Korean BBQ tacos bring that sweet-savory contrast that makes people pause mid-bite and immediately start defending their favorite version. Pork belly, in particular, tends to win people over because it is rich, flavorful, and balanced by fresher toppings that keep the taco from feeling too heavy.
The Thai chicken option pushes that same idea in a different direction, with a brighter and punchier profile that adds even more variety to the overall experience. I like a menu that lets you stay in the same category while still getting totally different flavor moods, and this one does that well.
Who This Is For: People who want tacos that go beyond the standard playbook and actually bring something new to the table.
Best Strategy: Pair one classic-style taco with one fusion option so you can taste both sides of the restaurant’s identity in the same meal.
The Chorizo Funky Balls Are The Starter To Order First
There is no graceful way to say the name for the first time, but that problem disappears the second they hit the table. These chorizo bites are crispy outside, rich and cheesy inside, and much more memorable than a starter with a name like this has any right to be.
They work because the texture is immediately satisfying, and the filling brings enough flavor to feel like more than a throwaway appetizer. The sweetness of the recommended mango sauce adds the exact contrast needed, cutting through the richness and making the whole thing feel more balanced.
This is also the kind of starter that solves a practical problem, because it gives everyone something to snack on while the made-to-order tacos are still coming together. In a place where the wait can stretch during busier hours, that is a very smart way to start.
Pro Tip: Order these first and put them in the middle of the table, because they work best as a shared opener.
Best Pairing: Add chips and salsa if your group wants to turn the starter round into a full opening spread before the tacos arrive.
The Menu Has Enough Range For Groups With Different Tastes
One of the most useful things about this place is that the menu has real range without feeling chaotic. Beyond the birria and Korean BBQ favorites, there are enough different flavor profiles here to keep a group happy even when everyone shows up craving something completely different.
That flexibility matters more than people think, because it makes the restaurant easier to revisit and easier to recommend. A menu with this kind of variety gives adventurous eaters room to explore while still leaving space for people who want something familiar enough to feel comfortable on a first visit.
The broader selection also helps the place feel less like a one-hit wonder built around a single famous taco. I always like when a restaurant has a headliner but still backs it up with enough depth that a second or third visit still feels worth making.
Who This Is For: Mixed groups, curious eaters, and anyone tired of ordering the same two taco types everywhere they go.
Why It Works: The range makes the place feel more flexible, more fun to revisit, and much easier to recommend to people with different tastes.
Service Is Friendly, But Planning Ahead Makes The Visit Better
The service here tends to leave a good impression, especially for first-timers who need a minute to sort through the menu. A warm and patient staff matters a lot in a place with this much variety, because it makes the ordering process feel easier instead of overwhelming.
That said, the wait times are very real, especially when the restaurant gets busy and the kitchen is handling everything fresh to order. The smaller footprint and the steady demand mean this is not always the kind of place where you breeze in and breeze out without thinking about timing.
The smartest move is treating the visit like something worth planning just a little. Ordering online ahead of time, aiming for quieter weekday windows, and avoiding the busiest rushes can make the whole experience feel much smoother from start to finish.
Planning Advice: Use online ordering whenever possible if you want to cut down the longest waits and make pickup easier.
Best Timing: Earlier weekday visits usually feel more relaxed than peak lunch or late-week rushes.
Final Verdict: Is The Funky Truckeria Worth Your Time and Drive
The short answer is yes, because this place delivers the kind of flavor and personality that makes the extra drive feel justified. The Funky Truckeria stands out by doing something that is harder than it looks, which is keeping a creative menu exciting while still making the food feel consistent and worth returning for.
The birria tacos and consomme may be the headline act, but the fusion tacos and the starters make it clear that this is not a one-item stop. There is enough depth here to reward repeat visits, which is usually the strongest compliment you can give a restaurant with a big reputation.
The small space and occasional wait are part of the deal, but the food gives you a strong enough payoff to make those tradeoffs feel reasonable. I have a soft spot for places that make me plan a little and then reward that effort properly, and this one fits that description well.
Final Verdict: Worth the drive for bold tacos, a memorable birria order, and a menu that feels more inventive than the average local taco stop.
Top Reasons To Go: The birria tacos, the rich consomme, the fusion taco lineup, and the overall flavor range.