The Taco Stop: Why USA Today Named Us Best Restaurant in Fort Collins

When you think of tacos, most people imagine the quick bite of a classic street taco. But at The Taco Stop, we believe tacos should be an experience  full of flavor, creativity, and authenticity. That’s why we’re proud (and humbled) to share that USA Today recognized us as the Best Restaurant, shining a national spotlight on what our Fort Collins community already knows: there’s so much more here than just tacos.

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Why We Think We Were Chosen for Best Restaurant

Being recognized by USA Today is an incredible honor, but it didn’t happen overnight. We believe we were chosen because:

1. 🌮 Creativity in Every Bite: Our menu goes beyond classic street tacos. We like to introduce new tacos every month like  Azteca Tacos to Pastor Gringas to El Jefe Tacos, we’re always pushing flavor forward.
2. ❤️ Love for Our Community: Fort Collins isn’t just where we serve food; it’s home. Since our taco cart days in 2012, we’ve grown alongside our customers, who we now consider family.
3. 🔥 Taco of the Month Excitement: Each month brings something new, bold, and unforgettable. Some creations (like our pork belly tacos) became instant legends, while others, like El Jefe, were so loved they earned a permanent spot on the menu.

It’s this combination of authenticity, creativity, and community love that we think made us stand out on a national stage.

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Beyond Street Tacos: Our Signature Specialties

Yes, our street tacos will always be at the heart of who we are specially since thats the only item we served when we started out as a taco cart Downtown Fort Collins. But what truly set us apart for the USA Today award are the tacos that tell our story. Each specialty taco is crafted with care, balancing tradition with innovation: Here are some examples of our specialty tacos

• 🌮 Azteca Tacos - Originally introduced during Hispanic Heritage Month in 2021, our Azteca Tacos are a true celebration of Mexican roots. Made with tender nopales (cactus) and savory chorizo, this taco honors the traditional ingredients we grew up with and still love in Mexico today.
• 🌮 Pastor Gringas - Inspired by classic Mexican street food, our Pastor Gringas feature marinated pork with melted cheese, fresh pineapple, onions, and cilantro. To make it uniquely ours, we finish it off with a topping of our crispy homemade fries. Since its release in 2020, this fun and flavorful creation has been a fan favorite that keeps guests coming back for more.
• 🌮 El Jefe Tacos - Made with tender, slow-braised brisket and topped with a fresh cilantro-lime slaw, the El Jefe Taco blends Mexican tradition with flavors everyone can enjoy. First introduced as a Taco of the Month, it quickly became a fan favorite and earned its permanent spot on our menu.

These aren’t just tacos they’re a celebration of Mexican tradition, creativity, and passion for food.

Taco of the Month: A Flavor Adventure

One thing that truly makes The Taco Stop stand out is our Tacos of the Month. Each month, we introduce something new, bold, and exciting to the menu.

Our Pork Belly Tacos had guests lining up to try them. The flavorful Birria Tacos and smoky Tacos al Carbón started as monthly specials but became so popular they earned a permanent place on the menu. And of course, our El Jefe Tacos are now one of our signature favorites thanks to your love.

That’s the beauty of Taco of the Month: you never know what will be next, but you can count on it being delicious, unique, and worth the trip. And trust us you don’t want to miss the upcoming release.

Why We Stand Out

Fort Collins is full of amazing food, but here’s why The Taco Stop earned national recognition:

1. Authenticity with Creativity - We respect tradition while daring to innovate.
2. Community Roots - From our humble taco cart beginnings in 2012 to becoming a restaurant that represents Fort Collins on a national stage, we’ve grown with the love and support of our community.
3. Consistency, Quality & Service - Whether it’s your first visit or your 50th, you’ll always taste our commitment to fresh, flavorful food. And just as important  we treat every guest like family, from the moment you walk in to the moment you walk out.

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Muchas Gracias!

This recognition from USA Today isn’t just ours it’s yours, too. Our loyal customers have made The Taco Stop what it is today. From the families who stop in after a CSU game to the regulars who never miss a Taco of the Month, we’re grateful for each of you.

So, whether you’re craving the bold flavors of an Azteca Taco, Street tacos, Pastor Gringas, or you’re ready to be surprised by our next Taco of the Month, one thing’s certain: 👉 At The Taco Stop, every taco tells a story and we can’t wait to share the next chapter with you.

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