5 places to celebrate National Taco Day in Bowling Green

Oct. 4 is National Taco Day, and it’s time to celebrate. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m a taco lover. I can’t get enough. For all the other taco lovers out there, here’s a list of some of the greatest taco places around Bowling Green.

Qdoba

This Mexican eatery is a little bit pricey, but goodness gracious, there are endless options to throw on your taco, and the portion size is amazing. Since there are so many options, they have what they call Knockout Tacos. You can get three of six different “uniquely named tacos.” If you have a hearty appetite, this is the place to go.

Puerto Vallarta

If you want to chow down on a taco with a live band playing on the outside patio, you need to go here. Their taco salad is de-lish. It comes with all of the works — cheese, lettuce, tomato and even guacamole. I tried guacamole for the first time here, and it was a little bland for my taste. I probably won’t be getting guacamole again, but hey, more power to the guac lovers out there.

Free chips and salsa are also served as a courtesy. If you’re not keen on spicy stuff, you should watch out. The salsa comes with a kick.

El Mazatlan

May I slip in that this restaurant gives a WKU student discount? The price is already affordable, but knocking some cents off the bill never hurts. They also serve free chips and salsa. I believe chips and salsa are the best treat when going to a Mexican restaurant.

I must admit, I like a kick, and the salsa was a tad tasteless for me. However, the beef was tender. And do not get me started on the cheese. It could have been devoured all by itself — it was that good.

If you like all of the works on your taco, you’ll have to pay extra. Only cheese and your choice of meat is included in the regular listed price.

Garcia’s Grill

This Mexican restaurant is my favorite. I apologize. I am biased, but it’s just too good to be true. If you haven’t gone, please do. I got their taco salad. (If you haven’t caught on, I love my taco salads).

The taco salad comes with cheese, lettuce, tomato, refried beans, sour cream and guacamole. As a courtesy, they also serve free chips and some spicy salsa with lots of cilantro.

It’s a little more pricey, but it’s worth every penny.

Mercardito Hispano

I would have never found this place if it hadn’t been recommended to me. It’s attached to a grocery store, and it has a family-owned business vibe. Walking in, it didn’t have the most pleasant smell, which made me a little uneasy at first. However, I must admit, the taco was pretty darn good.

The price for a taco here is extremely reasonable. They don’t have hard shell tacos, only fajita-style soft shells. I asked for beef thinking it would be ground, but when it came out I realized it was fajita-style steak. Whatever it was, it did not matter because it came with onions, cilantro and avocado, and it was delicious.

These tacos were the most authentic. But, with that being said, this place is not for the ones who prefer faint-tasting food. Their tacos will have your breath on 10. Make sure to bring some mints.