First off, I'll admit that I'm a bit of a taco snob. It comes with being born and raised in Texas. We practically grow up drinking salsa. Okay, I lie. I do remember ordering a hamburger at a Tex-Mex restaurant while growing up, but now I look back on that incident and kick myself for missing out on one of my favorite food groups. Tacos.

So, several months ago, our family set out on a quest. A search for the best tacos in the Alpharetta, Roswell and Milton areas. We asked for restaurant suggestions, made our list, and my husband created a Google sheet complete with averages, minimums, maximums and standard deviations. (I still don't know what that last statistic means, but I'm married to a numbers guy, so there you go.)

We created our rating scale which included:

• Presentation
• Taste
• Mouth Feel
• Restaurant Ambience

After every meal, each family member gave a rating in each category which was then averaged into an overall rating per person, and then averaged into an overall rating per restaurant. The scale was 1 to 5 with 1 being "poor" and 5 being "exceptional." I told you. We are very serious about our tacos. 

Please take note that these findings are purely our opinion and in NO way should affect the way you feel about your favorite taco. I know we may not agree, but I hope we can always be friends. 😉

Without further ado.....

12: Ceviche Taqueria Alpharetta

Overall Score: 3.25

The outdoor patio seating really can't be beat in this downtown Alpharetta establishment. It was definitely our favorite part of our experience. The tacos weren't our favorite as we tend to like things with a bit more flavor, but I recently had their Elsa's Enchiladas and they were quite good!

Two Locations:
42 Milton Avenue, Alpharetta
963 Canton Street, Roswell

11: Chronic Tacos Alpharetta

Overall Score: 3.44

This is a great place to go for a quick, order-at-the-counter meal where you pick you base, pick your protein, and then load up on all of your toppings. My kids stuck to their traditional beef and chicken, which they loved, but if there's shrimp on the menu, that usually has my vote. Get it Baja-style for the best flavor! The employees are also great about recommending their favorite way to "dress" the tacos!

Location: 970 North Point Drive, Suite 160, Alpharetta

10: El Don Bar & Grill

Overall Score: 3.56

El Don is about as colorful and traditional as you can get! Their ambience is great, and they have a lot of variety on their menu. Our votes were a bit mixed on this one, but I have to give a shout out to the super kind waitress who was so sweet and accommodating to my cranky 8-year-old. So, extra points for extra great service!

Location: 6320 Atlanta Hwy., Suite 1, Alpharetta

9: Taco Fiesta

Overall Score: 3.92

I realized I didn't take a photo of my food at Taco Fiesta because I love their lights! It's what grabs my attention every time and they certainly win my vote on decor! My boys like the fact that they serve Jarritos in the bottle, too! Come here for reliable and familiar flavors the whole family will love. 

Location: 3055 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta

8: El Porton

Overall Score: 3.94

This neighborhood favorite is as consistent as they come. With traditional favorites everyone in your family can get behind. Nothing fancy here, but a friendly atmosphere with fast service.

Location: 11950 Jones Bridge Rd., Alpharetta

7: Hola Taqueria

Overall Score: 4.00

This place surprised me with its modern, muted interior but bright, colorful logo on the outside! I loved their options of unique, more authentic sides; the jalapeño corn being a nice touch! Scores were all pretty consistent throughout the family, and overall enjoyed by all. The wait was definitely the longest here, so make sure you go there at an off-peak time, or be prepared to hang out in the lobby for a bit!

Location: 688 Holcomb Bridge Rd., Roswell

6: Moctezuma Mexican Grill

Overall Score: 4.06

My husband still raves about this place. It's about as authentic as you can get and reminds him of being in inner-city Houston. Tucked away in the corner by a gas station, it's very unassuming, but packs a real punch when it comes to Mexican flavors. Be forewarned that my husband likes things spicy, and this satisfied that taste for sure! For the kids and me, we stuck to the more traditional beef and chicken tacos and were all smacking our lips!

Location: 13020 Morris Road, Alpharetta

5: Rio Balsas Taqueria

Overall Score: 4.06

This was by far our favorite venue for ambience. It has that awesome hole-in-the-wall feel that we found on corners on the streets in Texas, all while providing authentic flavors. They also make a mean margarita! Plan to sit and stay a while if adult drinks are part of your meal as they're not stingy when it comes to their servings! Oh, and the food is pretty tasty, too! 

Location: 235 S. Main Street, Alpharetta

4: PURE Taqueria

Overall Score: 4.17

When I lived in New Jersey, I remember someone mentioning PURE and how they dream about their fish tacos. I'm not a big fan of your traditional fish tacos in general, but I LOVE shrimp tacos, and they make a good one! And, they have one of the best skinny margaritas, making it a perfect meal!

Locations: 
103 Roswell Street, Alpharetta
1143 Alpharetta Street, Roswell

3: Fuzzy's Taco Shop

Overall Score: 4.19

Just about everything we've tried at Fuzzy's Taco Shop has gotten a thumbs up. So much so that we used them to cater a scouting event which got rave reviews. With tons of options for vegetarians, gluten-free allergies, and even breakfast tacos, they pack a variety of choices in at a budget-friendly price. Make sure you try their queso with their tortilla chips sprinkled in Fuzzy Dust. Yum! 

Location: 5325 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta

2: Chuy's Mexican Restaurant

Overall Score: 4.38

If you've followed me for more than a minute, you probably know that Texas is home to me, and that's what Chuy's is for our family. A taste of home. Though the walls don't yet seep the scent of years of serving Tex-Mex, the flavors are still consistent to my hometown of Austin, TX where the restaurant originated. My go-to for tacos is the Baja Shrimp Tacos, but another dish I love and recommend is the Deluxe Chicken Enchiladas. And, don't forget to ask for creamy jalapeño to dip your chips into. It's the yummiest and made from scratch daily, along with their tortillas!

Location: 2560 Old Milton Parkway, Suite 120, Alpharetta

1: Fresco Cantina Grille

Overall Score: 4.50

Fresco Cantina Grille got high votes across the board from our family. Their menu items were unique, creative, and super tasty. Seriously, look at this photo. It's literally my three favorite food groups on one plate: tacos, mac & cheese, and pineapple! Yum! Not to mention, they have the best corn tortillas I've ever tasted, fantastic tres leches cake, and homemade popsicles anyone will love on a hot day. 

Location: 10779 Alpharetta Hwy Suite 160, Roswell

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