Beef birria tacos at El Mariachi in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Beef birria tacos at El Mariachi in Everett, Washington on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

2 spots for exceptional tacos in Everett

A food writer at The Seattle Times took a trip north to two Everett taquerias with unique offerings.

By Tan Vinh, The Seattle Times

EVERETT — Our latest Neighborhood Eats dispatch comes from Everett, where I taco-hopped to different taquerias north of Seattle on a recent weekend because I don’t need to use a gimmicky Taco Tuesday as an excuse to hunt down great goat barbacoa or birria. Details below.

El Nopal Mexican Food

12720 Fourth Ave. W., Suite D, Everett; 425-374-8007, on Facebook: El Nopal Mexican Food

Even if you drive below the speed limit along this drag in Everett, you might miss this unassuming taqueria tucked in a strip mall. Regulars come for the al pastor and birria, but I brake for the goat tacos and other menu items you don’t often see around the Puget Sound area.

The goat barbacoa tacos are served every Friday and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. ($25 a pound with housemade tortillas). Shards of steamed goat meat sit on a warm, pillowy tortilla — what’s tacked on after that is up to you. I prefer a sprinkling of salt, a bed of raw onions and cilantro and a squiggle of green salsa. Add more tangy sauce if you want to drown out the gaminess.

If you miss this weekend taco special, try the house specialty: the nopal plate con cecina, a platter of grilled cactus and cured top round steak with sides of beans and rice ($20). Just bundle the strips of protein and plant into the corn tortilla for a vegetal-squishy taste from the cactus to offset the sharp, salty beef.

Or try the taco arabe ($5), a Middle Eastern shawarma-inspired meat married with Mexican flavors that’s a popular fusion in Puebla, the hometown of El Nopal owner Raul Osorio. His homage consists of grilled pork bits and onions that are coated in a smoky chili pepper sauce and sealed in a pliant flour tortilla for a spicy and salty bite.

El Mariachi Birria Y Tacos

6100 Evergreen Way, Everett; 425-512-9024, instagram.com/elmariachi_birria

While eating (literally) hundreds of tacos around Western Washington last year, I reveled in chef Hugo Carranza’s fried chicken tacos ($4 each or three for $13 with consommé) at El Mariachi, with tangled strands of braised thigh and breast meat brimming with smoky chipotle and sautéed onions.

The poultry fillings, coated in cheddar and queso asadero, are served in a corn tortilla that’s been fried in an oil infused with guajillo peppers, anise star and fall spices. It’s a crackly bite with a cheesy-stretchy interior. You’ll need every bit of the sides of pickled red onions, fresh cilantro and avocado sauce to cut into this beer sponge.

And you should mark your calendar to check back in May. That’s when Carranza promises to “kick it L.A. style” by turning the parking lot into a taco cookout on weekends. He’ll roll out a vertical spit to slow-roast a beehive of al pastor pork and a grill to sizzle up some mesquite aromatic beef tacos in the Northern Mexican tradition of Sonora and Nuevo León.

Psst. The chef also plans to open another taqueria in the near future to do charcoal-grilled meats.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Food & Drink

Everett business shares a cookie recipe sure to sweeten your holidays

South Fork Baking Co. shares the details for making Ginger Molasses Cookies for yourselves.

(Getty Images)
Stacked and packed: Best sub sandwich spots in town

Craving a delicious sub sandwich? Where will you go first? Let’s find out.

Bothell
3 Bothell restaurant ideas for a soul-warming meal

Now’s the time to go to Bothell for some steamy soups.

Outside of the Hollywood Tavern on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 in Woodinville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Order a double shot of fun at this corner of Woodinville

Hollywood Tavern and Woodinville Whiskey Co. share a parking lot for a two-fer of food and spirits.

Photo courtesy of Tulalip Resort Casino
Smoked Gouda Cheese Kielbasa will be featured at the Tulalip Resort Casino restaurant The Draft during the holiday season.
Adding ‘old country’ flair to the holiday lineup

Try the limited-edition Smoked Gouda Cheese Kielbasa at Tulalip Resort Casino restaurant The Draft.

Mimosa Salad, Lasagna Potato Cheddar Soup at Cristiano’s Pizza.
Snohomish County’s fresh and flavorful top salad spots to savor

Where can you find the most delicious salads in town? Let’s find out.

At J&L BBQ in Snohomish, owner Joel Sexton (left) talks with customer Tony Cecsarini and Austin Eisenhuth (right) after hanging banners announcing the restaurant’s ability to accept takeout orders. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
Smokin’ good eats: The top three BBQ spots in town

Where can you find the most mouthwatering barbecue around? Let’s find out.

Teresa Godfrey and Sandra Reichstetter, married 22 years, work at their new restaurant, Cup & Crepe on Everett Mall Way in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald).
Sweet escapes: Discover the best dessert spots in Snohomish County

Which place will satisfy your next sugar craving? Herald readers answered for you.

LJ’s Bistro in Lake Stevens serves up a steak knife-worthy asparagus toast ($14), with whipped feta, local asparagus, fresh herbs, za’atar and pickled shallot atop grilled bread. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)
Sizzling perfection: The best steak spots to indulge

Ready to discover where to savor the juiciest steaks in town? Hearld readers have you covered.

Image from Pexels.com
Roll with it: uncover the top sushi spots near you

Where can you find the freshest sushi and unforgettable flavors? Let’s find out.

Mexican food (Pexels.com)
Fiesta of flavors: best Mexican food spots to try

Craving tacos, enchiladas, or fresh guac? Where will you dine first?

Stir Fry Noodles in Bowl (Pexels.com)
Savor the flavors: Best Chinese food spots in town

Where can you find the most delicious Chinese dishes near you? Let’s find out.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.