Versatile Lupe’s Situ Tacos Is One of the Chillest Restaurants in Seattle | Eater Seattle

"Opened in 2024 by drummer and chef Lupe Flores after a buzzy pop-up, this colorful, playfully dive-y taco shop in the heart of Ballard has become a hangout for service-industry folks and an exceptional lunch option (with an Eater Award to prove it). The fried tacos are the justifiable claim to fame: carnivores can go for the Lebanese brown butter beef, while the vegetarian versions are standouts—the crispy, crunchy shells cradle creamy, garlicky potatoes, and the cauliflower brings an intriguing cumin-y bite. Newcomers should opt for the three-taco-plus-slaw combo to sample all three flavors, and order the soup of the day; last time I was here it was a spicy, earthy pumpkin curry topped with bacon for texture and protein, but it rotates often and Flores draws from many inspirations—just trust her. It’s a fun spot to start a night on Ballard Ave too: grab a margarita, a watermelon-y Mexican Candy Shot, or a Sad Girl Shot (tequila with a chunk of cheese as a chaser). The narrow dining room pops with color—floral-decorated tables, signs, and tchotches—with extra sidewalk seating, and Flores is usually around, saying hi and creating an inviting vibe; it’s the kind of place where if you aren’t a regular, you wish you were. Insider tip: the back room, dubbed Tilda’s lounge, hosts Seahawks games, movie nights, and other events, and the mezcal- and tequila-centric cocktail menu makes it a great happy-hour hang. One sign even warns, “Don’t eat the fucking toothpicks,” wise advice since the tacos are held together with toothpicks for frying and you might forget and bite into them." - Harry Cheadle