The Original El Taco

Mexican restaurant · Atlanta

The Original El Taco

Mexican restaurant · Atlanta

2

1186 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306

Photos

The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by Original El Taco
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null
The Original El Taco by null

Highlights

Tex-Mex & Oaxacan food, creative margaritas, hourly prize wheel  

Featured in Eater
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1186 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 Get directions

eltaco-atlanta.com

$$ · Menu

Information

Static Map

1186 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30306 Get directions

+1 404 873 4656
eltaco-atlanta.com
eltacoatlanta

$$ · Menu

Features

payment cash only
reservations

Last updated

Aug 7, 2025

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@eater

Biggest Atlanta Restaurant News in March 2023 - Eater Atlanta

"Sadly, the longtime restaurant Original El Taco in Virginia-Highland said goodbye in March." - Beth McKibben

https://atlanta.eater.com/2023/3/10/23633714/atlanta-dining-restaurant-news-march-2023
View Postcard for The Original El Taco
@eater

Where to Find Atlanta’s Best Nachos - Eater Atlanta

"This Virginia-Highland Mexican restaurant is so serious about nachos, they dedicate Thursday evenings to the dish. DIY nachos include add-ons like pickled jalapeños, corn, lime slaw, and a fried egg." - Lia Picard

https://atlanta.eater.com/maps/best-nachos-atlanta
View Postcard for The Original El Taco

Derrick

Google
Excellent service! The only reason I gave a 4 star is the food was not to my liking. The Baja fish tacos were smothered too much for me. The chips were too salty. The beans were too salty. I just prefer simpler. But, a lot of people I'm sure like their food this way. It's just not for me.

Danielle Caron

Google
This place was so easy! I asked the waitress about vegan options and she immediately named a few that sounded great. I ended up getting the vegetable fajitas, and I LOVED my food. The cabbage was fresh, the rice and beans were seasoned super well, and the enchiladas (topped with half red, half green sauce) were superb. I loved the veggies, and they even had carrots. I hope to be back here again with my boo:)

Sarah Haley

Google
After a day of adventure, my friends and I were looking for a place nearby by to have a bite to eat and a few drinks. I had been here before years ago and suggested we go here. It wasn't busy and we, a group of 4, were seated immediately with game chips. They spin the wheel every hour on the hour and if it lands on your number you get whatever the prize is, a house margarita, a t-shirt, a pitcher of beer, etc. The only downside to this is that whether someone wins or not, it's only one spin per hour. Our waitress, Ally, came over once we were seated. I appreciated her enthusiasm and customer service. I liked how instead of asking us if we wanted to start with water, she got right to it and asked us if we wanted to start with some margaritas, lol. The 4 of us started with waters anyway plus 2 shots, chips, and queso. The other 2 of us wanted to look at the menu first because we were more hungry than anything, lol. Each set ordered the 5 taco deal which came with beans and rice, and split it. There was one order with 2 fish tacos, a fried chicken taco, a cauliflower taco, and a shrimp taco. I think the guys ordered a fried chicken taco and I think the rest were the steak tacos. The queso wasn't that great, something was off with the consistency. The fish taco wasn't bad but it's literally a whole piece of fish rather than bite sized pieces. The cauliflower taco was ok. My friend sent her shrimp taco back. The steak tacos had a lot of fried onions on it. I assume the fried chicken was good, other than the fact that it had way too much corn. The beans and rice were good as well. For drinks I had a texas margarita, which I enjoyed because typically they add too much OJ but they use an orange liqueur instead. I also had a house margarita which was pretty decent. We also all had an El Jimador resposado shot. Overall Ally was amazing, the food was decent, and the drinks were pretty solid. And we didn't win twice, boo, lol.

Cherron May

Google
Vegan options - Flavorful food - Ample parking. I was not expecting much because eating out these days is usually so disappointing being overpriced and underwhelming buuut this place restored my faith a lil. My impossible chorizo vegan taco was actually so tasty, you can taste actual ingredients and seasoning! The meat eaters tacos were good too.Good serving size and worth the value… the rice and beans are yummy too. We were done dining within 45 minutes, so the service is prompt enough. They give you “tokens” and spin a wheel every hour for some interaction with guest. First of many visits to this spot.

L S

Google
Yummy drinks. Yummy tacos. Good service! Loved the tacos...I had the smoked chicken and pork cheek...so tasty!! Loved them both. I also heard the fried chicken and pulled pork were good. Loved the dip trio...good salsa, guac and queso. They have a salsa bar and huge hot sauce selection too. Skinny margarita was with lime and agave juice! Live that bc I hate sour mix.

Alexis Merritt

Google
This place has amazing food. I really enjoyed my first visit. The tacos, queso dip, and margarita were all a delight. Can't wait to come back again - also definitely try the steak taco, you won't be disappointed!

Kara Smith

Google
This restaurant has an incredible atmosphere with both indoor and outdoor dining. The staff was ready to serve with a smile and went out of their way to make sure that everyone was happy and taken care of. The food is delicious and service was prompt! You also have the opportunity to win a prize with an hourly raffle! Amazing! I will definitely be returning here to eat!

Tony B

Google
Great location. The establishment is clean and employees are very friendly. The house salsa is amazing. There’s a salsa bar of 5-6 flavor you can try. My 2nd favorite salsa is the habanero mango salsa. It could be a tad bit sweeter (the heat took over the sweetness aspect). I’m usually a steak taco Mexican style type of guy but I decided to try something different. Left taco is the fried chicken taco & the one on the right is the smoked chicken. Both FULL OF FLAVOR!! But my favorite out of the two was the fried chicken and I highly recommend it! I’ll definitely be back!