Toucan Taco

It's not super fancy but the tacos are delicious and the restaurant is like stepping into a time machine back into the 70s. The tacos remind me of family taco night growing up in the 90s. Super tasty! They serve beer too 🙂 Prices are very reasonable. Come check it out!

Been in Laurel for almost 10 years and never knew this place was next to the gas station.. Anyways the food was great and so was the service. Only downer was that I found the portions to be smaller than I had expected. The loaded burrito tray is small maybe 5 inch by 5 inch .

Always delicious and the best reason to visit Laurel! Love the sunken burritos, tacos, and queso. I always get to-go items after dining in, and the sunken burritos freeze great for later!

After 29 years of never visiting this establishment I went with some friends to check it out. It’s very old school in terms of decor and seating, but I think that’s what makes it special. The food was great and the sunken burrito is definitely very filling and tasty. It’s exactly what we wanted. The queso is delicious I couldn’t stop eating it. My bellies bloated after leaving tonight, you should come and leave with one too.

It doesn’t taste good. Flavor is on the lower end of mid. Staff was friendly tho. Restaurant could use a renovation. Wood paneling looks to be from 50 years ago. Price was okay. We paid around $20 for 2 tacos and a burrito. It wasn’t a lot of food. Expected better flavor for the price.

This reminded of the El Charrito tv dinners from when I was a kid. Total throw back with the interior decor. Everything was great, queso is✨ Great service. A little pricey for nostalgia.

Great food! Friendly service. When asked how spicy it was, they provided a sample. Inexpensive too! It's not pretty, but it's pretty delicious!

A hole in the wall but the food hits every time. The chips and queso are always a must order. Recommend ordering a size up every time. My son even enjoys the queso and chips. They are kid friendly. Its sit yourself as well. Highly recommend the sunken burrito and the spicy chicken.

Toucan Taco formerly known as Tippy's Taco has been a Laurel staple since the mid-1970s. I remember going there as a kid and loving the chile con queso. Since I was back in town, I decided to go back for a quick lunch. The tacos and chile con queso were just as good as my last visit 20 years ago. It's fantastic Mexican food at reasonable prices with friendly service. You can't beat it!!!

To conform, yep, I got the same stank ass attitude from the cashier, I got the same taco powder pack, I got the same dry ass white mean and I got the same flatass'nall behavior. I wanted to confirm this was the correct establishment via the comment from my previous post. I was 100% correct. This time I didn't waste my money. I let someone else opt in and they gave the same review. Such a shame.

Toucan Taco better known as Tippy's or Tippy's Taco is a Laurel staple. The name is from the Payerle's family toucan bird, Cyrano. It has been a family operated business since 1972 and a landmark to Gorman Avenue! I'm a third generation Tippy's patron. My Mom has been coming here since she was little and her Mom before. Tippy's is a family ritual and though many family members have moved away, when we are all in Laurel this is where we come. Ginger has done an amazing job at keeping her parent's restaurant identical to how we have all come to adore it. Including the tex-me menu that has been imbedded in our brains--SUNKEN BURRITO. Do yourself a favor and dump your queso on top of your sunken burrito. Do it. I dare you. We love you Tippy's!

Toucan Taco just celebrated their 50 years of being in existence! Once known as Tippy Taco's, the name change came after the franchise agreement expired and the owners decided to rename with a tribute to their pet toucan. We decided to stop by while in the area, and you can either call ahead and do a order pickup, order for a carry-out, or seat yourselves for a table service. We opted to dine-in, and ordered the following: +the San Antonio - comes with two tacos with a choice of protein, a quarter pint of chili con queso or guacamole, and salted chips or tostados; we opted for the bean and the ground beef, which came topped with lettuce, cheese, and tomatoes, in a hard shell (one can opt for a soft shell, too); we weren't asked for a choice between salted chips or tostados, and were automatically given the salted chips (which looked and tasted like broken tostada chips); the refried beans were a little overcooked so it had a hardened film on it; the ground beef was very wet +an extra taco - with the spicy chicken; this definitely had a kick, but the chicken was not even warm +a small size of guacamole - it was stated to be freshly made, but you can tell that it was made a day or two in advance due to the browning color and with its runny consistency There was a bottle of hot sauce on the table that you can use. Unfortunately, the tacos were just not that great; the shells could be more fresh, as it tasted ever-so-slightly stale. The marinades and the seasonings of the proteins were forgettable. The chili con queso tasted okay, but it wasn't smooth and sort of plastic-y, and it was clumpy throughout. Service was friendly, and I loved the retro vibes of this place, with all the parrot/bird decor. I overheard one of the customers saying that they've been coming here for years, first with their grandmother. I'm glad I was able to give this place a try, but most likely wouldn't return. Plenty of parking in their private lot. +private lot for your vehicle

I love this place. Used to go to Tippy's Tacos in College Park....for many years, and only realized the connection about 10 years ago. I don't go anywhere else for tacos or any Mexican food. Their guacamole is top notch. Even the sodas are good! I like the low key atmosphere and the staff are quite nice. Toucan Taco is the best place to go if you want good food, low key atmosphere and good people.

Had an old friend come back home to Laurel for a visit. We had to take a trip to good old Toucan Taco because he cannot get tacos this good where he lives now. It was a Friday evening, so as we began to eat the place started to get full of customers. My friend was happy to see that the decor of the restaurant had not changed since the last time he had eaten there. I ordered my usual Beef Sunken Burrito with lettuce and tomato, and a medium tub of Queso with tostadas. My friend ordered a Beef Sunken Burrito dinner with refried beans and rice. We also ordered the Beef Enchiladas. The food was as amazing as always. I absolutely love the spicy Mexican gravy. The queso was as mouthwatering as the first time I ever had the privilege to taste it. I had never had the Beef Enchiladas before, and was not disappointed. They were very tasty, and would definitely recommend them. The staff was on the money with our order, and drink refills, and made us feel extremely welcome. Always a good time when I bring a friend to the best taco house in Laurel, Maryland. If you have not experienced Toucan Taco you are doing yourself a disservice.

A family-owned staple- same great food, service, unique atmosphere for over 50 years. The queso is a must try!

Came into this haunt again for first time in a very long time. I don't get down here much. When I say that nothings change, I mean absolutely nothing. Good or bad. Crisp tostadas and glorious queso. Sunken burrito. Memory lanes. Its just their glory has worn off once you spend time in San Antonio.

Great stop for american style mexican lol. Tacos are a notch above taco bell (which isnt a slight, i happen to enjoy a crunchy beef taco from time to time). Toucan's is simple but will definitely satisfy the craving. They do have some of my favorite queso too!

Always hits the spot! I've been visiting this tasty Tex-Mex spot since I was a kid. The Toltec with rice is my go-to order. Queso with tostadas is also a favorite. Great service, delicious food, highly recommend it.

The food is good as always but for the second time now they have forgot to add my queso to my order. I always get the EL Toucan which comes with queso so not sure how they always forget

Nice neighborhood taco place. Zero atomosphere in the classical sense but the moment you walk in you will know that you are in an authentic taco place. As a vegetarian there was not a lot of choices for me but what there was tasted good. The house taco sauce is tangy and zesty with just the right amount of heat that will build up on you. I mean that in the good way. Sauce with good flavor and a heat that builds up is the holy grail. Besides feeling the border between your teeth and gums is fun.

There are some tables for dining in, but I ordered food at the counter because I was on my way to a friend's house. I ordered four tacos (a few beans and a few with beef and beans), a burrito, and a chips & queso cup. The total was $23. It took longer than expected to receive my food (about 20 min) and the person behind the counter didn't tell me how long the wait was. I wish it was clear what the menu items included instead of getting a response, "What do you want in it?" after I ask, "What's in it?" Also, I wish the menu was more clear: With three options (meat, beans, and spicy chicken), is chicken not meat, and why does chicken have to be automatically spicy? The meat is beef. Food was okay, nothing too memorable, and presentation was poor so i didn't bother with photos for a to-go order. The tacos were only $2 each so for that price point I can't complain about the quality. The salsa was in four cups and tasted familiar and extremely spicy. The chips & queso was not worth $8, I'm sorry. California Tortilla's chips & queso is pricey at $5-something and it's about the same size. Parking lot is large. The restaurant is on a one-way street.

Please go back to the old ingredients for your food. I never thought I'd have a bad experience at the greatest queso dip and sunken meat burrito establishment ever but you have changed now change back

Tippys on steroids! The tacos are loaded and have nice heat. Queso is perfection. Meat burritos, the same. Don't miss out on this gem. If you know, you know. What a surprise.

Haven't been here in years. Some of the best tacos I have ever had. Haven't found a place like it anywhere else. The facade is dated and might scare you away, but the tacos with the sauce are solid. If ever I am in that area, I will definitely go again. Glad to see it is still up and running.

Tacos here are good. Not bad, unfortunately not the best. You will not be disappointed that's for sure. Our friends were here before and said tacos were amazing, but this time something is off. Taco, burrito and chips that's what we ordered. Good taste, worth to check this place again. Prices are good.

No muss, no fuss. We always stop by here every time we're in Laurel. Today I had 3 Beef Tacos, nothing fancy, just what it is, 3 beef tacos served in a basket with a side of Queso.

Going here for years since 2012! support Toucan Taco. They are clean. They are good! My go to is the Shredded Chicken tacos. Be sure to ask for sour cream and their homemade hot salsa (it is HOT but so Good. BewAre). Since the shut down , I've been here at least 5 times (safely). Tacos are the best. (Don't recommend chili but the tacos are to good to care)

The only offer a few things and they are all spicy. They offer spicy ground beef or chicken. The burritos are ok but the quesadilla was horrible. They use bagged chips with the queso. The atmosphere gets zero stars.

I have heard so many people rave about this place. I was so excited to visit Toucan but admittedly was incredibly disappointed. Don't expect real cutlery. Everything is served on/in something disposable. The food tastes like salt and pepper. That's about it. There's nothing noteworthy about the flavor at all. The waitress was nice. That's probably the only good thing about the place. The atmosphere was also pretty terrible. This place could use a face lift and a kitchen/menu overhaul.

After 7 years of living in Maryland, my only regret is not visiting this place sooner. Toucan Taco is a hidden gem and you ought to regret your life choices if you don't try their tacos and smothered burritos. It's a frankly easy to miss hole in the wall, but don't miss it. They have really, really good food, very affordable prices, and quick service too. I would definitely recommend the spicy chicken and meat for anything, and the beans are good too. Despite the meat focus, they are vegetarian friendly. The queso/chili doesn't have meat (think chili pepper) and is a little addictive. I'm definitely limiting myself there...I haven't tried the desserts or enchiladas yet, but you seriously cannot go wrong with the tacos. They are closed Sundays and Mondays, but otherwise are open pretty much anytime after 11am. Absolutely perfect for a quick lunch, but I'm down for Toucan any time.

This place has the worst "Mexican food" I've ever had. I would say that the food ain't shit but it really is shit. The food was either too salty or too spicy. I did enjoy the fountain soda and the waitress was very nice.

This was my favorite local place and the one restaurant I would miss from this area when I move across the country in a year, but the change in management here has made it easy to leave now. Over the past year or so, my family and I noticed the portion sizes got smaller, but the food was so delicious it was still worth it. However, we have now found it impossible to eat here since the hours changed and they often close early unannounced. After craving the food for a week and being disappointed they closed before we got there earlier in the week (we did not realize the hours had changed since our last visit as we often do not dine out on week days), we finally made it in on the weekend an hour before closing after calling to confirm first. As we seated ourselves, the waiter told us they couldn't serve us as they were closing and they would not be taking out order, despite the fact it was well before the posted closing time and we called before we came to confirm. We asked if we could just take the order to go and then received two different reasons for their inability to take our order with one saying they were significantly behind on orders and the other saying they were out of most items (which the first did not mention at all). It is a shame since my family and I love the food and I always used to recommend this place, but it is the end of an era for my family and we won't be back since the service here has seriously gone down the drain.

I've lived in laurel my whole life and last week was my first time trying them. I got the tacos beef and chicken. Everyone said It was really spicy. But It was fine. The Queso is okay. People made It seem to be super good. But It was average. Prices are far.

Delicious cheese sauce and I like the crunchy tacos. The vibe is very homey and cozy. I got the meat tacos and my friend got the spicy chicken, next time I would opt for rice and beans!

I first visited Toucan Taco in their previous life (Tippy's) back in 1983. It is still one of my favorite places for lunch. The food and service are top notch and the best part is nothing has changed in almost 40 years. Their queso is the best. Sunken Combo burrito, San Antonio, everything on the menu tastes as good as ever. Yeah, it's not a fancy place, but you do not go there for the atmosphere, you go for the Mexican food.

This is the best service you'll have. It's a very friendly/nice atmosphere and the staff is extremely welcoming. The food here is very good for the price. You're not getting authentic mexican tacos or anything fancy but an Americanized version of it. Nonetheless, the food is great and the price can't be beat. I discovered this place almost 2 weeks ago and have been here about 6 times since.

Been coming here since I was a kid. Just like any local, I still call you guys Tippys! Never disappointed, ever. I'm a creature of habit and always order my sunken beef burrito and a small queso. love you guys!

I have been eating Toucan Taco since I was 8years old! I am 43 now and I drive an HOUR from Calvert county to enjoy this whenever I can. My father has always called the queso "liquid gold" because of the great flavor. I LOVE this place and the food. Not many place you can go and get seasoned food. Everything is always so bland. I highly recommend trying this food, especially if you like spicy... enjoy the hot sauce... YUM!!!

Toucan taco is where you want to go for crispy, crunchy tacos in Laurel. I like the ground beef but the spicy chicken is good too. Queso is WONDERFUL, but a bit on the salty side. Do be sure to ask for a container ( or two if you ask nicely! ) of the hot sauce, it adds a lovely kick. I always "take out " and they'll have it ready if you call in advance. Why is it I always want to go there on Mondays? So be sure to plan!

I wanted to check this restaurant out for years and today was the day we decided to go. Everyone was friendly and affordable but the food is horrible!! Being part Mexican I expected food to taste better and it didn't. I had the enchiladas with beans and was only able to have one bite. The cheese they use tastes like Cheese Wiz, YUCK!!! Couldn't eat any of my meal. They boast to have been in business since 1972 and honestly I don't know how! Definitely not returning!

Little hole on the wall that has been in Laurel forever. They have the best queso I have tasted... Their sunken meat burrito is amazing. The place doesnt look like much but the food is worth the visit.

My husband is from Austin and really wanted to try this place and he was not disappointed. If you're interested in locally sourced haute cuisine this place isn't for you. But if you want no frills nostalgic Tex-Mex (great queso!) served with a smile you'll love this place.

This is fine - exactly what you'd expect it is, but certainly a place worth stopping by for a quick taco. We had the chicken tacos with the side of guac and queso. The best part by far was the taco meat - it was shredded and in a tasty sauce. They call it spicy, but I didn't find it too bad. The hot sauce was also very good - more flavorful than on fire, but just the right amount of heat. The chips and the taco shells were industry-standard - I can't image they are made on premise. We went with the hard corn tacos, but soft flour ones were available too. I tend to like my tacos on soft corn tortillas, but they didn't offer them. $8 per person for two tacos, chips and guac or cheese was a pretty good deal. And I think it's safe to say we got what we paid for. I was hoping for something special though, so left a little disappointed.

Toucan is a dive in the best way. Great food, nice staff. Perfect for take out.

When I was a kid and this was Tippy's taco it was the bomb. It has gone way down hill. The taco's and queso are still awesome, but everything else has gone downhill. The prices are VERY HIGH for a being on the run down side. It has always been a dive, but now it is a dive in need of work. The staff are always friendly and fast, but do tend to forget that you are present. Get the taco's and get out.

Classic hole-in-the-wall / dive place. Awesome if that's your thing. It's like tacos you'd throw together at home for yourself in 5 minutes. $1.90 a taco. Wonderful friendly staff. The spicy chicken and spicy sauce at the table is spicy but yummy.

First time there today and I wasn't very impressed. Place is dirty and the food is 3 times the price of Taco Bell and only 1/4th better. I actually prefer Taco Bell over this based on selection and cleanliness. The staff was exceptionally friendly. Cost $27 bucks for small queso dip, 2 tacos, 1 small beef quesadilla, 1 large chicken quesadillas, and 1 coke. Spend a little more and go to Uncle Julio's and you will leave full and clean. All 3 of us who are there are sick to our stomachs now and been on the toilet!!

Great place for tacos! Great pit stop after golfing, complete with cold beer! Absolutely love their nacho cheese sauce/dip, and the chips are always fresh. On my most recent trip I had the chicken quesadilla... it was spicier/hotter then expected.

Someone once said "You Can Never Go Home Again". For me, that sadly seems to be true. I recall many happy visits to the "Tippy's Taco House" in the 1970's while I was a student at Maryland. So, the wife and I decided to re-live our College days by a visit to the follow-on to Tippy's: Toucan Taco in Laurel. We longed for the previously unforgettable "Cheese Enchiladas with Rice and Gravy". Also ordered a couple of Tacos and some chips with Chili-Con-Queso. While we waited, we ordered Corona beer.The beer was quick, and cold ( no glass, we were presented with the bottles at the table ). In a little while the chips with Chili-Con-Queso arrived. At first I thought the queso was lacking bits of tomato and chile, but I found them at the bottom of the styrofoam serving container; the mixture was pretty salty to my taste. I will admit to scraping out every bit of the cheese from the bottom of the small styrofoam container. The Tacos did fit my memory from years ago. The tacos were in pre-formed, pre-baked tortillas, some ground meat mixture in the bottom, with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes on the top. Pretty standard fare, BUT the sauce on the table was the greatest! This was a clearly recognizable flavor from forty years ago, I can't characterize the flavor, but it is unlike any commercial sauce I have encountered on store shelves. The well-remembered love-of-our-lives, the "Cheese Enchiladas with Rice and Gravy", showed up next. As in years past, it was still served in the soft-aluminum foil container with plastic utensils. (A fork, but no spoon... I remember that spoon for scooping up all the delicious gravy.) Well, this is the part where you can never go home again: The gravy about which I had been reminiscing was not in this serving. The original gravy had been a cheese-enhanced white sauce. We purchased two servings of Cheese Enchiladas: The stand-alone serving of enchiladas was covered with a thin-red enchilada sauce. The order of Cheese Enchiladas with beans and rice was baked and seemed to have no liquid sauce or gravy. So, I guess our expectations were a little too lofty... Or maybe the memory had grown to unrealistic proportions. In either case, we were not that impressed. I am glad we tried the place... Now we know.

One of the few places in Maryland I really miss. Hole in the wall place with outstanding food and service . Menu is simple but affected. Queso is liquid gold.

They say they close at 9:00 PM and I get there at 8:40 PM and I knock on the door, and they just look at me and laugh, then I call them on the phone and they say that they are all out of food, now that's just rude!

Love this place great tacos and queso! Just went for lunch today and most of the time we get take out but it's delicious no matter how you eat it!

I guess my expectations were way too high....... this is a Mexican restaurant that doesn't even make its own chips. Really? You get a small plastic bag filled with mostly broken and semi stale chips. Tacos were so-so.....no cheese on mine but menu said it came with. I got carry out and didn't look until I was back at work. Very underwhelming........ not much of a reason to go back.

This place is the worst place i have Ever had eaten at. I ordered the chicken enchiladas. The tortillas were stale and they were submerged in a watery sauce that was not cheese. The chicken was cold inside the tortilla and the cheese that was in top was half hard half melted. My wife order the cheese enchiladas but her's the cheese was not even melted all the cheese was cold and hard. I forgot to take a picture to post .

I've been coming here since way back in the late 1970's, when it was still Tippy's Tacos (my family still calls it Tippy's)! I live in Baltimore, and don't get down there as often as I'd like. I have to say right off the bat that this place is NOT for everybody. If you're looking for "authentic Mexican" food, then this place is not for you. If you're looking for a "Latin American" restaurant, then this place is not for you. If you're looking for anything remotely resembling a "fancy restaurant," then this place is not for you. IF, however, you're looking for some really great, if admittedly non-complex, Tex-Mex food, then I'd strongly suggest you at least give this place a shot. My absolute favorite: the sunken meat burrito. Very yummy, and I LOVE the mystery gravy! Next favorite would be the meat tacos. The chili con queso is possibly the best I've ever had, and while I like the hot sauce in the big generic ketchup/mustard squeeze containers, I just wish it were hotter. I love the food so much, I usually end up ordering a combo dinner then, sitting back wondering what else I might order since I'm not sure how long it will be before I'm back....

Worst place ever. I would only eat here if I ordered takeout. Waitress was terrible. She never even introduced herself. Just asked what we wanted. Then, after ordering, we could here the staff in the back cursing and carrying on. Zero customer service. I would give 0 stars if I could.

Again, middle of the road review. Let me say, I only ordered tacos. They were good but I could use a little less salt. But then again I never add salt to anything. The gentleman in front of me ordered 30 tacos (he said every week), so they do have a following. My only objection was the mini taco shell. What? But once pass that, they were good. Reminds me of the old Toucan Cantina. Next time I will try the enchilada, beans and rice.