See also: BK Best Eats 2015: Bangkok's top Mexican restaurants


Credit: Tacos Factory Facebook

Tacos Factory

This yellow kiosk is run by two kids from Thammasat’s liberal arts faculty whose mantra is “We cook for our friends.” Fittingly, the place has a quiet, friendly vibe, while some dishes add slightly tacky touches supposedly for local tastes, as in the Pizza Tacos (B139). More classic offerings include the soft/hard shell tacos (B69), quesadilla (B150), nacho set with cheese, sour cream and salsa (B99) and guacamole set (B109). Catering services are also available.
Sanannapa, Ari Soi 1, 086-884-3720. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-9pm, Sat 2pm-9pm. BTS Ari. ow.ly/QsgwE

Express Mexican Food

After many years’ kitchen experience in his hometown Mexico City and also in Chicago, Martin Gutierrez and his Thai wife have opened this new kiosk in Phra Khanong’s W-District. As the name suggests, the place serves quick and traditional Mexican dishes (from B80-B220) made with local produce. Tacos, burritos, nachos and quesadillas come in chicken, pork, meat or vegetarian fillings.
W-District, Sukhumvit Soi 69-71. Open daily 4pm-11pm. BTS Phra Khanong. ow.ly/Qsh9L
 

Taco Taxi

Nana nightclubbers have a new place for a late-night feed. Parked in front of the Ambassador Hotel, this food truck is not at all hard to spot, with its bright yellow paint job and matching table sets. Operated by the same people behind the soi’s Tex-Mex establishment Charley Brown’s Mexicana, here you can expect the same tacos (B60 each) with fillings like shredded chicken or beef, pork al pastor, yucatan pork, crispy bacon and jalapeno prawns. You can choose between hard and soft shell, or add an extra B10 for the double-decker option (both shells glued together with refried beans). The truck also sells so-called Mexican smoothies (B100), aka frozen margaritas, in lime, strawberry and passion fruit flavors.
In front of Ambassador Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 086-787-8064. Open Mon-Sat 8:30pm-3:30am. BTS Nana
 

Casa Azul

Set in a small blue house toward the end of Soi Ari, Casa Azul’s funky, casual vibe and daily deals like Taco Tuesday and Friday ladies’ night have seen it quickly become a favorite among local residents. Themed and named after Frida Kahlo’s house in Mexico City, the setting is certainly lively thanks to wall paintings and other brightly colored art pieces. From the compact menu, expect staples like nachos (starting at B290), burritos with fillings like smoked pork, grilled chicken and grilled veg (starting at B200) and quesadillas (starting at B200). Also keep an eye on the chalkboard menu’s daily specials like tamales (Mexican steamed corn-dough wrap, B150), fish tacos (B250) and tuna burrito (B300). The bar naturally packs plenty of booze, too.
2/23 Phahon Yothin Soi 7 (Ari), 02-619-5107. Open daily 11am-midnight
 

Cactus

Cactus is co-owned by a Le Cordon Bleu graduate, who’s based his specialty tacos on traditional Mexican recipes. The truck’s offerings include the special flour tortilla chips with salsa (B60) or guacamole (B100), tacos (two per serving) with fillings like chicken tinga (B160), al pastor (pork, B180), shredded beef (B200) and the vegetarian cocoa bean, corn and zucchini (B150). Or opt for the trio option (one each of chicken, pork and beef) at B300. We’re impressed not only with the flour and corn tortilla, made in-house from scratch, but also the salsas ranging from sweet-and-sour pineapple to hot and smoky.
Currently parked mainly on Suan Phlu Soi 8 from 6:30pm, the truck is also a regular at Silom Soi 8’s newly-opene Whiteline bar and gallery every Friday. See ow.ly/QyXxc for details.
 

La Monita Urban Cantina

This sleek new mall branch of the much-loved Mexican joint aims to elevate people’s expectations of the cuisine. Chef/owner Billy Bautista’s menu goes well beyond fastfood burritos and tacos, serving up plenty of modern twists, seasonal dishes and high-quality ingredients, alongside Latin craft cocktails and a decent view from Emquartier’s sixth floor. Creative ingredients are added to Mexican classics; think braised beef tongue tacos (B165), duck carnitas quesadillas (B380) and guacamole made with pineapple (B195) or mango (B220). We love the indulgent melting cheese dip (starting at B350), which you can have topped with house-made Longanisa pork sausage (B420)—like a quesadilla turned up to 11.
6/F, The Helix Quartier, The Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6238. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Phrom Phong
 

Two Angels Tacos

Named after two cities of angels, Los Angeles and Bangkok, this colorfully painted truck serves up specialty tacos. Pattanapong Sakduang has partnered up with LA-born Le Cordon Bleu graduate Chris Ostray, who formerly worked at LA names like Pigg, Wexlers’ Deli, Wood and Wine and Bastide before landing in Thailand and working with Chiang Mai’s Rustic and Blue. The tacos here are served with corn tortillas, made using imported corn masa from California. Fillings include classics like al pastor (pork) and carne asada (beef), as well as Thai twists like gai yang somtam (grilled chicken with papaya salad) and tom yum gung, all priced at B60 each. Other than tacos, they serve choriqueso (open tortilla with Mexican chorizo and melted cheese, B100), shrimp ceviche on tostada (B150) and some meattopped fries (B150).
Popping up around town in locations like Soi Rangnam and Soi Thonglor. See www.fb.com/TwoAngelsTacos for details.