10 of Sydney’s top taco specials (spoiler: they’re not all on Tuesdays)
On the hunt for a bargain taco? We’ve wrapped up the city’s best deals, many including cut-price margaritas, too.
No matter what trials and tribulations we face, it’s virtually impossible to be sad when you’re holding a taco in your hand. That is, until you see the bill after smashing six of them.
In our latest edition of Specials board, we’re here to taco ’bout Sydney’s best tortilla-wrapped fillings going for $6 and under.
Of course, you can’t have tacos without a cold margarita – you can find them here for as little as a tenner. Clear Tuesday in your calendar.
Carbon
If a holiday in Cabo is out of reach, taco Tuesday in Bondi is a good runner-up. Carbon is serving four different tacos for $5 each, as well as the best-value margarita in town for $10. From 5pm to 10pm, try the fall-apart beef cheek filling with burnt onion cream and crispy sweet potato, or perhaps the seasonal mushrooms with guajillo chilli. Bring the whole crew to share their special one-litre classic, chilli or coconut margarita jugs for $69.
288 Bondi Road, Bondi, carbonmexican.com.au
La Farmacia
This speakeasy taco den puts on a taco Tuesday slinging $4 tacos inspired by the city of Guadalajara. Go straight for the traditional crowd-pleasing al pastor with spit-grilled adobo pork shoulder and pineapple. The deal includes the special taco of the month; in September, it’s the juicy “quesabirria” taco with a side of beef consomme for dipping. Taco Tuesday here also coincides with a two-for-one classic margarita deal that runs Tuesday to Thursday.
81 Stanley Street, Darlinghurst, lafarmaciasydney.com
Vandal Taqueria
Taco Tuesday at this “unauthentic” vegan joint in Newtown offers the entire taco spread for just $4 each from 5pm onwards. Get among the plant-based fusion flavour combos, such as crispy eggplant with miso and fermented chilli barbecue sauce, or roasted pumpkin with toasted pecans, caramelised pear vinaigrette and Pedro Ximenez currants. The entire range of margaritas is $15 on Tuesdays, too. Our pick is the pina colada-inspired coconut and pineapple marg.
403 King Street, Newtown, vandalsydney.com.au
Alma
Wednesday is the new Tuesday at this elegant beachside Mexican restaurant. Alma’s taco Wednesday deal has all tacos going for $5 and margaritas for $15. Try the slow-cooked pork carnitas with avocado and salsa verde, or their burnt avocado number. Take the opportunity to try the excellent range of margaritas, such as the spicy margarita with jalapeno-infused tequila.
47 Old Barrenjoey Road, Avalon Beach, almaavalon.com.au
SoCal
Perch yourself on the rooftop on Tuesdays at SoCal to get $4 tacos and sip on $15 margaritas. Come hungry to try as many of the seven tacos on offer. These include two vegan fillings: crispy zucchini, or a poblano chilli and sugarloaf cabbage combo. The next toughest decision is whether to choose a classic, Tommy’s or a spicy margarita.
1 Young Street, Neutral Bay, socalsydney.com.au
El Rey
El Rey brings taco Tuesday vibes to the end of the working week with its taco Thursday special. From noon until late, feast on a selection of nine tacos for $5 each. Highlights include the picante cameron taco with grilled prawn, pickled onion, cabbage and chipotle mayo, or the chimmi chorizo enveloping chimichurri, chorizo, crispy cheese and avocado mousse. Time it for happy hour (4pm-6pm) to score $12 drinks from the entire cocktail list.
1 Kingsway, Cronulla, delavina.com.au/el-rey
Gitano
At this luxe Mexican opening, taco Tuesday is inspired by the shores of Tulum, without the Double Bay prices. Tacos sell for $6 every Tuesday night, featuring the comforting birria, or battered snapper with chipotle aioli and green tomato pico de gallo. The good times keep rolling with $12 house margaritas and $6 Tecate beer.
Shop 2/53 Cross Street, Double Bay, gitanosydney.com.au
El Primo Sanchez
At Oxford Street’s favourite funky spot for tequila, tacos and boogies, tacos are flying off the pass for $5 a pop. Don’t look past the deluxe take on an el pastor, with pork belly marinated in achiote adobo, salsa verde, onion, coriander and pineapple; or the roasted zucchini piled with pico de gallo, salsa macha (chilli oil with spices and peanuts) and ricotta. Throughout September, the first five customers to order a taco on Wednesdays get a free paloma cocktail. See you at 5pm.
27-33 Oxford Street, Paddington, elprimosanchez.com
La Tamaleria
Owner Rosa Cienfuegos has championed traditional Mexican cuisine through her famous tamales, and her tacos are just as delicious. Every Tuesday, sample her collection for $5 each. Whether you order the beef brisket suadero, the carnitas, or the vegan soy-based “fish” taco, all call for generous sprinkles of coriander, onion, lime juice and Cienfuegos’ range of house-made salsas. End on a sweet note with the cooling horchata cup.
463 Marrickville Road, Dulwich Hill, mexicanfoodaustralia.com
Chula
This breezy modern Mexican joint offers a $5 taco menu every Tuesday. Chula is known for its seafood offerings, so try the crisp barramundi with chipotle aioli, cabbage and pickled onion. Other highlights include juicy four-hour braised guajillo chicken.
7/33 Bayswater Road, Potts Point, chula.com.au
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Isabel Cant is a freelance food writer.