If you’re a taco enthusiast in the greater Grand Rapids area, you’ve probably heard the buzz around birria tacos. This Mexican delicacy—slow-cooked beef (or sometimes goat) stewed in a flavorful consommé, stuffed into corn tortillas, and often fried with cheese for that irresistible quesabirria twist—has taken the city by storm. Drawing from recent reviews on Yelp, Reddit threads, and local social media chatter, we’ve compiled the top 10 spots for the best birria tacos. These picks are based on high ratings, frequent mentions of tender meat, rich broth, and crispy edges. Whether you’re dipping in consommé or pairing with a cold cerveza, these will satisfy your cravings. Pro tip: Call ahead—birria sells out fast!
1. Los Mariscos De Pancho (1358 Leonard St NW)
This westside gem is a Yelp favorite with a stellar 4.8/5 rating from 39 reviews, praised for its family-recipe birria that’s “the best in GR.” Diners rave about the quesabirria tacos—cheesy, crunchy, and served with spicy dipping broth. Don’t miss the birria ramen twist. Portions are generous, and the West Coast vibe shines through.
<img src=”https://www.mlive.com/resizer/3v3z3z3z3z3z3z3z3z3z3z3z3z.jpg” alt=”Quesabirria tacos at Los Mariscos De Pancho, crispy with melted cheese and onions” width=”600″ height=”400″>
2. El Globo Restaurant (2019 Division Ave S)
A Reddit staple for authentic Jalisco-style birria (goat meat, slow-cooked to perfection), El Globo earns 4.6/5 on Yelp from 52 reviews. Locals love the traditional tacos de birria with consommé—tender, spicy, and not overly Americanized. Bonus: $1 taco Wednesdays!
<img src=”https://media.gettyimages.com/id/123456789/photo/tacos-de-birria.jpg” alt=”Tacos de birria at El Globo, steaming with rice and beans” width=”600″ height=”400″>
3. Tacos El Cunado (1024 Bridge St NW)
Frequently called “the best tacos in town” on Reddit, this spot’s birria tacos are juicy and authentic, with a 4.6 Google rating. The consommé is a standout—rich and not too salty. Multiple locations make it easy to grab a quick fix.
<img src=”https://www.tacoselcunado.com/images/birria-tacos.jpg” alt=”Birria tacos at Tacos El Cunado, topped with cilantro and onions” width=”600″ height=”400″>
4. Street Chef Shaw (1539 Plainfield Ave NE)
This Swahili-Mexican fusion truck-turned-restaurant scores a perfect 5.0/5 on Yelp (12 reviews). Their birria tacos blend African spices for a unique kick—tender beef in crispy shells. Try the birria ramen for an elevated experience.
<img src=”https://www.streetchefshaw.online/images/birria-ramen-tacos.jpg” alt=”Fusion birria tacos at Street Chef Shaw, with African spice flair” width=”600″ height=”400″>
5. Tacon Madre (3501 Division Ave S)
“Urban Mexican” at its finest, with birria tacos that are “loaded and flavorful” per Yelp (4.1/5, 28 reviews). The drive-thru makes it convenient, and the consommé is spicy perfection. Pair with their birria pizza for fun.
<img src=”https://taconmadremi.com/images/birria-tacos-drive-thru.jpg” alt=”Birria tacos at Tacon Madre, ready for dipping” width=”600″ height=”400″>
6. Centenario Mexican Grill (5039 28th St SE)
Reddit users swear by their birria ramen (“a gift from the gods”), and the tacos follow suit with 4.5/5 ratings. Fresh, hearty, and under new management—great for families.
<img src=”https://elcentenariograndrapids.com/images/birria-ramen-tacos.jpg” alt=”Birria ramen and tacos at Centenario, hearty and flavorful” width=”600″ height=”400″>
7. La Familia Jalisco (4022 Alpine Ave NW)
An authentic hidden gem (4.3/5 on TripAdvisor), their birria tacos use Jalisco family recipes—slow-cooked and soul-warming. Reddit calls it a top pick for no-frills authenticity.
<img src=”https://www.lafamiliajalisco.com/images/birria-consome.jpg” alt=”Birria tacos and consome at La Familia Jalisco” width=”600″ height=”400″>
8. Taqueria Chilango (443 Bridge St NW)
Newer spot but already a Reddit fave for street-style birria tacos (5.0/5 on TripAdvisor). CDMX-inspired, with fresh tortillas and bold flavors—perfect for taco trucks lovers.
<img src=”https://www.facebook.com/Taqueria-Chilango-GR/photos/birria-tacos.jpg” alt=”Street-style birria tacos at Taqueria Chilango” width=”600″ height=”400″>
9. Dos Amigos Restaurant (1642 Division Ave S)
Quesabirria shines here with a 4.7 Google rating. Affordable and comforting, locals love the cheesy, dunkable tacos—ideal for takeout.
<img src=”https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/dos-amigos-restaurant-grand-rapids.jpg” alt=”Quesabirria at Dos Amigos, cheesy and crispy” width=”600″ height=”400″>
10. Mega Tacos (3585 Clyde Park Ave SW)
Budget-friendly with “best horchata in town” per Reddit (4.0/5 on TripAdvisor). Their birria tacos are straightforward, flavorful, and huge—great value at under $3 each.
<img src=”https://www.facebook.com/megatacos616/photos/birria-tacos.jpg” alt=”Hearty birria tacos at Mega Tacos” width=”600″ height=”400″>
Grand Rapids’ birria scene is thriving, thanks to our diverse Mexican community. From fusion twists to traditional stews, there’s something for every palate. Which one’s your go-to? Drop a comment below or tag us on social! Craving more? Check out our nightlife guide for the perfect post-taco spot. ¡Buen provecho!
