La Pasadita has the best tacos in Miami-Dade County. Don’t expect cheffy tacos with pickled beets or balsamic drizzles. These are classic Mexican tacos like asada, al pastor, and some off-menu options like beef tongue and the crackliest, juiciest tripe tacos we’ve ever had. The corn tortillas are soft and fluffy, but strong enough to hold all the meat they pile into them. Plus, there's a little sauce bar where you can customize your toppings of cilantro, onions, sauces, and peppers.

If we are ever approached by a genie who claims to only offer restaurant-related wishes, one thing we’d ask for is more great street food tacos in Miami—maybe like the tacos LA are so blessed with. Someone apparently got to that genie before us, because Chito’s is exactly that. This food truck (the owner is from LA) is permanently parked in an outdoor space in the North end of Wynwood, near Roberto Clemente Park.

Antojitos Mexicanos Tenorio is a casual Mexican restaurant in a Kendall strip mall. They have an actual vertical spit to make tacos al pastor the right way, and they are excellent: a deep sunset red color from achiote, just a little smokey, and with a good balance of crunchy charred bits and rich juicy pieces. But don’t leave without also ordering the alambre, a sizzling fajita plate with a mix of carne asada, chorizo, ham, bacon, onions, peppers, and topped with a layer of griddled cheese.

Taqueria Viva Mexico is a casual Mexican spot on Calle Ocho with a blue exterior and colorful paper decorations hanging from the ceiling. The key here is to stay away from the more common taco variations like carne asada or al pastor (which are just alright) and instead go for the less common (at least in Miami) versions like oreja, lengua, and tripe, which this place excels at. The oreja and tripe in particular are incredibly tender and delicious.

Tacos El Porky is basically a fast food taco spot—in the best possible way. This downtown taqueria specializes in al pastor tacos shaved right off a trompo and served with pineapple, onions, a spicy red chili sauce, and their “porkie sauce” (cilantro and mayo). Those are good, but our favorite taco here is the cochi taco. It has chunks of chicharrones that are salty, fatty, crunchy, and served with pickled onions and a green chili sauce.

The Wolf of Tacos is not a taco hedge fund, but rather an al pastor pop-up making some of Miami’s finest tacos at various locations around town. The Wolf's al pastor is one of the best versions in town and comes freshly carved from a vertical spit, just how the taco gods intended. Being a pop-up, they bounce around a lot, so give their Instagram page a follow to stay informed about where you can find them next.

There are two Taqueria Morelias—one in Homestead and another in Florida City, which is just five minutes away and the better choice for tacos. This one is next to a gas station, and the best taco here is the asada. It’s rich, savory, and meaty. The al pastor is great too, but the tripe taco is too tough (for a better tripe taco, head to La Pasadita). There’s also a little condiment bar where you can add your own salsa, onions, and accouterment.

Tacos El Machine Gon is a taco truck that sets up next to a gas station on the border of North Miami Beach and Aventura—and we absolutely love everything on the small menu. Their self-titled "tacos El Machine Gon" features a triple meat combination: sliced steak, rich Mexican chorizo, and crisp yet puffy pieces of pork rind. But please don't come here without getting a costa. These tacos feature blue corn tortillas wrapped around crispy logs of griddled cheese filled with your choice of meat.

Ever had a taco so good you forgot to add lime or sauce to it? That’s what happened to us when we tried the tacos at No Manches! Que Rico. It’s a small Mexican restaurant in West Miami with a few tables in the back and a mural of Frida Kahlo reimagined as a hip high schooler. We come here for the traditional tacos like a barbacoa version so soft and tender you’ll open the taco a few times to remind yourself it’s shredded beef.

The Taco Stand is from San Diego, a city known for really great Mexican food and stuffing french fries into burritos (which they do at the Miami location too). Their Wynwood restaurant - currently open for takeout - has good carne asada and fried fish tacos. They also have a very good grilled cactus taco.