The hunt for the best taco truck in Santa Rosa
By: Natalia Forests and Maya Ferrari, A&E and Features editors
Taco trucks– a vital yet often overlooked staple in the food industry. Lucky for us, there are over 50 taco trucks in Santa Rosa, each unique in taste, quality, and selection. We decided to choose three taco trucks from all around Santa Rosa and rank them. We started with our “control” variable, the classic three tacos– chicken, carne asada, and al pastor. The next factor to judge would be different for each taco truck– we decided to order the taco truck’s specialty, and if they didn’t have one, we let the server pick it for us. We analyzed different factors of each truck, including menu variety, price, and taste, and came up with interesting results.
Third Place: El Roy’s Express Mex, 2728 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
El Roy’s Express Mex is by far the most renowned truck on this list. With over five locations in Santa Rosa, they’ve earned a name for their mobile spin on a Mexican restaurant with fresh ingredients and delicious tacos. They’ve been voted “Best Taco Truck” for ten years in a row by The Press Democrat– and in 2024 also won the categories for Best Taco, Best Burrito, and Best Meal Under $20. There were undoubtedly high hopes for our first visit, but unfortunately, the flavor didn’t quite meet the expectations. The tacos were our first test. At less than $3 each, this was the most reasonably priced option of the three. However, the tacos themselves lacked overall flavor. The al pastor shone through as the best, but wasn’t nearly as good as the other trucks. For our featured item, we asked the worker what his favorite item was, and he recommended a gordita– a Mexican dish made of masa and stuffed with beans, cheese, chicken, and vegetables. Priced at about $4, it was good and much more well-rounded in flavor, but still didn’t stand out. Overall, El Roy’s is a decent, affordable place, but not our favorite option.
Second Place: Tacos Iniguez, 460 Mission Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95409
This taco truck can be found in the parking lot of El Torito’s Supermarket. We started with the three taco options, and they were all equal in goodness, but the chicken option stood out as the best. The tacos were moderately priced, each at $3.50, but it was worth it. But even beyond the tacos, this truck had plenty of options, with tacos, burritos, fajitas, fries, nachos, and birria– something for everyone. We ordered the vegetarian burrito, which was the highlight of this experience. As non-vegetarians, we would consistently choose this over another burrito any day. Filled with guacamole, sour cream, rice, beans, cheese, and lettuce, it was a pleasant surprise, adding a freshness to the meal. It’s often difficult to find vegetarian options at taco trucks, and so this truck did something right with this. We opted for the churros for dessert, and the warm, fresh dough was a perfect end to the meal. In addition, Iniguez is located on Mission Boulevard, close to Maria Carrillo High School, so feel free to stop by to grab delicious tacos.
First place: Tacos San Juan, 1400 Farmers Ln, Santa Rosa, CA 95405
Coming in at number one is a place with the perfect combination of flavor, quality, and service– Tacos San Juan. Stationed right off Farmers Lane, this truck is mainly known for their quality birria, but we praised it for its exquisite tacos. We again started with our three classic tacos, which were perfectly crafted. The mild salsa added the perfect amount of spice without overpowering the meat. But the show's star was the al pastor, which is hard to perfect, but San Juan did it. The marinated pork had bits of onions mixed in, adding the perfect freshness to the taco. Though a bit on the pricey side– each taco at $4– the price was worth it. Even aside from the food, San Juan is the perfect taco spot. There was a place to sit down and enjoy your food, and the service was excellent, making for a delightful experience.
Overall, there are many amazing food truck options in Santa Rosa. Tacos Iniguez, Tacos San Juan, and El Roys are all great choices; however, the intense and perfectly paired flavors we found eating at Tacos San Juan make it the best option yet.