Austin. Los Angeles. Fort Worth. Baltimore? Watch out big boys, Charm City’s Taco scene comes into its own.

ove over, Austin and L.A.! From Highlandtown to Parkville to Pikesville, Charm City is beginning to rival the taco titans. Yes, Baltimore is better known for its Bergers and Bohs, but with growing Hispanic and Latino communities—that more than doubled from 2005 to 2015, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau statistics—we’re also a boomtown for all manner of this street food believed to have been invented by Mexican silver miners. Whether we’re talking tacos de lengua (tongue) at Clavel in Remington or tacos al pastor (slow-braised pork) at Cocina Luchadoras in Upper Fells, it’s hard to swing a churro without hitting a taco in Baltimore. In fact, almost every menu in town—even fine-dining spots—has some type of taco. And it’s not just us. Tacos have become so ubiquitous in America, in fact, that U.S retail sales of tacos are about $2.5 billion according to Rockland-based Packaged Facts. Lately, Mexico has been on everyone’s mind (ahem), but the beauty of tacos is that they’re a bipartisan issue. It’s the sheer versatility and the mix-and-match potential of this fare that makes it something we can all agree on. “It breaks down barriers when you’re not using utensils,” says Carlos Raba, co-owner and chef at Clavel. “Tacos are comfort food, and anything you eat with your hands is fun.” So, whether you like yours gringo-style (hard shell, ground beef, shredded lettuce and cheddar, sour cream) or favor the real deal (house-made tortillas, plus every part of a pig), you’ll have no trouble finding something that appeals on these pages. Welcome to Taco Town, hon!

[Editor's Note: Since publication, El Pollo Real, El Gringo, No Way Jose, and Pop Taco's have closed.]