El Arriero Taqueria #2

Our next stop is taking us to an authentic taqueria in Wilmington, North Carolina that serves up massive flavor via their walk-in AND drive-thru! I love restauraunts that have drive-thru’s…it’s just an added, convenient bonus! If this spot sounds familiar, its because they have two taqueria locations, and a Mexican restaurant in Jacksonville.

A taqueria is a mexican restaurant specializing in tacos and burritos. When I see this word, I know this isn’t going to be an ordinary taco experience. They are going to offer all of my favorite, unique protein choices, and El Arriero does just this!

Here are all the mouth-watering, juicy taco fillings to choose from:

• Asada-grilled steak
• Pollo asado-grilled chicken
• Al pastor-marinated pork
• Chorizo-mexican sausage
• Carnitas-pulled pork
• Lengua-beef tongue
• Chicharron-pork rinds
• Buche-pork stomach
• Tripa-beef intestines 
• Cuerito-pork skins 

My absolute fav is the CHICHARRON! It’s a mixture of meat and fat that simply bursts in your mouth in each bite. My other fav is the el pastor. Have you noticed a theme of me loving the pork options? They know how to do pork! I repeat: they have perfected the marinating and cooking of pork meats in their tacos and it’s phenomenal.

Don’t look for lettuce, cheese, and other toppings that you are used to topping your taos in. Every taco here is dressed in a simple manner, that highlights whatever meat you choose and maximizes the FLAVOR! Diced onion, cilantro, and a lime wedge is all that tops their taco perfections. Then, a house-made red or green salsa accompanies them. They are always served on corn tortillas, but you can choose to swap them for flour. I suggest trying them in their authentic form. When you bite into a tortilla that is filled with fresh veggies, herbs, and grilled meat, it’s an undeniable experience.

More than Tacos…

Tacos arent the only things they are executing with perfection here. The homemade tortilla chips, queso, rice, and beans are amazing. They have menudo, horchata, and various flavors of aguas frescas which are such a creamy and refreshing treat. Grilled whole and half chickens are available and they are SO juicy! (This is a fav of my hubby!)

Ever had a torta? It’s a mexican sub topped with lettuce; tomato; onion; sour cream; mexican crumbled cheese; avacado; beans; and choice of meat.  WOW! I’m feeling like a trip there right now!

Forks up, food down!

-Leah

Check out El Arriero Taqueria’s locations and follow them online!

• El Arriero #1: 6932 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28411 | 910-399-2509 / 910-604-8776
• El Arriero #2: 4015 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28403 | 910-399-2509 / 910-520-9015 
• El Arriero Mexican Restaurant: 1270 Western Blvd., Jacksonville, NC 28546 | 910-333-0568

• Order Online: elarrierotaqueria.com 
• Facebook: El Arriero Taqueria 1, El Arriero Taqueria 2, El Arriero Mexican Restaurant 
• Instagram: @elarrierotaqueria @elarrieronc

Don’t miss the other Foodie articles by Leah Norman!