Pa’ Tacos El Papi

This truck is amazing! I have been searching for legit tacos in Virginia since leaving California 2 years ago and finally checked out this truck. Mind blown. The tacos are simple and perfect. The service is excellent.

Delicious! Best authentic tacos in the area! Made fresh in front of you; so call ahead because it takes about ¹⁵⁄₂₀ min!!! Customer service is awesome!

Probably the best street tacos in the city. Very friendly chefs! The lengua was so tender and mild in taste, the asada had an amazing flavor and the mixta was just as amazing! Coming back with friends for more soon. Also, don’t forget the homemade horchata.

On point every time… Not once has it been bad. I could live off these things that’s how good it is.

I’ve finally found my favorite taco truck!!! Pa’ Tacos El Papi is located on Columbia Pike & Jefferson, right in front of a residential building on a side street. It’s not easy to miss, as you’ll see a nice long line of loyal patrons. The menu is short and sweet, offering 6 different types of tacos: Al Pastor, Carne Asada, Pollo, Mixto (chorizo and asada), Lengua, and Chorizo. I tried the Carne Asada, the Pollo, the Mixto, and the Chorizo — they all come in a slightly-​fried, double-​layer of corn tortillas, filled with a generous amount of juicy & tasty meat, and topped with diced white onions (I opted out of cilantro); it also comes with a side of lime and sliced radish (they’re already seasoned!), and cups of green and habanero sauce. My favorite was the Mixto and the Carne Asada, the Mixto having that nice salty kick from the chorizo, but still not having to miss out on those carne asada chunks; the hubs was a fan of their Al Pastor. That red habanero sauce? MAN! While it was hardcore spicy, it was super flavorful and yummy and added a great kick to the tacos. We were such huge fans that we shoved them all in our mouths and finished in about 5 minutes, and then went back to get ANOTHER round of tacos AHAHAHA Mr. Luis and Mr. Gabriel were both sooo unbelievably professional, oh-​so-​sweet, and very detail-​oriented; they both made sure that everything was satisfying (which it totally was!)! Just note that this is cash-​only. Definitely check Pa’ Tacos El Papi out — if you’re craving for authentic, delicious, addicting tacos, check them out — you won’t be disappointed!!! :D
+Mixto taco
+Carne Asada taco
+red habanero sauce
+ask for Mr. Luis and Mr. Gabriel: D
+cash only
+limited curbside parking in front of residential area

Customer service has always been great. The chicken tacos are fantastic and I have to stop myself from coming too often. The spicy tomatillo sauce is a must-​try.

Amazing tacos! My first time trying them and it was love at first taste lol I ordered 5 different tacos and as I waited for mine, the cook gave me one to try for free! The two men are so sweet and generous! They make you feel welcomed. The tacos de lengua are my absolute fave! Authentic Mexican tacos for sure! Definitely going back for more!

Great little food truck located on a side road off Columbia Pike. On my quest to find the best tacos in the DMV area, this certainly is one of my top places. Rivaling even the tacos I had on my trip to Mexico!
The staff are very friendly, and efficient; as one will see that sometimes they receive groups of time people at time.
Definitely will be going again!

I was blown away by this place. They do the food truck the right way. Great attitude, GREAT tacos, and very fair prices. It was my first time and they immediately knew and gave me a taco to try on the house. That’s it. I was hooked. The sauces and onions and everything that you can get on the side blend perfectly when you add them. These guys are passionate about what they do and super friendly. I will be returning to this place frequently and I recommend them for sure.

Great Mexican tacos! It was my first time there and they were very nice to me! I’ll definitely be back! :)

The service here is friendly and nice. Even when they are busy the tacos come out in a timely manner. The tacos and sauces taste really good too. Very convenient location here on Columbia Pike. Support local business!

I stumbled upon this place when I was around the corner and saw it on Unilocal,and managed to get there within 20 minutes of closing. Tucked away on a small but visible side street off the Pike, this place is a winner. They were out of the pollo tacos when I visited, which was disappointing, but the $ 2 carne asada tacos were definitely pleasers. The tortillas were perfect – neither dry nor greasy – and they include two side sauces (I recommend the spicier orange hot sauce) for your palate’s delight. I’m normally not a fan of cilantro (read: I LOATHE cilantro) but I said yes to cilantro on these tacos and was pleasantly surprised that it worked. That in itself makes this place great.
Anytime you see Jarritos soda in the glass bottle, you know you’re probably at an authentic Mexican establishment. They had my favorite flavor, mandarin.
In short, two thumbs up. I’ll be back!

I’m so glad I found these guys close to where I live. I’m from California and have been missing authentic Mexican tacos. I like the al pastor and the lengua, but they’re all good (I haven’t tried the chicken though). The pickled habanero and onion salsa is my new favorite thing

You can’t get closer to authentic tacos in Northern Virgina than This taco truck! These guys have the right sauces, the perfectly seasoned meat, the right toppings and the right corn tortillas (double layered of course). Try the carne asada and the chorizo… soo good!
Tip/​bring cash!

Have tried Mexican food all around the dmv area! After coming across this food truck i had to stop by and get something! Saw the menu and they only sold tacos! They had my favorite alpastor! I ordered one just to try it out! Very kind people! When I got the taco it was 100% authentic! With two tortillas and cilantro and onions on the top of the alpastor! After taking s bite! U could taste the pineapple and all the flavor of the pork! Very tasty and very recommended! After that one taco I ordered 6 to go all of each kind! I highly recommend trying it out! I will be back.

Found this hole in the wall food truck down the street from my house after me and my roommate were craving tacos.
The pork tacos are simply amazing (5 stars) and very tasty, while the beef and beef tongue, I’d give 3.5 and 3 stars, respectively. Unlike the food truck next to the Food Star on George mason and Columbia pike, the corn tortillas were fresh and not greasy (and authentic according to my Mexican roommate). I also got the apple soda drink in a glass bottle which was pretty awesome as well.
The one thing I found a bit odd was we decided to eat there and they reused plates that were wrapped in plastic food storage bags. Overall it was sanitary, but it just wasn’t what I am used to.
I’d definitely go back for more when they reopen on Wednesday but probably get it to go. The pork tacos at $ 2 each and sidral mundet apple soda make for a cheap and delicious fast food alternative.

This truck is awesome. I’ve passed it for months and never really paid attention. I’ve always wanted some true authentic Mexican tacos and this place has them. Go for the MIXTO!!!

Pa’ Tacos El Papi is a taco truck on Columbia Pike, near the county line. I’ve seen it for a while and finally had a chance to visit. The man and woman running the truck were very friendly.
I ordered two al pastor tacos and one chicken taco. I agree with the other reviewer-​chicken was a bit bland, and maybe needs a marinade or more seasoning. Al pastor tacos are much more flavorful, as the meat is more seasoned. I plan on trying a carne asada one soon. All the typical accompaniments – lime, radish, cucumber, salsa verde, and salsa rojo were present. At $ 2 each ($ 2.50 for lengua), you can’t go wrong with these tasty tacos.

Same owners as the famous El Chilango. Cheaper prices at only $ 2 per taco. The people were very friendly and happy much like the original truck. Ingredients seemed fresh. Just the chicken was cubed and very bland. Reminded me of Taco Bell. Not feeling it. Sucks that there’s no veggie option.
I’ll have to swing by to try one of the other 5 flavors. But honestly, if you’re solely in the taco business and only have like 6 varieties, you don’t have much leeway to serve mediocre products. A minimal menu usually means more attention and care invested into each item. So the fact that I didn’t like a pretty basic style taco at a taco truck is unfortunate.
But for the overall clean appearance, friendly service, and me only trying one menu item, I’ll give them a chance to impress me in the future and give a rating of 3.

Best tacos in town ! 100% authentic, food is delicious unlike other trucks this truck is sparkling clean and each worker is very polite and presentable. If you want REAL Mexican tacos this is the place to go !