South Jersey Tacos Shine in NJ.com's Latest Rankings

From Atlantic City to Hammonton, local taco spots earn high praise in statewide list

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:04pm

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A high-contrast silkscreen print of a single taco shell repeated in a grid pattern, rendered in bold neon colors and heavy black outlines to create a modern pop art interpretation of a classic taco ingredient.Vibrant and playful taco-themed pop art celebrates the diverse flavors and ingredients that make South Jersey's taco scene so dynamic.Vineland Today

NJ.com's latest ranking of the 39 best tacos in New Jersey features several standout options from South Jersey, with an Atlantic City taqueria taking the bronze medal. While the list highlights some local favorites, the article also spotlights a few under-the-radar gems that the author believes deserve more recognition.

Why it matters

Tacos have become a beloved culinary staple across New Jersey, and this ranking shines a light on the thriving taco scene in South Jersey communities. The article not only celebrates the region's top-ranked tacos, but also encourages readers to explore lesser-known local taco spots that may be worthy of more attention.

The details

NJ.com's food writer Pete Genovese and his team evaluated 39 of the best tacos across the state, with seven South Jersey spots making the list. The highest-ranked South Jersey taco came from Pancho's Mexican Taqueria in Atlantic City, which claimed the bronze medal for its al pastor taco. Other notable South Jersey tacos included the carne asada at El Pueblo Taqueria in Lower Township, the bistec asada at Tacos al Carbon in Hammonton, the pollo a la plancha at Tacos El Tio in Egg Harbor Township, and the birria taco at Julio's on Main in Vineland.

  • The latest NJ.com rankings for the best tacos in New Jersey were published on April 3, 2026.

The players

Pete Genovese

A food writer at NJ.com who led the team that compiled the rankings of the 39 best tacos in New Jersey.

Pancho's Mexican Taqueria

An Atlantic City taqueria that was ranked the third-best taco spot in the state for its al pastor taco.

El Pueblo Taqueria

A taqueria in Lower Township that was ranked 30th on the list for its carne asada taco.

Tacos al Carbon

A food truck-based taco spot in Hammonton that was ranked 27th for its bistec asada taco.

Tacos El Tio

A taqueria with locations in Egg Harbor Township, Green Brook, and Monroe that was ranked 24th for its pollo a la plancha taco.

Julio's on Main

A taqueria in Vineland that was ranked 19th for its birria taco.

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What they’re saying

“These are the best al pastor tacos in the state, and don't try to tell me otherwise. The seasoning, the meat, the pineapple — not to mention the inexpensive price — make for a terrific taco.”

— Pete Genovese, Food Writer, NJ.com

“One of my favorite tacos right now is the Birria tacos at Nonna's in Northfield, they are outstanding and have become my go-to tacos anytime we are in the mood for tacos.”

— Mike Gill, Author

What’s next

As the weather continues to warm up, readers are encouraged to explore the top-ranked taco spots in South Jersey, as well as uncover hidden gems like the birria tacos at Nonna's in Northfield.

The takeaway

South Jersey's taco scene is thriving, with several local spots earning high praise in NJ.com's statewide rankings. This article not only highlights the region's standout taco options, but also encourages readers to venture beyond the top-ranked establishments and discover under-the-radar taco gems that deserve more recognition.