America's Top-Rated Taco Spot Isn't Located Where You Think
It’s no secret that tacos are now more popular than ever here in the United States. For more than 100 years, tacos have been integrated into our eating habits, with restaurants all over the country serving up some form of the extremely versatile Mexican dish. According to a data study conducted by Yelp, consumer searches for “barbacoa tacos” and “al pastor tacos” are up 14 percent and 18 percent in their respective categories since last year, further solidifying tacos as one of America’s top go-to meals of choice.
In celebration of National Taco Day on October 4, Yelp put together an all-time list of the top 100 taco spots in the U.S., according to internal data based on a number of factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews. The list not only identifies the best taco spots in the country. but also the top taco towns in general. And this year’s number one taco spot, Aroma Latin American Cocina, located in Henderson, Nevada, has clinched its victory with their highly coveted pork belly tacos — a recipe that takes more than 30 hours to prepare.
The tiny Las Vegas-area hot spot has raked in hundreds of 5-star Yelp reviews in the past 18 months, solidifying their celebrated position at the top of the taqueria map. “We’re not your average taco shop,” chef and co-owner Steve Kestler insists. “If you can prepare my taco at home, then it’s not going on the menu.”
The reason for Aroma’s spike in high ratings is due to their best-seller, the Pork Belly Taco. Kestler attributes the reason behind their success to the more than 30 hours it takes to perfect the pork belly. The meat goes through a 24 hour marinating process using a special 15-ingredient blend before being slow-braised for another 8 hours over low heat. “It’s a labor of love,” Kestler admits.
The other two top-selling tacos on Aroma’s menu — Carne Asada and Fried Avocado — are both treated with the same love and care as their pork belly counterpart. The Carne Asada is made with Brazilian picanha, an extremely flavorful cut of beef from the back end of the cow. The cut is then seared medium-rare before being sliced and topped with Maldon sea salt and lime juice and finally laid on top of a tortilla with guacamole and queso fresco. And the Fried Avocado Taco? It uses high-quality ingredients including creamy Mexican avocados to deliver a taste that customers can't get enough of.
“At the beginning, it was hard for people to understand our costs,” Kestler admitted, referring to Aroma’s higher than normal priced tacos (up to $7 each). But now since the recent spike in Aroma’s popularity, he says, “They eat one taco and they get it. They understand what we do.”
“If I could give 100 stars, I would,” one Yelper left as a glowing review. “Found this place watching a social media video that said ‘Best pork belly tacos in Vegas’ and they weren’t lying! Will 100% be back and cannot recommend this amazing restaurant enough.”
While Aroma definitely deserves to celebrate winning the top spot, the list is overflowing with additional restaurants ready for your tasting. From Key Largo, Florida to Tacoma, Washington, there's something for everyone on this list. Who knows, you may just find your new favorite taco spot.
