Taquito Express in Virginia-Highland: A Local Guide to This Atlanta Taqueria

If you spend any time in Virginia-Highland, you know the neighborhood is packed with patios, pubs, and laid-back spots to grab a bite. Taquito Express – Virginia Highland fits right into that scene, offering casual Mexican street‑style food that works for everything from a quick solo lunch to a low-key meet-up before heading into Midtown or Little Five Points.

This guide walks through what to expect from Taquito Express in Atlanta, how it fits into the international cuisine scene, and practical tips for locals and visitors.

Where Taquito Express Fits in the Atlanta Food Scene

Virginia-Highland sits just east of Midtown and is known for:

• Walkable streets and historic bungalows
• A mix of casual restaurants, bars, and coffee shops
• Easy access to the BeltLine, Poncey-Highland, and Inman Park

Within that landscape, Taquito Express is:

• Casual and counter-service (no need to dress up)
• Focused on Mexican street-food staples like tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and bowls
• Popular with people who live nearby, plus BeltLine walkers and visitors staying in the Midtown/VaHi area

It’s not a fine-dining destination; it’s the kind of place you keep in your mental list for, “I want something tasty and quick in VaHi that isn’t a burger.”

Location, Access, and Parking

Taquito Express’ Virginia-Highland location is in the heart of the neighborhood’s commercial district, close to bars, coffee shops, and other restaurants.

Typical things to know for planning your visit:

• Neighborhood style: Expect a busy, walkable strip, especially on evenings and weekends.
• Parking: Virginia-Highland is mostly street parking and small shared lots. Spots can be tight during dinner hours and on weekends.
  • ⛔ Don’t assume free parking everywhere—check signs for time limits and permit zones.
  • ✅ Many locals choose to walk or rideshare to avoid circling for a spot.
• Transit options:
  • MARTA rail doesn’t run directly through VaHi, but you can ride to Midtown or North Avenue stations and then take a short rideshare or bus.
  • Several MARTA bus routes pass near Virginia-Highland; schedules can vary, so checking ahead is helpful if you’re not driving.

If you’re staying in Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or Inman Park, Taquito Express is usually a 10–15 minute drive depending on traffic.

What’s on the Menu: Mexican Street-Style Favorites

Exact menus can change over time, but you can generally expect a focused lineup of Mexican staples. Common categories at spots like Taquito Express include:

Core Dishes

1. Tacos
Usually the star of the show, tacos tend to come:

• On soft corn or flour tortillas
• With a choice of protein (often chicken, steak, carnitas, al pastor, ground beef, or veggie options)
• Topped with onions, cilantro, salsa, and sometimes lettuce, cheese, or crema depending on style

Tacos are great if you want to try multiple flavors without committing to one big plate.

2. Burritos and Burrito Bowls

Burritos usually include:

• A large tortilla wrapped around rice, beans, protein, cheese, and toppings
• Option to customize add-ins like guacamole, pico de gallo, or sour cream

Burrito bowls offer similar ingredients without the tortilla, which some diners prefer if they’re looking to avoid bread or just want a fork-and-bowl meal.

3. Quesadillas and Nachos

For more “comfort food” style dishes:

• Quesadillas: Griddled tortillas filled with cheese and your choice of meat or veggies
• Nachos: Tortilla chips topped with cheese, beans, meats, salsa, jalapeños, and other toppings

These can work as either shareable appetizers or full meals, depending on portion size.

4. Sides and Extras

You’ll commonly see:

• Chips and salsa
• Guacamole
• Rice and beans
• Various salsas with different heat levels

These are helpful if you’re splitting food with a group or want to round out a smaller main dish.

Typical Menu Snapshot

Below is a sample-style overview of what you might find at a casual taqueria like Taquito Express in Virginia-Highland. Exact items and pricing may differ, but this gives you a sense of what to expect:

Atmosphere and Dining Experience

If you’re used to the Virginia-Highland vibe, Taquito Express will feel familiar:

• Casual environment:

  • Order at the counter, grab a table, and your food comes out relatively quickly.
  • Good for come-as-you-are dining—gym clothes, work casual, or weekend wear all fit in.

• Crowd:

  • Locals, nearby residents, and people bar-hopping or walking the area.
  • Evening hours can be lively, but it’s generally more relaxed than clubs or late-night bars.

• Noise level:

  • Can be chatty at peak times, but typically not as loud as large sports bars.

If you want a laid-back meal before a show at the Fox Theatre or a night out in Midtown, this is the sort of spot that slots nicely into the schedule.

When to Go: Timing and Waits

Virginia-Highland, like many Atlanta neighborhoods, has distinct waves of activity:

• Weekday lunches:

  • Often less crowded, especially outside of standard lunch hours.
  • Good time if you work remotely or have a flexible schedule.

• Weeknight dinners:

  • Moderate flow; more neighborhood regulars.
  • Shorter waits than Friday and Saturday nights in most cases.

• Weekends:

  • Prime time is early evening to late night when people are out in VaHi for drinks and dinner.
  • Parking gets tighter, and waits can increase in the entire area.

⏱️ Tip: If you’re planning a weekend group outing in Virginia-Highland, consider:

• Eating a slightly earlier dinner
• Or grabbing food at Taquito Express and then moving on to nearby bars and dessert spots after

Ordering Tips for Different Diets and Preferences

Many Atlanta diners have specific preferences or dietary needs. While you should always confirm options in person, places like Taquito Express often allow customization:

• Vegetarian-friendly picks:
  • Cheese quesadillas, veggie tacos or burritos, rice and beans, and loaded vegetarian nachos (if available).
• Dairy-light or dairy-free adjustments:
  • Request no cheese, no sour cream, salsa on the side, and focus on beans, rice, and grilled meats or veggies.
• Spice level:
  • Salsas typically range from mild to hot—ask which ones pack the most heat and start small if you’re sensitive.

If you have specific restrictions (for example, gluten-related or allergy concerns), it’s best to:

1. Ask clearly during ordering which items are safest for your needs.
2. Request that your food be prepared with minimal cross-contact when possible.

Taquito Express vs. Other International Cuisine in Atlanta

Atlanta’s food scene is broad, and Virginia-Highland is within easy reach of several international pockets:

• Buford Highway: Known for its deep range of Asian and Latin American cuisines.
• West Midtown & Midtown: Home to more upscale and fusion takes on international food.
• Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Poncey-Highland: Mix of trendy and traditional spots spanning Mexican, Italian, Mediterranean, and more.

Within that context, Taquito Express – Virginia Highland fills a specific niche:

• Fast-casual, budget-conscious compared to upscale sit-down Mexican restaurants
• Walk-up convenience for people already in VaHi
• A simple, familiar menu that works for groups who want something straightforward

If you’re exploring international cuisine across Atlanta, you might treat Taquito Express as:

• A reliable everyday option when you’re in VaHi
• A contrast to more adventurous or regional-specific Mexican restaurants elsewhere in the city

Practical Tips for Locals and Visitors

A few Atlanta-specific pointers can make your visit smoother:

• Plan around traffic:

  • Evening rush through Midtown and near Ponce de Leon Avenue can slow you down.
  • Build in extra time if you’re driving from Buckhead, Decatur, or the suburbs.

• Combine with nearby activities:

  • Walk through Virginia-Highland’s residential streets to see historic homes.
  • Pair with a trip to Piedmont Park, the BeltLine Eastside Trail, or Ponce City Market, all a short drive or rideshare away.

• Think about weather:

  • On warm evenings, VaHi fills with people on foot—great for walking, but expect more activity and tighter parking.
  • On rainy days, crowds might thin a bit, which can make for a quicker, quieter meal.

• Payment and group orders:

  • Many counter-service spots in Atlanta are card-first but still accept cash; having a card ready is usually easiest.
  • For groups, deciding on your order before reaching the counter keeps the line moving smoothly.

Is Taquito Express in Virginia-Highland Right for You?

Taquito Express in Virginia-Highland is a good fit if you:

• Want casual, straightforward Mexican street-style food
• Are already nearby in VaHi, Midtown, O4W, or Inman Park
• Prefer quick counter service over a long sit-down meal
• Need a spot that works for a range of tastes, including simple, kid-friendly options

It may be less ideal if you’re:

• Looking for a long, lingering, upscale dinner
• Seeking highly specialized regional Mexican cuisine or tasting-menu experiences

For most Atlanta residents and visitors, it’s the kind of place you slot into everyday life—a reliable neighborhood taqueria in one of the city’s most walkable, social districts.