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Different Types of Tacos

Tacos may be simple, but the choices can get serious real fast. Factors like the type of meat, seafood, or vegetarian fillings; soft corn tortillas or flour tortillas; salsa; toppings; heat level; and texture all affect the bite.

If you just happen to be searching for different types of tacos or Mexican tacos in NYC, this guide breaks down the most popular taco styles and what makes each one unique. Learn about the differences, choosing between corn and flour tortillas, and what to order based on your tastes.

Different Types of Tacos You Will See on a Mexican Menu

A good taco starts with a warm tortilla and a balanced filling. Some tacos are rich and slow-cooked. Others are grilled, bright, smoky, crisp, or fresh.

The common taco categories include:

  • Protein tacos with beef, pork, lamb, or mutton
  • Vegetarian tacos with beans, mushrooms, peppers, squash, or other vegetables
  • Seafood tacos with fish, shrimp, or grilled seafood
  • Traditional Mexican tacos like al pastor, carne asada, and carnitas
  • Modern taco styles with bowls, salads, and lighter toppings

A taco can be served in a corn or flour tortilla, and both are used across Mexican and Mexican American food.

Protein Tacos: Mutton, Beef, and Pork

Protein tacos are the perfect pick for when you want something that will keep you full for hours. The flavor depends on the cut, seasoning, and cooking method.

The most popular protein taco choices include:

  • Beef: Often grilled, chopped, and served with onion, cilantro, lime, and salsa.
  • Pork: Can be slow-cooked, crisped, marinated, or shaved from a spit.
  • Mutton or lamb: Richer and deeper in flavor, often best with bright toppings like lime, onion, salsa verde, or pickled vegetables.

If you like smoky and simple, go for grilled beef. If you like tender and juicy, choose slow-cooked pork. For a bold taco with a deeper flavor, mutton or lamb can be a strong choice.

Vegetarian Tacos

The best vegetarian tacos use texture and seasoning, not just plain vegetables.

Look for fillings such as:

  • Grilled peppers and onions
  • Mushrooms with roasted chiles
  • Black beans or pinto beans
  • Sweet potato or squash
  • Cactus, avocado, or corn
  • Fresh salsa, cabbage, cilantro, and lime

A good vegetarian taco needs contrast; soft beans need crunch, roasted vegetables need acidity, and creamy avocado needs heat or salsa. When those pieces work together, vegetarian tacos can be every bit as tasty as their meaty counterparts.

Seafood Tacos

Seafood tacos are usually lighter, brighter, and fresher than beef or pork options. Fish and shrimp work well with citrus, cabbage, creamy sauces, and fresh salsa.

Seafood tacos are a good pick if you want:

  • A lighter meal
  • A crispy or grilled texture
  • Bright flavors like lime, cilantro, and salsa
  • Less richness than pork or beef
  • A taco that pairs well with slaw or crema

Grilled seafood tacos can feel clean and smoky. Fried fish tacos bring crunch and work well with cabbage and a creamy sauce. And for a balanced order, pair seafood tacos with a bolder taco, such as carnitas or carne asada.

Traditional Mexican Tacos Worth Knowing

Traditional Mexican cuisine is deeply tied to corn, beans, chiles, regional cooking methods, and community food traditions. UNESCO recognized traditional Mexican cuisine as intangible cultural heritage, with corn-based foods playing a central role in that living food culture (UNESCO, 2025).

Tacos Al Pastor, Carne Asada Tacos, and Carnitas Tacos

These are three of the most well-known, widely ordered taco styles in Mexican cuisine.

Tacos al pastor: Al pastor is usually pork marinated with chiles, spices, and often pineapple, then cooked on a vertical spit called a trompo. The style has roots in Lebanese shawarma and became a staple of Mexican street food (Tasting Table, 2022). 

Choose al pastor if you like:

  • Sweet and savory flavor
  • Juicy pork
  • Pineapple, onion, cilantro, and salsa
  • A classic street taco feel

Carne asada tacos: Carne asada means grilled beef. It is usually smoky, savory, and direct. The best versions let the beef stand out, then add simple toppings.

Choose carne asada if you like:

  • Grilled steak flavor
  • A firmer bite
  • Simple toppings
  • A taco that feels hearty but clean

Carnitas tacos: Carnitas are usually pork that is slowly cooked until tender, then crisped at the edges. This gives you both juicy and crunchy bites.

Choose carnitas if you like:

  • Rich pork flavor
  • Crispy edges
  • Salsa verde
  • A filling taco that still feels bright with lime and onion

Soft Corn vs. Flour Tortilla Tacos

The tortilla plays a big role in the taco, and can change your whole experience.

Corn tortillas are the classic choice for many traditional Mexican tacos. They bring a warm corn flavor and a softer, smaller street taco feel. Flour tortillas are usually softer, more flexible, and mild in flavor. They can be useful for larger tacos, saucier fillings, or when you want a softer chew. The Food Network notes that corn and flour tortillas differ in history, taste, texture, and best use, so the right choice depends on the filling and the eating experience you want (Food Network, 2025).

Where to Try Mexican Tacos in NYC

For New Yorkers looking for tacos that are quick, fresh, and full of flavor, Los Tacos Hermanos offers authentic Mexican flavors with a modern twist at its Canal Street location. The menu includes tacos, burritos, bowls, and salads made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, plus direct online ordering and free delivery within 2 miles on orders over $30.

Ready to find your favorite?

References

  1. Food Network (2025) ‘Corn vs. Flour Tortillas: What’s the Difference and When to Use Each?’, Food Network. Available at: https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/corn-vs-flour-tortillas  (Accessed: 23 May 2026).
  2. Tasting Table (2022) ‘The Truth Behind Tacos Al Pastor’, Tasting Table. Available at: https://www.tastingtable.com/693806/tacos-pastor-history/  (Accessed: 23 May 2026).
  3. UNESCO (2025) ‘Traditional Mexican Cuisine: A Living Heritage for the Societies and the Planet’s Wellbeing’, UNESCO. Available at: https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/traditional-mexican-cuisine-living-heritage-societies-and-planets-wellbeing  (Accessed: 23 May 2026).