Taco Palenque Laredo

A Laredo beginning, and a taco that explains the business

Juan Francisco “Don Pancho” Ochoa opened the first Taco Palenque in Laredo in July 1987. The Sinaloa-born restaurateur had already developed El Pollo Loco; this next business built a different meal around tacos, grilled meats and family recipes. Laredo remains a particularly useful place to understand the chain because several branches operate through the night.

The Pirata is its signature: two flour tortillas hold beef fajita, refried beans and cheddar. A Casero adds rice to sirloin and beans, while the Matamoros moves the meal onto lightly fried corn tortillas with sirloin, guacamole and fresh cheese. These are different constructions, so a diner choosing corn rather than flour has a defined option. The menu also includes pork al pastor with pineapple, chicken fajita, crispy picadillo tacos and smaller corn-tortilla street tacos.

For a shared table, parrilladas combine grilled beef, chicken or both with grilled onion, guacamole, rice, beans, lime and pico. Breakfast has its own egg, potato and chorizo combinations. The digital ordering menu should be attached to the intended branch: a smaller Junior format, a college counter and a full overnight restaurant can have different hours and selections.

Laredo branches in the current official locator

• San Bernardo: 4515 San Bernardo Avenue; 956-725-9898. Open 24 hours daily.
• Del Mar/I-35: 7017 San Dario Avenue; 956-267-4404. Open 24 hours daily.
• Loop 20: 7122 Bob Bullock Loop; 956-602-0664. Open 24 hours daily.
• McPherson: 9814 McPherson Road; 956-725-4440. Open 24 hours daily.
• Saunders: 2115 East Saunders Street; 956-701-3058. Open 24 hours daily.
• Guadalupe: 1920 Guadalupe Street; 956-729-7416. 7 a.m.–midnight Sunday–Thursday; 7 a.m.–3 a.m. Friday–Saturday.
• Zapata Highway: 3512 South Zapata Highway; 956-568-5930. 7 a.m.–midnight Sunday–Thursday; 7 a.m.–3 a.m. Friday–Saturday.
• Laredo College: 1 West End Washington Street; 866-233-8226. Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–3 p.m.; Friday–Sunday closed. Online ordering is disabled for this counter.

Pickup and delivery are enabled for the other listed branches in the locator. The telephone numbers are restaurant contacts, not separate delivery lines.

Order from San Bernardo.