Located just across from Kapa’a Beach in East Side Kauai, Paco’s Tacos proudly serves up tasty Mexican fare that keeps everyone regularly coming back for more. Their tacos are so popular, in fact, that they have three other locations along the northern and southern shores. So, you just know you’re in for a treat upon setting your sights on this taco joint for lunch, breakfast, or a midday snack.
Upon arriving, you’ll get a warm welcome and a chance to choose where to sit. They have cozy tables and a bar counter inside, although their open-air patio is where it’s at. By choosing to sit outside, you can enjoy awesome ocean views and a nice breeze while you dine on your selections. Before making your way to your preferred table, just be prepared to get your order into the kitchen. While this might seem a bit jarring, it helps them stay ahead of the huge demand for their decadent Mexican fare.
Since they’re rather busy from open to close, always expect a bit of a wait for your order to arrive. In the meantime, you can enjoy their huge selection of tropical cocktails, shots, and beer on tap. If you prefer to keep alcohol out of the equation, go for their Mexican Coca-Cola, coconut water, or many other refreshing beverages instead. You’re also welcome to order up your favorite appetizers and they’ll be whipped up fast, so you can stay busy while you wait on your meal.
As all their servers zoom from table to table, they rarely have an extra moment to spare. So, be sure to ask for all you need when they stop by, or you might end up missing out if they don’t make it back around soon enough for your needs. While they’re often in a rush, the servers are endlessly friendly and as helpful as can be.
Their top offerings include:
Al Pastor Tacos
Available two or three at a time, the Al Pastor Tacos never fail to get rave reviews, and for good reason. These tacos start with gluten-free corn tortillas and plenty of tender, juicy grilled pork in red sauce. Then, they add pineapple, onion, cilantro, and their ever-popular guacasalsa to elevate the rich pork flavors.
Nopal Burrito
When you want unique vegan fare, you can count on the Nopal Burrito to win you over. This interesting dish is unlike any other since it begins with the precise preparation of fresh cactus paddles. After that, the cactus goes in a flour tortilla along with rice, whole beans, grilled onions, guacasalsa, and pico de gallo.
Huevos Divorciados
As a part of their all-day breakfast menu, you’ll find their Huevos Divorciados, which are so good that they have almost a cult following. To build this classic, they start by frying two eggs just how you like them and putting them on either side of a fresh stack of chilaquiles. Each set of eggs gets either ranchera sauce or enchilada sauce. As if that’s not enough, this meal also features rice, refried beans, and warm tortillas.
Are you looking forward to celebrating a special occasion with family and friends? Take your event to the next level by signing up for their catering services. For lowkey events, you can go with their Lunch Wagon level of service, which gives you a tasty dish for each person. Or you can go with their Wedding Reception buffet and open bar for the full spread of delicious food and drinks. Ready to get started? Just fill out the form on their website or give them a call to get a quote.
Insider Tips:
-Ask about their daily specials for discounts on tacos, margaritas, and everything in between. Even more discounts are on tap during happy hour, which runs daily from 2 pm to 5 pm.
-They do not allow any substitutions, so read the menu carefully to ensure you’ll enjoy all each dish offers.
-There’s no bathroom available, so plan accordingly.
-If you need to skip the wheat, all their tacos are gluten-free. They don’t run separate kitchens, however, so there’s always a risk of cross-contamination.