Tower Nachos Steal the Show at Gym Tacos in North Raleigh

In Raleigh, locals are known to clock up to an hour in line at Gym Tacos for some of the Triangle’s best tacos. The OG food truck, situated outside of the Valero gas station on Six Forks Road, has withheld its “worth the wait in line” status since opening in 2019.

The food truck became so popular that owners (also brothers) Gamaliel and Uriel Romero and Jorge Perez and Roberto Bruno received nonstop requests from fans to open a brick-and-mortar version. As of February 2022, there are three Gym Tacos locations spread throughout Raleigh including the latest, a Gym Tacos fast-casual counter outpost on Hillsborough Street, across from Meredith College — also serving as a commissary kitchen for catering and events.

Jenn Rice

What’s most under-the-radar is Gym Tacos & Tequila Bar, in North Raleigh, with tableside service and a full bar with a focus on tequila. Find the same beloved tacos from the food truck but the menu includes way more, including tower nachos (their take on what many people call “trash can nachos”) and taco-inspired burgers.

Tower nachos come out in a tin can and the waiter carefully situates it on the table and removes the can for the big reveal. And don’t forget to have your phone ready for a ‘grammable food moment or did it even happen?

The result is a tower of chips piled high with queso, beans, pico de gallo, lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, and peppers. Customers can add chicken, carnitas, chorizo, pastor, or carne asada.

Jenn Rice

The menu also features a section of tortas, sandwiches, and burgers. Fans of the tacos should definitely check out the Gym burger (an Angus beef patty topped with shrimp, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, avocado, and tomato) and the al pastor burger (pastor-marinated Angus beef topped with grilled pineapple, cheese, onion, cilantro, and chipotle aioli). They’re like a burger and a taco had a baby and the fries are pretty amazing as well.

A refresher before you go:

Gym Tacos (original taco truck)
220 E. Six Forks Rd.

Gym Tacos (walk-up counter service version of the taco truck with seating inside)
3701 Hillsborough St.

Gym Tacos & Tequila Bar (where the tower nachos and al pastor burger exist and a full-service bar )
1540 Dunn Rd., Suite 150

• Gym Tacos [Official]