If you like the food truck experience, but hate chasing down the mobile kitchens, then stop by El Alteño in Summerville. The taco truck parks permanently next to the no-frills dining room for easy access to carnitas, lengua, longaniza, and other traditional meats sprinkled with onion and cilantro on a fresh tortilla.

Yes, there are tiki huts at Tiki Taco. There’s also cheap margaritas, laid-back service, and plenty of tacos. Order a drink, sit on the beach-y patio, and try the lengua or chorizo tacos.

Consistently rated as some of the best tacos from a truck around, Taqueria Espres gathers an almost cult following in North Charleston. The doubled up tortillas are stacked with perfectly seasoned meats, onion, and cilantro. Each order comes with a few pickled carrots and a jalapeño.

Mexican supermarket El Molino offers a variety of traditional fare to go, including tacos. Choices range from cabeza to carnitas to suedero — all at $2.25 (thought the lengua will cost an extra 15 cents). The taco box full of 15 tacos is a popular item for groups. The newer birria version will run you $3.99. Go all out and order a pizza box full of tacos. The group recently opened a second location at 1610 Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.

The sign outside Las Lupitas states, "The Best Mexican Food in Town," so it's worth a trek to sample the traditional tacos like the barbacoa or tripe. The small space has a roadside diner sort of feeling with booths to slide into after ordering from the massive menu. Remember: It's cash only here.

A favorite since 2003, Santi’s is a staple of the Charleston community. The outdoor patio is the place to be when the weather is nice. Order a giant margarita and then decide if you want Mexican or American-style tacos. The chips and fresh salsa are free and actually worth eating.

It’s all about the experience at mini-chain Taco Boy. Order a giant frozen screwdriver, sit outside on the patio, and choose from a wide variety of non-traditional tacos, like Korean beef or chicken bacon ranch. For purists, there are carnitas and Baja fish offers, and the restaurant recently started making its own corn tortillas. Taco Boy is also one of the few places to serve breakfast tacos on the weekend.

What’s a fancy seafood spot doing on this list? Well, 167 Raw Oyster Bar just happens to have one of the best carnitas tacos in Charleston. The pork, smoked for 10 hours, gets crisped up before serving, so each bite has the perfect crunch matched with pickled red onions and crema. The fried shrimp and fresh catch tacos are worth an order as well.