TACO LIBRE

Tucked away on Beach Blvd is a vibrant and cozy mexican restaurant. That’s Taco Libre. Colorful, casual, and packed with flavor, this spot brings serious heat (and serious portions) to the taco scene in Jax.

We went in hungry and maybe left a little, well, too full. (Not a bad thing)

We kicked things off with the chips and salsa, which are a staple in Mexican food. The chips came out warm and crunchy, and the salsa had a sneaky kick that made us keep reaching back for more.

But the real game-changer? The three giant bottles of housemade hot sauces they bring to your table. Each one had a different level of heat and flavor, and we were putting them on everything. You know a place is legit when the hot sauce lineup deserves its own spotlight.

Then came the Carne Asada Fries. Oh. My. Gosh. My mouth dropped open when I saw them. We're talking crispy fries loaded with juicy steak, queso, guac, sour cream, and pico. Shareable? Absolutely, this plate was big, real big. But once you take a bite, good luck handing over the fork.

Next up: Birria Tacos — melty, cheesy, crispy-on-the-outside, and served with rich consommé for dipping. Every bite was juicy, savory, and totally addictive. Pro tip: dunk generously and often ;)

The Chorizo Tacos were good, not our favorites, but defininlty not bad. The flavor could have been kicked up a notch, but overall a good, classic taco. Adding some hot sauce into the mix definitely helped make these tacos better.

The vibe? Loud, bright, and unapologetically fun. With lucha libre decor, bright pops of color, and music that keeps the energy high, Taco Libre feels like a quick trip to a taco-fueled fiesta.

What to order if it’s your first time:

• Chips and salsa to warm up (free!)

• Carne Asada Fries (just trust me)

• Birria Tacos (don’t skip the dip)

• Any of their Speciality Tacos (don’t forget to add their hot sauce!)

Whether you're in it for the tacos, the fries, or just the unapologetic flavor bomb of it all, Taco Libre is where you go when you're hungry, ready to get messy, and not interested in playing it safe.