TACO NORTENO
The letter looks fine; the direction doesn't. TACO NORTENO holds a C (72/100), but its inspections have been getting worse, not better.
Its most recent inspection on January 7, 2026 cited 2 high-priority, 2 intermediate, and 6 basic violations. It currently ranks safer than 10% of Orange County restaurants we grade. Diner rating: 4.5 from 1,706 reviews.
Trend: declining · C (72/100)
Get directions Call (407) 656-2567
Restaurant details
- Health grade
- C (72/100)
- Violations
- 10 total — 2 high-priority, 2 intermediate, 6 basic
- Address
- 12793 W COLONIAL DR, Winter Garden, FL
- Cuisine
- Mexican
- Categories
- Mexican restaurant, Burrito restaurant, Latin American restaurant, Mexican torta restaurant, Restaurant, Spanish restaurant
- Price
- $10–20
- Rating
- 4.5 stars (1706 reviews)
- Seats
- 48
- Phone
- (407) 656-2567
- Website
- Official website
Community Rating
Reviews via GoogleWhat diners say — our read
The reviews here disagree with each other more than they disagree with the grade. Freshness and temperature tends to be raised approvingly here, averaging 4.3 stars.
If you had to pick one number to represent this corpus it would be 5, the most frequently given rating (18 reviews). A third strand, how long an order takes, appears in 16% of them at 5.0 stars. Older reviews score better than newer ones (4.5 recent against 5.0 earlier), so direction is worth weighing alongside the average.
On the health side, the most recent DBPR inspection returned a C (72/100) with 2 high-priority, 2 intermediate, and 6 basic violations — middling, much like the reviews. DBPR last walked in on January 7, 2026. Its inspection trajectory is downward over the records we hold. On health score it sits safer than 10% of the Orange County restaurants we grade. The citations behind that grade include cross-contamination and handwashing.
This is a listing where the two measures each tell half the story. The individual reviews are below, newest first, if you want the raw material.
Our own analysis of 19 reviews for this restaurant, set against its Florida DBPR inspection record. How we calculate grades →
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This place use to be really good! Which is why I went today! However I ordered hard shell tacos and they served it to me cold and hard like straight out the pack, beans wasn’t good either. Not to mention this was 20 bucks for lunch! Need a bigger lunch menu and it’s sad when the best thing I had there today was the free chips and salsa.
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The ONLY authentic Mexican in town! Hands down the best! All meats are absolutely delicious! Juicy barbacoa! Soft and tender lengua! Perfect flavor and texture Carne asada. And a great selection of salsas and toppings! Amazing menudo on weekends! No need to go south of the border for real Mexican food!
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Always good, excellent food, come and enjoy.
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The best authentic Mexican food!! The food portions are amazing
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Real Mexican Food
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The food was tasty! The workers were kind, patient and willing to answer any question about the menu. Food took a bit to be made, but only because it was fresh! The salsa bar was great and had lots of options
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Great food with self serve chips, salsas and other toppings. I had three tacos and my favorites were the ones with beef. Really good place for a quick lunch. Sort of hidden by the wings place and you'll have to do a u turn if you're coming from the west on 50.
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Went on Cinco de mayo and did not disappoint. I ordered to go so got an authentic Margarita while I waited and got my toppings & free chips. All the toppings were perfect!
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RTR APPROVED
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Best Mexican food in all of Orlando metro
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The food is delicious, they made their own tortillas for their tacos and are really good! plus the staff is friendly, kind and efficient.
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Great Mexican Food Reminds me of the food id get in LA!
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This place really hits the spot for tacos!
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11 de abril del 2026, arribamos mis invitados y yo un grupo de 6 personas, muy buena atención el único punto en contra que se cayeron unos cubiertos y un joven que trabaja ahi muy atento los recojio ayudando a la mesera, el punto es que despues de eso nos sirvió los platos de comida con los mismos guantes que traía puestos, no dije nada por educación pero espero le den el entrenamiento adecuado de cambiarse de guantes cada ves que haga una tarea diferente o que no use pero se lave las manos, gracias y cuando vea el cambio en la persona removere este comentario ya que somos clientes regulares y por cierto muy buena comida.
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Authentic and delicious. This is a must-visit for anyone in Winter Garden.
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Wonderful service and all of the food was on point. They have a salsa bar aswell. The Bistec was the bomb. Great prices
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Great customer service. Clean restaurant. Very nice workers. Fresh food. Fair price. I'm addicted to the chicken soft and steak soft taco. Thank you ladies and the one gentleman lol
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Amazing food
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Authentic Mexican food that is actually good. We order one of everything and all of it was fresh and delicious.
Overall Score
43 / 100
Composite score from health grade, dietary options, ratings, and inspection record — distinct from the state-derived health grade.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Tuesday
- 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Wednesday
- 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Thursday
- 5:30 AM to 8:30 PM
- Friday
- 5:30 AM to 9 PM
- Saturday
- 10 AM to 9 PM
- Sunday
- 10 AM to 7:30 PM
Inspection history
The following records are from Florida DBPR public inspection records, most recent first.
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January 7, 2026 · Routine - Food
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
2 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 6 basic
- 02 — Consumer advisory, date-marking & labeling of ready-to-eat foods
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage (×2)
- 12 — Handwashing; employee eating/drinking/smoking practices
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 21 — Wiping cloths; clean & soiled linens; laundry (×2)
- 25 — Single-service and single-use items
- 31 — Handwash sinks accessible; handwashing supplies & sign provided
- 36 — Floors, walls, ceilings clean & maintained; proper ventilation
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August 11, 2025 · Routine - Food
Inspection Completed - No Further Action
1 high-priority · 2 intermediate · 5 basic
- 08 — Cross-contamination: raw foods separated; food protected during prep/storage
- 14 — Food-contact & nonfood-contact surfaces properly designed/maintained
- 23 — Nonfood-contact surfaces clean
- 24 — Storage & handling of clean equipment and utensils; air drying
- 29 — Plumbing installed & maintained; mop sink; backflow prevention
- 35 — Insects/rodents/pests; outer openings protected against pests
- 41 — Chemicals / toxic substances properly stored & used
- 53 — Food manager certification; employee food-safety training
Safer options nearby
Higher-graded restaurants close to TACO NORTENO, by Florida DBPR grade:
- KFC Y309050
- CARIERA'S FRESH ITALIAN
This grade is calculated by us from Florida DBPR public inspection records — Florida does not issue official grades. How we calculate it →
Data last updated: January 7, 2026