Fells Point’s Taco Row, a stretch of Eastern Avenue heavily populated with excellent taquerías, has expanded.
Taquería Garcia, on the corner of Eastern and Wolfe, opened in January. It’s the second taquería from the family that owns and operates Carnitas Rocio in Highlandtown, a taquería and tortilleria that opened two years ago.
The new place serves the same tacos, tamales, tortas, burritos, and pupusas as Carnitas Rocio, all made on-site. This includes chicharrónes—the distinctive fried pork rinds, bags of which also decorate the counter space—and the tortillas that grace the excellent tacos, also made on-site.
The tacos, on two freshly made and crisped tortillas, are loaded with toppings, accompanied by caramelized onions and jalapeños, and a pair of housemade hot sauces. And the tamales, massive envelopes of filled masa wrapped in corn husks, are among the best in Baltimore.
Both taquerías are owned and operated by Gerardo and Rocio Garcia and their extended family. The Garcias came to Baltimore from Léon, Guanajuato, in central Mexico, 20 years ago, where Gerardo ran a series of carnicerias.
The space includes a large, bright dining room with many café tables and chairs arranged around a pool table, and with flatscreen TVs showing soccer games. In the evenings, the large bar at the back of the dining room turns into Azteca Sports Bar, as Garci rents out the space to what is essentially a bar pop-up.
Maybe grab a packet of freshly made tortillas and some tamales to take home after your nightcap. And Rocio Garcia’s mole tamales are superb, either with your cocktail or for breakfast the next day.