Anchorage Is Embracing Real Mexican Street Tacos
Anchorage has plenty of taco spots. But more locals are choosing places that capture the spirit of true Mexican street food with freshly pressed tortillas, bold salsas, and expertly grilled meats.
That shift is easy to understand. When the air is cold and the streets are quiet, there’s something deeply satisfying about a hot taco made fresh to order. Steam rises from seared steak, salsa brings the heat, and the tortilla is still warm from the grill.
Real Flavor From a Real Taquero
Ralfy Quepons grew up next to his family’s taco stand, El Pilón, in the heart of Tijuana. The place was small, but it had everything: a mechanic shop, community energy, and the smell of pork on the trompo — the vertical spit used in traditional taco stands.
That early experience shows up in every plate served at Rafelitos today.
Crafted Daily, Right Here in Anchorage
The mission is simple: bring the essence of a real taquería to Alaska. Even in the middle of winter, Rafelitos channels the energy and technique of the taco stands of Tijuana.
Every detail reflects the same care and craft you’d find at a neighborhood taco stand in Baja:
Tortillas are made fresh daily, sized at seven or eight inches. You can hear the press thump and see them puff as they hit the plancha, a hot flat-top grill that toasts them until they are soft in the middle and crisp on the edges.
Salsas are prepared in-house from scratch, each one roasted and blended to complement the meat it's paired with. The spices brings warmth, depth, and real flavor
Meats are marinated, slow-cooked, grilled, and seared to order. From the first cut to the final crisp, every step is done with intention. Nothing is rushed and nothing is bland.
This is food rooted in Mexican tradition and reimagined for Alaska.
What to Expect When You Order Our Tacos
Each taco is served on a hand-pressed tortilla and comes with chips and full access to the salsa bar. Here are a few local favorites:
House Favorites
Al Pastor: Pork marinated in a house-made adobo, cooked on a traditional trompo, and paired with pineapple.
Carne Asada: Grilled top round steak, garlic-marinated and full of bold flavor.
Chorizo: Spiced ground pork, seasoned with Rafelitos’ smoky house blend.
Suadero: Seared brisket slow-cooked with herbs and bone marrow stock.
Pollito: Tender chicken grilled with garlic and herbs until the edges crisp.
Classics for the Adventurous
Some tacos aren’t for the cautious. They’re for those who grew up with bold textures and crave deep, traditional flavors.
Tripa: Crispy beef intestine, slow-cooked and sautéed for a crunchy bite. Loved by those who crave classic flavors.
Pork Belly: Crunchy edges and soft inside, garlic jalapeño aioli, salsa macha, and shaved cabbage. Packed with flavor and texture (note: salsa macha contains peanuts).
Tacos That Dip
When the snow piles up or the wind bites, nothing beats birria. These tacos are filled with brisket and back ribs, seared and simmered until tender, then tucked into an 8-inch tortilla with a side of bone marrow consommé.
Dip it, sip it, finish it. It’s rich, hot, and easily one of the most satisfying meals in the city.
Want cheese? Add it. Make them crispy or soft. Either way, you’re walking out full.
Anchorage-Style Seafood Tacos
We Alaskans love our fresh seafood and you can eat your fish and taco, too!
Baja Meets the Last Frontier
These tacos bring the brightness of Baja to Alaska’s seafood, combining crunch, spice, and freshness in every bite.
Salmon, Halibut, or Shrimp: All tempura-style with chipotle aioli, mixed cabbage salad, avocado, pineapple ginger relish, and tomatillo salsa. Finished with salsa macha for a punch of heat and citrus.
The 3-pack bundle includes one of each, making it easy to taste the whole lineup.
Bringing Tijuana to Anchorage and Beyond
Rafelitos blends Tijuana flavor with Alaska soul. From Spenard to South Anchorage, locals are lining up for tacos that feel like they came straight off the streets of Baja. Whether you're here for birria, seafood, or the classics, you're getting the real thing.
Swing by, give us a call at (907) 339-1943, or order online. We’ve got your tacos ready!
