Taco Palenque menu prices tacos from $2.85 to $6.29, plates from $10.49 to $17.49, and family platters from about $30 to $71 depending on size and location. This guide lists every price and explains why so many dishes here are named “Pirata” or “Pancho.”
The Story Behind Taco Palenque
Juan Francisco “Don Pancho” Ochoa opened the first Taco Palenque in Laredo, Texas, in 1987. He’d already made his mark once, creating El Pollo Loco’s original chicken recipe in Sinaloa, Mexico, in 1975.
The chain stayed family-run. Ochoa’s son, Pancho Chico, now helps lead it, with 42 locations across Texas and Mexico. Food & Wine named it Best Fast Food in Texas, beating Whataburger.
Two menu names trace back to the family: “Panchos” nachos are named after the founder, and “Pirata” dishes, grilled steak or chicken with cheese on a tortilla, are the chain’s signature order.
At a Glance
What
Price
Cheapest taco
Bean & Cheese Taco — $2.85
Signature dish
Pirata Taco — $6.29
Cheapest plate
Chicken Fajita Crispy Taco Plate — $10.49
Kids meals
$3.76–$6.31
Family platters
Roughly $30 to $71, varies by size and location
Tacos
Item
Price
Bean & Cheese Taco
$2.85
Bean Taco
$2.99
Crispy Taco
$3.39
Al Pastor Pirata
$4.39
Picadillo Taco
$4.78
Baja Fish Taco
$4.79
Casero Taco
$5.09
Pirata Jr
$5.09
Chipotle Chicken Taco
$5.39
Sirloin Taco
$5.79
Taco Pirata Chkn Chipotle
$5.79
Matamoros Taco
$5.89
Al Pastor Taco
$5.69
Chicken Breast Fajitas Taco
$5.69
Chicken Fajita Pirata
$5.91
Chicken Taco Lettuce Wrap
$5.99
Fajitas Taco
$6.09
Pirata Taco
$6.29
Street Tacos
$11.59–$14.19
Street Tacos are priced per order, not per piece, which is why the price sits above the individual tacos above.
Plates
Item
Price
Chicken Fajita Crispy Taco Plate
$10.49
Crispy Picadillo Taco Plate
$11.39
Chicken Flautas Plate
$12.33
Picadillo Plate
$12.39
Plate Chipotle Chicken
$12.99
Chicken Breast Fajitas Plate
$13.99
Al Pastor Plate
$14.39
Sirloin Plate
$14.19
Fajitas Plate
$15.59
Tampiquena Plate
$17.49
Two Taco Combos
Item
Price
Casero Combo
$11.29
Fajitas Quesadilla Combo
$12.69
Light Combo
$12.84
Matamoros Combo
$13.39
Pirata Jr (Piratita) Combo
$14.89
Fajitas Tacos Combo
$15.79
Burritos
Item
Price
Spicy Chicken Burrito
$7.99
Chicken Breast Fajitas Burrito
$10.49
Sirloin Burrito
$11.49
Picadillo Burrito
$11.49
Al Pastor Burrito
$11.49
Fajitas Burrito
$11.59
Impossible™ (Plant-Based)
Item
Price
Impossible™ Crispy Taco
$3.59
Impossible™ Burrito
$10.19
Quesadillas
Size
Price
Single
$4.38–$5.50
Double
$5.19–$6.89
Super
$9.58–$13.99
Enchiladas
Item
Price
Enchiladas Callejeras
$11.19
Enchiladas Entomadas
$11.19
Enchiladas Rojas
$11.19
Mole Enchiladas
$12.19
Enchiladas Verdes
$12.19
Enchiladas Suizas
$12.99
Tostadas
Item
Price
Bean and Cheese Tostada
$4.12
Chicken Breast Fajitas Tostada
$5.27
Fajitas Tostada
$5.31
Bowls
Item
Price
Palenque Bowl, Chicken Chipotle
$10.99
Palenque Bowl, Chicken Breast Fajitas
$11.29
Palenque Bowl, Fajitas
$11.29
Salads
Item
Price
Caesar Salad
$10.69–$10.89
Palenque Salad
$10.69–$10.89
Soups
Item
Price
Fideo
$7.99
Menudo
$13.99
Fideo Loco
$14.99
Super Papa
Item
Price
Chicken Breast Fajita Super Papa
$9.40
Fajita Super Papa
$9.40
Sides
Item
Price
Nacho Cheese
$1.57–$7.99
Chips
$3.55–$4.70
Refried Beans
$3.05–$10.66
Charro Beans
$3.06–$10.66
Rice
$3.05–$10.66
Guacamole
$3.83–$11.13
Chorizo Beans
$5.90–$11.78
Side prices vary because most come in multiple sizes, from a single portion up to a party-size order.
Cravings
Item
Price
Corn In The Cup
$5.39
Panchitos
$9.19–$9.59
Panchos
$9.39–$11.79
Desserts
Item
Price
Buñuelo
$1.79
Flan
$4.49
Arroz Con Leche
$4.49
Chocolate Cake
$5.29
Cheesecake
$5.29
Tres Leches
$5.39
Breakfast Tacos
Item
Price
Bean & Cheese Taco
$2.85
Bean Taco
$2.99
Potato & Egg Taco
$3.49
Chicharron Taco
$3.49
Potato & Chorizo Taco
$3.49
Chorizo Bean Taco
$3.49
Potato a la Mexicana Taco
$3.49
Bean & Egg Taco
$3.36
Breakfast Piratas
$3.89
Bacon & Egg Taco
$3.76
Chorizo & Egg Taco
$3.76
Ham & Egg Taco
$3.76
Chilaquiles Taco
$4.48
Barbacoa Jr Taco
$4.68
Picadillo Taco
$4.78
Barbacoa Taco
$5.60
Breakfast Plates
Item
Price
Morning Pancakes
$1.69–$7.49
Potato and Chorizo Plate
$7.49
Potato & Egg Plate
$8.99
Chorizo & Egg Plate
$8.99
Ham & Egg Plate
$9.09
Huevos Rancheros Plate
$9.69
Bacon & Egg Plate
$9.69
Migas Plate
$9.69
Chilaquiles Plate, Hot
$10.29
Breakfast Combos
Item
Price
Potato & Egg Taco Combo
$8.25
Bacon & Egg Tacos Combo
$8.25
Chorizo & Egg Tacos Combo
$8.25
Potato & Chorizo Pirata Combo
$8.76
Breakfast Burritos
Item
Price
Burrito Potato & Chorizo
$6.29
Burrito Potato & Egg
$6.29
Burrito Chicharron
$6.69
Burrito Bacon & Egg
$6.69
Burrito Chorizo & Egg
$6.69
Kids Menu
Item
Price
Kid Bean & Cheese Taco Combo
$3.76
Kids Palenque Bowl
$5.50
Kid Bean & Cheese Taco with Fideo Combo
$5.50
Kids Quesadilla Combo
$6.31
Taco Palenque Beverages
Item
Price
Kids Drink
$1.39
Bottled Water
$2.30
Regular Drink
$2.89
Coffee or Decaf Coffee
$2.59
Large Drink
$3.29
Topo Chico Mineral Water
$3.25
Milk (2%) or Chocolate Milk
$3.05
Simply Orange or Simply Apple
$3.36
Coca-Cola, Sidral Mundet, or Fanta Orange (bottle)
$3.69
Family Platters (Parrilladas)
Sizes and contents vary by location, which is why prices show as a range.
Size
Price
For 2 (single meat)
$29.59–$33.69
Mixed for 2
$29.69–$32.99
Mixed for 3
$36.99–$48.19
For 3 (single meat)
$41.89–$49.99
For 4 (single meat)
$53.99–$65.29
Mixed for 4
$49.99–$63.99
Bundles
Item
Price
Flavors Bundle
$47.93
Family Platter with Panchos
$65.27
Family Platter with Super Quesadilla
$71.39
Taquitos Party Packs
Item
Price
Taquitos Party Pack
$50.00–$60.00
Taco Palenque Weekday Promo (Mon–Thu)
Item
Price
2 Quesadillas Pollo Al Pastor
$4.99
2 Taco Sirloin
$7.99
Spicy Chicken Burrito
$7.99
How to Save Money at Taco Palenque
Order from the Mon–Thu weekday promo, which prices items below their standalone menu cost.
Choose a Two Taco Combo instead of ordering tacos individually, since combos bundle in a side for close to the same price as two tacos alone.
Split a Family Platter for groups of three or more instead of ordering plates separately.
Stick to Breakfast Tacos over Breakfast Plates if you don’t need a full sit-down meal, since tacos run under $4 in most cases.
Check current pricing at your specific location before ordering party-size items, since sides, salads, and platters are shown as ranges that shift by store.
Opening Hours
Hours vary by location, but this schedule is commonly reported:
Day
Hours
Monday–Thursday, Sunday
6 AM–11 PM
Friday–Saturday
6 AM–3 AM
Many locations run close to around-the-clock on weekends. Confirm your local store’s hours before visiting.
Why Prices Vary by Location
Taco Palenque has grown from a single Laredo restaurant to 42 locations, 39 in Texas and 3 in Mexico. Sides, salads, and family platters show as price ranges because costs genuinely differ store to store. Confirm exact pricing with your local restaurant or the Taco Palenque app.
FAQs
Who founded Taco Palenque
Juan Francisco “Don Pancho” Ochoa founded it in Laredo, Texas, in 1987. He’d earlier created El Pollo Loco’s original chicken recipe in Mexico.
What is a “Pirata” at Taco Palenque
The chain’s signature dish: grilled steak or chicken with cheese on a flour tortilla.
Why is a dish called “Panchos”
It’s named after founder Don Pancho Ochoa. Panchos are fajita-topped nachos.
Has Taco Palenque won any awards
Yes. Food & Wine named it the Best Fast Food in Texas, ranking it above Whataburger.
Why do some prices show as a range
Family platters, sides, salads, and party packs vary by location, so official data reflects a range rather than one fixed number.
Is Taco Palenque open 24 hours
Not everywhere, but many locations run close to it on Fridays and Saturdays.
Key Takeaways
Tacos start under $3 and top out around $6.29 for the signature Pirata Taco.
Family platters and party packs vary by location, so treat listed prices as a range, not a guarantee.
The “Pirata” and “Panchos” names both trace back to founder Don Pancho Ochoa, who also created El Pollo Loco’s chicken recipe.
Weekday promos and Two Taco Combos are the clearest ways to save on a regular visit.
Conclusion
Taco Palenque menu prices for 2026 run from a $1.79 buñuelo to family platters near $71, with most tacos, burritos, and plates falling between $5 and $18. Since it’s a growing regional chain, confirm your exact local pricing with the app before ordering.
