Looking for a new lunch spot downtown? Salud Taqueria is the perfect place—it’s fast-casual Mexican, but set in an aesthetically pleasing environment with delicious twists on what you think of as your “traditional” Mexican restaurant.
It’s nestled downtown right by the McWane Science Center at 1931 2nd Ave N Birmingham. “We offer quality, vibes and hospitality in our community of BHM, AL. Our roots begin in Tabasco, Puebla and Michoacan, MEX,” their website explains. (There’s a reason Jesús Méndez, co-owner, was named one of Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2023!)
Salud Taqueria Is Turning One!
The Birmingham concept, crafted from José Medina Camacho and Jesús Méndez, is celebrating its first anniversary this Tuesday, October 7—and what a better time to try it out than the all-day party from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.?! You can sip on Happy Hour specials all day while you munch on $3 pastor and chicken tacos. Personally, I’d recommend visiting from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. because there will be live mariachi playing! But if you’re more of a late-night eater, you’ll thrive with the DJ set from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. by 4lonso. You can see more event details on Salud’s social media.
Foods to Try
The menu is centered around the foods Jesús grew up eating at his parents’ table in Tabasco, Mexico, before he immigrated to Alabama in 1994: tacos made from homemade tortillas, traditional Mexican meats like carne asada, pollo asado, suadero, trompos-style al pastor, and nopal, house-made salsas, and more. If you’re a fan of quesadillas, I’d recommend the steak Quesadilla Oaxaqueña—it’s cheesy, filled with grilled onions, and served on a corn tortilla. Of course, if you’re more of a bowl person, you can’t do wrong with their classic Puebla Bowl. You may think you’re full after enjoying your meal, but once you have a bite of the Vanilla Tres Leches Cake, suddenly you’ll have room for the whole thing—this light, airy dessert might be your highlight of the meal.
Whether you prefer non-alcoholic drinks like their fun, colorful Mexican sodas or you’re looking for a good frozen cocktail or a Mexican beer, José’s beverage program features all kinds of rotating fun drinks. (They even have a seasonal margarita!)
Regardless of what you get, you’ll be pleased with your dining experience—and it’s so fast you can walk or drive over for lunch and be back at the office before you have to clock back in! Be sure to peep through the floor-to-ceiling window into the kitchen when you go to see them making the homemade tortillas! Follow them on Instagram, check out their website, or call them at (659) 281-7320 for more information.
