Taqueria Express No. 3 sits on South Perkins Road in Memphis, running as a 24-hour operation with both a drive-thru and a dine-in counter, an unusual combination for Mexican food that keeps a steady flow of customers coming through at nearly any hour of the day or night. First-time dine-in guests have described the front counter as low on small talk but efficient once an order is placed, with staff turning friendly and helpful during the actual ordering process.
The menu goes well beyond a standard taco stand, listing fish, shrimp, tacos, chimichangas, sopes, quesadillas, breakfast burritos, and even chicken nuggets for kids, making it workable for a family with mixed tastes at the same table. The street tacos are the clear specialty, described by regulars as some of the best in the immediate area, served with fresh vegetables and a flavor profile that leans authentic rather than Americanized, though portions of meat run lighter and more finely diced than at some other taco spots nearby. Chips are made fresh, a detail that comes up often in reviews, and the sun room seating area gives diners a view of the activity along Perkins Avenue while they eat.
Consistency has been a point of feedback for a few guests, with occasional complaints about food prep details like uncleaned shrimp or a missing fork, and drinks are typically served in a can rather than from a soda fountain, which some visitors find less convenient. Even so, the combination of 24-hour availability, drive-thru convenience, and genuinely good street tacos has made Taqueria Express No. 3 a go-to stop for Memphis residents craving Mexican food outside of normal restaurant hours, whether that's a late-night order after a shift or an early breakfast burrito before work. The sun room seating in particular has become a favorite spot for regulars who prefer to eat in rather than use the drive-thru, offering a casual view of Perkins Road traffic while enjoying a meal that costs considerably less than most other 24-hour dining options in the area. Given the volume of orders the kitchen handles at all hours, occasional slip-ups are perhaps inevitable, but the sheer convenience of a full Mexican menu available around the clock keeps the location busy and keeps regulars returning even after an inconsistent visit.
Not sure about the other comments but this place is legit. Got a plate with rice and beans and sampled most of the different street tacos and all were delicious. Authentic, fresh, and high quality. Service was also quick and attentive. My entire family couldn't stop saying how good it is! Give this place a try and you won't be disappointed!
Their food is amazing. Their prices use to be inexpensive, now I'd say everything is reasonably priced, especially for the very high quality of the food. They are friendly. The service time at which you receive your food is swift. And I do mean if you come and the drive thru line is wrapped around the building, please be patient because TE #3 is very much worth the wait, which you will not have to wait long because they are very expeditious .
🪳Roach alert! Umm decent food. Steak tacos weren’t giving what I expected. Decent 99cent chicken tacos but I literally had a roach from the lil veggie buffet crawl all over my rice after I got some cucumbers and it ruined my whole day. I tried to get over it but it made me sooo disgusted. They need to do better. Put some Orthene down or something because that is unacceptable. Customer service was average …nothing to get excited about. They don’t say much but that’s okay. I used to love the idea of the lil veggie bar but the roaches have GOT to go. ASAP! Not sure if Im going back. Too many other options.
The tacos were authentic and delicious with great pricing!! Great customer service. There is a small bar where you can get your salsa and veggies for the tacos. The only downside is that you have to go outside to the bathroom
The food was decent. But this was our first time and we told them that, yet the girl at the window kept rushing us and was unpleasant. My husband asked for her assistance choosing a meat dinner he wanted to try their suggestion and she ignored him and just kept saying what meat do you want. At the window she was just as unpleasant with no smile and a bad attitude. Won’t likely return because of it.
Fresh food. Love the drive thru option. Chicken and steak taco with pickled veggiesFood: 4/5 | Service: 4/5Noise levelNot sure
Went on Thanksgiving night - there was a bit of a wait in the drive through but it was worth the wait! I ordered the pork carnitas, which was absolutely delicious! It was fresh, hot, and well seasoned.
The food tastes authentic. I’d rate the tacos alone 4/5 for what it is and I like that it comes with veggies. Beware, there isnt a lot of meat on the tacos and they dice it up. It’s much different than other taco spots in the immediate area. The service is subpar. There wasn’t a fork in the bag to eat the veggies and according to the girl at the window, they don’t haves cups of water. It would seem that a facility that sells spicy food and has a drink machine would have running water and a cup. So, I had to suffer through the burn without anything to drink.
I ordered shrimp ceviche, which is supposed to come with avocado, but it was missing from my order. I was also charged separately for tostadas, even though they should be included. The listed price was $5.99, but I was charged $13 instead, and the dish was extremely spicy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t return to address the issue because I was on my lunch break and didn’t have time to go back.
We came here because they had some really good reviews and the food ended up being good. We got 4 tacos in total and 2 chicken quesadillas. Like I mentioned above, the food was good, but I felt like something was missing. The flavors were nice but the quesadilla was really oily and I think some sour cream would've probably balanced it out.
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