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There are a lot of taco spots in Columbus. Some are classic, some are trendy, and some just go completely off the rails. Local Cantina is a combination of all three, in the best possible way.
You’ve probably heard of Local Cantina. And if you haven’t, you’ve definitely driven past one.
With 10 locations (and growing) around Central Ohio, this taco spot has become a go-to for people who want good food, strong drinks, and zero pressure to take anything too seriously.
Each location has its own look and feel. The Brewery District spot is cozy and laid-back, while the one in Dublin’s Bridge Park feels modern, yet as perfectly outlandish as ever. No matter where you go, you’re getting a place with character… and tacos with even more of it.
Tacos That Shouldn’t Work (but Somehow Do)
The menu here doesn’t stick to tradition. If anything, it takes traditional tacos, gave them a glow up, and adds queso and pineapple salsa for good measure. And honestly? We’re not mad about it.
Let’s start with the Crunchweezy. This is their top-selling taco for a reason. It’s a hard corn shell inside a soft flour tortilla, with guac and queso in between filled with barbacoa, roasted corn and black bean salsa, chipotle cream, and lettuce with a sprinkle of queso fresco. If Taco Bell’s Cheesy Gordita Crunch ever grew up and got its act together, it’d be this.
Then there’s the Hong Kong Phooey. It’s filled with General Tso’s chicken, pineapple salsa, sriracha, avocado, and sesame seeds. It’s sweet, spicy, crunchy, and somehow fits in a flour tortilla like it was always meant to be there.
And if you’re around on the weekend, brunch at Local Cantina is where things get especially wild. The After Party Taco, only available from 11 AM to 3 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, is filled with Nashville hot chicken, bacon, maple syrup, and chipotle maple aioli… all inside an Eggo waffle shell. Yes, really.
The Sleeper Hit? The Chicken Flautas
Not everything on the menu is over-the-top. The chicken flautas are simple, crispy, and extremely good. They’re stuffed with pulled chicken, cheese, and salsa, then served with a sweet-and-spicy jalapeño jelly that TOTALLY steals the show.
You can also get fajitas, quesadillas, nachos, and other staples that round out the menu. The names are cheeky and fun (see: Ron Burgundy Quesadilla), but the flavors are legit.
And yes, they have self-serve chips & salsa.
Heaven on Earth, folks.
Mustache Rides, Taco Tuesdays, and Other Excellent Decisions
Local Cantina isn’t just about the food. The drink specials and weekly promos make it easy to show up with friends and accidentally stay too long.
- Every Tuesday, it’s $2.22* House tacos & $4* Top Shelf Tacos all day. (Dine-in only, cannot be combined with other discounts)
- On Mondays, the Mustache Ride Margarita is just $5. It’s a signature drink with a name you may or may not want to say out loud, but it’s strong, citrusy, and definitely worth it.
- In the summer, Local Cantina partners with RESCUEDohio for Pups on the Patio events with themed drinks like the Salty Dog Margarita, plus pup-friendly hangs on the patio all year long.
WTF?!
No, not that WTF. At Local Cantina, they have a Weekly Taco Feature, a secret menu item that’s made from scratch. It changes every Tuesday, so it’s all the more reason to get your taco-loving keister to Local Cantina for some tacos and margs!
Local Cantina Is Different, and Different is Great
Local Cantina isn’t trying to be fancy or refined. It’s fun, memorable, and just a little over-the-top. Whether you’re in the mood for a waffle taco, a round of margaritas, or just want to eat chips and queso on a patio with your pooch somewhere, Local Cantina has you covered.
It’s one of the few restaurants in Columbus where the Nashville Hot Chicken taco with pickles lives in harmony with the General Tso’s taco, and nobody even bats an eye.
Check out the full menu and find your closest spot at localcantina.com
P.S. If you end up ordering the waffle taco, just know you are my soulmate.
This article is a paid promotion sponsored by an SOC advertiser and designed to share valuable info with our readers.