From a Small Kitchen to
Your Favorite Taco Time
It all began in 2008 when founder Carlos Reyes brought his grandmother's traditional recipes from Oaxaca, Mexico to the streets of Kirkland, Washington. With a borrowed food cart and a handful of loyal customers, the dream of authentic taco time became real — one tortilla at a time.
What started as a weekend market stall grew into a beloved neighborhood restaurant. Our tacotime philosophy is simple: use only the freshest locally-sourced ingredients, honor traditional recipes, and serve every guest like family. Today, Taco Time is a cornerstone of the Kirkland food community, recognized for its bold, hand-crafted flavors and warm, welcoming atmosphere.
We've grown, but our heart hasn't changed. Every taco, burrito, and bowl that leaves our kitchen carries the same passion and pride as that very first taco Carlos sold in 2008.
View Our MenuBringing Authentic Taco Time to Every Table
Our mission at Taco Time is to serve bold, authentic Mexican-inspired food crafted with integrity — using fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients, honoring time-tested recipes, and building a restaurant where every guest feels at home. We believe great food has the power to bring people together.
Order NowOur Core Values
The principles that guide every decision, every dish, and every interaction at Taco Time.
Fresh First
We source locally and seasonally, partnering with Pacific Northwest farms to ensure every ingredient is at its peak freshness.
Made with Love
Every recipe is crafted with care and respect for tradition. We cook like we're feeding family, because to us — you are.
Community Rooted
Taco Time is proud to be a Kirkland institution. We give back to our neighborhood through events, partnerships, and support.
Sustainably Minded
From compostable packaging to minimizing food waste, we are committed to reducing our environmental footprint every day.
Meet Our Team
Passionate food lovers, creative chefs, and dedicated staff — the heart and soul of Taco Time.
Born in Oaxaca, Carlos brings 25+ years of culinary tradition to every dish. His abuela's recipes are the soul of our taco time menu.
Maria graduated from Le Cordon Bleu and has been crafting our beloved churros, tres leches cake, and seasonal desserts since 2012.
James ensures every visit is seamless and memorable. With 10 years in hospitality, he's the reason our guests keep coming back for more tacotime.
Carlos's daughter, Sofia, bridges tradition and innovation — experimenting with seasonal ingredients to create bold new taco time flavors.
Ready to taste what our team has crafted for you?
Order NowThe Taco Time Story — A Timeline
Sixteen years of bold flavors, community, and growth. Here's how we got here.
The First Taco Cart
Carlos Reyes launches a weekend taco cart at Kirkland's waterfront market. Lines stretch around the block from day one.
Opening Our First Restaurant
After three successful years at the market, Taco Time opens its first brick-and-mortar location on NE 85th St in Kirkland, WA.
"Best Mexican Restaurant" Award
Taco Time is recognized by Seattle Weekly as the Best Mexican Restaurant in the greater Seattle area — a turning point for the brand.
Farm-to-Table Partnership
We launch our "Fresh From the Northwest" initiative, partnering with 8 local farms to supply fresh, seasonal produce for our tacotime kitchen.
Community First Through the Pandemic
During the toughest year, Taco Time pivoted to community meal delivery — serving over 5,000 free meals to frontline workers in Kirkland.
Online Ordering Launch
Taco Time goes digital — launching online ordering and delivery to bring the full tacotime experience to your doorstep across the Pacific Northwest.
50,000 Happy Customers
We celebrate a major milestone: over 50,000 guests served. The Taco Time family keeps growing, one bold, fresh taco at a time.