Right off a gravel driveway on Lillington’s busy main road, sits a brightly colored mobile home that’s hard to miss. What used to be a popular burger spot in this small North Carolina town has transformed into a go-to destination for real-deal Mexican street food called Tacos Oaxaca. It not only serves great food, but true Southern hospitality.
Getting There
After driving along multi-laned highways and packed roads, busy streets slowly combine into a quiet single lane surrounded by grassy farmlands and scattered homes.
Just past the “Welcome to Lillington” sign, traffic spikes up again. The main street is crowded with people exploring the local mom-and-pop stores and restaurants. Amid it all stands a bright pink sign that reads “Tacos Oaxaca" in big, bold white letters.
When you first arrive, you’re greeted by a stunning mural and a warm smile. That’s just how cousins, Jose and Erik San Juan, wanted it to be. Tacos Oaxaca was built on the foundations of their passion and hospitality.
“This restaurant was never about the money. We wanted to honor our Oaxacan culture and bring our heritage to this community,” Jose says.
Their kindness is palpable. It sounds cheesy, but you can truly feel the love in every ingredient of each dish.
From Hot Dogs To Tacos
Before Tacos Oaxaca, the mobile home was Byrd’s Drive-In, your typical hotdog and burger joint, popular with local farmers in need of a quick bite.
When the owner decided to sell their restaurant in 2007, the San Juan matriarch, Eugenia, took it over and completely transformed it—creating a menu that highlighted her Oaxacan roots and honored her mother’s recipes. Known as one of Mexico’s most diverse and flavorful regional cuisines, Oaxacan food is famous for its rich moles, tlayudas (large crispy and chewy tortillas topped with beans and more), and smoky, pit-cooked meats like lamb barbacoa.
In Lillington, the beige trailer became a place for many locals to experience this regional Mexican cooking for the first time. And with its rise in popularity, the trailer evolved. The family added a roof, an outdoor seating space, the famous pink wall, plants, and more.
Credit:
Natalie Hoy
A Taste Of Oaxaca
Every ingredient at Tacos Oaxaca shines in its own way. From the tortillas to the marinades, everything is made in-house with the freshest chilies, onions, and cilantro.
The al pastor is a standout. The pork is perfectly seasoned and charred, then enveloped in a thick homemade corn tortilla that keeps its structure no matter how much tomatillo salsa is added. The carne asada is just as delicious—juicy and packed with the notes of cumin, citrus, and a bit of heat. All of the tacos come topped with raw diced onions and cilantro to cut through the richness; each bite is flavorful, balanced, and satisfying.
Whether you're exploring the town of Lillington, or are passing through, make sure to plan a stop at Tacos Oaxaca—it’s well worth a detour.