Toucan Taco has tasty tacos at a great price. I usually get the beef or chicken tacos, and I've also had the queso, which was delicious. I tried the chicken quesadilla once, which was average--the only time I've ever been "meh" about my food there. It's a great place for a quick, cheap, delicious lunch--you can run in and pick up, or you can eat there. The staff is VERY friendly and accommodating. It's like fast food--fast and cheap--but tastes oh-so-much better!
(5)
Chrissy T.
I have so many fond memories of this place when I used to work over in Laurel. I had one of many date nights with my boyfriend here. We usually come for the tacos. It's a hidden gem over in Laurel. When most people think of Laurel, MD, they like "Laurel!? Eww". This place screams the opposite. Its a little mom and pops place and their tacos are super cheap in my opinion. I'm not really sure about the other items. It really quite and the staff offers a nice tight-knit culture. I recommend this place for their tacos if you're looking for an alternative to chipotle.
(5)
Lew O.
This restaurant is way overpriced considering the type of food it serves. If it cost 50% less than it does then it would have merited more stars, perhaps three stars at maximum. My wife ordered the taco salad and she enjoyed it, but she commented that it reminded her of cafeteria food. That description is spot-on: for better or worse, this is exactly the type of food that gets served at college and hospital cafeterias. I ordered the sunken burrito and was disappointed. It is just a soft enchilada. If it weren't for the fact that I watched them make it and name it and describe it, I would have assumed that they got my order wrong. The "famous queso" is just nacho cheese with some grains of meat mixed in. I didn't order the guacamole because it cost $4 for a dipping cup that would have topped ten chips, maximum. For dessert, my wife had a Choco Taco, which was reasonably priced at $1.95. Laurel actually has a decent Taco Bell in it. For your Mexican fix, I suggest driving over there, instead, where you'll get a greater variety of ingredients for a lower price. I have yet to find a Mexican restaurant from Baltimore to DC that's better than Taco Bell which says something about how bad this part of the country is for Mexican food. The sole exception so far is R&R Taqueria: yelp.com/biz/r-and-r-taq… . I was hoping that Toucan Taco would be on par with it, but I was wrong.
(1)
Melanie A.
You really need to have a good sense of humor when coming to a place like Toucan Taco. When you walk in you swear you're going to need a tetanus shot in order to make it out alive; the tables and chairs are something straight out of the 1970s; and getting a waiter or waitress is quite frankly hit or miss. However, the food more than makes up for it. While the queso is probably more expensive per ounce that crack (not that I would know), it is basically like crack. I can go get their largest size queso, a bag of chips, and just eat that. Along with their tacos, whenever I go there I feel like I'm having one of the best, greasiest meals I've had in awhile. The people are genuinely nice, and genuinely want to get to know you. I have no idea how long they work there, but some of them seem like my first. You don't come to this place for the ambiance - actually I recommend you to do take out. However, the food is good.
(4)
Iris K.
The staff are really nice, but that's about the best I can say about this place. My husband and I ordered the "famous" queso, which tasted like chips and queso dip from the grocery store. The enchiladas I had must have been a microwaved frozen dinner, and my husbands sunken "chicken" burrito had questionable mystery meat (we spent the dinner questioning what it was and decided pork). Probably one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to...
(1)
Colin C.
I've lived in Laurel for over 7 years and just had a friend tell me I had to try out this place. My wife and I talked about stopping in there every time we drove by, but never did. We were very happy with the food and have been twice in the past month. The first time we went they were out of guac for the day so we got the queso and burritos. All was very good. The second time we went they had guac and it was nothing like some of the pictures on here. It was bright and some of the best guac I've ever had. Bonus is that they have good vegetarian options including a vegetarian gravy for their sunken burrito.
(4)
Kristin G.
I had hopes this would be my new local spot. But very disappointed. All I ordered was Queso, Guacamole and 12 regular tacos (not just for me). They said they were running out of Guac so they could give me a cup of it. When I saw it, it was the size if a shot and the Guac was completely brown. All brown, no parts green or fresh. When I asked for Queso the guy on the phone said how much do you want.. I asked shat my options were he said I could get a pint. I couldn't imagine that would be expensive... They ended up charging me $10 for the Queso and $8 for the shot of Guac. What kind. of sense does that make? The tacos were no where near authentic. They were soggy and not much flavor. Definitely not recommending this place nor am I going back. Very disappointed.
(1)
Jon S.
IF IT WERE NOT for the sky-high prices of this place, Toucan Taco would earn my highest rating. The food is not "authentic" Mexican, but it is absolutely delicious. This location (used to be called Tippy's) has been owned by the same family for about 25 years. There were sister shops, Terrapin Taco in College Park and Tippy's near Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, but these have closed. Only Toucan survives. Twenty years ago, I would eat at one or another once a week and I did not live close to any of them. As for the food...the chili con queso is the best...but, WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. The tacos are small, but tasty. The hot sauce is tops...hot and strong on vinegar, thick but not chunky. The cheese enchiladas are small, but delicious. The Mexican gravy is very rich and spicy. The beef burritos are a nice size, but do not expect a "Chipotle" style burrito full of rice and lettuce. These burritos have beef and cheese and taste and that's it. The atmosphere is neither warm nor comfortable. The place is built for serving a cafeteria style lunch. Dinner here is cold and stark. The hot food is served in small aluminum pans. Paper plates and plastic untensils are as good as it gets here. Sadly, though I love the food, the place is way not worth the money because at these prices, you would expect a better overall experience.
(2)
R R.
Still a mean taco after all these years
(3)
Carl T.
Disgusting! With so many authentic and delicious Latin American restaurants all around laurel, it's a wonder why this place is still in business.
(1)
Nathan C.
If you like your Mexican food Americanized, your staff on the motorcycle-y side of normal, and artery-clogging mystery gravy and queso, then by all means go to Toucan Taco. Otherwise, you're obviously not an adventurous sort and should stick with T.G.I McChainy's. Toucan Taco, formerly Tippy's Taco, is a Laurel/Fort Meade institution that's been around longer than I have. Signature dishes are the sunken burrito (sunken in what? Mystery gravy, that's what!) and the queso. The queso is VERY expensive but is literally unmatched in this universe for awesomeness. And it comes in pints, if you are a REAL man. So, my recommendation: Tell the friendly tattooed, leather skinned waitress that you want the sunken combo burrito special with the queso, squeeze some of the spicy red gunk in the recycled squeeze bottle on it, grab a plastic fork, and go nuts. You won't be sorry -- until later in the day, that is. If you want something that won't sit in your stomach like a cheese-coated cinder block for three days, the tacos are also good, but you will be missing out on the heart of the Toucan Taco experience.
(5)
Eric H.
When you absolutely, positively HAVE to have a messy, fun Mexican meal! Toucan Taco (formerly Tippy's Taco House, many many moons ago) makes no pretensions of any sort, It is not a gourmet, healthy or upscale place. It is a place that serves very satisfying American-style Mexican food in a fun "down home" atmosphere. I have had every sort of Mexican food from California and East and I seldom have as much fun as I do at Tippy's The staff is friendly, the service is quick and the food is exactly what they say it is. The chili is spicy, the burritos messy, the queso yummy and the whole thing is an adventure in full-body-contact eating. If you have a fun bone in your body, you will have to get your Tippy's fix every so often. If you are really a fun person, you'll join the seemingly endless procession of locals picking up giant bags of carryout food for their (check one) office, school, team, staff meeting, volunteers, rescue squad, fire department, police precinct, etc. This is great food for watching football, March Madness, etc. And don't forget the Choco-Taco for dessert!
(4)
Michele M.
The food is ok, though it's blatantly obvious that it's not made on the premises. The one lady waiting tables was nice when she took my order and brought me my check. Otherwise, I don't think I existed to her. All in all, I will not be coming back. There are much better places in Laurel to get good Mexican food.
(2)
Michelle C.
I've been coming here since it was Tippy's and just had lunch here today. It's nice to see that things haven't changed, in a good way. The queso is still awesome (and pricey) but they seem to be using different chips these days. I like the old version better. Tacos (always beef, always hard shell) still good made even better with their homemade hot sauce. Ask for two. Sunken meat burrito is meaty and has plenty of enchilada sauce to insure a not dry burrito and have plenty left over to dip some chips into. Guacamole didn't wow me but I don't go there for that. I go for the San Antonio (2 tacos and queso) and you should too !
(4)
Ed W.
I have been eating here since 1979. I remember Lily and Bob working there and the daily soap opera that was intertwined with good food, some music for crying out loud, and many other younger people that would pack the place at night. Hasn't changed much since then but, ownership needs to wake up and look at who is walking thru the doors. I was young and single when I first entered the doors of what was then Tippy's Taco House in 1979. I am well, much older now and so are the vast majority of customers I see at Toucan Taco these days. A little music wouldn't hurt to cover up the sounds coming from the old farts that still come there after all these years ( I could swear 98 rock or some similar radio station was always playing in the old days), some new tables and chairs ( they make chairs with arms on them these days!) and, you could donate the old stacking chairs to the local VFW, finally pull the wood paneling off the walls and put some fresh items on the menu including fresh salads. Would it kill you to at least expand the beer and wine list? Liqueur as in Margarita, the most popular mixed drink in america! I am still a fan but, I am a business owner and realize change is good. And, cash is even better. Hey, breaking news. There is empty space next door for expansion, God Forbid business should pick up. Us old customers aren't going to be around that much longer.
(4)
Leslie K.
I do love this place. My wife and I have been coming here for over 25 years. We often bring my Mexican mother in law, who loves their enchiladas and cold beer. The Queso is necessary to start, and I'd probably give them 6 stars if the chips were thinner. I alternate between the generously sized beef tacos (order guac on the side, it's fresh, and cheaper than if you order it as a topping on each taco), and the cheese enchiladas (yes, more queso, but that is the point!) with a mysterious yet surprisingly delicious brown gravy. The food isn't too spicy hot, but that can be fixed quickly with a shot of their homemade hot sauce. Yes, it is a dive, but the staff is friendly, and it is clean enough in all the right places!
(5)
Elizabeth S.
OMG delicious! Just had my first tacos from Toucan taco, i ordered one of each kind (chicken, beef, bean) every single one was exceptional!!!
(5)
Tony Zowd ..
Best Mexican restaurant ever. There cheese dip is to die for and there Sunken meet burritos are awesome. If you live in Laurel, MD you know this place I have been coming here pretty much my whole life, I even worked there briefly in high school ( Anything to get that dip). I will not go to another Mexican restaurant.
(5)
Jordan S.
Going here is just like going into a time-warp to the 1970s. The building inside and out has been surprisingly well-preserved from its 1972 origins, when it was part of a chain called "Tippy's Taco House" - even down to a 1970s "Master Charge" sticker on the outside of a window. The menu itself is probably exactly the same as then - all old-style Americanized Tex-Mex items with chili and American yellow cheese on top, served not on a plate but in a foil take-out container. I get a craving for food like this from time to time, but the portion-size didn't warrant the high price, and instead of a bowl of chips one gets just two flat tostada shells. The irony goes even further when you realize that Laurel was once mostly Caucasian but now has a thriving authentic Mexican/Central American cuisine scene - completely invalidating this kind of food. If you want a true kitsch experience of how "Mexican" food was experienced by most small-town Americans in the 1960s-1970s, then this place is worth a visit. For real Mexican, there are probably a dozen more authentic places in the Laurel area.
(2)
Syed S.
Heard their queso is really good on trip advisor. Drove all the way from manassas to this place. Have had better queso than this one, queso was really salty and no spice in it, while chips were way more salty than queso. Server here looks at you, like you're asking for FREE food. Only leaving two stars because, hate to leave just one!
(2)
James H.
Not too bad for a little hole in the wall place. Food is pretty good. The staff were not too friendly.
(3)
Jerome W.
Someone once said "You Can Never Go Home Again". For me, that sadly seems to be true. I recall many happy visits to the "Tippy's Taco House" in the 1970's while I was a student at Maryland. So, the wife and I decided to re-live our College days by a visit to the follow-on to Tippy's: Toucan Taco in Laurel. We longed for the previously unforgettable "Cheese Enchiladas with Rice and Gravy". Also ordered a couple of Tacos and some chips with Chili-Con-Queso. While we waited, we ordered Corona beer.The beer was quick, and cold ( no glass, we were presented with the bottles at the table ). In a little while the chips with Chili-Con-Queso arrived. At first I thought the queso was lacking bits of tomato and chile, but I found them at the bottom of the styrofoam serving container; the mixture was pretty salty to my taste. I will admit to scraping out every bit of the cheese from the bottom of the small styrofoam container. The Tacos did fit my memory from years ago. The tacos were in pre-formed, pre-baked tortillas, some ground meat mixture in the bottom, with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes on the top. Pretty standard fare, BUT the sauce on the table was the greatest! This was a clearly recognizable flavor from forty years ago, I can't characterize the flavor, but it is unlike any commercial sauce I have encountered on store shelves. The well-remembered love-of-our-lives, the "Cheese Enchiladas with Rice and Gravy", showed up next. As in years past, it was still served in the soft-aluminum foil container with plastic utensils. (A fork, but no spoon... I remember that spoon for scooping up all the delicious gravy.) Well, this is the part where you can never go home again: The gravy about which I had been reminiscing was not in this serving. The original gravy had been a cheese-enhanced white sauce. We purchased two servings of Cheese Enchiladas: The stand-alone serving of enchiladas was covered with a thin-red enchilada sauce. The order of Cheese Enchiladas with beans and rice was baked and seemed to have no liquid sauce or gravy. So, I guess our expectations were a little too lofty... Or maybe the memory had grown to unrealistic proportions. In either case, we were not that impressed. I am glad we tried the place... Now we know.
(2)
Maria B.
Love the quesadillas and queso. Restaurant not all that so just get carry out!
(4)
Jim S.
When I was a kid and this was Tippy's taco it was the bomb. It has gone way down hill. The taco's and queso are still awesome, but everything else has gone downhill. The prices are VERY HIGH for a being on the run down side. It has always been a dive, but now it is a dive in need of work. The staff are always friendly and fast, but do tend to forget that you are present. Get the taco's and get out.
(2)
Christopher W.
I've been coming here for years, my mother used to tell me it was a tippies taco place one time. Supposedly they got away from the brand and went their own way. Anyway, I love their Chili con Queso with the Tostadas chips. It's damn expensive but damn awesome! I wish they would revamp their interior though, it has never changed since I was a small kid. If they pump some life in the decor they would have 5 stars from me. Also the people there are pretty laid back and down to earth. I have always had a pretty good time there. Thanks!
(4)
Debbie S.
Have Loved Toucan since it was TIppy's. Awesome queso, best ever but the "new"chips are not as good as the ones they used to carry as Tippys, tacos are great, burritos and the gravy are to die for! We no longer live in the area but occasionally will be nearby and make the detour to get great food. However, we do not eat in, definitely a take out place. Just close your eyes and order and leave, you will be happier that way :)
(4)
Fred L.
I've been coming here since way back in the late 1970's, when it was still Tippy's Tacos (my family still calls it Tippy's)! I live in Baltimore, and don't get down there as often as I'd like. I have to say right off the bat that this place is NOT for everybody. If you're looking for "authentic Mexican" food, then this place is not for you. If you're looking for a "Latin American" restaurant, then this place is not for you. If you're looking for anything remotely resembling a "fancy restaurant," then this place is not for you. IF, however, you're looking for some really great, if admittedly non-complex, Tex-Mex food, then I'd strongly suggest you at least give this place a shot. My absolute favorite: the sunken meat burrito. Very yummy, and I LOVE the mystery gravy! Next favorite would be the meat tacos. The chili con queso is possibly the best I've ever had, and while I like the hot sauce in the big generic ketchup/mustard squeeze containers, I just wish it were hotter. I love the food so much, I usually end up ordering a combo dinner then, sitting back wondering what else I might order since I'm not sure how long it will be before I'm back....
(5)
Lena W.
I have to admit that overall my experience was frustrating, but that's not through any fault of the restaurant. My GPS took me on a round-about excursion through the backstreets of Laurel. I presume this is because the entrance to the parking lot is on a one-way street (Gorman Ave.). So even though I took Rte 1/Baltimore Avenue all the way up, I had to take the scenic route to actually drive in. That being said, it's really near the heart of Laurel; it's right past the mall, so I could see the Giant Food's sign from our table. Parking wasn't a problem at all; the lot is a good size and it wasn't crowded at all when we arrived. The restaurant is very casual. You can either do takeout or casual dining - we opted for the latter since we'd had a 30 minute drive to get there. We seated ourselves and didn't wait long at all for someone to get our drink orders. I was shocked that it was so empty. When we arrived, there was a customer waiting for a carryout order, and the entire time we were there, we were the only customers who dined in. This equated to attentive, but not overbearing service. I actually commend them on their service - everyone was really friendly, even as the night wound down. It's the kind of place where you could get to know them if you're regulars. The decor is best described as retro. I doubt if it's been updated since it opened as a Tippy's Taco in the 70s, but I liked it. It gives the sense that it's a home-town establishment that focuses on quality food rather than the frills of decorating - no point in eating cardboard while you're in a fancy dining room, right? There are a good number of tables in the dining area - I quickly counted about 14 tables with four seats apiece, and they were pretty well spaced out. The bathrooms were remarkably clean. I've come to expect less than stellar facilities at family-run businesses, but this one was well above my expectations. On to the food! We started with the suggested appetizer of chili con queso - basically nachos. The corn chips were a hit with the munchkin. They were yellow corn, which I rarely have, but really liked. And the queso? Yes. Deliciousness. Don't know what's in there, but it was so good! It had some spice to it, but it wasn't enough to burn my taste buds or anything like that. I definitely recommend that. For the actual meal, we got tacos all around; I also ordered the Mayan - two cheese enchiladas (I added chicken to mine) and we ordered chicken tenders for the munchkin because she's not always open to experimentation. The chicken tenders were standard - maybe Tysons or something like that. The enchiladas were amazing. They were served with tostadas which tasted good with the Mexican gravy on them. They, too, had some spice to them, but it wasn't overpowering enough to bother me. On to the tacos, because that's really why we came. The munckin loved them - that says A LOT. She doesn't even eat tacos at home! I admit I was a bit disappointed because the tacos didn't taste the same to me. There was just something missing that I still can't place. Maybe it was the cheese or maybe it was the meat. I also tried the sauce that is served on the tables. That was a complete fail because it was so spicy that I couldn't taste the essence of the sauce beyond the burning of my mouth. This was frustrating not because of the spice but because of my inability to really *taste* anything after I'd had the sauce. Overall, the food at Toucan Taco is good, flavorful fare. I really enjoyed the environment, the people, and we'll probably be back - I'll just leave that sauce alone.
(4)
Michele W.
The stars are solely based on food alone. This place has the absolute best Queso dip, great tacos, and yummy sunken meat burrito. Though, it is a little pricey for a dive and it is recommended to order food carry out due to the lack of wait staff
(4)
Debra B.
Been a customer since Tippys. The food is good. Love the queso and the taco sauce. The food is overpriced. The atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. The service is good.
(3)
Eva W.
A friend of mine is a Laurel native and LOVES this place, and raved about it, so when a friend from out of town came to visit, we decided to check it out. Better than Taco Bell, but not the best Mexican food I've ever had. (That honor goes to some place in East Baltimore where it seemed like we were the only Anglos in the place.) Expensive, for take-out Mexican. It's not bad, somewhat tasty, but I didn't think it was worth what they charge. Edited to add: Went back and ate with my son. The food is still OK, but service was really slow, and we only accounted for half their customers at the time. Good guac & chips, though.
(3)
Rick K.
Great food. Different type of burrito, but get flavor. Make sure you get it sunken!
(4)
S R.
i need my taco fix at least 2-3 times a year!
(5)
Marc R.
This place used to be pretty awesome...but it has gone down hill. The food is still the same, but they refuse to hire another person on the wait staff. I've written the manager and she told me it will not happen. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, expect to be there for over 2 hours...because the place is small and nobody is in a rush. With two smaller kids, this is unacceptable. It's pretty expensive there too, and getting worse. I think this place had its run, but it should just pack up and leave town now. There are 100's of other places to eat good Mexican food that far exceed this place in quality and price.
(2)
Omid A.
might as well go to giant food and buy old elpaso sauce and make your tacos at home...
(3)
Eduardo S.
I would always pass this place when I would drive from Silver Spring to Baltimore...and always wondered what the Tacos tasted like... SO, finally, last week , I stopped in ! I must say that this place makes some pretty tasty tacos. They are standard tex-mex tacos, soft or hard shell, tomatoes, shredded cheese , letttuce. They have some pretty good flavoring/spices on the meat. You have to pay extra for guacomole. I left quite satisfied with my experience. However I am not sure how they messed up my order, I asked for two chicken tacos and one "meat" taco.... and they brought me 2 shredded beef tacos and one ground beef taco. I still just ate them anyway and thought they were pretty good. They were marked down to 3 stars because of this, and also because the inside of the place looks like someones basement from the 1970's or something.
(3)
Will B.
If I wanted to sit down to dinner with my food encased in a tin dish, I would have gone to the local Safeway and bought myself a microwave dinner. The food (I got the Burrito Dinner) is well short of mediocre. The queso, chips, and tostadas tasted like they were bought wholesale. It would be a giant misnomer to call the cuisine "fresh". If you are looking for some decent American-styled Mexican / Tex-Mex, you're best to look elsewhere. If I had a positive, it would be the service. The servers were very attentive and came by often. Yet, service doesn't quite make up for the poor quality in food.
(1)
Shieva R.
I grew up in Laurel, but it wasn't after I'd moved away that I finally made it out to toucan Taco! I don't even know why I like this place, the food isn't very good, the prices don't make any sense, the atmosphere wasn't worth while, but the staff was friendly and it just fit every expectation I had of it. I'll probably try another restaurant next time I'm in the area, but I'm happy to have finally tried Toucan Taco!
(3)
Danielle K.
It was honestly quite awful. The tacos are small, and not tasty. The best thing was the queso dip, but we needed to put it on everything for it to have any taste. It is a divey spot, and the service is poor, yet the prices are expensive. I felt cheated, and will not return again.
(1)
Hoyt H.
Service was fine, but the food was not good. I had a "sunken burrito" with chicken, and the primary ingredients seemed to be salt and chili powder. And salt. Did I mention the salt? There were also no vegetables to be seen, but maybe if I had ordered something else... This is the type of thing that passed for Mexican food in Iowa back in the 70s or something. Much better alternatives in the area for Mexican food.
(1)
Raj V.
Long ago, about 20 years (I was 7), my parents took my family to Taco Ole located near Iverson Mall. Later, that restaurant became Betty's Taco House. It was by far the best Mexican (granted American style Mexican, maybe Tex-Mex), that I ever had. I would get off school in anticipation of Taco Tuesdays! Sadly, we left that area and moved to Bowie and Betty's closed down. I thought I lost that Con Queso forever until my sister introduced me to Tippy's Taco. It was not as good, but it was still delicious. Only bad thing is that they only had locations in Virginia. On came high school, and about 10 minutes from ERHS, I found a gem in Terrapin Taco House. I ate there for many years til they went out of business and left. That drove me to check out Toucan Taco! Toucan Taco has great Con Queso and tacos. I am a vegetarian, so I get a pint of Queso and 3 bean tacos with their HOT SAUCE! The sauce and the queso make anything taste good! Beware, it is fatty - there is no doubt about that. In addition, unlike Tippy's and even Terrapin's - Toucan's prices are quite expensive. It is definitely not Taco Bell prices especially for the Queso. The difference between Tippy's and Toucan is that I find the Queso cheese to be more thick at Toucan & I prefer the taco shells at Toucan as well. Anyone who likes American styled Mexican food with great queso needs to check this place out!
(4)
Melissa S.
Love, love, love this place!!! I have been going to Toucan "Tippy's" Taco for many years and enjoy the food every time. I need my Tippy's fix at least every few months. Glad I don't live closer or I'd be there once a week!! Great place to meet up with old friends and share some Caso!
(4)
Mika G.
I'm going to have to go against the other reviews. This is not Mexican food. I guess I'm from L.A. so I'm used to the authentic stuff. I went with some friends that live down the street from this place and they LOVE it so I was excited to try it myself. I was disappointed. I think I'll stick with the crabs while in MD. mmmmm
(1)
Helen M.
Awesome!! Spicy, spicy, spicy!! The sunken burritos are the bomb! It is just a hole in the wall, but it has Miller Lite on tap, which goes a long way with me. I ended up spending a lot, but next time I'll know how to order a little more cheaply.
(4)
Dave P.
terrapintaco.com I had to give this a try, as I used to really love Terrapin Taco out in CP before they left. According to Toucan's owner they moved somewhere in NC. If anyone knows where please let me know. So, I enjoyed the sunken burrito as well as some guac. It's a nice family run place roughly similar to Terrapin. My only complaint would be how salty it was. Each individual component was fairly salty (beef, cheese, gravy), and combined together and reduced into the congealed mass of goodness they probably equaled a week's worth of sodium. Not as good as my memories, but worth a visit if you find yourself in Laurel.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey, Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
If you enjoy Taco Tuesday, then you have officially fallen in love with the Mexican Food. The main grain of Mexican cuisine is maize. Also known as corn, maize is grown for the past 9000 years after the crop was discovered by the people in Mayan civilization. Mexican empire flourished when they started growing beans, tomatoes, chili pepper, sweet potato and cactus. Till this date these ingredients are used in cooking authentic Mexican dishes and drinks.
Great use of spices, fresh chili pepper dishes like fajitas, tortilla chips, corn chips, salsa, chimichangas, burritos, nachos and quesadillas are invented in America. But when you are looking for authentic Mexican food then you must find a restaurant in the city that serves Rajas con Queso, Garbanzo in a Guajillo Chile Sauce, Pork Filled Chiles Rellenos, Chiles en Nogada, Molcajete Salsa, Pico de Gallo and Frijoles de la Olla. An eye-opening fact – Mexican don't like their food hot. They use fresh chili and other spices to create a flavor that lingers in your mouth.
Mexican food is great for those who are Gluten Intolerant as they use Corn instead of wheat in most of their dishes. Also, you can easily find many beans based Mexican dishes. Another dish which didn't get similar glory as tacos or nachos is the Mexican hot chocolate. If you love something hot on a chilly day, then go for Mexican Hot Chocolate. On merry days, you can enjoy the authentic Mexican Drinks like Tequila, Mezcal, Tecuí, Sotol, Bacanora, Charanda, Posh O Pox, Puebla and Pulque. Mexican Cuisine is for people who enjoy strong drinks and hearty meals.
T V.
Toucan Taco has tasty tacos at a great price. I usually get the beef or chicken tacos, and I've also had the queso, which was delicious. I tried the chicken quesadilla once, which was average--the only time I've ever been "meh" about my food there. It's a great place for a quick, cheap, delicious lunch--you can run in and pick up, or you can eat there. The staff is VERY friendly and accommodating. It's like fast food--fast and cheap--but tastes oh-so-much better!
(5)Chrissy T.
I have so many fond memories of this place when I used to work over in Laurel. I had one of many date nights with my boyfriend here. We usually come for the tacos. It's a hidden gem over in Laurel. When most people think of Laurel, MD, they like "Laurel!? Eww". This place screams the opposite. Its a little mom and pops place and their tacos are super cheap in my opinion. I'm not really sure about the other items. It really quite and the staff offers a nice tight-knit culture. I recommend this place for their tacos if you're looking for an alternative to chipotle.
(5)Lew O.
This restaurant is way overpriced considering the type of food it serves. If it cost 50% less than it does then it would have merited more stars, perhaps three stars at maximum. My wife ordered the taco salad and she enjoyed it, but she commented that it reminded her of cafeteria food. That description is spot-on: for better or worse, this is exactly the type of food that gets served at college and hospital cafeterias. I ordered the sunken burrito and was disappointed. It is just a soft enchilada. If it weren't for the fact that I watched them make it and name it and describe it, I would have assumed that they got my order wrong. The "famous queso" is just nacho cheese with some grains of meat mixed in. I didn't order the guacamole because it cost $4 for a dipping cup that would have topped ten chips, maximum. For dessert, my wife had a Choco Taco, which was reasonably priced at $1.95. Laurel actually has a decent Taco Bell in it. For your Mexican fix, I suggest driving over there, instead, where you'll get a greater variety of ingredients for a lower price. I have yet to find a Mexican restaurant from Baltimore to DC that's better than Taco Bell which says something about how bad this part of the country is for Mexican food. The sole exception so far is R&R Taqueria: yelp.com/biz/r-and-r-taq… . I was hoping that Toucan Taco would be on par with it, but I was wrong.
(1)Melanie A.
You really need to have a good sense of humor when coming to a place like Toucan Taco. When you walk in you swear you're going to need a tetanus shot in order to make it out alive; the tables and chairs are something straight out of the 1970s; and getting a waiter or waitress is quite frankly hit or miss. However, the food more than makes up for it. While the queso is probably more expensive per ounce that crack (not that I would know), it is basically like crack. I can go get their largest size queso, a bag of chips, and just eat that. Along with their tacos, whenever I go there I feel like I'm having one of the best, greasiest meals I've had in awhile. The people are genuinely nice, and genuinely want to get to know you. I have no idea how long they work there, but some of them seem like my first. You don't come to this place for the ambiance - actually I recommend you to do take out. However, the food is good.
(4)Iris K.
The staff are really nice, but that's about the best I can say about this place. My husband and I ordered the "famous" queso, which tasted like chips and queso dip from the grocery store. The enchiladas I had must have been a microwaved frozen dinner, and my husbands sunken "chicken" burrito had questionable mystery meat (we spent the dinner questioning what it was and decided pork). Probably one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to...
(1)Colin C.
I've lived in Laurel for over 7 years and just had a friend tell me I had to try out this place. My wife and I talked about stopping in there every time we drove by, but never did. We were very happy with the food and have been twice in the past month. The first time we went they were out of guac for the day so we got the queso and burritos. All was very good. The second time we went they had guac and it was nothing like some of the pictures on here. It was bright and some of the best guac I've ever had. Bonus is that they have good vegetarian options including a vegetarian gravy for their sunken burrito.
(4)Kristin G.
I had hopes this would be my new local spot. But very disappointed. All I ordered was Queso, Guacamole and 12 regular tacos (not just for me). They said they were running out of Guac so they could give me a cup of it. When I saw it, it was the size if a shot and the Guac was completely brown. All brown, no parts green or fresh. When I asked for Queso the guy on the phone said how much do you want.. I asked shat my options were he said I could get a pint. I couldn't imagine that would be expensive... They ended up charging me $10 for the Queso and $8 for the shot of Guac. What kind. of sense does that make? The tacos were no where near authentic. They were soggy and not much flavor. Definitely not recommending this place nor am I going back. Very disappointed.
(1)Jon S.
IF IT WERE NOT for the sky-high prices of this place, Toucan Taco would earn my highest rating. The food is not "authentic" Mexican, but it is absolutely delicious. This location (used to be called Tippy's) has been owned by the same family for about 25 years. There were sister shops, Terrapin Taco in College Park and Tippy's near Walnut Hill Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, but these have closed. Only Toucan survives. Twenty years ago, I would eat at one or another once a week and I did not live close to any of them. As for the food...the chili con queso is the best...but, WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. The tacos are small, but tasty. The hot sauce is tops...hot and strong on vinegar, thick but not chunky. The cheese enchiladas are small, but delicious. The Mexican gravy is very rich and spicy. The beef burritos are a nice size, but do not expect a "Chipotle" style burrito full of rice and lettuce. These burritos have beef and cheese and taste and that's it. The atmosphere is neither warm nor comfortable. The place is built for serving a cafeteria style lunch. Dinner here is cold and stark. The hot food is served in small aluminum pans. Paper plates and plastic untensils are as good as it gets here. Sadly, though I love the food, the place is way not worth the money because at these prices, you would expect a better overall experience.
(2)R R.
Still a mean taco after all these years
(3)Carl T.
Disgusting! With so many authentic and delicious Latin American restaurants all around laurel, it's a wonder why this place is still in business.
(1)Nathan C.
If you like your Mexican food Americanized, your staff on the motorcycle-y side of normal, and artery-clogging mystery gravy and queso, then by all means go to Toucan Taco. Otherwise, you're obviously not an adventurous sort and should stick with T.G.I McChainy's. Toucan Taco, formerly Tippy's Taco, is a Laurel/Fort Meade institution that's been around longer than I have. Signature dishes are the sunken burrito (sunken in what? Mystery gravy, that's what!) and the queso. The queso is VERY expensive but is literally unmatched in this universe for awesomeness. And it comes in pints, if you are a REAL man. So, my recommendation: Tell the friendly tattooed, leather skinned waitress that you want the sunken combo burrito special with the queso, squeeze some of the spicy red gunk in the recycled squeeze bottle on it, grab a plastic fork, and go nuts. You won't be sorry -- until later in the day, that is. If you want something that won't sit in your stomach like a cheese-coated cinder block for three days, the tacos are also good, but you will be missing out on the heart of the Toucan Taco experience.
(5)Eric H.
When you absolutely, positively HAVE to have a messy, fun Mexican meal! Toucan Taco (formerly Tippy's Taco House, many many moons ago) makes no pretensions of any sort, It is not a gourmet, healthy or upscale place. It is a place that serves very satisfying American-style Mexican food in a fun "down home" atmosphere. I have had every sort of Mexican food from California and East and I seldom have as much fun as I do at Tippy's The staff is friendly, the service is quick and the food is exactly what they say it is. The chili is spicy, the burritos messy, the queso yummy and the whole thing is an adventure in full-body-contact eating. If you have a fun bone in your body, you will have to get your Tippy's fix every so often. If you are really a fun person, you'll join the seemingly endless procession of locals picking up giant bags of carryout food for their (check one) office, school, team, staff meeting, volunteers, rescue squad, fire department, police precinct, etc. This is great food for watching football, March Madness, etc. And don't forget the Choco-Taco for dessert!
(4)Michele M.
The food is ok, though it's blatantly obvious that it's not made on the premises. The one lady waiting tables was nice when she took my order and brought me my check. Otherwise, I don't think I existed to her. All in all, I will not be coming back. There are much better places in Laurel to get good Mexican food.
(2)Michelle C.
I've been coming here since it was Tippy's and just had lunch here today. It's nice to see that things haven't changed, in a good way. The queso is still awesome (and pricey) but they seem to be using different chips these days. I like the old version better. Tacos (always beef, always hard shell) still good made even better with their homemade hot sauce. Ask for two. Sunken meat burrito is meaty and has plenty of enchilada sauce to insure a not dry burrito and have plenty left over to dip some chips into. Guacamole didn't wow me but I don't go there for that. I go for the San Antonio (2 tacos and queso) and you should too !
(4)Ed W.
I have been eating here since 1979. I remember Lily and Bob working there and the daily soap opera that was intertwined with good food, some music for crying out loud, and many other younger people that would pack the place at night. Hasn't changed much since then but, ownership needs to wake up and look at who is walking thru the doors. I was young and single when I first entered the doors of what was then Tippy's Taco House in 1979. I am well, much older now and so are the vast majority of customers I see at Toucan Taco these days. A little music wouldn't hurt to cover up the sounds coming from the old farts that still come there after all these years ( I could swear 98 rock or some similar radio station was always playing in the old days), some new tables and chairs ( they make chairs with arms on them these days!) and, you could donate the old stacking chairs to the local VFW, finally pull the wood paneling off the walls and put some fresh items on the menu including fresh salads. Would it kill you to at least expand the beer and wine list? Liqueur as in Margarita, the most popular mixed drink in america! I am still a fan but, I am a business owner and realize change is good. And, cash is even better. Hey, breaking news. There is empty space next door for expansion, God Forbid business should pick up. Us old customers aren't going to be around that much longer.
(4)Leslie K.
I do love this place. My wife and I have been coming here for over 25 years. We often bring my Mexican mother in law, who loves their enchiladas and cold beer. The Queso is necessary to start, and I'd probably give them 6 stars if the chips were thinner. I alternate between the generously sized beef tacos (order guac on the side, it's fresh, and cheaper than if you order it as a topping on each taco), and the cheese enchiladas (yes, more queso, but that is the point!) with a mysterious yet surprisingly delicious brown gravy. The food isn't too spicy hot, but that can be fixed quickly with a shot of their homemade hot sauce. Yes, it is a dive, but the staff is friendly, and it is clean enough in all the right places!
(5)Elizabeth S.
OMG delicious! Just had my first tacos from Toucan taco, i ordered one of each kind (chicken, beef, bean) every single one was exceptional!!!
(5)Tony Zowd ..
Best Mexican restaurant ever. There cheese dip is to die for and there Sunken meet burritos are awesome. If you live in Laurel, MD you know this place I have been coming here pretty much my whole life, I even worked there briefly in high school ( Anything to get that dip). I will not go to another Mexican restaurant.
(5)Jordan S.
Going here is just like going into a time-warp to the 1970s. The building inside and out has been surprisingly well-preserved from its 1972 origins, when it was part of a chain called "Tippy's Taco House" - even down to a 1970s "Master Charge" sticker on the outside of a window. The menu itself is probably exactly the same as then - all old-style Americanized Tex-Mex items with chili and American yellow cheese on top, served not on a plate but in a foil take-out container. I get a craving for food like this from time to time, but the portion-size didn't warrant the high price, and instead of a bowl of chips one gets just two flat tostada shells. The irony goes even further when you realize that Laurel was once mostly Caucasian but now has a thriving authentic Mexican/Central American cuisine scene - completely invalidating this kind of food. If you want a true kitsch experience of how "Mexican" food was experienced by most small-town Americans in the 1960s-1970s, then this place is worth a visit. For real Mexican, there are probably a dozen more authentic places in the Laurel area.
(2)Syed S.
Heard their queso is really good on trip advisor. Drove all the way from manassas to this place. Have had better queso than this one, queso was really salty and no spice in it, while chips were way more salty than queso. Server here looks at you, like you're asking for FREE food. Only leaving two stars because, hate to leave just one!
(2)James H.
Not too bad for a little hole in the wall place. Food is pretty good. The staff were not too friendly.
(3)Jerome W.
Someone once said "You Can Never Go Home Again". For me, that sadly seems to be true. I recall many happy visits to the "Tippy's Taco House" in the 1970's while I was a student at Maryland. So, the wife and I decided to re-live our College days by a visit to the follow-on to Tippy's: Toucan Taco in Laurel. We longed for the previously unforgettable "Cheese Enchiladas with Rice and Gravy". Also ordered a couple of Tacos and some chips with Chili-Con-Queso. While we waited, we ordered Corona beer.The beer was quick, and cold ( no glass, we were presented with the bottles at the table ). In a little while the chips with Chili-Con-Queso arrived. At first I thought the queso was lacking bits of tomato and chile, but I found them at the bottom of the styrofoam serving container; the mixture was pretty salty to my taste. I will admit to scraping out every bit of the cheese from the bottom of the small styrofoam container. The Tacos did fit my memory from years ago. The tacos were in pre-formed, pre-baked tortillas, some ground meat mixture in the bottom, with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes on the top. Pretty standard fare, BUT the sauce on the table was the greatest! This was a clearly recognizable flavor from forty years ago, I can't characterize the flavor, but it is unlike any commercial sauce I have encountered on store shelves. The well-remembered love-of-our-lives, the "Cheese Enchiladas with Rice and Gravy", showed up next. As in years past, it was still served in the soft-aluminum foil container with plastic utensils. (A fork, but no spoon... I remember that spoon for scooping up all the delicious gravy.) Well, this is the part where you can never go home again: The gravy about which I had been reminiscing was not in this serving. The original gravy had been a cheese-enhanced white sauce. We purchased two servings of Cheese Enchiladas: The stand-alone serving of enchiladas was covered with a thin-red enchilada sauce. The order of Cheese Enchiladas with beans and rice was baked and seemed to have no liquid sauce or gravy. So, I guess our expectations were a little too lofty... Or maybe the memory had grown to unrealistic proportions. In either case, we were not that impressed. I am glad we tried the place... Now we know.
(2)Maria B.
Love the quesadillas and queso. Restaurant not all that so just get carry out!
(4)Jim S.
When I was a kid and this was Tippy's taco it was the bomb. It has gone way down hill. The taco's and queso are still awesome, but everything else has gone downhill. The prices are VERY HIGH for a being on the run down side. It has always been a dive, but now it is a dive in need of work. The staff are always friendly and fast, but do tend to forget that you are present. Get the taco's and get out.
(2)Christopher W.
I've been coming here for years, my mother used to tell me it was a tippies taco place one time. Supposedly they got away from the brand and went their own way. Anyway, I love their Chili con Queso with the Tostadas chips. It's damn expensive but damn awesome! I wish they would revamp their interior though, it has never changed since I was a small kid. If they pump some life in the decor they would have 5 stars from me. Also the people there are pretty laid back and down to earth. I have always had a pretty good time there. Thanks!
(4)Debbie S.
Have Loved Toucan since it was TIppy's. Awesome queso, best ever but the "new"chips are not as good as the ones they used to carry as Tippys, tacos are great, burritos and the gravy are to die for! We no longer live in the area but occasionally will be nearby and make the detour to get great food. However, we do not eat in, definitely a take out place. Just close your eyes and order and leave, you will be happier that way :)
(4)Fred L.
I've been coming here since way back in the late 1970's, when it was still Tippy's Tacos (my family still calls it Tippy's)! I live in Baltimore, and don't get down there as often as I'd like. I have to say right off the bat that this place is NOT for everybody. If you're looking for "authentic Mexican" food, then this place is not for you. If you're looking for a "Latin American" restaurant, then this place is not for you. If you're looking for anything remotely resembling a "fancy restaurant," then this place is not for you. IF, however, you're looking for some really great, if admittedly non-complex, Tex-Mex food, then I'd strongly suggest you at least give this place a shot. My absolute favorite: the sunken meat burrito. Very yummy, and I LOVE the mystery gravy! Next favorite would be the meat tacos. The chili con queso is possibly the best I've ever had, and while I like the hot sauce in the big generic ketchup/mustard squeeze containers, I just wish it were hotter. I love the food so much, I usually end up ordering a combo dinner then, sitting back wondering what else I might order since I'm not sure how long it will be before I'm back....
(5)Lena W.
I have to admit that overall my experience was frustrating, but that's not through any fault of the restaurant. My GPS took me on a round-about excursion through the backstreets of Laurel. I presume this is because the entrance to the parking lot is on a one-way street (Gorman Ave.). So even though I took Rte 1/Baltimore Avenue all the way up, I had to take the scenic route to actually drive in. That being said, it's really near the heart of Laurel; it's right past the mall, so I could see the Giant Food's sign from our table. Parking wasn't a problem at all; the lot is a good size and it wasn't crowded at all when we arrived. The restaurant is very casual. You can either do takeout or casual dining - we opted for the latter since we'd had a 30 minute drive to get there. We seated ourselves and didn't wait long at all for someone to get our drink orders. I was shocked that it was so empty. When we arrived, there was a customer waiting for a carryout order, and the entire time we were there, we were the only customers who dined in. This equated to attentive, but not overbearing service. I actually commend them on their service - everyone was really friendly, even as the night wound down. It's the kind of place where you could get to know them if you're regulars. The decor is best described as retro. I doubt if it's been updated since it opened as a Tippy's Taco in the 70s, but I liked it. It gives the sense that it's a home-town establishment that focuses on quality food rather than the frills of decorating - no point in eating cardboard while you're in a fancy dining room, right? There are a good number of tables in the dining area - I quickly counted about 14 tables with four seats apiece, and they were pretty well spaced out. The bathrooms were remarkably clean. I've come to expect less than stellar facilities at family-run businesses, but this one was well above my expectations. On to the food! We started with the suggested appetizer of chili con queso - basically nachos. The corn chips were a hit with the munchkin. They were yellow corn, which I rarely have, but really liked. And the queso? Yes. Deliciousness. Don't know what's in there, but it was so good! It had some spice to it, but it wasn't enough to burn my taste buds or anything like that. I definitely recommend that. For the actual meal, we got tacos all around; I also ordered the Mayan - two cheese enchiladas (I added chicken to mine) and we ordered chicken tenders for the munchkin because she's not always open to experimentation. The chicken tenders were standard - maybe Tysons or something like that. The enchiladas were amazing. They were served with tostadas which tasted good with the Mexican gravy on them. They, too, had some spice to them, but it wasn't overpowering enough to bother me. On to the tacos, because that's really why we came. The munckin loved them - that says A LOT. She doesn't even eat tacos at home! I admit I was a bit disappointed because the tacos didn't taste the same to me. There was just something missing that I still can't place. Maybe it was the cheese or maybe it was the meat. I also tried the sauce that is served on the tables. That was a complete fail because it was so spicy that I couldn't taste the essence of the sauce beyond the burning of my mouth. This was frustrating not because of the spice but because of my inability to really *taste* anything after I'd had the sauce. Overall, the food at Toucan Taco is good, flavorful fare. I really enjoyed the environment, the people, and we'll probably be back - I'll just leave that sauce alone.
(4)Michele W.
The stars are solely based on food alone. This place has the absolute best Queso dip, great tacos, and yummy sunken meat burrito. Though, it is a little pricey for a dive and it is recommended to order food carry out due to the lack of wait staff
(4)Debra B.
Been a customer since Tippys. The food is good. Love the queso and the taco sauce. The food is overpriced. The atmosphere leaves a lot to be desired. The service is good.
(3)Eva W.
A friend of mine is a Laurel native and LOVES this place, and raved about it, so when a friend from out of town came to visit, we decided to check it out. Better than Taco Bell, but not the best Mexican food I've ever had. (That honor goes to some place in East Baltimore where it seemed like we were the only Anglos in the place.) Expensive, for take-out Mexican. It's not bad, somewhat tasty, but I didn't think it was worth what they charge. Edited to add: Went back and ate with my son. The food is still OK, but service was really slow, and we only accounted for half their customers at the time. Good guac & chips, though.
(3)Rick K.
Great food. Different type of burrito, but get flavor. Make sure you get it sunken!
(4)S R.
i need my taco fix at least 2-3 times a year!
(5)Marc R.
This place used to be pretty awesome...but it has gone down hill. The food is still the same, but they refuse to hire another person on the wait staff. I've written the manager and she told me it will not happen. If you go on a Friday or Saturday night, expect to be there for over 2 hours...because the place is small and nobody is in a rush. With two smaller kids, this is unacceptable. It's pretty expensive there too, and getting worse. I think this place had its run, but it should just pack up and leave town now. There are 100's of other places to eat good Mexican food that far exceed this place in quality and price.
(2)Omid A.
might as well go to giant food and buy old elpaso sauce and make your tacos at home...
(3)Eduardo S.
I would always pass this place when I would drive from Silver Spring to Baltimore...and always wondered what the Tacos tasted like... SO, finally, last week , I stopped in ! I must say that this place makes some pretty tasty tacos. They are standard tex-mex tacos, soft or hard shell, tomatoes, shredded cheese , letttuce. They have some pretty good flavoring/spices on the meat. You have to pay extra for guacomole. I left quite satisfied with my experience. However I am not sure how they messed up my order, I asked for two chicken tacos and one "meat" taco.... and they brought me 2 shredded beef tacos and one ground beef taco. I still just ate them anyway and thought they were pretty good. They were marked down to 3 stars because of this, and also because the inside of the place looks like someones basement from the 1970's or something.
(3)Will B.
If I wanted to sit down to dinner with my food encased in a tin dish, I would have gone to the local Safeway and bought myself a microwave dinner. The food (I got the Burrito Dinner) is well short of mediocre. The queso, chips, and tostadas tasted like they were bought wholesale. It would be a giant misnomer to call the cuisine "fresh". If you are looking for some decent American-styled Mexican / Tex-Mex, you're best to look elsewhere. If I had a positive, it would be the service. The servers were very attentive and came by often. Yet, service doesn't quite make up for the poor quality in food.
(1)Shieva R.
I grew up in Laurel, but it wasn't after I'd moved away that I finally made it out to toucan Taco! I don't even know why I like this place, the food isn't very good, the prices don't make any sense, the atmosphere wasn't worth while, but the staff was friendly and it just fit every expectation I had of it. I'll probably try another restaurant next time I'm in the area, but I'm happy to have finally tried Toucan Taco!
(3)Danielle K.
It was honestly quite awful. The tacos are small, and not tasty. The best thing was the queso dip, but we needed to put it on everything for it to have any taste. It is a divey spot, and the service is poor, yet the prices are expensive. I felt cheated, and will not return again.
(1)Hoyt H.
Service was fine, but the food was not good. I had a "sunken burrito" with chicken, and the primary ingredients seemed to be salt and chili powder. And salt. Did I mention the salt? There were also no vegetables to be seen, but maybe if I had ordered something else... This is the type of thing that passed for Mexican food in Iowa back in the 70s or something. Much better alternatives in the area for Mexican food.
(1)Raj V.
Long ago, about 20 years (I was 7), my parents took my family to Taco Ole located near Iverson Mall. Later, that restaurant became Betty's Taco House. It was by far the best Mexican (granted American style Mexican, maybe Tex-Mex), that I ever had. I would get off school in anticipation of Taco Tuesdays! Sadly, we left that area and moved to Bowie and Betty's closed down. I thought I lost that Con Queso forever until my sister introduced me to Tippy's Taco. It was not as good, but it was still delicious. Only bad thing is that they only had locations in Virginia. On came high school, and about 10 minutes from ERHS, I found a gem in Terrapin Taco House. I ate there for many years til they went out of business and left. That drove me to check out Toucan Taco! Toucan Taco has great Con Queso and tacos. I am a vegetarian, so I get a pint of Queso and 3 bean tacos with their HOT SAUCE! The sauce and the queso make anything taste good! Beware, it is fatty - there is no doubt about that. In addition, unlike Tippy's and even Terrapin's - Toucan's prices are quite expensive. It is definitely not Taco Bell prices especially for the Queso. The difference between Tippy's and Toucan is that I find the Queso cheese to be more thick at Toucan & I prefer the taco shells at Toucan as well. Anyone who likes American styled Mexican food with great queso needs to check this place out!
(4)Melissa S.
Love, love, love this place!!! I have been going to Toucan "Tippy's" Taco for many years and enjoy the food every time. I need my Tippy's fix at least every few months. Glad I don't live closer or I'd be there once a week!! Great place to meet up with old friends and share some Caso!
(4)Mika G.
I'm going to have to go against the other reviews. This is not Mexican food. I guess I'm from L.A. so I'm used to the authentic stuff. I went with some friends that live down the street from this place and they LOVE it so I was excited to try it myself. I was disappointed. I think I'll stick with the crabs while in MD. mmmmm
(1)Helen M.
Awesome!! Spicy, spicy, spicy!! The sunken burritos are the bomb! It is just a hole in the wall, but it has Miller Lite on tap, which goes a long way with me. I ended up spending a lot, but next time I'll know how to order a little more cheaply.
(4)Dave P.
terrapintaco.com I had to give this a try, as I used to really love Terrapin Taco out in CP before they left. According to Toucan's owner they moved somewhere in NC. If anyone knows where please let me know. So, I enjoyed the sunken burrito as well as some guac. It's a nice family run place roughly similar to Terrapin. My only complaint would be how salty it was. Each individual component was fairly salty (beef, cheese, gravy), and combined together and reduced into the congealed mass of goodness they probably equaled a week's worth of sodium. Not as good as my memories, but worth a visit if you find yourself in Laurel.
(4)