Westopolis Taco Trail — Excelsior & Grand Stop

Two taco destinations share one easy-to-explore district. At the Excelsior & Grand stop on the Westopolis Taco Trail, Lago Tacos brings inventive tacos and margaritas, while The Taco Shop serves authentic street-style favorites. Between meals, visitors can enjoy nearby shopping, art, and parks.

Tacos, Walkable Streets, and St. Louis Park Discoveries

The Excelsior & Grand stop brings together two popular taco restaurants within a few blocks of one another in one of St. Louis Park’s liveliest, most pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Choose between imaginative taco combinations and traditional Mexican street food, then fill out the outing with local shops, public art, and outdoor activities.

🌮 Taco Stops at Excelsior & Grand

Lago Tacos

Lago Tacos offers creative tacos in an upbeat neighborhood setting. The restaurant is recognized for its contemporary Mexican menu, handcrafted margaritas, and energetic atmosphere.

Guests can choose from more than a dozen tacos, including birria tacos accompanied by rich consommé for dipping. Additional menu choices include burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, nachos, empanadas, and freshly prepared sides such as elote.

The beverage selection features margaritas, cocktails, beer, wine, and an entertaining assortment of mocktails. Big-screen TVs, a game room, and a pet-friendly patio make the restaurant a comfortable place to pause between Taco Trail stops.

Daily happy hour runs from 3–6 pm, with specials on drinks, street tacos, and appetizers.

The Taco Shop

The Taco Shop specializes in authentic Mexican street food and traditional favorites built around bold, classic flavors. This relaxed taqueria offers street tacos, burritos, tortas, fajitas, chimichangas, and loaded nachos.

Protein selections include carne asada, al pastor, carnitas, grilled chicken, and birria, along with more adventurous choices such as lengua and tripa.

A signature option is the Machete: an oversized tortilla packed with Oaxaca cheese and the protein of your choice. The restaurant works equally well for dining in or taking food to go while visiting the neighborhood.

Discover the Excelsior & Grand Neighborhood

The Excelsior & Grand District forms the neighborhood’s center, with a walkable design arranged around Excelsior Boulevard and Grand Way in St. Louis Park.

A central plaza features a bubbling fountain and Andrea Myklebust’s striking “Allegory of Excelsior” sculpture. Its gold-leafed figure seems to rise into the sky, reflecting excelsior’s meaning: “higher” or “to the sky.”

Shops, restaurants, and green spaces are all located within a few blocks, making it simple to walk from one taco stop to the next.

Unique Local Shopping

Excelsior & Grand is home to a combination of beloved local businesses and distinctive finds:

• Opitz Outlet — A Twin Cities legend with designer clothing, shoes, and accessories for men and women at up to 70% off retail
• The Annex by Opitz — A curated Opitz extension offering additional standout fashion finds
• Twin Cities Gold & Silver — Estate jewelry, rare coins, and precious metals
• Max’s Jewelry — A boutique featuring unusual jewelry, gifts, and sweet treats

Parks and Outdoor Adventures

Wolfe Park

Located just steps away from the Excelsior & Grand district, Wolfe Park is among the city’s most popular outdoor destinations and pairs naturally with a Taco Trail outing.

Visitors will find walking trails, a scenic pond, playgrounds, pickleball courts, basketball courts, sand volleyball courts, and ample picnic space.

In summer, the Veterans’ Memorial Amphitheater presents a full schedule of community programming, including:

• Kids concerts on Wednesday mornings
• Family-friendly concerts on Wednesday evenings
• Open mic nights on Thursdays

It’s a welcoming setting for unwinding, exploring, or catching live entertainment after tacos.

St. Louis Park Aquatic Park

Next door, St. Louis Park Aquatic Park offers a seasonal family attraction. Water slides, pools, and splash features provide a refreshing way to cool down and extend a summer Taco Trail visit.

More Delicious Dining Nearby

Excelsior & Grand also has several appealing places to eat within a short walk:

• Honey & Rye Bakehouse — Scratch-made pastries, artisan breads, sandwiches, and coffee
• Vibe Organic Juice Bar — Fresh juices, smoothies, and plant-forward wraps and bowls
• Hazelwood Food + Drink — Wood-fired pizza, steaks, seafood, and classic comfort dishes

A Taco Trail Stop Worth Exploring

The Excelsior & Grand Taco Trail stop combines two notable taco restaurants with a lively walkable district, legendary local shopping, and convenient access to parks, events, and summer activities. It offers a neighborhood experience that goes beyond a quick taco meal.

Once you’ve visited Lago Tacos and The Taco Shop, the other destinations along the Westopolis Taco Trail offer more opportunities to continue the culinary adventure.