Texa-Tonka Taco Trail — A Flavorful Walk Through St. Louis Park

Two taco destinations come together in one easy-to-explore neighborhood. At the Texa-Tonka stop on the Westopolis Taco Trail, Brito's Burrito brings fresh tortillas while Bodega Taco Bar serves crispy birria tacos. Shopping, art, parks, and other local finds are all close by.

Two Taco Spots and Mid-Century Character in St. Louis Park

The Texa-Tonka stop on the Westopolis Taco Trail places two excellent taco restaurants within steps of one another in a historic and especially charming part of St. Louis Park. Visitors can choose between classic street tacos, generously filled burritos, and much more, then fill out the outing with shopping, art, and outdoor activities nearby.

Taco Stops at Texa-Tonka

Brito's Burrito

Fresh tortillas and customizable Mexican food make Brito's Burrito an essential Taco Trail destination. This popular quick-service restaurant has served bold, homemade Mexican flavors for more than 20 years.

Start by selecting tacos, a burrito, a burrito bowl, a salad bowl, or nachos as your base. Protein choices include chicken, carnitas, taco meat, tofu, steak, barbacoa, and al pastor, with shrimp or fish tacos also available.

Complimentary toppings include rice, pinto or black beans, grilled vegetables, pico de gallo, cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, lettuce, corn salsa, cilantro, and lime. The salsa bar adds regular, mild, medium, and hot salsas, along with corn salsa and fresh pico.

Chips with guacamole, queso, or salsa make an easy side for a meal worth enjoying at a relaxed pace. Brito’s offers dine-in, takeout, and catering, so it works equally well for neighborhood explorers and taco-to-go seekers.

Inside the Texa-Tonka Shopping Center, Brito’s makes an ideal first stop for the taco adventure.

Bodega Taco Bar

Across the street, Bodega Taco Bar offers another favorite on the Taco Trail. This family-owned restaurant pairs traditional Mexican flavors with imaginative additions.

The menu includes carne asada, al pastor, and carnitas, as well as vegetarian and vegan selections. Diners can order American-style tacos or traditional street tacos, along with burritos, tortas, and quesadillas.

A signature specialty is the famous birria taco: a crispy corn tortilla filled with tender beef, cilantro, and onions, accompanied by a rich cup of consommé for dipping.

More unexpected choices include birria egg rolls, birria ramen, crazy nachos, crazy fries, and walking tacos served in a Doritos bag.

Dessert options include churros, mangonada slushies, Mexican corn in a cup (esquite), and ice cream bars. Bodega welcomes dine-in guests and also suits a quick taco break during a neighborhood walk.

Discover the Texa-Tonka Neighborhood

Texa-Tonka Shopping Center

Historic Texa-Tonka Shopping Center, first built in 1951, forms the center of the neighborhood. Its distinctive mid-century modern architecture and collection of locally owned businesses give it a character that stands out among St. Louis Park shopping districts.

Look for the playful Bowling Guy, a life-size caricature created by local artist Adam Turman. The character references The Big Lebowski; the Coen Brothers grew up in St. Louis Park and spent considerable time at the shopping center and the neighboring bowling alley.

A large mural by artist Jake Dwyer adds another piece of local history. Drawing on design styles from the 1940s through the 1960s, it combines historic scenes, including Red Owl and Piggly Wiggly stores, with contemporary views of community life. Together, the images form a colorful portrait of the neighborhood’s past and present.

Truly Unique Shopping

Between taco stops, browse the many distinctive shops that make Texa-Tonka a local favorite.

• Ax-Man Surplus Store – A legendary Minnesota oddities shop filled with scientific gadgets, industrial surplus, craft supplies, and wonderfully strange discoveries.
• Erik’s Bike Shop – A full-service bike shop with bikes, electric bikes, skateboards, and equipment for cyclists at every level.
• Judith McGrann & Friends – A delightful boutique offering seasonal and one-of-a-kind finds such as clothing, jewelry, bags, scarves, socks, gifts, cards, and trinkets.
• Brookie’s Fish Market – A place to pick up some of the freshest seafood in the Twin Cities.
• Westside Wine & Spirits – A neighborhood destination for wine tastings, gourmet sandwiches, and thoughtfully selected bottles to bring home.
• The BeaHive Mercantile – A charming weekend shop focused on vintage clothing and distinctive retro treasures.
• Eye of the Beholder Thrift Boutique – A source for antiques, gifts, and home décor.
• Elequent Jewelry – A longtime local jeweler offering beautiful rings, pendants, earrings, and expert repair services.

Things to Do Nearby

After tacos, the neighborhood offers additional ways to spend the afternoon.

• Dreamer’s Vault Games – A paradise for gamers, with cards, comics, toys, and organized tournaments for Magic, Pokémon, and more.
• Texa-Tonka Lanes – A classic 24-lane bowling alley and neighborhood institution with automatic scoring, big-screen TVs, and an energetic bar and grill.

Parks and Outdoor Adventures

Several parks are within walking distance of the Texa-Tonka area.

• Rainbow Park (2908 Sumter Ave) – A small neighborhood park with picnic tables and a popular playground.
• Texa-Tonka / Lake Victoria Park (2750 Virginia Ave S) – A scenic Lake Victoria park with paved trails, soccer fields, a community garden, and connections to the regional trail system.
• Aquila Park (3110 Xylon Ave S) – One of the city’s largest parks, offering sports fields, tennis courts, picnic shelters, and walking trails. The park also hosts the annual 4th of July fireworks celebration every July 3.

Cyclists can reach the nearby North Cedar Lake Regional Trail, a 4.4-mile route linking St. Louis Park neighborhoods with the Minneapolis lake trail system.

More Delicious Dining Nearby

Texa-Tonka has a wide selection of restaurants within a short walk for anyone still looking for something to eat.

• Angel Food Bakery & Donut Bar – Famous for scratch-made donuts, pastries, and coffee drinks.
• Best of India – Flavorful Indian food with adjustable spice levels.
• Rosalia – Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizza alongside Mediterranean dishes.
• Wok in the Park – A modern Asian fusion bistro with many vegan and gluten-free choices.

During summer, visit the rear of Angel Food Bakery for FrioFrio, which serves inventive ice cream and ice cream sandwiches, frozen lollies (popsicles), and cocktails.

A Memorable Stop on the Taco Trail

The Texa-Tonka Taco Trail stop combines two standout taco restaurants with mid-century history, local artwork, unusual shopping, and convenient access to parks and trails. It offers far more than a quick meal and rewards visitors who take time to explore the neighborhood.

Once you’ve visited Brito’s Burrito and Bodega Taco Bar, keep following the Westopolis Taco Trail to find its other delicious destinations.