Welcome to Cartel Taco Bar
At Cartel Taco Bar, located in Arlington, TX, tacos transcend the ordinary, embracing a vibrant blend of flavors and creativity. Our story springs from a passion for crafting exceptional tacos paired with signature cocktails in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. With a menu that caters to all tastes—from savory shrimp bowls to indulgent nachos—vegetarian options abound, ensuring there’s something for everyone. The casual vibe, complemented by outdoor seating and live music, invites diners to unwind and connect. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or enjoying a night out with friends, Cartel Taco Bar is the perfect destination for unforgettable flavors and good times.
- 506 E Division St St 150 Arlington, TX 76011 United States Hotline: (817) 200-6364
Welcome to Cartel Taco Bar, a vibrant gem nestled in the heart of Arlington, Texas. As a food reviewer from Restaurant World, I'm excited to unveil a culinary experience that brilliantly combines tantalizing tacos with a lively cocktail bar atmosphere. Located at 506 E Division St, Cartel Taco Bar has carved out a niche for itself as a go-to destination for taco enthusiasts and casual diners alike. With a modish vibe and an array of enticing offerings, this eatery provides a feast for the senses.
One of the standout features of Cartel Taco Bar is its versatility. With options for delivery, takeout, and even outdoor seating, it caters to your every dining preference. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite or settling in for a cozy meal with friends, this restaurant ensures a welcoming environment, complete with wheelchair accessibility and a casual dress code.
As you step inside, you’ll immediately feel the lively ambiance, often enhanced by live music on Wednesday nights—perfect for unwinding after a long day. If you’re a fan of multi-dimensional dining, the bar boasts a full selection of cocktails while offering happy hour specials that are too good to pass up.
What truly sets Cartel Taco Bar apart is its creative menu, packed with flavor and variety. Die-hard taco lovers will relish the all-a-carte street tacos, available in mouth-watering options like Fajita Beef and Pulled Pork. Each taco, offered on warm flour or corn tortillas, promises an explosion of taste at just $2.99 to $3.49. For those looking to indulge further, the Queso Dip, served with crispy chicharrones and tortilla chips, is an emblem of comfort food at $10.75.
- Chop Salad: A refreshing blend of ingredients, this salad pairs nicely with the hearty dishes at just $13.99.
- Cartel Shrimp Bowl: For a fusion of flavors, this dish features sautéed shrimp in Cartel butter over cilantro lime rice for just $15.99.
- Nachos: The ultimate sharing platter, loaded with refried beans, fajita beef or chicken, and topped with fresh toppings, is available for $15.95.
Moreover, the environment caters well to groups, making it a great spot for gatherings or celebrations. With services like catering and private dining available, Cartel Taco Bar can accommodate your event needs seamlessly. The restaurant’s covered outdoor seating and heated options mean you can enjoy your meal regardless of the weather, all while surrounded by the lively ambiance unique to Cartel Taco Bar.
In conclusion, Cartel Taco Bar is a model of culinary excellence and social dining. Its commitment to quality, vibrant atmosphere, and extensive menu is sure to leave a lasting impression. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Arlington, this spot is a must-visit for anyone seeking a delightful taco experience paired with expertly crafted cocktails!

It was my homie's birthday, so we all met up at Cartel for some drinks and bites. We were seated promptly at a table for eight and were greeted by our waitress, who was incredibly friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable about the specials and drink options. I ordered the loaded steak nachos, a passionfruit and mango margarita, a Maker's Mark and Coke with cherries, and later, a shot of tequila. The food was solid, the drinks were well-made, and there were plenty of TVs showing sports and news updates, which added to the vibe. My only disappointment? The music selection was pretty boring. A more lively playlist could have taken the atmosphere up a notch. Overall, it was a great spot for a group hangout, and I'd definitely come back!

Quick service tacos, quesadillas et al from an out of the way place near AT&T Stadium. We were next door at the 4 Kahunuas Tiki Bar, which does not serve food, and needed something to eat, without leaving the area. Cartel Taco fit the bill. Decent food, decent portions (my photos were too shaky - may it was the Tiki drinks), the only real issue was the price. Not really a good value, 3 average sized tacos close to $30. But, as a captive audience, it could have been worse.

I found myself at Cartel tacos when figuring out a place to eat when hanging at Cidercade next door. On here and on my map app they were listed as closed but on my way to go try another place I noticed someone cleaning the windows at the doors. A manager/co-owner came over to me as I was walking over and he asked me about Cidercade being busy for their tax day special. I let them know they showed up as closed, but he let me know they are open! Staff was friendly when coming in and generally was busy once I got my food. Oh I do have to give a shout out that they do have big red at the on tap soda machine. (Not for me but for my husband and sister.) So I came in and got the chicken birra tacos which comes with 3. You can get more than one meat if you would like. The food was decent and the price was really reasonable. $10 and some change after tax, but before tip. I'm glad I came over to give them a chance, and we may keep them in rotation if we come back to to Cidercade.

What can I say? We love this place. It's a fun spot. Especially the bar area. You can order at the main counter. However, if you are sitting in the bar area, you can order there. And speaking of the bar, the bartenders are great. They are personable without being overly familiar. Just right. As for the food, they have a good menu with lots of treats. Lots of fun tacos and apps. The chicken quesadilla is fantastic. They season the tortilla and it is so good.

I'm not sure what's up with the reviews! We came on a Thursday evening after drinking all day and needed some snacks. This was the spot. You can either order from the takeout counter and bring it to your seat, or get traditionally served. The menus are slightly different and seated service was highly recommend. We started with the nachos which were fantastic. We also got a couple tacos at the servers recommendation, all great. We did not leave there hungry and were super satisfied, great food. The service was super quick. Jack was the one that served us at the bar and he was fantastic all night. We had a lovely time and it was perfect after a day at the arcade!