Monterrey Tacos Y Mas in Oklahoma City: Made-to-Order Tacos and Burritos at Lunch Prices
Monterrey Tacos Y Mas is a counter-service Mexican restaurant focused on customizable tacos, burritos, and quesadillas, operating since the early 2000s in Oklahoma City's midtown corridor. The operation centers on speed and ingredient control rather than sit-down dining ambiance, making it a weekday lunch and quick-dinner destination for people who want to build their own plate without markup.
What Monterrey Tacos Y Mas Actually Is
This is a build-your-own taco establishment where you choose protein, toppings, and salsa at the counter, then eat at one of a handful of tables or take your order to go. The kitchen stocks standard Mexican-American taco proteins (ground beef, shredded chicken, carnitas, lengua, and barbacoa on rotation) and operates in the tradition of casual taquería service found across Oklahoma City's Mexican restaurant landscape. Unlike sit-down Mexican restaurants with table service and full bar programs, Monterrey competes on speed, customization, and per-item affordability rather than atmosphere or cocktails.
Menu and Pricing
Individual tacos range from $1.50 to $2.50 per taco depending on protein choice, with three-taco minimums common on order tickets. Burritos run $7 to $9 and can be ordered wet (smothered in red or green sauce) for an additional $1.50 to $2. Quesadillas cost $6 to $8. A typical lunch order—three tacos and a drink—costs $8 to $11 before tax. The kitchen does not charge extra for double proteins or modified toppings, a meaningful difference from some Oklahoma City Mexican chains where customization incurs upcharges. Verify current prices by phone before visiting, as ingredient costs shift.
How It Compares to Other Oklahoma City Options
Monterrey Tacos Y Mas sits between the higher-volume fast-casual chains (like Fuzzy's Tacos or Tamashii) and sit-down establishments offering full table service. Fuzzy's operates more locations across the metro and prioritizes speed-of-service for drive-through and mobile order, while Monterrey emphasizes protein variety and made-to-order flexibility over operational scale. If you want barbacoa or lengua specifically, Monterrey stocks both regularly; Fuzzy's rotation is narrower. Compared to full-service Mexican restaurants like Ted's Cafe Escondido or similar sit-down venues, Monterrey costs roughly half the price per person and serves no alcohol, making it unsuitable if you want margaritas or an evening dining experience. Choose Monterrey for lunch economy and ingredient choice, not for ambiance or bar options.
Who It Suits and Who It Does Not
Monterrey works best for office workers on a 30-minute lunch window, people with specific protein preferences, and anyone budgeting under $12 per meal. It does not suit groups seeking table service, diners wanting alcohol, or anyone uncomfortable ordering at a counter. The dining area is cramped and not designed for lingering, so this is not a destination for a leisure meal.
What the First Visit Involves
Walk to the counter, review the laminated menu board above, and order by specifying how many tacos you want, which protein, and which toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, cilantro, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños). The staff will ask about salsa—usually red or green, and sometimes a house hot version. Pay at the register, wait 5 to 7 minutes, and collect your order in a paper boat or box. No table service; you refill your own drink from a self-serve station if applicable.
Hours, Parking, and Logistics
Monterrey operates Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., though these hours can shift seasonally—confirm by phone before a special trip. Street parking is available on the block; no dedicated lot. The location is accessible by car from midtown and serves the lunch crowd primarily, with slower evening traffic. Public transit access is limited in that area.
Monterrey Tacos Y Mas fills a specific role in Oklahoma City's Mexican food ecosystem: casual, ingredient-forward, and priced for weekday urgency rather than weekend leisure. For that job, it performs reliably.
