Lulu's Taco 5150 in Oklahoma City: Carne Asada and Carnitas Built to Order

Lulu's Taco 5150 is a counter-service taco shop in Oklahoma City that specializes in grilled meats and house-made tortillas, operating as a casual lunch and dinner spot with a focus on carne asada, carnitas, and regional Mexican flavors. The restaurant occupies a small footprint suited to quick service but full-flavored execution, and it has become a reference point for diners seeking taco builds beyond standard taco-stand templates.

What Lulu's Taco 5150 actually is

The operation centers on two core proteins: carne asada, cubed and seared on a griddle with chile and spice, and carnitas, braised pork shoulder shredded to order. Both arrive in corn tortillas made fresh daily in-house, distinguishing the shop from competitors relying on wholesale stock. The menu runs lean by design: proteins, a short list of salsas (ranging from mild pico to habanero heat), grilled onions, cilantro, lime, and a few sides including beans and rice. No burritos or quesadillas. This constraint reflects a deliberate identity rather than limitation. The counter format means you order and pay immediately, then collect your meal within minutes.

Menu, pricing, and house specialties

Tacos run $2.50 to $3.25 each, depending on protein and size. A carne asada taco lands at the lower end; carnitas track slightly higher due to labor intensity. Most diners order three to four tacos per visit. Combination plates, which bundle three tacos with rice, beans, and a drink, fall between $12 and $14. Agua fresca and Mexican sodas cost $2 to $3. The pricing sits below sit-down establishments but above food-truck minimums, reflecting the freshness of the in-house tortilla program and daily meat preparation.

The carne asada arrives with visible char and a chile undertone that reads distinct from standard grilled steak versions; the carnitas carry pork fat and subtle smoke, a result of extended braising rather than fryer prep. Diners expecting taco-truck speed paired with deli-counter quality will find this balance here. Those seeking textured, charred edges on proteins will recognize the griddle technique immediately.

How Lulu's compares to other Oklahoma City taco options

Oklahoma City's taco landscape includes established operations like Los Favoritos, which emphasizes quantity and tableside guacamole, and smaller counter shops focused on lengua or barbacoa. Lulu's 5150 separates itself through the tortilla freshness and the carne asada treatment: the meat is visibly griddle-worked rather than served from a warming bin, and the corn tortillas' texture and slight char make a perceptible difference in mouthfeel. Los Favoritos appeals to diners seeking a full menu and table service; Lulu's suits those prioritizing protein quality and tortilla craft. Barbacoa-focused competitors serve slow-cooked head meat; Lulu's bypasses that category entirely in favor of the grilled aesthetic.

Who Lulu's suits and who it does not

The space works best for lunch crowds and early dinner, when you can expect a short wait and consistent meat turnover. Solo diners and small groups move through fastest; larger parties should expect a ten-to-fifteen-minute window depending on kitchen load. The counter-only format means no dine-in seating, making this a to-go or standing-room operation. Diners with dietary restrictions will find the protein-forward menu straightforward to navigate, though cross-contamination concerns should be confirmed directly with staff. Families seeking varied menu breadth or those wanting extensive customization beyond salsa choice will find Los Favoritos or full-service spots more flexible.

What to expect on a first visit

Arrive during off-peak (mid-afternoon or early evening, not peak lunch) to observe the meat cooking and understand portion sizes. Order at the counter, specifying protein and salsa heat level; the staff will plate hot tortillas and proteins to order. Retrieve your meal, choose your toppings from the garnish station, add lime and salsa, and eat standing up or take it with you. The entire sequence takes three to five minutes from order to handoff. Bring cash or confirm card acceptance before ordering; some counter shops in Oklahoma City operate cash-only, though Lulu's accepts both.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Lulu's operates Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is closed Mondays. Verify current hours before visiting, as independent shops occasionally adjust seasonally. Street parking is available on the surrounding block; the shop sits in a walkable neighborhood grocery area rather than a major mall or highway corridor. The location favors foot traffic and neighborhood regulars over destination-drive traffic, so it is best reached by those within a few miles who already know the area.

Lulu's Taco 5150 earns its place in Oklahoma City's taco conversation through a single, focused execution: grilled meat and fresh tortillas made to order without filler or flourish. It is not the largest or most visible taco operation in the city, but it is the one to visit when you care more about protein quality and tortilla texture than menu breadth.