Taco Mark
Indio, CA
Photo courtesy Ralph Squillace

Stopping for tacos around Indio? Check out the original standalone Taco Mark at dusk, when the red-and-white building and its retro sign stood out along Harrison Street. Despite the old Indio listing, this location was actually across the city line in Coachella.

The little walk-up building began life as a Triangle Drive-In before becoming Taco Mark. It later served tacos, carnitas, burritos, and old-fashioned hamburgers, all from a roadside stand that still looked like a classic Southern California burger joint.

UPDATE: This original Taco Mark location closed sometime before 2022. The building was renovated and reopened as Olga’s Tacos in early 2025, and the Taco Mark sign was removed. The Taco Mark name continues at a separate strip-mall location nearby on Harrison Street. 09-26

Taco Jalisco
Indio, CA
Photo courtesy Ralph Squillace

Cruising along Highway 111 in Indio, check out the little roadside building for Taco Jalisco. With its compact shape and simple walk-up appearance, the place looks like it could be a distant desert relative of those little White Castle stands back east. No tiny hamburgers here, though.

Taco Jalisco has been serving the neighborhood since 1979. The menu leans toward traditional Mexican favorites, including tacos al pastor, carnitas, tortas, chilaquiles, and menudo. It is the sort of small highway food stop where the building catches the eye, then the tacos provide the reason to stay.

UPDATE: Taco Jalisco remains open at the corner of Monroe Street and Highway 111. The small roadside building and its freestanding sign still survive, thought the sign has changed, and the restaurant continues serving Indio locals and passing travelers. 09-26