• Courtesy of El Cortijo

El Cortijo Taqueria y Cantina — In the historic space that once housed Oasis Diner, this cantina now serves up seasonally inspired tacos. Get yours filled with diverse ingredients such as quinoa, beef tongue, sweet potato or chorizo, then topped with add-ons like pickled jalapeños, queso fundido and vegan cheese.

Other Finalists (Inside Chittenden County)

• Agave Taco and Tequila Casa
• El Gato Cantina
• Taco Gordo

• Jeb Wallace Brodeur

The Mad Taco — Any nonnative Vermonter will tell you that when it comes to good, authentic-style Mexican food, the Green Mountains are no destination. But that broad view overlooks the mad-good eats at the Mad Taco. Co-owners Joey Nagy and Wes Hamilton stuff tortillas with everything from smoked pork shoulder to fried fish to achiote chicken, then top them with salsa verde or kimchi. And it’s all done while keeping food miles to a minimum: Much of the meat and veggies sold across all three locations (including a brand-new Chittenden County spot at the Essex Shoppes & Cinema) hails from Nagy’s 300-acre farm in Fayston. Diners can go south of the border without leaving home.

Other Finalists (Outside Chittenden County)

• Caja Madera
• deMena's
• Prohibition Pig Brewery
• Trail Break Taps + Tacos