While the local food scene is better known for Salvadoran pupusas, it doesn’t stop many a displaced Californian (or Texan or Arizonan) from the fervent pursuit of an authentic Mexican taco.

These tacos are a far cry from any oily, hard-shelled monstrosity found at Taco Bell. Traditional tacos are generally two small corn tortillas filled with shredded meat, onion, cilantro, and finished off with a squeeze of lime. I distinctly remember the first time I ate “real” tacos: I was in Southern California, and it tasted like nothing I’d ever experienced growing up in the Midwest. Ever since then, I’ve been trying to recapture the impossibly delicious flavors of that taquería without having to fly across the country.

In an attempt to find D.C.’s best taco, I undertook an unscientific survey of five area taquerías. This search was by no means exhaustive — it only included as many taco places as I could manage in one week. Moreover, menu differences prevented me from ordering the exact same items at every restaurant. Taco price varied slightly among restaurants, running between $2.00 – $2.75 each.

Were any of these tacos as good as something you might find in L.A.? Frankly, no. But sometimes, you just really want tacos. So here’s the skinny on the next best thing, short of hopping a five-hour flight.