We didn’t invent tacos. We just made them weird—in a good way.
Back in 2017, a few Springfield locals were sitting around a table (probably arguing about brisket) and realized something was missing. Sure, there were tacos in town—but where were the fun ones? The crunchy ones? The tacos that made you say, “Wait… is that mango?”
So they did something about it. No secret family recipes. No corporate overlords. Just a group of friends who loved food, flavor, and doing things a little differently. And thus, Tinga Tacos was born—a downtown Springfield taco shop that doesn’t follow rules unless we wrote them.


Downtown Springfield tacos, done our way.
Today, Tinga is one of the go-to spots for tacos in downtown Springfield, MO. We’re located just off the square and just steps from hotspots like Hotel Vandivort, The Historic Gillioz Theatre, and The Blue Room Comedy Club. Whether you’re catching a matinee at Springfield Little Theatre, pregaming before a show at Great Southern Bank Arena, or just in need of a post-bar taco fix—we’re close, we’re open late, and we’ve got chips ready.
Looking for late-night food near the square? We’re open until 12:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays—just follow the sound of sizzling shells.
Our food doesn’t play it safe.
We fry our own crunchy taco shells & chips in-house (yes, really). We pile on toppings like queso, pickled carrots & onions, mango habanero, fresh pico—if it sounds weird, we probably tried it. And if it worked, it made the menu.

Our signature lineup includes flavor bombs like:
The Crusher – classic ground beef and a fan favorite.
The Cow Tipper – tri-tip steak + queso = yes, please.
The Fu Yu – a tofu taco that might outshine the meat.
But that’s just the beginning. We serve build-your-own bowls, tasty nachos, and house-fried chips that deserve their own fan club. The best part? Almost everything is gluten-free, and we offer vegan and vegetarian options that are more than just lettuce in a tortilla.

Pre-show bites. Post-party feasts. Taco Tuesdays… on any day.
We’re not just a taco place. We’re a vibe. We’ve become a favorite pre-concert food stop for folks heading to local venues like The Shrine Mosque, The Gillioz, or The Regency. You’ll catch couples splitting chips before curtain call, groups rolling in post-show, and solo taco lovers refueling after First Friday Art Walk.
Springfield has a lot of great places to eat—but if you’re Googling “where to eat before a concert downtown Springfield”, we’re that sweet spot between fast, flavorful, and full of personality.
Two food trucks. Too much flavor.
Our two branded Tinga Tacos food trucks are basically mobile party starters. You’ll see them at festivals, block parties, weddings, and office events. People chase them down (not kidding) just to see if their favorite taco made the trip.
Hosting an event? You can:
- Book a truck for on-site service (we roll up, set up, and feed your crowd)
- Order a catered taco bar to go (for office lunches, birthdays, & rehearsal dinners)
Looking for food truck or catering in Springfield MO? Yep, that’s us.


The people behind the tacos.
You might not see us on a billboard or posing in chef coats, but we’ve got a crew that brings the flavor—and the fire. Our team’s made up of food lovers, downtown locals, taco purists, and yes, a few kitchen rebels who’d rather invent a new special than follow a recipe.
We’re casual. We’re counter service. We don’t take reservations, but we do take pride in making your taco just how you like it—even if you’re that person who wants everything on the side. (We see you. We support you.)
Locally owned. Downtown rooted. Famously funky.
Tinga is proudly Springfield-local, owned by some of the same crew behind Civil Kitchen, Finnegan’s Wake and The J.O.B. Public House. We all do our own thing, but the core—it’s about good food, great drinks, and a deep love for this city.
You won’t find us in other towns. No franchises. No copy/paste menus. Just bold flavor and a little downtown weirdness.

Come for the tacos. Stay for the vibe.
Whether you’re planning a night out, looking for a downtown Springfield lunch spot, or wondering if tacos can, in fact, be your entire personality—we’re here for it.
Bring your friends. Bring your hunger. Bring your weird taco order.
Just don’t bring boring.