Session Taco Takeaway. Session Taco serves up solid, standardized Mexican fare in a setting that's more modern bar than hole-in-the-wall. I give it a 7.5/10 for delivering reliably good food that won't blow your mind but will definitely satisfy your cravings. If you're looking for an authentic, intimate Mexican experience, this isn't it. But if you want a fun, lively spot to hang with friends over quality burritos, strong drinks, and killer chips and salsa, Session Taco delivers. The service is great, parking is easy off Delmar, and while you might wait 10-15 minutes on a Saturday night, it's worth it for a laid-back date night or group hangout.
Table Of Contents: Experience | Food | Atmosphere | Receipt
Session Taco Experience Summary
I've been to this place several times now, back when it was called Mission Taco and now under its new name, Session Taco. This particular visit was a Friday night date with my wife and some good family friends, and honestly, we had a blast. We camped out there for nearly two hours, talking and laughing until they were basically ready to close.
Here's my hot take, though. Tacos are overrated.
I know, I know. It's a taco joint. But hear me out. No matter how many tacos I order, I always leave feeling like I didn't get enough food. It's just the nature of tacos for me. They're these little parcels that look amazing but leave you wanting more, and at four to five tacos deep to actually get full, you're looking at $16 to $20. That's steep for what you get, in my opinion.
So I switched teams. I go burrito now, and let me tell you, it's the right call. The South Beach burrito I got was packed with grilled chicken, cilantro rice, black beans, cheese, chipotle, and guacamole smothered on top. The whole thing came wrapped in a nicely grilled flour tortilla that held together like a champ. For $13, I was full and satisfied. Can't beat that value.
The vibe here is as corporate as you can get for a place that isn't technically a chain. Session Taco has multiple locations, and you can feel that standardization the moment you walk in. It's clean, open, and loud in that fun, festive way. The bar stretches across the space, and you can see straight back to the kitchen from the entrance. We sat at an elevated table on those glorified barstools they love at modern restaurants, but I've also sat in regular chairs in the back before. They've got outdoor seating too, which would be clutch in the summer.
This isn't your cozy, tchotchke-filled neighborhood Mexican spot. It's more like a fast-casual bar-restaurant hybrid. Think modern and buzzy, not mama and pop. And you know what? That's perfectly fine for what it is. We showed up around 7:00 on a Saturday night without a reservation and waited about 10-15 minutes to get seated, which felt pretty standard for the weekend dinner rush. The service was fantastic. No complaints there whatsoever.
Walking out that night, I felt like Session Taco nailed what it's trying to be. A reliable spot for good Mexican-inspired food in a fun atmosphere. It's not going to redefine your understanding of tacos or transport you to Mexico City, but it'll give you a solid meal and a good time. That's worth something in the quest for St. Louis's best food.
The Food At Session Taco
Let's talk about the star of my show. The South Beach burrito.
For $13, this thing delivered exactly what I wanted. Grilled chicken, cilantro rice, black beans, melted cheese, chipotle sauce, and a generous helping of guacamole spread across the top. The flour tortilla had that perfect grilled texture, slightly crispy on the outside but still soft enough to hold everything together without falling apart mid-bite. The portion size was just right. Not so big that you're struggling through the last few bites, but substantial enough that you're not leaving hungry. Better than Chipotle, and I'll stand by that.
My wife went with the bowl, which is basically a burrito deconstructed. She loaded it up with extra lettuce, turning it into more of a burrito salad situation. It looked fresh and colorful, and she seemed happy with her choice.
Our friends stuck with the tacos, as taco people tend to do. Over my various visits here, I've tried the pork carnitas, carne asada, and a few others. They're good. Really, they are. But here's the problem. You need four or five tacos to actually fill up, and at that price point, you're dropping $16 to $20 on dinner. For tacos. That's a tough sell for me.
My buddy ordered the Baja fish taco along with a couple others, and everyone at the table who loves tacos loved them here. I'm just personally more of a flour tortilla guy, and I didn't feel like any single taco was worth the investment when the burrito game is this strong.
Now, the chips and salsa situation. They're not free here, which always stings a little bit. $6 for chips and salsa. We added guacamole for another $9, which means our appetizer cost more than my entree. That's wild when you think about it.
But here's the thing. The chips at Session Taco are actually fantastic. These aren't just vehicles for getting salsa into your mouth. They're legitimately good on their own, thick and crunchy with great flavor. They come with three salsas: fire-roasted poblano, a regular salsa, and a spicy one. I'm a spicy salsa guy myself. The whole spread was worth it, even at $15 total.
If you want something more adventurous, Soul Fuego's spicy Cheeto burrito would definitely be more interesting. The South Beach is more traditional, but sometimes traditional done well is exactly what you need.
Session Taco Atmosphere And Miscellaneous
Session Taco feels modern and energetic the moment you walk through the door. Everything is open and loud in that festive restaurant way where conversations blend together into a happy buzz. The bar dominates the space, stretching across the room with taps for drinks if that's your thing. You can see straight back to the kitchen, which gives the whole place a transparent, nothing-to-hide vibe.
The seating options are varied. We grabbed an elevated table with those trendy barstools that are everywhere these days. On past visits, I've sat in regular chairs toward the back, which honestly felt a bit more comfortable for a long meal. They've also got outdoor seating that would be perfect on a nice summer evening.
The vibe is definitely not a small, family-run Mexican restaurant with colorful decorations and personal touches. This is the standardized, multi-location approach. Clean lines, consistent branding, that corporate polish. Some people might miss the charm of a mom-and-pop spot, but there's something to be said for knowing exactly what you're going to get every time.
Service was excellent during our visit. Our server was attentive without hovering, kept drinks filled, and checked in at all the right moments. No complaints there at all.
One fun note: we got there a little early and actually had time to pop into United Provisions grocery store right nearby. I grabbed some Asian condiments I'd been wanting to try. It's nice when dinner plans line up with other errands.
Parking At Session Taco
Parking off Delmar is usually pretty easy to find. We've never had major issues, and this time we got lucky with a spot right across the street. Even on busier nights, you can typically find something within a block or two. If you're coming for lunch, parking is even easier. Not much to stress about here.
Session Taco Receipt
