Behind a Davis Highway Gas Station, Taqueria El Asador Remains a Northwest Florida Dining Powerhouse

Tucked directly behind a Shell service station off North Davis Highway near Nine Mile Road, an open-air kitchen draws steady crowds daily from across Pensacola, Ferry Pass, Ensley, and Santa Rosa County. What started as a single modest food trailer in 2014 has evolved into one of the most celebrated small-business success stories in Northwest Florida: Taqueria El Asador.

Founded by Monterrey, Mexico native Rivelino “Rive” Garcia, the enterprise has built its sterling reputation not through lavish dining rooms or corporate marketing, but through traditional wood-flame grilling, scratch-made marinades, and disciplined consistency. Over a decade later, the open-air establishment continues to attract national recognition while anchoring the local casual dining landscape in Escambia County.

The Formula: Flame, Freshness, and Simplicity

From its inception, Garcia focused on the unpretentious neighborhood taquerias of northern Mexico. Instead of the conveyor-belt model common to national fast-casual chains, El Asador relies on hands-on preparation. Meats are marinated by hand and cooked directly over high-heat, open-air grills, filling the corner of Davis Highway and Nine Mile Road with distinct aromatics of charred peppers, scallions, and searing beef.

The menu centers on street tacos served in double-wrapped corn or flour tortillas. Diners can order the traditional Regular style—garnished with fresh cilantro and finely chopped onions—or the Supreme style, which adds shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado, and crumbled queso fresco. Every order comes flanked by grilled scallions, a blistered whole jalapeño pepper, lime wedges, and a choice of homemade red or green salsas.

Menu Offerings and Pensacola Tacos Specialties

• Carne Asada: Hand-trimmed, marinated chopped steak seared on high-heat grills.
• Al Pastor: Spiced, slow-cooked pork infused with traditional Mexican seasonings.
• Pollo Asado: Marinated chicken grilled over open flame.
• Chorizo & Campechano: Spiced Mexican sausage served individually or mixed directly with chopped steak.
• Lengua & Costilla: Tender, slow-braised beef tongue and richly flavored grilled ribs for traditional palates.
• Platillos & Full Fare: Substantial dinner platters served with Mexican rice, refried beans, grilled jalapeños, and warm tortillas, alongside tortas, burritos, quesadillas, sincronizadas, and house-crafted aguas frescas.

From Local Hidden Gem to National Acclaim

In its early months, Taqueria El Asador functioned primarily as a local word-of-mouth staple for nearby workers, University of West Florida students, and North Pensacola residents. That changed when data-driven national reviews thrust the roadside stand into the spotlight.

National outlets, including Business Insider and Tasting Table, highlighted El Asador using consumer review metrics from Yelp, naming it the top taco spot in the state of Florida and ranking it as high as No. 4 on nationwide lists of the best taco establishments in America. More recently, El Asador has continued to hold top positions in statewide and national Yelp reviewer rankings, proving that roadside culinary operations can outshine multi-million-dollar restaurant ventures in guest satisfaction.

Despite lines frequently stretching across the parking lot during peak lunch and dinner hours, the operation has adapted by adding secondary prep trailers, expanded outdoor grills, and a permanent shaded seating area outfitted with picnic tables and durable patio furniture.

Why It Matters for Escambia County Dining

Taqueria El Asador exemplifies the strength of Escambia County’s independent small-business economy. In an era where rising overhead costs and heavy regulatory hurdles challenge food-service operators, Garcia’s business model demonstrates how focused entrepreneurship, free enterprise, and high product standards can turn an unconventional location into an economic engine.

For patrons throughout Pensacola, Milton, Pace, and Cantonment, the stand provides an affordable, high-quality dining option that reinvests directly into the local community. Rather than extracting capital through corporate franchise fees, independent operators like Garcia build community wealth and showcase the cultural variety of the Florida Panhandle.

Operating Details for Visitors

Taqueria El Asador operates at 7955 North Davis Highway, Pensacola, FL 32514, situated directly behind the Shell station just south of Nine Mile Road. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with the stand closed on Sundays. Service is conducted walk-up counter style for dine-in at the covered picnic area, takeout, or local third-party delivery.

Sources

• https://www.elasadorpensacola.com
• https://www.businessinsider.com/best-tacos-america-ranked-yelp-2016-5
• https://www.businessinsider.com/best-tacos-in-every-state-yelp-2017-9
• https://lacostalatinanewspaper.com/2017/05/05/el-asador-hace-unos-de-los-mejores-tacos-en-los-ee-uu-el-asador-makes-some-the-best-tacos-in-the-u-s
• https://www.wuwf.org/local-news/2024-03-12/connecting-to-home-through-latin-food
• The 15 Best Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants Across Florida – Tasting Table
• Where To Find The Best Tacos In Every US State – Tasting Table
• El Asador takes top Florida spot in Yelp’s Top 100 Taco Spots 2025 reviewer ranking – Pensacola News Journal
• Best tacos in America? El Asador ranks high in Yelp’s Top 100 Taco Spots list – Pensacola News Journal
• Year in review: Here are the restaurants that opened in the Pensacola area in 2021 – Pensacola News Journal

This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.

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