Sabor Latin Street Grill — Restaurant in Durham

Went here multiple times for their Taco Tuesday special (discounted basic tacos) but their more special, more loaded tacos are more satisfying. The regular beef taco we had was bland; we tasted better quality ones from a taco truck that serves this kind of taco.

In out latest, when we went to order, the El Salvadorian cashier was energetically friendly, and answered my girl's questions well. We ordered 5 tacos in total (4 regular beef, and the more special $4 Shrimp), a shredded beef empanada, and chips.

They have a self-serve salsa bar similar to Moe's with 5 different salsas, placed from mild to spiciest, and we usually get some of the first 3. There were a couple of times where they ran out of 1 of them, and had to ask. While one instance was positive as the employee got some for us from the back, the other instance was disappointing as they said that they're completely out.

They serve the food to our table, bringing the round metal trays with disposable sheets. We were disappointed with the overall quality of beef tacos - beef lacked spice. Tortilla was thick as the beef tacos we ordered from a taco truck but despite the similar cost, Sabor's version lacks the "sabor" we crave for. The higher-end Shrimp taco was better and probably pairs well with a Mexican beer.

Their nachos are well-seasoned and fresh, one of the best we've tried, even better than Chipotle's or Taco Bell's. Restaurant quality and goes well with queso and salsa. They also have more special nachos with more toppings. We ordered them before and they're large enough to share with a small group and perfect for mini get-togethers with beer. Tried their queso a few before - it was alright.

Barbacoa (shredded beef) empanada was crispy and delicious, larger than Makus' tiny empanadas. It comes with a special mayo sauce which we didn't really enjoy. The empanada is one of their better items.

The food here is more Latin Southern American than Mexican. Other than their tacos, they have a great variety of street style Latin foods like plantains, Salvador fries, taco bowls, burritos, and quesadillas. I would not recommend the burritos - tried once and never tried again, but quesadillas are not bad. My girl enjoyed the plantains which come with cheese and sour cream.

Our first few experiences here were more pleasant than our more recent ones. It's in an accessible location, close to South Point mall, in a prime corner of 1 of the 2 shopping centers facing each other, right across a City BBQ and near Shiki Sushi & Milklab. Sabor's ambiance and space somewhat feel like Waffle House's - clear windows and simple layout, fine for a fast food taco place like this.

Overall, we have mixed feelings about Sabor. It's definitely better than Taco bell; its menu is more interesting and more diverse than Moe's but their basic beef tacos should be at least as good or better than what you can get from a taco truck. If you enjoy nachos, quesadillas, plantains, and El Salvadorian fries, this place won't disappoint. Sabor's Chimi Shrimp taco is probably the best taco here; the others are questionable. Tried the fish taco once and as a fish taco lover, I was disappointed.

Nonetheless, with its salsa bar and friendly staff, Sabor's street style experience is worth trying with a bottle of beer. It's not our #1 choice if we're craving for Mexican but it's not a lackluster place for casual dining, and looks mostly fairly-priced for the amount.

Overall score: 3.5/5 based on our most...

08/23 update: I want to love it still, but something in the ingredients changed (I think maybe the oil) and it makes my family sick. 3 times in a row.

I love this place. It’s the best fast casual of its type in the area. If you categorize it on the Latin restaurant spectrum with spots like Chubby’s Tacos, Moe’s/Chipotle, Uncle Julio’s, “choose your generic Mexican spot” (not to over generalize) then it is my favorite around.

Overall, I hit this place regularly for the daily specials and have also had a good experience with the low-cost cocktails, the margaritas are better than the dark and stormy.

The price for the area is on the low end for this category, especially if you know how to order. But you can easily get carried away 🤣.

The food is, imho, awesome for the category. I will say I’ve been once where the black beans were burnt or something and it was off, but that was one out of ten times, and one item. So I give it a pass.

The salsa bar is simple, but the breadth is good and the pineapple habanero is A+.

Some of the negative reviews read like truly bad experiences, but some read like people forget they are at a QSR. This ain’t no NeuvoTaco people (the gold standard in the area imho).

Overall I highly recommend this spot if you like this type of food, and I recommend trying the special. The bang for the buck is strong and the verity is welcome vs going with a generic burrito or something. Also, the carne asada fries are legit and the nachos are hefty.

Are there better spots for Latin food, sure maybe. But this is the best around for lunch within a reasonable distance of the Southpoint area, there is no wait, the price to value ratio is on point, and the staff are always friendly.

It is my new favorite budget work lunch, or lazy dad with two kids who will share the nachos and feel lucky.

Also, my wife seems to love the...

First off Bella is the best! She guided me to perfection in a wrap! Let me tell you Wow, this place is absolutely fantastic! I’ve tried a lot of burritos over the years and like to think of myself as somewhat of a burrito connoisseur, but this spot easily takes the crown as my new favorite in Durham. The burrito was perfectly balanced — hearty, flavorful, and wrapped just right so every bite had that satisfying mix of textures.

The empanada was another standout. The shell was golden, flaky, and wonderfully crisp on the outside, yet tender enough to melt in your mouth, with a filling that was rich, savory, and comforting. It felt like something made with real care and attention.

And then there’s the salsa bar — such a unique touch that sets this place apart. Instead of the same old options, they’ve created a lineup that encourages you to explore new flavors. Each salsa had its own personality, from bright and tangy to smoky and bold, and it was such a fun experience to mix, match, and discover flavors I’ve never had before.

This place isn’t just a quick bite — it’s the kind of food that makes you slow down and...