Hi, I’m Kodak.
You walk up to a taquería and finally decide which tacos you want.
Then the person taking your order asks:
¿Con todo?
You understand that todo means “everything,” but you may still hesitate.
Everything means what, exactly?
Does it include onion and cilantro?
Does it include salsa?
Will the taco be spicy?
Does it include cheese, avocado, or pineapple?
What should you say if you want everything except onion?
The phrase con todo looks simple, but its real meaning depends on the restaurant, the taco, and local custom.
In this article, we will learn what con todo means and practice the Spanish you need to order tacos without panicking at the counter.
The taquero asked me ¿Con todo?
Does that literally mean “with everything”?
Yes. The basic meaning is “with everything.”
At a taquería, however, it means “with all the toppings or accompaniments normally included here.”
The word everything does not mean every ingredient in the restaurant.
- 1 What Does Con Todo Mean?
- 2 How to Pronounce Con Todo
- 3 Breaking Down Con Todo
- 4 What Comes on Tacos Con Todo?
- 5 Con Todo Does Not Mean “Every Possible Ingredient”
- 6 What to Say When Ordering Tacos
- 7 How to Answer ¿Con Todo?
- 8 How to Remove a Topping
- 9 How to Ask for Salsa on the Side
- 10 How to Ask What Con Todo Includes
- 11 How to Ask About Spicy Salsa
- 12 Con Todo vs. Sin Nada
- 13 Con Todo vs. Natural
- 14 Ordering for Here or to Go
- 15 Useful Questions Before Ordering
- 16 Natural Taco-Ordering Conversations
- 17 A Complete Beginner Taco Order
- 18 Common Beginner Mistakes
- 18.1 Mistake 1: Assuming Con Todo Has One Universal Definition
- 18.2 Mistake 2: Assuming Salsa Is Always Included
- 18.3 Mistake 3: Assuming Con Todo Means Extremely Spicy
- 18.4 Mistake 4: Assuming Cheese and Avocado Are Included
- 18.5 Mistake 5: Saying Con Todos
- 18.6 Mistake 6: Giving One Modification Without Clarifying the Others
- 18.7 Mistake 7: Using Sin Nada When You Have an Allergy
- 18.8 Mistake 8: Trying to Build One Very Long Sentence
- 19 Frequently Asked Questions About Con Todo and Ordering Tacos
- 19.1 What does con todo mean?
- 19.2 What usually comes on tacos con todo?
- 19.3 Does con todo include salsa?
- 19.4 Are tacos con todo spicy?
- 19.5 How do I order tacos with everything?
- 19.6 How do I say “with everything except onion”?
- 19.7 How do I say “without cilantro”?
- 19.8 How do I ask for salsa on the side?
- 19.9 What does todo aparte mean?
- 19.10 How do I ask what a taco comes with?
- 19.11 How do I ask which salsa is mild?
- 19.12 How do I say “to go” in Spanish?
- 19.13 Is quiero rude when ordering food?
- 20 Con Todo Meaning and Taco-Ordering Phrases: Summary
- 21 Related Guide
What Does Con Todo Mean?
Con todo literally means:
con ＝ with
todo ＝ everything
con todo
＝ with everything
＝ with all the usual toppings
＝ fully prepared in the restaurant’s normal way
When ordering tacos, a natural English translation is often:
with all the toppings
fully loaded
the regular way, with all the usual garnishes
The core image is:
Nothing from the restaurant’s normal set of toppings is removed.
The important phrase is the restaurant’s normal set.
Each taquería may define that set differently.
So if I order a taco con todo, will it always have onion, cilantro, and salsa?
Onion and cilantro are very common, but you should not assume the exact combination.
Some places put salsa on the taco, some serve it separately, and some expect you to add it yourself.
Con todo is restaurant-specific.
Could con todo include cheese, avocado, or sour cream?
Only if those ingredients are part of that item’s normal preparation.
Extra-cost ingredients such as cheese or avocado are not automatically included just because you say con todo.
Think “all standard toppings,” not “every possible extra.”
Then is con todo like saying “the works” in English?
Yes, that is a useful comparison.
“With the works” or “with all the usual toppings” often captures the idea.
Just remember that “the works” also changes from one restaurant to another.
How to Pronounce Con Todo
Con todo is pronounced approximately:
Approximate English guide: kohn TOH-doh
Stress: on the first syllable of todo
The Spanish d between vowels is usually softer than the English d.
Your tongue approaches the position used for the English th in “this,” although the sound does not need to be exaggerated.
If I pronounce the d like a normal English d, will people understand me?
Yes. The phrase is short and the ordering context is very clear.
A softer Spanish d will sound more natural, but communication matters more than perfect pronunciation.
Breaking Down Con Todo
Con Means “With”
Con is a Spanish preposition meaning “with.”
Café con leche.
Coffee with milk.
Tacos con cebolla.
Tacos with onion.
Agua con hielo.
Water with ice.
Todo Means “Everything” or “All of It”
Todo can mean “everything,” “all,” or “the whole thing,” depending on its grammatical role.
Quiero probar todo.
I want to try everything.
Todo está listo.
Everything is ready.
In con todo, the word todo stands for all the toppings or additions understood from the situation.
The full list does not need to be spoken because both the customer and the taquero know that the conversation is about taco toppings.
Why do we say todo and not todos?
There are several toppings.
Here, todo means “everything” as one complete set.
You would use todos with an expressed masculine plural noun, such as todos los ingredientes.
The restaurant phrase remains con todo.
Can I say con todos when ordering?
Not by itself when you mean “with everything.”
Say con todo.
You could say con todos los ingredientes, but that is longer and less natural for a quick taco order.
What Comes on Tacos Con Todo?
At many Mexican taquerías, tacos con todo commonly include some combination of:
chopped cilantro
salsa
lime
grilled or cooked onion
potatoes
pineapple on some al pastor tacos
pickled onion with certain regional tacos
However, this is not a universal ingredient list.
The normal toppings depend on:
the region
the individual taquería
whether salsa is added by the cook or the customer
whether the order is eaten there, taken away, or delivered
For example, one taquería may define con todo as onion and cilantro inside the taco, with salsa served separately.
Another may include potatoes, cooked onion, several salsas, lime, and an onion-cilantro mixture.
A birria shop may provide onion, cilantro, salsa, and pickled onion separately so that the customer can assemble the taco.
Is onion and cilantro the safest basic guess?
Yes. They are probably the most common pair associated with taco toppings.
But a guess is not the same as a guarantee.
If an ingredient matters to you, ask what the restaurant includes.
Does con todo automatically mean the salsa goes on top?
No.
Salsa may be placed on the taco, offered at a salsa bar, or served in containers on the side.
You can ask ¿La salsa va encima o aparte?
If salsa is included, does con todo mean the spiciest salsa?
No. The phrase does not specify the heat level.
The taquero may ask which salsa you want, or the salsa may be served separately.
Ask which salsa is mild before adding it.
Does con todo always mean the same thing for every taco on the menu?
Not necessarily.
Al pastor may come with pineapple, while carnitas may come with onion and cilantro, and cochinita pibil may use pickled red onion.
“Everything” can change with the taco style.
Con Todo Does Not Mean “Every Possible Ingredient”
This is one of the most important points for beginners.
If you order:
Tres tacos con todo.
Three tacos with everything.
you are not normally asking the restaurant to add:
every type of salsa
cheese
avocado
beans
rice
pineapple
cream
every optional extra
You are asking for the item in its complete standard form.
Optional additions that cost more generally need to be ordered separately.
What to Say When Ordering Tacos
The simplest complete ordering pattern is:
Quiero tres tacos al pastor con todo, por favor.
I’d like three tacos al pastor with everything, please.
However, native speakers often use shorter forms because the setting makes the meaning obvious.
Three al pastor tacos with everything, please.
Is Quiero polite enough?
It literally means “I want.”
Quiero is common and normally acceptable when spoken politely.
Add por favor and use a friendly tone.
You can also use ¿Me da…? or Quisiera….
Ordering with ¿Me da…?
¿Me da cuatro tacos de asada con todo, por favor?
Could you give me four carne asada tacos with everything, please?
This is a very useful restaurant pattern.
The literal structure is “Do you give me…?” but the natural English meaning is “Could I have…?”
Ordering with Quisiera
Quisiera dos tacos de carnitas con todo.
I’d like two carnitas tacos with everything.
Quisiera sounds polite and slightly more formal.
Ordering with Para mí
Para mí, cinco de pastor con todo.
For me, five al pastor tacos with everything.
This is useful when several people are ordering together.
Ordering with ¿Me pone…?
¿Me pone tres de suadero con todo?
Could you make me three suadero tacos with everything?
This pattern is heard in food-ordering situations, although preferred expressions vary by region.
Which expression should a beginner memorize first?
¿Me da… por favor? is an excellent all-purpose choice.
It is easy to remember, polite, and useful far beyond taquerías.
Can I omit the word tacos and say tres de pastor?
Yes, when the context is obvious.
At a taco counter, tres de pastor means “three al pastor ones.”
Using the full phrase is also completely correct.
How to Answer ¿Con Todo?
The taquero may shorten the question to only two words:
¿Con todo?
With everything?
The easiest answers are:
Yes, with everything.
Sí, por favor.
Yes, please.
No, sin cebolla.
No, without onion.
Con todo menos cilantro.
With everything except cilantro.
You do not need a long sentence.
Short, clear answers are often best in a busy taquería.
How to Remove a Topping
Use sin, meaning “without.”
＝ without + ingredient
Sin cebolla, por favor.
Without onion, please.
Sin cilantro, por favor.
Without cilantro, please.
Sin salsa, por favor.
Without salsa, please.
Sin piña, por favor.
Without pineapple, please.
If I want everything except onion, should I say sin cebolla or con todo menos cebolla?
Both can work.
Con todo menos cebolla clearly says that you want the rest of the normal toppings.
Sin cebolla is shorter and usually sufficient.
Con Todo Menos…
Use menos to mean “except.”
Con todo menos cebolla.
With everything except onion.
Con todo menos cilantro y salsa.
With everything except cilantro and salsa.
This pattern is especially helpful when you want most of the usual preparation.
What if I want one taco with everything and another without cilantro?
You can separate the quantities clearly.
Say: Uno con todo y uno sin cilantro, por favor.
Repeating the number helps prevent mistakes.
Dos con todo y uno sin cebolla.
Two with everything and one without onion.
Uno con todo, uno sin cilantro y dos sin salsa.
One with everything, one without cilantro, and two without salsa.
What if I only want meat and the tortilla?
Say solo con carne or sin cebolla, sin cilantro y sin salsa.
Solo carne may also be understood, but a complete phrase reduces ambiguity.
How to Ask for Salsa on the Side
Use aparte, meaning “separate” or “on the side.”
La salsa aparte, por favor.
The salsa on the side, please.
Con todo, pero la salsa aparte.
With everything, but the salsa on the side.
For a takeaway or delivery order, you may also hear:
Todo aparte.
Everything on the side.
This can mean that the onion, cilantro, salsa, lime, or other accompaniments are packaged separately.
Once again, the exact contents depend on the restaurant.
Does todo aparte mean the meat and tortilla will also be separated?
Not automatically.
It usually refers to the toppings and condiments, but packaging practices differ.
If you need the meat or tortillas separated, ask specifically.
La carne y las tortillas por separado, por favor.
The meat and tortillas separately, please.
Can I say con todo aparte?
Yes. That normally means you want all the usual accompaniments, but packaged or served separately.
For extra clarity, say Con todo, pero todo aparte.
How to Ask What Con Todo Includes
If you are unsure, asking is completely normal.
¿Qué lleva?
¿Qué lleva?
What does it come with?
What’s in it?
This is one of the most useful food questions in Spanish.
¿Qué incluye?
¿Qué incluye?
What does it include?
¿Qué significa con todo aquí?
¿Qué significa “con todo” aquí?
What does “with everything” mean here?
¿Con todo lleva cebolla y cilantro?
¿Con todo lleva cebolla y cilantro?
Does “with everything” include onion and cilantro?
Is it natural to ask ¿Qué lleva? before ordering?
Yes. It is short, natural, and useful.
You can point to the menu item and ask ¿Qué lleva este?, meaning “What comes on this one?”
How to Ask About Spicy Salsa
The word picar is commonly used to ask whether food is spicy.
¿Pica?
Is it spicy?
¿Esta salsa pica?
Is this salsa spicy?
¿Cuál salsa pica menos?
Which salsa is less spicy?
¿Cuál no pica?
Which one isn’t spicy?
Poquita salsa, por favor.
Just a little salsa, please.
Can I ask ¿Es picante? instead?
Yes. ¿Es picante? is correct and easy to understand.
¿Pica? is shorter and very natural in everyday food conversations.
If the taquero says Poquito, does that guarantee the salsa is mild?
No. Spice tolerance is subjective.
A salsa that is “a little spicy” to one person may feel very hot to another.
Ask for it separately when you are uncertain.
Con Todo vs. Sin Nada
Sin nada literally means “with nothing” or “without anything.”
with all the normal toppings
sin nada
without the normal toppings
solo con carne
only with meat
todo aparte
all the toppings on the side
However, sin nada may still leave room for interpretation.
Does it mean only the tortilla and meat?
Does it exclude salsa but keep cooked onion?
If the details matter, list exactly what you do not want.
Con Todo vs. Natural
Some taquerías contrast con todo with words such as natural, pura carne, or a plain version of the taco.
These labels are not completely standardized.
At one restaurant, pura carne may mean that onion, cilantro, and salsa are provided separately.
At another, natural may mean no toppings at all or simply the restaurant’s basic preparation.
Do not assume that natural or pura carne has one universal menu definition.
Read the description or ask the restaurant.
Ordering for Here or to Go
The server may ask:
¿Para aquí o para llevar?
For here or to go?
You can answer:
For here.
Para llevar.
To go.
If you are ordering takeaway, asking for toppings or salsa separately can help prevent the tacos from becoming soggy.
Para llevar, con todo aparte.
To go, with all the toppings on the side.
Does para llevar mean delivery?
It usually means that you will take the food away from the restaurant.
For delivery, you may hear a domicilio or language specific to the delivery app.
Useful Questions Before Ordering
What kinds of tacos do you have?
¿De qué son los tacos?
What are the tacos filled with?
¿Qué lleva este taco?
What comes on this taco?
¿Cuántos tacos trae la orden?
How many tacos come in the order?
¿Tienen tacos sin carne?
Do you have tacos without meat?
¿Cuál me recomienda?
Which one do you recommend?
¿Aceptan tarjeta?
Do you accept cards?
What is the smallest set of phrases I should memorize before visiting a taquería?
Memorize these five: ¿Me da…?, con todo, sin…, la salsa aparte, and para llevar.
With those phrases, you can build most basic taco orders.
Natural Taco-Ordering Conversations
Conversation 1: A Simple Order
Hi. Could I have three tacos al pastor, please?
Taquero: ¿Con todo?
With everything?
Customer: Sí, con todo.
Yes, with everything.
Taquero: ¿Para aquí o para llevar?
For here or to go?
Customer: Para aquí.
For here.
Conversation 2: Without Onion
I’d like four carne asada tacos, please.
Taquero: ¿Con todo?
With everything?
Customer: Con todo menos cebolla.
With everything except onion.
Conversation 3: Salsa on the Side
Could I have two carnitas tacos with everything?
Taquero: Claro.
Of course.
Customer: Pero la salsa aparte, por favor.
But the salsa on the side, please.
Conversation 4: Different Toppings on Each Taco
I’d like four al pastor tacos.
Taquero: ¿Con todo?
With everything?
Customer: Dos con todo, uno sin cilantro y uno sin cebolla.
Two with everything, one without cilantro, and one without onion.
Conversation 5: Asking What Is Included
What comes on the tacos with everything?
Taquero: Cebolla, cilantro y salsa.
Onion, cilantro, and salsa.
Customer: Entonces, tres con todo, pero con poca salsa.
Then three with everything, but with only a little salsa.
Conversation 6: A Takeaway Order
One order of birria to go, please.
Employee: ¿Con todo?
With everything?
Customer: Sí, pero todo aparte.
Yes, but everything on the side.
Conversation 7: Asking About Spice
Which salsa is less spicy?
Taquero: La verde pica menos.
The green one is less spicy.
Customer: Entonces la verde, pero aparte, por favor.
Then the green one, but on the side, please.
A Complete Beginner Taco Order
Here is one complete sequence you can memorize:
Buenas tardes.
Good afternoon.
2. Order
¿Me da tres tacos al pastor, por favor?
Could I have three tacos al pastor, please?
3. Toppings
Con todo menos cebolla.
With everything except onion.
4. Salsa
La salsa aparte, por favor.
The salsa on the side, please.
5. Location
Para aquí.
For here.
6. Payment
¿Cuánto es?
How much is it?
7. Closing
Gracias.
Thank you.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Mistake 1: Assuming Con Todo Has One Universal Definition
The ingredients vary by taquería, taco style, and region.
Ask ¿Qué lleva? when an ingredient matters to you.
Mistake 2: Assuming Salsa Is Always Included
Salsa may be added by the taquero, served on the side, or placed at a self-service salsa station.
Mistake 3: Assuming Con Todo Means Extremely Spicy
The phrase describes completeness, not heat level.
Ask ¿Cuál salsa pica menos? or request the salsa separately.
Mistake 4: Assuming Cheese and Avocado Are Included
They may be optional paid additions rather than standard toppings.
Mistake 5: Saying Con Todos
Use con todo when you mean “with everything.”
Mistake 6: Giving One Modification Without Clarifying the Others
If you want everything except one ingredient, say:
Con todo menos cebolla.
Mistake 7: Using Sin Nada When You Have an Allergy
Sin nada is not precise enough for a serious allergy.
Name the ingredient clearly and explain the allergy.
Soy alérgico a los cacahuates.
I am allergic to peanuts.
Soy alérgica a los lácteos.
I am allergic to dairy products.
Do not rely only on a general topping request when cross-contact is a concern.
Mistake 8: Trying to Build One Very Long Sentence
Short phrases are often clearer in a noisy restaurant:
Con todo.
Sin cebolla.
Salsa aparte.
Para llevar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Con Todo and Ordering Tacos
What does con todo mean?
Con todo literally means “with everything.” When ordering tacos, it normally means with all the standard toppings or accompaniments used by that restaurant.
What usually comes on tacos con todo?
Onion and cilantro are very common. Salsa, lime, grilled onion, potatoes, pineapple, or other toppings may also be included. The exact combination depends on the taco and restaurant.
Does con todo include salsa?
Sometimes. The salsa may be placed on the taco, served separately, or offered at a self-service station. Ask ¿La salsa va encima o aparte? when you need to know.
Are tacos con todo spicy?
Not necessarily. Con todo does not indicate a specific spice level. Request the salsa separately if you are sensitive to spicy food.
How do I order tacos with everything?
You can say ¿Me da tres tacos al pastor con todo, por favor?, meaning “Could I have three tacos al pastor with everything, please?”
How do I say “with everything except onion”?
Say Con todo menos cebolla.
How do I say “without cilantro”?
Say Sin cilantro, por favor.
How do I ask for salsa on the side?
Say La salsa aparte, por favor.
What does todo aparte mean?
Todo aparte means “everything on the side.” In a taco order, it normally means that the toppings and condiments should be served or packaged separately.
How do I ask what a taco comes with?
Ask ¿Qué lleva? or ¿Qué incluye?.
How do I ask which salsa is mild?
Ask ¿Cuál salsa pica menos? or ¿Cuál no pica?.
How do I say “to go” in Spanish?
Say Para llevar.
Is quiero rude when ordering food?
Quiero is normally acceptable when used with a friendly tone and por favor. ¿Me da…? and Quisiera… are useful alternatives.
What Should You Say About Your Toppings?
Con todo is a starting point, not a fixed recipe. Pick the phrase that matches what you actually want.
sin nada is too vague to rely on
ask before you order
name the ingredient directly, never rely on sin alone
and adjust only if something comes wrong
Con todo means “the restaurant’s normal complete version,” not “every ingredient in the kitchen.” When it matters, ask instead of assuming.
Con Todo Meaning and Taco-Ordering Phrases: Summary
● Important limitation: the exact toppings depend on the restaurant and taco
● Common toppings: onion, cilantro, salsa, lime, and taco-specific additions
● With everything except onion: con todo menos cebolla
● Without cilantro: sin cilantro
● Salsa on the side: la salsa aparte
● Everything on the side: todo aparte
● What does it come with?: ¿Qué lleva?
● Is it spicy?: ¿Pica?
● Which salsa is less spicy?: ¿Cuál salsa pica menos?
● For here: para aquí
● To go: para llevar
● Useful complete order: ¿Me da tres tacos al pastor con todo, por favor?
The most important lesson is that con todo does not name one fixed recipe.
It means “with the complete set normally used here.”
Memorize ¿Qué lleva?, sin…, and aparte, and you will be able to adjust almost any taco order.
Real Academia Española — Diccionario de la lengua española: con
El Colegio de México — Diccionario del español de México: todo
Secretaría de Cultura de México — Gastronomía de México: Las salsas
Contemporary Mexican taquería menus consulted to compare how individual restaurants define con todo
Related Guide
For the complete guide to Mexican food vocabulary and how to order tacos in Spanish, see Mexican Food Words: Taco Vocabulary and How to Order in Spanish.
