Taqueria la Flor
4901 S. First, in the Stop-N-Shop parking lot, 417-4214
This “taco truck” in South Austin has friendly owners and the best breakfast tacos I’ve ever had. Everything is made fresh to order, so the tacos come out so hot it is hard to handle them! They are definitely worth the wait. Pick your own ingredients among egg, potato, bacon, nopalitos, chorizo, and pretty darned good barbacoa, among others. They also serve homemade gorditas, tortas, and other yummy snackables. – C.A.
Curra’s Grill
614 E. Oltorf, 444-0012
6801 Burnet Rd., 451-2560
The Garcia brothers are among the most accomplished taco purveyors in the city. We’re very partial to their homemade tamales, the excellent tacos al pastor – tangy, tender pork with pineapple – and the crispy flautas stuffed with plump Gulf shrimp. – V.B.W.
Taqueria Jalisco Vallarta
1644 E. Riverside, 444-9484
There are a few of these casual family-owned eateries around town, but our favorite outlet has to be the busy South Shore location with the late-night hours and convenient drive-through. The breakfast tacos are always stuffed with fluffy scrambled eggs, the salsa is fresh and fiery, and they make the best gorditas in town. Wash it all down with refreshing horchata or Mexican-brand sodas. – V.B.W.
Tacos Al Pastor
Trailer located on the south side of East Riverside, in the parking lot between Parker and Royal Crest, beneath the BINGO sign
This is the place to get your post-show, after-2am taco fix. The tacos al pastor, carne guisada, and barbacoa tacos are all excellent. The tortillas are fresh and homemade, the onions and cilantro crisp, the meats redolent of the grill, and the hot sauce wickedly so. Unbelievably inexpensive, and a genuine local treasure. – Kate Thornberry
El Regio Pollo al Carbon
730 W. Stassney, 442-3095
La Michoacana Mercado
512 W. Stassney, 916-9938
El Regio has exquisite mesquite-grilled chickens, with El Molino corn tortillas, fiery salsas, and grilled onions. La Michoacana, right across the street, has wonderful carnitas, gorditas, and pork in green sauce. The picnic tables are at Regio, so get some from each, and combine for a wonderful meal. – M.V.
El Mesón Taqueria
5808 Burleson Rd., 416-0749
A bit out of the way in Southeast Austin, but well worth the drive for authentic Mexican cuisine at unbeatable prices. Everything is cooked fresh, including the homemade tortillas. Not to be missed are the cochinita pibil and the chicken tinga (shredded in spicy chipotle sauce). If they have their quesadillas de huitlacoche (corn mushroom), by all means, try them. – C.A.
This article appears in March 10 • 2006.
