Amaya’ s Taco Village
5405 N. I-35, 458-2531
Mon-Thu, 7am-9pm; Fri-Sat, 7am-10pm; Sun, 8am-4pm
Amaya’s is more than just a taco joint; the big draw is the mouth-watering homemade corn tortillas that serve as the base for most menu items. Most popular are the inexpensive Village Tacos, the enchiladas, and the combo platter ($18.95 for three-four diners), with fajitas, pork and beef ribs, and chicken, with all the fixins. Breakfast tacos are a huge hit at this lively spot.
Taquerias Arandas
No. 1: 3615 E. Seventh., 389-3834
No. 2: 4619 S. Congress, 448-4771
No. 3: 6534 Burnet, 452-9886
No. 4: 834 E. Rundberg Ln., 835-4369
No. 5: 2448 S. First, 707-0887
Daily, 7am-midnight, no credit cards at numbers 1 and 4
Arandas features food straight out of Estado Jalisco en Mexico. The prices are outlandishly reasonable (breakfast tacos are 80 cents each or three for $1.99) and the food is righteously superb. Carne asado and tacos al pastor are the specialties, but don’t leave without trying the brains, tongue, nopalitos, pozole and menudo, tortas (& Cuban torta), or the mega-burritos. White cheese only!
Taco X-Press
2529-A S. Lamar, 444-0261
Mon, 7am-3pm; Tue-Fri, 7am-9pm (bar 10pm);
Sat, 8am-10pm; Sun, 9am-2pm
Maria de Argentina’s labor of love on South Lamar. Homemade corn tortillas enwrap the best, citrusy tacos al pastor in Bubbaland. Plump, savory gorditas are the stuff of dreams (especially the chicharron and the pollo guisado). Vegans will delight to Maria’s Special tacos of green beans, squash, eggplant, onion, and mushrooms. Be sure and try the chimichurri sauce — on everything. Platters of all are also available.
Arturo’s Taquerias
7210 Cameron, 451-5318
3306 Oak Springs, 926-8474
Daily, 7am-10pm
Arturo’s is wildly popular with the Northeast crowd. Solid, dependable Tex-Mex fare with all the favorite standards in a brightly painted setting. Regulars go bonkers for the beef fajitas, either on a sizzling platter or in taco form. A steady stream of breakfast taco lovers descends every dawn for the toothsome tubular offerings.
Taco Shack I, II, III
4412 Medical Parkway, 467-8553
3801-C Spicewood Springs Road, 418-8900
12439 Metric Blvd., 873-7977
Mon-Fri, 6:30am-2:30pm; Sat, 7am-1pm
Plug into the overstuffed and tasty breakfast tacos at the Shacks to jumpstart your day. “The Shack” taco is the one of choice — a meal in itself of egg, chorizo, spud, and cheese. Lunch regulars rave about the carne guisada, the enchiladas, and the soft tacos stuffed with fajita meat. Check out the mega-jumbo burritos, but bring a huge appetite (or a friend).
Pato’s Good Tacos
1400 E. 381/2, 476-4247
Sun-Thu, 7am-10pm; Fri-Sat, 7am-11pm
Pato’s has built up a loyal following as a neighborhood hangout of the first order. Mouth-watering Tex-Mex grub enjoyed in a laid-back beer garden. Folks love the tacos, burritos, and enchiladas, and the salsas are addictive. Pato’s has a nice antojito selection to accompany the happy hour libations. Live music on the weekends is always a draw.
Mi Madre’s
2201 Manor Rd., 480-8441
Mon-Sat, 5:30am-2pm
Mi Madre’s is a friendly, family-run kind of place — the kind that makes the diner feel embraced. Breakfast tacos are first-rate and heavily stuffed. The lunch crowd clamors for the enchiladas, fajitas, and soft tacos. The kitchen shows a deft touch with the sauces and salsas. It’s the kind of place where you’re fed like a long-lost relative, and it feels good.
Maudie’s Cafe
2608 W. Seventh, 473-3740
Daily, 9am-10pm
Maudie’s Too
1212 S. Lamar, 440-8088
Sun-Thu, 9:30am-9pm; Fri- Sat, 9:30am-10:30pm
Maudie’s III (formerly Pica Cafe)
8106 S. Brodie, 280-6516
Sat-Thu, 8am-9pm; Fri, 8am-10pm
It’s astounding how many tasty dishes Maudie’s can concoct using the Tex-Mex Trinity of beef, beans, and cheese. The fajita enchiladas approach Tex-Mex Rapture status and the vegetarian fajita soft tacos are sublime. Good drinks made with real juices to go with the yummy chips and dips.
This article appears in April 27 • 2001.