In Austin, tacos are a full-on food group. Everyone has their own go-to’s, but a select few taco spots are objectively in a class of their own. Whether you’re into looking for traditional Mexican tacos, breakfast tacos, or gourmet duck breast tacos, we’ve pulled together a guide to the very best tortilla-wrapped foods in Austin. Each place on this list offers its own unique contribution to the taco category, and all of them are more than worth a trip. It’s about time you found a new favorite.
the taco spots
Many argue that Veracruz All-Natural makes the best tacos in town. They don’t get our top spot, but we will say that their migas taco is unbelievably good. Do expect ridiculously long lines unless you catch one of their trailers in a rare slow moment, which is usually during weekdays.
What To Get: Migas tacos
Las Trancas is easily serving out some of the best tacos in town from its spot on Cesar Chavez (without the crazy lines you’ll find at places like Veracruz). They don’t do breakfast here, but they are open late and they have a covered deck with a good amount of seating.
What To Get: Al pastor, carne asada
Farm-to-taco mini-chain Tacodeli is serving lunch tacos based on Mexican culinary traditions, sometimes with outside-the-box ingredients. The Doña sauce is one of the most popular condiments in all of Austin.
What To Get: Cowboy taco, pollo en pipian rojo
At Fresa’s, you can get a healthy-ish bowl, you can get a salad, you can get queso and churros and roasted cauliflower - and you can also get some very good tacos. Our go-to is always the La Fresa, a beautiful mess of their signature achiote chicken, avocado, cheese, onion, cabbage, and cilantro - but their shrimp, brisket, and pastor are also great. If you’re looking for a sit-down experience, head to their South First location.
What To Get: La Fresa
A hidden secret trailer parked just east of I-35, serving more traditional taco options. Great for a quick snack between bar-hopping on Dirty or East 6th since they’re open until midnight on weekends.
What To Get: Breakfast is best here: Taco Bueno (chorizo, egg, potato, cheese) and Don Chago (bacon, cheese, beans, avocado)
Juan In A Million gets a place on this list for one thing and one thing only: the Don Juan. And that’s because this is one of the most legendary foods in the entire city. This monstrosity of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and cheese on top of tortillas is easily the equivalent of at least five or six breakfast tacos. Use it for a Saturday morning when all you need is something to make all the pain go away before you go back to your bed.
What To Get: The Don Juan
Some taco places you go to for the tacos alone. Paco’s is a place you go to because it’s the full package. Hit the salsa bar with feeling, get some queso, and take your bounty out on to the patio. Paco’s Tacos is that kind-of-weird, awesome spot you only find in Austin (with flour/corn combo tortillas you won't get anywhere else).
What To Get: Carne guisada tacos
This taco stand offers a diverse array of plates, tacos, and burritos that are loaded with high-quality ingredients. It’s one of the more modern spots on this list - with a colorful, nicely-kept patio and an espresso machine - but it’s still super casual. Also, their cold brew coffee can wake the dead.
What To Get: Puffy tacos; tomatillo pork
Despite predominantly serving barbecue, this family-owned and operated trailer makes some damn good tacos. Their smoked brisket taco may be one of the only BBQ tacos in town and getting it with a fried egg on top should be illegal, instead of standard breakfast practice here.
What To Get: Brisket tacos
Simple, traditional tacos made fast. There are a lot of vegetarian options, and they also serve breakfast all day. Often a great option when lines are long elsewhere.
What to get: Guajalote en mole (turkey in mole with avocado)
Tamale House East is an original breakfast taco king, and one of the last holdouts of its kind. This is where you come to get really serious with breakfast tacos.
What To Get: Chipotle migas and queso
