Tio Trompo

When you walk into Tio Trompo in the Washington Corridor neighborhood, the first thing you’ll see (and smell) is the giant trompo rotating in all its glory. Inside, Tio Trompo is a modest spot, with floral tablecloths on the tables—and it’s a great place to watch a game on the TV with a sizzling pastor taco or with a taco arabe that tucks the spiced pork into a pillowy piece of pita bread. Tio Trompo also serves breakfast tacos all day, so even if you wake up after noon, a taco mexicana with scrambled eggs, jalapeno, and pico de gallo is waiting for you. And while Tio Trompo might have an impressive selection of Jarritos, the best drink to get is the refreshing jamaica agua fresca made with tart hibiscus.

Food Rundown

photo credit: Liz Silva

Tres Compadres

Taco plates at Tio Trompo come in threes, and while there’s wiggle room for which three to choose, you should include the sizzling pastor tacos and the shredded barbacoa ones, too.

photo credit: Liz Silva

Pastor Torta

The pastor torta puts the pastor pork on a crispy bun, melts cheese on top, and then covers the torta with lettuce, tomato, and guacamole. It might require light jaw stretching to fit in your mouth, and should be ordered at all costs.

photo credit: Liz Silva

Taco Arabe

Puffy and buttery, the taco arabe takes the same pastor from the trompo, and wraps it in pita bread. It’s everything we love about the pastor tacos with the added bonus of a fluffy, buttery pita cloud.

photo credit: Liz Silva

Breakfast Tacos

Breakfast tacos at Tio Trompo are served as long as they’re open, which means your breakfast needs can be met even after the sun has set. Our favorite is the mexicana with scrambled eggs and spicy jalapeno.

photo credit: Liz Silva

Aguas Frescas

Aguas frescas here come in two flavors: horchata and Jamaica. The horchata is rich and sweet, but our favorite is the Jamaica, made with refreshing and tart hibiscus.