Figuring out where to put your taco money in Austin is a somewhat impossible task – too many delicious bites exist! Enter: Mando Rayo, a taco journalist and host of the Tacos of Texas podcast. We caught up with Rayo recently and he provided us with an essential Austin guide:
☀️ Best Breakfast Tacos
Joe’s Bakery & Coffee Shop, 2305 E. 7th St.
This East Austin institution has been serving up great food since 1962. The flour tortillas are worth a visit alone. Rayo’s go-to breakfast taco order is a bean, bacon, and egg, which starts at just $2.75.
“When you go there, you're transported to a certain time and a place,” Rayo said of Joe’s. “Whether it's Little Joe or Selena in the background music to all the waiters and waitresses that have been working there for generations. It’s those little things.”
Veracruz All Natural has seven locations throughout the Austin area, including in Round Rock, and Rayo says the breakfast tacos are bomb. The migas taco really put them on the map, he said. An original migas taco at Veracruz will run you $6 and includes egg, tortilla chips, Monterey Jack cheese, cilantro, tomato, onion, and avocado.
🏆 Most Underrated Spot
Los Pepes, 4700 Loyola Lane
Located in a little strip mall just south of Manor Road near U.S. 183, Los Pepes is a small, family-run joint that offers free chips, salsa, and refried beans as soon as you sit down, Rayo said. He recommends ordering the tacos dorados.
“I'm a big diehard for tacos dorados. Basically, they're like crispy tacos sometimes filled with just mashed potatoes and sometimes it's pico de gallo,” Rayo said.
🥇 Best Tacos in Austin
Carnitas El Guero has two Austin locations, on Stassney Lane and Lamar Boulevard. Rayo says what makes this spot special is that they fill their tacos with a mix of fatty and meatier pieces.
Tacos El Charly, 9306 N. Lamar Blvd.
It’s all about the vibe at Tacos El Charly. On the weekends, they put out tables in the parking lot, one man is often performing karaoke, and people can shop from vendors. The al pastor tacos are the way to go, Rayo said.
Cuantos Tacos, 1108 E. 12th St.
“They can’t do wrong,” Rayo said of Cuantos Tacos. The restaurant offers up great, greasy street tacos that you’ll want six of instead of three.
