The 10 Best Tacos In Texas

When it comes to tacos, Texas doesn’t hold back. With influences from traditional Mexican techniques to modern New Tejano flavors, Texas's taquerias span everything from drive-through shacks to upscale eateries, each bringing its own twist. Here’s a refined list of the top tacos you need to try, with a special shoutout to some of El Paso’s top taco innovators.

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1. Ana Liz Taqueria - Mission

• The Taco: Chile Relleno
• Why It’s a Must: Winner of the 2024 James Beard Award, Ana Liz Pulido offers a stunning chile relleno taco that showcases her expertise with smoky cheese, house-made tortillas, and fresh salsas. Every bite is layered with flavor and skill.
• Address: 215 N. Conway Ave, Mission, TX.

2. Elemi - El Paso

• The Taco: Conejito Pibil
• Why It’s a Must: Elemi’s New Tejano approach blends traditional Mexican roots with Texan ingredients. Their taco with achiote-rubbed rabbit, set off by pickled onions, is unforgettable.
• Address: 13500 Eastlake Blvd, El Paso, TX.

3. Azteca Taco House - Houston

• The Taco: Costillas en Salsa Verde
• Why It’s a Must: Known for its homestyle flavors, Azteca’s tart salsa verde poured over bone-in pork ribs makes for a vibrant and comforting taco experience.
• Address: 3801 Hopper Rd, Houston, TX.

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4. Revolver Taco Lounge - Dallas

• The Taco: Pulpo al Pastor
• Why It’s a Must: Pushing the boundaries of taco cuisine, the pulpo al pastor (marinated octopus) is grilled to perfection and served on a vertical spit, adding a rich, smokey flavor to each tender bite.
• Address: 2646 Elm St, Dallas, TX.

5. Taqueria El Tiger - El Paso

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• The Taco: Tripa y Tembloroso
• Why It’s a Must: This taco combines traditional tripe with kimchi in a smoky morita salsa, creating a fusion of Mexican and Korean flavors that’s both inventive and grounded in New Tejano roots.
• Address: 10167 Socorro Rd, El Paso, TX.

6. Taconeta - El Paso

• The Taco: Mushroom Tempura
• Why It’s a Must: This taco is an umami-packed experience. The tempura-battered cremini mushrooms with pickled onions and salsa Goku make it a must for any veggie lover.
• Address: 311 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX.

7. Papalo Taqueria - Houston

• The Taco: Zanahoria (Carrot)
• Why It’s a Must: Crafted with roasted carrots and pepita salsa, this vegetarian taco highlights Tex-Mex ingredients with a refreshing and slightly nutty twist.
• Address: 712 Main St, Houston, TX.

8. Stixs & Stone - San Antonio

• The Taco: Big Red & Barbacoa Taco Flight
• Why It’s a Must: Infusing Big Red soda into masa and filling the tortilla with applewood-smoked beef cheek, this taco is a delicious homage to San Antonio’s culinary roots.
• Address: 6822 San Pedro Ave, San Antonio, TX.

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9. Maskaras Mexican Grill - Dallas

• The Taco: Poblano Taco
• Why It’s a Must: Maskaras keeps it classic with a taco filled with roasted poblano peppers and creamy cheese, showcasing the Tex-Mex tradition’s heart and soul.
• Address: 4627 Maple Ave, Dallas, TX.

10. Nixta Taqueria - Austin

• The Taco: Duck Carnitas
• Why It’s a Must: Known for its innovative approach, Nixta offers a taco filled with slow-cooked duck in a corn tortilla, topped with fresh herbs, giving it a unique depth of flavor.
• Address: 2512 E. 12th St, Austin, TX.

From El Paso’s New Tejano trailblazers to Austin’s innovative takes, each taco is a story on a tortilla, waiting to be devoured.