If Houston had been a meals, there’s little doubt that it will be a taco. It’s no shock that we have now so many wonderful Mexican eating places to select from, specializing in every part from Tex-Mex to Oaxacan seafood—in spite of everything, the town’s inhabitants is 45 % Hispanic.
In order that leaves just one query: Which spots are the perfect of the perfect for tacos? Fortunate for you, we took it upon ourselves to perform a little analysis (extra like an entire lot of consuming) to search out those price driving to. Listed here are our prime 25 locations to eat tacos in Houston.
Alamo Tamales
Not solely are the tamales nearly as wonderful as your abuelita’s, the breakfast and lunch tacos at this Northside spot are sufficient to place you to sleep. Cease by on the weekend for a chunk of the carnitas and Chicharron Colombiano. And don’t overlook to choose up a dozen housemade thick and fluffy flour tortillas on the way in which out.
Brothers Taco Home
Everyone loves a superb breakfast taco, and at Brothers Taco Home, you’ll have tons to select from. You’ll be able to’t go fallacious with the basic chorizo and egg, or the bacon and egg. Honest warning: In case you cease by on a weekend (a should for those who like genuine barbacoa or menudo), you is likely to be ready in a line outdoors. Don’t overlook to snap a photograph in entrance of the restaurant’s colourful mural.
Cantina Barba
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After a late evening out, this sizzling spot (open till 3am on the weekends, 2am through the week) has your whole taco wants—together with breakfast tacos served “ALL DAMN DAY!” in accordance with the menu. Order a carne asada taco and guzzle it down with a mezcal watermelon margarita.
Chilosos Taco Home
This longtime Heights favourite is open for breakfast and lunch solely, and now has a location in Bridgeland, too. Breakfast tacos listed here are top-notch, with fluffy flour tortillas robust sufficient to carry their contents. At lunch you may select from the Massive Texas Lunch tacos, which embrace carne guisada, fajita tacos, crispy tacos, and road tacos.
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Cochinita & Co.
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Chef Victoria Elizondo has earned James Beard nods prior to now for her homey East Finish café. You’ll be able to’t go fallacious with something on the menu, however we notably love the cochinita pibil tacos, and the vegan tinga made with lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms is a must-order. Belief us.
Delicias Maya
Parked most days in entrance of the beloved Black Gap Espresso Home in Montrose, Delicias Maya does a terrific barbacoa taco that is flavorful whereas not being too greasy. You’ll be able to, and may, additionally nab a bottle of the truck’s salsa in your residence wants.
Dichos Taqueria
We come right here for the group ambiance and pleasant service, and naturally, the good breakfast plates. Within the taco part, spring for the mega breakfast taco along with your selection of meat, or for those who’re dropping in later within the day, we advocate the hickory-smoked pork stomach.
El Taconazo
This taco truck is especially widespread amongst individuals who frequent the realm’s nightlife, however whether or not you’re visiting after a present at White Oak Music Corridor or in the midst of the day, you’ll in all probability have to attend in a line—don’t fear, it strikes rapidly. El Taconazo is all about sticking to the necessities: Order the fajita tacos with a cup of frijoles and ask for a horchata to finish your meal. There isn’t a seating, so that you’ll both chow down on the sidewalk or kick it old-school and eat on the hood of your automobile.
El Tiempo Taquería
Housed within the former Matamoros Meat Market area, this carnicería in the El Tiempo empire does many issues nicely, however we notably love the taco deluxe. It is made with a flour or corn tortilla and your selection of beef fajitas, sausage, rooster fajitas, barbacoa, carnitas, or brisket, and comes with a facet of rice and beans. In case you’re an early-morning individual, you should definitely bask in considered one of its many breakfast tacos. And for that candy tooth, don’t overlook to seize a tres leches or flan in your method out.
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Ema
Ema, additionally going by CasaEma now, opened a brick-and-mortar location in March following years of success with its pop-up at City Harvest Farmers Market and different spots round city. Based by 2025 James Beard finalists Stephanie Velasquez, Nicolas Vera, and Marlén Mendoza, the café is ideal to fulfill all of your cravings, whether or not that’s a Mexican pastry, espresso, or a savory meal. Cease by to attempt Ema’s Taco de Zanahoria, which options confit carrot, pumpkin seed salsa, greens, made-in-house queso fresco, and roasted pumpkin seeds on an heirloom blue corn tortilla.
Gerardo’s Drive-In
- Mexican/Tex-Mex
- Northside
For nearly 50 years, José Luis Lopez has made magic at his little store within the Close to Northside, named for his son. Gerardo’s is legendary for one factor particularly: The restaurant is the perfect place to eat barbacoa within the metropolis. The group makes it with the normal beef cheek and tongue meat. Inside, it’s sizzling, tender, and juicy, made excellent with a squeeze of lime, chopped cilantro, and salsa verde. Gerardo’s Drive-In is barely open on weekends plus Fridays, so plan accordingly.
La Chingada Tacos & Tequila
Whether or not you go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the ambiance right here is heat and can make you’re feeling such as you’ve stepped inside Mexico. We’re large followers of the quesabirria tacos particularly. La Chingada’s housemade salsas are all the fashion, however go calmly on the habanero sauce for those who’re delicate to spice. Go to for blissful hour through the week for a $5 deal on the three road tacos, reasonably priced drinks, and a good time.
La Chingada Tacos & Tequila additionally has a location within the Cypress space.
La Guadalupana Bakery & Café
This energetic, family-run Montrose establishment is beloved by many within the metropolis, who pour in right here on weekends for breakfast and lunch. The Diaz household is from the state of Puebla, which is legendary for its mole poblano. Each merchandise on supply is a winner, however the easiest, the rooster mole taco, is off-menu. Bonus: The café de olla, infused with cinnamon, pairs completely with the almond croissant.
Laredo Taqueria
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The enduring Laredo Taqueria has 4 areas scattered throughout the Houston space, every with its personal attraction and menu—and an extended cafeteria-style line. Attempt the fideo taco, primarily rooster and noodles inside a tortilla. In case you’re an early riser, goal to be first in line so that you don’t miss out on the stellar breakfast tacos.
Taconmadre
With a truck in Denver Harbor and two brick-and-mortars in South Houston and Channelview, Taconmadre’s brilliant inexperienced exterior beckons us to tug as much as their drive-throughs each time we’re hungry. Plus, they’re all open 24 hours. You’ll be able to’t go fallacious with the street-style al pastor tacos, and earlier than you permit, don’t overlook to order a limonada agua fresca for the street.
Tacos Doña Lena
Proprietor Angel Cabrera, whose dad and mom are from Guanajuato, has reworked this small Spring Department spot into a preferred sensation that gained a spot on Yelp’s Prime 100. Tacos Doña Lena makes a speciality of birria tacos and quesabirria, which we like to drizzle with the restaurant’s glorious housemade salsas. Cabrera additionally introduced a second location to the Lazybrook/Timbergrove neighborhood close to the Heights with much more menu gadgets (and a bar with margaritas).
Tacos la Bala
This native chain now has a number of areas serving taco-loving Houstonians. Every outpost has its personal aptitude, however we love the vibe on the Gulfton one. Order a trompo taco, among the best examples on the town, and a few barbacoa for good measure.
Tacos la Sultana
Positioned within the southeast space of Houston, this energetic taco spot lives as much as its identify. Roughly translated as “the mom of all tacos,” Tacos la Sultana has two main selections of meat: trompo and bistek. Upon strolling up, you’ll suppose it’s only a taco truck, however off to the facet it has loads of area for seating, which is all the time a plus. And it gives numerous drink choices, together with a Mexican Coke, which one ought to by no means say no to.
Tacos La Sultana additionally has one other location off Woodforest Boulevard.
Tacos Tierra Caliente
One of the crucial well-known vehicles within the metropolis, Tierra Caliente has been feeding Montrose residents and passersby for nearly 20 years from its spot throughout the road from West Alabama Ice Home. You’ll be able to’t go fallacious with whichever selection of meat you select in your taco, and you should definitely eat it a picnic desk on the ice home with an ice-cold beer.
Tacos Tierra Caliente additionally has a location off North Durham Drive.
Tamales Don Pepe
Proprietor René Hidalgo is usually behind the counter at his small however charming café off Stella Hyperlink, and he makes most of the salsas himself, too. Cease by for breakfast on a calming weekend morning, maybe after a motorcycle trip alongside Brays Bayou. Within the taco division, we notably love the pastor and tinga.
Taqueria Don Tin
While you look this place up, you is likely to be shocked by all of the areas. We took a stroll to the one on the nook of Irvington and Tidwell within the Northside, often called Taqueria Don Tin #6. The taco truck went by a much-needed facelift, so for those who haven’t been shortly and see a brilliant red-orange truck that claims, “The Taco King on Tidwell,” know you’re in the best spot. Attempt the tacos Matamoros meal with al pastor, topped with queso fresco, cilantro, avocado, and onion, and add some spicy, creamy tomatillo salsa for the proper complement of flavors.
Tio Trompo
This taqueria is the proper spot for Houstonians seeking to get a style of an genuine trompo taco—marinated pork shawarma grilled in a revolving spit. At Tio Trompo, anticipate tender, well-seasoned meat with cilantro, onion, and your selection of corn or flour tortillas. And for individuals who like issues to be on the spicy facet, don’t overlook to ask for the pink salsa.
Tortillería Tlaxcalli
This place is taco heaven, with a steam desk filled with fillings in your creation of selection—after all, our favourite is the barbacoa. Seating choices are fairly restricted, however we promise the tacos maintain up extraordinarily nicely within the automobile. Oh, and don’t overlook to take residence some recent tortillas.
Villa Arcos
After a three-year hiatus through the pandemic that had Houstonians worrying the restaurant would by no means come again, the beloved Navigation Boulevard establishment since 1977 is again. Each the meals and the vibes are nice at Villa Arcos, however what rises to the highest is the spot’s “tremendous tacos”—large and stuffed along with your favourite filling. The chorizo-potato tremendous is our go-to order, however you do you.
