If you needed another reason to feel proud of Austin's endlessly evolving food culture, here it is: two of our homegrown taquerias have just earned a coveted spot on Texas Monthly's roundup of the best new tacos in the Lone Star State. And honestly? We're not even a little surprised.
Austin has always had a complicated, beautiful relationship with the taco. From the greasy, glorious breakfast taco you grab before a morning paddle on Lady Bird Lake to the elevated street-style creations tucked inside a Mueller food hall, this city treats its tortillas with something close to reverence. So when Texas Monthly — the undisputed authority on all things Texan — takes notice of what's happening in our backyards, it feels like a hometown victory lap worth savoring.
The two Austin spots that earned the magazine's stamp of approval are turning heads not just for what's inside the tortilla, but for the full experience they deliver. Think handmade masa with that telltale earthy aroma, fillings that honor both tradition and creativity, and the kind of neighborhood vibe that makes you want to linger over a second — okay, third — taco with a cold agua fresca sweating in your hand.
What makes this recognition especially meaningful is how fiercely competitive the Texas taco landscape has become. San Antonio, Houston, and the Rio Grande Valley are not playing around. For Austin spots to rise above the noise and land on a statewide list speaks to the passion and craft these kitchens are bringing every single morning they fire up the comal.
Whether you're a longtime local who already has your Saturday morning taco ritual dialed in, or a newcomer still mapping out your go-to spots, consider this your official nudge to seek out these two taquerias. Support them early, support them often — because the best local gems have a way of becoming everybody's favorite before you know it. In Austin, a great taco is never just a meal. It's a moment.