Hand-Held Pick-Me-Ups
Whether you have time to sit down and enjoy an afternoon break or you take advantage of the taco’s hand-held, on-the-go nature, these lunch spots promise to carry you through your midday slump.
Santo Patio Taco Trailer: Shrimp Taco
Coastal cravings are crushed with Santo Patio’s streamlined shrimp taco. A blue corn tortilla complements the fresh slaw, jalapeños, avocado, and cilantro that brightly color this dish. They certainly don’t skimp on the simply-seasoned and juicy jumbo shrimp, the star of the show. It’s a no-nonsense taco that requires no gimmicks, only the freshest flavors.
Sunday-Monday 8am-10pm
979 Springdale Rd.
@sptacotrailer
La Santa Barbacha: Barbacoa & Santito Tacos
Stationed outside of cocktail bar The Long Goodbye, La Santa Barbacha offers the perfect opportunity to lay a base for late afternoon imbibing. These recipients of the Bib Gourmand in Texas’ MICHELIN Guide are primarily known for their barbacoa. The braised beef is simple but succulent, easily falling apart by fork, and best enjoyed wrapped in their house-made nixtamalized corn tortillas. However, the Santito taco shouldn’t be left to the wayside. This vegan-friendly creation features smoked poblanos, toothsome cauliflower, red cabbage, and red onion whose textures play nice together for a hearty meal. Top either with their habanero or tomatillo verde salsas for the full experience.
Sunday-Monday 7am-3pm
2806 Manor Rd.
la-santa-barbacha.square.site
@lasantabarbacha
Tamale House East: Chicken Mole Taco
As the name suggests, Tamale House East is well-known for their cornhusk-wrapped masa delights. But their menu boasts a wide variety of fare, and perhaps most notable is their Chicken Mole Taco. The chocolate-based mole is a complex and slightly sweet counterpart to the fried Monterrey jack cheese that coats both the inside and outside of the taco. The shredded marinated chicken breast inside is a great vessel for taking on the layered flavors of the mole, allowing the lovingly-made sauce to shine in this crunchy delight.
Friday 5pm-10pm, Saturday 9am-10pm, Sunday 9am-4pm, closed Monday-Thursday
1707 E 6th St.
tamalehouseeast.com
@tamale_house
Rollin’ Smoke BBQ: Smoked Crispy Quesataco
Rollin’ Smoke lends its barbecue expertise to a beloved Tex-Mex taco: Crispy Quesataco. Their smoked carnitas, cooked to tender perfection, is wrapped in a crispy-queso corn tortilla and topped with onions, cilantro, salsa verde, and Oaxaca cheese. These viral sensations can also be ordered with smoked turkey al pastor, smoked brisket, or barbacoa. The outdoor space is as expansive as Rollin’ Smoke’s menu. Attached to Chalmers Bar, it fits the “Everything’s Bigger in Texas” spirit with sprawling tents, plentiful lawn chairs and community tables, and large screens for watching the game of the day.
Monday 5-9pm, closed Tuesdays, Wednesday 12-9pm, Thursday-Saturday 12-10pm, Sunday 12-9pm
1700 E Cesar Chavez St.
rollinsmokeatxbbq.com
@rollinsmokeatxbbq.com
Vegan Nom
Tempeh, tofu, and tortillas live in happy harmony at Vegan Nom, home of East Austin’s most iconic plant-based tacos. Eastsider Chris Rios opened the original Vegan Nom food truck in 2012 when he couldn’t find a satisfactory vegan taco locally. The menu covers all the classics in meat-free style and introduces bold flavors that even carnivores enjoy.
thevegannom.com
Discada: Discada Taquitos
This MICHELIN-recommended taco truck gives decision-fatigue sufferers a break with their single taco option. Discada serves up tortillas stuffed with a mix of beef and pork slow-cooked together in a tractor plow disc. This technique is known as discada: AKA “cowboy-wok” cooking. Diners must only choose how hungry they are because their plates come in three, five, or eight mini-tacos. The flavorful meat is topped with cilantro, chopped onion, and just a pinch of shredded pineapple that adds brightness but refuses to overpower the savory meal. For those who like to spice things up, the habanero escabeche is perfect, offering a pleasant astringency that balances out the appropriately greasy taquitos.
Tuesday 4-9pm, Wednesday-Saturday 12-9pm, Sunday 12-4pm, closed Mondays
1700 E Cesar Chavez St.
discadatx.com
@discada
El Chilito: Al Pastor Taco
El Chilito is a casual walk-up window counterpart to sit-down sister restaurant El Chile. Though smaller, the menu boasts all the heavy hitters Tex-Mex enthusiasts could hope for. With plenty of seating on their outdoor patio, it’s easy to stay awhile, enjoying the fresh air and neighborhood charm. Their classic Al Pastor taco (also available as a burrito) starts with an El Milagro tortilla stuffed with adobo pork and topped with the customary pineapple, cilantro, and onion. To top it off, the pineapple-habanero salsa adds a zippy quality that mirrors the bustling energy of the Manor Road restaurant district.
Monday-Saturday 7:30am-10pm, Sunday 7:30am-9pm
2219 Manor Rd.
elchilito.com
@elchilito_atx
De Nada Cantina: Carnitas Taco & Camote Taco
The large metal taco sign, lit up in neon lights and topped by a metal grackle (tortilla chip in mouth) ruling over a lively stretch of East Cesar Chavez, is a beacon for the hungry and thirsty alike. Since opening in 2021, De Nada offers a vivacious atmosphere for its patrons. The margaritas flow freely, the chatter is lively, and the tacos dance at the intersection of familiar and delightful. The Camote Taco, a vegan-friendly option, features sliced sweet potatoes cooked to a tender texture alongside a chipotle slaw and smoky black beans smattered on a house-made blue corn tortilla. The bright and savory chimichurri lends balance to the sumptuous tubers. The Carnitas option is also a stand out. The braised pork errs on the leaner side, keeping this flavorful taco tender and not weighed down with grease.
Monday-Saturday 11am-Midnight, Sunday 11am-10pm
4715 E Cesar Chavez St.
denadacantina.com
@denadacantina
Ensenada ATX: Taco Gobernador
Beach bumming is a state of mind. Though this city is firmly landlocked, Ensenada’s taco truck psychically transports diners to a coastal paradise with their phenomenal Baja-style tacos. Their entire menu screams fresh, from the exceptional salsas (try the salsa macha) to the camarones. Their fish tacos are their bread and butter so-to-speak, featuring crispy battered cod with a slightly biting habanero crema. The fan favorite, Taco Gobernador, smothers perfectly cooked shrimp in an Oaxaca cheese crust for an especially indulgent treat. They also offer weekend specials, including a ceviche tostada and shrimp cocktail that nearly beat a tropical beach vacation.
Tuesday-Saturday 11am-6pm
1108 E 12th St.
ensenadaatx.com
@ensenadatx
