Here's a simple guide to street-style tacos in the neighborhood (2024)

Keep your $15 tacos with duck confit and radishes, this is a guide to greasy, $2 street tacos served in gas stations and restaurants hidden in obscure shopping centers.

PLACES TO TRY

La Paisanita Deli
Fill your tank and your belly at La Paisanita Deli. Located inside a gas station off Greenville Avenue, the tiny shop serves tacos for $1.59 each, offering 14 types of meat. You can’t go wrong with a classic fajita or barbacoa taco.8209 Park Lane

Mario Bros Tacos
In a bright yellow-and-blue house off Northwest Highway sits Mario Bros, a taco joint cooking recipes from the city of Monterrey. For a meat lover, enjoy the campechano taco with both trompo (al pastor) and bistec (steak). Mario Bros also sells a vegetarian taco with beans and grilled veggies.5942 Abrams Road

Tortas Revolución
Don’t let the name fool you, they serve tacos too. The restaurant says, “Antojitos Estilo D.F.” That means, “Mexico City-style snacks.” The chorizo taco is a classic. For the more adventurous folk, order the lengua (beef tongue) taco.7019 Holly Hill Drive

TYPES OF MEAT

Al pastor
If you’ve ever seen a giant funnel-shaped piece of meat spinning in the restaurant, that’s al pastor. It’s roasted on a trompo to create slow-cooked pork. The bright red color comes from being heavily marinated and seasoned in onions, garlic, achiote paste, cumin, cinnamon, allspice and cloves. Some restaurants serve al pastor with pineapple for a sweet and savory taco.

Barbacoa
Barbacoa is typically made with beef and seasoned with dried chilies, spices and fresh lime juice. It’s slowly cooked until flawlessly tender.

Carnitas
Carnitas means “little pieces of meat,” and it’s usually pulled pork shoulder cooked in lard. Originating from the state of Michoacán, it’s a classic for tacos.

Carne asada
A favorite at cookouts, carne asada is sliced beef made of skirt, sirloin, tenderloin or rib steak. Marinades vary but typically include oil, salt, pepper, garlic and lime juice.

Chorizo
A great choice for breakfast tacos, chorizo is a pork sausage. It’s red from dried chilies and paprika, the best combination is with eggs and potato.

PHRASES TO KNOW

¿Hola, como estas? = Hello, how are you?

Yo quiero = I want

Con todo = With everything

Sin cebolla = Without onion

Sin cilantro = Without cilantro

Salsa verde = Green salsa

Salsa roja = Red salsa

Aguacate = Avocado

Arroz = Rice

Frijoles = Beans

Tortilla de maíz = Corn tortilla

Tortilla de harina = Flour tortilla

Para llevar = To go

¡Hasta luego! = See you later!

Here's a simple guide to street-style tacos in the neighborhood (2024)

FAQs

Are al pastor and barbacoa the same? ›

Some restaurants serve al pastor with pineapple for a sweet and savory taco. Barbacoa is typically made with beef and seasoned with dried chilies, spices and fresh lime juice. It's slowly cooked until flawlessly tender.

What cheese goes on street tacos? ›

Cotija cheese has a strong salty flavor, making it an ideal topping for beans, salads, antojitos, elote, and tacos. At room temperature or colder, it is dry and crumbly, but it will soften slightly when warmed.

What is the difference between regular tacos and street tacos? ›

They are typically served on the street or in restaurants. The difference between street tacos and regular tacos is that street tacos are smaller in size and made with a corn tortilla. Street tacos got their name from the place of their origin, the streets of Mexico.

What makes something a street taco? ›

Street tacos have a small corn tortilla base. making them easy to grab and go. Usually, taquerias. double up the corn tortilla so it doesn't tear or rip.

Is carne asada or al pastor better? ›

Carne asada, pollo, and al pastor all have tasty and memorable flavors. Carne Asada may be favored by those who like a more pronounced spice, al pastor is a favorite for those who enjoy a little sweetness, and pollo is great for those who prefer a more subtle flavor.

What cut of meat is barbacoa? ›

In the US, people typically make barbacoa with chuck roast, brisket and beef cheeks. However, any cut of beef that has a lot of connective tissue and takes a long time to cook until tender works well.

What onion is best for street tacos? ›

White Onions

If you love Mexican food, this is your go-to onion. With a bite that doesn't linger for too long, they add an onion-y brightness without overpowering other flavors. White onions are delicious when used raw—especially in salsa, salads, or sprinkled on tacos as a garnish.

What sauce is served with street tacos? ›

Cilantro Lime- Cilantro Lime Sauce is fresh, vibrant, full of flavor. That is why it is one of the best sauces for all your tacos! It is made from sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, jalapeños, garlic, lime juice, and salt. Cilantro Lime Sauce is creamy, spicy, and sour- with a hint of garlic.

What is the crumbly white cheese on street tacos? ›

Cotija is a type of cheese made from cow's milk named after the town of the same name in Mexico. Cotija is white in color, firm and crumbly – like that of a Parmesan cheese. It has saltiness brought by aging.

Do Mexicans put sour cream on tacos? ›

While sour cream has become a favorite of many taco fans for adding a refreshing creaminess to temper the spiciest salsas as well as savory pork and beef, we want to reiterate that it is not a traditional Mexican topping.

Do street tacos have one or two tortillas? ›

But street tacos are especially tricky, because they're often packed with even more ingredients than your average taco. That's why two tortillas are key – they help ensure that everything stays in its rightful place.

What is the best cut of meat for street tacos? ›

in general, that can be either a chuck, it can be a sirloin, it can be pretty much any kind of meat. But here in the valley, it's mostly chug or sirloin, depending on which taqueria you go to. That way, they can cook them to order.

What are the best toppings for street tacos? ›

  • 01 of 23. Cheese. Cheese is often the first thing to go on the taco bar, so make sure you have enough to refill the bowls. ...
  • 02 of 23. Shredded Lettuce. ...
  • 03 of 23. Tomato Relish. ...
  • 04 of 23. Fresh Tomatillos. ...
  • 05 of 23. Sliced Radishes or Jicama. ...
  • 06 of 23. Sliced Fresh Chiles. ...
  • 07 of 23. Pickled Onions. ...
  • 08 of 23. Pickled Chiles.
Jan 30, 2024

Is corn or flour better for street tacos? ›

Corn tortillas go well with Mexican dishes like tacos, enchiladas, and tamales. They are also perfect for use in tostadas, sopes, and quesadillas. Flour tortillas are often used in burritos, fajitas, and chimichangas. They are also great for making quesadillas, sweet dishes like dessert tacos, and breakfast burritos.

Does cheese belong on street tacos? ›

Ultimately, the decision to include cheese in tacos is a matter of personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer, as it largely comes down to individual taste. Whether you prefer a traditional taco without cheese or one loaded with queso, both are valid and delicious options.

What are the other names for barbacoa? ›

Barbacoa was later adopted into the cuisine of the southwestern United States by way of Texas. The word transformed in time to "barbecue". In the Philippines, the Visayan dish balbacua (also spelled balbakwa) is named after barbacoa, probably for the similar length of cooking time and tenderness of the meat.

What type of meat is al pastor? ›

The Al Pastor meat is usually made from boneless pork shoulder, which is a triangular cut from the area just above the front leg of the pig. Butchers often sell pork shoulder with the skin on and a layer of fat. The al pastor taco has to be cooked on a rotating spit.

What is another name for tacos al pastor? ›

It is a popular street food that has spread to the United States. In some places of northern Mexico and coastal Mexico, such as in Baja California, taco al pastor is known as taco de trompo or taco de adobada.

Is al pastor the same as carnitas? ›

Carnitas, carne asada, and al pastor are all authentic Mexican dishes. Carnitas is made with pork that has been braised or slow-cooked until it's fork-tender. Carne asada is made with beef that has been grilled to perfection. Al pastor is made with pork that has been grilled and then sliced off the spit.

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