Texas Monthly says 10 of the best tacos in Texas are in San Antonio
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Texas Monthly's taco editor loves this taco from San Antonio's Con Huevos. Photo: Megan Stringer/Axios
Ten of the 50 best tacos in Texas are in San Antonio, according to Texas Monthly.
Why it matters: We take our tacos seriously, and we're obviously pretty competitive about it.
Driving the news: Texas Monthly taco editor José R. Ralat released his list Monday after traveling 14,000 miles around the state to sample from more than 400 taquerias in about six months. That's an average of more than two taco restaurants per day.
- It's his first ranking of the best tacos in Texas.
The big picture: Ralat has noticed a shift in tacos he's dubbing the New Tejano movement.
- "More than ever," he writes, taquerias "are crafting nostalgic dishes from their blended cultures and incorporating native Texan ingredients."
The intrigue: Two Austin taquerias on the list (Cuantos Tacos and Yellow Bell Tacos) get their tortillas from the San Antonio Colonial Tortilla Factory on the West Side.
- Plus, Austin has just eight tacos on the list (not that we're keeping track).
Zoom in: The top-ranked San Antonio taco on the list, at No. 8, is found at Stixs & Stone, where chef Leo Davila is part of the New Tejano movement.
- Davila's Big Red and barbacoa taco flight features pink, Big Red-infused homemade tortillas.
- They're filled with applewood-smoked beef cheek, pecan pesto and strawberry Big Red jam and topped with queso fresco and pickled watermelon rind.
The other San Antonio taquerias on the list are:
Con Huevos Tacos: This East Side spot offers distinctive breakfast tacos — something Ralat says is difficult in the taco-loving Alamo City. He recommends The Carmen, with scrambled eggs, potatoes and cheddar garnished with avocado, cilantro and salsa.
Eddies Taco House: Head to the downtown location for a classic bacon and egg taco, but be sure to request the cheese, Ralat says.
El Pastor Es Mi Señor: The new menu at this reopened taco joint features al pastor tacos "tinged red by the chile-based marinade" and served on corn tortillas. Ralat says diners should show up early and order them with the morita salsa.
Garcia's Mexican Food: At this longtime local favorite, Ralat recommends the bone-in pork chop taco.
La Generala: Stop by this taco truck for guiso rojo and costillas (ribs) served in salsas on corn tortillas "so fragrant they'll leave their aroma on your fingers."
Los Weyes de la Asada: This is the place to get a mamón taco, with strips of skirt steak and Oaxaca-style quesillo on a corn tortilla.
Original Donut Shop: Another longtime classic in San Antonio, where Ralat says it's best to order a local favorite: the bean and cheese.
Ray's Drive Inn: This place offers "the gold standard of puffy tacos," Ralat writes. The beef puffy taco isn't greasy and heavy but "light as a cloud."
San Taco: Asado de puerco is the thing to order here. The chopped pork is spiced with dried red chiles and served in a corn tortilla.
The bottom line: With Ralat's help, you don't need to travel far to taste some of the best tacos Texas has to offer.