The Best Tacos in San Antonio
Explore San Antonio's taco scene with our detailed guide to the best taco spots!
Henry's Puffy Tacos, established in 1978 in San Antonio, Texas, is celebrated for pioneering the puffy taco. This family-run establishment is known for its commitment to tradition and quality, using fresh ingredients and family recipes to create its famous Tex-Mex dishes. The restaurant has become a local icon, beloved for its unique tacos and long-standing community presence.
Naco Mexican is a vibrant Mexican restaurant located in San Antonio, TX, known for its modern twist on traditional Mexican flavors. They offer a diverse menu that includes tacos, enchiladas, and other classic dishes for dining in, takeout, or catering. The restaurant prides itself on its lively atmosphere and also operates a food truck for a more mobile dining experience.
This local favorite offers a delicious blend of traditional and innovative Mexican cuisine, featuring standout items like the California Burrito and Super Nachos. Known for their extensive menu, they provide a range of choices from tacos and burritos to combination plates and tortas, all crafted with fresh ingredients. The shop caters to a diverse clientele with dining-in, pick-up, and delivery options across several locations.
Tejas Birria specializes in the traditional Mexican dish of birria, offering a variety of savory tacos and quesadillas made with tender, slow-cooked meat. Their menu celebrates the rich flavors and comforting warmth of birria, paired perfectly with their homemade consommé. Open for both dine-in and takeout, they ensure a flavorful experience for all birria enthusiasts.
Tacos El Regio offers a traditional street food experience with its array of authentic Mexican tacos, available across several convenient locations within the city. They cater to late-night crowds, serving a variety of tacos, from mini tacos to classic options, alongside other Mexican favorites like corn in a cup. The shops operate daily from 11 AM to 2 AM, ensuring they meet the cravings of night owls.
Con Huevos Tacos was launched in late November 2019 by Chef and owner Hugo Garcia, who has been a resident of San Antonio for over a decade. After experiencing cravings for the unique flour tortillas that his grandmother Licha would make in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, MX, Chef Garcia decided to incorporate his family's traditional recipes into the small but carefully crafted menu of Con Huevos Tacos. Their colorful and cozy establishment is designed to create a welcoming, family-like environment for all, whether customers pick up take-out or enjoy the lively cumbia music playing in the background.
Tacos and Chelas Mexican Kitchen
Tacos and Chelas Mexican Kitchen in San Antonio, Texas, offers a taste of southern Mexican cuisine with a focus on flavorful tacos and refreshing micheladas. Their menu also includes unique items like asada fries and cheesy quesadillas, making it a favorite among locals for both dine-in and delivery. Located at 9902 Potranco Rd, the restaurant operates Monday to Saturday from 11 AM to 9 PM and on Sunday from 11 AM to 3 PM.
If you’re the kind of person who wants one taco that’s big enough to be a whole meal, Grumpy’s is the place for you. The name is a bit misleading because there’s no way to leave mad after one of their tasty tacos. For one of the best breakfast tacos in San Antonio, try Adam Schwab’s favorite — the Henry. It’s got all of your morning favorites in a tortilla loaded with eggs, potatoes, hash browns, bacon, beans, and cheese.
Alright, get ready to drool. Birria tacos are made with stewed meat inside a corn tortilla then dipped in the top of the fatty broth and fried. The result is a little messy and a lot delicious! Birria tacos have been seeing a huge surge in popularity in the U.S. in the last few years as more people catch on to how incredible these juicy, deep red tacos truly are. Lucky for us, this city has known they are great for a long time, and one of the places in San Antonio that has mastered the art is the restaurant Birria Barrio. Stop by for a classic birria taco with a side of consomé for dipping.
Taco-Tex is a family-owned and operated restaurant run by the Leon Family, which has been operating this restaurant for 15 years. Originally from Jalisco, in central Mexico, they grew up surrounded by the richness of interior Mexican cuisine. In the early 2000s, the family combined their skills and took over an existing restaurant, driven by their passion for authentic Mexican food and dedication to providing excellent customer service. Today, Taco-Tex is a beloved spot for Mexican cuisine in the northeast San Antonio area, where diners can enjoy exquisite dishes and the warm hospitality of a family-owned establishment.
Ray’s claims to be home to the original puffy taco. Though there are plenty of great places in town to get puffy tacos, like Henry’s Puffy Tacos, Ray’s proudly says they started the trend in San Antonio. These tacos stand out in a sea of soft, crunchy shells as a bubbly, fried in-between. Puffy tacos are crispy without being hard and delicate without being doughy. For traditionalists, you can also order your tacos at Ray’s with a hard shell, soft corn, or flour. While you’re at Ray’s, you may luck out and catch a classic car show while you enjoy their drive-in style ambiance.
Functioning as both a physical snack bar location and a food truck, Gordo’s knows how to treat the taco lover. Among their mouthwatering offerings are some delicious mini tacos that take flavors from the Rio Grande Valley and put an Alamo City twist on them. This husband-and-wife team serves up mini tacos, tortas the size of your head, and birria tacos that take more than 7 hours to prepare. Whether you need a quick snack or want something filling to dig into, we suggest you head over to Gordo’s!
Another food truck to consider is Mini Tacos El Caminante. This food truck serves some delicious tacos, including their specialty of mini tacos. They’ve also done something that’s a feat for any restaurant and have a 5-star rating on Google. Fans of the truck know that this hidden gem means business. They’re also affordable if you’re dining out on a budget because most of their options are less than $10. When you get a craving for delicious Mexican food, Mini Tacos El Caminante has you covered!
You know a restaurant has to be good when they claim to have the “Best Tacos on Earth.” Your tastebuds will be happy to know that many in San Antonio say that they live up to the claim. The tacos are inspired by the cuisine of Monterrey, Mexico, and founder Fernando Quintanilla shares his love for the region with every taco he makes. Tacos El Regio proudly uses the freshest ingredients, the highest-quality meats, and authentic Mexican spices to create some of the best tacos in San Antonio.
El Jarocho Veracruzano knows how to impress taco lovers with its unique menu selection and authentic Mexican street-style offerings. Its recipes are influenced by its roots in Veracruz and pack plenty of flavor into its tacos. Some fan favorites include its juicy mini birria tacos and carne asada tacos. One look at its Facebook page will make you hungry for its bright, colorful creations.
Tlahco is a relatively new spot to grab tacos, having opened in October 2019, but it’s quickly become a local favorite. Tlahco means “middle” in the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs of Central Mexico, and they proudly draw inspiration from the heart of Mexico. You can grab both breakfast tacos and mini tacos here, too. They have plenty of classics like bean and cheese, but they also focus on representing flavors and dishes that aren’t seen at all the other taco spots, like cochinita pibil. You can order the traditional Mexican slow-roasted pork dish on a tasty breakfast taco at Tlahco!
Are you in the mood for a quick bite? Then head over to Tacos El Pelon! This food truck offers some of the best tacos in San Antonio, along with burritos, tortas, and more. It’s a great option for fast, authentic Mexican food that’s reasonably priced. Some of their most popular taco options are their tripas tacos and buche tacos. Tacos El Pelon never ceases to satisfy local taco aficionados looking to break away from chain restaurants.
This go-to spot for San Antonio tacos is known for their authentic Mexican options and Jalisco-style street tacos. Adam Elliot recommends starting with an al pastor taco and finishing up with two of everything else. They’re just that delicious! You can order them “all the way” for the most flavor and you’ll get cilantro, onions, cucumbers, radishes, and lime. Look for the bright red detailing on their newly remodeled building, and you won’t miss it.
Stop in early to grab some of the best breakfast tacos in San Antonio. They open at 6 a.m. every day but Sunday, so if you’re up early and hungry, look no further! You’re greeted with friendly service and the warm aroma of traditional Mexican spices when you walk in. Their tacos aren’t as big as some other places, but that just means you can experiment and order a few. They’re best known for their barbacoa, so make sure to try that when you visit.
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