your (pretty all-inclusive) sxsw 2013 guide to eastside tacos

I'm certainly not going to claim to have captured even close to all of the taquerias and trailers in East Austin, but this listing should be all you need to keep your wallet happy and your belly full.  We locals get all the tacos we want, but sxsw out-of-towners need to gobble down as many as they can in their limited time here... and maybe pack a few in the ol' carry-on too...

Rosita's Al Pastor

*trailers are designated with an asterisk-- all others are brick and mortar

Taco More 2015 E Riverside

The name is fitting, considering there is no skimping on the meat in these massive $2.00 tacos.  You’d be a fool not to try the tender cabrito (possibly the best I’ve had in town!), and I thought the texture of the lengua was perfect, though lacked a bit in flavor.  Not a problem here, though-- they have a rainbow of salsas at the serve-yourself bar, from a firey red (gringos beware!) to a vivid green aguacate, and all the limes, radishes, cucumbers, and roasted chile peppers your heart might desire.

cabrito (left) and lengua (right) a la Taco More



*Rosita's Al Pastor 1911 E Riverside Drive
These are definitely the best al pastor tacos I've found in Austin so far.  They come on tiny homemade corn tortillas..and I could easily down three of them!  I add pineapple to mine and say "si" when they ask "con todo?" because I love me some onions and cilantro!  The flour tortillas are super thick and delicious, and their green sauce is flavorful and garlicky-- a perfect compliment to any of their tacos!  You can get away with ordering in English but better learn your numbers in Spanish or you'll never know when you order is called!  Must return for their tortas..

Mr. Natural 1901 E Cesar Chavez
Vegans take heed: Mr. Natural is your one-stop-shop for tofu migas, veggie chorizo, Daiya cheese, and black beans for your taco (which comes on corn of whole wheat tortilla, topped with lettuce/tomato/onion/sprouts).  Lunch and dinner specials vary daily but always fall within the realm of healthy Tex-Mex.  And I personally can't dine there without a large cup of spinach pineapple juice to wash it all down.

Enjoy your tacos while surrounded by succulents at The Juice Well

*Veracruz All Natural 1704 E Cesar Chavez & E 6th St/Onion (Eastside Fillin’ Station)

I’ve only ever been able to get the same thing every time I go to the Cesar Chavez location: one of their delicious, Rachael Ray-approved Reyna tacos (egg white topped with plenty of avocado, roasted carrots, spinach, cheese, pico de gallo), washed down with one of their fresh juice blends.  Their homemade tortillas are amazing, and their salsas are fresh and tangy.  And one day I’ll make myself try something else... like the fish taco at their 6th Street location, or the pastor which is supposed to be awesome too.

Juan in a Million 2300 E Cesar Chavez

I’m not a huge fan, but others seem to love this place!  It’s known for its giant, eponymous Don Juan taco ($4.50)...and I believe you might win something if you can finish so many of them.  Anyhoo, this is your go-to place if you like heaps of grated Velveeta...

*Piedras Negras Cesar Chavez & Pleasant Valley

You'd expect a taco from a tiny trailer in a dark parking lot to be less than $2.50... and I've had better too!  But perhaps the barbacoa is where it's at (according to Yelp).  I will give that a try next time.  And in observing the regulars and their orders, it seems that their gorditas are the way to go..

*Tacos Selene 1700 E 6th Street

I’ve had many a late night snack at this taco truck when it used to be parked outside The Grackle... but the one I always fell back on was their carne guisada.  Not at all chunky and saucy like most guisadas are, this one is shredded and succulent, as if it’s been stewing for days.  Others swear by the barbacoa and the al pastor.  Not the most fulfilling $2 you’ll find, but it sure is conveniently located for the sxsw masses, just east of I-35 on 6th Street.

*Pueblo Viejo 901 E. 6th Street (East Side Eats Food Trailer Park)
Folks seem to love the Don Chago (cheese, beans, bacon, and avocado) and the Pueblo Viejo (steak, peppers, mushrooms and avocado).  They also serve fresh local chips from El Milagro with unending housemade salsa.  However, the tacos will run you $3-3.50.  I've eaten here a couple times and it's never been very memorable, but I must admit, it always hit the latenight spot!

Tamale House East 1707 East 6th Street 

There aren’t many similarities between the original Tamale House (up north on Airport) and this one... For one, this location actually sells tamales.  And while they don’t seem to offer the whole wheat tortillas of the north location, everything seems much fresher in general here.  (They even have specials using seasonal ingredients!)  Add potatoes to your taco and they come as fries-- if that’s not a great accompaniment to day drinking, I don’t know what is!  And their roasted tomato salsa is one of my favorite red sauces in town!!

tasty, cheap, AND portable... tacos are numero uno!

*Fuel Stop 2404 E 7th Street

When you have a real hunger to quench and want to get away from the sxsw madness for a bit, this is the place for you.  Tacos range from small street tacos, which come three to a plate, to regular sized tacos, to large tacos served on 10” tortillas... and even giant “tacorritos” on 12” tortillas.  Toppings range from the usual (fajita, pastor, etc) to a veggie blend of breaded eggplant, portabellas, red and green peppers, and onions.  Relax and enjoy your meal on a couch in their courtyard, which has wifi too!

*El Chato Since 1958 1617 E 7th Street

Tacos on soft corn tortillas are only served for lunch here, and feature interior Mexican selections like cochinita pibil, mole verde and rojo, and arrachera.  Enjoy your meal at any of their outside tables or on board the “bustaurant”--a festive, talavera-tiled bus with two tables and bar seating.  They also offer BYOB and free beer, wine, and margaitas Thursday-Sunday to the tune of live music-- can’t beat that!

La Michoacana 1917 E 7th Street (but there is a Riverside location too)
Quite possibly the best-kept secret tacos in Austin (well.. not anymore)!  Get here early, especially on the weekends, for your pick of yummy taco fillings from hot hotel pans.  The chile relleno taco is swoonworthy: a fried, cheese-filled jalapeno tucked into a tortilla and topped with onions and cilantro?  Yes please!  The shredded beef is also perfecto topped with fresh salsa from the DIY bar.  Order from the cashier and then bring your ticket to the taco counter...especialmente si no habla el espanol! 

chile rellenos at the ready, waiting to become tacofied

*Takeria DF 2020 E 7th Street

Find yourself with only a dollar in your wallet (despite all the free day drinks)?  You’re in luck, because you’ll still be able to score a smallish taco from this truck.

Takoba 1610 E 7th Street

If you don’t mind waiting for a table in the heart of the sxsw madness, I’d recommend the tacos de verduras: sauteed zucchini, caramelized sweet potatoes, roasted corn, green chiles, queso fresco and chipolte mayonnaise, folded into two tacos.  They come with your choice of two sides (definitely choose their spinach/jicama/goat cheese/Mandarin orange house salad as one!) for $7.00.

Joe’s Bakery 2305 E 7th Street

The bacon? Near-deep fried.  The tortillas? Most definitely homemade.  And just one mammoth, saucy carne guisada or cheesy migas taco full of fresh veggies will give you the sustenance needed for all the live music and sponsored beer you can handle.  They’re usually pretty packed until they close (3pm), but somehow the wait is never long.. call it taco magic?

mmmm chorizo grease and melty migas from Joe's Bakery... 

just what you need to keep going all day!

*The Juice Well 801 Tillery Street (in Tillery Park / at East Austin Succulents)
The Juice Well's premise is simple: delicious fresh-squeezed juice blends and a daily offering of tamales and tacos (one type of each) and raw vegan cheesecake.  The taco I enjoyed there was a sizable serving of egg, potato, purple cabbage, kale, caramelized onions, mushrooms sauteed in a sundried tomato-cilantro pesto.  Their cilantro-heavy homemade salsa smacks of freshly harvested tomatoes and their juice blends are only $5!  A little off the beaten path and oh so worth the trip!

Marcelino Pan y Vino 901 Tillery Street

This place is the real deal.  Abuelitas in hairnets serve you with a smile while gigantic steaming pots bubble over on the stovetop.  Opt for the spicy papas rancheros and beans or beef picadillo-- they will not disappoint-- and their chicharron is said to be great as well.  (Hold the cheese unless you’re okay with a slice of Kraft American.)  Their salsa is excellent, and they usually have Mexican Coke in stock too.

giant vats of yum at Marcelino Pan y Vino

Mi Madre’s 2201 Manor Road

The tacos here are as big as your head and best downed with an icy glass of horchata.  Try the pork adobado with grilled onions and avocado for something a little different. And vegetarians rejoice: they make separate vegetarian beans and have several different meat-free options!  They also have a sit-down restaurant area, as well as a take-out window for those on the go.

El Chilito 2225 Manor Road

If you ask me, El Chilito has gone way down in quality since they first opened years ago.  However, the migas still have some of the meltiest cheese and the crunchiest chips, and that’s saying something.  The carne asada (seared steak with chili marinade and grilled onion) is also usually pretty legit, especially with their darky, smoky salsa.  Plus, where else can you get a frozen sangria to go on the eastside?  (the answer is “nowhere”... and, if there is somewhere else, I’d like to know, thanks!)

Taco-Mex 2611 Manor Road/ 1299 E 12th Street

More commonly referred to as the “taco window,” you’ll look like a real local if you show up at this unassuming spot (and they have a new, larger location on E 12th too)!  They turn out tasty migas and chorizo tacos all day long, but the real locals order the nopales and the off-menu fish tacos, topped with crunchy cabbage, a thick slice of avocado and a creamy herb sauce.  And their green salsa?? It’s the shiz-nittlebam snip-snap-sack!!

La Fruta Feliz 3124 Manor Road 

This storefront could be easily passed, as it’s tucked into a little strip of stores east of Airport.  Order to go or make yourself comfortable at one of their gingham-clothed tables.  The barbacoa de chivo (goat) is a must-- juicy and tender, most likely braised for many hours.  They use a chunky chorizo, not dribbly and greasy as many can be.  And their tortillas are light and fresh.  Originally a juice and fruit cup shop, they offer many varieties of both.  The mango licuado was closer to a smoothie than a juice, but still light and refreshing and only $3!

barbacoa de chivo y huevos con chorizo de La Fruta Feliz