Texas Icons
January 17, 2023
The Taco Welcomes All Into Its Fold
Nothing transcends culinary borders like the tortilla.
Tacos
Taco editor José R. Ralat covers Tex-Mex and Mexican cuisine with reviews, profiles, and trend pieces
Latest
51-100 of 304 Articles
Texas Icons
January 17, 2023
How Texas’s Mexican Food Scene Became the Most Exciting in the U.S.
The days when Mexican food on this side of the border was all about crispy tacos and yellow cheese are long behind us, thanks to innovative chefs and cultural shifts.
Tacos
January 13, 2023
In Gentrifying Oak Cliff, a New Taqueria Offers Approachable and Affordable Fare
Tacos y Chelas may be surrounded by pricey restaurants, but the humble space has tacos al pastor and birria tacos that won’t break the bank.
Tacos
January 3, 2023
The Austin Taco Trail
Specialized taquerias and modernist Mexican restaurants offer more choices than ever before.
Tacos
December 19, 2022
Family, Faith, and Tortillas Propel This San Antonio Factory
Sonia Margarita Vasquez-Grizzle is the heart of Margarita’s Tortilla Factory, and despite personal challenges, she has always dedicated herself to her business.
Tacos
December 7, 2022
The Midland-Odessa Taco Trail
Explore the oil patch’s regional specialties, from overstuffed burritos to crispy tacos—just remember to bring cash.
Tacos
December 2, 2022
‘Taco Chronicles’ Highlights Texas’s Barbecue Tacos in Its Latest Season
The Netflix series honors the fusion food by featuring two joints in Dallas and San Antonio. We add two more that could’ve made the cut.
Tacos
December 1, 2022
My Favorite Mexican and Tex-Mex Bites of 2022
After two years of interrupted travel, taco editor José R. Ralat hit the road full force this year and has a best-of list of a whopping 25 dishes to prove it.
Tacos
November 22, 2022
This Polarizing West Texas Mexican Restaurant Is More Confident Than Ever in Its Purpose
From hosting drag shows to feeding political campaigns, the Local in Abilene has been mired in some controversy, but it remains focused on serving tacos to folks of all stripes.
Tacos
November 10, 2022
Meet the Teenage Wunderkind Who Owns and Operates This Barbacoa Shop
At 19, Sarah Hernandez runs a successful San Antonio business with her sister, Rebecca. The two are used to convincing confounded customers.
Tacos
November 3, 2022
Monterreyan Specialties Shine at This Dallas Taqueria
La Parrilla Tacos & Más joins other trompo-focused Oak Cliff favorites with outstanding dishes like frijoles charros and empalme.
Tacos
October 28, 2022
The 70-Year Journey to Making Bolner’s Fiesta Brand Spices Texas Kitchen Essentials
The family-owned San Antonio company produces the bulk, whole, and blended spices the state can’t cook without.
Tacos
October 19, 2022
Vegan Tex-Mex Is a Tough Sell, but This Dallas Spot Shows Its Potential
While Oak Cliff's Casa del Vegano has a few flaws, its innovative taco fillings like konjac root, banana blossoms, and oyster mushrooms warrant a try.
Tacos
October 11, 2022
The Top 25 New(ish) Taquerias in Texas
Our first midterm report indicates that all over the state, tradition abides while creativity flourishes.
Business
October 10, 2022
Family Is the Foundation of One of the Most Successful Mexican American Food Brands
Austin’s Siete Family Foods—known for its grain-free tortillas—employs seven family members and is poised to outpace some of the nation’s largest legacy brands.
Tacos
October 10, 2022
Meet the Masa Masters of Texas
A small community of chefs and taqueros are bringing nixtamalized, heirloom corn tortillas—the foundation of Mexican cuisine—to the masses.
Business
October 9, 2022
How a Single Machine Revolutionized the Fresh Flour-Tortilla Game
Based in San Antonio, BE&SCO perfected the appliance behind everybody’s favorite flatbread—and changed how Mexican restaurants operate.
By Tom Foster![Tom Foster's Profile Photo]()
Tacos
October 8, 2022
What Your Favorite Mexican Ice Cream Says About You
From mamey to nuez, the varied flavors found at Mexican ice cream shops around the state make for a pretty accurate personality test.
By Kimya Kavehkar![Kimya Kavehkar's Profile Photo]()
![José R. Ralat's Profile Photo]()
Tacos
October 8, 2022
Mexican and Indigenous Women Deserve Credit for Creating Tex-Mex
While Anglo businessmen are often lauded for contributions such as Eagle Chili Powder, it’s important to remember the originators behind the cuisine.
Tacos
October 7, 2022
Things to Do Instead of Watching “Mexican Week” on ‘The Great British Bake Off’
If you’re a ‘Great British Bake Off’ fan, good news: you’ve freed up an hour this week. Here are a few ideas on how to spend it.
Tacos
October 7, 2022
La Morena Wasn’t Just a Restaurant, It Was a West Texas Rite of Passage
In Andrews, this mostly serve-yourself Tex-Mex restaurant was a community staple that’s still remembered fondly after its closing.
Tacos
October 6, 2022
This San Antonio Artist Is Dedicated to Showcasing the Beauty of Tex-Mex
Eva Marengo Sanchez has painted everything from tacos to conchas, and it’s given her work more meaning than she ever anticipated.
Tacos
October 6, 2022
The Great Hard-shell Taco Debate
Two Texas Monthly writers go head-to-head on the merits and inferiorities of tacos made with crispy shells vs. soft tortillas.
By David Courtney![David Courtney's Profile Photo]()
![Michael Hall's Profile Photo]()
Tacos
October 5, 2022
10 Taco Sides, Ranked
Round out your taco meal with add-ons—but order armed with the knowledge of what might disappoint and what will hit the spot every time.
Tacos
October 5, 2022
Out of All Mexican Foods, Why Did the Taco Win America’s Love?
Living in a taco-obsessed world and reporting on border issues makes senior editor Jack Herrera’s relationship with the dish complex—and a little frustrating.
Texas History
October 4, 2022
Did JFK Really Eat the World’s Largest Tamale?
How a San Antonio restaurant manager pioneered the art of taco diplomacy.
Tex-Mexplainer
September 29, 2022
Affordable and Portable, Gorditas Are Ready for the Spotlight
The filled masa cakes have long been in the shadow of another comfort food (ahem, tacos), but Texas taquerias are now showcasing them in diverse, interesting ways.
Tacos
September 20, 2022
This Dallas Tex-Mex Spot Ruins a Good Meal With Distasteful Decor
Even though Odelay has many stellar dishes, including the chili con carne enchilada, its artful homages to cartel culture prove unappetizing.
Tacos
August 29, 2022
7 Mexican Grilled Cheese Sandwiches to Try Now
This classic comfort food is made heartier and more exciting when stuffed with rich barbacoa and spicy birria, as it is at many restaurants across Texas.
Tacos
August 23, 2022
Boudin in Breakfast Tacos? Beaumont Says, “You Bet.”
Two food trucks in the Golden Triangle—the Taste of Texas and James & Jon—excel when it comes to serving barbecue in tortillas.
Tacos
August 18, 2022
This East Texas Drive-through Taqueria Specializes in Home Cooking
Taqueria Mi Rancho serves posito, tacos al pastor, and birria, and is located on the co-owner's ranch, bringing a sense of comida casera to the restaurant.
Tacos
August 10, 2022
Perseverance Pays Off for One of Austin’s Greatest Taco Trucks
After going through the new-business-owner blues, Luis Mendoza is seeing long lines at Un Mundo de Sabor, which serves tacos, enchiladas, and tres leches.
Tex-Mexplainer
August 4, 2022
Trompo Tacos Are So Much More Than Tacos al Pastor
Although the Mexico City style is dominant, tacos made with trompo meat vary regionally, offering many ways to enjoy the spit-roasted specialty.
Tacos
July 14, 2022
On Salsa, Dragons, and Fatherhood: A Taco Editor Bonds With His Son
A beloved children’s book led the pair to collect salsas and hot sauces and host live tastings on Instagram.
Tacos
July 8, 2022
Birria Is the Greatest Threat to Taco Culture—and Its Savior
The Instagram-famous tacos are major moneymakers for the restaurants that sell them. But being popular doesn’t always mean being good.
Tacos
June 29, 2022
This San Antonio Joint Might Serve the Best Tacos al Pastor in Texas
El Pastor Es Mi Señor follows the Mexico City tradition of trompo cooking, which yields beautiful pork and sirloin in tacos, salads, tortas, and more.
Tacos
June 22, 2022
No Beef? No Problem. The Panhandle Embraces Vegan Tacos.
Amarillo may be famous for its steak-eating contest, but Yellow City Street Food is drawing hype for tacos stuffed with mushrooms and seitan.
Tacos
June 9, 2022
Find Tacos, Tortas, and Aguas Frescas at This Community-Focused Market
In its South Dallas neighborhood, Encanto Market & Cocina serves essentials for nearby residents, from dry goods to fruit to guisado-filled tacos.
Tacos
May 31, 2022
Enjoy a Breakfast Taco With Every Filling From This Homey Tex-Mex Diner
Sylvia's Mexican Restaurant has become such a staple over its 32 years in Stockdale that it's practically a second home for locals.
Tacos
May 26, 2022
Big Red–Infused Tortillas Aren’t Gimmicks. They’re Revelations.
Leo Davila’s combos are twists on the classics of his multicultural San Antonio upbringing, and they make Stixs & Stone worth the hype.
Tacos
May 23, 2022
The Art of Making Tamales
The Comanche Tortilla & Tamale Factory has been making tamales since 1947 and wants to help inspire and educate a new generation of home cooks.
Tacos
May 19, 2022
These Carne Guisada Tacos Have Brought Folks to Tears
Marcelino's has been in East Austin for 35 years, and the family who runs it serves multiple generations of adoring customers.
Tacos
May 17, 2022
Six Tacos That Wowed Us at Taco Fest Music y Más
The San Antonio festival brought together the city's best taquerias—plus some special guests—for a hot day of delicious food.
Tacos
May 9, 2022
Why Serve $250 Margaritas Alongside Industrial Tortillas?
The Mexican, a fancy new restaurant in Dallas, aims for authenticity but isn’t using proper masa.
Tex-Mexplainer
April 27, 2022
Taco Editor José Ralat Is a James Beard Award Winner
His two nominations are the most recent recognitions for Texas Monthly’s work this award season. See the full list.
Tex-Mexplainer
April 27, 2022
Tetelas Are the Tasty Triangles You Need to Try Right Now
The ancient snack has found new prominence on Texas menus, thanks to enterprising chefs stamping it with their own creativity.
Tacos
April 14, 2022
The Houston Taco Trail
There's a taste of everything in this city, from upscale Mexican cuisine to trucks specializing in globally inspired delights.
Tacos
April 6, 2022
Nuri’s Korean-Mexican Tacos Are at Home on the Fusion-Friendly Border
The McAllen restaurant features tacos stuffed with bulgogi, kimchi, choriqueso, and more, and it’s dedicated to giving back to its community.
Tacos
March 29, 2022
Ana Liz Taqueria in Mission Is a Pilgrimage-Worthy Spot
And its young owner, Ana Liz Pulido, is not to be underestimated. After losing her supplier of nixtamalized-corn tortillas, she learned to make her own.
Tacos
March 24, 2022
Wacoans Are Wacko for the New Wako Taco
After opening a year ago, the restaurant, which serves birria tacos and more, is already looking to expand to serve its growing customer base.