José R. Ralat, Contributor at Texas Monthly

José R. Ralat is Texas Monthly's taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. He is the author of American Tacos: A History & Guide. Ralat has written for Eater, Imbibe, Dallas Observer, D Magazine, Vice, Cowboys & Indians magazine, Gravy, and other national and regional online and print media outlets. Ralat is also a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and serves on the advisory board of Foodways Texas. In 2022, he won a James Beard award for his Tex-Mexplainer column.

269 Articles

The Birria-Landia truck on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens 4.

June 5, 2023

The Texan’s Guide to New York Tacos

Yes, there are excellent tacos in New York City, and you don’t even have to search hard to find ’em. Here are a dozen spots to try.

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A taco spread at El Tiger Taqueria.

June 1, 2023

Inspired by His Luchador Father, This Taquero Serves Dishes That Pack a Punch

At El Tiger Taqueria, in El Paso, Jorge Ortiz offers his take on border food, which includes suadero flautas topped with bonito flakes and seaweed.

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Despite Immense Pain, the Folks Behind Warrior Taco Serve Joyful Fry Bread

May 23, 2023

Despite Immense Pain, the Folks Behind Warrior Taco Serve Joyful Fry Bread

Jennifer Scharen and her family serve marvelous versions of the Native American dish at their Pittsburg trailer in honor of her late husband.

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Olmos-Bbq-Fort-Worth-tray-tacos-sausage-brisket

May 16, 2023

This Barbecue Pop-up Prides Itself on Its Stellar Tacos

Olmos Bbq, in Fort Worth, offers traditional brisket, sausage, and ribs, but pitmaster-taquero John Paul Govea knows it’s “the tacos that hit.”

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Two San Taco Plates at San Taco.

May 10, 2023

Taste a Dozen Guisados at This San Antonio Taco Joint

San Taco specializes in the comforting stews and braises, offering them on plates or by the pound alongside fresh tortillas.

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An order of burritos at Alfonso's Breakfast Burritos.

May 2, 2023

West Texas and South Texas Meet at This New Burrito Joint

Alfonso’s Breakfast Burritos in Duncanville, just outside Dallas, is already a local hit with comforting guisados wrapped in freshly made flour tortillas.

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Rosa's Kitchen food truck.

April 25, 2023

Faith and Perseverance Drive This San Antonio Taco Truck

The women of Rosa's Kitchen have faced difficulty on the road to making their breakfast taco spot a success, but the challenges just make them work harder for their community.

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Customers at Ramen Del Barrio.

April 20, 2023

Ramen Del Barrio Is a Chef’s Love Letter to His Mexican Upbringing

Christopher Krinsky—a 24-year-old who grew up in the U.S. and Mexico and worked in Japanese restaurants—combines his influences in his Austin ramen counter.

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Jimenez Tortilleria y Taqueria in Lubbock.

April 13, 2023

These Hearty West Texas Tacos Will Take the Edge Off a Hangover

Jiménez Tortilleria y Taqueria in Lubbock separates itself from the local pack by offering tacos filled with guisados and topped with fried eggs.

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Blue Beetle Belongs in El Paso

April 4, 2023

‘Blue Beetle’ Belongs in El Paso, No Matter What DC Brass Thinks

A new trailer reveals that the Mexican American superhero will live in a fictional city, breaking with canon. Comic book fans are not happy.

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Tex-Mexplainer-Barbacoa

Tex-Mexplainer|

April 4, 2023

A Head Above: How Barbacoa Paved the Way for Barbecue

Whether using lamb, beef, or goat, the cooking method of barbacoa is rooted in pre-Hispanic traditions and set the scene for smoking meat as we know it stateside.

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March 28, 2023

A German Taqueria Is Leading Europe’s New Taco Revolution

Berlin’s Taqueria El Oso honors Mexican cuisine with its suadero and tripas tacos, and, luckily, it’s just one of the continent’s stellar taco joints.

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The original Chili's after a remodel along Greenville Avenue.

March 20, 2023

Despite Its National Appeal, Chili’s Is a Dallas Restaurant Through and Through

Sure, the restaurant chain was founded in Dallas and is currently headquartered there—but the concept also embraces the Dallas identity.

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Bone Marrow Tacos from Taco Shop in El Paso.

March 15, 2023

Kangaroo in Your Taco? “Why Not?” Says This Adventurous El Paso Restaurant

Taco Shop in El Paso has featured kangaroo, turtle, and alligator on its menu. While some are turned off by the game, many more customers line up to try them.

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LaToya Larkin of Black Girl Tamales.

March 8, 2023

This Tamale Company Infuses Its Popular Dish With Soul Food Flavors

Houston-based Black Girl Tamales' offerings include steamed masa filled with collard greens, oxtail, dirty rice, and shrimp.

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Jimmy Carter’s Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians

February 28, 2023

Jimmy Carter’s Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians

A local restauranteur created the dish to honor Carter's election, and it was just one instance of the importance of Mexican food in the former president's public life.

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February 23, 2023

Gen Z’s Homemade Tortillas Could Use an Upgrade

According to recent data, the youth love the commodity corn flour that's been around since 1949. But there are other options to explore.

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La Cocinita McAllen

February 16, 2023

The Tacos at This South Texas Restaurant Are Inspired by the Taquero’s International Travels

La Cocinita’s Evin Garcia invokes tastes of southern Africa and the Iberian Peninsula in his McAllen eatery while also serving his community.

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February 9, 2023

The Rio Grande Valley Taco Trail

Where to find the region's specialties, from mammoth breakfast tacos to old-school barbacoa.

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Crispy dogs from Ray’s Drive Inn.

February 6, 2023

How the Crispy Dog Became San Antonio’s Signature Snack

Invented by grandmas and popularized by drive-ins, the cheese-filled, tortilla-wrapped frank is a nostalgic treat that's disappearing from menus.

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February 2, 2023

We Asked ChatGPT to Define a Taco. Here’s What It Said.

The AI-powered chatbot has been making headlines recently, so we hit it with our hardest taco-related questions to test its mettle.

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The Stand Up Desk|

January 27, 2023

An Author Believed Elon Musk Would Benefit Brownsville. Not Anymore.

National Book Award finalist Domingo Martinez was optimistic about Musk and SpaceX in 2016. Now, he says, “it feels like we sold our souls.”

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January 25, 2023

Barbecue and Mexican Cuisine Strongly Represented Among the 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalists

Eleven pitmasters are in the running for Best Chef: Texas, and thirteen Mexican restaurants are represented in various categories.

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A Food Tour Through Matamoros Shows Off the City’s Signature Taco Style

January 24, 2023

This Mexican Border City’s Signature Taco Is Best Devoured In Two Bites

In the Mexican city near Brownsville, tacos with various cuts and preparations of beef stand out, including tacos estilo Matamoros.

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January 18, 2023

Egg Prices Are High, but Your Breakfast Taco Craving Doesn’t Have to Suffer

Some Texas taquerias have increased prices due to the egg shortage, so we’ve compiled a list of great eggless breakfast tacos in case you’re starting to feel the pinch.

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tacos is spanish for welcome

January 17, 2023

The Taco Welcomes All Into Its Fold

Nothing transcends culinary borders like the tortilla.

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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.

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Austin Taco Trail

January 3, 2023

The Austin Taco Trail

Specialized taquerias and modernist Mexican restaurants offer more choices than ever before.

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December 27, 2022

The San Antonio Taco Trail

This Tex-Mex wonderland of a city has some of the best taquerias in the state.

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Margarita's Tortilla Factory

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.

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El Tako Taco in Odessa.

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.

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mexico city restaurants

Travel & Outdoors|

December 7, 2022

How to Eat Your Way Across Mexico City

Three newcomers and five mainstays that you won’t want to miss.

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Favorite Tex-Mex and Mexican Food of 2022

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.

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The Tacos Americano from The Local in Abilene.

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.

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Pastries from Alebrije Bakery in San Antonio

November 18, 2022

Feel Like a Kid Again With the Pastries at This San Antonio Panadería

Pastel-hued pan dulce pastries like pink cake, chocolate conchas, and sprinkle-covered Garibaldis routinely sell out at Alebrije Bakery.

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Sisters Sarah and Rebecca Hernandez at their barbacoa shop in San Antonio.

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.

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Tacos de trompo from La Parilla Tacos y Más in Oak Cliff.

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.

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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.

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A spread from Casa Del Vegano in Dallas.

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.

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The crispy taco (in the green basket) at De Nada in Austin.

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.

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Rainbow tortillas.

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.

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What Your Favorite Mexican Ice Cream Says About You

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 and

10 Taco Sides, Ranked

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.

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Tex-Mexplainer gorditas

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.

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The tacos al carbon, brisket chile con carne enchiladas, and pan-fried tacos from Odelay in Dallas.

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.

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Mexican grilled cheese La Tunita 512

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.

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Barbecue tacos from The Taste of Texas Tex Mex BBQ in Beaumont.

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.

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Laura Limon and Rocio Limon-Galvan outside of Taqueria Mi Rancho in Palestine.

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.

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Un Mundo de Sabor truck

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.

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Tex-Mexplainer Tacos de Trompo

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.

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