Once you walk into this place you’ll know that everything is going to be very authentic to the Mexican culture. Once we saw this we knew that the tacos were going to be good.

El Taco

You have the ability to order many different types of tacos, tortas, chile rellenos, pozole, and menudo from the taqueria. In a addition to the the large assortment of meats and toppings EL Michoacana has a very large selection of hot sauces and vegetables to add to your taco. After much debate we chose the carne asada tacos on CORN tortillas.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

4 out of 5 Tacos: These tacos were very tasty. The CORN tortillas had a clean and homemade flavor to them, and they were still warm from the stovetop. The carne asada was very tender, juicy and were accented well with onions and bell peppers. To top off the taco we added lime juice and a spicy green chile sauce.

Over all these tacos were very authentic and deliciosos (delicious). We would recommend you stopping in for a taco and a dessert from the bakery.

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

La Michoacana Meat Market
1917 East 7th Street
Austin, TX 78702
(512) 473-8487

El Taco

Upon arrival you might feel that Rosa’s is nothing more than a glorified Taco Cabana, but before you judge this taco by its menu, give it a shot. While the menu lacks diverse options it makes for it in freshness and flavor. Rosa’s has its very own tortilla factory on location. Corn and flour tortillas are made fresh daily. We chose something simple and basic but bursting with flavor- a beef fajita taco on a CORN tortilla. The tortilla was buttery and soft which complimented the thick and juicy fajita meat squares quite nicely. The beef was flavored with just the right amount of spices. The CORN tortilla held up well through out the meal and we were happy to see that it did not fall apart. We turned this into an abundant lunchtime meal by making it a plate with rice and beans and sopapillas for desert!

El Refresco

To keep us awake and alert for our drive back home, we paired this meal with an ice cold Dr. Pepper. The caffeine is just what we needed after a full meal.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

4 out of 5 Tacos: Rosa’s Café hits it right on the money every time. The freshly made tortillas are what make this place worth the drive. The only thing stopping this Taco Pollo from giving Rosa’s 5 stars is the downside of having to pay for all the extras. Fajita tacos come with only the meat and tortilla and add-ons like cheese and lettuce cost extra, which can add up very quickly. If you’re looking a new, clean and colorful environment then pack up your car and head to Rosa’s Café, you’ll quickly discover why you’re glad you did.

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

Rosa’s Cafe
1509 East Whitestone Boulevard
Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 259-0505

This week we stop in at Tacos n’ Madre in the area of South Congress and Oltorf. Tacos n’ Madre is a family-owned taco truck of first generation stateside cooks.

“Madre” means mother, so the translated name is “Tacos and Mother”. The mother of the family brings her traditional recipes from Mexico and her daughter and son-in-law help with the day to day of running the business. Just knowing that info you know it is going to be “real” Mexican food.

El Taco

When you arrive at Tacos n’ Madre you find a very authentic and straightforward menu. There is a variety of tacos to choose from, and they are legit.

On this visit we ordered the bistec tacos (beef steak) sautéed in grilled onions, and of course on CORN tortillas. Also, since we like to make our tacos extra DELICIOSO (delicious) we added the “a la Mexicana” version, which tops it off with lettuce and tomatoes.

El Refresco

On the day we went the weather was CALENTE (hot), so we decided to cool down with a lemonade. Their lemonades are very refreshing, and we recommend trying one with your meal.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

4 out of 5 Tacos: These tacos are good! The beef was very tender and juicy. It was spiced just right and the sautéed onions accented the spices well.

The tacos came wrapped in two very soft and tasty CORN tortillas. The tortillas complimented the meat well and made the taco experience.

Sprinkled on top was a mixture of lettuce and tomato, which added some fresh flavors to the tacos. Top that off with some hot red salsa and this was a delicious taco.

Overall this taco food truck is very authentic and will satisfy your taco craving. We recommend stopping by and trying them soon. We’ll definitely be dropping in to try the Mexican Taquitos and huge breakfast burritos!

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

Tacos N’ Madre
628 East Oltorf Street
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 547-7996

El Chilito is a vibrant taco stand that can be found at the corner of Manor and Chestnut and also happens to be the sister restaurant to El Chile and Flat Top Burger Shop. If you find their service and atmosphere to be pleasing chances are you will also enjoy your trip to El Chilito.

El Taco

El Chilito’s menu has a wide selection of options for the meat lover…or not so meat lover. With a variety of different meats to choose from, the Austin carnivore is bound to find something to their liking, whether it is in the form of chicken, beef, pork or fish. The menu also caters to those looking to add a little bit more vegetables to their diet with choices like the “Vegtal” taco.

We chose the Tex-Mex Carne Guisada on a CORN tortilla- a taco that is made up of tender beef tips simmered in a spicy tomato sauce. We enjoyed the option of “making it a plate” for only a $1.99 more with your choice of refried or black beans and of course, rice. This option is perfect for those looking to eat a light lunch without returning to work being too full and uncomfortable.

EL Refresco

We ordered a strawberry lemonade agua fresca to cool down this spicy taco, which was also a good idea since El Chilito only offers outdoor seating and this summer heat isn’t playing around.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

3 out of 5 Tacos: Much to our dismay, this wasn’t the taco experience we were hoping for. The Tex-Mex Carne Guisada taco was small and not very filling. At first glance, the amount of contents in the taco were disappointing, and when you fold it up to begin eating, the meat gets lost in the CORN tortilla.

For a menu that boasts tender beef tips, this was anything but. The meat wasn’t too dry but since the tenderness was highlighted in the menu we were expecting it to be mouth-watering…and it wasn’t. The tomato sauce was also too spicy and unfortunately there is not a way to control that. All the meats used by El Chilito are marinated in different sauces and there isn’t an option to go light on the sauce or even do without. If you aren’t a fan of spicy food, this isn’t the place for you.

The CORN tortillas were tasty, which was good since you get more tortilla than meat in your taco. If you are looking for a meal that is filling, be sure to “make it a plate” and maybe order more than one taco. While El Chilito has a fun and inviting atmosphere, it is definitely more for those who enjoy their tacos with a little kick.

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

El Chilito
(512) 382-3797
2219 Manor Drive, Austin, TX 78722

Paco’s definitely has an Austin-y feel to it, mainly because of the warm, friendly and eccentric atmosphere. We were happy to discover upon arrival that they accept the Go Local Card, which got us 10% off our purchase! After being mesmerized by the unique feel of the place, it was time to get down to business and order us some tacos!

EL Taco

The menu was filled with a variety of choices, and cleverly named ones at that (ex. The Hook ‘Em). The friendly staff did not let us get overwhelmed as they gladly helped us navigate our way through the menu, and after much debate we finally ordered a Paco Pollo taco.

Paco Pollo is made up of juicy grilled chicken, flavorful rice, jack cheese and (not too hot) poblano peppers. By ordering it on a corn tortilla, we were pleased to find the taco was layered in two tortillas and rolled the size of a mini burrito. The taco was packed with an even amount of contents and one taco was definitely enough for this lunch meal.

Refresco

Paired well with a Mandarin flavored Jarritos- cool and refreshing without taking away from the flavors of the taco.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

4 out of 5 Tacos: We are proud to say that the only comments that will be coming out of these Taco Pollo’s mouths are good ones. While the structure of the taco seemed to fall apart towards the end of the meal, it did not take away from the flavorful experience. It was just as enjoyable from start to finish, and the fullness of this reasonably priced taco just means that you’re getting more than you paid for.

If you chose to spice up your taco, Paco’s Tacos has a salsa bar to please everyone’s taste buds. With five salsas ranging from mild to very hot, you are sure to find a flavor that will compliment your taco.

We decided that the Paco Pollo was flavorful enough, and only tested out the poblano cream for the sake of this review. The salsa was smooth and creamy with just a mild enough flavor to not take away from the juicy chicken and poblano peppers.

We recommend this taco eatery to anyone looking for a local and unique dining experience. The staff is efficient and helpful, and compliments the overall friendly atmosphere of the restaurant.

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

Paco’s Tacos
pacostacosaustin.com
(512) 323-6206
1304 East 51st Street, Austin, TX

The name “Changos” stood out to us because it means “monkey” in Spanish. So we finally made the voyage to Changos to eat some tacos with the monkeys.

One thing that stands out at Changos that many other Austin taco places aren’t doing is that they are taking a more “All Natural” approach.

Changos claims to have always had quality food, but now they are serving all natural meat and more local products. Also their paper products, and disposable silverware are biodegradable, eco-friendly and made from unbleached recycled materials, and they no longer use plastic bags.

Changos is also part of the Manuel’s restaurant family, so if you like their food, chances are you’ll like this place too.

El Taco

The taco menu at Changos is simple but covers all the basics.

Your taco choices are Del Pueblo “from of the city” which comes with chicken or beef; Del Mar “from of the sea” which comes with mahi mahi or shrimp; Del Jardin “from the garden” which is vegetarian; and Al Pastor.

We chose the Del Pueblo taco, which came on a fresh CORN tortilla with chicken, guacamole, cilantro and salsa. You can also make your taco “Deluxe” for $.40 more, which includes lettuce, tomato and sour cream.

Us Taco Pollos like to live the “Deluxe” life, so of course we made it “Deluxe.”

Refresco

Try the horchata! With its subtle hints of cinnamon, this drink is very refreshing.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

4 out of 5 Tacos: Oh man are we glad that we stopped in for these tacos! First when we ordered we asked specifically for CORN tortillas. The guy at the register looked at me me like I was crazy for asking. At that point I knew these tacos were going to be good.

The CORN tortilla was fresh, and it was very large so it held the taco well. It had a light corn flavor and a soft texture. It was probably one of the best CORN tortillas I’ve had in a while—don’t tell my Abuelita I said that.

The chicken was very tender and fresh, or maybe I thought it was fresh because I just read on the menu that it was natural— either way it was good. The salsa had a nice kick to it, and the sour cream complimented it well. As for the vegetables, they were very crisp and flavorful.

Overall these tacos are put together very well. The combination of the authentic recipe, CORN tortilla, natural meat and fresh local ingredients make for a great taco. Not to mention the impressive efforts the restaurant makes to be green. This is a well thought out Taqueria. We recommend you come from all parts of Austin to try Changos Taqueria.

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

Changos Taqueria
3023 Guadalupe
Austin, TX
(512) 480-8226

El Taco

Villa’s has a large selection of breakfast tacos. You can choose from vegetarian to different types of meat, egg and veggie combinations.

On this visit to Villa’s we decided to try something a little bit different, so we chose the nopalito and egg breakfast taco. Nopalito is diced nopales, which is a vegetable made from the young cladode (pad) segments of the prickly pear cactus, carefully peeled to remove the spines. (more info)

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

3 out of 5 Tacos: These tacos were bueno for a morning meal. The CORN tortilla had a light flavor, and was warmed on the stove before serving, which gave it a homemade feel. If you want your taco on a CORN tortilla, and you should if you are eating a taco, you must specify that you want one on a CORN and NOT FLOUR tortilla.

The eggs were light and fluffy and perfectly cooked. As for the nopalito, it had a bland, mild, slightly pickle taste and really didn’t add much to the taco. We would recommend not getting this taco unless you want a very simple tasting taco.

We also ate a bacon, potato, egg and cheese taco, and it was muy bueno. Overall, Villa’s has a large assortment of breakfast tacos, so we’re sure you’ll be able to find one that fits your tastes.

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

Villa’s Taco Shack
(512) 383-9730
villastacoshack.com
4406 South Congress Avenue Austin,
TX 78745

El Taco

Tacos al Pastor translates to the “Shepherd Taco.” What makes this taco a bit different from others is that the meat is typically thin slices of pork, marinated in spices, stacked vertically on a spit (called a trompo, or literally, a “spinning top”) and cooked in front of an open wall of flame, rotisserie style. (photo)

The tacos come on CORN tortillas with al pastor meat, onions, cilantro, lime and a side of green salsa. You can order as many tacos as you want: 3-4 tacos will usually fill you up.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

4 out of 5 Tacos: First off let’s start by saying these tacos have some spiciness to them. The meat is very tender, and is packed with tons of flavor. It has a red tint, which is from all the chile and spices that it is marinated in. Overall, the al pastor meat has a perfect zesty taste.

You can get your tacos on either flour or CORN tortillas, and of course we went with the CORN. The tortillas have a soft, yet greasy-in-a-good-way feel to them because they warm the tortillas in oil. We think this makes the tortillas exceptional, but others who are more health cautious might not like this.

The addition of onions and cilantro add some texture and extra flavor to the taco. You also get two containers of green jalapeno salsa, which is a little spicy with a hint of lime.

Overall these tacos are muy bueno, and stay true to the street taco taste and feel. If you dare to journey over to East Riverside we highly recommend you try these tacos.

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

Al Pastor Taco Truck
1911 East Riverside Drive
Austin, TX 78741

Zocalo has a great assortment of Central Mexican dishes, and a bright and festive atmosphere. (Photos)

El Taco

We haven’t reviewed hard shell tacos yet, so we decided to pick the Tacos del Barrio. This translates to “tacos of the neighborhood.”

Tacos del Barrio is a hard shell taco, with either ground turkey or beef sautéed with seasonings, fresh vegetables, cheese, pico de gallo and salsa roja. The taco plate also comes with a side of rice and either refried beans or black beans.

Refresco

Try the horchata! We typically don’t like horchata, but the horchata here is really refreshing and has a great balance of cinnamon. We probably drank a gallon of it with our meal.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

4 out of 5 Tacos: We really enjoyed the crispy Tacos del Barrio. The taco shell had a light, crispy, crunch to it. Some hard tacos have a hard, dry crunch, or a greasy, soft feel. This taco shell was spot on, with flavor and texture.

The ground beef was perfectly seasoned, juicy, had a savory taste and was topped off with some Cheddar cheese. The plate comes with a side of lettuce and tomato taco toppings. All Taco Pollos know you have to load up your tacos with veggies, so of course we piled them in.

To add a little heat, the plate also comes with a side of red salsa. The salsa is full of flavor and a little kick too, so pour it in your taco.

*Taco Pollo Tip: Ask for a side of the green salsa that they serve with chips—this salsa is really good on your taco too.

Another added bonus is that the plate comes with a side of rice and beans. Having grown up eating rice and beans everyday, we can say that the rice and beans at Zocalo are muey bueno.

Overall we really enjoyed our Tacos del Barrio and the atmosphere at Zocalo Cafe. For the reasonable price and fun atmosphere you can’t go wrong. Head down and visit Zocalo Cafe soon!

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

Zocalo Cafe
1110 West Lynn Street, Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-8226 ‎
zocalocafe.com

We don’t like to play favorites, but we enjoy heading down to Cabo Bob’s for their chicken burritos. We also like to mix it up, so this time we tried the Baja Fish Tacos.

El Taco

The Baja Fish Taco comes on a fresh CORN torilla. This place is known for making its flour tortillas fresh when you order them, and the CORN tortillas are likely made fresh everyday too.

The fish tacos are offered with crispy fish, cilantro, fresh onions, chipotle crema, shredded cabbage, red salsa, and lime.

We like to be a little different so we had fish, shredded cabbage, sour cream, mango pico de gallo, and lime. What you put on your taco is whatever you prefer. Cabo Bob’s has a wide range of ingredients that you pick from to create your own unique taste.

What Did El Taco Pollo Think?

4 out of 5 Tacos: This is a very refreshing and flavorful taco. The crispy fish is what really makes the taco. The fish has a seasoned, crunchy outside and a mild fish flavor, soft inside.

The CORN tortillas have a soft, light flavor. The cabbage added a refreshing, crisp taste, and the mango pico de gallo gave it a sweet liveliness.

Beware of the hot sauces, Cabo Bob’s has a normal and XX hot sauce. We like the XX, but man is it hot! Over all we recommend these tacos and hope you stop in for one soon.

Gracias,

El Taco Pollo ~ Austin Taco Reviews

Cabo Bob’s
500 E. Ben White Suite D-100
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 432-1111 ‎