Boasting a bold sign that brags about “The Best Fajitas [sic] Tacos In Town,” this North Houston taco truck stays busy, with regulars from all walks of life. The tacos, filled generously with protein, cheese, and avocado, are seemingly even tastier after the sun goes down — when the crowds begin to form. Craving something refreshing and sweet? Go for the aguas frescas de sandia, melon, limon, horchata, or piña. 

As the name suggests, this trunk serves up some of the juiciest al pastor, but the offerings go way beyond the delicious street-style tacos. Journey to this busy Humble taco truck for addicting huaraches — thick, oblong masa tortillas piled high with beans, your choice of meat, cheese, avocado, plus a side of crunchy and slightly sweet grilled onions and lime. Other highlights include the birria quesadillas, cheesy pupusas, and agua frescas that come in refreshing flavors like watermelon and horchata — but you can’t go wrong.

Don Tin has five taco trucks located around Houston, most in El Northside, but the original on Airline Drive serves up one of the most beloved style tacos: Tacos Estilo Matamoros, which originate from Matamoros, Tamaulipas — a vibrant city in Mexico. Filled with carne de bistec, cilantro, queso fresco, and avocado, these mini street-style tacos pair well with Don’s spicy salsa and come with a free cup of frijoles charros for under $10.

In just three short years, this family-owned Westside taco shop has gained a cult following for its quesabirria. Find tacos, tortas, and agua fresca on the menu while breakfast items like the chilaquil taco with fried egg, tortilla strips in green sauce, Mexican sour cream, and queso fresco are served on the weekends beginning at 8 a.m.

Born in early 2020 at the beginning of the worldwide pandemic, this Heights taco treasure strives to provide the best birria experience in Houston. Three cuts of beef are used to cook their birria daily, resulting in a perfect balance of tenderness and flavor. Order your birria in the standard taco style, get festive with quesa-birria tacos, or their heartwarming birria ramen, which will envelop your palette like a hug from your grandmother.

Satisfy taco cravings into the wee hours at this Heights kiosk, which is open until 2 a.m on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends. Start with tacos al pastor and add on plantains or elote. Or, get your breakfast fix — served all day — with breakfast tacos, steak and eggs, and a smoked pork hash. Insider tip: Wash your meal down with a drink at Mijo Mezcal Bar, Cantina Barba’s onsite speakeasy-style haunt.

Originally from Santiago de Queretaro in Central Mexico, chef-owner Alex Martinez, also known as Senor Jukebox, comes from a bloodline of taqueros and carniceros, or butchers, so maybe it was destiny that he combine his Mexican heritage with his love for good music and excellent tacos. Just as the name sounds, this taco truck resembles an 80’s style portable sound system that keeps the party going while dishing out a variety of options, from steak, al pastor, chicken, and barbacoa to exciting veggie options, like vegan chorizo. Pro tip: Celebrate Taco Tuesdays with Boombox Taco at Axelrad, and catch them at Barbarella on weekends for late-night eats.

Two things are true about Tacos Bomberos: chef-owner Isaac Chavez is one of the hardest-working characters on the taco scene, and his tacos will absolutely rock your world. Using high-quality USDA Prime skirt steak fajitas, Chavez serves stellar steak tacos that are best accented with cheese, peppers, and grilled onions. Find him most nights at Holler Brewing Co. at the Sawyer Yards, where he offers special menu items like the Mexi-hot dog, tortas, and other great bites inspired by his mother and grandmother. Take the drive off of Washington Avenue and onto Edwards Street, and follow your nose to the goodness.

This well-regarded taco shop has outposts in downtown, midtown, and Garden Oaks, and keeps late night hours, making it easy to score chicharrones, street tacos, and elote any time of day. 18-hour slow-cooked birria is made daily and packs in the flavor with more than 20 ingredients. Pair yours with a flavored michelada or marg.

Freshly made tortillas and a dreamy array of protein options propel Brother’s into the pantheon of tacos in the Bayou City. Located in the shadow of the George R. Brown Convention Center, this taco Mecca serves breakfast and lunch tacos that are deserving of a top spot on any “Best Tacos” list in Houston. There’s asado de puerco or stewed pork, chicken, chicharron, picadillo made with ground beef, barbacoa, chorizo, carne guisada, rajas con queso, sausage, fajita, and huevo con everything, including weenies. To put it simply, if you like it, they probably make it. Don’t be intimidated by the line out the door. Brothers’ staff works fast to serve their customers, and send them lovingly out the door with a “Gracias, come again!”

Though certainly much pricier than most taco joints, this new River Oaks restaurant brings some exciting flavors from Mexico City. Choose between its rib-eye tacos with tender meat marinated in chimichurri, its octopus served with chile guajillo, garlic, olive oil, and sautéed kale and parmesan cheese crust; or its lobster tacos with chunks marinated in a curry paste, and served stuffed with mango, celery, and mustard seeds. Compliment it with a fresh squeezed juice or dragonfruit margarita.

Chef Victoria Elizondo and her team, which includes her wonderful mother, deliver fresh and local quality ingredients on their daily menu that set their tacos apart from most other taquerias. The star of the show is the cochinita pibil — a slow-cooked pulled pork marinated in a citrus achiote mix until tender, and then served on earthy corn tortillas. The team’s taco truck, Cochi’s Taqueria, can also be seen circulating around town, dishing out a delightful taco de suadero — the closest one can get to taco perfection.

Though the second location of eight around the city, Tacos La Bala #2 cements itself as the most popular and possibly the most consistently flavorful outpost. Travel to the Gulfton area for its expansive menu of Mexican cuisine, featuring massive plates of mouthwatering tacos, including tacos de trompo, carne deshebrada, and tripe, and take in odes to Tampico, Tamaulipas — the hometown of the owners, which is proudly displayed on the restaurant walls. 

Located in South Houston on the northbound feeder in between Monroe Blvd and Howard Drive, this taco spot is essential if flying in or out of Hobby Airport. The tortillas are dipped in oil and then slapped on the plancha, adding a taste that is reminiscent of the tacos devoured in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. You really can’t go wrong with the bistec or trompo, but they also offer excellent tripa, picadillo, and chicharron. Distinct in flavor, the tacos Tlaquepaque, filled with de deshebrada, are bathed in a dark brown salsa.