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Pretty little tacos, all lined up in a row at Velvet Taco
Pretty little tacos, all lined up in a row at Velvet Taco
Velvet Taco/Facebook

Tacos In Houston: 12 To Try Right Now

So many tacos, so little time

by Amy McCarthy
View as Map
Pretty little tacos, all lined up in a row at Velvet Taco
| Velvet Taco/Facebook
by Amy McCarthy

It isn't hard to find good tacos in Houston, but it's easy to get into a rut. When you're going to the same taquerias over and over, you're missing out on some of the newest and most exciting additions to the city's taco scene.

Of course, it's important to have some neighborhood favorites and solid standbys in mind, which is why this list of 12 Houston tacos that you need to try brings together the best of both worlds.

Incensed that your favorite taqueria didn't make the list? Shout your truth in the comments.

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

1. Berryhill Baja Grill

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9595 Six Pines Dr #250
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(713) 225-2252
(713) 225-2252
Visit Website
Credited with bringing the fish taco to Texas, Berryhill Baja Grill is an obvious choice for pescetarians. For those that are craving beef, though, Berryhill’s new Taco of the Month program is where it’s at. On May 2, the restaurant will begin offering the kobe cheeks taco, made with braised Wagyu beef cheeks, bacon, and Cotija cheese, all wrapped in a warm corn tortilla.

2. Caracol

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2200 Post Oak Blvd Ste 160
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-9996
(713) 622-9996
Visit Website
Chef Hugo Ortega knows his way around a taco, but the offerings at Caracol are really next level. The crispy tronadores de carnitas, or pork tacos that are rolled and then fried until crisp before being garnished with avocado-tomatillo salsa, crema fresca, and queso fresco, are a must-try.

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3. El Burro & The Bull

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1010 Prairie
Houston, TX 77002
This recently-opened spot at Conservatory is most likely to make headlines for its barbecue, but don’t sleep on the tacos. There are three on offer, including smoked brisket or pork, served on either corn or flour tortillas.
El Burro & The Bull/Facebook

4. Fusion Taco

Copy Link
Moving Target (Greater Houston Area)
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 422-2882
(713) 422-2882
Asian-Mex fusion may not be particularly common, but Fusion Taco makes it work. Tempura local shrimp, agedashi tofu, or barbecue Berkshire pork are delicious, out of the box options that are definitely worth a try, even for taco traditionalists. Pair with kale & mango salad and pretend that your meal is totally healthy.
Fusion Taco/Facebook

5. Ruggles Black

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3939 Kirby Dr
Houston, TX 77098
(832) 530-4493
(832) 530-4493
Visit Website
Paleo continues to be an enduring dining trend, which isn’t great for taco lovers. Fortunately, Ruggles Black has engineered a paleo-friendly tortilla and taco filling that won’t leave healthy eaters feeling deprived. Seared tuna, tandoori lamb, or grilled snapper are all options.
Jakeshia Wilmore/EHOU

6. Stoked Tacos and Tequllia

Copy Link
2416 Brazos St
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 701-1973
(832) 701-1973
Visit Website
This taqueria just opened its doors this month, which means that you should add it to your list of spots to try. Vegetarians can dig into the queso taco, stuffed with queso asadero and avocado. For something a little heartier, try The Bag, walking brisket taco topped with bean dip and served in a bag of Fritos.
Raul V./Yelp

7. Taco Keto

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1401 Cullen Blvd
Houston, TX 77023
Parked in front of Julio’s Auto Shop, this Texas Monthly-endorsed taqueria is a Houston classic. The deshebrada, or shredded beef, taco is a local fave, as is the chicharron. Top it off with Taco Keto’s secret spicy sauce and plenty of housemade pickled veggies.
Taco Keto/Facebook

8. Tacos A Go-Go

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2912 White Oak Dr
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 864-8226
(713) 864-8226
Visit Website
Puffy tacos may be a San Antonio original, but Tacos A Go Go does ‘em pretty damn well in H-Town. You can order your tacos in corn or flour tortilla, but the puffy shell is definitely worth an extra fifty cents. Stuff it with carne guisada, picadillo, or barbacoa, and live your best life.
Tacos A Go Go/Facebook

9. Tacos Tierra Caliente

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Alabama Ice House
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 584-9359
(713) 584-9359
This food truck is now world famous, recognized by everyone from Texas Monthly to USA Today. Fortunately, despite all the praise, Tacos Tierra Caliente still keeps it real. Parked on West Alabama, you can order up lengua, chicharron, or barbacoa and be assured that you’re digging into one of Houston’s best tacos.

Also Featured in:

10. The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

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2704 Navigation Blvd
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1175
(713) 228-1175
Visit Website
You already know that Ninfa’s is Houston’s essential Tex-Mex establishment, but perhaps you’re sleeping on the tacos. The tacos al carbon are an obvious choice, but go for the grilled Gulf redfish taco for something a bit lighter that doesn’t skimp on flavor, thanks to the chipotle slaw that adds crunch and kick.

Also Featured in:

11. The Pink Box

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4910 Apple Springs Dr
Pearland, TX 77584
(970) 765-8226
(970) 765-8226
Just when you think that the taco is too perfect and cannot be improved upon, this Pearland food truck went and made them pink. Chicken or beef are the proteins on offer, tossed with buffalo sauce or jerk spices. Top them off with pico or sour cream, and chow down.
The Pink Box/Facebook

12. Velvet Taco

Copy Link
4819 Washington Ave
Houston, TX 77007
(832) 834-5908
(832) 834-5908
Visit Website
It might have started in Dallas, but Velvet Taco is quickly becoming one of Houston’s favorite taquerias. The “WTF,” or weekly taco feature, is a constantly changing yet solid option that’s generally worth trying. This week’s WTF, fried calamari & kimchi wrapped in a hibiscus tortilla, is no exception.
Velvet Taco Houston/Facebook

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1. Berryhill Baja Grill

9595 Six Pines Dr #250, The Woodlands, TX 77380
Credited with bringing the fish taco to Texas, Berryhill Baja Grill is an obvious choice for pescetarians. For those that are craving beef, though, Berryhill’s new Taco of the Month program is where it’s at. On May 2, the restaurant will begin offering the kobe cheeks taco, made with braised Wagyu beef cheeks, bacon, and Cotija cheese, all wrapped in a warm corn tortilla.
9595 Six Pines Dr #250
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(713) 225-2252
Visit Website

2. Caracol

2200 Post Oak Blvd Ste 160, Houston, TX 77056
Chef Hugo Ortega knows his way around a taco, but the offerings at Caracol are really next level. The crispy tronadores de carnitas, or pork tacos that are rolled and then fried until crisp before being garnished with avocado-tomatillo salsa, crema fresca, and queso fresco, are a must-try.
2200 Post Oak Blvd Ste 160
Houston, TX 77056
(713) 622-9996
Visit Website

3. El Burro & The Bull

1010 Prairie, Houston, TX 77002
El Burro & The Bull/Facebook
This recently-opened spot at Conservatory is most likely to make headlines for its barbecue, but don’t sleep on the tacos. There are three on offer, including smoked brisket or pork, served on either corn or flour tortillas.
1010 Prairie
Houston, TX 77002

4. Fusion Taco

Moving Target (Greater Houston Area), Houston, TX 77027
Fusion Taco/Facebook
Asian-Mex fusion may not be particularly common, but Fusion Taco makes it work. Tempura local shrimp, agedashi tofu, or barbecue Berkshire pork are delicious, out of the box options that are definitely worth a try, even for taco traditionalists. Pair with kale & mango salad and pretend that your meal is totally healthy.
Moving Target (Greater Houston Area)
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 422-2882

5. Ruggles Black

3939 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Jakeshia Wilmore/EHOU
Paleo continues to be an enduring dining trend, which isn’t great for taco lovers. Fortunately, Ruggles Black has engineered a paleo-friendly tortilla and taco filling that won’t leave healthy eaters feeling deprived. Seared tuna, tandoori lamb, or grilled snapper are all options.
3939 Kirby Dr
Houston, TX 77098
(832) 530-4493
Visit Website

6. Stoked Tacos and Tequllia

2416 Brazos St, Houston, TX 77006
Raul V./Yelp
This taqueria just opened its doors this month, which means that you should add it to your list of spots to try. Vegetarians can dig into the queso taco, stuffed with queso asadero and avocado. For something a little heartier, try The Bag, walking brisket taco topped with bean dip and served in a bag of Fritos.
2416 Brazos St
Houston, TX 77006
(832) 701-1973
Visit Website

7. Taco Keto

1401 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77023
Taco Keto/Facebook
Parked in front of Julio’s Auto Shop, this Texas Monthly-endorsed taqueria is a Houston classic. The deshebrada, or shredded beef, taco is a local fave, as is the chicharron. Top it off with Taco Keto’s secret spicy sauce and plenty of housemade pickled veggies.
1401 Cullen Blvd
Houston, TX 77023

8. Tacos A Go-Go

2912 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Tacos A Go Go/Facebook
Puffy tacos may be a San Antonio original, but Tacos A Go Go does ‘em pretty damn well in H-Town. You can order your tacos in corn or flour tortilla, but the puffy shell is definitely worth an extra fifty cents. Stuff it with carne guisada, picadillo, or barbacoa, and live your best life.
2912 White Oak Dr
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 864-8226
Visit Website

9. Tacos Tierra Caliente

Alabama Ice House, Houston, TX 77098
This food truck is now world famous, recognized by everyone from Texas Monthly to USA Today. Fortunately, despite all the praise, Tacos Tierra Caliente still keeps it real. Parked on West Alabama, you can order up lengua, chicharron, or barbacoa and be assured that you’re digging into one of Houston’s best tacos.
Alabama Ice House
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 584-9359

10. The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

2704 Navigation Blvd, Houston, TX 77003
You already know that Ninfa’s is Houston’s essential Tex-Mex establishment, but perhaps you’re sleeping on the tacos. The tacos al carbon are an obvious choice, but go for the grilled Gulf redfish taco for something a bit lighter that doesn’t skimp on flavor, thanks to the chipotle slaw that adds crunch and kick.
2704 Navigation Blvd
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1175
Visit Website

11. The Pink Box

4910 Apple Springs Dr, Pearland, TX 77584
The Pink Box/Facebook
Just when you think that the taco is too perfect and cannot be improved upon, this Pearland food truck went and made them pink. Chicken or beef are the proteins on offer, tossed with buffalo sauce or jerk spices. Top them off with pico or sour cream, and chow down.
4910 Apple Springs Dr
Pearland, TX 77584
(970) 765-8226

12. Velvet Taco

4819 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Velvet Taco Houston/Facebook
It might have started in Dallas, but Velvet Taco is quickly becoming one of Houston’s favorite taquerias. The “WTF,” or weekly taco feature, is a constantly changing yet solid option that’s generally worth trying. This week’s WTF, fried calamari & kimchi wrapped in a hibiscus tortilla, is no exception.
4819 Washington Ave
Houston, TX 77007
(832) 834-5908
Visit Website

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