Torchy&#x27;s Tacos

The entrance is easy to miss: a door marked only by a primitive "TACOS" spelled out in those tacky…read moremailbox stickers, tucked inside a tiny bar hidden down an alley off Trinity Street. Once you're inside, though, the whole operation runs with impressive efficiency. You order at the register, take your receipt, and hand it off to one of the taco guys behind the counter. As the sign says, "No Ticket, No Taco!" so don't lose it. Seating is limited and the line can get long, but they move fast. And don't come expecting cheese or sour cream -- the only add‑ons here are cilantro, onions, salsa, and guacamole. It's a stripped‑down menu, and they stick to it. The tacos are solid. The beef isn't anything remarkable, but the chicken is tender, moist, and genuinely flavorful. The quesadilla is the sleeper hit; the baked cheese gives it a deep, savory punch that outshines the tacos. And if you're hungry or just want the best value, the burritos are enormous -- stuffed right up to the tortilla's structural limit. A hidden little alley spot that delivers quick service, simple options, and reliably good food once you manage to find the door.

Still incredible. The proteins are constantly coming fresh off the grill, crispy and resplendent…read morewith browning and char. These flavors make it all the way into every bite, carried by a guacamole sauce that'll coat your tongue. Everyone I saw there left their plates empty. If you go - and you'll feel more alive if you do - make sure to accept the works. The onions and cilantro greatly balance each bite, while the salsa and guacamole are necessary and fundamental to tying the flavors together.. Despite their popularity, service remains lightning fast. The reluctantly bilingual cooks practically seize your order ticket to guide you through the process. This is my second taco journey to Austin and I haven't found better.

Carne Asada hitting the grill

Adobada (Pastor) Volcan and Carne Asada Taco

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Carne Asada Taco & Adobada (Pastor) Taco

Las Trancas

4.6(627 reviews)

6.9 mi•East Austin

I've been on a hunt for a great taco spot, and I think I finally found it…read more It wasn't busy when we got there, and our food came out pretty quickly. I ordered an al pastor, lengua, and asada taco, and honestly, they were all so good. The asada was my favorite, but the other two were right behind it. The meat was flavorful, and the salsas had some heat to them, which I appreciated!!! My boyfriend ordered the chicken burrito, and it was just okay. The chicken was shredded and could've used a little more seasoning for my taste. I'm also not a huge fan of lettuce in a burrito, so that may have played a part in it not being my favorite. That being said, I'm definitely coming back because those tacos were SO good. Next time, I want to give the burrito another shot and order it my way. If it's anything like the tacos, I have a feeling it'll be a winner.

Reasonable prices, and good quality. Wish their sauces were spicier, but I also don't think they're…read moremade in house so maybe that's why. Tacos were delicious! Al pastor is on the more firm side rather than fatty soft pieces, I think it's a decent balance although would've liked a bit more soft (personal preference). I would come back if I was in this part of Austin again, and was really craving some reliable tacos. It's not impressive enough for me to go out of my way to eat, but it's a really good choice if you're passing through already. They're also very quick to get the food out, and the seating area is outdoors but has fans in some spots.

Ambiance

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Veracruz All Natural

4.4(1.2k reviews)

7.6 mi•East Austin

Lives up to the hype. Here's the thing--You may end up waiting quite some time for your food…read more However, if you give yourself the time to wait, you will not be disappointed. I had the Migas taco and the La Reyna taco. Both were excellent. I loved the veggies combination on the La Reyna taco. I would want to stop in and eat these every week if I lived in Austin. And the hot sauce was on point, both the green and the red. My husband had the Grilled Fish taco and the Grilled Steak taco. He couldn't decide which he liked better, but mentioned that the steak itself had amazing flavor. Do yourself a favor: free up two hours on your day off; order some tacos; order a Desnudo coffee or matcha or hibiscus tea and enjoy the tree-shaded outdoor dining area while you wait for some truly outstanding tacos.

Till my all-time favorite tacos in Austin. The shrimp taco is literally the most flavorful shrimp…read moretaco you will ever have. Period. The shrimp is sautéed in this extremely flavorful and spicy chili paste and it is an explosion of flavor in your mouth. The fish taco is also absolutely amazing. For the vegetarians, their cauliflower taco is great. And for the meat lovers, they're steak and Barbacoa taco is off the charts. Their beverages and juices freshly made in house are also always hit. Hard to find such fresh juices at that price point anymore.

7.1 mi•Warehouse District, Downtown

Ofrenda

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Smoothie and juice truck

Velvet Taco

4.4(822 reviews)

Perfect spot for late-night tacos!…read more The best part is that they have great vegetarian options, including both paneer and tofu tacos, and both are absolutely delicious. It's not always easy to find flavorful vegetarian tacos, so this place was a pleasant surprise. I loved it so much that I ended up visiting twice during my two-day trip to Austin. If you're in the city, this place is definitely worth checking out!

Needed a quick bite and walked two blocks from my hotel straight into downtown Austin's busy…read moreCongress Avenue stretch, right at the corner of 6th Street in the middle of the Warehouse District energy. Sixth Street's neon and noise are basically next door, the Capitol sits up the hill, and the whole area is packed with people, bars, and that classic Austin mix of polished downtown hustle and late-night chaos. Velvet Taco is pure counter-service: you walk right up, order at the register, and then grab a seat. There's plenty of seating, so even with a couple of kids in tow it was no problem finding a spot. The place leans hard into what can only be called white-people tacos--soft, sad flour tortillas that taste like they came straight out of a grocery-store package, loaded with every wild creation the kitchen can invent. Global mashups, brunch hybrids, burger impostors, the works. No one is pretending these are the real deal. I went for the chicken-and-waffles taco, which was actually built on a thin, real waffle instead of a tortilla. Surprisingly good--crispy, a little sweet, chicken holding its own. The burger taco tasted exactly like a cheeseburger that had wandered into a tortilla and decided to stay. We also tried the shrimp taco (fine), one daughter got the kids' chicken taco (perfectly kid-level), and the other ordered the chicken tikka (spicy, saucy, and very much in the "why is this on a tortilla?" category). Everything was okay. Comparable to Torchy's in that same creative-American-taco lane. If you're looking for a true Mexican taco, stay far away. But if you just want to play around with some decent flavors on a cheap flour store-bought tortilla while sitting in the middle of downtown Austin, this is your spot. Not my favorite. Glad I tried it. Won't be back.

Velvet Taco 8

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Velvet Taco 1

Cuantos Tacos

4.7(456 reviews)

7.8 mi•East Austin

Another visit to Cuantos Tacos and it still does not disappoint! If you're looking for excellent…read moretacos in Austin, then look no further. They are so good that I've always had to go back up for another order. I did learn on this recent visit that they use pork fat. If you don't eat pork, then please be cautioned that this is likely not going to work for you.

Awesome food truck in a little park with 4-5 food trucks. This is one of the few that is open at…read morelunchtime and the service is very fast, which is ideal for a weekday lunch! My Dad bought the sample platter of all five or six tacos and loved it, while I had three - chorizo, cachete and longaniza. All were very tasty.

Food Truck and Menu

Close up of the Brisket Tacos

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Tacos

OneTaco

4.3(155 reviews)

7.0 mi•Downtown

After a few drinks at Cockfight Bar around the corner, we stopped by for a late-night bite before…read morecalling it a night--and I'm so glad we did. These are honestly some of the best tacos I've had in Austin! The pastor was cooked perfectly: flavorful, slightly crispy around the edges, and packed with plenty of meat, all wrapped in a delicious handmade tortilla. Every bite was so good that I immediately wanted more. I also ordered a quesadilla, which was perfectly cheesy and just the right size to satisfy without feeling too heavy. Honestly, if I had more room, I would have ordered enough tacos to last me the whole next day! I'll definitely be coming back the next time I'm in Austin. This spot is a must-try for anyone craving amazing tacos.

The branding in here is almost enough to make it worth the trip. I loved the mask stenciled into…read morethe double doors, the playful color palette, and the Coke bottle cap stools they're hiding by one of the counters. I dropped in at 7:30a on a Friday, and watched a steady stream of people come in for takeout. All our food came quickly. Apparent regulars got a friendly recognition by the front of house when they got to the front of the line. I had a Migas and a Taco Jefe. The fill ratio was correct: I was able to hold it closed without really squeezing, and better, nothing was soggy to weaken the very lightly warmed tortilla. But I wanted a higher salt level in the eggs and steak, and some crisp on both proteins would've improved texture balance. It's pretty solid. I think my mom would give it a 5. But for me, it's a solid 4.

Margarita!

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Signage

Veracruz All Natural

4.1(590 reviews)

6.8 mi

The Austin heat was breathing down my neck like a dragon as I walked a place recommended by a…read morecoworker. I walked into this unassuming restaurant and perused the menu, which felt like Mexican tarot cards. Pictures. Titles. Small description. It all looked basic. But simple food made with fresh ingredients and seasoned well has won Michelin stars. Unfortunately, I don't foresee them receiving one. The al pastor taco was tasty. The steak taco had too much fat in it. If I was strictly bashing this review on the food. I'd give it a three. It's not worth the price. Now, the service seemed to be decent until I didn't put a tip on my takeout order. Things seemed to go south. When my name was called, I grabbed the small paper bag and paused. No guacamole. If I hadn't have looked, I could've walked a really long wasteful before noticing. Maybe long enough to not go back. The last behind the counter, said okay I'll get it. It felt like a chore. I said thank you and made the long walk fighting the heat of the dragon's breath once again. The story does not stop there, I thought 3 tacos, a drink, and guacamole couldn't honestly cost $43. The guilt of spending that kind of money on such little food that was also just average, screamed in my conscience. Well, that was because the woman also had not given me my tres leches, which was going to be for my wife. I took the long walk back, stood at the counter for what felt like 10 minutes,and again it felt like a chore to get me what I paid for. No sorry. I would suggest taking a little longer walk to Taqueria de Diez

OMG where do I start? My plans started horribly today, and I didn't even plan on eating here today,…read morebut the food here at Veracruz All Natural completely turned my day around. I had only stopped by this Food Truck (area) to try Desnudo Coffee, and spotted this business. I had heard some good things about Veracruz, but I was planning lunch elsewhere. Well, that other spot was CLOSED ON WEDNESDAYS! Seeing my situation, I saw it as opportunity to try the options at Veracruz --- including the famous from Food Network, migas taco. I ordered 4 tacos: the migas, migas poblano, shrimp macha (!!), and the Dona Reyna tacos. All of these specific tacos were priced between $6 and $6.75 per taco, not bad in Austin, and not bad considering the quality of said tacos. As you can see from my order, I opted on the more "novel" choices and they did not disappoint; that said, I do HIGHLY recommend the two variations of the migas taco and the shrimp macha taco. Oh, the shrimp macha was so FIRE, the flavors were bold and smoky with a kiss of heat. The migas tacos were FULLY LOADED, and the scramble with the tortilla chips were flavorul. TIP: They will ask corn or flour --- do flour. Everything is handmade, but those corn tortillas fall apart with all the sauce. Flour = durable and flavorful. I had plans, but the Universe had other plans for me that were superior. Try Veracruz All Natural --- and if your limited on $$$, you can snag 3 EXCEPTIONAL LOADED TACOS for about $20, that you will not find anywhere else!

Interior part of the hotel

Migas tacos

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Shrimp Macha Taco

Las Perlas

4.5(137 reviews)

7.2 mi•Downtown

Great drinks and tacos! We always choose this place when we want a good drink and chill with some…read morefriends

Asador at Las Perlas (taco stand located in patio of Las Perlas) - tasty and decadent tacos and…read morequesadillas. I got the grilled chicken and beef Piccadillo tacos along with a chicken quesadilla. I have a healthy appetite but even for me it was more food than I could eat. All items were good and they had several HH drink specials that ran until 8pm. The decor was cool with a cool vibe. If you come in during the day you may need a minute to adjust your eyes cause it can feel dark coming from sunlight.

6.8 mi•Warehouse District, Downtown

Behind the bar

Chips guacamole n salsa- the salsa is to die for

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Paloma

Torchy's Tacos

4.0(475 reviews)

This Torchy's delivers with the same great quality as the rest of them. Tacos are packed with meat…read moreand veggies, and the meats are marinated nicely. My go to is 1 streak fajita taco and 1 democrat taco on their house made corn tortillas. That and a beer should fill you up. Theres a lot of indoor and outdoor seating, high top and low top. They have kiosks to order if you already know, and a couple cashiers incase you want to order directly from a person. 7 beers on draft, 16 and 24 oz options and a few different margs on the menu. The bartender was attentive and drinks are very reasonably priced.

Convenient spot if you're already gonna be downtown, but hard to find parking or even a table…read moreinside. So, not really worth to come to this location solely for the food. But workers are super friendly even despite it being so busy and crowded inside. As for the food, the tacos are always decent. But I always find myself coming just for the queso and guac.

5.8 mi•Oltorf/East Riverside

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Pueblo Viejo

4.4(672 reviews)

Tucked away in a building across from Popeye's, this charming little restaurant doesn't have a wide…read morevariety to choose from--but what they offer is pretty special and definitely worth a visit. I ordered 2 steak tacos and horchata, both very delicious. The horchata is milky and sweet but not crazy sweet, and topped off with cinnamon. The steak tacos came out pretty hot, fresh from the grill. I got them on corn tortillas and I'm glad I did: idk if they make them in house but somebody in some house is making these because they definitely aren't store bought, and if they are I want to know where! I tried the orange habanero and creamy serrano salsas. The habanero was spicy off the bat, while the serrano had more of a lingering burn. Both paired well with the steak. They have a little bar, too, though I did not imbibe this time. Seems like they have a decent selection of agave spirits, and even Campari behind the bar (iykyk). Give them a shot, and thank the ladies in the kitchen.

I personally don't eat breakfast tacos usually, but the breakfast tacos here are delicious. Out on…read morea whim, happen to drive by and saw this place. Decided to come in and the cashier greeted us and was really nice and patient because of questions with the menu. The Taco Bueno is what I had ordered and requested no potato. Sat down and after a few seconds, chips & salsa was delivered. Then after a few minutes, the food came. Quick service for sure and the food, AMAZING. Anyone reading this, try this place out and if u like it, come back! Cuz we are for sure =D

Dining Pueblo Viejo ~ Riverside

Steak Burrito

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Delicious pineapple cucumber agua fresca!

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3 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Greg P.

5 years ago

First time going to this Torchys, been to many others. Staff at this location sure give off the "I don't care" attitude. Went on a Thursday where they were a little busy but not terrible. Stood at the bar for a solid 15 minutes while the bartender was helping some people. Kept making eye contact with him and he kept on doing other things. Asked another employee behind the bar if I could order a drink, his response was "uhh...he'll help you when he's ready" while pointing to the bar tender. Finally ended up being able to order a drink from the take out cashier. 25 minutes later I got it. It was a beer, not a mixed drink. Won't be going back. read more

Minsu K.

4 years ago

The food is fantastic! It's a different and unique take on what to put in a taco. Highly recommend the Crossroads, Trailer Park Trashy, and any of the breakfast tacos. All of the food has been good, flavorful, but can bit slightly salty! The chips and queso are a solid appetizer, but wish they added a bit more chips to the basket. Service and food readiness could be a bit faster. The slowness works if you have time to go, order, wait, and enjoy the food. read more

Ali R.

Elite 25

184

369

1 year ago

How hard is it to read an order? Once again, my child will not eat the dinner I ordered.

Torchy's Tacos - tacos - Updated September 2026

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This was my first time at freebirds, have been meaning to try it out for awhile! This location is…read morein a somewhat abandoned strip mall. The service was friendly and quick. We got a burrito to share among the two of us, and it was enough for dinner by itself. I believe we got the normal size, though we filled it with a ton of items and the chicken fajita. I liked it well enough, I would probably give it a 3.5/5. It's tasty and a good deal. If they'd grill/heat the tortilla it'd be a lot better, not sure if that's an option.

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Jose was a beast. Every assistant was like a hawk and everything was fresh. The chef did an amazing…read morejob. I have not had a torta this great or spicy amywhere in DFW. The atmosphere was pleasant and not overly flashy like some can be. Would def be back when in town!

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Not a single photo…read more We must have been hungry. We stopped by after leaving the airport. It was happy hour and we were offered $5 queso. Yes, please. We didn't have any queso in California. I ordered the veggie enchiladas and my fella ordered the chicka-chicka boom boom and a margarita. The queso wad served with chips, salsa, and the delicious Chuy's dip that no one can ever get enough of. The queso just hit the spot. A chip dipped in queso and topped with a huge dollop of salsa, yummy! My veggie enchiladas were fantastic. Just what I needed after a day of traveling. The rice and beans were perfect. I was really missing some text mex treats. My fella's meal was delicious. I had never tried it before and I think that is what I'll get next time. It was creamy and saucy and spicy. Just everything nice-y! Morgan was an amazing server. She was friendly and helpful and did an amazing job.

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Standard Tex-Mex spot. There was plenty of seating for our large group, and we were conveniently…read moreseated in the patio spot on a Saturday night. The service was great, with them checking in and replenishing our chips and salsa. I got the mole enchilada (my friend highly recommends their enchiladas) and was impressed with the portions. The mole sauce tasted oddly nostalgic. It was a bit drier than expected. My favorite part was the mexican rice. The food is on the heavier side, so good after a day of water sports or heavier activity.

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I was surprised to see that this food truck didn't have 5 stars. For us, the food was great. The…read moreservice was fast. And the price was spot on. We ordered the Al pastor plate with Mexican rice and refried beans. And the fish taco plate with Mexican rice and refried beans. The rice was actually pretty good for a food truck and the refried beans tasted fresh and not canned. My fish tacos were fresh and savory. All the ingredients were spot on. My wife's Al pastor tacos were yummy enough that it was her second time eating them. We did order a side of chips and queso and they were good enough but ended up being too much food all together. We got drinks at the bar and they were good. We went on a Thursday for lunch and literally nobody was there lol. Highly recommend going on a Thursday :)

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