The 32 Best Tacos in San Antonio, TX
True taco lovers know that to designate a singular taco as ‘the best’ is like picking a favorite child–you love them all, but ultimately you’re in the mood for certain ones at certain times and sometimes none at all.
They each have their own personality and profile, whether it’s pastor, breakfast, birria, vapor, mini, or the step-child Torchy, each one can bring brightness into your day and leaving you grateful you’re in one of the meccas of one of the best cuisines in the world: San Antonio, the world’s taco heaven.
Here are our 32 favorite tacos in San Antonio.
Tacos West Avenue – Our Rating: 9.2/10
Award: Best Tacos
Tacos West Avenue is a longtime San Antonio staple for classic street tacos, especially beef steak and pastor. The location was revamped in recent years, but parking can be tough—especially in the small main lot. While the surrounding area isn't the most ideal, the tacos remain strong, though some locals say quality has dipped slightly. Specialties include pastor, bistec, lengua, cabeza, suadero, tripas, and chorizo. For the full experience, top your taco with salsa first, then squeeze fresh lime juice over it—the proper way to enjoy a true Mexican taco.
Taquitos El Jefe – Our Rating: 9.1/10
Award: Best Authentic Mexican Taco
Located on the Southside, Taquitos El Jefe is a beloved food truck and a go-to for many longtime San Antonians. It’s especially popular among those who grew up in the area and crave a truly traditional taco experience. The truck consistently delivers bold flavors and solid portions—this is real-deal Mexican street food.
Los Cuates – Our Rating: 9.1/10
Award: Best Pastor Taco
Los Cuates is one of the best spots in town for pastor tacos—served in mini taco format at about $2 each. There’s no designated parking lot, and nearby street parking can be tricky due to neighborhood zoning restrictions, so plan ahead. That said, if you’re within walking distance or willing to search a bit, the tacos are worth the effort.
Taqueria Datapoint – Our Rating: 9.0/10
Taqueria Datapoint is a classic San Antonio taco joint offering a broad menu with solid options across the board. Their pastor tacos are especially reliable, but you’ll also find breakfast tacos, birria, and other popular staples. It’s an all-around dependable pick if you're craving a variety of authentic Mexican eats in one place.
Original Donut Shop – Our Rating: 8.8/10
Award: Best Breakfast Tacos
The Original Donut Shop is a breakfast icon in San Antonio, known equally for its fluffy donuts and hearty breakfast tacos. It's a nostalgic and satisfying place to kick off your morning with strong coffee, good vibes, and one of the city’s most dependable breakfast taco menus.
Garcia’s Mexican Food – Our Rating: 8.8/10
Award: Best Brisket Taco
Garcia’s is legendary for its brisket tacos—thick, juicy cuts of meat with perfectly crisped edges, served on warm tortillas. The brisket plate is another standout, letting you build your own tacos. It’s a simple, no-frills experience, but one of the best bites in town.
Tacos Vitali – Our Rating: 8.7/10
Tacos Vitali is a family-owned taqueria that now has multiple locations across San Antonio. Known for its authentic northern Mexican street food, the restaurant offers a variety of tacos, but their speciality are their trompo tacos which are red and vibrant with pastor flavor! Our rating is based off the Babcock location.
Regios Tacos al Vapor – Our Rating: 8.7/10
Award: Best Unique Taco
Regios Tacos al Vapor is a hidden gem that specializes in steamed tacos, or “tacos al vapor.” This style is especially popular with locals who grew up on traditional Mexican flavors. The soft, warm tortillas are filled with tender meats and deliver a comforting, home-cooked taste that sets them apart from typical street tacos.
Vegan Avenue – Our Rating: 8.6/10
Vegan Avenue is surprisingly flavorful—even for non-vegans. If you hadn’t told me the tacos were plant-based, I might not have noticed. The flavors are bold and authentic, especially in the pastor taco. At about $5 per taco, it’s not cheap, but the generous portions and quality ingredients justify the price. I paid $10 for two and felt satisfied. Highly recommend and would definitely go back.
El Pastor es Mi Señor – Our Rating: 8.6/10
El Pastor es Mi Señor delivers solid pastor and sirloin tacos, with a touch of pineapple that adds a nice sweetness to the pastor. That said, it's on the pricey side—almost $20 with a drink—which makes it feel a bit overrated compared to similarly priced spots.
La Birrieria – Our Rating: 8.6/10
Award: Best Birria Tacos
La Birrieria is our go-to for birria tacos. It’s affordable, flavorful, and consistent. Their quesabirria tacos, in particular, are outstanding—crispy on the outside, cheesy and juicy on the inside. If you're craving birria, this is an easy recommendation.
Carnitas Don Raul – Our Rating: 8.6/10
Award: Best Carnitas Taco
Carnitas Don Raul has gone from taco truck to brick-and-mortar—and the carnitas are just as mouthwatering as ever. This spot was featured on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, and for good reason. The pork is rich, flavorful, and generously portioned. Be warned: the tacos are big, so pace yourself. You’ll want to eat more than you should.
Con Huevos Tacos – Our Rating: 8.6/10
Con Huevos Tacos is a downtown favorite with outdoor-only seating and a menu that mixes authentic Mexican tacos with specialty breakfast options. While the Irma taco is popular, our favorite is the quesadilla de deshebrada. It's packed with flavor and definitely makes this one of the best breakfast taco spots in San Antonio.
Pepe’s Tacos N Salsa – Our Rating: 8.5/10
Pepe’s is a reliable choice for breakfast tacos, with standouts like the machacado taco. Everything on the menu is solid, and the added bonus is a drive-thru for convenience.
Wapo Taco – Our Rating: 8.5/10
Wapo Taco serves up strong options for both breakfast and birria tacos. Their “birriadilla”—a fusion between birria and quesadilla—is a must-try and a great example of creative, satisfying taco fusion.
Taqueria El Trompo – Our Rating: 8.4/10
Taqueria El Trompo is a reliable, no-frills spot with a wide range of taco options. Whether you're into mini tacos, breakfast, or traditional fillings, you'll find something solid here every time.
Rios Southtown Barbacoa – Our Rating: 8.4/10
Award: Best Barbacoa Tacos
If you’re on the hunt for barbacoa, Rios Southtown delivers some of the best in the city. The tacos are packed with tender, flavorful meat—perfect for weekend mornings or a satisfying lunch.
Tacos El Regio – Our Rating: 8.4/10
Tacos El Regio is a local staple, especially popular with the St. Mary’s late-night crowd. It may not be the very best in town, but it’s hard to beat $10 for five tacos. The steak tacos with cheese are the highlight. It’s a reliable, affordable choice that hits the spot when you're out and about.
Tacos Y Burritos Metro – Our Rating: 8.3/10
One of the better spots in town for mini tacos—everything we’ve tried here has been solid. A reliable stop if you’re craving classic flavors in smaller portions.
Naco Mexican Food Truck – Our Rating: 8.2/10
Yes, it’s pricey at around $6 per taco—but they’re genuinely good. Expect high-quality ingredients and bold flavors from this popular truck. Theory Coffee Truck is right next door for great coffee!
Little Taco Factory – Our Rating: 8.2/10
A local favorite for breakfast tacos, especially the carne guisada. Simple, satisfying, and consistently tasty.
Birotes Tortas Ahogadas – Our Rating: 8.2/10
While the torta ahogada is the star of the show, don’t overlook the birria tacos—they’re definitely a highlight and worth adding to your order.
Pete’s Tako House – Our Rating: 8.1/10
Pete’s Tako House is one of the best taco spots downtown. They serve savory, authentic Mexican dishes and have plenty of seating for large families, making it a great choice for group outings.
Tacos Mando Estilo Monterrey – Our Rating: 8.0/10
This tucked-away food truck specializes in tacos al vapor—a rare find on this side of town. Located next to a shop and not easy to spot from the street, it’s a hidden gem. The chicharrón tacos are their specialty and worth trying.
Henry Puffy Tacos – Our Rating: 8.0/10
Award: Best Puffy Taco
Known for their namesake puffy tacos, but the asada and picadillo are also standout fillings. A good stop for anyone curious about San Antonio's signature taco style.
Torchy’s Tacos – Our Rating: 8.0/10
Some people might kill us for even putting Torchy's on this list, but the truth is that Torchy's Tacos are solid and tasty! We should qualify that these are in our unique tacos section so while they meet the categorization of tacos, they are maybe what one consider fusion style tacos rather than expecting any sort of traditional taco. We love the Brushfire!
Taco Palenque – Our Rating: 7.8/10
Award: Best Drive-Thru Taco
Arguably the best drive-thru taco chain in town. It’s on the expensive side, but the salsas and tacos are dangerously addictive. We recommend the Matamoros tacos or anything with sirloin.
Sanchos – Our Rating: 7.6/10
If Sanchos was a child instead of a taco, he’d probably be smoking a cigarette. This is a laid-back dive bar with live music, strong drinks, and solid tacos. A great place to hang out with friends while munching on something satisfying.
Carnitas Lonja – Our Rating: 7.6/10
While we lean toward Don Raul for carnitas, Carnitas Lonja still deserves recognition. The pork is rich and flavorful, and the chill outdoor patio adds to the experience.
Taco Broadway – Our Rating: 7.6/10
Say what you want, but Taco Broadway makes legit breakfast tacos. The friendly staff feels like family, our mothers, and maybe our abuelita in the back. Don’t sleep on this place.
Eddie’s Taco House – Our Rating: 7.5/10
A busy drive-thru, especially during breakfast hours, Eddie’s is a go-to for those near Southtown or downtown. We think the breakfast tacos are their best offering.
Chela’s Tacos – Our Rating: 7.3/10
Chela’s serves up big tacos on freshly made tortillas. Honestly, the tortilla is the real star here—it has that homemade taste that takes everything up a notch.
Yes we know there’s more and you might say “I can’t believe this wasn’t on their list!”, well feel free to suggest more tacos spots we should try if you have a favorite. Let us know!
📩 contact@roamersa.com