Veracruz All Natural
It's commonly agreed upon that this is the most celebrated taco in Austin. King (or queens) of the hill. [Two sisters are the owners!] Consistent and delicious every time. Start with the Migas Poblanos Taco — all of the typical magic of a migas taco plus poblano pepper, red onion, black beans, and avocado. Be sure to get extra (Verde) Roasted Jalapeño Salsa; I personally like to order the 6-oz serving. The made-in-truck flour tortillas are some of the best around.
Pueblo Viejo
Their Migas Taco is unbeatable with its extra-crispy tortilla strips and perfectly browned eggs. But the star of the show is their Black Extra-Hot Yucatán-Style Roasted-Habanero Salsa. 🔥 (Apply with caution and enjoy!)
Torchy's
Some disagree but I stand firm with a #3 ranking for Torchy's. The tacos are huge, the eggs are fluffy and the cheese, gooey. The Migas Taco is my favorite followed very closely by the Fried Avocado Taco. Try the Jack of Clubs from the Secret Menu and every time you go, be sure to remind them that you want to get the Dirty Sanchez to make a return appearance on the menu! [Coming to a town near you!]
Quickie Pickie
Another unexpected place to find fantastic tacos: a high-end bodega in East Austin. The Hackberry Taco (basically a Migas Taco plus avocado and poblano peppers) is tried and true — each bite better than the last. Also, their Vegan Taco and the Fried Avocado are both great options if you've missed the Breakfast Menu window.
(Shown above is their Fried Avocado Taco — a great choice from their lunch menu.)
Nasha
An Indian place ranked at #5 on a taco list? Yes, you heard me correctly. Try these Paneer Tacos and you'll understand exactly why. Unbelievable. An order of guacamole on the side makes the experience even more dreamy. And if you're into queso, the Tikka con Queso will change your life. (Think Queso Flameado degree of stretch on this stuff — amazing!)
The Vegan Nom
Only in Austin would a vegan spot be worthy of such high esteem. You'll just have to take my word for it. Try anything on the menu but my favorites are Rockin' Migas, Gracias Madre, Grilled Avocado Reale, and Super Fresco. You'll be pleased with any one of those selections; I promise.
The Vegan Mud Dip [black beans, queso, guacamole, and sriracha crema] is no longer on the menu but if you ask, they'll make it happen for you. Game-changer.
The Peached Tortilla
Japanese Sweet Potato Breakfast Tacos. Need I say more?
Don't ask me why but the breakfast menu at the airport location is significantly more interesting than any other offerings at their Burnet Road location or Bar Peached (#98 on my list) on Sixth Street.
UPDATE: The breakfast menu had been unavailable since the start of the pandemic but after three long years of waiting … BOOM 💥🌮 … it’s back!
Cuantos Tacos
The tacos are very tiny and they don’t offer a Migas option but their Chanpiñones Taco is off the hook! The mushrooms are bursting with flavor which is oh, so perfectly complimented by the brightness of fresh cilantro. The two salsa options are completely unique: one, aromatic and reminiscent of Recaíto. The other, creamy and smoky.
Eldorado Café
The owner is a former TacoDeli guy. Their Too Hot To Tot [Crispy Tater Tots, Black Beans, Queso, Jack Cheese, Avocado Slices, Housemade Pickled Jalapenos, and Green Onions] and Big Papas [Papas Rellena, Mushrooms, Fried Egg & Jack Cheese] are both pretty great but the Migas Taco is what brought their ranking up to #9. Their Salsa X (medium hot) is not to be missed!
Asador Tacos
bWbThe tortillas masterfully balance soft & puffy with crisp & charred. The Beans & Greens Taco is pretty great but the Mushroom Mole Taco is truly one-of-a-kind. The mushrooms embody the perfect dense, meaty texture. The smoky, earthy, umami-sweet of the mole compliments the woody flavor of the mushrooms. The salsa isn’t great but these two tacos were so dynamic in flavor that salsa was not necessary. Best use of raw onions and lime I’ve ever encountered on a taco!
Austin Taco Joint
Obviously, their Migas Taco is the winner but also order a Soyrizo and Mushroom Fajita Taco for your second. The housemade tortillas are quite thin and they have a nice little crisp to them.
Try all of the salsas; there are a bunch of them and they're all delicious! The Avocado Salsa is okay but the Chipotle Salsa is what will keep you coming back for more.
Sabor Tapatio
One of my favorite authentic mexican trucks where you're better off if you speak Spanish. They specialize in birria but their Migas Tacos are top-notch! The eggs might be missing something in terms of seasoning but the chips are whole (which I love) and the flour tortillas are so thin and delicate yet somehow sturdy enough to hold together all of the taco goodness.
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Juan's Breakfast Tacos are hash browns and jack cheese over eggs topped with pico de gallo but what sets this taco apart is their house-made green chile hollandaise sauce. Similar to Torchy's Poblano Ranch, this hollandaise ads a rich and creamy texture with a bit of a kick. Each bite is packed with memorable texture and flavor.
Madrasdhaba
Another Paneer Tikka Taco for the list though this one is not as good as Nasha's. They're ranked at #14 mostly for their paratha-tortilla hybrid: crisp, layered, flaky, and charred exterior with just the right amount of satisfying cushion and bite. The tacos could use some additional salsa.
Rollin' Smoke BBQ
For the vegetarian smoke-lover, the Smoked BBQ Taco [with portobello mushrooms, spicy slaw, and onions] is where it's at! It's amazing what these guys can do with a portobello mushroom. The corn tortilla is light but durable.
Fantastic option for a late-night snack. I'm just thrilled that they have a delicious non-carnivorous option. Nothing held back here.
Takoba
Currently closed, Takoba's Tacos De Hongos [portabello, bell pepper, caramelized onion, cheese] will have to remain with us only in memory. They were fantastic. Thank you for all that you do.
[1411 East 7th Street — ⛔️CLOSED⛔️]
Dai Due Taqueria
Formerly located downstairs as one of the vendors at "Fareground Austin," but now closed due to COVID-19 hardships. You know that you're dealing with next-level when you're served a flour tortilla this puffy and soft. The eggs are cooked to perfection on the Migas Taco before being piled upon with copious fresh cilantro. The Potato, Egg, and Cheese Taco is simple but delicious.
[111 Congress Avenue — ⛔️CLOSED⛔️]
Texsueño
No Migas in sight here but wait 'til you bite into their Sweet Potato Taco with sweet potato, three ways: roasted, fried, and puréed topped with kale and a pecan-golden raisin salsa.
I went back when I heard about their Shroom & Corn Taco which is topped with popcorn. You heard me: POPCORN! I mean, come on. You won't find much in terms of tradition here but if you're ready to mix things up ... yes, please!
Lechuza Birria Tacos
This was my first experience with a Birria-Style Taco. Wow. The taco is stuffed inside a corn tortilla that's dipped into a thin layer of fat then pan fried to crispy gloriousness. Above is their Avocado Black Bean Taco. The soft avocado and the gooey cheese so nicely compliments the perfectly crisped tortilla. The consistency of their salsa was a bit weird but still delicious.
[3403 South Lamar Boulevard — ⛔CLOSED⛔️]
Cisco's Restaurant Bakery & Bar
The eggs on their Migas Taco are cooked to a perfect texture with the gooey cheese holding everything together quite nicely. The tortilla is nothing special but I wasn't disappointed because everything else was top-notch. The chips provide a satisfying crunch and the perfect accent of salt.
BONUS: they have a Migas Biscuit Sandwich. (How did I not know that this existed?)
Dos Batos
What sets them apart is their woodfired kitchen. I always get their Ostin Taco [melted mozzarella cheese, sliced avocado, and woodfired grilled mushroom, onion and, bell peppers.] Mozzarella is an interesting choice but it pairs really nicely with the smokey veggies which have some tooth to them. It's a fajita-style filling. My only criticism is that these tacos could use some glue to hold things together — refried beans would do the trick.
Chinos Fusion Hacienda
Formerly called "Chinos Banditos," this place has some truly creative tacos. Before being loaded up with avocado, pico, and mung bean sprouts, the mushrooms on their Veg'd Out Taco are sautéed in soy sauce for a bit of an asian flare. And check out the little bits of char on the eggs and onions in the photo of their Migas Taco — wow. Cooked to perfection. I've never encountered egg texture quite like this before. Be sure to request plenty of their green salsa.
Tyson's Tacos
Favorite Tacos: The Hank [veggy-chorizo, scrambled egg, avocado, queso fresco] and The Rage [egg, black bean, fried avocado, pepper jack, creamy Sriracha]. The salsas are incredible; be sure to try 'em all. (The Hank is no longer on the menu but can usually be made for you upon request.)
Fresa's
The Tricky Taco is migas with avocado, queso fresco, and cilantro. It's a great taco but what truly makes the experience is their Fire-Roasted Red Salsa. It takes a lot to win me over with a red (I'm typically only raving about the Roasted Jalapeño Salsa) but Fresa's has managed to do it! Their chilaquiles [shown above] are really good too.
Arturo’s Underground Cafe
The eggs actually taste like egg which is important to me. The grated cheese blend is both gooey and stringy. The onions contribute to a nice, bright crispy experience and a nice lingering aftertaste. Their Migas Taco [tomato, onion, jalapeno, tortilla chips, egg, cilantro, cheese] is a solid choice.
Kesos Tacos
The eggs on their Migas Taco may not be the fluffiest I've ever had but that is fully-resolved with the wave of a magic wand because their slogan is "Queso on Every Taco." Yes, my friends ... this place is heaven because everything is made more delicious when smothered in queso. Also, the tortilla chip pieces are big and crunchy.
Their Fried Avocado Taco has Jalapeño Ranch → thank you, Kesos! They also have a great selection of salsas.
Juan More Taco
These Migas Tacos could definitely use more crisp from the chips but the egg is cooked to perfection! It’s more of a fried egg (with the whites still in tact and separate from the yolk) than one that’s scrambled. The edges of the egg are buttery and crisp. There’s nothing special about the flour tortillas but the salsas are fantastic. Warning: the rojo is burn-your-face-off spicy so I like to use a little dab of rojo and then smother with the (much milder) verde.
Trippy Tacos
Located just across the street from Austin's beloved Vera Cruz and with such a goofy name and logo, this place deserves a lot of credit and is a solid option for when the line is too long across the street.
Their Crispy Avocado Taco is one of the most crisp I've ever had. The Migas Taco is decent and served with serranos. Salsas are good and the flour tortillas are cooked to a perfectly light crisp. Give these guys some love!
Taco Pegaso
On their Migas Taco, the tortilla chips lack the desired crunch and a bolder char on the flour tortilla would elevate this taco. But the expertly-salted eggs seamlessly blend with the grilled peppers. And the egg-cheese fusion is decadently rich and creamy.
Their Roasted Jalapeño Salsa is especially fiery and adds the perfect kick. Be sure to go before 12pm to access their breakfast menu.
El Alma Café
This is the first of my higher-end locations on the list. It's difficult to compare a more creative and sophisticated taco with the traditional street taco served from a truck. Try the Veggie Taco [roasted poblanos, onions, mushrooms, queso fresco, avocado] and the Nopalito Taco [tender cactus, pico, grilled queso panela, avocado]. Best Nopalito I've ever had. Taco Flats [#38] and TacoDeli [#76] have Grilled Panela Tacos but neither compare to this one.
La Cocina de Consuelo
Consuelo is so adorable. Her menu is limited when it comes to non-carnivorous taco options but I saw that she had a Migas Plate on her menu so I (kindly) requested to convert the platter into a Migas Taco and — despite a language barrier — she obliged. Plus she came over to the table twice to check in to see if I was enjoying it. And I was. The accompanying beans and crispy potatoes were good but the salsa wasn't great.
Mour Café
Pictured above is their Migas Taco. All of the typical Migas Magic is piled on top of a bed of refried beans which is fairly uncommon twist. And I'm 100% on-board with it. All of the components are fresh and the Roasted Jalapeño Salsa is exceptional. Their Huevos Rancheros is another fantastic choice!
Bouldin Creek Café
Their (vegetarian) Chorizo Taco [eggs and house-made veggie chorizo] is great but if they happen to have their Portobello Taco on the Specials Menu, definitely order that one! (It's worth asking for it.) The flour tortillas might be a little too far on the soft/puffy side for some peoples' preferences but I think the texture blends nicely with the eggs and cheese.
Also, there's a vegan version for everything on the menu if you're into that.
Cool Beans (vegan)
The owner Rolando, is a fantastic guy and his tacos were incredible. If the truck were still in operation, I'd tell you to go try them all! The Warrior [vegan chorizo, potatoes, pickled red onion, & cilantro] The ‘Migos [vegan migas, tomato, onion, jalapeño, & vegan crema] The Outkast [fajita-seasoned sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onion, & cilantro] and The Pioneer [beans, vegan queso, guacamole, tomato, greens, & cilantro]
[2906 Fruth Street — ⛔️CLOSED⛔️]
Ñoños Tacos
This place is great. The Migas Taco would have ranked higher than #34 if the flour tortillas did not have an air of stale-pretzel texture to them. The crunch was a bit off on the tortilla chips as well but the eggs were perfectly salted and chopped evenly among the aromatic onions and peppers. The Chilaquiles were also fantastic.
This is an adorable hole-in-the-wall spot. I'll definitely be back!
Nixta Taqueria
The creamy texture of the eggs is nicely interrupted by the dense corn tortilla chips. The in-house blue corn tortillas are pleasantly leathery which contributes to a fantastic mouth-feel. I’m sure that the duck fat refried beans and chorizo on the Migas Taco are incredible but I passed on these. The bursting flavors entirely eliminates the need for salsa. And it’s rare for me to ever admit that!
Also try the Beet "Tartare" Tostada and the Cauliflower Taco.
Taquero Mucho
Though perhaps a bit gimmicky, these tacos truly are some of the prettiest I've ever seen. For their Poblano Capeado Taco, they take a poblano pepper, coat It in whipped egg, and and then fry it. It's not at all like your typical fry batter: it's fluffy and light. The beans are great and they've got a solid selection of salsas: tomatillo, molcajete, chipotle, and salsa taquera. Plus, everything in the place is pink (including the tortillas,) and the waitstaff is gorgeous.
Austin Taco Project
Similar to El Alma Café [#30] and Nixta Taqueria [#35], the tacos here are more sophisticated in concept and flavor than your traditional street taco and therefore more difficult to rank among the others.
Their Corn Xni Pec and "Mushroom Bacon" Taco is delicious. Xni Pec is a spicy sauce native to the Yucatán Peninsula made with habanero pepper, purple onion, bitter orange juice, and salt.
Everything is bright and delicious here
Taco Flats
Their ranking increased by a whopping fifty-one positions after discovering their Breakfast Tacos menu (available until 3pm). The tortillas on the Migas Taco are toasty and exceptionally sturdy, the pico is fresh, the jack cheese is brilliantly blended with the scrambled eggs resulting in some pretty impressive alchemy. I support their innovative flair.
They even have a fantastic Chilaquiles Taco. Their Quesadilla is quite unique — give it a try!
El Tacorrido
Originally ranked very low on my list based on the Veggie Gordita and Taco de Hongos, a friend encouraged me to return for their Migas Plate. They refused to assemble them as a taco for me (which is so annoying,) so I reluctantly built my own tacos. And I'm glad that I did. My friend was right — they were instantly promoted by seventy-one positions on my list. Crispy, cheesy, flavor-perfection.
Their molcajete salsa is incredible!
Flavia’s Kitchen
The tomatoes may not be particularly ripe but the chips are crisp, the eggs are perfect, and there’s a prominent cilantro flavor which sets this Migas Taco apart from others. The flour tortilla has a surprisingly resilient structure and a healthy amount of flavorful char. They’re stingy with their salsa verde so ask for two. It's a bit less viscous (not as much of an emulsion,) as you’ll typically find but it’s delicious. You’ll want more than one salsa.
(512) 422-7158
Opera Café (vegan)
After my experience at Lechuza Birria Tacos [#19], I had to seek out some other Birria options. The texture of the tortillas was absolute perfection and despite never really being a fan of jackfruit-as-meat, their Jackfruit Birria Tacos Plate with Consomé was surprisingly good.
I'm sure that it doesn't compare to the real deal but as a vegetarian spin, I'd recommend it. My only criticism is that the whole experience was too salty.
Taqueria Laguera #2
Some of the most crisp tortilla strips I've ever experienced on a Migas Taco. The eggs could be salted a bit better (I mean, there's a packet of salt in the bag but I'm not gonna fool around with that) but they make up for it with their exceptional roasted jalapeño salsa. Also there are large, identifiable chunks of onion and poblano pepper — very nice.
Opera Café is too salty but Taqueria Laguera #2 really is lacking the that desired balance.
(737) 333-7150
Marcelino's
The eggs are pleasantly creamy and soft. Everything is nicely balanced and blended. The verde has specks of char which adds some smokiness. Warning: when you order the Migas Taco, it comes with only eggs, peppers, and chips. Be sure to add cheese and if you’re feelin’ it, some frijoles also.
La traila Alvarez #2
The texture of their green salsa needs some work — it’s gloppy. (The emulsion seems to have failed.)
But the eggs are exceptionally creamy and the beans are a nice compliment. The thick tortilla strips are fried to a golden-brown like no others.
Yucatán Tacos & More
Another example where the eggs on the Migas Taco need salt. The tortilla was nice and the avocado was heavenly.
La Marizol Migas Taco features monterey jack cheese but in this case, the spinach and mushrooms actually detract from the overall flavor. [Similar compliant with Masa y Más, #68]
Great salsa selection: the Habanero has the perfect sweet-balance but watch out — it's hot! The Roasted Jalapeño is pretty fantastic.
South Side Deli
Just an unassuming counter in the back corner of a gas station, this spot is a hidden gem. They don't have a Migas Taco on their menu but she'll do one for you upon request. The cheese is particularly gooey and serves its purpose of binding the individual components and their respective flavors. Mozzarella is a good choice here. Decent tortilla and a refreshing burst of fresh cilantro halfway through. The salsa isn’t great but this taco stands its ground on its own.
T-Loc's Sonora
Though too greasy, the texture of the tortilla is one of the better ones: fortified with a layer of cheese grilled directly onto the surface (my favorite technique,) it's slightly crisp but still bendy.
Add a runny egg to the Cheese Taco in order to tone down the harsh bite of the minced cabbage and pickled red onions. Skip the “jalapeño sauce.” It has the viscosity of a tomatillo verde.
Overall, still a great experience (… for a hot dog cart!)
Casita Guanajuato
The house-made tortillas are puffy and the eggs are cooked to perfection at this very traditional mom-and-pop Mexican spot. I often prefer cotija but this is one of those examples where the cheddar-monterey grated blend perfectly compliments the taco.
They don't have a Migas Taco on the menu but it's one of those places where I see that they have a Migas Plate on the menu so I request a special-order taco conversion and they graciously oblige. Muchos Gracias!
La tunita 512
A massive mound of cheese is melted on the flat-top griddle then folded over to achieve that perfect crunchy-on-the-outside-gooey-on-the-inside shell of browned cheese: "queso costra." The fried handmade corn tortilla has an exceptionally satisfying texture. A truly incredible cheese experience!
They were kind enough to omit the beef birria for me upon request. The raw onions were a bit harsh; I wish that they had been sautéed.
[2400 Burleson Rd — ⛔️CLOSED⛔️]
The Smokin' Rose Taco Joint
It's a rare instance when I don't need any salsa on my taco but the potatoes on the Papas (Vegan) Taco are so fiercely-flavored that I didn't even need the salsa. And for that alone, they deserve a respectable ranking on my list. The smokey potatoes truly do serve as quite a satisfying "meat" for the taco. The flour tortillas are great. I recommend adding both cheese and avocado to this otherwise vegan taco.
Tacos Las Amazonas Estilo Jalisco
I wasn't too impressed upon first visit when I ordered the Veggie Tacos but returned a month later and made sure to arrive early enough to access their breakfast menu. The Migas Tacos are worthy of a top-fifty(two) ranking, for sure. The cheese requires some time to melt a bit but the fresh-made tortillas are terrific and their salsas are exceptional.
Counter Culture
This spot is a favorite of many vegan and vegetarian folks. I don't get excited about it like others do. However, the Cauliflower Walnut Mushroom Tacos (sometimes available on their Specials menu) are pretty out-of-this-world. Check 'em out if you have the chance. Nothing else on the menu particularly interests me.
Güero's Taco Bar
I hesitated for years before including them on the list: “Taco Bar” is in the name of the restaurant but tacos are not their strongest offerings. No Migas Tacos on the menu here but they’ll do them for you upon request. The light and puffy nature of the flour tortillas nicely compliments the crunch of the chips. The eggs are well-salted. None of the selections from their salsa bar are worthy of praise but their Queso Flamaedo is outstanding.
Macho Taco
The first bite of the Migas Taco had a delightful burst of fresh cilantro — very excited about that. Ultimately though, the eggs needed to be more thoroughly salted. The cheese helped a bit with this but it wasn’t dispersed evenly enough for full-coverage. The Roasted Jalapeño Salsa and the Guacamole helped as well but those were also lacking some kick.
There’s salt at the table but, come on … don’t make me do that.
Bomb Tacos
They don’t offer their breakfast menu at night (so, no migas tacos for me.😢) One Portabello and one Black Beans & Avocado, please.
You might assume certain things about the guacamole because it’s squeezed from a bottle but it’s actually quite impressive.
There’s nothing about any single component of these tacos that will blow your mind but all together, it’s still a pretty good experience.
Sazón Sabor a México
Unfortunately, there’s no crunch from the chips — just too soggy. But the flour tortillas are perfect in both texture and flavor. The eggs are expertly prepared: fluffy yet creamy and so nicely balanced with salt, onions, and cheese. The basket of chips arrived warm but once they cooled, it was apparent that they were approaching stale. The table salsa however, had a delectable fire-roasted flavor, the freshest of cilantro, and a nice little kick!
Upstairs at Caroline
The “meat” of the Quinoa & Cauliflower "Chorizo" Taco is not going to blow your mind but the char on the toasted corn provides a touch of smoky flavor.
Their Walking Taco is served in a bisected bag of Fritos. It’s a bit gimmicky but at the same time, lots of fun. They were willing to swap out the texas chili with some of that quinoa “chorizo” for this vegetariáno. I’m into it.
Either of these tacos could be improved if served with some decent salsa.
Licha's Cantina
The menu description for The Verduras Tacos includes roasted sweet potato, mushrooms, corn, squash, cabbage, and pepitas — yum! They would have ranked much higher if the chef had not included yellow squash and zucchini as the obligatory filler vegetables. This is a pet peeve of mine and with no mention of either of those in the description, it was a major let-down when my dish arrived.
The salsa was great; more of that, please.