We come here for the community atmosphere and friendly service, and of course, the great breakfast plates. In the taco section, spring for the mega breakfast taco with your choice of meat, or if you’re dropping in later in the day, we recommend the hickory-smoked pork belly.

This taco truck is particularly popular among people who frequent the area’s nightlife, but whether you’re visiting after a show at White Oak Music Hall or in the middle of the day, you’ll probably have to wait in a line—don’t worry, it moves quickly. El Taconazo is all about sticking to the essentials: Order the fajita tacos with a cup of frijoles and ask for a horchata to complete your meal. There is no seating, so you’ll either chow down on the sidewalk or kick it old-school and eat on the hood of your car.

Housed in the former Matamoros Meat Market space, this carnicería in the El Tiempo empire does many things well, but we particularly love the taco deluxe. It's made with a flour or corn tortilla and your choice of beef fajitas, sausage, chicken fajitas, barbacoa, carnitas, or brisket, and comes with a side of rice and beans. If you’re an early-morning person, be sure to indulge in one of its many breakfast tacos. And for that sweet tooth, don’t forget to grab a tres leches or flan on your way out.

Whether you go for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, the atmosphere here is warm and will make you feel like you’ve stepped inside Mexico. We’re big fans of the quesabirria tacos in particular. La Chingada’s housemade salsas are all the rage, but go lightly on the habanero sauce if you’re sensitive to spice. Visit for happy hour during the week for a $5 deal on the three street tacos, affordable drinks, and a great time. 

La Chingada Tacos & Tequila also has a location in the Cypress area.

With a truck in Denver Harbor and two brick-and-mortars in South Houston and Channelview, Taconmadre’s bright green exterior beckons us to pull up to their drive-throughs every time we’re hungry. Plus, they’re all open 24 hours. You can’t go wrong with the street-style al pastor tacos, and before you leave, don’t forget to order a limonada agua fresca for the road.

Owner Angel Cabrera, whose parents are from Guanajuato, has transformed this small Spring Branch spot into a popular sensation that gained a spot on Yelp’s Top 100. Tacos Doña Lena specializes in birria tacos and quesabirria, which we love to drizzle with the restaurant’s excellent housemade salsas. Cabrera also brought a second location to the Lazybrook/Timbergrove neighborhood near the Heights with even more menu items (and a bar with margaritas).

Located in the southeast area of Houston, this lively taco spot lives up to its name. Roughly translated as “the mother of all tacos,” Tacos la Sultana has two primary choices of meat: trompo and bistek. Upon walking up, you’ll think it’s just a taco truck, but off to the side it has plenty of space for seating, which is always a plus. And it offers various drink options, including a Mexican Coke, which one should never say no to.

Tacos La Sultana also has another location off Woodforest Boulevard.

Owner René Hidalgo is often behind the counter at his small but charming café off Stella Link, and he makes many of the salsas himself, too. Stop by for breakfast on a relaxing weekend morning, perhaps after a bike ride along Brays Bayou. In the taco department, we particularly love the pastor and tinga.

When you look this place up, you might be surprised by all the locations. We took a stroll to the one on the corner of Irvington and Tidwell in the Northside, known as Taqueria Don Tin #6. The taco truck went through a much-needed facelift, so if you haven’t been in a while and see a bright red-orange truck that says, “The Taco King on Tidwell,” know you’re in the right spot. Try the tacos Matamoros meal with al pastor, topped with queso fresco, cilantro, avocado, and onion, and add some spicy, creamy tomatillo salsa for the perfect complement of flavors.

This taqueria is the perfect spot for Houstonians looking to get a taste of an authentic trompo taco—marinated pork shawarma grilled in a revolving spit. At Tio Trompo, expect tender, well-seasoned meat with cilantro, onion, and your choice of corn or flour tortillas. And for those who like things to be on the spicy side, don’t forget to ask for the red salsa.