Five Houston-area restaurants named Texas Monthly – Houston Public Media’s 50 Best Texas Tacos

Texas Monthly’s taco editor for six months Jose R. Ralat roamed the state and visited over 400 taquerias to find this Top 50 Best Texas Tacos; Five Houston-area locations made his list, two of which made the top 10.

Azteca Taco House

Azteca Taco House’s costillas en salsa verde taco ranked first among Houston establishments, while Ralat placed third overall in the state. The Costillas en Salsa Verde contain bone-in pork ribs and green salsa. Azteca Tacos is located at 3801 Hopper Road in north Houston.

Papalo Taqueria

Located at 712 Main in the heart of downtown Houston, Papalo Taqueria’s Zanahoria Taco ranked seventh on the list. According to Ralat, Zanahoria is a corn tortilla taco with carrots, pepitas salsa, vegetables and queso fresco.

Tres Chiles

Located in northwest Houston, Tres Chile’s Barbacoa de Borrego Taco is the third Houston area location to make the Top 40 list, with only the top ten locations receiving a numerical ranking. Ralat said the Daracoa De Borrego features lamb wrapped in maguey leaves that is roasted overnight.

The original Ninjas

The original Ninfa’s tacos al carbon also made it into the top 40. The award goes specifically to Ninfa’s at 2704 Navigation Blvd near Magnolia. The tacos al carbon consist of smoked beef strips rolled in a flour tortilla.

Cochinita & Co.

Cochinita & Co, located in the East End at 5420 Lawndale, is the last of the five Houston-area restaurants to make the list. It made the list for its vegan taco plate “Tinga de Hongos,” served with lion’s mane and oyster mushrooms, chipotle en adobo, caramelized onions, vegan avocado cream, cilantro, and pickled red onions.

For the full list of all 50 of Ralat’s tacos, as well as a detailed description of the restaurant’s atmosphere and menu, visit Texas Monthly website.