Magnolia Cafe in Austin is the South Congress 24-hour diner, a counter and booth room serving migas, queso and gingerbread pancakes at a low-double-digit price all day.
Tip: Open 24 hours Thursday through Saturday; otherwise closes at midnight. SXSW makes Friday 1am a scrum.
Address: 1920 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
Tacodeli in Austin is Roberto Espinosa's Spyglass Drive flagship since 1999, the local breakfast-taco chain at the low end of the price scale with Salsa Dona for the table.
Try: Breakfast tacos and tacos al Pastor
Tip: Cult Salsa Dona is sold by the bottle to take home; the Heather taco is the cheap office-lunch order.
Kerbey Lane Cafe in Austin is the all-day diner since 1980, the Central Austin bungalow that runs queso, gingerbread pancakes and breakfast tacos at a low price all day.
Try: Pancakes or queso
Tip: Two-egg breakfast comes with home fries and toast around $11; the queso-and-chip cup is the cheapest snack.
Veracruz All Natural in Austin is the Webberville Road breakfast-taco truck from the Vazquez sisters, the Food Network Top 5 tacos pick and the cheapest world-class plate in town.
Try: Migas breakfast taco
Tip: Migas on a homemade corn tortilla is the order; arrive before 9:30am to dodge the office-worker rush.
Cuantos Tacos in Austin is the East 12th food truck for Mexico City-style trompo tacos on nixtamalized tortillas, the cheapest entry to a Michelin-recognised Austin kitchen.
Try: Mexico City-style trompo tacos
Tip: Order at least three tacos; the suadero and al pastor are the room's standouts at the price point.
P. Terry's Burger Stand in Austin is the South Lamar original since 2005, the local burger chain serving fresh-ground beef burgers on the cheap and a soft-serve cone for under $10.
Try: Cheeseburger and fries
Tip: The double cheeseburger combo runs around $9 with drink and fries; the soft-serve cone is the dessert.
Las Trancas in Austin is the East Cesar Chavez taco truck for late-night al pastor and barbacoa, a Texas Monthly best-tacos pick with the cheapest tacos on the corridor.
Try: Tacos al pastor
Tip: Tacos are small; order four. The truck runs until midnight, ideal for after-bar dinner.
