Cuantos Tacos is a mexican restaurant in Austin.
Editorially verified May 18, 2026 by Elliot Marsh, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: Michelin-recognised Mexico City-style trompo tacos on a $4-a-taco price scale at a small East 12th truck the visitor lists tend to skip past.
Tip: Order suadero, al pastor and the chorizo verde; portions are small enough that three tacos is the entry point.
Guided tour · 3.5 hours
Discover Downtown Austin through local tastings, drinks, and stories on the only locally owned and operated walking food tour in Austin. Visit 4 to 5 favorite food sto...
Guided tour · 3 hours
Taste Austin like a local on a guided food tour with 6+ dishes, from smoky BBQ brisket to breakfast tacos. Explore hidden gems, vibrant culture, and our surprise Secret Dish.
2 hours
Learn to make fresh pasta from scratch in this hands-on Austin cooking class. Master classic Italian techniques and enjoy a gourmet meal you create yourself.
Address: 1108 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
Discada is a 24-hour-marinated, six-hour-slow-cooked discada taco truck on East Cesar Chavez, Michelin-recognised and one of Texas Monthlys best in Austin.
Why locals goA single 24-hour-marinated, six-hour-slow-cooked discada taco served from an East Cesar Chavez truck, Michelin-recognised and one of Texas Monthly's best Austin tacos.
TipOne taco only; order four to share. The truck shifted from Rosewood to East Cesar Chavez in 2025.
El Naranjo is a mexican room in Austin. The mole negro is the canonical order; daughter Ana Torrealba's Sunday-supper menu is the most experimental window.
Why locals goIliana de la Vega's James Beard-winning Oaxacan dining room on South Lamar has a permanent reservation queue but flies under the visitor radar of Suerte and Comedor.
TipThe mole negro is the canonical order; daughter Ana Torrealba's Sunday-supper menu is the most experimental window.
Dai Due is jesse griffiths's wild-game and butchery school plus restaurant on manor road is a bib gourmand kitchen most visitors miss for the bigger names.
Why locals goJesse Griffiths's wild-game and butchery school plus restaurant on Manor Road is a Bib Gourmand kitchen most visitors miss for the bigger names.
TipSit at the supper-club nights for the most experimental menu; the New School of Traditional Cookery runs hunting and butchery classes too.
Lin Asian Bar + Dim Sum in Austin: cantonese room. Ling Qi Wu rolls dumpling dough at the West 6th counter while you watch; the dim sum cart on Sunday.
Why locals goLing Qi Wu rolls dumpling dough at the West 6th counter while you watch; the dim sum cart on Sunday brunch is a quiet citywide reservation routine.
TipSunday brunch books a week ahead; lunch weekdays runs the same kitchen with a la carte from the open dim sum counter.
Bistro Vonish on East 53rd is a vegan food truck with vegan kolaches, BBQ seitan and a back-yard fire pit, run by an ex-Uchi pastry chef on a punk-DIY vibe.
Why locals goA vegan food truck on East 53rd Street with vegan kolaches, BBQ seitan and a fire pit in the back, run by an ex-Uchi pastry chef on a punk-DIY vibe.
TipThe vegan kolaches are the room's most distinctive plate; closed Monday through Tuesday.
Distant Relatives is Damien Brockways modern African-American BBQ at Meanwhile Brewings South Austin yard, with smoked collard greens as a quiet showstopper.
Why locals goDamien Brockway's modern African-American BBQ at Meanwhile Brewing's South Austin yard pulls a fraction of Franklin's queue and is the best new BBQ in town.
TipSit at Meanwhile Brewing and order BBQ to the table; the smoked-collard-greens side is the room's quiet showstopper.
