TacoJournalism presents El Taco Infographic

TacoJournalism presents El Taco Infographic, just in time for SXSW! I always thought to myself, why isn't there a Taco Infographic??? We've done the map - checka, now it's time to take it to A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL!!!

So all you SXSW revelers, now you can enjoy fun facts about tacos and find your way to the closest taco trailer & taqueria on this or that side of IH-35. El Taco Infographic is now available in print and in this handy dandy digital version.

Moocho thanks to our sponsors, Pachanga Fest and Bird's Barbershop for supporting the taco cause. Big #shoutouts to Rafa Picco and Inspired P, the creative team that brought my taco trailer to life!

Look for the printed version of El Taco Infographic at your nearest taqueria and bar in East Austin. Feel free to download it, print it, request it on FB, or nomas hazlo copy and paste. For a mas grande version, click aquí!

Mil gracias to Los Sponsors:

P.S. Don't forget to check out the SXSW session: Revenge of the Taco Blogger! Tell yer friends! 

Get on the Taco Bus - El Chato

Many a times you've asked - "where can I can a taco truck to come to my house, party, parking lot, company site, wedding." Well wait no more Austin, Texas. The taco bus or Bustaurante as El Chato owner likes to call it is here. You can't miss this taco bus parked on East 7th Street. It's bright, it's blue and they serve a mighty fine and fancy taco, from Mole Verde y Rojo to Rajas con Queso and Cochinita Pibil. This bustaurant is definitely a new mix to the East side bringing in los sabores of interior Mexico. The Mole Rojo was smooth with that hint of chocolate, not too spicy and the carnies era muy tender, almost like abuelita used to make - almost pero not quite. The rajas taco was a simple one, with melty Oaxacan cheese and sauteed onions. Good enough for a simplon like myself.

So here it is, El Chato Taco Bus. I took a few minutes to talk to Juan Carlos Mercado, owner of El Chato to find out more about this muy interesting bustaurante.

El Chato - Since 1958 - 3.25 Stars
1617 East 7th Street
Austin, Texas 78702

2013 SXSW Taco Map

Here's a quick listing of taco places in around a lot of the SXSW venues. Be warned: some of these taco places are aggresively mediocre, but are included because of their proximity to festival sites. Read the blurb before going.

*- Good
** - Amazing
*** - Spit Hot Fire!

Eastside

Cenote 
Shitty service. Great tacos and coffee.  Update: Apparently this is the "Spotify House" during SXSW.  We're guessing this means no shitty service OR coffee.

*El Pollo Rey
Great Al Pastor & Carne Asada tacos!

*Piedras Negras
Awesome tacos. A bit of a walk/drive, but worth it.

**Porfirio's
"I've been eating at Porfiro's for over 15 years. Consistent, good quality food. I have friends from San Jose who still talk about."

***Rosita's Al Pastor
Best Al Pastor in town. Except when its not. Like anything amazing in life, it is a bit inconsistent.

***Joe's Bakery
Probably the best breakfast spot in Austin! On East 7th, pretty close to the action. The place is great. It's families and neighbors and newbies all mixed up. We'll be serving their tacos at the SXSW Taco Meet Up.

**Mi Madre's
El Mundo de Mando's favorite place. A bit far away from the main venues, but worth a breakfast trip. Get the Machacado breakfast taco.

*Tamale House East
Great 2nd location of the Austin Original. They have extended hours during Music Fest and beer & wine, craft beer, local kegs and music. Good stuff!

West Sixth

*Whole Foods
The taco bar is in the front of the store by the deli. It'll get the job done, but the real secret are the fish tacos at the seafood bar. Happy Hour from 3p-5p is where it is at!

Wahoo's

This is chain fish tacos. Seriously, don't do it unless you are really hungry.

Zocalo
They serve decent tacos but they're a bit overpriced. Also, they seem to be confused about what carnitas are.

OneTaco
This trailer is in the parking lot of Little Woodrow's. We enjoyed their straight-up bean and cheese tacos. Everything else? Not so much.

Garrido's
Garrido's is a sit down Fancy-Mex restaurant. It is generally expensive; but their brunch is surprisingly affordable. They have pretty good, fresh, homemade chips (but they charge for them). $2 Mimosa's at Brunch.

Downtown

El Sol Y La Luna
Certainly not my favorite, but some people swear by their enchiladas. Its convenient location on Red River and 6th St guarantees it will be packed.


*La Condesa
Probably the best fancy tacos downtown. Try the huitlacoche!


South Lamar-ish

***Papalote
Amazing breakfast tacos and lunch special. Eat everything!

Maria's Taco X-Press
Overrated, but 'ok' tacos.

*TacoDeli
Tacos done right. This isn't really on South Lamar, but its close enough if you don't mind some cross country hiking. We'll be serving their tacos at the SXSW Taco Meet Up.

South Congress/South First

Guero's
If you are a fan of Grindhouse, you may enjoy this place (it featured prominently in it). The tacos are mediocre, at best. This is only included in case you are either desperate or tempted by the crowds.

Torchy's 
Everyone is going to tell you to go here. It's decent, but not worth the crowds. Walk down to El Primo or La Mexicana and get twice the food for the same price.

**El Primo
2101 South First. Great tacos, friendly service.

*Mellizoz Tacos
Great tacos on S. 1st - and if they are around try the lobster rolls at Dock & Roll next door.

La Mexicana
Open 24 hours. Great tacos. Go there anytime.

North

*Paco's Tacos
Near Austin Film Studios on 51st St. Great breakfast tacos and great half flour/half corn hybrid tortillas. If you are in the area. Do. Not. Miss!

*Tamale House

An Austin institution. A bit off the beaten SXSW path, but not that far.

SXSW Taco Map

View SXSW Taco Map 2013 in a larger map

View SXSW Taco Map 2013 in a larger map

SXSW Taco Dictionary

• Al Carbon: Grilled over charcoal
• Al Pastor: Pork with adobo seasoning. Excellent.
• Beef Fajita: Grilled skirt steak
• Carne Guisada: Stewed meat usually with gravy
• Carnitas: Roasted Pork
• Lengua: Tongue
• Tripas: Intestines
• Menudo: Tripe Soup
• Chicharron: Fried (or not) Pork Skin

SXSW Taco Eating Hints

1. Everything tastes the same after 6 beers. Feel free to skimp on the quality.
2. If you have consumed less than 6 beers, walk the few extra blocks to eat the good stuff.
3. Unless otherwise stated, avoid the chicken tacos.
4. Despite what everyone will tell you, you totally do NOT have to eat at Torchy's. No, it won't blow your mind. Punch everyone that tells you otherwise.
5. Don't buy pre-made breakfast tacos at most coffee shops. Eat them fresh. Seriously. Well, unless those pre-made breakfast tacos are at SXSW Taco Meet Up, in which case it is TOTALLY OK to eat them.
6. Don't be afraid to explore taco trailers we didn't mention. If they have a small line in front of them, they're probably pretty good.
7. Even if the order taker doesn't speak English, waving your hands and pointing usually works well enough.
8. Order a Jarritos (a Mexican fruit flavored soft drink) or a Mexican coke with your taco. It's just natural.
9. A lot of trailers, and some restaurants, are cash only. Bring some just in case.

Did we miss your favorite taco spot? Tell us and we'll rectify that shit -  tacojournalism@gmail.com

That Green Sauce that Austin Loves!

You may know it as the green creamy sauce at El Pollo Rico or Rosita's Al Pastor, the Doña Sauce at Tacodeli and yes, even the "you beat me to the ponch" HEB's own That Green Sauce. Y'know the one you can't live with out. So as a public service to you, I give you my simple-simplon version and 4 step process to making that verdie sauce that we all love.

Step One 

Get yo'self a plethora of chiles

I prefer jalapeños but you can add some poblanos si no eres un macho!

(ignore the red ones)

Step Dos

Boil 'em till it hurts. The chiles should be nice and limp (:/) before you take them out. 

Step 3

Put 'em in the blender and add the ingredients which is pretty simple. Salt to taste and the secret sauce is...canola oil! No it's not avocados or sour cream or cheese. It's straight up canola oil. That's what makes the salsa creme de la creme.

Step four

Pour it in you favorite bowl and go to town on it! You can also bottle it and try to sell it to HEB. I was thinking about it but who has the time, I got tacos to eat?!?

Sazz y Pazz, there ya go!

Breakfast Taco Book coming to a Taco Stand near you!

Yep, it's true. There's a Breakfast Taco Book coming! It's true cuz it was tweeted slashed instagram'd by our book publisher, The History Press. Check out the promo card and mi muy quick video while eating at Tacodeli. Yaaaameeee! 

Snoop Knows Best: Wanna Know How To Roll a Taquito?!?

Snoop-a-loop shows us how to roll a taquito (pr. tah-kee-toe)!!!

Coffee Shop Tacos: El Cenote

So here's the thing with coffee shops and tacos. Most of the time, they just don't mix. Not because tacos don't go with a good cup of Joe but because most cafe's around town don't make 'em good. Now the smart coffee shops bring in their tacos from local places and I prefer the ones that go well with my Doña sauce. Just sayin'.

There is a new coffee shop in town, circa 2012 and it's called Cenote. It's right off East Cesar Chavez and if you get there early enough, you might miss the crowd of los hipsters. As a #newdaddychronicle, I have no problems getting there early enough to avoid tight jeans and provocative shirts with provocative messages on them. Below is the early bird with kiddos in tow shot.

Now to the tacos. Yes, they do have house-made corn tortillas, yes, their chickens are happy - the eggs are todo organics y todo, the bacon is thick cut and is flown in from the hill country or something like dat. And yes, it is goooood. I tell ya, this little cafe knows their huevos! The price is pretty good too. For $350 a pop you can score a big breakfast taco. I have sobres (extras) on mine and can make two. The salsa is sweet, citrus-ee and spicy. Y'know living in the eastside sometimes it's nice to get something a little different, mas tasty y less greasy. From the huevos to the torts and the fixin's, this place is pretty spot on. Although sometimes I tend to need a little more sabor or pimienta with these tacos but the salsa matches it up. The only thing that messes things up with Cenote is the service. The staff isn't rude but they slowly jab at you for asking for extra little things. It just doesn't sit well with me. Other than that, they pretty good!

Cenote - 3.25 Estars!
1010 East Cesar Chavez
Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 524-1311

For crunchy fajitas, go here → El Nuevo Mexico Restaurant

I don't know about you but I love me some crunchy fajitas! Being from Texas, I have been known to make my carnies a little well done. In my later years, like now, I have learned to enjoy the more red, less cooked variety though. An old amigo turned me on to El Nuevo Mexico Restaurant. It's in a weird strip mall where Lamar and Anderson Lane meet. It's a simple and charming place, the kind you take your abuelita to on a Sunday morning (after Mass of course). I ordered the tacos al pastor and was into the "taco cousins" mood so I also went with fajita gorditas. I had their diner coffee. It was nice. I'm guessing it was either Nescafe or Folyers.

While I was waiting for la comidita I was hit with a *tortilla alert*tortilla alert*! Yup, the place makes fresh, hand-made corn and flour torts! In Austin that is hard to find. Most restaurants hang out con Los Lazies and buy them from a factory. Just kidding, they prally don't have an abuelita working at their shop or they just can't afford it. Aneejuays, here comes the food...

As soon as the fajita gordita got to the table I knew I was in for a treat! First off, the gordita masa was fresh, de maiz and lightly fried, not deep fried or on flour masa - the more traditional way. The fajita meat was crunchy on the outside yet tender on theee inside, with some nice peppery spices to give it a kick. Well just look at the photo down there. Yep, they good!

Of course, I was muy excited about the Al Pastor, especially with the fresh corn tortilla! Once I took a bite, I was like whaaaa happen to the trompo??? Yeah, I bit disappointing. I mean it was good but it left a dry after taste in my mouth. Okay, most places in Austin don't even do their Al Pastor on the trompo but this felt like the chanchitos were left sitting all by themselves in the corner of the comal for at least a day. Oh well, it was still good but not as good as I hoped. 

I didn't mention that I had some Ched - R - Peppers as Sonic likes to call them. They were real stuffed jalapeños (with seeds and all) that were also very tasty. I would definitely recommend El Nuevo Mexico and will probably try the Al Pastor again to try to redeem my experience with it. You should try it and while you're at it check out Canciones de Ayer with Mr. Louie! 

El Nuevo Mexico Restaurant - 3.5 Estars
911 West Anderson Lane
Closed until tomorrow 8:00 am - 9:00 pm (per their FB page)