Friday, March 26

iTacos - The TacoJournalism App

What do tacos and technology have in common? Nowadays, everything! Over the last year, we've been working with our amigo Tony Buckingham on developing TJ's iPhone app - iTACOS. We've debated what should be included in it; any taco joint, our fave spots, our blog posts, ads, no ads, names, etc. So we finally agreed to publish the 2.0 taco version. Consider it an app that's somewhere in between the taco trailer and the full on restaurant. You'll like how easy it is to use but sometimes you'll need to speak Español or add some cebollitas to get the order just right! So here it is in all it's glory with some helpful tips...

The name: iTACOS
It is the Taco Journalism app but there was a limit on the letters. So we went with iTACOS. Also, the singular version was taken by one of those eating/drinking your iPhone types.

Price: Free! What a deal!

Locations: Austin, Texas only - The Breakfast Taco Capital of the World!

Functions:
Taco Locations - If we've tasted it, you'll find it. Only TJ taquerias make it on list.
Search - It's linked with Google GPS and will find the nearest TJ taco joint near you. You can search by zip and map the locations.
Taco Details - It's linked to our blog so you'll be able to read our posts, reviews & best rated tacos as well as the taqueria details.


Get it today! Download iTacos for free @ the App Store 

Stay hungry my friends!
Mando

Tuesday, March 23

Taco Stand Translation Guide

We did a similar taco survival guide for SXSW but this is more thorough. Read this, understand it, and use it.

Jay from Guns & Tacos says:

To optimize your taco-eating experience, I thought I’d relay a few tips that might prove helpful. Some are pretty basic, so bear with me.

1. Always bring cash. Preferably small bills.

2. If you’re not a fluent Spanish speaker, try English first. Most taco truck attendants have remarkable psychic abilities and can interpret your hungry non-Mexican gestures and awkward, ugly English quite well. Also, if you start using Spanish, they might think think you are fluent and respond in really fast Spanish.

3. Do not allow them to put lettuce and/or tomatoes on your taco. If this happens, write “CILANTRO Y CEBOLLAS” across the side of the taco truck with the nearby red salsa squirt bottle.

Taco Stand Translation Guide

Tuesday, March 16

Cuatro's



If there is one thing I like better than food, it is food and beer at the same time. There are a lot of great places in Austin to get good food, or good beer. Unfortunately, the list of places with both is not as long as I would like. It's certainly not inherent in the institution: Casino El Camino has proven that bar food doesn't have to be mediocre. Unfortunately, there is no taco-equivalent of Casino El Camino; and Cuatro's really doesn't fill that niche.

I call Cuatro's a bar with a few reservations. They bill themselves as a bar and grill, and they have high chairs, a kid's menu (with crayons) and a full menu. However, while bar and grill is accurate, they're really geared towards the bar crowd: it's in west campus, it has a decent beer line-up, it has many, many TVs ( all tuned to sports, of course ); also, it just 'feels' like a bar. .


The space is large with a lot of open air seating overlooking 24th St. I found it a bit garage-like, but still nice. Unfortunately, the tacos were mostly not. I had the taco combination plate which consisted of two tacos, rice and beans for $7. The chipotle chicken tacos were bland, dry and stringy. They tasted like they were cooked, bare, and then had a small amount of 'chipotle' sauce lightly drizzled on top. The just led to a kind of unmanageable 'soggy' taco. Equally unimpressive was the picadillo taco, which, while not exactly 'bad', was just very forgettable.

They did do a few things right though. At the waitress' suggestion, my dining partner ordered two Kona tacos (pulled pork with pineapple, topped with cilantro and onions). They were actually pretty good, kind of like a pulled pork version of Al Pastor. The pineapple added a great sweetness that really rounded out the dish. If I had ordered those, rather than my drab, listless tacos, I would have been much happier. Also worth noting is the Chips and Queso 'Especial' (queso, ground beef, pico, guacamole), which pairs great with almost any beer. I would order it again, for sure.

As a taco establishment, Cuatro's is mediocre at best. However, I can see myself returning to enjoy a beer and queso in the future.

Cuatro's - 2 stars - The Commish
1004 24th St.
Austin, TX 78705
512-243-6361

Friday, March 12

SXSW Taco Meetup

Taco Journalism is bringing you the real deal breakfast tacos to the downtown area! We know the breakfast taco options downtown are limited so we are partnering with our friends Tacodeli, Joe's Bakery and Mi Madre's to make sure you get your fix before you leave town!

We will also have fresh coffee by Thunderbird Coffee and freebies by Cafe Bustelo!

Come hungry my friends!

The Taco Journalists

More info on Facebook


View Taco Journalism Taco Meetup in a larger map

SXSW Taco Guide

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.


Eastside
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
On East 7th, pretty close to the action. The place is great. It's families and neighbors and newbies all mixed 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.

West Sixth
Whole Foods
The taco bar is in the front of the store by the deli. It'll get the job done, but there are much better places around.

Screaming Goat
Formerly named Chuco's; this is pretty much the same place. They have truly great chips and salsa. Try their drowned flautas and the quesadillas. This place is definitely worth the extra walking.

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
La Casa Del Fuego
The breakfast tacos at this trailer are pretty good. They do them right too: they cook all of the ingredients together and let the flavors mix

El Sol Y La Luna
Certainly not my favorite, this sit down restaurant charges for chips. The food is ok, and some people swear by their enchiladas. Its convenient location on Red River and 6th St guarantees it will be packed.

El Chilito

They serve fast tacos and beer, downtown. Some people like it. This place became an El Chile and then turned back into an El Chilito all since the last SXSW.

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

South Lamar-ish
Maria's Taco X-Press
Overrated, but 'ok' tacos. Film geeks: this isn't too far from the Alamo Drafthouse South.
Sazon
Only on here because it is close to the Drafthouse South.

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 Taco Tweet-up.

South Congress/South First
Smokilicious
Tucked behind the Crepe trailer. Their fajita chicken and brisket tacos are better than Guero's. You can definitely taste the smoke.

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. OK tacos, friendly service.


Izzo's Tacos
Fancy tacos in a trailer. Meh.

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

SXSW Taco Map

View SXSW Taco Map 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
  • Tripe: 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 a coffee shop. Eat them fresh or not at all. Seriously. Well, unless those pre-made breakfast tacos are at The Taco Journalism Breakfast taco Meetup, in which case it is TOTALLY OK to eat them(because they're free.)
  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.

Tuesday, March 9

Breakfast Tacos Anyone?

Austin is definitely known for it's breakfast tacos, from a straight up bean and cheese to potato and eggs to a classic migas taco. And now the world may know a little more about why we love our breakfast tacos! A couple of months ago, I had the tough job of representing the Taco Journalism Mafia in an interview with John T. Edge who writes the United Tastes column in the New York Times. Yeah, the NYT! The story tried to crack the Texan/Mexicanism of the breakfast taco. Did he succeed? You be the judge. Check out the story and our little quote...IN THE NEW YORK TIMES!!! YES, I'M YELLING WITH EXCITEMENT!!!

Tacos in the Morning? That's the Routine in Austin

AUSTIN can’t claim taco primacy. That category is too broad, encompassing too many variations in style. When it comes to breakfast tacos, however, Austin trumps all other American cities. Read full story here.


So in honor of the story and breakfast tacos everywhere, I give you the TJ Breakfast Taco list...


Top Breakfast tacos in the ATX

Tacodeli – The Vaquero: Eggs, grilled corn, roasted poblano

& Monterrey Jack Cheese.

Porfirio’s Tacos – Bean and Egg taco

Joe’s Bakery – Bean, Egg and Bacon (bacon is lightly battered and deep fried)

Mi Madre’s – Machacado taco

Luviano’s – Barbacoa taco

La Mexicana Bakery – Chorizo and egg taco


Did I miss any? Tell us about it!


Stay hungry my friends!

Mando

Taco Journalist