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Nacho Average Tacos: Houston’s 5 Best Taco Shops

taco-shops-houston
  • Authenticity: It's important for us to check if the tacos were prepared using traditional recipes and cooking methods, including the choice of tortillas to the preparation of salsas and meats.
  • Quality of ingredients: We considered restaurants that used fresh produce, high-quality meats, and homemade tortillas.
  • Menu variety: We considered whether the taco shop offers a variety of fillings, from classic choices like carnitas to creative and unique combinations, ensuring customers remain interested.
  • Portion size: We checked the portion size to ensure customer satisfaction.

Forget about crossing borders just to get your authentic taco fix! While Houston has close proximity to Mexico, you can save yourself the trip and just choose the best taco shops in town that won’t even require you to brush up on your Spanish!

Join me as I guac and roll my way through Houston’s best taco shops, where each bite will have you screaming ‘Más, Por Favor!’ 

1. Tacos Doña Lena

tacos-do-a-lena

Products: Tacos, Enchiladas, Gorditas, Tortas, Tortilla Strips

Website: https://www.donalenatacos.com/ 

Address: 8788 Hammerly Blvd G, Houston, TX 77080, United States

Contact Details: +1 713-993-6486

Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Google reviews score4.6/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency5/5
Authenticity4.7/5
    Traditional cooking techniques    4.7/5
    Use of regional ingredients    4.7/5
Quality of ingredients4.8/5
Menu variety4.5/5
    Range of fillings    4.5/5
    Specialty or seasonal taco variants    4.5/5
Portion size5/5

While relatively new, Tacos Doña Lena has already created a cult following in Houston, serving the best tacos in town. Aside from tacos, customers can buy tortas and enchiladas.

What’s great about Tacos Doña Lena is that they also offer a Mexican breakfast menu of chilaquiles tacos with fried egg, allowing clients to choose a different kind of breakfast than usual.

What we love about Tacos Doña Lena is that they have a lot of sauces to choose from, allowing customers to explore beyond the usual salsa. This allows this taco shop to cater to customers with various spice preferences.

They also serve drinks that go well with tacos such as their famous horchata with cinnamon, which we love.

Another thing we like about Tacos Doña Lena is that their staff loves greeting all customers upon entering the taco shop, making guests feel at home right off the bat.

Moreover, we like that the staff at Tacos Doña Lena is proactive enough in explaining their taco options while providing recommendations based on the preferences of their customers.

While Tacos Doña Lena expects a high volume of customers, the orders are still taken and served promptly, letting their customers enjoy their meals without any delay.

Pros

  • Prompt service
  • Wide range of taco sauces

Cons

  • High client demand
  • Some reports that the tacos are a bit salty

Still good to eat even when the tacos are no longer warm

“I ordered catering for a party and everyone complimented these Tacos.

So I am reviewing on behalf of 60 People. Even after cold the tortilla was still good to eat it did not had that hard texture like elsewhere if not warm. The decoration is cute small and very Mexican. Service was perfect everyone was helpful and nice. They had my order correct and before time! Will cater again! ❤️🙏”

Nicolle Galindo, Google Review

Serves authentic Mexican food

“Great spot for authentic Mexican food. We came after seeing a post on Instagram and glad we did. Food is not very expensive and it tastes great. Perfect sizes as well. The good tasted authentic which is sometimes hit or miss with Mexican restaurants. Definitely stop by for a bite of your craving Mexican food. Parking is okay and there’s enough sitting for the wait times to not be so long during lunch rush.”

Cristian Vazquez, Google Review

2. Loz Lokoz Takoz

loz-lokoz-takoz

Products: Tacos, Fajitas, Limon, Horchata, Aguas Frescas de Sandia

Address: 14519 Walters Rd, Houston, TX 77014, United States

Contact Details: +1 346-316-7191

Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 AM; Friday – Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM; Sunday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Google reviews score4.2/5
Total reviews4/5
Score consistency5/5
Authenticity4.7/5
    Traditional cooking techniques    4.7/5
    Use of regional ingredients    4.7/5
Quality of ingredients4.8/5
Menu variety4.5/5
    Range of fillings    4.5/5
    Specialty or seasonal taco variants    4.5/5
Portion size5/5

Loz Lokoz Takoz has been known to serve the best tacos and fajitas in Houston. This taco truck is a great option for those craving tacos but prefer a grab-and-go option.

Meanwhile, we appreciate that those who wish to stay a bit longer can still sit down at Loz Lokoz Takoz’s dine-in benches.

We love that guests with cars won’t have a hard time looking for parking spots, as the car wash next to Loz Lokoz Takoz is also owned by the same proprietor.

What we like about Loz Lokoz Takoz is that they manage the orders pretty well. We appreciate how they handle both dine-in and takeout orders, allowing them to process everything accurately. 

Speaking of orders, we liked the fact that the meats were tender and well-seasoned during our visit. We even love that the salsa and toppings are made in-house, giving customers an authentic taste.

However, we noticed that the quality of tacos at Loz Lokoz Takoz tends to decrease during busier times which usually happens after the sun sets. 

It’s also worth noting that there’s usually a longer wait time. For those who are in a rush, it’s best to explore other taco shops in Houston.

Pros

  • Grab-and-go option
  • Efficient order management
  • Ample parking space

Cons

  • A few reports about inconsistency in quality
  • A bit expensive
  • Serving takes time

Great place to grab a bite

“I have known a few people that have been to this vendor prior to my first time. I have heard nothing but great things about this vendor and the food always looked and smelled very appetizing.  One day on my way home I decided to give them a try and see what all the talks was about. Sure enough I was amazed at the quality of the food. For sure, it’s a little pricey but it’s worth it,believe me! It is definitely going to give you something to talk about when people ask if you know of any good places to grab a bite.”

Martin, Google Review

Good portion size

“Great food and portion size for reasonable prices!!

Best barbacoa burrito I ever had. Im a black dude but I’ve been dating hispanic women since middle school. Also see alot of hispanics come here for that real home-made taste of the cuisine.”

Jamaal Piggue, Google Review

3. Tatemó

tatemo

Products: Tacos, Tasting Menu

Address: 4740 Dacoma St Ste F, Houston, TX 77092, United States

Operating Hours: Wednesday, Friday – Saturday: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM; Thursday: 6:30 AM – 11:00 PM

Google reviews score4.3/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency5/5
Authenticity5/5
    Traditional cooking techniques    5/5
    Use of regional ingredients    5/5
Quality of ingredients5/5
Menu variety4.6/5
    Range of fillings    4.6/5
    Specialty or seasonal taco variants    4.6/5
Portion size4.5/5

For customers who prefer a high-end taco shop, Tatemó is the best option.

With its tasting menu, guests can try tacos with unique and curated fillings. Imagine eating tacos filled with black bean puree, or tempura eggplant—something far from the usual, which we love!

We love how their staff accommodates each of their guests like VIPs. Some customers even say that they feel like they rented out the place for private use because of the level of attention they get, which we find impressive.

It’s quite commendable that the staff takes their time to hear detailed questions about certain dishes. Even better, they happily provide clear answers, making guests feel more comfortable during their dining experience.

On top of that, we admire Tatemó for accommodating various dietary restrictions. This flexibility and commitment to inclusivity highlights the taco shop’s thoughtful approach to cater to all guests, which is a plus in our books.

Meanwhile, we appreciate that Tatemó also offers a more casual setting for those who want a more straightforward taco experience every Sunday.

It’s worth noting, however, that Tatemó only accepts guests with reservations, no walk-ins are accommodated. Moreover, for those who wish to bring their own wine, corkage fees apply.

Pros

  • Offers tasting menu
  • More classy setting
  • Detail-oriented and accommodating staff

Cons

  • No walk-ins; strictly reservations only
  • Corkage fees apply

Quiet and intimate environment

“Took my fiance here for his birthday. The food and service were exceptional, not just with our server but all the servers. It’s a nice, quiet, intimate environment. A hidden gem In Houston. Thank you to the tatemo team for a wonderful dinner execution. 10/10”

Asia, Google Review

Showcases Mexican heritage

“The food. The experience. The attention to detail. Chef Emmanuel’s commitment to bringing food to the table that showcases Mexican heritage in such a thoughtful and creative way is simply amazing. I didn’t know how versatile maize was until we ate here last night. We enjoyed the 7 course tasting – wished we could get seconds and thirds of the quesadilla, carne asada, and buenello- and will absolutely be back!!!”

Jennifer Collins Vela, Google Review

4. Little Rey

little-rey

Products: Tacos, Mexican Dishes, Wood-Roasted Chicken, Margaritas

Address: 2345 Mid Ln, Houston, TX 77027, United States

Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Google reviews score4.3/5
Total reviews4.3/5
Score consistency5/5
Authenticity4.2/5
    Traditional cooking techniques    4.2/5
    Use of regional ingredients    4.2/5
Quality of ingredients4.3/5
Menu variety4/5
    Range of fillings    4/5
    Specialty or seasonal taco variants    4/5
Portion size4/5

Little Rey is one of the best taco shops in Houston that offers street-style tacos, freshly made sauces, and margaritas.

What’s great about Little Rey is that all their tortillas are well-seasoned, allowing customers to get a great taste of Mexican flavors even before indulging in the meats and sauces.

Speaking of sauces, we love that Litte Rey has a dedicated sauce bar that offers a diverse range of sauces. This allows customers to explore the flavor based on their preferences.

Another thing we love about Little Rey is that they have an outdoor patio with outdoor seating. We love that they even dedicate this space for families with little kids or furry pals, so they can roam around in a larger area.

Aside from the sought-after tacos, customers can line up to try Little Rey’s signature wood-roasted chicken, which is cooked authentically over coals.

We also like that customers can get their sweet fix at Little Rey. With unique ice cream flavors such as tres leches and salty cajeta, customers will enjoy desserts without having to transfer to another place.

However, we find that the portion sizes at Little Rey are quite small, which doesn’t justify the price we paid.

Pros

  • Has a dedicated sauce bar
  • Freshly-made sauces
  • Well-seasoned tortillas
  • Has an outdoor patio

Cons

  • Tips or gratuities are quite high
  • Portion sizes are quite small

Frozen margaritas are good

“Perfect place for a quick meal. Everything we had was outstanding. Our favorite were the smoked wings! We shared the family chicken dinner it was plenty of food for 4 people to share. The chicken was delicious. The frozen margaritas were pretty good. Service was great as well.”

Sonya Winfree, Google Review

Well-seasoned food

“I have to admit I was skeptical. This place was great and food was seasoned well. The staff was so kind and nice! We got the grilled chicken dinner that feeds 4, the street corn, wings, queso and margaritas. Food was priced well for the area and what you got. My favorite things were the grilled chicken and the rice. The wings were smoked and were slightly too spicy for me, but I could see why people recommend and love the wings. Lol, one added tip – THE MARGARITAS ARE STRONG.”

Nina To, Google Review

5. The Little Taco Shop

the-little-taco-shop

Products: Tacos, Mexican Dishes, Wood-Roasted Chicken, Margaritas

Website: http://www.thelittletacoshop.com/ 

Address: 3411 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77098, United States

Contact Details: +1 713-239-0879

Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Google reviews score4.5/5
Total reviews5/5
Score consistency5/5
Authenticity4.7/5
    Traditional cooking techniques    4.7/5
    Use of regional ingredients    4.7/5
Quality of ingredients4.8/5
Menu variety4.9/5
    Range of fillings    4.9/5
    Specialty or seasonal taco variants    4.9/5
Portion size4.8/5

What we love about The Little Taco Shop is its generous use of ingredients. We like how each taco is richly filled, offering customers a satisfying bite every time.

What truly sets them apart is their commitment to authentic ingredients. They even use actual Argentinian dulce de leche, adding authenticity and flavor to their lineup!

We commend the guys from The Little Taco Shop for letting this authenticity translate into their homemade salsas and tortillas. The salsas are made in-house, and the tortillas are made from scratch, ensuring customers a more fresh and flavorful taco experience.

Our team is also quite impressed with The Little Taco Shop’s staff. We love how we feel welcome, assisting our special requests and dietary concerns.

On top of that, vegetarians will find satisfying and flavorful options at The Little Taco Shop. We appreciate this inclusivity as this will ensure that everyone, regardless of dietary preferences, can enjoy a meal at The Little Taco Shop.

Moreover, we appreciate the generous serving portions at The Little Taco Shop. Each dish is served in ample quantities, allowing friends and families to share a meal.

However, we noticed that there’s a lack of preset combos or plates at this taco shop. Purchasing entrees and slides individually will definitely add up quickly, making the overall cost higher than expected.

Pros

  • Generous portions
  • Homemade tortillas and salsas
  • Has vegetarian menu

Cons

  • Lack of preset combos or plates
  • Some reports of missed calls, especially closer to midnight

Generous with the ingredients 

“Went in for a late night snack. The shrimp quesadilla had a wonderful smokey flavor and the steak burrito was quite meaty. Delicious! Definitely would come back for the quesadilla.”

Fabian Hoyos, Google Review

Open until midnight

“I love this joint! Only been around for a couple of months, but getting popular quickly. Very nice people, very clean joint, very easy to get to and park. Highly recommend checking it out. Great atmosphere, and they have a nice bar. Open till midnight! Love that.”

George Ankar, Google Review

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