Austinites could tell travelers that Quantos Tacos are the best value for money, but not everyone has access to local information. Fortunately, there are also reviews online. Yelp has aggregated data on the best tacos across the country, the entire United States, and narrowed it down to the top 1 taco joint per state.
Cuantos Tacos ranks #1 in Texas with a 4.7-star user rating based on 288 reviews. True to the flavors of Texas, these tacos are known for their rustic, Mexico City-style creations. Most of the little masterpieces feature one of the main event items, such as carnitas, pork tripe, or chorizo, and garnishes of onion or cilantro. Sometimes melted cheese or salsa appears, and quesadillas are garnished with grilled onions and blistered peppers.
All of this sounds great, but Yelp’s verdict was determined by the numbers. Spots are ranked using a combination of business ratings and amount of reviews. So if you want to score another taco, ask your keyboard or your neighbor.
Texas winners are no strangers to winning awards. In 2022, it was named Restaurant of the Year at the Tastemaker Awards, as voted on by CultureMap’s peers and editors. This category was the broadest of the entire competition and included some of the city’s most upscale brick-and-mortar restaurants, so it was a big win.
Here’s what editor Chantal Rice said at the time:
“There are few things Austinites value more than a simple, delicious taco. And this eye-catching yellow food truck parked on the east side definitely delivers the goods. Mexico City-style street tacos With a mouth-watering menu, Cuanto Tacos doesn’t hold back when it comes to exacting seasonings, meaty ingredients, and traditional Mexican flavors. Tacos like the barbacoa, brisket, and carnitas tacos are must-haves. But many local taco lovers are still drawn to the perhaps unfamiliar cuantos tacos, which feature delicacies such as pork tripe (buche), Mexican chorizo (longganisa), and beef cheek (cachete). The tacos are mouth-watering, and of course, every dish on this small but fun menu is worth trying.”
We’ve also been praised by Austin Monthly (recommended Suadero Tacos) and the Austin Chronicle, and featured in Texas Monthly’s Curated Austin Taco Trail.
Austin native and Quantos taco chef Beto Robredo is part of the jokingly named Taco Mafia. The Taco Mafia is a group of chefs from acclaimed taco shops around the city, including James Beard Award-winning Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria, Chausse Velasco of Discada, and Anthony Pratt. The group is producing an eight-episode PBS documentary series in 2023 that will explore the deeper meaning of tacos to the communities around them, including important themes such as sustainability, immigration, and cultural appropriation.
Other notable winners on Yelp’s list include Los Tacos No. 1 in New York City; And Bronco Tacos in Boise, Idaho, has the only perfect 5-star review.
All 50 state winners are listed on Yelp. Click to see what reviewers say about Quantos Tacos. The truck is located at 1108 E 12th St. Business hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 AM to 10 PM, and Saturday, 9 AM to 8 PM. For more information about the truck, visit cuantostacosaustin.com.
