Taco spots are a dime a dozen in Central Texas, but finding the cream of the crop is exactly what James Beard Award-winning writer, José R. Ralat, does for a living. Two Austin taco joints landed on Ralat’s new Texas Monthly list of “The 25 Best New(ish) Texas Taquerias in 2026.”
Austin’s Comadre Panadería and Paprika ATX were named among the best taco spots in the Central Texas region alongside four San Antonio taco joints: Aguazul, Anacacho Coffee & Cantina, Tacos on the Street and Waca. As for what to order at Comadre and Paprika ATX when in Austin, Ralat had a few favorites.
What to order at Comadre Panadería in Austin
Founded by San Antonio native Mariela Camacho, Comadre is a lauded East Austin bakery best known for its unique pan dulce, but Ralat also recommends the bakery’s newly added breakfast tacos.
Comadre Panadería’s “Taco de Piña” is a sweet puff pustry filled with pineapple jam. (Mariela Camacho/Courtesy of Mariela Camacho)
“The bean and cheese taco is a true power combo in which velvety pintos are caught in a net of salty cheddar,” Ralat wrote in the article. “The sublime nopales, egg, and cheese taco-an homage to Camacho’s mother-features chopped and seared cactus pads seared in a chile de árbol–spiked, ranchera-style salsa.”
He also praised Comadre’s “Taco de Piña,” which he described as a “sweet, baked delight of pineapple jam in puff pastry.”
Find it: 1204 Cedar Ave, Austin, TX 78702
What to order at Paprika ATX
Founded as a food truck in 2019 by husband-and-wife duo Margarito and Hayden Pérez, Paprika ATX is now a restaurant best known for its pork trompo tacos, only available on Saturdays. In addition to Paprika’s signature trompo tacos, Ralat also enjoyed its carnitas and suadero tacos.
Paprika is a Mexican food truck in Austin located next to Michi Ramen. (Google Street View)
“The carnitas are cooked in the traditional cauldrons called cazos and have a touch of sweetness,” Ralat wrote. “The suadero-which is roughly chopped and simmered in beef tallow-tastes best in a special suadero taco with spicy salsa macha. Perhaps the best day to visit is Saturday, when pork flies off the trompo and into tacos al pastor for the line of salivating customers.”
Find it: 6539 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
In addition to his top 25 list, Ralat also gave an honorable mention to Sabor Tipico Guanajuato in Austin for their pineapple and cucumber-lime aguas frescas, which he says are blended fresh per order.
This article originally published at 2 of the best taco joints in Texas are in Austin, new Texas Monthly report says.