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Houston only earns 5 entries on Texas Monthly's top 50 tacos list

Azteca Taco House ranked No. 3 on the list.

Azteca Taco House/Facebook

Football may be the state's obsession, but arguing about food is a close second. When an authoritative list like Texas Monthly's 50 Best Tacos in Texas is released, plenty of armchair quarterbacks argue over what taco editor José Ralat got right — and wrong.

Although Ralat has served in his post since 2019, the October 21 rankings were his first definitive overview of Texas' best tacos. By his own account, the editor traveled 14,000 miles, tasting tacos at more than 400 restaurants from Amarillo to Brownsville.

Houstonians might be disappointed to see only five entries in the top 50, but the city did merit two in the top 10. Ralat also named three Houston restaurants to his list of honorable mentions.

Carlos Gallegos of Azteca Taco House secured the No. 3 slot with his costillas en salsa verde, described by Ralat as "chopped, bone-in pork ribs stewed in a tart green salsa." He recommends chewing carefully to avoid biting into the bones. Chefs Stephanie Velasquez and Nicolas Vera of downtown's Papalo Taqueria ranked No. 7 for their zanahoria, which features confit carrots topped with salsa and pepitas that's served on a nixtamalized corn tortilla.

Papalo Taqueria zanahoria The zanahoria taco is made with confit carrots. Papalo Taqueria/Facebook

In all, Houston secured five of the slots on the introductory survey. Though tradition factored into Ralat's reasoning, he also considered unconventional tacos, assessing the overall taste and the tortilla. Besides Azteca and Papalo, the local winners range from one of Houston's most iconic restaurants to newer upstarts.

Cochinta & Co.: Vegan Tinga
The Original Ninfa's on Navigation: Tacos al Carbon
Tres Chiles: Barbacoa de Borrego

Three more Houston restaurants earned honorable mentions:

Henderson & Kane General Store: Green chorizo
Tacos Frontera: Tijuana-style carne asada
Villa Arcos: Super Bacon

Elsewhere in Texas, San Antonio topped the list with an impressive 10 entries, topped by No. 8 — the Big Red and barbacoa taco flight at Stixs & Stone. Austin boasted eight, led by No. 10 contender Nixta Taqueria. Dallas tied Houston with five entries, led by Revolver Taco Lounge at No. 4. The top spot, however, went to Ana Liz Taqueria in Mission. Led by Ana Liz Pulido, the winner of the James Beard Awards' Best Chef: Texas nod for 2024, the taqueria scored high marks for its deconstructed chile relleno taco.

The full list is available at texasmonthly.com.

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flying into Houston

Chopped champion's Indian-spiced fried chicken joint opens in Midtown

One of Houston’s most dynamic chefs has unveiled his take on fried chicken. Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

Located at 3201 Louisiana, the restaurant is the latest concept from chef and Chopped champion Jassi Bindra and business partners Surpreet and Preet Paul Singh, the trio behind Indian fine dining restaurant Amrina in The Woodlands. Bindra’s fried chicken recipe uses a gluten-free flour and starch batter that’s seasoned with Indian Kashmiri red chili powder along with other herbs and spices. It’s pressure cooked to ensure the meat stays both juicy and crispy.

The certified halal chicken is available as strips, sandwiches (made with thigh meat), and chicken breast bites.Those looking for a heartier meal, can get their chicken served on top of sidewinder fries or in the “Rice & Shine,” which includes basmati rice and Bindra’s “Desi kimchi.” Beverage options include Akra, an American-style lager that’s brewed in India, cannabis-infused drinks from 8th Wonder and non-alcoholic options such as sodas and a mango lassi.

“At Pok Pok Po, we’re creating something that’s not just a meal but an experience,” Bindra said in a statement. “We’ve taken everything people love about fried chicken and given it a twist with bold, gluten-free recipes and flavors that truly speak to the diversity of Houston.”

While most counter service restaurants are designed primarily for to-go, Pok Pok Po’s 55-seat dining room caters to those who want to enjoy their meals. It features banquette seating and a white-and-black motif that will also be present at Bol, the restaurant’s sister concept that’s opening soon.

The two restaurants occupy part of the former Artisans space. Medium Rare, an affordable steak frites restaurant from Washington, D.C., recently opened next to Bol and Pok Pok Po.

Courtesy of Pok Pok Po

Pok Pok Po is now open in Midtown.

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flying into Houston

Chopped champion's Indian-spiced fried chicken joint opens in Midtown