What's In Store?
This walking taco tour takes you through East Austin’s tastiest taquerías, from Michelin-approved trucks to long-loved neighborhood faves. Along the way, you’ll savor everything from mole-drenched tacos and juicy barbacoa to smoky birria consume, creamy horchata, and garden-grown garnishes that bring the flavor full circle.
But this isn’t just about what’s on the plate. You’ll stroll past iconic murals, explore a vibrant community garden, and hear the stories behind each taco stop… because every tortilla has a story to tell.
Taco ’bout a perfect day in Austin. Come hungry, wear stretchy pants, and let’s walk, talk, and taste our way through Austin’s most beloved food-following, one unforgettable taco at a time.
Posted on Tripadvisor M NVerified Our favorite experience in town! BOOK THIS TOUR! Stop thinking about it and just do it. We ate from 5.. count that FIVE BBQ joints- each with something different that was each so yummy. Almost all the places included interesting and on theme sides. My husband couldn't stop raving about this tour. Our guide Codi was so friendly and had lots to history and inside stories to share about each of the places. I would do this again if we were in town! Mums- pastrami sandwich KG- the most amazing smoked lamb chop La BBQ- chipotle sausage, brisket Rollin Smoke- Carnitas taco Micklethwaith- pork ribPosted on Tripadvisor gqubedVerified The Best Texas BBQ Experience The bbq is top notch, *so* delish! The true stories about how the top bbq pitmasters made it to where they are (the top of the Texas food chain) are rooted in historical and cultural significance. Our guide, Codi, shared her personal bbq journey and that of the entire Central Texas region. It’s the *best* way to experience Texas BBQ!Posted on Tripadvisor Explore22903655159Verified Must do!!! This was such an awesome experience and so worth it!!! Codi and Glen were the best tour guides, so fun and sweet and really took the tour to the next level with their warm hospitality! They were very knowledgeable on the background of each location and had tons of interesting insight into each chef/restaurant and we really enjoyed getting to know them. You can tell they love what they do and it made our tour so special. Each meal was very unique, so we were never bored and it was the best way to try 5 incredible spots without having to wait in the very long lines that we would have otherwise have to wait in. This tour is perfect for both locals and visitors and has something for everyone! Very kid friendly too, as we had a toddler with us and they were so sweet to her. This was the perfect way to spend Father’s Day, we’ll definitely be recommending this tour to everyone!Posted on Tripadvisor Jocelyn WVerified Great day of BBQ! Wonderful experience! We got to try 5 different BBQ joints, most of which are Michelin rated. We had a great day and our guide was super knowledgeable about all aspects of barbecue food and culture in Texas. Skipping the lines was great and we tasted so many things, would definitely do again if we are in Austin again.Posted on Tripadvisor Kenneth DVerified Great BBQ Tour! Absolutely great barbecue tour! We came from out of state on a business trip and decided to try the Locals Know Barbecue Tour. Codi is awesome. She knows the local food and barbecue scene inside and out and is great to have as a tour guide. She also provides some real insights into the histories and of each place you visit. Well worth the price without a doubt. Highly recommend booking a trip.Posted on Tripadvisor Passport07782937032Verified Codi is the best! Our gal Codi is the best!!!! She did a wonderful job and was insightful, knowledgeable, and a ton of fun! Had a lot of laughs! Great host!Posted on Tripadvisor Michael HVerified Great Tacos and local walk Tour was fun and the tacos were great! Loved the last stop the most and cool to see some of the local art throughout Austin.Posted on Tripadvisor Lisa OVerified Tasty taco discoveries in E. Austin We had a great time on the Taco Tour! The guide took us to some places we hadn't tried, and all of the tacos were delicious and unique. Hard to pick my favorite spot or taco but loved the quesadilla/taco at Santa Barbacha, the shrimp taco from Granny's, the churro donuts at El Chile. And our guide, Rachel, was full of great information about each location & the history of some of the dishes. Glad there was some walking involved - great way to explore the neighborhood while getting some movement between dishes. Highly recommended to locals and visitors alike!Posted on Tripadvisor Adam BVerified Great tour, worth the money We had a fantastic time on this tour with Codi! We had a great variety of BBQ and what each place had to offer, not just brisket and ribs. Also I loved skipping the line at famous places that had long lines. I would do this again.Posted on Tripadvisor 677staceymVerified A special treat...meat! What a treat to experience amazing meats Texas style. It was a great variety from pastrami, lamb, duck and more. Cori was very knowledgeable and did a fantastic job of getting us around town even when the marathon had traffic snarled. Our group also got to meet a pit master as well.
✓ Tour Times: Fri.,11:30am & Sat., 11:30am
✓ Location: Central East Austin
✓ Tour Length: ~2.5 hrs (~1 mile)
✓ Guests: 3-14 tour-goers
✓ Stops: 4 Nationally Recognized Taquerias & 3 Murals
✓ Includes: Local Food & Culture, Restaurant Gratuities, & NA Drinks
✓ Optional Drink Package: $35
✓ Corp & Private Tours: Available Mondays – Sundays (email for details)
Where Are We Headed?
Stop 1:
Don’t let Austin’s humble food truck scene fool you. This taco truck has made Bon Appétit’s “Best Tacos in the Country” list and continues to be a local legend. This East Austin staple slings scratch-made tortillas stuffed with bold, soulful flavors like their signature mole taco (complex, rich, and a little bit magic) and the wildly popular shrimp taco with creamy chipotle sauce. With lines that start early and flavors that linger long after, this stop is proof that sometimes abuelita really does know best.
Stop 2:
Famed as a Michelin Guide Recommended, La Santa Barbacha is holy ground for barbacoa lovers. Chef Ana Torrealba slow-cooks her beef to juicy perfection and pairs it with hand-pressed colorful tortillas, fresh cilantro, and house salsas that hit all the right notes. And the pineapple mint agua fresca… it’s the chill to your chile. This isn’t just a taco truck, it’s a spiritual experience you did not know you needed.
Stop 3:
A neighborhood favorite for nearly two decades, Eater Austin calls this tacquera one of the city’s “Essential Taco Joints.” Known for its vibrant patio and laid-back vibes, this stop brings us signature al pastor tacos with charred pineapple and salsas that deserve their own trophy case.
Stop 4 & 5:
We’ll slow things down with a stroll through Este’s garden where fragrant herbs and edible flowers are harvested daily for their coastal Mexican menu. Named one of Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America, Este is where the sea meets the soil in East Austin. While we breathe in the scent of epazote and mint, we’ll also stop for pics at a few of the most iconic murals nearby—color, culture, and fresh food all in one short stint.
Stop 6:
Featured in Texas Monthly and beloved by locals for its modern Tex-Mex, this cantina delivers the goods with crispy-queso birria tacos dunked in smoky consomé and tortillas that soak it all in. Add in their roasted salsa and a killer patio, and you’ve got yourself a birria baptism. This place walks the line between comfort and culinary craft so well.
Bonus: The chips and roasted salsa are practically a love language, and we’re fluent.
And for dessert…
Just when you think you’re stuffed, we’ll surprise you with one last sweet bite—a crispy, cinnamon-dusted treat that ends the tour on a high. (No spoilers, but let’s just say churros might be involved in the making of this dessert but they’re not how it ends.)
Savor Rich History & Bask in Backstories
This isn’t just a taco tour—it’s a stroll through the sabor and soul of East Austin. As you crunch, dip, and sip your way through each stop, you’ll also take in the vibrant culture, deep-rooted history, and creative spirit that make this neighborhood unforgettable. From family-run taquerías to trailblazing chefs rewriting the taco canon, every bite has a backstory.
Along the way, you’ll pass murals that speak louder than words, gardens that nourish more than menus, and streets that have seen generations of flavor. Come hungry for tacos, leave full of Austin’s amore.
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