The Ultimate East Austin Showdown: Tacos vs. Burgers

Austin Favorite Handheld Foods Go Head-To-Head

Words Abby L. Johnson | Photos Baptiste Depois & Will Bowling

Whether you’re a die-hard tortilla fanatic or a connoisseur of buns, it’s indisputable that the Austin food scene takes both their tacos and burgers seriously. From traditional recipes to entirely novel concepts, chefs across the city feed the masses with their take on two beloved comfort meals. While we’d never dare to give up one or the other, we’ll certainly highlight some of our favorite handhelds and have a little fun seeing how they stack up. Let the fist fight begin!

ROUND 1

Tiny But Mighty

There’s nothing quite as delightful as strolling up to a food truck and walking away with a quick meal that meets, or surpasses, the quality of an expensive plate at a brick-and-mortar restaurant. While taco trucks might reign supreme in terms of sheer numbers, burgers also shine in the competitive world of Eastside food trucks.

An offshoot of the brick-and-mortar staple that lies just across I-35 on Airport Boulevard, JewBoy Sliders takes JewBoy Burgers back to their East Austin food truck roots with a pared down menu that packs a punch. Situated in front of Violet Crown Social Club, chefs sling smashed and seared sliders late into the night, feeding the rowdy 6th Street crowd. They keep it simple, offering up just two variations on their mini burgers. The Gringo offers exactly what the name suggests: a patty smothered in a slice of American cheese. The cheesy classic is heightened with their house-made aioli (A.K.A. Schmutz Sauce). Those who want a little variation on this American-style cheeseburger can opt for the Vato, served with a Hatch Green Chile ranch spread, grilled jalapeños, and melted pepper jack cheese. This spicy number satisfies heat seekers without allowing the flavor of the patty to disappear into flames.

In a similar vein to JewBoy, taco truck Discada has also honed in on one menu item done right. The eponymous style of cooking, referred to as cowboy-wok cooking, utilizes an unusual instrument. A mix of beef, pork, and veggies are slow cooked in a tractor plow. Yet, with the speed that taquitos leave the truck window, it’s easy to forget the time and care put into each mini taco. The filling is marinated for a full day before making its way to the ‘wok,’ where it steadily reaches perfection over the course of six hours. Once it makes its way into its penultimate destination of a soft, warm tortilla, the perfectly moist meat is topped with sweet pineapple and cilantro that adds a brightness to the savory treat.

jewboyburgers.com | 5111 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

www.discadatx.com | 1319 Rosewood Avenue, Austin, Tx 78702

Side Chicks:
Flyrite’s Cowboy Sandwich is sure to please, with spicy breaded chicken, bacon, cheese, and jalapeños packing a massive Southwest-inspired flavor punch.
flyritechicken.com | 2129 E 7th Street, Austin, TX 78702

Granny’s Tacos ‘Rico’ taco offers a combination of tender chicken with a nutty and complex mole sauce, paired with flavorful Mexican rice. It provides an even balance of savory, sweet, and spicy to kick any chicken and mole craving.
grannystacosatx.com | 1401 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

Something Fishy…:
Veracruz All Natural’s Grilled Fish Taco combines smoky grilled tilapia with the crunch of cabbage, the sweetness of mango pico, the creaminess of Monterey Jack cheese, avocado, and the bite of chipotle mayo salsa. This well-rounded blend of flavors and texture is just one of many local faves on their menu.
veracruzallnatural.com | 2505 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78702

At Terry’s Seafood, a fish sandwich is the main attraction! They offer patrons a choice between flavorful catfish or cod smothered in tangy tartar sauce.
terrysseafood.com | 1805 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78702

ROUND 2

It Doesn’t Get Any Cheddar Than This

There’s nothing ‘grater’ than smothering a subpar meal in melted cheese, but true turophiles know that striking the right ratio and matching the flavor profile of the main ingredients are what makes or breaks a cheesy deal.

Dai Due represents the flavors of the region by meticulously sourcing ingredients from Central Texas. From the oil in the frying pan to the garnish on the plate, everything the chefs cook up is imbued with the essence of the local land. The hefty Dry-Aged Wagyu Double Cheeseburger contains layers of Texas-sized flavor. The first-rate texture and flavor inherent to Wagyu are enhanced by Dai Due’s bacon. Both the Wagyu and bacon are ground together, creating a beautiful, intoxicating balance of salty goodness. What makes this cheesy delight soar is the excellent cheddar from Stryk Jersey Farm, located in Schulenburg, Texas. Crunchy dill pickles and a sauce especial bring out the best in both the cheese and the meat while adding even more texture to this legend-dairy burger. A side of French fries with beet ketchup adds a delightfully earthy flavor that perfectly completes the meal.

For those who have ever wondered how to get more queso in their taco without bursting through their tortilla, La Santa Barbacha’s Cheese Taco is cheesy on the eyes and satisfies the savory-tooth. In a move that feels a bit like cheesy inception, the chefs nix the traditional wrap for a cheesy shell that forms the outer layer of this satisfying taco. Inside, gooey cheddar surrounds perfectly seasoned barbacoa and chicharron. The symphony of textures in this taco is sure to have patrons cheesing.

daidue.com | 2406 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722

la-santa-barbacha.square.site | 2806 Manor Rd. Austin, TX 78722

ROUND 3

Go Nuts For These Meatless Marvels

For those who never wonder “Where’s the beef?,” there are numerous opportunities to indulge in plant-based fare that doesn’t compromise on flavor. With many creative minds putting veggies to the test, meatless alternatives are becoming the main attractions, enticing the veggie-curious with satisfying and complex flavor profiles. These dishes not only rival their animal counterparts but also stand on their own as one of many mouthwatering options on meatless menus across the city.

It’s nothing but delicious food and great service at De Nada, the brightly colored cantina that lights up its cozy corner on East Cesar Chavez. Amidst the many delights of their taco menu (fan favorites include their slow-cooked barbacoa and seared fish) is a garden-fresh hidden gem: the Calabacitas taco. A vegetable medley graces the handmade blue corn tortilla, featuring a blend of perfectly seasoned savory squash, corn, and tomatoes. The slight natural sweetness of the fresh veggies are offset by smoked black beans that add a filling, creamy element to this light dish. A chipotle slaw adds just the slightest hint of heat and a satisfying crunch. A generous portion of buttery avocado adds not only great taste but also makes for a pretty flash of green to top off this picturesque taco. De Nada is a gluten free establishment, but they can also easily alter this vegetarian option for vegans by removing the mayo on the slaw.

Sunny’s Backyard, on the other hand, is a fully vegan pub that delights in comfort food, aiming to bring a sophisticated palate to the table while retaining the simply fun element of a delicious burger, fries, and beer combo. Post up with friends at one of the casual picnic tables that dot their spacious lot and order the Black Garlic Burger. A pillowy brioche bun washed in an earthy, slightly sweet black garlic aioli cradles a perfectly charred burger. The texture of crunchy pickles and greens stands in complementing contrast to the yielding bun and the melted Chao cheese.

denadacantina.com | 4715 E. Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

sunnysbackyard.com | 3526 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702

Go Meatless: Vegan Nom and Nom Burgers are sister trailers bringing the best of both worlds in one convenient location.
thevegannom.com | 2324 E Cesar Chavez St #A, Austin, TX 78702

Nissi’s Tex-Mex is all vegan, and they make a mean birria taco with all the juicy goodness one could hope for.
www.nissivegmex.com | 9012 Research Blvd Unit C-6, Austin, TX 78758

Mr. Natural is a longtime Eastside staple that delivers solid vegetarian tacos and burgers, as well as plenty of other veggie versions of timeless classics, in a laidback environment.
mrnaturalatx.com | 1901 E Cesar Chavez St A, Austin, TX 78702

ROUND 4

Gettin’ Juicy With It

Get greasy or go home. It’s impossible to think about two formidable competitors without evoking visions of flavorful drippings making their way onto hands, and inevitably, down the wrists of those who choose to get down and dirty. Mess aside, a good juicy burger or taco is indicative of a flavor bomb sure to hit the spot.

After a brief hiatus, beloved taco truck Palo Seco 512, formerly known as La Tunita 512, is back in birria business. This quaint trailer specializes in one heck of a messy, delicious taco known as birria de res. These tacos are traditionally served with a side of consommé for dipping. Hungry patrons roll up their sleeves and dunk the taco, tortilla and all, into the flavorful beef broth for the full experience on the messy side. The bright red, chile-spiced beef is incredibly tender and made all the more succulent when drenched in its signature sauce. Palo Seco devotees line up for this gratifying specialty, and the truck often sells out. Those who are ready to get their hands dirty and their tastebuds singing make it a point to arrive early.

Hi Hat Public House’s Bar Burger is another delightfully drippy treat. The house Tasty Sauce and rich 44 Farms beef are the agents to blame, but all is forgiven after biting into this straightforwardly delectable dish. A brioche bun dressed in house pickles and the obligatory lettuce and tomatoes envelop the thick patty. The laidback atmosphere of this music-centric Eastside watering hole puts patrons at ease, allowing any self-consciousness caused by wayward sauce to dissipate into the background of this toothsome experience.

hihatpublichouse.com | 2121 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702

instagram.com/palo.seco512 | 2400 Burleson Rd, Austin, TX 78741

ROUND 5

Keep It Classy

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Some traditions and recipes stick around for a reason, continually passed down through the generations not only for the sake of convention but also for their damn good results. Finding the perfect prototypical burger or taco might be for the birds, but these tried-and-true family customs deliver consistently
delicious results.

Jacoby’s Restaurant and Mercantile is a rustic ranch-to-table restaurant focusing on elevated American fare, specifically zeroing in on Texas’ regional specialties. It’s only natural, then, that their Texas beef burger is the star of the show. This burger is a whopping half-pounder made from Jacoby Brand beef, sourced from the namesake family’s cattle ranch. Since 1981, the Jacoby philosophy of raising all natural, hormone and antibiotic free cattle has resulted in some of the most flavorful beef in Central Texas. In addition to their excellent ranching conditions, they use a 21-to-28-day dry aging process to bring about a most tender result. The large-and-in-charge patty is dressed up with cheese and the usual accoutrements, but it is the beef itself that does the heavy lifting in this Texas-sized burger.

Enough about cows. When talking pig, one particular taco style stands out as staple amongst the rest. Since 1985, Rosita’s Al Pastor has been feeding not only bellies but also souls with their traditional al pastor tacos. The homemade flour tortillas lead the charge, their structural integrity and flavor shining a light on the main attraction that is the spit-grilled, red-hued pork. Brought to Mexico by Lebanese immigrants, the al pastor style of cooking involves marinating
thinly sliced meat and placing it on the trompo, a rotating spit, traditionally heated over charcoal. The slightly crispy pork on the outside of the spit is then shaved off in small, tender bits. The resulting taco filling is smoky, tender-yet-crunchy, and tinged with just a subtle touch of heat. Add Rosita’s green salsa, oft rumored to be one of the best in town, for an extra dousing of flavor.

jacobysaustin.com | 3235 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78702

instagram.com/rositasalpastor | 1801 E Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78741

Eastside Classics Checklist: