Austin’s (Not So) Secret Taco Spots

You won’t find this gem on the recent Michelin list, but if you show up around lunch or anytime the sun is down, you’ll quickly see the word is out on Taqueria De Diez.

Tucked into an alley way off of Trinity in downtown Austin, this little taco shop encapsulates the hustle and bustle of downtown Austin. Serving Tijuana tacos on a limited menu, De Diez offers up true delights.

You might find yourself in a line in the alley way, with a friendly bouncer orchestrating a ‘one out / one in’ method for access. Once you enter, you pass a small bar serving up quality margaritas, but continue on. Once you fully enter, you’ll see plenty of folks delighting in tacos at a handful of tables. The queue moves quickly to order as you lean against stacked cases of Jarritos.

There are only 3 choices for proteins: Carne Asada (Grilled Sirloin), Adobada (Pork al Pastor), Pollo (Grilled Chicken). For the veggie route, De Diez offers Nopales (cactus) and arroz & frijoles (rice and beans). All the tortillas are made in house and you won’t go wrong either way. The true magic is in the Adobada. You’ll see a rotating spit of perfectly seasoned pork, sizzling as it comes around the heat elements. The line cook continues to slice off the edges as they brown. After you order, you take your ticket to the counter and let them know any customization. Don’t mess around and simply say “con todo” (with everything). The adobada taco comes served with sliced pineapple adding the perfect sweetness and acid to the savory grilled pork. Also, don’t sleep on the guacamole…it is perfectly balanced.

After you have your order, head to the salsa bar. There you will find sliced limes, roasted peppers and various salsas. My personal favorite is the dark red roasted salsa. If you’re not having a Jarritos, consider pairing your tacos with a fresh margarita.

The vibe is high in this little taco spot and Taqueria De Diez never fails to hit the mark.