If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, the decision on where to get breakfast tacos should not be taken lightly. And, in Houston, deciding where to get your morning haul is no simple task. From corner to corner of the city, breakfast tacos can be found at coffee counters, delis, and full-service restaurants, with countless varieties that serve as a great start to the day.
While there is no simple answer to the question “Who has the best?”, it’s safe to say there are some clear favorites in Houston. From taquerias and restaurants to longstanding food trucks, there are numerous places that will satisfy early morning taco cravings. Consider this guide as a solid starting point, and let the exploration of Houston’s best breakfast tacos be an everlasting one.
Brothers Taco House
Established in East Downtown in 2003, this family-owned spot is recognizable by its pink roof and long lines out the door. It’s wise to know exactly what you want on your taco, because the staff at the steam table work like a well-oiled machine, ready to slap on whatever meat you prefer, whether it’s barbacoa, beef guisada, al pastor, or sausage. There are traditional additions like chicharron and lengua (beef tongue), the tortillas are homemade, and there is a variety of salsas and condiments to finish off the taco of your dreams. 1604 Emancipation Ave., Houston, brothers-taco-house.foodjoyy.com
Tacodeli
While it has been more than 25 years since Tacodeli first opened in Austin, the beloved taco shop is still relatively new in Houston. For years, Houstonians remained fans from afar, but today, the it has two locations: one on Washington Avenue near Downtown, and the newest in Uptown’s Post Oak Plaza. A dedicated menu of breakfast tacos is offered daily, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekdays, and extended hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. Varieties range from traditional bacon or chorizo, egg, and cheese to more imaginative combinations like scrambled eggs with corn and roasted peppers, and as always, guests can opt for corn or flour tortillas. 1715 Post Oak Blvd. Ste. C, Houston, tacodeli.com
Villa Arcos
Founded by Velia Arcos Rodriguez Durán in 1977, Villa Arcos remains one of Houston’s great family-owned and operated institutions, known specifically for its breakfast tacos. Today, operations fall under the watchful eye of Durán’s grandson, Jacob Torres, who honors her legacy by continuing to use the very same recipes the restaurant earned so much acclaim for. With its focus being breakfast and lunch, Villa Arcos opens as early as 6 a.m. on weekdays and 7 a.m. on weekends, and shutters at 2 p.m., giving early and late risers a generous window in which to score. Many will argue the super bacon taco is among the best breakfast tacos in the city. 3009 Navigation Blvd., Houston, originalvillaarcos.com
The Pit Room
The Pit Room gets as much praise for its breakfast tacos as its ‘cue, and for good reason. Available seven days a week, from 7 to 10:30 a.m., the Pit Room’s breakfast tacos are built on tortillas fried in beef fat, giving them an added layer of savory flavor. Combinations like brisket and egg, jalapeno cheddar sausage and egg, and potato and egg come with a slathering of refried beans and range from $4 to $7. As an added perk, guests are welcome to customize their tacos to their heart’s content with complimentary toppings like pico de gallo, salsa verde, and pickled jalapenos at the condiment bar. 201 Richmond Ave., Houston, thepitroombbq.com
La Guadalupana
This longtime bakery and cafe is known for its pastries, but it also serves up some of the best breakfast tacos in Montrose that pair well with its cafe de olla. Options include a basic home-style taco with eggs, potato, and sausage, and the taco especial loaded with eggs, potatoes, chorizo, bell peppers, and cheese. Opt for the a la Mexicana version, which gets a spicy mix of jalapenos and tomatoes. Don’t forget to purchase an almond croissant for later. 2109 Dunlavy, Houston, laguadalupanacafeand bakery.com
Cochinita & Co.
What began as a pop-up from chef Victoria Elizondo is now a bustling brick-and-mortar in Houston’s East End, where epic breakfast tacos are offered daily beginning at 8 a.m. Take full control of building your taco, by choosing from corn or flour tortillas, and fillings like egg, nopalitos, bacon, vegan chorizo, and more. Pair with a horchata latte or caffe de olla–Cochinita & Co. boasts a full coffee bar. 5420 Lawndale St. #500, Houston, cochinitaco.com
Soliz Casa de Tacos
In 1984, Connie Soliz opened this taco concept in Stafford, then expanded with a location in the Galleria at Fair Food Co. This fall, a new outpost opened in Richmond, and Soliza has plans for even more restaurants in the future. The breakfast tacos are beloved, made with corn or homemade flour tortillas, and fillings like eggs, potatoes, pollo asada, piccadillo, and al pastor. There are also signature tacos like the Darlene, made with eggs, potato, bacon, beans, and cheese. Pair with an iced coffee or a churro latte. Multiple locations, soliztacos.com
La Mexicana
Breakfast is on offer all day, every day at La Mexicana, beginning at 7 a.m. each morning. The Montrose stalwart, which prides itself on using the same recipes and techniques for the last four decades, uses fresh eggs and housemade flour tortillas for every taco and breakfast plate. Tacos can range from $3 to $7, depending on what kinds of fillings are included, with options like sliced avocado, chile con queso, and chicharron. La Mexicana recently expanded its Houston footprint, with a new outpost at the Stomping Grounds in Garden Oaks called La Mex where its famed breakfast tacos are also offered daily. 1018 Fairview St., Houston, lamexicanahouston.com
Sunrise Taquitos
There are three locations of this taco spot, including one attached to a Shell gas station in Memorial. Customers can build their own tacos with fillings like bacon, sausage, migas, and beans, then add toppings such as pico de gallo and grilled peppers. For something different, there’s the machacado taco, made with shredded dried beef, eggs, tomatoes, onions, and jalapenos. The green salsa is a must-use condiment. Multiple locations, sunrisetaquitos.com
Tacos A Go Go
There’s real girl power at this hip and fun taco shop that was founded by Sharon Haynes in 2006. She’s joined by chef and co-owner Maribel Gomez who has created a menu of innovative street tacos that keep customers returning. Breakfast tacos are served all day, in varieties like the spicy Chori-Mex and a veggie lover’s egg taco filled with grilled zucchini, mushrooms, and spinach. Look for the soon-to-be-open Heights locale that will have a full bar program, curated by Bobby Heugel. Multiple locations, tacosagogo.com
La Chingada Tacos and Tequila
The breakfast menu here is impressive, with huevos made in all sorts of ways and a number of breakfast tacos. From beans and smoked sausage to ham and potatoes, there are all kinds of fillings to add to the eggs. Among the standouts is the chicharron verde, a tortilla filled with slow-cooked pork rinds in a tangy tomatillo sauce. There’s a full bar with margaritas, plus non-alcoholic agua frescas. 1402 Northwood St., Houston, lachingadahtx.com
The Taco Stand
Owners Matthew Pak and Shawn Bermudez have been hitting it out of the park with their taco concept, recently opening a third outpost in Montrose. The Taco Stand’s breakfast choices include chorizo and potato, sausage and egg, and migas. There’s even an option with vegetable chorizo, plus other choices like nopales, brisket, barbacoa and bacon. Every taco can be made into a burrito for a heartier morning meal. Multiple locations, thetacostandhtx.com
Cantina Barba
With its tin roof and neon lights, this taco shack is part eatery, part cocktail bar. According to its menu, breakfast tacos are “served all damn day.” Varieties include steak and eggs, pork hash with jalapenos, and the barbacoa deluxe. Depending on the time of day, you can enjoy your meaty treats with a pineapple hibiscus margarita or Big Ass Bloody Mary. The patio is a cool spot to hang out, especially during happy hour. 3701 Main St., Houston, cantinabarba.com
Tacos Doña Lena
Street tacos and birria are this Mexican restaurant’s claim to fame, but fans love its breakfast tacos too. The recipes are based on the tacos created by Magdalena Cabrera, who sold them out of her home for nearly 30 years before the family opened the restaurant’s original Spring Branch location in 2020. Tacos Doña Lena has since expanded to the Heights and has never been more popular. The tortillas, handmade corn or flour, are filled with scrambled eggs, then topped with a choice of fillings like beef, barbacoa, frijoles, bacon, or ham. Guests can also try the breakfast torta, tostada, or sope. Multiple locations, donalenatacos.com
Tita’s Taco House
This bright blue building, located next to a bright yellow tire shop, has been serving tacos in Humble since 2019. The interior is just as colorful, with nearly every inch of the walls covered in murals of Batman and Robin, Mexican wrestlers, and a lion. Expect tortillas made in-house and a large lineup of proteins that can be a bit daunting. Know what you want, order with confidence, and consider dressing up your tacos with onions, and a ccouple of different salsas. 320 Wilson Rd., Humble, titas-taco-house.foodjoyy.com
