Tag Buzzy

They say that the best bagel in New York City is the bagel closest to you. When it comes to finding the best breakfast tacos in Austin, the same rule applies. We are absolutely spoiled for breakfast tacos in this city. Masa is in abundance, eggs are whisked to perfection, and the potatoes are crisped in bacon fat (if you’re lucky). Not to mention, the SALSAS.

Here, breakfast tacos are a spiritual experience. An assortment of hot, delicious ingredients tucked inside a homemade tortilla, then wrapped tightly in foil and delivered in a brown paper bag—one filled with fresh, mini salsas and napkins and riddled with oil stains. Pair it with a cup of black coffee from one of Austin’s finest cafés and you’ll truly encounter heaven on earth. THIS is breakfast in Texas.

How We Tested the Best Breakfast Tacos

But if you’re pressing us to reveal the BEST tacos? Well, our local Austin team certainly has our favorites. Yet, when it comes to breakfast tacos, there’s always the feeling that a new stand-out is just waiting to be found. And unlike the buzzy (yet delicious) restaurants that call Austin home, you’re less likely to find your newest taco obsession from a hip Instagram page. No, this is an old-school word-of-mouth situation. Tacos belong to their most immediate communities. They’re sacred and yet, ask an Austinite their favorite spot and you’ll experience no gatekeeping. In seconds you’ll know exactly where to go—and likely, what to order.

Which is why we turned to our local readers and posed the simple question: “Best breakfast tacos in Austin?” The responses came swift and steady.

“Taqueria Jessica on Mc Niel. Piping hot every time and the potatoes are *sparkle emoji*”

“Granny’s—super small, fresh, but always delish and fast! Super sweet staff, too.”

“Migas poblanos taco from Veracruz…with their green sauce *green heart emoji*”

Several of you named our old standbys. However, there were some new ones in the mix, as well. For the sake of research, we did our due diligence by picking up an assortment of tacos from new-to-us spots on the East Side, North Austin, and everywhere in between. Our team tasted for four distinct categories: freshness of ingredients, complexity in flavors, chewiness of the tortillas, and that extra “something” that’s hard to define—but just happens to be the very thing that makes a breakfast taco so dang good. If you see them on the list below, they passed our marks with flying colors. And so, without further ado:

The Best Breakfast Tacos in Austin

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Best Overall: Veracruz

Veracruz stands undefeated when it comes to authentic Mexican food. The homemade corn tortillas are worth a visit in and of themselves. Plus, the menu boasts a deliciously fresh juice and smoothie bar. Over a dozen readers recommended the Migas Taco and we agree—this could be the very best breakfast taco in Texas. If you’re unfamiliar with migas, it’s typically a breakfast dish that combines tortillas, eggs, and vegetables. At Veracruz, the corn chips retain their crunchy texture as they’re mixed in with the freshest veggies, eggs, and cheese. And it’s all wrapped in a hot, sturdy corn tortilla—a generous portion size, to boot.

Reader Recos:

“Migas Taco—the ingredients always taste so fresh!”
“Migas Poblanos Taco and a Good Morning Juice”
“La Reina from Veracruz”
“The salsa is out of this world!”

Best Feel-Good Taco: Picnik

Hold on to your yoga mats, because Picnik is here to prove that breakfast tacos can be delicious and nutritious. Picnik accommodates many diets and lifestyles (paleo and gluten-free folks will rejoice) and the thoughtfully sourced ingredients taste as good as you’ll feel.

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Image courtesy of Tanya Sashi

Best All-Day Breakfast Tacos: El Tacorrido

Not every taqueria in Austin serves breakfast tacos all day, so when you need a bacon, egg, and nopales at three o’clock on a Saturday, head to El Tacorrido. Our small team was surprised and delighted to find that three of us named El Tacorrido as a favorite, myself included. I even hired El Tacorrido to cater my wedding rehearsal dinner… that’s how good they are.

Best For When You’re Really Hungry: Joe’s Bakery

Family-owned and serving Austin for over 75 years, this East Austin institution won’t leave you wanting more—until the next morning, that is. Dine in or order out, either way, you’ll be filled to the brim with perfectly overstuffed tacos.

Reader Recos:

“It’s the homemade tortilla for me!”
“Best bacon, egg, and cheese hands down!”
“Migas! They’re big and not overpriced!”

• Price: $
• 2305 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702 | 512-472-0017 | website | Instagram

Image courtesy of Joann’s Fine Foods

Best Lazy Sunday Vibes: Joann’s Fine Foods

If your ideal weekend brunch includes people-watching and breakfast tacos, head to Joann’s on South Congress to get your fill. The tacos—and the people—won’t disappoint.

• Price: $$
• 1224 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704 | 512-358-6054 | website | Instagram

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Best Hidden Gem: Taqueria Jessica

This family-run food truck was recommended by a reader and a happy find for this North Austin girlie. The tacos hit all the right notes during our taste test and I’m already a repeat customer. This was a stand-out in our taste test for the perfectly thin tortillas and fresh, flavorflu ingredients. Side note: they serve authentic birria on the weekends and I hear it’s the place to be.

• Price: $
• 7221 McNeil Dr. Austin, TX 78729 | 737-202-4312 | website | Instagram

Best Twist on Tradition: Fresa’s Chicken al Carbon

Fresa’s takes tradition and gives it a cheeky twist. Expect a mix of the usual suspects (eggs, bacon) and modern favorites (baby kale, black bean purée)—all delicious and served daily from 8 to 11 a.m.

Reader Recos:

“So many options! Delicious! Best salsa!”

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Image courtesy of Mylk Collective

Best Classically Austin: Taco Deli

For many, Taco Deli is the flavor of Austin. If you grab a taco from a coffee shop or the farmers market, expect it to be from Taco Deli. And with modern classics like the Otto and the Jess Special, it’s no wonder our collective city has stood up to agree: you simply cannot go wrong with Taco Deli.

Reader Recos:

“Papas, egg, and cheese with red salsa!”
“Jess Special and Otto!”
“The Otto.”
“Papas, bean, and cheese on corn. Perfection *star emoji*”
“It’s all about their papas.”
“Freakin’ vegan on a corn tortilla. I’m not even vegan, it’s just delicious!”

Image courtesy of Social By J Stewart

Best Under-The-Radar: Texas Honey Ham

IYKYK. And if you don’t, now you do. Texas Honey Ham boasts some of the most fiercely loyal fans when it comes to breakfast tacos. And with tacos like The Dragon on the menu (sausage, bacon, frijoles, cheese, habanero ranchero sauce) it all begins to make sense.

Reader Recos:

“Any combo. It’s not wildly known because it’s in Westlake!”
“It’s actually legit.”
“Tortillas are so fresh & ingredients (esp the ‘lil queso) are top notch *100 emoji*”

• Price: $
• 3736 Bee Cave Rd, Suite 6 Austin, TX, 78746 | 512-330-9888 | website | Instagram

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Image courtesy of Taylor Hannan

Best Austin Institution: Cicso’s

Cisco’s claims to be Austin’s oldest Tex-Mex restaurant—a historic landmark that is a delight to see on a street like E 6th, where new establishments arise by the day. Stop by the diner counter then head to the back for a frozen-in-time, 50s dining room experience. (And, not taco related but—treat yourself to an order of biscuits.)

• Price: $
• 1511 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 | 512-478-2420 | website | Instagram

Best Family Recipe: Granny’s Taco Truck

Granny’s Tacos—where everything is from scratch and the portions don’t hold back. We noticed a good amount of veggies packed in each taco during our taste test, along with a sweetness to the tortilla that stood out from the crowd. Speaking of crowd, the line will be long but you can now order ahead at the Cesar Chavez location.

Reader Recos:
“Great portion size for price. Migas taco is my fav. Nice people!”

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Best Buzzy Food Truck: La Santa Barbacha

If you’re after great breakfast tacos AND aesthetics, you need to head to La Santa. From our taste test, we could tell that the ingredients were high-quality and the meat was superb. Barbacoa is the main star here, so don’t expect the typical bacon, egg, and cheese. Honestly, you won’t miss ’em—these tacos are something to savor.

Final Word

Breakfast tacos will always and forever be the taste of Austin. Whether you hit up all the spots on our list or saddle on over to the nearest taco truck, Austinites know: a morning with breakfast tacos will always surpass a morning without.

Brands come and go, but those that blend a compelling story with a beautiful product stick in our minds forever. Daily Drills—with its much-anticipated collection drops and uniform of everyday essentials—checks every box. But more than that, the pieces evoke a refreshing ethos of leisure. Communicated through innovative colors and comfy, elevated fits, Daily Drills is a go-to for playful styles and a wardrobe of timeless, dopamine-boosting clothes. The brand confirms: we need to make time for rest, play, and for ourselves to live a purposeful, grounded life.

Given a peek inside Mary Ralph Bradley’s life, co-founder of Daily Drills, it’s obvious that the brand is inspired by the rituals that she and her co-founder (and best friend!), Kennedy Crichlow, practice daily. Her lifestyle evokes a laid-back, but intentional approach, with a schedule that’s punctuated by beach walks, ocean dips, and many an Aperol spritz. In a day and age where a brand’s success is largely driven by a captivating origin story, we look to the founders as an extension of the lifestyle being sold. With a window into Bradley’s world, it’s evident (obvious) that she is the real beach-loving, sunset-chasing deal.

Mary Ralph Bradley on Cultivating an Energizing Daily Routine

Bradley embodies a launch-and-adjust approach. While some stay stuck in the ideation process for years, Bradley and her co-founder, Kennedy Crichlow, decided simply to take the leap. “I had always dreamed of having my own clothing company,” says Bradley. When Crichlow approached her with the opportunity to launch an apparel brand, Bradley knew this was her chance. “A week later, we had a brand name and logo, an LLC in a month, and released our first collection just four months later.”

It’s proof that, with passion driving your decisions and an aligned product set in place, anything is possible—and success is well within reach. Ahead, we spoke with Bradley at her southern California home about everything from curating a decidedly Cali-cool vibe to the biggest learnings she’s gathered at every step of her journey. And from our conversation alone, it’s clear: Mary Ralph Bradley is just getting started.

Tell us about your career and starting a business. What has life been like as an entrepreneur?

Life has been a crazy fun ride over the last three years. Daily Drills was born in 2020 when Kennedy sent me a text that she wanted to start a clothing line. I was currently running my own social media business with my sister, but had always dreamed of having my own clothing company. So I took the leap and said yes! A week later, we had a brand name and logo, an LLC in a month, and released our first collection just four months later. 

I started Daily Drills from my Brentwood apartment just one year after graduating college and now I am married, with an office and a full team just a mile away from my house in Palisades! The whole journey has been lots of fun, lots of learning, lots of what-are-we-gonna-dos and even more I-can’t-believe-we-did-that’s!

The best part of it all is that I get to do it alongside my best friend and business partner. No matter what happens, I always have someone to ‘cheers’ with after the good moments and someone to share the burden with after the tough ones. 

What have been your biggest learnings over the past year? 

• Life doesn’t always go to plan and that’s okay!
• Things are better as “we.” Just because I can do it on my own doesn’t mean I have to! Everything is better as a team, whether it’s with my business partner or in my marriage. 
• Quality is better than quantity! One of my mottos is to say yes often, but say no enough to make your yes’s count. I love being spontaneous and saying yes, but I don’t have to say yes to everything. I’ve learned to use my yes’s wisely, and make them count. 

In a few words, how would you describe your personal style? 

Effortless. Oversized. Styled. 

Let’s get into your morning routine. What does a typical day look like for you? 

My mornings always start with a walk with my husband to the Palisades Village to pick up my favorite coconut iced tea from Alfred. Then I head back to the house to get ready for the day.

I pick out an outfit, style my hair, do my makeup, water the plants, freshen up the house, and head out the door. Oh and film my ootd! 

My office is a bit less than a mile from my house so I get there around 9. I work hard in the AM until lunch around 12. Have another wave of work in the office until 5. Then I head home and do any filming/brand partnerships I have that day. After that, I eat dinner with Houston [my husband], sometimes watch a show, and head to bed! 

What time is your wake-up call?

6:30 a.m. is my ideal. The coffee shop opens at 7, so that’s when you will see me there. Nine hours of sleep is ideal, but I have been catching lots of red-eyes as of late, so sometimes I’m not as lucky.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up? 

Open the window shades for natural light and make my bed.

What does your morning, pre-work routine look like?

Love a morning walk and talk—a walkie-talkie! I love how it sets the pace for the day, gets in some vitamin D, and allows space for my husband and I to chat with each other about the day. Or, if he’s not with me, it is the perfect time to call my sister or my mom and catch up.

What are your morning beauty routine essentials?

After my walk, I will shower off and do my makeup for the day. I like to keep it simple.

What do you eat for breakfast?

I usually don’t do breakfast before work. I’m an iced white coconut tea girl! I always feel better waiting until 11 or 12 to eat.

What will we always find in your refrigerator? 

I am more of a *a la carte* refrigerator girl. Aka, sparkling water, stuff for charcuterie, a bottle of wine, and some fruit from the farmer’s market.

What are your morning rituals? 

Walk, Talk, Tea, Ready, OOTD, Go! 

What are your favorite books? 

Loves Does by Bob Goff.

What’s always on your nightstand?

A glass of water to drink in the AM, my Hatch alarm (it’s the way to wake up), a jewelry dish, and my phone.

What’s your favorite getting-ready soundtrack? 

Always a country girl! I say, “Alexa, play today’s hot country!” 

Do you work out in the morning? 

Always a walk. I love to do Pilates at a local studio 1 to 2 times a week and love to add a Megan Roup Sculpt Society after my walk a few times a week.

What’s your daily uniform?

Walk: Daily Drills Go! Set 

Work Uni: White tee, jeans (winter), poplin shorts (Summer), a sweater (Jenni Kayne) in my bag, tennis shoes, and a work bag.

If you had one extra hour every morning, how would you use it? 

I would love to do an ocean dip every AM if I had the time to wash my hair!

What are one or two things you do every day to live a more present life? 

My husband and I love our “Gentle Hours.” We started this during Covid. We try not to work, look at the news, or bring up stressful or work-related conversations from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. This has helped a ton and my friends know this about us so they help us keep ‘em gentle.

If you could pin your success down to one thing, what would that be?

I think I have always been myself… true to things I love and have always been consistent. When I set my mind to something I will find a way to get it done. I have been like this since I was little. 

Sentence Finishers:

I never leave the house without: an iced green tea or sparkling beverage of sorts! 

If there were more hours in the day, I would: jump in the ocean… stretch… drink more water. 

Healthiest morning habit: make my bed.

Worst morning habit: I snooze my alarm once.

One thing I want to be known for is: my kindness 

The one thing I fear the most: the dark! 

When I feel that fear, I: set the house alarm hahaha and put on a worship song. 

The book I always recommend is: Love Does by Bob Goff.

One trait you need to succeed in life is: good humor.

Bath or shower? What’s your favorite shower/bath product? Shower! Neutrogena Body Wash and Oil.

Matcha, mushrooms, and dark leafy greens all prove that there’s no shortage of functional food options to pile on our plates. In the same vein, just as we’re getting ready to reach for our PSL, the lemon water movement still holds strong. And when it comes to the Ayurvedic practice, we’re proponents incorporating a citrus-spiked mug into our morning routines. Why? Because drinking lemon water in the morning comes with plenty of health-boosting benefits.

It’s said to promote digestion, flush out toxins, and be the ultimate gut detox. Many of the wellness elite claim to start every morning sipping the elixir and reaping the benefits day in and day out. But is lemon water really as good for you as it sounds and do its magical, purported benefits hold up? Is this holy grail of health really worth the hype?

Featured image by Michelle Nash.

The Expert

Today, we’re separating fact from fiction. For all the deets on this detoxifying beverage, we tapped Georgia Thompson, an Austin-based Integrative Nutrition Health Coach whose healthy hot takes and gentle approach to wellness keeps our social feeds positive, informed, and inspired.

Ahead, Georgia’s sharing everything you need to know about lemon water—from a breakdown of its benefits to how to make it a part of your own morning routine.

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The Benefits of Lemon Water in the Morning

I’m personally a huge lemon water fan! Above all, when we infuse water with anything that we enjoy—lemon, mint, cucumber, berries, etc.—we tend to be enticed to drink more of it. While, yes, lemon juice specifically does provide some health benefits, I think simply drinking MORE water is the biggest health benefit of adding lemon water into your daily wellness routine.

To get more specific, though, lemon juice contains a healthy dose of vitamin C (1/6 of your daily recommended amount in 1/2 lemon). The benefits of vitamin C include:

• Supports our immune system.
• Provides antioxidants that protect cells against free-radical damage.
• Necessary for collagen production, iron absorption, and wound healing.

Likewise, the citric acid found in lemon juice can aid in digestion as it has been shown to boost gastric acid secretion, a digestive fluid that allows you to break down and digest food in the stomach. Just be careful as TOO much lemon might trigger acid reflux.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that lemon water is a weight loss or metabolism cure, but it certainly can be a part of the larger picture. Making small tweaks to your routine like swapping a sugary soda or juice with lemon water could indeed help weight loss. Yet it’s more about choosing this healthier alternative than the lemon water itself.

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How to Make Lemon Water a Part of Your Morning Routine

I recommend drinking lemon water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning as a reminder to hydrate before coffee (a common habit for many of us!). Plus, it can also be a wonderful way to wake up your digestive system.

If you’re looking for digestive benefits, I recommend enjoying lemon water before meals as the boost in gastric acid will help you more efficiently digest your food. But overall, anytime you remember to drink water is a good thing!

[Lemon water is] thought to help kickstart your digestive system which can be sluggish in the morning for many people. I likewise think it’s become popular in the morning as a way to hydrate and replenish first thing (especially before coffee or other dehydrating, caffeinated drinks).

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Do you drink lemon water? If so, what benefits have you noticed?

I love my “morning drink” which consists of warm water, lemon juice, a splash of apple cider vinegar, and cayenne pepper. This might be a bit intense for some people, so I’d recommend starting with just lemon water, adding some honey to the concoction or swapping cayenne with cinnamon. These additions add to the digestion-boosting benefits of lemon water.

I’ve personally found this drink helps when my digestion is sluggish, and it makes me mindful of hydrating more throughout the day when I make it a priority first thing in the morning.

This post was originally published on August 19, 2022, and has since been updated.