5 of the Most Taco-Obsessed Cities in the US

Almost everyone’s got a favourite type of taco. From the flame-grilled pork of tacos al pastor to Baja California’s tacos de camarones, this deceptively simple dish comes in thousands of combinations. The USA has developed an almost cult following for this humble eat – travel to some of these taco havens and you’ll have to agree.

Austin, Texas

Austin is all about live music, keepin’ it weird, and eating tacos – basically a dream destination if you’re a laidback music-loving Booker with a salsa addiction. Whether or not this is the birthplace of the breakfast taco, Austinites definitely love their tacos served up with loads of fried eggs, cheese, and avocado.

Just east of downtown, you’ll find a ton of taco trucks and family-run Mexican restaurants. The Heywood Hotel puts you close to many of the best spots so you can roll back to your room – or bike if you decide to take advantage of their free bike rental.

New York, New York

It’s no surprise that a city as dynamic as New York has some of the world’s trendiest tacos. Food trucks dish out Japanese-Mexican tuna poke wonton tacos, while hole-in-the-wall eateries draw crowds for tortilla-croissant hybrids filled with lamb shoulder or roasted chickpeas. But NYC also does more traditional styles justice – from West Village bistros serving up lobster on white linen, to Tijuana-style shacks cranking out spit-roasted pork on the countertop.

Bookers can find amazing Mexican and fusion taco joints all around the city, but the area around Chelsea and Washington Square Park has plenty of taquerias, with Los Tacos No.1 Chelsea Market Stall serving up—quite possibly—the very best. Chelsea Pines Inn, a cozy B&B in a townhouse less than a five-minute walk away, is the perfect place to sleep it all off.

San Antonio, Texas

Sights like the Alamo and the San Fernando Cathedral make San Antonio a hotspot for City Bookers and history buffs, while the lively Riverwalk and El Mercado have lots of small-town charm. But what keeps Bookers coming back is the local taco scene. San Antonians are often rated as the most obsessed in the country – and their Tex-Mex tacos are so delicious (and affordable), you’ll be wanting them for every meal.

To find favorites around town, ask a local – food trucks with names like “Pimp my Taco” and family-run spots on El Mercado are said to be the best in the city. Don’t forget to try the puffy taco, San Antonio’s deep-fried tortilla, topped with shredded chicken and cabbage. When it comes to places to stay, the inviting Omni La Mansion del Rio is close to plenty of tasty taco joints, and its Riverwalk location means you can walk it off post feast.

Los Angeles, California

The City of Angels has more taquerias than you could visit in a lifetime. With stands and stalls scattered across every corner of this sun-soaked metropolis, it’s a place where the food scene changes constantly. Like New York, lots of top chefs means lots of experimentation – think Korean short rib, North African shakshuka, or duck with roasted pears and pistachios.

Bookers should head to the beach for crispy shrimp served with salsa roja and avocado, or food trucks around Silver Lake for battered fish with cabbage and pico de gallo. Yucatan-style restaurants serve tacos de cochinita pibil (marinated pork cooked in banana leaves), while celebrity chefs fry up flautas in the best restaurants. The LA Hotel Downtown is the perfect hub for taco hunting, only a few blocks away from the Mexican-style market on Olvera Street.

Miami, Florida

Miami’s food scene is the result of an international populations that makes the city so soulful and unique. Neighborhoods like Little Haiti are teeming with Caribbean comfort food, while Little Havana has a Cuban joint on every corner. Luckily for taco-lovers and Bookers, Miami has embraced the tortilla with open arms. Korean tacos are filled with caramelized pork ribs and kimchi-style slaw, while southern comfort food finds a home in fried chicken tacos, topped with jalapeño cornbread croutons and ranch dressing.

Bookers will find great Mexican spots all around Miami as well as Miami Beach, and the glitzy area around South Beach is a hotspot for both tiny taquerias and sit-down restaurants. Stay at the trendy Cavalier South Beach and you’ll find yourself smack dab in the middle of the beach and some of the best taquerias in the area – and the classic Art Deco architecture doesn’t hurt either.

#BeABooker and book your trip today.

**The above cities were endorsed by Booking.com travelers for “Mexican Food.” The hotels were chosen based on their locations in neighborhoods with a high concentration of taquerias – perfect for shuffling home after a taco tasting.