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. Consider this guide as a solid starting point, and let the exploration of Houston’s best breakfast tacos be an everlasting one.
Tacodeli
Celebrating its milestone 25th year since first opening in Austin, Tacodeli is still relatively new in Houston. For many years, Houstonians remained fans from afar, but today, the taco shop operates two locations: one near downtown on Washington Avenue, and the newest in Post Oak Plaza in Uptown. Its 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 ($4) 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
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
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
