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Tacodeli

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Written by Pitt Garrett Sunday, 07 October 2007

Fast, friendly and fresh Mexican food

When you think of a deli, two things come to mind: freshness and sandwiches. Tacodeli doesn’t offer sandwiches, but I can promise you that with made-while-you-wait tacos, they have no lack of freshness.

Tacodeli boasts a menu with such variety that it might take a couple of mornings to even get halfway through it - including Frontera, Adobados, Picadillo, Loco, Shrimp, Steak, Scallop, Cowboy, Fish and Veggie Tacos. In addition to the tacos, they offer various tortas, soups, stuffed wraps and salads.

Tacodeli serves up breakfast in north Austin.

The décor is unique. Outside are several tables for fresh-air dining. Inside are tables with stools and one long metal communal table, where strangers can meet. The hardest part of the experience is deciding on what to order; the rest is fast and friendly. Orders are taken at the bar and you sit to wait for your meal to be delivered.

I ordered the Grilled Steak Wrap ($6.25) with jalapeno ranch sauce on the side. The grilled steak is rolled in a 10-inch tortilla with lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese. The meat was tasty and the fresh vegetables with the ranch sauce were a true treat. Vickie ordered the Scallop Tacos ($3.25), a Thursday Special. The scallops were fresh, grilled and deliciously wrapped in two corn tortillas.

I sat down to visit with manager Joel Fried, and he related the history of the restaurant from the small beginnings of its south Austin sister. Owners Roberto Espinosa and Eric Wilkerson opened the South location eight years ago.

Roberto, a native of Mexico City, grew up in Harlingen. The recipes come from his mom and from his work at the Hotel Gran Turismo in the Yucatan. The north location opened a little over two years ago with Joel at the helm. As Joel and I visited, one of the patrons leaned over and asked if I was Joel’s boss. When I told him we were there to spotlight the restaurant, he responded “well, if you had been, I just wanted you to know that Joel is the best waiter I’ve ever had.” Great timing, huh?

There are two things that need mentioning. First, they are only open for breakfast and lunch. Second, while their address says Burnet Road, it might be easier to say that it is on the MoPac frontage road going north between the Burnet Road exit and Waters Park.

There are no shortage of taco stands, taquerias, or drive-through Mexican restaurants in Northwest Austin (or anywhere in Austin for that matter), but when you’re trying to think of a place for breakfast or lunch and you’re going over the same old places, remember Tacodeli.

The Tacodeli trophy case

Austin Chronicle Restaurant Poll, 2007
- Critic’s choice for best ceviche
- Reader’s choice for runner up best tacos
Austin Chronicle Best Of Austin, 2006
- Critic’s choice for best taco lunch
Austin360.com, 2007
- Best breakfast taco
Texas Monthly
- Cowboy Taco won “The 63 tacos you must eat before you die.”