The Al Pastor Power Rankings

Austin has more taco places per capita than Disney has live-action remakes. Most of them serve al pastor. But only a select few have trompos, where slabs of bright red, marinated pork spin around a sizzling flame, resulting in juicy meat with a charred and smoky finish. Whether you want to try the best al pastor this city has to offer or you just want to marvel at a giant tube of revolving meat, here’s where to go.

THE SPOTS

Paprika ATX

We’re big fans of the tacos and tortas coming out of this Sriracha-colored truck every day of the week, but on Saturdays, Paprika busts out the trompo to make the best al pastor in Austin. The juicy meat lends itself to thick, charred edges that provide a great balance to the sweet pineapple slice on each taco. To up the savory factor even more, add a layer of griddled cheese for a dollar.

Paprika is temporarily closed due to permitting issues, but keep an eye on their Instagram for updates about their reopening.

Taco Master

Walking up to Taco Master on East Riverside feels like stepping into a private party. The trailer is attached to a semi-permanent structure made mostly of plywood and corrugated sheet metal, with a giant trompo spinning next to a handful of picnic tables. All around, there’s music blasting while people line up for the self-serve salsa bar. The tender meat is shaved razor-thin and served directly onto small, double-stacked corn tortillas. Show up from 5-9pm on weekdays and they’re two-for-one.

Taqueria El Trompo Mayor

Parked on the front lawn of an auto repair shop near the south terminal of the airport , Taqueria El Trompo Mayor offers a few types of tacos, but the specialty is right there in the name. The al pastor coming off the rotisserie inside is seasoned well, then it gets finished on a flat top so each piece has a hefty char that contrasts nicely with the handmade corn tortilla. These tacos are a little light on cilantro and onion, but there’s enough pineapple to make up for it.

El Buen Taquero

The street tacos at El Buen Taquero are tiny, but they're carried out with the grizzled expertise of someone who grew up on an exclusive diet of well-seasoned, crispy pork. The double layer of corn tortillas arrives still bubbling from its brief residency on the flat top—where it toasts up next to freshly shaved al pastor meat—then gets loaded with enough cilantro and onion to brighten up the whole plate. Try it with the green salsa, if you’re OK with a little heat.

Taqueria La Casita Del Pastor

Taqueria La Casita Del Pastor is parked outside of a pawn shop in South Austin, next to a few covered picnic tables that make it a quick and easy stop for a casual dinner. The al pastor isn’t quite as crispy as other places dedicated to this style, but it’s as flavorful as any you’ll find in town, and served in portions so robust that even a couple of tacos will go a long way. Try them with the orange salsa—it's fruity but packs a big punch, which is perfect alongside a slice of sweet pineapple.

Taqueria La Montaña

The menu at this small Mexican restaurant off Braker Lane spans everything from breakfast tacos to birria de chivo and enchiladas, all of it served with some of the best handmade corn tortillas in town. Most days, the al pastor comes straight off the spit, but even if you show up on an afternoon where it doesn’t, the meat is still tender and full of flavor. Whatever time you go, save room for a carne asada taco—it’s the only thing we (somehow) like more than the al pastor.

Vaquero Taquero

Vaquero Taquero is only open three nights a week, but the Downtown location’s proximity to Dirty Sixth Street means they clearly have a target audience. The marinated pork is cut on the thicker end—get ready for very juicy meat—and finished on a flat top for crispy edges that pair nicely with a heavy dose of pineapple. Get them with a layer of griddled cheese for the full experience. There’s also a second location near UT open throughout the week in case you need a Tuesday afternoon al pastor fix.

Tacos El Charly

If you’ve ever driven by Rundberg and Lamar after dark, you’ve probably noticed a parking lot that’s almost packed to capacity. Most people are there for Tacos El Charly, a cash-only truck that doesn’t even open its doors (windows?) until 7pm. All the classic fillings are covered, but the al pastor is the reason to keep coming back. It’s cut pretty small and served in a double layer of tiny corn tortillas. Grab a seat at one of the folding tables in the parking lot after making it through the inevitable line (it moves fast) and get comfortable.

Rosita's Al Pastor

If you’ve lived in Austin for any amount of time, you’ve heard Rosita’s name pop into multiple conversations about al pastor, late-night bites , and/or where to eat on East Riverside. It’s a beloved spot, and the tacos here hold up to their reputation admirably. The meat can be a little dry at times, but it’s nothing a squeeze of lime and a hearty coating of salsa can’t handle. Make sure to order from the truck in the parking lot and not the restaurant inside with the same name. Maybe it’s the open-air atmosphere and the music, but they just taste a little better outside.

Arturo's Tacos

There are two locations of Arturo’s—both on North Lamar, just a few blocks from each other—and they offer the same selection of tacos, tortas, and California-style burritos. This is primarily a late-night operation that’s open until sometime between 2-4am all week. The handmade tortillas are a little too dry to excel at their job, but the al pastor is seasoned well, just not quite as crispy as we’d like it to be. Head to Arturo’s when you’re feeling hungry after midnight, or just get it delivered straight to your couch.

OneTaco

OneTaco has eight locations in Austin, and nearly all of them come equipped with a giant trompo and a station churning out fresh tortillas. The al pastor street tacos are solid, with flavorful meat that can be a little dry at times. But the double layer of tiny corn tortillas holds up well. These won’t be the best tacos you’ve ever eaten, but you’re not looking for anything life-changing when you’re watching sports at Little Woodrow’s and seeking nearby sustenance.

Tacos Las Amazonas Estilo Jalisco

This truck is open nearly 18 hours a day (even longer on the weekends), providing plenty of opportunities to enjoy tacos, tortas, hamburguesas, and more whenever the craving strikes. The al pastor is flavorful, though it could use a little more time against the flame for better texture. The tacos also come topped with grilled onions—which aren’t quite as refreshing as their raw counterparts—and served with a habanero salsa that will light your tongue on fire.

Taqueria 10 de 10

Coming straight off one of the biggest trompos we’ve laid our eyes on, the pork at this taqueria located in the back of a bar is shaved thin and has great texture, even if it isn’t seasoned as well as others in town. The tacos also come pre-dressed with guacamole that’s a little too watery and undersalted. Taqueria 10 de 10 is open late—it’s one of the best snack options when you’re Downtown after midnight—but in the larger world of al pastor, these tacos are just all right.