Pinches Tacos — Restaurant in Austin

Short: 10/10. Best birria i have ever had in the country (by far). Not only was the food authentic, but, it is also wholly unique to this family. I.e., their recipe, their style, their souls are put into this food. Reducing the experience of this food to a rating feels insulting. Try it for yourself.

Correct length: While most birria you will have in the United States 🇺🇸 is served with a consummé -- this birria is served with a semi spicy sauce which uniquely incorporates peanuts (though this is optional). The combination of the birria with this sauce is wholly unique and you aren't going to find this sort of thing at the typical crowded taco food truck nor the any typical resturaunt. This is a subtle way of speaking to the creativity of this food and of the passion for flavor that lies behind it.

There is "authentic" and then there's f'n AUTHENTIC. I was in Austin for a short time and a friend recommended Pinches Tacos to me (knowing the high bar I have but also the enjoyment i get from anything that comes close to perfection). I asked the chef/owner questions about himself and his family (luckily for me two of his sons were present and happy to talk about their food and history).

By now, birria has stormed the country and most of us gringos know it originated in Jalisco, specifically in Guadalajara... well, guess where the family is from? Precisely.

This is not a simple "food truck". This is a beacon of cultural gastronomical exchange. I.e., these are real family recipes with unique family twists on traditional recipes. Eating here means tasting a history and there simply are no words which can capture that. If you haven't had Pinches Tacos, we'll, you simply have to. You could spend money on a plane ticket to Guadalajara perhaps, or you could visit this outstanding and unassuming food truck and take that trip for a few $.

This is by far one if the most overlooked spots in the entire american southwest and american south(i mean that) as well as one of the most beloved by the people who have been smart enough, curious enough, and genuine enough to stop by and sample the heart and soul of a family willing to their culinary history with you.

The birria is unbelievable, there simply are no words. The asada, pollo, and the chorizo are excellent additions as well. The Tacos (meats and the tortillas) are being cooked over the juices and fats of the meats rather than being cooked on top of seed oils and cheap cooking alternatives. They save and separate the fat while making birria so they can use this during the cooking process if the other foods. Every ingredient is allowed to show up on its own while also being able to freely dance with the other flavors like the brightness of fresh limes squeezed over top.

The tortillas are perfectly crispy and soft. That delicate balance of being able to flex while supporting the meat while also featuring crispy sections and just enough crunch to display a world of balanced textures.

The salsas are right on the edge of spiciness for me - ive never been able to tolerate heat (even jalapeños can destroy me!) - which might be embarrassing to admit. However, I was able to still appreciate the flavor and the heat from the salsas and sauces. So, unless you are a total baby when it comes to spice, you'll be just fine. The salsas are rich, complex, and flavorful. Each with their own distinct flavor. They clearly know that salsas are more than just heat.

The radishes garnish the Tacos and add a delightful crunch that plays so well with the cilantro, onion, and salsas. It perfectly gives you that balance between "light and refreshing" and "savory depth and complexity". The balance between all of these cold ingredients and the meats themselves is fantastic.

While i drove the 11 hours or so from Albuquerque (where we have endless Tacos) to meet with a friend, i would have happily stayed for these tacos. They alone are worth the trip. Michelin stars don't come close. This food is worth a plane ticket. Let alone a short walk.

Do yourself a favor. Eat here....

We ate at Pinches for the first time on 2.03.2024. To say the tacos were insanely delicious would be an understatement! This was truly a rich experience. These tacos are made using techniques across three generations straight from Mexico! This is the first REAL Mexican taco place I’ve experienced in TEXAS, and I’m from Texas, and I’m MEXICAN! 😂 If you’re looking for real authentic tacos, Pinches is your place. We ate the asada taco, al pastor taco, and the torta. They were flavorful, the meat was seasoned to perfection, and the tortillas held up well. Absolutely, flawless! We asked for grilled jalapeños and onions and they were so tender and perfect for adding into the tacos and tortas. Pair this with a coffee next door at Revival, and you’re going to have a great experience. We live about 2 hours away and we’re already planning our next trip back to Austin specifically for these tacos. A MUST try if you’re in Austin looking for under...

prithee lend thine ear—for the service rendered unto me was of the highest order, as though I were a noble seated at the king’s own table. Each cook did attend with grace and swiftness, their manners polished as a mirror in a royal hall. ☕️☕️

As for the victuals—by my troth, never have I tasted such scrumptious fare! Each dish was crafted with the care of an apothecary mixing rare elixirs, and seasoned as though by the very hand of the gods. Methinks the roast did melt upon my tongue, and the sweetmeats did dance there as though in merry revelry.

I did sup with great joy, my heart full and my belly fuller still. Truly, it was a banquet most divine, fit for the likes of Arthur and his knights. Yum, yum, say I—with all the mirth and glee a grateful soul might muster.

(In all seriousness its really good, my personal fav are the quesa-birrias and the tacos Def....