My daughter kept telling me about a tiny taqueria in a gas station near where she works. All I could think was “girl, gross.”
I finally tried it. I’m 55 years old, native Dallasite, and I’ve eaten Mexican and Tex Mex everywhere.
I found the best.
It’s VERY out of the way. Far northeast Collin County.
On Hwy 78 in Blue Ridge. Tiger Fuel/Whiskey Stop is the place, Taqueria Poblano is the kitchen. They’re in a back corner of the convenience store.
Literally everything they make is good, but the borracho beans, pork posole, and tamales are perfection.
Huge servings and cheap. It’s the kind of quality you’d expect to find in an amazing restaurant. They make everything, even their chips, from scratch and fresh ingredients. A big part of why it’s so good, but they also balance the flavors very well.
If your first reaction to a gas station taqueria is gross, I don't believe I can trust your recommendations.
This 👆💯
Everyone knows the best tacos and Mexican food are at gas stations
Or a lime green building
El Padrino on Jefferson?
Place is fire but it’s blue not green
No they repainted it to lime green color.
wtf that shit is neon green now, since when? 😭 I haven’t been in so long
I think sometime last year or the year before that
Hell yeah this gives me a reason to go back now
Or in someone’s garage/backyard/apartment/shed.
Nah, that’s a close second. It’s your kid’s friend’s grandma who makes the very best.
THIS.
Or if you were a teacher in Grand Prairie for 500 years like I was, your student’s parents and grandparents! 💚
Back when I used to teach, I always told my students that I would be buying Christmas tamales from whoever would bring them to me. My family ate like kings during the holiday break.
Yes indeed!
When I worked in the oilfield one of my coworker’s wife and cuñadas would show up to our job site around lunch and sell tamales out of a cooler from the trunk of their car. It’s been over 10 years and I’m still searching for tamales that good!
My suegra makes bomb ass tamales. Hmu if you’re in Dallas proper and im sure she’ll sell some if there’s enough people wanting to buy.
Dude the gas station near me makes these breakfast burritos the size of my thigh. It slaps so hard.
No, many folks that burn in the sunlight have NO clue about this.
Fuel City would like to have a word
Love the OG Fuel City
Taqueria El Paisano on Lombardy off Harry Hines is my favorite for tacos.
SIII GUEYY ! their bomb ass salsa is also straight fire!!! back in college, we’d pregame there and then wind up right back after the club 🤣
I learned that my first year in texas
Where I am at, we get ours out if a re-purposed school bus. Best Mexican food in town, and it's not even close.
Sush also!
Well, I think everyone knows these are a gamble. They are either the best, or you're going to be shitting your guts out for a week and a half. I know this, because my ass knows this.
You are funny ah!
BOOM! This. 🫡
Just like the best tamales come from someone selling them on a bar patio out of an igloo cooler for cash.
That’s like saying “I don’t buy parking lot or street side tamales”.
Do they sell them anywhere else? East Dallas parking lot tamales FTW y’all
There is a guy that sells them in the Sam’s parking lot of northwest highway near garland and they are pretty good.
I’m also old enough to remember the dude that used to walk around lowest Greenville in the wee hours selling tamales to us drunkards. That was back in the Billiard bar days. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
Me too! The little igloo cooler full of the best tamales!
A tale of two titties
Hello from 2006.
That was the side hustle for a lady I used to work with back in the day. Fucking phenomenal tamales. Pretty sure she turned it into her full time gig. If you're ever on the Ft. Worth side of town and you see a sign for Mama Lu's at an event or whatever don't sleep on it.
Mama Lu’s - will do! FW is my home town
Random "Sweat shops" that you call and 45 minutes later you're being handed a foil pack with a dozen fresh tamales after handing over a $20 bill. -the best ones IMO
Every Saturday this darling woman would pile in her kids in her old 4-Runner with a giant cooler full of tamales, two of those sideline Gatorade dispensers, one with beans and the other with horchata. She knew if my garage was open that I was working in the yard AND that I would need tamales. I had 4 huge dogs at the time so she wouldn’t knock if I wasn’t within earshot but she would stand behind my oak tree and wave at the window. The dogs would let me know she was there.
The tamales in Denver do not scratch the itch for me. I make them by the hundred around the holidays and vacuum seal/freeze them to eat all year but they never last. I miss my tamale lady
Mystery meat ftw!
No. Not really.
Never shame a person sharing a beautiful food place. If it helps that place become known and more successful because it really is good, power to them for sharing.
It’s honestly amazing and I just want them to be successful, human to human.
You know its funny because my wife is Mexican and we all know about the dingy places being the best Mexican food places. But here in my town theres a dingy chicken place that i know is dang good for tenders, mashed potatoes, gravy, etc. and she nopes out because of that. Yet here i got kidnapped in Mexico by my brother in law and ate like Andrew Zimmer or Bourdain to my hearts content and not a single complaint.
Type shit
Shit
Exactlyyyyyy 💯💯💯
This was my thought as well. Gas station taquerias are generally known as having the best tacos in this state.
First reaction to "gas station food place" is yes please!
That was exactly what I thought!!
I was just about to say that. And they've been doing themselves a disservice for years.
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Who said I was white?
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Nah, I’m not a snob. But at a lot of places, you might be risking your GI system.
Gas station restaurants are subject to the same health code inspections as any other establishments that serves food.
Mines all jacked up. And not from gas station tacos. But I’m willing to suffer for them.
Everyone who downvoted me has a perfect gastrointestinal system that’s made of steel. 🤣
We do, thanks to the random gas stations and igloo coolers in parking lots we get a lot of our food from! 😜🤣
I mean, I do. Probably, because my palette is varied and has been some places, like gas stations. 😅
The best Mexican food is always in the gas stations
And the best of those gas stations are in the hood
There's one on the edge of Frisco I used to love, in a little blue or teal gas station
what street? do you remember?
I actually asked my dad and he was saying it was an Exon gas station closer to Lewisville
Gas station Mexican food is the reason I tell people the best Mexican food you'll ever have will always come from a restaurant attached to a gas station and it'll just be called "Taqueria" or something simple. Honestly DFW has an INCREDIBLE Mexican food scene.
That one attached to a gas station on Gaston in Lakewood was the first thing to come to mind.
Banqueta. The champion of them all.
Oh wow! I’ve been there!
This one? https://maps.app.goo.gl/1NW1tR2m3sqUcNVt8
Yes
I haven't been to this one yet I always go to the one on Carroll in near east dallas
Its much better, IMO. I have no idea why.
"Taqueria" is always the best
At most, you'll get a location attached, like "Taqueria Guadalajara", and it will still kick ass.
I disagree that DFW has an incredible Mexican food scene. I’d say it’s better than most but not by much.
Compared to Chicago and Cali it's meh. I wish it was better sometimes
I bet everyone downvoting you if a native Texan. I grew up in Texas. Born in Chicago with tons of family still there and also lived in California. You are correct. Yes some places have delicious tacos and yes some gas station tacos are worth it but it’s still not the same.
Lol if I speak on Dallas food scene as a whole I would be down voted to hell.
Which is a shame, because the Dallas food scene used to be absolute fire. I’m third generation and in my 50s. Pepperidge Farm remembers.
Idk what happened. But after 2022 it's been awful.
Covid, high prices…
Yeah but Chicago, Baltimore, NY, ATL, Memphis, and the Carolinas still have great food quality despite the higher prices
Posole, tamales and borracho beans are not Tex mex…it’s just mex
Depends on what’s inside the tamal tbh
What makes a Tamale texmex? Brisket?
chips and queso
They also have Tex Mex items
Clearly you’ve never heard of Taco Bell.
Legit LOL
I miss living in Texas strictly because the best Tex Mex I've ever had came from the back of some seedy little gas station. Absolutely nothing else I've ever tried compares to those spots.
There's nothing like that out in New England (at least that I've found yet)
What kind of gas station food do y'all have in New England, other than Wawa? I love Texas and California gas station taquerias, and some of the best fried chicken I've ever had was from random Mississippi gas stations, so I'm curious if there's anything special I should keep in mind next time I'm up that way.
They're just gas stations. Most have their own food like Cumberland Farms (Quick Trip or Race Trac equivalent) and a chain called Krispy Chicken is starting to pop up more often in the food areas.
You find the gas station taqueria equivalent foods on food trucks, which are significantly more expensive than the aforementioned taquerias and don't taste like they're made by some little old immigrant abuelita who's never learned a word of English in her 30 years living in America.
If the chain is Krispy Krunchy Chicken, it's legit af, at least down south. They were always a guarantee for good fried chicken in Mississippi.
That's the one! I'll have to check it out. I've always been skeptical of it as it seems to just sit out all day.
Bro. So many times I’ve eaten at some random backwoods gas station, and it was AMAZING. Cajun, TexMex, etc. it’s always that place out in the middle of nowhere with 40 year old seats and tables that is the one that gets you.
Borrocos in Rowlett. I will die on this hill.
La cocina del tío mon in rockwall. This is as close to authentic here in north Texas
This is the correct answer. Place is such a hidden gem.
I just tried this place a few weeks ago and found the al pastor to be very whelming. Nothing special about the rice and beans either. What's better to get there?
Wow, ok, I've driven past that place a million times and never tried it.
I’ll try it!
Please do and report back here. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
I’m excited.
Is that Tex-Mex or just Mex though?
My favorite taqueria is sitting in a diesel shop/junkyard waaaay out in the country, like 15 miles to the Dollar General. And the wonderful lady always asks me to try new things she is working on.
Thank you putting a sincere heart felt recommendation. I always appreciate recommendations forgot small family owned places. I am going to pay someone for a meal, and I try and stay from chaiin restaurants. Love to hear about any other places.
Absolutely! I ONLY support small businesses.
If you’re ever near it, make the pilgrimage to Burritos Locos in Grapevine, best authentic tacos in the DFW
I will!
i grew up in Blue Ridge lol. Crazy to see my small ass town get mentioned here
And if you get tired of Tex-Mex, Cattleman’s Café in Blue Ridge has wonderful food, especially the chicken-fried steak.
It’s still so small! I grew up in Garland and I knew about Farmersville, but had never heard of Blue Ridge.
it’s growing fast though! DR Horton is getting out there lol
Yeah. ☹️
But. Where can i get some good tex mex. breakfast tacos or like dallas calls them “burritos”. Like San Antonio has. Ive came close. At taqueria Lancaster but need other recommendations
Fellow San Antonian here. Its been very hard to find the breakfast tacos I grew up with in south Texas.
I've given up on my search to be honest!
Taqueria Lancaster competes a bit!! . I get the papas eggs bacon sausage (not chorizo) n cheese. Also threw some beans on there if i wanted to be a pig on Saturdays. Burrito not tacos. The tacos are little like “street tacos”. But me and you know how the breakfast tacos down south hit
After 3yrs I've given up and I'm moving to Austin 😭
Corner of Jupiter and Campbell in Richardson/garland
Thanks do u have a name?
Doña Maria has legit Juárez style burritos with a bunch of guisos. Not your typical burrito but so authentic! It’s in Dallas, it’s been a while but just look up on google. So goood! Only open for lunch I think
All stop at pork pasole. I love that stuff!
My eyes were just rolling back in my head. She gets the spice level just right.
Reading all of your comments makes me sad. The only time I tried a gas station's Mexican food I got food poisoning. It was awful and I haven't tried another out of fear. Looks like it's time to face that one.
Definitely try again! Ask around and get some good recommendations in your area.
Well your daughter actually found it 🫤
Yes, you’re right, she did.
Mexican:
My personal favorite is Taqueria La Victoria in South Dallas.
It's the only place I know that does tacos al vapor that's not in Mexico.
2nd is Tic-Taco in Arlington for the torta ahogada.
Tex-Mex:
Taco Casa
Taco Dinner (pre COVID - RIP)
Side Note: Does anyone know where to get New Mexico style sopaipillas in DFW?
Fyi La Salsa Verde Taqueria off Loop 12 and Harry Hines does at least have them on their menu that I saw. I didn't try it myself, but it stuck because I was curious what it was
I used to live in GP. I LOVED Tic-Taco. Are they still there?
So many little hidden gems in Arlington!
This place is legit
“Far northeast Collin County”
r/Dallas
😑
Forgive me, please. I want everyone to know about her amazing cooking!
It’s ok haha I was just excited to try it out but it’s gonna be a bit of a trip finding myself out there haha
If you ever find yourself out that way, definitely try it out! 💚
I work a job where I drive all around Dallas a lot, all day long. While I was training with another guy also native to Dallas who had been in the same position for about 20 years. We stopped at so many hole in the wall restaurants. Some inside corner stores or gas stations. Every single one was amazing.
It’s only sushi that you don’t trust at the gas station
I’d recommend passing n the hot dogs also.
I will go there and verify
YES! And Happy Cake Day!
Try Como em Casa, y'all
Just went today and holy crap, they're delicious
Taco hut in Lewisville is awesome Mexican food !
Rip Danal's in Irving
If you want something closer that hits this mark there are three spots in McKinney that just fucking nail it every time.
Cookiez Mexican
Taqueria Hernandez
Taqueria Hidalgo
THANK YOU!!!
Collin County is rife with great gas station Mexican/Latino food
The Shell station at Industrial and Hwy 5, McKinney, for killer breakfast tacos
Trompitoz, Hwy 380 and Monte Carlo, Princeton, for excellent Trompo. They even made the Texas Best list for a Texas magazine
I’ve had the breakfast tacos at that Shell station! They’re so damn good.
And Princeton is a treasure trove of great little spots!
In Frisco, the food kiosk in La Suprema Market gets good reviews.
Yes! It’s really good.
That's a long way to go for a taco.
That said, I've driven further just to get a hamburger
🤣🤣🤣
Honduran tamales make me so happy. It's been ten years since my coworker would take orders on Tuesday and bring them on Friday. She always made extra and she always sold out.
I've also been to the BR station several times. They do good!
My parents live out near Blue Ridge - can’t wait to try this on my next pass through!
If you want to blow them up, maybe post this in r/McKinney. That's where I live, and I'm gonna take a ride out there this week to confirm your recommendation. Thanks for posting!
Great idea, thanks!
Thank you! I pass that spot every few days. I will go and try it out.
This is the Lord’s work. Thank you!
The Mexican restaurant right beside, but attached to, the Exxon in Royse City, Tx. on 66, is SOOO good!
😋
You gotta gatekeep this shit
Not if I want them to stay in business. Maybe if they were in McKinney or even Melissa, but way out in Blue Ridge? I want them to stay in business!
Taco Express is really good and they're usually attached to a gas station
Added bonus if there's lot lizards in the parking lot.
That's so far away :'(
I know, I’m sorry!
Gringos
Any gas station that has a taqueria will also have the best Tex Mex you’ve ever had. It’s just science.
One in Coppell too. Samuel/Sandy Lake gas station taqueria is awesome
I don't trust tamales that aren't purchased in a parking lot with a red and green salsa baggie. The type of baggie that housed a bologna sandwich when I was a kid. No zipper, just a knot at the end. This is the only Christmas tradition that has not wavered.
Me and my alabaster family tried make tamales one year. Never again. I don't know what those ladies do, but the love is definitely there.
CA transplant here. Not that its relevant but I think I can speak for both states. The parking lot tamales are the only way.
My favorite new tex mex spot is over on Lemmon, Texano or Texano Cocina or something like that. Had it a few times and its solid each time.
When I work DoorDash in Lewisville, I always get sent to Taco Hut. So I guess they must be good.
I actually drove past that place all the time when I would take that road to work. No one one in this sub though is gonna go there though.
I posted about it in the McKinney sub, too.
But why drive out there when Ojeda's is just down Maple off of Oak Lawn? :-)
See, I’ll gatekeep this kind of information because its nice living in a small town with some to die for fajitas.
Small restaurant, small staff, perfect just the way it is
I normally would, no joke.
But gaddamn they’re good. I don’t want them folding because word didn’t get out.
We live for n the middle of a food Mecca, Plano on 75. I would try a couple of new places every week but the Wife insists on going to the same five places. No gas stations.
I mean, living where you do, I don’t blame her for going to the same places.
If you turn your nose up at the idea of a gas station spot, you don't know shit about good tacos, I stopped reading there. Next!
It was a throwaway joke, but if you don’t see that, then oh well! 🤣✌🏻
I don't think it was
Cool! 🤣
In my experience, jokes are usually funny. What was the intended punchline, that restaurants connected to gas stations, usually run by immigrants cooking the food of their home country are gross?
If you knew who you were talking to, you’d never low key accuse me of racism like you’re doing, because that ain’t me. Try someone else. 🤷🏻♀️
And now I’m done responding to anything about this, because you’re also taking away from my main message: wanting to help this taqueria become more successful! 💚
Papasitos is good.
Can’t tell if you’re joking…