After decades in Mexico — 50 years, according to a press release — a family-owned taco joint has opened a new Austin location. Taco N Maíz opened in early November at 603 Sabine St., a building tucked behind Sixth Street that used to house the popular taquería Vaquero Taquero.
Taco N Maíz promises authentic and flavorful tacos, made with longtime family recipes and ingredients that are sourced daily. The space is designed to feel like a Mexico City taquería that stays open late, using bright colors and a loud atmosphere to keep up with the surrounding nightlife until 4 am every day.
This eatery can probably expect lots of customers from the nightclub Mala Vida, which is right next door and is slightly isolated from the especially busy pocket of Sixth Street a couple of blocks west.
As the name suggests, the menu includes some classic tacos, but there's no "signature dish," the release says; Taco N Maíz doesn't want to become too associated with one specialty. It'll also serve quesadillas, crunchy volcanes (cheesy tostadas with lots of toppings), loaded papas, tortas, and burritos. Big plates of nachos and beer also feature on the eatery's social media.
Although it's certainly not uncommon for taco trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants in Austin to operate in Spanish, the general taco scene cleaves between trendy social media marketing in English and practical Spanish messaging. Taco N Maíz does both, mostly posting in Spanish (and occasionally Spanglish) while sometimes straying into a "Friendsgiving" deal or a Stranger Things reference. It seems well-poised to meet the energy on Sixth Street into the early morning hours.
Taco N Maíz during the day.Photo courtesy of Taco N Maíz
Taco N Maíz is open daily from 8 am to 4 am. In addition to dine-in and carry-out meals, the taquería also offers delivery via Toast and DoorDash.
