Austin Bites: Torchy's Tacos (Trailer Park & Eatery Location)

Torchy's Tacos
Locations: 1311 S. First St. • 2809 S. First St. • 2801 Guadalupe
Phone: (512) 366-0537 • (512) 444-0300 • (512) 494-8226
Cost: $ ($=Under $10; $$=$11-30, $$$=$31-60, $$$$=$60+, avg cost per person including 1 drink, tax, and tip.)
Website: torchystacos.com
The 411: In a town with dozens upon dozens of cheap taco stands, competition is fierce. Owner and executive chef Michael Rypka has more than 18 years of restaurant experience and creates menu items with high-quality local ingredients—the only non-Texas ingredients are the New Mexico green chilis, which shine in many dishes.

Torchy's can be found alongside Shuggie's Burgers & Seafood in the South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery, where picnic tables line a gravel parking lot. At night, the place glows with holiday lights, making it a perfect spot for midnight grub after a rock show, or a quick dinner before heading to a movie.

We started off with the green chili queso, a heavenly marriage of green chilis, queso, guacamole, queso fresco, cilantro and Diablo sauce. The cheesy sauce is more substantial than typical queso, creating an interesting balance of spiciness and creaminess.

The fried avocado taco—think hand-battered creamy avocado chunks, vegetarian refried beans, lettuce, pico and cheese on a corn tortilla with poblano ranch on the side—is a hearty choice for vegetarians and carnivores alike. We found the combination of fried avocado and beans to be a score, but this taco could have used a little extra zing when it came to the toppings; instead of iceberg lettuce and shredded cheddar, perhaps the addition of the signature chipotle sauce would have done the trick.

Although ordering it felt a little dirty, we also tried the "Dirty Sanchez" taco, which turned out to be a devilish concoction of scrambled eggs, guacamole, fried poblano chilis, escabeche carrots and shredded cheese, served on a corn tortilla with poblano ranch on the side. Everything down to the carrots on this taco combine to create a tantalizing explosion of texture and flavor.

For some post-Sanchez sweetness, the little nookies– crispy pockets of deep-fried chocolate chip cookies, topped with powdered sugar and a cherry—were a good choice. Clearly not intended for the health-conscious, the cookies had a crunchy shell encasing a gooey chocolate center. Torchy's also carries Sweet Leaf Teas and sodas as a cooling alternative to the fiery sauces.

Service at Torchy's was prompt and friendly on a slow, late Friday night. The South Austin Trailer Park & Eatery location is a nice place to bring out-of-town guests (and pets) to show them what keeps Austin weird, but probably not good for a first date. As the airstream trailer trend catches on to more businesses, Torchy's will shine on with its casual presentation of fresh and uncommon Mexican fare.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Candace Birkelbach in Food on October 21, 2008 10:13 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

southernroutes

The reviewer--and possibly these naysayers--failed to realize that you can get any sauce with any taco at Torchy's. I personally have never understood even the idea behind "ranch" dressing or sauce. To me, if you want to make anything taste bland, put ranch sauce on it. Go back and try a fried avocado taco with the bright orange habanero or the award-winning tomatillo sauce. You will be zinged.

Grape Ape

78704 is owner by Maria's if you are looking for great breakfast tacos. Polvo's the rest of the time for sure.

robist

The Torchy's fried avocado taco is one of the most overrated food items in Austin. So many people I know sing its praises, but I think the reviewer hit it spot on, hearty but unnecessarily bland. They could do so much more with it. I suspect the fry batter is an accomplice in this, as the Trailer Park taco also suffers from a case of the blahs.

The Green Chile Pork taco is excellent, though.

Aside: I am a fan of TacoDeli and prefer it to Torchy's.

LoudMouth

Torchy's tortillas taste like someone took some crispy taco shells and soaked them in some water. They are easily the worst tortillas in Austin. Even Taco Cabana makes better tortillas than them. I don't eat pork so I don't know what that tastes like but the fried avocado tacos and the chicken tacos taste like they were cooked last week.

David Kalina

Torchy's is a triumph of style over substance. Their oddball filling combinations seduce many into thinking that they are doing something innovative or special, when in reality they are providing a middling product. Poorly seasoned fillings, ineffective salsas.

If you're in 78704, go to Curra's or Nueva Onda for breakfast tacos. Habanero or Polvos the rest of the time.

If it wasn't for their brilliantly designed logo, memorable name, and trailer kitsch, Torchy's would be quickly forgotten. Torchy's is the new Taco Shack. OK, it's better than Taco Shack, I'll give them that much. It's the new Tacodeli, but with personality.

Ski Bum

What are you guys smoking? Torchy's easily has some of the best tacos in town. Starting right off with the Green Chile Pulled Pork. Recognize.

adamcooksstuff

south central + pulled pork taco + hangover = thank you very much torchy's.

your pal

-a

southernroutes

What part of "fried avocado taco" don't you get?

ultradave

Why on EARTH in a town with so many good taco options, does this place seem to thrive? I've tried them multiple times -- every time they're either bland, or just no good. What am I missing here? I don't get it.