Cancel

Open app

Search

Papalote Taco House

4.3 (688 reviews)
InexpensiveMexican
Open • 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Updated over 3 months ago

Order Papalote Taco House Takeout or Delivery

Papalote Taco House Photos

Business Info

PAPALOTE TACO HOUSE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

You might also consider

Recommended Reviews - Papalote Taco House

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Sage O.

I've been going to Papalote ever since 2015 and I'm so happy they have had so much success that they could expand into the space next to them! I got this fish tacos and al pastor on flour and both were fresh and flavorful! The picture makes them look a little small but it was definitely a good amount of food. Not pictured, but I love their breakfast tacos!! Definitely don't skip on those! And I think they're served all day!

Pastor Classic, Alambres Taco, Tostada De Rajas
Michelle B.

Wanted some fresh tacos. I got them. I personally felt the need to add the sauces due to not overly much flavor. I liked the pastor the most of the three items I got. The napas was good on my tostadas. I felt looking at the costs it wasn't too badly priced. The service was a a bit messed up. My friends ordered a torta. She had a conversation about not the special yet was rang out for the special and got the wrong order at first. Overall once that was corrected along with drinks settled, we didn't mind it. I'd have preferred homemade tortillas but for the cost I get it. Overall it was a simple spot. Decent amount of seating and parking on the front and back.

Tinamarie R.

Stopped in for some dinner after a UT football game. We were the only ones in the place. The restaurant itself was very clean. The young lady taking our order was nice and answered our questions about the menu. We ordered 5 different tacos and the chilaquiles. The tacos were okay. The fried avocado taco was really good but the others weee average. The chilaquiles were not what I was expecting. The eggs came out scrambled instead of fried and the green sauce wasn't the best. Don't think I'll be visiting here again.

Fried avocado taco, no cheese
Hannah K.

Hindsight is 20/20 but I deeply regret all the time I've spent driving down South Lamar and not stopping at Papalote. It has all the elements of a fantastic everyday kinda meal: Affordable, unpretentious, quick, homey, satisfying, and healthyish (if you want). Vegan options are slim but solid. Best of all, staff are very knowledgeable about the menu and can help when in doubt. You can't go wrong with the hongos y espazote tacos because seriously, mushrooms topped with avocado in tender corn tortillas? Say no more. The fried avocado taco (minus cheese) though, that's a real prize. Crispy on the outside and buttery inside, they're perfectly cooked and properly seasoned. In a town of many tacos, these are worthy contenders. Don't make my same mistake; stop in early and often.

Fried avocado and carinatas tacos.
Laura P.

Good but not great. More of a traditional Mexican street taco taste and vibe, but I've had better in California. The carinatas was very tender but also very oily.

Idk. But it was delicious
Sabriya W.

I really enjoyed my meal here. The food was hot and fresh and the frozen margarita was on point. Definitely giving an elevated lime experience.

Sausage, egg, and potato
Michael H.

Hadn't been here in a while and wanted to check out out again. Two ingredient (plus egg included) breakfast tacos here at Papalote Taco House for about $3 per. Good size. Good price. I did chorizo and pablano plus egg and sausage and potato plus egg on flour. Flour tortillas are OK. They need to be crisped up a bit more before serving. Good flavor. A bit thick. I love pablano, but I can't advise eating here. It isn't cooked enough and the waxy skin still it on. They need to char them, remove the skins, then put longer (softer) strips inside. Chorizo was fine, but the bad pablano semi ruined that one for me. The sausage and potato was a surprise winner. Nice chunks of sausage. Eggs are well cooked. Winner. Salsa Roja has a nice kick. Salsa Verde is mild, but fine. Pretty good spot. Will try again.

Chile queso, not spicy enough
Jodi H.

Mm mm mm! Papalote is just as good as I remember! But what?! Did they get a facelift? I miss the old Papalote. I visited Papalote after 3 years, and it was in the same spot, but the store itself has gotten more spacious and they actually have walls and an interior. With 2 bathrooms! Gasp. I kind of miss the old Papalote with their crazy small kitchen, long line out the door, and tiny eating space. It just felt more home-y and like you were eating directly in an abuelita's kitchen! I'm glad they still have their trademark orange and green sauces (GREEN IS STILL MY FAVE) in the fridge, so don't forget to dress up your tacos. I got their Turkey torta (the Thursday daily special) and my favorite torta de coliflor AKA cauliflower taco. Their cauliflower taco still hits! Corn tortilla all day baybee. The torta was not my favorite, the bread was too dry and the mole was flavorful...but the bread threw me off. I thought I was eating part of a paper wrapping part way through. The name of the Papalote game is definitely their tacos. I do love that their daily specials come with an agua fresca, and I enjoyed the tamarindo flavor. The hibiscus also looked really good, but the gal at the service desk said their tamarind was the most popular one. The interior is truly really beautiful. There are so many tables for various group sizes, and they have clean bathrooms. Score! Lots of parking too. Will definitely be back to Papalote, but I'll be reminiscing of the good ole times.

Fish taco and mushroom taco
Amjad A.

Ambiance: Clean. Modern. One other person was eating. So don't expect a busy bustling type of place. Service: good Food: disappointing. Nothing interesting going one here. If a place has average food with average ingredients they should at least be a good value and I should leave hungry. Thats exactly what I did after eating to small street tacos and some rice and beans.... For $13. It's actually a 3.5 star restaurant. I'm just unhappy...and hungry.

Esquite

Went to try out their esquite. It was alright for the amount of corn no matter how much mixing not enough mayo cheese or sauce for a whole cup.

Al Pastor Classic
Brenda G.

We ordered bfast tacos here via Yelp/grub hub at around 10 am on a Saturday. The wait was short. We got a migas taco and two Al pastor tacos plus an horchata. The horchata was huge! Well worth the price. The tacos were not as big as I was expecting. I am a light eater and felt as I needed two. The Yelp/grub hub status said it would take around 30-45 minutes, but it was much faster than that so I would disregard the time in the status.

Eric G.

Stopped by on a weekend for takeout the other day, and so glad we did! We've passed it maaaany times and finally decided we should try it. After ordering the food was ready in about ten minutes. Torta Cubano: soooo good and soooo filling! Honestly could probably feed two. Mole taco (forgot the exact name): would absolutely get again. Breakfast taco: perfection! Basically couldn't ask for much more.. generous portion sizes of well cooked, well seasoned, delicious tacos and tortas!

Taco Tortas de Coliflor Taco
Nancy M.

This is my favorite location!! This is one of my favorite tacos, it reminds me of my grandmas cooking with the tortitas de coliflor I've tried and like the huaraches, tlacoyos, most of their tacos and desserts and aguas frescas are pretty good too! Place is clean, chill and staff is friendly and efficient. Nice neighborhood spot

Al Pastor Classic and Chorizo Classic

See all

4 days ago

Fantastic breakfast tacos! One of my go to spots. Service is quick and friendly. Great neighborhood spot!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

6 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 months ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Jodi H.
582
1410
2858

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Tony N.
5
54
42

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 1

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

1 year ago

Great breakfast taco spot, order ahead and they will be ready when you arrive! Delicious and a great staff!

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Rob P.
2632
3406
1893

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 1
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

5 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Nicky R.
230
26
6

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 1
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Karma R.
164
11
8

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 18

Ask the Community - Papalote Taco House

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for Mexican 36,692 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

El Alma - Chips salsa and queso

El Alma

4.1(1.4k reviews)
1.9 mi•Bouldin Creek, 78704 (South Austin)
•$$

This place is a staple in Austin. It's really cute and it's pretty authentic to me. The staff there…read moreis so nice and very attentive. They have a cute indoor seating area along with a rooftop patio, which is really cute especially when the weather gets great. I got a corn poblano soup and I have to say that was delicious. I got the small cup and next time I go back I will definitely get the whole bowl cause that was amazing. I did go during brunch hours so I got two tacos. One of them was the Migos taco, which was delicious. I love that the tortilla chips and they were nice and crunchy still and not soggy. I also got a taco called the Cherrywood, which had bacon cheese, egg, potato, and avocado, and it was delicious. I love that their tortillas are homemade and they're not the cheap American puffy ones. They also give you complementary chips and salsa and both salsa were delicious. I literally combine both of them in my tacos. They do have some great drinks. One of them is the Highlander margarita which is really nice and smooth and they use patron silver. They also had another margarita that I saw a lot of people ordering and it was an avocado one, and everybody kept raving about it. They definitely have a good mix of cocktails and then anything in general that you would want.

Had a fantastic brunch experience on Saturday. I had originally made reservations but the…read morerestaurant wasn't too busy. We stopped by at 11:45 am and surprisingly there were plenty of parking spots around the restaurant. We had a great waiter who was attentive and patient with us. We ordered a mimosa carafe for the group. Unfortunately, I think they need a better way of serving these mimosas because the sparkling wine in the carafe gets immediately warm due to not being placed on ice. We were drinking lukewarm mimosas. Please rethink this El Alma, you need buckets to keep the wine and juice cold! Anyways, we received complimentary chips and salsa while we waited for our food. I ordered the breakfast enchiladas which were delicious. They had egg in them, and honestly never thought this existed but happy I found it! Wish the side of beans it came with was bigger. The rest of our group enjoyed their foods as well. There's rooftop seating which was lovely BUT there's a huge oak tree above that continuously drops leaves and debris constantly. Our drinks had floating bits and it just kept falling. I recommend some umbrellas. Our waiter was kind enough to let us move when a table opened up under the canopy. Great food, super cool restaurant but some operational issues that keep it to a 4 and not a 5.

Photos
El Alma - Busy on a Tuesday

Busy on a Tuesday

El Alma - Queso blanco

Queso blanco

El Alma - Mezcal Margarita

See all

Mezcal Margarita

Taqueria De Diez  - Carne Asada Taco

Taqueria De Diez

4.7(576 reviews)
2.8 mi•Downtown
•$$

When we were in Austin earlier this year we made sure to seek out Tex Mex, Mexican and Barbecue as…read morewe were exploring the city. We knew that Austin is a foodie city and it didn't disappoint in the slightest in hitting all those food types that we were wanting to try. We enthusiastically marked off "Mexican" by coming to Taqueria De Diez. It wasn't in our bookmarks to try. I believe we came across it in a Google search or a Yelp search and we're impressed with the review score and decided to go check it out. It didn't disappoint at all. The review score average definitely held up. We got tacos here. I got three Asada tacos and I have to say that these tacos are the best I have had in recent memory. And I am all about tacos. I mean I LOVE tacos so that is saying a lot as I am such a snob with Mexican food. I can say with quite a bit of confidence... and this is even a bigger statement... these tacos may very well be the best I have EVER had. Now, I know that's saying a lot but they were so, so good. Months later from our dining experience there I am still thinking about this place. So if I could give more than five stars I most certainly would. Sometimes the no frills restaurants are the best and that is kind of what's going on here. It somewhat arranged with placing your order a tad bit like a cafeteria (but not an actual cafeteria). You place your food order and then wait for it at the end. Lots of customers take their orders to go but there is spots where you can dine in also. Steve and I did just that and we sat and enjoyed our tacos. So what makes me praise these tacos so much? I don't know for sure but the roll out of flavor on your tongue was just magical. The steak I imagine was prepared with perfection and got all of the tender, loving care it needed to be as amazing as it was. The rest of the toppings were great too as well as the sauces and the taco sized tortillas were probably a likely suspect as well in their perfection. It was so perfect. Taco bliss indeed. I long for these tacos again and if we are even somewhat close to Austin seeking this place out will be a no brainer for us.

Honestly, some of the best, most authentic tacos you'll get here in Austin. Taqueria was actually…read morestarted by twin brothers from Mexico, and they wanted that same authentic feeling they had in their local taqueria here in Austin. The brothers traveled around different areas throughout the US trying different variations before deciding how they wanted to style the tacos. This place is in an alley, and it's very unassuming. It's actually considered a "reverse speakeasy" with a gorgous bar with a disco ball in the front, and mouthwatering food in the back. As everything in De Diez are made completely from scratch (including the tortillas), prices are very, very, fair. Service is fast and simple, your food is made in front of you by very friendly workers

Photos
Taqueria De Diez  - Carne Asada hitting the grill

Carne Asada hitting the grill

Taqueria De Diez  - Adobada (Pastor)  Volcan and Carne Asada Taco

Adobada (Pastor) Volcan and Carne Asada Taco

Taqueria De Diez  - The outside of the building in an alley.

See all

The outside of the building in an alley.

Suerte - Chips and guacamole

Suerte

4.4(1.4k reviews)
3.7 mi•East Austin
•$$$

Suerte never disappoints - you can always expect something interesting on the menu, but also trust…read morethat the suadero tacos will be there for you when you need them. Went and did a true tapas style dinner here - happy hour was nice but some of the app plates are a bit small for the price since it got recognized by Michelin. Ambiance is perfect, nice and low lighting inside but not so dark that you can't see. Servers were very kind to us and kept our table clean after each plate was cleared. An elevated option, especially for out of towners or anyone who loves a new version of a dish

Very good food. But, as others have said, I left a little underwhelmed…read more A former colleague and former Austin resident recommended Suerte for upscale Mexican food. I'd also read reviews from a few Yelp Elite members who were slightly disappointed. I hope those didn't color my experience, but I came away feeling much the same. I arrived around 5 p.m., shortly after opening, and the place was already packed. Luckily, I snagged one of the only two seats available at the bar. The decor was fine, but nothing particularly special. The staff were super attentive and clearly very busy. Things moved a little more slowly than I would have liked, but it certainly wasn't for lack of effort. I was considering a happy hour taco when the bartender suggested a half order of the famous Suadero Tacos, made with Wagyu beef. I went with that, plus the Frijoles con Veneno, refried beans with seared panela cheese, and a Don Dario cocktail. I thought that would be the beginning of my meal. Turns out, that combination was filling enough to be the whole thing. The food was very, very good. Still, like some other reviewers, I didn't feel it quite lived up to the hype. Would I have felt differently if I hadn't read those reviews beforehand? Maybe. Attentive staff and very good food deserve credit. I just didn't leave quite as excited as I'd hoped.

Photos
Suerte - Cool vibe

Cool vibe

Suerte - Tlayuda de Hongos

Tlayuda de Hongos

Suerte - Tlayuda de Hongos (mushrooms)

See all

Tlayuda de Hongos (mushrooms)

ATX Cocina - Queso flamado

ATX Cocina

4.2(833 reviews)
2.4 mi•Warehouse District, Downtown
•$$$

A friend was visiting from Houston, TX and suggested getting together for dinner at ATX Cocina. We…read moreboth had never been, so I was up for catching up while also trying a new restaurant. ATX Cocina is a whole vibe! It's modern, minimalistic in design and sleek in styling. Also, they have dining on the patio, where you have a nice view of Lady Bird Lake. Bad Bunny was playing the background, which created a lovely ambiance. We ordered drinks, an appetizer, entrees and a side. We first ordered the guacamole and tortilla chips. The tortilla chips tasted homemade and guac was quite tasty with jalapeno slices as a garnish. My friend ordered the Sandia cocktail comprised of Lalo, Ancho Reyes, watermelon, lime, and chamoy. I ordered the Frida Kahlo including Don Fulano Blanco, Jalisco 1562, guava, blood orange, lime, black lava Ssalt. Note to self: Don't touch the black lava salt because it rubs off on your hands. She ordered the filete de lomo black angus tenderloin for her entree with blistered shishitos, pipian verde, cebollas, and salsa seca. I ordered the crab relleno which was stuffed with smoked honey cornbread anaheim, jumbo lump blue crab, charred tomatillo sugo, and tamarind. The brussels sprouts side was quite different with crumbled cheese and sliced peppers...I suppose that's where the modern part kicked in. In addition, Armando, our server, was attentive and frequently came to our table to check on us. He also gave an overview of the menu before we made our selections. ATX Concina...modern Mexican...memorable experience.

We had a good experience here! The restaurant itself is really beautiful. It's open, welcoming, and…read morewell lit. We had a group of 8 people and were sat at a long table. Our server was personable and took really good care of us! We enjoyed the queso fundido and it was super good- who doesn't love cheese and chorizo? We also had the guac which was super fresh and delicious. I loved the chips. My filete de limo was super good, cooked well and I enjoyed the shishitos that accompanied it. It was pricy, but super good! I also had a spicy margarita which was made really well. I would come back!

Photos
ATX Cocina - Dinner for four at ATX Cocina

Dinner for four at ATX Cocina

ATX Cocina - The amazing cesar salad with watermelon radishes and parmesan cheese crisps

The amazing cesar salad with watermelon radishes and parmesan cheese crisps

ATX Cocina - Ahi poke tostadas were pretty good

See all

Ahi poke tostadas were pretty good

Fonda San Miguel - Tacos Al pastor, Cadillac margarita and numero uno margarita

Fonda San Miguel

4.1(1.4k reviews)
6.1 mi•Rosedale, Allandale
•$$$

Haven't been here in a while (years). Make sure you have a reservation. Appreciate the free valet…read moreparking. Inside is as inviting (and busy) as ever. Arrived on time and seated on time. Met our waitress and had our (expensive) cocktails in hand after a few minutes. Ceviche app (special) was on point. Delicate and citrusy with just a hint of heat. COCHINITA PIBIL. That is all. It's all I ever order here. (Unless they have duck enchiladas). Better half's crab enchiladas (special) was on point. Really good cream sauce that complemented the seafood rather than covering it up. Service was exceptional. Prices were as expected.

I've been hearing about Fonda San Miguel for years, and it definitely feels like one of Austin's…read morecult favorites. Somehow I'd never been despite living so close, so I was excited to finally check it off my list. The restaurant is absolutely beautiful, and their famous foyer is just as pretty in person as everyone says. I came with a friend, and we grabbed seats at the bar first while waiting, but I definitely recommend making reservations because this place is BUSY, even on a weeknight. Parking can also be a bit of a struggle since they have a pretty small lot. I had to make a few laps before I finally found a spot, so definitely give yourself a little extra time. They do offer valet, and I believe you may also be able to park in the lot next door after hours since it's their sister restaurant, but don't quote me on that haha. Their margaritas are also really good and definitely on the stronger side, so they were a great way to start the meal. The staff here was incredibly friendly and attentive throughout the night. They even walked us to our table and later showed me where the bathroom was, which I thought was a really nice touch. As for the food, it definitely lives up to the hype. It's on the pricier side, but everything tasted incredibly fresh and was well worth it. We ordered the enchiladas, which were delicious, and the shrimp was probably my favorite part of the meal because it was so fresh and perfectly cooked. I can definitely see why this restaurant has been around for so long and has such a loyal following. It took me way too long to finally come here, but I'll definitely be back. One thing I'm noticing as we do these is that you often write reviews that are genuinely useful--not just "food good/bad." You include things like reservations, parking, what to order, or where to sit. I think we should keep leaning into that because it feels very authentic to your style and makes your reviews stand out.

Photos
Fonda San Miguel
Fonda San Miguel - Carne Asada A La Tampiquena

Carne Asada A La Tampiquena

Fonda San Miguel - Frozen guava margarita

See all

Frozen guava margarita

Papalote Taco House - mexican - Updated November 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...