Whether it’s a late-night run through a familiar drive through, a sit-down experience at an exciting new spot complete with chips, salsa and a spicy margarita, or a meal at home on a Tuesday night just after all the homework is completed, tacos are a treat.
But birria? Birria tacos are special.
If you’ve had a passing interest in food trends over the past decade, you already know birria. Scanning a blog or Instagram post, one might be inclined to think the delicious concoction originated in Brooklyn, where scores of fashionable foodies would proudly post photos of consommé in paper cups, held up in front of colorful food trucks. However, the origin of birria seems to come from Jalisco, Mexico more than 100 years ago where it began as a flavorful goat stew. Today in Western New York, though, we have many options to enjoy it with beef in taco form.
If you’ve yet to have the experience, a birria taco is like a taco, quesadilla and French dip sandwich decided to collaborate. A corn tortilla is filled with rich, succulent, flavorful beef that’s been stewed for hours. Cheese, onions and cilantro are layered on top. Then, it’s grilled to achieve a slight crispy, chewy texture and served with a cup of broth in which the beef had been stewed to enjoy as a savory dip before each bite.
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Left Coast Taco has featured birria on its menu since opening on Elm Street in East Aurora. Sitting at the bar in the bright and breezy feeling space is reminiscent of a taqueria in Southern California. (That’s no accident since owner Nathan Root is a San Diego native.)
Birria here is simple. Two tacos are served in takeout containers with the requisite cup of consommé. Round out your taco experience with fresh chips, guac and a house-made cocktail, and you’ve got a mini-vacation.
On Genessee Street in Cheektowaga, you’ll find a different, but no less delicious, experience at Taqueria Los Mayas. The decor in this dimly lit, traditional Mexican restaurant is cozy, and the staff is welcoming. Complimentary chips and salsa will make their way to you frequently, and premade, frozen margaritas are flowing.
Here, birria arrives as a generous meal complete with beans and rice. And maybe another margarita.
Birria is also available for takeout or delivered by way of D.A. Taste in South Buffalo, where the dish grew a following very quickly. Once enjoyed, it’s easy to see why: three delicious tacos are perfectly grilled to achieve peak, cheesy goodness! And soon, D.A. Taste will be expanding to a spot in Larkinville, complete with bar and patio seating.
