Taquería de Diez sits hidden behind ReyRey bar at 206 Trinity Street serving Tijuana-style tacos in a space designed to blend Mexican nostalgia with splashy American design.
Brothers Raul and Luis Esquer from Sinaloa, Mexico opened in February 2024 bringing northwestern Mexico’s taco culture to Austin’s downtown.
The vertical spit trompo spins behind the white-tiled counter while the red-and-white color palette creates the romance of taquerias of yore, and the open kitchen lets you watch taqueros prepare everything fresh.
What Makes Taquería de Diez Special
The restaurant serves authentic Tijuana-style pastor adobada tacos with meat slowly roasting on the vertical spit creating the caramelized edges and smoky flavor that defines the style.
Fresh handmade tortillas get made on the spot while salsas and condiments come from recipes prepared fresh daily rather than from containers.
The open kitchen format allows guests to watch the preparation and interact with taqueros the way you would in Mexico rather than ordering through a wall.
The second location at 2110 S Lamar Blvd expanded the reach while maintaining the same fresh ingredients and “con fuego” grilling that made the downtown spot successful since opening.
The Story Behind the Restaurant
Raul Esquer worked as a consultant for food and beverage companies and a venture capital firm before partnering with his twin brother Luis and Chef Roy Servan from Peru.
They realized northwestern Mexico’s food culture – particularly from Sinaloa and Tijuana – wasn’t well represented in Austin despite the city’s taco obsession.
The downtown location behind ReyRey bar created that speakeasy feel, while the red-and-white design nods to traditional Mexican taquerias they grew up with.
The brothers remember a taquero at the end of their childhood block who knew their names, their relatives’ names, and their favorite orders – that personal connection inspired the open format where taqueros interact with guests directly.
Food Highlights
- Pastor Adobada Tacos (Tijuana-Style): The authentic vertical spit preparation creates caramelized edges and smoky flavor that defines this style from northwestern Mexico. 🌮
- Carne Asada Tacos: The signature preparation with never-frozen meat grilled “con fuego” showcasing quality ingredients and proper technique. 🥩
- Fresh Handmade Tortillas: Made on the spot rather than using prepared tortillas creating the foundation that makes every taco better. 🫓
- Grilled Cactus Quesadilla: The nopal preparation offers a vegetarian option that respects the ingredient rather than treating it as an afterthought. 🌵
- Carne Asada Burrito: The burrito format with the same high-quality grilled meat and fresh ingredients as the tacos. 🌯
- Volcanes: The Mexican antojito creation showcasing the kitchen’s range beyond just tacos and burritos. 🌋
Atmosphere
The downtown location at 206 Trinity Street behind ReyRey bar creates speakeasy vibes with the red-and-white color palette and pithy phrases decorating the walls.
The open kitchen with the vertical spit trompo spinning becomes the focus, letting you watch taqueros work while smelling the meat roasting. The design blends Mexican nostalgia with contemporary American aesthetics in a way that feels intentional rather than trying too hard.
The South Lamar location at 2110 S Lamar Blvd offers similar vibes with more accessibility for South Austin residents. Both locations maintain the interactive format where you can talk to taqueros as they prepare your food.
Bottom Line
Visit Taquería de Diez for authentic Tijuana-style tacos where brothers from Sinaloa brought northwestern Mexico’s taco culture to Austin with proper technique.
The pastor adobada tacos, carne asada, and fresh handmade tortillas prove this kitchen respects both ingredients and traditional preparations. The grilled cactus quesadilla, carne asada burrito, and volcanes show the range beyond just tacos maintains quality.
Since February 2024, this downtown spot hidden behind ReyRey bar has become a destination with a second South Lamar location, serving tacos made “con fuego” with never-frozen meat and that open kitchen format where taqueros know your name. Order through Toast. 🌟
Address: Taquería de Diez
Downtown: 206 Trinity St, Ste 110, Austin, TX 78701
South Lamar: 2110 S Lamar Blvd, Ste C, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: (512) 633-4829
Hours: Sun: 12:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Mon-Wed: 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM | Thu-Fri: 11:30 AM – 1:00 AM | Sat: 11:30 AM – 1:00 AM (Downtown until 2:00 AM)
Features: Tijuana-style | Fresh handmade tortillas | Open kitchen | Vertical spit trompo | Two locations | Hidden speakeasy vibe