While some people spent 2016 listening to The Chainsmokers, twirling their fidget spinners and binge-watching the first season of Stranger Things, a select few were expending time and energy toward a debate over who has the best tacos amongst major Texas cities, with most folks involved pinning Austin against San Antonio. Now, 10 years later, the whole thing feels kind of pointless, and yet, it continues to take up space in the Texas zeitgeist, whether it makes a difference or not.
The Taco Wars, as they came to be dubbed, originated in reaction to a 2016 Eater Austin article titled “How Austin Became the Home of the Crucial Breakfast Taco,” which immediately ruffled feathers upon its publication. Naturally, chaos ensued, and soon, the think-pieces began rolling in from taco pundits across Texas. The Taco Wars got so big at one point that even politicians were getting in on the taco debate, a meaningless distraction during a key election year. Since then, every few years, the topic gets temporarily resurrected.
How San Antonio taco spots feel about the alleged Taco Wars
Considering it’s been 10 years since they first erupted, we visited a few San Antonio restaurants to talk to people actually involved in the local taco scene to get a pulse check on the current status of the Taco Wars. Those at Pete’s Tako House, Ray’s Drive Inn and Tacopolis each had something to say about the matter.
“If you ask me, there is absolutely no rivalry or war at all,” said Robert Rodriguez, manager of Pete’s Tako House. “No question, no comparison. San Antonio has the best tacos.”
Rodriguez shared a common sentiment amongst San Antonians who don’t feel the need to waste time making the argument that we have better tacos than other cities. It’s just understood that such is the case. The same could be said for po’boys and New Orleans, but you don’t see Baton Rouge getting all in a twist about it. Is Chicago concerned about Springfield topping its deep-dish pizza? Do you think Philadelphia is worried about Harrisburg besting its cheesesteaks?…