"Last Call for Tacos" is a new feature film inspired by the life of María, owner of Taco Xpress. This docudrama revisits the colorful people and places from Maria's past. The film is directed by Vishwanand "V" Shetti.
In South Austin - Where Our Taco’s are Your Taco’s
Everybody has their own list of creature comforts- small and sometimes guilty pleasures that provide an escape from the stresses of modern times and keep us generally miserable humans from committing hara-kiri.
Maria’s has always been a creature comfort for me and many other 78704sters.
My Sunday afternoons have seen many a chorizo/egg/cheese taco placed in my hung-over belly. In fact, in the humble opinion of Cabeza De Taco, Maria’s makes the best chorizo bar none.
Here’s a little history lesson: Taco Xpress has been the de-facto taco joint on South Lamar since Maria spent her 1997 tax return on a little taco trailer.
From there, popularity and square footage grew to include a small shack and patio with strange folk art, carnival facades, and a rickety stage for the Sunday gospel brunch, which featured a who’s who of taco-loving Austin songwriters. The lines were always long (usually snaking out the front door) and the food was always good.
Fast forward to present day, thanks to the new CVS pharmacy next door (and their deep pockets) Taco Xpress has moved about 100 feet into a completely new building.
Thankfully, they transplanted much of the same tripped-out folk-art sculptures and junkyard coziness from the original. I’m sure it’ll get broken in nicely over time.
Its an order at the counter-style shack, but bring CASH- they don’t take no stinkin credit or checks…
If you’re there for breakfast- like i said- get the chorizo egg & cheese taco. Its greasy hangover curin’ taco heaven.
Everything’s good here.
The refried beans are exactly what you’d expect- the queso is perfect consistency, the chips are good, and the Mexican rice is above-average. I’ve yet to taste a Maria’s dish that doesn’t stand up.
Add that to the fact that its a chill spot to hangout, read the paper, do a little laptop surfin’, or catch some bad-ass music…it all adds up to a bona-fide South Austin landmark.
Miss y'all a bunch. Am trying to route my way through Austin in the next 30 days and will bring friends and family if I can. Not long from now, I will be just down the road...
tour with Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers went great!!!
We have some West Coast dates comin up in the next week and then we are off for another US tour. Watch for a bunch of new dates to be announced this week!
check out our blog for road journal updates from every show we played at:
It was great to meet you, and we had a fantastic time playing for you...but why'd you have to go and ruin Mexican food in California for us. It's gonna be pretty slim pickin's until we can get back to Austin and Maria's Taco Xpress. THANKS!
Hi Maria! It's an honor to be your friend on here! Words cannot do justice to the gratitude we all feel in this town for the kindness you've extended to our local musicians. Best Wishes! Dana
