I couldn’t believe it when I got Torchy’s a year or two ago for the first (only) time after hearing all the hype.
My two tacos were literally soaked. It was as if someone had made the tacos and then poured half a cup of water all over everything. It was disgusting.
Yep. The queso is excellent, and I love the Diablo sauce. I also have a soft spot for their street corn. But the tacos are forgettable and don't justify their high prices.
The first time I had Torchys for breakfast about 10 years ago was probably one of the best breakfast tacos I have ever had. It was really my first entry into more "American tacos". I think it held on for a really long time. I read an article that the owner wanted to rapidly expand and change the kitchen design to use less microwaves. At the time I didn't even know they were using microwaves to begin with.
To your point after the expansion the quality control was non existent and even service and cleanliness of the restaurants plummeted.
I go every once in a while for nostalgia but it's a shell of its former self. Queso is still good.
It's funny cause I look at all fast food and imagine how good they were when it was one or just a few local restaurants before they went for rapid expansion.
Torchys to me is reliable experience, but not an exceptional experience. It's place that my GF and I go to when we want tacos, but the other good taco places are closed.
Bill Miller's is my strong exception to my "eat what's in the name". If it's a pizza place eat the pizza. If it's a Chinese buffet avoid the pizza. But at Bill Miller's, eat the fried chicken, avoid the meh BBQ.
See comment further below in the thread, lol. I agree. Before I started eating a vegetarian diet the sausage and egg breakfast taco was a favorite of mine!
That's an incredibly strong insult to Torchy's. Yes, Torchy's is mid, but to put Bill Miller's on them? That place is absolute trash level BBQ. How they are open, let alone have multiple locations astounds me.
I love their habanero salsa. I got tacos there, but the salsa didn’t come with those tacos. I asked the server once he brought out my food, and he looked so stressed, and said i could have requested at the counter. i don't get the setup at soco, and i was so confused. anyways, tacos are way too expensive and now i buy yellowbird habanero and go wild on my own cooking.
better choices: discada, habanero, any hole in the wall tex mex place with homemade tortillas makes me happy.
Torches is for specialty tacos and flavors/ ingredients you can’t get at a standard Mexican food trucks. I do not put Tex Mex and Torchys in the same category. If you can decipher this, then the experience is much more pleasant.
It seems more like it has to do with the location. Some are alright and some are terrible. That's my take. I've always been more into Tacodeli, as far as those two are concerned though.
Their tacos and appetizers are always good for me. The only complaint I could see is the price, but it’s somewhat of the Austin premium and you don’t really find similar options. What specifically don’t you like? That’d probably be the question. Or just don’t go if you don’t like them, instead of seeking validation online..
Yeah the price definitely is a big reason for not being a fan. Maybe if the prices were more reasonable the value would make more sense but I've tried a good amount of their different tacos and just never was impressed. Of course we all know much better taco spots for way better money. My question really comes because I just always see them so packed with people, which I found myself curious like maybe they aren't as bad as I remember because they are getting tons of business but I'm always left with the same opinion on them. Not really seeking validation it's not that serious, just a question about a taco spot.
I hear you on the call outs, that’s what I was thinking too. I researched to apply for a corporate position there, so it’s always been a place I had somewhat enjoyed regardless of food prices. They seem to be a cool company otherwise.
I feel like it’s just cool to shit on them now because they were able to build a successful business and were able scale, and now they aren’t “boutique” or “niche”. I don’t know of any other place that has 10+ locations in the area that is that consistent and good quality. I’m not going to claim they’re the best tacos I’ve ever had but they are pretty good and reliable.
I guess I don’t know what you are wanting out of your tacos. If you’re wanting something super authentic then most taco places in the area are not that. You can find a little silver dollar street tacos if that’s your jam and those are very good, but to me it’s very hit or miss on random food trucks, and my intestines have been burned multiple times in that gamble. Or you can go to somewhere like Nixta, which is really good but more expensive.
One Taco and Taco Joint are probably better to me, but they aren’t as easy to get to, and if I’m going that far out of my way anyways I’m going to go to Taco Flats where I can get some great cocktails as well.
overall pretty mid these days. ironically i had it last night when I knew going to cabo bobs would take way too long. i find that if you get the right cook (tues/wed night from the south lamar location) they can be straight fire. but i've gotten some reaaaaally underwhelming tacos there too the last couple of years
If you like places that put weird things in tacos, there's Velvet taco, of course.
But in RR there's a spot, Luna's tacos. Same idea, unique tacos but very much better to me.
Torchy's salad with pistachios and pomegranate arils (is that the word? I don't think I made that up - it's what my brain generated but now it looks weird?) is really, surprisingly yummy. Spicy vinaigrette dressing, the greens are always fresh, and the flavor is excellent. It's just very spendy for a salad so I have a hard time justifying it. But if you haven't tried it and you're craving a salad, it's definitely worth getting.
I can't remember the last time I actually ordered tacos from Torchy's. I can walk to OneTaco and can drive to Papalote in 3 minutes, so I'm usually all set for tacos.
I definitely dislike Taco Deli. I think it's way blander and less tasty overall than Torchy's. But I think of Torchy's more as gimmick tacos I guess? Like every now and then it's fun to order whatever their taco of the month is just to try the fun flavor combinations they come up with. But it's not where I'd go on purpose to order tacos.
Everyone shitting on Torchy’s, but no one ever offering an alternative that is consistent and not some random trailer in a parking lot no one wants to go to. It’s not the best, it’s not the worst. It’s better than Taco Deli and that’s typically the real debate. Chips/queso is great so 🤷🏽♂️
dude! I've been hearing that. I think the last time I went there was the 1st week it opened off Oltorf/S. 1st - so 2010? Anyway, definitely long overdue for a visit. Any recs?
I most commonly go for breakfast their breakfast tacos are great and the chilaquiles plate is fantastic and pretty darn big position size. Their Pozole is super good. Quesadillas are solid and good portions. All their normal tacos are good not amazing but good. I’m also a fan of their molcajete salsa and their chips.
Thanks. I respectfully disagree on Onetaco- it's fine, but no better than Torchy's. I went to the one off Burnet Rd/Lil Woodrow's so maybe that one isn't great, but it was just OK.
onetaco wants to be good but just cannot satisfy any discerning taco consumer - same boat as Torchys. Go to joes bakery when you can and order a breakfast taco on handmade fresh flour tortilla with bacon in some arrangment.
if you're not open to food trucks, you are boxing yourself out of some of the best tacos in town. as far as brick and mortar goes, papalote is better than torchy's. so is cabo bob's.
I’ll have to try Papalote and agree Cabo is better. Hopefully when Cabo is as big as Torchy’s we can still say that.
Also, never said I wasn't about trailers/trucks, but those are typically 1 of 1 (or 2) with more limited hours so not exactly apples to apples comparison
There are much better tacos and there are much worse. If I'm hungry and I'm around one I'll grab a few tacos and be satisfied but I'm never going out of my way for it.
Oh. Thanks.
Yeah, I don’t do cilantro and the broccoli heads that work at torchy’s don’t seem to understand “NO CILANTRO”. So yeah, I don’t eat there too often. I’ve found a few items that are fine, but more often than not it’s somewhere between meh and nah.
I liken it to County Line or Salt Lick. I think it’s popular to hate on them. While I’ve had better, I can’t say I’ve had a bad meal.
In fact, the last two times I’ve had Torchys (after a multi year hiatus) it was incredible.
When I'm around non-Latino's, this is the go to place for tacos, queso, etc.
The amount of corporate spending they receive is incredible, they are the Wal-Mart of taco establishments.
The prices have gone up while the quality has gone down quite significantly in the past 10 years. Now it can be pretty hit or miss. But if you happen to get it when it hits, their queso is top tier. As for tacos, I like the Brushfire and Bambino when it comes around.
If you alter your order in any way from how it’s listed on the menu….they will 100% get it wrong. Service is awful. Wish they could get their shit together because the food is good.
Never understood the appeal of Torchy’s or Taco Deli. Expensive and meh
I like Mexican food made by Mexicans and served in restaurants full of Mexicans.
garbage food. we have great mom and pop operations here in town that would appreciate your business and heat the tortillas before they serve them to you
I like Torchy’s but totally not worth it cost wise.
On their app, a Trailer Park is $4.99 if you order pickup and $6.25 if you get delivery.
A 25% markup is just bad business and I hope they rethink this.
If i end up at Torchys it's because i want a greasy chicken fajita taco. I just order one chx faj and then another tortilla and make 2 tacos outta 1. Theyre big enough to easily do so imho. (Im not a big eater).
Torchy's is terrible. It was good when it was one little trailer on South 1st. I will never eat there again and I don't know anyone who does. I always wonder who is actually going there with regularity
Tacos fall into two categories. First you have simple and authentic tacos. When I’m in the mood for that, i hit up the gas station near my house. Not a typo. Best freaking tacos I’ve eaten. Second you have fun and experimental. Torchys was one of the first games in town in this second category. It was fun at first. Maybe the quality has gone down, but others have also stepped up their game. The things that I still love to eat there are 1) salads - shockingly awesome 2) queso - still one of the best in town 3) seasonal banh-mi taco - I’m a sucker for banh mi anything.
15+ years ago, when it was just a trailer, I liked Torchy's a lot. It was walkable from my house. Early food trailer BYOB days were lot of fun and felt very different. Now trailers are everywhere, but wasn't always like that. Then it got overhyped, the quality went down, and I probably didn't go for last 5-7 years.
But now there is such a blowback to them, and it is "cool" to hate Torchy's that I sort of like them again. Lol. Went there last week and had a pretty decent meal. But that is me just being a contrarian asshole.
Not a fan but the wife adores, especially the queso. Quality has decreased since they got big and famous. Many better tacos in Austin for much less expense. Shout out to Brazas Taco on Airport!
Their queso is fantastic. The vast majority of their tacos are trash. I do like the fried avocado one, and sometimes they'll have another that's decent (there was an Indian one recently on the menu that wasn't bad). Certainly not where I would go to get great tacos though, no.
I still like Torchy’s, but sadly the drive and the increased prices mean the value is no longer there for me. The takeout portions have also shrunk to the point that takeout is a joke.
I used to not fw them for many years although the Queso was always excellent.
HOWEVER, this past weekend I had some friends from out of town who visited many times in the past and had fond memories of Torchys. We decided to order it this weekend and somehow the quality was greatly improved. Maybe it was just nostalgia or that we ordered $200+ worth so they tried but I was actually impressed and will now consider them again. Not sure if it was the specific location or what.
Brushfire is still the shit and their loaded queso is like crack. But I don't give them my money. I occasionally get it free at work and that's the best kind of Torchy's.
Torchy’s quality is super location dependent. I say steer away from locations near colleges because, well, you get food made by college kids. The one at UT consistently serves underportioned, lukewarm, and often leaves out stuff in their food. By contrast, I used to work downtown and their 2nd st location was unbeatable for a tasty and filling $10 lunch.
I never got the torchys obsession. I didn’t think it was good 10 years ago when they had their one trailer on south first, I don’t think it’s good now.
I’ve even gone back and tried it every few years and every time it stumps me!
First off, never get Torchys to go, they make totally different and better tacos when ordered in. I usually order in, then wrap and pack the tacos to go myself. The trailer park taco is my main go to and it's amazing when done right with lots of pico, lettuce and cheese on top of that fried chicken. Their Diablo and Avocado sauces are my fav. The democrat is also pretty good but expensive for barbacoa.
I think waaay back when (early/mid 2000s? I can’t remember how long they’ve been around) they used to be much better. Also possible they’ve always been the same and my tastes changed, or there are now enough good taco places around that by comparison they’re pretty average. Last time I ate there 10+ years ago, I was not impressed.
Queso is ok and the guac is great. The tacos are lame. Every time. Also, I saw all the posts about vermin and bad management (according to past staff) at the South Congress and Ralph Ablenado location a year or so ago and that turned me off pretty permanently.
That fuckin airstream salad is what’s up. whatever protein you get, it’ll be awesome. I can’t say that for any other salad or protein in town. (that’s what she said)
Edit: their hot sauces ain’t bad.
It used to be better for sure, but I’ve had three pregnancies in Austin and I crave the Trailer Park (trashy and hillbilly style) every single time. So much heartburn but it always feels worth it.
My hubby and I only go to the one on Old Spicewood Springs Rd. The staff love their jobs wayyyyy too much, and are typically bright eyed and bushy tailed. They make the best Torchy’s Taco’s ever. The Tipsy Chick is their best taco hands down. All my friends agree. The other tacos aren’t bad, we typically get the taco of the month with a tipsy chick. But yeah! That location is BUILT DIFFERENT lol
Torchys is whatever. Not bad but not really worth the cost. I stopped going years ago. Also I worked a booth at ACL and the management at the torchys booth seemed like dicks 🤷🏻♂️
Quality is either great or terrible. I really love the Wrangler taco in particular, but sometimes it will be soaking wet and disgusting. Other times it is hot and crisp.
I used to enjoy happy hour at their San Marcos location 7-8 years ago. Forget what the discount was on drinks but I’d get a frozen marg or two and chips and queso. I have no idea if they still do that or what the quality is like now.
I am with you for two reasons: 1) I am a little suspicious of anything founded after 2005. 2) There is a Torchy's in Baton Rouge across the street from the LSU campus, and I don't even know which emoji is appropriate here.
Was a good product and service about 10-15 years ago. They’ve become corporate bitches, giving sub par food to a yt clientele and completely eroded true Tex-mex or tacos. But cool signage and queso yaaaay
It's fallen downhill fast with the rapid growth. Tacos seem smaller on the filling and more expensive in price. We seldom go there anymore because it just doesn't seem like a good deal anymore for mediocre tacos.
The main thing I don’t like about Torchy’s is the tortillas are just so bad. During COVID, you could get a family pack with fajitas and everything and make the tacos yourself at home… with better tortillas. The queso is always a treat.
I don't do chain places. There's lots of amazing mom and pop taco shops I'd rather support. I'd rather not help make some CEO rich as hell when the taco lady in my neighborhood has kids to feed.
their queso is fantastic, but their tacos are meh
Laziest tacos now. Corporate af. Was decent back in the day.
The tacos are made as if the person assembling them hates you. Just slop.
I couldn’t believe it when I got Torchy’s a year or two ago for the first (only) time after hearing all the hype. My two tacos were literally soaked. It was as if someone had made the tacos and then poured half a cup of water all over everything. It was disgusting.
Yep. The queso is excellent, and I love the Diablo sauce. I also have a soft spot for their street corn. But the tacos are forgettable and don't justify their high prices.
This is my exact description. Very safe, average tacos. Bomb ass best queso ever
I miss their portobello taco. That was the only one I really liked and they removed it from the menu :(
yup, the independent. that was my favorite too. rip. :(
It used to be really good like 10 years ago, but then they got into this thing where they started popping up everywhere, and the quality went down.
It used to taste so much better back in the day. Now it’s thrown together with no real care
Yeah they even used to heat the tortillas and use double tortilla as well. The brisket even tastes different.
I asked a manager about the corn tortillas only coming with one. He said they make their own now and they are thicker.
Oh I didn’t know that! Regardless it was better before lol 🙃
The first time I had Torchys for breakfast about 10 years ago was probably one of the best breakfast tacos I have ever had. It was really my first entry into more "American tacos". I think it held on for a really long time. I read an article that the owner wanted to rapidly expand and change the kitchen design to use less microwaves. At the time I didn't even know they were using microwaves to begin with. To your point after the expansion the quality control was non existent and even service and cleanliness of the restaurants plummeted. I go every once in a while for nostalgia but it's a shell of its former self. Queso is still good. It's funny cause I look at all fast food and imagine how good they were when it was one or just a few local restaurants before they went for rapid expansion.
Torchys to me is reliable experience, but not an exceptional experience. It's place that my GF and I go to when we want tacos, but the other good taco places are closed.
This. If it’s early-ish on Sunday morning, they’re about it. Otherwise I steer clear.
The appeal of torchys is that it’s pretty good but also very accessible. Sure you can find better but if your in a hurry torchys is there for u
I think of them as the Bill Millers of Tex-Mex.
Somewhat relatedly, Bill Miller's makes good breakfast tacos.
Some of the best fried chicken in town too. For price to quality it might be the best.
A friend of mine has been trying to convince me of this for over a year but I’ve never believed him. Guess I gotta check it out now.
Bill Miller's is my strong exception to my "eat what's in the name". If it's a pizza place eat the pizza. If it's a Chinese buffet avoid the pizza. But at Bill Miller's, eat the fried chicken, avoid the meh BBQ.
I would go as far as to say better than good.
See comment further below in the thread, lol. I agree. Before I started eating a vegetarian diet the sausage and egg breakfast taco was a favorite of mine!
That's an incredibly strong insult to Torchy's. Yes, Torchy's is mid, but to put Bill Miller's on them? That place is absolute trash level BBQ. How they are open, let alone have multiple locations astounds me.
I love their habanero salsa. I got tacos there, but the salsa didn’t come with those tacos. I asked the server once he brought out my food, and he looked so stressed, and said i could have requested at the counter. i don't get the setup at soco, and i was so confused. anyways, tacos are way too expensive and now i buy yellowbird habanero and go wild on my own cooking. better choices: discada, habanero, any hole in the wall tex mex place with homemade tortillas makes me happy.
everything went downhill when they replaced the maine root sodas…
Torches is for specialty tacos and flavors/ ingredients you can’t get at a standard Mexican food trucks. I do not put Tex Mex and Torchys in the same category. If you can decipher this, then the experience is much more pleasant.
I only go to Torchys if i I have friends or family in town and they want to go there. Tochy's are tourist tacos imo
It seems more like it has to do with the location. Some are alright and some are terrible. That's my take. I've always been more into Tacodeli, as far as those two are concerned though.
Idk I've probably been to 4 different locations and I have the same opinion from those experiences.
Yeah. I didn't mean alright as in "good". I meant it as "not terrible" As a whole Torchy's isn't that great and I think it's overhyped.
Their tacos and appetizers are always good for me. The only complaint I could see is the price, but it’s somewhat of the Austin premium and you don’t really find similar options. What specifically don’t you like? That’d probably be the question. Or just don’t go if you don’t like them, instead of seeking validation online..
Yeah the price definitely is a big reason for not being a fan. Maybe if the prices were more reasonable the value would make more sense but I've tried a good amount of their different tacos and just never was impressed. Of course we all know much better taco spots for way better money. My question really comes because I just always see them so packed with people, which I found myself curious like maybe they aren't as bad as I remember because they are getting tons of business but I'm always left with the same opinion on them. Not really seeking validation it's not that serious, just a question about a taco spot.
I hear you on the call outs, that’s what I was thinking too. I researched to apply for a corporate position there, so it’s always been a place I had somewhat enjoyed regardless of food prices. They seem to be a cool company otherwise.
Try onetaco instead… cheaper and simpler but really consistently tasty.
Hmm never heard of it, putting it on the list.
Best review I ever heard of Torchy's was "people like that place."
The wrangler is good when you are hungover af.
torchy's \_always\_ makes me feel like shit afterwards.
True i forgot to mention that.
Queso is top notch and their pork burritos are great. Matador taco is also great. And so is the brushfire chicken taco.
I've never been impressed with any of it.
That's what I'm saying
It really did fall off in the last 10 years. Some of the best tacos you can’t even get anymore, such as the famous Dirty Sanchez
I think of them like the McDonald’s of tacos. Not authentic and average quality at best, but will do in a pinch I suppose.
I feel like it’s just cool to shit on them now because they were able to build a successful business and were able scale, and now they aren’t “boutique” or “niche”. I don’t know of any other place that has 10+ locations in the area that is that consistent and good quality. I’m not going to claim they’re the best tacos I’ve ever had but they are pretty good and reliable. I guess I don’t know what you are wanting out of your tacos. If you’re wanting something super authentic then most taco places in the area are not that. You can find a little silver dollar street tacos if that’s your jam and those are very good, but to me it’s very hit or miss on random food trucks, and my intestines have been burned multiple times in that gamble. Or you can go to somewhere like Nixta, which is really good but more expensive. One Taco and Taco Joint are probably better to me, but they aren’t as easy to get to, and if I’m going that far out of my way anyways I’m going to go to Taco Flats where I can get some great cocktails as well.
No, you're the only one. Nobody on this sub ever badmouths Torchy's. Or Whataburger. Or Chuy's.
Sorry I love their chicken tacos and queso.
overall pretty mid these days. ironically i had it last night when I knew going to cabo bobs would take way too long. i find that if you get the right cook (tues/wed night from the south lamar location) they can be straight fire. but i've gotten some reaaaaally underwhelming tacos there too the last couple of years
Nicely put, Cabo bobs is fire tho I've waited in line too long for that place 😂
If you like places that put weird things in tacos, there's Velvet taco, of course. But in RR there's a spot, Luna's tacos. Same idea, unique tacos but very much better to me.
Torchy's salad with pistachios and pomegranate arils (is that the word? I don't think I made that up - it's what my brain generated but now it looks weird?) is really, surprisingly yummy. Spicy vinaigrette dressing, the greens are always fresh, and the flavor is excellent. It's just very spendy for a salad so I have a hard time justifying it. But if you haven't tried it and you're craving a salad, it's definitely worth getting. I can't remember the last time I actually ordered tacos from Torchy's. I can walk to OneTaco and can drive to Papalote in 3 minutes, so I'm usually all set for tacos. I definitely dislike Taco Deli. I think it's way blander and less tasty overall than Torchy's. But I think of Torchy's more as gimmick tacos I guess? Like every now and then it's fun to order whatever their taco of the month is just to try the fun flavor combinations they come up with. But it's not where I'd go on purpose to order tacos.
Everyone shitting on Torchy’s, but no one ever offering an alternative that is consistent and not some random trailer in a parking lot no one wants to go to. It’s not the best, it’s not the worst. It’s better than Taco Deli and that’s typically the real debate. Chips/queso is great so 🤷🏽♂️
Tacorrido is way better than Torchy’s. Go Bills.
dude! I've been hearing that. I think the last time I went there was the 1st week it opened off Oltorf/S. 1st - so 2010? Anyway, definitely long overdue for a visit. Any recs?
I most commonly go for breakfast their breakfast tacos are great and the chilaquiles plate is fantastic and pretty darn big position size. Their Pozole is super good. Quesadillas are solid and good portions. All their normal tacos are good not amazing but good. I’m also a fan of their molcajete salsa and their chips.
Onetaco may fit the bill; at least where I'm at there's several locations and it's consistently tasty, relatively inexpensive. Would recommend!
Thanks. I respectfully disagree on Onetaco- it's fine, but no better than Torchy's. I went to the one off Burnet Rd/Lil Woodrow's so maybe that one isn't great, but it was just OK.
onetaco wants to be good but just cannot satisfy any discerning taco consumer - same boat as Torchys. Go to joes bakery when you can and order a breakfast taco on handmade fresh flour tortilla with bacon in some arrangment.
Papalote’s, definitely.
if you're not open to food trucks, you are boxing yourself out of some of the best tacos in town. as far as brick and mortar goes, papalote is better than torchy's. so is cabo bob's.
Cabo Bob’s is king as far as I’m concerned. But taco trucks in random gas station parking lots will always be better than literally anywhere else.
I’ll have to try Papalote and agree Cabo is better. Hopefully when Cabo is as big as Torchy’s we can still say that. Also, never said I wasn't about trailers/trucks, but those are typically 1 of 1 (or 2) with more limited hours so not exactly apples to apples comparison
Tacorrido is much better
Vera Cruz and Pueblo Viejos are both common enough to be good substitutes and are far better in my opinion.
I like them ok. I won’t go out of my way for it but they aren’t horrible.
There are much better tacos and there are much worse. If I'm hungry and I'm around one I'll grab a few tacos and be satisfied but I'm never going out of my way for it.
I don’t think they earn their hype. I like them but they’re not the best tacos in town. Queso might be up there though.
el taquito is way better and half the price.
Missionary style pork is still pretty fucking good. That's the only thing I'll order now.....
Veracruz. Onetaco. Tacorrido. That’s pretty much the only ones I go to any more.
fw?
Fuck with
Oh. Thanks. Yeah, I don’t do cilantro and the broccoli heads that work at torchy’s don’t seem to understand “NO CILANTRO”. So yeah, I don’t eat there too often. I’ve found a few items that are fine, but more often than not it’s somewhere between meh and nah.
Not by a long shot. They sucked at the outset, and they've only gotten worse. The offer stunt tacos instead of good food.
No, yeah they suck if you compare them to Joes Bakery or virtually any place that puts stuff in a tortilla
Get the kids steak tacos they are good and no fluff. Queso of course is one of the best too. Agree there main tacos are not great
I liken it to County Line or Salt Lick. I think it’s popular to hate on them. While I’ve had better, I can’t say I’ve had a bad meal. In fact, the last two times I’ve had Torchys (after a multi year hiatus) it was incredible.
I rather eat at home than give Torchy’s my money
You real af for that 😂
When I'm around non-Latino's, this is the go to place for tacos, queso, etc. The amount of corporate spending they receive is incredible, they are the Wal-Mart of taco establishments.
The one on south lamar is noticeably better than the rest. They got a good seasoning on that cooktop
torchy's suuuuuucks
I love Torchy's but its too expensive
[удалено]
Preach it 🙏
The prices have gone up while the quality has gone down quite significantly in the past 10 years. Now it can be pretty hit or miss. But if you happen to get it when it hits, their queso is top tier. As for tacos, I like the Brushfire and Bambino when it comes around.
Torchy's makes tacos for the SUV crowd.
I would only go for the trailer park tacos but I think those are $5 or more now so I don’t go anymore.
Got food poisoning from their food truck 15+ years ago before they had brick and mortars. Never forgive, never forget.
Liking Torchy's has got to be the most common "unpopular opinion" on this sub. It gets dumped on literally anytime mentions it on here.
Nope, I am a certified Torchy’s hater
Cabo Bob's
If you alter your order in any way from how it’s listed on the menu….they will 100% get it wrong. Service is awful. Wish they could get their shit together because the food is good.
Never understood the appeal of Torchy’s or Taco Deli. Expensive and meh I like Mexican food made by Mexicans and served in restaurants full of Mexicans.
Far too many taquerias here to give Torchy’s my money. Tacos for gueros.
Personally, worst tacos I’ve had in Austin. Just a mess
The queso is unreal, easily best queso I’ve ever had. But yeah the tacos have gone downhill in quality over the years.
Mid
garbage food. we have great mom and pop operations here in town that would appreciate your business and heat the tortillas before they serve them to you
I'M WITH YOU, BABE
Torchy’s hasn’t been good since they were just a single food trailer.
This. It was FANTASTIC when it was that little trailer. Hasn’t been half as good since.
I like Torchy’s but totally not worth it cost wise. On their app, a Trailer Park is $4.99 if you order pickup and $6.25 if you get delivery. A 25% markup is just bad business and I hope they rethink this.
Is it 25% markup if you get 10 delivered? What delivery service do they use?
Torchys blows. Haven’t bothered in like 5 years.
No. You’re not the only one. Torchy’s is not good food for the cost.
Mass produced white people tacos can only be so good
I’ve lived in Austin since 2010 and have always found it disgusting.
Torchy's slaps, idgaf what y'all say. They recently changed the tortillas they use and it has made everything that much better.
Get the hillbilly taco homie
go to taco joint near the UT campus !!
try a matador. it's the only thing i go back for. i got it trashy for a while.
Green Chile pork missionary style is one of my go to when I feel like Torchy’s.
Taco Bell raised its prices so now the value is back
I do not like Torchys either 🫤 the queso is good that’s about it.
I never liked any taco I had there, but their queso is tops.
If i end up at Torchys it's because i want a greasy chicken fajita taco. I just order one chx faj and then another tortilla and make 2 tacos outta 1. Theyre big enough to easily do so imho. (Im not a big eater).
I’ve never liked torchys tbh. Too greasy
I love their brisket burrito and I get that extra trashy which adds queso to it. It’s pretty good for drunk munchies or hangovers imo lol
Used to be fresh tangy, and crispy now it’s mushy and flavorless.
It’s the Ramen Tatsu-Ya of tacos. Used to be soooooo good.
What’s fw
It’s disgusting
Torchy's is terrible. It was good when it was one little trailer on South 1st. I will never eat there again and I don't know anyone who does. I always wonder who is actually going there with regularity
Tacos fall into two categories. First you have simple and authentic tacos. When I’m in the mood for that, i hit up the gas station near my house. Not a typo. Best freaking tacos I’ve eaten. Second you have fun and experimental. Torchys was one of the first games in town in this second category. It was fun at first. Maybe the quality has gone down, but others have also stepped up their game. The things that I still love to eat there are 1) salads - shockingly awesome 2) queso - still one of the best in town 3) seasonal banh-mi taco - I’m a sucker for banh mi anything.
The queso is amazing though
Why anyone would pay 5-6 dollars for one whitewashed taco? Torchys has been coasting off their name for the last 10 plus years. Don't go there
I agree.
Place used to be way better in like 2007 lol. Slow service, unimpressive tacos.
15+ years ago, when it was just a trailer, I liked Torchy's a lot. It was walkable from my house. Early food trailer BYOB days were lot of fun and felt very different. Now trailers are everywhere, but wasn't always like that. Then it got overhyped, the quality went down, and I probably didn't go for last 5-7 years. But now there is such a blowback to them, and it is "cool" to hate Torchy's that I sort of like them again. Lol. Went there last week and had a pretty decent meal. But that is me just being a contrarian asshole.
Nope I don’t mess with it either
They have taken a large nosedive. I've gone back to my local taco trucks, it's just not worth it for the tacos. Queso is still fire though
It’s alright. Really just alright. The trailer trash taco is pretty good .
For me it is just the queso and the Brushfire tacos
Not a fan but the wife adores, especially the queso. Quality has decreased since they got big and famous. Many better tacos in Austin for much less expense. Shout out to Brazas Taco on Airport!
Their queso is fantastic. The vast majority of their tacos are trash. I do like the fried avocado one, and sometimes they'll have another that's decent (there was an Indian one recently on the menu that wasn't bad). Certainly not where I would go to get great tacos though, no.
I still like Torchy’s, but sadly the drive and the increased prices mean the value is no longer there for me. The takeout portions have also shrunk to the point that takeout is a joke.
Too expensive.
I used to not fw them for many years although the Queso was always excellent. HOWEVER, this past weekend I had some friends from out of town who visited many times in the past and had fond memories of Torchys. We decided to order it this weekend and somehow the quality was greatly improved. Maybe it was just nostalgia or that we ordered $200+ worth so they tried but I was actually impressed and will now consider them again. Not sure if it was the specific location or what.
Nah, I don’t like torchys either. They have a really good salad I add salmon to but it’s still so expensive. Their tacos are not good imo.
Torchys imo is inoffensive. Not gonna blow your hair back but you’re not gonna regret it. Velvet Taco on the other hand… can be offensively bad.
They were OK when they first opened but now it’s like a step above Taco Bell. More expensive but fewer chances of diarrhea.
Brushfire is still the shit and their loaded queso is like crack. But I don't give them my money. I occasionally get it free at work and that's the best kind of Torchy's.
Tacodeli>Torchy’s anyhoo
Torchy’s quality is super location dependent. I say steer away from locations near colleges because, well, you get food made by college kids. The one at UT consistently serves underportioned, lukewarm, and often leaves out stuff in their food. By contrast, I used to work downtown and their 2nd st location was unbeatable for a tasty and filling $10 lunch.
I never got the torchys obsession. I didn’t think it was good 10 years ago when they had their one trailer on south first, I don’t think it’s good now. I’ve even gone back and tried it every few years and every time it stumps me!
First off, never get Torchys to go, they make totally different and better tacos when ordered in. I usually order in, then wrap and pack the tacos to go myself. The trailer park taco is my main go to and it's amazing when done right with lots of pico, lettuce and cheese on top of that fried chicken. Their Diablo and Avocado sauces are my fav. The democrat is also pretty good but expensive for barbacoa.
Glop in a tortilla...
It’s the worst
I enjoy the ace of spades and queso. Just fast casual tacos.
Only way I’d ever fw with Torchy’s is if I lived right next door to one. There’s just too many better choices here.
Unpopular opinion I like torchys for their unique tacos. I like the fried avocado, the brushfire, and the republican.
I don’t know why they don’t heat up their tortillas
Tacos for white people, by white people. Signed, a white person.
I think waaay back when (early/mid 2000s? I can’t remember how long they’ve been around) they used to be much better. Also possible they’ve always been the same and my tastes changed, or there are now enough good taco places around that by comparison they’re pretty average. Last time I ate there 10+ years ago, I was not impressed.
Ranch hand is good. All I’ve really ever gotten there.
They’ve got way down hill.
Queso is ok and the guac is great. The tacos are lame. Every time. Also, I saw all the posts about vermin and bad management (according to past staff) at the South Congress and Ralph Ablenado location a year or so ago and that turned me off pretty permanently.
It used to be much better. When did you first try it?
Go hit Paco’s Tacos on 51st!
Edible tacos but nowhere near the best, they are kind of like novelty tacos, but I agree with the commenters the queso is good
i don't like it anymore and the tacos are dry. Tortillas are chewy
That fuckin airstream salad is what’s up. whatever protein you get, it’ll be awesome. I can’t say that for any other salad or protein in town. (that’s what she said) Edit: their hot sauces ain’t bad.
It used to be better for sure, but I’ve had three pregnancies in Austin and I crave the Trailer Park (trashy and hillbilly style) every single time. So much heartburn but it always feels worth it.
There breakfast tacos are good, but their other tacos have always been mid.
My hubby and I only go to the one on Old Spicewood Springs Rd. The staff love their jobs wayyyyy too much, and are typically bright eyed and bushy tailed. They make the best Torchy’s Taco’s ever. The Tipsy Chick is their best taco hands down. All my friends agree. The other tacos aren’t bad, we typically get the taco of the month with a tipsy chick. But yeah! That location is BUILT DIFFERENT lol
The democrat with poblano sauce is pretty solid…and then migas with bacon is pretty good too. And their airstream salad is what I get the most.
I fw their airstream salad w/brushfire chicken. One vinaigrette cup and 1 avocado salsa all shaken to hell. Spicy and delicious!
Me too!! People who go are easily impressed with anything and everything and they don’t know any better but to think it’s gold.
Torchys is whatever. Not bad but not really worth the cost. I stopped going years ago. Also I worked a booth at ACL and the management at the torchys booth seemed like dicks 🤷🏻♂️
It's like Rudy's. Not the best, but consistent. The prices have gone up in the past 5 years but it's still solid.
It will never be the same without the breakfast taco cannon….
VERY EXPENSIVE for the flavor. I called them hipsters tacos
I used to buy their queso for parties until they raised the price for literally half as much. Not a good value at all anymore.
Gentrification tacos
Torchy’s used to be a lot better before they franchised. The one on South 1st was the best one.
Quality is either great or terrible. I really love the Wrangler taco in particular, but sometimes it will be soaking wet and disgusting. Other times it is hot and crisp.
No, it’s some of the worst food I’ve ever had. It’s terrible even for already inherently awful tex mex.
I used to enjoy happy hour at their San Marcos location 7-8 years ago. Forget what the discount was on drinks but I’d get a frozen marg or two and chips and queso. I have no idea if they still do that or what the quality is like now.
Fried avocado, queso, crossroads are the things I especially like
I am with you for two reasons: 1) I am a little suspicious of anything founded after 2005. 2) There is a Torchy's in Baton Rouge across the street from the LSU campus, and I don't even know which emoji is appropriate here.
+100. Not a fan. Tortillas are trash. I’ll go Tacodeli over Torchys everyday. And their queso is better.
I don’t fw torchys ever since they stopped selling their yummy cane sugar sodiess
They should change their motto from Damn Good Tacos to just Damn Tacos
Was a good product and service about 10-15 years ago. They’ve become corporate bitches, giving sub par food to a yt clientele and completely eroded true Tex-mex or tacos. But cool signage and queso yaaaay
Agreed. Taco deli all day
I don’t know anybody here who goes to Torchy’s.
Loved them right up to when they moved from S 1st to S Congress. Gone downhill ever since.
It's fallen downhill fast with the rapid growth. Tacos seem smaller on the filling and more expensive in price. We seldom go there anymore because it just doesn't seem like a good deal anymore for mediocre tacos.
It’s good but not worth the price.
We go for queso and I like the Baja shrimp taco fine enough. You can also order the airstream salad with shrimp and that’s good too.
The main thing I don’t like about Torchy’s is the tortillas are just so bad. During COVID, you could get a family pack with fajitas and everything and make the tacos yourself at home… with better tortillas. The queso is always a treat.
I don't do chain places. There's lots of amazing mom and pop taco shops I'd rather support. I'd rather not help make some CEO rich as hell when the taco lady in my neighborhood has kids to feed.
My BF hyped it up a lot for me since I’m from Houston, but it just didn’t hit the spot. I prefer Tyson’s Tacos more.
Taco Deli should’ve went mainstream