El Trompo

This no-frills, counter-service-only taco shop is proof that you shouldn't always judge a book by its cover. Trompo was selected as a finalist on Bon Appétit's 2016 America's Best New Restaurant list. Five distinct Monterrey-style street tacos are available for roughly $2 apiece, with options ranging from bistek to poblano chile with paneer cheese. You can't go wrong with any of the options, but you'd be remiss if you didn't order the restaurant's distinctive Trompo taco, which boasts luscious roasted pork cut right from the restaurant's namesake vertical spit. Don't forget about the quesadillas and Mexican corn because you should try them at least once.

Trompo is their name, and trompo tacos are their specialty. Layers of pork rubbed red with spices are supported by the trompo, a vertical spit similar to those used for shawarma in the Middle East and gyros in Greece. When you place an order, the meat is shaved off and placed directly into a taco or quesadilla, creating a velvety cushion of molten cheese. The old location in Bishop Arts closed in late 2021, but a new location in East Dallas opened earlier this year and continues to serve tacos.

Location: 407 W 10th St, Dallas, TX 75208
Website: https://www.oakclifftrompo.com