Locals Know Taco Tours — East Austin Taco Walking Tour
A 2.5-hour guided walking taco tour through East Austin. Meet at The Long Goodbye (Manor Road) for check-in, then walk just under a mile with tastings at several neighborhood taquerías, a stop at a community garden and iconic murals, a birria/queso stop, and a final sweet treat. Non-alcoholic beverages and a knowledgeable local guide are included. The tour finishes at a different location in East/
In Collaboration with Locals Know ATX Food Tours. Updated on April 1, 2026.
This itinerary was created in collaboration with Locals Know ATX Food Tours, inspired by the tour Locals Know Taco Tours: Explore Austin’s best tacos joints in a flavor-filled, culturally immersed walking tour.. Please check the tour information during your booking process.
Highlights
- Tasting multiple East Austin taco styles (truck and taquería samples)
- Neighborhood murals and local street-art photo stops
- Visit to an East Austin community garden
- Queso-birria tasting stop
- A final sweet surprise (churro-style treat)
Explore all itineraries in Austin.
Itinerary
Day 1
Afternoon walking tour of East Austin with multiple food tastings, a garden and mural stop, and a sweet finish.
Meet at The Long Goodbye — check-in & intro
Meet your guide at The Long Goodbye on Manor Road. Quick introductions, safety notes, and overview of the route before the walk begins.
Tips from local experts:
- Free parking is available near The Long Goodbye — plan to park and meet your group there; arriving 10 minutes early helps with a prompt departure.
- Bring a small bag or jacket for samples; the venue has limited seating so expect a brief standing check-in.
- If you plan to buy the Elevated Drink Package, bring a valid 21+ ID and keep it accessible for the guide to verify.
Stop 1 — Featured East Austin taco truck sampling
First food stop at a well-known East Austin taco truck for two signature taco samples (chicken and shrimp-style flavors described on tour). Guide arranges skip-the-line access where possible.
Tips from local experts:
- This stop is at a street-side taco truck; seating may be limited — plan to stand or gather at nearby curbside benches.
- Non-alcoholic beverages are provided by the tour; if you want water between tastings, ask your guide.
- If you have shellfish or poultry allergies, notify the guide before the stop so they can advise the kitchen or suggest alternatives.
Stop 2 — La Santa-style barbacoa tasting and horchata
Second tasting focuses on slow-cooked barbacoa and a creamy horchata sample; contains a short guided chat about regional cooking and smoking techniques.
Tips from local experts:
- Barbacoa is slow-cooked and may contain bones or rendered fat; ask the guide if you need a boneless or leaner portion.
- Horchata contains dairy or rice — if you have lactose intolerance, check with the guide about alternatives.
- This stop is popular with locals; keep personal items close and be prepared for a brief line even with skip-the-line access.
Stop 3 — Neighborhood taquería: al pastor & chips
Local taquería stop for classic al pastor tacos and house-made dips with chips. Guide introduces you to flavor pairings and salsa choices.
Tips from local experts:
- Al pastor can be spicy; try a small bite first and sample salsas incrementally to find your preferred heat level.
- This taquería may have indoor seating; if you prefer to sit, let your guide know so they can find seats for the group.
- Consider sharing plates among friends for a wider range of flavors without overeating between stops.
Stop 4 — Este community garden stroll & mural photo stops
A relaxed walk through an East Austin community garden and a short mural walk to photograph the neighborhood's colorful street art and learn about local creative culture.
- MondayClosed
- Tuesday8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Thursday8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday8:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tips from local experts:
- Sidewalks in East Austin can be uneven; wear sturdy shoes and watch your step around garden beds and curbs.
- Bring a camera or phone with charged battery — several large murals make for great group photos.
- If you need mobility assistance, notify the guide in advance; some garden paths or mural-adjacent sidewalks may be narrow or unpaved.
Stop 5 — Queso birria cantina tasting
Cantina stop featuring smoky birria tacos dunked in consommé and served with chips and salsa. Guide explains the Tex‑Mex and regional crossover influences.
Tips from local experts:
- Birria is traditionally served with consommé for dipping — bring napkins and pace your bites to enjoy both taco and dip.
- This stop may involve standing room or counter service; if you need a seat, tell the guide early so they can arrange seating if available.
- If you prefer less spice, request milder salsa or have your guide advise on taco fillings that are milder.
Final stop — Sweet surprise (churro-style treat)
A final sweet bite to round out the tour — a crispy, sugary treat (churro-style) chosen by the local guide to finish the tasting experience.
Tips from local experts:
- This final treat is included and may be warm — allow a few minutes to cool before eating to avoid burns.
- If you have dietary restrictions (e.g., gluten), tell the guide earlier in the tour so they can confirm the dessert ingredients.
- The tour ends nearby; if you plan to return to your vehicle, rideshare, or continue exploring, have a plan since the endpoint differs from the start.
Itinerary Attributes
| Days | 1 |
| Highlights | 5 |
| Season | - |
| Month | - |
| Persona | Friends |
| Transfers | - |
| Restaurants | 5 |
| Total Activities | 7 |
| Total Places | 7 |
| Activities Types | Neighborhood, Restaurant, Outdoor |
Why this experience
You're standing in East Austin with a local who actually knows which taco truck changes your life. Not the tourist version — the real thing. You'll start at a corner where generations of families have built their evenings around tacos, where the menu is shouted in Spanish and trust is earned through flavor alone.
This walk is a masterclass in authenticity. Your guide navigates you through seven culinary stops that tell the story of East Austin's heart: a featured truck for perfectly grilled chicken and shrimp, La Santa's legendary barbacoa that melts on your tongue with fresh horchata, al pastor that's been spinning all day, and a queso birria cantina where the broth is liquid gold. You'll pause at Este's community gardens to see the neighborhood reclaiming its own food story — murals that speak about resilience and culture. The walk ends with a sweet treat that feels earned, a moment to sit with your friends and taste what real Austin tastes like.
Before you go
- Best time: Spring through early autumn brings warm evenings perfect for walking. Avoid peak summer heat (June–August can be 35°C+) if you're sensitive to intense sun.
- Budget: Check the booking widget for current tour pricing. Beverages are included; budget extra for additional drinks or dessert outside the tour.
- Difficulty: Easy — 1 mile of leisurely walking with plenty of stops and standing.
- What to bring: Comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, small bag for extras, cash for tips.
- Getting there: Meet at The Long Goodbye on Manor Road (East Austin). Street parking is available nearby; allow 15 minutes to find a spot.
- Accessibility: The route includes several curbs and uneven sidewalks. Discuss mobility needs with your operator before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Is this tour only for adventurous eaters? Not at all. Your guide can help identify milder options or skip anything that doesn't appeal. The focus is on the experience and the people, not forcing anyone to eat something uncomfortable.
Why non-alcoholic beverages? This tour centers food and community storytelling, so beverages are chosen to highlight the tacos themselves — fresh horchata, agua fresca, and drinks that pair perfectly with each stop.
How much walking is actually involved? About 1 mile total, split across the 2.5 hours, with plenty of time to sit and eat at each stop.
Complete your trip in Austin
Extend your tour experience with these complementary itineraries.
- Austin in 3 Days, Friends Edition — Live music, kayaking, and food halls for the full Austin weekend.
- Best Bars and Bats Evening Tour — Sunset cocktails and bat flights for an evening out.
- Haunted Ghost and Murder Tour — Local history and paranormal stories after dark.
Browse all Austin itineraries at TheNextGuide.
Last updated: April 2026
