Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez

Inside Birrieria y Taqueria Cortez, A Michelin-Recognized Texas Taqueria | Eater Dallas

"Surprisingly singled out for a Michelin recommendation in Texas’s inaugural 2024 ceremony, this restaurant began as Rogelio Cortez Jr.’s all-beef birria food truck and opened a brick-and-mortar in 2021 during the pandemic. The compact, all-beef menu centers on a quesabirria platter served with consumé—the tortillas are crispy and the meat is tender and melt-in-your-mouth, though the exterior could be crisper and the reviewer wished for more marinade heat; diners often praise the consumé even if this visit found it milder and less peppery than expected. The menu otherwise includes birria tacos (available without cheese) and many birria-based items—quesadillas, tortas, burritos, street tacos, chimichangas, tostadas, flautas, plus playful options like birria pizza and sliders—while sides such as Mexican rice and pinto beans are serviceable. The vibe is low-key and homespun (no reservations for most parties), with a bold, high-saturation red-and-orange interior, airbrushed murals, a large Virgin Mary mural near the women's room, rainbow-topped tables, an expansive matching patio, paper-towel napkin holders, sports on TVs, and attentive service from a well-staffed, youthful crew. Prices are excellent for Michelin-recognized food—individual birria tacos and quesabirria run under $4, a hearty plate with a soda can be had for under $20, and a $35 sampler includes an 8-inch birria pizza, flautas, two quesabirria tacos, and consumé." - Courtney E. Smith