The time About.com sucked at Dallas taco rankings

Towards the end of last week I got sent a copy of an article on About.com entitled ‘10 Best Tacos in Dallas.’ Honestly, I don’t know what kind of homework went into this article, if any, but talk about a major let down. They might as well have included tainted Taco Bell tacos and a shoe wrapped in a tortilla.While some tacos I can’t argue with, some choices were just awful.

Of course, it’s easy to sit on my throne of tacos and unicorns and pass judgement on the article, but Taco Head Emily Dickens, called me out (with good reason) so here’s a little bit of a better list. For the sake of keeping it fair, I’ll even stick within the confines of Dallas proper (except for the best Korean tacos at Kor-BQ in Plano. . .seriously, delicious).

So here you go, in no particular order, my 10 favorite tacos in Dallas:

1. Good 2 Go Taco – Hotlanta – It won the specialty bracket so it really shouldn’t be  a surprise it’s on here. Waffle battered fried chicken, sweet potatoes and honey butter over loaded into a tortilla? I will punch anyone in the neck that says this is a bad taco. If you agree with me, I’ll kiss you on the mouth. Your call.
2. Tacos El Guero – Tripa – Attention, white people, you are missing out on some damn good food if you stick with beef and chicken fajita meat. Tripe is organ meat and it’s spongier than other cuts of meat. Because of this it soaks up much more flavor and makes an amazing taco. Plus, it’s only $1.35 for one taco so if you don’t have much to lose in trying it
3. Taqueria El Si Hay – Al Pastor – I’m very particular about tacos al pastor. The essential concept is the same almost anywhere you go (marinate pork, cook on vertical spit, slice off, chop, toss on flat top, serve) but they’re just better at El Si Hay. The meat’s a little salty, a little spicy and just enough grease to leave you tasting it for hours. Yum!
4. Taco Joint – Chuck Norris – A lot of people think the brisket tacos at TJ are the end all be all of brisket tacos. I, however, prefer to come in on Fridays for the pulled pork taco plate affectionately named the Chuck Norris. Sweet and juicy pulled pork with just enough tangy BBQ sauce to cover the meat but not pour out when you take that first bite. Add some avocado or guac to it and you’ve got yourself a taco that will roundhouse kick your mouth with flavor. It’s what Walker, Texas Ranger would want in a meal.
5. Cool & Hot – Chorizo and Egg Breakfast Taco – I stumbled across Cool & Hot by accident as I drove to meet friends in BAD for brunch one morning. After eating a full breakfast, I was sad to wait an entire week before I could make it back to try the tacos. Greasy, peppery chorizo mixed in with scrambled eggs and cheese with onion and cilantro is heaven. However, when you add their secret (well maybe not so anymore) spicy sauce which you have to specially ask for, you get a breakfast taco done in the best possible way. . .and they’re cheap!
6. Fuel City Tacos – Barbacoa – The people working at Fuel City wear shirts that say you have to try the barbacoa. T-shirts don’t lie. They’re that good. I don’t know what else to say about that.
7. Torchy’s Tacos – Brushfire – spicy and sweet jerk chicken with crema, cilantro, onion and fresh mango all piled in to two corn tortillas that somehow deny the laws of physics by not busting wide open. Add some diablo sauce for an extra bit of kick, you’ll be happy you did.
8. Kor-BQ – Galbi Tacos – Korean style marinated short rib with onion and cilantro mix on top? Yes, please, all day and every day. The meat’s juicy and loaded with sweet and spicy Korean flavor. The onion and cilantro add the right balance of flavor and texture to the tender meat. Add to it that the two owners are probably some of the nicest restaurant owners I’ve come across and you’ve got a sure fire winner.
9. Fearing’s – Lobster Taco – I’ll admit having Dean Fearing making you a taco is a lot like having John Nash help you with your 3rd grade math homework, but that’s the beauty of it. I’ve never wanted to wear a tuxedo more while eating a taco than I did with this one. Fresh and high quality ingredients make this one amazing. Add in a duck tamale for good measure and you’re living the life. They’ve also got a shrimp taco that’s nothing to sneeze at.
10. Urban Taco – Red Snapper Taco – They won the traditional bracket with their Dos Equix Barbacoa Taco, but for me it doesn’t get better than the red snapper. The serrano verde salsa is a little smokey and spicy, but balanced with the avocado crema and fresh pico it’s just enough heat. The snapper is flaky and moist, and I’ve never had it overcooked in the close to 30 times I’ve ordered it.

So there you have it, Taco Heads, those are my picks for the Top 10 spots to find a decent taco (and almost all within the confines of Dallas city limits!). Of course, I could prattle on for days about the subject and why you might be missing out if you don’t swing by Carrollton for some of the best cabrito I’ve had in the area. But, alas, that’s a story for another time.

What do you think? Agree or disagree with anything on here? Let me know in the comments, on Facebook or you can yell at me in real time on Twitter.