Tacos authenticos

Fancy tacos are fine. But for a taco purist, a proper taco is made with two corn tortillas, some kind of slow-cooked meat, lime juice, cilantro, onions and salsa. No avocado, no cheese and, heaven forbid, no ranch dressing. Here are a few neighborhood joints for the pure of taco heart.

TAQUERÍA PEDRITOS NO. 1 has great atmosphere. It is easy to imagine some scene from a Quentin Tarantino movie going down here. There are the maroon, swivel-seat barstools, the bull’s head taxidermy, the bullfighter art. It is rich. But the food is richer. And it’s cheap. A plate of three tacos, rice and beans, served with bean soup, costs under $6. Pedritos serves typical taco meats — beef, pork and chicken. As well as some of the best lengua (that’s beef tongue) in town. For the really adventurous, try the pork snout or whole roasted goat head. 4910 CAPITOL AT FITZHUGH, 214.826.2940.

North Henderson is pretty much entirely gentrified now, but it’s nice that a place like TAQUERIA LUPITA still makes it there. They’re open late, and they serve good tacos for not a lot of money. That’s all we really ask at 2 a.m. 2107 N. HENDERSON AT FUQUA, 214.827.1850.

LA MICHOACANA is a prolific Mexican grocer and meat market. And they have some of the best tacos and salsas around.

As with any taquería, speaking Spanish helps. But for the uninitiated, pay for your tacos at the register and hand your receipt to the taco man. The barbacoa is excellent. 2420 FITZHUGH

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