In 2006, Torchy’s Tacos was born in the lively town of Austin, Texas. Mike Rypka started Torchy’s Tacos in a trailer park, driven by his dream of launching a taco truck with a menu of “experiments” and uniquely crafted tacos. Torchy’s quickly became a hit with its focus on high-quality ingredients cooked to order and its impeccable family-style service, with customers notoriously praising those “d— good tacos.” Seventeen years later, with 131 locations across sixteen states, Torchy’s Tacos has finally opened its delicious doors in Nashville, Tennessee.
Eager to try the tacos, I took a trip to Torchy’s. Only a five-minute walk from the main campus, the sit-down restaurant is vibrant and bustling with hungry customers and impeccable service. With this, I dove into five taco’s unique ingredients and flavor combinations to create the ultimate ranking of Torchy’s Tacos’ best offerings.
- Trailer Park
Starting with one of Torchy’s most popular tacos, the Trailer Park packs the perfect punch. It features a strip of crispy fried chicken coated with a drizzle of their tangy poblano sauce, fresh pico de gallo, a sprinkle of mixed Mexican cheese and spicy green chiles. This mouthwatering dish isn’t complete without ordering the taco “trashy style,” which swaps the lettuce with Torchy’s signature queso. The bright, zesty flavors from the pico de gallo perfectly balance the rich, creamy queso. Torchy’s homemade tortillas, made from three simple ingredients, are soft and perfectly thin. This bold, well-balanced taco hits all the right spots — crispy, spicy, tangy and fresh.
- Crossroads
Next up, the Crossroads taco was a pleasant surprise. Served on a corn tortilla, it features a generous portion of tender smoked beef brisket coated with their homemade tomatillo sauce. The sauce combines flavors of garlic, herby cilantro, slight sweetness and a hint of heat from the chiles. Topped with grilled onions, jalapenos, fresh avocado and jack cheese, the various textures and flavors make for the perfect smoky, spicy bite.
- The Wrangler
The Wrangler taco offers an unconventional twist. Smokey beef brisket is once again the star but lays on a bed of eggs, with crispy tater tots. The vibrant green rustic tomatillo sauce ties it all together, with the crispy potatoes, soft egg and smoky pieces of shredded brisket creating a harmonious blend of textures, richness and heat in every bite. This breakfast-style taco was an unexpected favorite.
- Tipsy Chick
The Tipsy Chick offers a lighter, fresher option. The robust flavors of a homemade chipotle sauce with sweetness from the corn relish pair perfectly over charred, marinated chicken. With fresh spinach for balance and green chilies for spice, Tipsy Chick isn’t complete without a side of bacon bourbon marmalade — a smoky, sweet, slightly tangy jam with salty bits of bacon to coat each bite. Served on a flour tortilla, the Tipsy Chick is a must-try.
- Baja Shrimp
Saving the best for last, the Baja Shrimp taco is worth every penny. Fried lightly battered shrimp is served on a house-made corn tortilla. The acidity from the cabbage slaw perfectly balances the smoky flavors of chipotle sauce. Topped with tart pickled onions, crunchy jalapeños and fresh, slightly salty cotija cheese, the flavors beautifully complement the simply seasoned shrimp. Finished with cilantro and a squeeze of lime, the Baja shrimp taco is hands down my favorite at Torchy’s.
With one irresistible taco after another, I left Torchy’s with a satisfied stomach and no regrets. Whether you choose seafood, chicken, beef or vegetarian, Torchy’s tacos offer bold flavor combinations that will leave your taste buds craving more.
