The Long of It
New Year’s Resolutions don’t have to be boring. They should add something to your life, but they should also be fun. I read this advice in late-2023 as I was looking to make some changes.
For the past 5-years I followed a vegan diet. That journey started as a New Year’s resolution with an ex-girlfriend in 2019, and lasted much, much longer than that relationship. Commitment wasn’t the issue. But as the years wore on, I felt like I was missing out. Dallas, and particularly Oak Cliff, is home to an incredible culinary culture. A central staple of that scene is tacos!
I ate tacos as one of my first non-vegan meals. It was at LuLu’s Mexican Restaurant in Elmwood, with my old neighbor, Brittany. We enjoyed them after a trip to the Elmwoof dog park on a lazy Christmas afternoon. That moment inspired what became my Taco Journey.
The Taco Journey brings together several pieces of who I am. 1) Tacos are my favorite food, and I love food. 2) My love of my community, especially Oak Cliff, 3) my commitment to the bit.
You see, I wanted to do something fun and creative, but I also wanted to embrace my community and practice what I preach when it comes to supporting small, local businesses. I believe everyone can change the world and make a difference in their own community. Even by eating tacos!
I preached this philosophy to my students when I was a college professor, telling students that they are the authors of their own history. Indeed, people make history and contribute to history every day by doing little things. We often think of the big things, like voting, running for office, but having children, donating money, and just being a part of a community also impact the world. Being a friend and sharing your life with someone can be very significant, too. We all have those friends, teachers, neighbors, whoever, that we remember fondly. It is through these little acts that we can shape history.
Shopping makes a difference, too. Every day when we wake up, we decide where we are going to spend our money. We choose who to support. And when we shop at small businesses, local businesses, establishments owned by our neighbors, people of color, and those working hard to make it in the world – we are choosing to invest in their dreams, to help create and sustain the kinds of places we want to exist in our community. We are also telling them with our dollars that we value them and that we want them here.
I am not a rich man, and I know you don’t get wealthy by spending money. But I also know that my life is richer when I invest in those around me, building relationships with local shop owners, bartenders, and restaurateurs. All of our lives are richer because in each small transaction, and the subsequent interactions we are able to acknowledge and support the eclectic and diverse people and places around us. You make friends, build and sustain culture, and feel less different, less alone, when you venture into these spaces. In a world full of displacement, gentrification, cookie-cutter chain and big-box stores, this is how we fight back.
And so, out of this philosophy, I started my Taco Journey. It started with a simple goal: I finally wanted to try all of the taco places I had been missing out on while I was vegan. I also wanted to find and support all of the little places, the holes in the wall and the spots most people haven’t found or wouldn’t normally stop at. I wanted to acknowledge their presence and invest in their dreams.
As the list grew, I decided to call it Dallas Tacos 101 both because there are 101 places on the list (though I have added more) and because it serves as an introduction to the local taco scene. It’s also play on my old role teaching freshman history classes (i.e. History 101). I hope you enjoy the site!
The Short of It
In 2024, I set a goal to try all of the local taquerias and taco spots I could find in Dallas. I started by trying a new place every day. I wrote down the name of each place, took photos, and gave it a basic, unscientific rating. After about a month, I decided I needed a spreadsheet. Thus far, I have visited over 101 different places.
The only rule is that I had to order tacos, and I had to eat somewhere new each day. Some days I ordered more than tacos (you may notice I went on a flauta bender for a few weeks), and tried more than one place. This website documents and shares that journey.
Note: All ratings are the opinion of one white man who did not grow up in Texas. There are certainly some implicit biases (I prefer street tacos, green salsa, and didn’t try breakfast or seafood tacos). I am not a trained culinary critic and mean no harm by my opinions. The ultimate goal is to highlight and bring awareness to Dallas’ taquerias and taco shops. I hope that you’ll view the list as a tool to help you explore.
The pictures on the main page will take you to a post about each place. In those posts I offer a few words about my visit, what I ordered, and brief review. There is also a menu with the full list, a map, and eventually I’ll have a shop with some merch.
About Me
I am a Dallas, TX based public historian, writer, artist, and social justice advocate. I am an information person, constantly learning and seeking. My work is driven by my love for community and a desire to help people reach their full potential. I believe in the power of showing up and aspire to be a local — a regular presence in my community, uplifting others and amplifying voices by subscribing to their dreams as a friend, patron, and volunteer.
I’ve worked in archives, athletics, and higher education as a professor, coach, and Center Director as well as operations and logistics in the corporate world, and have lived in several cities and states. I embrace the challenge of starting over — both in new careers and new places — as an opportunity to learn and grow. A teacher at my core, I’ve dedicated my life to sharing my knowledge with others no matter the setting.
My parents recall me telling them I wanted to be a historian in the 5th grade. I have built a life out of that dream, earning a PhD in American History and connecting my expertise with community advocacy. I’ve appeared on ESPN and several podcasts, and have written for the Washington Post. In my free time I’m an avid runner, gardener, foodie, and urban explorer.
Dallas Tacos 101 