This North Miami Taco Spot Has 2-for-$5 Margaritas
Nothing says "authentic" like tequila that's cheaper than water
This week we’re introducing a new feature: Hidden Gem of the Week. These are spots with no PR, not much social media, and almost nothing written about them online. Most are hidden out in the suburbs, some are hidden in plain sight. All are worth a visit to break out of your eating routine.
Photo by Carlos Miller
Miami may have more taco shops than we do affordable apartments these days, so you’d be forgiven for wondering why you should drive all the way to North Miami to try yet another one. And I’ll answer that question in five words: 2-for-5-dollar margaritas. I’m joking, never drink and drive, kids. But Taigo’s Tacos strikes the perfect balance between authenticity and sanitation, making simple tacos the way they should be made and eschewing over-the-top ingredients in favor of flavorful meat and quality tortillas.
Clean, and delightfully uncomfortable
The criteria for a great hidden gem taco shop is that it should be the complete opposite of any corporate-owned taqueria. It should be loud, slightly uncomfortable, a little gritty, and completely delicious. Some might say it should make you think, “These are either going to be the best tacos I ever have, or I’ll be spending the next two days on the toilet.” Tiago’s manages to skip that last part.
Step inside and you’re immediately greeted with a soundtrack of hip hop and reggaeton played at “We don’t give a f**k if you like it” volume. This is presumably to keep people from lingering at the four-seat eating counter too long, or just because that’s how the two guys working there want it. They were both exceptionally friendly and helpful, but I also got the distinct sense that if I wanted to buy a blunt they could point me in the right direction.
You’ll also notice Tiago’s is remarkably clean, both in the small customer area and back in the kitchen. So you get all the gritty ambience, without the lingering feeling you may be eating horse.
In the half hour or so I was there, I saw no fewer than ten families come in to pick up large to-go orders. Not one of them spoke a lick of English. And that is exactly who I want in my hidden-gem taqueria.
A young couple’s dream comes true
Tiago’s started out, as many taco shops do, as a taco truck. Gabriel and Angie Byrna started the truck to support their first child, Tiago. They gained enough of a loyal following to open a handful of brick-and-mortal spots in unglamorous parts of Miami, hotspots like West Kendall, Palmetto Bay and, of course, Hialeah.
Seven years on they’re now on their eighth location in North Miami. Now you might say, “Eight locations? That’s hardly a hidden gem. That’s basically two locations away from being Applebee’s.” Ok smart guy, had YOU ever heard of them? Alright then, moving on….
Photo by Carlos Miller
The tacos, and those 2-for-$5 margs
We tried the al pastor, carne asada, and chicken tacos, with an order of chips and fresh pico de gallo.
The meats were all seasoned with generous amounts of garlic, cumin, chili, and lime, cooked thoroughly enough to let the spices shine and not get overpowered by grease. They’re placed in fresh-made corn tortillas that are able to hold the fillings, because the meat isn’t dripping into the shell. I ate six, and I don’t want to hear your judgments. Because the taco meat is light and the tortillas aren’t fried, six tacos is easy.
And now those frozen margaritas. What kind of tequila are they using? The same kind they use when they blow a whistle and pour an involuntary shot down your throat in Cabo. The “these are 2-for-$5, don’t worry about it” kind. Tiago’s is the kind of place you don’t ask too many questions, and it’s not the kind of place you linger and binge drink. So even if they’re not exactly pouring Clase Azul, you won’t feel hungover since you’re probably only having one.
So yes, Miami does have a glut of taco shops, and after a while they might all start to feel interchangeable. But every once in a while you find one that hits all the notes of what a taco shop should be, with food to back it up, And in North Miami, I found it at Tiago’s.
@tiagostacos // 1681 NE 123rd Street, North Miami