Birria Tacos Near Me - The Viral Mexican Food Sensation Sweeping America

The Birria Taco Craze Sweeping America

Birria tacos have taken America by storm in recent years. The savory Mexican stewed meat tacos have developed a cult-like following, with foodies seeking out the best birria tacos in their city. As the birria taco craze continues to grow, more and more restaurants are adding them to their menus. But what exactly are birria tacos and why has this dish become so popular?

What are Birria Tacos?

Birria tacos are made with meat that is slowly stewed and then stuffed into a corn or flour tortilla. The meat is usually beef, but can also be goat or lamb. It is seasoned with chilies, spices like cumin and garlic, and cooked until extremely tender.

The stuffed tacos are then dipped into the leftover braising liquid from the stewed meat, which has taken on tons of flavor and transformed into a rich, savory salsa. They are briefly pan fried or grilled to crisp up the exterior of the taco. This gives you a wonderful contrast of textures - crispy exterior and ultra tender and juicy interior.

Origins of the Birria Taco

Birria tacos originate from the state of Jalisco, Mexico. Birria itself is a traditional Mexican meat stew that has been around for decades. It was originally made with goat meat, but now beef and lamb birria are also very common.

No one is quite sure when someone first decided to stuff the flavorful, fall-apart tender birria meat into a taco shell. But the combination clearly struck a chord, because now birria tacos have spread from Mexico across the border into the United States.

Why Birria Tacos Have Become So Popular

Several factors have converged to make birria tacos a massive food trend. Firstly, the meat is so unbelievably juicy, tender and full of seasoning from its long braise. Putting that meat into a crispy taco shell creates an explosion of textures and flavors in every single bite. Dripping the tacos in extra birria broth salsa before eating adds even more moistness and savoriness.

Secondly, videos of oozing, drippy birria tacos have gone hugely viral on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Once people see these videos, they have to try this food sensation for themselves. There is certainly a performative aspect to birria tacos now - watching the cheese pull and meat juices drip makes for a great photo op.

Birria tacos also appeal to America's growing love affair with street food and casual, hearty comfort dishes rather than fussy fine dining. They check all the boxes - fun to eat, tasty, photogenic and never pretentious.

How to Find Great Birria Tacos Near Me

Here are some tips for locating amazing birria tacos in your neighborhood:

• Search on apps like Yelp and Instagram to see photos of birria tacos from restaurants near you
• Look for newer taco joints or Mexican restaurants focusing on authentic regional Mexican cuisine
• Ask co-workers, friends or fellow foodies on social media for birria taco recommendations in your city
• Check if your favorite local taco shop has added birria tacos to their menu - lots of restaurants are now doing so!
• Search for specialty birria taco spots that are part of the growing birria trailers and food trucks trend

Key Things that Make Standout Birria Tacos

A top-notch birria taco should have:

• Incredibly tender, fall-apart stewed meat - usually beef
• Crispy taco shell or tortilla with nice griddle char marks
• Melty, stretchy Oaxaca cheese
• Luscious dipping salsa made from the birria broth
• Robust and complex chili spice flavor balanced with other seasonings

Getting that perfect contrast of textures and finding the right balance of flavors is the key to incredible birria tacos. And now more chefs and home cooks alike are experimenting to put their unique spin on this viral food sensation!

Birria Tacos Perfect for Any Occasion

Birria tacos have fast become a favorite among Americans because of their insanely tasty flavors and fun, shareable nature. Unlike a formal plated dinner, breezy yet flavor packed birria tacos are perfect for everything from backyard parties to watching the big game. No plates or silverware needed!

Their customizable, build-your-own style also makes them ideal for pleasing a crowd. Vegans or vegetarians can enjoy meatless birria tacos made with mushrooms or jackfruit. And meat lovers can pile on the beef birria and dunk to their heart's delight. Here are some occasions that are ideal for serving birria tacos:

• Game Day watch parties
• BBQs and potlucks
• Birthday parties
• Housewarmings
• Backyard hangs with friends
• Family taco Tuesdays or Fridays
• Any festive gathering looking for yummy food in a fun, shareable format

How to Assemble the Perfect Birria Taco for Guests

When serving birria tacos at your next event, make sure to set up a proper taco bar so guests can customize and build their tacos to their preferences.

Here are some key elements your birria taco station should include:

• Slow cooker with hot stewed birria meat
• Bowls of shredded lettuce, diced onions, limes, cilantro etc for toppings
• Warmed corn and flour tortillas
• Melted Oaxaca cheese
• Griddle, pan or grill ready to crisp tacos
• Simmering pot of concentrated birria broth for dipping
• Variety of salsas like tomatillo or roasted chili salsa

Having all these elements ready at a self-serve taco station lets your guests be creative and make their perfect birria tacos to munch on throughout the party!

Bring the Birria Taco Trend Home

While once found only in select taco joints and Mexican establishments, birria tacos can now be enjoyed in home kitchens across America thanks to the sharing of recipes online and the availability of ingredients at supermarkets.

Here is a quick home recipe to make trendy birria tacos for your family:

Easy Beef Birria Tacos

Birria Meat Ingredients:

• 3 lbs beef chuck roast
• 1 white onion, roughly chopped
• 5 cloves garlic
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tsp Mexican oregano
• 2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in Instant Pot or slow cooker. Cook on high pressure for 1 hour. Use two forks to shred meat.

To Assemble:

• Corn or flour tortillas
• Shredded Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese
• Diced white onion
• Cilantro
• Birria broth for dipping

Stuff tortillas with cheese and shredded birria meat. Griddle briefly until crispy and golden brown. Top with onions and cilantro. Serve with small bowls of birria broth for dipping.

Now you can enjoy this viral food craze from the comfort of your own kitchen!

FAQs

What meat is used in birria tacos?

Birria tacos are traditionally made with beef or goat meat. Most modern recipes in the US call for beef chuck roast or brisket for the tender texture after long braising.

Are birria tacos spicy?

Birria tacos have a mild warmth from chili peppers and spices like cumin, but are not an overly spicy dish. You can adjust spice levels by adding more or less chipotle peppers to the broth.

What kind of cheese goes on birria tacos?

Oaxaca and mozzarella are the most popular melty cheeses used on birria tacos. Asadero or chihuahua cheese also work well and ooze nicely when griddled.

Can I make birria tacos without animal products?

Yes, vegetable or mushroom birria made with jackfruit or seitan can replicate the flavors. Alternately, fill veggie tacos with plain refried beans and dip in the spiced birria broth.

How do I keep birria tacos crispy?

Wrap freshly griddled birria tacos in foil right away to seal in steam and keep the tortilla crispy. Having very hot broth for dipping also helps maintain crunch.