Splashed across social feeds, quesabirria tacos being dunked dramatically into cups of broth more times than we can count have been trending for some time now. But it doesn’t mean they should be dismissed. Crispy, cheesy, beefy tacos dipped into savory consommé are too delicious to be a gimmick.
Traditionally, birria is a meat stew made with goat, beef or lamb and marinated slowly in a deeply spiced, chile-laced broth. The collision of birria stew, melted cheese and tortillas fried on a griddle until crisp then served with birria broth or consommé for dipping was born in Tijuana, Mexico, but KC, with its deep Latin roots, has plenty of places that do it right.
Here are four standout spots for when you’re craving a melt-in-your-mouth taco experience.
Streats
(1111 Petticoat Lane, Suite 155, KCMO, @streatskc)
If this roundup were an award show, Streats would win the category of Best Cheese Pull.
Ashton Shelby and Tony Gordon opened their downtown Mexican eatery specializing in street tacos, birria tacos and ramen in November. They truly put the “quesa” in quesabirria, with a generous portion of melted cheese that’s coupled with well-seasoned meat and consommé for dipping.
If you want to dive into something more adventurous, Streats has shrimp quesabirria tacos and shrimp birria quesadillas, both served with consommé, as well as tacos made with halal chicken. The birria ramen is just as flavorful.
Streats made me wish I had three arms: one for the tacos, one for the ramen and another for napkins.
Taqueria La Nueva
(Multiple locations, taquerialanueva.com)
Many late nights spent in Westport bars end at Taqueria La Nueva, and for good reason. When it comes to quesabirria tacos, La Nueva ticks all the boxes: tortillas sturdy enough to withstand the birria juices, an ideal beef to cheese ratio, a consommé that lends itself to being sipped on its own and groovy Latin music to set the mood.
I’m not fluent in Spanish, but I can recite my order of four quesabirria tacos and a Coke like my ABC’s. Give it a try and you’ll understand why.
Cancun Fiesta Fresh
(4019 Pennsylvania Ave., KCMO, cancunkc.com)
Of the restaurants in this roundup, Cancun Fiesta Fresh boasts the most expansive menu, with a range of dishes from Asada Cheetos fries to veggie burritos and chimichangas. However, despite a plethora of options, the quesabirria taco remains the restaurant’s No. 1 crowd pleaser.
It’s the crispy tortillas that set this quesabirria taco apart from the rest. The satisfying crunch when biting down on the slightly burnt, frilled edges of the taco shell really exemplifies why this taco is considered one of the best.
If you’re passing through the drive-thru, be sure to order one of their to-go margaritas.
Tarahumaras Mexican Restaurant
(Multiple locations, tarahumaras2.com)
When I set out to find the best quesabirria tacos in town, I asked friends for recommendations, and Tarahumaras was one of the most popular answers. I now understand why.
I always order my quesabirria con todo, which typically includes cilantro and onion. The freshness and potency of those two ingredients in Tarahumaras’ quesabirria was lively and perfect. Each ingredient had a chance to shine even before the taco hit the consommé. It was flat out spectacular.
At Tarahumaras, the consommé is sold separately, which isn’t common but is a true sign of how good it is. Sipping it and scooping up the last bits of meat at the cup’s bottom is a truly satisfying way to end the meal.
