Viral meals don’t all the time style nearly as good as they appear. (Keep in mind Cheetos ice cream?) Within the case of birria tacos, watching these beefy, tacky tortillas plunge right into a steaming cup of consommé is simply as a lot a feast for the eyes as it’s the palate. Whereas social media could have been the gasoline to ignite this avenue meals’s success throughout the nation, don’t give the Web all of the credit score. The birria taco development originated in Jalisco, Mexico and first discovered main fame in California earlier than blowing up on the tail finish of 2020. Now that it’s made its method to the Backyard State, I’ve scouted numerous variations from nachos and burritos to ramen and even pizza. For those who’re questioning the place to get birria tacos in New Jersey, begin by hitting up these locations.

1. El Jardin Restaurant – Passaic, NJ 

New Jersey Digest has written about ravioli in ramen brodo however what about shredded beef in birria broth? That’s what you’ll discover at El Jardin in Passaic. Alongside bowls of piping sizzling noodles, they’ve received birria burritos and, after all, tacos. The kinds of which embody beef, pork, hen, cheese and shrimp. 

Birria tacos at El Jardin Restaurante in Passaic, New Jersey | Photograph by way of @jardinrestaurantenj

2. Taco Loco – East Rutherford, NJ

Also known as the Ok.O.B. (King of Birria), Taco Loco received’t allow you to overlook that they’re the OGs of birria in Bergen County New Jersey. With every order, you’ll obtain three of their crispy tacos loaded with gooey cheese, stewed beef, cilantro and diced onions. Per their Instagram, Taco Loco has additionally dabbled in birria nachos and ramen.

3. Julio’s on Fundamental – Vineland, NJ

It’s borderline birria overload at this South Jersey restaurant. Julio’s on Fundamental has birria tacos, empanadas, quesadillas, ramen and…pizza? For the latter, they grill a 12-inch flour tortilla that was first dipped in au jus. Then, they layer it with salsa verde, recent cilantro, onions and avocado earlier than topping it with their slow-roasted marinated brisket and cheese. Is that this the last word mash-up?

4. Chofi Taco – Union Metropolis, NJ

This Union Metropolis spot managed to fly underneath the radar however has lately caught the attention of main retailers together with ABC7 and Eater. The house owners of Chofi Taco opened their brick-and-mortar restaurant in Hudson County this summer time, nonetheless, you may discover their creations from their stand at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn. At this time, Chofi makes a speciality of all issues birria from tacos to bowls and pambazo—a Mexican-style sandwich.

Beef birria tacos at Chofi Taco in Union Metropolis, New Jersey | Photograph by way of @chofifamilia

5. Irma’s Cafe – Jersey Metropolis, NJ

The birria tacos from Irma’s in Jersey Metropolis, New Jersey aren’t the one purpose I named the cafe one of many greatest eating places within the Heights, however, they definitely performed a big half. Irma’s affords a birria de res (or “crimson taco”) along with quesabirria. The latter contains griddled tortillas full of beef and cheese earlier than later being folded up quesadilla type. Each choices, nonetheless, are nonetheless served with broth on the aspect for dipping. 

6. Pico Taco – Jersey Metropolis, NJ

This Jersey Metropolis restaurant hasn’t made a improper transfer in my eyes, together with including birria de res tacos to their menu. At Pico Taco, they’re utilizing their housemade tortillas as the bottom earlier than filling them with shredded, slow-cooked beef and melty cheese. Typically, easy is best. 

7. Brunch by De Martino – Somerville, NJ

A brunch restaurant that has killer birria? That’s proper. At Brunch by De Martino, Chef Martino is bringing many latin staples to the get together. The birria tacos and quesadilla are a chief instance of this. Martino’s birria makes use of quick ribs which might be braised slowly over the course of a number of hours with chiles and different spices. The tacos include Chihuahua cheese, cilantro, onions, lime French dressing and consomme to dip, whereas the quesadillas are grilled with the meat, cheese, pico de gallo and crema.

Birria tacs at Brunch by De Martino | Photograph by way of @brunchbydemartino

8. Paellas Cafe – Harrison, NJ

Specializing in each Spanish and Mexican delicacies, Paellas Cafe can also be house to conventional, Tijuana-style birria tacos. Though comparatively new to the restaurant’s menu, these house owners are mentioned to have been making birria tacos for the previous 25 years, largely as a special day dish across the holidays. Paellas affords two variations—birria de res and quesabirria.

9. Torta Truck – Union Metropolis and Jersey Metropolis, NJ

For those who’re having a spur-of-the-moment craving, you’ll have to take a look at  Torta Truck. At one time, the truck modified areas each day and followers had to take a look at their Instagram to search out out the place they may rating that day. Now, Torta Truck has two brick and mortar areas. This Hudson County spot sports activities the title of the primary birria “vendor” in New Jersey. Whereas their signature merchandise is tacos, they’ve ventured into the worlds of ramen and even vegan birria. 

10. Carlitos Barbecue Taqueria – Paramus and Lyndhurst, NJ

Birria tacos weren’t all the time on the menu at this New Jersey eatery and meals truck. Carlitos launched birria to their winter menu in December 2020—a tasty combo of beef shank, brisket and chuck spherical. Every taco comes with two ounces of meat that’s been marinated and braised in adobo, served with a aspect of candy, bitter and spicy consommé.

The birria taco at Carlitos in Lyndhurst | Photograph by way of @chrispy.eats

11. Taqueria Sabor Mixteca – Jersey Metropolis, NJ

Positioned on Communipaw Ave in Jersey Metropolis’s Bergen-Lafayette district, you’ll find birria tacos each Friday and Saturday at Taqueria Sabor Mixteca. (Hey, weekend plans.) From what I gathered on their IG web page, they high their tacos with a handful of cilantro and diced onions after the tortillas have been griddled and full of shredded meat. 

12. Mi Pequeño Mexico – Newark, NJ

For those who stay round Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood, contemplate Mi Pequeño Mexico your go-to. This restaurant affords native pickup and supply of their beefy, tacky birria tacos. With each order, you’ll obtain a consommé for dipping together with a aspect of cilantro, onions and salsa verde.

The birria tacos from Mi Pequeno Mexico in Newark, New Jersey | Photograph by way of @mipequenomexico

13. La Coqueta – Jersey Metropolis, NJ

It’s laborious to imagine that this woman-owned meals truck in Jersey Metropolis solely got here onto the NJ meals scene a couple of years in the past. Nonetheless, you’ll wish to be first in line for his or her conventional Mexican recipes and genuine birria tacos. Critically, they’re all of the beefy, tacky goodness you may ask for. You may typically catch La Coqueta exterior Solaris Lofts, but it surely’s greatest to maintain up with them on Instagram for his or her location and hours. 

14. Sombrero Tacoria – Totowa, Clifton and Ridgewood, NJ

Sombrero Tacoria originated as a meals truck however now has three areas all through New Jersey. Like others on this checklist, they rapidly jumped on the birria bandwagon and added a taco selection to their menu. The birria tacos at Sombrero are full of beef and cheese and have a charred, crispy exterior.

15. Edison Tex Mex Deli – Edison, NJ

You’ve by no means seen a “deli” fairly like this one in Central Jersey. At Edison Tex Mex Deli, you’ll discover all the things from fajitas, burritos and tacos of all flavors, however the primary attraction is the birria. Right here, the tacos are of the much less tacky selection and are available full of shredded beef, cilantro, uncooked white onions with consommé on the aspect.

Takeout birria tacos from Edison Tex Mex Deli in Edison, New Jersey l Photograph by way of @eastsidefoodie

16. La Catrina – New Brunswick, NJ

You received’t all the time see birria tacos on the menu at La Catrina in New Brunswick, New Jersey. However make sure you hold a watch out on La Catrina’s Instagram web page for his or her rotating specials. Previously, their birria specials have included tacos and extremely tacky quesadillas. 

17. De Puebla Veracruz – Passaic, NJ

At De Puebla Veracruz in Passaic, you will get your birria repair in additional methods than one. They’re providing up birria tacos along with tortas, quesadillas, sopes and nachos (as a result of birria clearly makes all the things higher). It additionally wouldn’t be a nasty thought to go to throughout pleased hour. 

Tacos de Birria from De Puebla Veracruz in Passaic, New Jersey l Photograph by way of @depuebla_a_veracruz

18. Los Barbaros Birria – Belmar, NJ

This oceanside spot has change into a staple throughout the Belmar group. Followers flock to Los Barbaros Birria for his or her slow-cooked birria, which is available in a wide range of retailers resembling quesabirria, pizzabirria and noodle birria—a ramen noodle cooked in birria broth and topped with meat, cheese, cilantro and onion. If you end up craving tender beef tacos on the Jersey Shore, look no additional than Los Barbaros Birria.

19. Locos Tacos Birria Manufacturing unit & Bakery – North Bergen, NJ

The birria at Locos Tacos Birria Manufacturing unit & Bakery is one thing to behold. They’re slow-cooking their beef for 4 hours with an abundance of spices and guajillo, ancho and pasilla chilis. And the consommé on the aspect is made with a tomato salsa base. They provide birria varieties starting from egg rolls, ramen, tamales and flautas to, after all, tacos. Every comes topped with cilantro, onions and radishes. 

20. La Brujeria – Jersey Metropolis, NJ

La Brujeria is maybe the one spot on this checklist dispensing lamb birria. They’re utilizing slow-cooked lamb stew because the filling for his or her tacos (though the tortillas aren’t dipped) and serving them alongside cucumber, radish and lime. Right here, you get three per order and might select what type of tortilla you need from corn to flour in each the gentle and crunchy selection. Oh, and did I point out they’re open for takeout and supply 24/7?

Have you ever checked out the birria taco scene in New Jersey but? Tell us your favourite place within the feedback beneath.

Fundamental picture by way of @sabormixteca