Just last night I had the pleasure of going out for dinner with a good friend of mine. The spot? Native Tongues Taqueria. The company? Great. The drinks? Delicious. The food? Divine. This place is a gem, and it’s nestled in an equally great location too. Just a few minutes’ walk from the Dome, perfect if you’re grabbing a bite before or after a game, and right near Central Memorial Park if you need to walk off the feast after devouring what can only be described as an irresponsible amount of tacos. No judgment here.
Let’s get to the meal. To start the evening, I ordered the Prima Oaxacan cocktail (and no, I didn’t clock the price, but hey, we’re out here living). And let me tell you, this drink was straight fire. I’m talking balanced, bold, and beautifully built. I love a good cocktail, and this was a GOOD cocktail. Layers of flavor that unfold like a plot twist in a great movie. The orange peel garnish wasn’t just decorative either, it gave this zesty little kick that woke up my taste buds and made the whole experience feel just that much more elevated. Absolute chef’s kiss.
Now onto the main event… the food. Naturally, we had to get tacos, it’s basically illegal to go to Native Tongues and not get tacos. They’re the crown jewel of the menu, and your eyes and stomach will both gravitate toward them immediately. We went for a tasty trio of birria, cochinita pibil, and frijoles. Each one brought its own magic to the table.
First up, the birria taco. This one’s packed with braised beef, adobo, and red onion. It was melt in your mouth good, the kind of beef that falls apart the moment it hits your tongue. Rich, juicy, deeply flavorful… honestly, it deserved a round of applause.
Next was the cochinita pibil, which features braised pork, achiote, pickled onion, and cilantro. Now listen, I used to be a cilantro skeptic. Couldn’t stand the stuff. But somewhere along the line, something shifted in my DNA, and now I crave it. It adds such a fresh, herby lift to the taco, and in this one? It totally tied everything together. The pork was juicy, the pickled onion brought a nice tang, and the whole thing just worked.
Last but not least, the frijoles taco. A black bean beauty with adobo, queso fresco, crema, and onion. Hands down my favorite of the night. Maybe it’s my weakness for cheese (guilty), or maybe it’s the perfectly seasoned beans that were flavorful without being overly messy. But this taco hit every note. Creamy, tangy, hearty, and super satisfying.
All in all, I highly recommend Native Tongues if you’re craving authentic Mexican food that packs a punch. The tacos are top-tier, the cocktails are clever and delicious, and the vibe? Impeccable. It’s the kind of spot that makes you plan your next visit before you’ve even finished your current meal.