• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Feel the Love in Every Taco at Rosita’s Al Pastor

September 18, 2017 by Jonas White Leave a Comment

Rosita's Al Pastor Food Trailer Austin

Rosita’s Al Pastor food trailer on East Riverside

In an episode of the hit TV show “Master of None,” Dev (Aziz Ansari) finds himself craving tacos. He proceeds to spend hours researching where to go for tacos that are worthy of his time, money, and taste buds. Taco-related paralysis by analysis is a true hardship for those of us in Austin, a city with practically unlimited taco options.

I propose a solution: the next time you get stuck in a “where can I get the perfect taco” predicament, put your trust in a food trailer that has been satisfying Austinites’ taco cravings for over 30 years: Rosita’s Al Pastor.

Going Strong Since 1985

Rosita's Al Pastor Founded 1985

Rosita’s Al Pastor has been serving tacos to Austin since 1985

Rosa Juarez, now 77-years-old, opened Rosita’s Al Pastor brick and mortar restaurant in 1985. The following year, a trailer was added, offering an option for customers who aren’t looking for the full menu or a sit-down meal.

Both the restaurant and trailer still do business in the same location on East Riverside Drive, with the restaurant set back in a strip mall and the trailer in the parking lot, closer to the street. The trailer’s surroundings create the old versus new dichotomy that has become so prevalent in Austin. A strip mall with a gritty feel on one side of the street, new apartment buildings, Chipotle, and Starbucks on the other. It’s a fitting location for a trailer so rich in history, but still as popular as ever.

I was greeted by an employee named Rosa Rodriguez, who happens to be the granddaughter of Rosa Juarez. I asked her about the loyal following the eatery has, and mentioned how many times these tacos had been recommended to me. “I believe it. You can definitely feel the love from our customers,” Rodriguez said. “They come back so often that a lot of times I know their order before they say anything.” I scanned the menu full of tacos, tortas, and chalupas, and placed my order.

The Secret Recipe at Rosita’s Al Pastor

By now, you’ve probably guessed what Rosita’s Al Pastor trailer specializes in. Throughout the rapid growth and expansion in Austin over the last three decades, the Rosita’s Al Pastor recipe for its famous al pastor has never changed. Rosa Juarez keeps her methods under lock and key.

Fresh Tortillas Rosita's Al Pastor

Fresh tortillas being transported from the restaurant to the food trailer

Every morning, the al pastor is prepared at the restaurant. Grandma Rosa still gets her hands in there during the prep work. Along with other ingredients and supplies, the al pastor is then brought over to the trailer where it’s roasted to perfection on a spit. This is when Rodriguez let’s me in on some interesting information. “The food in the restaurant is delicious. There’s a full menu with everything you could want,” she said. “But, the tacos out here…they taste better. We haven’t been able to figure out why, but they’re better from the trailer.”

Taking a seat at one of the shaded picnic tables in front of the trailer, I see someone transporting a cart full of tortillas from the restaurant, a “mother ship” of sorts, to the trailer. I dig into my two al pastor tacos, which are topped with the traditional diced onions and cilantro. The meat is seasoned perfectly, bursting with flavor. It’s crispy on the outside and moist on the inside.

Rosita's Al Pastor Tacos

Feeling the love in these tacos from Rosita’s Al Pastor

Each taco comes on a flour or corn tortilla, so tasty I can imagine myself happily eating them plain, by the dozen. Rodriguez tells me the best tortilla preparation practices have been passed down over the years, and the team at Rosita’s works hard to get it just right.

Each taco comes with green and red salsa on the side, both so delicious that I take home what’s left over to use on something–anything–later. The sauces are also, predictably, created by Grandma Rosa. Rodriguez fittingly refers to her as “the brains of the operation.”

The barbacoa and carne guisada tacos don’t disappoint, either. Both meats were tender, juicy, and flavorful. “You really can’t go wrong with any taco here,” Rodriguez said. Consider me a believer.

It’s All About the Family

Rosita's Al Pastor Spit

Meat roasting on the spit at Rosita’s Al Pastor

There is an additional ingredient in Rosita’s Al Pastor’s recipe for success. “The food recipe is ours, but the work is in the cooks’ hands. They’re the ones who make the tacos extra delicious because they make them with love,” Rodriguez told me.

It’s the pride the cooks take in their work that has enabled Rosita’s Al Pastor to keep serving such delicious food over such a long period of time. Rodriguez isn’t the only family member involved. Her aunt, Jackie, currently manages the restaurant, and her uncle and both of her parents have played a huge role, as well.

“This is a tough business, but we have people who have been here since the beginning. It’s a blessing and we wouldn’t know what to do without them,” Rodriguez said. “We have great people around us, and that makes for great vibes.”

A secret family recipe, great vibes, and a delicious result–what more could you want? Next time you get that familiar craving, save yourself the research and head to Rosita’s Al Pastor food trailer. It’s an easy choice.

1911 E. Riverside Dr. – Yelp

 

@theAustinot wants to know:

What’s your favorite thing at Rosita’s?

 

Jonas White has lived all over the country, but loves his new home city of Austin. He spends his time editing for a Danish publishing house and exploring the food scene, working his way down the list of recommendations he’s received. On weekends, Jonas can often be found showing off the city to his out-of-town friends who seem to always be visiting.

Filed Under: Food, Food & Drink Tagged With: eastside, tacos

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
guest
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Connect with Us

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of A...

    To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

    Hyperlocal Blog About the City of Austin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Things to do in Austin this weekend

10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 8, 2022 Include Austin FC Watch Party, Balloon Fest, and More!

  For summer camp information, check out our page for Best Summer Camps in Austin for 2022!  If you would like to discover more Things to do in Austin this Week & Things to do in Austin with Kids this Weekend, check out Facebook for immediate notifications.

Things to do in Austin this week

10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!

Austin is now among the fastest-growing metroplexes in the US! Keeping up with the growth, luckily there’s plenty going on in Austin all days of the week. There are things to do on Monday in Austin, of course, things to do in Austin on Saturday night, and everything in between! Some of you may be […]

Things to do in Austin with kids this weekend

Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!

If there’s one thing about this city, it’s that there is always something going on. So, if you’re looking for fun things to do in Austin with kids this weekend of July 1, 2022, there’s plenty of fun to be had, including Dive In Movies – Wells Branch, Bastrop Patriotic Festival, and more!   Top […]

texas swimming holes near austin

Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

If you have been looking for free places to swim in Austin or googling ‘swimming holes near me’, you are in the right place! Texas is known for a lot of things and one of them is relentlessly hot summers. The temperatures are rising in Austin and across the state. Luckily, there are also many […]

Austin trampoline parks - Urban Air Adventure Park (Cedar Park)

Austin Trampoline Parks – Best Indoor Jumping Places for Kids and Adults!

Trampoline parks were among the decade’s most unique leisure attractions. They offer a playful atmosphere where people can defy the laws of physics and have a good time hurling themselves around. It consists of a large room filled wall to wall with trampolines. On the weekend, you may get rid of your boredom and have […]

Recent Posts

  • 10 Fun Things to Do in Austin This Weekend of July 8, 2022 Include Austin FC Watch Party, Balloon Fest, and More!
  • 10 Fun Things to do in Austin this week of July 4, 2022 include Round Rock Express Vs. Albuquerque, Cedar Park Fourth, and more!
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Austin with Kids this Weekend of July 1, 2022 include Bastrop Patriotic Festival, Family Game Night, and More!
  • 4th July events in Austin: Independence day 2022 fireworks, parades, concerts & other celebrations!
  • Texas swimming holes near Austin – 10 watering holes for a fun swim this summer

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • 10 Best Lakes in and around Austin
  • 7 Popular Lady Bird Lake Activities to Experience This Year
  • 20 Restaurants Open Late in Austin – Best Late Night Food Places For Tasty Eats
  • 8 Laid-back Waterfront Restaurants in Austin (Besides The Oasis)
  • Guide to Austin’s Dirty Sixth Street

Copyright © 2022 · Log in

wpDiscuz