From Left: Beef Fajita, Pastor, Barbacoa
Yes, it’s a gas station. Convince yourself it adds to the charm, if you want, or don’t. Charm doesn’t really play a part here. Charm doesn’t make good tacos.
But Fuel City does.
Top: Fuel City and its taco stand (far right); Bottom: The breakfast sausage and eggs (left) and chorizo and eggs.
Dallas Taco enthusiasts and many late-night bar crawlers need no introduction to the Fuel City Taco, a small, mexican-style taco served on a soft corn or flour tortilla. In its 11 years of existence, Fuel City has made a name for itself by selling these gems at all hours of the day (literally; they’re open 24 hours) to all different walks of Dallas.
And for good reason, too. With fillings such as pastor (spicy, layered pork) barbacoa, picadillo and of course chicken and beef fajitas, Fuel City’s little taco corner assaulted Dallasites with the reality of the simple taco made with good, fresh ingredients. No longer were tomatoes and cheese and avocadoes and lettuce necessary to adorn mealy and oversalted ground meat; rather, some cilantro, lime, onions and hot sauce were there merely to compliment the properly seasoned and cooked proteins.
No, Fuel City was not the first to introduce tacos of a more authentic Mexican variety to Dallas, and while many claim Fuel City’s to be the best, there are other taco joints that might take exception to the claim. However, what Fuel City did, and what it continues to do is to provide a cross-cultural haven to anyone who wishes to get their hands on a truly good, hot, spicy snack or meal.
As for the tacos themselves, it might seem like a cop-out to say they’re all good, but they are. Fuel City doesn’t have a reputation for making money by selling bad tacos. But if you’re looking for a recommendation, their pastor is far and away their most assertive when it comes to spice and character. The meat is tender and moist, but still has a firmness to it. It’s a taco that will make sure you remember it.
That is, unless you’re there at 3 a.m., in which case we’d be willing to bet you’re not going to remember a whole lot about the evening. We suggest that maybe you go there for lunch on a weekday, first. Not having to wait 30 minutes for a late-night taco makes passing out in the car a lot less likely, you know?
