Cripsy birria tacos and birria consomme-infused ramen at Taqueria el Gym, a stationary food truck on Thompson Lane

Where to Find Crispy, Cheesy Birria Tacos Around Nashville

Find the oh-so-hot taco and consomme trend, plus birria ramen, birria pizza, and more

by Delia Jo Ramsey@EaterNashville Feb 18, 2021, 12:58pm CST

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Cripsy birria tacos and birria consomme-infused ramen at Taqueria el Gym, a stationary food truck on Thompson Lane

| Delia Jo Ramsey/Eater Nashville

by Delia Jo Ramsey@EaterNashville Feb 18, 2021, 12:58pm CST

The nation has been captivated with the birria de res taco (or “red taco”) trend for the last couple of years, and the craze certainly seems at its peak in Nashville right now.

Originating in the Mexican state of Jalisco and traditionally made as a savory, chile-laden stew using goat meat, birria eventually traveled north to Tijuana becoming a street taco, and then to Los Angeles, where it really took off in America. The Tijuana-style birria de res taco sees goat, lamb, and now beef slow-cooked with chiles until the meat forms a brick-red stew that can be eaten as is or encased within a tortilla which has been dipped into the mixture and griddled. To create a quesabirria taco, the tortilla is dipped in birria broth and griddled, before being topped with meat and cheese and then folded into the now crunchy, red-tinged tortilla. It’s pure comfort that comes with a side of consomme (birria broth) for dipping.

While not as prevalent here as in other cities — say LA and San Francisco — a few local restaurants and pop-ups serve a form (mostly made with beef) on the menu, so Eater Nashville went in search of birria and cheesy quesabirria tacos around the city, with plenty of styrofoam cups of hot consomme for dunking. While on the hunt birria ramen, birria pizza, and mini tortas also showed up in restaurant, taco truck, and pop-up form — each perfect to quench that birria craving on a chilly day.

A number of restaurants on this map have resumed dine-in service. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases, please visit A Safe Nashville. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.

El Jaliciense Méxican Restaurant

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At the East Nashville Mexican favorite, find hot grilled birria tacos with the option to add cheese and obligatory consomme for proper dunking on a cold Nashville day.

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3225 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216

(615) 227-9866

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Also featured in:

Here Are Nashville’s Top Tacos

Maiz de la Vida (at Chopper on Sundays)

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Chef Julio Hernandez left years cooking in other people’s restaurants and country clubs to start his own thing during the pandemic — Nashville’s premiere nixtamal tortilleria, Maiz de la Vida.

He mixed education about the history and significance of corn as he started selling tortillas around town and then opening his own taco truck, a true “maiz revolution” that has forever changed the corn tortilla game in Music City. In addition to his other tacos, tamales, mole paste, and more — Hernandez serves birria tacos with consomme on Saturdays at Richland Park Farmers Market (10 a.m. to noon) and on Sundays at Chopper from noon to 6 p.m.

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1100 B Stratton Ave, Nashville, TN 37206

(615) 348-8156

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Birrieria y Taquería Arandas

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New on the scene and bringing birria tacos to the masses in Donelson, Birrieria y taqueria Arandas offers quesabirria platters alongside asada tacos, mulitas, fried plantains, and more. There’s also another older location, at 2111 Murfreesboro Pike, with online ordering available.

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104 Graylynn Dr, Nashville, TN 37214

(615) 730-6154

Also featured in:

A Guide to Nashville’s Exceptional Mexican Restaurants

Mijo Gordito Pop-up (at Standard Proof Whiskey Co. on Sundays)

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From Nicky’s Coal Fired to Redheaded Stranger, Mijo Gordito has been making the rounds all around town with rustic, homestyle cooking ripped straight from abuela’s kitchen. But for now, you can find the duo on Sunday nights at the Standard Proof tasting room, popping up with a signature “big ass oxtail birria pizza” with a side of consomme for proper dipping. Chef hand rolls each tortilla, crusted with plenty of crispy cheese then stuffed with mounds of juicy oxtail and slathered with zingy salsa aguacate, chipotle mayo, pico, and pickled red onions. Orders can be placed via Instagram DM. Keep an eye on their IG for more information on future pop-ups and menu offerings.

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219 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219

(615) 800-2017

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Cheese-crusted mulita or “big ass oxtail Mexican pizza” from Mijo Gordito

Taqueria El Gym

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Find crispy quesatacos and Jalisco-style birria tacos with piping hot consomme alongside outside-the-box options like birria ramen, quesabirria pizza, and mini birria tortas at the taco truck parked beside the gas station on Thompson Lane. Keep in mind, it’s cash only and there’s just one picnic table, so be prepared to bring those crisp tacos and consomme home for proper dipping.

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234 Thompson Ln, Nashville, TN 37211

(615) 678-3264

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cripsy tacos dunked in Taqueria el Gym’s signature birria ramen

West Coast Taco Shop

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West Coast was one of the places in Nashville to find California cult-favorite birria (red) tacos, carne asada fries, and California-style burritos. Order online or call 615-891-7666 to place an order for takeout or delivery. The dining room and patio are also open.

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1609 Murfreesboro Pike #F, Nashville, TN 37217

(615) 891-7666

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Birria tacos and carne asada fries from West Coast Taco Shop

Tacos de Michoacán

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Birria tacos and birria quesarito platters are both on the menu at the Murfreesboro Pike taco spot — both served with slurpable consomme.

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1691 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37217

(615) 970-9335

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Oscar's Taco Shop

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Look for juicy red birria tacos with sippable consomme on the specials board at any location of Oscar’s Taco Shop — known for its Southern California style menu options.

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7177 Nolensville Rd #1a, Nolensville, TN 37135

(615) 776-1361

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Also featured in:

Restaurants Currently Offering Takeout and Delivery Along Nolensville Pike

Mexico Tipico

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Those in Murfreesboro don’t have to miss out on the birria craze or even drive to Nashville for it — as Mexico Tipico is serving some of the best quesatacos and consomme around. On cold weather days, you can also grab some champurrado

2021 S Church St, Murfreesboro, TN 37130

(629) 201-5074