A completely objective, scientifically rigorous, not-at-all-argued-about-in-the-group-chat list of the tacos every human should eat at least once. In no particular order. Okay, a little bit of an order.
1. Al pastor from a trompo
Shaved from a vertical spit, crowned with pineapple, born of Lebanese shawarma meeting Puebla chiles.
2. Carnitas, Michoacán style
Pork slowly confited in its own lard in a copper cazo until tender inside and crisp outside.
3. Birria de chivo
Jalisco goat birria with a steaming cup of consommé. Dip, bite, repeat.
4. Baja fish taco
Beer-battered fish, shredded cabbage, crema, salsa, lime. Ensenada, perfected.
5. Barbacoa de borrego
Lamb wrapped in maguey leaves and cooked overnight in an earth pit. Sunday morning in a tortilla.
6. Cochinita pibil
Yucatecan achiote-and-sour-orange pork with pickled red onion and habanero.
7. Tacos de canasta
Soft, steamed, oily basket tacos from a bicycle vendor in Mexico City.
8. Suadero
Silky beef confited on a comal with a well in the middle. A Mexico City classic.
9. Tacos de lengua
Beef tongue, braised until spoon-tender. Get over it and order one.
10. Tacos dorados
Rolled or folded and fried crisp, piled with lettuce, crema, and salsa.
11. Tacos árabes
Puebla spit-roasted pork in a pita-like pan árabe. Al pastor’s ancestor.
12. Tacos de camarón enchilado
Shrimp in a spicy chile sauce, often from the Pacific coast.
13. Austin breakfast taco
Egg, potato, bacon, flour tortilla, salsa. A 7 a.m. religion.
14. Tacos de papa con chorizo
Potato and chorizo, humble and perfect.
15. Taco de sal
A warm, fresh corn tortilla with a pinch of salt. The purest taco there is.
Disagree? Of course you do. Tell us in the comments, then go browse regional styles to plan your trip.