Dine Downtown: La Calle

Craving authentic Mexican street tacos, but can’t make it to Mexico City? Well, you’re in luck! Nestled in the Historic Market Square neighborhood of Downtown Houston is La Calle Tacos & Tortas. Straight from the mind of Mexico City native Ramon Soriano Tomka, La Calle brings traditional tacos to the heart of #DTHOU.

Walk through the doors of 909 Franklin and you’ll find yourself immersed in a vibrant and colorful world. From the brightly painted walls to the vintage TVs, the space is designed to mimic the street stands you’d visit on a trip to Mexico City. Opened in 2016, the Downtown restaurant serves food reminiscent of what Tomka ate from the taquerias of his childhood, with just about everything on the menu made in-house. From breakfast tacos and flan de queso to street elote and birria, the freshness of these dishes will have you coming back for more.

Placing your order is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Step one involves selecting your taco type. Choose from street tacos [aka chilango]: five small, yellow corn tortillas, gringo tacos: three large flour tortillas, tortas [which is technically a sandwich] and tostadas: four open, hard shell tacos. Next, bring on the meats! Protein options include the deliciously marinated asada, barbacoa, tender pork carnitas, pastor, chorizo and chicharron, to name a few. Seafood and vegetarian options are also available. Each dish comes complete with sides of rice, beans and guacamole. Yes, you read that right. FREE GUAC! Step 3: devour all tacos on your plate. See, we told you it was easy.

In need of a beer? Pop next door to La Cantina, by La Calle. Whether you’re searching for a hangover remedy or just looking for a fun place to grab a drink and watch the next UFC fight or H-Town sports game [multiple 82” flatscreens are on full display], this bar serves as the perfect spot to knock back a few Micheladas ー and, of course, satisfy your taco fix.

Let’s not forget, La Calle has one of the best Taco Tuesday deals in all of Downtown. Every Tuesday, all street tacos are only $.99 each. So next week, order up a marg and eat your way into a taco induced food coma. Happy Hour is also a can’t miss. We’re talking 50% off the La Cantina food menu and select premiums, as well as specially-priced beers and margaritas. 

Of course, no trip to La Calle is complete without snapping a pic in front of the “I love you tacos so much” wall. Just make sure you tag your photos, because the world deserves to know about this tasty little taco shop serving Downtown Houston from morning till night [3 AM to be exact].