OUR STORY: BRINGING MEXICO CITY TO DENTON

Our Journey

El Taco H is all about delivering authentic Mexico City-style tacos. Imagine a platter brimming with tacos and fresh garnishes, just like you'd find in the heart of DF. The restaurant was founded by two longtime friends, Raul Enciso and Nick Bitz, who transformed their passion for taco-eating adventures into a shared dream: to bring the flavors and energy of Mexico City's street tacos to north Texas. Raul, a native of Mexico City, and Nick opened El Taco H in downtown Denton in October 2022.

The playful name "El Taco H" is a clever nod to the Spanish pronunciation "ah-chay," which sounds like "tlacuache" the Spanish word for opossum. That's why you'll spot a bright red opossum featured prominently in our logo. From the very beginning, Enciso and Bitz were committed to authenticity. As Enciso likes to say, "We're 99% authentic... to be 100%, you'd have to be in Mexico City."

From Food Truck Dream To Taqueria Haven

What started as an idea for a taco food truck quickly blossomed into a sprawling 7,000-square-foot taqueria, now home to one of the liveliest patios in Denton. The restaurant's design is a blend of local Denton character and Mexico City vibrancy: original brick walls and clusters of cacti are paired with colorful lucha libre masks brought back from Mexico, just look up and you'll see them hanging above the bar! Step inside and you'll be greeted by the irresistible aroma of meat on the grill and the sight of our "tlacuache" opossum artwork, a tribute to the journey that inspired it all.

The Menu: Simple, Fresh, And All About Tacos

Our menu focuses on what we do best: tacos. We offer Mexico City's most beloved tacos: al pastor (marinated pork sliced from a traditional trompo spit, topped with pineapple, cilantro, and onion), suadero beef, barbacoa, birria, and more all served on soft corn tortillas just like at the street stands in DF. A crowd favorite is our quesabirria taco, filled with slow-cooked beef and melty Oaxaca cheese, served with rich consommé for dipping.

No taco experience is complete without great drinks. We serve fresh aguas frescas in flavors like horchata, jamica, and cucumber-lime, each one a refreshing complement to your meal. Our bar features Mexican beers, micheladas, and a range of fantastic cocktails. We take pride in our margaritas order them frozen or on the rocks also offering creative cocktails, including a signature mezcal drink inspired by unforgettable nights in Mexico City. Be sure to visit our salsa bar, where you'll find clay bowls filled with house-made salsas, from smoky chile de árbol to fiery habanero, so you can customize every bite. Our food is made to order and served quickly and with a smile.

Community & Culture: More Than Just Tacos

El Taco H was built to be more than a restaurant; it's a gathering place for the community. From the outset, Enciso and Bitz wanted to create a fun, welcoming hangout. Our spacious back patio is often alive with energy Latin Nights with music, Lucha Libre wrestling watch parties, and games like lotería (Mexican bingo) and cornhole on sunny afternoons. Families are always welcome here: our vibrant, playful décor makes kids feel right at home, and we love seeing little ones enjoying tacos and churros.

Today, the restaurant is a melting pot for longtime Denton residents, college students, families, and visitors all gathering at our picnic tables, sharing tacos and laughter.

We also believe in giving back to our community. El Taco H regularly partners with local organizations for charity events, including university philanthropies and live music fundraisers with Denton's talented musicians. Whether it's the Day of the Dead festival weekend (we opened just in time to celebrate our first year) or a casual Tuesday, we're here to celebrate culture, community, and of course great food. As co-owner Nick Bitz puts it, "It's an experience and a place to hang out with the community," and that's exactly the atmosphere we strive to create.

Awards & Accolades

In just a short time, El Taco H has earned an impressive reputation in Denton's food scene. We're proud to be a perennial favorite in the annual Best of Denton awards. In the 2024 voting, our taco shop earned several First Place honors, including Best Affordable Dining, Best Margarita, Best Mexican/Tex-Mex, Best Late Night Eats, and of course Best Tacos in Denton. We've also been named "Best Taco" at local taco festivals in back-to-back years. These honors wouldn't be possible without our wonderful customers, and we're grateful for every vote, every shout-out, and every empty plate returned to the kitchen.

What The Community Says

The love and support from the Denton community means everything to us. People have called El Taco H "a must if you are in town," and some claim they've "never tasted birria tacos like these" before. One customer, a native of Mexico City, told us our tacos are "just like in Mexico City" the highest compliment we could hope for. Others simply say we have "the best Mexican food in Denton." We're lucky to have loyal regulars, including families whose toddlers insist on our asada tacos again and again! Whether you're a longtime local or a first-time visitor, the feedback is clear: El Taco H delivers delicious food, friendly service, and a vibrant atmosphere. We love seeing our guests leave happy and maybe a little messy, which is always the sign of a great taco!

We invite you to come experience El Taco H for yourself. We can't wait to welcome you to the family.