Birria tacos are the specialty at Tina’s Tacos in Fishtown
Philly has a few solid outlets for birria tacos, those juicy northern Mexican creations served with meaty consommé for dunking.
Extra-juicy birria-style tacos have been popping up on radars of late.
Newest on the scene is Tina’s Tacos, which is slinging tacos, chalupas, and chili with an Indian twist in a corner-bar setting at York and Memphis Streets in Fishtown (2327 E. York St., Philadelphia, 814-343-3101).
“Tina” happens to be Tina Ruth Belcher, a character from Bob’s Burgers, a TV fave of owners Darshak Pendem, 25, and Puja Gohil, 24, high school sweethearts making their restaurant debut.
Recommendation: the Belcher birria box ($16),, which gets you one taco, one queso taco, and a chalupa (choice of beef, chicken, or vegan), plus consommé for dipping, dunking, and slurping. Bar is stocked with eight beers and a full cocktail list.
Opening hours: 11 a.m.-midnight Tuesday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Dine-in/takeout.
Other birria outlets?
Head to the foodtrucks, such as Mr. Platano (100 W. Erie Ave.) and Lady Tahko (which roams).
Chef Jen Zavala has fans for her birria tacos, which she sells at pop-ups, usually at Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St. Critic Craig LaBan enjoys the birria at El Molino Tortilleria & Restaurant, 1739 W. Ritner St.) and the special from Philly Tacos (2011 S. Reed St.).