ROUND 4: GETTIN’ JUICY WITH IT

Get greasy or go home. It’s impossible to think about two formidable competitors without evoking visions of flavorful drippings making their way onto hands, and inevitably, down the wrists of those who choose to get down and dirty. Mess aside, a good juicy burger or taco is indicative of a flavor bomb sure to hit the spot.

After a brief hiatus, beloved taco truck Palo Seco 512, formerly known as La Tunita 512, is back in birria business. This quaint trailer specializes in one heck of a messy, delicious taco known as birria de res. These tacos are traditionally served with a side of consommé for dipping. Hungry patrons roll up their sleeves and dunk the taco, tortilla and all, into the flavorful beef broth for the full experience on the messy side. The bright red, chile-spiced beef is incredibly tender and made all the more succulent when drenched in its signature sauce. Palo Seco devotees line up for this gratifying specialty, and the truck often sells out. Those who are ready to get their hands dirty and their tastebuds singing make it a point to arrive early.

TANYA’S FAVES

Veracruz's La Reyna

Rightfully called ‘The Queen,’ this taco is jampacked with a sumptuously sautéed veggie blend of mushrooms, spinach, onions, carrots, and red bell peppers, all mixed with scrambled egg whites and topped with freshly sliced avocado. Get it on a freshly prepared corn tortilla and add a little zing with their verde jalapeño salsa.

Gobble Gobble

You’ll gobble up this delicious grass-fed beef burger from the food truck outside of Icenhauer’s on Rainey Street. Freshly-pickled pickles and gooey cheese from Antonelli’s are piled onto a sweet brioche bun. Don’t forget the seasoned potato rounds, a cross between a French fry and a potato chip, served with a creamy, homemade buttermilk dill sauce.