Wherever there are taquerias, there is art that distinguishes each shop from its competition, attracts clientele and marks the origins of business. This folk art takes the form of menus painted onto facades, anthropomorphic tacos and chiles, women hard at work at a metate, Monterrey landmark Cerro de la Silla, whatever the owners or workers can imagine. There need not be any association between what the taqueria serves and what adorns its edifice, as is the case of El Si Hay in Oak Cliff, a Dallas neighborhood famed for its tacos. The freestanding joint does not serve tacos al pastor from a trompo; yet, there on an exterior wall is a painting of a taquero at a trompo. Dallas Observer photographer Catherine Downes was kind enough to take shots of some of Oak Cliff’s remarkable taqueria art, including of El Si Hay. A collection of those wonderful photos, and the next installment in our Tacos Illustrated series is below.
Taco Rico is one of the few Dallas taqueria serving tacos al vapor (steamed tacos).
The local Fito’s chain specializes in northern Mexican tacos, like tacos de trompo, piratas and campechanas.
There is no mystery as to what is on Tortas El Jacalito’s menu.
Taqueria Habanero is one of the more brilliantly decorated restaurants.
The mural representing the cathedral in Saltillo, Coahuila, indicates the Taqueria Habanero owners’ hometown.
Taqueria Habanero is part art gallery. The artist responsible for the restaurant’s exterior murals has art for sale in the dining room.
All photos © Catherine Downes
The Taco Trail 
Love that taco “art”. I think Cool & Hot would have been a worthy addition.
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