At 4am, most Austinites will lead you to Magnolia or Kerbey Lane for a late-night bite, but if authentic $1.50 tacos sound better than burgers and pancakes, La Mexicana Bakery has your 24-hour hookup. Don’t forget to visit during the daytime too; their food is always cheap, always quick, always delicious. The atmosphere, however, is the absolute opposite of your ideal all-night establishment: harsh lighting, drab seating, and a hypnotizing array of crayon-colored pastries. It’s no wonder most people opt for the overcrowded, higher-priced food and drinks at Polvo’s next door—writing off La Mexicana as just another low-rent sweet-shop—but one beans-and-eggs or pork carnitas taco here will show them the way.
RECS: Start with a beans-and-eggs or carnitas taco (add avocado if you want) and order more from there. It’s all so insanely cheap, you can afford to try a bunch.
