"Some things lose their allure when they’re no longer a secret. Other things only get better, like Birria Taco, a walk-in only Mexican-inspired spot in Kensal Rise. What started as a IYKYK takeaway-only pop-up in a hotel basement in 2020, grew into a popular residency in . And it's now taken its final form as a permanent restaurant that we hope will stick around. In all its reincarnations, Birria Taco hasn’t lost the consistent, excellent quality of tacos. A runway to the till splits the lively, spacious, corridor-like room in two, both sides occupied by hungry people who have made the trip across the city to satisfy a birria taco craving. QR codes are scanned and patience is impossible to exercise when tables nearby dip fragrant lamb-filled tacos in shallow bowls of consommé, unintentionally taunting, as you wait eagerly for your order to appear. Multiple hands reach in simultaneously to grab a chunky, birria beef-topped chip, and the loud hum of voices of people whose life updates are so juicy it could replace the consommé, fills the room. Birria tacos, birria-loaded fries, and birria ramen—everything at this warm, laid-back spot revolves around the adobo-marinated meat stew. And what a stew it is. Angus beef is cooked until it’s so tender it almost dissolves in your mouth, leaving behind the rich meaty flavour and a desire to get another round in immediately. When ordering tacos, we always end up in the upper range of 'a lot' to 'probably too much'. " - Rianne Shlebak
