My Favorite type of Taco

One of my favorite versions of the taco is the breakfast taco. I personally have them almost every morning. At home, I usually make them with cheese, vegetables, and either bacon, ham, or sausage. Around Houston, I also have a few favorite spots where I like to grab them. Today, I’m sharing one of those places.

A Little Piece of Puerto Rico in Houston

Before we get to the tacos and martinis, the place I’m about to mention is about much more than tacos. In fact, tacos are probably my least favorite thing on the menu—and that’s saying a lot. As a Puerto Rican, there aren’t many places in Houston that reflect my culture. The first time I walked into this café, I knew right away. Behind the cash register were painted coquí Taínos, and a few colorful vejigantes hung from the walls.

Coco’s Donuts & Coffee Bar feels like a small trip back to a Puerto Rican cafeteria. Their menu includes pastries such as quesitos, along with several sandwiches that remind me of home. One of my favorites is the ham and cheese sandwich served on mallorca bread. They also offer a breakfast version with an egg inside, as well as lunch options like the legendary tripleta.

Tripletas hold a special place in my heart. This traditional Puerto Rican sandwich combines three different meats—beefsteak, pulled pork, and ham—along with mayo-ketchup and potato crisps. When I attended La High del Pueblo in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, there were two food trucks down the street selling tripletas and a soda for just $3.50. The tripletas at Coco’s are every bit as good as the ones I ate as a teenager. They have the same signature mayo-ketchup, and somehow, even here in Texas, they’ve managed to get their hands on proper pan sobao.

Beyond the food, Coco’s is simply a great place to relax. Whether you’re stopping in for coffee, a pastry, a cocktail, or a beer, it’s the kind of place that invites you to stay awhile.

Now lets Talk Tacos

The breakfast tacos at Coco’s are simple: bacon, egg, and cheese. But what makes them special is that they don’t use chopped bacon mixed into scrambled eggs. Instead, each taco gets a full strip of bacon, giving every bite a satisfying crunch and smoky flavor.

Of course, I paired them with a tequila dirty martini. For this visit, I ordered one made with Espolòn Blanco. It’s a little different from my usual reposado dirty martini, but just as enjoyable in its own way.

Coco’s remains one of my favorite places in Houston. It’s a spot I frequently recommend to friends, whether they’re looking for a good sandwich, a fresh pastry, or a taste of Puerto Rico. And if you happen to stop by after reading this, there’s a good chance you’ll find me sitting at one of the tables, writing the next blog post.