Okay Nomsters, I need to talk about the birria tacos that have been living in my head rent-free. I finally tried DMV Taqueria, a family-run Mexican food truck that’s usually parked in Columbia, and honestly? I’m a little mad at myself for waiting so long.
These are some of the BEST birria tacos I’ve ever had, no exaggeration: tender, juicy braised beef with big flavor, piled with Oaxaca cheese and served with a rich consomé for dipping. Add freshly fried churros that somehow stayed crispy long after I left the truck, and you’ve got a truck that absolutely earns the hype (it even cracked Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the entire US). If you’re anywhere near Columbia and you love tacos, let me put you on!
View this reel on Instagram
What Makes DMV Taqueria a Must Visit?
So what makes this truck stand out in a sea of taco spots? For one, it’s a genuine family operation. Alberto Fonseca and his wife Krissia Lobo started DMV Taqueria during the pandemic, when Alberto found his love of cooking, and they’ve built it into one of the most talked-about trucks in the area.
Their food blends Mexican flavors with touches of Puerto Rican adobo and Peruvian seasoning, so it’s got its own personality. It’s also 100% halal, which makes it an easy call for a lot of folks who usually have to sit out the birria trend. And the accolades back it up: DMV Taqueria landed on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US, the only spot in all of Maryland to make the list. For a food truck, that’s a serious flex.
What to Order at DMV Taqueria
Here’s exactly what I got and what I’m already planning to come back for.
Beef Birria Tacos ($16.50)
These are the reason you come. The beef’s slow-braised until it’s falling-apart tender and juicy, then loaded into tacos with melty Oaxaca cheese, onions, and cilantro, and served with a cup of consomé (the rich braising broth) for dipping. The flavor’s out of this world.
One heads up: there’s genuine heat here, so if you’re not into spicy, this might not be your move, or ask whether they can tone it down. For me, every single bite was perfect, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them afterward. If you order one thing, make it these.
Churros ($8)
Do not skip dessert. The churros come crispy and freshly fried, and the real miracle is that they STAYED crispy long after I pulled away from the truck, which basically never happens with churros. Sweet, crunchy, and the perfect finish to all that rich birria. I’d get them again in a heartbeat.
What I’m Getting Next: the Birria Sandwich and Empanadas
I only got the tacos and churros this round, but the birria sandwich ($15) and birria empanadas ($6 each) are both at the top of my list for next time. The menu runs deep beyond that too, with birria quesadillas, burritos, bowls, fries, and even a birria grilled cheese dipper, plus veggie versions of most of it if you’re not eating meat.
What Are Birria Tacos?
If you’ve somehow missed the birria wave, here’s the rundown. Birria is a Mexican dish of meat (usually beef here in the States) slow-braised in a rich, chili-spiced broth until it’s meltingly tender. For tacos, that beef gets tucked into tortillas with cheese, and you get a little cup of the braising broth, called consomé, on the side for dipping.
That dip-and-bite move is the whole point, and it’s a big reason birria tacos blew up everywhere. At DMV Taqueria, they do it with imported Oaxaca cheese, which melts into the most glorious pull.
A Family Food Truck Worth Visiting…
What I love most is that this is a labor of love from a husband-and-wife team who built it from scratch. You can taste that care in the food. I waited way too long to try them (my own fault entirely), and now I’m fully converted. The only catch is that it’s a food truck, so you have to catch it wherever it’s parked that day, but trust me, Nomsters, it’s worth the little bit of planning.
The Vibe and Experience
This is a food-truck experience, so set your expectations accordingly: you order at the window and find a spot to post up, no frills, just great food. The truck’s regular home base is on Banneker Road in Columbia, but it roams the DMV for events and catering, so the move is to check their Instagram for the day’s location before you head out. Ordering’s easy (they take cards and Apple Pay, plus online ordering and delivery), and there’s free parking at the Columbia spot. Come hungry, and maybe bring a friend so you can split more of the menu.
Good to Know
- 📍 Home base: 5840 Banneker Rd, Columbia, MD. It’s a food truck, so always check their Instagram (@dmv_taqueria) for the current day’s location.
- Hours at the Columbia base: Tuesday to Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday 11am to 9pm, Saturday 11am to 8pm, Sunday 11am to 7pm, closed Mondays.
- Everything on the menu is 100% halal.
- Prices: beef birria tacos $16.50, birria sandwich $15, empanadas $6 each, churros $8.
- There’s real heat in the birria, so ask if you’d like it milder.
- Veggie options are available across the menu.
- Order in person, online through their site, or via DoorDash and Uber Eats. They take cards and Apple Pay.
- Free parking at the Columbia location, and they cater events too.
Is DMV Taqueria Worth The $$?
A thousand times YES. DMV Taqueria is worth rearranging your afternoon for, and the birria tacos alone make it a must-visit. It’s perfect for a casual lunch, a weekend treat, or anytime you’re chasing that dip-and-bite birria magic, and the halal menu means you can bring just about everyone. It earned a spot in my roundup of the best taco spots in the Maryland burbs, and if you’re exploring the area, it’s in good company with my other Columbia favorites. Go hungry, Nomsters.
Have you guys tried DMV Taqueria yet? And if you’ve got a birria spot you love even more, you have to tell me in the comments, because I’m on a mission now. Save this one and send it to your taco partner in crime!