Tacos are the perfect food. Handheld and portable, these three-bite wonders are a beloved Houston staple. But, like all foods, all tacos are not created equal. In a city of taco trucks, stands, and restaurants, Orange Taco stands out for its unique flavors.
The restaurant, located in the Highlight at Houston Center, at 1200 McKinney Street, offers tacos and burritos that marry Mexican and Asian flavors into one mouthwatering meal.
Houston and Macleod Adegoké started Orange Taco as a food truck in 2022, and quickly grew in popularity. The husband and wife team opened their brick and mortar in June 2024, and have been serving the Houston area ever since.
The Adegokés tell Whatnow Houston that the key to their success is in the quality of their ingredients and the way the food is prepared. “It really is about the approach that we’re using,” says Macleod, adding, “Our philosophy is to create something that speaks for itself.” Everything starts with quality ingredients and care from the cheese that’s sliced and shredded in-house from blocks to the quality beef that’s cooked low and slow for brisket.
The result is a menu of tacos and burritos that are exciting and elevated, including a good selection of vegetarian and vegan options such as the Edgy Veggie and Orange Cauliflower tacos. “We realize that a lot of the public is starting to value vegan and vegetarian options, and we didn’t want to forget those people,” says Houston. That attention to detail paid off, with the Edgy Veggie one of Orange Taco’s most popular tacos. Houston describes the thoughtful process behind the taco: “We brine the eggplant so it’s not mushy, then marinate it in Sichuan pepper and soy to add flavor and depth. Finally, we serve it with a peanut sauce.”
Tacos, by the way, are much more than a quick lunch — they’re a way of life, according to Macleod who says that every taco has its own vibe. “The fancy chicken tends to attract corporate people, edgy people are drawn to cauliflower tacos, and the Orange Taco? That’s for people seeking out good barbecue.”
Whatever mood you’re in, there’s a taco to match your personality at Orange Taco, says Macleod. “We’ve created an environment for people to connect and enjoy tacos.”
