Taqueria El Sí Hay doesn’t bother with flash. No neon signs. No Instagram bait. Just a taco window on the corner of Davis and Llewellyn in Oak Cliff, with a cloud of grilled meat smoke hanging in the air and a line of regulars who know exactly what they’re doing. You won’t find seating, Wi-Fi, or anything resembling a dining room. What you will find is some of the best damn tacos and elotes in Dallas—and they’ve been doing it like this for more than two decades.
Let’s talk tacos. These aren’t overstuffed or dressed up with trendy toppings. Each one is simple, tight, and perfect: warm corn tortillas layered with your choice of meat, topped with chopped onion, fresh cilantro, and a wedge of lime on the side. That’s it. And it works. The bistec is a standout—thinly sliced beef cooked hot and fast so the edges get crisp while the inside stays juicy. Pastor comes shaved straight off the trompo, with just enough char and a whisper of pineapple sweetness to balance the savory spice. The barbacoa is soft and rich, braised to the point of falling apart, and the lengua (yes, tongue) is melt-in-your-mouth tender, no exaggeration.
Chorizo fans will find their happy place here too—it’s crumbly, well-spiced, and packs a punch. Everything is seasoned with confidence and grilled to order, which makes a difference in every bite. The red salsa brings a dry, smoldering heat that lingers, while the green salsa leans fresh and zippy. Squeeze bottles of each are on standby, so you’re free to sauce like you mean it.
Now, the elotes. Don’t sleep on these. Starting in the late afternoon, a side cart opens up next to the taco window and that’s when the corn crowd rolls in. The setup is straightforward: corn shaved fresh into foam cups, layered with butter, crema, cotija, lime juice, chili powder, and a few optional dashes of hot sauce. It’s creamy, tangy, salty, and spicy—the kind of street snack that hits every craving at once. No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just really good corn, served hot, with all the right flavors layered in. It’s messy in the best way, and yes, it’s worth waiting in line for. On weekends, the elote line often rivals the taco line.
You can wash it all down with a cold Jarritos—lime is the crowd favorite—or a bottle of Mexican Coke pulled straight from the cooler. It’s not a big menu, and that’s the point. Tacos, elotes, and a drink. Done. Prices are easy on the wallet (tacos hover around $2, elotes just a little more), but it’s cash only, so plan ahead or make a quick run to the gas station ATM next door.
The vibe? All business. People are here to eat. Some lean on their cars, others post up on the curb, and plenty just stand right there on the sidewalk, taco in one hand, cup of elote in the other. It’s not curated. It’s not trying to be cool. And that’s exactly why it is. Taqueria El Sí Hay keeps it tight, keeps it consistent, and keeps people coming back. No hashtags required. Just seriously good food, served without pretense.
Taqueria El Si Hay 601 W Davis St Dallas, TX 75208
