Taco y Vino fits perfectly into the soul of Oak Cliff — warm, familiar, creative, and just a little bit unconventional. Housed in a renovated little bungalow, it feels more like someone’s home than a restaurant. You walk in expecting a quick taco and end up settling in, sipping wine on the patio, talking with strangers who suddenly feel like neighbors. It’s casual, it’s lived-in, and it’s exactly the kind of spot that shows why Oak Cliff’s dining scene has so much personality.
The idea comes from owner Jimmy Contreras, an Oak Cliff local who spent years in the wine world before ever running a restaurant. He isn’t the type to make wine feel fancy or intimidating — he’s the opposite. His whole mission was to take the everyday foods people love, especially tacos, and show that wine can be a part of that without any fuss. The tacos-meet-wine concept wasn’t some marketing gimmick; it was Jimmy blending the two things he knew best: neighborhood comfort and a genuine love for good wine.
The food keeps things grounded and familiar but with plenty of flavor. Cochinita pibil that’s slow-braised until it practically melts. Crispy-edged carnitas. Blackened catfish tucked into a tortilla with just enough spice. Chicken tinga with smoky depth. Brisket guiso that tastes like it was simmered all afternoon. There are vegetarian choices too, including a fried avocado taco that regulars swear by. Even brunch gets attention here — chilaquiles, brisket and eggs, and rotating specials that change with the mood of the kitchen.
Because Jimmy came from the wine side of the world, the wine list is where Taco y Vino really shows its personality. The bottles are affordable, easy to drink, and chosen because they genuinely pair well with tacos. You can grab something crisp and citrusy for fish tacos, a fruity red for brisket, or a chilled rosé for cochinita pibil. Nothing is pretentious, nothing is overthought, and everything is there to make the food taste better. The popular “six tacos and a bottle of wine” deal has become a neighborhood ritual — equal parts date night and weeknight comfort.
What sets Taco y Vino apart most is its community vibe. This isn’t the kind of place people rush through. Friends linger on the patio, couples share bottles, and regulars stroll in like they’re stopping by a friend’s place. It captures the easygoing rhythm of Oak Cliff — diverse, welcoming, and full of charm. It’s a neighborhood spot through and through, the kind of restaurant that grows with the community and makes it stronger.
In a city full of high-end restaurants and quick-service taco joints, Taco y Vino finds a middle ground that feels refreshing. It’s accessible without being boring, creative without being showy, and proudly rooted in its neighborhood. Tacos bring people in, wine keeps them talking, and the vibe makes them want to return. It’s Oak Cliff at its best: flavorful, unpretentious, and full of heart.
The second location of Taco y Vino is in downtown Garland — the address is 706 Main St., Garland, TX 75040.
