JAVI'S TACOS
Hoppen Hierarchy:★★⭑
District: Millard; Elkhorn
Mexican Dishes in a Fast Casual Atmosphere
Perfect For: Breakfast/Brunch; Lunch; Casual Dining; Takeout
Standout Dishes: Birria Platter; Lengua Torta; Breakfast Burrito
Javier Trujillo Villa, the owner of Javi’s Tacos, is very honest when describing what his restaurants are and are not. They don’t serve “authentic” dishes that one would find in Mexico, nor is the food identical to what his mother cooked for him growing up in Mexico and California. They’re also not the Tex Mex fare that Midwesterners have become so familiar with.
But with a discerning palate, an enviable work ethic, and 15 years of experience working at the breakfast chain Perkins (most either opening restaurants or working in management), Javier has created restaurants that are serving the flavors and food he enjoys, all in a remarkably consistent atmosphere and experience.
And given that he’s added two locations and two food trucks since opening his original location in Welch Plaza in August of 2020, it’s safe to say Omahans are digging exactly what Javi is selling.
Customization is king at Javi’s, and what the restaurant lacks in decades-old recipes it makes up for with infinite possibilities. Javi’s has ten menu items, from tacos to tortas, burritos, rice bowls, nachos, and more, each of which can be filled with one of 12 proteins.
After making their selection, diners move to the cold bar, reminiscent of what would find at Chipotle or Qdoba, where dozens of salsas, veggies, sauces, cheeses, and other ingredients beckon. The possible meal permutations one could create while visiting Javi’s are dizzying.
But while the ordering style may bring to mind one of the burrito chains, Javi’s is doing things differently. Vegetables are cut each day. Fresh rice is cooked each morning. Every tortilla is handmade, and the meats are cooked to order.
The proteins, which are marinated for at least 24 hours, all possess unique flavor. The asada (steak) is tender and buttery. The carnitas (shredded pork) have a tangy, savory fattiness. The al pastor (marinated pork) has a subtle sweetness, while the lengua (beef tongue) carries a rich, meaty flavor.
The proteins are not the most flavorful in Omaha, but they each bring something unique to the table and are at their best when enjoyed simply, such as in a street taco. Javier takes great pride in his corn tortillas, and it shows; each has a pleasant chewiness and doesn’t rip or tear. Unlike authentic tortillas, Javi’s adds a few spices to its dough for additional flavor, but adorning the tacos simply with onion and cilantro allows the meats to be the star.
The tacos are far from the only way to enjoy Javi’s meats, however. The gordita, a corn/masa caked baked and cut open to create a pocket, is stuffed full of your desired ingredients to make a delicious handheld meal. The torta, a Mexican sandwich, is very tasty, though Javi’s bread is a bit soft and absorbs moisture too easily, which can create a soggy lower bun.
Javi’s might be best known, however, for its massive burritos. The restaurant packs each 14-in. tortilla with 4 ounces each of meat, beans, and rice, creating nearly a pound of food before you add anything from the cold bar. It’s common for Javi’s burritos, which are roughly the size of an infant, to weigh over two pounds—the bang-for-your-buck value is hard to beat.
Javi’s also serves breakfast all day, so you can start your morning with Javi’s signature Breakfast Burrito (featured in the header photo) or get it for brinner. This colossal concoction balances spicy, garlic-y chorizo with hash browns, scrambled eggs, and cheese. It’s borderline guaranteed to induce a productivity-killing food coma, but the flavors are worth it.
The enormous burritos are just one of several menu items that have blown up on social media and added to Javi’s popularity. The other is the Birria Taco Platter.
This plate starts with shredded beef stew meat, which is stringy, sweet, and tangy. Fresh corn tortillas are dunked in the remaining liquid and fried on the griddle, then stuffed with creamy, melty chihuahua cheese and the brilliant stew meat, creating bites that bring forth a rush of savory, tender beef and gooey cheese. The bowl of consomme is delightful to dunk the tacos in, and it’s so delicious you’ll find yourself tempted to drink any remnants straight from the cup.
Javi’s Tacos is not the most authentic Mexican restaurant in Omaha, nor does it pretend to be. It’s proud to be exactly what it is: a fast-casual Mexican joint with friendly service, fresh ingredients, and tasty food that readily agrees with American palates. With incredible levels of customization and buzz-worthy menu items, it’s not hard to see why this rocket ship of a restaurant is expanding so quickly.