The Vegan Nom: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

The Vegan Nom is Austin’s original all-vegan taco trailer, and after more than a decade it’s still one of the city’s best spots for plant-based Mexican food. Every single item on the menu is 100% vegan, so there’s no sorting through a menu looking for the one vegetarian option. Founded in 2012 by East Austin native Chris Rios, the concept started as a small food trailer and sold out within two hours on opening day. It now operates from a trailer at the Vegan Nom Food Park on East Cesar Chavez.

What’s vegan and vegetarian at The Vegan Nom

Everything. The Vegan Nom is a 100% vegan restaurant, so you won’t find any meat, dairy, or eggs anywhere on the menu. That means every taco, burrito, quesadilla, and breakfast item is safe for vegans and vegetarians alike. The menu uses plant-based proteins including tofu scramble, vegan chorizo, vegan sausage, vegan fish, and Korean BBQ-style plant-based chicken. Most items can be ordered on corn tortillas for a gluten-free option, though the kitchen also handles flour tortillas and chorizo that contain gluten, so cross-contact is a real possibility for celiac diners.

Signature dishes to order

The Del Rey Fish Taco is a standout, lemon-pepper vegan fish, cabbage, and avocado in a clean, coastal-style package. The Rockin Migas taco features organic tofu scramble, avocado, tortilla chips, and pico, and it’s one of the most popular breakfast options. For something heartier, the KBBQ Taco brings Korean BBQ plant-based chicken with purple cabbage and sour cream in a flavor combo that genuinely surprises. If you want to go big, the Crunchwrap Supreme and the Big Brunch Burrito are the move. The Chips and Queso, made with the restaurant’s own plant-based queso, is worth ordering as a starter, and breakfast tacos run all day.

How to order

The Vegan Nom is a walk-up counter-order trailer with outdoor picnic table seating. No reservations and no table service. You order at the window, grab a number, and wait outside. Hours run Monday through Thursday from 8am to 2pm and then 5pm to 10pm, with a gap in the afternoon. Friday through Sunday it’s continuous from 8am to 10pm. Delivery is available through DoorDash and Uber Eats if you’d rather eat at home.

What to watch out for

Vegetarians and vegans have nothing to dodge here, since the whole menu is plant-based. Cross-contact is the caveat for gluten. Most of the menu is naturally gluten-free when you order on corn tortillas, but the chorizo, vegan sausage, and flour tortillas contain gluten, and the trailer handles all of these together. If you have a gluten sensitivity rather than celiac disease, corn-tortilla orders will likely work fine. If you have a true celiac diagnosis, call ahead and ask specific questions. Also note the split hours on weekdays, with the window closed from 2pm to 5pm.

Is The Vegan Nom worth it?

Yes, and it’s not close. At a few dollars per taco, the price-to-quality ratio is hard to beat for Austin. The Vegan Nom doesn’t lean on novelty to justify a vegan price premium. It’s just good Mexican food that happens to be plant-based. Chris Rios built the menu around the East Austin flavors he grew up with, and you can taste that grounding in the chipotle sauce, the tofu scramble, and the chorizo. The fact that it’s been operating since 2012 and still draws lines says plenty. Whether you’re vegan or just curious about plant-based tacos, this is a legit Austin stop.