The best birria tacos in Sacramento.

Taqueria La Perla Tapatia at 2820 Marconi Avenue in Arden-Arcade is a counter-service taqueria with a long menu, and birria is one of several things diners come for. The quesabirria taco and the birria de res get named most, with the Piña Nieto tacos close behind. Diners call the beef tender and the price for a plate of three fair.

The salsa bar and fresh chips draw some of the warmest comments here. Orders are placed at the counter and carried to the table, and staff are described as friendly and quick at turning tables. Takeout gets timed so tacos do not sit and go soft.

The room is small and fills quickly, so the patio helps for groups and families. Catering also comes up, with diners saying it has gone over well at parties. Expect a short wait at peak lunch.

Cocina Doña Chuyita at 1035 Drever Street in West Sacramento has a menu that reaches well past birria, yet the quesabirria tacos are what several diners drove across town for. The shell is crunchy, the beef tender and juicy, and the cheese lands in just the right amount. Some say the tacos stand fine without consommé, though it is served for dipping.

The salsa bar adds a creamy orange habanero sauce that diners single out for balanced heat. Happy hour pairs a big beer with the tacos at a friendly price. Beyond birria, the adobada quesadilla, carnitas verde chilaquiles and breakfast burritos each have their own supporters.

The room is spacious and food comes out quickly, so a mixed group can order birria and something else without much fuss.

El Rincon Mexican Restaurant at 3030 T Street sits on the edge of Midtown, a small taqueria in an old building with more seating outside than in. Diners order the quesabirria and birria tacos here, and one detail comes up often: the beef is lean, without the fat some birria places leave in. The consommé earns praise for its flavor, particularly on takeout.

The menu goes well past birria. Carnitas and carne asada street tacos, lengua tacos and large burritos draw praise, and the California burrito is described as big enough for two meals. Service is quick and friendly, and chips and salsa arrive fresh.

Parking is limited and mostly on the street, so plan a short walk. The outdoor tables suit a casual lunch with a cold beer, and dogs are welcome out there.

Birria Boys at 9611 Auto Center Drive in Elk Grove operates inside a Shell gas station, and diners treat that as part of the draw. The slow-braised beef tacos get a rich consommé and a green sauce made in-house, and portions run generous. Several diners put these at the top for birria tacos in the Sacramento area.

The menu goes beyond tacos. Birria ramen and birria inside a garlic bread grilled cheese are the items diners recommend most, and loaded tater tots and surf and turf birria fries show up in the praise too. The staff and owner are described as friendly and happy to suggest an order.

Seating is limited to a few small tables, and parking is shared with the gas station. Online pricing charges extra for consommé on some orders, so ask before checkout.

La Mini Birrieria at 2650 Northgate Boulevard puts all its energy into one dish, and diners return for it. The quesabirria dinner brings rice, beans and consommé, with tacos stuffed with tender birria, cheese, onion and cilantro. Several diners call it the best birria they have had, noting depth of flavor instead of salt and cheese.

The all-pink interior gets nearly as much attention as the food. Diners describe a spotless room with friendly staff, and the menu extends to a torta, birria ramen, nachos, quesadillas and a bowl. Strawberry and banana horchata and churro cheesecake round out a visit for a birthday dessert stop.

Lines form at busy times and the space is small, so a weekday or off-peak stop moves faster. Diners also note pricing runs on the higher side.

Tony’s Tacos at 6425 Florin Perkins Road serves a wide Mexican menu, and birria turns up in tacos, a torta, ramen and a pizza. The quesabirria taco plate leads the praise, along with tortillas that diners say taste homemade. The birria torta draws the kind of comment any kitchen wants, with one diner unable to think of any way to improve it.

Lunch is the strongest hour. Daily rotating specials, fast service and a salsa and chips bar make it an easy stop for coworkers, and several diners say they eat here repeatedly for work. The Tony’s taco, a mix of quesadilla and taco, with cheese spilling out, is a house signature.

Catering gets praise as well, and the staff are described as friendly. Prices run slightly high, though diners feel the quality justifies it.

Tequileros Taqueria at 801 Howe Avenue is a modern, small counter-service restaurant, and birria is a steady order. Diners describe the quesabirria tacos as stuffed with meat, cheesy and flavorful. The birria plate comes with three tacos and a side of rich consommé, and repeat customers say each visit matches the last.

The menu covers more than birria. Carne asada tacos, fish tacos, surf and turf nachos and a breakfast burrito all draw comments, and the breakfast burrito is called generous and well seasoned. A fresh churro with ice cream gets some of the loudest praise on the menu.

Tacos come on small shells, so hungry diners often add an extra. Parking near the door is easy, and staff are described as welcoming.

Algo Bueno at 2990 Northgate Boulevard in South Natomas is a broad-menu restaurant where birria is one of several draws. Diners hunting for good quesabirria say the tacos arrive fast and hot with tender meat, avoiding the saltiness and sogginess found elsewhere. The birria combo plate brings similar praise.

The menu also stands out for what is not typical. A soup flight lets a table sample several soups in one sitting, with choices that change, and diners have driven in specifically for it. Surf and turf tacos, the AB shrimp taco and ceviche get strong comments, and the salsas are described as spicy with real flavor.

The staff are called warm and attentive, and the room stays busy into the evening. Pair birria with a soup or ceviche for the full menu.

El Cora Birria at 7900 Fruitridge Road works from inside a gas station and does one thing with focus. The menu offers beef and goat, and that is all most diners want. Tortillas are dipped in consommé before frying, giving the quesabirria its flavor and crunch, with heaps of beef inside. The consommé comes thick and rich, with chunks of beef.

Seating is limited to a small patio, so most diners eat standing or take it to go. Salsas include red, green and a chili oil, with radishes alongside. Lengua and chicharron tacos also appear, though birria remains the draw.

Diners warn about a long wait and loud music playing from a large speaker. Birria can sell out late in the day, so earlier visits are safer, and hours are worth checking.