El Pastor Es Mi Señor Has The Best Pastor Tacos In San Antonio

By Kelsey Kennedy | April 26, 2023

I just finished going on a wild taco hunt in San Antonio. I ate so many tacos and rounded up 17 of the best tacos in San Antonio. And sure, there are always more taquerias to try (there are literally hundreds in SA!), but after eating my fair share of pastor tacos, I can confidently say that the best tacos al pastor in San Antonio are at El Pastor Es Mi Señor.

It’s a tiny taqueria in a no-frills shopping center. The restaurant literally doesn’t have any chairs because it’s that popular…and there’s no room for chairs when the place gets busy! You can order your tacos and perch at a standing-height table while you devour your plate of delicious drippy al pastor tacos + Mexican coke.

El Pastor Es Mi Señor: The Restaurant

The restaurant is actually pretty new in San Antonio. It opened right as the pandemic was sweeping the US in 2020, so they’ve had to pivot quickly from the beginning.

The name is a play on a Bible verse from Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” which is translated in Spanish to: “El Señor es mi pastor.” Get it? Pretty funny..

El Pastor Es Mi Señor is owned by siblings Brenda and Alex Sarmiento, who wanted to take the flavors they missed from Mexico and bring them to their taqueria in San Antonio. It’s a counter-service restaurant, so you’ll place your order with the friendly staff member at the front, pay, and you’ll be handed a buzzer to let you know when your order is ready.

It took about 5 minutes for my plate of sizzling hot tacos al pastor to be handed to me across the counter.

El Pastor Es Mi Señor: The Food

The trompo is the star of the show at this San Antonio taco restaurant. They actually serve two types of meat: pastor, which is the red-hued pork meat that’s on the trompo on the left, and sirloin, which is on the trompo on the right.

Although tacos are the most popular menu item, you can get other delicious eats made with pastor or sirloin: gringas, which are basically the same tacos but served on flour tortillas, tortas, and even tostadas. If you’re starving, they serve a “taco box” that comes with 10 tacos, or enough to feed 2-3 people.

But if it’s just you ordering for yourself and it’s your first time in, get the plate of 5 mini pastor tacos. They’re served on tiny corn tortillas with shaved pastor meat (all crackly and warm, fresh off the trompo), a flick of pineapple, and topped with warm red salsa. Onions and cilantro are optional.

These pastor tacos are insanely delicious. The tortillas are just the right size so you can eat the taco in two or three bites. The pastor meat is seasoned in the restaurant’s own magical combo of herbs, chiles, salt, and oil to give it that characteristic red color. The trompo turns slowly against a high-heat flame, ensuring every inch of the trompo is exposed. The meat gets a beautiful, crackly sear on the outside while remaining tender and juicy.

Five mini tacos might not sound like a lot, but trust me: they’re pretty filling. Pair them with a Jarritos soda or a Mexican coke, and you might have found your new favorite late-night meal in San Antonio.