In the heart of Austin's bustling cityscape, a new culinary gem has emerged, merging the hidden allure of a speakeasy with the vibrant flavors of a Mexican taqueria. Taqueria 10/10, brainchild of brothers Raul and Luis Esquer and their partner Roy Servan, has nestled itself within the walls of the ReyRey cocktail bar, offering a discreet yet tantalizing dining experience that is redefining nightlife indulgence.

Having opened on February 20th at 206 Trinity Street, this speakeasy-style taqueria can be discovered through an alley entrance, harboring an atmosphere reminiscent of a Mexican market complete with Coca-Cola emblazoned tables and a buzzing open kitchen that invites diners to interact directly with the taqueros-at-work, according to Eater Austin. With its doors open until 2 a.m. on Saturday nights, the establishment caters to the late-night crowd, proffering an authentic Northwestern Mexican menu that features homemade corn and flour tortillas from the Esquer family recipe, and a Molina grinder from Tlaxcala is used for nixtamalizing the corn, their culinary prowess doesn't end with al pastor tacos and quesadillas from a rotating trompo machine, and an open-fire grill sizzles with carne asada while the nopal cactus fruit sings on the menu.

For Austinites craving a dash of Mexican street fare without leaving the city, Taqueria 10/10 is not the only fresh spot stirring buzz downtown. The restaurant and business scenes are seeing a series of notable updates, including the anticipated opening of Manny's & Powder Room by Lobos Hospitality, where quick service meets sophisticated bites and cocktails, as reported by Community Impact. Meanwhile, Wee’s Cozy Kitchen has swapped its gas station digs for a spot in Royal Blue Grocery, still serving its signature Malaysian comfort food as of March 4th.

But not all are toasts and celebrations; as the city continues to evolve, some establishments have closed their doors, among them Little Wu which ceased operations on March 31st and Smash ATX on February 17th, marking the end of their respective journeys. While the former hints at a possible return elsewhere in the future, the latter's shutdown follows the closure of its predecessor, Spin, during the pandemic's start, they show that, even amid a flurry of openings and expansions such as Parkside's grand revival on March 25th after a year-and-a-half-long renovation, Austin's food and drink landscape remains in a constant state of flux.

As residents of Austin navigate these changing terrains, at least one thing remains certain: the city's dynamic culture continues to foster culinary innovation and synergy, with Taqueria 10/10 standing as a bold testament to the boundless creativity that can happen when tacos meet speakeasy mystery within the vibrant heart of Texas.