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Austin, Texas / Food and drink

La Tunita 512

Formerly known as La Tunita 512, Palo Seco is an iconic South Austin food trailer famous for its mouthwatering beef birria tacos, rich consommé, and unique birria ramen. Be sure to arrive early before they sell out!

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What is La Tunita 512 and where is it located?

La Tunita 512 was an extremely small food trailer located in South Austin at 2400 Burleson Rd, Austin, TX 78741.

Is La Tunita 512 still open under the same name?

No, after a temporary three-month closure for inspection and changes, the trailer reopened in September 2022 under the new name Palo Seco 512 (also known as Palo Seco).

What kind of food does the trailer serve?

The trailer specializes in beef birria, offering items like grilled cheese birria tacos loaded with brisket and cheese, consommé (beef broth with onions and cilantro) served as a separate side, and ramen with birria beef, onions, and cilantro. It is known for frequently selling out.

What are the hours of operation?

The trailer is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Nestled in South Austin at 2400 Burleson Road, this beloved culinary destination was originally established under the name La Tunita 512. Known as an extremely small trailer, it quickly built a massive local following for its exceptional birria. Despite its modest size, it became a major player in Austin's food scene, frequently selling out of its popular dishes to eager crowds of taco enthusiasts. In mid-2022, the trailer took a temporary three-month hiatus for inspections and to implement several changes. On September 16, 2022, it officially reopened its window to the public under the new name Palo Seco 512, also referred to simply as Palo Seco. Despite the rebranding, the trailer maintained its dedication to serving the high-quality, authentic Mexican street food that made it famous in the first place. The menu centers around highly acclaimed beef birria. Guests can order tacos loaded with brisket and cheese fried directly on the grill, creating a perfectly crispy exterior. These are paired with a separate side of consommé—a flavorful beef broth seasoned with onions and cilantro—perfect for dipping. For those looking for a twist, the menu also features grilled cheese birria and a unique birria ramen, which combines traditional noodles with tender beef birria, onions, and cilantro. Palo Seco operates Tuesday through Saturday, with hours starting at 11:00 AM and running until 5:30 PM. Because of its enduring popularity and tendency to frequently sell out of its signature brisket, arriving early in the day is highly recommended to secure a taste of some of South Austin's finest birria.

Visitor tips

  • Arrive close to the 11:00 AM opening time, as the trailer frequently sells out of its popular birria.
  • Be sure to order a side of consommé separately to dip your cheese-and-brisket-loaded tacos.
  • Try the unique birria ramen, which features ramen noodles served with beef birria, onions, and cilantro.

Nearby context

Located in South Austin along Burleson Road, this food trailer is situated in a lively neighborhood known for its diverse culinary offerings. Visitors exploring the area can easily pair their birria experience with nearby dining options, such as Italian dishes at Il Saporis or quick bites at Sonora Hot Dog, making this pocket of Austin a fantastic destination for a self-guided food crawl.

Sources

Evidence and links