Miami Lands World's First Michelin-Starred Taco Shop

This year, a small taqueria in Mexico City called El Califa de León became the first taco stand to receive a Michelin star in history, breaking the internet overnight. The delicious taqueria was among 16 restaurants honored with a one-star rating in the Michelin Guide's first Mexico edition, which came out over the summer.

While the tacos have only been enjoyed in Mexico City by a handful of customers who stand by the taqueria's counter, this has all changed, as national Mexican taco chain Tacombi has teamed up with El Califa de León to give lucky Miami, Chicago, and New York City residents and visitors a taste of the world's first Michelin-starred tacos.

The collaboration between the two taquerias first came about during a trip to Mexico over rounds of tacos shared by El Califa de León's owner, Mario Hernandez Alonso, and Tacombi's founder, Dario Wolos. Over delicious tacos, they dreamed up the idea of bringing the famed Michelin-starred tacos to the United States for the first time. As the dream became a reality, the pop-up visited a few Tacombi locations, including Chicago and New York.

Weeks later, the pop-up is finally heading down to South Florida. "We are honored to partner with El Califa de León and share their tradition with our guests across Tacombi," says Wolos.

Try the Popular Mexico City Michelin-Starred Tacos in Miami Until December 5

In Miami, the El Califa de León pop-up launches at Tacombi's Brickell location on Wednesday, November 20. Then, it will pop up at both Tacombi Design District and Tacombi Brickell from Thursday, November 21, until Thursday, December 5.

At the event on Wednesday, customers can find four tacos from the El Califa de León's menu, including the "Bistec," "Costilla," "Chuleta," and the "Gaonera," which the Michelin Guide described as "exceptional." But don't let the tacos' simplicity fool you. While at first, they may appear only as tortillas topped with thinly sliced fillets, there's a reason why the spot won a Michelin star. In Mexico, while the fillet is seasoned and cooked perfectly, a second cook prepares fresh corn tortillas on the side — and this is exactly how they'll be made in Miami.

The Miami pop-up will have fresh tortillas made on site, provided by Tacombi's proprietary brand of tortillas, Vista Hermosa. Tacombi partnered with Pat LaFrieda to offer select cuts of meat, and Alonso will be on site to prepare and serve his two famous salsas that come on the side upon order.

While the El Califa team will be on site only for the one-night event on Wednesday, November 20, the pop-up will leave behind a few tacos at Tacombi's Brickell and Design District locations. The "Costilla" and "Chuleta" tacos will be available at both locations for two weeks following the event from Thursday, November 21 to Thursday, December 5.

El Califa de León Pop-Up at Tacombi. 69 SW Seventh St., Miami; tacombi.com; Event on Wednesday, November 20 from 5 to 9 p.m.. Pop-up runs from November 21 through December 5.