One of the older addresses for tacos árabes, the Puebla dish created by Lebanese immigrant families who adapted shawarma-style spit-roasted meat to local tortillas and bread. The format is a taquería, not a restaurant: quick service, a vertical trompo of marinated pork turning near the counter, and a stripped-down room built for eating standing or at a counter.
Antigua Taquería La Oriental is one of the taquerías credited with the Lebanese-Poblano origin of tacos árabes, a Puebla specialty born from Middle Eastern immigrant cooking adapted with local ingredients. The counter serves the dish two ways: in traditional pan árabe (a thin Arab-style bread akin to pita) and in a corn tortilla dressed with chipotle salsa, the latter being the more distinctly Mexican adaptation of the original. The setting is a no-frills street-food counter in Centro Histórico, with simple stools or standing counters rather than a full dining room, and the atmosphere is fast-moving, informal, and loud with the sizzle of the trompo (vertical spit); there is no dress code. No wine or cocktail list applies here — sodas, aguas frescas, and bottled beer are the typical accompaniments. The counter operates on a walk-in basis with no reservations, and lines can form quickly around lunch and dinner hours given its reputation as an origin point for the dish.
| Price | $ (approx. 60-140 MXN / $4-8 USD per person) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 11:00 AM - 11:00 PM |
| Reservations | Walk-in only |
| Address | Av. 7 Poniente 913, Centro, 72000 Puebla, Pue. |
Signature dishes
- Tacos árabes in pan árabe
- Tacos árabes in tortilla with chipotle salsa
Good to know
- Known for
- One of the taquerías credited with the Lebanese-Poblano origin of tacos árabes
Location
Av. 7 Poniente 913, Centro, 72000 Puebla, Pue.
19.0450, -98.2015 View on map
Highlights
- Credited among the taquerías of origin for tacos árabes
- Tacos árabes served in traditional pan árabe bread
- Tacos árabes in corn tortilla with chipotle salsa
- No-frills street-food counter in Centro Histórico
Tips for visiting
- Expect a line at peak lunch and dinner hours given the counter's reputation
- Try both the pan árabe and tortilla versions to compare the two adaptations
- Counter or stool seating is standard; do not expect table service
- Cash is commonly preferred at street-food counters like this one
Accessibility
The counter has street-level, step-free access typical of Centro Histórico storefronts, with limited seated space; those needing seating should ask staff about available stools.
Frequently asked questions
What are tacos árabes?
They are a Puebla specialty adapting Lebanese immigrant cooking to local ingredients, typically spit-roasted meat served in Arab-style bread or a corn tortilla.
Is Antigua Taquería La Oriental one of the originators of the dish?
It is one of the taquerías credited with helping originate the Lebanese-Poblano tacos árabes tradition.
Do they take reservations?
No, it is a walk-in street-food counter.
What's the difference between the two taco styles offered?
One is served in traditional pan árabe bread, similar to pita, while the other uses a corn tortilla with chipotle salsa, a more distinctly Mexican adaptation.