Nixta Taqueria
Day 1: 5-Course Tribute to Mexican Heritage Tasting Series
Debuting in 2025, this exceptional eatery from owners (and lovebirds) Sara Mardanbigi and Chef Edgar Rico (a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America as well as a Michelin Young Chef recipient, James Beard Award winner for “Emerging Chef,” and TIME100 honoree) blends tradition and innovation to reshape Mexican-American cuisine. The result? Appearances on Eater’s 2026 Lists of “38 Essentials” and “Best Mexican in Austin” and Infatuation’s 2026 List of “Top 25 in Austin.” Nixta makes its own masa and tortillas from heirloom Mexican and Texan corn and is known for inventive signature dishes like its duck carnitas, tuna tostada, roasted cauliflower tacos, beet “tartare” tostada, and smoked carrot tostada with herbed whipped ricotta, hot honey, and dates. Yummy desserts too, like sholen zard (rice custard with cardamom, turmeric, pistachios, cinnamon, and strawberry powder) and nicuatole (masa custard and caramel). “Even in Austin, there’s nowhere else serving tacos like these,” raves Condé Nast Traveler. “Nixta’s a slam dunk.” We can’t wait to visit Nixta and bet that you are feeling the same. See you there!
About the Host:
Edgar Rico
Co-Chef/Owner
Born in California's Central Valley, Chef Edgar Rico's roots run deep in the soil, where the fields stretch far and wide, and food is both a craft and a way of life. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, he has cut his teeth at Craft (under the watchful eye of Chef Tom Colicchio), James Beard Award-Winning Son of a Gun, Michelin-Starred Trois Mec, and Sqirl.
The Lineup
All courses will be individually plated. This menu will be Peanut, Soy & Mushroom Free. For a list of restrictions/allergies Chef is accommodating, click here.
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Baja Kampachi Crudo
texas peach ají dulce, cucumber & fermented pepper relish, texas melon, tostada
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Hollander Mussels à la Veracruzana
avocado, oregano, roasted sungold, dill oil, olive, crispy caper
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Beef & Aguachile
denver steak, aguachile negro, avocado, washed onion, cherry tomato
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Pacific White Shrimp Tetela
grilled hoja santa tetela, panela corn butter sauce, shishito, charred onion
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Masa Tres Leches
peach compote, peach leaf cream, masa pecan crumble
Nixta Taqueria
2512 E 12th St
Austin, TX 78702
More Event Info
Dietary Restrictions Accommodation Policy:
Due to the large-format nature of this event, all accommodation requests must be Added To Your Profile, or Emailed To Us no later than 72 hours before the event. Requests submitted after this date will not be accommodated. Additionally, Nixta Taqueria will only be accommodating certain dietary restrictions/food allergies, and they are unable to make menu adjustments based on distaste for specific ingredients/flavor profiles.
See below for guidance on whether or not they will be accommodating your restriction. Or, if your restriction is not represented below, Contact Us prior to booking tickets for guidance.
- Vegetarians: There is White Fish in Course 1, Mussel in Course 2, Beef in Course 3 and Shrimp in Course 4. Substitutions will be provided.
- Pescatarians: There is Beef in Course 3. Substitutions will be provided.
- Gluten: There is Gluten in Course 2. Substitutions will be provided.
- Dairy:
• Butter: Butter is in Course 2, Course 4, Course 5. Substitutions will be provided for Course 5 ONLY
• Milk/Cream: Milk/Cream is in Course 4, Course 5. Substitutions will be provided for Course 5 ONLY
• Cheese: Cow's Milk Cheese is in Course 4. Substitutions will not be provided
- Shellfish: There is Mussel in Course 2 and Shrimp in Course 4. Substitutions will be provided.
- Fish: There is White Fish in Course 1. Substitutions will be provided.
- Eggs: There are Eggs in Course 5. Substitutions will be provided.
- Peanuts: This menu is peanut-free.
- Tree Nuts: There is Pecan in Course 5. Substitutions will be provided.
- Alliums: There is Onion (Raw) in Course 3 and Onion (Cooked) in Course 4. Substitutions will not be provided.
- Mushrooms: This menu is mushroom-free.
- Soy: This menu is soy-free.
Handicap Accessibility:
Have Additional Questions?
Check out Event FAQs or Contact Us for assistance.
