The Rising Cost of Tacos al Pastor in Mexico City: A Decade of Inflation Surpassing

Web Editor

August 4, 2025

Introduction

In Mexico City, few dishes embody the popular, urban, and nocturnal spirit better than the taco al pastor. It’s quick, flavorful, and—until recently—affordable. However, over a decade of sustained increases in operational costs, meat supplies, and rent for local establishments, this symbol of Chilanga gastronomy no longer comes cheap.

Price Comparison: Two Iconic Taquerias

To verify this, Bistronomie conducted a precise comparison of the prices of tacos al pastor at two popular Mexico City taquerias: Los Cocuyos in the Historic Center and Los Güeros de Botulini in Venustiano Carranza. Both were already popular in 2015 due to social media echo and viral recommendations.

  • Expected average increase due to accumulated inflation over 10 years: ~40%
  • Actual price increase for tacos al pastor: between 109% and 120%

In just a decade, the price of tacos al pastor in these two taquerias has more than doubled. In 2015, they cost 10 pesos at Los Cocuyos and 11 pesos at Los Güeros de Botulini; by 2025, they reached 22 pesos and 23 pesos respectively, representing increases of 120% and 109%. These hikes surpass the accumulated inflation in Mexico during that period, estimated between 34% and 48%, showing that popular food can also become more expensive than the national average.

The Taco as an Economic Barometer

Although not reported in INEGI bulletins, the taco al pastor can be an excellent measure of the economic impact on daily life. It reflects not only the inflation of ingredients like pork, LP gas, or onions but also other factors such as:

  • The rise in the minimum wage, which increased from 70.10 pesos per day in 2015 to 248.93 pesos in 2025.
  • The pressure on commercial local rents in high-traffic areas.
  • The professionalization of the restaurant sector and the formalization of previously informal businesses.

Los Cocuyos

Located on Bolívar Street, Los Cocuyos has been internationally recognized for its intense flavor and 24/7 operation. In 2015, a taco al pastor cost 10 pesos; today it’s 22 pesos. Despite its fame, the establishment still offers small portions, well-served and with a street identity. The price change reflects both its growing prestige and the need to remain competitive in a market demanding quality, cleanliness, and consistency.

Los Güeros de Botulini

Situated in the heart of Roma, this taqueria with modern vibes sold tacos al pastor for $11 a decade ago. Today, it’s $23, an increase of 109%. The experience is different: less informality, more design on the menu, even artisanal salsas and a wider variety of drinks. The business model has evolved alongside its clientele’s profile.

Introducing the Bistronomie Index

Through this exercise, we introduce the Bistronomie Index, an initiative to monitor the behavior of prices in popular, accessible, and widely circulated foods. Each edition will compare:

  • A representative product (taco, tamal, torta, etc.)
  • Its price across different tiers or styles of establishments (traditional, gourmet, franchise)
  • Its variation compared to the general inflation of the period

Objective: Measure how the flavors defining Mexico become more expensive and how economic changes impact the culture of cravings.

Saying that tacos al pastor have increased in price may seem obvious. But when measured, it becomes a powerful data point: the most beloved dish in Mexico City is revealing more than a trend of craving—it’s telling a story about the economy, the city, and its social dynamics.