A small Mexican taqueria has been awarded a prestigious Michelin star.

Taqueria El Califa de León was recognized in the first-ever Michelin Guide for Mexico. The 50-year-old Mexico City taco stand is described as "bare bones with just enough room for a handful of diners to stand at the counter."

But Michelin rated its Gaonera taco as exceptional.

The guide says the thinly sliced beef filet is expertly cooked to order and seasoned with only salt and a squeeze of lime.

A second cook prepares a corn tortillas at the same time.

"The resulting combination is elemental and pure," according to Michelin.

The restaurant only has a few other options, all tacos, including steak, pork chop and beef rib versions. The guide says they are all excellent. 

"With meat and tortillas of this caliber, the duo of house-made salsas is hardly even necessary," Michelin says.

The restaurant was founded by the parents of current owner Mario Hernandez.

"My father said, 'Do you want me to tell you the secret of the meat? There is no secret,'" Hernandez told AFP.

The prices for his tacos are high by Mexican standards, according to the Associated Press with a single taco costing nearly $5.

In the 2024 guide, Michelin gave two establishments Two Stars, 16 One Stars, and six Green Stars.