Since arriving in Texas a week ago, I’ve eaten a lot of very delicious breakfasts. I’ve eaten spicy carnitas tacos topped with verde sauce, egg and cheese tacos and thick gingerbread pancakes the size of my head from Kerbey Lane. My new favorite thing, however, is a local specialty called migas.
It all started the other morning when I accompanied our friend Morgan to a local taco shop to pick up breakfast for us and the boys. I’m from Florida. I eat oatmeal and berries for breakfast. I’m in complete awe over the breakfast taco options and suddenly start sweating profusely over all of the choices.
So, as I’m reading through the extensive menu I turn to Morgan. “What are migas?” I ask, pronouncing the word how it sounds instead of how it should be pronounced, which is meeeeegas.
Morgan just stares at me.
“I honestly have no idea. Is it something weird like calf brains or small intestine?” I suddenly feel like everyone in the whole restaurant has turned around and pointed their fingers at the silly little tourist.
Morgan recovers and laughs. “That’s so funny. I guess not everyone knows, especially if they’re not from around here. Migas are simply eggs scrambled with tortilla chips. The chips sorta hold together the eggs like a casserole and you eat it wrapped up in a flour tortilla with hot sauce. I cook them all the time!”
Always willing to try new things, I ordered two meeeeeegas tacos and two steak and egg tacos for the patient. I fall in love after the first bite.
The tortilla chips soften when you cook them with the eggs, providing just a little more texture.
Morgan cooked more migas for us this morning and added bell pepper and onion, but you can add really anything. I think chopped jalapeno would be great! We topped our migas with sliced avocado and sprinkled a little grated cheddar cheese on top for a finishing touch.
I’m going to have to recreate this here little breakfast back home. That is, if I ever go back home. The verdict is still out on that one.
Migas for Two
4 eggs
1/2 cup of tortilla chips, broken into small pieces
1/2 onion, small diced
1 bell pepper, small diced
1 T canola oil
sea salt and pepper to taste
sprinkle of cheddar cheese to top each
1/2 sliced avocado
2 flour tortillas, warm
hot sauce
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and bell pepper and saute until tender—about six minutes.
Crack the eggs in a small bowl and whisk until foamy. Pour the eggs in with the onion and bell pepper and scramble until slightly set but not all the way cooked through. Add the tortilla chip crumbles and stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
Finish cooking the migas and then top both tortillas with them, plus a sprinkle of cheese and half the avocado. Serve with hot sauce or salsa.
Jessica @ How Sweet
September 8, 2010 at 7:20 amI love savory breakfasts full of non-breakfast like food! I think I know what’s on my breakfast menu tomorrow!
Betherann
September 8, 2010 at 7:20 amYum! I’m definitely going to try this.
Also, it’s been a while since I clicked through to visit your site. I really like the new banner!
Rachel (Two Healthy Plates)
September 8, 2010 at 7:21 amI love breakfast like that! The avocado makes it the best – yum!
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
September 8, 2010 at 7:21 amMmm those sound so good! I love adding corn tortillas to eggs so I’m sure I would love this. Especially if topped with avocado and cheese!
Brooke - One Healthy Cookie
September 8, 2010 at 7:23 amYay! My favorite breakfast food ever featured on ELR! I have to say, migas are the best in Texas. I have yet to find good migas in New Orleans (but they do try so hard, I’ll give them that).
Holly S.
September 8, 2010 at 7:23 amOMG, that sounds awesome. Never heard of them either, but I’m making them this weekend!
Nancy @ The Wife of a Dairyman
September 8, 2010 at 7:27 amMmmmm Mmmmm Good! What a hearty , tasty breakfast:) Good Eats in Texas for sure!
Madeline - Greens and Jeans
September 8, 2010 at 7:29 amMy best friend from college is from Austin and she always SWORE by migas as the best hangover cure! I definitely crawled over to her apartment begging for them a time or two
Morgan @ Life After Bagels
September 8, 2010 at 7:29 amI had a comment on my blog that recommended I try migas . . . how on earth have I forgotten about this until now. Any breakfast that involves chips is right up my alley.
shannon (the daily balance)
September 8, 2010 at 7:30 amgenius idea! who would have thought?! texans, apparently! gotta try it!
Meg
September 8, 2010 at 7:31 amMmm avocado first thing in the morning? Yes please 🙂
Scargosun
September 8, 2010 at 7:31 amoooo! I see a new breakfast option in my future. 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish)
September 8, 2010 at 7:34 ami LOVE migas…i thought everyone knew what they were, but i guess it makes sense that it hasn’t really spread to other states. so glad you found something awesome to eat for breakfast! and i’m also glad you posted a recipe, i’ve never actually made my own!
Michelle from The Cooking Life
September 8, 2010 at 7:35 amI’m from TX and I love that you’re here (bummed I missed your blog-cocktail event)! Glad you are enjoying wonderful food and hopefully keeping dry today 🙂
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
September 8, 2010 at 7:36 amI have never really gotten into breakfast burritos, but if I was in Texas I would.
Angharad
September 8, 2010 at 7:37 amMigas! I wrote a blog post on spanish migas last year (totally different – with peasant bread as the base) and have been also wanting to recreate the mexican kind at home. El Milagro chips – be still my heart! You are just making my heart wrench for Austin!
Kelly
September 8, 2010 at 7:37 amThose sound deliciousssss!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
September 8, 2010 at 7:38 amI’ve never heard of that either. Must be a Texas thang. They sound good, though!
Rachel @ Fit Fun and Fabulous
September 8, 2010 at 7:38 amMMmmmm migas! The restaurant I’m going to tonight for my anniversary serves them all day, and I may have to order these for dinner tonight.
Heather
September 8, 2010 at 7:39 amThat totally sounds like something my boyfriend (and I) would love, definitely going on the rotation for some weekend breakfast treats.
Noelle
September 8, 2010 at 7:46 amCAn’t go wonrg with this breakfast. Filling AND delicious!
Christie - Honoring Health
September 8, 2010 at 7:48 amOh my goodness, that looks amazing.
You know good food, that is for sure! 😀
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
September 8, 2010 at 7:49 amMmmm, that sounds amazing. I have a bit of a cooking question (somewhat related to eggs). If you are making scrambled tofu can you use regular tofu or do you have to use silken? I’ve wanted to make it for a while but am a bit nervous of buying the wrong thing, haha.
Dorry
September 8, 2010 at 7:50 amHaha! I love this. Migas are definitely big in Texas, especially Austin. So glad you got to try them!
Tara @ Food for Fuel
September 8, 2010 at 7:50 amLove Migas! So glad you’re in Austin and getting to try all these great things—Kerbey Lane has my favorite gingerbread pancakes, too! If you go back, try their cowboy queso! It’s the best! (and goes excellent with pancakes)
Lora
September 8, 2010 at 7:51 amI love migas…but make sure you make it the traditional way, with strips of corn tortillas that your fry yourself in the pan you later use to cook the eggs. Tortilla chips aren’t nearly as good!
Brittany
November 3, 2012 at 3:41 amExactly!!!!!! Tortilla Chips are still not the traditional way as oppose to frying the corn tortillas! Yum.
Camille
September 8, 2010 at 7:56 amI was born and raised in San Diego (aka, lots of mexican food) but I have never had migas!
They sound amazing though!
Rebecca
September 8, 2010 at 8:02 amYum! Migas are the best! Definitely add the jalapenos for heat and THAT makes it the best hangover food. Even my sister who doesn’t eat a lot of spicy foods, agreed it hit the spot one morning after a LONG night of drinking. 😉
I agree with Lora though…when I saw that you had yours with tortilla CHIPS I was surprised. I’ve never heard of that. Growing up and now as an adult, my family has always fried tortilla pieces. I’ve even baked my tortilla pieces once but they weren’t as good. Ha ha I’ve never tried it with chips but I would think they would be thinner…I like the little bit of thickness of the corn tortillas. However, I do not eat mine in tacos as that would be too much tortilla for me. I just have a little pile with beans or potatoes on the side. Delicious! Can’t wait to see you recreate them!
Laughter-Loving Stacy
September 8, 2010 at 8:03 amdaannng. That sounds scrumptious :-p
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf
September 8, 2010 at 8:03 amKudos on the migas! I love breakfast tacos so much!
I wonder how you’ll ever return to California with all the greatness you’re experiencing here in Texas. 😉
Sabe
September 8, 2010 at 8:03 amI LOVE that you’re in Texas and enjoying all our tex-mex deliciousness! Someone mentioned above that migas are a great hangover cure — I agree! And Austin has some of the best.
Lauren @ 40Apples
September 8, 2010 at 8:04 amAhhh migas always intrigue me… I know some huge fans who swear by ’em! Would definitely be fun to try to recreate.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
September 8, 2010 at 8:04 amHoly crap those sound SO GOOD!
Courtney @ Bread & Bokeh
September 8, 2010 at 8:11 amYum!!! We just moved to Texas! To help get us in the spirit, we are going to have to try this!
Kimberly
September 8, 2010 at 8:15 amWe make migas all the time. It is best to chop up corn tortillas in little pieces and fry them in a bit of olive oil, then add eggs to them and scramble them with the tortillas that are already in the pan (hopefully this makes sense). We never eat them as a taco though just with beans on the side. Have you head chorizo with eggs yet?
eatmovelove
September 8, 2010 at 8:18 amAre you still “stuck” in Texas? Is Alamanzo better now though?
Katherine
September 8, 2010 at 8:22 amMmmmm that looks so good, especially the avocado.
Katryn@rampantcuisine
September 8, 2010 at 8:25 amI’m from MD and had never heard of Migas before reading this post! Looks like a dish that would be perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner..and totally versatile!
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
September 8, 2010 at 8:32 amWeird. I’ve never heard of that either. I guess I’d have to try it.
That last picture is beautiful, but what is it?
Amy
September 8, 2010 at 8:39 amI am an Austinite and Migas has been my favorite for years. It is the only thing my dad knows how to make. What restaurant did you discover it at?
Lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com
September 8, 2010 at 8:53 amThis sounds SO yummy, and different!! I’m gonna make it for breakfast tomorrow!!!
Mary
September 8, 2010 at 8:58 amI lived in Austin for 6 years (moved to Seattle a few years ago now) and love seeing a chronicle of your time in Austin! It’s to easy to fall in love with the city and you are making me homesick for all the great food, music and people (in the best way possible, though). Glad you had a wonderful time and that my former city treated you well!
sp
September 8, 2010 at 9:00 amHow could you ever go back to CA after being in south Texas?! Maybe I am biased, as a local Texan, and mexican breakfast eater since infancy, but you really cant compare. Hope this is your new home!
sp
September 8, 2010 at 9:02 amAnd yes, I second the above comment, REAL MIGAS, are made with corn torillas crisped up in oil, WAY better than using chips! Next on the list should be, BARBACOA and CHORIZO (or bean, cheese and bacon, dont ask, just EAT)!
Coley
September 8, 2010 at 9:08 amInteresting! I’ll have to try this!!!
elly
September 8, 2010 at 9:16 amsounds just like matzah brei! eggs scrambled with pieces of matzah… we jews make it during passover. it’s soo good with a little salt and maple syrup. mmm.
Mabelle@ Eat, Move and Live
September 8, 2010 at 9:30 amThat breakfast looks amazing. I had eggs as well for breakfast this morning. Loved it. I wonder if I can find Migas in NYC…ummmm…sounds like a new mission for me 🙂
Nancy in Naples
September 8, 2010 at 9:31 amI am a native Texan and I’ve never heard of migas either.
Can’t wait to try it now though!!!
Lauren
September 8, 2010 at 9:32 amHoly goodness, why am I just finding out about this culinary decleacy now? Sounds AMAZING!
Stacey @ The Habit of Healthy
September 8, 2010 at 9:34 amHow exciting to discover something new for breakfast!
Mary Catherine
September 8, 2010 at 9:39 amJenna, if you love meeeeegas you must venture over to Juan in a Million off east Cesar Chaves St. and try theirs! It’s a hole in the wall Mexican joint that is known for their breakfast – most notably the “Don Juan” which could feed a family and only costs $3! Make sure to order extra tortillas 🙂
Paige @Running Around Normal
September 8, 2010 at 9:43 amI’ve never heard of Migas either! Sounds very decadent and tasty!
Jillian @ Reshape Your Life
September 8, 2010 at 9:45 amDon’t feel bad, I have lived in Texas 2 years and haven’t heard of them. Although I’m not a huge fan of breakfast tacos… Can you tell I’m not from Texas?
The idea sounds interesting though, maybe I’ll have to try it!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
September 8, 2010 at 9:45 amI grew up eating Migas! They’re delicious!
Therese
September 8, 2010 at 9:57 amI went to college in Texas and worked at a country club on the weekends. The guys in the kitchen always made migas for me on Sunday mornings. I LOVED it!
I no longer live in Texas, and I miss it like crazy. If you want the “good-ol’-Texan” atmosphere, but less heat and humidity, I highly recommend Ft. Worth. I’m still in withdraw after a year away.
theemptynutjar
September 8, 2010 at 9:59 amThats great. I would double up the avocado.
Bridget
September 8, 2010 at 10:01 amI was going to make oatmeal tomorrow–not now! Meeeegas all the way!!!!
I didn’t have net for a month until today (moved in August), and I really missed reading your blog. ;_; Glad to be back, watching your adventures (and perfecting recipes with “similar” ingredients!) 🙂
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy
September 8, 2010 at 10:03 amThose El Milagro tortilla chips are BY FAR the best chips you can buy in Texas!! So yummy!!! I wish I lived in Texas still so I could buy them!
Allison K
September 8, 2010 at 10:06 amMigas was the first meal that my husband cooked for me when were dating. Although he calls them Meeegans. I’m not sure why.
Judy
September 8, 2010 at 10:09 amI lived in Austin for many yrs, sadly moving away 1 1/2 yrs ago due to DH’s job. Another fave place for migas: Trudys, which has several locations. A little known one tucked away in south Austin is the Bakehouse (which also has awesome chocolate chip pancakes).
Cause everything tastes better with chocolate. Just sayin.
Meredith @ An Epic Change
September 8, 2010 at 10:13 amI’m so glad you’re in love with Austin standards — migas, breakfast tacos, and Kerbey Lane!!!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen
September 8, 2010 at 10:17 amI am proud of you! I’ve managed to be in Austin for three months and have yet to try migas…
Lisa
September 8, 2010 at 10:20 amMigas are awesome. I’ve never been to Texas but what I’ve eaten are yummy!
Lauren at KeepItSweet
September 8, 2010 at 10:23 amdefinitely an interesting spin on breakfast
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
September 8, 2010 at 10:23 amNever heard of migas before, but it sounds really good!
Jennifer
September 8, 2010 at 10:24 amWe have that in Cali too, they’re just called Chilaquiles! Sometimes you have to specify with eggs, but soo good. Try the Primavera stand at the Ferry Building Farmer’s market on Saturdays, they make the best, if you ever come back that is!
Amber K
September 8, 2010 at 10:33 amWait, how is this different from huevos rancheros? I have never actually had it, but I was under the impression that that’s what huevos rancheros was…
Raya @ Raya Runs
September 8, 2010 at 10:33 amAt first glance, I thought those were Frosted Flakes! Definitely a great use for all the broken chips at the bottom of the bag!
Caitlin
September 8, 2010 at 10:36 amOooh that looks good! We have some similar things at Mexican restaurants in Berkeley, but I’ve never gathered the courage to eat Mexican food for breakfast or lunch.
Amber K
September 8, 2010 at 10:38 amHmm, or maybe it was chilaquiles I was thinking of after reading the previous comments!
Erin
September 8, 2010 at 10:56 amoh, man…i love Migas!
Holly B
September 8, 2010 at 11:13 amYum! Sounds like Matsoh Brei which is about the same thing, but with Matzoh….it’s pretty much a Jewish breakfast staple growing up.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/wayne-harley-brachman/matzo-brei-recipe/index.html
Jamile
September 8, 2010 at 11:41 amMIGAS! I love migas. I had them growning up and still make them on occasion. I’m a Texan by birth and a Californian by rearing, so I feel like I own migas or something. So happy you like them. I feel like when someone trys to speak Spanish, just the effort alone gets points. I think I heart you just a little bit more now.
meagan
September 8, 2010 at 12:09 pmI’m so glad you’re enjoying Austin, even in this weather! I had to think a bit about how you could mispronounce migas, then when I said “mih-gas” instead of “meeegas” I laughed out loud.
My favorite margaritas (if you’re still going for tequila… 🙂 are at El Chile’s and Vivo…and Vivo has a pretty sweet women’s bathroom to boot. Ice sculptures and fresh rose petals daily, no joke.
Stephanie
September 8, 2010 at 12:37 pmI don’t know that migas is so much of a Texan food, just as more of a dish that is usually cooked in homes and not at restaurants.
I live in SoCal and my dad has been cooking migas ever since I can remember and I he does NOT use tortilla chips. I don’t know enough to make a general statement about it, but from my understanding you’re supposed to tear up pieces of corn tortillas and in turn they end up being crunchy like a chip. We didn’t fancy it up much, my dad did eggs, cheese, tortillas and el pato sauce (though there are obvs better versions and better salsas to use!). I encourage you to try the tortilla pieces.. I think you’ll like it better.
Stephanie
September 8, 2010 at 12:42 pmOkay, so I have to correct myself back there.. but I looked it up, and I guess it is pretty popular in Texas 😉 My father’s family isn’t from Texas, though.. they’re from Arizona and Sonora. Im guessing it probably traveled up from Sonora to Texas and Arizona. But I still hold to my corn tortilla advice !
kate
September 8, 2010 at 12:58 pmI love finding local foods in different areas. Meeeeegas sound delightful!
Cynthia
September 8, 2010 at 1:03 pmI love eggs for breakfast and this sounds so much better than the standard eggs and bacon breakfast I have a lot of days. Yummy!
Rosario
September 8, 2010 at 1:19 pmFirst off – I really like your blog.
I’m from south Texas and I’ve never heard of migas with tortilla chips. My grandma would make them with cut up pieces of corn tortilla, then put them in a pan with oil so that they become slightly crispy. Afterwards, the eggs, green pepper, tomato, onion, salt, was added. AND we never ate migas in a taco. That’s like eating a bread sandwich which I think is wierd. Glad you are liking Austin!!!
Megan (Braise The Roof)
September 8, 2010 at 2:34 pmYum, I love migas. I discovered them at a brunch place in Chicago and now I have a slight obsession with crumbling tortilla chips into things. Watch out- it’s addictive!
Kate
September 8, 2010 at 2:38 pmSo glad you are enjoying my hometown… I miss it so much, even though I’m just a bit up the road in Dallas! Thrilled to see from your earlier post that you enjoyed some food at Z-Tejas (am I right? I recognize the “china!”) (my very favorite – I hope you tasted the fish tacos and the chorizo-stuffed pork tenderloin!) and that you visited Laguna Gloria… where my husband and I were married in March of 2009! Safe travels!
Chelsey
September 8, 2010 at 6:54 pmI want to become amigas with migas.
For reals.
Alicia
September 8, 2010 at 6:55 pmI can also vouch for the fried corn tortilla method after I tried a Homesick Texan version (http://homesicktexan.blogspot.com/2008/05/migas-in-morning.html). And for the record, you can find Kerbey Lane pancake mix in some stores, like Central Market (which I would HIGHLY recommend visiting!)
Melva
September 8, 2010 at 7:49 pmEl Arroyo on 5th street has BBQ chicken tacos, enchiladas, etc….excellent food if you are still there 🙂
MyThy as in "Mighty"
September 8, 2010 at 8:05 pmOoh meeegas! Now you’ve got to try Chheeeleeeqquuueeeles (aka Chiliquiles) w/ some QQQUUUUUEEESOOO!
http://hubpages.com/hub/Chilaquiles-A-Traditional-Mexican-Breakfast-Dish
http://funfavorsbydulce.blogspot.com/2010/04/whats-on-your-plate-chilaquiles.html
A yummy deconstructed enchilada if you ask me!
Di
September 9, 2010 at 5:13 amMigas sound phenomenal! I may have to give making them a shot!
Jackie
September 9, 2010 at 7:08 amI love Kerby Lane!! The Migas are awesome there. But I agree with another read by using diced corn tortillas instead of the corn tortilla chips, much more texture.
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary
September 9, 2010 at 8:51 amNever had a breakfast taco, but sounds good to me !
ny wolve
September 9, 2010 at 8:51 amMigas are the best. I grew up in Texas, and I don’t eat eggs and don’t eat much breakfast. One day, though, in college, hungover, I ordered them for some inexplicable reason. And oh my, the best. Most people think they are just modified huevos rancheros (which are much more common) but they are not.
I’ll also scramble eggs and then, towards the end, add a cup or so of salsa and some chips. Cook until firm. That is they easy way, but nothing beats the original!
Kristina
September 9, 2010 at 10:30 amSo, “migas” technically means “crumbs” in Spanish, the idea being that you tear up the tortillas into pieces or crumbs (a good use for old tortillas). Migas are definitely WAY more popular in Texas – in the LA area, I’ve never seen migas on a menu. Chilaquiles, however, which they do NOT have in Texas (at least not on the US-Mexican border, where I’m from), are tortilla chips with salsa, eggs, beans, what-have-you. It’s all goodness.
helen
September 10, 2010 at 11:16 ammigas are amazing. my husband (then boyfriend) intro’d me to them when i moved to austin. i couldn’t get enough. kerbey lane was our FAVE…the fact that they have coffee while you wait for a table…and their breakfast plate with migas and gingerbread pancakes (we make both at home now since we moved from austin). thanks for the memories!
Lauri (RedHeadRecipes.com
September 12, 2010 at 7:00 amI made these for my husband and mom the other day! SO YUMMY! Thanks for sharing the recipe! http://redheadrecipes.com/?p=8654
Kris
August 31, 2012 at 6:27 amWelcome to Texas!! I assume you live in Austin since you’re eating Kirby Lane! 🙂 My husband and I moved down here from Ohio over 10 years ago now and my favorite parts about TX are the people and the FOOD! When I first heard about Migas I thought people were crazy… salsa for breakfast… what?!… but then I tried it and well I think I’d eat them every day if I had enough time to make them every day! Great idea to add tortilla chips… I had never thought about that before, not sure why! Enjoy the rest that Tx has to offer, especially Austin which is our favorite city in this crazy large state!!
Judi
February 9, 2018 at 11:16 amLooks very similar to my own creation, although I use jalapeno and Serrano peppers instead of a bell pepper. Also, if hungry, can add a small potato grated to the olive oil along with the peppers (diced) and onion (diced) for about 5 minutes prior to adding the eggs. Skip the chips or add on side.
Yummy!!!