How to Eat a Tostada, Backyard Taco Style

Tostadas are crispy, crunchy, stacked with toppings, and sometimes a little messy.

That’s part of the fun.

A tostada is traditionally made with a crisp corn tortilla and topped with beans, meat, cheese, lettuce, salsa, crema, avocado, or whatever fresh ingredients make the bite better. It is open-faced, which means you get all the flavor and texture in every bite, but you also need a little strategy if you don’t want half of it landing on your plate.

At Backyard Taco, our grilled tostadas, also known as vampiros, bring that crispy, open-faced experience to life with melted Monterey Jack cheese, your choice of meat, fresh toppings, and salsa your way.

So, how do you eat a tostada? How do you top it? And what makes a Backyard Taco vampiro different?

Let’s talk tostadas, toppings, and the Backyard Taco way.

What Is a Tostada?

A tostada is a crispy tortilla served flat with toppings layered on top. The word “tostada” means “toasted” in Spanish, which makes sense because the base is usually a toasted or fried corn tortilla.

Think of it like an open-faced taco with crunch.

Instead of folding the tortilla around the filling, the tortilla stays flat and the toppings sit on top. That gives you layers of texture in every bite: crispy tortilla, creamy beans or melted cheese, savory meat, fresh toppings, and salsa.

Traditional tostadas can be topped with all kinds of ingredients, including:

At Backyard Taco, our version leans into the crispy, cheesy, grilled style our guests love.

Tostada vs. Vampiro: What’s the Difference?

At Backyard Taco, you may see our grilled tostadas listed as vampiros.

A vampiro is similar to a tostada because it starts with a crispy tortilla and is served open-faced. The big difference is the cheese and grill flavor.

A Backyard Taco vampiro is made with a crisp corn tortilla, melted Monterey Jack cheese, your choice of meat, and fresh toppings. Carne asada is always a favorite, but you can also choose other proteins depending on what you’re craving.

It’s crunchy. It’s cheesy. It’s smoky. It’s built for salsa.

So, if you’re searching for tostadas and see vampiros on the Backyard Taco menu, that’s the one to try.

What Makes a Backyard Taco Vampiro Different?

A great tostada starts with the base.

At Backyard Taco, freshness has always mattered. Our story started with Ruben and Marisela grilling carne asada in their backyard for family and friends, and that same hands-on approach still shapes the food we serve today.

Our vampiros are not just toppings thrown on a crispy shell. Every layer matters.

The tortilla needs crunch.
The cheese needs melt.
The meat needs that mesquite-grilled flavor.
The toppings need freshness.
The salsa needs to bring the bite together.

When all of that works, you get something crispy, cheesy, smoky, fresh, and full of flavor.

That’s what makes a Backyard Taco vampiro different from a generic tostada.

How Backyard Taco Builds a Vampiro

A Backyard Taco vampiro is simple, but every layer does its job.

It starts with a crisp corn tortilla. Then comes melted Monterey Jack cheese, followed by your choice of meat. From there, you can add toppings and salsa to make it your own.

A classic Backyard Taco vampiro includes:

The result is crispy, cheesy, smoky, fresh, and totally satisfying.

And yes, it may require a napkin or two. We’re not going to lie to you.

How to Top a Tostada, Backyard Taco Style

The best tostada toppings give you balance.

You want crunch from the tortilla, richness from the cheese or beans, flavor from the meat, freshness from the toppings, and a little heat or brightness from the salsa.

At Backyard Taco, you can build your vampiro your way with your favorite protein and salsa bar toppings.

Try it with:

The goal is not to make it perfect. The goal is to make it yours.

Marisela’s Way: How One of Our Owners Tops a Carne Tostada

One of the best things about a tostada is that no two people have to build theirs the same way.

In one of our favorite behind-the-scenes videos, Marisela, one of the owners of Backyard Taco, shows how she tops her carne tostada using fresh ingredients from the salsa bar. She keeps it simple, colorful, and full of flavor, which is exactly how a great tostada should be.

Her tostada includes:

That combination gives every bite a little bit of everything: crispy tortilla, savory carne, creamy guacamole, bright lime, fresh crunch, and just enough heat from the salsa.

The best part? You can build yours your way.

That’s what makes the Backyard Taco salsa bar such a big part of the experience. You can keep it classic with onion, cilantro, and lime, or you can load it up with pico, pickled onions, jalapeños, cucumbers, radishes, and your favorite salsa.

There’s no one “right” way to top a tostada. Marisela has her way. You get to make yours.

How to Eat a Tostada Without Making a Mess

Now for the big question: how do you actually eat a tostada without half of it falling apart?

The truth is, tostadas are naturally a little messy. They are crispy, flat, and loaded with toppings. But with a few simple tricks, you can keep the chaos under control.

Best Vampiro Toppings to Try

A Backyard Taco vampiro gives you plenty of room to build the bite you want.

Here are a few favorite combinations to try.

Tostada or Taco: Which Should You Order?

Tacos and tostadas both start with tortillas, but they eat very differently.

A taco is folded and handheld. It is usually softer, easier to control, and perfect when you want something classic.

A tostada or vampiro is flat, crispy, and open-faced. It gives you more crunch and a different texture in every bite.

Order tacos when you want soft, classic, and easy.

Order a tostada or vampiro when you want crispy, cheesy, open-faced, and a little more adventurous.

Honestly, order both. That usually solves the problem.

What to Pair With a Tostada or Vampiro

A crispy tostada or vampiro pairs perfectly with something cold and refreshing.

At Backyard Taco, try it with:

Want to learn more about these fresh Mexican drinks? Read our guide to why we love aguas frescas and find your favorite flavor before your next taco run.

Why Tostadas Are Best Enjoyed Fresh

Tostadas and vampiros are all about texture.

You want the tortilla crispy, the cheese melted, the meat warm, and the toppings fresh. That first bite should give you crunch, heat, freshness, and salsa all at once.

Because tostadas are open-faced and crispy, they are best enjoyed fresh at the restaurant whenever possible. Takeout and delivery can still be delicious, but the longer a tostada sits with warm meat, cheese, salsa, and toppings, the more likely the crispy base is to soften.

So, if you want the full Backyard Taco tostada or vampiro experience, come in, grab a seat, visit the salsa bar, and build your perfect bite while everything is fresh.

Crispy tostada. Fresh toppings. Salsa your way.

That’s the move.

FAQs About Tostadas

Try a Backyard Taco Vampiro

If you’ve been wondering how to eat a tostada, now you know.

Start with a crispy base. Add melted cheese, mesquite-grilled meat, fresh toppings, and salsa. Keep it flat, take small bites, rotate as you go, and use the plate for anything that falls.

Then come try the Backyard Taco version.

Our vampiros bring together a crispy corn tortilla, melted Monterey Jack cheese, your choice of meat, fresh toppings, and salsa bar magic that makes every bite your own.

Crispy, cheesy, grilled, and made your way.

That’s Backyard Taco. That’s Mexcellence.

Planning a summer visit? Check out more ways to cool down with Backyard Taco, from cold drinks to sweet treats.

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in 2011 and was updated August 17, 2026 with fresh information about tostadas, vampiros, toppings, and how to enjoy them Backyard Taco style. 

Tyler Robison

Dr. Tyler loves tacos! He is one of the owners of Backyard Taco, and can sometimes be found moonlighting there at night or on the weekends.

Dr. Tyler Robison is an alum of Mesa’s Mountain View High School. He graduted from Brigham Young University before being accepted to the “Top Ten-nationally ranked” University of Louisville in Kentucky, where he earned his Doctorate in Dental Medicine and a Master’s Degree in Oral Biology. He graduated with honors in the top ten percent of his class. Dr. Robison continued at the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, where he received a second master’s degree in dental science and his orthodontic certification.

Dr. Tyler enjoys serving in his community. He is a provider for the Smile Back Foundation, which offers scholarships for free dental treatment to underprivileged East Valley students. He is also a Major in the U.S. Army Reserve and served during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2008.

Dr. Tyler Robison’s favorite pastimes include spending time with his family on the lake, at the beach, or on the slopes. He is an avid and crazy snowboarder! He has three incredible sons and one sweet daughter: Caden, Jace, Crew, and Bliss.

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