Thanks, and happy taco-ing!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Reader Recommendations
In recent weeks many of you have mentioned your favorite places to get tacos, we want all those recomendations to be in one place, not only so we can check them out, but so other readers can as well. Please leave a comment here with the name and location of your favorite taco joint. If you would rather leave the comment on Facebook, we can re-post if here for you.
Thanks, and happy taco-ing!
Thanks, and happy taco-ing!
Monday, September 24, 2012
Santa Fe Mexican Grill
Place: Santa Fe Mexican Grill
Address: 1170 NE Sunset Blvd, Renton WA 98056
What we ordered:
Him: Camarones a la Diabla (with scallops added)
Her: Chicken Avocado Tostada (What? A tostada is just a flat taco, right?)
Presentation:
Ease of consumption: Chad: I got through mine more than fine. A stout fork and a trusty spoon were capable of stuffing the tender prawns and scallops into a corn tortilla for face stuffing. Kiara: Tostadas are always tough. Wait no, they are always soft...if you take more than 30 seconds to eat them. I've yet to perfect the tostada eating process, so it ends up being a combination of scooping with a fork and breaking and folding the tostada shell into a taco shell. Definitely not first date material.
Taste and Texture: We both agreed: the Camarones a la Diabla definitely lacked the Diabla. We are used to burn your tastebuds off spice, and the dish, while tasty, just didn't quite deliver. Chad: I added about a half a bottle of Tapatio to my camarones a la diablita en la vestida de una angelita. Pardon my six year old high school/college Spanish. However, they did use a ketchup base for the sauce, which is traditional, believe it or not, and pretty much the only way to impart the spicy taste if you're actually going to pump up the heat. Overall, not bad, but they really needed to add jalapeño, habañero, red pepper, garlic, Cholula, and/or onion. Preferably all of the above. Yes, that was a secret recipe, enjoy. The tostada was pretty standard fare, reminiscent of Azteca and other chain restaurants.
Satisfaction Level an Hour Later: Chad: Satisfied, even though it was shellfish, which typical is lighter fare than meat. Impressive. Still had a snack at 9pm though. Kiara: I ate way too much. Wayyyyyy too much.
Options for Kids: Yes, but once again we just had the toddler eat off of our plentiful plates.
Hot Sauce: One option, good ol' Tapatio.
I couldn't find a website or an official Facebook page, but here's a link to the monthly coupon they send out in the ValPak.
Address: 1170 NE Sunset Blvd, Renton WA 98056
What we ordered:
Him: Camarones a la Diabla (with scallops added)
Her: Chicken Avocado Tostada (What? A tostada is just a flat taco, right?)
Brought out on huge, piping hot platters, served with beans and rice. These photos really don't do justice to how big the portions were. Chad: "These plates are bigger than three of my face!"
Ease of consumption: Chad: I got through mine more than fine. A stout fork and a trusty spoon were capable of stuffing the tender prawns and scallops into a corn tortilla for face stuffing. Kiara: Tostadas are always tough. Wait no, they are always soft...if you take more than 30 seconds to eat them. I've yet to perfect the tostada eating process, so it ends up being a combination of scooping with a fork and breaking and folding the tostada shell into a taco shell. Definitely not first date material.
Taste and Texture: We both agreed: the Camarones a la Diabla definitely lacked the Diabla. We are used to burn your tastebuds off spice, and the dish, while tasty, just didn't quite deliver. Chad: I added about a half a bottle of Tapatio to my camarones a la diablita en la vestida de una angelita. Pardon my six year old high school/college Spanish. However, they did use a ketchup base for the sauce, which is traditional, believe it or not, and pretty much the only way to impart the spicy taste if you're actually going to pump up the heat. Overall, not bad, but they really needed to add jalapeño, habañero, red pepper, garlic, Cholula, and/or onion. Preferably all of the above. Yes, that was a secret recipe, enjoy. The tostada was pretty standard fare, reminiscent of Azteca and other chain restaurants.
Satisfaction Level an Hour Later: Chad: Satisfied, even though it was shellfish, which typical is lighter fare than meat. Impressive. Still had a snack at 9pm though. Kiara: I ate way too much. Wayyyyyy too much.
Options for Kids: Yes, but once again we just had the toddler eat off of our plentiful plates.
Hot Sauce: One option, good ol' Tapatio.
I couldn't find a website or an official Facebook page, but here's a link to the monthly coupon they send out in the ValPak.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Mucho Burrito
Place: Mucho Burrito
Address: 921 N 10th St # A Renton, WA 98057
What we ordered:
Presentation:
The tacos/other food look great on simple "burger joint" style tins with checkered wrap. There's also lots of space on the plates to use the "elbows out" technique and really dig in.
Ease of consumption:
So much guacamole was piled on the taco that we scraped most of it off and used it as dip for the chips. The guacamole here is pretty solid, so it was nice to have the guac make the mess, since it had taste. No complaints on that, it is delicious! The tacos stayed together pretty well, a little smooshing of the contents back into the shell was necessary, but that is to be expected.
Taste and Texture:
Ingredients taste fresh and delicious. We love that they have cilantro as one of the topping options, it adds an extra dimension to the flavors. (Kiara) The taste here is good. It would be mediocre if it weren't for the slightly quirky hot sauce and option for cilantro to be added straight to their concoctions. At the risk of being slightly nationalistic in the taco arena, I think the taste here, as Kiara mentions about the joint's origins, is Canadian. Very well put together, easy to get around, and just barely satisfying. It's nowhere near knocking my socks off though. Everything is good until you eat it for a few bites, in which case, there's a faint "emptiness." (Chad)
Satisfaction Level an Hour Later:
Still full, no need for a snack!
Options for Kids:
They have kids options, but in this case the toddler ate one mild vegetarian taco and chips with queso.
Hot Sauce:
The sauce here is actually pretty intense. It's way more heat than you would expect from a Canadian taco place. Each hot sauce is far superior to it's Tabasco counterpart: Jalapeno>Green Tabasco, Sweet Heat > Chipotle Tabasco, and Devil's Tongue > Regular Tabasco and is also hotter than Habanero Tabasco. A spot that has its birthplace in Canada just shouldn't have hot sauce this good.
Notes:
Originating in Canada, there are now two US location, both in Washington state, one more location will be opening soon in Southcenter. An Indian family ran this, at least it when it opened, and there was a faint curry taste to everything, which we thought was awesome. They have a good catering menu, I am hoping to get to use them for a work function some time soon. No mobile taco trucks though.
Address: 921 N 10th St # A Renton, WA 98057
What we ordered:
1) Vegetarian crispy tacos with a side of chips and queso dip- one taco with mild pico de gallo for the toddler, two with spicy salsa for Kiara
2) Taco salad in a whole wheat baked tortilla bowl, topped with Tilapia
Presentation:
Ease of consumption:
So much guacamole was piled on the taco that we scraped most of it off and used it as dip for the chips. The guacamole here is pretty solid, so it was nice to have the guac make the mess, since it had taste. No complaints on that, it is delicious! The tacos stayed together pretty well, a little smooshing of the contents back into the shell was necessary, but that is to be expected.
Taste and Texture:
Ingredients taste fresh and delicious. We love that they have cilantro as one of the topping options, it adds an extra dimension to the flavors. (Kiara) The taste here is good. It would be mediocre if it weren't for the slightly quirky hot sauce and option for cilantro to be added straight to their concoctions. At the risk of being slightly nationalistic in the taco arena, I think the taste here, as Kiara mentions about the joint's origins, is Canadian. Very well put together, easy to get around, and just barely satisfying. It's nowhere near knocking my socks off though. Everything is good until you eat it for a few bites, in which case, there's a faint "emptiness." (Chad)
Satisfaction Level an Hour Later:
Still full, no need for a snack!
Options for Kids:
They have kids options, but in this case the toddler ate one mild vegetarian taco and chips with queso.
Hot Sauce:
Notes:
Originating in Canada, there are now two US location, both in Washington state, one more location will be opening soon in Southcenter. An Indian family ran this, at least it when it opened, and there was a faint curry taste to everything, which we thought was awesome. They have a good catering menu, I am hoping to get to use them for a work function some time soon. No mobile taco trucks though.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
What Time is it? Taco Time!
Place: Taco Time
Address: 4114 NE 4th St, Renton
What we ordered:
Presentation: Standard "fast food", with each item individually wrapped. Upon first glance, it looks like a sizeable amount of paper and plastic waste, but greenies will be pleased to know that everything on this tray is compostable!
Ease of consumption:
Immediately upon take off the wrapping, about half the innards of the Baja Taco fell out. The fish taco stayed together nicely, and the crisp tacos were easy to keep together for seasoned taco eaters, even the toddler knows to tilt his head to the side to keep the taco intact.
Taste and Texture (by Chad):
Crisp Beef Taco - Taco Time beef is really good. It sticks together like sand castle mud. Yum! The seasoning is pretty tasty, although mostly salty. I've never had a stale crispy taco at TT, so it's good they avoided this fatal flaw. Other taco joints, you're on notice!
Crisp Chicken Taco - The same, although we had them add ranch to this taco (as well as the beef one). The chicken is juicy, although ranch makes the taco soggy if you don't scarf it right away. Not a problem for yours truly, but we shared this one, so it was a little soggy by the last bite.
Kiara's Special Taco - One crisp beef taco, minus EVERYTHING! Substitute beans, rice, ranch, and jack cheese. I've learned to order this like an expert, especially since Kiara's been pregnant! They still seem to mess it up every other time though. The best part about Kiara's Special Taco is that you could drive a truck over it and it still holds together. I'm pretty sure Kiara's title at TT was "taco engineer." The flavor is a little bland without hot sauce and jalapenos, but that's what those two sides are for, right? (Kiara eats it with just jalapenos)
Baja Beef Taco - What a mess. The beef is good, but the two corn tortillas flopped all over the place and my ingredients ended up more on the table than in my mouth. This is TT's health food taco, they don't come with cheese and the corn tortillas are better for you. What it lacks in ingredients, it also lacks a little bit in deliciousness.
Fish Taco - This is probably my favorite Taco Time item. A soft flour tortilla holding white fish sauce, chopped veggies, pico, and crispy fish. This isn't the light battered stuff usually found in fish tacos. Think Skippers or Ivars. A hearty taco!
Toddler's Review: He likes all of these tacos, except the Baja. He tends to have a preference towards crispy tacos, much like his mama.
Satisfaction Level an Hour Later:
Still full, no need for a snack!
Options for Kids:
Taco Time has several kids meals to choose from, with smaller versions of the regular menu items, and of course standard fare for the wee ones: quesadillas.
Notes:
Taco Time is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
Beware that not all Taco Times are created equal. Some are overseen by the head corporate office, some are franchises and tend to have items that stray from the standard ingredients at the corporate stores (At one franchised location, Kiara had rice with little chunks of celery in it, paired with pinto beans covered in black pepper, ick!).
Taco Time NW does not advertise catering on their website, but this summer they've had a taco truck roaming around to community events giving out tacos for free! And, once upon time, Kiara attended a wedding of two Taco Time employees, and there was definitely Taco Time served as part of the buffet!
Address: 4114 NE 4th St, Renton
What we ordered:
 |
| Left, front to back: Crisp Beef, Crisp Chicken, Kiara's Special Right, front to back: Baja Chicken, Fish taco |
Presentation: Standard "fast food", with each item individually wrapped. Upon first glance, it looks like a sizeable amount of paper and plastic waste, but greenies will be pleased to know that everything on this tray is compostable!
Ease of consumption:
Immediately upon take off the wrapping, about half the innards of the Baja Taco fell out. The fish taco stayed together nicely, and the crisp tacos were easy to keep together for seasoned taco eaters, even the toddler knows to tilt his head to the side to keep the taco intact.
Taste and Texture (by Chad):
Crisp Beef Taco - Taco Time beef is really good. It sticks together like sand castle mud. Yum! The seasoning is pretty tasty, although mostly salty. I've never had a stale crispy taco at TT, so it's good they avoided this fatal flaw. Other taco joints, you're on notice!
Crisp Chicken Taco - The same, although we had them add ranch to this taco (as well as the beef one). The chicken is juicy, although ranch makes the taco soggy if you don't scarf it right away. Not a problem for yours truly, but we shared this one, so it was a little soggy by the last bite.
Kiara's Special Taco - One crisp beef taco, minus EVERYTHING! Substitute beans, rice, ranch, and jack cheese. I've learned to order this like an expert, especially since Kiara's been pregnant! They still seem to mess it up every other time though. The best part about Kiara's Special Taco is that you could drive a truck over it and it still holds together. I'm pretty sure Kiara's title at TT was "taco engineer." The flavor is a little bland without hot sauce and jalapenos, but that's what those two sides are for, right? (Kiara eats it with just jalapenos)
Baja Beef Taco - What a mess. The beef is good, but the two corn tortillas flopped all over the place and my ingredients ended up more on the table than in my mouth. This is TT's health food taco, they don't come with cheese and the corn tortillas are better for you. What it lacks in ingredients, it also lacks a little bit in deliciousness.
Fish Taco - This is probably my favorite Taco Time item. A soft flour tortilla holding white fish sauce, chopped veggies, pico, and crispy fish. This isn't the light battered stuff usually found in fish tacos. Think Skippers or Ivars. A hearty taco!
Toddler's Review: He likes all of these tacos, except the Baja. He tends to have a preference towards crispy tacos, much like his mama.
Satisfaction Level an Hour Later:
Still full, no need for a snack!
Options for Kids:
Taco Time has several kids meals to choose from, with smaller versions of the regular menu items, and of course standard fare for the wee ones: quesadillas.
Notes:
Taco Time is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.
Beware that not all Taco Times are created equal. Some are overseen by the head corporate office, some are franchises and tend to have items that stray from the standard ingredients at the corporate stores (At one franchised location, Kiara had rice with little chunks of celery in it, paired with pinto beans covered in black pepper, ick!).
Taco Time NW does not advertise catering on their website, but this summer they've had a taco truck roaming around to community events giving out tacos for free! And, once upon time, Kiara attended a wedding of two Taco Time employees, and there was definitely Taco Time served as part of the buffet!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
My Conversion-His Story
Taco Time, Taco del Mar, Tacos Guaymas, Taco Bell. In 2006, I was apalled by the mere mention of these taco variations, or indifferent at best. Yes, I would have preferred something that didn't start with "t" and end with "aco."
And then I met Kiara, a Taco Princess. She moved my heart, but also my gullet toward this plebian latin sandwichesque creation. Sure, I knew what a taco was, but I had no idea that a Taco could be so delicious, so convenient, and yes, even so creative.
Many of my coworkers, family, and friends, know me as an informal and aspiring culinary student. Although my achievements manifest themselves in the form of workplace and friendly chili cookoff wins, smiles, yums, and the discerning nods of a 2.5 year old--I sure pretend I'm on Iron Chef or Chopped.
I love it when chefs, professional or not, put their personality into, a... well, pot! Or saute' pan, smoker, oven, etc. Tacos provide the opportunity to exercise many stages of cooking; the scope extends well beyond putting together a cold sandwich.
When my family and I embark on this exciting adventure, I plan on adding not only my commentary on what it tastes like, but why it tastes a certain way. Tacos can be traditional, fusion, contemporary. Exploring the background behind what ends up on your plate or a convenient taco stand (see fig.1) can make the experience that much sweeter, spicier, or savorierer. :)
So without much further ado, although much ado has already been furthered, I can't wait to share with all of you how we eat tacos, why we eat tacos, and why it's important to all of us to put something as simple as tortillas and stuff up on a pedestal.
And then I met Kiara, a Taco Princess. She moved my heart, but also my gullet toward this plebian latin sandwichesque creation. Sure, I knew what a taco was, but I had no idea that a Taco could be so delicious, so convenient, and yes, even so creative.
Many of my coworkers, family, and friends, know me as an informal and aspiring culinary student. Although my achievements manifest themselves in the form of workplace and friendly chili cookoff wins, smiles, yums, and the discerning nods of a 2.5 year old--I sure pretend I'm on Iron Chef or Chopped.
I love it when chefs, professional or not, put their personality into, a... well, pot! Or saute' pan, smoker, oven, etc. Tacos provide the opportunity to exercise many stages of cooking; the scope extends well beyond putting together a cold sandwich.
When my family and I embark on this exciting adventure, I plan on adding not only my commentary on what it tastes like, but why it tastes a certain way. Tacos can be traditional, fusion, contemporary. Exploring the background behind what ends up on your plate or a convenient taco stand (see fig.1) can make the experience that much sweeter, spicier, or savorierer. :)
 |
| fig. 1 |
Monday, August 20, 2012
My Conversion-Her Story
I am a taco freak. Yes, I love Indian cuisine, and sushi, but tacos are my go-to food at any time of the day. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, late night snack, a taco does the trick. As I am nearing the end of the first trimester of this pregnancy, I dare not look back and count the number of tacos I’ve consumed over the past few months, nor the amount of money spent on said tacos.
My passion for tacos began well before my pregnancy-hormone-induced-cravings began, fifteen years ago. Uncultured and fifteen years old, I got my first job at a restaurant that, up until I started working there, I actually didn’t like very much: Taco Time (as my friends and I call it, TT). My dislike quickly turned to infatuation, as I got to experiment with different ingredient combinations. To this day, I still order my ‘special taco’, the ultimate of all TT taco creations. I hope someday they make it an actual menu item so I don’t have to irritate the cashiers for the next sixty years of my life (yes I will still be frequenting TT when I am ninety).
We are starting this blog as a means to push ourselves to expand our taco horizons outside of chain restaurants, and onward to taco trucks and mom and pop taco establishments. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the number of places to get a taco is probably in the thousands, so we’d better get started!
If you share our love of all things taco, follow us on this journey of eating our way through the northwest, three tacos and a bottle of hot sauce at a time. Follow on Google Friend Connect, over there to the left, and on Facebook.
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