Comments on: Review: The Original El Taco

By: JJ

JJ — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:24:58 +0000

Try El Norteno in Smyrna. Excellent bbq chicken, salsa bar, inexpensive, hand made tortillas.

If it is still open, go.

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:48:04 +0000

This place is terrible. Really tragic.

By: foodie

foodie — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:53:22 +0000

For tex-mex, it’s pretty bland, unimaginative stuff.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:21:36 +0000

try the Holy Taco in the East Atlanta Village too. Low key place with great food…if you are looking to expand your horizons a bit.

By: wesley what what

wesley what what — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:41:03 +0000

i’ll stick with taqueria del sol, thanks.

By: Ehtrevor

Ehtrevor — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:56:40 +0000

The mexican pizza was ok, the queso was lacking in flavor, the green chile chicken enchiladas tasted like nothing, and the service kinda sucked. One star is half a star more than I would have given it.

By: brian

brian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:52:45 +0000

oh yeah, and El Taco will not yell at you for trying to sit down before you order like Taqeria del Sol. Many a person I know have come out of there grumbling about their “soup nazi” attitude… Although I still go when they have their green chilis! Yum.

By: brian

brian — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:46:39 +0000

Yea I will agree, a bit rough on the one star. I think the place hit the market it caters to pretty well, but that contrasts with hard core Mexican lovers. That was the problem with Vine next door – it never knew who it was catering to… El Taco isn’t gourmet, nor is it “as close as you can get tex mex” like Nuevo Laredo. But it is a solid, middle of the road affordable (surprising for Fifth Third Group)night out. Families pile into the place early and the younger crowd seems to gravitate to the margaritas and cheap tacos a bit later. Hence the always a wait factor.

Tacos are no more expensive than Taqueria del Sol. Throw in a couple taco specials and I see no difference between the two.

And I can attest, the guac is fresh – we know because they made us some without the cilantro on a arm twisting request. And the tlayuda-like salads are a great meal for 2. They told us they are changing the base on the dish as it gets a bit tough and chewy after soaking up the juices of the toppings. Maybe they should go back to the masa base of the original….

As for salt, I’m pretty happy they don’t over salt. Give them a star there for watching sodium. Although the margarita will more than take care of that.

Salsas, yes, sadly lacking in spice. But they are amazingly fresh. Again, I think the lack of spice is a sop to the crowd they are working towards – the middle of the road diner who probably isn’t too keen on fiery food.

I love mexican and again, while it’s not knock you over the best, I think it’s a good addition to the neighborhood.

By: foodieman

foodieman — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:53:43 +0000

Mrs. Rodell,

One star?!

wow…..

By: Steph

Steph — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:44:29 +0000

I actually liked this restaurant or at least my veg mexi. version pizza and grilled corn side. The “pizza” crust did get soggy quick but it still tasted great the next day or at least fatteningly filling. Your right as far as the salsa being not spicy- I prefer lots of spice in my life- and the other things I tried from others were boring but the veg pizza will probably keep me coming back. I suggest getting the chips and dipping them in that delicious corn… and forgoing on the salsa.