Pure Taqueria an instant hit?
November 4th, 2009 by Cliff Bostock in Restaurants
We checked out the new Pure Taqueria on North Highland in Inman Park tonight and had a pleasant meal. The place was packed, noisy as hell and featured a young, energetic staff that might end up becoming known as the city’s best looking.
The redo of the former tenant’s interior is a huge improvement and has a lot in common with the Taqueria del Sol look — lots of windows, a long bar (above) where you can eat and swill margaritas. Unlike TDS, however, you don’t stand in line to order. Although, you may have to wait for a table. We waited about 20 minutes. That’s not an experience one has in Atlanta restaurants much these days, especially on a Tuesday night.
Most of our food was good. Probably my favorite dish was a starter of grilled shrimp with an avocado-habanero salsa (right). For an entree, I tried chicken enchiladas with mole, which, like much of the food here, tasted a lot better than it looked. The mole was quite good, in fact.
As at the new Lupe, tacos are sold three-to-a-plate but you can mix and match. That will drive the price up a bit, since you also have to order side dishes — even the omnipresent rice and frijoles refritos – a la carte.
A surprise was a tres leches cake made with coconut. It works!
Look for more in a future Grazing column.
(Photos by Cliff Bostock)
November 4th, 2009 at 11:32 am
I tried to go Sunday night and left rather disgusted. Why oh why do they have valet parking? It is such a pain in the ass. It was causing a traffic nightmare. Am i really too stupid to park my car in the lot behind the damn restaurant? I understand that i was in Inman Park but god i hate yuppies. After getting a dose of the unnescessary valet parking and waiting for tem minutes outside listening to vapid morons discuss things they do not really understand, i hightailed to the righteous room for beer and wings.
November 4th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
OK, then.
For another perspective: I also went on Sunday (lunchtime), parked myself and had an OK meal. I have been to the original location many times and think it’s quite good. Definitely a suburban party vibe there, we’ll see if that develops here.
They have some kinks to work out here in terms of both food and service (it was only the second day), but the space is nice and the staff was very eager to help. I’ll be back but I think they have a hit on their hands.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:10 am
I finally found a good sushi place here in Atlanta. Platinum Blue located in dunwoody at Park Place. You guys need to check it out. It is amazing.. Enjoy.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:50 am
This place rocks! Best taco’s in the city and that guy by the registered is hot!! He should be a model
November 5th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
We were there the same night and like the same shrimp starter. The tacos were a bit chunky for me though. A well-price addition for the neighborhood.