Ok so I ate at this place a couple times before it inevitably shut down, you will see why I said…read more"inevitably" in a bit. I don't like beating a dead horse because I'm not psychotic like your average driver on the Dan Ryan so let's get on with the review.
The design and aesthetic of the restaurant? Probably the most unique I've seen in who knows how long. The color scheme of the place is very floral and "nature" like, leaning into that cultural aesthetic present in most mexican resturaunts. But the decor does a complete 180 and suddenly you are standing in what seems to be a fusion of a 90s family diner and a small taqueria. I mean I really do not know how else to describe it, it's something you gotta see for yourself, oh wait this location is closed..... Maybe the other ones have this same vibe but I dig it. The zig zag pattern on the floor too is just..... MAN. WHAT CAN I SAY? MAMBA OUT! Alright seriously though, whoever designed this place was a genius especially with the hanging plants and the small vintage tables that got the old beverage logos on them.
Yea yea yea, just talk about the food already! Well, the food is actually really good! I've had their asada tacos, Cali burrito, and Tijuana burrito. I should mention that this place is definitely Mexican street-style with some Tex-Mex inspiration.
The asada tacos were well-seasoned, juicy, and had this deep, charred beef flavor that just makes me lose my mind. Pair that with their mild green salsa, which is probably one of the best salsas I've had, and you've got yourself something special. The citrusy, tart, and slightly herbal notes of the salsa complement the richness of the beef so well. It just brings everything together beautifully. Honestly, just thinking about it makes me hungry.
The burritos were just as flavorful, although I will say they're a bit on the smaller side compared to other places. Still, everything worked together wonderfully, and I really couldn't complain about the taste.
Overall, the food was fantastic, and the service was quick and friendly. You can also order through the tablets, which I personally prefer because I hate talking to people sometimes lol. Oh, and another plus for having a salsa bar! I genuinely feel like every Mexican restaurant needs one at this point.
OK! So why did this place close down and why am I rating it 4 stars after I just spent about two paragraphs praising it? Well it's simple economics, literally. The prices here were outrageous. I mean I don't know anyone including myself who's going to spend $6 per asada taco, that's just crazy pricing to me no matter how quality it is, I'd be expecting caviar at that point because I don't think a street taco should ever be above the price point of $4. The burritos come in around $10-$12 depending on which one you buy which is certainly better value but if you recall what I mentioned earlier, they are on the skinnier side compared to competitors. Unfortunately for this place, it did not last that long past opening week. I can't blame everything on the pricing but I do believe it certainly played a part especially because there were cheaper competitors in the same market around like Cilantro Taco Grill. Not to mention, the location it was situated in wasn't exactly great, being next to not just Five Guys, but also nearby Culvers, Panda Express, Chipotle... you get my point. I've gone off topic now but I think this place would've lived longer if they had just lowered the prices, just saying. Overall, great food, good experiences, bad economics!
