I love Mexican food. I've enjoyed it in all of its various sub-genres for decades. I've eaten…read moreOaxacan in San Antonio, off the backs of taco trucks in San Diego, and in straw thatched huts all across Mexico. There's no way I'm finding decent Mexican in northern Vermont, right?
Well, ok, there's one for sure: Trail Break in White River Junction. But it's a Wednesday, and they're closed. Besides, we were just in Burlington, and the nearest city on our route is Montpelier.
Ok, what's what around here? Cute little city. Cool buildings. And hey, there's a place called Mad Taco. Let's give that a try.
The logo is John Tenniel's timeless portrait of the Mad Hatter, with added tacos on his plates. Nice touch, and I almost missed it. And now I have Grace Potter's cover of White Rabbit stuck in my brain... "Feed your head!!" Grace Potter is from around here, no? I bet she eats here when she isn't basking in Rock Stardomness.
Wife and I ordered burritos, hers was carnitas, mine al pastor. We also put in for chips with guacamole. A simple dinner fare to be eaten in the front seat of our car before we start putting on more miles on our way back to Western Mass.
The guy behind the counter was super cool, and helpful too. Food only took about 10 minutes or so. He set us up with everything we needed to eat take out, and I snagged a little to go cup of mild cilantro sauce (#3 on the spicy scale, not super hot)
The burritos were both enormous and delicious. (Interruption from the future, I've been eating the leftovers for 2 days. Still good, nom nom nom.)
My only hint of "c'mon Vermont, you can do better" was the guacamole. While the chips were astounding (lightly salted, hand fried tortilla rounds you break apart yourself, crispy perfection.) Their guacamole was just, "meh." It was mostly just squished avocado. I don't think it had any salt, lime, garlic, or anything else in it. There was a lot of it for the price we paid, but very plain. I'm not sure if that's to cater to local tastes? Like are the regulars afraid of a little jalapeno? Hard to know. If it's me, I'm punching it up with a touch of adobo, just a little hot sauce, maybe a squeeze of lime, some salsa? Your mileage may vary.
That said, I don't feel the guacamole is more than a half star drop, and I always round up. Have I gone mad? Completely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best taco joints are...
Mad Taco, I give you a mercurial 5 stars! Well done.