mexican: i recommend TACO2GO

TACO2GO
No. 10, Lane 76, XinSheng S. Rd, Sec. 3
(02) 2368-3209

MRT: Gongguan

website: Taco2GoTWfacebook page

hours: 11AM – 3PM; 5PM – 9PM

$

Kid friendliness: only 4 outdoor stool seats; can take food 2go

Visit reviewed: 4/3/2011

Let’s not forget what city we’re in, but somehow Taipei has seen the opening of three new Mexican joints the past six months (Taco2Go, Macho Tacos, Mayan Grill), revamping of one opened last year (Oola), but the closing of four others (El Gallo, La Casita, Yuma Southwestern Grill, Taco Bar). The math is complicated, but the taste test is easy.

Hot, cheesy and cheap- that’s a good start for my bite of burrito right?

In a blink and you’d miss it location tucked along the alleys near Tai Yi Milk King, Taco2Go is the perfect name for this colorful, five month old hole in the wall. If you thought Macho Tacos was small, you haven’t seen Taco2Go yet. There’s only four barstool seats so if it’s crowded or raining, you should get your food to go. Thanks to readers Ginny and Mei for the heads up that I should give it try.

The tacos, burritos and quesadillas (with ground beef or chicken) are impressively under NT$100, while the nachos are NT$129. The quesadilla is NT$50- seriously, how can you beat that? The couple that runs this tiny kitchen moved back from the states and the spirit of Taco2Go seems very friendly and wanting to please. After a drought of good Mexican food in Taipei, I find it amusing that there’s suddenly a new wave of entrepreneurs want to take that on, but I’m pleasantly surprised. Keep it coming!

I watched as my burrito was quickly made with spoonfuls of pre-made rice and refried beans. Setting it on the panini grill made it nice and hot, and melted the cheese which glued everything together. The ground beef seems spiced with taco seasoning and tasted like something I might have made at home- but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s not going to the most authentic thing I’ve ever eaten, but it’s probably just as good as what I could quickly make for myself (unless I was craving enchiladas and guacamole- for that, I’d have to get in the kitchen).

The more I ate it, the more I liked it and it reminded me of when I ate my panini-grilled shawarma in Toronto, walking and devouring. The size was good for the price and taste was good enough to make me curious about the nachos. I’ll have to go back again. A bonus is that I’ll save room for a big bowl of shaved ice afterwards, with Tai Yi just a few lanes over.

Are you just as surprised as I am by the new Mexican food wave? Don’t forget to tell them where you heard about Taco2Go if you go check it out and write back and tell me how you liked it.