The Original El Taco

06/25/09

Bland,Bland,Bland

by Goodcritic at Citysearch

I don't really understand the good reviews. This may be a place that is just good for drinks and hanging out, NOT a good place for food. Everything had no flavor, just simply bland and not one thing tasted fresh or homemade. The tacos were also small and if I was a server I would have been embarassed to bring the food out. We did have a nice server though. First and last visit to this place.

• Pros: Atmosphere,location
• Cons: Food

03/30/09

Lively Saturday Night Spot

by SLPearse at Citysearch

We visited El Taco this past Saturday for a fun girls dinner and we weren't disappointed. The inside was happening-and our bartender helped us pick the right libation to start the night-for me that was a fro mo, and for my friend a classic margarita served straight up. We started with chips and salsa and heavily raided the salsa bar-my only critique is that none of the salsas was 5 alarm! I had the El Short Stack for my meal-it was huge-yummy, melty, goodness. One of my fave entrees I have had at a Mexican restaurant in town. My companion had tacos-and they were fab! The corn-off the cob and tossed with the spicy mayo was the perfect side for both of us! Loved El Taco and am planning my next visit!

• Pros: Salsa Bar, fresh tortillas, great service, fun atmosphere
• Cons: Patio isn't as fun to sit on

01/26/09

ONE OF THE BEST MEXICAN SPOTS AROUND

by ladygodiva7 at Citysearch

As a true life lover of mexican food I can honestly say this is one of the absolute BEST MEXICAN restaurant around! As for anyone who would compare this restaurant to Tequieria del Sol, it is less than 5 minutes from where I live and I pass by there on a regular basis to get El Taco. Tequiera is a good cheap mexican restaurant but when it come to taste and innovation, it is light years beyond the corn w/ the lime and mayo. You don't even want me to start talking about the queso royale with sauteed onions and peppers or the mexican pizza which is more like heaven on a crispy crust! More salad than pizza, it's light enough not to make you feel heavy but more than enough food to satisfy any appetite. This place is a jewel and I only wish it were closer to where I live.

• Pros: Corn w/ lime and Mayo, fish tacos, mexican pizzas, customer service
• Cons: I wish it was closer to where I live, they don't take reservations

12/10/08

Nothing Really Original Here, But Fun!

by jaymaygm at Citysearch

What a fun and welcomed new place for the hood. Mexican for the masses. The fun factor really goes high. The Margs are delicious, and near perfect. But Orginal El Taco, it is not! It lacks the orgiionality of a true Mexican joint like the one on Chattahoochee Ave., or the Holy funk of the place in East Atlanta. No I'm not going to be tacky, and call out other places by name, like some of the employess of this establishment writing reviews. You never really know if the tacos will be hard of soft. But we did enjoy the Crispy Pork Belly Tacos. Shaun Doty continues his love with Pork Belly, but gosh, does he have to use it in everything, he touches? Mexican Pizza? That's as bad as Japenese Pizza at another certain spot. Be somewhat authentic, and call it Tiayudas. But the Corn In a Lime-Laced Mayo for dipping, was divine. Yes, we will be customers, but for the orginal real deal, we will head to Buford Hwy. or Jonesboro Rd.

• Pros: Great Margs, Crispy Pork Belly Taco's, Fun Atmosphere!
• Cons: Mexican For The Masses! Not Very Original!

11/19/08

A solid addition to the Highlands offering

by localatl at Citysearch

El Taco is a good combination of affordable and inventive food choices, a great bar, and casual yet upbeat atmosphere. It really fills the void in the neighborhood after the departure of (the original) Sala. My favorite choice for entrees is the Mexican flatbread pizza. We chose the carnitas pizza, which was really yummy. The fresh guacamole was likewise a good choice for appetizers (though they do charge a nominal price for chips and salsa, a downside). As an afterthought I tried the fried chicken taco, which was unbelievable. Frozen mojitos are unique and yummy. They also spin the taco wheel every hour or so for fun prizes. all in all, a great night out with good food and good service that is suitable for any night of the week (or weekend!).

• Pros: Great food, a restaurant that you want to put in the repeat lineup
• Cons: No free chips and salsa

11/19/08

VA-Highland's Best New Restaurant

by DebbyDoesDining at Citysearch

Finally good mexican food in a great location. I am so tired of standing next to stinky dumpsters waiting to get a tired old table in the carpeted "dining room" at Neuvo Laredo - and equally tired of giving my hard earned cash to the rude owners of that "place" on Howell Mill. El Taco is a welcome addition to the neighborhood! Quickly - my favorites are the mouth-watering guacamole and chips, the shrimp ceviche, the chorizo tacos and the lime-marinated shrimp fajitas. The sides are unique, I think my favorite has to be the addictive grilled corn in lime mayo (like they serve out of carts off Buford highway - but better!)

The staff is refreshingly nice and helpful and the atmosphere makes for a great night out - even on a monday. I forgot to mention the drinks, I love beer, but my friends say the margaritas are divine.

• Pros: Big bar, easy parking, great value, good mexican food, heated patio
• Cons: no reservations

11/19/08

These guys know how to rock a taco!

by FoodChickie at Citysearch

Yes, I love food and I love good food that is priced right and served by really nice people! That said, I've never had a bad experience at a Fifth Group Restaurant - this is no exception! It is already very popular and I get why - the vibe is fun & casual, the frozen margaritas are perfect, the music, the tv's, the staff, and the price all fit the laid-back Highlands perfectly. I've gone three times since it opened and was with a group twice. We started with the yummy chips (lime and salt!) with guac and queso - everyone loved this. After a round of frozen mojitos and margaritas we shared 2 tasty carnitas and vegetarian mexican pizzas (also great with beer I've noticed) and topped them with a few salsas from the salsa bar. I love the tacos - my 2 favs are the fried chicken (with grilled corn and lime mayo!) and the tilapia. A couple of friends had the Green chili chicken enchiladas - very nice. Next time I go back, I really want to try the Rellenos and pork Carnitas tacos - they sound delicious. Oh - I love the "Wheel of Taco" , you get a poker chip with a number when you are seated and if your number comes up when they spin the wheel you get a free drink or food - it was fun. This place is a winner in my book.

• Pros: parking, location, frozen mojitos, music and atmosphere
• Cons: My husband watched football over my shoulder while I was talking...

Fifth Group and Shaun Doty team to bring high-brow Mexican in a low-brow atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

by Jonathan Baker at Citysearch

In Short
Taking over the stuffy, Sala space off North Highland Avenue, El Taco immediately took its shoes off and decided to stay awhile. Feeling more like a taco "joint" than a taqueria, the open floor plan is highlighted by a mural of bright Mexican graffiti art. Fittingly, the menu is cheap and casual, yet sneaks in obsessive details. House-made tortilla chips are sprinkled with a hint of lime, Mexican coke is imported for dessert floats and flat masa pizzas--though a mess to eat--are a far cry from anything Tex-Mex. Mexican corn dusted in lime mayo is the fried chicken taco's secret weapon, and stands on its own as a must-try side. With frozen mojitos and win-a-prize wheel, it's a playful type of place--one that could have seemingly been conjured up by a group of fun-loving college kids. And frankly, the neighborhood is better for it.

11/10/08

Good Atmosphere, Very Bland Food.

by foodcrtic at Citysearch

Wanted to try this place since Sala closed. The place has a good atmosphere and good service but the food is extremely bland. We tried the flautas appetizer which was basically 2 taquitos placed in a cup of refried beans, the talapia and pork tacos were the worst I ever tasted...actually no taste and the pork was extremely chewy (took one bite), the mexican pizza tasted like a corn tortilla with black beans piled high with lettuce, but again, no taste. The place has potential but the menu needs to be revamped. I know good mexican food when I taste it and El Taco needs some help.

• Pros: Atmosphere was good to meet for drinks
• Cons: Food is terrible