Sadly, it isn't. I've not yet found the Grail of Tacos. I've come close in a couple of places. My favorite so far is a chain restaurant that makes food that doesn't taste like chain restaurant food.
El Taco Tote is the place that I can't get enough of at this point. The atmosphere is simple and the music isn't obnoxious. The food is what brings me there though.
Their website states:
"El Tacotote really began as a collection of family recipes. The Heras brothers’ mom made the tastiest tacos in Sinaloa, Mexico. Mrs. Heras insisted on premium meats and a blend of spices perfected over the years by the family members.
In 1988, after the family moved to Cd. Juarez, Mexico, the family noticed something missing in the local cuisine. It was the Heras touch. They created the El Taco Tote concept and opened their first restaurant that same year. After enjoying an overwhelming response, they opened three more locations in the next four years. In 1994, the Heras brothers decided to introduce this extraordinary concept to the U.S. with a new location in Laredo, Texas. This location also proved to be a huge success. During the next three years, they opened three Taco Tote restaurants in El Paso, Texas. Now the Heras brothers are bringing the wonderful flavor of “real mexican grill” to you, our most valued customer."
Another of their small adverts says, "We don't make the best tacos in the world, you do!"
They are absolutely right. Their fixins bar has a variety of salsas, cabbage, limes, cilantro, radishes, and more! Sadly, I don't have a Nutrition Guide for them and it would mainly depend on how you build your taco.
Some folks may not have El Taco Tote in their area and may have these three popular places to choose from:
Taco Bell:
Taco Bell, yes Taco Bell. To be fair, I've not had the 'Cantina Taco,' nor have I made time to try it. However, based on the nutrition information, I don't think it'd be a wise choice for me.
The taco is described as two freshly grilled, warm corn tortillas filled with slow-roasted carnitas shredded pork, freshly chopped onions and cilantro with a lime wedge on the side. Sounds tasty, but let's check under the hood.
With a budget of 60g of Carbs (max), that would only give me up to two tacos and a diet soda for a meal. Not the best ideas for someone who loves food like I do.
Rubio's
For convenience, Rubio's has it for me. There are at least three different locations near my home that I can choose from and the quality is pretty good.
Their 'Street Taco' is described as "Little Baja tacos filled with grilled pork carnitas, guacamole and cilantro-onion." They also have a salsa bar, but no pico de gallo. That's a drawback for me as I enjoy tomatoes.
With 11g of Carbs, these little tacos are quite becoming. Surprisingly they're filling too! I can walk away from the table and feel sated. The psychological hand-to-mouth fix is there as well as the delicious taste of the carnitas.
Chipotle
Now, this McDonald's spin-off is a win for me. There's just something about seeing your food being made and picking the stuff that's going to be on it. I don't know why that's comforting to me. Perhaps it reminds me of the cafeteria line in school, taking me back to a time when things were simplified.
Chipotle packs three pork carnitas tacos with fresh tomato mild salsa, grated jack and white cheddar cheeses and romaine lettuce into the basket. They are fresh and tasty. Before El Taco Tote, these were the ones that I considered a treat!
These tacos are larger than the ones at Rubios and just as satisfying! The hand-to-mouth urge and hankering for crunchiness are both sated. With some quick work from your plastic fork, you have an easy taco salad. Quite often, the folks behind the counter will give you extra lettuce if you ask.
Enjoy!
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