Review of Taco and Burrito Express in Baton Rouge

Grand opening was Saturday, tried a few dishes for variety. Though it looks and feels like a fast food spot or taqueria, this is a legit Mexican restaurant, not Tex-Mex food.

All orders come with chips and salsa. Started with the Choriqueso ($3.75), melted white cheese topped with chorizo, served with chips and corn tortillas (you can request flour). Chorizo was seasoned well, but not spicy, delicious appetizer that won't set you back what the queso fundido will at Ninfa's. The only catch is that you mix the cheese and meat yourself.

Next I tried a soft taco ($1.99) with Carne Asada, they ran out of barbacoa. Served with onions (held the cilantro), and a slice of lime on the side. Good, not great, about the same quality as other taquerias in town (both cooks - brothers - worked at La Tiendita on Siegen in the past)

Ordered the King Burrito Plain ($4.99), a burrito with meat, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese and sour cream in a 12 inch flour tortilla. Got the shredded chicken, which had generous helpings of chicken and was just excellent. It's not wrapped in tin foil a la Izzo's, but it blows an Izzo's chicken burrito completely out of the water (especially with respect to the amount of meat they use, and the price). They offer a Queen burrito for $3.99, not sure how big it is. For $2.00 more you can get a burrito "dinner", rice and beans added. I'd say pass on the extras, this burrito and chips & salsa should be enough food. The best burrito I have had in a very long time.

For tacos and burritos, meat choices include chicken, steak, ground beef, chorizo (sausage), pork, tripe (cow stomach) and lengua (cow tongue).

Their menu is as big as that of a regular Mexican restaurant, but with only hardcore Mexican dishes (milanesa, tamales, cow tongue, chilaquiles, eggs & sausage, tortas, grilled shrimp, etc). Drinks include horchata, Mexican sodas, Aguas frescas.

It's in the old Taco Bell building on Sherwood near I-12, the interior is the same, you can either order at the counter or sit down and have a waitress take your order. They never installed an exterior menu because they didn't plan on drive through orders, but they'll actually take your order if you pull up to the to drive through window. They are open from 9AM - 9PM (6PM on Sundays), and are considering opening up earlier so people can grab breakfast tacos on their way to work (they ever open at 7AM, and they will make money hand over fist).

I'll try to scan and upload a to-go menu I grabbed, but so far this place gets my stamp of approval. Most of the staff speaks English, so it's very gringo-friendly, its location will probably make it more diverse than other taquerias.

Tacos and Burritos Express
2698 South Sherwood Forest Blvd
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 291-3477
Directions @ Mapquest