re: Taco Chops Cantina - Coursey : BR : Anyone been? : I Went

Damn, gonna have to check it out I guess.

I have had the pork al pastor.


Let me redirect where I was going with wayyyy better.

Taco Chops isn't trying to compete with Mr. Taco or any taqueria by serving authentic mexican tacos. They have their own take on tacos while still serving some of the well known tacos.

I loved their steak taco on corn tortilla. While Mr. Taco may be more authentic, I just enjoyed Taco Chops more.

There is no comparing their fish taco to anywhere in BR.

I will try this place tonight

gonna try and stop by after my bball game if im not in the er!

Came on the taco with a side of jalapeño tartar sauce

OK, thanks

You try it out boss?

I'm pretty sure it just recently opened, which would explain no internet presence. I legit hope they do well. That location has seen many restaurants fail. IntaJuice, Johnny D's, Magnolia Grill and the greek restaurant off the top of my head.

I did. Wife and I went last night for dinner. It is a very small place, 8 or so tables....and a bar (that has applied for liquor license, but not yet serving drinks) with 4-6 seats. They told us they would soon be selling top shelf margharitas only and would try to stock select craft beers.

I was driving in from out of town, so she was already seated when we arrived. We were the only ones in the restaurant, sans a to-go order or 2. The owner is a super nice guy...eager to please, without being too excited. I like the guy and want him to do well.

My pictures were not acceptable due to user error, so I will refrain from posting some of them.

We ordered Chips n Salsa and Chops Papas as appetizers:

Chips and Salsa was a little heavy on the Chipotle, which I did not care for....but the wife really likes. The owner brought a small cup of their queso, which was pretty good...but not extraordinary.

Chops Papas: rustic fries covered in "real" cheese & authentic Spanish sausage - (Queso & Chorizo). These were good cheese fries. Their "rustic" fries are normal burger joint french fries....if they would hand cut these, flash fry/cool/flash fry again....they would have something. The cheese & chorizo were good.


Taco's Ordered: (Owner brought my wife a souffle cup of Jalapeno Mayo)

Wife:
Filet of Fish: Panko breaded Cod filet, dipped and bathed in our speciality vat for a tasty delight (topped with their housemade slaw)

Wife:
Shrimp: Gulf Shrimp, sauteed in real cream butter and garlic....(topped with Chipotle Salsa & Pico)

Me:
Steak Asado: Chops *secret marinade and tenderized chunks of fire grilled steak (stopped with sauteed onions, mushrooms, and cheese)

Me:
Chancho Asado: Mescal marinated and seasoned, fire grilled pork chops steak (topped with housemade slaw)


Fish: She really liked this taco. Flavor was excellent. (She added the Jalap Mayo on this one and loved it)

Shrimp: Wished the salsa was not on it, as it dominated the flavor of the taco and she couldnt taste the shrimp.

Steak: This was the least liked. The steak was good, but was more like a philly cheese steak taco. Not was I was expecting....my bad for the order. Knowing that going in, it would have been executed perfectly.

Pork: Excellent. Pork was nicely seasoned and the homeade slaw made an excellent addition.


All in all, the owner makes me want to support it. My wife really enjoyed her trip and is ready to return....mine was iffy. I know how to better order on my next trip. They have some positives and some negs....but I am sure they will grow with the biz if they can garner enough support to stay in biz long enough.

225 Food Report

quote:

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Barely a month old, Taco Chops Cantina could buck the trend at its location and have real staying power.

Located at 13214 Coursey Boulevard in the former Magnolia Grill in the Coursey Village shopping center, the new restaurant comes from the minds of three brothers—Brad, Joel and Joshua Thomas—who grew up in Mexico as “missionary kids.” Brad, who has a culinary background from time spent in Atlanta and Texas, moved to the Capital City two years ago. The food they grew up eating is at the heart of what they’re serving at Taco Chops.

As its name suggests, this new joint serves tacos and not much else, but they do that well. The Thomas brothers focus on flavor, fresh ingredients and family recipes, and business has been steadily growing since opening in November.

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