Quick Look: Choose Your Own BYOB And Taco Adventure At Tatoco

By Melissa McEwen in Food on Jul 18, 2014 3:45PM

Tacos (from L to R): BBQ Carnitas (braised pork, creamy slaw, crispy potatoes, spicy BBQ), Veggie (mushrooms, organic arugula, crispy potatoes, queso, chipotle crema), Al Pastor (marinated pork, pineapple, cilantro, onion, jalapeno crema) and a side of black beans with spicy olive oil and queso fresco.

Tatoco (949 N. Western Ave.) is perfectly located to take advantage of the recent bar and restaurant boom on Western in Ukrainian Village. It’s a simple menu of tacos and tortas, but the dishes themselves are pimped out with interesting goodies like spicy aioli and crispy potatoes. They pair up excellently whether you choose to dine in with your favorite six-pack of beer or take them out to the Sportman’s Club, which is across the street, to eat them with an excellent cocktail.

Most important, they are tasty, with the variety of vegetable toppings perfectly balancing out the succulent braised meats like carnitas and pork belly. A few are classics like the al pastor, marinated pork topped with pineapple, cilantro, onion, and jalapeno crema. Then there are more unusual options like the P.L.T., which is pork belly, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, sesame oil dressing, and spicy aioli.

They also have some vegetarian tacos that are worth ordering even if you aren’t vegetarian. The current offerings are juicy savory mushrooms or roast beets, which are topped with crispy potatoes, arugula, queso, and chipotle crema.

Even with their fancy toppings, they aren’t all that much more expensive than the no-frills standard taquerias. $10 gets you three tacos and a side. And the sides are themselves quite impressive, ranging from a pile of shoestring fries topped with spicy olive oil and cojita cheese to pepinos (cucumbers) drizzled with lime juice, kosher salt, and paprika.

Many nights they offer specials such as tamales on Tuesday. They also have a brunch menu we are looking forward to try that includes chilaquiles and brunch tacos, all served with breakfast hash.