8005 Benjamin, 11401 N. 56th, 10011 W. Hillsborough, 1824 N. Westshore
These are small sit-down restaurants tucked into stripmalls at varoious locations around Tampa. My first visit for this one was via Door Dash, so I am going to have to drive over for exterior photos and impressions on in-person atmosphere.
The Food
I got taco pastor, taco quesabirria and carne asada taco, for entrees; and I ordered some esquites. I often order equites or elote because I like it and because it is one of thosedishes that is a good barometer of the orverall quality of the place. The esquites probably used n canned corn which I think is probably common amongst the smaller restaurants and food trucks. The quality of the corn can be improved by preparing the dish with a good recipe. This place didn’t do that. A good esquites should be a mixture of sweet and spicy and creamy. Authentic equites often use roasted torn that gives the. Unfortunaately, this equites tasted pretty much like canned corn in mayonnaise corn some charred flavor, without much other discernible flavor.
All of the tacos came wrapped in flour tortillas, also somewhat common for the food trucks. The asada was quite good and flavorful. However, it is a good thing I ordered some red sauce separately because none of the tacos came with much in the way of sauce. The red sauce did add some heat to the tacos. The taco pastor was interesting because I am used to being served pastor with chopped up chunks of pineapple mixed in, but this one came with a single big chunk of pineapple in the middle. Although the pastor tasted good, this arrangement made it a little hard to eat—and with this configuration—the pineapple could not have flavored the meat much. The quesabirria had the good taste of pot roast that this dish tends to feature, and the dipping sauce did add flavor to it.
The Sauces
As I mentioned above, the meal came with no sauces except the one I ordered. None of the tacos themselves had any type of sauce, and I paid extra for the red sauce I got. That sauce was good and mildly hot. I know for sure if it was freshly made but it did have a fresh flavor to it.
The Experience
I did this one via Door Dash, I can’t round t the experience by discussing the service or the physical location – but I will schedule a visit so I can round that out.
Verdict
The tacos were decent but overall, this was not one of the better ones.