Restaurant Review: Taco Fresco (Revisited)

I reviewed Taco Fresco previously, years ago, when the establishment was under different ownership.

This is an easy recommendation. The food’s delicious, the atmosphere pleasant.

After a long day, I thought that I’d revisit to see how Taco Fresco was was faring. (This was a visit for a review, not a causal visit otherwise. In any event, all my visits are those of an ordinary patron without special consideration, etc. It’s an understatement to say that I’ve no respect for glad-handing one’s way into an establishment.)

A preliminary question: what’s Mexican fare? Justice Potter Stewart famously declared, about a far less savory subject, that “I know it when I see it.” That’s true here – I don’t know what it means to other establishments to say that they serve ‘authentic’ Mexican food, but Taco Fresco’s servings of quesadillas, tacos, beer-ritas, etc., with an ambiance that’s Mexican, but also modern American, are well worth the visit.

Put aside others’ claims, and enjoy Taco Fresco’s mix of Mexican and American influences. I’d say this is the best Mexican that I have had in town.

Taco Fresco has seating inside (seven tables by my count), and outside (a long, high table and perhaps three other tables). They also deliver.

My visit —

I decide to eat inside, to see what it would be like at any time of year (our warm weather is short-lived).

A young and friendly waitress, about the age of one of my nieces, greets me and asks if I’ll be dining inside. I tell her that I will be, and she offers me the table of my choice. I choose a spot farther back, to see more of the dining room. Without my asking, she adjusts the lighting for my meal.

I order a soda and beer, of a less popular brew. (Beer and soda – with something bottled, I’ll often drift back and forth between one and the other; it’s not something that I’d do with anything on tap.)

The waitress offers a bottle, opened, no glass. I’m momentarily surprised, having expected a glass. But as I look around, at the hip and eclectic decor, and hear the mix of rock and indie playing in the background, I realize she’s absolutely right. A glass would be superfluous, almost wrong. She knows her establishment, and as I settle in, I see how comfortable it is.

The beer is surprisingly fresh, as though it were only recently bottled. Just right.

My server takes my order, and soon arrives a plate of quesadillas, with two small stainless containers, for sour cream and guacamole. The kitchen’s nearby; I could hear the order being prepared.

The serving is ample, but simply presented: just three items on the oval plate. I’m not sure what to make of the plain presentation at first, but the quesadillas look inviting, and the aroma is enticing.

From my first taste, I’m happy – honest to goodness, it’s delicious. Steak’s tender, and the quesadilla is lightly browned, as it should be.

A test – what will I think of the guacamole and sour cream? Bad guac is all-too-common. I sample some, and like the quesadilla, it’s tasty. So much so, that I’d have it from the small container, alone, if I didn’t have a dish to adorn.

As I’m eating, I notice the waitress opens the door for another party, then leaving. She thanks them for coming, and they depart – after meal and scene – visibly happy. She’s equally attentive to all the patrons during my visit, moving gracefully from inside to outside.

When I’m nearly finished, she brings me my check – a paper check, handwritten, with her entries for my meal. I seldom see a slip that’s not computer-generated. As much as I’m online, on this website and its sister sites, still I find the paper guest check welcome, almost quaint.

I stand to leave; she asks me if I’d like change, but I tell her it’s not necessary. She thanks me, for the tip and my visiting. I tell her that she’s welcome. There’s a part of me, though, just for a moment, that wants to thank her, and her cook, more fully for a pleasant visit. But they’ve work ahead, and so do I, so I smile and walk outside.

I can say that I enjoyed Taco Fresco, and will be back again.

Easily recommended.

ONLINE:
https://www.facebook.com/tacofresco2013

LOCATION: 175 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190. (262) 473-1287.

OPEN: Dining hours are daily from 11 AM to 9:00 PM.

PRICES: Dish & beer for about $10-12.

RESERVATIONS: Accepted.

DELIVERY: Yes.

DRINKS: Beers, beer-ritas, sodas, water.

SOUND: Moderate to high, with an eclectic, mix of rock, indie.

SERVICE: Friendly, attentive, considerate.

VISITS: One (supper).

RATING: 3.5 of 4.

RATING SCALE: From one to four stars, representing the full experience of food, atmosphere, service, and pricing.

INDEPENDENCE: This review is delivered without financial or other connection to the establishment or its owner. The dining experience was that of an ordinary patron, without notice to the staff or requests for special consideration.