Review: Taco Fresco

Whitewater has a few Mexican restaurants, and now has another: Taco Fresco, at 175 W Main Street. For those who are wondering whether Whitewater can have too many Mexican restaurants, I’ll suggest that the answer’s no, as long as the restaurants are good ones.

Taco Fresco is a new one, and happily a good one.

Someone at a public meeting remarked a few month ago, I think, that Taco Fresco’s fare was “pretty good.” No need for the limiting modifier: it’s simply good.

I found myself really enjoying the fish taco, with fresh ingredients, including a notably pleasant use of mango salsa. The menu lists market fish, and mine was tilapia. That’s a fish that can be cheaply bought and so may be risky, but not here: the selection was perfectly good, and properly served. I’d easily recommend it – you’ll be pleased, I’m confident.

The chef proudly recommended his guacamole on my first visit, and he was right to do so: it is as advertised, “traditionally made, delicious and fresh.” Guacamole can be an acquired taste, but it only needs acquiring if it’s been made in vast batches and left to sit, as though it were Miracle Whip in a jar. One often has to visit a half-dozen restaurants before finding a tasty preparation.

There are none of those unfortunate concoctions at Taco Fresco: this was some of the best guacamole I’ve had anywhere, including older and more established restaurants. It’s easily the best in Whitewater.

You’ll find on the menu a few starters (queso, guac, ceviche), tacos (fish, pork among them), fajitas, burritos, Mexican soda, beer, and flavored water. The menu board on my visits didn’t seem to list desserts, but ask and you’ll likely find something agreeable on offer.

This is a new restaurant, with the sparse furnishings of many new places starting out, and perhaps on a budget. Forget all that – it’s a simple and functional dining room, of a restaurant that serves well-prepared tacos and other Mexican dishes with an obvious respect for fresh food.

While there, you’ll probably see people arriving for take-out. They know a good thing when they’ve found it.

Taco Fresco lives up to its promise: “a modern taco place, classic recipes with modern twists.”

Yes, and happily so.

Recommended. Go and have some of these attentively-prepared, lively offerings.

Enjoy.

LOCATION: 175 W Main St Whitewater, Whitewater, WI 53190 (262) 458-2167.
OPEN: Hours most days 10 AM – 9 PM, and closed Sunday.

PRICES: Main dish and a drink for about $7.

RESERVATIONS: Unnecessary.

DRINKS: Domestic and Mexican sodas and beer, flavored water.

SOUND: Light, from a small dining room.

SERVICE: Friendly and attentive.

VISITS: Three (Twice for supper, once for lunch).

RATING: Recommended.

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.