Tianguis

Taco Tour Tuesday Tetrad at Tianguis!

We're back! We are a week behind (didn't go last week because I got sick). This week we had a little last-minute drama when The Scotsman told us he had to go to another eating engagement so we had to tap our TacoTourTuesday talent pool so we could have our foursome. Luckily Qué was available and willing to risk everything in the name of adventure!

Today we braved the nasty December cold and rain to Tianguis, a Mexican grocery store at 512 S. 2nd. We were told by a reliable source (thanks Marshall Dan!) that we would find a restaurant at the back of the store where we could grab some Lunch.

As we walked in, we saw a clean store with a lot of interesting things to look at and buy. I was particularly impressed by the long meat counter and the variety of coconut candy. Yummers! It reminded me a lot of the Vietnamese grocery stores except that it didn't smell like fish and I knew what a few of the items were for!

Here's the inside of store.

At the back of the store we found a counter and, after asking, were directed down a featureless hallway to a blindingly white square shaped room. We grabbed Mexican drinks from the little fridge that was there and sat down, remarking upon the partially assembled barstools and the decor (ranging from a deer's head to a shelf with various forms of liquor and odds and ends on it). I was really pumped because this place had a really weird vibe going on: it was like we had fallen down the rabbit hole and this was going to be a cross between something on the Food Network and Alice in Wonderland.

After a bit, Sarge remarked that we didn't have any chips and salsa. I tracked down one of the employees and had a brief and confusing conversation. A short time later we received some chips.

A few minutes later, our food arrived and it looked pretty good. Qué's chicken enchilada had that powdery cheese that I'm getting used to seeing and K-Dawg and Sarge's mini-tacos looked pretty good too.

Green salsa and warm chips

Beverage line-up

Four asada mini-tacos

Qué chicken enchilada

Reviews (5 point scale)

Sarge had four mini asada (steak) tacos with a Mexican tamarind-flavored soda

Tacos: 3

Chips and Salsa: 2

Quote: "Very adequate. This qualifies as food. Too much cilantro".

Qué had a single chicken enchilada with a Fresca

Chicken Enchilada: 3.5

Chips and Salsa: 2

Quote: "Hey, this has carrots in it. The cheese reminds me of asiago. The enchilada has a kick! ".

Qué seemed pleased with her enchilada and mentioned that it cost a little over $2.

K-Dawg had four mini asasa (steak tacos) like Sarge had and washed it down with an alcohol-free sangria drink

Tacos: 2

Chips and Salsa: 3

Quote: "I'm disappointed. There just isn't much flavor."

K-Dawg and I both enjoy spicier food and I think we were both disappointed in the blandness of the cuisine.

I had an asada burrito with a mineral water

Burrito: 2 The flavor was okay in places but mostly bland. The overall product was warm but the refried beans inside were cold.

Chips and Salsa: 2 I was excited when I saw the green salsa but it was flavorless.

Quote: "I really like the grocery store. Didn't much like the restaurant".

Summary

I think that this place has the lowest review of any place we've visited so far, which was disappointing. I may try to talk the group into returning in a few months-I just can't believe a place this bizarre could be so...plain.

As we left, we bought a few things and a guy (manager? owner?) showed us some of his wares and offered us some samples of a fruity cheese thing that was pretty tasty. I think our consensus was that the restaurant needed some work but the grocery store is rockin'.