NEW EATS and Attractions!
Public Policy NewsTry Lunch at Taquilo's Tex-Mex Cantina
By Marsha Wilson Rappaport
Question: Is There EVER enough TEX-MEX in Texas?
Answer: NO.
Time to stamp your Texas Passport and represent the true Texas spirit by putting Taquilo's Tex-Mex Cantina on your "favs" list. It's conveniently located in downtown Galveston on the corner of 21st and Postoffice Street (2101 Postoffice). The Smecca Family and Danny Hart of the Galveston Restaurant Group placed this fantastic new eatery right in the heart of downtown. The colorfully decorated restaurant is within steps of the 1894 Grand Opera House and the entire Postoffice Street Arts District.
LUNCH IS SERVED!!
Lunch Specials, $9.99 served 11am-3pm
Monday – Fiesta Lunes, crispy chicken tinga taco, beef tamale, cheese enchilada
Taco Tuesday – Baja Tacos Camarones, blackened Gulf shrimp, mango chimichurri slaw & pico de gallo, topped with roasted poblano cream sauce on soft corn tortillas ,Avocado Frito, Fried avocado, refried beans, pico de gallo, monterrey jack cheese, topped with chipotle aioli served on flour tortillas
Wednesday - El Jefe, Chicken fajita chimichanga topped with green chile queso
Thursday - Pollo Poblano, Three cheese & chicken tinga stuffed poblano pepper, topped with Texas chili gravy & pico de gallo
Friday - Tortilla Crusted Tilapia, pan-seared encrusted tilapia, topped with pineapple salsa served on caramelized onions
Seafood enchiladas, shrimp & fish rolled in a flour tortilla, topped with a roasted poblano crab sauce
Saturday - No mas, no mas – Two cheese enchiladas, one ground beef taco & one bean tostada
Sunday - Menudo a la Casa
Margarita Heaven
There is no way to disguise your first impulse, after enjoying the summer temperatures in Texas. Let's be honest: You see Tex-Mex you think "Margarita Please"!
Taquilo's Tex-Mex Cantina does not disappoint. They not only have a full bar, but they have the kind of Margaritas, that will make you a tourist in your hometown. On the day I visited, I asked for a BIG, FROZEN, PINAPPLE MARGARITA WITH A CHERRY. I must emphasis however; I had lots of options like Blueberry, Watermelon with even a regular Margarita with several grades of premium Tequila.
Appetizers with a Kick
Once I had taken care of Galveston's latest heat wave, it was down to business. My choice for an "Apperitivo" was Taquilo's "soon to be famous" Chicharron and Cilantro Cream Salsa. These are incredibly light and perfectly fried pork skins- not the kind you get in a bag. They are lightly dusted with some magical heat and serve with a cream salsa so good you have to submerge each piece in it. This a generous dish made to share or take home to enjoy with a good movie. Other innovative dishes include their Chicken and Shrimp Besos that feature chicken or shrimp stuffed with jalapeno and queso fresco, wrapped in bacon, char-grilled and served with lime and butter sauce. Fresh cervices include fresh shrimp, fish, Ahi Tuna, Lump Crab and combinations of any of those you choose.
When Only One of Everything Will Do
The entrée menu at Taquilo's will please both the traditionalist and the adventurers in your circle of friends and family. Traditionalists will love the Chicken and Beef Fajitas. But, the adventurers will branch out and try the Shrimp or Veggie Fajitas. Traditionalists will savor the Cheese, Chicken and Beef Enchiladas. However, your adventurers will get excited at creamy spinach, mushrooms and onions topped with that fabulous cilantro cream sauce.
Tacos, Quesadillas, Nachos and Burritos are presented with in every possible variety. But, the true adventurer will give Red Snapper Tacos with chimichurri slaw dressed with chipotle aioli a chance.
With this abundance of riches, I had no choice but to immerse myself in a combination plate. The Special Plate included one tamale, two enchiladas, and cheese with rice and beans. It turned out to be one of most luscious meals I've ever eaten at a Tex-Mex eatery. The sauce was generous; each and every bite was slathered with some of the most complex flavors I've ever encountered. The portion was generous and it was so good, I left the plate with nothing for them to scrape at the dishwasher.
Family Friendly Pricing
Once again, the Galveston Restaurant Group "gets it". The food is fantastic, the portions are generous, the variety is crowd pleasing and the prices really do allow you to bring your entire family for a filling, wonderful meal. They've only been open a few weeks and they are already getting rave reviews from the big city folks in H-Town.
Drop-in today and find out why it’s a trending topic in the food biz!
Taquilo's Tex-Mex Cantina
2101 Postoffice St.
Galveston, TX 77550
Phone: (409)497-4279
http://www.galveston.com/taquilos/
Taquilo’s new hours:
Sunday-Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm
Happy Hour specials, $4 well, wine, draft beer & margaritas, 11am-6pm weekdays