Talk of The Villages Florida

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-   -   Best Tacos (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/restaurant-discussions-90/best-tacos-279921/)

retiredguy123 12-15-2018 07:28 AM

Best Tacos
 
Who can recommend a good place to order tacos? I like tacos that you can hold in your hand and put on as much taco sauce as you want. I ordered the signature tacos at RJ Gators and asked for taco sauce. They don't have any taco sauce and I have found that to be true at a lot of so called Mexican restaurants. In northern Virginia, they had Tippy's Taco House. So far, the best tacos I have found in The Villages are at Taco Bell. Seriously!

Bay Kid 12-15-2018 07:46 AM

I miss fish tacos in Kilmarnock, VA.

leftyf 12-15-2018 09:04 AM

Taco Bell is my favorite too

alwann 12-15-2018 09:37 AM

Tacos
 
What's your definition of taco sauce? When ordering tacos at any of the areas Mexican restaurants, I ask for more salsa and top the taco with it. Is this not the same?

John_W 12-15-2018 10:15 AM

...

yesi3putt2 12-15-2018 10:24 AM

I love the chicken tacos at Applebys

Chi-Town 12-15-2018 10:36 AM

Prima Market Taqueria in Belleview - an old scool taqueria serving authentic tacos. And you can get a cold Corona also. The taco lengua is the best I've ever had. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f95741caeb.jpg

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retiredguy123 12-15-2018 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alwann (Post 1607735)
What's your definition of taco sauce? When ordering tacos at any of the areas Mexican restaurants, I ask for more salsa and top the taco with it. Is this not the same?

No. There is salsa, hot sauce, and taco sauce. They are three different things. Taco Bell has taco sauce in packages. You can also buy taco sauce in the grocery store in a jar. But, many restaurants that serve tacos do not have taco sauce.

retiredguy123 12-15-2018 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chi-Town (Post 1607758)
Prima Market Taqueria in Belleview - an old scool taqueria serving authentic tacos. And you can get a cold Corona also. The taco lengua is the best I've ever had. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f95741caeb.jpg

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Thanks. I will need to try this place. It looks like my kind of place.

CWGUY 12-15-2018 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chi-Town (Post 1607758)
Prima Market Taqueria in Belleview - an old scool taqueria serving authentic tacos. And you can get a cold Corona also. The taco lengua is the best I've ever had. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f95741caeb.jpg

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:mmmm: I like tongue okay. Do they ever have goat?

Henryk 12-15-2018 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWGUY (Post 1607880)
:mmmm: I like tongue okay. Do they ever have goat?

I tried goat once in Jamaica. As I recall, it was bony as hell. But I’d try it again.

perrjojo 12-15-2018 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1607693)
Who can recommend a good place to order tacos? I like tacos that you can hold in your hand and put on as much taco sauce as you want. I ordered the signature tacos at RJ Gators and asked for taco sauce. They don't have any taco sauce and I have found that to be true at a lot of so called Mexican restaurants. In northern Virginia, they had Tippy's Taco House. So far, the best tacos I have found in The Villages are at Taco Bell. Seriously!

Take your own
Taco Bell Taco Sauce Recipe - Genius Kitchen

laryb 12-15-2018 09:52 PM

When I go to Taco Bell for a drive by snack, my favorite is a fresco taco. It's light and flavorful. Usually a soft chicken or beef fresco taco.
Taco Bell: Fresco Chicken Soft Taco
Taco Bell’s “fresco” menu is one of the more impressive developments by a fast-food chain. Instead of loading its tacos and burritos with cheese, mayo-based sauces, and reduced-fat sour cream, Taco Bell will substitute a scoopful of its freshly prepared pico de gallo. This swap brings the fresco chicken soft taco to a modest 150 calories with 3.5 grams of fat and less than a gram of sodium.

Chi-Town 12-15-2018 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWGUY (Post 1607880)
:mmmm: I like tongue okay. Do they ever have goat?

I didn't see goat. But they have a buche taco which is pork stomach.

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tophcfa 12-15-2018 11:06 PM

If you want the best authentic Mexican food in the Villages (or just about anywhere), look no further than AL Jalisco in Spanish Springs. Top notch food at a very reasonable price. Taco Bell versus Al Jalisco is like comparing my golf game to Tiger Woods in his prime. Of all the restaurants in the Villages, this place is always the most consistent quality, reasonably priced, and rarely crowded. I can't figure out why it's not always packed, when much inferior restaurants have long waiting lines. My best guess is because Mexican food is just not that popular and that it is located somewhat off the town square.

CWGUY 12-16-2018 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 1608027)
If you want the best authentic Mexican food in the Villages (or just about anywhere), look no further than AL Jalisco in Spanish Springs. Top notch food at a very reasonable price. Taco Bell versus Al Jalisco is like comparing my golf game to Tiger Woods in his prime. Of all the restaurants in the Villages, this place is always the most consistent quality, reasonably priced, and rarely crowded. I can't figure out why it's not always packed, when much inferior restaurants have long waiting lines. My best guess is because Mexican food is just not that popular and that it is located somewhat off the town square.

:) Maybe I need to try it again. Went to Ay Jalisco when it opened and never went back it was so bad. Lived in the state of Jalisco for 10 years and never tasted anything as bad as I got the one visit. Will try again for sure.

If you are near new construction look for the taco truck. Kind of like a roach coach. That's some good food! :coolsmiley:

Nucky 12-16-2018 02:05 AM

Best Taco's in The Villages, my house. You all should come over when my wife cooks Tacos for about 30 people. It is a sight to see. Even little holders for the shells.

You all are invited. Most of the people we usually have won't be back. They are to fat for wall climbing. 'Ole! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

BK001 12-16-2018 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nucky (Post 1608037)
Best Taco's in The Villages, my house. You all should come over when my wife cooks Tacos for about 30 people. It is a sight to see. Even little holders for the shells.

You all are invited. Most of the people we usually have won't be back. They are to fat for wall climbing. 'Ole! :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:


Trying to scale Nucky's wall to get at those Tacos.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ISlWN217EYQ/maxresdefault.jpg


Ole.

Carla B 12-16-2018 09:18 AM

Although I suppose it's not strictly Mexican, I love the tacos at Moe's Southwest Grill, either crispy or soft. They mostly sell burritos but can make tacos also. You choose which toppings you want. My downfall is that I can't pass up asking for sloppy pinto beans on the taco with the meat, so by the time it is fully loaded with onions, cheeses, sour cream, guacamole, pico de gallo or salsa, cilantro etc., etc., the shell collapses. Oh well, it still tastes good eaten with a fork.

There is also a sauce bar that has the most imaginative sauces. Thinking about it has whetted my appetite, so I think we'll go there today!

perrjojo 12-16-2018 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CWGUY (Post 1608034)
:) Maybe I need to try it again. Went to Ay Jalisco when it opened and never went back it was so bad. Lived in the state of Jalisco for 10 years and never tasted anything as bad as I got the one visit. Will try again for sure.

If you are near new construction look for the taco truck. Kind of like a roach coach. That's some good food! :coolsmiley:

I agree. I my opinion Ay Jalisco is hit or miss. Mostly miss.

Henryk 12-16-2018 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perrjojo (Post 1608175)
I agree. I my opinion Ay Jalisco is hit or miss. Mostly miss.

I was there Wednesday and had a delicious tortilla soup and chicken chiles rellenos. Really very good.

Inexes@aol.com 12-16-2018 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 1608027)
If you want the best authentic Mexican food in the Villages (or just about anywhere), look no further than AL Jalisco in Spanish Springs. Top notch food at a very reasonable price. Taco Bell versus Al Jalisco is like comparing my golf game to Tiger Woods in his prime. Of all the restaurants in the Villages, this place is always the most consistent quality, reasonably priced, and rarely crowded. I can't figure out why it's not always packed, when much inferior restaurants have long waiting lines. My best guess is because Mexican food is just not that popular and that it is located somewhat off the town square.

Or, maybe it’s not crowded because most people, like myself, tried it and it was terrible....... everybody’s taste is different....

xkeowner 12-16-2018 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tophcfa (Post 1608027)
If you want the best authentic Mexican food in the Villages (or just about anywhere), look no further than AL Jalisco in Spanish Springs. Top notch food at a very reasonable price. Taco Bell versus Al Jalisco is like comparing my golf game to Tiger Woods in his prime. Of all the restaurants in the Villages, this place is always the most consistent quality, reasonably priced, and rarely crowded. I can't figure out why it's not always packed, when much inferior restaurants have long waiting lines. My best guess is because Mexican food is just not that popular and that it is located somewhat off the town square.

Love GOOD Mexican food but haven't found any within 30 miles of The Villages in the 8+ years we have been here. Tried Ay! Jalisco three times and that was four times too many. We do eat Mexican occasionally when the urge overcomes common sense but we are still looking for GOOD.

Rubio's in Leesburg is probably the most authentic in the area but it is only about four tables in the back of a small Mexican grocery with a very limited menu, zero atmosphere, and, as I tell our neighbors, it is probably TOO authentic for most Villager's.

Carla B 12-17-2018 08:45 AM

Ate lunch at Rubio's once a few years ago. The food wasn't bad or good, just basic and neutral, I thought.

Gpsma 12-23-2018 07:09 PM

Go down to the massive construction zone in DeSoto, McClure etc and find the roving food trucks.

All the illegals that have buikt our homes know goid Mexican Food.

OrangeBlossomBaby 12-23-2018 08:56 PM

Moe's beats taco hell for chain-restaurant tacos. If there's a Pancheros anywhere near you, I'd try that too. They're pretty good up here in CT, just opened one up in the last year. If there's a good taqueria nearby definitely give it a try. It's not what you'll find at a typical American-style Mexican restaurant. No cheese, no beans, no lettuce, no peppers and olives. Just a spoonful of protein (fish, ground beef, carne asada, tongue, pork, chicken, etc), chopped white onion, and chopped cilantro on a very small double layer of soft corn tortillas. Add a few drops of red or green sauce and that's lunch.

Those are the only "chain" places I'd ever eat a taco. I never go to taco hell unless I'm really hungry and have only enough change in my car's change-bucket for a couple of originals. Taco hell's cooked food isn't even actually cooked there. It's pre-cooked, bagged and frozen, then reheated at the store in microwaved ovens, then kept in warmers on the prep counter. They give it a stir every 20 minutes if it's not busy, just so it doesn't crust up. It's not even mostly beef. It's mostly corn starch, yeast, and ground oats, plus sweeteners and artificial flavors and emulsifiers and preservatives. Pretty disgusting.

Also - just FYI: taco sauce is a commercial American "Mexican-style" restaurant invention. It's mostly a taco hell invention, and a few places that copy it. If you want hot sauce on a taco, put hot sauce on a taco. If you want salsa, use salsa. I like my non-taqueria tacos with pico de gallo on them. I only like fresh salsa, not jarred or made with powdered ingredients, so I tend to not use salsa if I'm going anywhere other than a local joint that makes it from scratch.

marjie55 12-23-2018 11:57 PM

went to Habaneros on 466. Terrible food. Tacos tasted old and the avocado was rotten as well as the tomato pieces that we were charges extra for. Never again will I go to this restaurant. I guess others already know not to go because only a few booths were filled and I think they were family members.

PoolBrews 12-24-2018 09:11 AM

Two places I have not seen mentioned: Prima Market La Poblana on 301 near 42, and Los Magueyes - also on 301, but down in Wildwood. Neither are actually in The Villages, but I have not found a truly good Mexican restaurant in The Villages. Ay Jalisco is very average - some days better than others.

For a large, commercial restaurant, Los Magueyes is the best I have found around. Salsa is fantastic (especially if you ask for the green!), and food is great.

If you are looking for authentic, go to Prima Market La Poblana on 301 - it's a tiny hole in the wall Mexican market that just happens to serve food also. Unbelievably good - not a high end atmosphere, but fantastic authentic mexican cuisine.

eyc234 01-08-2019 06:27 PM

Go to Chuy's in Gainesville or Wesley Chapel. Best Tex-Mex around. None of the places mentioned are Mexican restaurants. Ask for salsa in a Mex-Mex restaurant and you will get a very questioning look. Long time Texan here with many years in Mexico as well, still looking for great Mexican with no luck. Los M in Wildwood probably best in close vicinity or grocery up on 484 Mercardo Pueblo. Best tamales around and hot buffet bar with fresh food daily. Be ready to learn some Spanish and eat some great food.

retiredguy123 01-08-2019 06:40 PM

Went to Ay Jalisco last week and ordered tacos. I asked the waitress, who was Hispanic, for some taco sauce. She looked at me like I was crazy, had no idea what it was, and brought me Tabasco sauce. The tacos at Taco Bell are way better than Ay Jalisco. I find it incredible, but there is just no comparison. I just wish Taco Bell sold beer.

kcrazorbackfan 01-08-2019 07:10 PM

Had three good tacos tonight at Taco Bell at $1.39 each; food is food.

B-flat 01-08-2019 07:16 PM

Our favorite is LasMagaritas on SR 200 in Ocala.

Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant

big guy 01-08-2019 11:01 PM

Ramshackle in Leesburg has great fish tacos. And if you are in St Petersburg, try Grand Hacienda Mexico on 4393 Gulf Blvd in St Pete Beach, or Grand Hacienda Mexico on 4th St. It's the best Mexican that i have had since I left Texas.

leftyf 01-09-2019 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by big guy (Post 1614512)
Ramshackle in Leesburg has great fish tacos. And if you are in St Petersburg, try Grand Hacienda Mexico on 4393 Gulf Blvd in St Pete Beach, or Grand Hacienda Mexico on 4th St. It's the best Mexican that i have had since I left Texas.

I used to love the fish tacos and cevechi on South Padre Island

Viperguy 01-09-2019 10:31 AM

Try Texas

Chi-Town 01-09-2019 11:08 AM

Try authentic. What could go wrong.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d7bf02b2f7.jpg

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Jconrad85 02-13-2019 07:02 AM

Ay Jalisco is the only one I've found that is at least decent. El Ranchito may have been the worst meal I have ever had. Sadly, I haven't found anything good closer than Tijuana Flats in Leesburg

Chi-Town 02-13-2019 09:45 AM

My first taco was a Jack Taco from Jack In The Box. There is nothing like it.

Heres s blurb from GQ:

The taco’s components include a ground mystery meat packed into a corn shell, which is then deep-fried together, rendering the outer edges crunchy while the taco’s soft midsection is imbued with a sloppy patina of corn oil, which often causes them to fall apart. Then it’s stuffed with shredded lettuce, hot sauce, and a lazy slice of American cheese. Apparently, a lot of people eat them—they even outpace McDonalds’ Big Mac.The Wall Street Journal*this week*noted*that the company sold an astounding 554 million tacos last year, vividly describing them in concert as:

“a wet envelope of cat food”

“vile and amazing”

“the most underrated taco of all time"

I still miss them.



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John_W 02-13-2019 02:47 PM

...

OrangeBlossomBaby 02-13-2019 03:17 PM

Does anyone know if Ay Jalisco has frozen drinks? I went yesterday for a taco and enjoyed it and thinking I'll celebrate our home purchase with a double dose tonight - along with a Pina Colada.


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