Taco Zone

I’ve been here once long ago and I don’t know why it took me so long to come back. I’m a huge fan of In-​A-​Tub and it is always one of the first things I have when I come back to town but I think I’m going to switch to Taco Zone instead.
The menus and prices are nearly identical at both places and they’re both closed on Sundays. The differences are Taco Zone has no drive-​thru, is less busy and way cleaner and faster.
I ordered three meat and cheese tacos with the powered cheese and an order of fried mushrooms. They tasted identical to In-​A-​Tub and I didn’t have to wait 10 – 15 minutes. It probably took less than 5.

It’s just like an In-​a-​Tub. Just as good, similar prices, but almost no wait during lunch. Need you greasy taco fix but don’t want to wait at the tub? Try this place. You won’t be sorry.
I forgot to mention, this place is actually clean! You won’t feel like you’re sitting in a health hazard eating here.

Taco salad = Fail
It consisted of lettuce, some sort of beef mix, Fritos type chips & powdered cheese in a paper bowl

I had to laugh at the review from Oklahoma (I think) they freaked over the powdered cheese… this is just like In a Tub with the fried tacos and Yes people you can get them with shredded cheese. one of our little daughters liked the powder and one the real stuff! A good memory from the Metro North Mall Days. Owners are very polite and always thank us for coming in. Not really updated but clean. Perhaps a bit over priced but if you have to have your fix then it is worth it! Corn Nuggets great, of course the tacos and the apple stix w/​ice cream. Used to eat at the In A Tub on North Oak but after getting severe food poisoning from the IN a Tub in Smithville my husband just will not go into North Oak… crazy because Taco Zone is nearly the same! If you’re thinking this is a 5 star Mexican restaurant then this is not for you but if you like fast food and the crispy fried tacos w/​the powdered cheese then go for it… GREAT!

Really gross. Really delicious. Greasy, terrible, amazing tacos. Very similar to In-​A-​Tub and, by my estimate, just about equally disgusting /​awesome.

If you’ve ever been to in-​a-​tub this is it, or it used to be the old in– a –tub at Antioch Mall!!! Love the veggie sticks and meat, bean and cheese taco’s with the powdered cheese will having you begging for more!!! There are so many old classics at this little hole in the wall, go check it out!

I don’t know why I haven’t reviewed this Mexican restaurant before, because it’s my go-​to place for a quick fix.
It’s well-​lit, nicely air conditioned, has Ink (local newsrag) available, and the proprietors are really cool and friendly when you get to know them.
I recommend the Nachos Supreme (beef, cheese, sour cream and Jalapenos) and a Meat-​n-​cheese taco with Shredded cheese instead of powdered. That plus a small (free-​refills) drink will run you less than $ 10; and it’s usually nice and quiet inside if you don’t want to be disturbed.
Definitely one of my favorites when I don’t want to go very far. The only caveats are: They’re not open on Sundays, and I don’t know if they have free Wifi available. But like I said, in today’s world that might be a plus if you like it quiet. ;-)

I’ve been driving past Taco Zone for years, never did I suspect it was the remnants of the beloved In-​A-​Tub. So imagine my delight when I read here that Taco Zone is not only owned by former In-​A-​Tub owners but that it has the very same menu!
Get out! Really?!
So I tried it.
It’s not the same. It’s the same menu alright. And when I say the same menu, I mean that I think they took it off the In-​A-​Tub wall and hung it at Taco Zone.
The meat, meat and cheese, and meat and bean tacos are there (and just bean if you ask). As are the pocket burgers, enchiladas, tots, veggie sticks and everything else from In-​A-​Tub.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that having separated themselves from the In-​A-​Tub franchise, they’ve made some fundamental ingredient changes.
The powdered cheese is different. It’s a dull yellow color and not nearly as tasty. The beans are retried beans, not black beans. And the nacho sauce for the veggie sticks was thinned to a point of barely having any flavor.
So this is just what I observed from ordering three bean tacos and veggie sticks but I suspect they’ve made changes across the menu. If you’re looking for an interesting meal, give it a try, it wasn’t bad. But it definitely was not In-​A-​Tub.
There’s still at least one In-​A-​Tub left. It’s in North Kansas City, nearly across the street from the original. Last time I was there, it tasted exactly like I’ve always remembered it. If you want In-​A-​Tub, that’s definitely worth the extra 7 minute drive.

Taco Zone is in a strip center next door to First Bank of Missouri on Antioch Road. This is what became of the In-​A-​Tub franchise that was in the old Antioch Mall. Apparently, when the mall died, the owners decided to move up the road and reopen, and this was actually called In-​A-​Tub for a few weeks at the time but it promptly changed it’s name to Taco Zone. I would imagine this had something to do with the original franchise agreement, but that would be speculation.
All I know is, this is a restaurant named Taco Zone with In-A-Tub’s menu. The yellow powder cheese fried cheese tacos are here, as are the nachos with the spicy cup of cheese. Everything tastes like the original too, keep in mind these are the same folks who were serving it up for YEARS at the Antioch Mall food court, so it isn’t simply an imitation, this is the real deal.
We had a coupon from Cosentino’s Sun Fresh receipt that gave us a couple of free tacos with 4 purchased. We had the tacos and nachos, and they were crispy, dripping with grease, the usual yummy goodness. Overall it was quite enjoyable, but, everyone who has been to one of these places know, this ain’t fine dining. I love these tacos when the mood strikes m e, but once in a while is all I am willing to risk on my body.