Gio Taco

I was disappointed to see the menu has changed. The interesting line-​up of tacos previously offered was great. The new menu eliminated almost all those options. The a la carte menu isn’t bad just kinda boring. Also the additional price for toppings is puzzling. Still a pretty good place to eat and great for kids… just not as good as it used to be.

The location is great on a nice chill afternoon. The food, however, not so great. I had one taco of each grilled chicken, carne asada, and pulled pork on flour tortillas. The tortillas were just plain, hovering over Taco Bell quality. The meats, were ALL flavorless! The carne asada was tough/​chewy. The salsas they had were just mashed tomatoes, onions, and a sprinkle of cilantro, also no flavor. There was no hint of any Jalapeños, Serranos, or any pepper, which a SALSA should have. Honestly, I saw the Unilocal reviews and I thought this was going to be good, but I was very disappointed. My buddy had the nachos with the filler (as they call it) being carne asada. He let me have a bit seeing how disappointed I was with my meal ahahaha, and they were ok. With the service and the OK ‘nachos’ this place barely makes two stars.

Okey dokey, So I was sans cell phone for most of this week so despite my one check in here I swear I was here twice this week. I have become a bit of a Gio Taco prophet at my work, spreading the word of the yumminess that is about 5 blocks from our office. So the first time I went this week, the staff let us know how the whole shin-​dig works. Follow the numbers on the menu to build your items of choice. The prices can be a bit daunting but the portion size of the bowl fits the bill. So yeah went with the bowl, which includes rice, beans, and greens. Then I went with the citrus grilled chicken topped with avocado and street corn. It already comes with cheese and a light lemon oil vinagrette on the greens.
I am full just thinking about it again and all its glory. Pop/​Soda is a bit pricey but hey its Tucson, go with some free water where you can get it. They also have chips and salsa for free over by the pop machine, Bonus!
The location is typical downtown tucson, people watching is at a premium and the restaurant is very open, so opt for a warm day to stop by.
Did I mention I got the same thing today when I went again to stalk the staff at Gio? Yup, Im hooked and brining a new co-​worker with me each time :)
Overall its funtimes and close to a lot of places to frequent. Check it out, try it on, and maybe come with me next time so I dont go alone and look all creepy.
Faves: cirtus grilled chicken, oh yeah the churros rock too

We went to Gio Taco Friday it was my first time eating at Gio and I didn’t like it.
We got in line and started looking at the menu. We were glad it was happy hour and draft beer was half off. I ordered a Dragoon Ale, a good deal at $ 3.00.
This is an overly complicated menu. It is just tacos, and other similar items. I can sum it up as a few ingredients rearranged to make a menu worth of options. It sounds simple but is organized so you have to look in a couple different places (or panels on the wall) just to order tacos. Pick your meat, tortilla, and toppings. By the way the toppings, queso fresco, corn, and mango, cost $.25 each. The tacos already cost $ 2.50 each. Please don’t charge extra for the toppings.
We ordered the blue crema steak taco, a Korean beef taco with mango topping, and a veggie taco with corn topping. They forgot the corn topping on the veggie taco but we didn’t say anything. We also ordered an order of plantain chips and two happy hour beers.
So, we ordered three tacos, two happy hour beers, and an order of plantain chips and it cost over $ 20 That is too much for what we got.
The biggest problem was the bad tortillas. The corn tortillas had be fried or dipped in oil. They were tough and hard to eat, not good at all.
The plantain chips were tasty but most of the order was just tiny pieces. I would have liked less broken chips.
The place was crowded and tables were being reserved for a big group so people who came in after us didn’t know where to sit. It was too cold to sit outside, where most of the seating area is. The view, or lack there of, reminds me of eating at the mall. You can’t see anything other than other corporate looking restaurants.
There are many good restaurants and bars downtown. There are many places to get good tacos in Tucson. I don’t think I will be back to Gio Taco.

In the past I would have given 3 stars, but Gio has made some nice changes. The tacos are cheaper and a bit different than before. The happy hour deals on drinks are good especially on Thursday when you can 1 dollar uinta ipa all night. The menu is confusing and I always get charged different amounts for the same items.
I’ll keep going back for the drink specials, but the tacos aren’t that great and everything else is pricey. … except for the chips and salsa which are free.

I told my mom that I was a fan of the Lime Truck tacos in LA, so when I came home to visit she suggested we try Gio.
We came around 5:30pm on a Sunday and it was dead inside, so I was a bit worried (but then I remembered we were in Tucson). I really liked the atmosphere and the décor. It was bright, airy and open with lots of color and the music wasn’t loud. The menu was a bit overwhelming since there were soo many options printed up on the board, but the girl at the register was sweet and really helpful with suggestions.
We ordered plantain chips, duck skin chicharones, the grilled steak tacos, and the Korean bbq tacos. I like that they had free chips and salsa, but was bummed that there was only one kind of salsa. It was thick like marinara sauce, but still tasty. We also ordered a few Gio Punches and they were strong and delicious — definitely one of my new favorite drinks.
The plantains and chicharones came out quickly. I really didn’t like the sauce that came with the plantains, but the chips were thin and crispy. The chicharones were soooo good and I didn’t even care that I felt like my cholesterol raised 30 points. The tacos followed shortly. I didn’t care for the steak tacos much. I don’t usually like corn tortillas, and the ones at Gio were a bit oily so I ended up eating the filling with a fork. The blue cheese crema overpowered the meat, which was too bad since it seemed really tender. The Korean bbq taco, on the other hand, was awesome. It was wrapped in lettuce and every bite was tastier than the next.
I like the concept, but for the prices they charge I think there’s room for improvement. Service was excellent, and management took kindly to our feedback when they stopped by our table. I’d come back for the Gio Punch and Korean taco the next time I’m in town.

Really cute concepts here with unique décor that unfortunately didn’t deliver with the quality of tacos.
We swung by for Happy Hour which is from 3 – 6. It’s a good deal with both drink and food options– half off the cocktails on tap, beer, wine, and food deals which includes specials on their yuca tots, guacamole, churro, and only one type of taco– the Gio.
I loved the open air design of the place — it’s a nifty place to hang out. The service was great as well.
The idea of cocktails on tap was neat, but thought my Blue Sauce tasted too sweet.
The Yuca Tots also sounded more interesting than they actually tasted– to me they were a plainer version of potato wedges.
Of the 3 different tacos we tried, the only one that tasted good was the Gio Taco. I was excited about the Buffalo Shrimp taco, but the buffalo flavoring actually worked oddly against the shrimp.
The Happy Hour is worth checking out for the good beer/​wine deal. Get the Gio Taco and the churro. Their churro was great– I loved that it was warm and had a creamy custardy center. Outside of HH, I think the quality and flavor is not worth the price compared to what’s available in Tucson.

Good trendy taco place with decent brews and food. Trendy and casual with picnic table seating. Does have regular tables outside. Brews are good. I asked and was recommended to the Gio Taco and Yucca Tots were were a deal for Happy Hour. All were interesting and different but nothing exciting. Portions were small, but fit for happy hour fair. Brews were varied and sufficient.
In the beginning of the revitalized downtown at fourth avenue area and congress.

I’ve been to Gio Taco 3 times now, and the last 2 times I’ve ordered the burrito bowl, which is the most filling thing on the menu (hence why I order). It has so much substance compared to the small but delicious tacos.
The best thing about the bowl is the amazing corn salsa they put on it, I want to try and duplicate it at home. There is a yummy while bean and rice mixture on the bottom, with fresh veggies on the top, avocado, lettuce, tomato, corn salsa, and you can choose between chicken, steak, or a veggie option with a sweet potato chorizo. Two of the weekend days I was there the manager came by the table to small talk and ensure all was well. Very pleased with Gio Taco!

I’m not going to lie, I felt a little dubious about Gio Taco — with everything that’s coming in downtown, I feared this would just be some lame, trendy joint. I was happily wrong!
Ever since we went to Austin, Tex., and fell in love with Torchy’s Tacos, we have been searching for something similar to come to Tucson. I mean, come on! We do Mexican better than Texas! (I know, I know, unfair to mention another restaurant in a review… but there’s good reason!) I’m not going to say Gio Taco is the Torchy’s of Tucson, but I really enjoyed everything we tried.
I had two really interesting taco combinations: the grilled steak (steak and blue cheese on a taco — you don’t see that every day) and the buffalo chicken. We also got some plantain crisps and delicious beers.
**Let me just pause for a minute here and wax romantic about those beers… Seriously, both on-​tap selections we tried were awesome! I opted for the Estrella Damm «Lager,» and my husband got the Dragoon «Session.» I never used to be a beer drinker, but both of these options were smooth and complex, just delicious. And they went really well with the tacos and snacks.**
I’m really excited to head back to Gio Taco and try some of their other options — the on-​tap cocktails are on the top of my list!

It’s so great to see the revitalization of downtown, and this joint is definitely part of that. Generally speaking, the food was good. The portions felt a bit small for the money, but we overordered and overate anyway.
Hubby wanted to try the yucca tots and I wanted the duck skin chicharrones, but when we ordered the girl at the counter suggested that we order the yucca smothered with cheese and covered with chicharrones. This was a mistake for me. I loved the yucca and I loved the duck skin – they were both excellent – but I hated the cheese, which was like nacho sauce, sort of thin and waxy. Next time I will follow my instinct and just get what I want. This came with spicy ketchup that I did not try, because I find ketchup repulsive.
I didn’t care for the cheese in the quesadilla either, but my stepdaughter loved it. I caught her picking the cheese out and just eating that, although the tortilla was perfectly crisp. Stepson ordered a burrito with beans, cheese, and chicken. It was huge. Also tasty, but I also didn’t care for the cheese. He said he liked it, but he didn’t eat much (this is not indicative of anything; he doesn’t eat much pretty often). Both kids were disappointed not to find refritos/​pinto beans here. They serve white beans, which have a very distinctive flavor, sweet and creamy. I liked them, but the kids aren’t used to things that are different.
On to the tacos. I chose grilled chicken, duck mole, and steak. Husband ordered the special tacos: prime rib, atlantic cod, and smoked port belly. I enjoyed all of mine. The meat was delicious and perfectly cooked, and the tortillas were decent. However, I did not care for the crema. It didn’t seem like a good balance to the flavors, and was just cold and soggy. The prime rib taco was also great, and the fish taco was completely battered and fried, so it had a lot in common with eating a piece of fry bread. I didn’t try the pork.
These are not traditional tacos, but creative and thoughtful ones with interesting ingredients and flavor combinations. They taste fresh and healthy.

I’ve been to Gio twice, and while I think prices are a bit high, overall I can say «Yay! I’m a fan!»
My fiancé and I stopped in two months ago on a Monday night. We ordered 3 tacos each, a side of rice a beans, yucca tots, the Gio Punch, and a beer. Everything was delicious! I had a Korean BBQ, Duck Mole, and Steak taco. They were all good, but the Duck Mole was perfect! The meat was perfectly cooked, and the mole sauce was super flavorful. My fiancé ordered the Metzger Dip tacos– shaved prime rib, horseradish aioli, and mozzarella cheese curds. I knew he loved them before he even said it because I wasn’t offered a bite.
The rice and beans were also very good, but they are not what you would traditionally find at a Mexican restaurant. Instead, Gio serves up a cilantro pineapple rice, with white beans, and coconut milk. The end result is a tropical tasting side dish that is delicious! The yucca tots were also very good and came with a spicy ketchup.
The only thing I disliked was the Gio Punch. It was pretty weak tasting, especially considering it cost $ 8.50.
We came back for a second visit a few weeks ago, which I definitely enjoyed more since it was happy hour. This time, we just got our favorite tacos– the Duck Mole for me and the Metzger Dip for the fiancé. We also got a side of chips and salsa, and I had a glass of their white wine because how can you not drink during happy hour?
Everything was just as good as it was the first time, and I really enjoyed the chips and salsa! I finally got to try the Metzger Dip, but it was too salty for my taste.
The only thing I dislike about Gio are the prices. I think they need to either make the portions slightly bigger or drop their price. The tacos are certainly delicious, but when I finish one in 2 – 3 bites, all I can think is «wow, that taco cost me $ 1/​bite!» Their alcohol prices are also pretty steep. If it’s not happy hour, cocktails are $ 8.50 and draft beers are $ 6.
I highly recommend Gio, but I would definitely come during happy hour (M-​F from 3 – 6) when drinks are half off. Even if you don’t want to drink, there is also some food on happy hour too.

I like this place — there are some amazing tacos that are unlike anything you’ve ever had. The rest of them are great. The service is great, and it seems they really pride themselves on their level of customer service. Josh has consistently come over and introduced himself to us, making sure we are happy and full. I just can’t get over the price, and for that I am sorry! I will keep eating here, but in writing my review, I have to say that it’s hard to shell out that much for drinks, especially.
Bottom line: EAT HERE — but try to hit it during happy hour for the best deal!

I’d say this is a pretty cool place to come chill downtown and do some people watching while eating some yummy tacos. My girlfriend and I came here on a Saturday morning. We sampled/​shared eight of the «outstanding» tacos and we left pretty satisfied. My favorites were the Korean BBQ and M’s Veggie. Hers were the Tarheel and Shrimp Curry. Next, we plan on trying the «mind blowing» tacos!

Nothing was awesome about this place.
Atmosphere: it seemed like they were trying a little too hard to be trendy and hipster. The service took our orders on an iPad for Christ sake. It took him forever to type in our order.
Food: mediocre at best. Small portions.
Drink: I ordered a vodka soda. However, I think they forgot the vodka.
Price: super expensive. $ 40 for three tacos, a margarita, and a «vodka» soda.
Will I go back? No.

Came here to meet friends before our night out on the town. I’m glad we started here. The staff was super nice and I liked that it wasn’t super crowded, especially when the UofA basketball game was on!
Since the game was on, happy hour specials were going on! We got to enjoy some of their awesome drinks for half off! I tried the Rum punch & a couple of the Gringos. I think the Gringo was my fave. Horchata & coffee liquer flavored drink… Yummy & it had a nice kick to it too!
Also, I tried the Korean BBQ, Shrimp Curry & Gio Taco. Of all the three, I like the Korean BBQ one the best. The pork was delish and instead of the tortilla they used lettuce for a wrap. I’ll be back to try the others, but in the meantime, I’ll call this one my fave!
Like I said earlier, the service was awesome! Our server was very friendly, and our food & drinks came out quick! Love this place. Will definitely make this place our regular stop before all the fun starts! =)
(Come for happy hour or during a UofA game to get the best price on their drinks & specials, otherwise it’s $ 8.50 for those yummy drinks!)

Gio Taco = gee… uh… taco?
Here’s a review in 10 words or less:
food truck portions (barely) at sit down prices.
Here’s a review in math terms:
Gio Taco: Metzger Group: Blanco: Fox RC
At best, it’s a slightly overpriced food truck with a bar. At worst, the duck mole tacos are immediately rendered soggy and useless by grease and the Korean BBQ tacos come on a leaf of lettuce instead of a tortilla, so it’s trying to be In-​n-​Out protein style or not a taco at all.
Consider this a tough love review. Gio Taco has a great location and the brains of Jax Kitchen and The Abbey behind it. The makings of a wonderful place are there but the execution falls short, for now.
Rich’s recommendation: if you’re sober and it’s early, go for happy hour drinks. If you’re drunk and it’s late, go for the late night limited menu takeout window. At all other times, watch other people order and eat their tacos and proceed on your own with caution and the wise warnings of this review.

Ok flavor wise, great! Size wise not so much! Tiny street tacos at $ 3-​$ 4, tasted good but just too small!
Next to World Of Beer which is a plus!
The tots luchador style taste great, again though small size for $ 6!
And the tots are not tots they are home fries! But damn is it delicious! Try it with the house sauce! Service for me at least was great!
I will come back!

I’m still of the fence about this place…
The staff was all very friendly. there were tons of them working, yet they somehow all seemed to be actually doing something even though the restaurant was relatively empty. Someone greeted us and asked us if we’d been before, then explained how everything works. Great décor and a fun ambiance.
We came in time to take advantage of the BYOB, which was really nice. They only carded us and checked our stamped hands about 15 separate times :) haha No problem though– good they were being thorough.
The food… hmm. they use high quality ingredients in unique and interesting combinations which is a plus. The size of the tacos and their prices are a minus. I could eat one in maybe two bites and I would personally need at least 4 of them to make a meal (and I eat very little).
We tried a few menu items. I had the Tarheel which is pretty much pulled pork with watermelon on a taco. Good flavor, didn’t blow me away. At our table people tried the Smokey Bird (3 $), the Chipper Fish (3 $), the Fishy Pig (4 $) and the Duck Mole (3 $).no one really said anything about these dishes.:/ …
Someone at our table ordered the Yucca tots ($ 3) which actually came to us Luchador Style ($ 6.5).this was pretty yummy. can’t complain about duck cracklin’ and mozzarella cheese curd.
Overall I feel like the concept is a bit off… unusual flavors of food put on top of a tortilla = taco? I don’t know…
I’ll be back to give it another try. still trying to sort out how I feel about it.

Okay, so I don’t know if I like Gio Taco. Maybe another visit will settle the score, but I just don’t really *feel* like going back.
First off, the signage is bizarre and sends the wrong signal. The graphics remind me of flyer design for an MMA studio, not a restaurant.
The serving concept of the restaurant also seems mismatched to the menu.
Large, open seating area, with long picnic tables. No servers or hostess, but a line of registers on the north side of the building run by pretty cashiers. You get in line, get rung up, you serve yourself your own drinks from a soda fountain, and you are given a little shiney number to place on your table area. Meh.
Tacos seem pretty cheap! $ 3 or $ 4 per order, until you realize that’s $ 3 per SINGLE taco, no sides, and they are quite tiny. I ended up getting up twice to order a couple new varieties, as I was still famished after the first trip.
The numbers given out are ineffective as the girls running the tacos out to tables couldn’t seem to see them. Another problem was the food runners and bussers did not know what taco was which or which taco belonged to whom. We tried reading over the paper menu to self-​identify which tacos were what, with little success. Gio Taco’s cafeteria lunch line style of ordering and putting out food seems pretty ineffective and unorganized from this encounter. As this place is situated right next to a brand new dorm downtown, maybe owners are pandering to a serving style befitting school children? Who knows.
As for the food, I also had some mixed feelings. I tried the duck mole tacos, which were quite tasty! I enjoyed the hand-​made tortillas, the lime crema, the sweet mole sauce, the zesty orange pieces, and the tender duck meat, of course. But it was far too small! I also tried the Korean BBQ «taco» this trip. Which isn’t a taco by the way, but a lettuce wrap, as it is served in an iceberg cup. Good, but not satisfying.
On my second round, I tried the Gio and I loved it! I could taste the coffee and chipotle rub and the butternut squash was very rich. I noted a salsa of some sort, but it did not taste anything like pumpkin seeds, as it was advertised. Still my favorite one. The tender pork belly meat is downright buttery and delicious.
I also tried the veggie, curious as its «taco shell» is actually a raw beet slice. Pretty original! However, this was one of the messiest things I’ve struggled to eat. The entire thing fell apart after the first bite and turned into a tough beet salad on my plate. Tasted okay, but not worth the effort.
I would personally call the décor of the place, «Cultural Appropriation a la Dia De Los Muertos»: A floor to ceiling wall of altar candles, sugar skull explosion everything, pseudo Mexican blanket-​inspired wall paper/​paint design. I personally did not dig this so much, as it came off as rather tacky, as opposed to a respectful nod to the local cultures here in Tucson.
Okay, whew. That was long-​winded. I would suggest checking out Gio Taco for a few of their menu items — especially the Gio and the Duck Mole tacos. Consider getting the combo as it is probably a better bargain and you will leave more full than I did. Or about four single tacos. There are plenty of other random Mexican-​style menu items to check out as well that I have yet to be persuaded to try. Gio Taco, you could be great. Maybe some more good things will come in the future?