El Taco

This was one of those places that for 7 years suffered my «I should try that place one day» fate.
But a couple of weeks ago I finally gave it a shot (albeit through Just Eat, because there was no way I was going to eat in their rickety wooden shed).
Food took about an hour to arrive.
It was luke warm.
Yes, it was very filling.
But it was SO BLAND.
I don’t know how they managed to make spicy food tasteless.
I had a chicken fajita and I think we also ordered some quesadillas.
At first, I was eating with a fake «mmm this is different». This is the face I eat with when I am trying something new, that I don’t like. This is to try and convince myself that I haven’t just wasted my money and to try and force an unnatural positivity into the situation for the people around me who are thinking the same.
But I had wasted my money. And this was a terrible situation.
It was uninspired Mexican gruel with a few lonely pieces of lettuce in an overly sized wrap.
Do yourself a favour, save £20, grab an El Paso kit and enjoy flavours.
Try El Taco once, so that you know never to take taste for granted again.

Do not know where they got idea tacos should taste or look to what they serve?
This ain’t nice mexican .
Avoid

From the outside this little hut doesn’t look like much, but anybody that likes a bit Mexican food will certainly be able to enjoy El Taco. The menu is comprised of the well known dishes that have taken off in popularity over here; burrito, enchilada, fajita etc.
The main joy of El Taco is that it’s everything you want in Mexican food, and it costs about a fiver. I could happily go there every day without fail, and at such good prices, it wouldn’t be the worst money I have ever spent.
The best option is to get your food to go because you will struggle to find a seat; there are only about 5 of them in the whole place.

I love this place. It’s not particularly authentic and you may feel a little cheesed out afterwards, but for a quick snack that’s tasty, hot and comforting it does it for me. I really enjoy the situation of it too, you can’t do anything but people watch whilst sat in the window and its a great spot for it. If you want something quick, fiery and laden with cheese go for the chicken enchilada with the hot salsa. Om om om.

Amazing. I’ve only eaten there once but without doubt one of the best fast food places in Brighton. Amazing portion sizes for the price too! I had the chicken burrito and it was simply sublime.

Ok I wouldn’t give this place five stars as there are plenty of things that could be better about it. However, its good points really are good so listen up. All portion sizes are very generous and will fill up pretty much anyone. The chili burrito is perhaps the best thing on the menu as the homemade salsa and guacamole turn what could be average into something really satisfying. If you expect restaurant standards expect to be disappointed. It’s simply a great value fast food place for people who want something a little different at a decent price.

Judging this place by restaurant standards is the wrong thing to do. It’s basically a Mexican fast food joint that provides hearty food for those in need of something a little different than their regular takeaway. I admit the food may not be of the best quality but you don’t usually complain when you’re kebab is a bit tough or when your fried chicken is really greasy. Yes the overall blend of flavours could be more balanced and the cheese could be nicer but then you’d start complaining about the price. What El Taco does plainly and simply is serve generous portions of Mexican food that will fill you up and excite your taste buds more than the standard takeaway. I recommend the chilli burrito.

When I first passed El Taco walking towards Hove, I suddenly thought I had found my Taqueria. Being Fake Latin, I’m always on the lookout for authentic Mexican food where ever I travel to, and yes I can compare because I have eaten real Mexican food in Mexico.
El Taco, unfortunately did not live up to my standards of what Mexican fast food is. The white rice with melted cheese which becomes like a layer of plastic out of the microwave, and the one tortilla with my taco plate left my stomach begging for something authentic.
The only thing authentic in El Taco is the Mexican football flag that hangs from the ceiling.
The price seems right for not really charging over £4 for anything, including nachos and quesadillas. El Taco is the type of place you stumble into late at night after too many cervesas, but sober, I would rather have taco night at my place.

From the outside, El Taco looks like the perfect Mexican pit-​stop. It’s brightly painted and looks like somewhere you’d stumble across once you’ve crossed the border. There’s a cluster of stools where you can sit and enjoy your food before carrying on your journey — or you can grab a plate of food to take away.
Unfortunately, the food just isn’t that tasty. The fajitas and burritos taste stodgy and bland and the nachos covered in melted cheese and jalapenos taste like cheap cheese. None of this seems to bother the punters however, as the size and cheapness of the portions — £3.50 for massive veg and chicken burritos, £2.75 for nachos — means it’s got a constant turnaround of students and locals looking to grab some quick, easy fuel.
After too many beers, I sometimes find myself going to El Taco myself. Half an hour later though, I usually end up regretting it and wishing I’d gone home and cooked some fresh fajitas with a side helping of avacado, sour cream and diced red chillis myself.

Someone drove a van through the front window of El Taco recently. I don’t know if it was an accident, or some rival restaurateurs (possibly know as Los Banditos del Burrito) trying to put the shivers into their competition, but what I do know is that the wooden boards that were erected were very quickly adorned with scrawled messages of love and support for this small eatery. I was quite amazed, but El Taco obviously draws in the punters and keeps them coming back for more. I have been a few times and enjoyed what I was served. It is always refreshing to try well-​priced fast food. It may not be the healthiest option, but sometimes these small guilty pleasures are the best. The staff actually speak Spanish here and you feel there is authenticity rather than pastiche. I am not as much a fan as some others in the area, but I would definitely recommend El Taco for cheapish, tasty fast food. The other great fondness I have for El Taco is that it reminds me of an hilarious episode of South Park with Jennifer Lopez, but that’s something for you to find in your own time. «Taco flavoured kisses!»

It’s just a little shack like place– it’s very clean and all– it’s just small and basic and tacked onto the end of a row of buildings on Western road. It doesn’t look like much but it has treasure within. I have to preface my specific recommendations by saying that I love Mexican food so keep that in mind when I say… the fajitas and burritos from this place are heaven! They make me come up with most ridiculous rationalisations for why I have to have one, they have it all– rice with sour cream, mildly spicey beans, fresh salsa, guacamole, and melted cheese… my god I might have to go get one and bring it home to heat up for dinner! You can choose the toppings you want and vary the spiciness. The portions are big and really reasonably priced– about £4 for a veggie fajita. Admittedly it’s probably not that healthy but everything in moderation, right… It’s mostly take-​away, there are a few stools and tables– I would recommend on a clear day taking the food down to the beach.

El Taco serves without doubt the best Mexican snacks I’ve ever tasted. I happened across it one holiday night as I was wandering around trying to find a cheap dinner that didn’t involve chips or grease, and was lured in by the prices.
My massive veggie burrito only cost about £3.50 and while I was waiting I enjoyed chatting to the friendly owner. At the time I was fostering a London-sucks-let’s-live-in-Brighton state of mind, and the idea that great value, nutritious and delicious Mexican food would be waiting for me if I went through with it was a very comforting one!