Taylor T.
Yelp
KC Restaurant Week 2024
Value - 4/5
Selection - 5/5
Food - 5/5
First stop on my Restaurant Week Tour of 2024, and I was beyond impressed with this tip-top taco spot that's conviently hidden inside Torn Lable brewery. I really had no idea this place existed, and isn't it a novelty to find a hidden gem close to home? Tucked away, almost under the highway, close to The Truman, but it considers crossroads home. It's a tad hard to find. However, once you find it, you are immediately at home. And bonus points if you come on a Friday because then it's flagship Friday too and brews are $5 and the Alpha is my personal pick.
The tacos on the small but mighty menu are all tempting with flavors that sound for sure to be a knockout. The normal menu prices are all around $5, which I do admit is a tad bit steep for street tacos. But, for the restaurant week deal of being able to choose 3 tacos of my choice and an accompanying appetizer for $20, I was sold. The starter I sampled was named "squash dip" and it was a cold appetizer, similar to a hummus, or if you are a little less cultured, a baby food like dip but in the best way. The flavor was akin to my favorite butternut squash soup, and the pepitas on the top were like a savory icing on the cake.
Now let's talk tacos! These were all tantalizing with the meat quality off the charts. I went with one of my tried and true favorites whenever I spy it on the menu, and that is the cochinita pibil, one of my favorite pork tacos offered. The tang of the pickled onions piled on top always satisfies me, and the tender shredded citrus pork is acidic in the best way possible, as opposed to the sweet carnitas cousin. I always prefer this taco to any pork variety I've tried. The second pick was the safe bet of an asada taco, with tender steak and all the traditional toppings. It was great, but it was my least favorite of the three I tried that day. Onto something special, my fan-favorite taco of the evening, which was something unique I had never tasted before. This masterpiece of meat was called Suadero, which was confit, melt in your mouth, fatty brisket. It was so decadent and divine. I was kicking myself for never going for it when I had seen it on a menu previously. It is for sure worth sinking your teeth into!
All in all, the authenticity of the food was off the charts, the beer was fantastic, and the service made me feel welcomed but wasn't overwhelming. Also, the vibe of the place is bare bones, industrial but also what you expect of a micro brewery in Kansas City. I feel like personality could be better, but I would rather the money be put into the quality of the food and beer, and that was evident.