Michael M.
Yelp
I'm going to start this review by saying that I wanted nothing more in the world than to absolutely dunk on this place. As an individual who grew up in South Texas and who takes pride in Queso, when I read the menu and saw "Red Curry Queso with blue corn chips" I was immediately and irrationally angry. I thought to myself "Queso did not need to be a food mash-up victim! It was perfect as it is!" This thought will go down forever as one of my greatest blunders, as a time when I fell hard for the age-old "judging before you know" conundrum.
Similar to my feelings about queso, when the word "taco" is in the name of a restaurant, I have very clear and immediate expectations of what I will find. Velvet Taco, despite having taco in the name, does not match any of my expectations. It is not tacos as I grew up with, but a beautiful fusion of food cultures, mashed together, and delivered in one of the most diverse food vehicles of all time - the tortilla.
This is one of those order and then sit type of locations. They have paper menus at the register, but larger ones mounted along the wall leading to the registers. Unless you want everyone in line behind you angry, please make your decisions before you reach the register, pay attention to what's on the wall. Velvet Taco also runs a "Weekly Taco Feature" (WTF) an ephemeral option that is not to be missed. This is also displayed ahead of the register.
On that first fateful trip, I ordered two fish and chip tacos and of course, because I was convinced I needed to destroy it for its audacity of being anything other than the traditional queso I grew up with, the red curry queso. I passed on the WTF, a mistake I have had the good sense not to repeat. I also ordered a fountain drink and found my seat.
Despite this place always doing steady business, I did not have to wait long at all before my food was ready. The Red Curry Queso came before the tacos, which I was excited about. I wanted a clear palate and time to dismantle what I was certain would be an abomination before God. The Red Curry Queso came garnished with pickled red onion, queso fresco, and Thai basil. The garnish of soft reds, vivid greens, and bright white fresco set against the backdrop of a pink cheese blend created a kaleidoscope presentation.
No sooner had I sat down did I grab my first corn chip and jab it into the colorful array. I got a big scoop, complete with red onion, bits of fresco, and a small slice of basil, and popped it into my mouth, convinced I would hate it. I could not have been more wrong. The curry flavor, the creaminess of the coconut milk, and the immaculate cheese all blended well together. It was a fusion I never knew I needed and now will not live without.
I inhaled the cup of queso all before my tacos were ready. That is not to say they took a long time, as they were maybe five minutes behind the queso, but really to demonstrate the vigor in which I tucked into the queso.
My mood now changed, my mind expanded, I took an open view of my Fish and Chips taco. Perfectly fried beer-battered cod, sitting atop julienned and fried potato match sticks, cole slaw and mustard all nestled together in a toasted tortilla. I know how popular Fish and Chips are in the UK, if one of those individuals were to try this taco would transform the landscape of Fish and Chips across the UK. It was simply marvelous. It has since become a staple part of my order alongside the red curry queso.
In many return trips, I have tried most of their static menu options as well as numerous WTFs. I have never been disappointed. This is a chain restaurant and having eaten at the 1604 location and the Pearl in San Antonio as well as the Montrose location in Houston, I have yet to be disappointed. The quality is consistent across locations.
I have yet to try their red velvet cake, but I hear good things. Eat here. Enjoy it. Each taco effectively allows you to be a food tourist, to witness the beautiful fusion of culture in culinary form, and to get the best of both worlds.