What's Cookin'

WHAT'SCOOKIN'

WITH MATT LAINE

THE TAQUERIA COMPANY

2519 N. FIRST AVE. EVANSVILLE, IN

OWhen you walk into the First Avenue location of The Taqueria Company, the menu and layout of the place can be a bit overwhelming. They have two separate menus from basically two different restaurants all in one space (I will focus on the Taqueria side of things in this review). So, on your first few visits, be sure to look at the menu ahead of time so you know what to expect and you don’t get caught, like I did, staring at the menu like a deer in headlights. I would also suggest asking for suggestions if you have questions about the menu; they do a great job helping you find something you will enjoy and giving you the right “addons” to your selection. I say add-ons because once you choose your main dish - I’ll just say a burrito for the sake of the review - you then choose everything you want to put inside the burrito. I would say go for broke and load up on whatever you like so you’re getting the most bang for your buck! I say this because this place also has some crazy good prices, at least in my opinion. The big burrito and chips/salsa I got was only about $9, and I couldn’t even finish it all. It’s crazy to think that something made from scratch, besides the tortilla (I think they started the company making those from scratch as well), could be so cheap. When I talked to the owner about it, he said it was because he didn’t want to push customers away, which is highly commendable during this trying period of inflation and other economic challenges. We can all appreciate saving a few dollars when we dine out these days.

Simply put, this place just hits all the right notes - it's everything I've come to expect from a taqueria, or at least from my understanding of a taqueria. If you are craving some Mexican food, don’t sleep on The Taqueria Company because they can provide some excellent food to satisfy that craving! I have tried a few different things on their menu so far, and I have to say everything has been delicious. The burrito I got was stuffed full and the meat was well-seasoned to give everything a flavor burst. Clearly, it was made with care and attention to detail. In addition, the salsas are also

freshly made, and each has a different flavor profile. I have tried all three and have to say that the medium salsa has, in my opinion, the best balance of flavor and heat. The hot salsa is a bit too much for my tastes, but if you're down for some serious heat, more power to you!

I also tried my first birria taco here and have to say they live up to the hype. They are quite messy, but in the words of American restaurateur Guy Fieri, the flavors are just "outof-bounds." As someone who isn’t shy of a flavor bomb, I recommend pouring some of the medium salsa on the birria taco and then dipping it into the marinade; that just takes it all up to another level. I also opted for a taco salad and have to say it, too, was above and beyond what I would expect from a small taco shop. Everything they are doing seems to be on point, and that should only keep them on the rise. Don’t miss any chance you have to try out the amazing food at The Taqueria Company!

Simply put, this place just hits all the right notes - it's everything I've come to expect from a taqueria, or at least from my understanding of a taqueria.