IMPRESSIVE MARGARITAS, IN FLAVORS SUCH AS MANGO, PEACH, STRAWBERRY, OR LIME, USE HOUSE-MADE MIX AND CREATIVE SPICED RIMS.
Restaurant Spotlight:
Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila Written by David McCreary | Photographed by Jonathan Fredin Situated in a busy strip shopping center between a burger joint and a pizzeria, Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila has hit its stride after just one year of business in Holly Springs. From the outside, you might be fooled into thinking the spot holds a small, jewelbox sized dining room. But upon entering, you’ll find a spacious eatery with a high ceiling and plenty of space to accommodate anyone seeking first-rate Mexican cuisine. The restaurant’s original location is in Sanford, NC, but more recently it branched out to Holly Springs and Wilmington. Consider it an informal, full-service outpost with a friendly, efficient staff. “We are really pleased that business 50 August/SEPTEMBER 2022
has been good since we opened, and we’re getting busier all the time,” says General Manager Alfonso Llamas, who hails from Mexico. Locally sourced ingredients convey a commitment to freshness and agricultural sustainability. An extensive menu features an impressive array of enchiladas, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, fajitas, salads, seafood selections, and more. Once orders are placed, it doesn’t take long for piping-hot food to emerge from the kitchen. “The tacos are definitely the most popular menu items,” Llamas says. “We have excellent fajitas as well.”
Start your meal with some pork belly bites, Mexican street corn, or quechorizo (chorizo and cheese dip served warm). Tableside-prepared guacamole is available on the weekends, and it’s well worth the price of admission. Tacos range from straightforward grilled chicken to the more extraordinary quesabirria style stuffed with shredded beef barbacoa, cilantro, cheese, and onions. For a surefire winning option, try the Toro tacos featuring chorizo and carnitas along with onions, cilantro, and fresh guacamole. Among the half-dozen satisfying burritos, order the overstuffed California, which is filled with your choice of steak or continued on page 54
