Shore Eats
Famished Foodie
EL CAPITAN TACO SHACK
The Famished Foodie dines al fresco in the southend at this creative fresh spot
I
’M still learning to surf but I already appreciate how it becomes a lifestyle. The connection with the ocean, the stoke every time you catch a wave – there’s so much to like. And I can also appreciate surf cuisine; simple, fresh, easy to prepare and eat – there’s so much to like. So when we stopped into El Capitan’s Taco Shack at 55th and Simpson, I knew I found some authentic grinds. Our entire crew rolled up on El Cap’s one fine summer evening after a day at the beach and my first impression was “hey, this place looks like it was made for people who spent the day at the beach.” It’s a casual place. All the tables are outside under a nice canopy so you’re good if you’re wearing a swimsuit. But don’t let the casual vibe distract you. The food is thoughtful and delicious. And like it says somewhere (maybe on
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OCEAN CITY MAGAZINE AUGUST 2019
the sign); Tacos. That’s it. We were perusing the menu when Chef/Owner Vanessa Burk rounded the corner carrying several plates of yummylooking tacos so before she returned to the line I called her over to get the low down on this cool little joint. “I’m a surfer and I love tacos – I guess that goes hand in hand,” said Vanessa. “I used to go to a place in southern California run by a woman. It was basically a shack, you ate on the curb. Everything was fresh and that’s where I got some inspiration. Plus different experiences I’ve had. I’ve been to France, Costa Rica, Philly, New York and Colorado and I hodge-podged that together. I’m vegan friendly. Everything is
gluten-free except the churros.” Our entire crew was assembled; myself Tony Stark, Bruce Banner, Captain Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanov (aka Black Widow) and the always lovely Pepper Potts. That’s five people with five different ideas on what constitutes a good meal. Finding something on a restaurant menu for everyone is sometimes challenging but luckily, El Cap had the goods. “This is our second full summer,” said Vanessa. “I was doing some consulting for the owners here and they asked me if I wanted to do a taco shack out of the side of the building and I said ‘sure.’ I was sitting with my best friend at the time and her husband was climbing El Capitan in Yosemite and we’re at Captain Bob’s so that’s where the name came from.” We started with the street corn which is simply a grilled cob and some street sauce. Street corn done correctly can be an amazing dish and Pepper and I
>>>>Captain's Table Owner Vanessa Burk delivers an order of her street corn to a table. The tacos are pretty and delish.