Taco faithful, I have called this meeting to impart my divine and intimate knowledge of one my favorite taco places, the tacogod goto (if you will). This bastion of taco and beverage goodness should always be on a short list for those taco-ites looking to find some of the freshest, tastiest tacos and stiffest, cheapest drinks in all of Austin. I have to admit that this review was a long time in the coming, and I’ll make another admission early on. I am familiar with the owners, and consider them my homies. Therefore I have diligently eaten at Wahoo’s many, many times in order to ensure that I could give a fair and impartial review as to quality of the taco experience. There is one thing alone that sets apart good restaurants from badass, goto, favorites. CONSISTENCY. And this is the mantra at Wahoo’s.

The wahoo’s philosophy involves using fresh ingredients daily, and this is obvious upon your first visit. I’ll get this out of the way early, as its the only complaint if there is one. Wahoo’s doesn’t have salsa per se. Instead when ordering chips and salsa you get a bowl of fresh pico de gallo instead. It’s a small sticking point, as there is an amazing cilantro lime sauce with which to dress your tacos and this is pretty much mandatory. The gaucamole is always fresh and outstanding. The recently added queso is perfectly spiced.

One of the things that I have noticed that everyone agrees on is that the rice is some of the best you will find anywhere. I don’t know why or what makes it so, but the generous rice portion that comes with everything is seriously badass everytime. Beans come in black and white, both are vegan for the hippies and both taste incredible.

The meats are pretty much all perfect everytime. The fish is usually some kind of white fish, I’m told it rotates and sometimes is the namesake Wahoo— but varies to ensure freshness and quality. The chicken is always moist and tender, one of my favorite things that I didn’t order until my fifth time because the fish was always so good. The tastiest thing on the menu has got to be the kahlua pork, which is a slow cooked pork that has the consistency of brisket served with teriaki sauce. Outstanding. The meats and rice and beans come in many taco plate variations and bowls— and even the largest most badass plate will cost you no more than 7 dollars. F*cking steal. If you are feeling particularly gringo you can get a torta with your choice of meat and french fries on the side.

The margaritas, to be honest, are dangerously potent. If you can make it for happy hour (4-7) a small margarita will cost a mere 2$ and will rock your dome. I am also delighted to report that there is a frugal drinker beer section for which dirt cheap prices apply at all times. The tacogod is especially pleased to see that Miller High Life has made an appearance at 1.50. Can’t beat that, unless they are out because I drank them all. Additionally there is a full wet bar for all other drinking needs, and there are at least seven beers on tap at all times. Hallelujah! Mazel Tov!

The service here is ridiculously good. One of the owners is always working, and the staff is about the friendliest you will find anywhere. I thought it was just me, but after careful and extended observation I can honestly say that everyone that comes into Wahoo’s gets treated like a king— and a lot of their business is repeat. You order at the counter and the food is out fast no matter how busy it is.
The atmosphere at Wahoo’s like everything else, is an outstanding selling point. The place is completely covered in high end collectors’ extreme sporting gear– with an emphasis on the board variety. There are two high def tv’s where the staff is happy to play your favorite team’s games– just don’t try change the channel while the Mavericks are playing as this is my personal Dirk/Howard/Terry/Cuban watching heaven. Additionally there is a killer HD projector for big games which is at other times devoted to FUEL TV. I have twice seen in store skateboarding competitions, with the most recent sponsored by red bull being a high ollie contest where the winner ollied a 35″ bar skating switch. Sick.
The taco competition in this town is heated, but it’s very hard to beat what you get at wahoo’s. This place has it all, it’s a great place for the sports enthusiast, the social drinker, kids love it, and the handsome staff gets the ladies all hot and bothered.

Rating:

Salsa—7 (docked for no true salsa, bonus for cilantro sauce)
Atmosphere- 9 (the only thing this place isn’t good for is a formal date, can be loud)
Food Quality- 9 (amazing)
Price -10 (unbeatable, for food and drink)
Service -10(nearly flawless execution, amazing attitude)

Total– 92%
Rating: