100% Taquito

Posted by Cabeza De Taco | Mar 30, 2007 · Filed under Houston, Reviews

100% Taquito
3245 Southwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77027
713-665-2900
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You probably noticed Texas Monthly’s recent cover story entitled “63 Tacos You Must Try Before You Die“. Its a very comprehensive and impressive article, very worthy of tacotown’s praise. Well, the #3 taco on their list is the Tinga Taco at Houston’s 100% Taquito.
I had to verify things for myself.

So word is, 100% T began as a college student’s project to faithfully recreate a mexico-city-street-cart-taco experience in a generic Houston strip-mall. I must say, they did a pretty good job on the inside. complete with taxi cab and cobblestone floor. You even order from a pseudo trailer. Points for atmospere I guess, if you like the Mexican Disney-world vibe.

here’s the deal: stand in line while scanning the mean- the bulk of which is the taco plates- they come 3 tacos to an order. they’re got Al Pastor, Chicken, Garlic Shrimp, Tinga, shrimp and the combo order- 1 asada (beef), 1 tinga and 1 mole (chicken). This is the way to go for a newcomer I think…order you an aqua fresca or horchata while you’re there. better make it 2 orders of taco too, cuz they’re pretty small, like 4 bites each.

There’s a decent salsa bar to hit up while you wait for the food (which is not too long, maybe 5 minutes at the most). There’s a decent green sauce, but nothin to write home about. (i am technically writing home now?)

But the bottom line- the food IS GOOD. DAMN GOOD. its some grubby-good shit. The Tinga is tender, slow-roasted, shredded beef brisket bathing in a warm red sauce with a sneaky chipotle after-burn to it. its very tangy and delicious. Props also to the al pastor – not the best ever, but solid. The Tacos de Camaron, or garlic shrimp tacos are decent- pretty fresh ingredients, but if you’re lookin for this kinda thing I suggest Taco Milagro…100%T specializes in the more down-home style, they’re from the streets. so remember that when ordering.

The Mole is good if you like the classic mole, chocolatey richness- I thought it was rather unoriginal, but I guess its a tribute piece…The Carne asada gets honorable mention for being a great non-nonsense beef fajita- ala Arandas or any good jalisco style joint. I really dug the canteloupe agua fresca, had me goin back for refills like a bitch. I should also mention the sopes – thick corn masa tortillas served flat with the goods on top- tostada style. La Femme Ne Taco loved the Chicken Mole Sopes. they’re bigger than the tacos as well.

100% Taquito is a great lunch spot if you can beat the rush- it does get crowded on weekdays. They serve up plenty of great tacos including one of the top 3 tacos in tejas, and Im not disputing that claim, though I’d lobby for more of their menu items to be held in equally high esteem. word.

Cabeza

The Score:
Atmosphere: 6 (interesting, but a bit much, & a patio overlooking the freeway?)
tortillas: 8 (homemade and great, but small)
Salsa: 7 (authentic and tasty)
Food: 9
Price: 8
total: 76%
[rating:38/50