Taco Shack

By Ginny, on December 21st, 2011

With holiday parties a plenty, chances are you will be feeling the residual after affects of last night’s eggnog one of these mornings. As any true Austinite knows, the best cure for a hang around is a breakfast taco with a side of Advil. Generally I am a Tacodeli kind of girl, but a recent foray to my old college favorite Taco Shack reminded me to switch it up every now and again. Taco Shack’s tacos might not be as hearty as a Don Juan or authentic as El Primo, but they are uncomplicated, cheap, and just what the doctor ordered. The purpose here is to refuel the engines, not to induce under desk George Costanza-style naps mid morning, and Taco Shack small but hearty tacos are apt for this intention. My go-to order is an egg, cheese, potato and tomato (you know, to be healthy) on flour. It is generously stuffed with buttery, fluffy eggs, crisp potatoes, and almost melted shredded cheese. While each taco is made assembly line style instead of cooked all together, the ingredients still taste fresh and the tacos are ready in a flash. Points must be deduced for lack of homemade tortilla, but Taco Shack certainly isn’t the only prebought tortilla offender in town. However, the salsas are housemade and full of firey flavor. If my tomato taco evokes an eye roll, perhaps try the manlier house specialty ‘Shack Taco’. Stuffed with eggs, chorizo, potatoes, and cheese, it’s a glorious gut check of a taco with just the right amount of grease to soak up last night’s indulgences. Though I have not tried lunch, many rave about the tortilla soup and crispy beef tacos. A Taco Shack taco might not be the most overindulgent or flashiest taco on the block; there aren’t any secret sauces, flavor fusions, or bells and whistles. Refreshingly, a Taco Shack taco is straightforward, consistent, and simply delicious.

Taco Shack. 8 Locations in Austin (listed here). This visit: 402 Brazos (Frost Bank Building), Austin, TX 78701. 512.473.0101. http://www.tacoshack.com/index.html