underwhelmed.
After excitedly reading about Taco Chino, and their fusion concept, I thought I'd give them a try.
I ordered some Kimchi Tacos, and Al Pastor tacos, Beef Taco and Chicken Wings and a Agua de Jamaica (dried hibiscus flower infused water).
Nothing was anything worth returning for- especially the "service".
At many small food establishments there are some communication gaps, but here, it was more like a
chasm.
The girl at the register couldnt grasp my Spanish. When I reverted to English- she had trouble there as well.
After paying and waiting for our order to appear- I watched as four other patrons in line behind me- received their orders and
were on there way. Good thing I had another lth-er at a table behind us to chat up- to distract me from a 20 minute wait.
After enquiring why that 4 other patrons had gotten their food before ME, the girl tried to expalin that the Kimchi tacos take time cause
they are "made to your order"- well- shouldn't ALL of my order be made that way?
After another long 5 minute wait- most of our order appeared. (the Chicken Wings appeared 5 minutes after that)
The flavor of the much heralded Kimchi Taco was underwhelming at best.
The corn tortillas were fresh enough (2 per taco) but the Kimchi was not as tart as any Korean restaurant- almost "lynched" of
any aged funk- to "Americanize" it is my best hunch. The quantity of filling was stingy to average at best.
The Al Pastor- well- yes- the comments a few upstream shoulda warned me- but not only was it not spit roasted Al Pastor-
it was a mushy over sauced mess of a griddled version of Al Pastor.
Had the Jaimaica water been less diluted- I might have found it worth drinking.
The Chicken Wings were first basket fried and enorobed in a Sirracha sauce, barely edible.
Upon leaving a Mexican patron (who was about # 5 after me) was attempting to express
his dissatisfaction with his order to the girl at the counter-
she in turn called up the cook to the counter. His words and gestures (the cook) were defensive (not soothing or accommodating)
and angered the patron -
- to the point of his (the not happy patron) dramatically throwing his basket of 1/2 eaten food into the trash- basket and all-
rather than have a go round to attempt to make it right.
Had I been in my "Drama Queen" mode- I'da certainly felt like doing the same.
The only "fusion" item on the menu is The Kimchi taco- the
Chino [quote][/quote]part of the name is sorely a front.
The only
fusion going on in this place in some con
fusion