review: camp taco

Although eventually the sunshine peeked through the clouds, today was one rainy mess!  It's been one of those days that a small miracle would be required to drag you outside.

Like an extra-tasty eating establishment, for example.

One like Camp Taco!  (Warning:  Worst. Website. Ever.  But I'm not reviewing the website.)

Camp Taco is on 20th Street South, just past Five Points.  It's a total hole in the wall with zippo atmosphere, but let's call a spade a spade, those spots have some tasty food!

Now, when you read "the inside scoop" on down at the bottom of this entry, you might think, "Now that is a lot of reasons not to go to Camp Taco."  Don't be a hater.


I just believe that as a foodie sharing the food love, I have an obligation to manage your expectations.

Now, onto the goodness that is Camp Taco:

order one of these (or one of each if you can't decide!):

The Flank Steak Taco with Housemade Steak Sauce and Amish Bleu Cheese, because it's the most delicious combination of sweet sauce and sharp cheese you'll ever want to consume, or

The Chicken BLT Taco with White BBQ Sauce, because while it's a little less adventurous, it's got itself a multi-faceted, well-rounded flavor nonetheless.

and if you're really hungry or have friends with whom to share:

The Tres Queso and Chips, because y'all, for a cheese lover (i.e., me), this is the mother of all queso dips.  It has your regular ol' melted queso blanco (the white cheese of all Mexican joint quesos), and then piled inside of that is shredded Monterey Jack cheese and crumbled queso fresco.  Be still, my heart!

and the inside scoop, from yours truly:

1. Note that "specials" -- including my two taco recommendations -- are listed to the right of the main menu, on a board that resembles something a kindergartner might prepare for a science fair project.  Not really a great way to highlight your chef's picks, but to each his own.
 
2. All the tacos are served on double soft tortillas, so if you're cheap like me, you can split the filling of one taco between the two tortillas and pretend like you get more bang for your buck, even though you're really not.
 
3. Chips and salsa aren't free, so if you're getting something extra to munch on, go with the Tres Queso.  (I know you're surprised by that recommendation.)
 
4. For lunch, wait 'til later in the noon hour, because you will want to parallel park.  All three times I've been, we've had no problems snagging a spot, but we go late.
 
5. Given #4 above, be sure your driver doesn't struggle with the parallel parking.  It could get ugly.  And don't forget some change for the meter.
 
6. As previously mentioned, considering the (un)atmosphere, don't try to impress a first date there (unless he/she is a cheese lover).
 
7. Don't go if you have more than four people in your party.  They have only two- and four- tops, and you can't go pushing tables together, because, well, they're all booths affixed to the floor, and that would just be a disaster.
 
8. If you have picky eaters in your group (i.e., not me), I've heard the Chicken Melt -- just chicken and cheese -- is the safe bet for those poor souls.

Try it out, y'all.  It'll make your rainy days taste better.