Torchy’s Tacos
Chorizo, Egg, Cheese on Flour Tortilla
Fried Avocado, Refried Beans, Pico, Lettuce, Cheese, Poblano Sauce on Corn Tortilla
Crisp Waffle, Fried Egg, Fried Chicken, Bacon on Flour Tortilla with Maple Syrup
Lil’ Nookies – Deep Fried Chocolate Chip Cookies with Powdered Sugar and Cherries
A local boy follows his passion story as good as any, Mike Rypka’s ‘Taco Dream’ that became Torchy’s Tacos is proudly displayed on the restaurant’s menus, website, and paraphernalia – the “Damn Good” food having now spawned several locations crossing city and state borders; my visit to the suburban Ranch Rd 620 location based largely on proximity to my hotel but the food and service far exceeding modest expectations – a “chain” outdoing any of the local mom n’ pop shops in serving up the most innovative and delicious tacos I’d experience in Texas. Small and slick in size, certainly commercial but featuring servers that really seem to enjoy their jobs it was just after 8am when I arrived at Torchy’s and greeted by the manager I asked a few questions before deciding on an order, my original plan for two tacos converted to three plus dessert on his recommendation and only one of the choices even remotely authentic but everything served hot, fresh, and bursting with flavor. Starting simple with spicy pork and fluffy eggs with cheese and housemade hot sauce on a warm flour tortilla it was the pillowy bread that struck me first and moving next to the signature fried avocado on toothsome corn I again smiled, the light batter overly creamy morsels finding great balance in the combination of beans and smoky poblano. Rounding out the savories with the most ‘odd’ choice of the group, a newly added special, Torchy’s clever take on Chicken and Waffles would actually prove surprisingly well done and at a mere $4.50 a meal in itself complete with supple golden waffle, runny egg, and crispy chicken plus bacon all on a completely unnecessary but location appropriate tortilla – pure maple syrup gilding the proverbial lily and proving ample transition to dessert, a trio of fried cookie dough balls that were every bit as decadent as they sound.
