Anyone who knows me is aware of my love affair with tacos. I truly believe I could eat them every day of the week if the right circumstances presented themselves.
The other day, my boyfriend and I set out on a mission to find the best tacos near my neighborhood. I live within close proximity to downtown, so one might be under the impression that this wouldn’t be too difficult of a search. Wrong! There are lots of places, but none that really fit my criteria for great flavor at a good price.
I used to love Acapulco Joe’s, but these days, their food is a far cry from what it used to be, though the price is relatively cheap. I’ve heard from folks that the food issue is due to new management changing the recipes. Nada, located near Circle Centre Mall, is alright, but the best part of my visit was the beautiful decor and corn salsa. The rest of my meal (salmon tacos, beans and rice) was nothing to rave about, and in my opinion not worth the price tag.
On a visit to Fountain Square not long ago, I decided to try La Revolucion. I don’t know what the deal was that day, but the corn tortillas sort of smelled like a wet dog. The best thing this place had going on was the Tiki bar and their creatively named sauces. That night, I should’ve gone with one of the old faithfuls, La Margarita or La Parada, as they’re both located nearby.
This most recent taco journey started with a quick Yelp search; I skimmed through all the ones I’d previously visited as well as those with sketchy reviews. I stopped at El Calamar Marisqueria; they had a good number of five-star reviews, so I thought it’d be worth a shot. The restaurant, located at 420 S. Sherman Dr., may not look like much from the outside to the untrained eye, but I knew we were in for a treat. Seriously, the best food that I’ve ever had has been eaten in establishments without fancy tablecloths and stemware.
The place was pretty empty, so finding a seat was no problem. After sitting, we were promptly served chips and salsa. The salsa was perfect, and the chips were definitely made in-house. (Warning: For those who aren’t fans of spicy things, leave the salsa alone. It most definitely has a strong kick to it.) That night, I was dealing with some pretty bad sinus issues, so I decided not to be too exploratory in my meal choice. This place is known for great seafood, but I decided to save that for a day when my taste buds were in working order.
The menu is pretty straightforward: nachos, burritos, tacos, flautas, pozole, enchiladas and other staples. There was a shrimp dish that featured garlic and a ceviche option that stood out to me. That evening, I kept it simple and settled for chicken tacos served in warm corn tortillas. I topped them with cilantro, onion, verde and a squeeze of lime juice.
It was simple, delicious and filling. For a little over $2 a piece, these tacos may just be one of the best bets in the city. If you’re a bonafide taco lover, you’d enjoy this gem on the city’s southeast side.
El Calamar Marisqueria
420 S. Sherman Dr.
(317) 356-2112
