By Jillian Brewer, Contributing Critic
The end of the semester is getting closer, and the urge to get off campus might be growing inside of you. Although you will have to go further than Wilmore’s Drinklings, The Local Taco, located on South Limestone in downtown Lexington is a place you might consider venturing. The restaurant offers an assortment of your “typical” Tex-Mex musts — including tacos, enchiladas, fresh guacamole made daily and quesadillas (just in case the Bistro’s aren’t cutting it for you).
During my visit, I was able to sample three of the restaurant’s innovatively-assembled tacos. The first was a fish taco with lettuce and jalapeño tartar sauce. Though the appearance seems simple, it is surprisingly tasty. It was not the best fish taco I have ever eaten, but the fried fish itself is not “fishy” at all. The fish was pan-fried — meaning less oil was used while cooking, the moisture of the fish was contained and there was a flaky, golden coating. As a result of this cooking method, the taco had a light, whimsical texture and taste to it.
The second was a tequila lime chicken taco. Now, this is the one I would rank lowest of my three particular choices. It was not terrible or inedible — there’s no need to be dramatic — there was simply nothing special about it. The chicken was marinated and paired with lettuce, traditional verde sauce and tomatoes. Marinades can be used as a wonderful cooking agent to tenderize the meat and infuse aromatic flavors. Regardless of having potentially-great piquancy, it was an unfortunate mediocrity.
Lastly, the one I would most highly suggest is the Korean BBQ taco. While I would not identify the favor profile of the beef in this Asian-inspired taco identical to that which you would find in meat that is actually marinated in Korean spices, the taste does not disappoint. What makes the taco stand out, however, are the other components that might be considered garnishes. Atop the beef tenders are an in-house made Asian slaw, which represents kimchi and adds a kick of spice and texture; toasted sesame seeds, which are a prime ingredient in Korean cuisine; and freshly chopped scallions. This is a taco that will tickle the tongue and take you to better places.
One of the main things that makes this taco joint so attractive is the prices. Due to the fact that it is a short walking distance from the University of Kentucky’s campus, the costs are student-friendly.
A single taco is $3.25, but a plate of four is only $12.00. I would note that the portion sizes are on the smaller side, so you’ll definitely want to get at least a couple tacos if you are going for the satisfaction of a full meal.
As the weather warms up, The Local Taco has a generous amount of outside patio seating, which provides great views of downtown Lexington. The hours of operation are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Therefore, in the afternoon, this is a great little spot to soak up the sun, get some food in your belly to fuel your mind and write that pesky paper. It also makes for a nice spot for an evening meal with your friends to gather.
