Pink Taco
I've been up to my neck trying not to get too sick, preparing for my boyfriend's 30th birthday party, and celebrating a friend's engagement. Pardon the week's silence.
Things needed to get done and feeling under the weather was at the bottom of the priority list come weekend so I braved a trip to my favorite mall. Before shopping up a storm last Saturday, my boyfriend and I decided to check out the infamous Pink Taco. Infamous because of its very controversial name. [If you have to ask why, or what it means, please Google it.] I've first heard of it on the news online while I was in Vancouver last year. Days after that The Daily Show featured an interview with the owner and then some. Very funny.
What's not to be curious about, right? After all, the Valley was two days away from having a Pink Taco Stadium months ago. How can you resist checking out what the fuss was about?
So we finally did.
Pink Taco is right by the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall, at the Scottsdale Waterfront. You won't miss it. From the name alone, Pink Taco is not a place you should expect anything ordinary from. Walk into this Mexican restaurant and you will instantly notice the different vibe--cool and eclectic. It has one of the more interesting decors I've seen from a casual dining restaurant/bar and you will know what I mean when you visit them. Religious statues of saints, dolls, fake skulls, crucifixes, stars, etc...that melange under one roof.
They have a good selection of appetizers and main courses, one of which is their signature dish Pink Tacos/"Panuchos". We were not that hungry so we decided to split the ribs between the two of us. It's an interesting take on this American favorite, the barbecue sauce has a citrus taste to it (which I discovered was tamarind-chipotle.) It comes with a side of jicama slaw and tomato salad with Mexican corn on the cob, the latter has a very interesting mixture of taste and texture. Their 'default chips', as I call them, served with the drinks are good, too. The salsa will please those who love it spicy--and boy does it have a kick.
I ordered their Fine Casa Margarita and it was average: it was a little on the sweet side for me and it wasn't as strong as I am used to. My boyfriend tried the Tequila Sunrisa, and I couldn't have enough of it. I'll definitely get that next time, and probably try their pink margarita, too.
All in all, we had a nice dining experience at Pink Taco. It wasn't exceptional but to us it was more of the novelty of going there. Coincidentally, I think my boyfriend's mother and his sister went their the same day to see what they have, too. I'll have to ask them what they think of it. I'd say the staff could be friendlier, but then again we were there during a dead stretch of the afternoon, when it was cloudy and guests were few so alright. Still, it could have been better. Prices of the food are more expensive than the usual. I would say it goes with the location of the restaurant. The drinks are decently priced. It's worth a try if you're craving for Mexican food and you're thereabouts.
Where to get your Pink Taco fix:
ARIZONA: [map]
7135 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ
(480) 675-7777
CALIFORNIA:
10250 Santa Monica Blvd. #220, Los Angeles, CA
(310) 789-1000
NEVADA:
4455 Paradise Rd, Las Vegas, NV
(702) 693-5525
