Corona Village - A Chain Apparently

This morning started with a brick workout, which for those unfamiliar with triathlons is a bike ride straight into a run. Why it's called a brick is contested, but I like to think it's an acronym for bike, run, ick. They're kind of a pain and the long ones are exhausting. So tacos were definitely in order to recharge the motor a bit and Corona Village was conveniently on the way to Restore.

Corona Village is a chain it seems, with locations in the valley, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Few and far between, but a chain nonetheless. This location is on State street between Flying Pie and Club 44, and despite the proximity to the house I hadn't been until today. Not sure why. Also not sure why I missed it on the first search for tacos, but I caught it now. So yay!

Presentation - Pretty unassuming exterior and interior. I was called amigo many times, which was interesting. I've been called worse. The fish taco on the menu was a side, I asked if they did an entree version and the server obliged. Plating was fine. All around average amigo. 3/5

Aroma - The chipotle sauce was pretty aromatic in a good way. They smelled good. 4/5

Value - The entree they gave me was $10.95 for two tacos and a side of rice and beans. Tacos ala carte are $2.75 each. If I did it again I'd just get 2-3 of the tacos and the chips and salsa they give you up front, because rice and beans aren't really worth $5.45 in my humble opinion. Still not a bad deal. 6/10

Fish - One fried piece each. I'm coming to appreciate the diversity of the fried fish, and enjoyed the method here. Thin breading but I believe it was fried hot because it was pretty crispy. If I recall correctly they were cod, not too greasy with a balanced fishiness. Nothing bold about them, just done well and solid. 7/10

Not Fish - One flour tortilla each with cabbage, pico, and a chipotle sauce. Nothing exceptional, but the sauce did deliver on the smell. No limes, which they could have used. There was hot sauce on the table if you wanted to spice it up, I opted not to. I can see a few tweaks that would help, but not a bad example. 6/10

Overall Taste - A bit on the simple side without making a boring or bad tasting taco. Just fine for what they are and they hit the spot. 6/10

Bonus Points - Lo siento amigo, no hoy. +0

Overall Overall - 32/50

High middle is about right for these. A fine choice for a saturday lunch.

Cheesecake Factory - Mall Tacos...Again

As usual, administrative detail. Did you know we had a Moe's Southwest Grill here? They're a big chain elsewhere, but I had no idea there was one hiding in the Boise State University Student Union Building. Woo! Taco Called Wanda, here I come! Oh, wait, limited menu. No fish. Bwa bwa. On the plus side, they do have a "Stack" called "Wrong Duck", which is a less garbagey version of a Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme. So, ya know, didn't leave hungry, but out of the tour they go.

Onto the point of this post, Cheesecake Factory! AKA, calm it down with the menu you nutballs. Over 250 items on that thing, it's a GD binder. The location is in the mall, well more attached to than in, but glommed on to the main building. Surprisingly not too busy on a Friday night, which was nice, no wait.

Presentation - You have to deal with the mall parking lot to get there, but eh, not that bad. Nice open interior with decor that the girls loved for some reason, plenty of room in the booth for them to fidget without getting annoying. Taco plating was good, holder and a side on each side. They list the calories on the menu, which makes me a bit sad. Overall good, especially for a chain. 4/5

Aroma - The crazy green rice was more aromatic with the taco. Cilantro and lime I think. Tacos smelled fine too, just a bit mellow compared to craze-o rice. 3/5

Value - Second most expensive tacos thus far. Not small, I was full, but not cheap. On the flip side I got an appetizer of Nashville Hot Chicken Nuggets, which was $4.95 and pretty big and tasty. I'll give them a point back for that. 4/10

Fish - They were nice enough to give me half grilled, half fried with no guff at all. Either option was a single large piece per taco. The fried was pretty solid, a tad greasy but good flavor and breading. Oddly enough I slightly preferred the grilled, really good seasoning and flavor. A day after having them neither is crazy memorable, but both were good choices at the time. 7/10

Not Fish - Single corn tortilla per taco, no lime (bummer). The menu seems to list the ingredients in pico separately as tomato, marinated onions, and cilantro, which is odd. No cabbage, but the avocado and chipotle sauce were both solid. The tortillas, like the fried fish, were just a tad greasy. Much like the fish, nothing stuck in my brain today, but it was really solid at the time. 7/10

Overall Taste - Just all around solid. Balanced and fairly standard, but given the sheer volume of things the cooks have to make, I'm impressed that these aren't boring and meh. 7/10

Bonus Points - If I hadn't given them one for the nuggets already, they'd get one here. But such is the tour. +0

Overall Overall - 32/50

Two options at the mall, this and Cafe Ole. Straight taco comparison? Make your way across the lot to Cafe Ole. Want Cheesecake? Well here's your obvious answer.

The Shed - What's All This Now?

I will freely admit I had no idea that The Shed existed until about Tuesday night. Which is a bit ironic considering it used to be The Lift 2, presumably a progeny of The Lift, which was an early stop on this tour. To be fair it's well hidden, tucked back against the east end of Ann Morrison by a lot of student housing. Luckily a friend pointed out their daily special on Thursday was fish tacos. That's an easy choice to make, off we went.

Before I get into the review, it should be noted that these are not a daily menu item and thus, they're in a bit of an odd place. Should they end up towards the top they may need to be dealt with.

Presentation - Parking is a chore, but past that the place is pretty nice.  It's not huge but it's laid out with a lot of seating. Patios front and back, booths, a nice bar, it's a decent ambiance all around. Service was quick and friendly and the clientele was fine, especially so close to campus. The plating was basic but just fine, overall it ended up being a really nice spot for a weekday dinner. 4/5

Aroma - Honestly a bit overpowering on the citrus, but with a nice bit of cilantro, kale, and fish behind it. Not great, but not bad. 3/5

Value - $9.00 for a pair of tacos with chips and salsa on the side. This is decent for a sit down restaurant as is, but two more factors bump it even more. The unique ingredients would usually pull a premium, and to be honest these tacos were monsters. Two big fried pieces each, literally a fistful of tacos. That said, great value. 8/10

Fish - Two fried cod pieces per taco. As I mentioned above, they were giganto. Like taco falling apart giganto. Not a horrible thing. Not too greasy, great flavor, not much to dislike here. If I have to find one fault, the breading was a tad heavy. Not upsettingly so, just a bit. 8/10

Not Fish - Unique here. Single corn tortillas (double would have helped with the falling apart issue) and no limes (or lemons, thankfully). Kale "superfood" slaw, which was pretty great. Cilantro-vin, which is apparently a thing? Peach mango salsa in excess. Seriously, too much salsa. Some fell off, more was brushed off. And the fruit wasn't quite ripe. Still above average and a bold and unique modification to the standard. 6/10

Overall Taste - I liked these. Minor flaws but another unique option, which is helpful when you realize there are >60 options in Boise alone. 7/10

Bonus Points - I made a point to try a bite of everyone's food. Why? Because I'm a dad and that's my right or something? I don't know, but I did. Great kids meals (quesadilla and chicken strips), great burger, and a solid happy hour menu.Very well rounded, we will be going back to try more of the menu. +1

Overall Overall - 37/50

37 puts them in a growing tie for 4th with some heavy hitters. Whether or not you can get these on a day to day basis is in question, but if you can, you will be making a fine choice. If not, get a burger, also a fine choice.

Rolling Tacos - Mysterious

More administrative detail; remember when I said 4 more stops? I meant ten. Ten more spots. Oof. Check the list to see the additions, they are many. And for the love of God, if you know of one I'm missing tell me now.

There's a taco truck at the corner of Fairview and Five Mile, which is on my route when I go for a run over lunch at work. They have a big sign that says "Fish Tacos" waving in the breeze. But no obvious name on the truck. Or so I thought, could have been a product of my exhaustion induced haze because there are multiple places where the truck says "Rolling Tacos". They have been added to the list and I stopped by on Wednesday for lunch.

Presentation - Always tricky with a food truck. I may have been the first customer, there was little activity inside until they saw me waiting, at which point someone who may have been of legal working age took my order and handed me my Diet Coke. I accidentally knocked their tip jar off its precarious perch with a handful of quarters. It was a weird interaction. Anyway, "plating" was a foil wrapped tub. Worked fine, nothing fancy. 2/10

No Interior Pic of the Truck. Someday...

Aroma - Dug these, the chipotle sauce and fresh red cabbage smelled great. 4/5

Value - The fish tacos are on the wrinkly neon green sign in the above pic. You may notice there's no price on there. I had to deduce it from the total cost.  $6.09 for 2 tacos and a drink, which equates to 5.75 before tax.  I'm going to assume this means $2.50 per taco with a 75 cent can of soda, possibly $2.25 each and a $1.25 soda. Either way solid for tasty tacos. The man-boy said two was a good lunch. I would get 3 if I did it again, just a bit light. 6/10

Fish - The sign doesn't specify, but they are grilled filets of a whitefish of some sort. Not overly seasoned but there's something there. The fish flavor was stronger on these than average, but not overpowering. Well prepared for grilled, no real complaints. 6/10

Not Fish - Flour tortillas, and thick ones at that. Almost pita thick. They worked. Super juicy lime slices, great fresh tasting pico and cabbage, and a really solid chipotle sauce as mentioned above. I had the first one as is, I added the salsa to the second one, which was really good. Spicier than the chipotle sauce with a nice smoky flavor. Dug em both. 8/10

Overall Taste - Not at all bad, among the better grilled options I've had. If the choice were mine to make I'd add a bit more seasoning on the fish and maybe some cotija cheese. Also chips, because sides. 7/10

Bonus Points - Tough category for a food truck. They get the normal +0

So there's a solid grilled option at Five Mile and Fairview, and a really solid fried option at Five Mile and ~Emerald. Those are both within about a mile of work. This is a good thing.

Jalapenos - Disappearing Flavor

ADMINISTRATIVE DETAIL: No more Gloria's, I drove by to confirm, the space is vacant. One down, but some searching today added FOUR MORE FREAKING STOPS! We're not done yet folks, I was hoping to finish this week but I don't think that's so doable anymore. Still targeting finish this month.

Jalapenos was a relatively late addition to the list. Not sure why I didn't catch them on the first melee search, but I did later, which is what counts. Or something. They're right around the corner from work, so it's a nice convenient lunch stop. I couldn't even bring myself to drive today, it's just so close. A quick 5 minute walk, and here we are.

Presentation - The patio is skinny and kind of odd shaped, but the inside is just fine. There was a bachelorette party (I think) in one area and it didn't bug me at all. There are a couple slightly separated dining rooms and a high top bar area which was where I ended up. The bartender was my server and kept up just fine with a pretty small lunch crowd. Chips and salsa came out immediately with food pretty quickly behind. The plating was...different. Two large plates, which I think is a first. Large plates for sure, two plates I think. Anyway, one of the higher points of this review. 3/5

Aroma - The first hint of something amiss. There was very little aroma. Not bad, just barely there. Mild citrus and fish. 2/5

Value - First off, LOL at "Mexican Tacos". I was really hoping for Armenian Tacos. Maybe next time. Anyway, $13.99 for 3. More expensive than average, especially considering the quality as I'll detail below. 4/10

Fish - I'm hoping by now that the photo above confuses the reader as it did me. WTF is going on? Three tortillas with fish chunks and lemon wedges. Some iceberg and pico on the side. DIY tacos it seems. I can deal, but odd. Anyway, it does highlight the fish, which almost looks undercooked. It's not, it's just super lacking in any seasoning. It's like the chef just used the fond in the pan from whatever he just cooked, no new seasoning. Surprisingly enough, it tasted like it too. Just nothing there. Not undercooked, but severely underprepared. I don't get it. 2/10

Not Fish - The rice and beans weren't bad. The lettuce was essentially solidified water. The pico had the least amount of flavor I've ever had in pico. The lemon helped a bit, as did some Tapatio hot sauce. But lemon? And flour tortillas? Ummm... 3/10

Overall Taste - Nothing wrong with them, but also nothing to them. I swear they forgot 2-3 ingredients. I finished them for the caloric value alone. And to not upset the bachelorettes or something. 3/10

Bonus Points - They had an unsecured Vizio TV that I could have used to cast something odd from my phone. Super tempting to throw some weird stuff up there. Japanese knockoff Barney or whatever. I did not. I perused a DIY school bus conversion instead, as I am often wont to do. Free wifi FWIW. +0

Overall Overall - 17/50

Well, new last place it seems. I can definitely say skip these. There's just nothing too them, my La Croix has more flavor. Onwards.

Sunrise Cafe - Books, covers, etc.

Less than a day from learning about these tacos to eating them at the Overland Sunrise Cafe. Pretty sure that's a record for this blog, but in a sprint to the finish, no holds barred.

I'll preface this by saying a friend manages the Sunrise Cafe chain in the valley and their breakfast is on point. This doesn't mean I got a discount or anything, but I do hope he reads this feedback and maybe tweaks them a bit. A few changes could go a long way here to bring them up to par with the rest of the menu.

Presentation - The inside is pretty standard for a breakfast focused place with some nice variety in seating. There's a bar by the kitchen, another around what looks to be a small fireplace against the front wall, and a nice mix of benches and tables. Service was good, never had an empty glass and the staff was all around nice. The plating was pretty bad, maybe a taco stand would have helped but they looked pretty sad and the pico definitely doesn't look fresh. Iceberg lettuce too, which is kind of floppy vs. a nice cabbage. Almost dropped it to a two, but the service just barely snuck it up a point. 3/5

Aroma - Another one that's not particularly good, but still appetizing. They smelled like tacos. 3/5

Value - $12.99 is not crazy for mahi mahi, but that's provided it's backed up with a nice not-fish set of ingredients. These were lacking in that category, as is I'd say they're a <$10 plate. Also, the menu wording implied a choice of french fries, which defaulted to...french fries. The other tacos had rice and beans, wish these had that option too. 3/10

Fish - It's hiding in there, but there's a nice layer of shredded blackened mahi mahi under that bed of lettuce. It was honestly decent, could have gone for a little more but the seasoning was solid and the shredding actually worked well to keep it evenly distributed. 6/10

Not Fish - Low point here. Single corn tortilla per taco, but they were pretty greasy. More sketchy taco truck than nice breakfast/lunch joint. No limes and the cheese mentioned on the menu doesn't appear to have made it onto mine. The pico was not great looking, but didn't taste bad. Iceberg is a no-go in my opinion, replace that with cabbage. The lime aioli was hidden (right on top of the fish) but had a good flavor. All in all a couple decent things mixed with some not so decent ones, below average. 3/10

Overall Taste - They were greasy, definitely fast food or taco truck style, but they didn't suck. Don't get me wrong, they weren't great, but they tasted better than they looked by a good margin. 5/10

Bonus Points - Nothing of note really. +0

Overall Overall - 23/50

Since there's a chance that someone that can change things will read this, my advice for making them much better:
-Drop the iceberg lettuce, replace with red or green cabbage
-1x lime slice per taco
-Less oil to fry the tortillas, I've found you can do it with almost none on a griddle if you're paying close attention
-Make or buy fresh pico with nice big chunks of onion and tomato
-A bit more fish per taco
-If you're going to include cheese, do so right up top
-Taco holders on the plate
-A side of the lime aioli
-Choice of sides, including rice and beans, chips and salsa, and since you're a breakfast place, something fun like homestyle potatoes or an egg
Incorporate those and I think these would bump an easy 10 points.

Barbacoa - What are these, tacos for ants?

Yet another piece of administrative detail; a friend informed me that Sunrise Cafe has fish tacos. So this is a net zero progress post, knocked one off but added one on. Such is the nature of the tour.

As a lot of Boise residents may know, Barbacoa has an interesting history. It burned to the ground in 2010 and was rebuilt with a notably different layout. I've been to the before and after versions, and I have to say I prefer the new one. The layout is open and unique, with great decor and ambiance. Food and drinks aren't cheap, but aren't egregious either. They could go for a slightly better beer selection, but their liquor selection is impressive.

Presentation - There's a bar upstairs called the Luna Rooftop Bar with a limited menu. The hostess said they'd have tacos, so we went up there first. They do have tacos, but not fish, so we ended up heading back down to the main bar. No matter, the upstairs crowd wasn't quite my bag, I much preferred the folks inside. Solid and attentive bartenders, awesome decor as I mentioned above, and unique platings. I can't find much wrong with the place honestly. 5/5

Aroma - I'm not 100% sure what was on these as the menu isn't explicit. Fish, pico, cilantro, some sort of cheese (I say cotija, Christine says feta), and a white sauce. It smelled pretty good, regardless of what's on it. 4/5

Value - $9 for a "brick" of 5 tacos. A buck eighty per taco isn't bad, but it should be noted that these are tiny. I two-bit the first taco, did the rest in one chomp. With a side of tableside guacamole and one taco to the lady friend, I left pretty full for a late night bonus dinner. Not a deal, not exorbitant. 5/10

Fish - Blackened white fish of some sort with some good seasoning. Blackened is rarely my favorite preparation, but these were a notable exception. Great seasoning, perfect amount per taco, really good. Not as good as they could have been fried, but really good nonetheless. 8/10

Not Fish - Two tiny corn tortillas per, along with pico, cilantro, some tasty crumbly cheese, and a really good white sauce. Oddly enough a lemon on the side. I left that be. The came with a mini-side of coleslaw that was great. I could have gone for a bit more spice and some limes, but pretty good all that said. Unrelated, I cheated and got an Anderson Valley Summer Solstice instead of a Diet Coke. No regrets. 7/10

Overall Taste - Not gonna lie, I wish I got 10 instead of five, they were better than expected. Well balanced, medium fishiness (fishitude?), pretty close to traditional with just enough difference to be unique. Dug em. 8/10

Bonus Points - If the upstairs bar wasn't full of douchiness and empty of fishiness, they may have earned one. But nope. +0

Overall Overall - 37/50

Tied for fourth, not at all bad for a late comer. I'm not surprised they did really well, their kitchen is on point, if not a tad pricey. For a fancy night out, highly recommended.