taco nano - Northfield

anyone else eaten here? been open almost a year and the tacos are awesome!!!

Taco Nano
1743 Orchard Ln
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 386-7159

=R=

afromen wrote:anyone else eaten here? been open almost a year and the tacos are awesome!!!

I have. Pleasant enough taco stand with a small area to eat in. I have carried out a couple of times and tried most of the tacos. Some were good enough and others were clunkers. I wouldn't consider taco nano to be a destination by any stretch as I think we have much better taquerias further north in Highland Park/Highwood. This is a pleasant and serviceable option for the area.

Taco Nano - http://taconano.com/

Hadn't seen this in the area. I'll have to give it a try. Apparently it's the same people as the The Happ Inn.

I went thru each taco option that intrigued me enough to try and came away with mixed reactions. The guacamole was pretty damn good and well balanced as far as spice. However the chips were hardly freshly fried. I didn't see much to make me think they weren't from a bag.


Inside

Similar problems with the tacos as far as overall balance. I tried the grilled skirt steak, al pastor, blackened tilapia, fried shrimp, duck confit and grilled chicken offerings. Winner was easily the crispy camarones. Those were worthy of the $4 pricetag (some are $3, some $4). Perfectly crisp and lightly battered, the fresh flavor of the shrimp weren't lost amongst too many toppings.


Fried Shrimp Taco

Tacos are served on homemade tortillas but my biggest gripe of the visit was the fact they were served semi cold and obviously made ahead of time and stored in a container somewhere. I also had to ask for salsa, not a big deal but it was needed on the al pastor which came from a spit but was a bit dry. Same goes for the grilled skirt steak ($4) which was also served lukewarm. The grilled chicken was literally a chunk. But it was grilled to remain juicy and came with a poblano rojas and grilled onions. Pretty good actually. The grilled fish was somewhat bland and I didn't much care for the duck confit ($4). So for better or worse, the Old El Paso was the other one I quite enjoyed. This is their rendition of the gringo style tacos many considered the norm a couple decades back. I can make these just as good if not better but for $3 these are a good way to scratch the itch for them if any ever get it like I still do now and then. All in all I'll try again but only when in the area. My spot of residence isn't that close but if it were I'd stop in now and again. Not a bad addition to this neck of the woods. In other taco news.


The Old El Paso

Taco Nano
1743 Orchard Ln
Northfield, IL 60093
(847) 386-7159

How does this place compare to El Mexican Restaurant which is pretty close by located on Waukegan just south of Willow. I've been to El Mexican several times and love it, but haven't tried Taco Nano.

Temporarily closed for remodeling, FYI.

Same chef I think owns Taco Vida in Deerfield.
I am really not a taco person, but these are awesome.
Really worth the trip.

http://tacovidadeerfield.com/