First visit: 1992 (Durant, OK)
We snuck into DFW to move the RJG's official Mom to Colorado Springs this past October. This was our only restaurant visit, as we were on a tight schedule. Could this be the last RJG visit in DFW (other than the airport of course)? It could very well be... wow, seems strange. Hard to believe the majority of the below review is now 10.5 years old.
We snuck into DFW to move the RJG's official Mom to Colorado Springs this past October. This was our only restaurant visit, as we were on a tight schedule. Could this be the last RJG visit in DFW (other than the airport of course)? It could very well be... wow, seems strange. Hard to believe the majority of the below review is now 10.5 years old.
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The RJG likes him some tacos. We mentioned in other posts that while Italian and Thai probably constitute our favorite restaurant experiences, taco places represent our favorite fast food excursion. And we'll boldly admit that it isn't even the authentic Mexican taco / taqueria stand that has been in vogue these last 25 years (though we like those too!). No, we like the good old fashioned American styled, crunchy taco. Taco Bell may be its iconic image, but it's hardly the best representative. Most taco chains are of the regional variety. And we've been to many of them! The RJG has liked tacos since he was a little kid. There are few pleasures in life better than walking off with a sack of tacos, knowing the great taste sensation that comes with the meeting of spiced mush meat, lettuce, cheese, crispy shell and taco sauce (for some reason, we don't like tomatoes in my tacos). If the bag doesn't have a hole at the bottom with orange grease, then you may have gone to the wrong place... Taco Casa isn't the best taco chain we've been to, but we'd put them in the top group. They load up the tacos, so a bag of 5 really fills you up. Lots of cheese and lettuce, and of course meat. The wife likes them too, but depending on her mood sometimes says they have too much meat (how is that even possible?). For regular RJG readers, that's a recommendation right there! The meat is a bit saltier than most chains, but is extremely tasty. Another crucial element of a good taco stand, is the quality of their sauce (in the bottle or packaged). And they have a simple, not too hot, but very good red taco sauce. We would prefer some hotter options, but it's not going to keep us away. Besides, we can always take them home and add our own habanero sauce if so desired (and we never do that anyway).
When we moved to NE Tarrant in 2003, we were thrilled to find out there was one in Watauga. We went there exclusively for years. You'll find the Watauga location on Mid-Cities, just west of Rufe Snow. For years, and maybe even today, if you arrived at prime lunch and dinner times, there was a drive-through line around the building. When folks tell us nobody eats this kind of fast food anymore, we just laugh. Yea, sure. Because of this popularity, a couple of more Taco Casa's opened up in Northeast Tarrant in short order: Colleyville (now closed) and then Keller. The latter is the closest for us, and we went regularly there for over 10 years. The Keller location is on Keller Parkway just west of Pate-Orr on the north side of the road.
Taco Casa is a classic regional chain. They are based in Gainesville in far north Texas at the border of Oklahoma. They continue to be in rapid expansion mode, and now are somewhat ubiquitous - especially in Tarrant County. We suppose it's strange then, that the RJG first discovered Taco Casa in Durant, one of the few Oklahoma locations. In the early 1990s once a month, the RJG's official old man got the bright idea of journeying up to Durant, which is located just over the border from Texas, to buy cigarettes from the Indian reservations. Gas was cheaper then and he apparently saved a bundle (God knows he smoked like a chimney). We'd tag along on occasion, especially on lazy Saturday mornings (there was no Mrs. RJG in those bygone days). Also a compliment about their signage: Taco Casa has the perfect retro cornball look, with the big sombrero and handlebar bigote. Awesome.
The RJG likes him some tacos. We mentioned in other posts that while Italian and Thai probably constitute our favorite restaurant experiences, taco places represent our favorite fast food excursion. And we'll boldly admit that it isn't even the authentic Mexican taco / taqueria stand that has been in vogue these last 25 years (though we like those too!). No, we like the good old fashioned American styled, crunchy taco. Taco Bell may be its iconic image, but it's hardly the best representative. Most taco chains are of the regional variety. And we've been to many of them! The RJG has liked tacos since he was a little kid. There are few pleasures in life better than walking off with a sack of tacos, knowing the great taste sensation that comes with the meeting of spiced mush meat, lettuce, cheese, crispy shell and taco sauce (for some reason, we don't like tomatoes in my tacos). If the bag doesn't have a hole at the bottom with orange grease, then you may have gone to the wrong place... Taco Casa isn't the best taco chain we've been to, but we'd put them in the top group. They load up the tacos, so a bag of 5 really fills you up. Lots of cheese and lettuce, and of course meat. The wife likes them too, but depending on her mood sometimes says they have too much meat (how is that even possible?). For regular RJG readers, that's a recommendation right there! The meat is a bit saltier than most chains, but is extremely tasty. Another crucial element of a good taco stand, is the quality of their sauce (in the bottle or packaged). And they have a simple, not too hot, but very good red taco sauce. We would prefer some hotter options, but it's not going to keep us away. Besides, we can always take them home and add our own habanero sauce if so desired (and we never do that anyway).
When we moved to NE Tarrant in 2003, we were thrilled to find out there was one in Watauga. We went there exclusively for years. You'll find the Watauga location on Mid-Cities, just west of Rufe Snow. For years, and maybe even today, if you arrived at prime lunch and dinner times, there was a drive-through line around the building. When folks tell us nobody eats this kind of fast food anymore, we just laugh. Yea, sure. Because of this popularity, a couple of more Taco Casa's opened up in Northeast Tarrant in short order: Colleyville (now closed) and then Keller. The latter is the closest for us, and we went regularly there for over 10 years. The Keller location is on Keller Parkway just west of Pate-Orr on the north side of the road.
Taco Casa is a classic regional chain. They are based in Gainesville in far north Texas at the border of Oklahoma. They continue to be in rapid expansion mode, and now are somewhat ubiquitous - especially in Tarrant County. We suppose it's strange then, that the RJG first discovered Taco Casa in Durant, one of the few Oklahoma locations. In the early 1990s once a month, the RJG's official old man got the bright idea of journeying up to Durant, which is located just over the border from Texas, to buy cigarettes from the Indian reservations. Gas was cheaper then and he apparently saved a bundle (God knows he smoked like a chimney). We'd tag along on occasion, especially on lazy Saturday mornings (there was no Mrs. RJG in those bygone days). Also a compliment about their signage: Taco Casa has the perfect retro cornball look, with the big sombrero and handlebar bigote. Awesome.
1992; 1993; 2003; 2004; 6/2/05; 11/9/06; 5/1/08 (new entry); 6/7/09; 3/8/10; 10/23/11; 7/10/12; 8/21/15; 11/30/17; 10/5/18
Durant, Oklahoma; Watauga, Texas; Colleyville, Texas; Keller, Texas
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10 comments:
Joe,
Thanks for the positive review.
My name is Blake Wright and I am the owner/operator of the Taco Casa in Durant, OK.
I am pleased that you have been treated and served in the fashion that we at Taco Casa strive to maintain. To know that someone has taken the time to post a positive comment means that we must do some good sometimes!
Thanks again, and look me up when you get back to Durant!
Blake Wright
Thanks Blake for writing in - always great to see this kind of feedback from the owners! Hope you continue to thrive. Haven't been to Durant in years, but will definitely stop by if I get the chance!
RJG,
Taco Casa is what I consider the best fast food taco chain. In my opinion they strive to be what Taco Bell was like back in the 70's-80's. Taco Casa actually makes their food on-site versus Taco Bell where they are essentially just re-heating everything. By making their food I'm talking frying the shells, pressure-cooking the beans, actually cooking ground beef, etc. I also like the fact that Taco Casa actually puts cheese on the items that are supposed to have it. Last time I went to Taco Bell (serious mistake on my part), I could count the number cheese shreds in each taco. In general, fast food was better growing in the 70's/80's....those mega corporations just try to cut costs and it really does end affecting the food.
Hi Ferny,
Thanks for your comments. I couldn't agree with you more concerning both Taco Casa, and the effect of Wall Street profit demands verse putting out a quality food product consistently (witness Taco Bell). I have a large editorial post somewhere on this blog that addresses this situation.
Taco Casa is probably the best fast food taco chain in Texas, but some of the best chains are up in Kansas like Taco Tico, Taco Grande, Taco Rio (only one Wichita locale now - but it's the best of all), Taco Casa (different than the Texas or Alabama chains). And many more... I had intended on writing a full taco guide, but it's been awhile since I've been to these chains (two years at least).
My visit was horrible. You mentioned the place was clean. Did you request to see their health inspection report? I requested to see it but they would not show it to me. There were bugs in my drink, and I requested a refund for my drink and only the remaining food that I had not eaten and that too was denied. (FYI, I spent $26 and was only requesting $3.50 refund.)
The manger admitted there was a bug problem and then went on to tell me that there are bugs in every restaurant including my house and that I should get over it. I filed a police report and plan on contacting the health services on Monday.
Chris,
Sorry you had a bad visit. To your comment about the Health Report, the health statistics are published in the Keller Citizen for each restaurant in the area. I haven't looked in a long while, but this location had a perfect score, which is unusual in itself. Even the cleanest places get demerits.
WOW...We here in Abilene, Texas must now be in the big league since we just got a Taco Casa. Its at a great location, next to I-20, in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and its the "new rave" around here!!!! Thanks to whoever I owe this to....
I grew up in Gainesville and TC was a staple. Whenever you went to town, you had to swing in. So I grew up loving it. I then went to college at SOSU in Durant, so the TC there both fit my budget and taste (they had an all you can eat night on Monday). However...I now live in East Mississippi and there are several TCs just across the state line in AL but they are horrible. They have similar menu, but that’s where the similarities end. Poor service, poor taste, kinda pricey when compared. Your first TC experience has to be in Texas, preferrably G.
Hi Anon,
So here's the deal. The Taco Casa's in Alabama are a different chain. There are 3 unrelated Taco Casa chains I know of. There's the one based in Gainesville, Texas as you referred to (and the subject of my post). The one you're referring to is based in Alabama. I had better luck than you, but it was in Birmingham, so maybe just a better store? I only went once though. There's also the Taco Casa chain in Topeka, which is outstanding - and interestingly enough for you - they have a couple of stores in Vicksburg, Mississippi! (other side of the state - but still...). I've actaully been to that one, and liked it though not as good as the Topeka stores.
Anytway, I hope you find a better Taco Casa (Alabama).
Thanks for your comment!
- RJG
RJG,
First time into Taco Casa yesterday in Keller, TX. I would say the food was fresh and mounds of it. I am not exaggerating...MOUNDS!
My wife got a Tostada and said she should have gotten two of them.
Service was fantastic and fast. We will be back.
Aaron
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