Tacos y Mas ~

Latest visit: Feb 2016 (Keller - closed)

First visit: Dec 2012 (Keller - closed)

It appears the chain has expanded since we left, even though our former local branch closed. They did open another NE Tarrant location in Hurst where the rents are no doubt cheaper. There are currently 9 locations, most on the Dallas side.

Looks like the Keller location has closed. However they remain open in Dallas and Richardson (5 total locations). If we ever manage to try one, we'll revitalize this post at that time and move forward.

Tacos y Mas is one of our go-to spots in the local area when in the mood for a few street tacos.

As Mr. Music once noted, Tacos y Mas sort of fits a middle ground between the hardcore barrio lengua and sesos taqueria and the high end frozen margarita fueled fancy tacos that have penetrated the more affluent areas within the last couple of years. There are no margaritas here and the meats do not feature tongue and brains. After sampling a few of their tacos, I have to say the "senorita" is an absolute must. Wonderful tinga styled chicken that is quite spicy, and doesn't require any sauce. As for the $2 street tacos, definitely try the grilled chicken, steak, carnitas, or al pastor. All the meats are well cooked, loaded to the top, each possessing a great flavor on their own without needing a sauce - and they sprinkle a little onion/cilantro and add a lime wedge to each. But perhaps the real exciting factor is their 5 salsas that are stored in convenient squeeze bottles. The mildest is a Chipotle Mayonnaise sauce, that is delicious and goes best with any of their chicken dishes. The next sauce on the "spice meter" is the Ranchero, which is a noticeable step up on the heat. It's a typical red, but very tasty. The Verde sauce is next, and is arguable as to whether it's hotter than the red. Most likely it has more to do with the peppers in season rather than the recipe. The next two are the real winners of the batch for the RJG: The Bombero which is a mix of all sorts of chile peppers and was Mr. Music's favorite when he was here, and the Roja, a chile de arbol mixture that is my favorite. And they're working on a supposedly hotter green one that will be offered soon (as of June 2015, we're still waiting!). Anyway, I tend to splatter random sauces all over my tacos - and end up eating all of them in equal amounts. Well, maybe an extra squeeze or two for the Roja.... Worth noting that Tacos y Mas does serve breakfast everyday.

Since we first published this post in 2012, Tacos y Mas started without alcohol, then did have frozen margaritas for a short while (which were quite good!), before shutting that down again. So it's back to fountain sodas, or if you prefer, real Mexican sugar sodas (in the bottle) that are very sweet and use more natural ingredients. This includes Coca-Cola as well.

Tucked away in a strip center at the SE corner of Keller-Smithfield and Keller Pkwy. This particular location has a bit of history. Well, not their location but the one their predecessor moved into. Snooty Pig inhabited this space for many years, and as one of the only independent breakfast places around, was always too crowded for the relatively small spot. So they moved to the much large space a few doors down that was once inhabited by the very good Mezza Luna, a higher end Italian place that we wrote about a long time ago. Following their demise, a Thai restaurant called West of Asia took over. Quite frankly they were awful and I said as much on Urbanspoon. The owner surprisingly took me to task on the website, to which I responded even more harshly - and I'm sure did him no favors with potential new diners (who likes to see a spiteful owner? Just let the food do the talking!). They went out of business in about 3 months (no surprise to me), but resurfaced again as Chan of Asia (easy to change only one name on the neon sign right?). We didn't bother to go again to see if they magically improved, but of course they went out of business again shortly thereafter. At least now, a legitimately popular restaurant in Snooty Pig has usurped the spot, and will most likely be there for many years to come.

Tacos y Mas has a history dating back to 1997, and was pretty much a taco truck in a parking lot - that became known in Dallas via word of mouth. Now investors have joined in, and the Dallas Forest Lane location along with this Keller branch are their first forays into the "Mexican Grill" concept. I'm rather certain they plan on expanding from here. I do think they have a good thing going here, and fit a niche between the suburbanite sports-bar-taco-houses like Funky Baja's or Fuzzy's Taco Shop - and more traditional taquerias like Austin Taco House and Jalapeno's.

12/16/12 (new entry); 2/12/16