Memo's Tacos ~ Roanoke, Texas ***CLOSED***

Last visit: Feb 2016

First visit: Sep 2015

Mrs. RJG and I are always on the lookout for good street tacos, and we thought it would be a good time to try Memo's up in Roanoke, as we were on our way out of town (more on that soon!).

The sign says "Authentic Mexican Food", and that's what you get here. You see places like this more in the barrios than in the suburbs, though that trend is fortunately changing. While they have a full menu of Mexican staples (tortas, gorditas, quesadillas, burritos, breakfast items, etc...), we went right for the street tacos ($1.99 each). And, as if to prove we've been married 18 years, we each ordered the same thing: (1) pollo asado, (1) carne asada, and (1) al pastor. So we have the same test dishes it appears. Immediately after ordering, out came some homemade chips and two squirt bottles of hot sauce. That's a nice touch, and not always something you can count on from taqueria's (unlike a restaurant where it is expected). The chips were excellent, with a good flavor, and they provide two bowls to squeeze the salsas into. The red is pretty thin, ideal for splashing into tacos, but not so much for staying on the chips. The flavor is awesome, packs a punch, and we think it's a chile de arbol. The green is thicker and more ideal for chips, but is also excellent for tacos. Great flavor and also contains some heat, so no mild options it appears (not that we care about that...). The tacos came out so hot (temperature) I couldn't hold them in my hands (that's a good thing). The double layered corn tortillas were superb, with an oil glaze. Our favorite was the chicken, which is wonderfully charbroiled. The al pastor comes in second, and had hints of pineapple, which is not as common as you would think. The steak was very good, though not as charbroiled or as tender as we usually like. We'll probably substitute something else next time.

Drinks: Well it says BYOB on the door, though for some reason we don't associate authentic taquerias with alcohol. But for those of you who do - that's a great savings right there!

Location: Memo's is right off US 377 along the strip that fronts the historic downtown. You'll find the store between Denton and Houston streets in an 80s era strip mall. It's a full service restaurant, though it looks like a typical counter serve taqueria inside. Just sit down and Memo will come by with a menu.

Notes: Memo's is in the same spot that once housed El Comalito Cafe, a place we tried back in 2005, was disappointed, and never returned. Memo's Tacos is far better!

9/7/15 (new entry); 2/20/16