After hearing and reading many accolades for Taco Asylum, I have been dying to try it for months. Of course, I always remember I want to go there when I am already someplace else. The other night Brian and I were looking for a fun, casual place to go eat because neither of us thought the halibut I planned to prepare sounded appetizing. Suddenly, I remembered the glorious article I read about this hip, intriguing taco joint that prides itself on "non-traditional gourmet" tacos. Who wouldn't want to go here and try a Short Rib Taco with Ghost Chili Sauce??
We set off to "Camp", the shopping center it is in, and miraculously found a parking spot. As we approached the restaurant I noticed that all the other places surrounding it were packed, yet the line at Taco Asylum was dismal. Undeterred by my mission to experience the best tacos on earth and my thoughts of greatness drowned out my husband's negative comments about how "good places are always busy"...blah, blah, we entered. The menu was a bit confusing and the cashier did not lead us on the culinary exploration I had hoped, but my thoughts were still so positive and I was thrilled to find they had Ginger Ale on the extensive beverage menu. Yay! How could all of this go wrong? I am thinking, "I am in for a wonderful experience and this will be our new favorite place!!"
Well...I don't even know if I can express my disappointment thoroughly. I will start off by saying that I left having eaten, but I was not satisfied. At all. My tacos came, Short Rib and the special of the night Crispy Chicken, and they were just "Okay". Brian ordered the Wild Mushroom, Lamb and Duck. He couldn't even eat his Lamb one because it was dripping so much grease that it initiated a gag-reflex in both of us when he attempted to pick it up. Also, the tortilla was so soaking wet from the grease that it just fell apart in his hands. Gross. Needless to say, I left feeling sad, frustrated and defeated. And, our experience only took a total of 20 minutes! So much for a wonderful dinner with great food and interesting atmosphere. I would have much rather gone to Baja Fresh. That would have been a treat.
My wonderful husband saw my sad face and drove straight to one of my favorite Italian restaurants for dessert. Their Budino, a chocolate and salted carmel pudding with fresh whipped cream, can cure any aliment. Plus, we had to get a pizza to go as well. I know, we are pigs.
Crispy Fried Chicken and Short Rib Taco
Hot Sauces. Only cool thing there was the Ghost Chili Sauce.
In conclusion, I would not go back here. I really had such high hopes of it being fantastic, but it just wasn't. In fact, it wasn't even good. Also, although I am never really concerned about the value and money I spent to eat someplace, I have to mention that it was expensive. We spent $40 on 5 tacos and 2 Ginger Ales. Outrageous I know!
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