Ottawa Foodies

2

Best Tacos in Ottawa:

2 choices:

Authentic:
Corazon de Mais in the byward market building. 3 soft tacos $8.50 very filling portion, choice of chicken, beef, pork. Real mexican taco joint.

Contemporary:

Sidedoor restaurant - Fish Tacos are the best but they also have chicken, lamb, shrimp, etc. 2 tacos for $9 or catch them during happy hour when they ar $7 for the pair.

I went to Ahora last night for the second time. I had the tres tacos (I was hungry!) - all vegetarian.
They were filled with black beans and veggies to which I added salsa from the condiment bar. With chips as one of my side orders, I got to try all of the salsas that were being offered. Yum! I also had the salad. I'm not sure what is in their vinegrette, but I thought it was great.

The woman who took my order was very helpful about which dishes contained dairy products.

We even got a bit of a dance show as they were closing up. :)

4

I'm going to join the rest of the cheerleading squad for this cute little hole in the wall of Byward Market Square. Service was super friendly and enthusiastic. Tables are colourful and comfortable.

This little pork taco ($3.50+tax) was spectacular. A warmed corn tortilla, slathered with a layer of saucy black beans, tasty slow-cooked carnitas, super fresh chopped pico de gallo, a side of guacamole, and free access to 5 different squirt bottles of sauces -- some spicy and some not.

The flavour profile is through the roof. I can't imagine a tastier, healthier, more happy-making snack than this. Huge thumbs up!

Inkling - Kevin himself called them taco-burritos when he delivered them to our table yesterday. He said that he calls them tacos because officially both sides are fried like a taco and "people around here seem to like tacos". All that said, I second everything that has been written about this wonderful addition to the menu. I love this place.

3

I find it interesting that they call them tacos at Art Is In. What was served to me today seemed more like what I would call a burrito. With the rice it seemed to be almost a textbook Mission Burrito. Semantics aside, they are quite good and a good deal at $9.25 or whatever it was that I paid. It's a very filling lunch for one, or an inexpensive decent sized lunch for two.

5

I'm thinking that Kevin will do for tacos in Ottawa what he did for burgers. Happiness is finding out that this will be a regular feature at Art is In on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

As previously mentioned, this is a flour tortilla that bears no resemblance to the 'meh' massed produced crap you usually find, this one had a great texture, further grilled on both sides for a soul satisfying crunch in each bite. Pico de gallo, guacamole, black beans, sour cream, cheddar cheese and Mexican rice were lovingly wrapped inside with a rich and deeply flavoured pork confit and served with in-house salsa made from grilled vegetables. While I was tempted by the vegetarian option made with wild mushrooms, the pork confit left us eating in a silent awe, with just enough spice enough to warm the palate.

Ten dollars for this uber taco is an absolute steal; I split this with my husband along with a pastry and it was plenty for lunch. (Then again, I make him split the burger with me so YMMV!)

This simply kills all other Mexican food I've tried in Ottawa, no need to name names. I'm not one to make dramatic statements ;o) ... but you've seriously got to rethink your foodie status if this taco isn't immediately added to your Ottawa To Eat list.

1

AAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHHHHHH

4

So OSM you may commence hating me now too. This is the BEST taco I've yet tasted in Ottawa, possibly anywhere. The tortilla has the kind of soft texture that you don't get from the store bought rubbish at other places. The fillings were all top quality and the pork had a rich flavor and slight sweetness that wasn't cloying. Kevin asked me if I tried the salsa - I hadn't because I'm not a huge fan of salsa - but when he told me that he made it especially to complement the taco I tried it, and it made that delicious bundle even better. It had a nice bite that worked so well with the sweet pork. It is huge, and all this for the price of the smaller, poorer examples on offer at Tacolot and sidedoor.

haha OSM. I kinda hate myself right about now for allowing myself to be hooked by Art-is-in yet again! I can't wait til Wednesday.

In case you`re wondering BaconIV now i hate you too.

FreshFoodie`s post takes the edge off tho`...

9

They just mentioned on Twitter or Facebook or somewhere that Tacos would be available on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Urgh!

I wasn't able to go, darn work. sigh next time.

Kevin - if you're reading this please please pretty please bring back the tacos.

6

Your hate is well-placed, OSM. if I hadn't heeded Lovetoeat's advice and stayed at the office, I'd loathe him as well. But I love him!

Amazing taco! So authentic Mexican, I didn't wanna drink the water ; )

The pork is this buttery, fatty, flaky meat perfection. All the textures amazing, great little sour cream coating on the perfectly toasted soft tortilla. Rice, guac, cheddar, romaine. A dollop of pico de gallo sauce on the side, some chives to sprinkle, a cup of salsa.

Everything was so fresh. No taste overpowered any other; I don't recall any sandwich with so many ingredients having so much balance. This is hands down the best taco I've had since living in the states. Packed too, chunks of meat, felt like there was a pound of pork in there. I'm stuffed. $9.25 is money well spent for this beast.

Been awhile since I last went to Art-is-in, but if this item becomes a regular, so will I again. Took the last large loaf of Dynamite White. Took the last taco, got there just in time I guess. A monster croissant and sticky bun for dessert later this aft, and I'm a happy, happy man.

1

The fish taco are usually on the appetizer menu. Large piece of Cod lightly battered and fried.

Tortilla is bought and does the job but not spectacular with the fish being tasty. Would be nice to be able to have something to kick it up a notch since a few slices of jalapeno was not enough for me.