Rusty Taco: Tyler and Longview

So, taco shops have been a crazed for awhile.  Now, they're moving into East Texas!  Rusty Taco has locations in Tyler and Longview!  I've given it two chances, and I'm not a fan.

First, I stopped into Tyler's South Broadway location for the usual breakfast taco- bacon, potato and cheese!  I got their green/tomatillo salsa, and I will admit that I do like it.  It's sweet enough yet it has the slightest of a bite.  These tacos are very small, and they are not brimming with ingredients either!  This morning, the diced potatoes are undercooked and crunchy- just gross!  Overall- these tacos are a nonevent!  For breakfast tacos, I would rather go to a BBQ place than to come back to Rusty Taco.

OK, second chance for a late lunch in Longview- I actually think my husband calls this Suppa!  I chose the beef fajita and chicken fajita  tacos!  Once again, these tacos are tiny, so make sure you get some chips and queso or something else!  You can hear and smell the sizzling meats on the griddle.  With such anticipation, I was irked when the chicken fajita taco was cold!  Served on a corn tortilla with pico de gallo, white and dark chicken chunks (not my favorite) were another nonevent!  Please note the amount of dos salsas that I have used!  Hint Hint.

The beef fajita was the better taco- cubed beef with onion, peppers, and cilantro sat in the warm corn tortilla that didn't hold together.  Basically, another nonevent!  
Overall, I was really disappointed with Rusty Taco in Tyler and Longview.  I'm so done with this taco place- don't waste your time.  There are too many other taco shops in East Texas, and trust me this one is VERY RUSTY.

Rusty Taco
http://www.therustytaco.com/

MasFajitas: Caldwell

Wow, today's format more like a grocery list.

Chips and Salsa: Chips are stale.  Salsa is fresh

Introducing The Laredo:

Rice: fluffy with a hint of chili powder, not much taste other than that

Charro beans- very good.  Slightly spicy, good taste, with chunks of bacon and jalapenos present

Beef Taco: Shell is stale, Lettuce and Tomatoes extremely fresh.  Meat is not real seasoned- odd consistency.  But, overall, pretty good.

Chicken Enchilada- Red Chile Sauce was lame- FULL of chicken except it is mostly dark meat.  The chicken did have a really good taste, but overall, I would skip the enchilada.

Service started out OK, but ended up horrible even at 1:30 pm.  Tea was never refilled and plates sat in front of me forever.  Staff was watching futbol instead! 

The thing that really killed my experience was when I went to pay my bill- of course, I didn't have my check because my waitress disappeared.  Their credit card machine went down, so I was asked if I had any cash.  I didn't, so huffing and puffing, the guy rebooted the computer to see if it would fix the problem.  I asked if he would like me to go get some cash, and he said yes.  When I asked where the closest bank, he pointed across the street.  He was still huffing and puffing- and, he was not asthmatic.  You would think they would have offered to comp or discount my $8 meal, but no, he rudely took my cash offering no apologies.  The funny thing is they had a printed copy of a list on why patrons don't return- 69% was the attitude of the server!  I guess you know that I will not be returning.

MasFajitas does have another location in Taylor.  I hope the staff is nicer to their patrons there, but I can say if you are in Caldwell, Texas, just keep driving past MasFajitas. 

MasFajitas
305 Hwy 36 S
Caldwell, TX. 77836979/567-4007
www.masfajitas.com

Don Jose's: Palestine, Texas

Don Jose's is a creation from the Jimenez Family.  Although they have locations in Ennis, Waxahachie, Corsicana, I am eating at the Palestine location.  I got a little concerned when I walked in and the lunch special of the day was Chicken Pasta.  Every day, there are food and drink specials.  The menu is extensive with color photographs to help you make your decisions.

Today, I try the #5 Combo Plate: 1 beef taco, 1 cheese enchilada with your choice of sauce, rice and beans.

Charro beans are very good.  More like baked beans with chunks of green bell pepper and bacon.

Rice is fluffy.  Pretty bland.

Enchilada: chunk of cheddar cheese smother in a non-event chili gravy.

Taco:  slightly salty ground beef, good, fresh taco shell and lettuce, tomato, and shredded cheese

Salsa- Thick and Chunky Pace with come cilantro thrown into it!

Chips: Good, Non-Greasy

Service: Incredible, Super friendly- probably one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met, Very attentive
Overall, Don Jose's in Palestine served its purpose.  It was fairly good edible Mexican food.  I did want to take a big nap after lunch, but my waitress loaded me up with a to go cup of ice tea.  If you are in Palestine, this is one of their better Mexican restaurants.  It's conveniently close to the Loop, so you can stop in for a quick fix.

Don Jose's
1103 E Palestine Ave (Hwy 79)
Palestine, Texas 75801
903/729-5054

Fuego Tortilla Grill: College Station, Texas

Fuego Tortilla Grill was right around the corner from my hotel.  With taco bars popping up everywhere, this one came highly rated.  Bored with the Oscars, I decided to run over there, and give it a try.

Fuego has an extensive menu from beef to fish tacos.  They even have a taco called the Widow Maker: Juan Hot Taco.  They have some salads, tortilla soup, and typical sides like rice and beans.  They even have breakfast tacos.

Tonight, I wanted to try a couple of different tacos, so I got the Steak Al Carbon, Pulled Rotisserie Chicken, and Flame Kissed Tenderloin.  I got some of the pico de gallo and hot sauce to top each taco off. 

First, these tacos were much larger than I expected.  The tortillas are grilled on a griddle until they are nice and golden.  I really liked their tortillas- i guess they were the flour tortillas, but corn tortillas are available too.  The tacos are really bare bones, but you can create your own version from their Fuego bar: Pico de Gallo, Roasted Jalapeño Mash, Marinated Cucumbers and Onions, Fresh Lime and Lemon, Shredded Lettuce,Onions, Cilantro, and Hot Sauces.

This is the steak al carbon.  I wasn't crazy about the steak.  It was tough with no taste.  Once I added the pico de gallo and hot sauce, it was a little better but not wooed away.

This is the flame kissed tenderloin taco.  This is one of the more expensive tacos, and it seemed like there was less meat.  The tenderloin was diced into small pieces.  It didn't really have any taste and seemed tough for tenderloin.  Once again, the pico and hot sauce helped with flavor, but not crazy about it.

The final taco was the pulled rotisserie chicken.  There was a ton of meat in this taco.  You definitely get the rotisserie flavor in this taco, but pico and hot sauce still really helped it.

In the end, I wasn't overly enthused about Fuego's.  The tacos did hit the spot if you want a fast fix for a craving, and I will say Fuego is a light, fresh change from the typical Tex-Mex places.  I would be willing to come back to try the Widow Maker.  

Fuego Tortilla Grill
108 Poplar
College Station, Texas 77840
979-703-1804
www.fuegotortillagrill.com/

Molina's: Houston, Texas

Since I grew up in Houston, I have grown up eating at Molina’s.  Now, it has become my Friday lunch place with my parents.  The original Molina’s was a tiny building right on Westheimer.  Molina’s built their existing building right behind it.  I think the Boston Tea Party restaurant was here at one point- now, I am dating my age, but I have been eating at Molina’s for over 30 years!  Yikes, but at least, it's not since 1941 when Molina's started!

Currently, Molina’s is renovating again.  We promptly get seated in Laurie’s section because she is a family favorite.  She is very personal and gives great service.  You just like her the minute you meet her, and this is true with the following that is sitting in her section.

But, I digress this is a food blog.  Upon seating, your basket of chips arrives with the original Molina’s salsa, a fire-roasted salsa, and marinated onions and carrots.  In the old days, jars of this stuff were on the tables, but I am sure some CODE makes that unsanitary today.  I absolutely LOVE their salsa- there is a hint of vinegar in it that keeps me coming back for more.  The fire-roasted salsa is good, but I LOVE the original salsa.  The marinated onions and carrots take me back to my childhood with every single bite.

On this day, I ordered the crispy beef tacos plate, as does my dad. 

The 3 tacos come out under a pile of shredded cheese, shredded lettuce and taco sauce.  If you want cheese, you will have to order it: shredded or queso is available.  Everything is super fresh.  You ALMOST feel like you are eating a healthy taco salad.  The taco shells were crisp; the meat was seasoned well; the lettuce was plump; and the cheese- why do I love this shredded cheese.  Top it off with some Molina’s original salsa- HEAVEN!  This plate of tacos does not come with rice and beans, but there is more than enough food to eat.

My mom ordered the lunch portion of the chicken fajitas for one.  There is nothing “lunch portion” about it.  We always bring home enough for another fajita.  The chicken comes out sizzling with a side of adobe butter that is never needed.  The chicken is moist and well seasoned.  Guacamole and pica de gallo grace the condiment plate.  You will have to ask for a side of cheese or sour cream.  The flour tortillas were steaming hot.  Yummy rice and terrific charro beans top off this lunch portion of the fajitas. This is my other lunch staple at Molina’s. 

We always top our lunch off with coffee.  Molina’s serves the best pralines that I have ever had.  The pralines are thin, not too sweet, and just divine with our freshly made coffee.  There’s nothing like a sugar-caffeine high to get you through Friday rush hour traffic.  Molina’s is a definite local stop if you are in Houston.  Just beware of their margaritas, but that is a whole other blog!

Molina's

7901 Westheimer

Houston, Texas

713/782-0861

http://www.molinasrestaurants.com/