Taco Casa is a Mexican restaurant in Ubud. In fact it was the first one ever opened there many years ago. It began in a small space that was full from day one, often with people waiting outside for a table. Recently it moved to temporary premises just around the corner whilst the original site was totally rebuilt into what will be a two level restaurant in true Mexican style, wooden shutters on the windows, and all [see picture].

Back in the ‘surfie’ days of Bali tourism, Mexican cuisine was one of the first foreign cuisines to hit Bali, closely followed by Italian Pizzas which were also easy finger food, low food cost and with simple kitchen skills needed. Plus you did not have to dress up to go there! In recent years there has been a Mexican revival, though many of the old favourites have disappeared there are many places opening almost everywhere, with the accompanying Magarita craze.

Many people go to Taco Casa for tacos, not surprisingly. They can be in the most common form, crisp taco shells that sometimes spill everywhere as they crumble as you eat them or in natural form on soft flour tortillas. The tacos as with just about all of the offerings, here they can be vegetarian or with Chicken, Carne Asada [beef] or Shrimps [American for prawns]. Roll the flour tortilla and cross slice, then you can eat it with your hands like a wrap which is what it has become.

A common starter at Taco Casa is their Starter Plate, labeled Chips and Dips. Corn Tortilla chips plus Guacamole [smashed avocado, salt, garlic and lime via the blender, with maybe a sprinkle of cumin], Pico de Gallo [tomatoes, onions. lime, jalapeno, cilantro and salt] salsa and Salsa Roja [also with tomatoes but this time with onion, cilantro, garlic and chilli]. This is also a good plate if you are just there for a few drinks. As well there is the now universal Nachos.

Mexican is best enjoyed with a few friends, and a variety of plates. Enchilladas are also very popular, a large flour tortilla stuffed with marinated meat or vegetarian, smothered with their special salsa and cheddar or mozzarella cheeses and black beans. Guacamole and sour cream on the side for you to add as you will.

The Fajitas are served sizzling hot. They are marinated veggies or meats with onions and bell peppers. Flour Tortillas, with Guacamole, black beans and sour cream served on the side. Quesadillas are often ‘butchered’ in Bali. Not here though, a pair of tortillas stuffed with cheddar or mozzarella cheese and their special sauce, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream.

Being more Cal-Mex than Tex-Mex there a choice of salads here. My favourite is the Taco Shell Salad [pictured], a giant Taco Bowl contains lettuce, finely shredded red cabbage and carrot, diced tomatoes, and chunks of avocado, pinto beans, slices of black olives and sour cream My order is always with chicken, many cubes grilled and tender. On the side is a wonderful ginger sauce. Not often can you eat the bowl in which the salad comes.

Otherwise there is their Fiesta Salad, lettuce, carrot, red cabbage, beans, red and green peppers, cilantro, onion, cheddar cheese and corn chips, an adobo honey vinaigrette on the side.

The 8 Layer Burrito is with enchillada sauce, cheese and corn chips and your choice of meat. Alternately you can construct your own Burrito [tortilla] or Taco [crisp taco shell] and select your favourite fillings from the lists. There is also a Naked Burrito without the flour tortilla.

Surprisingly there are no combo plates but a selection of three different dishes makes a great meal for 2 persons, tasty & cheap. There also desserts if you can handle one after all of that.

There are now outlets of Taco Casa in Petitenget and Canggu.

Good taste, lots of fun and very cheap!

 

QUICK REVIEW

Restaurant                    : Taco Casa.

Address                          : Jln. Raya Pengosekan, Ubud.

Telephone                      :   0812-2422-2357.

Open                               : 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., daily.

Non-smoking Area       : Yes.

Smoking Area                : Yes.

Parking                            : Street only.

Price                                 : Rp. 250,000 for two [+ drinks].

Credit Cards                   : Visa, Mastercard.

Food                                 : Mexican.

Wine                                 : Very Limited [Plaga only] .

Service                             :   Efficient.

Atmosphere                    : An eating house.

Overall                             : Fun, taste and value.

 

Reviews that appear in Bali Advertiser are based on actual   visits to the establishments listed, without the knowledge of the restaurants, and are not paid for by the individual restaurants.

Opinions expressed here are those of Gerry Williams and not necessarily those of Bali Advertiser. Gerry Williams attempts to write from a ‘typical’ diner’s perspective and, whilst quality of food is the most important criteria overall, value for money is the real measuring stick.

Copyright © 2019 Gerry Williams