Taco time!
Vancouver eateries taking Mexican eats to a whole new level
Next up on our list of Metro Vancouver’s best eats is another hand-held option. We’re talking about tacos. The traditional Mexican eats, which include a variety of meat-and-vegetable fillings typically enveloped by a corn or flour tortilla, have proven especially popular in this city for a few years now.
And, after a seemingly long drought of good taco shops in the area, it now seems we have an abundance of delicious destinations.
So, when we reached out to readers via our various social media streams to see which eateries were their go-tos, it came as no surprise that we were inundated with a wide variety of taco shop and restaurant recommendations.
But, while it definitely wasn’t as definitive as our burger results, there were a few selections that kept coming up.
And one of those restaurants was Tacofino.
When approached about the appreciation, Stefan Hartmann, the executive regional chef for Tacofino, wasn’t entirely surprised by the repeated votes of confidence from their loyal diners.
“It’s that we always strive to embody the same core culinary principles on which Tacofino was based when Jason (Sussman) and Kaeli Robinsong launched the brand in Tofino back in 2009,” he says of the one thing Tacofino regulars appreciate the most about their culinary creations.
“From the start, they have prided themselves on serving up some of the West Coast’s freshest, innovative and made-from-scratch cuisine that has both an environmental and nutritional conscience.
“It’s a combination of unique flavours, inspired dishes and laid-back, surf-centric spirit that has helped earn Tacofino such a dedicated fan base.”
In the interest of full disclosure, Tacofino’s eats edged out La Taqueria Pinche Taco Shop for the number-one spot by only a few votes. So, rather than highlight the eatery’s specific delicacies, we felt it better to pick Hartmann’s brain on what makes tacos so darn delicious, in general.
“There’s just something about the aroma of grilled meat, fresh cilantro and lime on a fresh tortilla,” he replies enthusiastically when asked what makes the hand-held eats so universally appealing to Metro Vancouverites.
“Tacos can be light or heavy, spicy or juicy and feature an array of meat and vegetables, so there’s the potential to discover and enjoy something for every palate.
“Whether you go out for tacos or make your own at home, there’s no limit to what tacos bring to the table.”
According to Hartmann, the key to creating the perfect taco all comes down to the exterior.
“Never discount the importance of the tortilla,” he says.
Whether it’s a corn or flour base, the tortilla is the vessel, and a vital part of the finished product. Yes, the quality of the ingredients count, as well as the pico de gallo or salsa, but the tortilla is just as important as its fillings and toppings.
“What makes a great taco is when all those elements come together and offer up a wholly new or unexpected taste.”
After the all-important tortilla, the next step to creating a great taco is by filling it with delicious ingredients. And, in Vancouver, that often means incorporating elements that are unexpected — and unexpectedly delicious.
“I think the quality and innovation when it comes to tacos and Mexican cuisine in general we are seeing is a reflection of the popularity of the cuisine and the passion of the people who prepare them,” Hartmann says.
From the traditional, such as carnitas, fish and carne asada, to the unique, such as avocado mousse, local eateries are changing the way we view taco trappings. But, while Hartmann will readily agree that tacos are proving increasing popular and innovative options for food lovers in Vancouver, he stops short of calling them a trend.
“To me, a trend is something that is popular for a short time only, and tacos have such a long and rich tradition in Mexican culture,” he says.
“While they might be viewed as a more popular option nowadays since they’ve been adopted — and adapted — by other cultures throughout the world — I only see them getting better and better as we develop new recipes and ways to showcase their flavours and versatility.”
And Vancouverites will be ready, and likely even willing to wait in line, in order to taste them.