Yucatan offers offbeat take on Mexican food
The Taste of Yucatan is not your run-of-the-mill Mexican eatery. The fastcasual restaurant in southeast Orlando specializes in a more regional cuisine that hails from the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico. Expect some Caribbean influences in its dishes.
What I would try a second time
The Taste of Yucatan lets diners pick from a host of fillings that can be used in a rice bowl ($10.95), different taco styles ($2.85-$3.05), burritos ($6.45) and quesadillas ($4.45).
If you’re going the taco route, opt to wrap your filling in salbutes ($2.95), or fried tortillas. Although still pliable, the tortillas have an addicting crispiness.
My favorite filling, the cochinita pibil or Mayan pork, was soaked with juices after its 8-hour slow-roast in banana leaves. The meat is marinated in sour orange beforehand, giving it a slight sweetness.
The somewhat spicier barbacoa (beef) was fallapart tender. Chipotle seasoning gave it some smokiness.
What I didn’t like
The pollo adobado bowl ($10.95) lacked the flavor I expected after trying the other fillings. The bowl contained unseasoned white rice — not Mexican as advertised — with lettuce. The chicken was dry and bland.
What I would put on Instagram
Along with your bowls and plates, fill your table with hot sauces, condiments and toppings — particularly
The Taste of Yucatan
Where: 1375 S. Semoran Blvd., Orlando When: noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday; noon-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and noon-7 p.m. Sunday Cost: $2.85-$10.95 Beverages: Beer, agua fresca, Mexican sodas Wine by the glass: No Attire: Casual Extras: Counter service, daily specials Noise level: Low Wheelchair access: Good Credit: Visa, American Express, Mastercard and Discover Call: 407-704-2248 Online: thetasteofyucatan.com and Facebook pickled onions to go with your cochinita pibil. Snap an overhead shot of your colorful feast.
Other eats
The vaporsitos ($4.99), or banana-wrapped ground beef tamales, were a bit dry, but saved by some hot sauce.
The carne asada, marinated grilled beef, in a taco was full of flavor.
Papa con chorizo, another filling option, consisted of mashed potatoes and a light amount of chorizo sausage.
How I was treated
The Taste of Yucatan is a counter-service restaurant, but owners and staff are on hand to guide you through any unfamiliar dishes.
My next visit
Tacos always sound good to me. I’d like to try the al pastor, pork marinated in dried chilies, spices and pineapple. The cochinita pibil and barbacoa are two other musts.
For bar-hoppers
Go beyond Corona with Taste of Yucatan’s other Mexican beer options. Mexican sodas are also available including the familiar cola along with options such as guava and lime.
For those with special diets
A few fillings are meatfree including sauteed mushrooms, mozzarella cheese and rajas poblanas (sliced poblano peppers with onion, mushrooms, corn and cream).