By Cassie Coughlin |Staff Writer|
Taco Shack, a Mexican restaurant in Redlands, should be every college student’s destination to relax, hang out with friends, and eat affordable yet delicious food.
Taco Shack is a smaller sized restaurant, but the large quantity of tables, outside heaters, and two wide screen TVs lining the front, immediately stand out.
If you aren’t up for eating outside, there are more tables and a salsa bar inside.
Taco Shack is located on 510 E. State St., in historic Downtown Redlands.
Inside, you are immediately greeted by the employees and the aroma of meats, such as carne asada and carnitas cooking.
The restaurant’s petite size is made up for in their large menu, which is filled with a variety of Mexican cuisine.
At Taco Shack, you can fill your hunger with anything from burritos, tostadas, fajitas, taquitos, chimichangas, and of course tacos!
Taco Shack is best known for their flavor-packed downtown and street tacos.
Whether you like chicken, carne asada, carnitas, or fish tacos, Taco Shack offers it all.
I ordered the downtown taco combo, which came with two soft tortillas stuffed with nicely seasoned carne asada, pico de gallo, and a generous topping of guacamole that I am glad to say did not cost extra.
The combo is served with a side of rice and beans, which I also enjoyed.
I topped my tacos with lime juice and green salsa, which were both found at the salsa bar. The green salsa is my favorite, because it has just enough spice without leaving your mouth on fire.
My guest ordered a rice, bean, and cheese burrito, which he described as delicious and filling.
“I always enjoy their burritos because they are filling and satisfy any appetite,” said student Alexander Boice.
In the past, I have personally found that their burritos tend to rip. I ask for the burrito double-wrapped, meaning it is rolled in two tortillas, which usually fixes the issue.
The best thing about Taco Shack for college students is the affordable price.
Besides a fajita meal, there is nothing on the menu over $14. Burritos range from $3 to $9, chimichangas are $8, and a downtown taco combo plate, which comes with rice and beans is just $10.
Taco Shack also offers a Taco Tuesday special where they sell their street tacos for just 99 cents.
They also have a variety of Mexican sodas in glass bottles, including Jarritos.
Another benefit of Taco Shack that specifically benefits college students is the option to order your food to go.
The only issue I’ve had was with ordering meals to go; if the restaurant is busy, the order can take up to 20 minutes. But I don’t mind the wait, because the food is always satisfying.
So, if you are looking for an inexpensive place to eat delectable food, hang out with friends, and maybe catch a sports game or two, give Taco Shack a try!
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