Best in the Wichita Metro Taco Challenge 2022: How does Tacos Y Mas rate?
10/14/2022
By Mike Thayer
Who makes the best tacos in the Wichita Metro?
Traveling around the ICT, I'm sampling the taco offerings from just about any joint that has tacos on the menu. It doesn't really matter who, I'll be eating tacos from local joints, regional restaurants and the national chains. To determine a true champion of tacos in the metro, a broad sampling has to be taken in order to measure the best. I'm on a mission in the name of "taco science" (cough).
Today for a Happy Friday Taco Lunch I went to Tacos Y Mas on Oliver. A full service restaurant, they're open Tuesdays through Sundays serving up authentic Mexican fare. Just south of the intersection with Kellogg, they're tucked away in a little strip plaza, right next to Churn & Burn. Their sign is a bit faded, you can miss the place if you're not familiar with the area.
It's always a good sign when you enter a parking lot and most all the spaces in front of the restaurant you want to eat at are occupied. Finding a spot farther down the lot, I entered the restaurant at around 11:30am and sure enough, the joint was already busy with a lunch crowd. It's open seating here, but with carryout in mind, I walked over to the counter where I was greeted warmly and placed my order of four tacos. I went with a Pollo, Al Pastor, Carne Asada and a Chorizo. After paying, I found a seat around the corner to wait.
It didn't take long at all to receive my carryout order, I thanked the gentleman as I headed to the door, pausing to step aside as more patrons entered. Tacos Y Mas is just a hop, skip and a jump from my neighborhood, so it didn't take long at all to get home. Popping open that container, I was pleased to see the doubled up tortillas and a good portion of complimentary limes for squeezing, radishes for a little added texture and crunch, cucumbers to cleanse the palate between tacos. It's a nice touch.
I sampled the Chicken taco first. The seasoning was excellent, the meat was tender and juicy. I always sample tacos without adding anything in the first bite, then I hit it with lime if provided in the next, then I hit it with whatever sauce on the side that may be provided in the next. This is the beauty of tacos, creating layers of flavor. This taco was stand alone delicious, better with the squeeze of lime, better still with the salsa verde. The same holds true for all the tacos and the bonus to getting an assortment - more layers of flavor! The Al Pastor was excellent, the Carne Asada was one of the better ones I've had so far in this Challenge and the Chorizo was good. All the meats were tender, the corn tortillas held up from first bite to last and the classic dress of cilantro and onion was refreshing, although a bit skimpy in portion.
Costing me $11.83, the Tacos Y Mas lineup of tacos scored 57 out of a possible 63 points, earning 5 out of 5 Bachelor on the Cheap stars. Here is another example of why you should eat local instead of national chain fast food. For about the same money I would have spent at a national chain, I got authentic, MUCH better tasting tacos and I received my carryout out order in about the same time I would have spent in a drive thru during the lunch hour. Taco Y Mas serves up some great tacos, all worthy of repeat buys!
Located at 552 Oliver, Wichita, KS 67218 the service at Taco Y Mas was super friendly, polite and fast. When submitting my carryout order, the gentleman working the counter verified my order with me to ensure he got it right, that's a step a growing number of restaurants aren't taking anymore.
$pend Wisely My Friends...
Related: Other Taco Joints Reviewed So Far
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