If you're on the hunt for a culinary adventure that can make you feel like you're dining in a big city (but are really close to home), look no further than El Tacuba nestled in the heart of Medford Square. This gem of a restaurant is more than just a place to dine; it's a vibrant celebration of authentic Mexican cuisine and hospitality. With its delectable array of dishes, cozy ambiance, and attentive service, El Tacuba stands out as a must-visit destination for anyone searching for a new place to dine.
Opened in Fall 2023, El Tacuba was a long time coming to Medford Square (literally, it had been delayed forever because of COVID-19). Admittedly, we tried ordering takeout from there first, but it's not available (yet) and then we decided to venture there kid-free to check it out.
First off, while I may tout this as an ideal spot for a parents' night out, let me clarify that children are certainly welcome at El Tacuba. However, it's worth noting that there isn't a dedicated kids menu, and my little ones, who aren't particularly adventurous eaters yet, aren't exactly keen on tacos at the moment. Nevertheless, El Tacuba graciously provides high chairs and is accommodating to families, though for our next visit, we might opt for a kid-free evening again so we can explore the food (and drink) menu!
Now to the good stuff: the food! We tried so many things. To start, we tried the fresh guac with homemade chips, as well as the elote con chile (one of my favorite Mexican dishes). Both were excellent and we spied a few apps we'd try when we go back again (we heard the sopesitos are to die for and I won't rest until I try the queso fundito). We tried a few tacos: de la casa, camaron and the pescado salseado. The first two were so good... we ordered them again after we ate them (they're portioned just right, so don't judge/definitely don't be shy about ordering seconds while you're there - the food comes out fast). We also tried the tuna tostada, as well as the camaron tostada. Both were excellent, though I favored the tuna because it was a really fresh, fun bite.
The drink menu was really impressive. It takes a lot for me to venture out of my cozy wine comfort zone, but I couldn't NOT try a margarita. So, at the server's suggestion, I got the de la casa marg and loved it. It was smooth and perfectly balanced... and dare I say, I might order margaritas more often now...?
El Tacuba has one lone, but perfect, dessert on the menu: flan. It was smooth, silky, creamy and had a perfect caramel sauce. If they had other dessert options, I'm not sure I would've opted for the flan, but I feel like they were sending a message: don't sleep on the flan.
If you're looking for an upscale vibe but want to stay local, definitely give El Tacuba a look (but! make a reservation in case an event at the Chevalier makes it competitive to get a table).
