Hugo's Churros & Tacos — Restaurant in Richmond

Hugo’s Churros & Tacos 7899 Templeton Station Road, Richmond, BC V7B 0B7

Nestled within the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet near Vancouver Airport, Hugo’s Churros & Tacos is a small eatery that promises a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine. Known for its handcrafted dishes and bold flavors, it offers a delightful culinary escape amidst a busy shopping day.

Food

Fish Tacos The fish tacos feature two flour tortillas filled with beer-battered seasonal fish, chile guajillo adobo, shaved lettuce, pico de gallo, pickled onions, Serrano dressing, and guajillo aioli. The combination of the crispy fish and vibrant toppings resulted in a well-balanced and flavorful bite. The freshness of the ingredients was evident, and the layering of textures and flavors was masterfully done.

Rating: 9/10

Quesabirria The quesabirria was the highlight of the meal and a dish I would highly recommend. Tender, slow-cooked beef, melted Oaxaca cheese, and a perfectly grilled tortilla came together in perfect harmony, with a rich, savory broth served on the side for dipping. The depth of flavor and the balance of textures were truly remarkable. This may very well be one of the best quesabirrias I’ve ever tasted.

Rating: 10/10

Churros The churros were light and crispy on the outside, with a soft and airy interior, dusted generously with cinnamon sugar. While the flavors were enjoyable, the experience was slightly diminished by the fact that the churros were not served hot. That said, the chocolate and caramel dipping sauces complemented them nicely, adding an extra layer of indulgence.

Rating: 7/10

Drinks

Hot Chocolate The hot chocolate was satisfactory but lacked the richness and depth expected from such a beverage. On the other hand, the horchata was a standout recommendation. Its creamy texture and perfectly balanced sweetness made it an ideal pairing with the meal.

Service

The service was friendly and efficient, with staff who were warm and attentive. They ensured that the food was served promptly and that the dining experience was enjoyable from start to finish.

Rating: 8/10

Ambiance

Hugo’s is a cozy space with a casual, welcoming atmosphere. The décor reflects its Mexican roots, but the space could benefit from a slight refresh to enhance its appeal. The lively music added a vibrant energy, making the experience more enjoyable despite the limited seating and small size of the venue.

Rating: 7/10

Price

The prices are slightly on the higher side, especially for a casual eatery. However, the quality of the food, particularly standout dishes like the quesabirria and fish tacos, makes it a worthwhile indulgence.

Verdict

Hugo’s Churros & Tacos is a gem for those seeking fresh, authentic Mexican flavors in a casual setting. The food, particularly the exceptional quesabirria, shines with its bold and balanced flavors. While the space could use some minor updates and the churros fell short of their full potential, the overall experience was delightful. Whether you’re shopping at McArthurGlen or simply craving high-quality Mexican cuisine, Hugo’s is...

My niece had been visiting from the UK and wanted to have an early dinner before boarding her plane to go back home. She expressed an interest in Mexican food so we took her to Hugo's Churros and Tacos at the McArthurGlen Outlet since it's so closeby to the airport. She had a Burrito Bowl while the rest of us had an assortment of tacos, and we all shared some churros for dessert.

Burrito Bowl: My niece had a burrito bowl at TacoTime earlier during her trip and she was quite happy with that already. She said the Burrito Bowl at Hugo's Churros and Tacos was even better!

Cheese Quesadilla: Cheesy and gooey as it should be!

Tacos:  We had various meat and plant based tacos on our table. Most of them were just OK. We've had better tacos elsewhere. The one taco that stood out for me though was the Nopales taco, which is grilled cactus. It would have never occurred to me that cactus might actually be edible! This was the first time I'd ever seen cactus on a menu. The prickles were removed, and I quite enjoyed eating my Nopales taco. In all honesty, I'm not sure if it's really because I enjoyed the taste or if it was more of a placebo effect. (ie.Perhaps it was just the novelty of the experience which made it taste good.) I give them marks for creativity since I've never been to any other restaurant that served cactus on their menu.

Churros: We had our churros with caramel dip and chocolate dip. They were a bit too dry, and quite disappointing. Costco in Bellingham does better churros than what we had at Hugo's. In their defense though, they were perhaps just having an "off" day. We have been to Hugo's Churros and Tacos before, and the churros were quite good the last time we came.

Drinks: We had some of their bottled Jarritos drinks and a Coconut Horchata. First time I've had Coconut Horchata. I think I prefer regular Horchata, but the Coconut Horchata was still enjoyable. It was our little girl's first time trying Horchata and she loved it.

Service: Fair (It's not really the kind of restaurant where you order and get served. You pick up your food at the counter and bring it to your own table.) Parking: Plentiful and free! Location: Convenient if you need to be near the airport. Situated amongst the European styled shops of McArthurGlen Outlet; hence, charming even if you don't need to be near the airport!

Things were a bit of a hit and miss this time round, but since there was some good food and drinks, and since as I said I havn't seen cactus on a menu before, I would say that this restaurant is worth trying. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here. (Unless you're seriously itching to try cactus!) If I happened to be shopping at the outlet though, and wanted to stop for a bite to eat...I might give this place...

Terrible Experience: Poor Service and Disrespectful Manager.

I rarely leave negative reviews, but my recent experience on Saturday, February 10th at this place was so appalling that I feel compelled to share.

My wife and I ordered 3 chicken tacos, 1 beef burrito, and 1 rice bowls of Chicken and 1 Quesadilla .. However, our order was completely botched. We received only 1 rice bowl of Chicken and 1 rice bowl of tofu instead. When we politely brought this to the attention of the manager on duty, instead of rectifying the mistake, she displayed an utter lack of empathy. Her response was, "If you want quesadilla , you can order it again."

Despite our attempts to explain the error, the manager remained dismissive and even went as far as to smiling sarcastically. We decided to let go and eat rest of the order, but upon leaving, I voiced my dissatisfaction with her. Shockingly, the manager responded with more sarcasm, laughing and making faces.

This level of disrespect and unprofessionalism is completely unacceptable. It's disappointing to encounter such behavior, especially in a service-oriented industry. I urge the restaurant owner to address the issues promptly and ensure that no other customers have to endure such treatment.

PS: I urge the owner to read other negative reviews with similar experience, where the manager has refused to make amends to correct the order showing zero empathy and...