Benjo's Tacos — Restaurant in Victoria

First off, I'm a fan. I love start ups and small local businesses trying to explore something new or different.

Do the tacos taste great? Absolutely

I want to give five stars but ... and to no fault to the owners or the food but this is what you need to know before going.

It's really no different than going to a food truck except this is run out of a doughnut shop from the doughnut kitchen. So essentially there is almost nowhere to sit and enjoy your food as there are only three or four tables situated beside the doughnut sales counter. A little awkward for sure.

Once again, not a problem when the weather is decent as you can grab and go otherwise there are a couple of cold metal tables and chairs outside.

I enjoyed my tacos very much. I'm not trying to knock down the business, honestly. I just want to say what's up.

The tacos are hilariously small. Three bites, maybe four max. They are tiny. My two tacos came in a hamburger takeaway box and there was plenty of room to spare. I also ordered a side of green sauce for an additional price and it was also comically small. Not even enough to accommodate the tacos. Two for fourteen bucks and it was basically something you would have to take the edge off before you had a meal.

That said, it was quick and simple as one would expect from a small home grown start up.

One more consideration, I ordered two different proteins, one beef the other pork. Literally no taste or texture difference because both are stewed in the same broth and that is essentially all you taste. The broth. It masked all other potential flavours such as cilantro, red onion or any distinct difference between the meat proteins.

Anyways... Two tacos with a thimble sized green sauce for twenty bucks (with tip) is okay in a pinch but really not great value considering all factors. I may try it again when walking around but it's defo not...

UPDATE: The shop's response to our first visit was lovely, they're so sweet and when we went back to give the food another go we both thought it was much better than what we'd remembered. The flavour of the coleslaw that had been very subtle the first time, seemed stronger this time and was very tasty, and the tacos themselves seemed to have more of a complex flavour to them. We still didn't find that the jus brought all that much to the table, and I felt that the green dip that came with the bean tacos, while nice, could maybe have used a little more pizzaz too, but it was pretty good, and overall the meal was great! :)

** My Mom and I tried the bean tacos today. We'd both been really looking forward to trying them since we'd heard such good things, but unfortunately we were both quite disappointed? We found the tacos very salty, with not a whole lot of flavour otherwise? They had a nice subtle warmth after, and I found the texture quite nice, but outside of that they basically just taste salty. I haven't tried the coleslaw yet but my Mom didn't find it particularly flavourful either? I'm not sure if we caught them on an off day? The staff was lovely, though :) We just wanted to give some constructive feedback, I hope the business does great though, I'm glad the majority of folks seem to be...

You walk in, it’s a donut counter, you swing left and then there’s a tiny window with a kitchen behind it, and you’ve found the taco goodness that is Benjo’s

So donut shop and taco counter: Okay. Let’s face it, you’re not coming here for the dine-in experience, and who cares?

The birria tacos are bangin’. First time, but I loved it. Ordered before I went shopping and it was done when I came back.

What’s really great is how thin and crispy the tortilla is, compared to many others. It really lets the cheese and meat do its thang. I’m not sure what the cheese is but it had more of a Oaxaca vibe to me. I’m not sure.

The pork’s what I had. Two. I found it pretty filling. Definitely rich and yum. Three would fill most people, I suspect.

Agreed with others that the slaw is a zippy, sweet and acidic departure from mayo. Nice contrast to the “hello arteries” birria delight.

Service was efficient and pleasant.

I’ll be back. But not in a...