Paloma Taqueria — Restaurant in South Island

The sun was only slowly sinking towards the horizon and begining to cast shadows across the dusty streets when we arrived at Paloma Taqueria. My companions faces were etched with the day's labors and eager for respite and sustenance. I, perhaps more cautious, had initially suggested the comforts of Bombay Palace with its promise of a sweeping views and a lighter burden on the wallet. But the collective will, it seemed, had other plans.

Inside the air was thick with the aroma of spices. We settled into a worn metal table, the smooth surface bearing the marks of meals past. The first order of business was to quench our thirst. Margaritas, their tangy sweetness a welcome antidote to the day's heat, flowed freely. Mojitos, cool and refreshing, followed in quick succession.

As the drinks worked their magic, loosening tongues and lifting spirits, the food began to arrive. Plates piled high with tortillas, each one cradling a treasure trove of flavors. Fish tacos, the delicate white flesh flaky and moist. Crispy pork hock, its skin crackling with each bite, a symphony of textures. And then a dish that defied description; a mound of golden, deep-fried potatoes, their origins shrouded in mystery, their taste a revelation.

We ate with the fervor of those who had long been denied such pleasures. Each bite was savored, each flavor lingered on the palate. And when we had reached our limit, a final indulgence awaited us: cheesecake, goddamn delicious, morish cheesecake. I would have bought a whole entire cake had I not just deleted enough gourmet Mexican to fuel the entire Tijuana cartels Christmas party.

As we stumbled out into the night, the world seemed transformed. The shadows just deepened, the stars just begun to shine. And in our bellies, a warm glow that spoke of more than just a satisfied hunger. The feeling of having shared a meal that was more than just food, but a communion with the very...

**UPDATE: Thanks for the response below Sarah and admin team but as we saw on the reviews here, elote has been on the menu before (see attached screenshot for reference from 9 months ago; the same elote pictured and reviewed) I understand you want to make sure people feel safe eating here but as a celiac, this was a very scary event. And it wasn’t handled well I. The moment and no accountability was taken. I know that the intention is pure here, but the impact is more important. My hope is that you all take caution in the future to prevent things like this from happening and explain this explicitly to people, if you want to be viewed as a gluten free friendly place. It’s very very very important to take this allergy seriously and take care for your celiac patrons.

** ORIGINAL: Be careful if you have a Gluten Allergy. We were told confidently the chips were cross contaminated. She warned us. We thanked her and did not order them. She confidently told us that the elote was 100% GF. It came out, I ate half of it and realized it had corn chips all over it. I was so nervous. We asked her about it and she came back and didn’t acknowledge anything and said, “nope they are fine!” I stopped eating them but it was really scary.

Also, if I’m honest, the food also just kind of sucks. No real flavor, all the meat tacos are dry and overcooked. My partner is not GF and said it was the same for him. That said, the vibes are cute and the drinks are good. My reco? Come here for drinks and go anywhere...

We tried the $58 tasting menu, which included one starter, two tacos, a main dish with a side, and dessert. The food was good but not exceptional, and while the portions were well-balanced, the flavors didn’t quite stand out as much as we had hoped.

One downside is the limited vegetarian options—the menu doesn’t offer much variety for non-meat eaters, yet the price remains the same whether you choose meat, fish, or vegetarian dishes, which feels a bit unfair.

The ambiance was pleasant, but our table by the wall felt a bit cramped with not much space around us. That said, the service was excellent, and our waitress was absolutely lovely, making the experience more enjoyable.

Overall, it’s a nice spot with a good atmosphere and great service, but the menu could use a bit more flexibility, especially for...