Taco Shack Express — Restaurant in Austin

I usually go to Vazquez but didn’t want to back track en route to my office so I stopped here today. Pulled up to the window and was dryly greeted by a lady. I told her it was my first time, to which she simply responded “ok, let me know when you’re ready”. I really should’ve drove away then, but I was hungry so I went ahead with my order. That’s what I get for thinking with my stomach.😭Got to the window and the employee answered my questions as if I was bothering her (what kind of orange juice do you have?), walking to the cooler with a slight annoyance that I asked. I decided to pass bc they were cheaper made options that I don’t like. She took my card for payment, and even though I said “thank you” every time she handed me something (my bag, my drink, my card, receipt), she didn’t say “you’re welcome” or anything similar. I am generally polite because I used to work food service and respect the people who are in that role (knowing what they have to deal with). That being said, why be rude without provocation? Why come to work if you really don’t want to be there? Why make people not want to visit your establishment, in turning hurting the establishment and their potential to stay open? You can’t make money if you don’t have customers and poor service is a sure fire way to keep from having customers. The entire interaction was just bland. Speaking of which, let’s get into the food. The cheese WASNT EVEN MELTED on the taco. Like, for real? At the very least, that should be the bare minimum expectation for something served “hot” and wrapped in foil. I use the temp term loosely because “hot” is definitely what they were NOT. The potatoes were soggy, flavorless, and completely unseasoned. I mean not even one single speck of pepper. No salt. No nothing. Then, to add insult to injury….the salsa. Lord, Jesus the salsa. It tasted like it had been stored uncovered in a high blowing fridge. I don’t know how to explain the taste of “refrigerator”, except to say if you’ve eaten anything with that taste then you know exactly what I’m talking about. It was not good and I ended up having to throw away the first taco and just ate the second one plain. This entire experience was lackluster at best. Add in the fact that they charge 2.99 for a 20oz fountain drink that’s mostly ice (and gas stations have a whole bottle for 2.89), and it was just all around not a good visit. I don’t intend to return here, nor do I think I will recommend them to anyone. Certainly a...

I used to eat at one of the other locations years ago but it had been, like I said, years.. so last year when this location opened near me I was excited.

Ordered fish tacos. What I received was a tortilla with a pinky size piece of fish… I’ve literally never done this but I couldn’t justify the $12 or whatever it was for almost no food so I drove back, returned the food and got my money back.

The other day, a friend was telling me how they used to always go to taco shack back in the day and got me on board to give it another shot… ordered 2 breakfast tacos and just had to laugh when my total was nearly $10 ($9.48) for two breakfast tacos… was handed the bag of tacos which felt very light so I was concerned. Turns out the tacos were filled about as much as the fish tacos I got last year. See pics.

I ate the 2 tacos in about 2 bites each then drove to the best breakfast taco spot in town Vasques (Mexican Restaurant #2) also pictured.

I will say the bacon at taco shack was good, but maybe a table spoon of eggs and one small slice of avocado just isn’t it.

Do yourself a favor and just...

I have been going to TS for years and I like their tacos. I used to love them. The El Niño is still one of my favorites, along with the Shack and Burnet Road burrito. However the consistency has changed a lot much like their prices going up and up.

Now I never know if my order will be right when I get home. I went recently on a Saturday and was give El Niños without the cheese and very chintzy amount of ingredients in general. When during the week it is correct and full!

I always order jalapeño for my Shack and BB. It is hit or miss if I actually get them. Today was a “NOPE!” which led to this review.

TS has been previously a go to taco breakfast taco treat for me and they can do better and have in the past and sometimes do now. But that is the issue...