CaFé Tacuba — Restaurant in Cedar Rapids

I breakfasted in the NewBo district this morning at Cafe Tacuba. This was not the first time I have been to the restaurant, rather a return visit due to their excellent cuisine and extensive menu. I arrived around 8:30, just prior to the place filling up rapidly around 9:00. The service has been both fast and slow previously (always friendly), on this occasion, it was brisk and efficient. I ordered Kori's Skillet, a delicious dish consisting of chorizo, jalapenos, pico de gallo, pepperjack cheese, and avocado. Hashbrowns, American fries, or breakfast potatoes are the choices for the base, and, of course, eggs (‘browns & scrambled today). I have had breakfast skillets, scrambles, shipwrecks, etc. numbering in the hundreds, if not thousands, at this point in my dining career. This particular one was yummy, which given my love of breakfast and wide tolerance is not surprising, but what makes it stand slightly taller than the others is balance. This is important to me in many dishes. Too much or too little of one item can dramatically change the taste. In the case of the humble skillet, too many potatoes can make it feel like a dressed up side order, too much chorizo can make it too heavy or greasy, too much cheese can introduce a gummy, glutinous quality (a particular downfall that occurs far too often). Not so with Kori's Skillet, every ingredient in good proportion and combined well, not muddled into a pool of breakfast, but combined so that one gets all of the components in each enjoyable forkful. Well done, Cafe Tacuba👏 The breakfast menu is two-sided, with (at my count) 64 dishes available! I'll repeat that, this restaurant has sixty-four separate breakfast items, ranging from Mexican classics like chilaquiles to bacon, egg, and cheese on a croissant. That is an impressive range! I will return again, and probably again after that. After all, I have 64 dishes...

First off - do NOT be scared by the huge menu! Get a cocktail menu and order a little something while you eat some homemade tortilla chips and salsa or queso and take your time choosing.

Recommendations on selection: Go for something that seems familiar, then branch out. If dining with others, order different things and try each other’s food (if that’s not weird for you).

In general (we did a late lunch): When we walked into the Cafe, we immediately loved the atmosphere. The staff was very friendly and had really fun shirts on (one said “I love the $hit out of tacos” or something like that).

You’ll get your chips and salsa + a pitcher of water right away, along with the extensive menu. Highly recommend the queso - it’s just right when it comes to thickness and it has something extra in it that enhances the flavor. I really wanted to try the guacamole flight, but that will need to be for next time. Yes, they have different guacamoles and you can order a flight of them to try them all. Fabulous idea!! The dining areas were open and well lit some great decor and paintings.

You’ll likely be taking half home with you. The portions are very large.

They have a fun cocktail menu! I enjoyed the Tepeche Colada and my partner enjoyed the Tacuba. The Tepeche colada was nice and light, not overpowering. I loved the toasted coconut and all the flavors in the drink. The Tacuba had amazing flavors and had a richer alcohol content. My partner loved this about the drink. It didn’t taste as sweet as the Tepeche.

We ordered the Street Quesadilla (one order came with 2 and I had to fold it a bit to get it in the to-go box) and the Sopes with grilled chicken. The presentation and the flavors were amazing.

I am recommending going with friends, having some drinks, and sharing the food and experience.

Clean bathrooms. Street parking. Shop first, then stop...

What's Spanish for nomnomnomnom? While our meal was flawed, the highlights were so delicious that I had to give Cafe Tacuba 5 stars. Oh boy, one delicious Ozzy Marg and you'll feel its warmth. This is no watered-down, overly sweet, bottom-of-the-barrel tequila concoction that passes for a margarita at many local establishments. Chori Queso, so good: was that cinnamon I tasted? Carnitas, tender, flavorful, I could eat this dish every week. Scratch that: twice a week. Garish is often an after thought, but this pico is not the same 'ol slapped together overly chunky, unseasoned dreck most so-called Mexican restaurants serve: you'll want to eat this pico by the bowful. And the refried beans tasted like somebody's mom had cooked them special just for our meal. The two tablespoons served with carnitas left us wanting more so we ordered a side, only two bucks for a generous portion. Chips, light and crispy were too salty. But, hey, nobody's perfect. Our friendly waiter had a voice made for radio. There's much on the menu to call us back for more dinners at Cafe Tacuba. The kitchen focuses on more than cheese, cheese, cheese and ground beef like so many bland American-Mexican restaurants that don't deserve the adoration of their gringo patrons. NOTE Skip the Enchiladas Divorciadas: undercooked, limp, pale tortillas filled with bland chicken, topped with a stingy amount of flavorful red/rojas and green/verde sauces and a slice of barely melted mystery cheese. Having tortillas first dipped in sauce, then filled, followed by more time in the oven or under the broiler would have made all the difference in...