Mr. Taco Cantina — Restaurant in Galveston

I come to Galveston for treatment of terminal cancer. I have not yet been able to enjoy the food but I may have had more than my share of watermelon agua Fresca.

When things are emotional sometimes everything is emotional. Yesterday I composed a long letter to Mr. Taco about sandiá agua frescas and the way I can’t just blend a watermelon to recreate at home because I can’t taste the love of ancestors passed through wrinkled hands. I have blackberry jam with half melted butter on sourdough in my becoming wrinkled hands.

Then we were looking for fruit and after a false call at a bbq stand we found a family with a refresqueria truck so we didn’t have to slice our own in the hotel room. All of the fruit was for sale at the tables next to them including still warm what we called “relish” at Mexican restaurants full of mostly carrots-which was what I always picked out and ate. I tried to tip him and he held my hand between his like a grandfather pushing it back to me. He told Jamie all about jicama-she loves to ask questions and I hate to answer questions. It was such a small sweet experience. The fruit was exactly what we wanted and we didn’t have to go inside a store.

They don’t know what I am going through, these two elderly men and one young woman who have had some extra special meaning to me for some reason this week. Jamie and I have talked about that a lot here-not really knowing what someone else is going through but knowing it could be worse that what you experienced. I wonder if they are safe, because I never feel safe in Texas. Maybe I will actually send Mr. Taco a letter about the magic of a fresh...

The restaurant side it's actually very cool for pictures and selfies. But we went in simply for the Elote and Raspas so we stayed on the smaller side. As basic as a typical raspa is, some raspas you crave because of the flavor, the way the ice is crushed, etc; but these were nothing special. The way the ice is crushed melts together in the end and makes a block of ice. The Elote Marrano was ok (one with hot Cheetos, corn and queso), but the Cheetos were a bit soggy. They picture the serving all in the Cheetos bag, but they gave it to me in a plate, so maybe they just have a large bag tucked back there. We loved the Chamango and horchata! They make their aguas fresh when you order (we loved that!), but the agua de limón was too sour and not sweet enough, and the agua de mango was not cold and was not flavorful.

Service wasn't bad; it seemed the entire family was there, but they weren't welcoming. We did not get greeted, and there was no urgency to provide that warm welcoming customer service. We did not know what to do with the trash after since they don't have trash bins and no one cleaning tables, so we brought the trash to the counter and asked the attendant if they could put it in the trash for us. That was awkward. We sat outside and it's naturally windy, so we could not just leave a tip to get up and go.

It wasn't terrible, but If we come back it would be only to try the restaurant side. Otherwise it is not a place that we would crave to...

As a local I've frequent this restaurant on multiple occasions, but after my most recent visit, I feel compelled to share my experience. My last visits have been terrible, as we've been ignored at the bar and even chipping us on our food portions. The restaurant wasn’t even busy when I arrived with two friends. We sat at the bar and had to ask for menus. They immediately told us it would be a 30-35 minute wait for food, which was fine, so we decided to order margaritas. They also mentioned the chips and salsa would take a while, which set the tone for what was to come.

Over 30 minutes passed, and we watched other customers come in and place orders while we were completely ignored. No one checked on us, didn’t offer refills, and we were left in the dark about food or drink status. Despite the restaurant not being packed, it felt like they couldn’t care less about our business.

When we decided to leave, we had to ask for the tab, and even then, they looked at us as if we were an inconvenience. We eventually had to go to the cashier to pay.

This experience felt a bit personal as we have been here in big groups and as local, I won’t be coming back. We ended up going up the road to Salsa, where the food & drinks are delicious, and the staff is warm...