El Kiosko — Restaurant in Oak Harbor

Great prices, good quantities, drive-thru option is nice, but the food was bland. Without adding the red/green salsa everything was lackluster flavor-wise. Carne asada was great meat so the complete lack of seasoning didn’t make them a total loss. The guacamole tastes pretty good, but it was quite runny. Fries in the Cali burrito were soggy crinkle cut fries. Overall not the best experience. Mi Taco, Agave, Jumbo Burrito, El Caz would be better choices.

UPDATE:

We like to give restaurants a fair chance, so we went back. The first time we really weren’t impressed, so it took us a year before we were ready to give them a second shot.

Still not impressed.

“Taquitos w/Guacamole” came with maybe a teaspoon of guacamole. Both orders of carne asada came with meat, tortillas and some onions, no pico, no guacamole. Horchata was super gritty. The food was more expensive this time, very high priced for the quality, over $80 for 3 entrees and one appetizer, wouldn’t be bad for a full service Mexican restaurant but this a little fast food taqueria. Also they charged 10.2% tax (Oak Harbor rate is only 8.9%) Not to mention we could have got the same things from a nicer full service place like El Cazador for less anyhow. (Just checked, it would have been $6.46 less to get the exact same order, AND @ $5 for delivery, $6.25 cheaper than having to use DoorDash, so $12.71 less for way better food)

Also, we used DoorDash for delivery, and while this isn’t the restaurant’s fault (I don’t think), apparently our first month of free delivery from DD isn’t actually free, they charged a 15% service fee ($11.25) to “help operate DoorDash” (it should be mentioned that we only live 4 minutes away), so with a $12 tip to our driver, a food truck style meal for 3 cost us $105, so that was fun.

Only redeeming thing was that it all tasted decent. Seasoned much better this time. Nothing to write home about, but it was good enough. That’s the only thing that kept us from dropping it...

4 MINUTES OR 240 SECONDS IS THE DISTANCE 🚗 🏤 BETWEEN THE TWO 🏦

▪︎LET THE PICTURES SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES BEFORE YOU READ▪︎ -------------------‐--------------------------------------------------

▪︎REVIEW IS IN REGARD TO FOOD QUALITY AND SERVICE▪︎

Went to EL KIOSKO (ONE OF THEIR COMPETITORS) first to try their best item recommended and AT FIRST GLANCE I WAS DISSAPOINTED, their menu was overwhelming to the eye and the taste didn't live up to expectations, when it came to the carne asada fries.

Legit did not want to try anywhere else after going there but then..... I found.....

(LIKE CHIPOTLE NOT AS HEALTHY)

Not only does the presentation please the eye, but THE FLAVOR WAS ON POINT TOO! They don't try to seduce you with a complicated list of food choices, they did something even better. They found items that they liked and mastered the presentation, flavor, and QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.

▪︎I'M HELLA OVER HYPING THEM, I JUST MISSED GOOD CARNE ASADA FRIES▪︎

I'm coming from California where there is an abundance of Mexican restaurants scattered all with their unique flavors, but just as in California there are clear winners and losers.

▪︎BOTH RESTAURANTS PROVIDE FRIENDLY SERVICE▪︎🙏

(THIS PLACE ISN'T BAD, BUT FOOD IS GREASY)

--------THANKS FOR READING...

I decided to try eating somewhere I don't normally eat and I chose Taqueria El Kiosko to have lunch.

I mistakenly ordered the Botanas de Carnitas (#14), I thought I was ordering the Macho Burrito #15, but I somehow mixed up the numbers! I distinctly remember saying 14, even though I had decided on 15. Oh well.

I didn't object because I realized my mistake 5 minutes before the dish was served. I decided to give the Botanas decided Carnitas a try.

It was great!! The dish is a brightly colored offer. There is the bright green of limes, reds of sliced tomatoes, orange of pickled carrot slices, pinkish red of radish, muted green of avocado and jalapeños. There is also fried onions, diced cabbage and I think chopped pork and chicken.

The dish is delicious. I loved all the ingredients, they kept the flavor fresh and adventurous. Don't forget to add a squeeze of lime, it adds another level of flavor!

The restaurant is open for indoor dining. Some of the tables are closed, to maintain social distancing. The staff is friendly and they wear masks.

I highly recommend trying Taqueria El Kiosko if you...