Rocket Taco — Restaurant in Seattle

This place was pretty lame, honestly. For starters, you can’t order a mix of tacos, it all has to be one filling. Variety is supposed to be part of the fun of tacos! You have to pay extra for chips (of course, they can’t just give you a complimentary basket like at EVERY OTHER Mexican restaurant— that’s the lowest bar.) And the tip option starts at 25% but it is almost completely self-service. We ordered at the counter, sat down, had to get up to grab hot sauce (how you not gonna have any hot sauce readily available at the tables in a Mexican restaurant?? They are all mixed together in a bin, unlabeled, at the front). Later we stopped a passing employee to ask for a leftovers box, they said “oh the boxes are at the other side of the restaurant!” So you pay an extra 25% on the tip but then they don’t actually do anything other than taking your order. So, what is the tip for? And, absolutely— service workers should be paid well! I’m NOT hating on the staff here, they are just people at work and they were fine. But the burden for their fair wages shouldn’t fall entirely on the customer WITHOUT the business offering a dining experience that matches the price point. Here, it’s like you’re doing all the work AND footing the bill. This place feels so disconnected from what people actually want when they go out to eat. When you go out to eat, you’re looking for connection, ease, and hospitality. You want to sit and relax in a comfortable place with good food and feel like the people running the restaurant actually care just a LITTLE bit about your experience. Rocket Taco hit none of those markers. This place feels hollow and transactional, like if late-stage capitalism were a taco. Plus, the food was...

Was out on a lime bike, got lost, was starving, running on fumes..thought I was a goner. Brain was blinking red, till it went pink fluffy. There was something pink and fluffy that caught my eye. Almost ran over the sweetest old lady.

Turns out it was the storefront of an art gallery..who’d a thunk. Shot the shit with her, apologized for nearly sending her to the ER. Mentioned I was hungry. She didn’t miss a beat “Rocket Taco.”

Said they had a buss..down Mexican potato. You know me and carbs go hand in hand. And your boy’s brown..so I went to town.

She told me it was one block behind me. The gods had sent her. Even gave me the game plan to get back to Broadway, “Follow Aloha.”

Whipped that Lime around, parked it with precision, Trek’d back in reverse..bam. There it was. The gods had spoken, And tacos fell.

Walked in fresh off a survival dunny. Server saw it in my eyes..I was ready to smack down. Six tacos al pastor. Extra piña. No playing around.

Hit it off with one of the cooks..fresh off the pueblo. Me and him connected. Let him know his work was top tier: "Un chiflado, y sabía que hasta aquí en el gabacho estamos."

Should’ve seen his face when the white boy hit the chilango whistle. He knew I was the real deal. He gave me the salute. "También, primo." I walked outta there with his blessing.

Them tacos? Smacked.

Posted up on a street corner...perfect place to take the pulse of a hood. Fresh dunny in hand, crispy jamaica in the other. Early 2000s suburbs meets New York grit. Corner energy was lethal in chillness.

Came back for the package. Tacos were beyond standard. Fresh herbs. Real cuts. Handmade tortillas de maíz. The cook killed it.

Rocket taco got...

If you've happened to read any of my other reviews you know I'm very VERY particular of high ratings. Not all food is good. Full stop. Too many people are pleased with too little and I've traveled all across America and even internationally to realize most food is decent and so sits at 5/6 out of 10. To get higher on my scale you need to be doing something different and unique! Rocket Taco definitely meets my high bar.

Ambiance - especially their new larger location with the decor, spacious and comfortable especially the outside patio with the sunny days. Makes enjoying the food awesome. Really hits the aesthetic vibe of a classic cantina with flair. 10/10

Service - All of the staff is friendly and polite. Once I came waiting until they opened and the gentleman Billy let me in 30 minutes early to order because I'm a somewhat regular haha. 10/10.

Food - I have only ever eaten really their quesadilla, but it's so damn good why risk anything else. And most importantly it's CONSISTENTLY GOOD. Always cooked perfectly and always the same well cooked chicken that can stand well on its own but gets even better with the crema and spiciest (we call it crack sauce haha) sauce they have that actually has heat. I've only had the carne asada once and it's good (this is not on the menu but ask and they can make it) but the chicken is better. Truly, best quesadilla I can honestly say I've consistently eaten in Seattle. Carne Asada 8/10. Chicken Quesadilla 10/10.

That's right, if you've read my other reviews you're reading right. I'm happy to say that Rocket Taco is worth going out of your way for! And the price is worth it of...