Session Taco - Historic Soulard — Restaurant in St. Louis

You've likely been to many restaurants trying to set themselves apart. You've likely had fabulous experiences at many a fine dining establishment. You probably even have a "favorite" or a "go-to" spot.

Now hear this, fellow restaurant patrons. A recalibration of your standards is now in order.

It starts, as every dining experience does, with location. Is it too far to drive? No. Mission Taco Soulard is a DESTINATION. Go out of your way. Next, hows the parking? Fabulous. Just park anywhere, it's Soulard. The hostess? Lovely, her name might be Jocelyn if you're lucky; and yes, she helps maintain an immaculately clean establishment. Then you'lll speak with a server or bartender, probably a manager as well, and if you're lucky even a cook! They're all great. Hugh, Jada, Alec, Jon, Kyle, or Ally, just to name a few. There are standards for service and you WILL NOT find a better, more cohesive, friendly, helpful team at ANY bar or restaurant. I promise you that. These people set the standard for quality.

Now let's talk about the food... Get anything. Get everything. It'll come out fast, in the right order, and with beverages aplenty. The Tacos are obviously the star of the show, however, having tried every single item on the menu, I can assure you there are no dishes that lack in taste or quality. I would steer a newcomer especially towards the tortas and the appetizers. But good luck not ordering a taco, they are scrumpdiddlyumptious. Listen to your heart when selecting, it will never lead you astray.

And if the people, the location, the ambiance, and the flavors weren't enough, let us now mention the true gold standard, the top of the mountain, the value added, the wheat separated from the chaff.... The CONSISTENCY! ..In attitude ..In quality ..In service ..In presentation ..In taste ..In time ..In experience. The consistency is unmatched. And it starts with the people. This restaurant has an identity.

So, in conclusion, set aside your biases, your preferences, your tastes, and your previously held standards for excellence. Just come on in to Mission Taco Soulard and have a fool-proof great experience as many times as you can afford. And then tip those guys and gals something ridiculous. Be dumb. Be stupid. Make POOR FINANCIAL DECISIONS BASED ON THE QUALITY OF SERVICE RARELY FOUND IN THESE PARTS! Do the right thing. I'll see yall there...

Rating: 4.5 Stars

I have been to Mission Taco Joint several times. My favorite location is the Historic Soulard location, but I also like the CWE location. This review is in reference to my takeout order from the Historic Soulard location last night. While my go-to St. Louis Mexican place is and always will be Chava's, it was nice to mix it up and return to Mission Taco Joint. During my first visit in 2018, I got a variety of the tacos. They were pretty solid but a bit overpriced and small. I was not impressed. At my next visit in 2018, I decided to try the South Beach Burrito, which I really enjoy. Since this visit, I have gotten the South Beach Burrito each time I go back. Last night was my first takeout order from the Historic Soulard location, and I will say that it was very efficient. I ordered the South Beach Burrito and Chips and Salsa. I had barely left my apartment when I received a text that my order would be ready for pickup in less than 5 minutes. Talk about efficiency. Thankfully, I live close by. When I arrived, the order was ready to go, and I was already on my way home. The chips and salsa were solid. The top of the bag was especially good, but the bottom chips were a bit too salty. Both of the salsas were fresh and flavorful. As for the South Beach Burrito, I really like how the various components complement each other nicely. The rice, black beans, Chihuahua cheese, chicken, and guacamole taste great together. Overall, this is definitely a fun, solid restaurant with...

Chill vibe and looks like it would be fun in the later evenings. The food presentation was fantastic, everything looked like a million bucks. The street corn is fire, followed by the lime rice, and oh my gosh, the black beans are amazing—they are refried. However, the tacos we ordered seemed under-flavored and were missing something. Don’t get me wrong, the food was great, but I think the tacos could be improved with some feedback. Overall, it’s a great spot, but the tacos need a bit more punch to match the quality of the other dishes.

Now, let me break it down. The ambiance? Spot on. It’s got that relaxed, inviting feel that makes you want to hang around, especially as the night progresses. The plating? Absolutely stunning. Every dish looked like it was prepared for a photo shoot—pure culinary artistry. The street corn? Explosive flavors, an absolute triumph. The lime rice was a brilliant accompaniment, light, and zesty. And those refried black beans? Creamy, rich, simply superb.

But here’s the kicker: the tacos. They’re the stars of the show, and they fell flat. Under-seasoned, lacking that bold, vibrant taste you’d expect. It felt like they were holding back. You have the foundation of greatness, but the tacos need that extra oomph. Maybe a touch more spice, a hint of citrus, something to elevate them to the next level. Don’t let this potential go to waste—get those tacos right, and you’ll have a real winner...