GUACO TACO — Restaurant in Valparaiso

Let me start off by saying that we really wanted to like this place. So much that we withheld our second visit there for my lady’s bday. The first time we went, we walked in-no one at the counter-no signs of what to do-5 minutes pass- we bounce. Just felt weird.

The visit today felt equally weird, with the exception of the hostess/cashier being at the counter ready for action. However the first thing she says is “have you ever been here before?!” To which we reply no. She then goes onto explain every single process to us to the detail of where we need to stand when we are ordering, haha. It felt like a tour for out-of town investors or someone who has never been to a restaurant before. Just felt like if they had a couple simple signs- it would help her from having to explain in such depth to every customer that comes in. Seems draining and very inefficient.

Fast forward to the food.. we ordered chicken street tacos and a burrito. The food almost beat us to the table as we sat down. I was weary at that point. However, the food looked fairly fresh. However I tell you openly and honestly that it lacked 100% of the flavor. Like, I literally thought I had covid for a second. Not to be rude but the chicken looked/tasted stewed and had zero seasoning. They put a generous amount of the chicken on the items so it’s impossible to miss the absent flavor. The salsa had charred tomato skin mixed throughout (typically charred veggies are sweated after and skin removed). The first thing I said was “I don’t taste anything” (about the salsa). I thought maybe that they’ve forgotten to use basic seasoning 🧂 or something of the sort. They also only give a TINY serving of the salsa. Maybe 2 tablespoons MAX. The chips are claimed to be homemade but look/taste like Tostitos bagged chips. I would be surprised if they weren’t.

I originally ordered a small cup of Poblano Queso. But when the girl showed me the cup size (the size of the free cups they give near the drink machines at Chipotle) and told me that it was $5.95 for that size, I quickly declined. Thanks Biden! (Jk)

And finally at the end of the meal, the only trash can in the back was next to a busser’s cart. I saw one table leave their stuff and another table bus their own. So we just went ahead and bussed our own to get this meal over with.

Most definitely won’t be coming back. Simply based on flavor.

((Side Notes- I won’t bore you with the exploded/soggy burrito shell scenario. But the last thing is I personally think it’s weird to ask for a tip if I am ordering while standing up....

No guaco in my tacos.

Group lunch while attending conference at Eglin AFB. Chose Guaco Taco based on 4.6 overall rating and proximity to the base. Food was mediocre and overpriced. Will not return.

Counter service. Reasonable amount of comfortable seating for a lunch crowd. Only appeared to be one person working the entire kitchen (which doubles as a pizza restaurant with separate pizza menu); he was also training the 2 front-of-house staff.

New hire taking orders repeatedly informed customers placing orders for carne asada tacos that he did not speak Spanish (he required us to say “steak” to enter our order)… his menu clearly lists “carne asada”. Unprofessional. And then they turn the screen for you to enter a tip to your counter service order.

Time from first order placed until final plate served was 50 minutes.

My carne asada tacos were very bland - think sliced steak tacos. No carne asada marinade touched this steak. The steak was piled high on 2 double-wrapped small street-sized corn corn tacos. Could have easily spread the meat over 3 or 4 tacos and greatly improve the perceived value… $18 for a 2-taco lunch plate is wildly overpriced for the quality.

Chips, salsa, beans and rice came with plate. Chips were old and stale, salsa was fantastic - the standout of my meal.

Tried my colleagues’ pizza. It could be so good. Neapolitan style, delicious pizza dough. Oven technique needs help. Crust edges overcooked & burned, bottom crust was doughy/undercooked.

Recommendation: Abandon your Mexican food menu. Focus on fixing your pizza oven cooking technique. Your pizza could be so good.

Also recommend removing the tacky political mural from...

Niceville/Valparaiso/Fort Walton has its share of 'mexican' restaurants, but none can hold a candle to Guaco Taco, newly relocated from a successful run in Washington State where they proudly won many prizes for quality. That tradition of quality, excellence, and all-around deliciousness continues. The selection of pork carnitas, shredded beef, chicken, or vegetarian offerings means no one will go hungry or be disappointed by mediocre alternatives. Freshness is the byword for this treasure, with home made fire roasted tomatillio and tomato sauces, properly cooked carnitas that were juicy and flavorful, thick rustic corn chips, excellent whole-bean pinto beans, etc. The major draw for those who love real tamales are the tamales, authentic and filling. The guacamole is excellent, tiny diced onion, loads of chunky avocado, just the right amount of ripe tomato, salt, and lemon juice. Simplicity itself but executed with excellence. Folks raised on American-style hard-shell tacos may at first be a little confused, for these are tiny fresh corn double tortilla street tacos, generously filled (two is plenty!) with the filling of your choice and a choice of hot, medium, or mild freshly made salsa. A superlative 'equilibrium of deliciousness' understates their excellence all around. Prices are fair for what you get, as you pay for quality and the portion size. The building exterior is Florida stark, while the interior is charming and colorful, comfortable and super super clean (important!). Excellent food, excellent family, easy location, charming experience. Try them once and you will be repeat...