TACO RIENDO FRESH MEX — Restaurant in Virginia

*Update: This place went downhill quickly for us!! It's no longer my taco place 😪 it was awful the last few times we went. The service can be downright rude and belittling on the phone if ordering a pick up. After I got the extra rude guy on the phone a few times, my husband said no more! Plus, the food was not satisfying anymore. We will not be back!

I'm a straight Cali Girl and crave tacos on the reg! So I came for a Taco fix. Thu far, I haven't been able to get my fix here in Bristol, so I've been on a hunt. I got a combo plate with a Carnitas Taco and a Beef Enchilada, as I love a good Enchilada as well. You can order your Taco the traditional way - with Cilantro and onions - or you can go Tennessee style with cheese and what not. I did the traditional Taco Truck style! I got my fix, y'all!!!! Now, it wasn't the best I've ever had, but dang, I miss my Taco trucks! My Enchilada was a total let down, bummer! It's different than any I'd had before, it had ground beef and I did not like the sauce, I couldn't eat it. My husband got a torta, which is one of his faves. It was satisfying, but not the best ever - but he will be back for another! In all fairness, this is not as much a restaurant, but more of a taqueria style, which we like. After all, it does have a drive-through! We are ecstatic to report that there is no cheese sauce on my food!!! You may be able to order it, but we didn't try, lol. We also like their salsa! The service was great! I feel a Taco craving...

Because of prior activities, my lunch bud and I had an early dinner and decided on Taco Riendo since it was new to us. It turned out to be an excellent choice. The dining area said fast food but the uniformed wait staff said different. When I saw the selection of mixed drinks and beers I was already gearing up for a wonderful dining experience. I wasn't disappointed. First up was chips and dip, in this case creamy smooth refried beans with a dollop of queso blanco. Add fresh cooked tortilla chips with a a light crispness and we were off to a good start. While it was expectedly slow due to the early dinner time (about 1545) customers began coming in behind us. We both ordered numbered combo plates from the ample menu selections available. My plate (see photo) arrived in an appropriate amount of time piping hot on a huge (12") plate. My lunch bud was equally outfitted and we were impressed. It looked and smelled delicious...it was! Frankly, it quickly caused me to rethink my fave Tex-Mex restaurant. We barely spoke as we ate because we were both hungry and the food was too good not to savor and enjoy. Even as critical as I am doing restaurant reviews, rarely, rarely giving a 5 score, this place and their excellent food deserved and received a 5! Kudos for excellent service, delicious Tex-Mex with a flair that says the back staff is experienced and knows their business, and their draught beer chilled to the perfect temperature! With apologies to Arnold Swartznegger,...

My lunch bud and I decided to reprise our first visit with a second, given that we really enjoyed our first outing there. We arrived shortly after 1300 to find the place packed, with the crowd close to half ethnic Hispanic. That speaks well for the authenticity of their traditional Mexican items. Their Tex-Mex is killer good too. This time I wasn't starving like the first time, and my apologies for not getting the name of my appetizer I used for my meal. It was a dish of perfectly cooked fries with ample queso blanco covering, with a nice portion of crumbled chorizo sprinkled over and topped with slices of jalapeño. I added a big Pacifico perfectly chilled and got filled up. My lunch bud had a combo dinner and typically wolfed his down to a few crumbs. When we entered there were only 2 booths available but the lunch crowd soon began filtering out, but still leaving a dozen late lunch patrons. Our waiter was quick and efficient, handling his half of the crowd with skill. Prior to this my wife and I got carryout and she found my first review my have been a bit less than praiseworthy than she would have been. Oh well! So I'm a tougher critic. I do have some review experience from my days in Fort "Lost in the Woods," Missouri. Anyway...2 thumbs up, Taco Riendo is my top Go To Tex-Mex restaurant in...