Wong's Tacos — Restaurant in Virginia

I'll start off by saying that we did not eat here, my lunch mate did get to order a drink and really liked it (it was either called a Dreamsicle or something similar, made with local Moonshine).

That being said, I walked in and told them that I had an egg allergy and the hostess/waitress gave me their allergen chart to review as we looked over the menu. The chart was a spreadsheet and easy to follow, but seemed to contradict itself as you reviewed it closely. You'd see something that was available on multiple menu items listed as certain allergens (for example, eggs) but that same allergen was not listed on the same food on another menu item.

I choose one item from the menu and the waitress went into the kitchen to ask them if it contained egg, it did (and it wasn't listed as containing egg on their allergen sheet).

I also noticed that one menu item contained coconut and it was NOT listed as a tree nut. Coconuts are, indeed, considered a tree nut. The FDA has removed them from the major allergen list but it is still considered a tree nut; when I got home, I confirmed this on the FDA website's "FAQ: Food Allergen Labeling Guidance for Industry" page.

At that point, I began to doubt the sheet entirely and the waitress sensed my frustration so went in to get the chef. The chef and (I assume) manager came out to speak with us. They didn't introduce themselves, and the presumptive manager just charged ahead with his agenda regarding allergies. I stated that I understand that sometimes menu changes and it's hard to keep the allergen sheet up with menu changes. I pointed out the discrepancies that we noticed in the differing menu items, including the coconut/tree nut thing. Immediately the manager said "it's not a tree nut" and we responded that it is and he said "it is not, we looked it up, I'm not going to argue" then proceeded with what was going to be an argument of some sort (which we cut short by informing him, again, that he is wrong). I'm not sure why but he got up and walked away (I think he said he was going to grab something, but he never came back). The chef was VERY patient and polite and listened and answered questions and asked follow up questions (all the right things). I got frustrated and thanked her (or at least I hope I did) and explained that I was frustrated and just wasn't comfortable eating when I couldn't be sure what was in each dish. Let's just say, there were too many discrepancies.

Before walking away, the manager had said that they'd cover the drink, but just in case we relayed that information to the waitress before we left. We did, of course, tip our waitress. It's not her fault and she did the right thing by asking the chef to come out when she realized that the allergen issue was getting frustrating to us. She was gracious and polite and did her best at answering our questions. (the 'Service' review of 4 stars is for the waitress and chef, the presumptive manager would have received 0 stars - for arguing with us about coconuts not being tree nuts and walking away during the conversation).

Thank you for...

I believe this restaurant is at a 4.5-4.6 star rating in what I have to say about my experience, I’m John Haddaway and im your local food critic! As I sat down in the back of the restaurant to have a good visual of the seating arrangements, I can appreciate their colorful and fun atmosphere and decor! Mimosas are strong as they should be and I started off with 3 single tacos, the kung pal chicken, the taco could use a little more flavor, the peanuts add a nice crunch but are overpowering to the the tempura which is finely cooked today. This taco lacks in pizazz and could be improved in flavor and consistency I would definitely say the tempura is crispy as stated on the menu! Next we have the Char Siu Pork belly taco, my first bite I was very pleased with the flavor and overall mixture of ingredients, I think the gochujang aioli in which was what brings the pork belly enhanced in this taco and the two ingredients pair very nicely together, of course the slaw, radishes and red onion are nice touches as well. I give this taco a thumbs up and would recommend it to fellow taco lovers! I’ve been here before but will usually visit a restaurant 2-3 times before writing a review, last time I was here I really enjoyed the street corn and the epic chorizo chimichanga bowl which was flavorful and plentiful in portion for the price! Today I have Andrew as my server as he is also bartending and assisting the flow of the Sunday late mid day crowd. Their draft and beer list is quite extensive and provides a good variety as taco joints should in general with lots of different local and domestic beers to choose from that will pair nicely with the selection of tacos and other options! Next we have the chicken lime taco, it was good but I think spicy is a bit of an exaggeration for the clientro crema and yes it has a kick but not spicy. Otherwise the taco is consistent and flavorful as can be. Last we have the crispy Brussels sprouts taco, crispy they were, almost little too crispy for my taste. The other flavors of this taco is what held it together and if I ordered the Brussels sprouts as a side I’d be disappointed for sure. I don’t know if it’s just this batch but this taco was my least favorite due to how black and browned the Brussels sprouts were and I feel they were overcooked by just a few minutes. Yet again Brussels sprouts are very difficult to perfect overall so I can only be but so hard on the chef for that. Turns out they are flash fried and that’s probably the worst way to cook them. Otherwise I feel this is a good restaurant worth trying and returning more than once and...

I had the pleasure of dining at Wong's Taco with my greedy foodie bloggers @we_hungryaf and we were blown away. The deliciousness of the Chorizo Fried Egg Rolls, Shrimp Tempura Tacos, Korean Beef Tacos, Chorizo Chimichanga, and Wong's Macho Nachos was memorable. The atmosphere was lively and inviting, and the staff were all incredibly friendly and helpful.

Ohhh The Food!!!

The Chorizo Fried Egg Rolls were an absolute standout, with the perfect combination of savory chorizo and creamy mixed cheese wrapped up in a crispy fried egg roll wrapper. The charred corn, cilantro, and Pasillas peppers added layers of flavor and texture, and the spicy cilantro crema was the perfect finishing touch.

The Shrimp Tempura Tacos were equally impressive, with perfectly cooked and crispy tempura shrimp nestled in a soft tortilla with Asian slaw, sesame seeds, jalapeños, green onions, and gochujang aioli. The flavors and textures in these tacos were truly heavenly.

The Korean Beef Tacos were equally delicious, with tender, savory beef coated in gochujang aioli and topped with Asian slaw, jalapeños, green onions, radish, and sesame seeds. These tacos had a bold and spicy flavor that left me wanting more.

The Chorizo Chimichanga was another standout dish, with a perfectly fried and crispy burrito filled with spicy cilantro rice, pinto beans, and mixed cheese. The green Chile queso and Pico de Gallo added even more flavor and texture, making this dish a true masterpiece.

Lastly, the Wong's Macho Nachos were a delicious and hearty way to end the meal, with seasoned ground beef, pinto beans, black bean and corn salad, green Chile queso, Pico de Gallo, and spicy cilantro crema piled high on top of crispy tortilla chips. These nachos were a true indulgence and a perfect way to finish off a fantastic meal.

Overall, Wong's Taco was an absolute delight. Don't take it from me, Go See for yourself! Wong's Taco is a true gem and I highly recommend giving it a try. I have no doubt that you will leave the restaurant completely satisfied and already planning...