Eli Dancourt and his brother found themselves in a situation familiar to many of their kosher restaurant patrons. They had tacos that no one would confuse with authentic Mexican food. But unlike the others, Dancourt was determined to do something about it.
“I have always been intrigued by Mexican food,” says Taquito owner and chef Dancourt. “We have a lot of authentic Mexican food around us. it’s not Kosher… How about opening a place where that happens? “
After much research, Dancour opened Taquito.
Essentially the only authentic kosher Mexican food on the East Coast, taquitos aren’t all that remarkable. And that’s assuming it can find it from the start. It is a simple two-story building, accessible only through a walkway leading from the back entrance to the car park. Let’s just say that without a treasure map, no one would discover this hidden gem.
But once you reach the exposed brick interior through the door, the real fun awaits. In fact, there are many great things on the menu, so please forgive me for narrowing down my suggestions.
Invited to Taquito, the first thing I tasted was nachos. Taquito has the advantage that he’s only two blocks from Tortilla, and he’s making the most of it. Our potato chips are made fresh daily and fried on site for an unparalleled texture. Top with short rib chili, guacamole and mango salsa. If desired, also serve with salsa roja and salsa verde for added spiciness. Combining both flavor and texture, this item is a must-have.
The nachos are filling, but you shouldn’t go beyond the appetizers without ordering the chicharrón pollo. The classic chicharron is made from fried pork skin, but Dancourt decided to replace the main ingredient with chicken. To compensate for the unique crunchy texture of taquitos, taquitos use chunks of boneless chicken thighs with the skin on. The texture is really nice and rightfully one of the best sellers.
My suggestion is the potato chorizo taquito as you can’t go in and not order a taquito. These 3 rolled tortillas are stuffed with spicy sausage and potatoes and are a must-try. But the attraction is the whole plate. Taquitos have fried black bean paste on the bottom and a fried egg on top. Add pickled red onions, pico de gallo, and chipotle mayonnaise for a dish that’s both palate- and eye-pleasing.
If you go to Taquito for something you can’t get anywhere else, short rib biria tacos should be at the top of your list. Unlike the short rib tacos you find in many kosher restaurants, biria tacos are very different. Biria stuffing is a stew made from meat, peppers, onions and spices. But what really makes these tacos different is that they are fried (before stuffing) in the fat on top of the stew. This kind of technique gives it a real depth of flavor and unique texture compared to standard tacos.
If you’re looking for something to really fill you up (or just want leftovers for another day), I recommend the Mole Short Ribs. Served over Spanish rice with pickled red onions, this dish is so ubiquitous that its name (mole) means “sauce” in Spanish. Certainly unlike standard Jewish recipes, taquito moles are made with a blend of chili, chocolate, cinnamon, and fruit. A flavor profile you rarely see on the Freischig side, but when you taste it, you might reconsider if it needs to be changed.
Taquito hopes to open for lunch in the near future (with outdoor seating), but has no plans to open for breakfast. If so, you can’t help but order an incredible breakfast burrito whenever you stop by the store. Artfully wrapped with eggs surrounding other ingredients, this burrito is stuffed with chorizo hash, avocado, fried bean paste, and chipotle. Mayo. It might be a little spicy for some, but it all works together to create a very hearty burrito that’s perfectly satisfying and leaves you wanting more.
There are many other items worth mentioning, but you should know that you can order custom burritos and burrito bowls. What you put inside is up to you and most of the main features of the menu itself are included, so feel free to invent your own items according to your wishes.
I hope to see more restaurants like Taquito as the kosher food options continue to expand. Dancourt makes a careful decision and it pays off. Whether it’s not including fake cheese (he wasn’t a fan) or deciding which drinks to carry (Mexican seltzer is provided), Taquito is his vision of authentic kosher Mexico.
Let’s go see the scenery.
Taquito is located at 116 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, NJ. Kosher certified by KCL.
Taquito is open Sunday-Wednesday from 6pm-12am and Thursdays from 6pm-1am.
