El Taco Veloz May Benefit From the New Prado

As the construction around the Prado will likely bring more of the same chain-type restaurants, visitors may want to venture just North of the new Sembler complex for lunch to the El Taco Veloz, an authentic Mexican taqueria. You will need to look past the exterior and the fact that its situated right next to a Love Shack adult store. Come to think of it, the inside won't win any Architectural Digest award either. But the fact that the Dora episode they were showing on the two TVs was in Spanish led me to believe I wouldn't be disappointed. And I wasn't. The food here will make you look past any burrito you have ever had at Moe's or Chipotle.

The menu is relatively simple- mainly tacos and burritos. There are carne asada versions of both, with the meat tender and full of flavor. Lady Steakhead had a chile relleno taco, which was also outstanding. She is a big fan of corn tortillas, which is how the tacos are served (you can request either). There is a salsa bar with some wonderful selections including a particularly spicy salsa verde. The pico served with the side order of chips is outstanding.

As I was leaving, I requested a to-go menu and was ecstatic to see they serve breakfast. I just love me some huevos rancheros! And breakfast places are what I have missed the most since move from Cabbagetown. May have to do that next weekend.

Taste of Sandy Springs This Sunday

I often state that the biggest thing I have missed since moving from Cabbagetown to Sandy Springs has been the lack of great, non-chain restaurants in Sandy Springs vs. my former haunts. To be fair, there are a few very good ones in my new hood, such as Rumi's Kitchen. But this is the burbs, and currently, the chains dominate.

But one thing Sandy Springs has that Cabbagetown didn't is a food festival (Chomp & Stomp doesn't count- that's more of a drink festival if you know what I mean). While the overall participating restaurant list isn't very inspiring (Kroger, Baskin & Robbins, Caribou Coffee amongst others), there are a few places that are winners (Eclipse di Luna, Rumi's, Food 101, Slope's), and there are a few places I am curious to try (Nancy G's, Mambo Italiano, Ramon's). To find out more, go to http://www.tasteofsandysprings.org//.