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Monday, March 30, 2009

Chow YES! Seattle's Newest Taqueria

Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on Mon, Mar 30, 2009 at 12:28 PM

Two-Block-Radius Hack Alert! Actually, make that one block, and color all us hacks at The Stranger pretty much overjoyed that Wallingford's favorite taco truck (okay, Wallingford's only taco truck) Rancho Bravo Tacos has been installed in a bricks-and-mortar edition in the old Kentucky Fried Chicken directly next door to the office. (Sorry, Dan: The KFC is now officially not going to be the new Pony, though a new Pony appears imminent just barely outside the two-block radius, over on Madison.)

All the lack of charm of the KFC interior has been preserved, which is, on balance, a great thing, because that's atmosphere you're not paying for: Burritos start at $4.25 (and end at $4.75). (The fast-food-style taqueria interior has many honorable predecessors in San Francisco's Mission District, the burrito capital of the world: El Farolito is the pinnacle.) Be warned (or get excited): Rancho Bravo's al pastor produces prodigious amounts of orange grease. Spotted there on the first full day of business (Saturday): Slats and a person who could only be Slat's mom (or maybe aunt—in any case, the queen mother of Capitol Hill).

The new Rancho Bravo Tacos is open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
YES.

Rancho Bravo is beloved by Stranger reader-reviewers; I'm with Jonah in the belief that the food is decent, but it's got nothing on Tacos al Asadero. But, you know, beggars/choosers and all that: This is an awesome (non-)development for Capitol Hill.

I am eating a chicken mole super burrito right now—slightly spicy, fairly salty, tender bird, pretty big, and only $4.75. Hallelujah.

Comments (34) RSS

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Will the wallingford truck go unchanged?

Posted by stinkbug on March 30, 2009 at 12:41 PM

I just moved from Wallingford to Capitol Hill and this was definitely the thing I missed most. It's like a dream come true -- I'm having a Rancho Carnitas Burrito for lunch later!

Posted by Jigae on March 30, 2009 at 12:42 PM

OMG was the truck the one next to the donuts ?? I used to love that place.

Posted by Love Tacos on March 30, 2009 at 12:48 PM

I've noticed the "bricks-and-mortar" variant of the term (with a plural "brick") showing up a lot lately. It's not wrong, but it always looks a little weird to me.

Posted by Dougsf on March 30, 2009 at 12:50 PM

Oh, you like them now that they're open next door? Two block radius shills more like it. I'd like to see what would happen if a pit bull kennel opened up across the street, probably ten minutes before you'd have a post up waxing poetic about the cuteness of those soft cuddly vicious killers.

Posted by Super Jesse on March 30, 2009 at 12:54 PM

@5:

You've obviously never walked by The Cuff late on a Saturday night.

Posted by Who Let The Dogs Out? on March 30, 2009 at 1:12 PM

My mouth waters at the thought of tacos al pastor that shoot orange grease out the back when you bite into them. Simultaneously the best drunk food and best hangover food ever.

Posted by Hernandez on March 30, 2009 at 1:14 PM

Oh HELL YES.

Posted by Original Monique on March 30, 2009 at 1:25 PM

@1: I believe the R.B. taco truck on 45th continues unchanged!

Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on March 30, 2009 at 1:29 PM

I'd also like to add, though it's probably as argued as coffee in Seattle (I know, I know, but it's a true cliche), as a resident of the neighborhood mentioned, El Farolito is probably a safe bet for the pinnacle of taquerias.

Posted by Dougsf on March 30, 2009 at 1:37 PM

I really miss El Farlito's.

Posted by scojomojo on March 30, 2009 at 2:01 PM

El Faralito is OK but I always prefer La Taqueria. Their Tacos are huge.

Posted by elswinger on March 30, 2009 at 2:03 PM

B-b-but the best tacos are tiny. And numerous.

Posted by Fnarf on March 30, 2009 at 2:09 PM

@12 Oh dude, no. The best tacos are indeed tiny and numerous. Any "authentic" taqueria worth its salt sells tacos that fit in the palm of you hand, meant to be eaten in batches of four or five in a sitting. I'm sorry to pull the "I'm actually Mexican so I know better than you" card, but I am, and I do.

Posted by Hernandez on March 30, 2009 at 2:40 PM

Still filing this in the too good to be true section. I'm hoping they have the chance to stay and aren't just filling the space until the developer decides to raze the old KFC. And capitolhillseattle.com thanks you for reading!

Posted by jseattle on March 30, 2009 at 2:58 PM

I like my tacos both ways.

Posted by elswinger on March 30, 2009 at 2:59 PM

Hernandez, este guerra está de acuerdo.

Posted by ¡Qué tontería! on March 30, 2009 at 3:04 PM

Isn't a reeeally big taco a burrito with its fly down?

Posted by Lloyd Clydesdale on March 30, 2009 at 3:05 PM

@15: Happy to give credit where it's due— like over here —but I actually happened upon this fresh greatness myself on Saturday afternoon. It is literally a stone's throw from work. Thank you, Jesus.

Posted by Bethany Jean Clement on March 30, 2009 at 3:12 PM

Gotta go and make me cry a little with the mention of El Farolito. Damn, I miss that place.

Posted by Stephanie on March 30, 2009 at 3:29 PM

Huarachitos on MLK bitches... thats all i gotta say...

Posted by taco taco on March 30, 2009 at 3:58 PM

I won't drag this away from Seattle any more than I have to, BUT a) El Faralito is pretty good, both 24th locations. And B) I don't get the love for La Taqueria, I've had a few out of town guests want to go there, but I don't know many folks that like it much. I'm not a fan. If I'm only going to eat tacos, I'd go to La Altena 3 blocks closer.

I'll digress and leave you with this:
http://www.burritoeater.com/

Posted by Dougsf on March 30, 2009 at 4:10 PM

Seattleites are inclined to obssessive dialog. Even over the things they know nothing about.

Rather than just take anyone elses word for something, you folks waste alot of gas on unecessarily rethinking and reinventing things, only to arrive at the same conclusions as the rest of the world. Nevermind all that, though.

It's like this. You live in that beautiful city, concede that as tacos are concerned, you will settle. It is one of your trade offs. Stop embarrassing yourselves with this best "taco in town" nonsense.

It's like as silly as watching Angelenos argue about Delis. There's no argument. You go to Fairfax and hope for the best.

It's like arguing about the best place for Salmon in Laredo. You get some catfish and pretend.

Seattle, I've watched you eat $4 carne asada tacos topped with cabbage and served with calrose rice at one of your "Best Place For Tacos" in Ballard. WTF?

Stop.

Posted by Taco Nazi! on March 30, 2009 at 4:39 PM

Dear Taco Nazi!: I want to put that whole rant on a banner and post it on the hill somewhere in that two-block radius. (Rancho Bravo is pretty good though.)

Posted by A Giant Fucking Banner. on March 30, 2009 at 9:40 PM

You failed to mention that RB serves up the goods sans the BULLSHIT attitude at Bimbo's. Their burritos were/are truly delicious but patrons without the proper uniform are also served a plate of stinkeye.

Posted by ZPG on March 30, 2009 at 10:38 PM

everytime I ever ate at El Farolito, I would regret it in the form of an acute headache the next day. even when I wasn't drinking the night before. I'm sorry but in comparison to all the other taquerias in the Mission District, EF is pretty poor, and usually just a last resort when drunk and hungry at 2am. it is the Jack in the Box of San Francisco taquerias.

Posted by Lee on March 31, 2009 at 12:28 AM

Have you noticed that Capitol Hill is getting a lot of Wallingford's eateries? Envy!

http://www.wallyhood.org/2009/03/walling…

Posted by Wallyhood on March 31, 2009 at 1:32 PM

Farollito has nothing on El Metate -- the little credited bastion on Bryant in the mission! i heart RB as much as the next Wallingfordite, but nothing can ever compare to Metate.

Posted by mm on March 31, 2009 at 1:43 PM

Rinconsito es la mejor..pero no es en proximo de Seattle...bummer/yummer.

Posted by julie russell on March 31, 2009 at 3:40 PM

@14 you're right, as i'm pulling that card too. except you forgot to add 23's rant. the only place to eat real mexican food, is at a mexicans house. don't know one? sucks for you. seattle has no authentic mexican food worth speaking of. taco trucks? fuck that. i wouldn't embarrass myself and my heritage by recommending the ones around here.

Posted by notacosforme on March 31, 2009 at 6:44 PM

I had the Chicken Enchilada yesterday and WOW the Chicken was SOOOOOO Salty! Almost to much so.
I might try the pork but I think I'm turned off of the Chicken.

Posted by Rawkn Betty on April 2, 2009 at 11:55 AM

If they had booze, Bimbos would prolly die. I never got the stink eye @ bimbos, but then again, I'm young and good looking.

Posted by nom nom nom on April 2, 2009 at 12:43 PM

I'm with Julie - Rinconcito is awesome, or,you know, pretty damn awesome enough. The Burien one is pretty easy to get to. I just for the first time saw the one in downtown Kent today.

Posted by Lloyd Clydesdale on April 2, 2009 at 7:05 PM

I heard it's 3am on the weekends.

Posted by troyjmorris on April 8, 2009 at 3:54 PM