10 Magazine, South Korea

Restaurant review: Dos Tacos Mexican Restaurant

Ola, Seoul!

Words by Michelle Viljoen

Summer is fast approaching. It’s time for sandals and sombrero’s. Turn your back on the concrete and steel buildings that line the narrow Seoul streets. Close your ears to the constant hum of speeding taxi’s and the screech of halting buses. Step into Dos Tacos Mexican restaurant – it’s one of the closest things to Mexican you’ll find in Seoul.

Seoul might not have the sandy beaches of Cancun, but it does have a place where you can at least taste the zesty Mexican flavour. From burrito’s to Negra Modelo beer, Dos Tacos will please your appetite for something that’s hotter than a sunny day in May.

Dos Tacos calls itself a “casual grill”. That’s like calling a cellphone a handiphone, or a spade well, a spade. Casual is exactly what this restaurant is. Loosen your tie and trade your heels in for slip-slops. Inside Dos Tacos the atmosphere let’s you relax.

Take a seat on a red, orange, or green plastic chair. The chairs’ mix of colors match the walls, which in turn is decorated with prints of Mexican artwork and photographs. Look up and you’ll see some elaborate and brightly colored tinsel decorations hanging from the ceiling. Now, all you need to feel the fiesta fun is some Mexican music. Unfortunately, when I visited Dos Tacos they were playing some hip hop numbers – at least it was catchy.

Browsing through Dos Tacos’ brightly colored, plastic covered menu took some time. Trying to decide between ordering a chimichanga, refried bean and meat burrito, cheese and salsa nachos, flauta, tostada, ensalada, tacos, french fries, a negra modelo or margharita is a daunting task. You want everything. And most of the meals fall within the same price range, which doesn’t make it easier to decide on one item.

Many foreigners describe Dos Tacos’ food as “pretty decent Mexican”. I expected a long wait to get the food. I expected a lot of mustard or mayonnaise (it’s been done to pizza, it might’ve been done to Mexican). And I expected a lot of cheap processed cheese.

I didn’t get anything I expected. Deciding on what I wanted to order took longer than the time it took Dos Tacos to prepare my meal. I finally ordered a meat and avocado burrito, I paid 8,500 Won, I sat down, opened my book and read three paragraphs, and... “Excuse me,” said the smiling waitress as she placed my larger-than-expected burrito on my table.

This was fast food disguised as properly prepared slow food. I put a knife, spoon, and about 12 napkins at the ready on my table. Burrito’s have the knack of bursting open at the bottom (or top, for that matter) and spilling lettuce, ground beef and avocado slices onto the plate, the table, and me. But this burrito was neatly wrapped around it’s filling of ground beef, lettuce, olives, avocado slices, onion, jalapeno, olives, pico de galle and cilantro.

The lettuce could easily have been used to fill the burrito while skimming on the other ingredients. But there was a good serving of ground beef, fresh avocado, onion, olives, but sadly not much cheese. The burrito had a “mild” salsa. The burrito’s level of hotness was spicy and zesty – it tingled, rather than scorched my mouth.

If you enjoy tacos, but you can’t ever decide which ones you want: hard shell, soft shell, or al pastor? Meat or vegetarian? Dos Tacos has the solution in the form of a taco set. For 10,500W you can choose 3 tacos (usually one taco costs 3,300 – 3,600W).

The restaurant is small and intimate which creates a fun atmosphere on a busy night. For some people it might be a little too busy. Each table is relatively small and can seat about four people comfortably. Be prepared to wait for a seat on a busy night – or go early.

Dos Tacos has a good range of meals. Most items with meat come with a choice between beef, pork and chicken. The price range is reasonable with items starting at about 3,900W for a single cheese quesadilla and going up to 6,000W for a cheese and salsa quesaddila, or 9,800 Won for a meat and asparagus burrito. A single cheese quesadilla costs 3,900W. Expect to pay about 6,000 Won for a margarita or Negro Modelo (local beers are cheaper). Sodas are re-fillable and cost 2,000 Won.

If it’s a busy night and you’d rather have Mexican at home, then you can use Dos Tacos take-out menu. Whether you go in, or take out you can expect food that’s fresh, fast, and spicy. Dos Tacos is a great place to start an evening’s socializing in Seoul.

Ratings:
Atmosphere ***/4

Service***/4

Cuisine ***/4

Cost $$

Tips

Public transport: Hongdae: Hongik university station, exit 5. Gangnam: Gangnam station exit 6. Apgujeong: Apgujeong station, exit 6. Complete directions are available in English on the website.

Vegetarians: Vegetarian options abound!

Phone: (02)322-3677 (Hongdae), (02)542-3446 (Apgujeong), (02)593-5904 (Gangnam)

Website: www.dostacos.co.kr