Tasty Tacos: an Edible Guide
#TacoTuesday, anyone? With multiple new taco joints opening recently on Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands, tacos have become more popular than ever. Whether you’re a purist (corn tortillas only) or a fusion addict, our local taco scene has something for everyone. And personally, we are fans of tacos any day of the week!
For the Purists
If you shudder at the idea of a taco kit from the grocery store, then this category is for you. Using family recipes and pulling inspiration from their Mexican heritage, these taco restaurants are replicating the styles found all over Mexico: in Victoria, the Breakwater Tasting Room (1) has an assortment of tacos that feature traditional corn tortillas; Baby Salsa (2) in Nanaimo serves up small street tacos with traditional fillings like pork pastor, carnitas and braised beef tongue; and Maya Norte (3) in Ladysmith creates a daily taco special using inspiration from the owners’ 14 years of living in Mexico.
For the Adventurous
Looking for a quirky taco? Try the chicken mole taco served with fried cheese at the very popular Biblio Taco (4) in Cumberland. Their hot smoked wild salmon taco topped with pickled cabbage, wakame salad, crispy onions and citrus cream cheese is also perfect for the adventurous eater. If you’re on Galiano Island, visit The Crane and Robin (5) to try their jerk pulled pork taco or their curried cauliflower taco with green pea hummus and tartar sauce. A must-visit in Victoria is Cafe Mexico (6), where you’ll find a menu filled with unique and delicious tacos complemented by an incredible tequila selection. Try their tacos chilangos (sauteed nopales, oyster mushrooms, poblano peppers, queso fresco, red onion and salsa verde) or tacos de cochinita (Mayan spiced pork belly with pickled red onion and cilantro).
For the Vegetarians
Creative non-meat options also abound. Family-run La Taquisa (7) in Victoria has plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices like the veggie mole taco (the mole sauce is handmade and an old family recipe). They also recently added a vegan “chorizo” taco served on their handmade corn tortilla. Newly opened Azteca Tacos and Grill (8) in Victoria has a vegetarian menu that features options like vegan picadillo (vegan ground beef), vegan chilaquiles (similar to nachos) and vegan flautas (fried tortillas). And a visit to Hornby Island is always a great idea, but especially if you’re hunting for great Mexican fare: Vorizo Cafe (9) is known for their reasonable prices and their huge portions, and talk around town says their vegan burrito can’t be beat.
For the Seafood Lovers
As Islanders, we love a delicious seafood taco. Finest at Sea (10) in Victoria serves a variety of tasty fish tacos (salmon, halibut, tuna or lingcod)—but you really should try the Pacific octopus taco, featuring perfectly grilled octopus served on a flour tortilla with fresh salsa, coleslaw and chipotle mayo. Tidal Tacos (11) in Qualicum (and now, Nanaimo) offers many tasty taco options, like their chili coconut prawn taco and Baja fish taco with a Pacific cod base. And we can’t write an article about seafood tacos without mentioning Tacofino (12), an Island favourite that all started with a mind-blowingly delicious fish taco served out of a food cart in Tofino. The crispy lingcod taco is one of their most popular items at their multiple locations and trucks. In Nanaimo, Gina’s Mexican Cafe (13) sources local wild salmon, halibut and shrimp for their extensive menu, which features an array of Mexican dishes including crispy corn tacos or flour-based tacos.
Tacos on Wheels
The taco explosion really started with the growth of food trucks in B.C., which still remain an integral part of the taco culinary scene. You can find Taco Justice (14) on the corner of Cook Street and Pandora Avenue in Victoria, where they change up their taco selection daily. With choices such as their deep fried avocado and smoked pork hock, it is obvious why this truck is one of the most popular in the city. Taco Revolution (15) usually hangs out by popular Duncan breweries such as Red Arrow and Small Block, but check their social media pages as they do roam all over Vancouver Island—and they’re well worth tracking down for their carne asada taco or chicken tinga. If you find yourself on Salt Spring Island, make a point of stopping by El Loco Taco (16) next to the Ganges Marina; their shrimp tacos are beer battered and served with pickled onions and their signature Baja sauce.
