If you are expecting "Tax-Mex" keep on driving and hit the nearby Taco Bell, but if you are looking for quick service, authentic, tasty and well-priced Mexican food then El Taco Veloz welcomes you! Quick recap of who they are...If you have been around Atlanta for some time, you have probably seen their other locations around the city as they are small chain of quick service/fast food like Mexican joints offering the staples we all know and love. This particular spot is on South Cobb Drive near Windy Hill in Smyrna and being that I am now only a mile from here...this is my favorite El Taco Veloz! I promise it's a favorite due to more than the location, so let me elaborate!
Location/Parking - As mentioned above, they are located directly on South Cobb Drive, so you can't miss them! Parking is limited to say the least, but they do have spaces on both sides of the building - but again, limited is to be noted!
Service/Layout - It's set up like a fast food place, which truth be told I believe it what it actually used to be...so, the layout makes perfect sense. Overall, it is functional with the dining room being divided by the salsa bar. They have plenty of seating and I have never had an issue with the flow from ordering to salsa bar to table to door. Additionally, if you don't feel like getting out of your car to grab a taco, swing through their drive-thru!
Price - More than reasonable and borderline cheap with nothing on the menu being over $9.00. So, with tacos ranging from $1.99 to $2.50, nachos around $7.00 - $8.00, burritos under $7.00 and all other items priced great for the quality and amount you get, I would say they get a high mark on price for sure!
Food - Tacos, Burritos, Quesadillas, Oh my!! This place has all the standard issue Mexican favorites from the aforementioned to tortas, flautas, desserts and even breakfast items! The way they differentiate themselves and stay true to authentic Mexican cuisine is by offering more options for what you can put in your vessel of choice! In addition to chicken and steak, they offer beef tongue, chorizo, barbacoa, breaded steak and a few other tasty meats! Knowing we all love our tacos, this place does them up right! They serve them up "street style" which usually features double stacked corn tortillas, meat, cilantro and light sauce. You can add cheese and such if you'd like, but the simplistic nature of these tacos is fantastic! If salsa is your thing, I probably piqued your interest earlier with the salsa bar comment! They do have a small salsa and toppings bar that features a few varieties of salsa (red and green), raw white onion, jalapenos, pico and cilantro - this allows you to dress up your meal any way your heart desires! I will provide a small warning here, sample the salsas before dowsing your food in it. I learned the hard way when I turned my nachos into a small inferno!
In addition to tacos, I am a massive nacho lover, so majority of the time I visit I always order the Barbacoa (shredded beef) nachos along with a chorizo taco. The nachos are served in a simplistic nature, just like most of the items on the menu. I really enjoy this, as it lets the meat shine and lead the flavor charge of the dish! I always follow suit and only add sour cream, onions and jalapenos to the nachos that feature meat and cheese. The chorizo taco is phenomenal and has a great kick to it! So many times I have seen chorizo on a menu and it was disappointing with texture and temp, but not here! This particular taco is the meat, onion and cilantro and is perfection in taco form.
Overall, I am a fan of El Taco Veloz! The only less than positive thing I will say is that while the dingy and outdated decor can add to the place for some, to others it can be a little off putting...which is what it does more so than not here. I mean, its not enough to keep me from going, but I do welcome the day I visit and they have made some updates! Until then, I will continue to enjoy my nachos and tacos! read more