San Marcos is that inland suburb that, because it is too far from the ocean but not far enough inland to possess a rural character, has no idea what it is. In recent years, it appears to have decided to take on the mantle of becoming a San Diego version of Irvine - complete with generic, cookie cutter subdivisions that pay lip service to environmental stewardship, self righteous city councils that temporarily ban pet sales within the city limits, and squander their tax base on hopelessly doomed transit oriented development (as if someone would come this far north from Downtown to live in a Downtown trolley station type development... but don't you dare question the judgment of the city council's thoughtful membership...)
But I digress. The point is simply that San Marcos, lacking character, exceeds at blandness as a rule. And so does the Taco Bar. Resting in a cubby hole of one of the City of San Marcos' civic-owned shopping centers, the dark space filled with televisions, chalkboards, and punctuated with an open air kitchen seems to draw inspiration from the Pei Wei restaurant across the parking lot. With loud, obnoxious dub step music (at times) and random as can be television programming (PBS Kids one day, Horse racing another) the Taco Bar exudes a sense of something that should be fun, and it seems to attract a crowd - every time I go it's busier than the last.
On a culinary level, things are just fine... but not great: California burritos and street tacos alike are loaded with grilled (well done) Carne Asada that is satisfying enough, but the guacamole is tasteless green-colored sour cream, only lending a coolness without any subtle flavor to speak of. Similarly, taquitos are filled with an aromatic shredded beef, but the fried tortilla is crispy on the ends but usually soggy in the center - a situation not aided by the ubiquitous milky green guacamole sauce (it's a travesty and sacrilege to call this stuff guacamole). The salsa - particularly the salsa verde - betray a zippy and zesty heat, and the carrots are some of the best Mexican carrots I've found. Tortillas are grilled before being loaded up, which lends a pleasant crispness. And for the most part price points fall squarely in the Mr. Taco and Sombrero arena, of which this one is undoubtedly the best... albeit still not THAT great. It's reliable for decent food, but my socks weren't blown away.
The presence of a SINGLE coke freestyle is more of an annoyance than a luxury - people take forever at these things, and without fail there is always some kid in the way taking all day to pick out his drink. Having only one, however, exacerbates the line... especially when all I want is water. Management should consider adding a separate water source somewhere... it takes way too long with the Coke Freestyle. Such an overrated concept...
Service is friendly, however, and the staff is always welcoming and accommodative. Being served at the table is a nice extra touch.
In the end, however, something is missing: maybe it's the guacamole's mediocrity that has cast a green tinge on the entire experience. Maybe it's the aesthetic that feels like a hipster was engaged to decorate a taco bar with only two colors at his disposal. Maybe it's the damn wait for water, or the crowd. Whatever it is, there is something about the Taco Bar that feels wayward... even lost. Something that fits right in with the mediocre subtext that belies San Marcos life. read more