I just got back from a long weekend in Dallas, Texas where it is HOT HOT HOT! I got off the plane and was immediately hit with the intense heat. Even though I didn’t spot Matt and Courtney from Most Eligible Dallas, I was shown around the city, and got to experience some of the best food (dare I say) I’ve ever had. It was such a fun, relaxing, delicious food filled weekend. My trip pretty much started and ended at The Velvet Taco. Well, it didn’t necessarily start there, since I immediately beelined it to the pool, but it was my first and almost last meal I had in Texas.
This small little taco stand makes the most delicious gourmet tacos. So good that we had to stop here twice. I still can’t stop thinking about how incredible these tacos were, and I look at their website everyday hoping that miraculously a location will open up in DC.
Saturday Taco Picks:
Crispy Calamari with grilled pineapple-habanero salsa, smoked sea salt, cilantro, red chili bbq sauce, and lemon pepper aoili on a corn tortilla
Grilled Santa Fe Shrimp with queso fresco, salsa verde, ‘smashed’ black beans, and roasted corn-avocado pico on a corn tortilla
Grilled Flank Steak with a portobello, white queso, grilled red onion, and mexican oregano on a corn tortilla
Chili rubbed pork with queso fresco, pickled veg, cilantro, and sriracha aioli on a flour tortilla
We shared all four, and I absolutely loved all of these combinations. But the one that still sticks out to me the most was the crispy calamari. It was spicy, sweet, and savory.
There were so many to choose from that I just went with the recommendations of my friend, and he picked well because they were awesome. We also shared a side of the Rotisserie corn which was ‘elote-style’, with queso fresco, asadero, Valentina, crema, and lime. This was like Mexican corn on crack. So ridiculously addictive that we decided to recreate this on our own a couple days later. Very dangerous.
Since I obviously needed to get my Velvet Taco fix one more time before I left, we decided to have a late lunch on Monday and split 3 more tacos.
Monday Taco Picks:
Roast Pulled Pork, house shred, with thai basil, grilled pineapple-habanero salsa, and spiked bbq sauce on a corn tortilla
Cornmeal Fried Oyster with Napa-fennel-radish shred, remoulade, pico, and smoked chili butter on a corn tortilla
Raw Ahi Poke with a ginger-soy vinaigrette, avocado, golden beets, pickled fresnos, sesame seeds, and pea tendrils on a lettuce wrap.
I didn’t think I would enjoy the lettuce wrap with the Ahi Poke, but it was fantastic. Really flavorful and really fresh. I have to say the Oyster and Ahi Poke were my favorites here. I can’t even begin to describe how amazing these combinations are. Each taco has an original flavor and all of the ingredients are so fresh since they make everything from scratch, and it really makes a difference.
I have to say this is a place I will never forget. My mouth is watering just writing this post. Such a great little restaurant with really fresh, really awesome food.
