Restaurant Review: The Rusty Taco

Check another one off the Taste 50.  I made it to the Rusty Taco, located at Lexington & Randolph in St. Paul, and it is safe to say I am hooked! To be fair, I am slightly biased as tacos happen to be one of my favorite foods. 

The Rusty Taco has 12 different tacos to choose from.  They are not your typical tacos though! Choices range from a Picadillo Taco, which is filled with beef and potatoes to a BBQ Brisket Taco filled with beef brisket, house made bbq sauce and cole slaw.  Each taco is $2.50, you can choose between a flour and corn tortilla and whether you want cilantro or not.  There is also chips with salsa, pico de gallo, queso or guacamole for $2 or $3. 

The Grilled Fish Taco

I have tried the Brisket Taco, the Rusty Taco and the Grilled Fish Taco.  My favorite is definitely the Rusty Taco filled with extremely flavorful pork, pineapple, onions and cilantro.  It was really good with a bit of spicy red sauce.  I also loved the Brisket Taco filled with slow roasted and shredded pork, onions, queso fresco, and cilantro.  One of my friends had the Grilled Fish Taco previous to my visit and described it as a little disappointing.  I have to agree--the fish could have had a bit more flavor.  I enjoyed the taco much more with a lot of salsa verde.  The chips and guacamole were good and I will not hesitate to order them again.

The atmosphere is casual and very similar to being at Chipotle or Noodles & Company.  The staff was all extremely friendly and checked up on us to make sure we were enjoying our meals.  I was surprised it was not a little more full--but I think as people discover this place they will go back again and again.  I know that every time I go to the nearby Trader Joe's, I am always considering grabbing a taco or two to go.  I also would love a Rusty Taco in Uptown--there have been several instances where I have been craving something quick, cheap and not entirely bad for you.  Rusty Taco fits that bill!