Lunch Ladies: 180 Tacos
Here are the Lunch Ladies' four delicious meals from 180 Tacos.
Sylvia's Chili Orange Shrimp, Mojo Roasted Pork and Buffalo Chicken Tacos.
Jennette's Steak Asada, Korean BBQ Pork, Thai Fried Chicken and Buffalo Chicken Tacos.
Lyndsi's Cascabel Chicken and Chili Orange Shrimp Tacos.
Gabby's Korean BBQ Pork, Achiote Pork and Steak Asada Tacos.
I first experienced street tacos when I lived in El Paso, Texas. I had never eaten such soft, pliable corn tortillas before, and I never knew tacos could be filled with such a variety of fillings.
As a kid with Celiacs (a disease that prevents you from eating gluten; a brief description, I know, but this isn’t a science class, it’s a food review), I was used to eating Mexican food, since corn chips and corn tortillas combined with meats, beans and cheeses are all Celiac-friendly. However, the Mexican food I had encountered in my previous home of Sandy was a bit different than what we discovered in the corner of Texas. Hopefully you catch my understated obviousness.
At the ripe old age of 9, I was keenly curious why I was being served rice and beans with eggs at breakfast and why soft corn tortillas were constantly being served with most meals and being stuffed high with all sorts of random ingredients in new and inventive tacos. I, of course, began to follow suit — “When in Rome” and all that. So that is when my newfound love of breakfast burritos, tostadas and creative street tacos first came to be.
In my mind, it was pretty much a gluten-free kid’s dream come true. Fresh, warm corn tortillas to wrap around things, rather than being expected to eat the toppings on the popular bread substitute of the time, rice-cakes. Nice! And I could create all sorts of combinations. I could make it more fajita style, or like a burrito, or with breakfast ingredients, even potatoes and veggies; you name it! And the key was the fresh, soft tortillas; they sealed the deal of deliciousness.
So with this background, is it any wonder why I would love 180 Tacos? The restaurant’s creative combinations of street tacos are so inventive, that I think you’d be hard pressed to not find some sort of flavor you like if you like tacos in the least! I feel like it captures the spirit of street tacos at their best, pretty much anything goes, as long as it is a delicious flavor combo, and wrapped in a soft, warm tortilla. Am I gushing? I feel like I’m gushing. But this place kind of deserves it!
And you don’t just have to take my word for it; here is what the other Lunch Ladies had to say when we went last week:
Sylvia: Chili Orange Shrimp, Mojo Roasted Pork, Buffalo Chicken for $6.50
With Mexican, Asian, Caribbean or American tacos to choose from, it was tough, but I went with one from all three: Chili Orange Shrimp with cilantro and jicama, Mojo Roasted Pork with house Napa cabbage, and Buffalo Chicken with pickled mirepoix and street corn ranch. These three small street tacos were packed full of ingredients and flavor. If I had to pick a favorite, I couldn’t; each had a totally unique flavor from the other. Yes, you guessed it; I’m ready to go back for more.
Jennette: Steak Asada, Korean BBQ Pork, Thai Fried Chicken, Buffalo Chicken for $8.50
When I saw the many menu options I couldn’t decide what to get, they all sounded amazing. I narrowed my choices to four very different tacos. Buffalo chicken is always a must-have choice for me and I wasn’t disappointed. The sauce was spicy and tangy. The Thai Fried Chicken was very spicy and delicious and was topped with cucumber and tropical fruit. The Steak Asada was a good blend of marinated steak, salsa and tortilla chips. My favorite was the Korean BBQ Pork taco. This taco was topped with mock kimchee, scallions and sesame seeds. Divine! Sadly no Diet Coke.
Lyndsi: Cascabel Chicken Taco and Chili Orange Shrimp for $4.50
I love tacos. So 180 Tacos is like heaven to me, with the only downfall being not able to decide what tacos I want to eat that day. So this time I went for the Cascabel Chicken and the Chili Orange Shrimp tacos. The Cascabel was my favorite out of the two with the perfect heat of the poblano sauce with the cilantro, carrots, and cotija cheese to top it off. The Chili Orange Shrimp was delicious but I figured it would have a little more of a spicy kick then it did. It was delicious but just not exactly what I expected. 180 Tacos is a great inexpensive and quick stop for lunch and it has something on its little menu for just about anyone.
Gabby: Achiote Pork, Steak Asada, Korean BBQ Pork for $6.50
First off, I am always amazed just how much can be crammed into these small looking taco shells and how filling they really are! And now for the highlights of my meal. First, Achiote Pork: This tender pork is covered in a plentiful tangy sauce, with pickled red onions on top that I really enjoyed, much to my surprise. Second, Steak Asada: Salty, shredded steak was the pinnacle of this taco, accented with cotija cheese. Sublime! Third, Taco Korean BBQ Pork: Slightly sweet pork, contrasted by mock kimchee and sesame seeds. Imaginative and my favorite. And the best part of all the tacos were the super soft corn shells; pure perfection. Oh, and washing it all down with a free Apple Beer for having posted a photo on Instagram and tagging @180tacos, love it!
With the option of corn or flour tortillas, Mexican, Asian, Caribbean, or American fillings, not to mention side dishes, and the possibility of turning any taco into taco soup or taco salad instead of eating it in a shell, don’t you think it was time you tried 180 Tacos?
We want to know what you think, if you are as big of fans as we are or if you think we are up in the night. So go, give it a whirl, post a picture on Instagram and tag @lunchladies in it, letting us know what you think. And as always, thanks for reading and joining us in this adventure known as the Lunch Hour!
– 180 Tacos: 3368 N. University Ave, Provo. Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Closed Sundays.