1. 180 Tacos

Moving is laborious work. There’s just nothing simple, easy or fun about it — no matter what way you spin it, I’ll disagree with you. My giant cardboard box paper cuts, bruises and sore back are a testament to that.

So after hauling my life’s contents across the city on a recent Saturday, my party and I were literally starving (and I can unfortunately say “literally” because it also now means “figuratively” according to an updated dictionary definition). We were in significant need of replenishment and spirit-boosting. The mere mention of tacos was more than enough to rally the troops after a long morning. Our mouths watering, we headed to 180 Tacos. 

While I was a stranger to the eatery, I was not unfamiliar with its name and reputation. I’d heard about 180 Tacos by multiple friends, multiple times. The restaurant is sandwiched sneakily between shops along University Avenue on the way to The Shops at Riverwoods. I’ve passed it dozens of times and never realized it. Maybe I was the only one, because lunchtime customers lined the length of the restaurant, gobbling down its tacos.

The variety and choice of tacos is the first thing most customers will notice. With a nearly a dozen different options, it might be easier to just choose them all — which is what our gang did with absolutely no regrets. For $25, we sampled 12 tacos with varying meats and an impressive array of fresh ingredients. 180 Tacos boasts “tacos with a global twist” and that’s what you get. Global. From Mexican to Asian and American to Caribbean, this restaurant is international in its feel and flavors.

With two trays full of unlabeled tacos crowding our table after ordering, we began an entertaining matching game — take a bite and guess its name on the menu based on flavor. Our taste buds were put to the test. Some of the same meats were more tricky to distinguish, but we identified favorites nonetheless. These aren’t your fast-food variety tacos with fake ground beef. Salted Cod Fritters? 180 Tacos has it. Ever tasted a Korean BBQ Pork taco? This restaurant takes the taco world there too — complete with sesame seeds, scallions and mock kimchee.

For those seeking a more traditional taco, the hearty Steak Asada taco with cotija cheese and tortilla strips will hit the spot. Those seeking fish tacos can choose from shrimp and cod seafood options. The hands-down crowd favorite (quite possibly of all the types) was deemed the Asian Chile Orange Shrimp taco garnished with cilantro and jicama.

My personal favorite tacos were the Buffalo Chicken, with pickled mirepoix and a corn ranch; Buttermilk Fried Chicken, with house Napa cabbage and a down-home comfort taste; Mojo Roasted Pork, a spicy pork taco with tropical fruit and a mojo sauce; and finally the Thai Fried Chicken, which was even more hot, but this spiciest taco on the menu was balanced with cucumber relish, cilantro and fruit.

The extra side dishes were affordable and eclectic, ranging from mac ‘n cheese to basmati arancini (an Italian street food of sorts). While we just couldn’t get into the mac ‘n cheese, the arancini was a delightful new experience with its crunchy outside and cheesy rice inside.

For a dessert or sweet snack, diners will find themselves craving 180 Tacos’ malasadas, which are Portuguese donuts drizzled in a sugary agave syrup that easily beat desserts I’ve tried at quite a few other local restaurants. One order can be shared among several people, though you might be fighting for the last bite.

And if you don’t happen to frequent Provo for dining, you might be in luck. 180 Tacos recently shared its planned expansion to a taco truck, offering a mobile menu. Check out 180 Tacos’ Facebook page for more upcoming information and to see if it will be in your area.

180 TACOS

Where: 3368 N. University Ave., Provo

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Prices: $2.50-$7.99

Info: (801) 356-8226, 180tacos.com

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