While this isn’t necessarily “fine dining” in the traditional sense, this dining was so fine I couldn’t help but shout about this from the rooftops. I used to work in a Mexican restaurant in high school, and I have always loved Mexican food in all of the shades of authenticity that exist in the United States. While American-Mexican food is a category all its own, Taquerio in Mystic, CT, is a fantastic blend of traditional and inventive, with many great gluten-free options. If you’re craving something deliciously south of the border, check out this awesome gas station-turned-Mexican restaurant!
Taquerio
Location: Mystic, CT
Address: 30 Broadway Ave
Mystic, CT 06355
Food Type: Mexican
Dining Experience: Indoor & Outdoor
Price: $35+ per Person
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Reservations: No
Special Diets: Pescatarian, Gluten-Free (not GF dedicated)
The Ambience
I really love seeing spaces like this transformed into something new. Otherwise, they sit unused and decay. I’d much rather see a fun, unique, Insta-worthy restaurant in what used to be a gas station than a rotting empty space that isn’t good for much else, wouldn’t you? I think it’s so creative! So often, abandoned buildings are left to ruin and become dilapidated, like strip malls, traditional malls, office buildings, etc. Have you ever thought about what will become of these buildings? The more our lives become digitized, and the more brick-and-mortar places are abandoned, the more this will become a problem.
While the issue of urban blight isn’t new, places like Taquerio are combating it, and I love to support inventive, locally-owned businesses, particularly when their food is SO delicious!
Despite the space once being a gas station, the restaurant was completely gas-free (it smelled terrific inside, like fresh Mexican food!), and the decor was very southwestern. Overall, it felt fun, lighthearted, and very innovative!
Taquerio’s Menu & Our Meals
Robin started things off with queso dip and tortilla chips, which were both really great. Everything was served on compostable paper and reusable plastic trays, so clean-up was a breeze when we were finished, haha.
I had fried plantain and grilled swordfish tacos on lettuce, while Robin ordered the fried avocado, oyster po’boy, and baja fish tacos on corn tortillas. Everything was so tasty! If you eat meat, there are even more options here that are gluten-free. Next time I visit, I definitely want to try their vegetarian nachos with crisp corn tortilla chips, queso, chihuahua cheese, black beans, tomato, pickled red onion, jalapeño, sour cream & guacamole. Every table around us got these, and I was so starstruck by them that I almost changed my order, but I didn’t want to be “that customer,” haha.
Final Thoughts
I love love love that this space was given new life. It was packed full of people when we visited, and everyone we asked highly recommended it. Everything was delicious, the staff were so friendly, and they had many gluten-free options. This is some of the best Mexican food I’ve had in Connecticut and I can’t wait to visit again someday soon!
Leave a Comment Here