Where I found a Taco Dilemma
El Tacoy, a restaurant that claims to offer Hawaiian-Inspired Street Food. I am not sure from where and how the chef got inspired honestly. The restaurant attempted to blend the deliciousness of both Hawaiian and Mexican cuisines, but instead of harmonizing, they clashed.
It’s worth noting that while the restaurant made an effort to make each dish visually pretty, the taste fell short of the promised prettiness. Only works for Instagrammer, but even Instagrammers cannot wait more than 10 minutes for a glass of wine. They brought glasses of wines from upstairs each time, and it took forever.
Guacapoke
A plate of nachos costing a staggering 20 pounds… I had anticipated special toppings, considering that nachos are typically known for their affordability and casual appeal. However, what they presented was an unfortunate combination of salmon, avocado, cucumbers, and even seaweed, which was killing the crispy nature of the nachos.
Kalua Pork Taco
Ahi Tuna Poke Taco
Honestly, I found it difficult to discern any distinct flavor differences between the two tacos even though one was meat and the other one was seafood. Additionally, the tortilla lacked the authentic and satisfying corn flavor.
Hawaiian Fried Chicken Popcorn
Just a spicy tase and luck of flavor. Period.
*Lamb BBQ Lumpia
It was my favorite dish. The satisfying crunch of the spring roll skin was enjoyable to bite into, and the juicy lamb filling added a delightful flavor. The dish was tasty enough on its own, and the addition of spicy mayo sauce felt unnecessary though.
Conclusion:
The attempt to fuse Hawaiian and Mexican cuisines did not deliver the promised deliciousness, and this place left me feeling as I had overpaid for what should have not been. The service was not really satisfactory and the atmosphere was not so pleasant either, since it is located under the basement and no windows with small space.
