Taco Mesa scores again

Glori Fickling

There always seems to be happy news at Taco Mesa, the lively Mexican

favorite that has added immeasurably to the international tastes

found at Food Village on Broadway.

A stellar attraction for healthful Mexican cuisine since it opened

in September 2003, this family-run favorite offers some

unprecedented Tuesday specials. As if the caliber of cuisine and

affordable prices were not enough, principal Marco Calderone

recently introduced Soup & Taco Tuesday. This translates to a mere $1

for any taco of your choice plus a dollar more for the

always-delectable soup of the day.

Way to go! A deliciously nutritious repast for $2. Start with a

bowl of sopa de lima, a flavorful, hearty, steaming chicken lime

potage. Then choose from diversified tacos. Folded generously between

two soft corn tortillas, comes a choice of carnitas (fried pork),

grilled marinated al pastor, and carne asada (marinated steak). You

may also relish shredded chicken, beef or a vegetarian filling. For a

breakfast style treat, there are tacos de huevos -- scrambled egg

concoctions lavished with tender shredded beef or sauteed onions,

tomatoes and cilantro. Best of all, these bargain bonanzas are

available all day Tuesday until further notice.

But don’t just wait for Tuesday, because affordable prices are the

keyword for these healthy, authentic and innovative delights that

promise fresh ingredients without the use of lard, MSG, preservatives

or additives of any kind.

The local al fresco location -- the newest of the Calderone

family’s half dozen Orange County venues -- is under management of

sibling Cleanthis Lazalde, who takes special pride in welcoming

parties -- little or big. Simply choose a table of your choice,

perhaps tie up some colorful balloons to a chair, then have your

group select its choices from wall-mounted selections above the

counter inside or from little take-out menus while relaxing outdoors.

Be sure to check the daily chalkboard specials, which feature a soup

of the day and two entrees. The latter may be blackened salmon and/or

blackened chicken breast. These tempting plates are bountifully

lavished with red or black beans, rice and vegetables and

artistically crowned with fresh avocado slices.

Daily soups are especially notable, specifically the Thursday

offering of lobster bisque from Calderone’s original recipe from his

tenure at famed Chanteclair. For $1.99 a regular serving, $3.99 a

large bowl, there is Friday’s roasted tomato soup continuing on to

pozole on weekends, chicken garbanzo vegetable on Monday; chicken

lime on Tuesday and chunky tortilla on Wednesday.

After placing orders, check out the welcoming condiment station

and help yourself to some dozen embellishments awaiting. Beyond the

usual salsas, you’ll discover such palate pleasers as guacamole,

marinated veggies, lemon and lime wedges, cilantro, sliced olives and

radishes. These will decorate the center of your table and when

orders are expedited -- piping hot from the kitchen -- the fun of

sharing these assorted taste teasers awaits along with stealing bites

from each other’s various irresistible entrees.

As for the price structure, king nacho salads and tostadas are in

the $5 to $7 range; tacos are $2 and $3; burritos (big burritos) are

$4 to $6; specials and combinations, $5 to $10, the latter for carne

asada, a grilled tenderloin steak with all the trimmings.

The small fries may choose cheese quesadillas, tacos or burritos

served with rice and beans for a mere $3. And everyone’s sweet tooth

should enjoy the velvety baked cream cheese flan, a luscious $4

finale ready to complement a day’s festive feasting.

* GLORI FICKLING is a longtime Laguna Beach resident who has

written restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at (949) 494-4710 or by e-mail at [email protected].