Taco Alto, Mexican Taqueria, El Born

Whoop whoop! There is a new taqueria in town: Taco Alto. You know how I feel about tacos (love them).

Taco Alto a corner shop in Born and it looks like no expense has been spared. On my first trip there, I get chatting to a man who works for the designer of the logo and the original posters designed for each taco on the menu. “Each letter is hand drawn.” He explains to me. “And look at this.” He takes me by the elbow and guides me outside to stand in front of the sliding electric glass door. It swooshes and the “Taco Alto” text snuggles effortlessly in the circular pattern that is part of the logo design. “That’s clever.” I smile. He beams with pleasure.

The shop belongs to Antonio, a young man who recounts how a string of professional disappointments led to a change in career from engineer (I think?) to restaurant owner.

The place looks like it has been designed with franchising in mind but for now it is a stand alone shop. The menu is made so that you can order any combination of tacos that you want, ranging in price from €2.50 for something like Pirata (my favourite)  to €1.95 for the Chihuahua. They are small, I manage them in three bites but a normal person would manage in two and a greedy one would just shove it in.

To be satisfied, I need to eat at least three but it doesn’t take much to fill me up so I would prescribe about 5 to be satiated. There are totopos (nachos). They are not the strongest part of the menu and depending who is sending the food out – the toppings can err on the side of stingy.

The Pirata though. Tender thick slices of beef, soft and rich avocado, plenty of cheese. And I almost forgot – the sauces. Made in-house and good enough to eat on their own. My friend and I favour the green mild one. We both encourage Antonio to sell them as soon as he finds a way to give them a viable shelf life.

Taco Alto
Portal Nou, 62
08003 El Born
tacoalto.es
facebook.com/TacoAltoBcn