TacoRiendo
“More than just tacos”
As someone who has had tacos in nearly every country I’ve visited – Australia, South Korea, Ireland, Argentina, Mexico, Peru, Dubai, and the list goes on – I’m what you might call a “Taco Enthusiast,” or perhaps a taco snob.
I know what good tacos taste like, and I know what bad ones taste like. Unfortunately, there are more disappointments than triumphs, but thankfully, TacoRiendo stands out as a highlight. It not only meets the standard for what a taco should be but also exceeds in being able to do its most important job: Taste delicious.
Upon entering the restaurant, I was warmly greeted by a friendly señorita who led me to a table where I met the owner and operator of TacoRiendo, Jany Lopez.
Lopez is no stranger to running restaurants, having been in the business for over a decade with a trusted group of family and friends. The restaurant originally opened across the street in 2020 but moved to a much larger space next door in 2023 which is where it currently sits.
As I browsed the three pages of menu items, it became clear that TacoRiendo is more than just tacos. While there’s a fantastic selection of Mexican staples, including pork, chicken beef and even tongue, the menu also features soups, tamales, enchiladas, sopes, and a variety of authentic Mexican side dishes and condiments.
When I asked Lopez what sets her restaurant apart from the many others in the Okanagan, she replied with two simple words: “Flavour and consistency.” She emphasized that TacoRiendo prides itself on delivering consistent quality and “real flavour”, despite having to make hundreds of portions each week using only authentic ingredients and traditional techniques.
I asked Lopez what the most popular menu item was, and unsurprisingly, it was tacos. However, she explained that the most popular tacos depend on who is eating them: the Mexican community in the South Okanagan prefers the carnitas (pork), while the locals lean toward the pollo (chicken). Lopez’s personal favourite is the Pastor – a taco made with seasoned pork and pineapple. I have to admit, it’s also my favourite with the carne asada as a close second.
Lopez suggested I try what she considers to be the restaurant’s “best dish,” the Carne al Alambre. This dish consists of tender beef slices paired with chorizo, onions, green peppers, cheese, refried beans, rice, and tortillas.
She explained that it’s similar to fajitas, but with the key difference being that the meat, vegetables, and cheese are all cooked together and smothered in cheese. The result is a beautifully gooey, melt-in-your-mouth dish where everything sticks together, making it easy to scoop everything onto your tortillas without worrying about ingredients falling out.
A few minutes later, a massive platter of food arrived. No matter how hungry I was, there was no chance of me finishing everything in one sitting and looked forward to Mexican midnight snack. Lopez mentioned that everything is made in-house from scratch, including the rice, beans, and salsas.
As I dug in, I was not disappointed. With each bite, I adjusted the perfect ratio of tortilla, meat, vegetables, refried beans, and a drizzle of their addictive green salsa. Eventually, I had to throw in the towel and take the leftovers home.
There are many Mexican food options in the South Okanagan, but if you’re looking for authentic, made-from-scratch dishes bursting with the bold flavours Mexico is famous for, then TacoRiendo is the place to go. And tell them Sheldon sent you!
TacoRiendo is located at 6038 Main Street, Oliver, BC, and is open Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. They offer both dine-in and takeout options. Phone: 778-439-2555.
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Sheldon Herman is the author of the international bestselling book The Tortured Traveller: How I Survived The Worst Vacation Ever and has travelled and dined in 60 different countries. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, neither the writer nor the newspaper received financial compensation for this article, and the meal was provided on a complimentary basis. If you are a restaurant owner or have a suggestion for a restaurant to be featured, please send an email to [email protected].
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