Tucked away in a back corner of Third Street is Garrido’s, a swanky addition to Austin’s taco scene. Chef David Garrido, formerly of Jeffrey’s restaurant, offers a menu with seven different taco choices, which can be enjoyed a la carte, or as part of a taco plate with black beans and rice.
The restaurant, designed in warm earth tones, is small and cozy. A wide variety of beverages and cocktails are offered at the bar, which occupies the front of the space. Seating is also available on the outside patio.
While at Garrido’s, we sampled an appetizer, four tacos and three desserts. Before you begin to judge, let me just say that the portions are very small. The appetizer, three miniature roasted pork quesadillas ($6.95), was a good start to the meal. The corn tortillas were slightly crispy on the edges and wrapped around shreds of pork, creamy asadero cheese and avocado. A light pineapple habanero salsa finished the plate. The entire appetizer menu was very appealing, and if you happen to dine between 4-7 p.m., Garrido’s takes $2 off the prices for their happy hour.
When our waiter brought out the tacos, I could tell we both were wishing we had ordered more food. We shared one taco plate ($8.50) which included two beef skirt steak tacos filled with radish, lime juice and queso fresco, along with a side of aromatic arroz (rice) verde and black beans. The beans and rice were simple, but I’d recommend ordering another taco a la carte instead.
We also ordered the pork carnitas, shrimp and mahi mahi BLT tacos. Deliciously caramelized carnitas were topped with pickled onions and habanero salsa ($3.25). This was hands down our favorite taco of the evening. The mahi mahi BLT taco ($3.75) was also excellent. The fish was well-cooked and fresh, and the tiny bits of bacon added great flavor. The shrimp taco, on the other hand, was packed with a fruity mess that was overly sweet. After the first bite, I had no desire to try more.
For dessert, we opted for the sampler, which allows diners to choose a trio of small portions. The flan with mango and habanero honey was the best on the plate. Light and airy, it has a thin, crisp layer of torched sugar on top. The zucchini cake with lime frosting, Garrido’s version of the carrot cake had a smooth and creamy texture that paired well with the sweet and tangy lime frosting. Stay away from the tres leches, no matter how tempting it looks on the menu. The only enjoyable part of this dessert was its decorative touches of raspberry sauce and chocolate mousse.
For a quick and light bite to eat before a night out, Garrido’s could be a good choice. But if you’re craving something spectacular, save it for another day.
Garrido’s
360 Nueces St.
512.320.8226
garridosaustin.com
Be the first to comment on this article!