MJ Korean Tacos & Wings, Duluth, GA

The glow says it all about this joint.  I'll save you the suspense, this was a treat.  I was not shocked, but pretty surprised at the taco excellence that I was a part of tonight.  John, new to the blog, Fo, a regular, and I were out and about working a great long day here in Georgia.  We were in the restaurant most of the day, but left The Counter in Roswell to do some Business Development and Field Marketing.  Interestingly enough we were discussing an important part of our business growth, Encore Experiences.  As I look up, I see this street.

Had to snap a blurry photo of the sign.  It played well into our work conversation.  We had some productive and successful work conversations, but we were on a mission to get some tacos to wrap up the day and relish in a bit of success.  We of course were enjoying Elvis Presley Radio.  MJ's came on recommendation from one of Fo's regulars.  We got there, walked in and grabbed a table.

The place is a bit unassuming.  Simple, but eloquent, nice, but casual.  The restaurant was not too big. They got a space that they can fill without putting people on ridiculous waits.  Chairs were comfortable, the tables were nice.  The folks working there are great.  They were so nice and worked the restaurant together.  It didn't feel like we had just one server.  The teamwork was amazing and both girls were very sweet and knowledgeable.

Pretty cool menu, I didn't mind the glare because it just blocked out the not tacos.  If you really want the whole menu, go to the website, I attached the link.  Heed my warning, the pictures on their website will make you very hungry.  The menu is good.  It is affordable too.  Their portions are monstrous.  They are a really fair with the value.

Yeah, check out those nachos.  It is not a pile of lettuce.  The lettuce is thinly shredded, there was a ton of Spicy Chicken below.  I requested extra jalapenos and they really came through.  It was awesome.  I really appreciate a place that is fair, they are.  I will admit that, that entire plate, was crushed along with a bunch of tacos.  Side note about the food before we rank...I wasn't dying of thirst.  I had a fear as many Korean BBQ places are full of sodium.  This place did not make us feel weighed down.  We did not have pound glass of water after glass of water.  OK, here we go:
RATINGS:
NACHOS: 5, these bad boys were good.  They had lettuce, but it is not as overwhelming as it looks.  The Spicy Chicken was chopped a bit extra on the nachos, almost like ground beef, which made it easier to eat on the chips.  The cheese was not overwhelming, but was there.
SPICY CHICKEN: 3, we're already talking about the chicken, so why not.  It was great, it was different, but we have to put all on as even playing field as possible.  Sweet flavors, nice subtle kick, could have been a bit more tender to get that 4.
SPICY PORK: 3, here's the deal, it was really tasty.  I have to compare it to adobada and pastor.  I know, it's different, but its not.  This is good stuff I would order next time for sure.
FRIED MASH POTATO: 4, yeah, that is a slam dunk.  It was really good stuff.  It was so soft and hot on the inside.  These tacos were great.  Nicely done taking a regular item, putting a twist on it and making this delicious treat happen.
PANKO FISH: 3, this is a thin piece of fish, heavy Panko Breading and fried right up.  It was good, I'm really glad that Fo insisted we try it.
STEAK: 5, this blew my socks off.  It was spicy, it was sweet, it was perfectly cooked.  I mean perfectly.  I don't know how they could have done this better.  Slight ginger flavor?  Really put this taco over the top.  The guys and I really fell in love here.
KIMCHI: 4, they offer Kimchi on any taco for an extra $.50.  We opted for some on the side and if you like Kimchi, you need to get this.  It went really well with the fried mash potato and well, everything else.  Made in house for sure, check it out.

Looks are a bit deceiving.  Not as much lettuce as you think.  The lettuce is also tossed on some of the tacos with some of their sauces and it is a great crisp compliment to the food.  I have to say I was psyched to see both regular and extra hot Valentina's on every table, yes, it was used to enhance the meal.  The sauce that they put on the tacos was so good.  Sweet, a bit savory.  They know how to compliment each protein with the correct flavors.  A place dedicated to Korean Tacos, is worth stopping at, seriously, think about it.

A huge thank you to John Moraski for joining this blog and of course it was excellent to get Fo back in the mix.  Fo always makes this thing better and I'm looking forward to some Tacoteering in Jersey with him soon.  Thank you to everyone who's reading.  Please keep spreading the word about the Order of the Taco.  Today's gratuitous photo is of John Moraski, Fo and Miriam.  Miriam was one of the lovely folks that were working there and we asked her to join us as these guys were scarfing down some excellent food!

Stay Excellent!

Taqueria El Rey Del Taco, Doraville, GA...100th BLOG

100th post!  Started this little bad boy last July.  We have gone on many adventures, this is our 100th post, so I want to start by thanking everyone for reading, I hope that y'all have enjoyed the adventures as much as I have!

Had a very adventurous trip so far, it now comes to an end as I head back to the City of Angels tomorrow early morning.  Can't think of a better way to wrap this trip up than a great adventure with a great friend and fellow Tacotter, Forrensy.  Fo and I have Tacoteered in a few states and have gone on some great adventures.  Today's did not disappoint.  Nino the KM recommended this spot, and he did well my friends, he did well.  It was a bit of a drive, traffic was horrendous, but it was perfect.  It gave us time to catch up, tell stories, talk about future restaurant openings and taco adventures.

This was our chariot.  Fo's Jeep.  There he is pumping his power!  It was a great ride to and from the Taqueria.  We really did enjoy our time catching up.  It was raining, pretty hard, which I enjoyed.  I have not seen rain in a while.  I live in Los Angeles, we are in a drought, there is not much rain, not much rain at all.

I really appreciate their hours of operation.  They are not afraid to be open and serve delicious food.  Fo said that he has been here in some of the later hours and that the food is just as good and the service is just as great.  Really love what they are doing.

The kitchen is simple and perfect.  They just happily crank the food out and the people working there were great.  All so nice, all so attentive.  It was a really cool experience.  It is amazing how much nicer the experience can be when the people working there are great and don't act like total punks.  I will say that my company was unbelievable.  Fo is a great friend and a great guy.  Fo and I met about a year ago and have done multiple restaurant openings.  We have become quite close and with our good friend Josh Razana lead a great core of trainers to open restaurants.  The Counter is as lucky to have us as we are to have The Counter.  We enjoy working long 12-15 hour days and then enjoy grabbing tacos wherever in the world we might be.  It really helps make the trips most excellent.

I wanted to send this picture of Fo's phone.  OK, not really, that just happens to be in the shot.  They come to your table with three delicious salsas, chips and a cup of limes.  I don't know if there is a better set-up for Tacoteers.  This was perfect.  The chips were good, they did not fry them there, but they did not taste cheap or stale, they were really damn good.  It was nice.  Lets get to it!
RATINGS:
BUCHE: 2, this was not very good.  It was not cooked very well.  The seasoning was pretty solid, but the cooking of it sucked.  It was boiled, not grilled or sauteed afterwards.  It did not get the time and attention needed.
BARBACOA: 3, not too bad.  It was solid.  Seasoned well, not overdone, shredded nicely.  Some small bones in it, but that really doesn't faze me, good barbacoa should still have some small bones.
SUADERO: 3, oh this is so close to a 4.  It is good, but I think back to Tacos el Gordo in Chula Vista and it makes this a 3.  I would order it again, it is good, tender and cut nicely.
LENGUA: 4, this was tender goodness.  I really like this.  I would recommend this to any lengua lover.  It is really good stuff.  Not too much seasoning, you really get to taste the meat and it is good.  Texture was on point.
ASADA: 4, on flippin point!  This was good.  Tender, tasty, seasoned nicely.  This was very well taken care of.  They got good meat, the did not over season it, but they did season it enough.  I was a big fan and if you like asada, are looking for a great starter taco if you are young in your Tacoteering, this might be the perfect taco for you.
PASTOR: 4, holy goodness, this was close to a 5.  Really close.  This is almost RT good.  Perfectly seasoned, crispy but not hard, sweet but not too sweet.  There was more than just a light hint of pineapple, but it was perfection on that point.  It really made me smile.
TABLE SALSA: 4, this was so good.  Might be a little, just slightly spicy for the average eater, but so damn good, I couldn't get enough!
JALEPENO SALSA: 4, this is not as good as mine, but really tasty.  Their texture was perfect, they need to boil it a little longer, not add so much milk and this could be a 5.  Really good.  I loved it mixed with the table salsa on my chips, try it, you'll be happy!!!
HABENERO SALSA: 4, this was good.  Not my cup of tea so to speak, but a balanced salsa with great flavors, I approve, and we all know that is important.

The grilled onions on top were stellar.  Not too much, not overdone, but so damn tasty.  The tortillas were made in the restaurant.  They would fall slightly apart, but they were so tasty.  They were some of the best tortillas that I have.  They were not as good as Chef Zadi's, but if I were to rate, his were a 5, theirs are a 4.  Very nicely done and it really made the tacos that much better.  The tacos were also huge.  You could get the store tortilla tacos for $1.10 or the handmade tacos which were huge for $2.  LOVE IT!  Totally worth it.

Very special thanks to Forrensy.  He is a great guy, great friend and one hell of a Tacoteer.  This was a stellar adventure, not just because of the tacos, but because I got to see a great friend.  We missed Josh, but still had fun.  I'm the lucky one, I get to see Josh often, I'll see him before the week is out!

Thank you to everyone for reading, re-posting and re-tweeting.  I'm shocked an humbled by how this thing has grown in the last year.  It really is awesome and makes it even better for me everyday.  Thank you so much.

Today's goodbye photo is of Fo and my bringing out the sillier side of Tacoteering.  If you follow me on Instagram, you've seen the photo, but here it is, us toasting the 100th blog and a great adventure with smiles!

STAY EXCELLENT!!!!!!

Taqueria Taquito Express, Roswell, GA

Yeah, this is a quickie, you know you all like them.  I was just picking up some bananas and apples from a gas station.  I'm on the road, don't judge.  I had dinner.  I was not hungry.  I saw this and could not say no.  My Taco Destiny brought me to this BP.  Anyways, it was what it was.  I am a fan of the car wash/gas station taco.  Anyways.  I had to get two.  They recommended pastor and asada.

This is the entire operation.  You are seeing it all.  Promising, right?  Here's the reality.  Salty.  They just cover up everything with sodium, no thanks.  They both get a 2.  The salsas are a three.  You are getting a quick short blog.  I do these often and don't write about it, but feel compelled to let you know that this happens if you don't know.

Here's the spread.  Yeah, that is it.  They put the right stuff on there.  I'm back in my hotel room, but wow.  I'm sad.  I couldn't finish that much salt.  The tortillas were not too good.  I'm excited.  Tomorrow I'm going out with the great Fo!  Fo and I are hitting a place that I'm told is fantastic and legendary.  Here's the thing, tacos are everywhere.  Search them out.  I do.  I'll let you know where to go.  Thanks for reading!

Stay Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr Taco, Roswell, GA

Yes, travels have brought me back to the Atlanta area.  I'm again up in Roswell, GA.  Again, I'm in a place that has better tacos then Houston.  Some of the guys I work with told me to check this place out.  Here's what I'm going to say, I did not want to come here after looking at the website.  It just did not look like the type of place that I belong in.  I will openly admit, I was wrong.  The menu starts with street tacos.  Yes, this put my mind at ease.  Let me tell you, it is cold here.  Damn cold.  It is a beautiful 75 degrees in Los Angeles, and I'm soaking up some of the coldest weather to hit Atlanta in the last 30 years.  I did not want to have to go somewhere else, so I'm very glad that this worked out.

See, the menu is a bit bright for my liking, but legit.  The meat choices are simple, relate-able and good.  They know to do what they know and not try to do everything, I respect that, as I'm sure everyone knows.  The chick that was working the counter was great.  She was so nice, very sweet, very patient.  She did a great job, she's not afraid to up-sell.  I thought that she was great.  My eye was staring the entire time while I was there and while I was trying to order at the salsa bar.  Yeah, it really had me excited.  I could stare at a salsa bar like that all night.

I know, I just want to clap as I look at this picture.  Everything had a cool label I should have taken photos of.  There is hot, extra hot, mild, medium, everything that you could want and need and mild salsa.  The grilled jalapenos were just so good.  I probably should not have eaten as many as I did, but it was just so good.






Sorry, I took a clapping break.  I needed to put some space there and get that deliciousness off the screen.  I had a solid workout after work tonight and don't need to destroy my hard work with eating a second dinner really only to get back to the salsa bar.  I love great salsa and this bar displayed all that they have to offer, nicely done my friends, nicely done.  Lets get to what you all want...

RATINGS:
BARBACOA: 3, clove delight.  They have beef and goat.  I ordered the goat and was not disappointed.  It was good, not over the top, but good.  Check it out if you are around, email me and tell me what you think.
CECINA: 2, yeah, this can only be described in one sound, ehh.  Wasn't solid, but it wasn't horrible.
COCHINITA: 1, ewww!  They screwed it up as much as they could.  There was tons of bones in my taco, the meat was tough and did not have much flavor.
ASADA: 3, good stuff.  Needed a touch of salt, but was good and tender.
PASTOR: 3:  balanced, good, close to a 4, but still gets blown out by some of the great places that the Order frequents.
SALSA BAR: 5, don't act surprised, you knew that was coming!
VERDE: 4, spicy, good, balanced
ROJO: 3, solid, but not unreal
JALAPENO: 3, yeah, sorry, mine is so much better
SMOKED SALSA: 3, nice, but pretty normal
JALAPENOS: 5, why doesn't every restaurant have these?

So, yes, I like the place overall.  The salsa bar got a 5 because it really had great variety and really had something for everyone.  It was clean, well kept and they didn't leave it to have a bunch of empty bowls to make you think that they were busy when they weren't.  Place is clean and nice.  You order from the counter, they bring the food.  I was kind of surprised that the place wasn't busier, but then again it was really cold and getting late.  Sun had been down for a bit and ice was forming out there.

See, looks pretty good.  They did pretty good on plate presentation.  I do not like it when there is not enough or too much cilantro and onions.  They did a great job of having the right amount.  I'm hanging in Georgia for one more day working, then heading to the next stop for a few days.  Yes, I'm staying on the East Coast.  Don't know if I'm going out Tacoteering tomorrow, but I'm thinking about it, stay tuned.

Thank you everyone for reading.  Thank you everyone who re-tweets and re-posts.  I really appreciate it.  Trying to really get the Order of the Taco out there, all the support is appreciated.  Don't hesitate to shoot me an email on thoughts of where you think I do well, where you think I'm falling short.  Just want to make this thing better and better.  Until next time, Stay Excellent All!

http://mrtacoatlanta.com

Mi Mexico Taqueria, Roswell, GA

What a crazy day.  My flight was delayed, I witnessed the idiot that drove me nuts on the plane break the door and shut down the train at the Atlanta Airport.  I mean, come on!  I finally get to my rental car and it is a Ford Festiva, not quite my size or speed.  My hotel was a mess.  I had to change rooms three times, yeah, I know, living the dream.  Needless to say, I was starving by the time I got to work.  You'd think this would be a good thing as I work in a restaurant, but no, I wanted tacos.  So tacos I should have.  I did a walk through, spoke to the crew and asked them where to go.  I don't think they really understood that I write a taco blog, yes, I did tell them over and over.  They pointed me towards this little gem.

Mi Mexico Taqueria....this place is great.  It is a grocery store in a strip mall a little North of downtown Roswell, GA.  I walk in and take a look around.  I can dig it.  Pretty normal family owned grocery store.  Place was sort of clean, looked fun.  I'd shop there, I'd just lie to my wife about it.  Good thing she doesn't always read the blog, she might find out where I go grocery shopping.  I walk to the back and there is three sort of tables and a little counter.  I walk up and am not too sure if this is a guy or a girl who is staring at me with an insane amount of hatred.  I stuck with my strengths, played stupid and began to order in English with a Southern accent.  It then tells me that they had no lengua and it seemed shocked that lengua was the first thing that I tried to order.  It said back, "no, we no have no no tongue for today or maybe tomorrow."  I nodded and continued my order.  Everything looked pretty solid.  This individual then makes my order.  I watched as the tortillas were pressed out by hand.  The meat was cut and put on the grill.  When they were short, they went over to the meat counter and grabbed what was needed.  I loved it.

Food is done and individual actually walked it right by me as I was standing there and put in on the table and looked at me and pointed to the food.  I then noticed a small stitching on the apron that said "Stephanie."  I thanked Stephanie for bringing the food out.  She scowled at me and shook her head.  I think it was her apron, I mean, she was wearing it and I'm a taco lover, not a mind reader!  I sit down to eat.  Holy delicious taco, she knew what she was doing!  Food was great.  Made a bit different then I'm use to, but legit.  I wouldn't be embarrassed to take people that I like in here.

RATINGS:
Tortilla: 4, this is no Guisados or Los Cincos Puntos, it is not even that car wash in Birmingham that I still dream of, but they are above average tortillas.
Chicharron: 1, please crisp it a little.  When it tastes like slime, I just don't love it.  I really think that you need to make this stuff edible.  It is like eating a raw jellyfish, and no one wants that.
Carnitas: 3, this is a borderline 4.  I really liked what she had going here.  Stuff was moist, juicy, delightful, but it just didn't push me over the edge.
Pastor: 3, ugh, I really wanted to post a 4 here.  The stuff is cooked then finished on the flat top with onions and pineapple that were so amazing.  They were cooked to where they were almost burnt, but pulled off in time.  Sadly, there was zero salt and Pastor needs it.  With the use of the chilies, it craves salt, sorry, you stay a 3.
Barbacoa: 3, so psyched to see this on the menu and it is made with goat, like it should be.  This slow cooked goodness was stewing on her sort of steam table.  I really was happy with it, but again, lacked some salt and pepper.  They did do a nice job overall.
Asada: 5, what?  A 4 on Asada, isn't that against the rules of the Order of the Taco?  I know, but this stuff was something really special.  It was good.  Grilled over an open flame with salt, pepper, lime, red wine vinegar, cilantro and garlic, then finished on a flat top.  Holy amazing Asada, forget it, I'm changing this to a 5 but am not rewriting everything, you get the point, it was stellar.
Red Salsa: 3, not a true rojo, but delicious.  Solid all the way through.  I though the flavors were pronounced and nice.
Green Salsa: 4, I know a solid four at that!  Had some avocado chunks and was darn spicy.  I really liked this stuff.  It complimented everything and was great by itself.

So, one of the rudest people that I've ever encountered, I'd go back in a heartbeat.  It was so over the top and hard to understand that it just made the experience better.  I would say go, go whenever you are in the Atlanta greater area.  Place is totally worth it.  The two folks that were working the market seemed really cool.  The meat looked great and I love the support of the local business.  Go see Stephanie, if that is her name and if that is a her, she is worth the price of admission.  Tacos were only $1.50 each, and were huge.  I couldn't finish the five I ordered and that's not just because the chicharron was horrible.

I can't say enough thank yous to anyone and everyone for reading.  I really do appreciate it.  As always, please tell your friends, foes and strangers and Stay Excellent!