I still haven’t gotten to try the Taco Shack in Tolono yet, and now Seth adds another destination to my taco-obsessed agenda. Better fuel up the wagon.

Pero porque no escribes esta articulo en “nuestra idioma segunda”?  Quizas este periodico necesita algunas articulos en español.  Que crees?  (Lo siento, no se poner la punctuacion correcta con esta pinche computadora.)

Jason - Do yourself a favor and never go to the Taco Shack in Tolono, unless you want to watch Fox News and don’t have cable. That place is TERRIBLE. It is exactly the opposite of El Taco Tako in every way. When I went the salsa had been made from unripe tomatoes. Seth must have been in a generous spirit when he wrote his review. But do go to this place. You will not be disappointed. It’s so worth it.

Do they have lengua tacos as well? I need a good place to satisfy my tongue cravings.

I didn’t write it in Spanish because I can’t speak, write, or understand it well enough to even pretend. I can order food, ask for directions, and generally be polite.
 
We’ve had some Spanish language articles published on SP.com actually, but it’s hard to find dedicated writers in the English language to contribute, let alone in Spanish.
 
But hey, you know me — if it were my call, we’d be teaching our children Spanish from the the time they were in pre-school, and taking mandatory week-long SPANISH ONLY field trips three times per year.

@John — you are wrong about The Taco Shack. At least the two times I’ve been, it’s been perfectly fine, and the salsa is actually really good. That sucks that you had that experience there. They are doing a decent job.
 
@Chris — actually, they don’t. And I think that’s more of a nod to the culture there, as opposed to its owners. Tongue doesn’t sit well with lots of people in central Illinois. Bummer too, because most don’t know what they’re missing.

@Seth - Nope. I’ll take my comments off the air.

Glad someone said something about the dismal state of Mexican restaurants in CU.  A couple are marginally passable, but hardly worth going out to, and several are absolute abominations that should be reported to the Mexican embassy.  If one is willing to drive all the way to Arcola (and I just may, now) for good Mexican, might I also suggest Taqueria el Porto in Bloomington.  Best Mexican I’ve had in central Illinois by far, and if my memory serves, they do have tongue.

btw.  nice photos.

Take a right off the Arcola exit, drive until you get to the stop sign by the tall row of silos, take a right, drive a block and El Taco Tako is on your left. Piece of cake.

I will really miss this place. As far as destination dinners go for our neck of the woods, this is the best of the bunch.

Most of us in C-U spend too little time exploring our neighbors.

Mas Amigos has THE best chips and salsa in town. Boo Chevy’s. I enjoyed Cocina Real as well. Those are the only two in this place I can stand though… there’s so many in this town and they’re so mediocre.

Lisa, no way in god’s green Earth are the tacos at Mas better than those at El Taco. They are different strokes, for sure. But the meat at El Taco is superior to that of the local joints. And the grilled onions just seal the deal.

Anyway, I _love_ that we can have a debate about the best place to get a tasty taco and the usual suspects don’t have to be a part of the convo.

The tacos at Mas are good; hands down the best in the city limits.  The meat/spicing at Tako is better, but, I think, only moderately so.  It really is the fried onions and extra round of (light) frying for the tortillas that put them on a whole other level.
 
I can’t belive Loco and Chevy’s got mentioned.  Trash.

Drive north for the best tacos ever.  My favorite taco shack is a place called Casadores in Onarga, IL, which is about 45 minutes north of Champaign and has an exit on I-57.  If you ever get the chance, you won’t be disappointed.  Super cheap and super tasty.  I think there’s maybe 2 tables inside, so it’s mostly takeout, and it always appears to be run by one guy who answers the phone and cooks.  It’s right on route 45 and the building is one of those pre fab sheds you can probably buy at Menards.  It also has the best artwork, which is some hunters or “casadores” hunting for tacos.

http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=20645

Here’s a pretty good review of Casadores along with pictures.

@Lisa — we’re just going to have to disagree here. I enjoy Mas just fine, but they just don’t hold a candle in my estimation. Point Hoepker!
 
@Beth — you are actually right. Mas has the best chips HANDS DOWN. My oversight, and fully acknowledged. BUT — don’t boo Chevy’s completely. Honestly, have you tried their chips and salsa? If you have and you don’t like them, I can’t help you much. Same goes to you Hirschfeld. Plus, they are very active in the community and give a lot to charity. That counts to me. Though the rest of the menu there is kinda of just shite.
 
@JimK — yes, El Charro does rule it with authenticity and selection, but again, those tacos just aren’t even close to as good. I will eat there — and I do. But sometimes, you just have to call it like you see it. Lengua is one of my favorites.
 
@AndrewK — organize the road trip; I am there.

I’ve been telling people for a couple of years now that the best tacos I’ve had in town are at El Charro. But now I’ve got some delicious homework to do. You know, in order to ensure I’m giving the best recommendations I can, of course.

I’m a big fan of Mas Amigos, by which I mean I am physically much larger than I would otherwise be were it not for its presence in my town. Best chips in town, best tacos in town, hands down.
 
The mere notion that there are better tacos within driving distance has me foaming at the mouth. Seriously. It’s disgusting.

Love the tacos, especially the lengua at El Charro, but the cured, pickled pork skin tostada with spicy salsa is what really rocks.

Nice catch… my info was from Wikipedia, which is, of course, always asking for trouble. But that even further proves my point; it’s a community that has deep ties to our neighbors in the south.