Camp Taco took over a disused storefront on 20th Street that had been at least 3 things since I'd moved to Birmingham in 2007, none of which ever prospered, especially the ones that never actually opened. The place, obviously, serves tacos along with a selection of burritos, fajitas, nachos and the like.
The queso dip remains a favorite of mine, with chunks of chopped jalapeno adding actual texture to what can sometimes be a flavorless cheese and chip delivery mechanism. The portions are ample for a reasonable price, particularly when it comes to the burrito. $1.99 got me a burrito that took over my entire meal, leaving my poor roasted veggie and pumpkin seed taco sitting there, begging for attention.
Two tacos and a split basket of chips and queso is my standard fare if I can get anyone to come along for a lunch in Five Points. The potato taco is a delightful vegan option, but a bit of extra crisp and bite to the potatoes would be appreciated. I've appropriated the idea for myself and I find that roasting the potatoes before stuffing them in a tortilla gives a nice heterogeneous texture. But everything is generally well flavored, not overpowering but good.
Unfortunately, the online menu seems to have disappeared, but there are 4 or 5 decent vegetarian options on it taco wise, along with burritos and fajitas. Some of the seasonal specials, which seem to rotate less than they used to, will end up being appropriate.
14 February 2011
29 January 2011
Spoonfed Grill, Railroad Park
Today was an interesting Birmingham day. Unexpectedly, especially as it was below 30 degrees when I walked my dog this morning, we were pushing into the 70s by midday under beautiful sunny skies. This called for a trip to Railroad Park, which is good in and of itself, but today the Spoonfed truck was going to be serving, and it cried out for a sample.
During the week the truck stays mostly on the North side of the railroad tracks in the downtown core of Birmingham, but distressingly far from my lab and haunts on the Southside and Five Points. I know food trucks are old hat at this point, but Birmingham for all of its highlights, can be a bit behind the times.
The menu varies day to day, and today had 5 or 6 different options, all of which listed meat as an ingredient. But I was hungry and wanted to sit down and read so I ordered the burrito, but asked for no meat. To my surprise, they pulled some of the cost off the order, making my tab for a Chipotle sized burrito and some tortilla chips $6. I do appreciate that kind of accommodation.
Worth it? Most certainly. Roasted and sauteed vegetables, lettuce, rice, black beans, cilantro and a good helping of sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla. Well balanced flavors, but with a bit of a homogeneous texture, some raw vegetables in there would help make it a bit more interesting to chew on. But that's a minor complaint.
I didn't get a drink, but they had a cooler of Coca Cola standards. They man taking my order said they were hoping to start carrying 'things no one else has' so that bodes well for people who like weird sodas and juices, and I certainly do.
Spoonfed would probably do good business on Southside, but probably not as well as they can do downtown, but with the Railroad Park cars shut down on weekends, they'll be a popular bunch should they choose to serve regularly on the weekend. You can find out where they'll be on Twitter.
During the week the truck stays mostly on the North side of the railroad tracks in the downtown core of Birmingham, but distressingly far from my lab and haunts on the Southside and Five Points. I know food trucks are old hat at this point, but Birmingham for all of its highlights, can be a bit behind the times.
The menu varies day to day, and today had 5 or 6 different options, all of which listed meat as an ingredient. But I was hungry and wanted to sit down and read so I ordered the burrito, but asked for no meat. To my surprise, they pulled some of the cost off the order, making my tab for a Chipotle sized burrito and some tortilla chips $6. I do appreciate that kind of accommodation.
Worth it? Most certainly. Roasted and sauteed vegetables, lettuce, rice, black beans, cilantro and a good helping of sour cream wrapped in a flour tortilla. Well balanced flavors, but with a bit of a homogeneous texture, some raw vegetables in there would help make it a bit more interesting to chew on. But that's a minor complaint.
I didn't get a drink, but they had a cooler of Coca Cola standards. They man taking my order said they were hoping to start carrying 'things no one else has' so that bodes well for people who like weird sodas and juices, and I certainly do.
Spoonfed would probably do good business on Southside, but probably not as well as they can do downtown, but with the Railroad Park cars shut down on weekends, they'll be a popular bunch should they choose to serve regularly on the weekend. You can find out where they'll be on Twitter.
18 January 2011
MLK Jr. Day Off
Monday, I found myself with a rare day off from work when lots of restaurants downtown are still open. With Will Shepherd in tow, I went to try one of the places I'd been meaning to eat at but never got the chance.
Brick & Tin has been open for a few months and serves a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads and a tapas menu on Friday evenings. The tapas menu appears light on vegetarian options, but there may have nightly options that are not posted. They have a beer and wine menu if you're having a drinking lunch. Importantly, for me, their website takes the time and trouble to list the sources of their meat, cheese and produce. If their food didn't live up the promise, that would just be lipstick on a pig, but the amazing food combined with a public declaration of locavorism makes the place a solid plus.
I had the Tuscan sandwich, which has roasted portobello mushroom, oven-dried tomato, provolone & walnut pesto. It comes on warmed, baked fresh white bread. The bread had a pleasant crust, not overpoweringly crunchy. An extremely pillowy crumb soaked up the oils and flavors from the sandwich magnificently. I could see trying this on an airier, crustier bread to see how that works, but there's no need to meddle with an already successful dish, for now.
The plate ($7) comes with a small (about 6 oz.) cup of soup. The selections vary and I chose the cabbage and sweet onion puree, which had a swirl of what was probably Extra Virgin Olive Oil on top with service. It was an excellent soup that complimented the sandwich well. Nothing on the plate overpowered anything else on it. Fresh press coffee was as I expected, pleasantly creamy and hot.
For dessert we walked a few blocks over to the new Mix bakery in One Federal Place. The space is absolutely cavernous, and a bit too operating room white sterile. Just had a simple glazed donut ($1) but it was one of the best donuts I have ever had. They serve lunch fare, and will soon have a liquor license and I can't wait to try it.
Brick & Tin has been open for a few months and serves a variety of sandwiches, soups, salads and a tapas menu on Friday evenings. The tapas menu appears light on vegetarian options, but there may have nightly options that are not posted. They have a beer and wine menu if you're having a drinking lunch. Importantly, for me, their website takes the time and trouble to list the sources of their meat, cheese and produce. If their food didn't live up the promise, that would just be lipstick on a pig, but the amazing food combined with a public declaration of locavorism makes the place a solid plus.
I had the Tuscan sandwich, which has roasted portobello mushroom, oven-dried tomato, provolone & walnut pesto. It comes on warmed, baked fresh white bread. The bread had a pleasant crust, not overpoweringly crunchy. An extremely pillowy crumb soaked up the oils and flavors from the sandwich magnificently. I could see trying this on an airier, crustier bread to see how that works, but there's no need to meddle with an already successful dish, for now.
The plate ($7) comes with a small (about 6 oz.) cup of soup. The selections vary and I chose the cabbage and sweet onion puree, which had a swirl of what was probably Extra Virgin Olive Oil on top with service. It was an excellent soup that complimented the sandwich well. Nothing on the plate overpowered anything else on it. Fresh press coffee was as I expected, pleasantly creamy and hot.
For dessert we walked a few blocks over to the new Mix bakery in One Federal Place. The space is absolutely cavernous, and a bit too operating room white sterile. Just had a simple glazed donut ($1) but it was one of the best donuts I have ever had. They serve lunch fare, and will soon have a liquor license and I can't wait to try it.
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