Vegetarian Rant.

I'm a vegetarian.  I'm the blogger.  I'm allowed to rant.

I will never understand the lack of a vegetarian taco option.  I mean, really... How expensive is it to keep some black beans on hand and throw in some tacos, just like you do the beef/chicken/fish for the carnivores?!  I grow tired of eating quesadillas and wraps and not being able to fully take part in our elaborate rating process!

I've definitely been impressed by the creativity some spots have had to offer... Lion on Lorain and Touch were my personal favorites.  Even the bean offerings at Lincoln Park Pub and Flying Monkey were delicious and memorable.  A few spots, such as the ever popular Riverwood don't have published vegetarian options but are more than happy to throw something together.  Much appreciated, my friends.

There is such a large vegan and vegetarian population in the Cleveland area.  Restaurants all over the place are increasing their options.  Yes, I know that I have chosen my diet, and I try to keep my complaining to a minimum.  All I ask is to keep us non-meat-eaters in mind when figuring out what to offer your taco night guests!

Beachcliff Tavern

Beachcliff Tavern
19245 Detroit Ave.
Rocky River
440-333-4686
www.beachclifftavern.com

The Deal
Mondays
$0.99 Tacos & Fajitas (Minimum order of 3)

The Rating: 3.4/5.0
Overall Experience - 4.1
Taste - 3.8
Price - 4.7
Variety - 2.0
Shell - 2.2

I had forgotten how much I liked this place.  A pretty decent-sized bar, cheap & good food, close to home.  We'll definitely be back.  Also, our service was attentive and timely... Granted, it was a pretty quiet night, but it was still appreciated!

I must say... This was, by far, the best $0.99 taco night we've had yet.  For the most part, $0.99 tacos have TASTED like $0.99 tacos.  This was a great deal, though.  Three beef tacos or three chicken fajitas for less than $3.00.  Such a great value.  The only offered soft shells, but they were really tasty.  They could have possibly had a little more meat in them, but... again... a buck each.  Plus, they had a good amount of flavor and had sour cream and salsa (albeit "too much" salsa, says a taco night rookie).

I personally think we had a tough crowd with the ratings.  Everyone really seemed to like the tacos.  If they had more variety and possibly a better beer selection, I think this spot could have made it into the top 3!

West Park Station

West Park Station
17015 Lorain Ave
Cleveland
(216) 476-2000
www.westparkstation.com

The Deal:
Wednesdays
$5.00 for 2 Tacos or Quesadilla


The Rating: 2.5/5.0
Overall Experience - 2.8
Taste - 3.0
Price - 2.2
Variety - 2.0
Shell - 2.4

After a brief (long) hiatus.  The Taco Knights are back! We had a group head to West Park Station in the Kamm's Corner neighborhood. Unfortunately, I could not be there for the exciting return, but I was there in spirit!  

Perhaps we are a bit spoiled by some great taco deals we've had in the past, but the group was a bit unimpressed and didn't see it as a huge "deal."  There was not a lot of variety, with only the option of chicken or beef, but the additional quesadilla option was pretty popular.  The tacos were stuffed well, but seemed to be a little lacking in flavor.

The shell seemed to be a hit.  We like our fried shells, that's for sure.  The same shell was with both the tacos and the quesadilla, but it doesn't sound like there were complaints!

Overall, the group had a triumphant return.  Perhaps this was an "ehhh" option, but overall we're just glad to be back in action!

Plank Road Tavern

Plank Road Tavern
16719 Detroit Ave
Lakewood
(216) 221-5900

The Deal:
Wednesdays
$2.00 Tacos
$2.00 Corona
$3.00 Margaritas

The Rating: 3.0/5.0
Overall Experience - 3.5
Taste - 3.3
Price - 3.0
Variety - 2.7
Shell - 2.7

The hiatus is over, and the Taco Knights are back in action!

For our first return to the tacos... Plank Road Tavern in Lakewood.  It's a great little bar (it used to be the Riviera, for those that are familiar with Lakewood haunts) with a nice little patio out back.  I had no idea about the patio... And I LOVE PATIOS.  Taco night was pretty quiet, which I am okay with.  I know the place gets pretty packed on the weekends.  They also have live Irish Music on Thursdays, which is a nice change of pace for Lakewood bars!

Anyhow... To the tacos...

They offered a choice of chicken, beef or veggie and hard or soft shell.  The veggie option was pickled veggies in an avocado sauce.  While I'm not a huge fan of pickled veggies, I did really enjoy it.  It was not like any veggie taco I've had before, and that says a lot!  The group really liked the beef taco.  It wasn't the "run of the mill" ground beef.  Rather, it was real shredded beef.  The chicken didn't win over anyone, though. It was pretty standard and a little dry.  The soft shells won the crowd over, but the hard shell was stale and tasted like the plain ol' store-bought option.

Overall, we were pleased.  A lil room for improvement, as proven by the average store, but it's a great bar and we had a great time!

Sachsenheim Hall

Sachsenheim Hall
7001 Denison Avenue
Cleveland
(216) 651-0888

The Deal:
Tuesdays
$1.00 Tacos

The Rating: 4.4/5.0
Overall Experience - 4.8
Taste - 4.1
Price - 5.0
Variety - 4.8
Shell - 3.3

I had heard about this place for some time... $1.00 and super cheap beer?!  Where do I sign up?!  However, I had no idea what to expect.  It's not the most ideal neighborhood, and the building itself is not all that inviting.  A little sketchy with the sidedoor entrance and random strange empty rooms (which we obviously explored).  I love this place, though.  The people watching is spectacular, the tacos were cheap and good, and the beers are huge.  Service was a little spotty, but I think it matched the atmosphere and it was pretty packed.  Plus, the bartenders were so damn personable!

They offer a huge variety of tacos.  You select a hard or soft shell and a meat (or non-meat!) to go with it.  They are also all loaded with sour cream, cheese, lettuce & salsa.  FOR A DOLLAR!  They also offer nachos, empanadas, quesadillas & burritos.  We stick with tacos, but I'd go back to try out the rest!  We were all VERY excited about the variety.  I think the hardest part was figuring out which one you were eating.  There was alot of "I think this is the Saxon Sausage... Or maybe it's the Italian Carnival." Their shells left a bit to be desired.  Nothing special to note, since they were your everyday shell, but for $1.00, it's completely acceptable.

Also, I cannot complain about $5.00 liters of beer.  Yes, liters. 

Lincoln Park Pub

Lincoln Park Pub
2609 W. 14th St
Cleveland (Tremont)
(216) 621-2240

The Deal:
Tuesdays
$1.25 Beef or Bean Tacos
$2.00 Combo (Beef & Bean) or Chicken
$2.25 Mexican Beers

The Rating: 4.1/5.0
Overall Experience - 4.4
Taste - 4.4
Price - 3.9
Variety - 3.3
Shell - 4.3

Lincoln Park Pub is a great Tremont bar.  They have a fantastic beer selection and a great patio.   Perfect spot to celebrate Ken's birthday!  We actually had gone to LPP as our first (unofficial) taco night.  Before the ratings began.  It was definitely a great time to re-visit!  Sadly, the weather didn't allow for patio sitting.
First things first, our server was GREAT!  She was attentive (but not too attentive) and thorough.  I am always a sucker for good service.  Also, they had great music playing.  I don't think that's something that usually sticks out, but the great music prompted lots of nostalgia.  We're all music lovers!

Now, to the important part.  The Tacos.

They don't have a huge variety (although, I hear that may be growing with specialty tacos added to the mix), but the selection of sauces adds a lot to their offerings.  They have six different flavors to add to your tacos: Mild, Medium, Hot, Morning After, Kill Me, Mama Sauce.  I'm a wimp, and stuck with what I know, but it sounds like the Kill Me was quite good, but not overwhelmingly spicy.  Their shells were also some of my favorites to date!

Touch Supper Club

Touch Supper Club
2710 Lorain Ave.
Cleveland
(216) 631-5200
http://www.touchohiocity.com

The Deal:
Thursdays
$3.00 each or $2/5 Gourmet Tacos
Drink specials and DJ

The Rating: 3.8/5.0
Overall Experience - 4.5
Taste - 3.8
Price - 2.9
Variety - 4.6
Shell - 3.0

I may be a little biased with this one... I was able to eat tacos... But I was really impressed with Touch.  Not only did we have a fancy room and a pretty kickass server (anyone remember her name???), but the tacos were pretty good, too!  Pretty good selection.  Their slogan of "F#@K Yo Dolla Tacos" sounds about right.   The tofu wasn't my favorite veggie taco to date, but I did really like the kimchie sauce.  From what I heard from the group, the pork and beef tacos were quite delish.