Taco House comes to the Dark side

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A sign you cannot miss.
A sign you cannot miss.

Much ink devoted to the news that the American chain Taco Bell is opening up in Bangkok; however, the people in Pattaya don’t need to drive to the capital, we have our own Taco House on Pornpranimit (AKA Siam Country Club Road) which is a lot closer than any place in Bangkok.

So where is it? Until recently it had been host to several different restaurants. It began with a Turkish flavor, then becoming O’Neil’s, to be then taken over by the Retox group which moved further down the road. After another make-over it has now become a Tex-Mex (and more). Some of the heritage can be seen with five large screen TV’s for sports and the sit-up bar.

Classical bacon/cheese quesadillas.
Classical bacon/cheese quesadillas.

Taco House is very easy to find. Come down Siam Country Club Road from the crossroads, known as Chicken Cross Roads by the locals, and Soi 28 Pornpranimit is on your right about two kilometers down heading away from town.

The restaurant has been divided into a 24 seat front section (air conditioned of course) and another air-con private section seating around 20 persons for seminars, meetings or birthdays. I had need to visit the toilet facilities and they were sparkling clean.

The menu begins with beers, local ones B. 70 but craft beers obviously more. Soft drinks B. 30, juices B. 70 as kids are welcome too.

The menu proper begins with explanations of their seven different salsas with chili indicators. At the foot of the pages are photos of the various dishes, so those not au fait with Tex-Mex can get a handle on what is on offer. This is something all restaurants should do. Not all customers speak English!

Starters (B. 90-190) include quesadillas, tortillas and tostadas.

Salads and soups are B. 160-220, enchiladas B. 190-240, tacos (B. 195-240), quesadillas (B. 170-210), the spectacular fajitas (B. 249 veggies, up to chicken and beef), burritos (B. 230-260). There is even an entry for American Favorites, mainly burgers B. 210-290. Kids are catered for with their own menu B.100-120 with chicken tenders and hot dogs on offer.

Dos senoritas to serve you.
Dos senoritas to serve you.

The Dining Out Team went for lunch on a Sunday and there were already two tables with what sounded like Mexican accents. Madame ordered a bacon cheese quesadilla while I selected a beef taco with salsa on the side. Both were good servings and our pick was the quesadilla with the molten cheese inside, almost like a double pizza with the one on the top upside down.

My three tacos were excellent too, but I always seem to drop more than I eat. It was a huge plateful however, with even more for me to spill.

If you are a fan of Tex-Mex, give this place a try. If you are new to the cuisine the friendly staff will assist you in the choices available. We had been a couple of times before and the high standards have been maintained.

A sit up bar to whet the appetite.
A sit up bar to whet the appetite.

Taco House is looking for your business and after our review I am sure they will do it very successfully. Active with their promotions there is a 10 flavor margarita bar coming plus even 500 baht lucky draws each month, and if you are worried about plastic straws they have plant based straws as well.

Taco House, 78/3 Moo 2 Pornpranimit (Siam Country Club) corner Soi 28, tel. 098 827 3725, open six days (closed Mondays) 12 noon until 9.30 p.m. On-street parking plus restaurant forecourt.