Bellevue, WA (near Factoria Mall)

Lucky in its location, Taqueria el Tapatio sits in Loehman’s Plaza right below the T-Mobile Field Service Center campus. Every day, hundreds of hungry T-Mobilers walk down to this plaza to a plethora of foreign restaurants. Being hungry for Mexican and with a little extra money to spare, I thought I’d visit Tapatio.

The restaurant is brightly decorated and clean. The staff is warm, friendly, and very efficient. The food, on the other hand, was not great. I ordered their Tacos Al Carbon and what I got was dry, tasteless meat in corn tortillas, uber-salty refried beans (no whole bean options) and mediocre Spanish rice. Tacos Al Carbon is a dish I’ve ordered at two other restaurants, El Gitano and Chihuahua’s. At these two places, the meat was tender and flavorful.

I don’t want to base all of my opinions on one meal but I’m not inspired to visit again. If I end of visiting Tapatio’s again, and I find the food better, I will update this blog on my better experience. As for now, I’m not comfortable placing my recommendation on this restaurant.