Friday, June 13, 2008

Americanized Mexican: OSO and Taco Inn

I've had Americanized Mexican food twice in as many days and was happy with both experiences. Last night I ate at OSO, and today I had Taco Inn.

OSO (forgot my camera):

I love love love fish tacos, but I was craving OSO's soft flour tortilla, so I got the mini fish burrito. I love that the offer a mini burrito, since the regular size is just too big and some people (ahem) can't control themselves. I have a problem with branching out when I go to OSO, but I hear that their curry tofu burrito is excellent (my friend Katie swears by it). What do you like to order at OSO? They also have a nice atmosphere and a good selection of Mexican beers. It rivals Yia Yia's as the best place to eat, drink, and people-watch on a summer evening in Lincoln.

Taco Inn:

Taco Inn is my favorite fast-food-Americanized taco joint. During my drinking days, nothing cured a hangover better than a big mess of nachos made with the flour chips. If I had to describe Taco Inn in three words they would be cheap, local, and satisfying.


"A Lincoln Original since 1976"-- just like me!

My friend ordered the chicken enchilada, one of my favs. It's a little flour tortilla stuffed with chicken and cream cheese and smothered in enchilada sauce and is totally worth the heartburn it gives you. The $5 chicken enchilada meal is a crap-ton of food.


Sorry about the blurry pics

I ordered a taco and the combo burrito. The burrito was...meh. It was just a tortilla wrapped around some beans and taco meat. For some reason I thought there was supposed to be more stuff in there. I should have read the menu more closely. The taco was delicious as always. I think they're the best Americanized tacos I've ever had-- far better than Taco Bell or Taco John's. The meat is fresh and not too greasy, the shell is always light and crunchy, and there's always a good quantity of cheese. Their kick-ass taco sauce makes them even better. I eat it at a ratio of 2-3 packets per taco.



Neither of these places are as good as a good authentic place like Super Taco, but they aren't the same thing. If you're in the mood for a good old fashioned hard shell taco or a great big burrito filled with international specialty ingredients, both of these places are nice to have around.

4 comments:

julee said...

My favorite thing to get at OSO is the curry burrito. The ginger salsa is sooo good.

Chris said...

I remember the original Taco Inn at 14th and R. What a dump! There was always lettuce all over the floor.

Anonymous said...

Totally agree with you on Taco Inn. It is a good Americanized Mexican fast food chain and definitely better than Taco Hell, Taco Johns, and Amigos. I still prefer Taco Time however for fast food Americanized Mexican. That is a chain out in the NW and closest one to NE is probably Utah. They pop up all over the world however. I used to visit one when I lived in Bangkok.

Ate at Oso today. Had the fish burrito with curry sauce and also some of the garlic salsa. Great stuff. Love fish tacos/burritos!

Anne and Mike said...

mmm there's a taco time 3 blocks from my house. sarah, if you come vist we'll go there. they have a crispy meat taco that's to die for. it's taco meat rolled in a flour tortilla and flash fried.