When I first heard about, saw, and visited Kesos Tacos, I assumed it was a national chain impinging on Torchy’s turf. So I was surprised to learn that Kesos is local, started by Jhonatan Aldama on MLK in 2014 (and yes, dear reader, I spelt his name correctly). Aldama opened his first outpost on South Congress before redevelopment shut that one down, so now his outpost is located near our hood just off Spicewood in ye olde Taco Shack location.
The secret ingredient in Kesos Tacos is in the name: each taco includes queso, either the house queso, queso with chorizo and fire red salsa, and the queso of the month. You can even order a queso flight if that’s your thing (it’s undoubtedly mine…). The menu splits between breakfast tacos and lunch and dinner tacos, but Kesos serves them both all day, a big plus for my tumtum. As promised, every one of their 27 tacos says “topped with queso” (I checked). There are tacos with beef, chicken, shrimp, tilapia, and pork and a few veggie choices. You also have your choice of five salsas: avocado, roasted red, jalapeno, fire red, and habanero. In addition to the standard bevs, you can get beer, a ranch water, or margaritas.
The Rise N Shine (scrambled eggs, chorizo, bacon, slow roasted pork carnitas, jalapeños, refried beans, and queso on a corn tortilla; $5) was heartier than the Tin Man at the end of The Wizard of Oz, a truly impressive taco. The Fire Chick (chicken fried in Fire Red salsa, lettuce, pico de gallo, cilantro ranch dressing, and queso on a flour tortilla; $5.60) is a phoenix nestled in a bed of lettuce, squawking with flavor. The BBQ Brisket (brisket, pico de gallo, lettuce, cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, and queso on a flour tortilla; $7), another fan fave, was meaty and good. Service is fast-casual and friendly, and dining is either in a bright, cheery interior or on a vast outdoor patio.
The sophistication of Kesos’ style suggests Aldama hopes to take his concept nationally. His tacos may be cheesy, but that’s a good thing!
Kesos Tacos; various (our location is at 3901 Spicewood Springs Road; (512) 806-0617
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